HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-05-23 (2)MINUTES
ADJOURNED JOINT MEETING OF THE
PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL
AND
PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2002
3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER CONFERENCE ROOM
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro-TemporeNice Chair Benson convened the meeting at 3:04 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Excused Absence
Mayor Pro-TemporeNice Chair Jean M. Benson Councilman/Member Jim Ferguson
Councilman/Member Buford A. Crites
Councilman/Member Robert A. Spiegel
Mayor/Chairman Richard S. Kelly arrived at 3:08 p.m.
Also Present:
Carlos L. Ortega, City Manager/RDA Executive Director
Robert W. Hargreaves, Deputy City Attorney
Richard J. Folkers, ACM for Development
Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment
Rachelle D. Klassen, Deputy City Clerk
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
MR. JEROME BEAUVAIS, 74-060 San Marino Circle, Palm Desert, addressed the City Council
with regard to the item of property negotiation on this meeting's agenda. He stated that he had
previously addressed the City Council about the property, relating how he had learned of the
home's connection to Gabby Hayes from one of Palm Desert's pioneers. He emphasized his
passion for the area and for the type of rehabilitation and renovation he would propose for the
site (the third he will have been connected with in the area), turning it into a Mediterranean -style
villa that would beckon vacation visitors to the City. He presented a scale model of his proposed
renovation, adding that everything would be beautifully crafted and that he would work within the
City's parameters for vacation homes. He asked for favorable consideration of his request,
stating that he had offered $40,000 for the property, citing that it was structurally okay but that
the rest of it was virtually dilapidated, and he estimated renovation would cost $120,000 to
$130,000. While it could be sold to someone else, no one else would turn it into what he saw —
likening the architecture to that of Green & Green Architects of South Pasadena, which built
craftsman -style homes.
Responding to Councilman/Member Spiegel, Mr. Beauvais said the City had intended to
demolish the home and replace it with affordable -income housing. In further response, he said
City staff told him that although they thought his project was a good idea, the $40,000 was too
low. But if he paid more than $40,000 for the house, he wouldn't be able to restore it in the
manner he proposed. He added that he was a custom cabinet builder, and he built homes as
he would a piece of custom cabinetry, inviting officials to take a tour of the other two homes he
had refurbished. He clarified that the home was at the corner of De Anza and Portola, the City
MINUTES
ADJOURNED JOINT MEETING OF THE
PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL AND
PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MAY 23, 2002
had purchased it and taken the property required to widen Portola Avenue, but the home was
set far enough back so that it was not actually an impediment to the widening. When he learned
that the subject house was to be torn down, he felt it was creating a blighted area, while he had
put a lot of money and effort into the adjacent home he owned; therefore, he made the City an
offer on the subject property.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
With City Council/Agency Board concurrence, Mayor/Chairman Kelly adjourned the meeting to
Closed Session at 3:15 p.m.
1) Adiourn to Closed Session:
Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.8:
1) Property: APNs 625-062-015/016
Negotiating Parties:
Agency: Justin McCarthy/Lauri Aylaian/City of Palm Desert
Property Owner: Jerome Beauvais
Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment
Conference with Legal Counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation pursuant
to Government Code Section 54956.9(b):
Number of potential cases: 4
2) Report and Action from Closed Session Made at This Meetina.
None
Mayor/Chairman Kelly reconvened the meeting at 4:00 p.m. and immediately adjourned to the
Regular Meetings of this date, with no action announced from Closed Session.
ATTEST:
(2,,,14,6 41A,
RICHARD S. KELLY, MAYOR/CHMAN
RACELL E D. KLASSEN, DEPLffY CITY CLERK/
ASSISTANT AGENCY SECRETARY
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA/PALM DESERT
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
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