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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)
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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