Santa Rosa redevelopment agency to write its will Monday

Santa Rosa is scheduled to hold what could be the last meeting of its redevelopment agency on Monday.

First founded in 1958, the agency is one of 400 set to be dissolved by the state Feb. 1. City officials had hoped for more time to prepare for the change. State Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) has introduced legislation aimed at giving agencies until April 15 to wind down operations.

But Gov. Jerry Brown dismissed that idea Thursday at Los Angeles City Hall

"I don't think we can delay this funeral," Brown said.

The agency will have a lot on its plate.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m., the housing authority will meet to decide whether to become the "successor agency" for the housing functions performed by the redevelopment agency.

After that, the five-member redevelopment agency board will review plans to transfer the agency's two main real estate assets – the former AT&T building and the Railroad Square property leased to the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel and Spa.

The agency will also formalize the easement approved last year by the City Council allowing future residents of the Museum on the Square project to access the former AT&T building through the city's transit mall.

Finally the housing authority and redevelopment agency will hold a joint study session to review the transition of the remaining business of the redevelopment agency to the City Council, which earlier this month agreed to be its "successor agency."

Also on the agenda is a discussion of what the impact will be on the housing authority of the elimination of funds for low-income housing it received from redevelopment.

City officials have said the elimination of the agency could jeopardize four current projects slated to provide 285 units of affordable housing.

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin McCallum at 521-5207 or kevin.mccallum@pressdemocrat.com.