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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-26MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1998 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER - * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *.* * I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Benson convened the meeting at 4:05 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Councilman Richard S. Kelly III. INVOCATION - Councilman Jim Ferguson IV. 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 Paul Gibson, Finance Director/City Treasurer Gloria Darling, Human Resources Manager John Nagus, Community Arts Manager Teresa LaRocca, Housing Programs Coordinator David Yrigoyen, Redevelopment Manager Mary P. Gates, Deputy City Clerk MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MARCH 26, 1998 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS MR. PETE FREESTONE, 72-761 Tamarisk, Palm Desert, expressed concern with the closure of public streets to the north of Fred Waring Drive and west of Monterey Avenue. He said these streets were for public use, and as long as they are used in a safe and public manner, they should be available for anyone who wishes to use them. He said if there is a problem with speed or the safety of the streets, that should be addressed by law enforcement. He suggested that one way to ease the traffic congestion would be to extend the left turn lane in all four directions. He suggested that the City, through the County of Riverside, have four-way directions on that intersection so that east traffic can go, west traffic can go, etc. He said this would give the City the option of having two lanes to be able to turn in all directions where it is now two lanes from Monterey to westbound Fred Waring and from Fred Waring to southbound Monterey. He said this would open the intersection up and possibly alleviate the problem of people short cutting through the residential area. He expressed concern with the possibility of a medical emergency and the Fire Department and Paramedic units from the Town Center station having to go all the way around to come in to the area from the north, which could take two to three minutes longer for them to arrive at the scene. He also suggested perhaps allowing left turn access into the development and limiting it to emergency vehicles or closing it only during rush-hour and allowing traffic through the rest of the time. He added that the current closures only added to the congestion of the intersection. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Meeting of the Redevelopment Agency of March 12, 1998, and the Adjourned Joint City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meetings of March 9, March 12, and March 16, 1998. Rec: Approve as presented. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE AGENCY TREASURY - Warrant Nos. 46RDA, 47RDA, 46DR, and 47DR. Rec: Approve as presented. C. MINUTES of the Housing Advisory Committee (HAC) Meeting of February 11, 1998. Rec: Receive and file. D. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Notice of Completion for Parking Lot Improvement Project at the Southeast Section of Highway 74 and Highway 111 (Contract No. R13470). Removed for separate discussion under Section VII, Consent Items Held Over, of the Agenda. Please see that section of the Minutes for Agency Board discussion and action. 2 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MARCH 26, 1998 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * E. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Notice of Completion for Street Improvements on Hovley Lane East Project (Contract No. R13010). Rec: By Minute Motion, accept the work as complete and authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the subject project. F. REQUEST FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT for the Design and Fabrication of the Monument Signs at Desert Willow (Contract No R14250). Rec: By Minute Motion: 1) Authorize the Chairman to enter into an agreement with artist Allen Root for. the design and fabrication of the monument signs at Desert Willow in the amount of $37,976.33; 2) appropriate the contract amount from Account No. 851-4619-433-4001. Member Crites asked that Item D be removed for separate discussion under Section VII, Consent Items Held Over. Upon motion by Spiegel, second by Kelly, the remainder of the Consent Calendar was approved as presented by unanimous vote of the Agency Board. VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER D. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Notice of Completion for Parking Lot Improvement Project at the Southeast Section of Highway 74 and Highway 111 (Contract No. R13470). Member Crites stated he was curious as to when the sidewalk would be done along Highway 74. Mr. Yrigoyen responded that this was Caltrans right-of-way, and staff would need to start working with Caltrans to see what portion of the right-of-way might be given to the City. He said the sidewalk was not part of this particular project because it was important to expedite the project and complete the parking lot before the start of the season. Member Crites stated he felt things had been made worse for pedestrians because now there is soft, wet dirt where a sidewalk should be. He said this had decreased the pedestrian friendliness in going from Highway 111 to El Paseo. Mr. Yrigoyen stated that if it was the Agency Board's direction to work with Caltrans to put in a sidewalk in that area, staff would do so. Mr. Folkers stated that City staff would be working down through that area, and the intention was to put the sidewalk in as part of that project at that time. He said if staff could get Caltrans to approve it, it would probably be this time next year before it is in. He said staff would work as rapidly as possible; however, there were two 60-day review periods with MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MARCH 26, 1998 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Caltrans after the City applies for the permit. He noted that staff could look at what the plans call for and try to get something in sooner in the parts where it will not be hampered by the shift of the curb, but there would be some areas further north on the east side by the Shell station where the curb will be moved back. He added that staff would look into what can be done on an interim basis so that whatever is put in will not have to be destroyed or demolished when the other project is done. Member Crites moved to, by Minute Motion, accept the work as complete and authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the subject project, with direction to staff to work to get the area in usable condition for pedestrians. Motion was seconded by Spiegel and carried by unanimous vote. VIII. RESOLUTIONS None IX. NEW BUSINESS None X. CONTINUED BUSINESS None XI. OLD BUSINESS None XII. REPORTS, REMARKS, AND AGENCY BOARD ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ms. LaRocca introduced Mr. Bryce White, the City's Rehab/Construction Specialist, and stated that he would be taking over the HIP program. B. AGENCY COUNSEL Mr. Erwin noted the items listed on the Agenda for Closed Session. 4 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Request for Closed Session: MARCH 26, 1998 * * * * * * * * Conference with Legal Counsel regarding existing litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a): 1) City of Palm Desert v. REFCO Capital Corporation, et al, United States District Court, Central District, Case No. CV92-7632 2) Stull v. Bank of America NT&SA, et al, Superior Court of the State of California, City and County of San Francisco, Case No. 968-484 C. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AGENCY None XIII. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS THIS ITEM WAS LISTED ON AN AGENDA ADDENDUM AND POSTED 72 HOURS PRIOR TO TH MEETING. A. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT OF TWO REPRESENTATIVES (ONE EACH FROM LAS SERENAS APARTMENTS AND ONE QUAIL PLACE) TO THE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Ms. LaRocca reviewed her staff report, noting that bylaws of the Housing Commission require that two members be appointed from the properties controlled by the Housing Authority. Based on that staff, in working with the current property managers, identified residents who would be good candidates for the two positions. She said she had contacted all of the applicants who understood that only one member would be appointed from each complex, and those who are not selected will be kept on file for future consideration should vacancies occur. She noted the two individuals recommended for appointment, Violet Gillen from One Quail Place and Roger Levesque from Las Serenas Apartments, and stated that both had expressed a great deal of interest in being appointed. Member Ferguson stated that the staff report had included six applications. Ms. LaRocca stated that six applications had been sent out but that only four were returned. Member Ferguson asked how many of the four would qualify from each complex. Ms. LaRocca stated that two residents from One Quail Place and two residents from Las Serenas Apartments had returned their applications but that only one from each property would be appointed. 5 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MARCH 26, 1998 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Ferguson asked what the selection criteria was, and Ms. LaRocca responded that it was the term of residency at the property, their involvement within that properties community, and their external involvement in the community as a whole. Member Kelly moved to, by Minute Motion, approve staffs recommendation to appoint Violet Gillen and Roger Levesque to the Housing Advisory Committee. Member Ferguson stated that Member Spiegel has expressed a desire earlier in the week to interview the applicants for these two positions. Member Spiegel stated that he had spoken with Ms. LaRocca who indicated she had contacted all of the applicants and felt the two recommended were the best choice. He stated that the Council had set up a procedure whereby applicants are interviewed by the Council prior to appointment. He asked Ms. LaRocca if conducting interviews would cause a problem time wise. Ms. LaRocca stated that there are currently five members of the Housing Advisory Committee, and these appointments could wait until the next meeting. Member Kelly withdrew his previous motion and moved to continue this matter to the meeting of April 9, 1998, so that the Agency Board has the opportunity to interview the four applicants for these two positions. Motion was seconded by Spiegel and carried by unanimous vote. XIV. PUBLIC HEARINGS None XV. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Kelly, second by Ferguson, and unanimous vote of the Agency Board, Chairman Benson adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m. to Closed Session. She reconvened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and adjourned at 9:45 p.m. ATTEST: 1l- 1 L. SHEILA R. GILLIGAN, SEC TARY PALM DESERT REDEVEL MENT AGENCY e6'4(134-1 AN M. BENSON, CHAIRMAN 6