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City of Emeryville March/April 2018 Highlights: Art Center RFQ, Council Goals, Marina Public Art

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The City of Emeryville provides a monthly progress report outlining significant developments and milestones that occurred throughout the period.

Among the highlights for the four council meetings conducted during the months of March & April include a discussion of the Council’s goals that were whittled down to ten items. The period also saw the second reading and subsequent approval of the $50 million affordable housing general obligation bond measure and the selection of four finalists for a public art project at the Emeryville Marina. In addition, a city staff selection committee has determined that three of the nine teams that submitted RFQ’s for the proposed Art Center have been deemed qualified to submit proposals.

Please note that the summaries provided below are taken directly from the text of these reports.


March Highlights of The Month

The City Council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance to put a $50 million affordable housing general obligation bond measure on the June 5, 2018 ballot.

The Council approved a Park and Recreation Facility Impact Fee credit and a Park and Open Space Improvement Agreement for the Sherwin Williams Mixed Use project.

The Council approved 10 priority goals, several of which will involve a lead or participatory role by Community Development staff, including the Housing Bond, Art Center, Parking Management Plan, Railroad Quiet Zone, Revenue Generating Businesses, and creation of a Communications Director position.

The Council approved the selection of Ilan Averbuch, Pete Beeman, Matthew Geller, and Ned Kahn as the four finalists for a public art project at the Marina.

At a special meeting on March 15, the Planning Commission approved a two-year conditional use permit for Emery Go-Round shuttle parking at the Novartis “Rifkin Lot” on Horton Street.

At their regular meeting on March 22, the Commission approved the 35-unit residential and live/work Adeline Springs project at the corner of Adeline Street and West MacArthur Boulevard.

The second annual “Emeryville Day on the Bay” was held at the Marina on March 24, and was a resounding success, with many more participants than last year.

Almost 50 interested persons attended the mandatory pre-submittal meeting for the Art Center Request for Qualifications and Proposals on March 1, which included a presentation, question-and-answer session, and walk-through of the building. Phase I Qualification submittals are due April 13.

Community Development staff attended a number of conferences and training sessions in March, including the Housing California Conference in Sacramento, the California Association for Local Economic Development Annual Training Conference in Monterey, and the International Code Council 2018 EduCode Training Conference in Las Vegas.

View the entire progress report on Emeryville.org →


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March 6th Council Meeting

 

Housing Bond (Consent Item)

The City Council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance to put a $50 million affordable housing general obligation bond measure on the June 5, 2018 ballot. This requires a 2/3 affirmative vote of the people to pass. If it does pass, we will have more resources for affordable housing.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [1:37:34].

Shellmound Way General Plan Amendment (Public Hearing)

The Council considered a General Plan Amendment to revise the location of Shellmound Way such that it coincides with its current location approximately 250 feet south of what is shown in the General Plan. The Council continued the item and directed staff to bring back a General Plan Amendment that also includes a new pedestrian/bicycle path in the approximate location where Shellmound Way is now shown in the General Plan, to connect Christie Avenue with Shellmound Street. Because this is a substantive change to the General Plan Amendment that was proposed, it will now have to go back to the Planning Commission for another recommendation before being presented to the Council for adoption.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [1:57:24].

Ocean Lofts, 1258 Ocean Avenue (Public Hearing)

The Council approved modifications to the conditions of approval and approved plans of a conditional use permit to add square footage, private open space in the form of roof decks, and to make exterior modifications to two previously approved residential units. Two people spoke during public comment, both raising concerns about the scale of the project and finding it inappropriate for the neighborhood. The Council vote was 3-2 with Councilmember Patz and Mayor Bauters voting “no”.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [2:13:52].

Housing Committee Annual Report (Action Item)

The Council heard a presentation by Tito Young, Vice Chair of the Housing Committee, on the committee’s accomplishments for 2017 and priorities for 2018. The presentation highlighted the committee’s involvement in several pieces of City legislation, including the Eviction and Harassment Protection Ordinance, Short Term Rental Ordinance, Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance, and smoking control issues. Priorities for 2018 include supporting the development of additional housing projects, updating the City’s Homeless Strategy, and continued review of annual housing reports and affordability requirements.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [3:02:21].

Sherwin Williams Park Impact Fee Credit (Action Item)

With Mayor Bauters recused (because he lives across the street), the Council unanimously approved a Park and Recreation Facility Impact Fee credit for the Sherwin Williams Mixed Use project, and authorized the City Manager to execute a Park and Open Space Improvement Agreement with Lennar.


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The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [3:40:44].

Budget (Action Item)

The Council unanimously approved the proposed mid-cycle budget adjustments, which reinstate a Community and Economic Development Coordinator II position and a Management Analyst position in the Economic Development and Housing Division, which means there are now no layoffs in the Community Development Department as originally proposed. There were no other significant changes for the Community Development Department.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [3:49:00].

Council Goals (Action Item)

Mayor Bauters facilitated a discussion of the Council’s goals, resulting in ten goals. They also indicated which department would be primarily responsible for each. The goals and responsible departments, in priority order, are:

  1. South Bayfront Bridge (Public Works)
  2. Housing Bond (Community Development/EDH, Finance, City Attorney, City Clerk)
  3. Active Transportation and Safety (Public Works)
  4. Art Center (Community Development/EDH)
  5. Disaster Preparedness Exercises and Plan (Human Resources, Police, Fire)
  6. Parking Management Plan (Community Development/EDH)
  7. Railroad Quiet Zone (Public Works with Community Development/EDH managing grant)
  8. Revenue Generating Businesses (Community Development/EDH and Finance)
  9. Creation of a Communications Director position (who would serve as Public Information Office (PIO)) (City Manager)
  10. Minor Capital Improvement Projects that might otherwise slip through the cracks. The first such project is Davenport Park. (Public Works)

The next step in this process for the Council to consider timelines for these goals which is scheduled for the Council’s April 17 meeting.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [3:50:06].

Download the Agenda for the March 6th Council Meeting →


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March 20th Council Meeting

 

Women’s History Month (Special Proclamation)

The Council hosted a special celebration of Women’s History Month, including remarks by Assembly Member Nancy Skinner’s District Representative, Arianna Jukes, performances by two girls’ bands, and proclamations for several honorees, including Planning Commission Chair Gail Donaldson.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [0:00:00].

General Plan Annual Progress Report

The Council approved the annual progress report on implementation of the General Plan, including the Housing Element, in Calendar Year 2017, for submittal to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [1:38:30].

1264 Ocean Avenue Special Assessment

The Council approved a special assessment of $50,145.75 on the property at 1264 Ocean Avenue to cover the costs incurred by the City in the matter of the appeal from the Notice and Order of Intention to Demolish the Property. As previously reported, the house on the property was demolished in December 2017.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [1:43:11].

Marina Public Art

The Council approved the selection of Ilan Averbuch, Pete Beeman, Matthew Geller, and Ned Kahn as the four finalists for a public art project at the Marina, as recommended by the Public Art Committee, and authorized the execution of contracts for conceptual design proposals with them. These four finalists were selected from a nationwide pool of 92 applicants. The Marina Public Art project is a high-priority implementation action of the Public Art Master Plan, and seeks to install an iconic piece of public art in the vicinity of Marina Park. Conceptual proposals are expected to be displayed in City Hall later this year.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [2:06:36].

Download the Agenda for the March 20th Council Meeting →


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April Highlights of The Month

The City Council considered an amendment to the Sherwin Williams Planned Unit Development to allow the removal of 11 street trees to accommodate undergrounding of overhead utility wires, and continued the item to a future meeting to allow staff time to develop design details to minimize the need to remove trees.

The Planning Commission approved two new illuminated high-rise identification signs for Tanium at 2100 Powell Street; the signs will be dimmable, and shall be dimmed to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director if they are determined to be too bright.

The Commission also approved a Conditional Use Permit for East Bay Therapeutics at 5745 Peladeau Street, the second of two cannabis retail dispensaries selected by the City Council on November 21.

A building permit was issued on April 6 for Public Market Parcel C2, a 66-unit apartment building that will wrap the parking structure and grocery store on Parcel C1. Two well-attended community workshops were held on the Parking Management Plan Update on April 18 in the afternoon and evening at ECCL. A Planning Commission study session that had been scheduled for April 26 was continued to a special Commission meeting on May 17.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission approved two Priority Development Area (PDA) grants for Emeryville, including $180,000 in staffing assistance for Mitigation of Policy Driven Displacement of Low Income Households, and $65,000 in technical assistance for Developing the Highest and Best Use of the Public Curb.

Phase I Qualification submittals from nine teams were received by the April 13 deadline in response to the Request for Qualifications and Proposals for the Art Center. A staff selection committee has determined that three of these teams are qualified to submit proposals.

Community Development staff attended a number of conferences and training sessions in April, including the East Bay Economic Development Alliance Annual Director’s Retreat in Dublin, the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition networking meeting in Sacramento, the American Planning Association National Planning Conference in New Orleans, and Emergency
Operation Center training in Fairfield.


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April 3rd Council Meeting

Housing Committee Appointments (Action Item)

At a special meeting prior to the regular City Council meeting, the Council appointed Gisela (Kris) Owens and Evan Lovett-Harris as community members of the Housing Committee for terms ending on June 30, 2019.

Download the Agenda for the April 3rd Special Meeting →

Upcoming Celebrations (Action Item)

The City Council decided to consolidate several upcoming celebrations on Thursday, May 10. These include Bike to Work Day, grand opening of the Emeryville Greenway Powell-Stanford Segment/Peladeau Park, and the Peladeau Park Public Art Mural dedication.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [1:09:42].

Sprint Antennas on Water Tower (Department Head Report)

At Councilmember Martinez’s request following the Community Development Director’s report on actions taken by the Planning Commission at the March 22, 2018 meeting, the Council voted to call for review (i.e. appeal) the Commission’s approval of the Sprint antennas on the water tower at 1255 Powell Street. The Council vote on calling the item for review was 4-1, with Mayor Bauters voting “no”. Councilmember Martinez was subsequently provided with the staff report for the item and a link to the video of the Commission meeting. After reviewing these, she advised that she was satisfied with the Commission’s decision and wished to drop the appeal. (See April 17 meeting below for further details.)

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [1:13:07].

Download the Agenda for the April 3rd Council Meeting →


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April 17th Council Meeting

Legislative Priorities (Action Item)

At a special meeting prior to the regular City Council meeting, the Council heard a presentation and held a discussion on their legislative priorities.

Earth Day 2018 (Special Order of the Day)

The Mayor, on behalf of the City Council, issued a proclamation proclaiming Sunday, April 22, 2018 as Earth Day in the City of Emeryville.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [04:45].

San Pablo Avenue Mid-Block Crosswalk

The Council approved the construction of a mid-block crosswalk on San Pablo Avenue between 40th Street and Adeline Street, to connect the Avalon senior housing project with the East BayBridge shopping center. The project is to be funded by SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

Sherwin Williams PUD Amendment (Public Hearing)

The Council considered an amendment to the Sherwin Williams Planned Unit Development/Preliminary Development Plan (PUD/PDP) to allow the removal of 11 street trees on the west side of Horton Street fronting the project site to accommodate joint trenching needed to underground overhead utilities on Horton Street between Park Avenue and new 46th Street. The Council continued the item to a future meeting to allow staff to provide additional design-related information on the joint trenching, including the placement of utility boxes, to minimize the need for tree removal.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [24:03].

Development Impact Fees (Public Hearing)

The Council adopted updated development impact fees for fiscal year 2018-2019, with an increase of 3.49% over last year, based on the annual increase in the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index for San Francisco. The fees include the Transportation Facility Impact Fee, the Park and Recreation Facility Impact Fee, and the Affordable Housing Impact Fee.

Sprint Antennas on Water Tower (Action Item)

As noted above, on April 3 the Council voted to appeal the Planning Commission’s March 22 approval of the replacement of existing Sprint antennas and equipment on the water tower at 1255 Powell Street. On April 17, the Council considered their options to either set a public hearing date for the appeal, dismiss the appeal based on a determination that the facts ascertainable from the record do not warrant further hearing, or remand the item back to the Planning Commission. After reviewing the staff report, the Council voted unanimously to dismiss the appeal.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [2:23:25].

City Council Goals (Action Item)

The Council adopted timelines for the ten goals that they had previously adopted at their March 6 meeting.

The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [2:38:15].

Download the Agenda for the April 17th Council Meeting →

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employs a Council-Manager form of Municipal Government where the five elected council people appoint a professional city manager to carry out day-to-day administrative operations.

Emeryville is a 1.2 square mile city located in Alameda County and founded in 1896. It has an estimated population of 11,721 as of 2016.

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