HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001/06/06 - Minutes - Spcl (study session)June 6, 2001
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Special Study Session
A. CALLTO ORDER
A special study session of the Rancho Cucamonga City Council was held on Wednesday, June 6,
2001 in the Tri Communities Room of the Civic Center, located at 10500 Civic Center Drive,
Rancho Cucamonga, California. The meeting was called to order at 2:18 p.m. by Mayor William
J. Alexander.
Present were Councilmembers: Paul Biane, Bob Dutton, Diane Williams (arrived at 2:23 p.m.),
and Mayor William J. Alexander.
Also present were: Jack Lam, City Manager; Pamela Easter, Deputy City Manager, Kevin
McArdle, Community Services Director; Dave Moore, Recreation Superintendent; and Debra J.
Adams, City Clerk.
Absent was: Councilmember Grace Curatalo
B. ITEM OF BUSINESS
B1. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT PRESENTED BY AMS
PLANNING AND RESEARCH
Jack Lam, City Manager, stated the City Council had approved a feasibility study for a performing
arts center which included the assistance of Forest City.
Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated this is the completion of phase I and referred
to the report which is on file in the City Clerk's office. He stated now the Council needs to
determine if they want to go on to phase II of the study. He introduced Bob Bailey, AMS Planning
and Research, and Victor Grgas, Forest City Development.
Bob Bailey, AMS Planning and Research, gave a power point presentation on the feasibility study
report. He talked about the informants used and that they felt it was time to do this with the City's
involvement in the development. He talked about the school districts' needs for a performing arts
center including the needs of Chaffey College. He stated 309 residences were surveyed within
the ten mile radius. He reported the survey concluded there was an interest in Rancho
Cucamonga to have a performing arts center. He added the desired programs were for family
and children oriented. He continued to talk about joint use with the high schools and Chaffey
College. He pointed out to the Council there were three options available:
A large scale performing arts center with 4000+ seats
Professional Children's Community Theater with 500 - 700 seats
Temporary or long term use of existing space with 208+ or minus seats.
He stated their recommendation is option 2, a Professional Children's Community Theater, which
is based on demographics, the public survey, key informants and the market.
Councilmember Williams felt the residents of Rancho Cucamonga would probably not spend a
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June 6, 2001 (special study session)
Page 2
great deal of money to see a pop star because of other capabilities to see them in their own home
on surround sound, etc.
Councilmember Biane asked if they could do children's theater during the day and a touring group
at night.
Bob Bailey stated yes.
Councilmember Dutton felt the City should investigate what Ontario is doing with the large arena
they have planned.
Councilmember Williams asked for the time frame for phase II.
Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated about ten to twelve weeks.
Councilmember Williams felt the City should get with the school administration before they are
gone for the summer to discuss joint use efforts for this project.
Mayor Alexander asked if this would require City staff to operate it.
Bob Bailey stated the operational models are varied.
MOTION: Moved by Biane, seconded by Williams to accept phase I report and give direction to
staff to proceed to the next phase.
Councilmember Dutton asked if they could provide information or options for funding.
Jack Lam, City Manager, stated there would be policy options for the Council to consider.
Councilmember Dutton stated he wanted to know what the average citizen wants and is willing to
pay to see an act at the performing arts center.
Councilmember Williams stated she wants to be comforted that the people really want this
performing arts center to be here.
Councilmember Dutton stated he is concerned about telling people we can afford to spend $10 to
$20 million for a performing arts center, but could not afford to build Central Park and had to go
out for a bond issue.
Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, asked what the product would be at the end of
phase II.
Bob Bailey stated it is a tool to test the water. He stated it would answer all the questions that
everyone is asking now.
Jack Lam, City Manager, stated if this can be built in conjunction with the mall, people would love
it, but if they are asked to pay to have it built, they would say no.
Motion carried unanimously 4-0-1 (Curatalo absent).
C. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
No communication was made from the public.
The meeting adjourned at 3:51 p.m.
Approved: July 18, 2001
D. ADJOURNMENT
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June 6, 2001 (special study session)
Page 3
Re,/~ectfully submitted,
City Clerk