Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-11-15MINUTES ADJOURNED JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1983 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Snyder convened the meeting at 4:00 p.m. H. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present: Excused Absence: Councilmember Phyllis Jackson Councilman Romeo S. Puluqi Councilman S. Roy Wilson Mayor Walter H. Snyder Mayor Pro-Tem Richard S. Kelly Agency Members Present: Excused Absence: Member Phyllis Jackson Member Romeo S. Puluqi Member S. Roy Wilson Chairman Walter H. Snyder Also Present: Vice Chairman Richard S. Kelly Bruce A. Altman, City Manager Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director Sheila R. Gilligan, City Clerk/Agency Secretary Ramon A. Diaz, Director of Environmental Services Barry D. McClellan, Director of Public Works III. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR VISITOR/INFORMATION/CHAMBER BUILDING TO BE LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF HIGHWAY 111 AND MONTEREY AVENUE. Mr. Altman reviewed a memo given to the Council and Agency regarding the Visitor/Information Center and advised that it was staff's recommendation that no action be taken at this meeting but instead give staff a sense of direction so that it could come back on December 8, 1983, with the deduction order for the alternative chosen. He also recommended a contract be negotiated prior to any official action with the following alternatives: 1. Reject the bids and go back to the drawing board. 2. Award a bid with the Chamber of Commerce paying the difference. 3. Award a bid on December 8, 1983, with the Agency paying the difference. If this alternative was chosen, a decision would have to be made as to where the funds would come from. 4. The Agency and Chamber could share the difference. 5. Denny's Restaurant has again offered to purchase the piece of MINUTES -- JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL do PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY NOVEMBER 15, 1983 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** property on which the Center is to be located, and this offer would have to be decided on before the other four alternatives could be considered. He noted that the offer to purchase was for $145,000 - -$10,000 more than the original offer. MR. SAM TETLER, Representative of Denny's, stated he felt the corner did not have enough access for the Chamber and the property would be better utilized for additional parking for the restaurant. He noted that the restaurant had to give easements to the Town Center and thus lost a good deal of its parking. This additional land would help them alleviate their parking problems. Mr. Diaz advised that the easement was a result of an agreement between the two property owners and did not involve the City. Additionally he explained that with regard to the landscaping and the vacation of Frontage Road, the reason it had to be landscaped was because parking was not allowed there nor was a turn -around area. In order to vacate the Frontage Road at the request of Denny's, the landscaping became a condition of approval. As far as the access out onto Monterey and a joint access between the parcel that was left, it was for mutual benefit. With regard to the access driveway, when Denny's first requested it, the Town Center indicated it would not permit it unless Denny's was improved. With the remodel of the restaurant, the Town Center gave the access. With regard to funding, Mr. Altman reported that there was approximately $2.4 million in the Redevelopment Agency budget and $1.38 million budgeted for other projects such as the Highway 111 curb and gutter project ($228,000), Highway 111 landscaping ($600,000), and Monterey widening ($85,000) from which funds could be taken to make up the $75,000 difference for the Center. Another alternative would be to borrow monies from the City or a financial institution and amend the budget to increase the overall appropriation by $75,000. He concluded by stating that by waiting to make a decision at the December 8th meeting would allow the Architectural Review Commission an opportunity to review the revised plans submitted. Councilman Puluqi stated it was his understanding that the Chamber had certain funds for leasehold improvements and furniture of $20,000 and with that money, the difference to the City would be $50,000. He felt money should be appropriated and the project expedited. Councilman Wilson stated his concern that the redesign of the building had not gone to the Architectural Review Commission, and he felt it should look at it and agree that the redesign was in keeping with the original idea. He also felt that a better site would have been acros the street on the east side of Monterey. MR. SANDY BAUM, Realtor and Chamber member, advised that he had contacted the owner of that piece of property within the past 30 days. The property was not for sale and additionally the owner had put a value of $500 a square foot on it and wanted to lease it with a return of 10-12% annually. Councilmember Jackson stated she felt the longer the City procrastinated in getting our Chamber in business, the more of an injustice to the business community. Councilman Wilson stated another reason the ARC should review the plans was to review the parking situation which he felt was bad since it will get much traffic. He suggested that Council/Agency direct staff to explore the other site and no action be taken until after the Architectural Review Commission meeting of November 22nd. -2- MINUTES - JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL & PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY NOVEMBER 15, 1983 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Upon question by Mayor/Chairman Snyder, the Chamber representatives responded that the delay would not be a problem. Mr. Altman noted that he felt the Council would have to adopt a resolution appropriating the funds from the Redevelopment Agency Frontage Road Fund. He said the essence of the resolution would be to authorize the award of bid subject to review of plans by the Architectural Review Commission. Upon motion by Puluqi, second by Jackson, and unanimous vote of the Agency Board Members present, the Redevelopment Agency took the following action: 1. Awarded the contract to the low bidder, Larson Construction Company. 2. Approved additional funding of $50,000 from the Redevelopment Agency, with $20,000 to put paid by the Chamber of Commerce with staff and Chamber representatives to work out the agreement on the transfer of monies from the Chamber. 3. Award of contract and additional funding to be contingent upon approval of the revised plans by the Architectural Review Commission. 4. Approved architect on -site supervision at no additional cost to the Agency. 5. Approved Agency Budget amendment to transfer the monies from the Frontage Road Account into the Chamber/Information Center Account already approved at $107,000. Upon motion by Jackson, second by Wilson, and unanimous vote of the Agency Board Members present, Chairman Snyder adjourned the Redevelopment Agency meeting at 6:05 p.m. B. REQUEST FOR AMENDMENT TO THE 1983-84 BUDGET AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL CLERICAL ASSISTANCE. C. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATION FOR THE EMPLOYEES' CHRISTMAS PARTY. Mr. Altman reported that the two items were combined on Resolution No. 83-123. The first item dealt with additional clerical help inasmuch as with the move to the new Civic Center, additional help was needed to relieve on the switchboard, help in the City Clerk's Department and the City Manager's Department, as well as helping other areas as needed. With regard to the appropriation for the employee's Christmas party, he noted that the request was for $700. Mayor Snyder stated he did not feel monies for alcoholic beverages should be approved in that it might place the City in a libelous position. Deputy City Attorney Doug Phillips agreed. Upon motion by Puluqi, second by Jackson, Resolution No. 83-123, appropriating $700 for the employees' Christmas Party (with the deletion of Item No. 2 relative to the purchase of alcoholic beverages) and $8,000 for a Clerk Typist I position, was approved by a unanimous vote of the Councilmembers present. IV. XVI. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - A None REPORTS AND REMARKS A. CITY MANAGER 1. Update on the Strategic Planning_ Session to be Held December 1, 1983, at Shadow Mountain Resort ac Racquet Club. -3- MINUTES JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL do PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** NOVEMBER 15, 1983 Mr. Altman reported that arrangements had been made for the use of the Executive Suite at Shadow Mountain Resort & Racquet Club for December 1st. The meeting would start at 10 a.m.. 2. RESOLUTION NO. 83-124 - APPROVING APPLICATION FOR BIKEWAY FUNDS. Mr. Diaz reported that there was a Cal -Trans program for additional bikeway funding for which the City could apply for a grant of up to $90,000. The adoption of this resolution would not mean that the City would actually get these funds, but it would allow the City to apply for such funding. He further stated that the funds, if received, would be used for the Whitewater Channel Bikeway Project which would ultimately connect the Sports Complex with the College of the Desert Campus and future San Pablo Park. Upon motion by Wilson, second by Puluqi, Resolution No. 83-124 was adopted by unanimous vote of the Councilmembers present. B. CITY ATTORNEY None C. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL 1. Declaration by Mayor that Friday, November 25, 1983, be a Holiday. Mayor Snyder declared Friday, November 25, 1983, a holiday for all City employees with the concurrence of the members of the Council. XVII. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Puluqi, second by Jackson, and unanimous vote of the Councilmembers present, Mayor Snyder adjourned the meeting at 6:42 p.m. ATTEST: SHEILA R. GIL AN, CIT SECRETARY 0 THE RE WALTER H. SNYDER, /, 1AYOR & CHAIRMAN ERK ac ELOPMENT AGENCY -4-