Home Oakley Oakley City Council Recap: Dollar General Re-Approved

Oakley City Council Recap: Dollar General Re-Approved

by ECT

Oakley

By way of a 4-0 vote, the Oakley City Council reaffirmed a prior decision to to sell the former CentroMart Building to Cross Development, LLC who will be placing a Dollar General Market in the location. Rather than re-bid, the sale was re-approved for $630,000.

“I am concerned about being more committed to having a market than anything else. We don’t want a dollar store. Is there an absolute guarantee that they could decide they don’t like that model and switch over to a dollar general?” asked Councilwoman Diane Burgis.

City Manager Brian Montgomery explained that at any time they wanted to do anything other than grocery store they would have to go get a conditional usage permit and the council would have to approve it.

“If we were to send it out to rebid, what would the timeline be?” asked Burgis.

Montgomery responded that this project was approved under initial bill. A new bill added steps. First they have to approve an audit and blessing. Once complete, need a property management plan and get approval. Those two steps could take 3-6 months. Then bid process we need another RFP and that process. He stated it could be 6-9 months in total to re-bid the project.

Councilwoman Carol Rios suggested the re-bid could take up to a year.

“I would guess something would not be established for a year,” said Montgomery. “We do know the proceeds are not the city’s funds. The state has a desire to control the funds.”

“If we did send it out to re-bid, would be limited to taking the highest bid?” said Burgis. “And would we be able to have control over the use.”

Montgomery explained the state would have to approve the property management bid. If “Bid A” was high and a use not a use Oakley would be excited about, but “Bid B” was lower and something we were excited about, Oakley would be forced to take the higher bid if the difference was significant. If its close, an argument could be made.

“I see a few advantages right now. They have a plan to improving building and will bring in tax dollars. Its something the state has not disapproved and have approved it and previous approved under previous council. Time wise, if they are approved this, when do you think they will start,” asked Councilman Doug Hardcastle.

Montgomery stated they would be able to open at some point next spring (2014).

Approved 4-0.

Council Notes

  • Diane Burgis recused herself from Item 3.5 due to conflict of interest.
  • The council approved an extension agreed upon by the Oakley Seniors and HALO to postpone the seniors move into the former fire house. Both groups said the deal was beneficial to both parties. This pushes back a moving date from April to June.
  • According to Vice Mayor Pope, Mayor Kevin Romick does not throw like a girl as he threw out the first pitch during the East Conty Little League Opening Day.
  • There will be a ribbon cutting on Monday, March 18 at 4:30 to celebrate the Marsh Creek Restoration Project.

Lauritzen Encourage Ferry to Oakley Over Antioch

Here is something I can appreciate as Chris Lauritzen, Lauritzen Yacht Harbor, stated he would like the council to explore options to bring a ferry service to Oakley instead of Antioch. He suggested Oakley would be a better spot and make for a much better site.

“Why Oakley? It’s a better site. Antioch plans on having their ferry service some place around the Antioch Marina. You can’t get to it. We think the marinas in Oakley, Driftwood Marina or Lauritzen Yacht Harbor would make much better site not only for the people of Oakley but for residents of Pittsburg, Antioch because of reverse commute. We are all looking for something that will be the synergy for growing the northwest development zone of Oakley. A ferry service, landing, terminal might be that in conjunction with other types of development. The water emergency transportation authority is giving out the money and would request to see about getting into the program to get some funds”

Montgomery stated its very late in the game and three sites have already been allocated for the $25 million. Montgomery stated it could be evaluated in future sites. Perhaps in the next month they will report back.

The next council meeting will be held on March 26.

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6 comments

Oakley Watchdog Mar 13, 2013 - 1:09 pm

way to go council and mr city manager you found a way to screw something else up. A library would have been a much better option. Now we get a dollar market when we already have enough grocery stores.

Former Chamber Member Mar 13, 2013 - 1:14 pm

They should have read your article from the other day and re-bid this. The state is going to nail them. I wouldn’t be surprised if other interested parties sue the city over this favoritism.

burkforoakley Mar 13, 2013 - 1:19 pm

Thanks, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink. While I did not include this in the recap, since the original deal was “pulled” in August and no deal was then “official”, it would no longer follow the “old rules” Montgomery was claiming during the meeting. This is kinda like making up the rules as you go along.

Any new approval would mean it would fall under the updated set of rules meaning they need to go back to the state anyway after following the process. Time will tell what happens. I can appreciate their urge to resolve this quickly and get the building sold, but it will bite them at some point in the future.

Michelle Mar 13, 2013 - 1:25 pm

A dollar general is a great idea to bring people to downtown. NOT!!!!!

Julio-Antioch Mar 13, 2013 - 4:20 pm

Citizens have to be much more responsible in the way they vote for council members. They do make up the rules as they go along even in Antioch. I have yet to city a city attorney worth their salt and city managers go right along with it. Come on people. ALL people of east county have to do better.

Cathy Mar 13, 2013 - 8:08 pm

Mr Burkholder- Were there any comments from the public?

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