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Home My WebLink AboutLandscape Btfctn Cmte - 09/17/08 CITY OF PALM DESERT ��—� � � MINUTES - LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING � � Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 11:30 a.m. Public Works Conference Room - Palm Desert Civic Center 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260 I. Call to Order 11: 00 a.m. a� U .,-i II. Roll Call `� w � a Present: Absent: � �, Chairman H. Spencer Knight Member Martin Atvarez ° � Vice-Chairman Lauri Aylaian Member Mark Greenwood � Member Homer Croy Member Bob Spiegel '� � v Member Richard S. Kelly ' Member Connor Limont w � + Member Carlos L. Ortega z x . Member Janis Steele (alt. Jay Niemczak) A o o � �- ,� .. +� z -� Also Present: o � � �° Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist Ei , ��I �' Hart Ponder, Code Compliance Manager � ,.�: iY. �• ( �� .T..- Bertha A. Gonzalez, Recording Secretary a �a i�o�°• ,r`� ` i'--� r ' Q��+ .:: b/ ,w W'H �\ I� �.{ III. Oral Communications v r- o w w � �-z,�=�� Tw None � � � "� -� k-� H �� -; 4 : f� �� .. '� (Ya i5Q f-� �: ia^ `;�I � a-i t-"� E-� {� U �::1 r�r C:�� 1r' �:: ;^J.' IV. Consent Calendar H a r� "� ;�"; �� °� ��' "' ` U �aC r� h; _� �� .:;; ,::; ; c� A. MINUTES of the Regular Landscape Beautification Committee Meeting of August 20, 2008. Member Ke�ly asked for the exact location of the Fitness Express Gym, which is located on Alessandro Way across from the Shelter of the Storm. Since the City has never had an official policy regarding usage of artificial turf on commercial/residential properties and due to the City's water conservation policy, Member Kelly asked the Committee to add to the next APPROVED MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE September 17, 2008 scheduled meeting the discussion of the pros and cons of artificial turF and nuisance water. Upon a motion by H. Spencer Knight, second by Member Croy, and 6-1-0 vote of the Committee Board with Member Aylaian abstaining, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. Consent Items Held Over None VI. New Business A. Civic Center Ball Field Complex Oak Tree Removals Member Knight requested the Committee's approval to remove a line of Oak trees that are located in the Civic Center walkway. Too many trees were planted in the walkway and they are now encroaching into each other. Staff suggests that the trees in the center row be removed because their roots raised grates and have damaged the concrete. The trees cannot be relocated; they will need to be cut down. Upon a motion from Member Ortega, second by Member Kelly and a 7-0 vote of the Committee Board, staff was directed to move forward with the removal of the Oak trees. B. Approval for the Usaqe of Plant Dve bv Code Enforcement Hart Ponder, Code Compliance Manager, informed the Committee that a number of residential homes are currently under foreclosure and Code Compliance has received complaints regarding the condition of the front yards. He presented before and after photos of residential yards that have been sprayed with a green, non-toxic plant dye, in order to adhere with the neighborhood compatibility policy. The cost to spray the dye is about $150, depending on the size of the yard, and Code will have the opportunity to have a portion of the money refunded. Staff predicts that the dye will last about 60 days before seeing any signs of fading. Mr. Ponder informed the Committee that this is not the final solution to the problem, but could serve as a temporary solution that will help alleviate the visual impact and the complaints. Upon a motion by Member Ketly, second by Member Croy and a 7-0 vote of the Committee Board, the item was approved as presented. 2 APPROVED MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE September 17, 2008 VII. Continued Business A. Proposed Tree Ordinance Member Knight informed the Committee that in order for the City of Palm Desert to become a Tree USA City, a tree pruning ordinance needs to be in place. At a previous meeting, the Committee had concerns with the statement made under the Private Sector item. The Committee had expressed their concerns with the City getting involved with having to enforce the policy in residential areas. Following a brief discussion, the Committee asked to further review the policy and return the item to the next scheduled meeting. Upon a motion by Member Limont, second by Member Kelly and a 7-0 vote from the Committee Board, the item was continued. B. Non-Overseedinq Policy and Procedure for Turf At a previous meeting, Member Knight presented the Committee with a request to approve a non-overseeding policy in order to allow residents to not overseed their front yards. The City promotes the conversion of front yard landscapes to water tolerant landscapes; yet, because of the neighborhood compatibility policy, keeping the front yards green becomes an issue. Currently, when Code Compliance receives complaints regarding non-overseeded yards, because of the neighborhood compatibility policy, they will send a notice to residents requesting them to overseed. According to Code Compliance there is a conflict of policies: Water Conservation vs. Neighborhood Compatibility. Therefore, staff asks the Committee's review and approval to set forth the non-overseeding policy that will alleviate further conflicts. Policy items included: 1. The Policy is in effect between October 15 and April 15 2. All turF areas that are not overseeded must be kept weed and litter free, at a minimum height of 3/4" edged, and in good appearance 3. All non-overseeded turf must be irrigated a minimum of once a month to exercise the irrigation system and to keep the turf root zone from completely drying out. Irrigation shall be run long 3 APPROVED MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE September 17, 2008 enough to wet soil to a depth of 6 inches. Irrigation run times should be scheduled so as to prevent run off. 4. Residents should be given the option to administer plant dye on their yard After a brief discussion, the Committee agreed that residents should have the option to not overseed their yards as long as they adhere to the items listed under the Non-Overseeding Policy. Code Compliance was directed to take each complaint on a case-by-case basis in order to determine whether the complaint is due to a foreclosure or a dormant yard, a residential water conservation effort or maintenance issue. Code Compliance asked staff for an informational item that they can refer to when handling this type of complaints. Upon a motion by Member Limont, second by Member Kelly and a 7-0 vote from the Committee Board, the policy was approved as presented. VIII. Old Business None IX. Reports and Remarks - Member Limont, referring to the last meeting, requested the Committee's approval to have staff look into the cost of removing the grass areas, between the curb and sidewalk, along Haystack that are not in use. Member Croy informed the Committee that staff is currently working on this item and he will inform the Committee when more information becomes available. - Member Kelly requested that as a Water Conservation Committee the Committee should consider having an item of discussion on how the City can help replenish the aquifer and that the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) be invited to the discussion. One example given by Member Kelly was having a policy put in place that will allow using the ponds from the golf courses in Palm Desert. If liners are not set on the ponds, with the exception of one that can be used for irrigation, when the lakes are refilled with CVWD water, the water will soak to the bottom and help replenish the aquifer. - Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist, informed the Committee that the Grand Opening of the Henderson Building will be on October 11, 2008. There will be a number of landscape educational booths, including pruning demos and water conservation. 4 APPROVED MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE September 17, 2008 X. Adjournment With no further business or discussion, and Landscape Beautification Committee Board concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m. H. pen r g t, Lands e Manager ATTEST: ertha A. onzal , Recor ' g Secretary Landscape Beautification ommittee 5