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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Landscape Beautification Committee 03-17-2010 .� CITY OF PALM DESERT ����� � � PRELIMINARY MINUTES -- LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - 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 11:34 a.m. II. Roll Call Present: Absent: None Chairman H. Spencer Knight Vice-Chairman Lauri Aylaian Heather Buck attending for Member Martin Alvarez Member Mark Greenwood, P.E. CITYCOUNCILACTION Member Richard S. Kelly A�Piz�v�n -_r�rN�rn Member Connor Limont KECCNED�Fi � `)TF��k �. Member Jay Niemczak MEFTING DATE -/ -,�LD � Member Bob Spiegel Member John Wohlmuth AYF,S: � �� � G� e � NOES:�lc�l� ;� ��-_._ AI35ENT: _N�/l F Also Present: AI3STAIN: � ��� John Garcia, Engineering Manager yERIF[ED BY: �`� � Missy Grisa, Assistant Planner Original on File with City Clcrk � Ofiicc Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist Aaron Kulp, P.E., Associate Engineer Beth Longman, Acting Recording Secretary III. Oral Communications Chairman Knight stated that he would like to add under New Business a presentation on a product new to the market. The product is Groasis Waterboxx and it is used to start plants in a native environment. Upon a motion by Chairman Knight, second by Member Limont, and a 9-0 vote of the Committee Board, a presentation of Groasis was added to the agenda. . PRELIMINARY MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE March 17, 2010 IV. Consent Calendar A. MINUTES of the Regular Landscape Beautification Committee Meeting of Wednesday, January 20, 2010. Upon a motion by Member Spiegel, second by Member Kelly, and a 9-0 vote of the Committee Board, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. Consent Items Held Over None VI. New Business A. Monterey/I-10 West Bound Ramp Modification Proiect John Garcia provided background on the project stating that a loop ramp will be constructed to replace the left turn west bound entrance to the freeway. The west bound off ramp will also be modified to exit and will exit onto Varner Road rather than directly onto Monterey Avenue. In order to accommodate the loop ramp, a retaining wall must be added. Design Component Two design alternates for the sloped bridge abutments were presented. The design of Alternate 1 duplicates the existing retaining wall on the east bound side. There are representations of mountains and leaping rabbits. Member Kelly asked what the cost was to include the rabbits. Mr. Garcia stated that it was approximately several thousand dollars. The design of Alternative 2 is the same, but the concrete is colored. Upon a motion from Member Kelly, second by Member Spiegel and a 9-0 vote of the Committee Board, design Alternate 1 was approved as presented. Landscape Component Chairman Knight stated that the same landscape designer who designed the other portions of the interchange is designing this modification. The same plants will be used thereby providing a uniform appearance. Member Aylaian asked what the type of trees are lining the off ramp. Chairman Knight responded that they are Washingtonian Palms. Upon a motion from Member Limont, second by Chairman Knight and a 9-0 vote of the Committee Board, the landscape design was approved as presented. 2 PRELIMINARY MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE March 17, 2010 B. Desert Willow Golf Resort Overflow Parkinq Lot Aaron Kulp stated that the parking lot has been designed in accordance with direction given in the study sessions. It is designed for use as a semi temporary lot until a determination is made regarding the future of the entire lot. Mr. Kulp stated that the median islands are designed to function as both landscaped areas and drainage swales. No curbs or gutters will be installed so the landscaping has been designed to accommodate pedestrian traffic. The lot surface will be asphalt and the median islands will be decomposed granite. Diane Hollinger noted that the existing landscaping will be kept intact during construction, and only one palm tree and the split rail fence will be relocated. Two palm trees will be added just west of the traffic circle. These trees are coming from stock that was removed and reserved in the course of previous projects. The landscaping in the parking area will be low key and will use larger plant material and boulders where ever possible. There will be one Acacia tree for every three parking spaces. The perimeter trees will provide screening and shade. Member Kelly asked how many parking spaces the lot will accommodate. Mr. Kulp said the newly designed lot will have a total of approximately 243 stalls. Member Spiegel asked when the project would begin. Mark Greenwood stated that it is expected to begin this summer. Upon a motion from Member Kelly, second by Member Spiegel and a 9-0 vote of the Committee Board, the project was approved as presented. C. Presentation on Plant Propaqatinq System (Groasis Waterboxx) Chairman Knight explained that this product is a container used to start trees without having water connected to the site. It is a tub approximately three feet in diameter that has a reservoir. The reservoir is filled with water and then the tub is closed to inhabit water loss. A seed is planted in the soil under the tub and grows up through the center opening. Water is wicked out of the reservoir into the soil thereby watering the roots. Any additional rain or dew that runs off is captured in the reservoir. Once the tree is a certain size, the tub is removed and can be re-used. Chairman Knight's professional opinion is that this is a variation on a theme he's seen over the years. The rate of success depends on the plant's physiological ability to slow down its growth once the constant water source is removed. He does not believe it is sustainable in a desert environment, or that it is appropriate for urban forestry. Member Spiegel stated that it is being used in a classroom at Palm Springs High School, 3 . PRELIMINARY MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE March 17, 2010 and he recommended trying one during the upcoming Arbor Day celebrations to see what happens. Chairman Knight will look into obtaining one for a test. VII. Continued Business None VIII. Old Business A. Planting for Motor Homes and RVs A one page list of suggested plants for use in screening motor homes and RVs was provided for review. The plants listed for planters 30" or greater are shrub type plants that can better handle being sheared. They are in our plant palette book and are in the low water use category. The plants listed for planters less than 30" are vines that will need some type of trellis for support. The vines are hardy in the desert and can reach 20 feet or more. Member Aylaian noted that an RV can't be stored until the plant material provides full screening. Member Spiegel asked about the growth time required before the plant achieves a height sufficient to screen an RV. Chairman Knight stated the growth time is three to five years. Member Limont asked if we could require that the plant be of a size large enough to screen the RV in fewer years. Ms. Hollinger noted that it is difficult to obtain plants of such a large size. Member Aylaian stated that she is reluctant to make any attempt to modify the ordinance. Missy Grisa noted that the 100 percent screening requirement was a compromise for not requiring a set back. Member Kelly commented that the list will be a great help to people in determining what plants to use to screen their RVs and motor homes. IX. Reports and Remarks • Chairman Knight reported that 90 applications were received (69 residential and 21 HOAs) for the turf buy back program, and they are still being submitted. Not all applications are for the full amount allowed. Following our review for compliance, they need be approved by CVWD before funds can be awarded. Funds can be expected to be disbursed sometime this summer. The program seems to have irritated turf producers, and he's met with several of them. • Ms. Hollinger reported that the Arbor Day celebration will be held at the Visitor Center/Henderson Community Building on April 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 PRELIMINARY MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE March 17, 2010 12 noon. There will be vendors, demonstrations, and tours of the Eric Johnson Gardens. Moller's Garden Center is donating a tree for planting at the Henderson Community Building. • Ms. Hollinger also reported that James Earl Carter Elementary School students will be holding an Earth Day ceremony on April 22 at the Soccer Park. There will be a tree planting ceremony at approximately 10 am. Jay Niemczak stated that the school is also providing some seedlings for planting. Member Spiegel noted that this might be a good place to try the Groasis Waterboxx. • Member Kelly asked what was happening with the Portola Sidewalk project. He wants updates at all future meetings and asked that Southern California Edison be encouraged to speed up their process. • John Wohlmuth asked when the Civic Center Parkway Turf Retrofit project was going to begin. Chairman Knight stated that it begins on March 22. • Member Kelly again stated that we could be planting smaller trees in the medians. Trees are not there to provide shade, but are there for aesthetic purposes. X. Adjournment With no further business or discussion, and Landscape Beautification Committee Board concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 12:27 p.m. H. p ncer Kn , Landscape Manager ATTEST: Beth Longman, cting Recording Secretary Landscape Beautification Committee 5