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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Citizens' Advisory Committee for Project Area No. 4 - 09/20/2004PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: MARIA HUNT DATE: FEBRUARY 15, 2005 SUBJECT: SUBMISSION OF APPROVED MINUTES FOR THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 20. 2004 Attached is a copy of the approved minutes for the above -mentioned Project Area No. 4 Committee meeting. Please include in the agenda for the next City Council meeting. Please contact me if I can be of assistance. Thank you. mh Attachment (1) G:\RDA\Former Employees\Niamh Ortega \Wpdata\Committees\PA4\Memos \rklassen - minute submittal 042204.doc PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Campbell on Monday, September 20, 2004, at 3:05 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Russell Campbell, Chairman Charles Ash, Member Harry Church, Member Jane Daugherty, Member Joyce Frisco, Member Jerome Pineau, Member Sherry Trevor, Member Also Present: Absent: Frank Proulx, Member Lauri Aylaian, Development Manager Dennis Coleman, Redevelopment Finance Manager Pat Conlon, Special Projects Administrator Cindy Finerty, Planning Commission Liaison Ryan Gayler, Management Analyst Mark Greenwood, City Engineer Richard S. Kelly, Councilmember Justin McCarthy, ACM/Redevelopment Niamh Ortega, Recording Secretary Robert Spiegel, Mayor Ryan Stendell, Planning Technician David Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Campbell acknowledged Ms. Goffiney's resignation from the Committee due to her recent relocation to Utah. He also informed the Committee that on June 16, 2004, David Yrigoyen was presented with an Award of Excellence from the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce for his outstanding service to the City of Palm Desert. The Committee expressed its appreciation and applauded his efforts. Mr. Ash commented that pending a favorable outcome of the lawsuit relative to Palm Desert Country Club Development, construction would begin shortly thereafter. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF MAY 17, 2004 MOTION made by Member Trevor, seconded by Member Frisco, and unanimously carried, that the Minutes of the May 17, 2004, meeting be approved as presented. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. VI. NEW BUSINESS None. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON CAPITAL PROJECTS BUDGET Member Yrigoyen stated that he would address this issue in conjunction with Item VIII. A. He reminded the Committee of the discussion that took place at the May 17, 2004 meeting regarding G:\RDA\Niamh Ortega\Wpdata\Committees\PA4\Minutes\2004\092004.doc 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 the reallocation of priorities in terms of available funds. It was viewed from the perspective that there was a balance of approximately $2.3 million available. It was discussed whether funds should be allocated to the Freedom Park budget, and the Committee chose to continue the item until estimates are received from the engineering firm. Since the last meeting, those estimated budget figures have been received from the engineers relative to what funds would be required to complete the park as designed. Mr. Stendell distributed copies of the estimate for Freedom Park, and reported that the results were favorable, provided the ball fields would be phased as discussed previously. The concession stand was removed from the plan, reducing the budget by approximately $2.5 million. The main core, consisting of the infrastructure, basketball and volleyball courts, tot lot and open space would cost approximately $6.2 million. This would be considered Phase I, and these funds are available. Mayor Spiegel discussed the planned opening of the school adjacent to the park, and explained how the children currently attending Washington Charter School will be bussed to the new school so that Washington Charter School can be remodeled in a twelve-month timeframe. The school district has purchased the land upon which the school is being constructed. Discussion took place surrounding the original and revised Freedom Park budget. Member Ash questioned where the funds have been spent. Mr. Coleman addressed this by explaining that originally, $7.5 million was budgeted for the project. Additionally, $804,000 was received from the sale of approximately twelve acres to the school district. The recommendation of the Committee as approved by Council was to increase funding by $804,000 for a total of $8.3 million. This amount included the acquisition cost of $2.1 million for the land, $200,000 for grading, and additional funding for soft costs. At the beginning of this fiscal year, approximately $5.5 million remained, with approximately $286,000 outstanding in an encumbrance for the design contract. Also, approximately $900,000 will be received from the State, for a total of $6.2 million. Construction costs are now estimated to be greater than anticipated, resulting in the need for additional funding. Mr. Stendell also noted that the estimates received are based on the premise that construction would begin immediately. Should the project be delayed further, costs could increase. Given that it is hoped that construction would begin in the near future, an inflator G:\RDA\Niamh Ortega\Wpdata\Committees\PA4\Minutes\2004\092004.doc 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 would not be necessary for Phase I, but may be warranted for subsequent phases, although these phases are not planned at this time. Mr. Pineau questioned the size of the park, which Mr. Stendell responded is approximately 22 acres, plus the 12 acres occupied and used by the school district. Mr. Pineau also asked why this park is being funded. Mayor Spiegel explained that the State sets standards for the acreage that should be set aside by each City for parks and recreational facilities. Additionally, as the north sphere continues to grow, the Council felt that this would be a good area for a park. The land became available, and there is not currently a residential neighborhood next to it, making it easier to construct the park. The park is also adjacent to the school, and could eventually have childcare facilities at the park. Project Area No. 4 is responsible for the funding because it falls within the project area. Additionally, at the time that the Committee was first established, a primary goal set by the Committee was to fund and develop a park within the project area as described in the Redevelopment Specific Plan for Project Area No. 4 (adopted June 14,1993). Ms. Frisco asked for clarification regarding the undergrounding projects and the moving of funds. She asked if it was desired that the Committee reallocate the $2.4 million from the undergrounding to the baseball fields. Mr. Yrigoyen responded that that would be the staff recommendation. Councilman Kelly requested specific information with regard to where the funding for the park originated. Mr. Coleman responded that approximately $8.3 million was received from Redevelopment funding, with a breakdown of $7.5 million from Project Area No. 4 bonds, $800,000 from land sale proceeds to the school district. Approximately $900,000 will be received from the State. Ms. Finerty pointed out that the previous budget was established almost ten years ago, and that it should be expected that costs have increased during that time period. Mayor Spiegel addressed undergrounding procedures, and explained petitioning and balloting procedures should a neighborhood wish to underground their utilities. Member Ash indicated that a small committee has been formed for his neighborhood within Palm Desert Country Club to explore interest in undergrounding at this location, and elaborated on the perceived benefits of undergrounding. G:\RDA\Niamh Ortega\Wpdata\Committees\pA4\Minutes\2004\092004.doc 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 Member Frisco questioned the timeframe for undertaking the second phase of the ballpark. Mr. Coleman replied that there is an additional $12 million to $19 million bonding capacity, and funding could be available in approximately six months. Mr. Conlon informed the Committee that the City's share in undergrounding costs for the Palm Desert Country Club neighborhood, including California Avenue, would be estimated at approximately $7 million. MOTION to allocate $2.4 million for baseball fields and related amenities at Freedom Park made by Member Frisco, seconded by Member Trevor, unanimously approved. VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. REVIEW OF BUDGET AND DISCUSSION OF PHASING (Ryan Stendell, Planning Technician) See above discussion. IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. CODE COMPLIANCE RELATIVE TO LANDSCAPING AT PERIMETER OF INDIAN RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB ALONG COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE An update will be provided at the next regular meeting. B. UPDATE ON WARNER TRAIL STORM DRAIN Mr. Greenwood reviewed the project with the Committee, and commented that the boring of the sewer has been completed on Fred Waring, and the contractor has begun work on Miles Avenue. The Miles bridge is scheduled to open in late October. Work will continue in front of the school on Warner Trail during the Christmas break with the installation of sewer, water, storm drain and Edison undergrounding. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A gentleman in attendance stated that he had contacted the City regarding the lack of landscaping on the median of Avenue of the States. Mr. Campbell responded that he had been informed that the project will be going out to bid and is expected to begin work in approximately 60 to 90 G:\RDA\Niamh Ortega\Wpdata\Committees\PA4\Minutes\2004\092004.doc 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 days. Ms. Marcella Brown, a guest at the meeting, informed the Committee that the Chevron gas station on Washington and Avenue of the States has not been maintained since the station has been sold. It has been cleaned occasionally following complaints called in by residents. Mr. Yrigoyen responded that he would address the issue with Code Compliance. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Campbell adjourned the meeting at 3:55 p.m. G:\RDA\Niamh Crtega\Wpdata\Committees\PA4\Minutes2004\092004.doc 7ed,ke, 74/ Niamh Ortega, Recording Secretary 6