08-0304_CRA_Minutes_Regular MeetingMINUTES
MARCH 4, 2008
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CLOSED SESSION (610.85) - None
Chairman Nielsen called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the San Juan
Capistrano Community Redevelopment Agency to order at 9:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Sam Allevato, Joe Soto, Dr. Londres Uso, Vice
Chairman Tom Hribar and Chairman Mark Nielsen
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Dave Adams, City Manager; Steve Apple, Deputy Executive
Director; Maria Morris, Deputy Agency Secretary; Cynthia L. Russell, Finance Officer;
Omar Sandoval, Agency Counsel; Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development Manager;
and Eileen White, Recording Secretary.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS - None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Board Action: Moved by Director Soto, seconded by Director Hribar, and carried
unanimously, 4-0, to approve items 1 through 3 approved as recommended by staff.
(Board Director Allevato temporarily stepped away from the dais)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 5, 2008, APPROVED
AS SUBMITTED.
2. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS DATED FEBRUARY 14, 2008, IN THE
TOTAL AMOUNT OF $30,214.92, RECEIVED AND FILED. (300.30)
3. FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE LICENSE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN
THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
AND SUPERIOR AUTO OF SJC, LLC, DBA TOYOTA/SCION OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO APPROVED; AND THE CHAIRMAN AUTHORIZED TO
EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT. (600.40)
PUBLIC HEARING - None
3-4-2008
BOARD ACTIONS
1. DIRECTION GIVEN CONCERNING MASTER CONCEPT PLAN FOR
VERDUGO STREET BEAUTIFICATION IMPROVEMENTS. (CIP NO. R012)
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITY NO. 15A (820.20)
Description: On July 3, 2007, Council approved the concept of a beautification
project to Verdugo Street in response to requests from businesses and property
owners, and on August 21, 2007, awarded a contract for design services. Two
concept plans were prepared and presented at a Planning Commission
workshop, which resulted in a third plan, entitled Concept C. Staff recommended
Council approve the Master Plan for Verdugo Street Improvements and refer
Concept C to the advising boards and commissions for development of detailed
plans and specifications.
Written Communications: Report dated March 4, 2008, from Douglas Dumhart,
Economic Development Manager.
Presentation: Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development Manager, summarized
the staff report and narrated a slide presentation of the three plans providing
detail. Directors ascertained that the ingress/egress reversal does not result in
significant benefit; and at this point in time there appears to be no Measure M
funds available for station beautification improvements.
Public Comment:
Bob Cardoza, City resident, read the Blue Ribbon Committee's visions and
concerns with the Downtown Center and Verdugo Street.
Joe Harrison, City resident, downtown business owner, had concerns with lack of
directional signage; visual impacts of unfinished theater; and favored
improvements.
Eric Altman, Irvine resident, favored Concept C; and would like to see the project
move forward.
Laura Freese, City resident, favored Concept C; felt it was important to keep an
old, historic character throughout downtown.
Board Discussion:
The Directors provided direction for staff to research as follows:
Costs and issues related to extending Verdugo Street all the way to Del Obispo
as a secondary project;
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Cost of completing improvements beyond the west side of Camino Capistrano;
Consult with a traffic expert to study carefully the proposal to reverse the
ingress/egress access points to ensure no unintended consequences; also the
street terminus design to make sure existing character and access for a trolley
service is maintained;
Costs and issues related to ensuring the theater frontage and long blank building
frontage are included in the beautification project, including researching eminent
domain actions if necessary; and
Costs, issues, and potential grant funds available for construction of a protective
cover and benches at the train station.
Board Action: Moved by Director Soto, seconded by Director Hribar, and
carried unanimously, 5-0, to direct staff to provide more detailed definition and
cost of Concept C, based on Director's comments, and return to the Board of
Directors.
2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE'S EVALUATION RECEIVED;
INITIAL PROPOSAL DENIED FOR THE CAPISTRANO CENTER FOR THE
PERFORMING ARTS; AND STAFF DIRECTED TO BRING BACK THE
SECOND PROPOSAL FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION. (400.40)
Description: The San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce Economic
Development Committee (ED Committee), in conjunction with the Mayor's
Subcommittee of Directors Nielsen and Uso, reviewed the South Orange County
Community Theater operating as the Camino Real Playhouse's (Playhouse)
design for an expanded venue in the downtown called "The Capistrano Center
for the Performing Arts," and made five recommendations for Agency
consideration. Subsequently, the Playhouse submitted a revised proposal for ED
Committee consideration. Staff recommended the Agency receive the Economic
Development Committee's evaluation and recommendation of the Camino Real
Playhouse's Business Plan for the creation of "The Capistrano Center for the
Performing Arts."
Written Communications: Report dated March 4, 2008, by Douglas Dumhart,
Economic Development Manager.
Presentation: Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development Manager, summarized
the staff report.
Board Action: Moved by Director Nielsen, seconded by Director Hribar, and
carried unanimously, 5-0, to receive the Economic Development Committee's
evaluation; deny the initial proposal for the Capistrano Center for the Performing
Arts; and direct staff to bring back the second proposal for further consideration.
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BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: None
ADJOURNMENT
There no fu her business, Chairman Nielsen adjourned the meeting at 10:57
p. , to Tu day, her
18, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., for Closed Session, and 6:30 p.m. for
th. Public B si $ Session, in the City Council Chamber.
F espectfull ;s , itted,
RFUSl. DEPOTYAGENCY SECRETARY
Approved: April 1, 2008
ATT ST:
MA NIELSEN, CkAIRMAN
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