91-0225_CRA_Minutes_Special Meetingx
FEBRUARY 25, 1991
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the San Juan Capistrano Community
Redevelopment Agency was called to order by Mayor Friess at 6:10 p.m., in the San Juan
Hot Springs Dance Hall to conduct a joint budget work session with the City Council.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: Gil Jones, Vice Chairman
Kenneth E. Friess, Director
Gary L. Hausdorfer, Director
Jeff Vasquez, Director
(arrived at 7:05 p.m.)
ABSENT: Lawrence F. Buchheim, Chairman
STAFF PRESENT: Stephen B. Julian, Executive Director; Thomas G. Merrell, Deputy
Director, Jeffrey parker, Acting Agency Secretary; David Bentz, Finance Officer;
George _Scarborough, Assistant City Manager; William Huber, Director of Building and
Engineering Services; Ronald Sievers, Director of Public Lands and Facilities; Al King,
Director of Community Services; Cheryl Johnson, City Clerk.
BOARD ACTIONS
1. Budget Work Session (330.20)
Written Communications:
CIT Report dated February 25, 1991, from the Assistant City Manager, advising
that a revenue shortfall of $957,430 was being experienced. Expenditure
reductionas already instituted and additional reductions identified by
departments would total $936,052. However, since there were some
significant unexpected expenses, expenditures would exceed revenue by
$691,298 unless additional expenditure cuts were made. The report listed the
expenditure reduction measures that have been taken, the unexpected
additional expenses incurred in the areas of litigation and street light
acquisition costs, and cited the need to consider a reduction in personnel.
(2) Report dated February 25, 1991, from the Director . of Engineering and
Building, forwarding a review of the capital projects by their major fund
source and a staff recommendation for design and/or construction or deferral,
and a project detail and cost breakdown. A revision to page 2 of the Capital
Improvement Project by fund for fiscal year 1990-91 was also submitted.
(3) Report dated February 25, 1991, from the Assistant to the City Manager,
listing measures taken to reduce expenditures in the Community
Redevelopment Agency budget, citing unexpected expenses relative to meeting
Agency obligations for the Dolley Trustee and the Dolley Owner Participation
Agreement, and recommending consideration be given to mortgaging various
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Agency -owned properties in the downtown to meet financial needs. The report
included the status of the Agency Capital Improvement Program.
Council/Agency Discussion:
Councilman Hausdorfer suggested that staff be encouraged to provide several
different scenarios relative to the City's response to the economic situation over the
next several years. Councilman Jones cited concerns relative to the impacts of
archaeology expenses that have been incurred and the need to make decisions about
the downtown area. He suggested that additional revenues could be obtained from
the parking structure. Discussion ensued relative to generating additional revenues
from various parking sources and the need for decisions about the downtown area.
The City Manager noted that consideration would be given to the use of City Park
Rangers to allow Sheriffs' time to be spent in other areas, parking meters, and
paying of parking tickets and City Hall. Mayor Friess advised that the Historic
Town Center committee anticipated forwarding their recommendations to Council in
April. He suggested that staff begin an inventory of Agency -owned property in the
downtown and make recommendations for its disposition. Councilman Hausdorfer
suggested that the idea of assistance and or reimbursement for local agencies who
are providing parking for commuters could be pursued with the Orange County
Transportation Authority.
Councilman Vasquez arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Parking Revenues and Disposition of Assets:
There was a consensus of Council that staff provide recommendations relative to
generating revenue out of the parking circumstances, ways to deal with the traffic
issues and disposition of assets.
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor lawsuit Potential:
Mayor Friess noted that some residents have expressed a desire that the City enter
into a lawsuit if the Corridor is approved. He noted the expense involved in
undertaking and environmental lawsuit. The City Manager advised that undertaking
such a lawsuit would necessitate an examination of additional cutbacks to meet the
expenses. Councilman Jones stated that even though he was sympathetic to the
concerns, he would not want to submit the City to a tremendous lawsuit.
Councilman Vasquez stated that he felt the tollway was the single most important
environmental issue the City was going to be faced with and felt it would be worth
selling an asset to finance such an undertaking. He stated that he would like to be
kept abreast of lawsuit expenditures and potential outcomes.
Personnel Reduction:
Councilman Hausdorfer stated that layoffs should be a last resort and Mayor Friess
concurred that every possible source of expenditure reductions should be reviewed
before reductions in staff. He further stated that should reductions become
necessary, they should be tied into services provided.
Funding to Outside Community Organizations:
Councilman Hausdorfer stated a preference to not withhold fourth quarter
allocations but to look at reductions in June. There was a consensus with
Councilman Vasquez' suggestion that community organizations be notified of the
budget situation and that reductions in funding may be necessary in the next fiscal
year.
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San Juan Research Institute and Decorative Arts Center:
Doug Nash, 52906 Avenida Descanso, head of the Institute, spoke in support of
continued subsidy of the institute through the Birtcher plaza lease.
Mayor Friess suggested that staff meet with Mr. Nash and representatives of the
Decorative Arts Center to discuss the financial relationship and additional ways to
generate revenue. He volunteered to be part of the meetings. Councilman Jones
suggested that representatives of the Birtcher development also be included in the
meeting for the San Juan Research Institute. Councilman Vasquez requested a
report on the meetings and the costs involved in maintaining the relationship with
the two organizations.
mission and Board Member Travel
There was a consensus of Council to that all expenditures of Council and
commissions be frozen for travel, study and seminars for remainder of the fiscal
year. Any requests are to be considered on case by case basis.
Capital Improvement Project Budget:
There was a consensus that the traffic signal at Village Road and Rancho Viejo Road
is a high priority; that until it is installed nothing else should be constructed on
Rancho Viejo Road. The Director of Engineering and Building is to communicate
with editor of the Village San Juan Homeowners Association Newsletter relative to
status of project, Councilman Jones stated that he felt the library parking lot
construction was not a critical project.
Community Redevelopment Agency:
There was a consensus with the staff suggestion to begin mortgaging various
Agency -owned property as a way of meeting financial needs with the expectation
they will be sold. Specific recommendations for selling or mortgaging property will
be submitted in the future.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at $:10
p.m., to the next regular meeting date of Tuesday, March 5, 1991, at 7:00 p.m., in the
City Council Chamber.
Respectfully submitted,
J 7EY ARKER, ACTING AGENCY SECRETARY
ATTEST:
XXWRF-NCE F. A "HEIkMf47C_'H_AJR_MAN_
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