Times-Standard - 04/12/2006
Some Raise Questions on Overlap of Visioning, Balloon Tract
Meetings
by Kimberly Wear
EUREKA -- At least one community group is seeing red over the timing
of a City Council strategic visioning meeting Thursday that overlaps
with another on the Balloon Tract. But, the city manager says there's
no conspiracy, just a scheduling matter.
Public notices went out Monday announcing the workshop where the council
will meet with facilitator Roger James to discuss the document, which
lays out goals and priorities. The selection of a new police chief will
also be a subject.
City Manager David Tyson said the session is being called now because
the process is used as a budget guide and James has a tight schedule
in upcoming months. So, city staff grabbed what day worked with most
of the council, he said.
”I know some people would like to think this is some kind of conspiracy
to distract attention from the Balloon Tract,” Tyson said.
Another meeting may take place April 19.
The workshop overlaps by one hour with the city's first public “scoping” meeting
where city staff will take public comment on the Marina Center project
as part of the environmental review process.
Several City Council members said they learned last week that the visioning
workshop was coming up, catching some by surprise. Others said they recall
the subject being brought up during council meetings but hadn't been
sure when a follow-up was going to happen.
”It's one of those things you need to get back to, otherwise it
just sits on the shelf,” said Councilman Mike Jones. “Simply
put, it's not some deep dark secret that the strategic visioning
process takes place.”
”The reality is, it is what it is and it will be what it will
be,” he added.
Councilman Chris Kerrigan said he was disappointed at the timing. Something
as important as the visioning process should be more accessible to the
public and preferably not conflict with another important meeting, he
said.
”And, of course, my concern is when it comes to the Balloon Tract,
we have not followed the strategic visioning document,” Kerrigan
said. “In fact, we've done exactly the opposite.”
One of the goals outlined in the document was, “Complete a Balloon
Track Master Plan to determine the highest and best uses for the site.” Just
before hiring the consultant to create the plan, the council voted
4-1 not to go ahead.
In a recent letter to the Board of Supervisors, Councilman Jeff Leonard
said that the plan's intent was to attract a buyer and once developer
Rob Arkley came forward, the city decided to save itself and the Headwaters
Fund some money.
But some have continued to push for another look at options for the
contaminated former rail yard that Arkley is close to purchasing from
Union Pacific.
In a Local Solutions e-mail circulated Tuesday, questions were raised
about the timing.
”Unexpectedly, the Eureka City Council and staff have decided
to hold a session to review and possibly change the council's strategic
visioning document,” it reads. “One must question the
timing of such an event especially after the council has come under
criticism for choosing to follow Arkley's plan instead of their own
as it relates to the Balloon Tract.”
”This event is open to the public, but we suspect they would rather
we not show up!” the e-mail states.
Leonard said he sees no reason why the section pertaining to the Balloon
Tract master plan would be changed. He said when the supervisors recently
asked the council to reconsider creating a master plan, they voted to
place the idea on the back burner.
”It's an alternative plan,” he said, adding that's one
way the council could go if something were to change with the Marina
Center proposal. That project is in the beginning stages of a lengthy
development process that will eventually land before the California
Coastal Commission.
Leonard said the visioning workshops help city staff prepare the budget
and will give the council an opportunity to discuss replacing Police
Chief David Douglas.
He officially retired New Year's Eve from the post he's held for
nearly six years and after 31 years with the department. Douglas
will continue serving in a “temporary” status at least
until December.
The 3 p.m. strategic visioning workshop is scheduled to take place at
the Bay Room in the Wharfinger Building. The public scoping meeting runs
from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at City Hall.
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