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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019_01_04 - Special MINUTES Special meeting of the City Council of the City of Redlands held in the Council Chambers, Civic Center, 35 Cajon Street, on January 4,2019 at 3 00 P M Present Mayor Paul Foster Mayor Pro Tempore Denise Davis Council Member Paul Barich Council Member Eddie Tejeda Council Member Tom Momberger Staff Janice McConnell,Acting City Manager,Dan McHugh, City Attorney, Robert Dawes, City Treasurer,Jeanne Donaldson, City Clerk, Carl Baker,Public Information Officer, Chris Catren, Police Chief,Danielle Garcia,Management Services/Finance Director, Chris Boatman, Quality of Life Director,Brian Desatnik,Development Services Director,Paul Toor,Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director,Nathan Cooke,Fire Chief,Brian Foote,Planning Manager Mayor Foster called the meeting to order and offered those present the opportunity to provide public comment on any subject within the jurisdiction of the City Council which is not already scheduled on this agenda PUBLIC COMMENT Quan Am Buddhist Center—Albert Kelley,representing the Quan Am Buddhist Center,raised concerns with the private businesses surrounding the Center which block an easement leaving the Center land-locked The Center has experienced property theft and water and utility theft since the address was changed and it no longer falls under the Redlands Police Department's jurisdiction They referred the Center to contact the Yucaipa Sheriffs station Drones-Dennis Bell questioned whether the Chamber of Commerce performed thorough due diligence before paying the drone company hired to capture the New Year's Eve Annual Orange Drop Event The company never fulfilled their commitment TRANSIT VILLAGES SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT STUDY SESSION Mayor Foster clarified the Arrow Passenger Rail project is not a City project but rather a San Bernardino County Transportation Authority project He opened the floor for public comment Dennis Bell expressed concern with the project costs to be borne by tax payers, asked the Council Members whether any of them would actually ride the train, and wondered how many workshop participants would live in the proposed transit villages Albert Kelley, of the Quan Am Buddhist Center,was frustrated the prior meetings held for the Specific Plan did not allow for public comment and he expressed opposition to funding the rail project when the City has so many other existing infrastructure needs Tom Robinson, representing VantageOne Real Estate,thanked the Council for the ongoing public outreach meetings which have allowed the public to participate, and he suggested the Council consider adjusting Measure U to align more closely with what the City is today Stephen Rogers, of Church Street,was pleased the Council is addressing the Specific Plan now,but insisted the City should have pursued the matter much sooner, including it before the General Plan Update was approved He urged the Council to ensure the traffic study be administered properly Special CC—January 4,2019 Page 1 Development Services Director Desatmk explained the purpose of this workshop was to provide review and update of the Transit Villages Specific Plan project and an opportunity for Council to offer feedback and direction Brian Foote,Planning Manager of Development Services, informed the Council one hundred and sixty people attended five outreach meetings hosted by staff and the design team,with an additional four meetings scheduled in the future Staff also participated in seven Market Night events, actively engaging the public The consultant team, led by Stefanos Polyzoides,Partner of Moule&Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists,presented a summary of their work and progress to date, including a summary of the public comments and input received at the community meetings The key findings included, develop a unique character for each transit-onented design(TOD),replace the Redlands Mall with an interconnected street network, ensure the future New York Street TOD has a pedestrian focus, enhance the future University TOD by creating a"town and gown" destination,maintain and preserve distinct places suited to Redlands,develop walkable mixed-use environments, emphasize in-filling,value architectural style, offer building type variety to a wide range of families and a wide range of incomes, encourage "park-once"principles,maintain and develop great public spaces, and value the City's assets such as the Orange Blossom Trail and the Zanja Consultants Roger Pardo,Mia Lehrer,Paul Crabtree and Amitabh Barthakur,made brief presentations related to their specific fields of transportation planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering and economics Council Members raised concerns and offered their comments Mayor Pro Tempore Davis participated in several of the outreach meetings and praised the model of community engagement Council Member Momberger listed several wish list items to be considered including, offering incentives for environmentally responsible elements,water recharging, flood mitigation, electric car-sharing programs, including and considering the area's youth, and lowering density options Council Member Tejeda stressed the importance of connecting the City in all directions,north, south, east and west, including the Colton and Orange Street corridor Council Member Barich reiterated his concern with protecting the City and keeping the community safe Mayor Foster reminded everyone this project is a long-term commitment He encouraged the City to avoid adding too many restrictions that place a heavy burden on businesses and effect private owners He added,types and number of housing options must be driven by market demand and resolving the issues of connectivity and the Redlands Mall will take a creative eye and deep pockets He encouraged review and modification of the density issues of Measure U to be more in line with changing generational demographics and desires Staff was directed to schedule a future meeting in the next few months to continue updating the Council with their progress Mayor Foster announced more information is available at the Redlands Transit Villages Specific Plan Website https//redlandstransitvillages org/ ADJOURNMENT There being no further action required the special meeting adjourned at 4 59 P M The next regular meeting of the City of Redlands City Council will be held on January 15,2019 Special CC—January 4,2019 Page 2