BURBANK REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER - 275 EAST OLIVE AVENUE
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4:30 P.M. CLOSED SESSION IN CITY HALL BASEMENT LUNCH ROOM/CONFERENCE ROOM:
Conference with Real Property Negotiator:
Pursuant to Govt. Code �54956.8
Agency Negotiator: Assistant Executive Director/Susan Georgino
Property: A new advertising sign (billboard) is being proposed on City property at the Recycling Center located at 500 South Flower Street which is bounded by Verdugo Avenue and Providencia Avenue.
Parties with Whom Agency is Negotiating: Ken Spiker and Associates, Inc. representing Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc.
Name of Contact Person: Ruth Davidson-Guerra
Terms Under Negotiation: Possible lease of City property to Clear Channel.
When the Agency reconvenes in open session, the Agency may make any required disclosures regarding actions taken in Closed Session or adopt any appropriate resolutions concerning this matter.
6:30 P.M.
INVOCATION:
The Courts have concluded that sectarian prayer as part of City Council meetings is not permitted under the Constitution.
FLAG SALUTE:
ROLL CALL:
JOINT MEETING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL:
The purpose of this report is to: 1) outline recent activities involving the Magnolia Park Community Advisory Committee (Committee) including the consideration of an Action Plan; and, 2) consider options for filling vacancies on the Magnolia Park Community Advisory Committee.
In October 2003, staff conducted several focus group meetings to determine the present situation and future needs for Magnolia Park as perceived by key constituencies of the community. The desired outcome was to achieve a roadmap that would lead the district through a series of steps to fulfill its potential, developed by and for its own residents and businesses.
In January 2004, staff presented the findings of the focus groups meetings to the Council. At that time, the Council directed staff to share those findings with the Committee and develop an Action Plan to carry out the various findings.
After reviewing the findings of the various focus group meetings, the Committee requested that the neighboring community be surveyed to make sure that the focus group findings do in fact reflect the views of the neighborhood. The survey was sent out to approximately 3,000 households, with a return of over 400 representing a 12 percent return rate, which is considered a very high response rate. As it turned out, the results of the survey echoed the findings of the focus groups.
Based on the findings of the focus groups and the resident survey, the Committee moved forward with developing an Action Plan for the district, which defined priorities, schedules and funding sources. The Committee outlined five priorities for the Magnolia Park area with the first three considered top priority. These priorities are: landscaping and facility upgrades; retail leasing; parking; promotions and events; and, maintenance.
Many capital items have already been partially or fully funded by the City and Redevelopment Agency (Agency). The only additional capital appropriation that is being requested is $125,000 in Agency funds for parking improvements. The Committee has unanimously agreed to study the formation of a Business Improvement District to help fund the remaining expenses. These include one-time expenses for enhanced trash receptacles and a fa�ade improvement design guideline manual at a total cost of $40,000. The proposed District would also include an estimated $130,000 in annual expenses for maintenance, promotions and events. Additional expenses will need to be budgeted for staffing and administration at an estimated cost of $70,000 per year. The total annual operating costs are estimated to be $200,000.
It is proposed that the City earmark $40,000 towards the costs for studying the formation of the District using previously-appropriated funds from the economic development budget. It should be noted that a District, if formed, may ultimately decide on a management plan that differs from the proposed plan as outlined.
In January 2004, the Council appointed 15 members to the Committee made up of area merchants, property owners and residents. The Committee provides a balanced voice for residents and merchants to help ensure vitality for area businesses, while remaining sensitive to quality-of-life issues for the residential community.
Although the Committee continues to maintain a quorum, three of the 15 members have resigned due to the sale or relocation of their businesses. Because all three of the Committee members who have resigned were merchant appointees, the current make up the Committee consists of eight residents and four merchants. Staff has outlined the following two options regarding filling vacancies for Council consideration.
Option 1:
The Council could choose to reduce the size of the Committee from 15 to 12 members. However, this does not address the new imbalance between merchant and resident representation.
Option 2:
The Council could choose to fill one or all of the vacancies by opening up a new application process. If this is the direction of the Council, staff would recommend that the new applicants be restricted to merchants and/or property owners to create a more balanced representation. Staff recommends Option 2.
Recommendation:
Adoption of proposed City Council resolution entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK APPROVING THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF A COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF BURBANK AND THE CITY OF BURBANK AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005 BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $125,000.00 FOR THE MAGNOLIA PARK ACTION PLAN.
Adoption of proposed Redevelopment Agency resolution entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF BURBANK APPROVING THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF A COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF BURBANK AND THE CITY OF BURBANK AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005 BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $125,000.00 FOR THE MAGNOLIA PARK ACTION PLAN.
RECESS to conclude the City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT.