HomeMy WebLinkAbout100703-RDA_CCv0001.pdf MINUTES of a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Redevelopment Agency of
the City of Redlands held in the City Council Chambers, Civic Center, 35 Cajon
Street, at 4:49 P.M. on October 7, 2003.
PRESENT Susan Peppier, Vice Chairman
Pat Gilbreath, Member
Gary George, Member
Jon Harrison, Member
ABSENT Karl N. (Kasey) Haws, Chairman
STAFF John Davidson, Executive Director; Daniel J. McHugh, Agency Attorney;
Michael Reynolds, Agency Treasurer; Jeffrey L. Shaw, Community
Development Director; James R. Bueermann, Police Chief; and Lorrie Poyzer,
Agency Secretary.
The minutes of the regular meeting of September 16, 2003, were unanimously
approved as submitted on motion of Mr. Harrison, seconded by Mr. George.
NEW BUSINESS
BNSF Railroad Siding Facilities - Public Works Director Mutter reported a plan
has been initiated to redevelop and revitalize portions of downtown Redlands
bordered by Redlands Boulevard on the south, Texas Street on the west,
Orange Street on the east and Colton Avenue on the north. The first priority is
to develop the "core block" area between Stuart Avenue and Redlands
Boulevard in the vicinity of the Krikorian Theater. The City envisions a family-
oriented, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere with the expansion of the existing
theater, the construction of a major hotel complex, new restaurants, retail
shopping and sufficient parking to accommodate these uses. A significant part
of this program is the development of a "park once" concept. Studies have
been initiated to look at the parking trends and needs with the ultimate goal of
developing a major parking structure to serve this area. A key to the success
of such a plan is to eliminate barriers to smooth pedestrian flow. One such
barrier is the existing Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad line
passing through the area. This line serves only a few minor uses on one public
siding. Trains are limited to a few rail cars per month. There is a desire as a
part of this plan to see the rail line for freight operations abandoned and
removed from the west side of Eureka Street to the east through downtown
Redlands. Staff developed and issued a Request for Technical Proposals that
outlined the scope of services for completion of engineering services for the
evaluation and design of railroad siding facilities in the central business district
(core target area). This project includes the evaluation and analysis of space
requirements necessary for these facilities, potential locations and final
engineering designs, including drawings, details, specifications and estimates.
A representative from Hanson Wilson, Inc. spoke and was available to answer
questions.
Redevelopment Agency
October 7, 2003
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Mr. Harrison urged approval of this project as we need to re-located the freight
rails and we need this tool to develop the "core block" and moved to direct staff
to negotiate a contract up to $95,000.00 with Hanson Wilson, Inc. to provide
consulting engineering services for the design of railroad siding facilities as a
requirements for the abandonment of freight operations of the BNSF Railroad
line in downtown Redlands and return this contract to the Redevelopment
Agency for final approval; and further moved to direct staff to amend the five-
year implementation plan to include this project and return this plan to the
Redevelopment Agency for approval. There was no second to the motion. By
consensus, Board members agreed to continue this item to the October 21,
2003, meeting and directed staff to provide additional information about other
potential projects in the downtown area that may be seeking to use this same
funding so that the Board could look at priorities for use of available
Redevelopment funds.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None forthcoming.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Board of Directors' meeting of the
Redevelopment Agency adjourned at 5:15 P.M. The next regular meeting will
be held on October 21, 2003.
Secretary
Redevelopment Agency
October 7, 2003
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