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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLndscape Btfctn Cmte - 05/02/09 ..+.+..�-=-- CITY OF PALM DESERT ����� � � MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING '�� , . . Wednesday, May 20, 2009 — 11:30 a.m. Administrative Conference Room — Palm Desert Civic Center 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260 I. Call to Order 11:30 a.m. II. Roll Call Present: Absent: Chairman H. Spencer Knight Member Homer Cro Vice-Chairman Lauri Aylaian Member John M. W�I�u h � Member Martin Alvarez z � O Member Mark Greenwood � � � � � Member Richard S. Kelly U , ; Member Connor Limont z - v Member Jay Niemczak � � :�' Member Bob Spiegel � � w '� Also Present: V � Q � �; � Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist z o A Q C � � Hart Ponder, Code Compliance Manager O � � z ' �:,; � c� o Bertha A. Gonzalez, Recording Secretary ,� w F = zQ �. � c, c.� � � � � � c '� III. Oral Communications U Q a � Q z ¢ Q > O The Committee was asked to add to the Agenda the Desert Willow Parking Lot Renovation under Item C of Continued Business. Upon a motion from Chairman Knight and 8-0 vote of the Committee Board, the Desert Willow Parking Lot Renovation was added to the agenda. IV. Consent Calendar A. MINUTES of the Regular Landscape Beautification Committee Meeting of Wednesday, March 18, 2009. Approve as presented. APPROVED MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE May 20, 2009 Upon a motion by Chairman Knight, second by Member Spiegel, and 8-0 vote of the Committee Board, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. Consent Items Held Over None VI. New Business A. Citv Irriqation Controller Smart Retrofit Chairman Knight requested the Committee's approval to convert all standard irrigation controllers to "Smart" Capability in order to be in compliance with the Water Conservation Ordinance. The complete conversion will cost approximately $54,000 and will be done by City staff. Landscape Services division estimates to spend $112,000 for water usage during Fiscal Year 2008-09. The use of a "Smart" controller will allow for a 15-25% savings. This translates into an annual savings of $16,800 to $28,000. The recovery cost for this investment will be between 1.9 and 3.2 years without the Coachella Valley Water DistricYs (CVWD) contribution, and 1.1 to 1.7 year with their participation. There is a potential for greater savings now that CVWD has instituted tiered water rates. Member Kelly inquired whether this would be more cost effective than adding solar panels. Chairman Knight informed him that yes it would be. Upon a motion from Chairman Knight, second by Member Limont and an 8-0 vote of the Committee Board, the item was approved as presented. B. Stratum Report Presentation Chairman Knight informed the Committee that the City's first tree inventory has been completed. The program evaluates trees under different criteria, for example: . Palm Desert has 10,238 publicly managed trees, with 108 distinct species, the majority of the trees are in good condition and the replacement value of this resource is $39.4 million. . The stocking level of the tree resource is 81% . The gross annual benefit of Palm Desert's public tree resource is $83.40 per tree, or $853,750 per year, and receives $1.17 in benefits for every $1 that is spent on its municipal forestry program. . Palm Desert's public tree population is a dynamic resource that is worth continued investment to ensure its full potential. 2 APPROVED MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE May 20, 2009 This information has been used for other City projects and has given City staff guidance on how to manage the City's urban forest. The cost of the inventory was approximately $4,000. Member Kelly inquired whether grass has the same effect on the environment as trees. Chairman Knight informed him that yes, it has the same positive environmental effects, but not to the extent of trees. No motion required; informational item. VII. Continued Business A. Eldorado Drive Median Landscape Improvements At the previous meeting, the Committee directed staff to reduce the cost of the Eldorado Median Landscape Improvements Project. Staff reduced the cost of the project by using decomposed granite instead of cobble in the nose areas of the medians; using components of the existing irrigation system that are still functional; reducing plant material; postponing the replacement of some trees that are coming to the end of their life; and leaving grade as is. These modifications reduced the estimated cost of the project from $320,000 to $219,376. Due to the current conditions of economy, staff expects the bids to come in under $200,000. Chairman Knight asked for the Committee's approval of the changes. Member Kelly noted that it was very important for the City to move forward, since the Homeowners Association is doing its part in taking care of the area. Upon a motion from Spiegel, second by Member Limont and an 8-0 vote of the Committee Board, the item was approved as presented. B. Desert Willow Drive Entrance Landscape Renovation Chairman Knight informed the Committee that the cost of the project has been reduced by $147 thousand. No motion; informational item. C. Desert Willow Parkinq Lot Renovation Member Greenwood presast directed by the Committee Dt a prevlious Entrance proposed plan scheduled meeting. The project will be done in two phases: First phase, for the summer of 2009, will improve the drop off area, and the second 3 APPROVED MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE May 20, 2009 phase, scheduled for the summer of 2010, will improve the parking lot. City staff will do the most of the renovations, with the exception of hiring a local nursery that specializes in moving specimen plant material in order to move the tree that is located in the center circle. Member Kelly suggested the integration of solar panels on the parking lot shade structure. He believes the new parking lot is distant enough from the entrance that the solar panels will not be seen by the customers. One concern was what would happen to the decorative pavement, since it seems that it be intercepted by the curb. Member Greenwood informed the Committee that continuing with the pattern of the concrete is important; therefore, he will ensure it continues. Member Kelly asked if a driveway could be installed in the auxiliary parking lot. Member Greenwood will inquire. No motion; informational item. VIII. Old Business A. Smart (Time of Use) Water Meter Studv Fundinq Request In 2007, Carlos Ortega, then City Manager, approved the drafting of an agreement between the City of Palm Desert and Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) for the Water and Energy Efficiency Demonstration Project. CVWD recently drafted and submitted the agreement for the City's review and approval. Because Member Wohlmuth, current City Manager, is not familiar with the program, he asked for the Committee's review and approval before moving forward with the agreement. The program would consist on CVWD installing automated meter reading devices to approximately 100 residential water meters in order to study their water usage practices. The goal is to inform and give incentives to residents in order for them to change their water usage to water and energy conservation practices. CVWD is asking the City for a contribution of $20,000 to conduct study. Comments were as follows: • Member Kelly asked why should the City pay for this study? Member Knight informed the Committee that this study will help with the City's water and energy conservation purposes, publicity, and sustainability. . Member Limont asked whether the program should be taken to CVAG? Member Knight believes it could. 4 APPROVED MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE May 20, 2009 • Member Aylaian suggested the City move forward with the program in order to benefit from its marketing and public relations value. Member Kelly and Member Spiegel did not agree the City would benefit from the program; therefore, they did not believe the City should contribute to it. Upon a motion from Member Kelly, second by Member Spiegel and a 7-1 vote of the Committee Board with Member Limont opposing, the item was not approved. IX. Reports and Remarks None X. Adjournment With no further business or discussion, and Landscape Beautification Committee Board concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 12:14 p.m. � � - � ��, � ^ . _� .. ` � _ � ; , ..��- ��. i � , �_ �;� -__ I�. S�pencer Knight,;��,andscape Manager ATTEST: � �� ertha A. Gon z, ordin cretary Landscape Beautification Co mittee 5