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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-08-26 PZC MINUTES• • CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AUGUST 26, 1975 The study session of the City Planning and Zoning Commission convened at 6:45 p.m., Mr. Martin presiding. Mr. Martin announced that as of August 20, 1975, Mrs. Dorothy A. Romans had been designated as Acting Director of Community Development. Members of the Commission congratulated Mrs. Romans on the designation as Acting Director. Discussion then turned to the Capital Improvement Program for 1976-1980. Mr. Martin stated that all but one Department, the Public Works Department, has been discussed in detail with the specific Department Head. Mr. Waggoner, Public Works Director, will be present at the meeting of September 3rd to discuss his Departmental requests. This evening, members will evaluate projects presented by the other City Departments and consider a preliminary priority rating on those projects. Mr. Martin stated that he would like to suggest that anything that goes to the City Manager from the Planning Commission relating to the recommendations on the Capital Improvement Program be prefaced with a statement that the Commission is basing the recommendations on the assumption that the one cent sales tax will continue in effect to implement the recommended Capital Improvements. Discussion followed. It was noted that Finance Director James would be in attendance this evening, and that perhaps he could give some financial direction on funds that might be available for the forthcoming year. Messrs. Brown, Jones and Parker entered the meeting and took their places with the members of the Commission. Mr. Nollenberger noted that projects for the Utilities Department will be financed from the Water Fund and Sewer Fund; all other projects for the other Departments must be financed from the General Fund. Mrs. Romans commented that the City does have a Comprehensive Plan that was adopted in 1969, which points out that the City is lacking in park land, for instance. She noted that by the time the "emergency"items requested in the Capital Improvement Program are taken care of, there are no funds left to pursue the long- range plans of the City. Mr. Nollenberger stated that the Commission and Council must determine what projects are the most important and would benefit the citizens the most. Discussion followed • -2-. Mr. Martin asked Finance Director James to discuss the funding ~ for Capital Improvement Projects. Mr. James stated that the one .., cent sales tax will expire December, 1976, and after that date, there will be no funds specifically designated for Capital Improvement Projects unless the one cent sales tax is extended. At this time, this is the only source of funding for the Capital Improvement Program. Mr. James stated that $600,000 in revenue sharing funds does, as a rule, go into the Public Improvement Fund; however, last year, these funds went into the General Fund in the area of public safety. Mr. James stated that there was a 1.6 million dollar budget figure for the Capital Improvement Program this next year; Mr. Martin asked if sales tax figures from Cinderella City vs. the Broadway shopping area are available. Mr. James stated that this information is no longer available. Mr. Martin asked the percentage of sales tax decrease the City has experienced? Mr. James stated the sales tax is down by 4% for the year; the sales tax is running ahead for this month by $25,000. Discussion followed, on whether or not this information should be available to the news media. Mr. James stated he felt it would require a ruling by City Council if the information were not to be available. Mrs. Pierson asked if the Commission could anticipate a 1.6 million dollar figure to work with for the 1976 Capital Improve- ment Program budget? Mr. James stated that most of that figure has been already designated in the six-quarter budget. Mr. Nollenberger stated that the five-year Capital Improvement Program is implemented through a six-quarter budget. Each quar- ter, City Council looks at the next six-quarter budget for projects underway that need funding and any new projects to be funded. Mrs. Romans stated that the City Charter directs the Planning Commission to set priorities for Capital Improvement Projects. The charge of the Commission is to look at long-range plans fer the City, and determine what projects need to be done over a five- year period. Mrs. Romans cautioned choosing the projects based only on the amount of funds which may be available. The Commission then considered projects presented by the Fire Department, which are the replacement and relocation of Belleview Fire Station #3, a new Rescue Unit, Closed Circuit Television, Intersection Dips Correction, Water Main Improvement, Fire Pumper Combination, and a Fire Training Facility Expansion. It was determined the Public Works Department would be responsible for the correction of the Intersection Dips, and the Utilities Department would be responsible for the improvements of Water Mains. The remaining projects were discussed in depth~ the Commission determined the Departmental priorities should be revised in the following order: -3- 1. Rescue Unit. 2. Replacement and Relocation of Belleview Fire Station #3. 3. Fire-Pumper Combination. 4. Fire Training Facility Expansion. 5. Closed Circuit Television. Mr. Brown stated that the Council is trying to hold to a '~tatus quo" budget, and that many projects may not be given a top priority because of lack of funds. The Housing Authority Project, on-site improvements at the Elderly Housing site, was discussed. Mr. Parker stated that he understood that many persons were concerned about the reason for the bond issue on the Housing Autho·rity project. He stated that people were given the impression the project would be funded by the Federal Government. Discussion followed. It was determined that the Housing Authority project request be given a No. One priority rating for that "departmental rating." The Capital Improvement Project requests of the Library were considered, namely the expansion of the library facilities, including a garage for the Bookmobile. Mrs. Romans noted that Mr. Rinker, A-B-R Partnership, Architects, stated that the cost of housing the bookmobile would be approximately $20,000.00. The expansion of the Library facilities was further discussed. Mrs. Romans asked if an appraisal had been received on the property to the east of City Hall, the 33-foot strip of land from Girard to Floyd Avenue. Mr. James stated the appraisal has been received. Mr. Jones stated he questioned the arrange- ment of the proposed garage for the bookmobile; would the driver have to back into the garage from the east? Mr. Tanguma noted that some of the proposed parking might have to be eliminated. Mrs. Pierson asked why the garage couldn't be constructed on the west side of the Library, where the bookmobile is now parked? She stated that she didn't feel the request had been thought out, and that to construct the garage where it is proposed would be turning an aesthetic building into a "loading dock." Mrs. Wade suggested possibly using the south end of the building; there are garage facilities there now, and if the Library is expanded, perhaps the bookmobile could simply park in this garage area and be loaded there. Further discussion followed. Mrs. Pierson suggested that possibly the Library request could be split into two items, one, the expansion of the Library, and second, the construction of the garage. It was finally determined that the Library Capital Improvement Project requests would be: 1. Library expansion. 2. Construction of a garage for the Bookmobile. Mr. Smith stated that he, too, felt the garage needs to be relocated, and that perhaps the "whole thing needs to be ! rethought." The Municipal Facilities Capital Improvement Projects were considered. It was felt the Community Recreation Center was "far down the line" in priority rating. The Senior Citizens Center was discussed at length. It was suggested that the reno- vation of the Police/Fire Building on West Giaard Avenue would "be throwing good money after bad," and should be eliminated from considerations. Further discussion ensued, with the following priority rating given: 1. Land acquisition for parking area to the east of City Hall. 2. Senior Citizen Center -temporary quarters in City Hall. 3. Senior Citizens Center -future site land acquisition. 4. Community Recreation Center -land acquisition. 5. Court and Council Room -remodeling. 6. Other City Hall remodeling. Further discussion ensued. A recess of the meeting was called at 8:15 P.M. The meeting was again called to order at 8:25 P.M. The Parks and Recreation Department Capital Improvement Projects requests were then considered. The River Redevelopment Project encompassing several sub-projects was discussed. Mr. Jones noted that the land acquisition is well under way. The Golf Course will be financed by revenue bonds. Funding will have to be provided for the driving range. Mr. James noted that the Department hopes to have the golf course open for play by late in 1976, which will generate some revenue. Mrs. Romans noted that the Parks and Recreation Commission has worked very closely with the Parks and Recreation Department in setting priorities on the projects submitted. Mr. Martin suggested that possibly the Planning Commission would want to accept the priority recommendations of the Parks and Recreation Department and Commission. Discussion followed. It was noted the Senior Citizens Center should be eliminated from this request inasmuch as it is included under the Municipal Facilities Section, as is the Community Center. It was suggested that the projects for 1975 be designated as: 1. River redevelopment. 2. Sinclair Pool bathhouse. 3. Centennial Park Shore Development. • 4. 5. Bates/Logan Park Expansion. Emerson Mini-Park. 'Ii ' '\ ' ·: -r.s~ . I i I' 'i f I l• h ·l j T ~ :rem~ining projectssubmi tted by the Parks and Recreation : ·I: Department would be ranked for subsequent years as: ~ 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Cushing Park Expansion Development Centennial Park Expansion Development Indoor Ice Arena High School Ball Field Lights . McLellan Reservoir Development Mountain Park Indoor Rifle Range I:' f !i ' Mrs. Romans noted three projects for the Englewood Centennial- Bicentennial Committee were included with the Parks and Recreation Project Requests but were not given any priority rating. Mrs. Romans stated that the projects suggested by the Englewood Centennial-Bicentennial Committee will be discussed with the City Council sometime between September 2nd and 10th. Mrs. Romans noted that it would appear that the flower beds at the U.S. 285 and Broadway intersection will be planted and it may be possible to eliminate the request for $5,776 for this project. It has been suggedted by the Committee ·that those flower beds be planted to conform with the Englewood Centennial- Bicentennial Committee symbol. Mrs. Romans stated that the Committee is also concerned with the beautification of both Big Dry Creek and Little Dry Creek, and they would like to help fur- nish the Senior Citizens Center at such time as it is made avail- able. It was noted that the contract for a study of Little Dry Creek has been signed by the City Manager pursuant to the City Council action. It was suggested that the requests concerning the Englewood Centennial-Bicentennial projects should be listed separately from those from the Parks and Recreation Department. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.