Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency
ARMY DEPOT
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Meeting Minutes WEDNSDAY, December 8, 2004 5:30 p.m . George Sim Community Center 6207 Logan Street |
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Lenau called the meeting to order at approximately 5:35 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Roll call was conducted.
RAC Members Present: Mario Affinito, Jose Chacon, Don Colquitt, Joe Hensler, Burnie Lenau, Tim Lien, Dorothy Medley, Ted Ortiz, Rosalie Vierra, Steve Vourakis
RAC Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Chris Erias, Chris Pahule and Jamie McLeod (SHRA)
III. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 25, OCTOBER 27, and NOVEMBER 4, 2004 MEETING MINUTES
Mr. Lenau asked that the item be moved until Mr. Lien arrived. All agreed.
IV. community food assessment
Mr. Lenau introduced Jake Salcone from the Sacramento Hunger Commission. Mr. Salcone introduced himself and his subject. He stated that he was giving this group the presentation because he would like food resources to be considered in redevelopment efforts. Some of his key findings include:
· 24% of area residents live below the poverty level
· Food closets in the area is a sign of distress
· Transportation to the stores is a problem
Mr. Lien introduces himself after the presentation. He also asked that all attending the meeting introduce themselves.
V. REDEVELOPMENT UPDATES
A. Vacant Lot Program
Mr. Lien introduces Jamie McLeod of SHRA. Mr. McLeod described the Vacant Lot program to the group. A program fact sheet was distributed to the group. Mr. McLeod stated that there is $100,000 of Army Depot Tax Increment set a side for the program. He also stated that the program can help the Army Depot meet its affordable housing requirements.
Concerns from RAC members included:
· Program appeared to favor larger homes
· Program appeared to be anti-profit
· Requested a map of the areas vacant lots
· Requested a list of area contractors
Mr. Mcleod stated that the RAC can address these issues when it sets the criteria for the area. Basically, each area sets its own priorities and the RAC can set them for the Army Depot area. Mr. Erias suggested that the criteria can be set at the January meeting. A blank criteria form along with a sample will be sent to RAC members for input with action at the January meeting.
C. Refining the Army Depot Five-Year Implementation Plan
Mr. Lien introduced the topic as house keeping issues. Before mentioning the five year plan, Mr. Lien reported to the group that the executive committee plans to meet before the full RAC meetings so that there is a consensus on how the meetings will run.
Mr. Lien also suggested a process for refining the Army Depot 5-Year Implementation Plan.
· The first step suggested by Mr. Lien included identifying how redevelopment works, recognizing available tools for redevelopment and understanding the budget process.
· The second step was to identify needs for the area, which included identifying local stake holders for input. A list of projects should be culled from this effort.
· The third step included setting priorities from the concerns put forth by the community.
Mr. Hensler asked for the list of goals that were brought forward at a previous RAC
meeting. Mr. Erias indicated he would locate and bring to the next meeting.
Others suggested that area needs have been identified by some groups. Mr. Lien mentioned that Mr. Fisher may have such a list and should be contacted. At this point
someone asked if Mr. Fisher was continuing his lawsuit. Mr. Pahule indicated that the
lawsuit was going forward. It was also mentioned, after being asked, that the defense of
the lawsuit is being paid with redevelopment money.
B. 20-25% Housing Set Aside
Mr. Erias explained the Agency’s position for moving forward on the increase of the set aside despite the RAC’s objections. The Agency’s position for the action included;
· The increase is a goal and not policy.
· To be consistent with the other City redevelopment areas
Mr. Hensler voiced his concern that the RAC’s position was not mentioned to the City
Council when the decision was being made. The concerns included:
· The Army Depot RAC voted against recommending the increase in housing percentage.
· The housing component is effectively much larger than the 25% being promoted by SHRA, by the amount devoted to housing calculated on the total incremental taxes collected, not available funds.
· SHRA already has the ability to spend more than 20% on housing. This change, if pursued will raise the component spent on housing to something on the order of 33% of the available funds.
Some additional concerns and comment brought forward included:
· Agency staff speak with clarity when addressing the RAC
· Would like the local councilman to attend some RAC meetings
· RAC members would like advance notice for Council/Commission meetings with issues related to the Army Depot
· Recommend there be a RAC member at the Council/Commission meetings if issues pertain to Army Depot
· Is there a coalition of RAC’s?
Mr. Lien used this opportunity to further state some general housekeeping issues. They
included:
· Preference to have the room set up in circle rather than RAC facing audience
· RAC members should state potential conflict of interest in projects as they come up. (SHRA to bring pamphlet explaining conflict of interest)
· Executive committee will meet to set agendas. However, all RAC members are encouraged to add items to the agenda by calling Mr. Erias.
· RAC meetings should go no longer than 1.5 hours
· Like to set up subcommittees for issues as they arise. One such committee was then formed.
Mr. Hensler, Mr. Colquitt and Mr. Chacon formed the first committee. They are to come up with a plan to notify interested parties/stakeholders of our interest in their ideas, ways for them to
communicate their ideas to the RAC and a way for the RAC to sort
through the ideas and prioritize them - this in the form of a recommendation to the RAC at the January meeting.
Mr. Lien asked that items D & E under REDEVELOPMENT UPDATES be postponed
until the January 2005 meeting.
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 25, OCTOBER 27, and NOVEMBER 4, 2004 MEETING MINUTES
Mr. Lien asked that the minutes be addressed. He asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the August 25th meeting. Mr. Chacon made the motion, Mr. Colquitt seconded and all voted aye.
The minutes for October 27 and November 4 were incomplete and could not be approved.
VI. COMMUNICATION FROM RAC MEMBERS AND PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
VII. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:40 p.m.