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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-24MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER I. CALL TO ORDER - 3:00 P.M. Chairman Crites convened the meeting at 3:04 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 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 Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building & Safety 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 J. Luis Espinoza, Assistant Finance Director Steve Smith, Planning Manager Walt Holloway, Battalion Chief, Palm Desert/Riverside County Fire Dept./CDF Steve Thetford, Asst. Chief, Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriffs Dept. III. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Request for Closed Session: Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2005 1) Property: APNs. 620-400-025; 620-400-003; 620-420-010 Negotiating Parties: Agency: Justin McCarthy/Lauri Aylaian/ Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Property Owner: Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Other Parties: Les Melcher/Woodbine Development Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment 2) Property: 42-455 Washington Street, Palm Desert (APN 637-071-002) Negotiating Parties: Agency: Justin McCarthy/Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Property Owner: Santo Tomas Company Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment Upon a motion by Vice Chairman Ferguson, second by Member Kelly, and 5-0 vote of the Agency Board, Chairman Crites adjourned the meeting to Closed Session at 3:06 p.m. He reconvened the meeting at 4:00 p.m. IV. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M. A. REPORT ON ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION. None V. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS None VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Redevelopment Agency Meeting of February 10, 2005. Rec: Approve as presented. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE AGENCY TREASURY - Warrant Nos. 163RDA, 167RDA, 170RDA; 165HA; 164-Housing, and 171-Housing. Rec: Approve as presented. 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2005 C. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Amendment to Contract No. R21800 — Operation of the El Paseo Courtesy Cart Program. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve an amendment to the subject contract with Rite Rate Business Solutions, Palm Desert, California, to include verbiage which requires performances of the program under Resolution No. 474. Upon motion by Ferguson, second by Kelly, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented by a 5-0 vote. VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. RESOLUTIONS None IX. NEW 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. Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian reviewed the staff report and offered to answer any questions. MR. CHUCK SHEPARDSON, Landscape Architect, HSA Design Group, provided a brief background of the project's phasing, the proposed gabion wall concept, and agave shade structure. Upon question by Member Kelly, he responded that GFRC was the faux rock used throughout the canyons and water features at Desert Willow Resort and also at BIGHORN. Vice Chairman Ferguson stated that what he did not want to do was what had been done at Desert Willow with the faux rock; although the rock outcroppings were beautiful and resembled the canyons, one had only to go over and touch the rock to feel cheated because it was phony. The Entrada project would be much more interactive, with people wanting to go up and touch it. He preferred real rock. Upon question by Vice Chairman Ferguson, Mr. Shepardson responded that the two committees (Entrada del Paseo Steering Committee and Landscape Beautification Committee) could not come up with a decision, which was why the matter was before the Agency Board. 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2005 Member Benson noted that Chairman Crites had the opportunity recently to see examples in person in Scottsdale, and she asked for his opinion. Chairman Crites stated that staff and the architect both liked the "enhanced gabion," which had the re -bar on it. He looked at an example and felt that, while the walls looked great from 30 feet away, he did not like how they looked up close; they looked like the project had not yet been completed. Member Kelly stated he had been very vocal at the Landscape Beautification Committee about not liking the gabion wall and preferred what was done at Desert Willow to that. He said he would rather use natural rock and have it look natural, with strata in the walls, etc. Upon question by Chairman Crites, Mr. Shepardson responded that all natural boulders would cost less than the gabion walls. Chairman Crites said his bias was that, no matter what is done, it should be something that actually looks like a local canyon. The bottom portion could be scoured gray/white, which is seen where water is constantly feeding through. As it goes up, the color and type of rock could change, with horizontal bands of rock, etc. Further up there could be a setback, which is something you would see in a canyon, where there would be a cracked plain, and plants could be put in high enough where kids are not able to reach them and pull them down. Vice Chairman Ferguson said his preference was to keep it natural stone with tiering; introducing steel into a desert concept seemed unnatural to him. Member Kelly said his preference was also to have natural boulders. Chairman Crites said there seemed to be a sense of "natural is naturally better," and he suggested continuing this matter for two weeks, directing the architect to return with a rendering of what that might look like. After Mr. Shepardson's presentation regarding the shade structure, Chairman Crites asked whether Public Arts Manager Richard Twedt had an opportunity to review the proposal. MR. SHEPARDSON responded that Mr. Twedt had not reviewed the final concept, but he would pass it by him for his input. Chairman Crites said he felt this was a strong statement, and if he were in the public art program, he would say this was an art piece as much as anything else. Member Benson said she felt it should be reviewed by the Art In Public Places Commission as well. 4 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2005 Ms. Aylaian noted that the original configuration had been shown to both Mr. Twedt and the Art In Public Places (AIPP) Commission some time ago. AIPP had set aside $170,000, and there was a total of $250,000 including the Redevelopment funds set aside for AIPP. She said they were looking at a couple of different concepts, some sculptures and some that would work with this as an experiential thing, with people being led through each of the different elements and parts of the Gardens. While AIPP felt it was a good idea, it was not being included in the budget until next fiscal year. Chairman Crites said he felt it was important to present the "agave" shade structure component to the Art In Public Places for its review and input. Upon further question, Mrs. Klassen noted that the next AIPP meeting is scheduled for March 16, 2005. He suggested that the entire matter be brought back to Council at its next meeting even if the shade structure component is not ready to be brought back. Member Benson moved to continue review of the matter to the meeting of March 10, 2005, with the understanding that the "agave" shade structure component may need to be continued to the meeting of March 24, 2005, in order to provide the Art In Public Places Commission an opportunity for its consideration. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by a 3-0 vote, with Member Spiegel and Vice Chairman Ferguson ABSENT. B. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE — REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND HOUSING AUTHORITY BUDGETS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004/05 (JOINT CONSIDERATION WITH THE PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY). Upon question by Member Spiegel as to how much money the Housing Authority currently has, Redevelopment/Housing Finance Manager Dennis Coleman responded that, at the beginning of the year, there was approximately $21 million collectively between the Housing Authority and the 20% Set -aside budgets. Upon further question, he stated that to be prudent, the groundbreaking tomorrow would most likely be paid from the 80% money. Member Spiegel moved to waive further reading and adopt: 1) Redevelopment Agency Resolution No. 499, amending the FY 2004/05 Budget as a result of Mid -year Adjustments; 2) Housing Authority Resolution No. HA-25, amending the FY 2004/05 Budget as a result of Mid -year Adjustments. Motion was seconded by Ferguson and carried by a 5-0 vote. X. CONTINUED BUSINESS None 5 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2005 XI. OLD BUSINESS None XII. PUBLIC HEARINGS None XIII. REPORTS, REMARKS, AND AGENCY BOARD ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR None B. AGENCY COUNSEL None C. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AGENCY Member Spiegel asked staff to provide a quarterly report on Intrawest's timeshare sales at Desert Willow. XIV. ADJOURNMENT Member Kelly moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:31 p.m. Motion was seconded by Benson and carried by a 3-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Ferguson and Member Spiegel ABSENT. ATTEST: RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, SECRETARY OF A. RIBS, CHAIRMAN PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 6