11-0728_CRA_Minutes_Special MeetingMINUTES
JULY 28, 2011
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Mayor Allevato called the Special Joint Meeting of the San Juan Capistrano City Council
and the Community Redevelopment Agency to order at 5:05 p.m. in the
City Council Chamber. Mayor pro tem Kramer led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
COUNCIL MEMBERS/DIRECTORS PRESENT: Laura Freese, Derek Reeve,
Mayor pro tem Larry Kramer and Mayor Allevato
COUNCIL MEMBERS/DIRECTORS ABSENT: John Taylor
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: City Council and Community Redevelopment Agency:
Clint Worthington, City resident, requested that the Mayor's Message be
discontinued; and felt that the City's Groundwater Recovery Plant water pumping
expectations are misleading.
Ian Smith, City resident, felt the Ground Water Recovery Plant is a burden on the
City; spoke regarding the City Council/City Manager retreat and the priorities
discussed; and felt that due to the economy, debt recovery and increasing the City's
revenue should be a priority.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
C1. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL
ANALYSIS OF AGENCY ASSETS, OBLIGATIONS, IMPACTS TO THE CITY AND
CITY/AGENCY OPTIONS RELATED TO THE REDEVELOPMENT
RESTRUCTURING ACTS (ASSEMBLY BILLS X1 26 AND X1 27) — CONTINUED
TO THE AUGUST 2, 2011, CITY COUNCIL MEETING (400.80)
Cindy Russell, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, narrated a slide presentation and
responded to questions. Omar Sandoval, City Attorney, and Tom Clark, Agency
Counsel, responded to questions.
Public Comments:
■ Jim Reardon, City resident, stated that Redevelopment Agencies are not
supposed to hold real property for long periods of time; felt that many valued
community assets are owned by the Agency, and administer by the City on
behalf of the State; recommended focusing on the year over year cost of
continuing the Redevelopment Agency, and the possible risk that the laws could
be again modified; and spoke regarding the referendum filed against AB X1 27.
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■ Orrie Brown, City resident, felt that taxpayers should not have the obligation to
provide affordable housing; and expressed concern with the Kinoshita debt and
eminent domain issues related to the Downtown Master Plan.
Council Comments:
■ Felt that some areas of the Redevelopment Agency - need to be changed;
important to look for the City's best interest; felt there is less control if the Agency
is dissolved; would like to receive additional information, including the present
value and costs for the option to continue with the Agency.
■ Expressed concern with the amount of land the Agency owns, especially in the
downtown area; expressed preference in protecting valued assets, such as
parks; suggested transferring some of the valued assets back to the City; and
would like to agree in not incurring any new debt, and have a plan to dissolve the
Agency.
■ Felt that is not logical to issue new debt; surprised in the amount of land the
Agency owns; expressed interested in disposing land, such as Lower Rosan; felt
that if the City does not go with the voluntary program, the City would not have
the money to continue with some of the Agency's projects, such as the
Downtown Sidewalk Widening Project, and funding assistance to the downtown
hotel, etc.
■ Understands that there has been abuse of Redevelopment Agencies throughout
the state; would like to receive additional information and time to further discuss
the two options; expressed no interest in the City holding the Agency's
properties; concurred not to issue new debt; need to wait and see the outcome of
the lawsuit; and felt that the Governor's decision is not going to create new
revenue for the State.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Reeve, seconded by
Council Member Freese, and carried 4-1 with Council Member Taylor absent
(recused due to proximity of numerous Redevelopment Agency properties to his
residence) to continue discussion to the August 2, 2011, City Council meeting.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Freese, Reeve, Kramer and Mayor Allevato
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Taylor (recused due to the proximity of
numerous Redevelopment Agency
properties to his residence)
ADJOURNMENT: CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
There being no further business, Mayor Allevato adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m. to the
Regular Meeting of Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. for Closed Session and
6:00 p.m. for the Public Business Session in the City Council Chamber.
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Respectfully s itt ,
MARIA MORM, tITY CLERK
Approved: September 6, 2011
ATTEST:
LAURA FREESE, CHAIR
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