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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989 03-14 CC ADJ MINBook 71/Page 63 3/14/89 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA MARCH 14, 1989 The meeting was called to order in the Main Conference Room at 4:00 p.m. by Mayor Waters. ROLL CALL Council members present Della, Inzunza, Pruitt, Van Deventer, Waters. Absent: None. Administrative officials present Bolint, Eiser, Kimble, Knee, McCabe, Morrow, Myers, Peoples, Peterson, Post, Reid, Sheldon, Williams. NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 1. City Council Workshop regarding Neighborhood Improvement Program. Mayor Waters opened the meeting by reviewing what Staff had provided and stating that everyone had received the listing of sidewalk improvements needed. It was now up to Council to state the locations they felt needed addressing and to come to an agreement on the best location to carry out the wishes of the majority of the Council. Councilman Van Deventer started by recommending the area between 4th and 7th and National and "D" Avenue. The $550,000. would cover exterior work, curbs, trees, alley approaches, that would be as far as it could go. He noted that the residential area cut off at 7th. He said he would like to see an impact area. Mayor Waters said since there seemed to be a consensus of two council members that they wanted to see an impact in a certain area, he was wondering how this could be accomplished. He had picked out one street from National City Boulevard on 4th to Thelma Way on 4th. This would be his number one area. Number two, would be Rachael Avenue and 18th and 19th. Third would be Euclid to Harbison and Division to Harbison. His recommendation would be 4th Street from one end of town to the other. Vice Mayor Pruitt said he agreed with 4th to 7th Street as far east as possible with the funds being allotted, being combined with existing programs such as the home improvement loan program to supplement the $550,000. and making people aware. This would also provide an excellent opportunity to have a test area that would be visible_ If this money was put into 4th and 7th, National City Boulevard to "D" or "E" or however far east it would stretch with other programs that are in existent and also sticking within the downtown redevelopment boundaries. Going east of 805, there would be problems because of the restricted area as far as Community Block Grant Funds go even though the need is great. He would be in favor of the boundary abutting the downtown redevelopment area. This would be in keeping with the commitment of the downtown redevelopment program which was to upgrade the residential area within the redevelopment boundaries. Community Development Commission Director Peterson said that the tract 119, located in the northeast portion of the City was an ineligible census tract (where Thelma Way is located). Mayor Waters confirmed that the ineligible area stops at Palm. So if anything was done on 4th Street, it would have to be done between National City Boulevard and Palm Avenue. Vice Mayor Pruitt said that the need on 5th Street, looking from National City Boulevard going east, 4th, 5th, 8th and up to 7th which is where the residential area ends, there could be a very pronounced impact Something that could be looked at in a year and say it is working or needs to be modified and at the same time have something that could be duplicated next year in the next designated section. This is not to mean that other needs will not be addressed in the City, but this is a boundary that efforts will be put into. Councilman Inzunza said emphasis on this being experimental was needed. He said that the whole thing needed to be packaged together by someone. Someone has to advise as to feasibility. There is $550,000. we are dealing with plus other things. What are those other things? Vice Mayor Pruitt explained to lnzunza that there was a variable in how to get people to come forward and ask for money to fix things and qualify for a home improvement loan. How many of those people who could qualify, are out there in the target area is unknown. Councilman lnzunza again stated that someone was needed to package everything together, to organize the tree planting, the curbs, gutters and sidewalks, coordinate lighting with San Diego Gas & Electric. Mayor Waters said this was simple to clear up. What Council needed to do was to tell Staff what they want and where. Staff could then coordinate the implementation. Book 71/Page 64 3/14/89 Councilman Van Deventer said he felt what Inzunza was trying to get direction to hire one person or someone from Staff to take on this project which would be a full time job. Once the area is designated, this person would come back with an in-depth study of what the needs are in that area and what the cost would be, this would determine what can actually be done with that amount of money. The problem is that a lot of the homes are absentee owners who don't do anything. Councilman Dalla distributed a memo dated 14 March 1989 (copy on file in the Office of the City Clerk). The first page basically compiles the information that appeared on the item he had on 21 November. It elaborates on the various programs and projects including the Streetscape Program of Mr. Pruitt It also suggests or repeats the recommended procedure. What ever area is selected, it should be surveyed for the things that are listed which, with exception to the Streetscape Program, are the things that were previously listed, and then come back with a cost and schedule - so there is nothing new on the first page. The second page, first paragraph, Council has touched on. Public support and participation is needed to make this program a success. It's not sufficient to go out and do the improvements, this has been being done for years so well and so quietly that no-one knows that it's being done. The second paragraph repeats something that's already been said. The first area is very critical. Ideally, something needs to be selected that will afford the opportunity to do all the things we want to do to demonstrate trees, streets, exterior refinish and clean-up, to attempt all of the components of the program being discussed and then to evaluate it and make changes. The second paragraph also expresses his opinion in terms of a priority. He believes that priority should be given to those areas of the city which, after 100 years, have never seen complete public improvement. Curbs, gutters or sidewalks. The third item suggests an alternative. In order to maintain public support and insure impartiality, 3 to 4 neighborhoods should be selected and then by drawing lots, a final selection made. Councilman Van Deventer agreed with Dada as far as selecting different areas and then going from there. He suggested another area, between 18th and 20th on Rachael. There are no curbs, sidewalks, trees or anything. This would have an impact on people coming into the community from that particular angle. Peterson confirmed that this area would be covered under the grant. Vice Mayor Pruitt said that with the emphasis being put on downtown, it seemed the beautification should be started at that point and radiate out. He did agree on the Rachael Avenue area. Mayor Waters inquired as to what Dalia thought out that area Dalia responded that one of the areas he had written down was 18th to 24th, Rachael to Grove, whatever could be accomplished in that area. He felt that area provides opportunity for curbs, gutters, sidewalks, streets, trees, the whole thing. He noted that the area Pruitt had pointed out downtown, the programs that have been going on for the last five years have resulted in numerous improvements in that area as it is. It hasn't been as ignored as the areas that don't have anything. The area by Rachael offers the opportunity to do some of these things as do others. Councilman Inzunza said that the west side should be considered as it has been abused and neglected and the very powerful people over there are taking advantage of the people. He thinks that one of the places should be downtown and then another place. He would not be opposed to two areas at the same time as long as it is emphasized as being experimental. Councilman Dalla said that what he meant by three or four areas, it you select four given areas, give them all a number and draw. The first area is picked, the second, third and fourth. So the project goes forward and you don't have to, every year from here on, have to quibble about what area should be next He was not saying that two areas should be done at one time, but to pick at least the first four areas. Mayor Waters said he'd like to see the first two areas picked. Council could then concentrate on those two areas. Vice Mayor Pruitt said he would like to vote on the areas already selected. Councilman Van Deventer suggested the study be done on two locations because it might be found that there isn't enough money to do the one location. His preference would be the location between National and easterly between 4th and 7th. Mayor Waters asked if more guidance should be given to the City Manager and if a consultant should be chosen or if this should be an inside thing or outside. Book 71/Page 85 3/14/89 City Manager McCabe said that it was his opinion that the City did not need someone new on board to perform the survey at this time. He felt it did effect both sides of the house, however the ability is there for the small areas, to send through the Park Crew, the Engineer, the Building & Housing, to pick up the various areas that need to be done and to bring back that rather then to try to have someone else to coordinate with. He said Peterson could do the same with housing conditions and whether they're eligible for assistance etc. to get a report back to the City Council. Someone may be needed sometime down the road when were rolling with all the public relations work and talking to neighborhoods. To do the survey however, all that is needed is the specifics that Council wants to look at Curbs, gutters, sidewalks, trees, alleys, fences, lights, visual ascetics of the house exterior and whether or not it is owner occupied. Councilman Van Deventer expressed concerns of when it gets to the on -site, structure areas, when there is only two inspectors and one department head. How they are going to go out there and spend the time it is going to take. McCabe said there was only a 7 square block area. Van Deventer said he wanted to be sure that there was adequate manpower to do a good study, not a hit and miss study. So if there is not sufficient funds, and there is need of someone, there are adequate funds left from another person and could be used during that period of time. Mayor Waters said he believed that if the City Manager really needs help, he was sure he'd say something. If he can save the City $20,000. - $30,000. without the need of a consultant, let's save it. Councilman Della elaborated on what had already been approved and questioned if Council wanted to change anything as this might clarify for Mr. McCabe what was expected. Each residential project area would be surveyed and inventoried for the following: a) unfinished/nonexistent residential street sections b) nonexistent curb/gutter/sidewalk c) damaged, deteriorated curb/gutter/sidewalk d) presence of adequate street lights per city policy guidelines e) need for exterior refinish/painting improvements f) desired streetscape improvements Councilman Van Deventer requested the adding of an Item g) owner or non -owner occupied. Councilman Della again emphasized that the first area selected is an existing area with sidewalks and curbs. Although some of the curbs are deteriorating, by in large it has sidewalks, curbs and street trees. He does not see this as an area in desperate need of rehabilitation in comparison with some of the other places we have in this City. ACTION: Motion by Van Deventer, seconded by Pruitt, the area between 4th and 7th/National to "D" as one site and Rachael Avenue 16th to 22nd as the second site. Staff to bring back a survey to Council in 90 days. Carried by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT Motion by !nzunza, seconded by Van Deventer, the meeting be adjourned to the next regular meeting - Tuesday. March 14. 1989 - 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Carried by unanimous vote. The meeting closed at 5:20 p.m. 4()Au,CITY CLE K The foregoing minutes were approved at the regular meeting of March 21, 1989 CITY OF NATIONAL CITY. CA ALL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED. YOU MAY LISTEN TO THE TAPES IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE OR THE NATIONAL CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY. COPIES OF THE TAPES MAY BE PURCHASED FROM THE CITY CLERK. •