HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Manager's Report - Plan for Use of the Rodgers Senior4/3/2017
PLAN- FOR USE OF THE
RODGERS SENIORS'
CENTER BUILDING
City Managers Report
APRIL 3, 2017
ITY COUNCIL DIRECTION REGARDING
THE USE OF RODGERS CENTER
February 1, 2016:
• Council directed staff to
re -designate the Rodgers
Center for community
use. Staff presented a
plan for the interim use
of the Rodgers building
at a Council.Study
Session on April 4, 2016.
April 18, 2016:
• Council directed Staff and
Commission to use the
Public Process to determine
uses for Rodgers and presen
to a plan for use to the City
Council
• Council directed Staff to
continue programming
Rodgers ir6t=,
Meeting Date: _ �K- 3 - o? o / %
Agenda Item No.-
4/3/2017
PLANNED INTERIM USES:
CURRENT USES:
o Post 133 Veterans meetings
o Retired Senior Volunteer Program
o Police Department meetings/trainings
UPCOMING USES:
o Local non-profit group meetings
o After -School recreational programming
o Community Emergency Response Team
o Police Activity League Wrestling Program
o Community Services Summer Camps
NEXT STEPS:
COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE
MAY 6, 2017
RODGERS CENTER
• Work with the Community Services Commission to
engage the Community in a public process to
determine long term uses for the 2 acre parcel of
parkland
• Present a plan for long-term use of the Parkland to the
City Council for approval
2
4/3/2017
POTENTIAL FUTURE USES/COSTS:
o Estimated Park Development costs:
• $19500, 000
o Estimated Building repairs costs:
• The first tier repairs - $290,000
• The second tier repairs - $5709000
3
Public Comments by: Fran Varga
508 18`h Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
67Y 144XA6
Date: 03/April/2017
Good Evening Mayor and Council. I want to address the Council and various City Agencies in attendance
here concerning the future plans for the 171h Street Park, which is formerly the site of the Rogers Senior
Center. I understand there has been much discussion and some interim plans being made for the use of
this facility by various City agencies, including Huntington Beach Police Department.
We, the neighbors in the area, have been observing activities already happening on the site in last few
months, including the installation of chain link fencing and padlocks, use of the facility by city staff,
parking of HBPD vehicles, various community meetings and closed events.
As far as we, the Pubic, understand it, this 2+ acre parcel of land bounded by Orange and Pecan
Avenues, and 17th and 18th Streets has a zoning designation of Public Open Space, Parks and Recreation.
Also stated in the Deed of Sale to the City that, "It is hereby covenanted and agreed, however, with a
covenant running with the land, that the party of the second part shall maintain and keep in good
condition, the aforesaid property as a public park, and for no other purpose, otherwise the title hereby
granted will revert to and be vested in the grantor herein, or in its successors or assigns, and it or its
successors or assigns shall be entitled to the immediate possession thereof' Wow, I'm not lawyer, but
that sounds pretty clear to me. To be used only as a Public Park, and to be maintained and kept in good
condition.
Frankly, it's been a very long time since this park has been used for its stated purpose. It's about time
we raise the priority of correcting this egregious wrong. Any plans to use this park for any other purpose
is a violation of the Deed of Trust and the established Zoning ordinances of our City. It is also a violation
of the Public Trust. I sincerely hope that our Council and City Staff take this to heart, and with all due
priority, restore the 17th Street Park to a use and condition as described by our laws.
Please do not ask our City Attorney to figure out some legal loophole or technicality to condone the co-
opting of the park for some other purpose, or to provide additional space and facilities for City Agencies.
Please do not spend public funds for any more locks and chain link fencing to keep the public out. This is
a great wrong, and we are paying attention.
Thank you for your time, and your consideration.