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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-12-11MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1997 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Benson convened the meeting at 4:00 p.m. H. ROLL CALL Present: Member Buford A. Crites Member Jim Ferguson Member Richard S. Kelly Vice Chairman Robert A. Spiegel Chairman Jean M. Benson Also Present: Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director Ramon A. Diaz, City Manager David J. Erwin, City Attorney Sheila R. Gilligan, Agency Secretary Richard J. Folkers, ACM/Director of Public Works John Wohlmuth, ACM/Director of Administrative Services Pat Conlon, Director of Building and Safety Phil Drell, Director of Community Development Agnes Flor, Accounting Manager Mary P. Gates, Deputy City Clerk Upon motion by Crites, second by Ferguson, and unanimous vote of the Agency Board, Chairman Benson adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m. for dinner and Closed Session. She reconvened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. 1VHNUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING DECEMBER 11, 1997 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * III. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Meetings of the Redevelopment Agency of October 23, and November 13, 1997, and the Adjourned Meeting of the City Council/Redevelopment Agency of December 1, 1997. Rec: Removed for separate discussion under Section IV, Consent Items Held Over. See that portion of the Minutes for discussion and action. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE AGENCY TREASURY - Warrant Nos. 24RDA, 25RDA, 26RDA, 27RDA, 24DR, 25DR, 26DR, and 27DR. Rec: Approve as presented. C. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL < of Electrical Relocation at Parking Lot Between Highway 111 and El Paseo at Highway 74. Rec: By Minute Motion, authorize the amount of $37,052.95, to pay for the relocation of a transformer and two electrical poles to Southern California Edison at the Highway 74 parking lot, on condition that Edison also accept that amount as just compensation for any interest it may claim in the pending condemnation action; and appropriate such amount from the Agency's Unobligated Funds. D. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO SUMMARY as of October 31, 1997. Rec: Receive and file. Member Ferguson asked that Item A be removed for separate discussion under Section IV, Consent Items Held Over, of the Agenda. Upon motion by Crites, second by Spiegel, the remainder of the Consent Calendar was approved as presented by unanimous vote of the Agency Board. IV. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER A. MINUTES of the Regular Meetings of the Redevelopment Agency of October 23 and November 13, 1997, and the Adjourned Meeting of the City Council/Redevelopment Agency of December 1, 1997. Member Ferguson noted that he would abstain from voting on the Minutes for October 23 and November 13, 1997, as he was not a member of the Redevelopment Agency Board at that time. 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING DECEMBER 11, 1997 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Kelly moved to approve the Minutes of October 23 and November 13, 1997. Motion was seconded by Crites and carried by a 4-1 vote, with Member Ferguson ABSTAINING. Member Crites moved to approve the Minutes of the December 1, 1997, meeting. Motion was seconded by Spiegel and carried by unanimous vote. V. RESOLUTIONS NOTE: THE AGENCY BOARD CONSIDERED ITEMS A, B, AND C TOGETHER. A. RESOLUTION NO. 350 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVING A SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE RELATING TO THE AGENCY'S SERIES 1995 BONDS. Mr. Ortega noted the reports in the packets and stated that Redevelopment Analyst Dennis Coleman was available to answer any questions. Member Spiegel asked how much money the Agency would be saving. Mr. Coleman responded that there was no money savings because these are not refunding bonds. He stated that Item B was a $50 million bond to acquire 725 units of housing. He noted that Section 4 of Resolution No. 351 and the purchase contract should be revised to delete the name of Alden Capital Markets, Inc. and replace it with Hutchinson, Shockley, Erley & Co. With regard to Item C, he stated that this was Project Area Four bonds, with approximately $6.6 million of the $10.7 million to be placed in an escrow fund to be released when the Agency could certify that it has the necessary income to support the additional debt. Member Ferguson moved to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. Q. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by unanimous vote. B. RESOLUTION NO. 351- A RESOLUTION OF THE PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE SALE AND ISSUANCE OF ITS TAX ALLOCATION (HOUSING SET -ASIDE) REVENUE BONDS SERIES 1998. See discussion under Resolution No. 350 above. Member Ferguson moved to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 35.1. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by unanimous vote. 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING DECEMBER 11, 1997 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * C. RESOLUTION NO. 352 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE SALE AND ISSUANCE OF ITS TAX ALLOCATION REVENUE BONDS (PROJECT AREA NO. 4) SERIES 1998. See discussion under Resolution No. 350 above. Member Ferguson moved to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 3. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by unanimous vote. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Mr. Diaz noted the report in the packets and stated that Housing Programs Coordinator Teresa LaRocca was available to answer any questions. Member Kelly moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Approve the Home Improvement Program and Focus Areas Nos. 1 and 2; 2) appropriate an additional $87,000 from Unobligated Housing Set -Aside Funds to the Home Improvement Program Components 1 through 6; 3) appropriate $500,000 from Unobligated Housing Set -Aside Funds to the Acquisition/Rehabilitation/Resale Component No. 7 of the Home Improvement Program; 4) authorize the recruitment of one additional full-time staff person to assist with the implementation of the Home Improvement Program. Motion was seconded by Ferguson and carried by unanimous vote. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL, OF CONTRACT FOR SPECIFIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (Contract No. R13700). (Continued from the meeting of November 13, 1997.) Mr. Ortega noted the report in the packets and stated that Mr. Shillcock was available to answer any questions. Member Spiegel stated that there were two parts to this request, one an update of the website. He asked why this couldn't just be tied in with what we already have. Mr. Shillcock stated that the website would be tied in with what we have. He said the Economic Development website was created before the City's website, and a different vendor was used. The two sites were linked by a hyperlink so that if someone ended up at the economic development website and wanted more information on the City, they could use that link to go the City site. He said the City did the same thing so that people could get information about economic development through the hyperlink. He said the vendor who was providing the site for the Economic Development home page went out of business, and now the link from the City goes nowhere. 4 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING DECEMBER 11, 1997 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Councilman Ferguson asked if it could be changed to have just one site instead of two. He said there did not even need to be a link because there is 10 megabytes of space and an existing address called palm-desert.org. He said that the City rejected the vendor that the Economic Development Department went with specifically because he held the copyrights to the copy of those pages. He said he understood that we no longer have a site because the vendor has it and we don't. He said this way it would be under the City's control, and the City would own the pages. Economies of scale could be achieved by using our existing server. He added that he had always wondered why there were two sites when we could have just done one with the name Palm Desert. Mr. Shillcock asked if there could be two different addresses because the Economic Development site is promoted on all of the marketing materials. He said the address was exactly the same except there is "ed" after palm -desert. Member Ferguson stated that there is an Economic Development on the City's home page, so the site could be advertised with an "ed" extension after "palm-desert.org" or people could just go the City's home page, hit Economic Development, and be one click away. He said at least this way the City would control the copyright. Mr. Shillcock stated that he had received this proposal from Riverside County, and the amount included in the memorandum was an estimate. He said he had received a formal proposal. Member Ferguson stated that the County could develop it but that he would like them to physically put it on the City's server so that we control it. Mr. Shillcock stated that all of the costs in the proposal were development costs except $15.00 per month for maintenance. Member Spiegel suggested that Member Ferguson be designated as the person to work with Mr. Shillcock on this. Member Ferguson stated he had mentioned this because the contract with the City's current vendor expires in January. He said he understood the City would go out to bid for this, and the same developer could do 0 & M (operation and maintenance) for both sites and save money. With Agency Board concurrence, Member Ferguson was designated to work with staff and come back with a recommendation. Chairman Benson stated that the second part of the proposal was the Cook Street Business Association formation. 5 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING DECEMBER 11, 1997 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Spiegel asked whether this had gone to the Economic Development Advisory — Committee. Mr. Shillcock responded that the matter was discussed at a meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Committee about 18 months ago, and staff was encouraged to move forward with it. Chairman Benson stated that approximately two months ago at a Promotion Committee meeting, Mr. Robert Leo and some of the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce members went out again to the Cook Street area because it was brought up that some people did not even know what businesses were out there and felt they should have an association. They went out and surveyed the area again, and Mr. Leo reported that they do not want an association. She said she did not know why this was coming up again when we know for sure that the merchants do not want such an association. Member Kelly stated that a lot of sales tax was generated in this area. He said he felt it was important to find out whether or not they are really interested. If they are interested, this would be an opportunity to really help them generate even more sales tax. Member Benson stated that it was her understanding that they did not want an assessment district out there similar to El Paseo. She said perhaps there would be a way to send them a letter and find out for sure. Member Crites stated that he was not sure the Chamber of Commerce should be making that inquiry because there is a potential conflict of interest. Mr. Shillcock stated that some letters had been sent from people who served on an ad hoc committee, and one of the gentlemen, Bill Blue had been at the earlier portion of the meeting but could not return for the evening portion. He said Mr. Blue was the unofficial chairman of the committee of interested businesses. He said they had polled 100 businesses in the area, and 89% of those expressed interest in forming an association and indicated they were willing to pay an assessment because they wanted the world to know they are there and provide goods and services. They also felt the Cook Street area was not being adequately marketed as a destination for goods and services. He said a lot of them did their own marketing and felt that as a group they could be much more effective. He noted this was the third time trying to form such an association and that all they need is some support. Most of the businesses are one or two people who do not have the time and expertise to adequately market the idea of an association. Member Benson asked if there was a way to do a mailing to those businesses.to find out if they are interested in the City pursuing such an association rather than spend $15,000 to find out _- they do not want it. 6 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING DECEMBER 11, 1997 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mr. Shillcock stated that this had been attempted in the past when the Chamber was working with staff. Letters were mailed to all the merchants on Chamber of Commerce stationery. Visits were then done, and nine out of ten said they never received the mailing. Staff found that it was necessary to go door to door and spend time with the merchants to explain what this was about. Member Spiegel said he still felt the Economic Development Advisory Committee might want to get involved with how this association is formed. Member Ferguson agreed, particularly if conflicting advice is being received about whether the merchants want to do it or not. Member Kelly moved to, by Minute Motion, refer this matter to the Economic Development Advisory Committee for report and recommendation. Motion was seconded by Ferguson. Member Crites added that staff be encouraged, if there is any indication of positive interest in this discussion, to bring to the Agency Board a sample letter that would come from the City of Palm Desert to businesses. Chairman Benson called for the vote. The motion carried by unanimous vote of the Agency Board. B. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF ACD2 DISPOSITION, DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT (DDIA) AMENDMENT. (Continued from the Meeting of October 23, 1997.) Mr. Drell stated that there had been no new developments brought by the applicant since the last hearing, and he recommended that the matter be continued to a date uncertain. Upon motion by Crites, second by Spiegel, this matter was TABLED by the Redevelopment Agency Board. VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. REPORTS, REMARKS, AND AGENCY BOARD ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR None 7 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * DECEMBER 11, 1997 * * * * * * * * * * * * B. AGENCY COUNSEL Request for Closed Session: Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Section 54956.8 1. Property: Negotiating parties: Agency: Property owner: Under negotiation: 2. Property: Negotiating parties: Agency: Property owner: Under negotiation: 3. Property: Negotiating parties: Agency: Property owner: Under negotiation: 4. Property: Negotiating parties: Agency: Property owner: Under negotiation: Land located in Section 4 - Desert Willow Marriott Residence Inn (William Swank) Carlos Ortega/Dave Yrigoyen Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency X Price X Terms of payment Land located in Section 4 - Desert Willow Intrawest Carlos Ortega/Dave Yrigoyen Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency X Price X Terms of payment Land located in Section 4 - Desert Willow United Properties Limited Carlos Ortega/Dave Yrigoyen Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency X Price X Terms of payment Southeast corner at Portola/Highway 111 APN 625-111-001-002 Pacific Development Group II Bartlett Commercial Carlos Ortega/Dave Yrigoyen Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency X Price X Terms of payment 8 11 INITTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING DECEMBER 11, 1997 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation pursuant to Section 54656.9 (a) Stull v. Bank of America NT & SA, et al, Superior Court of State of California City and County of San Francisco, CAS No. 968-484 Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation pursuant to Section 54656.9 (b) Number of potential cases 1 C. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AGENCY None X. AWARDS, PRFSENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS None XL PUBLIC HEARINGS None XII. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Spiegel, second by Crites, and unanimous vote of the Agency Board, Chairman Benson adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m. to Closed Session. She reconvened the meeting at 9:15 p.m. and adjourned to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 1997. ATTEST: /SHEILA R. Gilt- tGAN, SE PALM DESERT REDE TARY TO THE MENT AGENCY id-&74. M. BENSON, CHAIRMAN 9