HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-12-131
MINUTES
REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1990
CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Snyder convened the meeting at 6:05 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present:
Member Jean M. Benson
Member Buford A. Crites
Vice Chairman Richard S. Kelly
Member S. Roy Wilson
Chairman Walter H. Snyder
Also Present:
Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director
Bruce A. Altman, City Manager
David J. Erwin, City Attorney
Sheila R. Gilligan, City Clerk/P.1.O.
Paul Shillcock, ACM/Director of Economic Development
Paul S. Gibson, Finance Director/City Treasurer
Ramon A. Diaz, ACM/Director of Planning/Community Development
Richard J. Folkers,ACM/Drector of Public Works
III. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the Regular Meeting of the Redevelopment Agency of November
8, 1990, and the Adjourned Meeting of November 29, 1990.
Rec: Approve as presented.
B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE AGENCY TREASURY - Warrant
Nos. WR1019, WR1101, WR1107, and WR1109.
Rec: Approve as presented.
MINUTES
PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING DECEMBER 13, 1990
C. REOUF,ST FOR APPROV&L of Change Order No. 9 to Contract RD-343
Sheriff's Station.
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve Change Order No. 9 in the amount of
S66,057.68.
D. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Contract for Cahuilla Hills Park Roadway
Easement (Contract No. RD-492).
Rec:
By Minute Motion: I) Authorize a contract with Allred & Kyser
Construction Company in the amount of $22,326.00 to put in a
roadway easement (Contract No. RD-492); 2) Appropriate $22,326.00
from the Project Area No. 2 Fund.
Upon motion by Wilson, second by Crites, the Consent Calendar was approved as
presented by unanimous vote of the Agency Board.
W. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
V. RESOLUTIONS
None
VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
VII. NEW BUSINESS
None
VBI. CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
Member Wilson moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:06 p.m. to Closed Session pursuant
to Government Code Sections 54956.9 (a), pending litigation (Smith vs. Palm Desert, Western Allied
Properties vs. Palm Desert and CVWD), and 54956.8, Property Acquisition. Motion was seconded
by Crites and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency Board.
Chairman Snyder reconvened the meeting at 8:00p.m. in order to consider a joint public
hearing with the City Council.
2
MINUTES
PALM DESERT REDEVELOCINT AGENCY MEETING DECEMBER 13, 1990
IX. OLD BUSINESS
NOTE: This item was considered following the joint public hearing.
A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF INCREASED BUDGET FOR THE SELF-
HELP HOUSING PROGRAM.
Mr. Ortega reviewed the staff report and offered to answer any questions.
Member Crites moved to, by Minute Motion, authorize the increase in the proposed
budget for the Self -Help Housing Program in the amount of $170,988 and appropriate such funds from
the Agency's Low and Moderate Income Reserve Fund. Motion was seconded by Benson and carried
by unanimous vote of the Agency Board.
X. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER
PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO. 6 AND AMENDMENT NO. 7 TO THE
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, AS AMENDED, FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 1,
AS AMENDED.
Chairman Snyder reconvened the Redevelopment Agency meeting at 8:00 p.m.
for the purpose of considering this as a joint City Council/RDA public hearing.
Mr. Ortega asked that the Agency Board adopt Resolutions No. 238 and 232
approving the reports and transmitting such reports and amendments to the City
Council.
Member Crites moved to: 1) Waive further reading and adopt Agency Resolution No.
238, approving its Report to the City Council concerning proposed Amendment No. 6 to the
Redevelopment Plan, As Amended, for Project Area No. 1, As Amended, and transmitting such Report
and Amendment to the City Council; 2) Waive further reading and adopt Agency Resolution No. 239,
approving its Report to the City Council concerning proposed Amendment No. 7 to the Redevelopment
Plan, As Amended, for Project Area No. 1, As Amended, and transmitting such Report and
Amendment to the City Council. Motion was seconded by Benson and carried by unanimous vote of
the Agency Board.
Mayor/Chairman Snyder declared the public hearing peen and asked for staff's report.
Mr. Ortega reviewed the letter sent by certified mail to property owners in the
City, which resulted in many phone calls as well as written responses. He
explained for the benefit of the audience what the Redevelopment Agency is and
what it does. He said one of the concerns was whether these amendments would
cause taxes to increase; he assured everyone that taxes would not be increased.
He added that the amendments would allow for funding, through taxes already
being paid, of projects such as the Civic Center Master Plan (including Sheriff
Station and YMCA facility) and the People Mover. He noted the following
examples of projects created and financed through the Redevelopment Agency:
sewer and storm drain improvements in the Palma Village Area, Palm Valley
3
MINUTES
PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY M=iu1u DECEMBER 13, 1990
storm channel, Portola storm drain, Fred Waring storm drain, superblocks, Town
Center Fire Station, and College of the Desert Child Care Center. He said
another question raised by citizens was whether their property was being
considered for condemnation, and he said no specific condemnation proceedings
were being considered at this time.
Mr. Ortega stated that the Agency Board and City Council may not consider
resolutions approving the amendments and negative declarations and may not
introduce the ordinance approving and adopting the amendments if written
objections are received prior to or at the joint meeting. Several written
communications from property owners and affected taxing agencies had been
received, and he asked that the Board and Council continue this matter to the
next meeting in order to allow staff time to address concerns raised.
Councilman/Member Wilson said it seemed most people were basically opposed
to the amendments because they would affect the El Paseo Village Condominiums,
and he asked what the affect would be.
Mr. Ortega responded that the people thought the People Mover would affect
their property; it would not. He noted that staff had talked to some of the
residents as well as to an attorney representing some of the homeowners and
explained what the amendments were about. Staff felt the attorney had
understood, but apparently the letters were sent anyway.
Mayor/Chairman Snyder invited testimony from the audience.
MR. BRADLEY J. HUDSON spoke on behalf of the County of Riverside, County
Free Library System, and County Structural Fire System. He said the County had
previously submitted to the Agency a report of the Fiscal Review Committee and
an analysis of the proposed amendments. He said the County was opposed to the
amendments for the following reasons:
unmitigated fiscal impact on the County in that $1.2 billion total increment
will be diverted from all agencies, with approximately $365 million from
the County of Riverside.
Agency has not complied with California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).
Amendments and projects outlined with the amendments and plan itself
do not comply with California Redevelopment law.
Amendments and proposed projects outlined therein are not consistent
with the City's General Plan.
He urged the Agency not to adopt the proposed amendments and to direct staff
to work with the County to address concerns raised.
Councilman/Member Crites mentioned the County's ten-year adamant refusal
to return to the citizens of Palm Desert for City use any part of their property
tax money, all of which now goes to the County and State. He added that the
County has opposed every attempt by the City to get a reasonable share (like
4
Jy
MINUTESrguS
PALM ur.irll■ REDEVI )4FRF AGENCY MFB'11NG DECEMBER 13, 1990
Palm Springs and Indio) of the taxes paid, and he asked if the County was now
saying it was willing to give Palm Desert the same amount of property taxes as
it returns to Indio, Hemet, etc.
Mr. Hudson responded that cities which have a property tax rate were
incorporated prior to Proposition 13. In addition, many cities such as Palm
Desert and Rancho Mirage were incorporated under the banner of "we have no
property tax",and then after Prop. 13 hit, they say redevelopment as a way to gain
quasi -legally that which they chose not to asps up front.
Councilman/Member Wilson asked why, it redevelopment was as evil as Mr.
Hudson painted it, the County was so aggressively developing redevelopment
areas throughout the County.
Mr. Hudson responded that it was a simple case of "if you can't beat them, join
them".
Mayor/Chairman Snyder stated that staff would be responding to concerns raised in
the letter.
Mn. Altman noted for the benefit of the audience that Palm Desert generates
$31 million in property tax and gets $360,000 per year for redevelopment.
MR. JACK MATLOCK spoke in SUPPORT on behalf of College of the Desert,
Palm Springs Unified School District, Desert Sands Unified School District, and
the Mosquito Abatement District. He noted that all four agencies were members
of the Fiscal Review Committee. He said although they acknowledged there
would be a fiscal burden and detriment, they supported the idea of retaining local
taxes for local purposes. He added that they felt they had a better chance working
with the City than with the State to retain some of those local taxes for local
school programs, especially in the area of facilities. In closing, he asked that the
Council/Board consider that the Mosquito Abatement District exists on a very
small tax increment; all the cities in the Valley receive benefits from the agency,
and he asked that the increment be returned for ongoing support of the District.
MR. BEN AUSTIN, owner of a condominium in Hidden Palms, spoke in
opposition. He explained his view of what CRA was and felt it was not legal to
set up a CRA project.
Councilman Wilson responded that he felt Mr. Austin had done a good job
explaining the California Redevelopment Act. However, he said a redevelopment
agency was not being created; the boundaries of an existing agency were being
amended. He added that when this existing redevelopment agency was created,
the community was blighted, houses were off their foundations and/or torn apart,
and people were out of their homes, all because the City is on an alluvial fan that
allows water from heavy rains in the mountains to come down through the
community. It caused millions of dollars in damage in 1976 and 1979, which would
have continued if the Redevelopment Agency was not created to build the Palm
Valley Channel to protect Palm Desert from continued blight.
5
MINUTES
TTES
PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING DECEMBER 13, 1990
MR. BROOKS COLEMAN, County Office of Education, an affected taxing
agency, spoke in favor of the amendments. He said the City had demonstrated
a good attitude in the past and good faith negotiations. He commended staff,
particularly Mr. Ortega, for the professionalism exhibited in going through the
fiscal review process. He added that as Iong as the detriment is mitigated with
a reasonable sharing of the tax increment, the Office of Education would support
the project.
MR. CHARLES SHELTON, 72-771 Sage Court, said he was not necessarily
opposed to the proposed project but asked how the City planned to spend the
$500 million and what was the total assessed value of private property in the
project area.
Mr. Ortega responded that total assessed value within the City was $3.1 billion
for 1990/91.
Councilman/Member Wilson suggested that Mr. Shelton meet with Mr. Ortega
to discuss fiscal planning for the spending of the funds. He noted that a lot of tax
money generated in the Coachella Valley is spent in western Riverside County;
we do not get an equal return of our tax dollars. What the redevelopment process
allows is capturing some of those tax dollars and spending them where they are
generated.
MR. ANTONIO CARDONA, 45-901 Toro Peak, said he disagreed that the City
had paid for curbs and gutters because he had been assessed for those
improvements to his property.
Mr. Ortega responded that the City had paid 60% of the total cost for curbs and
gutters.
MR. ANDREW BROOKS of Dye, Thomas, Luebs & Mort, spoke on behalf of
the Coachella Valley Recreation and Parks District and submitted a letter in
opposition to the proposed Amendment No. 6 (on file and of record in the City
Clerk's Office). He said staff of the City and the Recreation District had reached
an agreement in principal to mitigate the financial impact to the District as a
result of the proposed amendments; the reason he was speaking in opposition was
because there was not as yet a final agreement to bring to the Council. He added
that the District would be prepared to waive its objections when a final agreement
is ready
MR. CHARLES GAYLOR, 74-170 Fred Waring Drive, expressed concern with
homes on Fred Waring being taken to widen the street without being paid the fair
market value.
Mr. Ortega responded that there were no plans by the City to take any homes
on Fred Waring Drive. With regard to payment of fair market value, he said
State law protects property owners in California and that there was an entire
eminent domain process that must be gone throt'ah before property is taken.
6
MINUTES
PALM DESERT REDEVELO . AGENCY MEETING
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DECEMBER 13, 1990
MR. PHL'hI( RODHOLM, 43-570 Carmel Circle, asked if there were any plans
for the City to purchase homes in his area and develop a condominium project.
He also asked if there were plans to put a bridge across the San Pascual Wash
to the park for the people on the opposite side of San Pascual.
Mr. Ortega responded that this was not in any of the plans being proposed in the
amendments.
MR. GARY GOUDSWAARD, 44-755 Deep Canyon, said he felt the primary
concern of almost everyone present was what would happen to their homes, and
this had not really been addressed. He said Mr. Ortega had said everyone north
of Alessandro would be affected, and he asked what the affect would be.
Mr. Ortega responded that everyone north would be affected by the amendment
because of additional projects, bonding capacity, and added revenues.
Councilman Kelly suggested that better wording would be to say these homes
would be "included in", not "affected by" the amendments.
Councilman Wilson asked staff if there was anything in any of the plans that
require the taking of any homes in the City of Palm Desert.
Mr. Ortega responded that there was nothing in the plans to require the
condemnation of any property. The only case where there may be a condemnation
is to those single family lots immediately north of Alessandro and adjacent to
Highway 111 which were included in the plan as possible conversions to parking
area when the plan was adopted three years ago.
MR. MIKE KOUBA, 73-484 Shadow Mountain Drive, President of the El Paseo
Village Homeowners Association, expressed concern with the City's timing in
sending letters out during the holidays. He also felt it was difficult to understand
legal terms in the letter. He asked that the entire matter be continued until after
the homeowners meeting the first week in January. He also asked that the City
send out a letter explaining that citizens' homes and properties are safe.
Councilman/Member Wilson felt it would be a good idea for the Mayor to attend
the homeowners association meeting to make a presentation. He added that this
matter would be continued with no action taken until after the first of the year.
Mayor/Chairman Snyder agreed and said he would be willing to make a
presentation to any group of people who want additional information.
MR. DON ACKLEY, 74-165 Chicory, said he was not pro or con at this point
but was concerned with what would happen to his home. He also questioned
the environmental impact report. He added that he did not understand what
the People Mover was.
7
8
•aeon snowlueun iCq papJ=O put uosl!M i(q papuooas sBM uopoyq •I661 '0I klunusf;o Supaaw alp 01
J011tw OLD anupuo3 pue Suueag ollgnd agl intiCRYI of pow salu° Jagwaw/utwlpunop
•awp Sntl lE Suueaq agl asoto 0l u0SE01
IeSal ou sEM aiagi legl papuodsai SUJCH 'ueurlld •ryq i(q uopsanb uodn
•Sullaaw ixau agl It luawwoo of aldoad Moue
pue Suueaq ollgnd aq1 uadoai o1 Amp ow antg of JaJaid pinom aq plus sa1u°
•suopaafgo uanuM tit of sasuodsai uanuM atedaid pinoM Bras win puu
Supaaw slgi 1t pasola aq mom 8uueaq ollgnd agl amp papuodsai slum •Jyq
•Supaaw lxau aql le g;psal
of patolle aq mom oggnd at{l;l mist ag pue 'ffupaaw aqi le paslei stuaouoa
of puodsai of pause Sulaq sEM ;;EIS ieyi pis sopiD Jagwayq/uewllounop
'pasolo Suueaq ollgnd ag1 pa1EIOap JapICuS ueuu!EgDpogeyq 'lasunop
i(ouaSy `uoysJa! 2' uosleM `spIEgolg;o swe1l utgog •syv;o uopEpuaww0O9J alp lt'
•lauuegD JaltMallUM agl uo uopoaloid adols alazouoo io; lOafad
t Sutppt;o uopl1aplsuoo palsanbaz oste peg gain pies aH •goua2v agl ,Cq law
Sulaq ,Cpeazlt aJe yot4M sgSnoJgl-ssed urtuao Jo uoperaplsuoo Sunsanbaz osle lnq
uEtd ag1;o uoddns ul (lieolseq laulsi j JaleM Eil0140E0D agl wok panlaaaz
uaaq peq Jana! E `uoplppt ut loans sloop It SulssoJo aSppg e--pagsggnd
lug seM ll souls arid ayl 01 pappe uaaq peq 1Oafoid auo legs pales eSauo 'Jyll
•paza33o sum guowgsal Jaqun; oN
•uasad wled ;o gap ag1 ul )IJOM put otiq oqM aldoad Jo;
Sulsnoq awoaul ale.apow put ',no! apinord 010i alersialul Jtau tare azagds quoH
ay1 ul puet paseyornd peg gap ow legs pappe uosliM JogwayAl/utwpounop
•Sulsnoq awooul a3Ezapow pue Awl Jo; paypuapl salts
Jaglo ou atoll aiagl `zadoij ues pue `aoe[d Bent) au0 `sluauruEdy Jaluaj umoy
agl tamp Jaglo amp plus all •Sulsnoq awooul altaapow put Mot aleato of spun;
Jo lunowe uleuao E aplse 1as of pannbaz sr gouo2v ag•l, •Sulsnoq awooul Mot
g3IM leap of weld t altato lsnw `Met arms 4Cq 'Apo agl amp papuodsa. t2auO •1NI
•Sulsnoq awoaul
MO! Jo; apinord of pauwapuoo aq pinoM sawog ,Cue JagjagM Noise gaptad zlnl
'strew 11 azo;aq
smtai( anti of zno; Jagloue aq glgegozd p!noM ll ltgl put palonpuoo Sulaq ups azaM
salpnls plus off •sollgowolnt;o asn ag1 uegl Jaglez punore ajdoad Sutnow Jo AEM
aleunlit uE SE paJaplsu0O Sulaq SEM Janoyil aldoad agl 3Egl paultjdxa UEunIV 'JNI
•auop
aq IIIM luawssasse leivawuo1lnua Iln; E 'du 20103 sloafozd lenpinlpul se saitolpul
legs luawalels a papnput uogtrejOap anpeSau ag1 lEgl papuodsal e$aup *JN!
0661 `£I satima U DNILBIEW ADNHDV IN:IWdO1HA3Q$2I .L2IHSac NYIVd
S3.Lf1NIK
MINUTES
PALM DESERT REDEVELOI ]T AGENCY MEETING eay.. DECEMBER 13, 1990
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chairman Snyder recessed the Redevelopment Agency meeting at 9:30 p.m. until
adjournment of the City Council meeting. He reconvened the meeting at 11:40 p.m.
XI. REPORTS, REMARKS, AND AGENCY BOARD ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION
A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
1. Final Tract Map 24289R
Mr. Joe Gaugush asked that the Agency Board add this item to the Agenda
for discussion.
Member Crites moved to add discussion of Final Tract Map 24289R. Motion was
seconded by Kelly and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency Board.
Mr. Gaugush stated this matter had been discussed and approved as City
Council Public Hearing G and asked that the Board authorize the
Chairman to execute the final tract map.
Member Crites moved to, by Minute Motion, authorize the Chairman to execute Final
Tract Map 24289R on behalf of the Agency. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by unanimous
vote of the Agency Board.
B. AGENCY COUNSEL
None
C. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AGENCY
None
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Crites, second by Kelly, and unanimous vote of the Agency Board,
Chairman Snyder adjourned the meeting at 11:43 p.m.
ATTEST:
SHEILA R. GI LIQAN, SECR
PALM DESERT REDEVELOP
Aliedia“
WALTER H. SNYDER, C
ARY TO THE
ENT AGENCY
9