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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPA4 CMTE - 11/21/05�c PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: BETH LONGMAN, SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT DATE: MARCH 28, 2006 SUBJECT: SUBMISSION OF MINUTES FOR THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 Attached is a copy of the approved Minutes from the November 21, 2005, meeting of the Project Area No. 4 Committee. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. R1 Attachment (as noted) GARDA\Beth Longman\CommitteesTA k4Wllnute Tranemlttal.doc PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES November 21, 2005 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Campbell on Monday, November 21, 2005, at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Russell Campbell, Chairman Robert Duncan, Member Charles Ash, Member Fred Benford, Member Harry Church, Member Jane Daugherty, Member Roberta Grubb, Member Douglas Luhring, Member Frank Proulx, Member Sherry Trevor, Member Also Present: Mike Adkins, Code Compliance Officer Lauri Aylaian, Redevelopment Manager Randy Case, Palm Desert Country Club Development LLC Jerry Crumpler, Palm Desert Country Club Development LLC Mark Diercks, Transportation Engineer Phil Drell, Director of Community Development Ryan Gayler, Project Administrator Scott Johnson, Manager of Palm Desert Country Club Kay Kaufmann, The Desert Sun Richard S. Kelly, Councilmember Beth Longman, Recording Secretary Justin McCarthy, Assistant City Manager/Redevelopment Janet Moore, Housing Authority Administrator Carlos Ortega, City Manager & Executive Director/Redevelopment Dave Simmons, Palm Desert Country Club Development LLC Robert Spiegel, Councilmember Janis Steele, Parks & Recreation Services Manager Dave Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment/Housing CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES NOVEMBER 21, 2005, III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Member Benford asked if the area at the corner of Fred Waring and California was Palm Desert or Indian Wells. His inquiry related to the weeds and dying bushes that had been in that area, although the area was now being cleaned up. It was determined that this was part of Palm Desert and Mike Atkins, Code Compliance Officer, said he would check into the matter and see that the area is maintained. Chairman Campbell advised the committee that Member Duncan had suffered a stroke in August and had been hospitalized and missed the September meeting. He stated that only two unexcused absences per year are allowed after which you must leave the committee. Being in the hospital is an excused absence so the September absence will not count against Member Duncan. Member Ash asked if the City of Palm Desert was doing anything in regard to an ice skating rink. Councilman Spiegel stated that the people who own the ice skating rink in Ontario are interested in having a major rink in the area, and that they were meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission to see is it was feasible. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2005. MOTION made by Member Trevor, seconded by Member Luhring, and unanimously carried, that the minutes of the September 19, 2005, meeting be approved. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. FOLLOW UP ON QUESTION RAISED ABOUT STREET SWEEPING FREQUENCY IN THE PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB AREA Mr. Yrigoyen introduced Mark Diercks, Transportation Engineer, who prepared the memo provided to the committee members in response to the discussion at the September 19, 2005, meeting. Based on his survey, Mr. Diercks stated that there are approximately 200 to 400 cars per day parked on the streets in the Palm Desert Country Club area. In order to enact parking restrictions for street sweeping, a change to the current schedule would be necessary so that specific days were assigned as opposed to the current schedule of sweeping every other week. In order to make this change, permanent signs would be required throughout the area. Since no police officers are specifically assigned to enforcing parking regulations, there would be no good way of enforcing the restrictions. Another consideration is that both sides of a street could not be restricted at the same time. People would have to move their cars out of the G:\ROA\Beth 1.0ngman\Gommttees\PAtt4\Mlnutes\2005 MinutesWinutes 112105.doc 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES NOVEMBER 21, 2005, area, which would result in another set of problems. The current street sweeping program is working successfully throughout the City with very few complaints. In summation, restricted parking on street sweeping days is not recommended in the Palm Desert Country Club area. Member Daugherty asked if the City had a parking code and if complaints were responded to. Mr. Diercks stated that, yes, there was a parking code and that complaints were responded to on an individual basis. Mike Adkins, Code Compliance Officer, said Code Compliance can be contacted and that any vehicle reported parked for longer than 72 hours would be tagged and a case file opened. If the vehicle is still there after three days, a Community Service Officer would be contacted to go out and post a notice. The vehicle must then be moved within 72 hours or it will be towed at the owner's expense. It takes approximately six days to have a vehicle towed. Member Ash recommended that this issue be addressed in the local Palm Desert paper, and that people be advised of the need to move their cars on street sweeping days. Member Trevor stated that a notice should also be placed in the homeowner's association newsletter. MOTION made by Member Proulx that the committee accept the City's recommendation that no parking restrictions be imposed, seconded by Member Trevor, and unanimously passed. VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vill. OLD BUSINESS None IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. PROGRESS AT PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB Randy Case provided an update on the progress of the Palm Desert Country Club renovation. Based on the holes that have been completed, the course is turning out very well. He stated that they are about 80 percent finished with the 18-hole championship course, and expect to be 100 percent complete by the first week in December. An opening date of late January is anticipated. Work has begun on the executive course, and about half of the G:\RDA\Beth Longman\COmrrvtt6es\PA #4\Minutes\2005 MinutesVeUnutes 112105.doc 9 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES NOVEMBER 21, 2005, main line irrigation system is installed. The executive course will be completed following completion of the championship course with an opening expected sometime in May. Work on the clubhouse has begun, and a mid -May or first of June opening is expected. A temporary clubhouse will be set up for operation about the middle part of January. It will be a triple wide trailer with a deck, dining facilities, and a bar. Mr. Case stated that the irrigation system is doing a great job. All new maintenance equipment has been ordered covering everything needed to maintain the course. Within the next month or so, the maintenance staff will be at full operation with about 20 people. The contractor has started some of the miscellaneous work in regard to the infrastructure for the homes. The grading contractor will complete grading the pads in about two weeks at which time water, sewer, and street work will begin. Mr. Case reported that the Coachella Valley Water District has asked them to have their contractor install a 12-inch water line, at CVWD expense, on California Avenue from Fred Waring to Warner Trail to enhance the water pressure in the area. They have agreed and are finalizing that contract with CVWD. They will also coordinate with the City staff on the street overlay program to try to get the water line in before California is overlaid. D. R. Horton, the homebuilder who will take over the finished lots, is very anxious to get started. Mr. Case hopes to appear before the City Council in January seeking approval on the final map for the 41 lots that are spread throughout the area, and in early February be able to record and sell them to D. R. Horton. They expect to have the infrastructure complete on the remaining 54 contiguous lots by May, and will then appear before the City Council for approval. D.R. Horton hopes to start construction of model homes on California Avenue in early March. Mr. Case also reported that they are not pre -selling any of the homes, but that D. R. Horton may. An interest list of approximately 400 to 500 names has been established that will be turned over to D. R. Horton who will have to draw from that list first. There are approximately ten properties that will require lot line adjustments because improvements have been inadvertently constructed on golf course property. Mr. Case stated that they are in the process of preparing the final map that will identify these properties, and they will then quitclaim the property in question to the property owners. Councilman Kelly asked how many members of the golf course remained. Mr. Case replied that there were approximately 125 remaining, and they are hopeful that they can bring membership back up to 250, which is the former membership level. G:WDA\Beth Longman\Gommttees\PA04\Knutes\2005 WnutesMnutes 112105.doc 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES NOVEMBER 21, 2005, Chairman Campbell commented that he had two people approach him asking why PDCC Development LLC was selling the project and asked Mr. Case if they were? Mr. Case stated that, no, PDCC Development LLC was not selling their portion of the project but that Mr. Cho, who has been an owner since about 2000, is in the process of selling his property. He further indicated that they were currently in escrow hoping to purchase Mr. Cho's property. They want to see the project through and build it back up to what it used to be. Chairman Campbell then asked whether the golf fees would stay the same or if they would be increased. Mr. Case stated that the fees would initially be slightly higher, and would then gradually increase to a level comparable with other courses that are in the under $100 range during the high season. Member Ash asked how much was being spent on the full renovation. Mr. Case stated that, including the infrastructure, they would be spending approximately $11 million, which is about $2 million over their original budget. B. REPORT ON RECENT ACQUISITION OF COUNTRY VILLAGE APARTMENTS Janet Moore, Housing Authority Administrator, reported that the Agency had recently acquired the 66-unit apartment complex at the intersection of Washington and Avenue of the States behind Casey's Restaurant. All of the units are studio apartments. There are currently some tenants paying rent at market rate, but those rates are expected to come down once income information is obtained from those tenants. Items relating to health and safety are being immediately addressed and include changing out lights, installing pole lights, and replacing gates leading to the pool. The Sheriff's Department has been making cursory cruises through the complex as is typical when a property is first acquired. Lauri Aylaian, Redevelopment Manager, reported that during the coming months the overall condition of the facility will be reviewed to see if it can be brought up to the Agency's standards. The review will include assessing site utilization, the size and • nature of the units themselves, the physical condition, and how best to position the property, which was once a motel. One of the ideas is to potentially position it for senior housing because it is within walking distance of grocery and drug stores. C. UPDATE ON CALIFORNIA VILLAS RENOVATION Janet Moore presented the conceptual plans for the exterior renovation of California Villas. She reported that the project had been somewhat delayed due to a change in the architect, but that the new architect was on board and had fully accepted the conceptual designs. As part of the renovation, stucco will be applied, there will be porticos between some of the buildings, and the high patio walls will be lowered. In response to Member Proulx's question regarding the "V' areas in the patio walls, Ms. Moore responded that G:\HDA\Beth Longman\CoffvT ttees\PA Y4\Minutes\2005 MinutesUnutes 112105.doc 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES NOVEMBER 21, 2005, although these walls provide privacy, that is not always a good thing in multi- family housing. They want to be able to blend privacy with openness and hope to achieve this through the use of design features. Ms. Moore is hopeful that the project can get underway in February, but it will depend on the quality of the bids that are received. Member Proulx asked about there being access to the patios from the street side. Ms. Moore stated that this is the only access to the apartments. Member Proulx also asked if there was any way to get the tenants to use the parking lot rather than park on the street. Ms. Moore stated that the parking lot improvements will include covered parking that will provide an incentive for people to use the lot rather than the street. Tenants will also be assigned parking spaces. D. UPDATE ON FREEDOM PARK Janis Steele reported that plans were in for final plan check. The construction documents are out for review for bidability and constructability. Barring anything major, they should be able to advertise for bid in October and, hopefully, start work around the first of the year. X.REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS Chairman Campbell asked that a notice be provided to the committee members confirming the number of unexcused absences that are allowed. There has been some confusion as to whether there were two or three allowed unexcused absences. Beth Longman will get written confirmation from the City Clerk. B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS None C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON None D. STAFF None XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m. Beth Longman, R O ording Secretary G:\RDA\Beth Longman\Comm ttees\PA 04\Minutes\2005 MinutesWinutes 112105.doc 0