RA1996/07/16ANAHEIM CiViC CENTER, ANAHEIM REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
JULY 16, 1996
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
PRESENT:
AGENCY MEMBERS: Tom Tait, Bob Zemel, Frank Feldhaus, Lou Lopez, Tom Daly
AGENCY MEMBERS: None
CITY MANAGER: James Ruth
CITY ATTORNEY: Jack White
SECRETARY: Leonora N. Sohl
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Lisa Stipkovich
REDEVELOPMENT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Richard Bruckner
A complete copy of the agenda for the meeting of the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency was posted at
11:20 a.m. on July 12, 1996 at the Civic Center Kiosk, containing all items as shown herein.
Chairman Daly called the regular meeting of the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency to order at 5:31 p.m.
FINANCIAL DEMANDS AGAINST THE ANAHEIM REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY in the amount of
$15,331.87 for the pedod ending July 12, 1996, in accordance with the 1996-97 Budget, were approved.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: There were no additions to agenda items.
ITEMS OF PUBLIC INTEREST:
Jeff Kirsch, 2661 W. Palais, Anaheim. Following up on a question he posed last week, he asked relative
to uncollectible accounts if Waltz & Waltz was, in fact, the same company involved in rehabilitating the
Grimshaw House which is a Redevelopment project.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - AGENDA ITEMS: Public input was received on Item Agency 1 (see discussion
under that item).
161: Approving the Concept Plan for Downtown Pedestrian Linkage Improvements, and
authorizing the construction drawings. (Continued from the meetings of June 11, 1996, Agency
1, June 18, 1996, Agency 2, and June 25, 1996, Agency 1.)
Submitted was supplemental report dated July 16, 1996 from the Community Development Department
recommending approval of the Concept Plan for Downtown Pedestrian Linkage Improvements and
authorizing construction drawings for a portion thereof.
Jeff Kirsch, 2661 W. Palais, Anaheim. He has on previous occasions expressed his lack of support of
the proposal and he has not seen any change in the project that would cause him to support it. He
reiterated, he believes the Agency and the City could find a better use for the money.
Chairman Daly. Staff has adjusted the subject recommendation based on some of the questions and
comments by the Agency/Council at previous meetings. (See minutes of Redevelopment Agency
Meetings, 6/18 and 6/25/96). He asked staff to comment on the new recommendation.
Lisa Stipkovich, Executive Director of Community Development. The amended recommendation is to
downsize the project. Staff feels the physical linkage and particularly the pedestrian linkage between
West Harbor Place and Center Street remains a priority in accordance with the Urban Design Plan.
There is no easy pedestrian access from West Harbor through the City Hall area over to Center Street.
It is necessary to make it very obvious and visible that those streets are linked as well as making it easier
for pedestrians to cross (Anaheim Boulevard). In the International Downtown Association report, it was
one of the critical issues. An element that was eliminated related to the improvements in the area in
front of City Hall which was a significant amount of money particularly in the removal and repouring of
concrete to match the newer scheme and also deleting the fountain proposed for the steps. The basic
changes would be minimal in terms of making the east side of Anaheim Boulevard consistent with the
landscape plan throughout the project area and also providing that pedestrian link to the new Community
Center and Center Street. The cost will be approximately $500,000 which is significantly below the level
previously discussed.
Agency Member Lopez posed a line of questions answered by Mrs. Stipkovich and Richard Bruckner,
Redevelopment/Economic Development Manager dudng which, Mrs. Stipkovich emphasized the
importance of the linkage both for the Community Center uses as well as retail uses, but more
importantly will make it more inviting for residents to walk through the area and also bdng them across
Anaheim Boulevard. The whole plan and idea was to try and create a very easy pedestrian-friendly
environment to make it comfortable and visually draw people into the two areas. It is not easy to do
because the streets are not aligned. She also explained that the project has not yet gone out to
competitive bidding. Tonight, staff is asking for permission to go forward with the plans so they can then
go out to bid. The $500,000 is just an estimate. Mrs. Stipkovich also answered questions posed by
Agency Member Feldhaus.
Agency Member Feldhaus. He would like to make a connection with Freedman Forum, as well, from the
Community Center side, perhaps not in the first phase, but is something that should be considered.
Agency Member Zemel. Since Phase I is now $500,000 of what was $1.2 million, he asked if that meant
Phase II is $700,000.
Mrs. Stipkovich answered that it would be but staff is not asking for approval of that tonight and they do
not have a specific time frame in mind. She also explained that the $700,000 has not been moved to
another project at this time. It would still be in the bond fund which is eligible for public improvements in
Project Alpha; City Manager Ruth stated it could be and staff will come back with a specific
recommendation.
Mrs. Stipkovich also referred to a memo previously submitted (see staff report dated June 14, 1996 -
Subject: City Hall Plaza/Community Center and minutes of 6/18/96 ) regarding the way funding is being
provided for the Community Center. Funding would be coming from the affordable housing set aside. It
would be adding $850,000 and then getting a credit from the City against future park and recreation fees
for affordable housing.
A further discussion followed between Mrs. Stipkovich and Agency Member Zemel wherein Agency
Member Zemel recounted that the issues were merged together at one time and now they are separate.
If he were to vote yes tonight, he would be agreeing to the concept of how to pay for the Community
Center by authorizing the $500,000. He would not be able to do so because he does not support the
concept of moving the money around the way it was explained to him. He believes there is some money
immediately available that does not have any financing 'move around" and that does not have to be
borrowed against any future park fees.
Mrs. Stipkovich, upon additional questioning by Agency Member Zemel regarding funding mechanisms
briefed the memo previously submitted dated June 14, 1996 at the conclusion of which, additional
questions were posed by Agency Member Zemel answered by Mrs. Stipkovich along with a further
discussion.
Agency Member Zemel, emphasizing his position, stated the priority is to provide service as fast as
possible to the public to reduce crime, make neighborhoods better, get kids off the street, etc. If they
have $1.2 million available, he believes it should go to that and not palm trees and landscaping. To him,
it is a policy issue.
Mayor Daly. He agrees it is not so much a question to the staff as it is to the Council/Agency. His
recollection was that staff was asked to find the funds to do both. Staff has recommended one scenario
which will work just fine. If they do not like that scenario, the Agency can ask for others. Meanwhile, the
downtown pedestrian linkage is a result of previous Council/Agency direction which was to complete the
downtown plan, the physical plan, and they asked staff to recommend a funding source for that and they
have done so. He is comfortable moving forward with the pedestrian linkage pregram as recommended
knowing that there is a financing plan in place for the Community Center preject and if that plan is not
acceptable, there are alternatives.
Council Member Lopez. He is willing to move forward on the $500,000 and set aside the $700,000 and
revisit what they will do with that at a later date.
Mayor Daly. The $700,000 is held in abeyance. It is not recommended for spending and can be
allocated for any project.
Mm. Stipkovich explained for Council Member Feldhaus that the cost of the design phase for the
pedestrian linkage is appreximately $50,000 to $60,000 which is the cost for all the design. Staff can
bdng back the basic concept plan which will cost appreximately $10,000 to $20,000 as an intedm action
but to give anything more, they would have to go to schematic and design development drawings. She
is suggesting an intermediate stop where the Agency authorizes staff to go to design development
drawings which they can see before moving to construction drawings. It will be somewhere areund
$20,000-$25,000 as a reugh estimate for the design-development phase. At that time, if the Agency
wants any changes or modifications, they could get that input and give appreval for construction
drawings. It will slow down the precess but not significantly. There could be an intedm step appreving
design-development drawings. She also explained for Council Member Tait if the Agency votes for this
tonight, it would not delay the Community Center. Staff has not stopped for one second on the design of
the Center and it is moving ahead rapidly.
MOTION. Chairman Daly moved to appreve the Concept Plan for Downtown Pedestrian Linkage
Imprevements and authorizing the construction drawings, but that staff report back to the Agency with an
intedm step where the design-development drawings will be submitted to the Agency for review before
going to the construction drawings. Ayes: Tait, Feldhaus, Lopez, Daly.
No: Zemel. MOTION CARRIED.
161: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairman Daly moved to appreve the minutes of the
Anaheim Redevelopment Agency meeting held June 25, 1996, Agency Member Lopez seconded
the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Daly moved to adjourn, Agency Member Lopez seconded the motion.
MOTION CARRIED. (6:00 p.m.)
LEONORA N. SOHL
SECRETARY