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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 10/2/2001 * PLEASE NOTE: Since the Glendale City Council does not take formal action at the Workshops, Workshop minutes are not approved by the City Council. MINUTES CITY OF GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP October 2, 2001 2:30 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Scruggs, Vice Mayor Eggleston, and Councilmembers Clark, Frate, Goulet, Lieberman, and Martinez. ALSO PRESENT: Martin Vanacour, City Manager; Ed Beasley, Assistant City Manager; Rick Flaaen, City Attorney; and Pamela Oliveira, City Clerk. 1. GRAND AVENUE IMAGE IMPROVEMENT STUDY CITY STAFF PRESENTING THIS ITEM: Mr. Tim Ernster, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Larry Broyles, City Engineer; and Mr. Bob Coons, Engineering Special Projects Administrator. OTHER PRESENTERS: Mr. Duane Blossom, Project Manager, and Mr. Jim Coffman, Landscape Architect, both with Todd & Associates In response to a City Council goal for Grand Avenue image improvement and beautification, the City contracted with the consulting firm of Todd & Associates, Inc. to conduct a design study and develop recommendations for a comprehensive image improvement plan and multi-year program to improve the overall image and function of the Grand Avenue Corridor through Glendale. There is a significant need to improve the visual quality of this major corridor and gateway into and through Glendale. In addition to needed aesthetic improvements, other actions to improve the existing economic vitality, positive land use relationships, and general function of the corridor will be important to improve the overall image and appeal of Grand Avenue. A draft Grand Avenue Image Improvement Study has been completed by Todd & Associates in collaboration with a City staff team and following extensive public input obtained through individual interviews, survey questionnaires, and public open house and design workshops. The draft Study identifies the community's existing concerns, improvement ideas and desired future image for Grand Avenue, and contains recommended design concepts and other actions that Glendale can take to improve the overall visual image, attractiveness, and function of the Grand Avenue corridor. In addition to providing a comprehensive multi-year program to improve Grand Avenue's image & functionality, the draft Grand Avenue Image Improvement Study also contains an overall implementation strategy as well as recommendations and estimated costs for Phase 1 actions and improvements. 1 Throughout the study process and the development of the draft study, the project team has coordinated its recommended design solutions to address the visual and aesthetic problems of Grand Avenue with the ongoing design work by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for the proposed alternating grade separations at the major intersections to address the existing transportation issues along Grand Avenue. The design concepts and recommendations contained within the draft Image Improvement Study are not dependent on any of the ADOT design alternatives currently being evaluated for the Grand Avenue intersections. The draft recommendations contained within the Grand Avenue Image Improvement Study have also been coordinated with the ongoing work by the City's consultant and the Citizens Advisory Committee on the draft City Center Master Plan. This item was a presentation by Todd & Associates and City staff on the draft Grand Avenue Image Improvement Study and the recommended Phase 1 actions and improvements. The purpose of this item was to receive Council input regarding the Study and draft recommendations and to answer any Council questions concerning the information presented. In October of 1999, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with Todd & Associates, Inc. to perform the public participation, planning, and urban design services needed for the Grand Avenue Image Improvement Study. The consultant team used a variety of techniques to solicit input from the general public, stakeholders, City Council, and City staff in the development of the draft Grand Avenue Image Improvement Study. The community's existing concerns, improvement ideas and desired future image for Grand Avenue was obtained through distribution of a survey questionnaire, City Council interviews, work sessions with a City Staff Advisory Committee, public design workshops at four special City events, and at a public open house specific to the Grand Avenue Image Improvement Study. The draft Grand Avenue Image Improvement Study identifies City costs associated with the recommended Phase 1 actions and improvements as part of a multi-year program to improve the overall image and function of the Grand Avenue Corridor through Glendale. The 2002-2011 Capital Improvement Program contains appropriated funds in the amount of $325,000 for the Grand Avenue Beautification within the existing fiscal year, with additional programmed amounts of $200,000 for each of the next 3 years. The recommended Phase 1 actions and improvements identified in the draft study are accomplished this year and the next two years of the Capital Improvements Program. The recommendation was to provide staff with direction. Councilmember Lieberman said he pushed to get Grand Avenue done, but finds it hard to plan for the future of Grand Avenue until he knows what ADOT will do. He stated he would like to see another drawing that has the intersections in place. He said he would also like to have a positive commitment from the railroad. He noted that both the state and federal government are involved in Grand Avenue. He asked what they would contribute towards maintenance of the medians. Councilmember Martinez pointed out that they have developed a vision, not a concrete plan. He expressed his opinion that the City will probably be responsible for putting in and maintaining the landscaping. He said he liked the idea of an oversight citizen committee. Councilmember Goulet thanked staff for their holistic approach to Grand Avenue. He stated that their efforts and the amount of time spent on the plan were evident. He expressed his opinion that the plan was a wonderful approach to what needs to be done. He suggested moving forward as quickly as possible. He said Grand Avenue has been avoided for too long. He asked if the Uniform Conservation Building Code would effect the Grand Avenue Corridor only or if it would extend to the downtown area. Mr. Blossom said the intent of the code is to retain the character of the buildings. He explained, while they looked at it in terms of the corridor, it could be applied in other areas of the City. Councilmember Goulet asked where the access roads on the east side of Grand Avenue would be located. Mr. Blossom said they would work closely with ADOT because their efforts may present opportunities for the City. He said vacant parcels that the City is able to acquire could be contributed and linked together to create a continuous edge along the east side of Grand Avenue. He said a frontage road would increase the amount of right-of-way, providing more space for landscaping along Grand Avenue. Councilmember Goulet stated that he, Councilmember Martinez and Mr. Coons had met and discussed involving the Arts Commission to add to the aesthetic value of the corridor. He asked about the designated locations for billboards. He stated that the recommendation has been to remove the billboards along Grand Avenue. Mr. Blossom said the drawing depicts existing billboard locations and the proposal is to remove those that are obtrusive. Councilmember Goulet said he would support forming a committee of citizens to oversee the improvements. Councilmember Clark thanked staff for their hard work. She said she was somewhat bothered by the conclusion that the railroad is a limiting factor. She said developing a relationship with the railroad is critical because it would be difficult to do anything on the west side of Grand without their support. She said she was also disturbed by the fact that there has been no new development along Grand Avenue since the mid-1970's. She asked how many Glendale residents responded to the workshops and surveys. Mr. Blossom said 75%, or 166 respondents, were Glendale residents. Councilmember Clark asked if any efforts were made to contact the Sonorita, Bethany Heights or Summerfield Place neighborhoods. Mr. Blossom said they held an open house specifically involving neighborhood associations. Councilmember Clark asked if traffic counts were done with regard to east/west traffic to identify which approach should be emphasized first. Mr. Blossom said the east and west traffic counts were essentially the same. Councilmember Clark pointed out that pedestrian overpasses were rated as desirable, although immediate impacts and community support were both high. She asked for an explanation of the scoring process. Mr. Coffman explained that they did not feel there was a sense of urgency to do the pedestrian crossings or that they would directly affect the redevelopment opportunity. Councilmember Clark suggested that Grand Avenue should be used to create a link between both sides of the community. She said she was disappointed that the pedestrian crossings, which would work towards that end, were not given a higher rating. 3 Councilmember Clark asked Mr. Ernster to comment on the recommendation to spend money to relocate the City's Operations Center. He noted that money is currently being spent to renovate it. Mr. Ernster said the plan is to locate the new Operations Center on a site located west of the existing Operations Center. He said the plan, at this point, is only a concept. Councilmember Clark asked when they expected to implement and realize the scope of the vision. Mr. Blossom said the plan does not have a prescribed timeline and a number of factors could influence the speed with which it progresses. Councilmember Clark asked what the public would see as a result of the first $325,000 expenditure. Mr. Blossom said approximately 50% would go towards physical improvements. Councilmember Clark asked if the Administrator position in Phase I could be deferred due to the State's economic condition. Mr. Ernster said any additions to staff would be evaluated through the budget process. Councilmember Clark expressed her opinion that if the City does one-third of what the vision implies, Grand Avenue will look better. Mayor Scruggs said, after being told for years that the area near the railroad could not be landscaped due to chemicals that were sprayed on the ground and the lack of irrigation, she is glad to see that landscaping was included in the vision. She said. although money in the current and future budgets was based on sound projections, the City will not achieve the projected revenues. She said the Council will meet next week to discuss the prioritization of projects and will attend a joint meeting with the House and Senate Appropriations Committee on October 17t" to discuss solutions to the budget problems. She said, although she supported the document, until the City's financial situation is clear she could not support moving forward. Councilmember Frate said ADOT contributed to the current state of Grand Avenue. He suggested they take advantage of this window of opportunity and incorporate public art and cultural themes with the overpasses and underpasses. He acknowledged the high cost of constructing a pedestrian overpass. He stated that a pedestrian overpass could use up the majority or all of the money allocated for that fiscal year. Councilmember Lieberman commented on the excellent quality of the drawings. He said he would use them for reference jn the future. He mentioned the challenges that will be faced when landscaping the 43`" Avenue and Bethany Home Road intersection. Vice Mayor Eggleston agreed with Mayor Scruggs that, while the concept is good, it may be a while before the City's financial condition is such that it can be implemented. Councilmember Goulet recommended that staff move forward with critical items in the plan. Councilmember Lieberman agreed with Councilmember Goulet. Vice Mayor Eggleston suggested that they hold off until they see where next year's budget stands. Councilmember Martinez asked if the City had committedany of the $325,000 at this point. Mr. Ernster said the design for improvements at 43rd and Grand Avenues include aesthetic improvements coordinated with the City of Phoenix and ADOT and, at some point, the City will have to pay its share. Dr. Vanacour stated that the City could refuse to proceed with that project and save the $325,000. Mr. Coons agreed that the money which is tentatively committed to the City of Phoenix could be retracted. He said the City has partnered with ADOT in terms of enhanced landscaping in exchange for maintenance. 4 Mayor Scruggs said the City of Phoenix has started its budget process and may choose to stop the 43ru and Grand Avenues project. Councilmember Martinez expressed his opinion that if the City of Phoenix chooses to proceed, Glendale should too. Vice Mayor Eggleston agreed with Councilmember Martinez. Councilmember Clark suggested that they proceed with code enforcement and trash and debris issues since they could be accomplished with existing staff for a total expenditure of $30,000. Councilmember Martinez agreed with Councilmember Clark. Mayor Scruggs said she also agreed. She noted, however, that she would like to know why there would be a $10,000 cost increase if existing staff was used. Mr. Ernster said they needed to speak with staff to determine the specific costs involved. Mr. Broyles said the increased funding would be used to do trash pickup along Grand Avenue, which is currently handled by ADOT. Councilmember Frate pointed out that the City of Glendale has not had to do trash pickup on those four miles of roadway. Councilmember Clark suggested that they move ahead once they have received clarification on the costs involved in building code enforcement and trash pickup. She said she would prefer to wait to spend any additional monies until the Council further discusses the budget. Councilmember Frate agreed that they should delay any decision until they know more about the City's financial position. Mayor Scruggs noted that the Legislature has discussed cities giving up all money in their contingency funds. She stated that they do not understand the relationship between the contingency funds and the City's bond sating and financial health. She said, if the City of Phoenix finds the money for the 43 and Grand Avenues project, the City of Glendale will too. She clarified that staff would return with additional information regarding the costs associated with building code enforcement and trash pickup. She said the remainder of the funds would be held in reserve. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m. 5