Project prioritizing and recognitions on Council’s April 9 agenda
The City Council on Tuesday, April 9 will discuss prioritizing a number of projects among other business.
The business portion of the meeting starts at 6 pm in the Council Chamber at 200 Civic Center.
During the presentation portion of the meeting, the Council will proclaim April as National Donate Life Month. The designation is significant as organ, eye, tissue, marrow and blood donation are life-giving acts recognized worldwide as expressions of compassion to folks in need. More than 100,000 people nationwide and more than 20,000 in California are currently on the national organ transplant waiting list, and on average, 17 people die each day while waiting.
In addition, the Council will recognize Council Member Wendy Bucknum for being honored by Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez (R-Rancho Santa Margarita) as AD71 Woman of the Year for her dedication and continued service to the Mission Viejo community.
In other news, Council members will consider cost estimates and potential financing options of a proposed parking structure at the Oso Creek Golf Course.
In a related item, the Council will also consider a parking structure as part of a prioritization discussion of a variety of projects. Council Members will deliberate to assign priorities to the different projects and provide direction to City staff as necessary.
Council meetings are streamed live on the City’s website and air on Cox Channel 30 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the City's eNewsletter and follow the City's official social media sites for the most accurate, up-to-date information.
Comments
Is the Council trying to…
Is the Council trying to destroy the Village Center?
When I was on the city council, the Village Center was one of the highest revenue producers in the City. The CVS store is THE draw to the Center and now the City wants to convert it to a 300 seat theatre? Wouldn't it make more sense to look at the empty buildings in "The Pit" shopping center on Cabot Road, with freeway visibility?
The vision plan is going to knock down a portion of the Stein Mart building and put in an elevator to reach the creek and turn the sewage treatment plant into a tourist destination.
Without public support, the prior council voted in 2021 in support of $46 million in bonds with an annual bonded indebtedness of over $3 million.
To pay for this debt, this is a statement from the 09/14/2021 Staff Report: "Staff would look to reduce the subsidy for the Recreation Department by either reducing programs or services, increasing fees or some combination of both. Staff would also develop proposals to reduce annual landscape maintenance contracts, including slope rehabilitations and tree maintenance to fund the entire first and second issue debt service payments estimated to begin in 2024."
If this was a viable vision, then it would be self-supporting, using revenues generated from the boutiques shops and restaurants proposed to occupy the revamped Stein Mart building. Instead, we the public will again be receiving less services and higher costs. With the purchase of the golf course, the City service of street sweeping was added into our trash bill - but it's not a line item, so most of our citizens are unaware of the added charge.
The council majority are termed out. They should not be making long term financial decisions that will negatively impact our community. It is going to be the next council that will have to balance a budget that will undoubtedly require cuts to programs and services, starting with the Recreation Department, landscaping, and tree maintenance. And that would be just the beginning of the needed cuts to fund the special interest projects, that includes a $25 million parking garage for the Nadadores, with an employees lounge.
But before moving forward with the purchase of a building, first deposit the money from private donors. If there are not any substantial donations, then the project is not sustainable, in the same manner that the City is having trouble finding "partners" for the vision plan.
On 03/26/2024, the City…
On 03/26/2024, the City Council introduced a proposal for a 62,000 sq ft, $113,610,000 -( not a typo, yes over $113 million) performing arts theatre with another $9 million for a studio theatre with classroom, plus another $28 Million for a two story parking garage. What is even scarier, is the City has NEVER come in on budget or on time.... Compare with this 04/04/2024 OCRegister article:
$61 million Arts Village showcased at Irvine Valley College
By HEATHER MCREA | hmcrea@scng.com | Orange County Register
PUBLISHED:
April 4, 2024 at 4:29 p.m.
| UPDATED:
April 4, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
Irvine Valley College has debuted its latest production.
It’s a big one this time, a new $61 million Arts Village constructed on campus that adds “top-of-the-line” studios, rehearsal spaces, a 150-seat auditorium and more.
Three buildings comprise the more than 62,000-square-foot addition, a facility dedicated to music and dance, another to visual arts and a fine arts building that includes a gallery – and school officials say they are decked out with the latest technology.
The Arts Village was celebrated with an open house Wednesday evening, with tours and a showcase of the work being done by students and faculty.
In the auditorium, musicians played a pair of pianos under a spotlight on the stage. The college acquired 19 Steinway & Sons pianos – 12 grands and seven uprights – at a cost of $1.2 million and now can boast the designation of being a All-Steinway School, officials said.
