HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - 2004 GOALS UPDATE (2)CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
Agenda Item: ,
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
December 14, 2004
Ken Pulskamp
CITY COUNCIL 2004 GOALS UPDATE
City Manager's Office
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council receive summary update of the 2004 Goals.
BACKGROUND
On January 30, 2004, the Mayor and members of the City Council, along with the City Manager,
met for a goal setting session. The session identified several goals, which included the following:
Parks, Events and Open Space
• Begin construction of North Valencia II park and trail, which has since been re -named to the
Valencia Heritage Park
Approve the Master Plan for the 32 -acre Whites Canyon Park
Roads, Bridges, Facilities and Landscaping
• Complete Golden Valley Road Phase 4 to HIghway 14
• Begin construction of the City's Transit Maintenance Facility
• Begin construction of the Soledad/Golden Valley Interchange
• Begin construction of the "gap" closure, Copperhill to I-5
• Complete northern portion of the Sand Canyon swales project
• Complete Phase 1 and 2 of the underground Soledad Canyon Road utilities project
Economic Development
• Revitalization/Redevelopment of Downtown Newhall
• Downtown Newhall Specific Plan
• Begin construction of the Golden Valley Ranch project
RECEIVED
• Reach out to small businesses
• Improvements to the Development Process
Youth
• Begin construction of the Downtown Newhall Community Center
Community/Public Safety
• Continue multi -pronged approach to preventing TMC
• Continue efforts to clean up the Whittaker-Bermite site
• Implement the "red light enforcement program"
• Continue monitoring the Los Lomas project
• Siting and construction of a Materials Recycling Facility
These goals represent millions of dollars in taxpayer investment in our community. These
programs and projects are a compilation of community input, long-range planning, and program
development City-wide.
Significant progress, including completion of some goals, has been made. A summary update of
each 2004 goal is attached.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the Council
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENTS
Update of the 2004 City Council Goals
CITY COUNCIL 2404, GOALS UPDATE...
Parks, Events and Open Space
Valencia Heritage Park ... The Valencia Heritage Park project will construct a 17.6 acre
community park located at the corner of McBean Parkway and Newhall Ranch Road and a trail
along San Francisquito Creek from Newhall Ranch Road to Copperhill Drive. Construction of
Valencia Heritage Park began on March 17, 2004. Construction of the trail portion from Newhall
Ranch Road to Decoro Drive was completed and opened to the public on September 1. The
remainder of the trail from Decoro to Copperhill was officially opened to the public during the
San Francisquito Grand Opening on October 8. The tennis courts, fencing and hardscape are
complete, the play equipment is 90% and Landscape is 95% complete. The Park will enter into
the 90 day maintenance period in mid-December 2004. Valencia Heritage Park is anticipated to
open in spring 2005.
Whites Canyon Park Master Plan ... The Whites Canyon Park Master Plan project will
master plan a 32 -acre site located at Whites Canyon Road and Canyon Crest Drive in Canyon
Country. The Master Plan's citizen participation process began in May 2003, community
consensus was received and the final Master Plan was presented to and approved by the Parks,
Recreation and Community Services Commission on November 6, and presented to and
unanimously approved by the City Council on February 24, 2004. The design phase of the
project has been funded and the geotechnical consultant is beginning the investigation of the site.
Roads, Bridges, Facilities and Landscaping
Golden Valley Road Phase IV to State Route I4 ... The Golden Valley Road Phase IV
project will connect the existing Antelope Valley Freeway (SR14) to Sierra Highway, and is
being constructed by D.R. Horton. Golden Valley Road is complete including the Green
Mountain intersection, signals, bike trail, signage, and striping to within 50 feet of Sierra
Highway. Construction of the road is 95% complete. The remaining element is pending Caltrans
approval of a permit to D.R. Horton.
Transit Maintenance Facility ... The Transit Maintenance Facility (TMF) project will
accommodate the administration, operations and maintenance functions of the City's transit
system. A public access compressed natural gas (CNG) "gas station" will also be provided.
Construction began January 2004. General contractor Fedcon has installed on-site utilities; the
slab -on -grade, framing, and straw bale installation for the Administration building are complete;
and roofing, mechanical, and plumbing installations are underway. The Maintenance building's
concrete tilt -up was and framing are complete, while roofing is underway. CNG contractor
Clean Energy has started construction on Phase 2 of the Transit and public fueling stations.
Underground piping is being installed for the Transit dispensers, and foundation and framing
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work is complete. The CNG compressor station equipment has been delivered, and installation is
underway. The TMF is scheduled for completion by summer 2005.
Soledad/Golden Valley Road Interchange ..The Soledad/Golden Valley Road Interchange
project is part of the Cross Valley Connector to reduce congestion and improve quality of life for
the community by building a grade separated crossing over the MTA Railroad, Golden Triangle
Road, and Soledad Canyon Road. The support foundation for the overcrossing has been
completed. Construction continues in the median on Soledad Canyon Road. Significant progress
is being made on this project.
"Gap closure" Connerhill to I-5 ... The "gap closure" project will extend Newhall Ranch
Road as the Cross Valley Connector (CVC) from Copperhill Drive to I-5. This eight -lane
roadway will include landscaped medians, a parkway, and a Class I bicycle path. The "gap
closure" is in the design phase and the Environmental Document is being prepared. The Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) has approved the EIR/EA for public circulation. A public
meeting will be scheduled for January 2005, to discuss the document. Construction is scheduled
to start in June 2005.
Sand Canyon Swales... The Sand Canyon Swales project removed an obsolete County storm
drain system and created a safe level surface for pedestrians and bicyclists to access two nearby
schools. Additional benefits to residents include improved driveway access and overall
neighborhood aesthetics. The City Council awarded the project on June 8, 2004, and was
completed in September 2004.
Soledad Canyon Road undereround utilities (Phases one and two)... The Soledad Canyon
Road underground utilities project will extend from Camp Plenty, east to Sierra Highway.
Tidwell Construction continues their work on the substructures for the transmission line.
Currently the contractor is working on Soledad Canyon Road and Camp Plenty Road while a
vault is set in place. Southern California Edison is finalizing their design. Time Warner Cable
and SBC are preparing plans for undergrounding their facilities, wherever possible, to eliminate
interference with SCE during the major undergrounding efforts. Time Warner and SBC will be
doing intermittent work throughout the year in preparation to this project. The project is
scheduled to be complete by April 2005.
Economic Development
Revitalization/Redevelopment of Downtown Newhall... Interest is increasing from real
estate brokers and restaurant owners regarding expansion into the Downtown Newhall area.
Staff has met with a broker who represents several chain restaurants regarding Newhall; talks are
continuing. In addition, staff is scheduled to meet with an owner of a well-known Mexican
restaurant and an upscale, quaint ethnic restaurant, who are also interested in expanding into the
Downtown Newhall area by the end of the year. A total of five facades were completed, as well.
The grand opening of the Old Town Newhall Farmer's Market was held on July 1, 2004, and has
received great reviews. Staff continues to look for ways to promote and enhance the Market.
Additionally, continuous progress is also being made on the Farmer's Market new municipal
parking lot, located on San Fernando Road between 5th Street and 6th Street. The parking lot,
which is due for completion mid-January 2005, will be striped, and signage and lighting will be
installed.
Downtown Newhall Sneciitc Plan ...The Downtown Newhall Specific Plan will provide
property and business owners with the tools to entice private investment into the area and to
create a series of thriving economic engines in Downtown Newhall. The City identified Moule
and Polyzoides (M&P) as its preferred candidate to develop the Specific Plan. A walking tour of
Downtown Newhall with the City and consultant team took place on July 28, 2004. A day -long
field tour with M&P to visit other revitalized downtowns was conducted by the City project team
to identify features and ideas for this project on August 20. Community meetings to kick-off the
project were conducted at the SCV Senior Center with approximately 70 persons in attendance.
A joint City of Santa Clarita/Planning Commission study session was held on
September 7, 2004. Staff completed a three-day charrette/workshop process the week of
September 13 resulting in a preliminary land use plan, parking strategy, and a circulation pattern
for the downtown area. A second set of charrettes to focus on architecture and development
codes were held on October 26 - 28. A draft Specific Plan is expected to be presented at a joint
City Council/Planning Commission study session on February 1, 2005, and a presentation to the
Redevelopment Committee will be on February 7. Distribution and outreach of the Draft to
appropriate stakeholders, agencies, organizations, and public will follow. Tentatively, staff
anticipates having first the Planning Commission hearing for the Specific Plan in April 2005.
Golden Valley Ranch ... The Golden Valley Ranch project will provide a much needed and
desired full service shopping center to residents of the east end of the City. The proposed anchor
stores are reported to include Kohl's, Lowe's, Target, Pier 1, and Sportmart. As of
August 1, 2004, soils, geology, and grading plans were approved for "Bulk Grading". Staff is
continuing to review associated infrastructure improvement plans and has issued grading permits
to begin construction while applicant continues working out final issues with Caltrans. A
groundbreaking is scheduled for December 13, 2004, at 10:00 a.m.
Small Business Outreach... Staff has been, and will continue to attend the monthly Santa
Clarita Chamber of Commerce and Valley Industrial Association lunch meetings. These
meetings have provided a forum for the City to outreach with small businesses. A presentation
was made at the Valley Industrial Association's November luncheon regarding the City's
Economic Development business outreach plan and goals for 2005. The Economic
Development Division is currently in the process of developing business attraction, expansion
and retention marketing materials. These updates are scheduled be placed on the City's website
in 2005. Additionally, the possibility of building a business data base for those businesses
already located in Santa Clarita is being explored. Mayor Kellar played an instrumental role by
meeting with several small business owners throughout the year. An Economic Development
business retention plan is being developed, along with the implementation of the business
database, and is scheduled to be completed by mid -2005.
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Development Process Improvements ... The Development Process Improvement project will
evaluate the development process and identify enhancements to help streamline the process for
customers and staff. Over the last year, the Executive Team headed an effort to implement
several action items to help improve the City's development process. These actions were
developed with the help of the Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee whose charge was to
find opportunities to make the City of Santa Clarita a more business friendly city. As a result of
this process, many improvements have been implemented. Another opportunity available to
residents and business owners is the new fee to expedite the plan check process. Applicants are
able to pay an additional fee to expedite the processing of their plans. The City has received very
positive feedback on these improvements.
Youth
Downtown Newhall Community Center ... The Downtown Newhall Community Center
project will construct a facility designed to accommodate community, social and sport events,
catered functions, instructional recreation and other instructional/training courses, and a sheriff
substation. The design will complement the surrounding neighborhoods and architectural themes
of the City and Downtown Newhall. The construction bid was awarded by the City Council on
June 22, 2004. Construction started on August 2, and is 25% complete. The concrete footing for
the building is poured, and the underground piping installation is complete. The contractor is
currently installing the concrete block building walls. The construction of the Downtown
Newhall Community Center is scheduled to be completed by fall 2005.
Community/Public Safety
Transit Mixed Concrete (TMC) efforts ... The project will focus on continuing the City's
opposition of the proposed mega -mine just outside the City's boarder in Soledad Canyon. The
City continues efforts to oppose the siting of this mega -mining operation as proposed by Cemex.
These efforts include continuing the legal strategy, working with Congressman Howard "Buck"
McKeon to find a legislative solution, and community outreach. The City currently has three
active legal challenges to Centex's proposal; appeal of the Consent Decree, federal Endangered
Species Act suit, and California Environmental Quality Act challenge. A fourth action, relating
to the National Environmental Policy Act, is scheduled to be filed in mid-December. The City
continues negotiations with Cemex in an effort to find a mutually agreeable compromise which
will be introduced as legislation in the 109th Congress by Congressman McKeon and Senator
Boxer. The City continues to be in contact with various federal, state and regional agencies
responsible for issuance of various permits to Cemex. Community outreach is continuing in a
number of ways, including, but not limited to, monthly meetings with the Executive Advisory
Committee, periodic e-mails to interested parties, newspaper columns and radio shows.
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Whittaker-Bermite... The project will focus on developing and implementing a Whittaker-
Bermite Property clean-up strategy with the City Council and community. The City and our
partners are pleased with the progress that has occurred over the past 12 months. Much time has
been and spent and a great deal of communication has occurred by elected officials, community
leaders from the Valley, staff and other agencies to help move this project forward. Ongoing
meetings of the multi -jurisdictional task force have been coordinated and attended by the City
and continuous support to the DTSC Citizens' Advisory Group has been provided. Congressman
McKeon has been active on behalf of the City's efforts by introducing legislation that would
authorize $10 million in additional funding for perchlorate clean-up efforts at the Whittaker-
Bermite property. The Eastern Santa Clara River Basin Project (H.R. 5234) is expected to be
considered by the House in the coming months. Congressman McKeon was also able to secure
an additional $500,000 for the multi-year Army Corps of Engineers' groundwater contamination
study, in 2003. In October 2004, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Release of the Santa Clara Sub -
Basin Groundwater Study Document was designed to help develop and evaluate long-term
solutions to the impacts of perchlorate contamination present in the groundwater. This document
is the culmination of a multi-year study funded jointly by the Castaic Lake Water Agency and its
water purveyors. The Remedial Design for Operable Unit 1 (OUI) was completed and
remediation of the area is expected to commence in 2005. The Remedial Design provides the
details of the clean-up of shallow soils in an area located at the far eastern edge of the Whittaker-
Bermite property. There are six other soil operable units identified throughout the 996 -acre site.
The City's Whittaker-Bermite Strategy Team provided a formal response letter to the DTSC
regarding both the OUI Remedial Design document and the associated CEQA analysis. On
November 15, 2004, the new director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC),
B.B. Blevins, toured the Whittaker-Bermite property with DTSC staff, legislative
representatives, City Councilmembers and City staff. Following the tour, the City hosted a
luncheon for Mr. Blevins where the priorities for expedited site clean-up to an unrestricted use
standard were reinforced. This tour/luncheon was intended to foster a positive, collaborative
working relationship with the Director to keep the clean-up of the Whittaker-Bermite property
high on the State's priority list.
Red Likht Photo Enforcement Proeram... The first camera system was put into operation
during the kick-off at the intersection of Whites Canyon Road at Soledad Canyon Road on
July 7, 2004. Camera systems are operating at four intersections: Bouquet Canyon Road at Seco
Canyon Road, Lyons Avenue at Orchard Village Road, McBean Parkway at Magic Mountain
Parkway, and McBean Parkway at Newhall Ranch Road. A total of 586 warnings were issued
during the 30 day warning period. The citation period began on August 7, 2004. A total of 2,925
citations have been issued from all five intersections through the month of November. The
project is complete.
Los Lomas ... The project will focus on the formation of a technical review team to closely
monitor the project and develop a multi -agency strategy to insure a collaborative approach is
taken in reviewing the Los Lomas project. The City continues to work with lobbyist Steve Afriat
for coordination of meetings with Los Angeles Council Members, LAFCO Executive Director,
and other local elected officials. Mayor Kellar met with Los Angeles Council President Alex
Padilla and Council Member Greig Smith and received assurances that they are opposed to the
Las Lomas development project. City staff has met with the planning deputies of Mr. Padilla and
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Mr. Smith, as well as Supervisor Antonovich's planning deputy. There is no support from the
City of Los Angeles, Fifth Supervisorial District of Los Angeles County or City of Santa Clarita
for the Las Lomas project. Discussion between the City of Santa Clarita and the City of Los
Angeles are taking place concerning the possibility of dividing the property at the watershed line,
for Santa Clarita to annex property on the north side, and the City of Los Angeles to extend its
sphere of influence on the south side. Environmental documents will be initiated for annexation
of property into Santa Clarita with the intent to complete in 2005.
Materials Recycling Facility (MRF)... As part of their agreement with the City for the
Commercial Franchise, Burrtec Waste Industries agreed to site and construct a Materials
Recycling Facility in the City. Bur-tec Waste Industries submitted an application on September
15, 2004, for the construction of a MRF located at 26200 Springbrook Avenue. The project
consists of an 81,168 square foot facility and requires approval of a conditional use permit that
will be heard before the Planning Commission. The project was routed to and commented on by
City departments and outside agencies. City staff and Burtec have met with Metrolink to discuss
the possibility of utilizing the existing crossing. Burtec is currently exploring the construction of
an under crossing north of the site as the proposed truck route. Additionally, a traffic study was
prepared for the project and is being reviewed by City staff. Assuming that all project details are
worked out, the project should be heard before the Planning Commission in late February/early
March 2005.
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