CITY COUNCIL
AND
DOWNTOWN STEERING COMMITTEE
SPECIAL MEETING WORKSHOP
AUGUST 7, 2017

________________________________________________________________ SPECIAL MEETING WORKSHOP

1. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor John Marchand at 6:03 pm, in the City Council Chambers, 3575 Pacific Avenue, Livermore, California.

ROLL CALL

City Council - Present: Mayor John Marchand, Vice Mayor Steven Spedowfski, and Council Members Robert W. Carling, Bob Coomber, and Bob Woerner.

Downtown Steering Committee - Present: Committee Members Dawn Argula, Andrew Barker, Eric Bjorklund, Gina Bonanno, Drew Felker, Jeff Kaskey, Dale Kaye, Jean King, Monya Lane, Sherry Nigg, Bryan Petro, Joan Seppala, Lynn Seppala, and Rachael Snedecor. Committee Members Matt Ford and Sherry Nigg were absent/excused.

1.01 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ON THE MOTION OF CM CARLING, SECONDED BY CM COOMBER AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL SUSPENDED RULE OF PROCEDURE 7.8 - CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS AFTER 11:00 PM.

2. OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES OF SPECIAL MEETING WORKSHOP

Consultant David Early, Placeworks, presented the Draft Public Engagement Plan, Key Learnings, Draft Alternatives, Alternatives Workbook Purpose, Ranking Worksheet, Principles of Outreach, Rules for Engaging the Public, and Tools for Limiting Development.

3. SPECIAL MEETING ITEM

Joint discussion, and City Council direction, regarding the outreach materials, including key background information, outreach plan, development alternatives, and alternatives analysis from the Downtown Steering Committee related to the development of the City's downtown sites, located in the Downtown Core, on either side of Livermore Avenue, and principles of outreach and the rules for engaging the public; and,

City Council discussion and direction regarding the tools for limiting residential growth in the Downtown, and the expiration of the Downtown Steering Committee.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

Mayor Marchand invited the public to comment on the Special Meeting Workshop item. The following individuals addressed the City Council and Downtown Steering Committee.

Bob Alley, Livermore
Evan Branning, Livermore
Dan Rosenberg, Dante Robere Vineyards, Livermore
Ian O'Leary, Livermore Valley Wine Growers Association
David Kent, Livermore
Darcie Kent, Darcie Kent Wines
Amanda Kent, Livermore
Larry Dino, Cuda Ridge Wines
Tom Jefferson, Livermore
David Rounds, Livermore
Diane Cranor, Nottingham Cellars, Livermore
Chris Chandler, Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association
Tom O'Neill, Livermore
Ruth Gordon for Jim McGrail, McGrail Winery
Liz Roberts, Livermore Downtown Inc.
Denise Leddon read a letter from Nancy Rodrigue
Alan Burnham, Livermore
Tamera Reus, Livermore
Steven Mirassou
Dane Stark, Page Mill Winery
Elizabeth Judge, Livermore
Mercina Schneider, Espresso Rosetta, Livermore
Dave Corkill, Livermore Theater
Brendan Finley, Wente Vineyards
Sandy Lake
Nancy Bankhead, Livermore
Audra Triska, Livermore
Lisa Tromovitch, Livermore
Asa Strout, Livermore
Donna Cabanne, Livermore
Veronica Stewart Long
Derek Eddy
Special Meeting Item Recommendation: Staff recommended the City Council provide direction.

After City Council and discussion, the following actions were taken: ON THE MOTION OF VM SPEDOWFSKI, SECONDED BY CM WOERNER AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL:

1. Approved the Downtown Public Engagement Plan with the following amendments:

a. Underscore emphasis on elements of the concepts, not the actual concepts themselves.

b. Provide updates to the City Council and include metrics for gauging participation.

c. Provide opportunities for participants to build their own concepts with game pieces or with other interactive methods.

2. Approved the Key Learnings as presented.

3. Approved the Alternatives with the following amendments;

a. Rename them to something like concepts, drafts, or concept sketches.

b. Utilize the latest plans from Presidio Companies for the east side hotel.

c. Accept the plan from the Community Group for west side hotel concept that the Group submitted at this meeting.

4. Approved the workbook with the following revisions:

a. Provide more background and context information.

b. Remove value statements.

c. Provide further explanation regarding findings.

d. Discuss funding options, phasing.

e. Include a discussion of trade-offs and implications of choices.

5. Approved the worksheet with the following revisions:

a. Add demographic information in order to track participants

b. Add a traffic/circulation box.

c. Add a comment box for general comments.

d. Include a discussion of trade-offs and implications of choices.

ON THE MOTION OF CM WOERNER, SECONDED BY CM CARLING AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE DEVELOPMENT ASSURANCES (PRINCIPLES FOR OUTREACH) WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:

a. Consider only stable land uses that sustain the City's long-term financial stability.

b. Provide at least as many replacement parking spaces as exist today.

c. Deliver sufficient additional parking spaces to meet demand from new development.

d. Ensure the provision of infrastructure and services is financially sustainable.

e. Develop community open space that is actively usable, safe, and synergistic with adjacent uses for all demographics.

f. Provide access for services, such as deliveries and waste disposal, to existing and new businesses.

g. Minimize massing to avoid overshadowing surrounding businesses and uses, including First Street businesses and Blacksmith Square.

h. Assurance the Lennar project would not be reconsidered and BART to Downtown is not a possibility.

ON THE MOTION OF CM WOERNER, SECONDED BY CM COOMBER AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED AND RENAMED THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT TO PRINCIPLES FOR ENGAGING THE PUBLIC, WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:

a. Endorse and disseminate information consistent with the key learnings and alternatives agreed upon by Downtown Steering Committee.

b. Discourage the dissemination of information and alternatives developed outside of the Downtown Steering Committee process.

c. Community members may attend multiple outreach and engagement events. However, feedback from one attendee at one outreach/engagement event shall have the same weight as one attendee who participates in multiple outreach and engagement events.

d. Outreach and engagement participants shall be asked to provide their name and status as a resident and/or property/business owner.

e. Encourage honorable engagement with the public.

ON THE MOTION OF CM WOERNER, SECONDED BY VM SPEDOWFSKI AND CARRIED ON A 5-0 VOTE, THE CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTED THE REGULATORY OPTIONS (Tools for limiting residential development on the project sites) WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:

a. Assurance that the Lennar project and BART to Downtown would not be brought back.

b. Tools to be considered: Downtown Specific Plan amendment, easements and development agreements. Tools eliminated Initiative and moratorium.

Mayor Marchand announced that the August 14, 2017 regular City Council meeting was cancelled.

5. ADJOURNMENT - 11:23 pm to a regular City Council meeting on September 11, 2017 at 7:00 pm, Council Chambers, 3575 Pacific Avenue, Livermore.

APPROVED:

JOHN P. MARCHAND, MAYOR

ATTEST: