Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

6:30 PM

Oak Park Community Center

3524 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

*These meeting minutes are unapproved. The Oak Park RAC will take action on the minutes at the November 9th RAC meeting.

I. Call to Order

Committee Chairperson, Edenausegboye Davis, called the meeting to order at 6:54 pm.

II. Roll Call

Committee Secretary, Linda McDonald, conducted roll call.

Present: Bud Aungst, Edenausegboye Davis, Chris Ganson, Edgar Hilbert, Mary Lou Lackey, Linda McDonald, Sandy Redmond, Eric Straub, James Taylor, Rose Thomas

Absent: Kim Curry-Evans

Staff Present: Chris Pahule, Erika Bumgardner

III. Welcoming Remarks

Edenausegboye Davis welcomed members of the community. She reviewed procedures with regard to speakers being recognized by the chair, members raising their hands, the use of speaker cards and the 3-minute limit for speakers from the public.

IV. Approval of the September 14, 2005 RAC Meeting Minutes

The minutes were approved unanimously.

V. Redevelopment Items

A. Oak Park Bond Allocation Presentation and Discussion – Chris Pahule, SHRA

This is the first of three RAC meetings in which we will plan for our investment strategy. Tonight’s presentation will be more general in nature. The November meeting will be more of a workshop with break-out groups to focus on four main areas of investment identified in the Oak Park 2005-2009 Implementation Plan Redevelopment Strategy:

· Oak Park Historic District Program

· Great Public Spaces

· Corridor Enhancement

· Housing Program Strategy

Chris gave an overview of several other guiding documents, including an update of accomplishments. Oak Park properties have had a 75% assessed value increase in the last 5 years. Most of this increase represents single-family homes. Interest rates have been favorable and the redevelopment area is in a position to sell $20 million in bonds. On October 25^th the City Council is planning to authorize bond documents and loan agreements and by the end of November the bonds will be priced and closed.

One of the priorities will be local services needed for residential and commercial developments. We have a combined sewer that drains the lands to the East into Oak Park.

Public member Ray White spoke about the importance of using the $20 million to accomplish new things, not duplicate what’s already been done. He suggested focusing on MLK south to Fruitridge and also south Oak Park, not just what can be seen on Broadway.

Public member Tom Armstrong supports relevant redevelopment efforts. When it comes to affordable housing, restricted sales prices and gap financing are needed.

Public member Vinta supports building a better community with better street lighting, walkability and housing. There are large sections of northeast Oak Park that have no lighting at all.

B. Report from Donner Field Project Review Subcommittee – Bud Aungst, Subcommittee Chair

The subcommittee met with Sacramento Mutual Housing and toured Metro Square, a high-density development at 26^th and “I” Streets (one city block). At the previous RAC meeting, the main concerns were with density and parking. The subcommittee was comfortable with the architecture and density of Metro Square. It didn’t look crowded. Donner Field will be less dense, have some open space and should be a pleasant place to live.

Affordable housing was an important aspect of the plan for density. SMH needs to sell as many as possible at market rate to allow for more affordable housing opportunities. Redmond expressed a concern that the size and density of so many developments will change the character of Oak Park. It could lose some of its charm and push people out.

RAC members expressed that affordable housing is a priority. Ganson noted that people like the diversity and vibrancy of Oak Park and that mixed use brings in more people and business. People don’t just want a suburb. Lackey would like to see a diversity of choices. We have very little condominiums and some people want homeownership with no yard responsibilities. We need diversity in the housing stock. Many people would like to have a homeowner’s association take care of the grounds.

There will be more comprehensive updates at future RAC meetings.

Public member Tom Armstrong noted that people in Oak Park want move-up housing.

VI. Oak Park Redevelopment Area Project Updates – Erika Bumgardner, SHRA

1. The blue bungalow at 43^rd Street is being proposed to be moved. The RAC will consider a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) at the November meeting.

2. Rebuilding Together is having its Rebuilding Dreams Days event on October 22, 2005. They are renovating 20 homes and SHRA provided $150,000 in support. The opening ceremony is at 7:30 in Temple Park.

3. The 4^th Avenue Lofts project is making changes based on high costs/bids.

4. The 8^th Avenue Improvements include bulb-outs at Martin Luther King Jr., Santa Cruz, 42^nd Street and La Solidad. The City Department of Transportation will be selecting a contractor within the next 60 days with construction to begin shortly thereafter.

5. Luigi’s Pizza Parlor and Contract Glazing are finishing work funded by an SHRA exterior rebate.

6. The Design Guidelines are being revised with the consultant and comments are being incorporated. There will be three documents, one each for Oak Park, Del Paso Heights, and North Sacramento. The final draft should be completed in December.

7. Nou Lor is leaving the RAC due to a schedule conflict. SHRA will be working with Council Member Hammond in the recruitment and appointment of a new RAC member. The vacancy to be filled is for an Oak Park renter.

8. Yesterday the City Council approved involvement in the Weed and Seed program. A grant application will be sent to the Department of Justice (DOJ) that details a 5-year strategy. Edgar Hilbert was able to attend and Eric will attend in the future. This will be great for the community because it involves people on the steering committee from a wide variety of backgrounds working together. The grant amount is $175,000.

VI. Informational Items

None

VII. Communication from RAC Members and Public on Items Not on the Agenda

A. At the Oak Park Business Association meeting today, there was a mention of the $195,000 that will be administered by the Stockton Blvd. Partnership as a result of the Regent project. There may be a misunderstanding that there is not a RAC member on the committee to help administer those funds. Chris Pahule said that they will review the minutes and make sure that someone from the RAC has been or will be appointed to work with them.

VIII. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 PM.