STOCKTON BOULEVARD REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

THURSDAY, July14, 2005 6:00pm Stockton Boulevard Partnership Office, 5625 Stockton Boulevard

 

I.                     CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 6:12 pm by Elgin Bradley, Committee Chairperson

 

II.                   ROLL CALL        Present:  Bradley,  Byrd, Cranshaw, Greene,  Lee (at 6:50 p.m.), Martin

Absent:   Bains, Brown, Mitchell

 

III.                 WELCOMING REMARKS– Mr. Bradley welcomed those in the audience, Sheila Dominguez, Melissa Berman

 

IV.                APPROVAL OF JUNE 2005 RAC MEETING MINUTES: Motion to approve June 2005 minutes made be Byrd, 2nd by Martin, 5 ayes, 0 noes. 

 

V.                  ACTION ITEMS

 

A.      Stockton Boulevard Redevelopment Plan Amendment #3 (corrected from #4) – Eve Silverman, SHRA

This report recommended approval of an action item to hire redevelopment plan and environmental consultants (consultant team) to prepare the Stockton Boulevard Redevelopment Plan (Plan) amendment to extend the timeframe for non-residential eminent domain only.  Eminent domain authority expires for the Stockton Boulevard Redevelopment Area in May 2006 unless the authority is extended through a Plan amendment.  Eminent domain is one of the redevelopment tools used to acquire real property for redevelopment purposes and is the last resort option after direct negotiations with an owner for a voluntary sale fails.  Eminent domain is used to eliminate blight and correct deficiencies such as small and irregular lots, obsolete and aged building types, inadequate parking and deteriorated infrastructure and facilities.  The action is part of a plan to improve the area for other development such as a catalyst project which ultimately provides increased sales, business licenses, taxes and revenues to the City and County. This authority has not been used in the Stockton Boulevard Redevelopment Area since plan adoption in 1994.

 

Discussion took place regarding whether the amount allocated for the solicitation was reasonable and the reasons for not including residential eminent domain.  The recent Supreme Court decision regarding Connecticut law was brought up by a Redevelopment Advisory Committee (RAC) member and summary information from the California Redevelopment Association was presented which states that California has “strong laws protecting property owners and restricts the use of eminent domain.”   A sheet summarizing the eminent domain steps for pre-condemnation and condemnation procedures was provided.  The RAC wanted to continue to receive information and be included in the review process for this Plan amendment.

 

Motion to approve staff recommendation was made by Green, seconded by Cranshaw.  Vote:  5 ayes, 0 noes.

 

VI.                INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

A.  Sacramento Brownfields Assessment Project – Eve Silverman, SHRA

The Sacramento County Business Environmental Resource Center’s Brownfields (BERC) Assessment Project was described.  This project provides free Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments (review of historical uses, physical inspection and tests) for owners of abandoned or underutilized industrial commercial or residential properties where redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.  Sites in or near redevelopment areas have priority.  Six informational workshops will be provided over the next few months where people can learn about the program.  Information is available at www.sacramentobrownfields.org or 364-4110.

 

B.       Sacramento Boulevard Redevelopment Project Area Update – Eve Silverman

Ms. Silverman relayed information and provided handouts as appropriate.

·         4558-4600 RFP selection committee has been expanded to seven members to include an additional RAC member and an architect, developer or banker

·         SMUD annexation presentation was not scheduled because SMUD has scaled back on outreach presentations at this time

·         Sacramento Neighborhood Housing Services will be holding a Paint the Town event and block party on September 17th in the Fruitridge Pocket neighborhood (El Cerrito, Orinda Way and 47th Street) which will include painting nine homes and providing workshops on home maintenance, financial literacy, home safety and information about reverse mortgages and community oriented policing and problem solving (COPPS) strategies.  Applications are available for painting two more homes.  Volunteers are wanted.

·         Fruitridge sidewalk repair (between Stockton and Dewey) update.  The county identified that three notices were went to two property owners and one owner has pulled a permit to do the repairs.  The county identified a person at the City who could be contacted for information.

·         Members were reminded that the Stockton Boulevard Business Information Center provides various business  workshops each month

·         A flier regarding the City Management Academy was distributed.  The Academy provides City residents with an opportunity to learn how the City is managed and operated through several classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings and classes and tours on Saturdays.  The deadline to apply is July 29th. 

 

VII.              COMMUNICATION FROM RAC MEMBERS AND PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

 

RAC members shared information regarding the status of several properties on the Boulevard and requested staff research who is the engineer for the Fruitridge Sewer project.

 

VIII.            ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.