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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-12MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 12, 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: Justin McCarthy, Acting City Manager Robert W. Hargreaves, Deputy City Attorney Sheila R. Gilligan, ACM for Community Services Homer Croy, ACM for Development Services Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk Mark D. Greenwood, City Engineer Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building & Safety 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 Craig Kilday, Chief/Captain, Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriffs Dept. III. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Request for Closed Session: None Upon a motion by Member Spiegel, second by Member Benson, and 5-0 vote of the Agency Board, Chairman Crites adjourned the meeting to Closed Session for the City Council at 3:01 p.m. MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MAY 12, 2005 IV. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M. Chairman Crites reconvened the meeting at 4:00 p.m. V. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS None VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Redevelopment Agency Meeting of April 28, 2005. Rec: Approve as presented. APPROVED the Minutes on a 3-0-2 vote, with Member Benson and Vice Chairman Ferguson ABSTAINING due to their absence from that meeting. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE AGENCY TREASURY - Warrant Nos. 222RDA, 224RDA, 228RDA, 225RDA, 229-Housing, 226HA, and 230HA. Rec: Approve as presented. C. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Final Payment to Southern California Edison for the Fred Waring Drive Undergrounding Project. Rec: By Minute Motion: 1) Authorize final payment to Southern California Edison in the amount of $4,958.42 for the Fred Waring Drive Undergrounding Project; 2) authorize the Director of Finance to appropriate said funds from Unobligated RDA Project Area No. 1 funds. D. REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE OF WORK for Contract No. R21180B — Country Club Village Sewer and Street Improvements (Temco, Newhall, CA). Rec: By Minute Motion, accept the work as complete and authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the subject project. 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MAY 12, 2005 E. REQUEST FOR RATIFICATION of a Professional Services Contract for Conceptual Design of the City/College of the Desert Aquatic Facility (Contract No. C23750) (Joint Consideration with the Palm Desert City Council). Removed for separate consideration under Section VII, Consent Items Held Over. Please see that portion of the Minutes for City Council/Agency Board discussion and action. Vice Chairman Ferguson requested that Item E be held for separate consideration under Section VII, Consent Items Held Over. Upon motion by Ferguson, second by Spiegel, the remainder of the Consent Calendar was approved as presented by a 5-0 vote, with the exception of Item A, with Member Benson and Vice Chairman Ferguson ABSTAINING thereon due to their absence from the meeting of April 28, 2005. VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER E. REQUEST FOR RATIFICATION of a Professional Services Contract for Conceptual Design of the City/College of the Desert Aquatic Facility (Contract No. C23750) (Joint Consideration with the Palm Desert City Council). Mayor Pro TemNice Chairman Ferguson stated that while he agreed it was important to get moving on a community pool, he did not know whether its location had yet been decided. He noted that the staff report indicated a feasibility study would be done for a College of the Desert (COD) pool, but he said he was not sure the City Council or City Manager had made that decision yet. Senior Management Analyst Martin Alvarez stated that staff had been working with COD to look at various site possibilities, and this was one site that had been identified by both the City Manager, staff, and COD representatives as a potential site. Mayor Pro TemNice Chairman Ferguson suggested that other potential sites also be considered; i.e., the CalState Campus. Councilman/Member Kelly stated that the study could be done with a footprint that could be used wherever the pool is situated. Mayor/Chairman Crites asked whether Parks & Recreation had discussed looking at both CalState and COD or whether it had been presented as an option, and Councilman Spiegel responded that it had not. 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MAY 12, 2005 Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chairman Ferguson stated that he really had no preference as to location of the pool as long as it meets the needs; however, it was his understanding that the inexpensive part of building a pool was the construction, while the expensive part was operation and maintenance. He said he had heard informally that CalState had offered to do that, while COD had not. If a footprint is done that could go in either location, he felt that would be money well spent; however, he felt coming up with a footprint that has already made that choice was prematurely limiting the options. Councilman/Member Kelly said he felt the COD site was more centrally located and was closer to the YMCA and the Coachella Valley Recreation and Parks District, and he was leaning more toward that location. However, he did not see that Council had to make a decision at this point as to the location of the pool. The study can be done to determine whether the pool will fit at COD, and if it does, it will certainly fit at the CalState campus; at the same time, determination can be made as to cost of operation and maintenance. Mayor/Chairman Crites suggested that the motion include authorization to staff to ask the consultant to determine what, if any, extra costs would be involved in doing something that would be usable on the CalState campus as well as COD. He agreed this was not the time to discuss where the pool should be located, although it would be nice to have data on both locations. Mr. Alvarez stated that in addition to looking at the site, staff was looking at the facility and program needs of the various users as well. Councilman/Member Kelly noted that there was a very successful swim team was located with the City of Palm Desert and had even added the City's name to its swimsuits. Because there is currently no pool for them to use, those members are having to go out of the City to swim. He knew of one team member who joined the Palm Springs Swim Team because that was the only place she could swim competitively. He hoped input from representatives of the swim team would be considered, as he would not want to build a pool that could not be used by those swimmers. Councilman/Member Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion, ratify staffs authorization to proceed with a professional design services contract with Aquatic Design Group, Carlsbad, California, in the amount of $7,500 and authorize a 10% contingency for conceptual design of the City/COD Aquatic Facility (funds are available in Account No. 850-4549-454-4001), with further authorization for staff to ask the contractor to render its design services so that alternative sites for the facility could also be considered (i.e., California State University, San Bernardino - Palm Desert Campus). Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by a 5-0 vote. 4 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MAY 12, 2005 VIII. RESOLUTIONS — None IX. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT DATED MAY 11, 1989, BETWEEN THE PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT. MR. ROB BALLEW, CEO of the YMCA, said he appreciated the relationship between the YMCA and the City and offered to answer any questions. Member Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion, extend the term of the subject Lease Agreement to May 1, 2006. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by a 5-0 vote. B. CONSIDERATION OF THE TRANSFER OF THE DISPOSITION DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND CNL HOSPITALITY PARTNERSHIP L.P. TO ASHFORD HOSPITALITY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP. Mr. McCarthy noted the staff report and recommendation in the packets and stated that staff was available to answer any questions. Member Spiegel asked whether the new company would retain the Marriott brand. Mr. Yrigoyen responded that that was an obligation as part of the Disposition Development Agreement. He said they had informed the Agency that they are currently talking to Marriott residents and would continue that process. Upon further question, Mr. Yrigoyen responded that he did not know whether the same staff would be retained or if new staff would be brought in. However, with the last transfer, the same staff was maintained. Member Benson moved to, by Minute Motion, authorize transfer of the subject Disposition Development Agreement and authorize the Chairman to execute all documents necessary to approve said transfer to Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Ferguson ABSENT. C. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS LAGUNA PALMS APARTMENTS (CONTRACT NO. R23010B). Upon question by Member Spiegel, Housing Authority Administrator Janet Moore responded that RPM was the property manager, but this agreement was for the actual project management for construction of the renovations. 5 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MAY 12, 2005 Member Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Approve an agreement with The Keith Companies, Palm Desert, California, for the subject services in an amount not to exceed $44,850 plus $1,000 for reimbursable costs for the project known as Laguna Palms Apartments, based on the proposal and rate sheet provided; 2) authorize the Chairman to execute said contract; 3) appropriate $45,850 to Account No. 870-4481-464-4001 for this purpose. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Ferguson ABSENT. D. REQUEST FOR DIRECTION RELATIVE TO THE HENDERSON COMMUNITY BUILDING AT ENTRADA DEL PASEO. Mr. McCarthy noted the staff report and recommendation in the packets and stated that staff was available to answer any questions. Member Benson said she was not prepared to spend $3.5 million on this building and felt there should be an ad hoc committee of the Council to look over all of the options. Upon question by Member Spiegel, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian responded that the architect for this project was Patel Architecture in Rancho Mirage. She said when the architect was selected, it involved a competitive process, and an honorarium had been provided to three different architecture firms, including Prest-Vuksic and Kristi Hanson Architects. Patel Architecture was selected by the committee that reviewed the presentations of all three and made recommendations to the Agency Board. Chairman Crites said he had several questions: — Stopping, redesigning, and going with a different design adds time to the process, and he asked how much that additional time cost as compared with increased construction costs associated with the redesign? Ms. Aylaian responded that the escalation of construction costs was the real wild card here. Switching designers or starting over with the same designer would likely add four to six months to the design time; therefore, construction would be pushed out another six months, and escalation of construction costs has been approximately) 5% per year. — One of the big increases as noted in the staff report was the LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Design) certification. Part of the LEED certification was designed to lower Tong -term maintenance and energy costs. He asked how much of the increase that we have in the building of something is decreased by how much we save over a 10- or 20-year period. 6 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MAY 12, 2005 Ms. Aylaian responded that the annual costs for operating this building are probably $30,000 to $40,000 per year as far as utility costs, which is generally where the LEED savings come in. Therefore, even a dramatic savings (i.e., 20% with an extra energy - efficient building) would not result in recouping large first -cost premiums for the energy efficiency. She added that the way the building was designed, not getting a LEED certification would not result in very dramatic savings because this architect was one who was selected in part because he is noted for green architecture and for energy -conserving design. — It would be helpful to see a breakdown of the increased cost. Ms. Aylaian responded that she had a 12- to 13-page detailed cost estimate on every element in the building. — The chart included in the staff report indicates an increase of $214,000 for the building design complexity because it is "more elaborate than envisioned." How much of that is the extra public meeting space and everything the Council chose to add? Ms. Aylaian responded that none of that was included in the $214,000 figure but was instead included in the $243,500 item for public meeting space. Member Spiegel asked if the costs had been discussed with the architect and if he had any recommendations to bring the costs down. Ms. Aylaian responded that the numbers before the Agency Board were the result of a collaborative effort between staff, the architect, and a construction firm that worked on the estimates. In addition, two other firms had reviewed everything. The bottom line was that this level of custom design was not going to be value engineered down to a traditional conventional design. Vice Chairman Ferguson asked how much was projected to be spent when the Visitor Center is finally completed. Ms. Aylaian responded that it would be approximately $4.3 million. On a square foot basis, she said that worked about to approximately $524 per square foot for the Visitor Center; for the multi -use building, it would be approximately $603 per square foot. Since that building was smaller, the cost per square foot was typically a little higher. Member Kelly said with everything he saw here and with the experience with construction of other buildings in the City, he felt this building should be completed as soon as possible before it costs even more and we end up with 7 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MAY 12, 2005 a building that is not as nice. This is a high class building designed with all of the modern energy efficiency, and he felt it needed to move forward. Vice Chairman Ferguson agreed and said he was surprised with the request to make changes once again. This property was purchased to do something unique, special, and different. He was very happy with the way Cuistot turned out, and from what he could tell, the Visitor Center was going to be spectacular. He felt it would not be possible to build something like this again in the future for anything close to what is being spent for it now. He said he was advised once that buildings should designed and constructed as if they had no tenants. Tenants change, but buildings don't; on that basis, he said he felt this building filled out the site with a third building that is truly on a par with the two previous buildings and the landscaping that has been done. MR. RAY RODRIGUEZ, 39-417 Palace Drive, Palm Desert, spoke on behalf of the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce and expressed support and confidence in the Agency Board as it considers this matter. He said they appreciated the future potential home for the Chamber and were eagerly anticipating that. Member Benson said she did not see the need to spend so much money, especially with the existing Visitor Center building on the corner of Monterey and Highway 111, which could be used by the Chamber of Commerce. With regard to providing meeting space for non-profit agencies, she said there were other places where these groups could meet, such as the Portola Community Center, which is currently used by groups. Vice Chairman Ferguson noted that this had variously described as the "Chamber Building," and he felt it was anything but that. It was a community building for non -profits, of which the Chamber of Commerce was one. In moving forward with the building, he was sure discussion would be held to determine the best location for the Chamber. He acknowledged the Portola Community Center as a place for non-profit groups to meet, but there were no places for other groups to meet. He agreed with Member Kelly that by the time the City gets done "futzing" around with this, it will wind up with a conventional building that costs just as much as what it is prepared to spend now. Member Kelly moved to, by Minute Motion, approve naming the planned multi -use building the Henderson Community Building and direct staff to increase the budget and continue design as planned. Motion was seconded by Ferguson and carried by a 4-1 vote, with Member Benson voting NO. 8 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MAY 12, 2005 E. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATE A DISPOSITION AND — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF 26 AFFORDABLE SENIOR RENTAL UNITS AND 94 AFFORDABLE SINGLE- FAMILY HOMES ON A 20-ACRE PARCEL OWNED BY THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY. Member Kelly moved to, by Minute Motion, authorize Redevelopment Agency staff to negotiate the subject Disposition and Development Agreement with ComDyn LLC, Santa Monica, California, for development of 26 units of senior rental housing and 94 single- family homes as part of the City of Palm Desert's affordable housing program. Motion was seconded by Spiegel and carried by a 5-0 vote. X. CONTINUED BUSINESS None XI. OLD BUSINESS None XII. PUBLIC HEARINGS —" A. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION FOR THE PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO A HOUSING COOPERATION AGREEMENT IN ORDER TO PLAN, UNDERTAKE, CONSTRUCT OR OPERATE HOUSING PROJECTS (JOINT CONSIDERATION WITH THE PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY). Housing Authority Administrator Janet Moore reviewed the staff report and recommendation and offered to answer any questions. Chairman Crites declared the public hearing open and invited testimony in FAVOR of or in OPPOSITION to this request. With no testimony offered, he declared the public hearing closed. Member Kelly moved to: 1) Waive further reading and adopt Redevelopment Agency Resolution No. 500 and Housing Authority Resolution No. HA-26, approving a Housing Cooperation Agreement; 2) by Minute Motion, authorize the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency and Palm Desert Housing Authority to enter into a Housing Cooperation Agreement, in accordance with Housing Cooperation Law, in order to plan, undertake, construct or operate housing projects (Contract No. R23800); 3) by Minute Motion, authorize the Chairman to execute all documents necessary to enter into the Housing Cooperation Agreement. Motion was seconded by Spiegel and carried by a 5-0 vote. 9 MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MAY 12, 2005 XIII. REPORTS, REMARKS, AND AGENCY BOARD ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR None B. AGENCY COUNSEL None C. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AGENCY Chairman Crites suggested reversing the order of agenda consideration in order to take up business of the Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, and, when needed, Financing Authority Meetings at each future regular meeting, followed by the City Council Agenda. Agency Board members concurred with this direction. XIV. ADJOURNMENT With Agency Board concurrence, Chairman Crites adjourned the meeting at 6:18 p.m. ATTEST: BUFORPIA. CRITES, CHAIRMAN k''el.‘,,I �_ s RACHELLE D. KLASSE , SECRETARY PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 10