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Home My WebLink About1999-04-22M1NUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1999 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * L CALL TO ORDER Chairman Spiegel convened the meeting at 4:01 p.m. H. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Vice Chairman Buford A. Crites M. INVOCATION - Member Jim Ferguson IV. ROLL CALL Present: Member Jean M. Benson Vice Chairman Buford A. Crites Member Jim Ferguson Member Richard S. Kelly arrived at 4:08 p.m. Chairman Robert A. Spiegel Also Present: Ramon A. Diaz, City Manager David J. Erwin, City Attorney Sheila R. Gilligan, Director of Community Affairs/City Clerk Richard J. Folkers, ACM/Director of Public Works John M. Wohlmuth, ACM/Director of Administrative Services Carlos L. Ortega, RDA Executive Director Ben Godfrey, Acting Director of Building and Safety Phil Drell, Director of Community Development J. Luis Espinoza, Finance Operations Manager Rachelle D. Klassen, Deputy City Clerk V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING APRIL 22, 1999 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * VL CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Meeting of the Redevelopment Agency of April 8, 1999, and Adjourned Joint Meeting of the City Council/Redevelopment Agency of April 9, 1999. Rec: Approve as presented. B. CLAIMS AND DEMA SAT INST THE A .N _Y EASURY - Warrant Nos. 47RDA, 48RDA, 47DR, 48DR, and 48PDHA. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Member Benson, second by Vice Chairman Crites, and 4-0 vote of the Redevelopment Agency Board with Member Kelly ABSENT, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. RESOLUTIONS A. RESOLUTION NO. 369 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AMENDING FISCAL YEAR 1998-99 BUDGET AS A RESULT OF MID -YEAR BUDGET REVIEW FOR THE HOUSING SET -ASIDE FUND. Member Benson moved to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 3.62. Motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Crites and carried by a 4-0 vote with Member Kelly ABSENT. IX. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF UNDERGROUNDING OF OVERHEAD ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES AT HIGHWAY 111 AND HIGHWAY 74. Mr. Ortega reported the subject project involved the undergrounding of power lines that surrounded the parking lot previously constructed by the Agency. He noted the work was completed at the time of construction, as it was necessary to complete the project quickly. MR. MARC PEVERS, 877 Box Canyon Trail, Palm Desert, commended the Agency Board for its consideration of the project. He said he wrote a letter to Member Ferguson about the issue, and he favored approval to beautify that prominent location in the City. However, he noted there was an approximate 200-foot stretch at Palms to Pines West with the last remaining overhead electrical lines on Highway 111 from Cathedral City to Adams Street in La Quinta— Rancho Mirage had just finished undergrounding from Thunderbird Cove to 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING APRIL 22, 1999 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *.* * * * * * * * Bob Hope Drive. He asked if the Palms to Pines West lines could be added to the subject project. In closing, he commended the City Council for its additional consideration, later in the City Council Agenda, of undergrounding the lines at Monterey Avenue and Country Club Drive, which he also strongly supported. Member Ferguson questioned whether there was a systematic program in place for utility undergrounding along all of the City's major arterials, and if so, was the subject project part of that program. Mr. Diaz responded that there was not currently such a program. In further response to Member Ferguson, Mr. Ortega answered that undergrounding throughout the City had been addressed on a project by project basis, when particular sites were the subject of other construction/improvement and redevelopment funding. He noted that as the widening of Fred Waring Drive came before the Agency Board for future approval, monies for undergrounding would be incorporated into that project. Mr. Ortega felt there was difficulty addressing areas where no construction was occurring, either privately or by the City, since there was not a specific program in place, adding that it was also dependent upon funds available from the electric utilities. Upon question by Member Ferguson whether such a program was a part of the City's 2010 Plan, Mr. Diaz answered it was. Vice Chairman Crites moved to, by Minute Motion, authorize the cost of $61,981 to accomplish the undergrounding of the overhead electrical distribution facilities at the southeast corner of Highway 111 and Highway 74, pending the easement documents required from the adjacent property owner, and appropriate that amount from Unobligated Agency Bond Funds, Project Area. No. 1, said project to move forward after an examination of whether it would be cost effective to include the nearby residual area in the project at this time. Member Ferguson said he learned, after talking with Mr. Folkers, that there was a residential undergrounding program available to adjoining homeowners, where they could get together and form an assessment to repay the cost of the improvement on their tax roll. He recalled from his term as Planning Commissioner that there was a long term goal to underground utilities along the major arterials so that, like Indian Wells, ultimately there would be no electrical lines above ground. He felt a majority of residents were probably unaware such a program existed, and he suggested an article be placed in an upcoming Bright Side to inform them. Member Benson seconded the motion and it carried by a 4-0 vote with Member Kelly ABSENT. X. CONTINUED BUSINESS None 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING APRIL 22, 1999 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * XL OLD BUSINESS None XII. REPORTS, REMARKS, AND AGENCY BOARD ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mr. Ortega noted the items listed for Closed Session consideration on this agenda. B. AGENCY COUNSEL Request for Closed Session Conference with Real Property Negotiation pursuant to Section 54956.8: 1) Property: Land located in Section 4 - Desert Willow Negotiating Parties: Agency: Carlos L. Ortega/Dave Yrigoyen Property Owner: Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Under Negotiation: _IL. Price .b Terms of Payment 2) Property: West of Portola Avenue between Frank Sinatra Drive and Country Club Drive Negotiating Parties: Agency: Carlos L. Ortega/Dave Yrigoyen Property Owner: Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Under Negotiation: _I- Price Terms of Payment Conference with Legal Counsel regarding existing litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a): a) City of Orange et al. v. Alabama Treasury Advisory Program, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC106461. C. CHAIRMAN, AND MEMBERS OF THE AGENCY 1. Desert Willow Golf Coarse - laskaan it ines Magazine (Vice Chairman Buford A. Crites) Vice Chairman Crites called attention to the lead article, "Tee Times," in a recent issue of the Alaskan Airlines in-flight magazine. He noted that on the front page of the article was a picture of Desert Willow, and the lead paragraph featured new golf courses in Palm Desert, citing the "visionary City of Palm Desert" for its construction of the golf 4 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING APRIL 22, 1999 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * resort. He went on to quote the article, "...a big budget experience at municipal prices, only $45 for residents, probably the most impressive city -owned golf facility in the country." He said that other high caliber courses throughout North America were named, such as Half Moon Bay, Sabeno Springs in Tucson, Gray Wolf in British Columbia, etc., and he felt being named the best in the country was a fitting tribute to staff, everyone who contributed their efforts, and to the City for Desert Willow's success. Member Ferguson related that he played in a recent golf tournament on the new Canyons Course at Bighorn with a foursome who was unaware he was a Palm Desert Councilmember. He said one of the group, a gentleman from Maryland, remarked, "Wow, this is almost like Desert Willow!" XIII. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS None XIV. PUBLIC HEARINGS None XV. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Member Ferguson, second by Chairman Spiegel, and unanimous vote of the Agency Board, Chairman Spiegel adjourned the meeting to Closed Session at 5:18 p.m. He reconvened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Upon a motion by Vice Chairman Crites, second by Member Kelly, and unanimous vote of the Redevelopment Agency Board, Chairman Spiegel adjourned the meeting to Closed Session at 8:18 p.m. He reconvened the meeting at 8:30 p.m., with no action announced from Closed Session, and immediately adjourned to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, 1999, for the purpose of holding an adjourned joint meeting of the City Council/Redeveloment Agency. ATTEST: SHEILA R. GI IGAN, PALM DESERT REDE TARY TO THE PNIENT AGENCY ROBERT A. SPIEGEL, CHr 5