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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-04-14MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2005 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER I. CALL TO ORDER - 3:00 P.M. Chairman Crites convened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Member Jean M. Benson Vice Chairman Jim Ferguson Member Richard S. Kelly Member Robert A. Spiegel Chairman Buford A. Crites Also Present: Carlos L. Ortega, City Manager/RDA Executive Director David J. Erwin, City Attorney, left the meeting at 4:00 p.m. Robert W. Hargreaves, Deputy City Attorney, arrived at 4:00 p.m. Sheila R. Gilligan, ACM for Community Services Homer Croy, ACM for Development Services Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Stephen Y. Aryan, Assistant to the City Manager Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk Mark D. Greenwood, City Engineer Philip Drell, Director of Community Development Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance/City Treasurer Duane K. Munson, Interim Director of Human Resources Michael J. Errante, Director of Public Works David Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment & Housing Robert P. Kohn, Director of Special Programs Walt Holloway, Battalion Chief, Palm Desert/Riverside County Fire Dept./CDF Steve Thetford, Asst. Chief, Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriffs Dept. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - A (CLOSED SESSION ITEMS) MR. CARL CARDINALLI, BIGHORN Golf Club, asked that when the City Council/Agency Board adjourns to Closed Session, that it read and give _ consideration to the memo he had delivered to City Hall this afternoon regarding a matter that is important to his organization. MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING APRIL 14, 2005 IV. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Request for Closed Session: Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: 1) Property: 44-215 San Pascual Avenue (APN 627-102-017) Negotiating Parties: Agency: Justin McCarthy/Dave Yrigoyen/ Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Property Owner: Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Other Parties: Joslyn Senior Center Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment Member Spiegel moved to add the following two items to the Agenda for discussion in Closed Session. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by a 5-0 vote. 2) Property: 10 acres ± at the NEC Country Club Drive/Desert Willow Drive Negotiating Parties: Agency: Carlos L. Ortega/City of Palm Desert/Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Property Owner: Sanderson J. Ray/Desert Springs Partners Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment 3) Property: 1.8 acres at the NWC Portola Avenue/Haystack Road (APN 630-200-019) Negotiating Parties: Agency: Carlos L. Ortega/City of Palm Desert/Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Property Owner: Coachella Valley Water District Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment With Agency Board concurrence, Chairman Crites adjourned the meeting to Closed Session at 3:04 p.m. He reconvened the meeting at 4:00 p.m. V. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M. A. REPORT ON ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION. None VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Member Robert A. Spiegel — with Presentation of the Colors to be led by Palm Desert Cub Scout Pack No. 131 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING APRIL 14, 2005 VII. INVOCATION - Vice Chairman Jim Ferguson VIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - B None IX. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS A-1. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR PALM DESERT CUB SCOUT PACK NO. 131. On behalf of the Agency Board and City Council, Chairman/Mayor Crites presented a framed certificate to Cub Scout Pack No. 131 for their service to the community. He also presented each Cub Scout with a City of Palm Desert "Good Citizen" badge and thanked them for their participation in today's meeting. A-2. PRESENTATION TO RECOGNIZE MURIEL SURLES FOR HER CONTRIBUTION TO THE CITY OF PALM DESERT AND ITS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE. Ms. Surles was unable to be present for today's meeting. B. PRESENTATION TO RECOGNIZE CITY OF PALM DESERT EMPLOYEES FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE — APRIL 2005. On behalf of the Agency Board and City Council, Chairman/Mayor Crites and Mr. Ortega honored the following employees for outstanding performance, presenting each with a both a personalized certificate and a $100 gift certificate: James Conway, Page Garner, Amy Hughes, Shawn Kilpatrick, Kristy Kneiding, Bob Kohn, Janet Moore, Ruth Ann Moore, Frankie Riddle, Karen Russo, and Steve Smith. Member/Councilman Spiegel commented that four of the aforementioned recipients had assisted with the event held at The Gardens On El Paseo on March 26, which hosted one of its Saturday night fundraising concert/wine & cheese events to benefit the Palm Desert After School Program. He said over 3,000 people attended that evening, with each paying $10 to participate. C. PRESENTATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL/AGENCY BOARD BY THE AMERICAN RED CROSS. MR. STEVE SISK, Response Manager for the Coachella Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, Palm Desert, addressed the City Council with a 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING APRIL 14, 2005 report about the organization. He said it was their mission to help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters, with the number one outreach being their disaster services —everything from local to national and international responses. He went on to say the Red Cross also provides Armed Forces Emergency Services (Emergency Communication), Preparedness Training, and International Social Services. He said they were a volunteer organization, not a government agency, not funded by the Federal Government in any way, nor by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), although they are the only nonprofit organization that has a major role extended to it in the National Response Plan. He related that their organization relies on contributions from individuals, businesses, and corporations. In the Coachella Valley, he said there were over 300 volunteers —four night teams and volunteers on call one week at a time (24/7) to respond whenever they're needed. There is also one daytime team, and there are four teams in the Blythe area that can all provide sheltering, food, fixed and mobile feeding in times of disaster, as well as individual and family assistance with food, clothing, housing, infant supplies, etc., health and mental health services, counseling, medicines, eyeglasses, and dental appliances —all disaster relief provided free of charge. He said in the Palm Desert area in 2004, they responded to three incidents, helped six families, 21 adults, 12 children, and spent $3,134 in direct aid to those families. He closed by saying the organization could use help too, with the average cost of providing disaster assistance totaling about $1,800 per family. Chairman/Mayor Crites conveyed the City's appreciation for all of Red Cross's work, and he hoped the City could be valuable colleagues and supporters. D. PRESENTATION OF HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL STATUETTE. Chairman/Mayor Crites stated that last evening, Member/Councilmember Benson, Member/Councilman Spiegel, and he were honored to attend the 10th anniversary dinner recognizing establishment of the Desert Holocaust Memorial. He said the organization, along with the Anti -Defamation League, presented the City with a statuette miniature of one of the figures in the Memorial by Dee Clements, its sculptor. He displayed the statuette for the audience and for his colleagues and said appropriate appreciation will be extended. X. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Redevelopment Agency Meeting of March 24, 2005. Rec: Approve as presented. 4 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING APRIL 14, 2005 B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE AGENCY TREASURY - Warrant — Nos. 195RDA, 199RDA, 205RDA, 193-Housing, 196-Housing, 200-Housing, 206-Housing, 197HA, and 201 HA. Rec: Approve as presented. C. CITY'S/AGENCY'S COMPLIANCE ANALYSIS AND INVESTMENT REPORTS for the Month of February 2005 (Joint Consideration with the Palm Desert City Council). Rec: Receive and file. D. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Contract for Audit Services for the City of Palm Desert, Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Desert Willow Golf Resort, Palm Desert Recreation Facilities Corporation, and the Palm Desert Housing Authority for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2005 (Contract No. C20183) (Joint Consideration with the Palm Desert City Council). Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the subject contract with Lance, Soll & Lunghard, LLP, Brea, California, for audit services for the City of Palm Desert, Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Desert Willow Golf Resort, Palm Desert Recreation Facilities Corporation, and the Palm Desert Housing Authority for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2005. E. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION to Advertise and Call for Bids for the Exterior Renovations at the Housing Authority Property Known as California Villas (Contract No. R23650). Rec: By Minute Motion, authorize the City Clerk to advertise and call for bids for the subject project. F. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Change Order No. 2 to Purchase Order No. 11941 — Special Deputy Inspection Services for the New Visitor Information Center. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $13,900 to the subject Purchase Order with Earth Systems Southwest, Bermuda Dunes, California, for special deputy inspection for shop -welded steel fabrications, as is required by the California Building Code — funds are available in Account No. 850-4358-433-4001. Member Spiegel moved to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by a 5-0 vote. 5 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING APRIL 14, 2005 XI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None XII. RESOLUTIONS None XIII. NEW BUSINESS None XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF GABION WALL CONCEPT AND AGAVE SHADE STRUCTURE FOR PHASE TWO OF THE ERIC JOHNSON GARDENS AT ENTRADA DEL PASEO AND AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT BIDS (Continued from the meetings of February 24, March 10, and March 24, 2005). Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian reviewed the staff report and recommendation, noting the two different design options for the gabion wall as requested by the Agency Board. She noted that the Art In Public Places Commission had unanimously and enthusiastically endorsed the agave shade structure, and staff was requesting authorization to continue with that design for the Gardens. She asked that the Board consider both the gabion wall concept and the agave shade structure and provide direction to staff. Upon question by Member Ferguson, Ms. Aylaian responded that the total cost for all that has been done to date as well as what was being proposed was approximately $2.2 million. The agave shade structure would be approximately $60,000, and the canyon wall would cost about $100,000. Upon question by Member Benson, she explained the gabion wall concept, noting that the decorative iron and steel elements had been deleted due to concerns on the part of the Agency Board. Member Spiegel reiterated concerns he had raised previously with regard to use of the Eric Johnson Gardens by visitors and residents. He said his preference would be to include some nice drought -tolerant landscaping, gazebos, and a tot lot, which he felt would be more inviting to people. He did not envision this being a well -used park for Palm Desert citizens, not like the Palma Village Park, which includes basketball courts, barbecue pavilions, etc., and is already being used by residents. 6 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING APRIL 14, 2005 Member Benson disagreed and said she felt the Gardens would be used once everything is in — restaurants, Visitor Center, Chamber building, etc. She felt once completed, it would be a focal point for that entrance to Palm Desert. Ms. Aylaian noted that two options for the gabion wall were: 1) natural boulders everywhere; 2) sections of natural boulders interspersed. Member Ferguson noted that while the gabion wall illustration looked better this time around, he still preferred natural as opposed to artificial. Member Ferguson moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the design of a gabion wall, with natural boulders, and no shade structure. Motion died for lack of a second. Chairman Crites moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the design of a gabion wall, with natural boulders, and the agave shade structure. Motion was seconded by Ferguson and FAILED by a 2-3 vote, with Members Benson, Kelly, and Spiegel voting NO. Member Benson moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the agave shade structure alone. Motion was seconded by Crites and FAILED by a 2-3 vote, with Vice Chairman Ferguson and Members Kelly and Spiegel voting NO. — Member Kelly moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the design of a gabion "canyon" wall with natural boulders. Motion was seconded by Ferguson and FAILED by a 2-3 vote, with Member Benson, Mayor Crites, and Member Spiegel voting NO. Chairman Crites moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Approve the design for a natural stone canyon wall feature and the agave shade structure at Entrada del Paseo; 2) authorize the City Clerk to call for bids for construction of Phase Two of the Eric Johnson Gardens (Contract No. R21090A). Motion was seconded by Benson and carried by a 3-2 vote, with Members Kelly and Spiegel voting NO. XV. OLD BUSINESS None XVI. PUBLIC HEARINGS None XVII. REPORTS, REMARKS, AND AGENCY BOARD ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR None 7 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING APRIL 14, 2005 B. AGENCY COUNSEL None C. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AGENCY None XVIII. ADJOURNMENT With Agency Board concurrence, Chairman Crites adjourned the meeting at 5:22 p.m. ATTEST: BUFFS A. RITES, CHAIRMAN .<'" RACHELLE D. KL SS 6, SECRETAR`( PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 8