MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL

SAN JOSÉ, CALIFORNIA TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2002

The Council of the City of San José convened in adjourned regular session at 3:35 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall for a joint meeting with the Redevelopment Agency Board.

Present: Council Members - Campos, Chavez, Cortese, Dando, Diquisto, LeZotte, Reed, Williams, Yeager; Gonzales.

Absent: Council Members - Shirakawa, Jr. (excused.)

7.1 Acceptance of the semiannual progress report on the Downtown Parking Manage-ment Plan.

Documents filed: Memorandum from City Manager Del Borgsdorf and Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Susan F. Shick, dated August 13, 2002, recommending acceptance of the biannual progress report on the Downtown Parking Management Plan.

Discussion/Action: Council Member Dando stated that she thought there would be more information or ideas in the report on how the City can attract people into Downtown, and asked if Staff had given consideration to a program that would work through restaurants in the Downtown to provide free parking to patrons for lunch or dinner. Staff responded they are currently working with the Downtown Association on parking incentives. Council Member Reed asked if the additional on-street parking spaces include Park and Almaden Boulevards. Jim Helmer, Acting Director of Transportation, responded that many of the spaces are on Park and Almaden, and Staff’s goal is to look at those locations on streets where there are under-utilized spaces and add parallel parking. Mayor Gonzales asked what is the timeframe to have this conversion take place. Staff responded that a rezoning request will be presented to Council in September and the project will move forward accordingly. Council Member Reed offered a cautionary note, that although having retail and commercial on the ground level of the garage is a great concept, it doesn’t work on every site, and he does not want to scatter isolated retail sites around the City.

Council Member Chavez indicated she likes the idea of having open space at the base of the garage and would like Staff to be thoughtful and creative about what goes there, particularly how it impacts the City’s goals to ensure the safety and confidence of people using the garage. Regarding free parking spaces, she stated that she wants to be sure the City talks to SNI areas closest to these locations because they are already impacted from other Downtown developments, and it is important to incorporate their needs into the plan. Upon motion by Council Member Chavez, seconded by Council Member Diquisto, and unanimously carried, the report was accepted. Vote: 10-0-1-0. Absent: Vice Mayor Shirakawa, Jr.

7.2 Approval of a continuation agreement and second amendment with the Sedway Group to provide for services in connection with the San José Economic Assessment.

Documents filed: Memorandum from City Manager Del Borgsdorf and Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Susan F. Shick, dated August 13, 2002, recommending approval of a Continuation Agreement and Second Amendment to the agreement with the Sedway Group, extending the term of the agreement to October 31, 2002, amending the scope of services, and increasing the compensation in the amount of $50,000, for a total amount not to exceed $145,000, to provide economic development consultant services.

Discussion/Action: Referring to page 2, Council Member Chavez commented that she assumed the Scope of Services would be benchmarks for achievements and whether or not the City continues to use the consultant. Regarding Task #1, she stated that she would like to see an emphasis, at least in the research component, on looking at creative services as its own subset, particularly in the SOFA area. Staff responded that they would have the consultant look at the Downtown and try to mesh creative services with the biotech industry. Regarding the list of public policy implications, Council Member Chavez commented that some businesses choose a location based on the surrounding environment; therefore, she wants to be sure the City looks at assets area by area that are attractive to businesses, i.e., hotels, museums, restaurants, green space, etc. She stated that she believes these have significant public policy implications and impact how the Council considers implementation of the Downtown Strategy Task Force Plan. She stated that she has had concerns expressed to her about the speed of processes and suggested that there possibly should be a guarantee of a timeframe from Staff. Upon motion by Council Member Chavez, seconded by Council Member Dando, and unanimously carried, the continuation agreement and second amendment with the Sedway Group for the referenced services, were approved and their execution authorized. Vote: 10-0-1-0. Absent: Vice Mayor Shirakawa, Jr. Council Member Reed asked if the consultants had prepared a written report. Staff responded that they would provide reports prepared for February and March.

The Joint Redevelopment Agency/City Council meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, San Jose.

RON GONZALES, MAYOR

ATTEST:

PATRICIA L. O’HEARN

CITY CLERK