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HomeMy WebLinkAbout021899 CC/ RDA Joint Workshop MinutesMINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED JOINT TEMECULA CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY WORKSHOP MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 1999 An adjourned joint meeting of the City of Temecula City Council and the Redevelopment Agency was called to order at 5:00 P.M. It was duly moved and seconded to adjourn to Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section: 1. Conference with real property negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning the acquisition of real property located at 28721 Front Street, Temecula (APN 922-073-017 and 922-046-022 and 922-073-024). The negotiating parties are the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Temecula and First and Front, LLP, and Cleveland Investment Company. Under negotiation is the price and terms of payment to the real property interests proposed to be acquired. The Agency/City negotiators are Shawn Nelson, James O'Grady, and John Meyer. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers: Comerchero, Lindemans, Roberts, Stone, and Ford. Absent: Councilmember: None. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. John Telesio, 31760 Via Telesio, Commissioner of the Public/Traffic Safety Commission, relayed the Commission's desire to function in a more expanded role and its willingness to serve on a potential Traffic Congestion Committee. Mayor Pro Tern Stone thanked Mr. Telesio for his attendance and requested that the Chair or Vice Chair of each Commission attend monthly City Council meetings in order to brief the Council on specific issues. Acting City Manager Nelson advised that the Acting Public Works Director will be attending all Public/Traffic Safety Commission meetings. By way of a petition, Ms. Laura Minden, 267740 Jefferson Avenue, of Rancon Realty and representing severel concemed business owners, relayed objection to the proposed Winchester Road median because of the additional traffic congestion it would create as well as the financial impact it would have on the businesses. Ms. Angle, Marchese, 41790 Winchester Road, representing C&A Sandwiches, voiced no objection to the proposed traffic signal but relayed opposition to the Winchester Road median because of the impact it will have on her business. Mr. Richard Feck, 310 Via Vera Cruz, San Marcos, owner of a business located at the corner of Enterprise Circle South and Winchester Road, suggested that only a portion of the approved improvements be implemented; supported the proposed traffic signal; and noted that the Winchester Road median will detrimentally impact the value of the surrounding properties and that the median will not address the traffic problem. Both Acting Public Works Director Hughes and Senior Engineer Moghadam provided further clarification of this project, which has been awarded to the contractor, advising that the City's public notification process was followed and that the traffic signal will be placed in operation pdor to the construction of the median. It was noted that the median was awarded in an effort to address accident problems and to address the flow of traffic on Winchester Road. Mr. Bill Foley, 41625 Enterprise Circle South, echoed previously noted concerns as they relate to public notification, loss of access to the businesses, and impact on property value. MOTION: Councilman Roberts moved that this item be propedy noticed and that the matter be agendized forthe February 23, 1999, City Council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Lindemans and voice vote reflected unanimous approval. CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REPORTS No reports given. COUNCIL AND AGENCY BUSINESS I Workshop Discussion on Traffic ImlDrovement Projects RECOMMENDATION: 1.1 Approve a plan for study and implementation of various traffic improvement projects. Reviewing the purpose of this workshop, Acting City Manager Nelson commented on the Category I improvements; referenced action taken at the January 21, 1999, Workshop; and advised that a status update of the Capital Traffic projects would be provided. STATUS REPORT As per overheads, Acting Public Works Director Hughes, in detail, presented a status report of current traffic projects (as per agenda material), advising that with regard to the Ovedand Ddve Overcrossing, staff is continuing to explore the possibility of a 24-hour work schedule. To ensure that this Overcrossing is completed prior to Mall completion, Mayor Pro Tern Stone reiterated his desire to pursue a 24-hour work schedule. Although monetary incentives could be discussed with the developer of the Overcrossing, Acting City Manager Nelson advised that the developer has indicated no interest in a 24-hour work schedule and noted that the current contract incentives should ensure completion of this project as close to the opening of the Mall as possible Councilman Roberts commented on the length of the left-turn phase for westbound Winchester Road to northbound Ynez Road and the traffic congestion created in this area. Acting Public Works Director Hughes advised that Caltrans controls the timing 2 sequence for these intersections and noted that staff will further investigate the matter and report back at the March 23 or Apdl 13, 1999, City Council meeting. At a recent meeting with Caltrens, Acting Public Works Director Hughes advised that it was suggested to Caltrens, by the City, that the City fund a Caltrans employee who would then be solely dedicated to the City in making adjustments and corrections to the signal timing, advising that currently Caltrans will not permit City staff to make adjustments to the controllers. Mr. Hughes noted that Caltrans stated that the City's suggestions would be explored but that it was requested that this suggestion not be considered until the completion of the Winchester Road ramp and Rancho California Road at which time the modems will be in operation and City staff will be able to monitor in-house. Viewing City staff's suggestion to Caltrens as innovative, both Mayor Pro Tern Stone and Councilman Comerchero encouraged staff to pursue that route. In light of the contract the City has with the County for signal maintenance, Councilman Roberts suggested that if the City were to fund a Caltrans employee, that this individual as well maintain the County's signals to ensure total synchronization. Mayor Pro Tem Stone suggested that the City's consultant pursue this concept of funding a Caltrans employee with Caltrans. PRIORITY DIRECTION FROM CITY COUNCIL Urban Designation for I-15 Freeway Acting City Manager Nelson informed the Council/Redevelopment Agency Members that a letter has been sent to Caltrans requesting the change in freeway designation from rural to urban to which Acting Public Works Director Hughes advised that Caltrans will focus on providing assistance to the City to resolve the traffic congestion problems in exploring ways to get needed intersection accesses possibly without any change in speed designation and, thereby, retaining the current speed limit. Riverside County Transl~ortation Committee Funding Results Acting City Manager Nelson reported that at the February 10, 1999, Riverside County Transportation Committee meeting, the City received approval for a $816,000 grant and commended Councilman Roberts as well as the Public Works Department for their efforts associated with obtaining this grant which will be utilized to improve the pavement and rehabilitation of Jefferson Avenue. By receiving this grant, Mr. Nelson advised that previously allocated Measure A funds may now be utilized for another project such as the realignment of Diaz Road. Councilman Roberts noted that additional RCTC funding will be available in April through the Congestion Management Air Pollution Reduction and encouraged staff to pursue additional funding through this measure. Mayor Pro Tern Stone commended Councilman Roberts on his efforts. 3 Meadows Parkway Extension Having reviewed the minutes and the audio tape with regard to this issue, Acting City Manager Nelson advised that it reflected that the Council was desirous of exploring with the developers the feasibility of completing construction of Meadows Parkway as soon as possible but that no direction or commitment was made by the Council to provide any type of financial assistance for expediting this extension. Being of the opinion that the City Council should work with the developers on some type of financing mechanism such as the one utilized for La Serena Way in widening Margadta Road with a reimbursement agreement tied to building permits. Mayor Ford suggested that the matter be readdressed during the mid-year budget review. Deputy Director of Public Works Parks noted that the improvement plans for the full length of the road have been completed and that the grading of the road system could begin within 30 days. If a development reimbursement agreement were approved for Meadows Parkway, Councilman Comerchero questioned how such an approval could financially impact other projects and requested that staff further explore his concern. It was noted that this issue would be reviewed and agendized to a further City Council meeting. Immediate Traffic Intersection Modifications - Category I Improvements By way of the Traffic Circulation Improvement Plan (of record), Deputy Director of Public Works Parks reviewed the previously approved $250,000 Category I projects which are to be completed pdor to the Mall opening. He noted that the City Council's recommendations and public comments will be forwarded to the Publicrrreffic Safety Commission for review and that monthly updates on these projects will be provided to the Council. Advising that any changes will have consequences on other projects, Senior Engineer Moghadam, in detail, reviewed the Circulation Improvement Plan in addition to vadous options including signal phasing. Mayor Pro Tem Stone stated that the City should proactively engage a mass commuter traffic plan for the City of Temecula for those business with more than 50 employees. MOTION: Councilman Roberts moved that the Category I improvements be reviewed by engineering and the Public/Treffic Safety CommisSion to determine their effectiveness after which the matter would be readdressed by the City Council and that an emphasis be placed on expediting as many Category I projects as possible to ensure completion pdor to Mall opening. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Stone and voice vote reflected unanimous approval. Acting City Manager Nelson advised that the Category 2 and 3 projects will be reviewed during the upcoming Capital Improvement Project process. 4 ADJOURNMENT At 7:41 P.M. , the joint City Council and Redevelopment Agency meeting was formally adjourned to Tuesday, February 23, 1999, at 7:00 P M. City Coundl Chambers, 43200 Business Park Ddve, Temecula, California. ATTEST: unclemarts, Chairmanst F. 5