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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1979-09-26Mayor Terry J. Mirri Vice Mayor Ronald G. Acosta Council: William A. Borba Emanuele N. Damonte Roberta Cerri Teglia MINUTES CITY COUNCIL 2 ~ W. Orange Avenue Library Auditorium September 26, 1979 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to the Government Code of the State of California, that the City Council of South San Francisco will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, September 26, 1979, at 7:30 p.m., in the West Orange Avenue Library Auditorium, 840 West Orange Avenue, South San Francisco, California. Purpose of Meeting: Public Hearing - Magnolia Center Date: September 18, 1979 T6rry J~.~irL~~, Mayor City of South San Francisco AGENDA Special Meeting CALL TO ORDER: (TF-OO1) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE City Manager Birkelo Read a Letter from Councilwoman Teglia "Reason for Abstention". ACTION TAKEN Special Meeting 7:38 p.m., Mayor Mirri presiding. Council present: Borba, Acosta, Damonte and Mayor Mirri. Council absent: Teglia. Recited. Mayor Mirri explained this special meeting was called to discuss the future of Magnolia Center with the citizenry. Staff has prepared a report to aid Council in making a decision. "Because my husband and I own income property within 300 feet of Magnolia Center and this property is in the same zone (R-3) as Magnolia Center, I feel the risk of potential for con- flict of interest may exist. Therefore, I will refrain from participating in the Council deliberation and decision regarding this issue. However, I retain my right as an individual citizen, taxpayer and voter to campaign for the preservation and renovation of Magnolia Center, should that option be provided to the elect- orate." 9/26/79 Page 1 AGENDA ACTION TAKEN Public Hearing - Continued Councilman Borba Read a Letter from Mrs. Costa: Councilman Borba Read a Letter from Ms. Fern Bowler: Request for Staff Report: Public Hearing - Continued "Save Magnolia Center for the South San Francisco Seniors." Also enclosed was a petition with 90 signatures. Ms. Bowler related she had been a school teacher at Magnolia Center at the time of an earthquake in 1957 and in spite of the severity of the quake the building had minor damage. She further related that the City could use monies it paid out in rents to restore Magnolia Center for all people to enjoy. Also enclosed was a petition of 100 signatures. Mayor Mirri asked City Manager Birkelo to present the Staff Report. City Manager Birkelo related that Council had met with the Park & Recreation Commission early this year. One of the topics of discussion was the future of Magnolia Center. Council requested the Commission to make a study and submit a recommendation. While the study was being made some private parties indicated interest in buying the property and indicated they would use a portion of the building for senior citizens activities. The Commission also considered putting this issue on the ballot to see how the issue was regarded by the public. The City Manager's office recommended to Council that this might be premature since there are no sound cost estim- ates and the State Legislature has not clarified the City's ability to seek voter approval and set a tax for purposes of funding the project. Staff further recommended that Council hold at least one public hearing to seek the input of citizens to see what the future of that facility might be and then Council could decide to identify certain uses so that a cost estimate could be prepared. A second hearing might be required if Council decided to get voter approval of a specific project or projects. 9/26/79 Page 2 A G E N DA A C T I O N TAKEN~048 Public Hearing - Continued Public Hearing Opened: (TF-O089) (TF-OI05) Public Hearing - Continued Mayor Mirri asked Director of Parks & Recreation Norton for a synopsis of the history of Magnolia Center. Director of Parks & Recreation Norton retraced the history of Magnolia Center since its purchase from the School District in 1964 for $160,000. In 1974 Wagman & Assoc. did a feasi- bility study on the Center and presented 5 different alternatives, i.e., senior citizens center, community theatre, administrative offices, community center building with under- ground parking, etc. The estimated cost at that time for restoration was $1,000,000. Director of Parks & Recreation Norton informed Council there had been a representative from a group interested in the Center for performing arts who would speak before Council tonight. Mayor Mirri opened the Public Hearing and invited anyone to speak in favor of the rehabilitation of the Center by stepping to the podium and stating their name and address for the record. Mrs. Lil!ian Conger, 759 Parkway, who is associated with the American Association of Retired Persons. A petition was presented to Council with 90 signatures in support of the restoration of Magnolia Center for senior citizens activities. Ms. Zoe Nurisio, 616 Grand Avenue, was concerned about the vandalism that has gone unchecked and.believes the Center should be restored for future generations to enjoy. Ms. Michelle Gregorio, a representative of Art Rise, spoke in favor of using the Center for performing arts and maybe it would bring revenue into the community as well as entertainment. 9/26/79 Page 3 AGENDA ACTION TAKEN Public Hearing - Continued (TF-Oll5) (TF-0230) Public Hearing Closed: Public Hearing - Continued Mr. Leo Eserini, Parkway Ave., spoke of he and his father working around the Center in his father's profession as a cement contractor. The building is such a sound building it shouldn't take a great deal of money to renovate it. Mr. Eserini expressed concern over the vandalism and why couldn't there be signs posted with a reward to deter vandals. He questioned whether City forces or CETA forces could perform the work making it less costly. City Manager Birkelo responded that under the State Law the City is required to go to bid for public work costing over $5,000 and CETA people only do small jobs like painting and helping the senior citizens. A discussion followed on the increased vandalism'in the downtown area. Mayor Mirri invited anyone to speak in opposition, no one replied. Mayor Mirri closed the PUblic Hearing and opened the subject up for Council discussion. Councilman Borba related that as a youngster Magnolia Center was just being built, and the big talk was earthquakes, so they put the best steel in the building. He recalled that a Fire Chief in 1972 had recom- mended fire sprinklers to improve the building and then the next Fire Chief said condemn the building. He noted that the Center is one of the strongest buildings made in the City as well as being earthquake proof. 9/26/79 Page 4 AGENDA ACTION TAKEN Public Hearing - Continued (TF-259) (TF-282) Public Hearing - Continued Councilman Borba continued that there had been an approach to go ahead and modernize the building for $1,000,000 with parking on an upper level and he was satisfied and pleased with that report. However, nothing was ever done. He also noted that there is a need for a performing arts and culture center in this City and that we are losing the Rod & Gun Club as the County is taking it over. Council could put it on the ballot and the people would have the option and the City Manager could come up with the figures after that. He stated that Magnolia Center has been used as a political football in each election and he believes the people should decide. Councilman Damonte related that he was also sentimental about the Center for he had attended and then graduated from Magnolia School and later was Principal of the school. He expressed concern in saving the building but in reading through the documents he read, "this building is not structurally sound...". He noted the contradiction between his own sentiment and the Engineer's Report. Vice Mayor Acosta expressed a desire to hear more of the report. Council says its a strong building but an architect says its not. No. 1) The beams are not tied together over the columns; No. 2) The columns are not tied over the girders; No. 3) The floors and roof are not properly connected to concrete walls for earthquake forces, etc. He questioned the Fire Chief as to why the building was condemned. Chief Zelker, Fire Dept., related that over the years experience has taught public safety employees to take new looks at the way buildings are constructed. In the past there have been similarly constructed schools that have burned and injured children. 9/26/79 Page 5 AGENDA ACTION TAKEN Public Hearing - Continued (TF-282) (TF-300) Public Hearing - Continued Fire Chief Zelker continued, there is an open stairway which is very dangerous in a fire. There are portions of the building that do not meet the standards of today. Based upon these kinds of things the State of Calif. enacted the Field Act which relates to earthquake standards. The State Fire Marshall introduced addit- ional legislation. As a result of these findings the building is declared to be an unsafe building. The building could be modified to agree to what we call a safe condition as far as fire is concerned. An adequate egress could be provided but that costs money and it addresses the structural integrity of the property. With these thoughts in mind, the property was condemned. Vice Mayor Acosta commented that with reference to the Waegemann Report, Propositions A thru F, suggest demo- lition for $50,000 for the auditorium. The net retail value of the property is $100,000 plus demolition and the cost of sub-dividing the land shows a net profit for Proposition A of $15,000. When you look at Proposition F which speaks of remodeling into office space and recreational rooms as well as remodeling the existing auditorium, you see a total project cost of $1,038,200. He further commented that the Fire Chief said the building could be modified but Council doesn't have any cost figures. Vice Mayor Acosta agreed that it would suit this City to have a cultural and performing arts center but expressed concern over where the money was going to come from to remodel the Center. Ms. Zoe Nurisio asked if there was State or Federal monies that could be used for the Center. 9/26/79 Page 6 AGENDA ACTION TAKEN Public Hearing - Continued (TF-324) (TF-361) Public Hearing - Continued City Manager Birkelo related that from time to time the State Government gives money for various types of public works which could be used for senior citizens but he is not familar with any Federal Grants for senior citizens. Mayor Mirri related that the City has investigated any and all funds for recreational activity or senior citizens activity but he will pursue it. City Manager Birkelo said that through the State the City is qualified for some $80,000 in contributions for senior citizens activities in the Municipal Services Building, so there are some funds available. Mayor Mirri recounted that in 1971 it cost $700,000 and in 1974 $1,000,000 and as Vice Mayor Acosta mentioned it was $1,038,200 in July 1979 to restore the Center. Today the cost could conceivably be greater. He believes the building could be rehabilitated, however the cost would be quite steep. He also believes the Center should be a ballot measure, with full support of the residents and the City, in order to provide the City with a performing art center coupled with a senior citizens center for the people to enjoy. He related that Council was thinking of having another hearing to get more input from the public on a cultural art center and senior citizens center and then going about to see how much it will cost. Councilman Borba said if the building renovation was approved it could accommodate the arts and the senior citizens. Vice Mayor Acosta commented that there should be a list of how the Center would be used. 9/26/79 Page 7 AGENDA ACTION TAKEN Public Hearing - Continued (TF-369) Motion to Renovate Entire Facility: (TF-399) Public Hearing - Continued Vice Mayor Acosta asked if some of the classrooms could be used by Park & Recreation, as well as the senior citizens and performing arts. He is in favor of retaining the whole building. Councilman Damonte responded that he would like to keep the whole building if possible. He thinks the Council is aware of what they intend doing with the Center including having a cultural art center, this seems to have been established. Mayor Mirri related that each of the proposals have different costs attached. M/S Borba/Damonte - to include reno- vation for the entire facility. This was seconded for purposes of discussion only. Director of Park & Recreation Norton explained that the intent of Proposal F was to restore Magnolia Center as the South San Francisco Community Center and that all of the proposals included the purchase of the School District's land to be used for parking. He felt the Center could accommodate a performing arts center and a senior citizens center, however there would be a need for manpower such as a Director of the performing arts or a technician and that these additional costs should be investigated. Councilman Borba commented that it would cost as much to tear down the auditorium as it would to build a new roof. The building is so strong that if you try to tear it down it is going to shake up the whole neighborhood. 9/26/79 Page 8 AGENDA ACTION TAKEN Public Hearing - Continued Public Hearing - Continued Councilman Damonte stated Council had much to do before making any decisions such as making sure the building is safe. He made mention of a June 12, 1979 report which states that Staff recommended that the use of Magnolia Center be restricted for a senior citizens activity center. For anything else the parking makes redevelopment infeasible and the cost would range from $1,500,000-2,000,000. Mayor Mirri commented that before Council can go ahead with anything, the conflicting reports and ambiguous language eliminated. Councilman Borba questioned using hotel and motel funds to help get the Magnolia Center Project on its way. City Manager Birkelo responded yes it is general revenue and the City can use it. Right now the funds are pledged to the Operating Budget. Mayor Mirri said if the funds are used right now they will be taken away from other services such as maintenance use and these things are also important. Mayor Mirri asked that action be taken on the existing motion. A consensus of Council was taken which resulted in an approval by unanimous voice vote. Mayor Mirri asked if the City becomes involved with Magnolia Center, will the facility on Grand Avenue still be open. 9/26/79 Page 9 AGENDA ACTION TAKEN Public Hearing - Continued (TF-449) MotiOn to Allocate Funds: (TF-471) Councilman Borba Requested a Resolution: Municipal Services Bids: Public Hearing - Continued Director of Park & Recreation Norton responded that even if the Senior Center is completed he would still want one downtown. Ms. Cerquettini, 733 Palm Ave., related that the concensus of seniors is if they get the Magnolia Center they do not want the downtown center. City Manager Birkelo asked for guidance and clarification from Council. M/S Damonte/Acosta - instructing Staff to appropriate the money needed to see if this building can be renovated. Carried by unanimous voice vote. A discussion followed on the rent monies paid out by the City for Park & Recreation. Mr. Eserini asked if the buildings that the City rents are quake proof. Vice Mayor Acosta replied that the City was only using schools. Mayor Mirri thanked the citizens for their input and reminded them there would be a second hearing. A Resolution was requested to honor Jim Fregosi, a young fellow who made good in the major leagues. City Manager Birkelo stated that bids were received this morning for bonds for the Municipal Services Building by the Non-Profit Corporation under which the financing is arranged. The Non-Profit Corporation awarded the bids to the Merrill, Lynch organization for bonds with an interest rate of 6.788%. 9/26/79 Page 10 A G E N DA AC T I O N TAKEN ~.~ Public Hearing - Continued ADJOURNMENT: Public Hearing - Continued M/S Borba/Damonte - that the meeting be adjourned, the time was 9:15 p.m. Carried unanimously by voice vote. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, APPROVED: Barbara A. Battaya, City C~l~rk City of South San Francisco Terry J.'Mi/~ri, r~ayor City of SoGq~h San Francisco The entries of this Council meeting show the action taken by the City Council to dispose of the item. Oral presentations, 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 available for inspection, review and copying. 9/26/79 Page 11