NEWHALL REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
July 7, 2008
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Phil Ellis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following committee members were present: Larry Bird, Victor Feany, Duane Harte, Kevin Korenthal, Carol Rock, Susan Shapiro, Bob Spierer, Dennis Verner, Randy Winter, and Leon Worden.
Bob Spierer led the Flag Salute.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – TimBen Boydston, representing the Canyon Theatre Guild, thanked the committee for listening to the public regarding the streetscape completion.
1. ACTION ITEMS
- Approval of Minutes of June 3, 2008 – Duane Harte made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Randy Winter. There were no objections and the minutes were approved.
2. UNFINISED BUSINESS
A. Financial Presentation- Ken Pulskamp, City Manager, and Darren Hernandez, Deputy City Manager, gave a slide presentation regarding the Fiscal Year 2007/2008 for the Redevelopment Agency. Mr. Hernandez also provided the committee members with a binder with financial information. Alex Hernandez, Administrative Analyst, gave a slide presentation regarding the new redevelopment timelines for the Redevelopment Agency and provided information requested by the committee.
Committee members and staff discussed the use of eminent domain.
- Historic Preservation- Alex Hernandez, Administrative Analyst, gave an update regarding the public hearing for the proposed amendments.
Frank Maga, spoke in opposition of the Historic Preservation Code Amendments.
3. NEW BUSINESS
A. Street Art Festival Update- Jenni Shadle, Arts and Events Coordinator, gave an update to the committee regarding the Street Art Festival.
B. Library Update- Val Thomas, spoke in opposition of the library with concerns of traffic.
Chris Price, Assistant City Engineer, updated the committee that City Council approved a contract for the library architect. The architect will begin work on a conceptual design for the site. The committee asked staff to provide information that has been distributed to the City’s Library Advisory Committee, including results of the needs assessment.
C. Downtown Newhall Specific Plan Update- Paul Brotzman, Community Development Director, updated the committee that the first reading of the Downtown Newhall Specific Plan Amendments had been approved at the City Council meeting and is moving forward to a second reading.
- Main Street Streetscape Update
Frank Maga, Thomas Bayer, and Arthur R. Tresierras spoke in opposition to the library being a priority.
Chris Price, Assistant City Engineer, gave a presentation regarding the streetscape driveway concerns.
Committee members and staff discussed storm drain, streetscape, and library concerns.
4. DIRECTOR’S REPORT/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS- Paul Brotzman, Community Development Director, reported that Community Preservation is actively trying to get businesses into code compliance and is conducting parking enforcement. Mr. Brotzman also commented on the addition of Loose Goose in Downtown Newhall.
5. STAFF UPDATES- Darin Seegmiller, Assistant Planner II, presented a One Stop application for a shopping center on Newhall Avenue between Pine Street and Second Street.
6. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS- Phil Ellis thanked Ken Pulskamp for coming to the meeting. He reminded the members to look over their financial folders. Larry Bird asked Mr. Pulskamp to put in a word with the Sheriff’s Department regarding the truck vendors after 6:00 p.m. Victor Feany asked help from the City for keeping the streets clean in Downtown Newhall. Carol Rock encouraged others to put up a fight at City Council if they felt strongly about an issue in Newhall. Duane Harte had questions for Darin Seegmiller regarding the One Stop project he presented.
ADJOURNMENT – A motion to adjourn was made by Kevin Korenthal and seconded by Victor Feany. Hearing no objections, the meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
