12/19/2000 J
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING-DECEMBER 19,2000
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace was called to order in the
Upstairs Conference Room, Grand Terrace Civic Center, 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace,
California, on December 19, 2000, at 2:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Lee Ann Garcia, Mayor Pro Tern
Don Larkin, Councilmember
Maryetta Ferre, Councilmember
Tom Schwab, City Manager
Tracey Martinez, Deputy City Clerk
Patrizia Materassi, Community and Economic Development Director
ABSENT: Dan Buchanan,Mayor
Herman Hilkey, Councilmember
Brenda Stanfill, City Clerk
John Donlevy, Assistant City Manager
Larry Ronnow, Interim Finance Director
Virgil Barham, Building &Safety Director
John Harper, City Attorney
Lt. Rick Carr, Sheriff's Department
A workshop of the City Council was held to discuss the Retail Analysis Recommendations given by
EDS.
Community and Economic Development Director Materassi,gave a brief presentation on the
major recommendations of EDS in their Retail Analysis of Grand Terrace and stated that Jim
Harrigan from EDS was present to answer any questions regarding the analysis. She
indicated that in an effort not to delay the retail recruitment process, she is recommending
that Council choose one of the following two options:
1. Approval of analysis as presented. Jim Harrigan, EDS, will proceed with
retail recruitment and final staff report will be scheduled for consideration
and approval at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.
2. Approval of analysis as presented with alterations. Jim Harrigan,EDS,will
incorporate alterations and submit a revised draft for review and retail
recruitment will be delayed until direction determined.
Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, requested input from Council.
Council Minutes
December 19,2000
Page 2
Councilmember Larkin, stated that there are changes that need to made to the analysis to
make it more accurate with regard to the businesses located in Grand Terrace. He feels that
the City needs to work on its tax leakage. He indicated that he is against using public funds
to recruit businesses which would directly compete with local businesses in particular
constructing a grocery/shopping center along Barton Road that would compete with Stater
Brothers should they not be interested in expanding their current store. He is also concerned
that the proposed center would not provide the cultural purposes of the "city center" as
envisioned by the General Plan Task Force and approved by the City Council. He feels that
Grand Terrace could attract regional and national retailers to Barton Road provided a city
center is constructed.
Councilmember Ferr6, stated that she believes the analysis is positive and agrees that
something needs to be done to reverse the retail tax leakage. She strongly recommended that
before any action is implemented from the analysis that Stater Brothers be contacted and
invited to participate in the proposed plans. She indicated that "healthy" competition may
be necessary for change to occur. She expressed her desire of the possibility for residents to
have the convenience of shopping locally and prefers the pedestrian orientation. She stated
that the City General Plan, Barton Road Specific Plan and Strategic Action Plan have set
forth laws and policies. Should it be necessary to revise these documents once the analysis
is completed and accepted,she feels strongly that Council will have to agree on the proposals
prior to any major actions being taken and that staff should be given clear direction.
Mavor Pro Tern Garcia, indicated that contact needs to be initiated with Stater Brothers
Market to see if they are interested in expanding and updating their local store. She
requested that staff work on the retail sales tax data and research tax delinquent businesses
and the income of businesses that are not required to pay taxes. The information should be
included in the void analysis in order to complete the analysis. She expressed the importance
of Council having a plan and providing direction to staff, so retail recruitment can proceed.
It was the consensus of the Council to move forward with the following recommendations
of EDS:
Item#2 - Michigan Street from Barton Road to De Berry Street
This street/building would be better served if allowed to fulfill its original
purpose of providing light industrial opportunities.
Item#3 - Undeveloped Freeway Frontage 36 + acres between De Berry and Van
Buren Streets, the 215 Freeway and east toward Michigan Street.
This plan would allow for a multi-store regional power center,that would not
only bring additional sales tax revenues into the City, but could provide a
Council Minutes
December 19,2000
Page 3
peripheral boost of regional customer traffic for the Barton Road retail
district.
It was also the consensus of the Council to contact Stater Brothers Market and schedule a
meeting with them and Mayor Pro Tern Lee Ann Garcia,Councilwoman Maryetta Ferr6 and
City Manager Tom Schwab,to see if they are willing to expand and update their current local
store or exploring the possibility of a new location to fulfill the needs of the community.
No further decision was taken regarding retail recruitment on Barton Road.
ORDER OF ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tern Garcia adjourned the workshop at 4:44 p.m., until the next CRA/City Council
Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, January 25, 2001 at 6:00 p.m.
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CITY CLERK of the City o?Grand Terrace
MAYOR of the City of Grand Terrace