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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/07/26 - Minutes - Spec (Cntral Pk) July 26, 2004 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Special Meetinq I A. C^, LTo ORDER II A special meeting of the Rancho Gucamonga Gity Council was held on Monday, duly 26, 2004, in the Training Room of the Civic Center located at '10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Gucamonga, California. Mayor William J. Alexander called the meeting to order at 5:50 p.m. Present were Gouncilmembers: Rex Gutiermz, Robert d. Howdyshe[I, Donald d. Kurth, M.D., Diane Williams and Mayor William d. Alexander. Also present were: dack Lam, Gity Manager; Para Easter, Deputy City Manager; Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director; Dave Moora, Recreation Superintendent; Francie Martinda[e, Marketing Manager; Paula Pachon, Management Analyst III; Kimberly Thomas, Management Analyst II; and Debra d. Adams, City Clerk. II B. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS I No communication was made from the public. II c. ITEM(S) OF BUSINESS II Cl. REVIEW OF PROGRAMMING, POLICIES AND FEES FOR THE CENTRAL PARK SENIOR AND COMMUNITY CENTER Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated the purpose of this meeting was to inform the Council about the history of the project and provide other specific policy information. He informed the Council about the notebook of information that was distributed. He stated if the Council is in concurrence with what is in the notebook, he will be taking it to a regular City Council meeting for approval. He also distributed a budget for Central Park. He stated it also includes Base Line and Milliken improvements. Councilmember Gutierrez stated he received a call from a man at Etiwanda Gardens who was concerned about the City selling alcohol at one of the community centers in Central Park. He felt it would be good to know if it is important to be able to sell alcohol to make the center a success. He stated he was leaning towards allowing alcohol, but would listen to all arguments about this. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated it is being recommended to approve a limited amount of alcohol be allowed because it is a high request from the public. He stated they receive many requests from the public about the serving of alcohol. He stated as far as competition, people are wanting the City to be flexible, where they can cook their own food, bring in their own ice sculptures, etc. On the other hand, he stated some people want someone to do everything for them. He added that rental revenues depend upon alcohol being sold. Councilmember Kurth asked about how much business would the City be taking away from other businesses. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated he does not know. City Council Minutes July 26, 2004 Page 2 Mayor Alexander felt the public sector should be able to look at the City Council's recommendations on this before it is approved. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated the Fee Resolution will be brought back to the Council at the August 4 meeting and then the August 18 meeting agenda will include the Ordinance pertaining to allowing alcohol at the park. Councilmember Gutierrez inquired of the City Manager if he felt allowing alcohol was needed to make this profitable. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated the original project included the sale of alcohol. He stated they feel the market is so great and the need is there for many facilities to allow alcohol. Mayor Alexander felt we should be able to explain to people why we are proposing this. He asked if there is a way to gauge what we are taking away from other businesses. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated he did not know. Mayor Alexander stated he did not want to undercut anyone. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated he felt our fees were on an even scale with other facilities. He stated we will let other facilities know about the City's intent to sell alcohol. Councilmember Williams felt the City will come out ahead over private enterprise because the City does not have to pay for assessment district fees, construction loans, etc. like other businesses do. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, brought up that Central Park can be used for the Gala, Library Telethon, and other City events. Councilmember Gutierrez stated he would love to know what the impact will be on Etiwanda Gardens. Mayor Alexander felt he does not want to undercut Etiwanda Gardens. Councilmember Uowdyshell stated it would be interesting to know of all the phone calls received, if any of those people went to other cities to get a facility. He stated it would also be interesting to know how many Rancho clientele other cities are serving. He stated if those numbers are high this would be a gain for everybody, and he assumed they would be. Mayor Alexander stated he favored beer, wine and champagne. Councilmember Williams stated she does not necessarily agree with the sale of beer, wine and champagne. She stated she was surprised about the size of the "Y" facilities. She stated there is no playground and was surprised to see the plan. She felt what was planned is a convention center. She stated all of these services will be overwhelming and we will need to hire more people. Jack Lam, City Manager stated this is as large a senior center as possible and if anything, this is where more people will be needed. He stated it is not a convention center, but a community center. He stated as far as the "Y," this is what was negotiated. He stated what is in the plan is what was represented two to three years ago when this was started. Councilmember Williams stated she misunderstood what the "Y" would be doing at this park. She stated she is disappointed about youth activities at the park. She wished there would be playground equipment for the neighborhood kids. She felt we owed this to the neighborhood. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated they are trying to follow the master plan. He stated this is a lot of outdoor open space for people to use. City Council Minutes July 26, 2004 Page 3 Jack Lam, City Manager, stated the decision for the plans has been made, but we can start looking toward the future for some of these other things. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated they are looking for a conceptual approval on the alcohol issue, the fee issue and the YMCA. Mayor Alexander felt we should get in touch with the people this may affect, but stated he did agree with the sale of beer, wine and champagne. He stated he was aware of the design of the park. He also would like to get input from business competitors on the alcohol sale issue. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, felt everyone will win in this deal. He stated they tried to design the building so that the rental rooms are shielded off from the rest of the center. He stated the hours of operation could also be looked at. Councilmember Kurth did not feel we should compete with local business. He felt the City's facilities will be for people who cannot afford to go to Etiwanda Gardens. He did not think this would be competition for Etiwanda Gardens. Councilmember Williams felt Best Western Hotel should be included in these discussions also. Mayor Alexander asked if the majority of the Council agree with the information as long as other facilities are talked to, and includes some kind of outdoor activities to be looked into at the "Y." Mayor Alexander opened the meeting for public input. Addressing the City Council was: Leu Munos, Park and Recreation Commission, thanked the staff, Mayor and Council and stated if there are any concerns the Council has, he will be happy to take them to the Park and Recreation Commission. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Debra J. Ad~[,,~, OMC City Clerk -- Approved: August 18, 2004