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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-27-1984MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA February 27, 1984 The meeting was called to order at 5:51 p.m., b~ Mayor R. W. Luxem- bourger in Room 510, City Hall, 20 Civic Center Plaza. Councilmem- bers present were Gordon Bricken, P. Lee Johnson, Patricia A. McGuigan, Dan Young and Mayor Luxembourger. Also present were City Manager Robert C. Bobb, City Attorney Edward J. Cooper and Clerk of the Council Janice C. Guy, as well as members of the City's Executive Management staff and the press. Councilmember Daniel E. Griset arrived at 6:08 p.m. Councilmember John Acosta was absent. The City Manager explained that the objective of the meeting was to determine a direction for downtown Santa Ana, specifically for the central business district. He emphasized the importance of continual maintenance and improvements for this core area of the City. He then requested that Councilmembers give their perceptions of this area--not only as citizens and residents of the community, but as public policy- makers. The Deputy City Manager of Development discussed the various components of the downtown area, including the government offices and the historic retail/commercial center. He indicated future planning would be directed toward increasing tourism; constructing residences for such city dwellers as seniors, young professionals and artists; developing boutique shopping and open air markets; and utilizing Santa Ana's status as a known "end destination" to attract more people to the downtown area. He remarked that although the peri:met~r~of the district had been improved, the needs still existed to connect the downtown area to Fashion Square, to capture Santa Ana's historic perspective, and to pull the Civic Center and downtown areas together. The City Manager then enumerated what he felt were the downtown's strengths, including but not limited to: Santa Ana~s designation as the County Seat, its transit center, stadium, library and swap meet, close- in residential living and a lack of parking meters. Among its weak- nesses, he noted the lack of the following amenities: no major hotel, no downtown plan, no socially attractive gathering place, no central control of parking and no central planning agency. Councilmembers then responded with their perceptions of the central business district. Councilmember Young noted that it was incon- venient, that safety was a problem and that housing was needed. He also recognized the need for an advertising plan and a plan to attract investment dollars. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 64 FEBRUARY 27~ 1984 Councilmember Johnson expressed his concern that the Paseo Mercado was a dubious venture, that parking was a problem, that the Transit Station represented a potential negative, and stated that he was dis- mal in general about the future of the downtown. Councilmember Bricken indicated that the wrong people were being asked about the problems of downtown, that access to the area was poor, that government employees were unlikely to be lured to the shopping areas, and indicated a need for a "blockbuster project" to stimulate the area. Councilmember McGuigan indicated the lack of parking impacted the downtown negatively as a retail center, expressed her concerns with the planned pedestrian bridge,'and stated that hotel/evening enter- tainment opportunities were needed, as well as a comprehensive plan. The Mayor felt that the Council and the community must think positively before things can begin to happen. He also indicated a need for additional entertainment in the downtown area. Councilmember Griset reflected that Santa Ana must explore its niche as a community and indicated that a downtown area meant to him choice, convenient and variety. He also noted a need for a progressive public policy to revitalize the Library and to avoid the "L.A. problem" where 60 percent of the city is devoted to parking. Councilmember Griset distributed copies of a memo to the City Manager which outlined several of his major concerns. Councilmember Young encouraged Councilmembers to think in terms of multiple "blockbuster projects," such as San Diego's streetcar and a new hotel. Councilmember Bricken encouraged Santa Aha to overcome its inferiority complex; and Mayor Luxembourger stated that the City needed to touch young adults to encourage them to become part of the community. The City Manager summarized his objectives for the downtown area: 1. To reorganize development activities; 2. To establish a Central Planning Agency; 3. To solicit requests for proposals for a design plan for downtown Santa Ana; 4. To construct a "blockbuster project" such as a hotel in the downtown area; 5. To create a business center in concert with the education centers where top corporate meetings might be scheduled; 6. To develop a sports arena; and 7. To encourage belief in the downtown area. He encouraged the Council to become "cheer leaders" for downtown Santa Ana. At 7:54 p.m., the Council recessed and reconvened at 8:04 p.m., with all Councilmembers present except Acosta. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 65 FEBRUARY 27, 1954 BID AWARD MOTION: Award in accordance with bid summary report. Memorial Park Ball Field Backstop Renovation - Recreation Parks and Community Services; Crown, Fence and Suppy Com- pany, Ltd. in the amount of $16,987.00. PROJECT 8561-C The Council recessed to Executive Session at 8:07 p.m. and recon- vened at 9:09 p.m., with the same members present. EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT MOTION: Authorize the City Attorney to request a Stipulation for the James Birkes' Workers' Compensation case in the amount of $13,702.50. MOTION: Young SECOND: Johnson VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Bricken, Griset, Johnson, Luxembourger, McGuigan, Young None Acosta FILE 410.10 MOTION: Authorize the City Attorney to settle Geoffrey Fleming vo the City of Santa Ana in the amount of $35,000.00. MOTION: Johnson SECOND: McGuigan VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Bricken, Griset, Johnson, Luxembourger, McGuigan, Young None Acosta FILE 410.10 MOTION: Authorize the City Attorney to settle Woods et al. v. the City of Santa Ana in the amount of $15,000.00. MOTION: Johnson SECOND: Bricken VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Bricken, Griset, Johnson, Luxembourger, McGuigan, Young None Acosta FILE 410.10 At 9:ll p.m., the meeting was informally adjourned. /~/JANICE C. GUY v CLERK OF THE COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 66 FEBRUARY 27, 1984