ANTIOCH CITY COUNCIL
ANTIOCH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MEETING MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
October 19, 1999
7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
The call of a special meeting was made by Mayor Pro Tem Davis at the meeting of Tuesday, October 12, 1999. Mayor Rocha called the meeting to order at 7:02
P.M. with all Council members present.Following the Pledge of Allegiance City Attorney Galstan requested Items #1 and #2 be continued to the next regular meeting of October 26, 1999. On motion by Council Member Sudario, seconded by Council Member Freitas, the Council unanimously approved the continuation of the following items to October 26, 1999:
City Manager Ramsey introduced the item with a reminder that action would not be taken on any item during this work session. He further explained if sufficient interest was shown on this item, it would be scheduled for a meeting at the end of November for further consideration.
Community Development Director Carniglia presented the staff report dated October 14, 1999, going over in detail the timeline for the project from inception to development agreement approval, including LAFCO's approval of the adjusted Urban Limit Line (ULL).
Jack Roddy gave a background of his involvement in Roddy Ranch, explaining cattle ranching in the area was no longer feasible.
Jerry Loving, architect for the project, stated the current proposal for this development would include two jobs for every home, to be on-line within six months of project approval. He stated the following were the commitments of this project: two jobs for each new home; a monetary incentive to buy homes in the area for those who relocate to work in the newly created jobs with no cost to the City. He stated the proposed two homes per acre development would be a contained executive home community with the only entrance located on Deer Valley Road.
In answer to questions from Council Member Freitas, Mr. Loving stated while a promise from Supervisor Canciamilla to vote in favor of leaving the Urban Limit Line as is had not been received and although the developers were aware of the high cost of infrastructure for this project, they felt it was time to change the way business was being conducted, and stated Roddy Ranch would lead the way with the help of others.
Council Member Sudario asked for clarification whether or not the project would be requesting any subsidies or fee waivers for the business portion of the project, and Mr. Loving stated there would be no cost to the City. City Manager Ramsey stated staff had talked to the proposal participants regarding CDBG funds and other incentives currently available from the City, and they were not interested. Mr. Loving then stated the current plan was to use both new and existing facilities as job centers, stating the land entitlements would be used to fund the job creation portion of the proposal, which would have wages of 2-3 times the minimum wage.
Mayor Rocha and Council Member Freitas stated the proposal was tempting as it embraced the metering required by Measure "U" placing jobs before housing, and requested a presentation be scheduled for a future date to further explain the process for bringing jobs before housing.
In response to Norma Hernandez, Wayne Pierce stated only conceptual plans had been filed with the County, not the actual plans for the proposed homes.
It was clarified this project would include 1,000 homes on 546 acres of land with a $50K relocation incentive for those willing to relocate both their job and residence to Antioch. Terry Ramus felt this was a positive project for City of Antioch, as it would also bring new employment centers to Antioch.
Allen Payton felt this project appeared to have the five policies needed by this community: two jobs for each house; executive homes; jobs before housing; no bonds; and would help to raise current property values.
Jean Kuberra questioned the feasibility of completing the details of this project by December, stating there were a host of items not yet resolved, such as infrastructure capacity, the formation of an assessment district, provisions for police and fire emergency services. She stated the City did not have the required staff to meet the needs of this type of development
In response to Council Member Soliz, Wayne Pierce stated the Roddy Ranch land currently had entitlements for one home per acre. Increasing the entitlements to two homes per acre would increase the land value sufficiently to finance the employment portion of the project.
Council Member Freitas requested the financial obligations this project would present to the City be included when it returns to Council. City Manager Ramsey stated it has been made clear to the developer and those involved, additional staff would be necessary before the City could move this or any other project forward.
Council Member Soliz stated he had voted no on the Measure "U" implementation plan because he felt the Urban Limit Line should remain as it was, and for that and other reasons he would like to see the process move forward.
Council Member Davis felt the presentation had answered his questions on the project, and he extended his full support to proceed to the next step of a future presentation.
Mayor Rocha called a break at 9:40 P.M. Council reconvened at 9:53 P.M. with all members present.
DISCUSSION ON POLICIES AND STRATEGIES FOR FUTURE CITY PARKS, INCLUDING SIZE, LOCATION, DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS, AND MAINTENANCE THEREOF
City Manager Ramsey introduced both the item and Assistant City Engineer Bernal who presented the staff report dated October 10, 1999. Council Member Sudario requested more information regarding the costs incurred by other cities for park maintenance.
Jim Conley felt the two-acre park located on Country Hills Drive by the Seeno project should be removed, stating it was no longer feasible for the City to maintain five acres of park for each 1,000 residents but rather the City needed to move toward larger multi-use parks for maintenance purposes.
Michael Capalone stated his displeasure with the current park situation stating he was told there would be a park in his neighborhood when he bought his house, and he was still waiting for it to be built. He felt the developers should be responsible for the maintenance of the parks.
Steve Miller, Richland Development, stated they had several parks built or ready to be built. He stated their homeowners were told there would be parks with a landscape district in place to maintain them, but now several of those parks had been closed or canceled.
Cheryl Jones requested the park in her neighborhood, Black Diamond Estates, be built, as her family has been waiting for over a year.
Joe Mitchell stated he was concerned about the parks not being built. He stated his involvement with local sports had made him aware of how overcrowded the parks were. He felt more parks were needed not only for sports, but also to prevent our children from being forced to cross busy streets to reach parks.
Council Member Soliz stated he was inclined to move forward with fulfilling the City's commitment to finance the promised parks, however, he suggested the Council look at the possibility of more community parks.
Council Member Freitas concurred the parks promised to homeowners need to be built, and felt small parks such as the Meadow Creek Park should be looked at in terms of benefit vs. cost of maintenance. He further stated he was not in favor of the Mello Roos concept and requested the issue of parks be agendized for a future Council meeting.
Council Member Davis expressed his support of Council Member Soliz's recommendation and asked this be agendized for the Park and Recreation Commission.
Council Member Sudario felt the City should be providing parks for its citizens, adding development should take care of itself and the City should look into other landscape maintenance companies.
Mayor Rocha questioned the progress being made regarding the City and the Antioch Unified School District sharing recreational space. She was assured an on-going dialog was in progress.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jean Kuberra stated she was not in favor of another subcommittee being formed, stating she abhorred a subcommittee because in the past decisions had been made by subcommittees without Council approval.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rocha adjourned the meeting at 10:01 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted
L. Jolene Martin, City Clerk