Staff reports council actions: commissioner reappointment, Magnolia Plaza bid rejection and $400,000 multifamily rehab program

Planning staff updated the commission on recent City Council actions and programs that bear on the commission’s work.

Mr. Dahlquist reported the City Council ratified the mayor’s reappointment of Planning Commissioner Jeff Johnson for an additional four-year term. The council also rejected all bids for the Tom Thomas Magnolia Plaza project after bid results exceeded budget expectations; staff said landscape architects will modify the east-side, passive-park improvements and the project will be re-bid later.

Dahlquist said the council unanimously approved the Via Serena specific plan at second reading, and approved a multifamily rehabilitation program to be administered by the city’s housing division. The rehabilitation program will use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and the city’s low- and moderate-income housing funds, with a program budget of $400,000. The program is targeted to small multifamily properties (eight units or fewer) and would provide up to $50,000 per owner with a required owner match of 25% (approximately $12,500). Staff described eligible uses as exterior improvements — for example roofing and landscaping — intended to address blight in neighborhoods with fragmented ownership.

Dahlquist closed by saying the council will monitor the program and consider continuing funding if it proves successful.

Commissioner Johnson thanked staff and the commission for the reappointment remarks during the meeting.