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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPrelim Minutes - RDA 03/10/2005PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2005 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER I. CALL TO ORDER - 3:00 P.M. Member Kelly convened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Excused Absences: Member Jean M. Benson Vice Chairman Jim Ferguson Member Robert A. Spiegel Chairman Buford A. Crites Member Richard S. Kelly (Acting Chairman) Also Present: Homer Croy, Acting City Manager Robert W. Hargreaves, Deputy City Attorney Sheila R. Gilligan, ACM for Community Services Stephen Y. Aryan, Assistant to the City Manager Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building & Safety Philip Drell, Director of Community Development Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance/City Treasurer Michael J. Errante, Director of Public Works David Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment & Housing Robert P. Kohn, Director of Special Programs Walt Holloway, Battalion Chief, Palm Desert/Riverside County Fire Dept./CDF Steve Thetford, Asst. Chief, Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriff's Dept. III. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Reauest for Closed Session: Conference with Legal Counsel regarding existing litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a): a) Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency v. Lachimia, Riverside County Superior Court Case No. INC 032318 Upon a motion by Member Spiegel, second by Member Benson, and 3-0 vote of the Agency Board, with Vice Chairman Ferguson and Chairman Crites ABSENT, Member Kelly adjourned the meeting to Closed Session at 3:01 p.m. He reconvened the meeting at 4:00 p.m. PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MARCH 10, 2005 IV. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M. A. REPORT ON ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION. Mr. Hargreaves reported that during the Closed Session for the Redevelopment Agency, the Agency Board appointed Assistant City Manager for Redevelopment Justin McCarthy to represent it in settlement negotiations in the District Court of Appeals in the matter of Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency v. Lachimia. V. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS None VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Redevelopment Agency Meeting of February 24, 2005. Continued to the meeting of March 24, 2005. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE AGENCY TREASURY - Warrant Nos. 179RDA, 180-Housing, 172HA. Rec: Approve as presented. C. COMPLIANCE ANALYSIS AND INVESTMENT REPORTS for the Month of January 2005 (Joint Consideration with the Palm Desert City Council). Rec: Receive and file. D. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION to Grantan Easementto California State University, San Bernardino - Palm Desert Campus, to Provide for High-speed Internet Access Service to the University. Rec: By Minute Motion, authorize staff to provide an easement to California State University, San Bernardino - Palm Desert Campus, to provide for high-speed Internet access service to the University and authorize the Executive Director to execute all necessary documents. 2 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MARCH 10, 2005 E. REQUEST FOR RATIFICATION of Change Order No. 1 to Contract No. R19540A — Construction of the New Palm Desert Visitor Information Center. Rec: By Minute Motion: 1) Ratify a change order in the amount of $5,643.68 plus a seven -calendar -day time extension to the subject contract with W DL Construction, Palm Desert, California, for addition of one floor receptacle, provision and installation of an additional 90 linear feet of sanitary sewer line, 70 linear feet of 4-inch conduit, and a precast concrete pull box; and additional over -excavation and compaction beyond that specified in the original bid documents; 2) authorize the Director of Finance to transfer said funds to contingency to base project for this purpose. Ms. Klassen asked that Item A, Minutes of the meeting of February 24, 2005, be continued to the next meeting. Member Spiegel moved to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion was seconded by Benson and carried by a 3-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Ferguson and Chairman Crites ABSENT. VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. RESOLUTIONS None IX. NEW BUSINESS None X. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF GABION WALL CONCEPT AND AGAVE SHADE STRUCTURE FOR PHASE TWO OF THE ERIC JOHNSON GARDENS AT ENTRADA DEL PASEO AND AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT BIDS (Continued from the meeting of February 24, 2005). Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian stated that a presentation was made at the last meeting, and staff was directed to return with consideration of several variations of design for the wall that will be constructed for a canyon experience in the Eric Johnson Gardens. 3 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MARCH 10, 2005 Member Spiegel noted that he had had to leave the last meeting prior to the presentation, and he asked for clarification of the gabion wall concept. Ms. Aylaian briefly explained the proposed concept. MR. CHUCK SHEPARDSON, HSA Design Group, Palm Desert, reviewed the modified proposal. Ms. Aylaian noted that the figures on the various alternatives had been revised: Gabion wall was proposed at $95,000 to $105,000. If just the gabion baskets were done, it would be in the $80,000 to $90,000 range. As shown for the boulders, it was in the $85,000 to $95,000 range. Member Spiegel asked how much the entire addition would cost, not just the wall. Ms. Aylaian responded that there was no detailed estimate as yet, but it would be in the $1 million range. Upon further question, she responded that there was a little less than a million in the Garden at this point, including design, so the entire cost would be somewhere around $2 million. Member Benson said she thought staff and the architect would be bringing back examples of how the natural boulders would work. In addition, she had mentioned to Mayor Crites that, since that garden was supposed to be an experimental type, showing people what they could do, perhaps the gabion wall and the boulder concept could be integrated. She said maybe there is some way to put a section of natural boulder and then a small section of gabion wall so that people can see a newer example of what can be done rather than something that is all the same. Member Kelly said that might be acceptable in another location, but this is supposed to be something special for the Visitor Center that is not experimental for people to look and see what they could do. He felt this location should have something that is as natural as it can look. Member Benson disagreed and said she felt this was a perfect place to show people different things they can do. Ms. Aylaian said it was her understanding that staff was directed to come back with a design using the natural boulders. Member Kelly agreed and said he had expected staff to come back with a sample of natural boulders and that they would be set up like they would be proposed in a canyon concept. 0 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MARCH 10, 2005 Ms. Aylaian stated the rendering was meant to depict the natural boulders done in one ledge, step back, a second ledge, step back, and a third ledge. This was staff's best illustration of what it would look like and what was being proposed. Member Spiegel said he did not understand the desire to emulate the Indian Canyons for this project. Ms. Aylaian said part of the reason for introducing the canyon was that staff realized as the Garden is now, people do not see it as they drive by on Highway 111; they need to actually be in the site before they realize it is there. The canyon was constructed so that it comes down near the front entrance, opening up at Highway 111 and allowing people to look right up it as they drive by. The idea was to have something that would draw people into the site so they can see more of it. Member Benson said in order to get people into the site, signage would also be needed that indicates it is a walking garden rather than just landscaping. Member Kelly said there was also some concern about the agave shade structure not looking very natural, and it was his understanding staff was going to bring that back with some redesign as well. Ms. Aylaian responded that staff was directed to take the shade structure component to the Art In Public Places Commission, which would consider the matter at its meeting next week. Staff would then return with comments from that Commission. Upon question by Member Kelly, she said staff was looking for direction as to what type of wall the Board wants in that location, whether it be natural boulder entirely orwith some of the gabion wall concept included. Member Benson suggested that both the wall and the shade structure components be brought back for consideration by the entire Board. Member Spiegel agreed. Member Benson moved to continue this matter to the meeting of March 24, 2005. Motion was seconded by Spiegel and carried by a 3-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Ferguson and Chairman Crites ABSENT. XI. OLD BUSINESS None 5 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MARCH 10, 2005 XII. PUBLIC HEARINGS None XIII. REPORTS, REMARKS, AND AGENCY BOARD ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR None B. AGENCY COUNSEL None C. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AGENCY None XIV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - C None XV. ADJOURNMENT Member Spiegel moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:58 p.m. Motion was seconded by Benson and carried by a 3-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Ferguson and Chairman Crites ABSENT. ATTEST: RICHARD S. KELLY, ACTING CHAIRMAN RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, SECRETARY PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY R