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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983/04/19 - Minutes - Adjourned April 19, 1983 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ADJOURNED MEETING 1. CALL TO ORDER An adjourned meeting of the City Council was held in the Lion's Park Community Center, 9161 Base Line Road, on Tuesday, April 19, 1983. The meeting was called to order at 7:08 pm by Mayor Jon D. Mikeis. Present were Council members: Richard M. Dahl, Charles J. Buquet II, Phillip D. Schlosser, James C. Frost and Mayor Jon D. MikeIs. Also present were: City Manager, Lauren M. Wasserman; City Engineer, Lloyd B. Hubbs. 2. ROUTE 30 WORKSHOP Mayor opened meeting stating that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the issue of the Foothill Freeway. He then introduced the consultants, Michael Schneider, Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade and Douglas, Inc. in association with A1 Hollinden and Associates. Mike Schneider, project director, summarized t-:e purpose and schedule for completion of the Route 30 Corridor Study, statin~ the options are: 1. No Build - no benchmark for comparison releasing acquired right-of-way along corridor protecting acquired right-of-way 2. Freeway 1. depressed freeway with elevations and full grade separation 3. Expressway - 1. 2. 4. interchanges separated - no signalized intersections partial grade separation Arterial/TSM (Transportation System Management~. - 1. arterial rather than freeway 2. transit only corridor 3- hybrid or combination Mr. Schneider stated that the financial options or the physical configurations could be dicussed now. Mayor Mikels opened up discussion for public questions or comments regarding the design configuration. The Mayor briefly summarized the options that the consultant had presented from "No Build" to "Full Freeway" with various alternatives within those two extremes, with cost estimates. Sam Maloof, P. O. Box 51, Alta Loma said he would like to see a map of the freeway. Lloyd Hubbs, City Engineer stated the map was available at City Hall and could be loaned out. Mr. Maloof expressed concern that the freeway goes through his property. Mr. Schneider replied explaining alignment, availability of money, and the study of the freeway thus far. He stated specific parcels that would be (1) City Council Minutes April 19, 1983 Page 2 taken, how much would be paid for them, where would they be acquired - is really the next phase. Mayor Mikels gave a brief summary on the planning that goes into designing a freeway explaining plans usually start in Sacramento. Further this study is really unique in where the all the corridor communities, La Verne to San Bernardino have input in the design and we need the input from the public. Fred Nelson (property owner, no address given) voiced concern on the ultimate freeway location stating he has property to develop but because of State and City indecision, is unable to do so. Mayor Mikels stated that last year there was $11 million allocated for right- of-way protection along the corridor route. By looking at the map you can find out if your property is in the right of way. Sharon Romero, member of the Advisory Comission, had some questions and comments on placement of underpass, alignment transitioning 19th Street directly to Highland Avenue, and options on b,c, and d with a change of one type of facility up to 1-15 Mr. Schneider answered that it can be alone or an underpass. He also explained that some of the traffic demand studies that have been done have led to the need for grade separation or full freeway concept to be considered more heavily along the full corridor. The different configurations and their financ_al aspects are studied as options. Ms. Romero answered that the tools are volume ar~ money rather than the type of use of the area. What is shown on b, e and tc an extent d, is residential to the west, a sprinkling of non-residential mixed in with mostly residential as you get further east and then you get into less residential and more commercial/residential so that the economic impact of the freeway is hitting residential as opposed to the non-residential. Mr. Schneider responded that the newer areas of development are being protected and it depends on what type of planning is to be done. Lloyd Hubbs, City Engineer said that 19th Street turns right up Haven then left where it starts transitioning and bending back in the new Chevron Tract. It is anticipated that we would continue that kind of "S" configuration and join it back into Highland and that would be the new state highway. Highland west of Haven will probably be abandoned. The new tract going through there will complete the new transition. Mayor Mikels asked if there were anymore questions or comments. Councilman Buquet expressed his preference to have a depressed freeway. Councilman Frost expressed his opinion that there would be an expressway east of Highway 15 with grade separation such as in Riverside where Mission meets Route 60. Mayor Mikels opened up the discussion to the public to comments on any of the financial aspects the consultant presented. Jeff Sceranka, Director of the Chamber of Commerce had a question on equity participation and what this would entail. Mr. Schneider explained the number of techniques that fall into this category; joint development of a transit station or an interchange; and the concept of private capital. Mr. Sceranka asked if the private sector were to buy bonds, how would those bonds be paid off? City Council Minutes April 19, 1983 Page 3 Mr. Schneider replied a good example would be a toll facility. Mr. Sceranka also asked if the toll road was used, would that start at La Verne? Mr. Schneider said that has not been determined. Sam Maloof asked if the local taxpayer will have a vote in whether he wants to be taxed on this. Mr. Schneider responded that there are techniques that could raise revenue that could not be imposed without voters saying okay. There is a judicial debate underway as to whether 1/2 or 2/3 of those voters need to say yes. Ms. Romero asked if Mr. Schneider could tell them which of those options would require the vote of the people and which would be law. Mr. Schneider said that fuel tax - gasoline tax, sales tax on the local level would require a vote of the public. The state can increase the sales tax with a 2/3 vote from each House. Ms. Romero asked about a benefit assessment. Mr. Schneider said that a benefit assessment di'~trict would need a vote but not a general vote. Mr. Nelson stated that he would like to hear t~e Council endorsement of a specific financial system with Rancho Cucamonga t-~ing the lead over the other corridor cities instead of waiting for CalTrans. Mayor Mikels said that one of the purposes of hiring a consultant was to refine potential financial mechanisms and also that Council was not ready to say presently which one or combination or any of the financial techniques would be applicable. He cited problems with various funding mechanisms. Councilman Dahl further commented that the City is not certain what is going to happen with the federal 5 cent a gallon increase or how will the state view Route 30. He is encouraged by the consultant's researching the alternatives of financing and agreed that Council is in no position to make any decision until the final papers are in. Mayor Mikels answered that the study will be completed by December. Further that because of state participation, it is difficult to know what the financial mechanism will be. Mr. Nelson asked if there is a time table for the corridor. Mayor Mikels said that he wished they could tell the state to go ahead and do it now - that option is not available. Councilman Buquet said he would also like this thing pushed ahead but quite frankly the options depend upon state's plans. Mr. Nelson said that since all the cities in the corridor want the freeway built in their city, what seems to be the difficulty in implementation? Mayor Mikels replied - $300 million. Mr. Schneider replied that one of the alternatives of the study takes that into consideration. They will outline in the report a very clear set of steps to be taken and the fact that the public may itself have to vote in order to raise that kind of money. It's really not up to the mechanisms that we voted in 1978 under Proposition 13, they are such that we are giving ourselves the option to tax ourselves by a 2/3 vote. City Council Minutes April 19, 1983 Page 4 Councilman Frost commented on the prior Governor's philosophy. Also, we shouldn't get excited about spending our local money - that may never happen. Mr. Hubbs informed Council that Mr. Nelson's concern is because he owns property in the right-of-way and the state has allocated funds to acquire parcels in the right-of-way, if development is eminent. There are procedures for getting the state to consider this acquisition. Mr. Nelson asked if this has happened. Mr. Hubbs replied that the state has acquired three parcels already and is presently studying another one. Mayor Mikeis told Mr. Nelson that he should contact the City Engineer for any questions he had in contacting the state. Gail Ness, field representative for Senator Bill Richardson replied that she was told that there is $5 million dollars reserved for freeways and that money was going to the Norco extension to finish the 15 freeway through Norco. If all that money were used for Route 30 it would still end in San Bernardino County because Los Angeles County has dedicated their funds to the Century Freeway. Mayor Mikeis commented that Senator Richardson is supporting the Route 30 cause. Federal gas tax goes for interstate projects. Norco Reach is a full interstate project. The interchange for Route 30 and 1-15 was placed into the STIP to take advantage of the federal money and ~lso the interchange at State Route 66 and 1-15 was placed in the STIP to take advantage of the federal interstate money. The reason it isn't going to Route 30 is because it's not an interstate route. There being no further comments the next item was presented by Mr. A1 Holliden which was discussion on participants' concerns and requirements. Mayor Mikeis gave a brief summary on Mr. Hollidens credentials and professional background. Mayor Mikeis opened up discussion to the public stating that all local input is welcome and that there will be more meetings such as this one as more working papers become available. Ms. Romero expressed her concern about San Bernardino's comments on not wanting to split the community and sharply dividing it in a socio-economic sense. Another concern she voiced is the environmental impact on wild life. We have (Rancho Cucamonga) a quarry area, a creek area (natural state) and would like to see that addressed but not like the way she read it in another document that "they'll go elsewhere". She would like to see both of those issues addressed without having a negative reaction. Councilman Buquet questioned the cost of a depressed freeway. Mr. Schneider answered that it is more expensive going depressed but if that is what is wanted, why not go for it. The cost is not that much more substantial. In the second phase of the study this will be considered. The costs can differentiate has much as 20% depending upon the areas. Mr. Maloof expressed his concern that City Council should take care of things locally - streets and other things instead of the freeway splitting the city or about it being depressed or elevated. He believes property taxes should be paid for city improvements and not for a freeway. Mayor Mikeis asked if there were anymore comments or questions. Mr. Hubbs said he would like the consultant to give a summary of next working papers and would like the consultant to start asking Council to narrow down options and City Council will have to start sorting out options. City Council Minutes April 19, 1983 Page 5 Mr. Schneider replied by providing the schedule that had already begun in February 1983. Mr. Hubbs said that Council will be making key decisions in the next few months. Consultants have prepared these papers as "food for thought" - freeway options, financial options. Mayor Mikeis gave summary of what is to happen and what decisions have to be made. Another meeting will have to be scheduled to receive new working papers. Councilman Buquet said that this is Just a preliminary study and that they will need more time to study the papers. Mayor MikeIs asked if there were anymore comments or questions - there being none, it was moved by Councilman Dahl, seconded by Councilman Buquet to adjourn the meeting to the next City Council meeting on April 20, 1983 at the Lion's Park Community Center in the Forum at 7:30 pm. Motion carried unanimously 5-0- The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm. Respectfully submitted, 4udy Aeo~ta Engineering Secretary