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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Citzen's Advisory Committee for Project Area No. 4 - 10/20/2003PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: NIAMH ORTEGA, SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT DATE: MARCH 5, 2004 SUBJECT: SUBMISSION OF MINUTES FOR THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MEETING OF OCTOBER 20, 2003 Attached for addition to the agenda for the City Council meeting of March 25, 2004, is a copy of the minutes for the Project Area No. 4 Committee meeting of October 20, 2003. Please let me know if you need additional information. nmo Attachment (1) G:\RDA\Niamh Ortega\WP Data\Committees\PA4\Memos\rklassen-PA4minutes.wpd PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES October 20, 2003 I. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Campbell on Monday, October 20, 2003, at 3:00 p.m. 11. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Charles Ash, Member Russell Campbell, Chairman Harry Church, Member Joyce Frisco, Member Marjorie Goffiney, Vice -Chairman Frank Proulx, Member Aulden Schlatter, Member Sherry Trevor, Member Also Present: Lauri Aylaian, Development Manager Dennis Coleman, Redevelopment Finance Manager Mark Greenwood, City Engineer Richard Kelly, Council Member Justin McCarthy, ACM/Redevelopment Niamh Ortega, Recording Secretary Armando Rodriguez, Senior Engineer Robert Spiegel, Council Member Jeff Winklepleck, Parks and Recreation Planning Manager David Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment • CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 2003 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Member Goffiney reported that Country Club Drive continues to be an area with many speed offenders. This item was added to the agenda as New Business, Item VI, A. Member Goffiney also inquired as to the schedule for landscaping on Hovley at Kansas and Oasis. Mr. Greenwood responded that the area in question has been incorporated with several other jobs and the project manager is currently seeking working on the project. Installation is expected by Spring 2004. The bid for the traffic signal at Hovley and Oasis was awarded at the last council meeting and should be installed in January 2004. Member Goffiney stated that the area west of Oasis on Hovley has not yet been landscaped, whereas the rest of Hovley was landscaped as soon as the median was constructed. Mr. Greenwood pointed out that the City was responsible for landscaping this particular location. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF JUNE 16, 2003 MOTION made by Member Ash, seconded by Member Goffiney and unanimously carried, that the Minutes of the June 16, 2003, meeting be approved V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. SPEEDING CONCERNS ON COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE Member Goffiney commented on the westbound left -turn lane on Country Club to enter the Resorter Country Club. Due to the fact that there are speeders in both directions on Country Club, drivers waiting to turn left into the Resorter cannot proceed safely. She requested that the City contact the Palm Desert Police Department to include this area in the current surveillance occurring on Ho vley _ and Warner Trail. G:\RDA\Niandi Ortega\WP Data\Committees\PA4\Minutes\2003\102003.doc • CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 2003 B. RESIGNATION OF MEMBER AULDEN SCHLATTER The Committee accepted the resignation of Member Schlatter with sincere regret, and wished him well. C. CONSIDERATION OF INSTALLATION OF A MERGE LANE AT ELKHORN TRAIL AND FRED WARING DRIVE Mr. Greenwood stated that the request is to change the paved median on Fred Waring east of Elkhorn into either a two-way left - turn lane or an acceleration lane. It is not recommended to perform this improvement at this time due to the fact that the Fred Waring Drive widening project calls for the installation of a raised median at this location. Staff recommendations are still being formed for traffic control once the median is installed, but the current recommendation is not to proceed with a merge lane at this time. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. REPORT ON FEASIBILITY AND ASSOCIATED COSTS OF INSTALLATION OF STORM DRAINS At the last council meeting, two resolutions were approved which allows the Redevelopment Agency to provide funding for storm drain improvements. Proposals have been received for the design, and Council will award the contract at the next meeting. The recommended engineer has performed services for the City of Indian Wells, and since half of the project is located in Palm Desert and half in Indian Wells, it is important that staff take a cooperative approach. City of Indian Wells staff has concerns regarding project funding, as they have not yet budgeted for the project. Mr. - Greenwood stated that before the project moved forward, a cost - sharing agreement would be required to be approved by the Palm Desert City Council. Mr. Yrigoyen reminded the committee that the exact cost of the project would not be known until the engineering study is complete. VIII. OLD BUSINESS None. IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS G:1RDA\Niamh Ortega1WP Data\Committees\PA41Minutes12003\102003.doc 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 2003 A. UPDATE ON PROGRESS AT FREEDOM PARK Mr. Winklepleck reported that at the last City Council meeting, staff was directed to go back to the designer due to the fact that very little open park space existed. The original drawing included two large 250' fields and one small 225' field. Two variations were presented to the Committee, both allowing more open space. The first drawing depicted two large fields. This configuration allows for a large open area while still leaving room for the park to grow. The concession stand would likely be more of a snack bar, and would probably not prepare many cooked foods. The second drawing included three small fields. There is less open space and no opportunity to expand the park amenities with this option. However, the concession stand is in favor of this configuration as their primary source of income is concession sales, and would retail a wide selection of cooked foods. Mr. Winklepleck pointed out that the various configurations could still be revised. The location of other amenities in the park may still be revised, but the location for the school playground and buildings will not change. He also stated that access to the east and west of the project is still being explored. Once the project direction is determined the Committee will have the opportunity to review. Mr. Coleman stated that sufficient funds are available for the Redevelopment Agency's share of the project, although Mr. Winklepleck is researching additional funding through state grants. Councilman Spiegel announced that the groundbreaking for the school is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. and encouraged Committee members to attend. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS 1. CONSIDERATION OF PERFORMANCE OF JOINT IMPROVEMENTS WITH COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT (CVWD) ON THE LAND OWNED BY CVWD ON NORTHWEST CORNER OF FRED WARING DRIVE AND WARNER TRAIL G:\RDA\Niamh Ortega\WP Data\Committees\PA41Minutes12003\102003.doc CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 2003 Member Frisco reported that she had met with a CVWD representative responsible for the six residential lots on Fred Waring Drive and Warner Trail currently owned by CVWD. The representative is interested in improving the lots, and Ms. Frisco informed him that this particular portion of Fred Waring Drive would be included in the portion of the widening project scheduled to take place in. Ms. Frisco stated that many residents in the area feel that this location is an eyesore, and would like to improve it prior to 2005. The representative expressed an interest in performing joint improvements with the City. Member Ash recounted that he had spoken to Code enforcement staff, who stated that because the land was owned by a public agency, they could not enforce compliance. Councilman Kelly responded that although the City could not force CVWD to comply, the citizens could and should contact their representative on the CVWD Board of Directors to solicit their participation. Mr. Yrigoyen requested that Member Frisco provide him with the name of the individual she spoke to so that communication can continue at a staff level. He also stated that he would find out the name of the CVWD Board of Directors representative for Project Area No. 4 and provide that to the Committee at the next meeting. Member Aylaian pointed out that once the City disturbs any portion of an undeveloped lot, it now becomes the City's responsibility to maintain the lot, and control dust. She also reported that she has had conversations with CVWD who have indicated that if the Mayor or City Manager were to formulate a letter requesting their assistance in cleanup, they would be willing to consider it. 2. Member Ash questioned the mechanics of the process of undergrounding utilities. Mr. Yrigoyen stated that costs are being reviewed. He reminded those present that the Committee had previously voted to prioritize the projects for Project Area No. 4, with the storm drain as the first priority. As soon this project is funded, the committee can proceed with the second priority, Country Club undergrounding. Councilman Spiegel offered that a neighborhood could also petition the city to perform a particular project. In this case, each homeowner would be responsible for a portion of the project funds (approximately $15,000 per household for California Avenue), and the City would pay the remainder. G:\RDA\Niamh Ortega1WP Data\Comnuttees\PA41Minutes120031102003.doc ° CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 2003 B. STAFF 1. Mr. Yrigoyen announced the Committee/Commissions Christmas party is December 13, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails, and dinner at 7:00 p.m. 2. Mr. Greenwood introduced the new Engineering Manager, Chris Davies, who joined the Public Works department last week. Xl. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Campbell adjourned the meeting at 3:45 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Monday, November 17, 2003, at 3:00 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room. G:\RDA\Niamh Ortega\WP Data\Committees\PA4\Minutes\20031102003.doc Niamh Ortega, Rording Secretary 6