Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m. by Donna Erickson, Chair, who led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was taken: Quorum was established with 14 members present: Bamford, Beckham, Bussell, Carini, Castro, Cole, Corley (arrived at 8:00 p.m. making total members 15), Erickson, Hughes, Morgen, Riquelme, Rodriguez, Shannon, Stang, Wilson. The following members were not present: Cleary, Duncan, Perwin, Spahitz, Tomcek. Total in attendance 32.
The new police captain of Western Division, Walt Vasquez, was introduced. He shared about his experiences with the Special Events unit, and as an Academy instructor and more recently as Captain at Southern Division. Lieutenant Becky Bigbie reported that there were two major incidents recently: 9/18/08 at 7209 Fulton St. There was a shooting, gang related. A person was shot but it was not a life threatening incident. 9/21/08 at Ulric Street and Eastman there was a car accident, gun shots were fired. The victim was on life support. Rick Bussell inquired about the Old Town stabbings. Lieutenant Bigbie gave some details and related its effects on the officers at Western.
Informational items
Sheila Hardin from CCDC continued answering questions asked of her from the LVPG bus tour. Ms.Hardin said that the Navy/Broadway complex needs to be demolished since it is not up to today’s standards. She also reported that CCDC is evaluating how other cities are “Going Green” and that the Downtown buildings will implement some of these successful practices. Also, the developers decide how much money they will spend on the design of their buildings which affects the architecture and aesthetics. The LVPG gifted Sheila with a beautiful Hawaiian plant and a Certificate of Appreciation for an enlightening experience, for giving us in writing with sources detailed answers to our questions, and for sharing with us an attitude of service to the public.
Since the Redevelopment Agency requested a time certain of 6:30 p.m. the agenda was adjusted to accommodate their request to speak on the Skateworld property. A draft copy of the asbestos/lead survey conducted in late June of 2008 and the property conditions report will be given to the Chair of the LVPG for the record. The Redevelopment representatives, Maureen Ostrye and Eliana Barreiros, will check to see if we can have a copy of the appraisal report that was completed in May of 2008. The draft of the Historical Resources Report will also be given to the Chair of the LVPG for the record. Eliana related that the Historical Board is elected by the City Council and it looks at four qualifiers for a building to be considered historical. The Skateworld Building appears to qualify. The historical report will be discussed at the Oct 27th LVPG meeting.
An Agency intern passed out an information sheet prepared by Eliana. It made reference to the Linda Vista Community Plan. Ms. Barreiros spoke about the Economics Feasibility Study for the best redevelopment use of the Skateworld property. She said that the Linda Vista Community survey will be considered when doing the study. There will be a Fiscal Audit of the lease on the property in late October. The draft of the report would be available within thirty days. The Agency will go before the City Council/ Redevelopment Board in late October on the Skateworld issue. The whole question of the Deed Restriction was not definitely answered by the Redevelopment representatives. The communuity wants to know how this fits into the community plan by selling land to the highest best use. Since no bids came in they did not want to speculate and wanted to remove uncertainty on the site. A copy of the “no further action” letter will be given to the LVPG Chair at the October meeting. This letter confirms the completion of the site investigation and remedial action for the underground storage tanks formerly at the corner lot of Comstock and Linda Vista Rd.
Matt Dolan of InvestCal Realty, owner and property manager of the Vien Dong store, has provided a long term lease to a relative of Lucy Tran, Hugh Tran, and the new store will remain basically the same type of market.
Kit Carson joint-use park: Anne Worrall, principal, said the fence inside the park will include the big play structure. The salinity test showed a level 28 where a level 3 is allowed. Eleven inches of top soil will be added at the site. There will not be any restroom facilities available at this park. Ms. Worrall said that the park would be called Carson Family Park and she would like a mural to reflect this. It would be painted on a bungalow located near the park area.
It was reported that Lucy Tran was given an extension until Oct 25th for resolution for the Thrift Village property. The criminal charges still stand.
Public Comment
Julie Klein. Asked for a yes vote on Prop D for no liquor to be allowed on the beach.
Elena Cala, principal of Holy Family School, introduced herself. There will be a Fall Festival held October 4-5, 2008 at the school and an alumni dinner October 17, 2008
Government Representatives
Katherine Fortner from Susan Davis’ office handed out the Davis Dispatch to all in attendance. Ms. Davis has no position on the “Bail out” and is waiting on the legislation before deciding. Ms. Davis notified the Postmaster’s office about replacing the letters on the Linda Vista Post Office sign.
Action Items
Approval of the August minutes will be postponed until the October 27th LVPG meeting.
La Tiendita de Linda Vista Market liquor license at 2187 Ulric St. A motion had been made at the previous meeting to deny the liquor license for this establishment by Wayne Bamford and 2nd by Dixie Wilson. The motion was tabled at the August meeting. The motion was put back on the floor at this meeting. Alex Barrera shared about his family owned store which was followed by questions and answers. After the discussion, Wilson withdrew her 2nd. Carini then 2nd the motion and it failed with a vote of 2-10-1.
A new motion was made to approve the liquor permit with the following conditions: selling only beer, selling it in bulk quantities - six packs or larger, and selling the beer no later than 9:00 p.m. Motion Beckham, 2nd Bussell Approved with a vote of 10-2-1 Riquelme abstained as he felt there was not enough information to vote either way. Carini and Bamford stated that there were already too many permits in the area.
Announcements by Board members
Beckham: Quarry Falls project went before the Planning Commission and was approved with a 4-0 vote.
Bussell: Vote yes on Prop C. Money collected on leases, 75% goes to Mission Bay. Meetings for Mission Bay are at the Santa Clara Rec Center 1st Tuesdays of the month.
Riquelme: Rededication of the lower level of the community center on Oct 16, 2008 6:00-8:00 p.m. and it is being called “A Salute to Bayside Champions.” Bayside received a $400,000 Block Grant.
Cleary: (by email) USD is having a Joan B. Kroc Distinguished Lecture Series September 24; First-time homebuyers seminar September 25; Homecoming is October 3-5.
Carini: Tuesday Sept 23 is the Code Compliance meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Linda Vista Library. Rosary is being said at Morley Strip 10:30 a.m.- 12 noon October 11, 2008
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Kathleen Morgen, recording secretary