The Council of the City of San José convened
at 8:25 p.m. to hear Item 7.1 in a Joint Session with the Redevelopment Agency
Board.
Present: Council Members - Campos, Chavez, Chirco, Cortese, Dando, Gregory, LeZotte, Reed, Williams, Yeager; Gonzales.
Absent: Council Members - None.
7.1 City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board approval of the Saint James Park Master Plan Update. CEQA: Exempt. PP 02-05-108 {CENTURY CENTER}
Documents Filed: (1) Memorandum from Council Member Chavez,
dated January 21, 2003, recommending approval of the Saint James Park Master
Plan Update and in addition, approval of the appointment of an oversight
committee to serve throughout the implementation period with support staff
provided. (2) Memorandum from City Manager Del Borgsdorf and Executive Director
Redevelopment Agency Susan Shick, dated January 21, 2003, recommending approval
of the Saint James Park Master Plan Update. (3) Report entitled “Saint James
Park Master Plan Update 2002”, dated November 2002, prepared for the City
of San José by Roystan, Hanamoto, Alley & Abey.
Discussion/Action: Mayor Gonzales introduced Director of
Downtown Management Leslie Little, who stated the Saint James Park Master Plan
Update is an example of community collaboration, with a task force including
members of the Historic Preservation Committee, homeless providers, church
advocates for different social services, business owners, area residents,
housing advocates and members of the Saint James Senior Center. She stated the
main goals of the Saint James Master Plan would upgrade and enhance the visual
environment of the park to reflect its role as one of the most important public
spaces in City of San José’s downtown and also to measure that goal against
maintaining the National Register status of the park and all of the other
respect that the park is due. She stated Staff also worked with the Senior
Citizens Commission, the Saint James Park Master Plan Task Force, the
Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, the San José
Landmarks Commission, and City Staff from Public Works. Director Little
introduced Manuela King, Principal Consultant, of Roystan, Hanamoto, Alley
& Abey who gave a slide presentation on the Saint James Park Master Plan
Update, and stated this project has a very strong community outreach process
and wonderful task force.
Council Member LeZotte expressed concern about relocating the Robert F.
Kennedy memorial, and stated she read the report but is not satisfied with the
consultants’ conclusion. She stated her contention is that Robert F. Kennedy,
if he didn’t speak right on the spot where the current memorial is located, did
speak in that quadrant of the park, that she is concerned about moving the
memorial to the other side of the park, and the historic nature of Robert F.
Kennedy speaking in the Park three weeks before he was assassinated should be
acknowledged correctly. Mayor Gonzales
stated there is no funding available for this project, and Council Member
Chavez stated monies were set-aside in the last budget process to take the
first step on the Master Plan, which was to move the Senior Center.
Mayor
Gonzales stated that he did not want committees established at this time.
Council Member Chavez stated that she concurred but as part of the process and
prior to development of the Master Plan, the City had two community committees
working on cleaning up the park, working with the Police department and others
to maintain the park and create a safer environment, and because Saint James
Park is very different than it was three years ago, she is interested in having
support staff continue that activity, and added that these types of services do
not cost the City money. Mayor Gonzales stated he is not opposed to the
volunteer work continuing but clarified that this is not the time to bring
people together with the thought that the plan will be implemented now. Council
Member Chavez agreed and stated the intent is to encourage volunteer
activities.
Council Member Chavez moved approval of her memorandum
dated January 21, 2003, recommending the Agency Board and City Council’s
approval of the Saint James Park Master Plan Update, and the appointment of an
oversight committee to serve throughout the implementation period with support
staff provided, with Mayor Gonzales’ stipulation of no money involved until
such time funds are made available. Vice Mayor Dando seconded the motion. Mayor
Gonzales called for public testimony. Dennis Hickey spoke on the issue. Council
Member LeZotte moved to make an amendment to the motion, to request that the
Task Force continue to work on discovering the original historic location for
the Robert F. Kennedy Podium Memorial. Council Member Chavez and Vice Mayor
Dando accepted the amendment to the motion.
On a call for the question, the motion as amended
carried unanimously, and Council Member Chavez’s memorandum, and the Saint
James Park Master Plan Update were approved, with direction that the Task Force
continue to work on discovering the original historic location for the Robert
F. Kennedy podium memorial. Vote: 11-0-0-0.
The Council of the City of San José adjourned
at 8:55 p.m.
RON GONZALES, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PATRICIA L. O’HEARN, CITY CLERK
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