CRA 96-09-16MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETIN OF THE
CYPRESS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
HELD
September 16, 1996
The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Cypress City Council, acting as the Cypress Redevelopment
Agency, was called to order at 5:35 p.m., Monday, September 16, 1996, in the Council Chamber, 5275
Orange Avenue, Cypress, Agency Chairman Walter K. Bowman presiding.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Agency Members Age, Carroll, Jones, Kerry and Bowman
None
Also present were Executive Director Mark Ochenduszko, Deputy Executive Director Chris Kelly, Agency
Treasurer Richard Storey and Recreation & Park District Director Marvin DeCarlo.
PLEDGE OF ALLIGIANCE: The Pledge was led by Agency Member Jones
WORKSHOP SESSION: Wicker Drive Land Use Advisory Committee
Chairman Bowman opened the workshop session in which the Agency would consider the Wicker Drive
Committee recommendations. Input from the Committee would be received and no action would be taken
by the Agency.
The Deputy Executive Director referred to the staff report which indicated that the Wicker Drive Land Use
Advisory Committee had presented its report to the City Council on April 22, 1996. In order for the Agency
to be able to meet with the Committee members to discuss their recommendations in a more informal
setting, this matter was scheduled for a workshop session. Since the Committee's initial presentation,
additional information has become available and the Administrative Coordinating Team reviewed the
Committee recommendations and provided the input detailed in the report under the Fire Department
Consolidation, Police Department Expansion, Civic Center Expansion, Senior Day Care Center,
Residential Development, and Interim Use.
Chairman Bill Wostenberg stated that each speaker will give their presentation and then answer any
questions. He then provided an overview of the Committee's work and introduced the speakers.
The first speaker, Mr. Vern Draper, spoke on the possibility of Fire Department consolidation, the condition
of the two current fire stations and the need for a new station in the City. He then answered questions
from the Agency.
Agency Chairman Bowman commented that the City would need to communicate with the Orange County
Fire Authority.
Mrs. Nancy Draper addressed the suggested expansion of the Police Department. The subcommittee
concerned itself with the Police Department not obtaining funding to accomplish any expansion
requirements. A problem was that up to date information was not available and the current space studies
have eliminated the need for any expansion for the Police Department outside the Civic Center. However,
it was always only a suggestion of additional parking for the department.
The Civic Center expansion issue was presented by Ms. Joann West who stated that whatever is done
with the Wicker Drive properties should be a part of the Civic Center complex, not any other use. The
subcommittee felt there was clearly a strong interest in having a cultural acts facility, a need to establish a
Civic Center Expansion Commission charged with providing a study to get a clear understanding of what
the facility should include and the financial outcome.
Ms. Verna Dodson provided the report on the opening of a Senior Day Care Center, which is currently
being reviewed by the Recreation and Park District and will soon be completed. Ms. Dodson said she has
spoken to Kaiser and, as soon as there is a day care facility, they would furnish the facility. She has also
contacted the Los Alamitos Hospital, PacificCare, and the Area Agency on Aging.
Mrs. Gina Restivo also addressed a permanent use of the Wicker Drive property but as a non-municipal
use. The subcommittee concluded that residential development would generate the greatest benefits to
the City as a whole and she mentioned the major objectives that would be met by residential development.
There are additional needs in the City and they are viable needs; however, residential development
property taxes would allow those needs to be addressed.
Mr. John McEIhaney addressed the possible interim uses of the property because of the long lead time
required prior to the inception of any one or more of the aforementioned uses. The interim uses
suggested were through the Orange County Business Council that acts as a facilitator in coordinating
pieces of public property that may be available for use for a limited period of time.
Chairman Wostenberg summarized that there was unanimous consensus on providing enhancements to
the best interests of the City. Options have been presented that have been weighted and ranked without
reaching a consensus, feeling that public safety was very important and asking the Council to consider the
implications of the fire and police department. If this avenue were pursued again, he would recommend
an appointed committee.
The Agency then conducted a question and answer period of staff and the committee members.
Agency Member Jones commented that the responsibility of the City Government is to provide for the
public safety of its employees with those issues addressed first.
Agency Member Kerry believed the City should approach the Fire Authority and ask them what they feel
are the service needs and alternatives for the City.
Mrs. Draper questioned the wisdom of spending grant money to remediate Station 12 and she remarked
that the City has had at least three citizen committees examining the possible uses of Wicker Drive. She
suggested that a plan be agreed upon and then work toward the completion of that plan.
Chairman Bowman advised that the City is now in a position to formulate a plan and, it was his opinion,
that the entire community would be given the opportunity to bond the project and fund it.
Agency Member Carroll commended the Committee and stated that a large group of people to work on the
Committee was desired. There are some viable projects in mind and he would like to have staff work up
some pro forma financial scenarios on money source and how much is reasonable and likely. He asked
staff for the results of the advisory measures on the November 1995 ballot that pertain to needs.
Agency Member Age thanked the Committee member for their time and hard work. She urged caution in
determining how the property would be developed.
Chairman Bowman said he hoped the property would be a combination of civic center use, commercial
and perhaps residential, but the market had changed. He would like to see the Cypress School District
move onto the Wicker Drive property. Mixed use could work, but a major anchor is needed. Discussion
followed his suggestion that the Cypress School District be contacted again about moving to the Wicker
Drive properties.
Mrs. Grace Lachina stated that the greatest number of people concerned should be considered, which
would be the Fire and Police services. There should be thought given to a form of entertainment in the
City that would encourage the residents patronization. She mentioned older residents and an adult day
care center would help them and the young people too.
It was moved by Agency Member Age and seconded by Agency Member Jones to:
Receive and file this report and direct staff to review the information provided and respond back to
the Agency Board with any updated information or suggestions for implementation.
Direct staff to schedule formal recognition and certification to the members of the Wicker Drive
Committee at a regularly scheduled Council meeting.
The motion unanimously carried the by following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
5 AGENCY MEMBERS: Age, Carroll, Jones, Kerry, and Bowman
0 AGENCY MEMBERS: None
0 AGENCY MEMBERS: None
ADJOURNMENT: Agency Chairman Bowman adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
ATTEST:
CYPRESS
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY