Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 Sustainability Cmte 10192020CITY OF PALM DESERT CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020 — 3:00 P.M. ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dean Gatons called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Member Berlinda Blackburn Member Vincent Heuring at 3:38 p.m. Member David O'Donnell Member Mel Robertson Member Evan Trubee Vice -Chair James Henderson Chair Dean Gatons Also Present: Absent: Member Dennis Guinaw CITY COUNCIL ACTION APPROVED DENIED RECEIVED OTHER MF,ETING DA AYES. IV"114F.01 ar�li v Gina Nestande, Mayor NOES: Novie Jan C. Harnik, Councilmember ABSENT: Randy Bynder, Interim City Manager ABSTAIN: Dn r 5 Ryan Stendell, Director of Community LNVI8 fhy: Tom Garcia, Director of Public Works Original on File with City Clerk's Office Heather Horning, Senior Management Analyst Amy Lawrence, Management Analyst Monica O'Reilly, Management Specialist II Mariana Rios, Management Specialist I III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Interim City Manager Randy Bynder introduced himself to the Committee. Chair Gatons congratulated Ms. Lauri Aylaian for her service to the community for so many years and welcomed Mr. Bynder in the interim. MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE OCTOBER 19, 2020 IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee meeting of July 27, 2020. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Member Blackburn, seconded by Member O'Donnell, and a 6-0 vote of the Citizens' Sustainability Committee, the minutes were approved as presented (AYES: Blackburn, Gatons, Henderson, O'Donnell, Robertson, and Trubee; NOES: None; ABSENT: Guinaw and Heuring). V. NEW BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION on City Operations during the Pandemic by Director of Community Development Ryan Stendell Director of Community Development Ryan Stendell provided a PowerPoint presentation on City operations during the pandemic, budget implications ($8.3 million projected gap), and an update on projects. Councilmember Jan Harnik referred to the San Pablo project and asked when the City will remove the triangles from the street on San Pablo Avenue. Senior Management Analyst Heather Horning responded that she did not know and would get back to Councilmember Harnik. Member David O'Donnell asked what the purpose of the triangles is. Mr. Stendell replied that the triangles are intended to be a safety enhancer; however, they have created confusion for drivers. Chair Gatons inquired if there is a ballot drop box at City Hall. Mr. Stendell replied, yes. The box is located at the front of the Council Chamber. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII. OLD BUSINESS None VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Staff 1. Review of the General Plan (Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 Health and Wellness) 2 WAStaff Reports - Shared 2\Staff Reports 02-11-2021\4 -City Clerk - 02-11-2021\Sustainability Minutes\01 10-19-20 sig min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE OCTOBER 19, 2020 Mr. Stendell provided a brief overview of Chapters 4 and 5. Chapter 4 describes the City's goals and policies related to transportation. Chapter 5 presents priorities, objectives, and goals for health and wellness improvements throughout the community. Member Evan Trubee referred to Chapter 5 and asked if the City has achieved getting five acres of park space for every 1,000 residents. Mr. Stendell responded that it depends if the City counts open space. He said the City has not achieved getting the five acres if counting active space. He noted that the City has acquired and conserved hundreds of acres of hillside open space. Councilmember Harnik asked if park space includes hiking trails. Mr. Stendell replied yes, noting that the number depends on how you want to look at the statistics. Member Trubee asked if there are any plans to make El Paseo more pedestrian - and bike -friendly. Mr. Stendell responded that the City Council did studies regarding El Paseo. The most recent study was prepared by the Gibbs Planning Group who provided the City with recommendations. However, the City Council has not moved forward with the recommendations. Councilmember Harnik commented that the consultants provided their ideas, and the Council would take the information and figure how to integrate those ideas with the community. Member O'Donnell mentioned that bike lanes disappear going south on San Pablo Avenue crossing Highway 111. He asked how the City is going to handle bike lanes from Highway 111 to El Paseo. Mr. Stendell deferred the question to the Public Works Director. Public Works Director Tom Garcia referred to CV Link Phase II, which would connect from the Bump and Grind to Painters Path and across the channel. The City has not determined the final location of the bicycle and pedestrian paths. They are looking at connectivity from the existing CV Link, and a way of looping it through the City at the best end points. Staff is aware that El Paseo and San Pablo Avenue are critical areas. Member James Henderson stated that he would never use a bike lane in Palm Desert. He said he sees people all the time not paying attention and swerving into bike lanes. He asked if the City could add perforations in the pavement, so people know that they are going into the bike lane. 3 WAStaff Reports - Shared 2\Staff Reports 02-11-2021\4 -City Clerk - 02-11-2021\Sustainability Minutes\01 10-19-20 sig min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE OCTOBER 19, 2020 Mr. Garcia responded that they are called rumble strips. He said the strips do not work well in residential areas because the rumble would be heard by the residents all day and night. Member Mel Robertson interjected that new vehicles give a warning when you cross over the line. Member Henderson asked if the City annexed or created easements for the Bump and Grind and other trails for conservation purposes. Mr. Stendell replied, yes. He said the City has either ownership or mutual partnerships with agencies, which encompasses approximately 13 miles of hiking trails. Member Henderson asked if the City is responsible for maintaining the trails. Mr. Stendell answered that the City has an obligation to monitor and maintain the trails. The City has agreements with the Friends of the Desert Mountains and other volunteer networks that help the City. Member O'Donnell commented that he was on a bike ride on the Hopalong Cassidy Trail and came behind a woman who was jog -walking. He yelled at her several times loudly "rider back" and she never responded, and then noticed that she had on big headphones. He said he ended up touching the woman on the shoulder to let her know he was there; however, she got very offensive. He asked if the City could monitor people with those kinds of devices. Mr. Stendell replied that he would talk to the Friends of the Desert Mountains. As stewards, they do educational days and these types of items can be added to their program. Member O'Donnell mentioned that he saw a great sign in Park City, reminding people there is no poop bag fairy for people that want to leave their poop bags on the trail. Mr. Stendell stated that City staff would look into reaching out to the bikers and hikers. Chair Gatons asked for an update on the Portola Avenue Interchange. Mr. Garcia believed that the approvals from Caltrans would be 100 percent complete by the end of October. However, the City has not been able to secure the right-of-way with Union Pacific Railroad. They feel their land is worth $8 to $10 million. The other issue is funding for the project. The City is hoping for a stimulus package in the first quarter of 2021. Councilmember Harnik added that Union Pacific has a lot of power, and it is very difficult to work with them. She noted that the City is not receiving funds from sales tax that we have been accustomed to and hopes for a stimulus package or grants. 4 WAStaff Reports - Shared 2\Staff Reports 02-11-2021\4 -City Clerk - 02-11-2021\Sustainability Minutes\01 10-19-20 sig min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE OCTOBER 19, 2020 Referencing Chapter 5 and collector streets, Chair Gatons commented that he wants to make sure speed limits are being enforced. He lives on Hovley Lane West, and motorists are speeding and throwing out trash. Mr. Stendell said he would mention Hovley Lane West to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. Chair Gatons also mentioned that the synagogue had a private school, but it is now a private nursery school. He asked if it is still considered a school zone. Mr. Garcia responded that he would need to look at the specific limits and conditions. Mr. Stendell stated that staff would look at the school and get back to Chair Gatons. Lastly, staff will let the Committee know which chapters they will discuss at the next meeting. 2. Update on San Pablo Mr. Garcia reported that the second phase of the San Pablo project would begin at the end of October. The intersection at College of the Desert going north to Magnesia Fall would be closed. Once a temporary signal is constructed, Fred Waring Drive to Magnesia would be closed, which would be around December. He noted that there would be major traffic impacts. Mr. Stendell briefly listed the Phase II improvements. Ms. Lawrence mentioned that there will be artwork in all the roundabouts (three). She said the City would advertise for each art piece separately. Mr. Garcia informed Councilmember Harnik that a contractor would remove the arrows on San Pablo Avenue before the end of the year. Member Berlinda Blackburn asked if there is any information on the tamarisk trees. She asked what trees are being removed, why are they being removed, is it water consumption, are they too old, carbon sequestering and how it would balance out. Mr. Stendell responded that there is a section showing the new shade trees with additional parking. Member Blackburn commented that she would like to see what the improvements would look like. Councilmember Harnik wrote a letter to Your Voice in The Desert Sun about the tamarisk trees and received many responses. She encouraged the Committee to Google the article. Chair Gatons asked how old the trees are. 5 WAStaff Reports - Shared 2\Staff Reports 02-11-2021\4 -City Clerk - 02-11-2021\Sustainability Minutes\01 10-19-20 sig min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE OCTOBER 19, 2020 Mr. Bynder guessed the trees are about 71 years old. 3. Update on Gas Powered Leaf Blower Regulation Mr. Stendell stated that Ms. Lawrence did a lot of research on this item. As previously mentioned, the City Council formed a subcommittee to review commissions and committees to identify if there should be any refocus efforts or combine a couple of them. Before tackling any major policy efforts, staff wants to wait until they understand what the Council expects and what their desires are. Leaf blowers are an effort that could be a six-, nine-, or 12-month process depending on the amount of engagement with the community. Councilmember Harnik noted that the subcommittee's next meeting is scheduled for October 28. B. Committee Members Member Blackburn asked when election signs are required to be removed. Mr. Stendell responded that the City gives candidates 15 or 30 days to remove the signs. If they are not removed, the City's Code Compliance Division will start calling candidate offices or remove the signs. Member Trubee asked when is the anticipated completion date for Phase II of the San Pablo improvements. Mr. Garcia believed the completion is fall 2021. Member Trubee asked if CV Link would be completed in spring 2021. Mr. Garcia explained that CV Link would be completed with improvements at Magnesia Falls in spring 2021. At the beginning of the meeting, staff reported that the City had a shortfall of $8.3 million. Chair Gatons asked if there are any efforts to have people shop in Palm Desert. Mr. Stendell replied, yes. He said the City started a campaign called Unite Palm Desert. Mayor Gina Nestande added that there is also a radio commercial broadcasting a message to support local businesses. Chair Gatons stated that his kids are home from college due to the pandemic. He said they want to know what the status of Chick-fil-A is. Mr. Stendell responded that Chick-fil-A has worked through their entire permit package. They could pull permits and start construction within 30 or 60 days. At this point, it is on Chick-fil-A's side of the table. 6 WAStaff Reports - Shared 2\Staff Reports 02-11-2021\4 -City Clerk - 02-11-2021\Sustainability Minutes\01 10-19-20 sig min.docx MINUTES CITIZENS' SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE OCTOBER 19, 2020 Chair Gatons noted that this is the Committee's last meeting for 2020. Ms. Lawrence stated that if the Committee continues to meet quarterly, the meeting might be Monday, January 25. By then, staff should have more information if there would be any new configurations to the Sustainability Committee. IX. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, Chair Gatons adjourned the meeting at 4:18 p.m. Monica O'Reilly, Recording retary 7 WAStaff Reports - Shared 2\Staff Reports 02-11-2021\4 -City Clerk - 02-11-2021\Sustainability Minutes\01 10-19-20 sig min.docx