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Home My WebLink About2013-01-24MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER 73510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER - 3:00 P.M. Chairman Harnik convened the meeting at 3:16 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Vice Chairman Jean M. Benson Member Van G. Tanner Member Susan Marie Weber Chairman Jan C. Harnik Absent: Member Robert A. Spiegel Also Present: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director David J. Erwin, City Attorney Rachelle D. Klassen, Secretary Bo Chen, City Engineer Russell Grance, Director of Building & Safety Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic Development Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance/City Treasurer Janet M. Moore, Director of Housing Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works Frankie Riddle, Director of Special Programs Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager Kevin Vest, Chief, Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriff's Dept. Bill Sullivan, Asst. Chief, Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriff's Dept. Michael Bianco, Admin. Sgt., Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriffs Dept. Grace L. Mendoza, Deputy City Clerk III. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Reauest for Closed Session: A. Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING JANUARY 24, 2013 1) Property: APNs 624-440-012, 624-440-017, 624-441-007, 624-431-029, 624-430-006, 624-431-011, 624-431-016, 624-440-006, 624-430-018, 624-440-019, 624-431-020, 624-440-008, 624-431-001 Negotiating Parties: Agency: John M. Wohlmuth/Janet M. Moore/City of Palm Desert/ Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency/ Palm Desert Housing Authority Property Owner: City of Palm Desert/Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency/Palm Desert Housing Authority Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment On a motion by Tanner, second by Weber, and 4-0 vote of the Housing Authority Board, with Spiegel ABSENT, Chairman Harnik adjourned the meeting to Closed Session at 3:27 p.m. She reconvened the meeting at 4:10 p.m. IV. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M. A. REPORT ON ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION. None V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Housing Authority Meeting of December 13, 2012. Rec: Approve as presented. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE AUTHORITY TREASURY - Warrant Nos. 115-Housing, 120-Housing, 126-Housing, 128-Housing, 130-Housing, 139-Housing, 144-Housing, 116HA, 121HA, 131HA, 140HA, and 145HA. Rec: Approve as presented C. HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES for the Meetings of: 1. November 14, 2012. 2. December 12, 2012. Rec: Receive and file. Upon a motion by Tanner, second by Weber, and 4-0 vote of the Authority Board, with Spiegel ABSENT, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING JANUARY 24, 2013 VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. RESOLUTIONS None VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT TO WEST COAST ARBORISTS, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,045 FOR THE 2013 CITYWIDE TREE PRUNING PROGRAM (CONTRACT NO. C32330, PROJECT NO. 932-13) (JOINT CONSIDERATION WITH THE PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL). Mayor Pro TemNice Chairman Benson stated the palm trees at Desert Willow have never been trimmed and wondered if they were included in this contract or will they remain in their natural state. Mr. Greenwood stated no palm trees were included in this contract because it's for broadly trees, and the pruning of palm trees is a separate contract. However, they are working at Desert Willow to trim some of the trees that are on the perimeter and subject to vandalism, but the interior palm trees will be left in their native state. Further responding, he confirmed the trees in the roundabout will stay intact. Mr. Wohlmuth recalled for the Council that in December 2012, there were five fires at Desert Willow, and as those fires were being investigated, staff looked for ways to mitigate the fire danger. Staff was directed to prune the skirts on all palm trees near existing buildings and on the exterior of the Desert Willow wall. He noted the vandals that lit the skirts haven't been caught. He said there are no plans to prune interior palm trees nor the traffic circle at Desert Willow Drive. Based on the pattern of vandalism, all of the fires were lit from the exterior of the wall. He said the fires carried into Holes 5 and 6 of the Fire Cliff Golf Course. He said it was a tough decision, but the theme of Desert Willow should remain native. However, in order to mitigate the fire problem, the decision was made to prune the skirts. He reiterated that no palm trees will be pruned at the roundabout circle. Councilmember/Member Weber asked staff to elaborate on the statement' made with regard to Reliable Tree Care and the lack of sufficient reference information submitted. 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING JANUARY 24, 2013 Landscape Manager Spencer Knight stated contract documents require a certain level of experience with the type of plant in a city setting, in short, working in roadways. He said the contractor didn't submit enough experience, which affects their ability to execute the contract effectively. Further responding, he said Reliable Tree Care has worked for the City before, but they typically service palm trees and broadly tree work, but they didn't have a lot of City experience. Councilmember/Member Weber stated it was unfortunate there was no one locally that could do the work. Mr. Knight said there are local contractors that can do the work, but they chose not to submit a bid the second time around. He noted West Coast Arborist has worked for the City and they have a presence in the valley; therefore, they met the criteria for the City's bid documents. Councilman/Member Tanner moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Award the subject contract for 2013 Citywide Tree Pruning Program to West Coast Arborists, Inc., Anaheim, California, in the total amount of $100,045 (City - $74,250; Housing Authority - $25,795); 2) authorize the Director of Finance to set aside an additional 10% contingency in the total amount of $10,004.50 (City - $7,425; Housing Authority - $2,579.50); 3) appropriate a total of $28,374.50 ($25,795 contract amount and $2,579.50 contingency) to the respective Housing Authority Accounts within the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Housing Authority Operating Budget; 4) authorize the Mayor/Chairman to execute the agreement — funds are available for the portion of the contract relative to the City and Assessment Districts in Parks and Recreation Account Nos. 110-4610-453-3320, 110-4611-453-3320, 110-4611-453-3371; Repair/Maintenance Medians Account No. 110-4614-453-3370, and Assessment District Fund 200 Accounts; and for the Housing Authority, appropriate a total of $28,374.50 to the respective Housing Authority Accounts within the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Housing Authority Operating Budget. Motion was seconded by Weber and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Spiegel ABSENT. IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS None X. OLD BUSINESS None 4 MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING JANUARY 24, 2013 XI. PUBLIC HEARINGS None XII . REPORTS, REMARKS, AND AUTHORITY BOARD ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR None B. AUTHORITY COUNSEL None C. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY None XIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - C None XIV. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Tanner, second by Weber, and 4-0 vote of the Authority Board, with Spiegel ABSENT, Chairman Harnik adjourned the meeting at 6:14 p.m. ATTEST: RACHELLE D. EN, SECRETARY PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY JAN HARNIK, CHAIRMAN 5