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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980/12/11 - Minutes - Special December 11, 1980 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Special Meeting 1. CALL TO ORDER. A special meeting of the City Council was held in the Lion's Park Community Center, 9161 Base Line Road on Thursday, December 11, 1980. The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Mayor Phillip D. Schlosser. Present: Councilmen James C. Frost, Jori D. Mikels, Arthur H. Bridge, ~nd Mayor Phillip D. Schlosser. Also present were: City Manager, Lauren M. Wasserman; City Engineer, Lloyd Hubbs; Community Development'Director, Jack Lam; Senior Civil Engineer, Paul Rougeau; Mackenzie Brown and Walt Hamilton, Counsultants. Absent: Councilman Michael A. Palombo. Mayor Schlosser briefly explained why this meeting was called and that it was going to be a study session to familiarize the Council with an assessment district. As a city grows, there are certain problems that have to be taken care of, in this case, street and storm drain improvements in the industrial area. In order to finance these improvements, an assessment district must be established. To explain that idea in greater detail, the Mayor introduced Paul Rougeau, Senior Civil Engineer with the city's Engineering Division. Mr. Rougeau presented the City Council members to the audience and also introduced Mr. Mackenzie Brown, a consultant for the assessment district, and Mr. Walt Hamilton, an engineer for the assessment district. He pointed out on a map the proposed area for the assessment district. He explained that in order for develop- ment to occur in the area, a street network and storm drain network is badly needed because while large developers can go in and provide streets from major streets at the entrance of their property and possibly build storm drains to drain their property, smaller ones cannot. Mr. Rougeau stated that the storm drains network is essential in order to provide the necessary precautions and safeguards for the proper drainage of each property and to assure that one property does not cause severe runoff problems into adjacent property. With the legal situation being what it is, developers have to be watched very carefully by public agencies. Mr. Rougeau also noted that street development will open up the region for develop- ment by providing access, although individual property owners may later be required to put in the required sidewalks, curbs and gutters as development occurs. For the past year, the industrial community of the City, through the Chamber of Commerce Industrial Committee and the City Engineer, have been working toward the establishment of an assessment district for streets and storm drains in the industrial area. In order for smaller developers to be able to build and for even the largest developers to avoid being stymied by lack of easements across other property, a semi-public process is necessary to open up the area. The proposed assessment district will provide the means to develop the area. It will spread the cost over all the properties benefiting from the improvements and allowing the cost to be paid over a long period of time. Mr. Rougeau stated that the details of setting up a successful district for this area would be explained in greater detail by Mr. Brown and Mr. Hamilton. He, then, introduced Mr. Brown, the consultant for setting up the assessment district. City Council Minutes December 11, 1980 Page 2 Mr. Brown explained how an assessment district is developed and why an assessment district is needed for the industrial area. He stated that the assessment district is a financing tool to allow Council to designate certain improvements within the boundaries of the area and levy costs against properties according to the benefits received from the improvements. He directed everyone's attention to the map and pointed out the tentative boundaries of the industrial specific area - Foothill Boulevard - Arrow Route, the Devore Freeway (Route 15), Fourth Street and Haven Avenue - Center Avenue. Mr. Brown explained that two public hearings must be held, preceded by two informational meetings on January 6 and 15 with area property owners, city staff, and consultants. The first to explore generalities and to order modifications and amendment; and the second will involve more finite, detailed specifications, set public hearing for debt report, and for city council to call for construction bids and selling of bonds. The debt report will be explained - description, cost estimates, spread of costs, against property on January 21, 1981. Mr. Brown mentioned the 1915 Improvement Bond Act. The bonds would be a 15 year issue. All impaired delinquencies would be the city's responsibility -- keeping redemption current and for starting judicial foreclosure if necessary - under 1915 procedures. He reminded the city council that sufficient notice of 30 days must be given before the public hearing. Mr. Bown then introduced Mr. Walt Hamilton, consultant engineer for the assessment district. Mr. Hamilton explained that the proposal calls for a total expenditure of approxi- mately $11 million and includes 5 separate system storm drain network encompassing 1,861 acres costing $6,558,575. Street Improvements. 2-1an~ divided - 6th Street from Haven Avenue to Rochester Avenue, distance approximately 9050 feet. Milliken Avenue: from 4th Street to 7th Street, distance approximately 3990 feet. 2-1an~ undivided - Cleveland Avenue, from approximately 600 feet north of 4th Street to approximately 600 feet south of 6th Street, distance approximately 1930 feet and 2 lanes approximately 600 feet south of 6th Street to 7th Street, distance 1220 feet. New Rochester Avenue: from 4th Street to 6th Street, distance 2650 feet. Street improvements for undeveloped area will be $1,243,000; $3,671,000 for incidentals. Each property has been assessed for $4,600 per acre according to storm drain ordinance. Mr. Rougeau commented that the funds would be paid by bond issue. Mr. Hamilton showed the difference between the bond payments. Mr. Mikels asked about the distribution of funds. Mr. Hamilton stated that they are determined by acre. Mr. Rougeau explained that in the Estimated Incidental Expenses (he presented a chart on the wall), the larger costs - right-of-way, estimates are high. About $1 million is needed "up fmo~' this would be supplied by private interests and city contributions, but it will be reflected in bond issue. Mayor Schlosser stated there should be some input from the audience. Richard Clayton, 6454 Garnet, Alta Loma, the boundaries set by L.D. King on October 8 were further west, it looks like its changed and now is eliminating the golf course. Mr. Hamilton. Previously the 4th Street drain was included in the boundary, but the City has elected not to include it in the five facilities. Mr. Frost - asked what effect on western boundary does 4th Street drain have? City Council Minutes December 11, 1980 Page 3 Mr. Wasserman stated to the Council that they may move boundaries at the public hearing. Councilman Mikels asked to see the assessment district map again. He questioned the western part, south of the golf course area. Is the drainage any benefit to the property owners after installation; where does the water drain now? Mr. Hubbs answered that it drains south to Deer Creek through the assessment district. Mr. Hamilton answered that there will be engineers who will actually go into the field and will check out all the possibilities. Councilman Frost stated that the golf course should be included in the assess- ment district. Mr. Hubbs stated the drain into the district will include "North Town". That would be residential. It should be industrial area, the original thought was to be just the industrial area, not residential. Mr. Hallden, a civil engineer, stated that he has done assessment districts within the State. He expressed his desire to review the master plan; he could lift out areas that can benefit from drains proposed, and he would like to talk about the technical aspects. He stated he would like to be invited to any meetings. Mr. Hamilton expressed that the proposal is in the preliminary stage. Engineers are still designing street and storm drains and boundaries. Mr. Rougeau stated the L. D. King storm drain study is available. Mr. Hallden stated he would like to make suggestions and review with King and the city staff. The Mayor thanked Mr. Hallden for his concern and assistance. Mr. Rougeau stated the next item of work will be more information at the next regular Council meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 1980, at which time the Council will set a time for a public hearing where more public input will be taken and information provided. Before the public hearing, there will be two property owners' meetings on January 6 and 15. It should be possible to answer everyone's questions. There will be more time for the public hearing meeting on the 21st of January. It may be possible that the public hearing may require more time and will be continued. Councilman Mikels asked if'orovisions for payment will be taken off assessment district when program is fully approved? Mr. Rougeau stated that a total of $54,000 in drainage fees already collected come out of the total assessment of $11 million. The i~dividual fees paid will be deducted from each individual property. Mr. Rougeau stated that a total of $54,000 in drainage fees already collected come out of the total assessment of $11 million. The individual fees paid will be deducted from each individual property. Doug Hone stated that by a request of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, they would like detailed drainage information to be made available to the Chamber to analyze and take a position on area benefit and drainage analysis. Councilman Bridge commented that the Chamber has been involved in the study of the assessment district. He recommended that staff give their full cooperation to the Chamber. Mr. Hone then introduced Mr. Michael Jauron, the new executive director of the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce. City Council Minutes December 11, 1980 Page 4 Mr. Sceranka, Planning Commissioner, asked about the expense, what does the city have to "put up", and why "up front." Mr. Brown commented that the City could probably wait for bonds or get a 30 day loan. Councilman Frost asked if maybe the meeting could be moved to the 13th instead of the 15th? There is a conflict with another meeting, the Financial Task Force. Could this be rescheduled? Mr. Rougeau stated that it will depend on room availability. Property owners outside the boundaries who would be interested in the assessment district hearing will be contacted by assessor's rolls with help from the Chamber. Mr. DiIorio, R. C. Land Company, asked if the Council had any questions. Mr. Hubbs mentioned that this is a flexible process. We don't want to have the same problems as Flood Control did. Mayor Schlosser commented that they don't know what to say. Anytime something is done, it costs more money. Whether or not it's an assessment district, we may need it before interest rates go higher. Mr. DiIorio gave his comments on the assessment district area's road system that would be opening south of the tracks and that there would be minimum improvements on the south side of 6th Street. He stated that we have a large assessment district, there is a bad money market right now, and we should go forward with greater detail. He stated he thought it had been resolved how figures would be put together. He said he would work with Lloyd to make up a list ongoing to the citizens and how to tell them about the proposals and ask them what they think about it. Mr. Sceranka said that this project should be identified as being worked on for quite awhile; it just wasn't thought up overnight. The program has been worked on for over a year. Henry Peal asked who the people were who had just spoken. Mr. Scerank$, Mr. DiIorio, Mr. Rougeau, Mr. Hubbs, and the Mayor identified themselves. Mr. Dick Ortwein asked about the expenses on engineering, how was that going to be funded. How about the money that the City has to put out -- that is a large concern. The money will come from private and public funds in the interest of the City. Mr. Bill Kirkland asked do we have a problem area or is this entire area a problem? Mr. Rougeau said that some areas have streets. Some north areas cause problems for the other areas because the north area drains to other areas. Mr. Kirkland commented that south of 8th Street he has seen it when it rains and he doesn't think that there is a problem such as 4th Street. Mr. Rougeau commented that 4th Street's problem comes from the 8th Street area. Mr. Rougeau then pointed to the map and showed what areas have problems. Councilman Frost had questions on Deer Creek and Day Creek. He asked Mr. Rougeau to point out on the Map Milliken which is the half-way point. Deer Creek ends up at the Cucamonga Creek which is almost complete; Day Creek is not developed. Mr. Schmid, from Williamson & Schmid, commented that the Cucamonga County Water District chose not to be included in the assessment district. Water and sewer agreements will be between developers and district. Mr. Rougeau asked if there were any more questions and/or comments. There being none, the meeting adjourned. Motion: Moved by Frost, seconded by Mikels to adjourn the study session. Motion City Council Minutes December 11, 1980 Page 5 carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, J~/dy Acos~ Engineering Secretary