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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-03MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY PLANNING COMMITTEE (CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO, PALM DESERT CAMPUS) (UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE, PALM DESERT CAMPUS) Friday, December 3, 2004-- 10:00 a.m. California State University, San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus Room 205 - Mary Stuart Rogers Gateway Building - 37500 Cook Street - Palm Desert 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Tschopp convened the meeting at 10:00 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmember Jean M. Benson Mayor Pro Tem Buford A. Crites Councilman Jim Ferguson Councilman Richard S. Kelly Mayor Robert A. Spiegel David DeMauro, Vice President for Administration & Finance, CSUSB Al Mariam, Interim Executive Assistant to the President, CSUSB Jenny Zorn, Associate Provost, Academic Programs, CSUSB Fred Jandt, Dean, Palm Desert Campus, CSUSB C. Michael Webster, Vice Chancellor, Administration, UCR Terry Green, Director of External Relations, UCR David Tschopp, Committee Chairman Also Present: Hamid Azhand, Director, Capital Planning, Design and Construction, CSUSB Ken Walters, Executive Director, Palm Desert Campus, UCR Jim Baker, Desert Programs, UCR Justin McCarthy, Assistant City Manager for Redevelopment Philip Drell, Director of Community Development David Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment & Housing Stephen Y. Aryan, Assistant to the City Manager Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES of the Meeting of June 4, 2004. Upon a motion by Mayor Spiegel, second by Vice President DeMauro, and majority vote of the University Planning Committee, with Councilmember Benson ABSTAINING, the Minutes were approved as presented. MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY PLANNING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 3, 2004 V. NEW BUSINESS A. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. RIVERSIDE • Introduction of PDC Program Director Vice Chancellor Webster introduced Dr. Ken Walters as the new Executive Director. He also announced that Terry Green had been named Director of External Relations. Dr. Walters commented that he's been on board for three months, and his office was currently working with search committees for faculty recruitment. He felt they were making real progress, and the Entrepreneurial Management Programs would begin next fall. In addition to the entrepreneurial focus, the campus was also developing programs in screen writing and for the film and television industry; they are planning to build high -quality academic programs. Director Green reported that UCR was trying to blend its research strength into the new campus, where the Heckmann Center for Entrepreneurial Management would be the core, but it would also concentrate on environmental science and environmental management. They have been working closely with CVAG (Coachella Valley Association of Governments) to enhance its research activities, particularly in the area of sustainable growth. He added that CVEP (Coachella Valley Economic Partnership) had identified three target clusters where it felt the University could offer programs that would strengthen the local economy: 1) film/television/media; 2) environmental studies; 3) energy technology. He said they planned to offer a couple of Master's degree programs; they are working closely with CSU and COD (College of the Desert) to coordinate programs, and they would also be offering Extension programs. Marketing Materials for student recruitment were currently being developed and circulated to attract MBAs from throughout the country as well as locally. • Project Update - Building #1 - Building #2 Vice Chancellor Webster stated that Building #2 (State Building) was approximately 80% complete, and the Heckmann Building is approximately 75% complete, with April 15 being planned for an opening ceremony with the Foundation and Board of Trustees Meeting to be held in conjunction with the opening. Furnishings totaling $1.8 million were ordered last week. UCR officials were very pleased with the progress of their facilities. Responding to question, he confirmed that classes were scheduled to formally begin in the fall quarter. 2 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY PLANNING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 3, 2004 B. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO David DeMauro Fred Jandt • Introduction of New Committee Members — Vice President DeMauro reported that Dr. Fred Jandt has been officially named Dean of the Palm Desert Campus to replace Dr. Peter Wilson (now at Contra Costa); Dr. Al Mariam replaced Dr. Clifford Young as Executive Assistant to the President; Dr. Jenny Zorn replaced Jerry Pritchard as Associate Provost, Academic Programs; and Pamela Langford is the new Director of Alumni Affairs (absent from today's meeting). • Project Update — Vice President DeMauro went on to state that the Indian Wells Center for Educational Excellence was currently 98.5% complete, noting that the project had been a challenging one from the beginning, with reduced availability of materials and increased cost. In fact, he said that the exterior light poles were not yet installed --they should have been here six to eight weeks ago, although they should now be here within the next two weeks. He said that was also the case with the custom theater curtain and acoustic baffles, which should arrive anytime. However, he said the building is otherwise operational. Dr. Jandt added that it will be used for classes beginning the second week of January. Vice President DeMauro further reported that the State had kept its commitment to the program in Palm Desert, noting that it took a 9% budget reduction at the Main Campus in San Bemardino. He said the State also ended up allocating $240,000 for Palm Desert operation costs (utilities, maintenance). • Group II Equipment was also financed in the amount of $1.3 million —chairs, tables, counters, with phones and computers being installed now through the next two weeks. • Phase III Update — Health Science Building — Dr. Jandt stated that an expansion of the Nursing, Health Science, and Medical Arts majors would be possible with this facility. He said they had received a $750,000 pledge from the City of Indio, and the $1 million in cash from the Desert Healthcare Foundation will enable commencement of the architectural process. He further noted that they'd made a presentation yesterday to the City of Rancho Mirage, with a couple of more pending. He said the total budget for Phase III was $11.2 million. After January 1, they will be soliciting the private sector for this project; he was reasonably sure that they would be receiving more funds before year end and also anticipated that additional funding would be available from the Desert Healthcare Foundation. Director Green commented that he was pleased that other cities were getting involved and that the entire region was becoming engaged in this project. 3 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY PLANNING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 3, 2004 C. CSUSB/UCR COOPERATIVE PROJECTS Hamid Azhand Fred Jandt • View Corridor Landscape Plan — Mr. Azhand recalled for the Committee the presentation made at the last meeting, noting that comments received at that time were passed on to RGA (Ron Gregory). He displayed a new conceptual drawing, it was very similar to the last one, but he noted the following: — Ability to phase the project was still a requirement; — Comer should be the focal point; — Want it to have a comfortable feeling; — More access to both CSU and UCR campuses needed; — Still working on a final design. Mayor Pro Tem Crites offered that the site should symbolically identify the two University Systems' collaboration at this location. Mr. Drell agreed and said he felt the cooperative nature between the Universities had to be included — the triangular -shaped area at the comer could reflect such a relationship. However, he felt the scope of the project needed to be expanded to create such a signature landmark. Vice Chancellor Webster agreed. Mr. Azhand observed that it was a wide corner, 75-100 feet, on which to make such a statement, and the theme then also needed to be carried out for remainder of the corridor. Mayor Spiegel reiterated that the uniqueness of the two Systems' efforts at this site needed to be represented. Councilman Ferguson believed the design so far was minimalist in nature; whereas, the project should be laterally joining the two campuses, and access was a key element. He felt the sculpture to be sited here should tastefully augment the site and tie it into the campus, and he further suggested the design offer some variation —incorporating wider and narrower areas as the corridor makes its way into the campus. Chairman Tschopp suggested that the City's Landscape Beautification Committee and/or Architectural Review Commission be utilized for review and refinement of the design, and the ideas that have been proposed should be pursued in this process. Vice President DeMauro felt not rushing the process would be beneficial, that whatever is designed at the location could tie nicely into their Building #3, and CSU would participate in its proportionate share of cost. Vice Chancellor Webster remarked that it would be important to coordinate the design at this location so that their facility would reserve adequate space for future 4 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY PLANNING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 3, 2004 development. UCR was also looking at upgrading their design and would make themselves available to further discuss the project. He agreed that the proposed design needed work and encouraged speeding up the process. Responding to Mr Drell's comment that the space between buildings also needed to be designed, Mr. Azhand replied that CSU was taking this into account. In answer to question whether the proposed $500,000 budget was sufficient, the Committee agreed that it was not. In further response to question as to where those funds will come from, Vice President DeMauro answered that there was no money in the budget at this time nor had any gifts been designated for this project. Therefore, a gifting opportunity existed for donors. Dr. Jandt stated that CSU had been offered a sculpture from a local artist, who is also willing to work with a conceptual design for the site. The proposal is very preliminary at this time, but it may help to facilitate the process of completing the overall design for this site. Vice Chancellor Webster pointed out that UCR was having plant material installed on January 3, and they needed to move forward fairly quickly. Chairman Tschopp proposed a subcommittee, and Mayor Spiegel agreed that it would be appropriate to use the City's Landscape Beautification Committee and appropriate staff representation from each University to work on the design. He added that the design should be reviewed without looking at cost. He also observed that there will be another location for such a design at Gerald Ford Drive. In response to further discussion and upon a motion by Councilman Ferguson, second by Vice President DeMauro, and unanimous vote of the University Planning Committee, it was agreed that the View Corridor Landscape Plan be reviewed and refined by a group consisting of representatives from the City's Landscape Beautification Committee and its Architectural Review Commission, working with David DeMauro, Hamid Azhand, and Fred Jandt of CSU; RGA Landscape Architects; Michael Webster and Jim Baker of UCR and its landscape architect of record; along, with the City's Public Arts Manager working with the sculpture proposal, with a preliminary meeting "for this purpose to be held within 60 days. • Internet 2/CENIC Capabilities — Dr. Jandt reported *at the University was on schedule with CENIC/Internet 2, with completion 'of installation anticipated in February or March. He noted that this would connect UC-Riverside to CSU .and COD (College of the Desert). They currently have wireless capability; however, the Internet 2/CENIC would be the backbone connection and will provide the needed capacity for many years. Mr. Baker commented that the two campuses were already linked with conduit, but expanded capability allows for future changes. 5 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY PLANNING COMMITTEE DECEMBER 3, 2004 Upon inquiry, Vice President DeMauro said CSU will look into having a COD representative participate in the University Planning Committee Meetings. In a related report, Vice President DeMauro stated that the 200-car parking lot has been completed on the two as of yet unused lanes of Berger Circle Drive, which will eventually have four lanes. Vice Chancellor Webster added that UCR will start construction on their parking lot in January, which will have approximately 280 spaces and will connect to the two lanes of Berger Circle Drive, providing a complete way to get through the campus. Responding to inquiry about when the Universities would require more of the pledged acreage, officials agreed that it would be necessary in the near future and a formal request would be tendered. Vice President DeMauro stated that in the immediate future, CSU would be requiring an easement from the City to install Internet 2. D. WALKING TOUR OF CSUSB'S INDIAN WELLS CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE. Fred Jandt With Committee concurrence, the meeting was adjourned to the Walking Tour at 10:30 a.m. VI. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, Chairman Tschopp adjoumed the meeting at 11:30 a.m., and the next meeting was tentatively scheduled for April 2005 to be held at UCR-Palm Desert facilities. ATTEST: 2 RA ELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY'CLERK/SECI'•2ETARY CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA/ UNIVERSITY PLANNING COMMITTEE c DAVID TSCHOPP, CHAIRNIAN� 6