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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - unsigned - 1990-08-28 410 8/28/90 City Council, Adjourned Regular Meeting City Hall Conference Room Redding, California August 28, 1990 5:15 p.m. The Adjourned Regular Meeting was called to order by Mayor Buffum with the following Council Members present: Arness, Dahl, Fulton, Moss and Buffum. Also present were City Manager Christofferson, Assistant City Manager McMurry, City Attorney Hays, Director of Recreation and Parks Riley, Finance Director Downing, Director of Information Systems Kelley, and Assistant City Clerk Strohmayer. Others present were Downtown Mall Advisory Committee Chair Mike Arnold, Shasta County Supervisor Elect Maurice Johannessen, Labor Relations Consultant Ron Reynolds, and Record Searchlight Reporter Mike Martin. CITY HALL SITE SELECTION PROCESS (C-050-025) Mayor Buffum recalled the four initial charges assigned to the Joint Commissions which were: (1) City Hall Siting (2) Museum Complex Siting (3) Convention facilities expansion and (4) Turtle Bay and Riverfront Master Plan. She explained that at that time, the issue of the Downtown Mall as a potential City Hall site had not surfaced. When the Mall site was suggested later, it was then asked if the Commissions should also address the Downtown Mall in addition to the Parkview and Benton sites. Council felt it was best for the Commissions to continue with the issues previously laid before them. Mayor Buffum further clarified that Council is asking the Downtown Mall Advisory Committee and John Dunlap to make a determination as to whether it is justifiable to spend approximately $100,000.00 to study the Downtown Mall as a potential City Hall site. Downtown Mall Advisory Committee Chair Mike Arnold conveyed that the Committee decided they would use the 16 points cited in City Manager Christofferson's letter of July 9, 1990, as a basis for their focus, and they will develop goals and objectives at tomorrow night's meeting. He said while they may not have hard statistical data, they hope to be able to make a feasibility determination within 45 to 60 days. It was noted that Haedrich & Cox should complete their work of preparing a preliminary evaluation and economic feasibility study by the end of this week. City Manager Christofferson explained that in order for John Dunlap to review the historical evidence of the mall structures, the City needs to provide him with the buildings drawings. This information is on a stack of microfiche which would require someone knowledgeable to go through and identify the applicable sheets needed to be printed. It has not been possible to free anyone to perform this task. Any building drawings that are not on record would then require someone to measure and draw them. After this is completed, it is John Dunlap's plan that he, a volunteer group, and City staff would synthesize this information into some type of conclusion as to the need for further structural engineering analysis. Mayor Buffum provided Council with packets of accumulated materials including information about the Springfield Mall, and stories, comments, offers, and individual letters from people. 411 8/28/90 In response to Council Member Dahl's comment that the most critical element is the structural integrity of the buildings, Mr. Arnold said that the original engineer Bernie Bryson and architect Dick Smart will attend their Committee meeting tomorrow night, and they will be comparing building codes in effect at the time the buildings were constructed with the building codes in effect today. They believe this comparison, even without a physical inspection, will provide enough information to begin assessing the structure. Council Member Arness pointed out that if the Downtown Mall were going to emerge as the premier site, he does not feel it is appropriate to ask the Commissions to only study the two other potential sites. Mayor Buffum responded that finding a City Hall site is not the most major issue facing the City, but Master Planning is. It is her desire to get past centering all the attention just on the City Hall site. She stated that museums, Turtle Bay, the Convention Center, and bridges are every bit as important. Council Member Dahl recommended that Council advise the Commissions of their specific role, coordinate all the parts, and work toward a deadline. Council Member Arness suggested that the Advisory Committee be given some direction on what the space needs are. He said they also need to look at space and parking needs for the year 2020 in addition to evaluating what the costs will be to fulfill the space needs in 2020. Council Member Moss stated that information concerning structural integrity will ultimately be required before a decision can be made as to whether the Downtown Mall is economically viable as a civic center. Time must be allowed to develop that information before the Committee can submit anything of value. If it is necessary to obtain outside professional assistance to review the microfiche and obtain other information, he said the City should pursue that course. He also suggested that the primary emphasis be to furnish information the Committee needs to determine if the Mall is a feasible site. Council Member Fulton felt it was unnecessary at this time to spend money to obtain structural information. City Manager Christofferson stated that both the Advisory Committee and Haedrich & Cox are approaching this from the standpoint of what is operationally appropriate before delving into the question of a full structural analysis. He suggested that in two weeks more information will be available from the Committee and Haedrich & Cox, and Council can reserve judgement until then on whether to proceed with a full structural analysis. City Attorney Hays inquired if the Advisory Committee will be considering public access problems, given the traffic pattern downtown. Mike Arnold replied that it needs to be ultimately addressed, however, their focus will be finding major obstacles that would prevent the City from spending any more money on studying this site. MOTION: Made by Council Member Moss, seconded by Council Member Arness, authorizing the City Manager discretion to expend funds up to a maximum of $25,000.00 to obtain engineering information on the Downtown Mall. Voting was as follows: Ayes: Council Members - Arness, Dahl, Moss, and Buffum Noes: Council Members - Fulton Absent: Council Members - None 412 8/28/90 It was the consensus of Council to leave the original charge to the Commissions and the other committees intact at this time. Concerning the idea of Haedrich & Cox, John Dunlap, and the Advisory Committee consolidating efforts, Mayor Buffum indicated that Haedrich & Cox want to be accountable for their own interpretation. She would rather see each group work independently at this time because it provides a good check and balance. Maurice Johannessen requested that in long-range planning, the City examine the possibility of a government complex in which the City and County could share facilities. City Manager Christofferson advised that the original Parkview Master Plan included other governmental agencies, and it is as valid now as it was then. Council Member Dahl asked Mr. Johannessen if the County would respond to the City's initial suggestion for shared facilities. Upon receiving an affirmative response from Mr. Johannessen, Mayor Buffum indicated she would extend an invitation to the Board of Supervisors to discuss joint facilities after January 1, 1991. Council Member Moss requested that the Advisory Committee examine the public safety issue of locating a government center near railroad tracks. He said this issue was initially raised during discussions of a Joint 911 Dispatch site. CLOSED SESSION (P-100) Mayor Buffum stated that Council will adjourn to closed session pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6(a) to discuss personnel matters. At the hour of 6:15 p.m., Mayor Buffum declared the meeting adjourned to closed session. At the hour of 7:00 p.m., Mayor Buffum declared the meeting reconvened to regular session. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at the hour of 7:00 p.m., Mayor Buffum declared the meeting adjourned. APPROVED: __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________________ City Clerk