1991/08/15 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council Minutes
"B" Section Neighborhood Housing Forum
August 15, 1991 - 7:30 p.m.
Present: Mayor Eck, Vice Mayor Spiro, Councilmembers Hollingsworth and Reilly
Absent: Councilmember Hopkins (out of town on business)
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager Netter, Assistant to
the City Manager Leivo, and Planning Director Skanchy.
Mayor Eck called the meeting to order and briefly explained the format of
tonight's meeting. He introduced Chaney Delaire from the Sonoma County
Community Development Commission who is a contractor to the City of Rohnert Park
for its Housing Authority. He mentioned that Chaney Delaire would be making a
presentation later on tonight's agenda to discuss loan programs for both owner
occupied homes as well as a program for rental properties.
Mayor Eck briefly outlined the reasons for holding the meeting and discussed
several of the properties that were recently brought to the City Council's
attention for abatement. He briefly outlined the procedures that citizens could
take in order to assist in keeping their neighborhoods clean and free of
unsightly structures, tall weeds, abandoned or inoperable vehicles, and other
unsightly conditions.
Mayor Eck then opened the meeting for general discussion. There were
approximately 120 residents in attendance.
Andy Vincen, 7535 Boris Ct. requested information on the Chevron site located on
the corner of Southwest Blvd. and Adrian Drive.
B.C. Loshe, 7842 Burton Avenue, commented on the Southwest Blvd. Shopping Center
and asked why something couldn't be done to improve the property.
Linda Burkman, 7681 Blair Avenue, commented on her concerns about the Crown
Market and about how dark the Center was at night because of the lack of parking
lot lighting.
Vickie Roberts, 394 Bonnie Avenue, commented on the recent action the City
Council has taken on the abatement of several properties in the "B" Section,
especially on Blair Avenue. She commented on how the Council expedited the
process within legal constraints and indicated she appreciated it very much and
she would like the other residents of the "B" Section to know that the City
Council is doing its job.
Ralph Rostigan, 7632 Beverly Drive, commented on his sprinkler system and
indicated that the water pressure at his home is very weak. He indicated that
he should have 45 pounds of pressure and that he believes the pressure at
his home is below 30 pounds.
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Rohnert Park City Council "B" Section Meeting August 15, 1991
Norah Bschibig, 7432 Burton Avenue, commented on certain sprays and odors in the
area and indicated she has problems with grass and weeds growing up within the
sidewalk /street area.
A resident on Santa Barbara Drive (did not get the name) requested information
on what projects were completed by the Community Development Agency. He
indicated that he thought the undergrounding was one of the projects and that he
hasn't seen any undergrounding projects completed in "B" Section.
Mayor Eck briefly explained the undergrounding projects and indicated the next
undergrounding project would be Adrian Drive.
At this point, City Manager Netter explained the redevelopment process and
outlined the projects that were completed to date with redevelopment funds. Mr.
Netter then explained the difference between projects completed with
redevelopment tax increments and those projects set aside from the 20% funding
for low to moderate income housing. He indicated most of the improvements being
made in the "B" Section were from the 20% set aside funds for low to moderate
income housing. He explained the tax increment and tax increment financing to
help the residents understand the entire mechanism. He also explained how the
Redevelopment Agency has not created additional taxes to its citizens but was
just a redistribution of taxes they were already paying.
Kenneth Mitchell, 776 Bernice Court, expressed concern about taking care of the
properties in the "B" Section and wanted to know what is expected of a homeowner
and /or tenant of a rental property. He indicated that he is in support of a
neighborhood concept similar to a neighborhood association. Mayor Eck commented
that that is a good plan and that if the neighbors could work with their other
neighbors in a certain area that the plan has worked in other areas throughout
the city.
Wesley McDonald, 7809 Burton Avenue, commented on garbage cans and junk in front
yards and said that he has called the City and reported these and that in his
opinion he believes the City does not follow through on some of these
complaints.
Howard Herman, Barbi Lane, commented that the City needs to look at "B" Park.
He feels this park is in need of improvements. He said he has lived in the town
for 20 years and feels that this park is well past due for improvements.
There was a comment from the owner of a home on the block of 7300 Bonnie Avenue
on how you can tell a renter from a homeowner, as homeowners seem to take better
care of their properties than renters do. There was a general discussion on how
an individual could access the owners of the property by calling the Planning
Director, who could look it up on the assessment rolls, or to go to any local
title company to use their equipment to look up this information.
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Rohnert Park City Council "B" Section Meeting August 15, 1991
Bill Espenshade, 7114 Bolita Avenue, questioned when the undergrounding in "B"
Section would be started. Mayor Eck again referenced the next priority to be
Adrian Avenue, which would take hundreds of thousands of dollars due to the
length and cost of this particular undergrounding. He indicated when the City
has received enough undergrounding funds from various sources this project would
be considered.
Bonnie Wright, 7776 Santa Barbara Drive, commented on the undergrounding and
indicated she knew that was supposed to be one of the priorities of the
Community Development Agency.
Connie Littell, 7585 Beth Court, asked a question about the recent article in
the paper about a commuter train and asked if the City would be considering a
sound wall next to the track. Mayor Eck indicated that the railroad and
purchase of right -of -way for a transportation system was recently discussed at
the last City Council meeting and that a public hearing has been discussed for
the first meeting in October. He stated that notices will go out to the
residents as well as newspaper notices published in regards to the public
hearing.
Ralph Rostigan, 7632 Beverly Drive, indicated he recently had a problem with his
refrigerator and some other electrical outlets in his home and it was eventually
discovered that the power lines coming into his house were in a deteriorating
condition. He said he had to call PG &E to repair the lines and he feels that
now that the "B" Section is over 25 years old the lines should be inspected for
damage and should be replaced.
John Wortz, 7549 Boris Court, commented on what was going to happen with the
Southwest Blvd. Shopping Center, said he is very concerned and would like to see
that Center revived.
Patricia Costello, 430 Santa Barbara Drive, was concerned about the Southwest
Blvd. Shopping Center and commented that at night there is very little light
from the parking lot, which causes a hazardous condition for residents to walk
by that location, and was wondering if something can be done.
Maria Olivera, 412 Santa Barbara Court, felt the property values are decreasing
in the area because several of the homes are showing disrepair. She is worried
that she and her husband have over - improved their home and would never be able
to get their money back out of the home. She complained about junk cars,
unmowed lawns, and other deteriorating conditions in the neighborhood.
A resident (unable to hear name) residing on Bolita Avenue indicated he would
like to see some of the PG &E poles that are in the middle of the sidewalk
removed or relocated.
Nancy Elliott, 7795 Santa Barbara Drive, indicated there is a water leak in her
area that has never been repaired. She mentioned she called the Water
Department and that the water seems to still be puddling at the location,
causing algae and other growth in the area where the standing water is.
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Rohnert Park City Council "B" Section Meeting August 15, 1991
Mayor Eck indicated that staff was taking notes and that the items mentioned
earlier would be researched and hopefully taken care of. He also indicated that
in the next newsletter the City would outline procedures in notifying the City
or other procedures in abating certain items that the residents were complaining
about tonight. He also informed that if anyone had any specific problems that
they could write to the City Council or the City Manager and these items would
be checked on an individual basis and, hopefully, taken care of in a reasonble
amount of time.
Following the completion of the public input, Mayor Eck and several of the other
Councilmembers made comments on certain items that were brought up at tonight's
meeting. Following the general comments, Mayor Eck then introduced Chaney
Delaire from the Sonoma County Community Development Commission, who presented a
slide program and outlined the details of the owner occupied loan program to
rehabilitate their homes as well as mentioning the program for property owners
for their rental properties.
Following the completion of Chaney Delaire's presentation, Mayor Eck adjourned
the meeting at approximately 9:30 p.m.
JDN:1r
cc: City Councilmembers
Carl Leivo, Assistant to the City Manager
Ron Brust, Director of Public Works
Homer Rail, Supt. of Public Works
Paul Skanchy, Planning Director
Robert Dennett, Director of Public Safety
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