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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMintues - Landscape Beautification Committee February 16, 2011TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk Bertha A. Gonzalez, Senior Office Assistant April 20, 2011 Submission of Minutes for the Landscape Beautification Committee Attached for your records are the approved Minutes of the February 16, 2011, Landscape Beautification Committee Meeting. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Attachment (as noted) q-1(�- LI[ F"1 ING DA'1 E AYES: S: r .NOES: unC ABSENT: —E after%/ ABSTAIN: VERIFIED BY: kIJiC rf74 Original on File with City Clerk's Office CITY OF PALM DESERT MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, February 16, 2011 — 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 Chairman Knight convened the meeting at 11:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL IV Present: Chairman H. Spencer Knight (Alt. Tony Bagato) Member Martin Alvarez Member Cindy Finerty Member Connor Limont Member Bob Spiegel Member John M. Wohlmuth Also Present: Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Officer Bertha A. Gonzalez, Recording Secretary ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Absent: Member Mark Greenwood Member Spiegel asked for the status of the Monterey median landscape installation between Country Club and Gerald Ford. Chairman Knight stated that he's been in communication with Bruce Harry of the City of Rancho Mirage and they have agreed to install decomposed granite without boulders. The City of Rancho Mirage will be paying for two-thirds of the installation cost. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Landscape Beautification Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 17, 2010. Approve as presented. LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES February 16, 2011 Upon a motion by Chairman Knight, second by Member Limont, and 5-2-0 vote of the Committee Board with Member Finerty and Member Spiegel abstaining, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER NONE VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Underfunded and Unformed Landscape and Lighting Districts Chairman Knight informed the Committee that at the City Council Meeting of December 9, 2010, staff was directed to further review the existing underfunded and unformed Landscape and Lighting Districts (LLDs) and submit their recommendation to the Committee. Chairman Knight presented a report and photographs of the current conditions of the areas as follows: Underfunded LLDs: Palm Gate: Located on Deep Canyon Road, south of Magnesia Falls. It includes 37 parcels and each parcel is assessed an annual levy of $79.24 per property. Landscape has been removed from the area in an effort to reduce maintenance costs. The area is the most underfunded, allowing the watering of the existing palm trees only. The palm trees have not been pruned for a number of years; therefore, the City receives a number of complaints every year. Current yearly budget for maintenance is $833; the actual yearly maintenance contract cost is $1140. Hovley Collection: Located one street east of Hovley Court West. It includes 38 parcels and each parcel is assessed an annual levy of $141.27 per property. This zone includes maintenance of a retention basin. Current yearly budget for maintenance is $2557; the actual yearly maintenance contract cost is $1980. • Hovley Court West: Located on the southeast corner of Hovley Lane West and Monterey Avenue. It includes 16 parcels and each parcel is assessed an annual levy of $328.90 per property. The district has received a reduction of landscape material and is currently in fair condition. 2 LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES February 16, 2011 Current yearly budget for maintenance is $1855; the actual yearly maintenance cost is $3456. Three developments lack either a Homeowners Association (HOA) or an LLD for common area improvements. The areas, Academy Lane, Windflower, and Olive Court, are located west of Portola Avenue between Frank Sinatra and Gerald Ford. Two of the areas are currently receiving no maintenance; the third, which is located within Shepherd Lane, maintenance seems to be occurring, possibly by homeowners. Mr. Knight stated that due to the current conditions of the areas and lack of funding, staff has proposed removing all of the plant material, including trees, from the underfunded LLDs and all of the plant material from the unformed areas and replacing it with decomposed granite. Staff contacted one of the City's vendors requesting a cost estimate of the proposed modifications. Andy's Landscape and Tree Service submitted an estimated cost of $87,099 that included a 1" layer of decomposed granite and $109,895 with a 2" layer of decomposed granite. Member Wohlmuth asked if the trees could be relocated, but Chairman Knight answered that the Washingtonia filiferas would be the only ones worth relocating. In response to Member Limont's question, Chairman Knight stated that the removals would probably not match the maintenance with the funds, but it will help keep it in better conditions. When asked for a staff recommendation, Chairman Knight stated that he did not have an actual recommendation, but noted that by removing the plant material from the areas, the aesthetics would significantly decrease. On the other hand, the general fund will not be exposed to other LLDs that opt to not pay for maintenance. He stated that in his opinion the best option will be to install ground -level aesthetics. Member Spiegel suggested modifying the LLDs that are most exposed first. Chairman Knight stated that the removals will be done towards the end of the fiscal year in order to determine what funds are available. Member Wohlmuth suggested that staff end all the maintenance of the areas and send a letter to the homeowners informing them of staffs intentions due to their refusal to pay for the maintenance. Should the homeowners wish to not have the plant material removed, a petition needs to be brought forward to City staff, no later than April 1, 2011. He then stated that City staff will need to follow through with the final decision. Staff member Shawn Kilpatrick asked if the homeowners could be cited for not maintaining the areas, but staff answered that determining who is responsible for the area is the main issue. Member Alvarez asked if a 3 LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES February 16, 2011 survey can be conducted, but Chairman Knight stated that it was surveyed in 2009 and only half of the residents responded. Upon a motion from Member Spiegel, second by Member Finerty and a 7-0 vote of the Committee Board, staff was directed to create a letter informing the residents of staff intentions by April 1, 2011 and report back to the Committee. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE VIII. OLD BUSINESS NONE IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS - Member Limont stated that the wash of Homme-Adams Park has graffiti and large amounts of trash and debris. She asked if the Coachella Valley Water District could be contacted to address this issue. Member Wohlmuth asked that Rhonda Henderson call the City's contact at the Coachella Valley Water District and ask them to respond within 24 hours to this concern. Chairman Knight added that the fence along the wash is scheduled to be repaired. - Member Wohlmuth asked for a progress update on the Larkspur Project. Diane Hollinger informed the Committee that the project is approximately 70-75% completed and it should be finalized by the end of the month. - Member Spiegel informed the Committee that the City Council voted to not to sell the Larkspur and Shadow Mountain corner lot. The Committee asked if there are any plans for the empty lot, but Chairman Knight responded that there is nothing planned at this time. X. ADJOURNMENT With no further business or discussion, and Landscape Beautification Committee Board concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 12:14 p.m. H.�Spen(Nr q6*t; Landscape Manager In