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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-07-20MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING THURSDAY, JULY 20, 1989 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Wilson convened the meeting at 5:55 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Member Jean M. Benson Vice Chairman Buford A. Crites Member Richard S. Kelly Member Walter H. Snyder Chairman S. Roy Wilson Also Present: Carlos L. Ortega, ACM\Executive Director Doug Phillips, Deputy City Attorney Mary P. Frazier, Assistant Secretary Ramon A. Diaz, ACM/Director of Community Development/Planning Joseph Gaugush, Senior Engineer Paul Shillcock, ACM/Director of Economic Development Member Kelly moved to adjourn to Closed Session at 5:56 p.m. pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9 (a) and (b), pending and potential litigation, and 54956.8, Real Property Transactions (acquisition of property at the corner of Portola Avenue and Highway I11, and acquisition of Indian Springs Mobile Home Park). Motion was seconded by Benson and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency Board. Chairman Wilson reconvened the meeting at 8:31 p.m. with no action announced from Closed Session. III. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Meeting of the Redevelopment Agency of June 22, 1989. Rec: Approve as presented. MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING JULY 20, 1989 B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE AGENCY TREASURY - WARRANT NOS. WR0614. Rec: Approve as presented. C. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Change Order No. 1 to Contract RD- 343 with J. Murrey Construction, Inc., for Construction of the Sheriff Station. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve Change Order No. 1 to the subject contract in the amount of $140,578.00. D. REQUEST FOR RATIFICATION of Change Order No. 5 to Contract No. 00-304, Massey Sand 8 Rock Company, for Assessment District No. 87-1. Rec: By Minute Motion, ratify the City Manager's approval of the subject Change Order in the amount of $50,429.21. E. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Agreement with the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition for the Self -Help Housing Program (Contract No. RD-383). Rec: By Minute Motion: 1) Approve the agreement with the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition to implement a Self -Help Housing Program; 2) Authorize the additional appropriation of $69,000 from the Housing Fund; and 3) Authorize the Executive Director to execute said agreement. F. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Easement to Coachella Valley Water District for Water and Sewer Improvements. Rec: By Minute Motion: 1) Approve the granting of an easement to the Coachella Valley Water District for the purpose of maintaining sewer and water facilities as specified on the Civic Center Site; and 2) Authorize the Executive Director to execute said easement. G. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Easement for Electrical Service to Sheriff Station. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the easement for service at the Sheriff Station and authorize the City Clerk to process the Grant of Easement to Southern California Edison. 2 MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING JULY 20, 1989 4 * * * 4 4 4 * 4 4 * 4 4 4 * 4 * 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 H. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS to Cover Legal Expenses for Project Areas Nos. 1 and 2. Rec: By Minute Motion: 1) Authorize the transfer of $70,000 in appropriations from Account No. 850- 4195-3092 to Account No. 850-4121-3015 to cover legal expenses; and 2) Appropriate $30,000 from the Project Area No. 2 Unobligated Redevelopment Agency Fund balance for legal expenses. I. REQUEST FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT for President's Plaza Parking Lots (Contract No. RD-366). Rec: By Minute Motion, either 1) Award the bid to Massey Sand and Rock Company for the reconstruction of the President's Plaza parking lots and authorize staff to negotiate a construction change order with Massey Sand & Rock in accordance with its proposal dated July 11, 1989; OR 2) Reject all construction bids and Instruct staff to proceed to design a project in accordance with alternatives 5 or 6. J. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Additional Appropriation for Assessment District 87-1 Soils Testing Contract with Leighton and Associates (Contract No. RD-326). Rec: By Minute Motion, authorize the appropriation of an additional $25,000 to the soils testing contract with Leighton & Associates for Assessment District 87-1 from the unallocated Redevelopment Agency reserves. Chairman Wilson asked that Items E and I be removed for separate discussion under the Consent Items Held Over portion of the Agenda. Upon motion by Snyder, second by Benson, the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Items E and I, was approved as presented by unanimous vote of the Agency Board. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None V. RESOLUTIONS None 3 MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING JULY 20, 1989 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER E. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Agreement with the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition for the Self -Help Housing Program (Contract No. RD-383). Mayor Wilson questioned whether or not applications had yet been submitted to the State. Mr. Yrigoyen stated that staff was still considering doing this program through the State and had brought the matter to the Agency Board for its consideration and approval. MR. JOHN MEALEY, Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, addressed the Board and stated that the application had not been sent because until now it was not clear whether the money existed. He said the application would be filed once the Board authorizes it. Mr. Ortega stated that one item that had been discussed was the City's regulation of construction hours. He said this program depended on working people doing the construction of their homes during other than normal hours, such as evenings and weekends. He said the Municipal Code provides that the City Manager, on a case by case basis, may give approval of such additional hours for construction, and the City Manager would be asked to do so for this program. Chairman Wilson moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Approve the agreement with the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition to implement a Self -Help Housing Program; 2) Authorize the additional appropriation of $69,000 from the Housing Fund; and 3) Authorize the Executive Director to execute said agreement. Motion was seconded by Crites and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency Board. 1. REQUEST FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT for President's Plaza Parking Lots (Contract No. RD-366). Chairman Wilson stated that one of the alternatives listed in the staff report required the redesign of the entryway, and one did not. He asked to see the plot plan in order to evaluate the matter. Mr. Diaz explained the plot plan, noting that the design encourages people to turn right when they leave the parking lot. Upon question by Crites, he responded that left turns out of the parking lot would be permitted and that cars could enter by either making a right turn or left turn from Portola Avenue. 4 MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING JULY 20, 1989 s a s r s ■ * • * a a # s r a s s * r • a • s • a Chairman Wilson asked what staff's recommendation would be as Far as which alternative would be the best. Mr. Ortega responded that alternative #3 would be recommended even though Planning Department was concerned with the smaller parking spaces. MS. D 1 ANE COX, 73-950 El Paseo, stated that her business was heavily dependent on the Presidents Plaza parking lot. She read a prepared statement, noting that she had spent the past two days canvassing every business in the area and that almost everyone agreed the parking was a problem. Chairman Wilson explained that the bids received for this project had all come in much higher than the estimate; the Agency Board now had a staff report and several alternatives to consider, including rejecting all bids or negotiating with the lowest responsible bidder to move forward immediately to solve the problem. He asked staff how long it would take for construction to be completed if the Board went with the option to do the work on Presidents Plaza East. Mr. Ortega responded that indications were that it could be done by October 20th. He reminded the Board that the original project was a much larger one than just Presidents Plaza East. Chairman Wilson addressed Ms. Cox and stated that the option being considered by the Board would provide an additional 145 parking spaces in Presidents Plaza East. The dilemma is that if all bids are rejected, any reconstruction would have to wait a year, with the parking lot remaining the way it is currently. Mr. Ortega added that the option being considered would require the contractor to keep 100 spaces open at all times and not completely tear up and close the lot all at one time. He said another alternative was #7 which is basically a true restriping that would add 60 spaces. Chairman Wilson asked Ms. Cox what she, as owner of Palm Desert Stationers, would prefer be done. She responded that she would prefer not to have the entire parking lot torn up at this time but would prefer a quick restriping. However, this would not take away the need for off -site employee parking. Member Benson asked if it wouldn't be more feasible to do the major reconstruction now while there were empty lots 5 MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING JULY 20, 1989 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • which could be used for such off -site parking rather than waiting until next summer to do the major overhaul. Ms. Cox responded that the Palm Desert National Bank lot was being developed now and that the only other one she knew of was Security Pacific Bank. MR. SANDY BAUM, 45-800 Deep Canyon, said he was presently working as a consultant for Security Pacific Bank and that plans would be submitted to the City in the next 45 to 60 days, with construction possibly beginning in January. In the meantime, however, he said Security Pacific had already approved the use of those lots for parking. MR. HENRY HOYLE, 73-440 Broken Arrow, said he felt the City should try installing some signs to restrict parking in the lot to four hours. As far as enforcement of these limits, he said it would not have to be every day but perhaps several days each month. He said he agreed with Ms. Cox that nothing should be done on the reconstruction at this time. MS. SAUNDRA ODEKIRK, Plaza Portola, Portola Avenue and El Paseo, also expressed concern with the parking situation. She said the salon in her new building would be opening in September, with other businesses opening by November, and she did not feel the reconstruction and provision of additional parking spaces could wait for one year. DR. PAUL CAMPBELL, 73-910 El Paseo, expressed opposition to restriping the parking lot and said he did not feel the decision to approve or disapprove the reconstruction should be placed on the few merchants in attendance at this meeting. MS. KATHY NELSON, owner of The Packaging Store, said each merchant was in a different situation as far as when their season begins. She said hers actually does not begin until November, and her concern was whether there was any clause in the contract regarding what would happen if the project were delayed. If such a clause was not included, she would prefer to wait until next year. MR. JIM SCRUCK said he felt restriping would be the best solution at this time. However, he felt the City needed to look at a more permanent solution, not just a band -aid solution. MS. CAROL FROMME, 73-304 Adobe Springs, Palm Desert, said she wouLA be happy just to see the narking lot cleaned up. 6 MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING JULY 20, 1989 • s . * • r • * s * . s ; is : • * s s s . * s * s She added that she felt neither 60 nor 200 extra spaces would be sufficient. Chairman Wilson stated that the Board had several options: 1) Reject all bids and direct staff to start over and try to come up with a plan that will work, with construction to be done in an earlier time frame, such as late May or early June; 2) Approve Alternative #3 which would provide an additional 145 spaces but would tear up the lot until October 20; and 3) Do a quick restripe at a cost of $36,000 and provide an additional 60 spaces for the next season. As far as reducing the size of the parking stalls from 9'x20' to 9'x18', he said he would support such a change in order to get additional parking stalls. Member Snyder said he did not feel there was sufficient time to get the reconstruction done in time for this year's season; however, there might be time for the restriping. He said he also felt the City should be looking at obtaining additional off -site parking (200 to 300 spaces) with shuttle service back and forth. Member Crites agreed with Snyder. He said he was concerned that the date of October 20 would come and go with the project not being completed. He said he had no strong feelings about spending $36.000 to provide an additional 60 spaces and felt what should be done is to decide that as of June 15, 1990, either construction will begin (with Alternative #3) or by that time the money will have been used to provide another solution. Member Kelly expressed concern with not doing anything until next year. He said there were at least three buildings not occupied at this time that will be occupied by next year, creating the need for additional parking. Upon question by Chairman Wilson, Mr. Seyed Safavian, Traffic Engineer, said that the restriping and modifications to the islands would not be that substantial and could probably be done within the next 60 days. He said there was a possibility that the entire lot would be closed for one day to do all of the striping at one time. Ms. Cox said the consensus of merchants in the audience was that the Board approve the $36,000 for restriping. She asked that the contract be written so that the work would be done during off hours and weekends and said the parking lot did not start filling up until approximately 9:00 a.m. 7 MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING JULY 20, 1989 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Member Crites asked that Ms. Cox take this information to the El Paseo Business Association meeting on July 2lst and also ask for input relative to restricting the parking to a particular number of hours. Chairman Wilson asked for Counsel's advise regarding declaring this as an emergency situation and not going out to bid for restriping (Alternate #7). Mr. Phillips responded that based on the public record made at this meeting, it would appear that the need for speed was tremendous. He said under Municipal Code Section 3.32.080(4), the Agency Board could declare this as an emergency situation because an essential operation affecting the public welfare would be greatly hampered; i.e., the businesses in the area would be greatly affected. He added that as a backup position, this matter deals with a service that would be unique and not necessarily just a Public Works project just like any other and, therefore, may not be subject to the requirements of the public contract code nor subject to the City's own purchasing procedures per Section 3.32.090 of the Municipal Code. Chairman Wilson stated that if the Agency Board wished to make the determination as outlined by Mr. Phillips, it should also ask that staff put together some very tight specifications regarding working hours for the project and note that because of the emergency nature, the construction hours would extend into morning and evening hours as well as weekends. Member Kelly suggested that staff also study the possibility of a two-hour parking limitation. He said he felt a four-hour limitation would be the same as none at all because office workers could park for four hours, leave for lunch, and park again for another four hours. Chairman Wilson suggested staff look at the various options for regulating parking and implement a testing program for the area. Upon question by Member Crites regarding whether or not the same type of program would be of benefit to Presidents Plaza West, Mr. Safavian responded that staff had considered the possibility but that the western area was more complicated because of the arrangement of the lots. He added that he could not tell at this time how many lots would be gained but that he would look into it and report 8 MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING • • • • • • • JULY 20, 1989 • • • • • • • back. He added that as far as limited parking, he would do a survey to evaluate the average duration of the parking in the area. Member Snyder moved to, by Minute Motion, approve Alternative #7, restriping and slurry seal, as an emergency situation under Municipal Code Sections 3.32.080 and 3.32.090, with specific instruction to staff to make this an emergency item, draw up the contract to include expanding the working hours to evenings, early mornings, and weekends, and move forward as quickly as possible to find a firm to do the project and have it completed before the winter season starts. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency Board. Vll. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF DESIGN CONCEPT FOR THE COMMUNITY RECREATION FACILITY ON THE CIVIC CENTER SITE. Mr. Ortega reviewed the staff report. MR. AL COOK, Architect for the project, described the facility and distributed a preliminary cost breakdown. Upon question by Chairman Wilson, Mr. Ortega responded that staff was comfortable with the costs and that it had received substantial review by the Civic Center Construction Committee. He added that the Parks 8 Recreation District offices currently adjacent to the Civic Center would not have to be relocated in order to build this facility and that the temporary offices would be taken out when the next phase of this complex is built. Member Snyder moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the proposed design concept for the Community Recreation Facility on the Civic Center site and authorize the architect to proceed with working drawings. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency Board. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None IX. OLD BUSINESS None 9 MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING JULY 20, 1989 a a • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • a a a • X. REPORTS, REMARKS, AND AGENCY BOARD ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR None B. AGENCY COUNSEL None C. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AGENCY None XI. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Crites, second by Snyder, and unanimous vote of the Agency Board, Chairman Wilson adjourned the meeting at 10:10 p.m. ATTEST: jr.-- '. ROY WILSON, CHAIRMAN MARY P. F A IER, ASSISTA T SECRETARY TO THE PA DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 10