December 13, 2008
Meeting Summary
East Eaton Wash Neighborhood Association
Preparation
E-mail reminder and phoning non-e-mail
list.
Acknowledgments
Susan brought delicious brownies.
Attendees
8 members
Meeting
Agenda Items:
- Ice Rink Project Update - funding, new operator
- City financial situation
- Other local development news
- East Pasadena Post Office move
- East Pasadena Urgent Care Center Update
- St Lukes property development update
- Nordstrom Rack into Hastings Village
- Stonefire Grill additional info
- Shakey's Pizza -> adult entertainment -> parole board?
- former Pleasures site
- Unincorporated East Pasadena hotels action
- Underground electric work on Alameda St.
- Pasadena Marathon update
- Hastings Library Birthday Party
- anything else attendees wish to discuss
- Citizens Police Academy
- Park pedestrian path opening time
- Status of live theater at Sierra Madre Villa and Foothill
The meeting began at 11:24 am
- Ice Rink Project Update - funding, new operator
- Funding
- Staff
report reveals for the first time publicly that City Staff has been
negotiating a management agreement with "Los Angeles
Kings/PIV". No
public mention has ever been made previously that city was looking to
have a different management then the current ice rink operator.
The
report makes no mention of a change in plan in this regard, just states
negotiation as if everyone knew. Not further identification of
this
organization is given (such as what PIV stands for).
- Total
estimated project cost now $26,625,000. That includes
predevelopment
expenses (redesign of park, utility undergrounding, soil and other site
studies), design, construction, construction contingency.
- Construction
estimate is now $19,500,000
based on estimated cost savings from redesign since construction bids
taken last fall.
- Looking
at need to finance $23,625,000, the total less the $3 million already
contributed by PCOC (from civic center expansion funds).
- Explains
much higher per square foot
construction costs result from conditions specific to the site
including:
- Uncompacted sand fill requires a
structural system of $3.9 million instead of about $1 million for a
slab foundation
- Distance
from utility connections results in expected cost of $1.1
million. At
a site "more ready for development" the cost would be at most half that.
- Installation
of traffic signal at Foothill and more then 500 feet of
roadway/driveway is estimated at $500,000, also a doubling of cost.
- Staff
report contends cost of project per square foot is in line with other
such project if cost inflation and these special items are accounted
for.
- Staff
has been using a "draft proforma" submitted by Los Angeles Kings/PIV in
working with investment bankers from Bank of America Public Finance
Group to figure out the financing needs and options. Studying
projected revenues, expense growth, and debt service.
- Studies
show using interest rates during the summer a gap of $1.3 to $6.7
million between what projected revenues will support and the project
cost. So the city would have to contribute that amount up front
to
reduce the project cost to a financeable level.
- With
the recent increased interest rates
for municipal bonds the gap would increase to $5.7 to 8.8 million.
- The
staff report also notes that details of the management plan still under
negotiation could also impact projected gross revenues, thus changing
the calculation (it doesn't indicate whether the impact would be
positive or negative, which probably means negative.)
- The
staff report then goes on to say that construction costs may be less
now and that it would be good to take advantage of that in spite of the
lousy financial markets. It estimates several million dollars
could be
saved on construction by getting the bids and starting construction
during the downturn.
- It
suggests a potential solution of the city using "internal borrowing"
from funds it already has for other purposes to get construction
started, then paying those funds back once the financial markets have
recovered and a presumably better interest rate could be had. It says
that the city could not use the financing to repay the interfund loan
interest, so that would have to come out of the General Fund. It claims
that using the already constructed facility as a city asset to secure
the financing would also improve the situation. The last sentence does
mention the possibility of the financial markets not recovering as
hoped and/or drawing down other funds causing problems with their
reserve policies.
- Since
it is just an "information item" it does not expect the Council to make
a decision. Apparently this is a way of starting public
discussion.
- New operator, design change, schedule
- In
this staff report it is noted that the city began negotiation in August
2008 with Los Angeles Kings / Polar Ice Ventures, LLC as the potential
new operator for the ice rink. (At that time there was a City
Council
private negotiations meeting noted on the agenda that identified the
parties but nothing more.)
- This
report clearly assumes a contract with the LA Kings/PIV contractor,
making no mention of the current operator that was to get the
contract. None of this ever discussed publicly, so don't know how
this
works in terms of the current operator's Civic Center lease issue.
- It
says that some redesign of the
interior spaces plan has been requested, including:
- reduction of private office spaces
- increase in size of pro shop and skate
rental rooms, which is expected to increase revenue
- better circulation between locker rooms,
team rooms, and restrooms
- Because
the existing plans had already been through the complete plan check
process, the Council is being requested to approve an additional
$91,275 for the architect to revise the plans.
- It
says staff's schedule now has
construction starting in spring 2009 and lasting 16 months. (Not
mentioning the funding issue.)
| Complete LA Kings/PIV
redesign |
January 2009 |
| Complete Construction
Access Agreements |
January 2009 |
| Complete Plan Check |
January 2009 |
| Bidding |
February/March 2009 |
| Bid Evaluation |
April 2009 |
| Award Construction
Contract |
April 2009 |
- City financial situation
- Operating
budget update on City Council 12/15 agenda
http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/councilagendas/2008%20agendas/Dec_15_08/9A.pdf
- Indicates
that through October revenues are down 2.1% compared to last fiscal
year (July to June). That's about $1 million.
- Majority
of city's expenses are for personnel, so a major area of saving is
expected to be not filling some vacant positions.
- Each
department is being asked to spend at least 5% less then current budget
and identify how to save an additional 5 to 10%.
- Also
looking at postponing some large equipment purchases, moving some costs
from the general fund to "enterprise funds". (Example given is
moving
street sweeping to refuse funds. Doesn't say it, but probably means
increasing the refuse fee on our utility bills.)
- Mentions
state cuts could have devastating effect on city's Public Health Dept
budget. 10% already cut, expecting more.
- Staff
report lists the "unfunded priorities", so Council can discuss how much
a priority they really are. Says staff will also be prepared to
discuss the fund reserve levels and what reserve is appropriate to
maintain.
- Other local development news
- East Pasadena Post Office move
- East
Pasadena Post Office is moving from its longtime 2609 Colorado location
to 3016 East Colorado Blvd. That is the southwest corner of
Colorado and Kinneloa (where overflow Fedco parking was).
- Move is expected to take place by the end of January.
- New
2600 sq ft location will have 4
retail counters, 1294 P.O. Boxes, and an Automated Postal Center in the
lobby.
- East Pasadena Urgent Care Center Update
- On December 8 the City Council approved negotiating and
executing an
architectural contract for plans, bidding, and construction management
to remodel the existing building at 3060 E. Del Mar for use as an
Urgent Care Center. This is on the south side of Del Mar just
where Kinneloa intersects.
- City
staff report is here
http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/councilagendas/2008%20agendas/Dec_08_08/7A1.pdf
- This
is back to the location they had planned to move forward with in
September but put off while investigating alternatives after some of
the neighborhood objected. Staff said they could not find a
suitable
alternative location. Two most likely locations would cost
somewhat
more in the short term and because they would be leased the expenditure
on building improvements would eventually be lost. On the city
site
the $3.1 million of estimated building improvements would largely
carryover to a future use for city offices if the Urgent Care Center
doesn't continue on there beyond the 5 year experiment.
- Staff
says studies of the soil conditions
show the existing building foundation meets requirements.
- Estimate
Urgent Care use will generate 200 traffic trips per day. Staff
report
says previous day care use generated 800 trips per day and that recent
Del Mar traffic counts show it is only at 1/2 capacity.
- St Lukes property development update
- On
December 8 a pre-plan review of the developer's plan for the St Lukes
site was supposed to take place at the City Council meeting. The
developer pulled the project back just in time to keep it off the
agenda. It is unknown when it might show up again
- The
proposed plan reportedly included development of 435,000 square feet of
multi-family housing, more then double what currently exists.
Unclear
whether they would be independent or assisted living units. Also
a
high rise parking structure and another medical office building.
The
convent and chapel would be turned into office space. The parcel
would
be subdivided into 8 parcels to be sold off individually.
- The Victory Rose neighbors (immediately south) expressed
strong
opposition
and say they don't want to get into negotiations with the developer (DS
Ventures) on details because the plan is too far wrong for the spot and
the developer has a bad reputation.
- Nordstrom Rack into Hastings Village
- An KABC channel 7 online story on Friday Nov 21 states that
a
Nordstrom Rack store will be opening in Hastings Village Shopping
Center. (Guessing the now empty former Wickes furniture
store).
- Story says it will be 42,000 sq ft and is expected to open
next fall.
- Nordstrom Rack is said to carry discounted / sales items no
longer sold in the regular Nordstrom stores.
- Kathy said she checked Nordstrom Rack web site and they
mentioned a couple other places new stores are planned but not Hastings
Village - so the KABC story may be incorrect.
- Stonefire Grill additional info
- Stonefire Grill is the eating establishment that is
supposed to
replace Baker's Square. That's between Carl's Jr. and Trader Joes
on
Rosemead.
- An LA Times article of appeared on November 17.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-stonefire17-2008nov17,0,2450156.story
According to it:
- Stonefire Grill is a small L.A. and Orange County chain
of "fast-casual" restaurants. This will be the 6th location.
- Example main dishes given are mesquite-grilled tri-tip or
chicken cooked with lemon and garlic.
- The owner described the restaurant this way: "We are a
fast-casual, order-at-the-counter, get-your-own-drink and
get-your-own-condiments style of restaurant. We take care of the rest
ourselves. Our menu is simple. The service is simple. We make really
good meals that you could make at home but are better than what you
might have prepared."
- Most employees are teenagers or college students working
only a few hours a week. Tips are optional.
- 10 to 50% of orders are for takeout.
- Shakey's Pizza -> adult entertainment -> parole board?
- The former Shakey's Pizza location on Foothill Blvd was
purchased by the city to settle a lawsuit and get rid of the adult
entertainment Peppermint Garden. It has been vacant since the
city bought it.
- According to Vice-Mayor Haderlein, the site is now under
consideration for joint use as a state parole board office and police
substation. The state parole office current on Walnut much
further west would move there.
- City leaders do not think having the parole office there
would pose a problem because parolees supposedly don't want to hang out
or do bad things where they are more likely to be caught.
Supposedly the office has not been a problem at its current location.
- former Pleasures site
- This was the adult entertainment site on Foothill across from
Ralphs that was finally closed down near the beginning of this year.
- According to Vice Mayor Haderlein, the site is currently
being marketed and he has heard of proposals for both retail and office
uses.
- Unincorporated East Pasadena hotels action
- A
community group has been formed to fight the prostitution, drug sales,
adult entertainment, and housing of sex offenders in the county area of
East Colorado Blvd.
- The
organization is called EPIC (East Pasadenans Improving
Community).
They are officially a non-profit and have a website http://www.eastpasadena.org
- Sheriffs deputies reported to residents
that the area was becoming LA County's "red light district".
- East
Colorado has long had some of these problems because it is
unincorporated county between Pasadena and Arcadia and at the far edge
of the Temple City sheriffs station territory. Sheriff
station is
reportedly often shorthanded and has high turnover of officers.
- A number of motels provide a base for
much illegal activity.
- The
state parole board has been moving many sex offenders in because it is
just far enough from schools and parks. The motels offer weekly
and
monthly rates. They have also taken over some homes in the area.
- The owners of the former Pleasures on
East Foothill have moved down to Colorado and opened a place called the
Show.
- Recently
two motels needed to renew Conditional Use Permits to continue
operating. Regal Inn (now Days Inn) and Lucky Star. After
sheriff
deputies, Pasadena and Arcadia police, residents, and business owners
testified at the hearing and petitions from others in opposition were
turned in, those permits were denied. The decision will probably
be
appealed to the Board of Supervisors.
- Underground electric work on Alameda St.
- On
November 24 the City Council (item 5A1) approved a contract
bid for "construction of underground electrical conduit equipment along
Alameda Street, Sierra Bonita Avenue, and Altadena Drive."
- Not enough info in the agenda item to understand what will be
done, and no schedule either.
- The background given is: "Pasadena Water and Power Department
(Department) has begun a capital improvement project to replace the 4
kV distribution system with a17 kV system to improve electrical service
reliability. ... The proposed contract will allow the Department
to construct the underground substructure necessary to connect the
existing underground electrical system to the
existing overhead electrical system in specified locations within 90
days after a Notice to Proceed is issued."
- The only statement at the Council meeting seemed to indicate
there is a 4 kV conduit already underground which will be upgraded to
17 kV. No other information was provided.
- Pasadena Marathon update
- Was canceled at 4 am the day of the race due to bad air from
the wildfires.
- Just announced that the Marathon has been rescheduled for March
22, 2009.
- They said they could not reschedule it really quickly because
of all the coordination needed, including with hired police/sheriff
help and with churches. They also said they couldn't get most of
their money back because the resources had already been committed.
- One reason for choosing the March date is a notion that it
could be used by marathoners in preparation for the LA marathon.
- They expect their website to be ready to take registrations
next week.
- They expect to provide a "significant discount" to those who
had registered for the original date.
- Hastings Library Birthday Party
- Hastings Branch Library will be celebrating it's 50th birthday
and you are encouraged to join in. Mark your calendars.
- Saturday February 21, 2009 from 1 - 3 pm.
- City and library VIPs. Past and present Hastings
librarians.
- Musical performance by students of the Pasadena Conservatory
of Music.
- Performance by Emmy Award winning children’s
singer-storyteller extraordinaire Dan Crow.
- Cake cutting and eating. Perhaps a door prize raffle.
- Balloon artists creating balloon
sculptures for the children in attendance.
- anything else attendees wish to discuss
- Citizens Police Academy
- One of our residents attended the Pasadena Police
Department's Citizens Police Academy course this fall and reported his
experience to us.
- He was impressed and encouraged by the experience and highly
recommends it to others.
- Course is offered once per year. Announcement and
registration is in August time frame. Course runs one evening
each week for 13 weeks. A significant time commitment, but he
felt it was well worthwhile.
- Objective is for citizens to learn about all the different
aspects of the police department and policing to aid in communication
and understanding between the community and police.
- Academy participants are taught about all the different lines
of police work. They learn about the problems police face including
specifics in Pasadena. They meet and talk with the command staff. They
tour the various facilities such as jail, 911 center, heliport,
shooting range. They get a shooting lesson and can experience a
shooting training scenario. They can go to the 911 facility and watch
what happens during a shift. They can do a ride along with a
patrol officer.
- Academy graduates are encouraged to volunteer their time for
any of many different possibilities depending on their time
availability and interests. Possibilities exist for all
kinds of time availabilities, physical abilities, personalities.
They include yellow shirt volunteers who watch for crime and discourage
it by their presence in shopping areas or help out at events, helping
out with youth crime prevention activities, helping out behind the
scenes with filing paperwork or doing research.
- Park pedestrian path opening time
- Question was raised about what time the park pedestrian path
is supposed to open because it was still locked quite late one recent
day.
- Believe the signs say 7 am. Looks like we will have to
start monitoring and complaining again.
- Status of live theater at Sierra Madre Villa and Foothill
- Question about the status of that development. From
what have heard it is still on track.
- Think design has the remainder of historic Stuart
Pharmaceutical building with a taller section of new building added on
behind it for the theater. The currently empty corner is where
the 212 condos are to go.
Next meeting is January 10, 2009.
Adjourned about 12:30 pm