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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2000-08-16 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 16, 2000 MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING COMMUNITY ROOM 33 ARROYO DRIVE 1. Call to Order 6:04 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present: Councilmembers Gonzalez, Mullin and Penna, Mayor Pro Tern Fernekes and Mayor Matsumoto Absent: None Staff Present: City Manager Wilson, City Attorney Mattas, Assistant City Manager Moss, Economic & Community Development Director Van Duyn, Finance Director Steele, Redevelopment Project Manager Beyer, Housing & Community Development Manager Fragoso, Chief Planner Sparks, and Project Consultant Sanchez Terranomics: Mr. Mark Seiler, Mr. Steve Wehr, Mr. Merritt Sher, and Mr. Ed Fernandez Others Present: Mr. Rob Giorgi, Mr. Steve Giorgi, Mr. Tom Giorgi, Mr. Rick Ochsenhirt, Ms. Jackie Williams, Ms. Evelyn Raffin, Ms. Dolores Calegari, Mr. Jim Metz, Mr. Don Mason, and Mr. Greg Cochran 3. Public Comments: None. 4. Discussion: Terranomics - update and project concept Staff report presented by Project Manager Beyer. Mr. Steve Weir informed Council that his team is looking for a consensus on the proposal and an indication if it is going in the right direction. He listed the objectives of the project: 1) a major focal point; 2) frames Grand Avenue; 3) links east and west of Highway 101; 4) identifiable from Highway 101; 5) utilizes pedestrian access from Caltrain; 6) enhances existing demographics; 7) in-scale with downtown; 8) first class construction; 9) interacts with Linden and Baden Avenues; 10) a good economic return for the Redevelopment Agency, and 11) creates positive momentum in the downtown. Presentation of conceptual schematics was given by architect, Mr. Ed Fernandez. Mr. Weir stated residential was not included due to limited area and that offices will bring more people to infuse the downtown. An urban infill developer will do the residential as a subcontractor. He stated that major city downtowns are defined by their office component, retail and residential will follow. Councilman Penna's concerns included consideration being given to other property owners, wind factor and location of atrium needed along Linden Avenue, ingress/egress onto Baden Avenue, and adequate parking. He stated his agreement with Mr. Weir's statement that if you start with offices--retail and residential will follow. He commented that he did not want to be locked-in exclusively with Terranomics for Phase II, as other developers' interest may now be stimulated to build in the downtown. Mayor Pro Tem Fernekes commented on the elimination of residential in the first phase. He stated that he'd like the architecture to be creative, complement the area and not be conspicuous. He suggested brick be included in the design, a scale model to help visualize the project and its relationship with surrounding buildings, and less parking to encourage public transportation. Councilman Gonzalez commented on the project's architecture and that it needs to identify with old town. Other concerns included building's color and that it complement surrounding buildings. Councilman Mullin concurred with the previous objection of a monolithic-type development. He suggested brick be included in the design of the atrium, and supported the suggestion that a second atrium be on Linden Avenue. He reviewed each of the objectives for the project and the importance of linking east of Highway 101 with the west. Mr. Weir commented that the businesses that locate in the project will attract those E 101. Councilman Mullin stressed the importance that buildings be in scale, have a symbiosis, and that residential is crucial for the area. Councilman Mullin asked Mr. Fernandez to provide a list, with addresses, of facilities he designed in the Bay Area. Mr. Fernandez mentioned several projects he has been involved in and one near Jack London Square that has the same type of context as this proposal. Mayor Matsumoto further discussed and questioned the objective of the project being identifiable from Highway 101 and linking with East of 101. She stated her concerns regarding the project having synergy, and a look and scale and that is in character for the neighborhood. She reiterated the previous comment that parking be limited to encourage public transportation. Mayor Matsumoto stated that she supports "Class A" retail for the project. Councilman Penna stated that visitors have a concern for safety in the downtown area and this project will help to change that false impression. Mayor Pro Tem Fernekes discussed the height of the buildings and felt the buildings should look architecturally balanced. He reiterated his concern that a scale model be presented and brick be included in the design. He also asked for information on the residential component, and where Terranomics envisions its potential location. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 16, 2000 MINUTES PAGE 2 o (Cassette Tape No. 2) Councilman Gonzalez stressed the importance of the development in the downtown and old town area. He stated he looks for buildings that identify South San Francisco and concurs that the development should keep the integrity of the area. He also stated his interest in the housing component. Mayor Matsumoto commented that the proposed building height is high for the area, and reiterated her concern that it be a signature project and not a replica of downtown Burlingame. Mayor Pro Tem Fernekes and Councilman Gonzalez reiterated their comments that the project be in scale, both in design and height with other buildings in the area. Staff stated confirmation of Council's comments and direction. (Recess: 7:40 p.m. - 8:50 p.m.) Council Handbook City Attorney Mattas informed Council that the Council Handbook is only a guide and not a legal document. It was agreed that the handbook be reviewed page by page. Minor grammatical and typographical errors, duplications and clarifications for consistency were identified for correction. Mayor Matsumoto requested samples of forms be included and indexed for reference purposes. It was agreed that all mail addressed to Councilmembers will be opened by the City Manager's staff, unless it is marked personal or confidential, or if an individual Councilmember requests his/her mail not be opened. Mayor Matsumoto distributed a document prepared by the City of Larkspur regarding its conflict of interest policy. Council discussed the document's reference to "reasonable perception" and the pros and cons of including it in the handbook. A straw poll, as follows, was taken regarding the document's inclusion in the handbook: Yes: Fernekes and Matsumoto; No: Gonzalez, Mullin, and Penna. Outcome: the document will not be included. ~ Mayor Matsumoto requested an updated version of the Brown Act be included in the appendix. Council discussed altering the starting time of the regular meeting, or taking no new items after 11:00 p.m. Councilman Penna left the meeting at 8:56 p.m. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 16, 2000 MINUTES PAGE 3 It was agreed that an effort will be made to consider no new items after 11:00 p.m. unless the City Manager indicates that there is business that still needs to be acted upon. It was agreed to discuss speaker time limits at a future point. (Tape Cassette No. 3) City Attorney Mattas agreed to research the number of Library Board members it takes to remove a member (Page 24, paragraph 3) and he will confirm the method of appointment for the Parking Place Commission (Page 28). Mayor Matsumoto stated her concern regarding the City paying for Council's attendance at political events, and suggested wording be included in the handbook that will address this issue. It was agreed to prepare verbiage for Council's review. Mayor Matsumoto requested a breakdown on Council's voting requirements. City Attorney Mattas stated expenditures of funds require three votes; adoption of ordinances requires three votes; condemnation requires two-thirds vote, and general plan adoption requires three affirmative votes. A short summary will be prepared for the handbook. Mayor Matsumoto asked that a section be included on the reorganization guidelines. It was agreed a subcommittee be appointed. Mayor Matsumoto and Mayor Pro Tem Fernekes volunteered to sit on the committee. Guidelines for conducting meetings and Council's reorganization and the chart on parliamentary procedures will be retained in Council binders and not the handbook. Mayor Matsumoto requested that memos prepared by the City Attorney and City Manager be included and indexed in the handbook. 5. Adjournment Motion-Mullin/Second-Gonzalez: To adjourn the meeting at 9:44 p.m. Approved by voice vote. Absent: Councilman Penna. Submitted by: Sylvia M. Pay~ City of South San Francisco Approved: sumoto, Mayor City of S~uth San Francisco The entries of this Council meeting show the action taken by the City Council to dispose of an item. Oral communications, arguments, and comments are recorded on tape. The tape and documents related to the items are on file in the Office of the City Clerk and are available for inspection, review and copying. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 16, 2000 MINUTES PAGE 4