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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Landscape Beautification Committee July 20, 2011CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Bertha A. Gonzalez, Senior Office Assistant DATE: September 22, 2011 SUBJECT: Submission of Minutes for the Landscape Beautification Committee Attached for your records are the approved minutes for the Landscape Beautification Committee Meeting of July 20, 2011. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Attachment (as noted) CITY COITNCILACTTON APPROVED DENIED IZEcE,iVE OTEIER It�I E 1 T IG QATE 6 -13 — "o I AYV,S: ner rr► i i<f ✓ A II `i I•; N "I': i13S"TAIN: x FRIFIED BY: P131<-'1 axim 0j-ii;iF'1a11 on File with Cite L rk;'s Office CITY OF PALM DESERT MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, July 20, 2011 — 11:30 a.m. Administrative 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 Present: Absent: Chairman H. Spencer Knight Member Mark Greenwood Vice -Chairman Lauri Aylaian Member John M. Wohlmuth Member Martin Alvarez Member Cindy Finerty Member Connor Limont Member Bob Spiegel Also Present: Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist Pedro Rodriguez, Senior Code Officer Bertha A. Gonzalez, Recording Secretary Heather Buck, Project Coordinator RDA III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Landscape Beautification Committee Meeting of Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Chairman Knight, second by Member Aylaian, and 3-3-0 vote of the Committee Board with Members Alvarez, Finerty, and Limont abstaining, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES JULY 20, 2011 V. NEW BUSINESS A. Palm Desert Mobile Home Estates' South Wall Beautification Ms. Heather Buck of the Redevelopment Agency requested the Committee's direction on how to shield from view the vacant lot that is located off Magnesia Falls, next to the Palm Desert Mobile Estates. She presented a PowerPoint that showed the exact location of the lot and gate styles that are found along Magnesia Falls from Monterey to Portola moving from west to east. Ms. Buck presented the following options, concerns and cost estimate: • Option 1: • Option 2: • Option 3: • Option 4: • Concerns: • Cost Estimate add landscaping add gate solid or perforated metal add a decorative gate leave as -is aesthetics and safety Two solid gates: $17,530 max. The lot is surrounded by a block wall with two large gaps. One of the gaps includes a curb cut; therefore, Member Alvarez will investigate with the Public Works Department if it was intended for a future project. Member Finerty suggested that staff install an iron fence with sheet metal since it's the most cost effective option. After a brief discussion, the Committee concurred, but asked that where possible staff also extend the block wall and plant material. Ms. Buck stated that the Redevelopment Agency, should it remain in place, will provide the funds for this project. On a separate note, the Committee inquired on the vacant lot that is located off Portola. According to staff there are no current plans for the lot; therefore, staff will investigate if the owner is interested in selling the property to the City or the Redevelopment Agency. Upon a motion from Member Spiegel, second by Member Limont and a 6-0 vote of the Committee Board, staff was directed to shield the gaps by extending the block wall, including the plant material, where possible and add iron gates with metal sheet to the remaining gaps. B. The Use of Recycled Tire Products in City Landscapes Chairman Knight distributed a Western City Magazine article that highlighted the use of recycled tire products, which are made to resemble bark, in the medians. Currently, the City of Palm Desert utilizes recycled rubber in most of its play features. Chairman Knight asked if the LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES J U LY 20, 2011 Committee would be interested in using this type of material for its landscape projects. He noted that a minimum of three inches of the product will need to be installed in the medians to prevent it from germinating weeds. In addition, a stabilizer could be applied to prevent it from being blown off by the wind. Chairman Knight noted that it is still unknown what aesthetic issues the recycled product will create since bark creates a more lush, non -desert look. In addition, staff is unaware of the material's long term durability, but Chairman Knight believes it may have potential and should be further researched. Therefore, staff was directed to return the item to the Committee with additional information and a cost estimate. No Motion; informational item. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII. OLD BUSINESS None VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS - Update on the New Monterey Avenue Medians Landscape Improvements Staff has received proposals for CAD services for the Monterey Avenue landscape improvements. Chairman Knight and Mrs. Diane Hollinger will create the design, which will include 50 trees, a thin layer of decomposed granite and the irrigation. The bid specifications and design must be completed within 30 days in order for it to go out to bid in September. Chairman Knight and Mr. Bruce Harry of the City of Rancho Mirage have agreed to share the cost. - Update on the McCallum Parking Lot Project Chairman Knight and Mrs. Hollinger have completed a preliminary tree palette for the McCallum Parking Lot Project. The landscape plan will be created by a landscape architect. The installation needs to be completed before the theater opens for the season and the landscape improvements need to be done before the resurfacing begins. City staff considers this project to be a priority. 3 LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES JULY 20, 2011 - Update on the University Dog Park Vandalism and Improvements Chairman Knight informed the Committee that some of the bare areas at the University Dog Park have been addressed. In addition, staff has installed a drain under the cobble that will help with the standing water concerns. But because the park is a retention basin, he noted that some standing water can be expected. In the large dog park area, stabilized decomposed granite was installed and it seems to help with the draining concerns. City staff opted to leave the turf in place since plant material uses the dog urine when it breaks down into the soil. On the other hand, concrete does not allow the urine to break down; therefore, odor issues can surface. The User Group Meetings are scheduled to begin in the fall. At that time, staff will offer to install boulders that dogs could use for play in the dog parks. IX. ADJOURNMENT ATTEST: With no further business or discussion, and Landscape Beautification Committee Board concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m. ertha A. ;Ggzalez, Secre ary M