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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Landscape Beautification Committee November 17, 2010CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Bertha A. Gonzalez, Senior Office Assistant DATE: February 16, 2011 SUBJECT: Submission of Minutes for the Landscape Beautification Committee Attached for your records are the approved Minutes of the November 17, 2010, Landscape Beautification Committee Meeting. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Attachment (as noted) CITY COUNCIL ACTION APPROVED DENIED RECEIVED-£ ��� �' �: ai'!III;Id. MEETING DATE -%D_�C/ V �� AYES: �1�-`on ._ NOES:RIr;�/d 7 _ _- ABSENT: -LOOP ABSTAIN; kilt -- VERIFIED BY. - Original on File with City Clerk's Uftice CITY OF PALM DESERT MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, November 17, 2010 — 11:30 a.m. Administrative Conference Room — Palm Desert Civic Center 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Knight convened the meeting at 11:39 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Chairman H. Spencer Knight Member Cindy Finerty Vice -Chairman Lauri Aylaian Member Bob Spiegel Member Martin Alvarez Member Mark Greenwood Member Connor Limont Member John M. Wohlmuth Also Present: Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Officer II Bryce White, Redevelopment Agency Bertha A. Gonzalez, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Landscape Beautification Committee Meeting of Wednesday, September 15, 2010. Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Chairman Knight, second by Member Limont, and 5-1-0 vote of the Committee Board with Vice -Chairman Aylaian abstaining, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES NOVEMBER 17, 2010 V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER NONE VI. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO INSTALL ADDITIONAL TREES IN HAYSTACK Member Limont clarified that her inquiry at the last meeting was with the amount of turf that is on Haystack between the sidewalk and the curb. She asked if it could be replaced with desertscape. Chairman Knight stated that the item needs to be added to the budget for Fiscal year 2011- 12. He also asked the Committee if he should look into modifying the turf slope that goes into the drainage area. Member Wohlmuth stated that the slope is used by the residents, especially children, so it should remain as is. No motion; staff will do a cost estimate for the conversion and budget the item in the next fiscal year. VI1. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION OF LARKSPUR LOT PARKWAY LANDSCAPE DESIGN Previously, staff was asked to consider landscaping the perimeter of the empty lot located at the corner of Larkspur and Shadow Mountain, which is owned by the City, in order to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The item was brought to the Committee and staff was asked to create a design and a request for proposals for the installation. Staff presented the completed design and asked for the Committee's input and/or approval. Mr. Spencer Knight explained that the plan consists of installing Tecoma stans to create a hedge and shield the oleanders. In addition, the irrigation will continue to water the existing palm trees, boulders will be installed to keep vehicles off the area and the large driveway apron will probably be removed. Mr. Knight stated that with the size of the plant material that is being installed a full screening will be created in about five years. Member Alvarez asked what the cost of the hedge would be, since it is temporary and staff has received many complaints asking for the installation of a permanent wall. Chairman Knight explained that the total cost for the installation will be approximately $35,000, which he considers 2 LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES NOVEMBER 17, 2010 to be rather inexpensive; therefore, it will serve its purpose for the time being. The Committee expressed their concern with the size of the plant material and having it potentially removed in five years when it has just begun to create a full screening. Chairman Knight stated that within two years the one gallon plant material will become equal to that of a five or 15 gallon plant material. Nonetheless, Member Aylaian noted that she would prefer if staff installed larger plant material. Member Wohlmuth asked if a temporary wood fence could be installed and if the property owner would agree to maintain their side of the fence. Staff responded that the Planning Department does not approve the installation of wood fences and Mr. Shawn Kilpatrick stated that the property owner will probably not maintain his side of the fence. Member Wohlmuth asked if an agreement between the City and the property owner that stated they are responsible for the maintenance on their side of the property could be produced. He also asked if staff could plant the Tecomas three feet closer to the property line. Chairman Knight answered that staff will plant the Tecomas closer to the property line and they will create the requested agreement. Member Wohlmuth also asked that the maintenance of the lot be added to the landscape contract of that area. Upon a motion from Member Wohlmuth, second by Member Limont and a 6-0 vote of the Committee Board, the design was approved as presented. Vill. OLD BUSINESS NONE IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS - NEW SIGNAGE AT THE BRIDGE OF HOMME-ADAMS PARK The new signs for Homme-Adams Park have been ordered and scheduled to be installed. Staff will keep files of the symbols for future orders. - PARKWAY TURF ON EAST FRONTAGE ROAD HOMESTEAD TO MESA VIEW At the previous meeting, Member Limont expressed her concern for the safety of pedestrians due to the overwatering of the turf on East Frontage Road between Homestead and Mesa View. Chairman Knight informed the Committee that area is not maintained by the City; therefore, the City does not have any jurisdiction over the sidewalk. 3 LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES NOVEMBER 17, 2010 Chairman Knight informed the Committee that he recently discovered that the City of Palm Desert has a representative on the board of the Palm Springs International Airport Commission and the board has unanimously approved the installation of two acres of artificial turf. He expressed his concern with one of the City's representatives voting in favor of artificial turf when the City of Palm Desert does not allow artificial turf within the City limits. He asked if the Committee has the responsibility to contact the appointee in order to address this concern. Member Aylaian stated that the Committee should request the appointee's explanation of the item of discussion in order to make further determinations. Member Limont asked if a letter explaining the Committee's concern can be sent to the City Council. Member Greenwood questioned how much interaction should staff have with the City's appointees. Member Wohlmuth suggested that Chairman Knight contact Rolf Hoehn, who is the City's representative at the Palm Springs International Airport Commission, and explain the City's position regarding to artificial turf. If the outcome of the discussion is not positive, he asked staff to return the item to the next meeting along with a draft letter addressing the issue to the City Council. X. ADJOURNMENT With no further business or discussion, and Landscape Beautification Committee Board concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m. ATTEST: B ha A. Go alez, cording retary M