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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPA4 CMTE - 11/20/06�c PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: BETH LONGMAN, SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT DATE: MARCH 19, 2007 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 20, 2006, meeting of the Project Area No. 4 Committee. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. bl Attachment (as noted) G:Vda\9eth Longman\Commtttees\PA a4\Mlnute Tranemlttal.doc PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES November 20, 2006 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Campbell called a regular meeting to order on Monday, November 20, 2006, at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Russell Campbell, Chairman Douglas Luhring Charles Ash Fred Benford Harry Church Jane Daugherty RobertDuncan Roberta Grubb Susan McMillen Frank Proulx Sherry Trevor Also Present: Lauri Aylaian, Redevelopment Manager Randy Case, Palm Desert Country Club Patrick Conlon, Director of Energy Management Phil Drell, Director of Planning Mark Diercks, P.E., Transportation Engineer Richard Kelly, City Councilmember Beth Longman, Recording Secretary Justin McCarthy, ACM/Redevelopment Gary Rosenblum, Risk Manager Janis Steele, Parks and Recreation Manager Johnny Terfehr, Code Compliance Officer Dave Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment/Housing III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Member Daugherty asked if the City had an ordinance or code that prohibited people from going through recycling when it was placed at the CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES November 20, 2006 curb for pickup. She asked if the recycling items belong to the City and if so, aren't people stealing from the City if they take items. The police informed her that anything placed at the curb is deemed abandoned and there is nothing they can do. Councilman Kelly commented that when recycling was first established there had been similar problems, but he was unaware that this was occurring again. Mr. Yrigoyen stated that the matter will be researched and a response provided. Member McMillen wanted to know if insurance was required for golf carts. Member Benford commented that his neighbor was ticketed for driving his cart on the street without a license, seat belts, or taillights; and another neighbor said he pays several hundred dollars per year to license his golf cart. He further stated that most of the people in his area use their golf carts on the city streets and are not licensed. Gary Rosenblum commented that a person driving a golf cart has the same liability as driving a car, and the person should either use their homeowner's insurance or purchase a separate insurance for the golf cart. Mr. Yrigoyen stated that it is a requirement of the City that golf carts used on the City streets must be inspected and licensed. Member Benford asked what could be done about barking dogs. Johnny Terfehr, Code Compliance Officer, stated that complaints should be directed to animal control and if they do nothing about the situation, Code Compliance will follow up on the complaint. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2006. MOTION made by Member Proulk, seconded by Member Benford, and unanimously carried, that the minutes of the September 18, 2006, meeting be approved. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Wrda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA N4ftnutes\2006 MinutesWinutes 112006.doc 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES November 20, 2006 VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON THE ADDITION OF A CENTERLINE ON ELKHORN TRAIL Mark Diercks, P.E., Transportation Engineer, reported that the centerline had been completed on November 17, 2006. He also stated that the centerlines down Warner Trail and Elkhorn Trail closer to Fred Waring would have additional reflective markings installed. B. UPDATE ON THE RESURFACING OF NEW YORK AVENUE Mark Diercks, P.E., Transportation Engineer, reported that Palm Desert Country Club is responsible for this resurfacing. Randy Case stated that the resurfacing would be done during the first week of December while other resurfacing work is being performed. Chairman Campbell noted that there was an editorial in the newspaper about the center medians on Country Club that have not been completed. Mr. Diercks replied that while he is not directly involved with the landscaping, he believes that a contract had been let to complete this work. IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. PROGRESS AT PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB Randy Case reported that the golf course has been open for about one month and that it is in great shape. There are still a few items remaining to be completed on the golf course such as the restroom on Hole 5, and that they are starting on the restroom on Hole 14. The work on the pump house on Hole 17 is underway and should be completed in the next few weeks. The clubhouse is open, but there are still a few miscellaneous items remaining to be completed that should be done in the next few weeks. The water line installation has been completed on California Avenue resulting in an increase in water pressure and they no longer need the booster on their irrigation system. They are now working on the water line on Tennessee Avenue that will tie in to the line on Florida Avenue. Once that is completed, they will begin paving that area and in the area of the 54 new lots. The work on the maintenance facility should begin by the middle of December. Materials have been purchased and once construction begins it should be completed within about 45 days. They hope to have all work completed by the end of January 2007. G:\rda\Beth Longman\COmmittees\PA 04\Minutes\2006 Minules\ Mnules 112006.doc 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES November 20, 2006 They have been working with Code Compliance and the homeowners' association to continue improving the neighborhood. They are working together to encourage homeowners to clean up and maintain their homes. Many homeowners are refurbishing their homes further increasing the values that have already been positively impacted by the improvements to the neighborhood and the Palm Desert Country Club. Mr. Case stated that they have been successful with their promotion of offering free social memberships through December 2007 to Palm Desert Country Club area homeowners. To date, over 400 people have taken advantage of this offer. Member Trevor asked if there were any meeting rooms available in the clubhouse. Mr. Case stated that they do not have dedicated meeting rooms, but that the members' area could be closed off and used for meeting if needed. In regard to golf cart crossings, Mr. Case reported that they will be installing street markings and crossing signs. They are also working with Public Works to make the crossings as safe as possible. B. UPDATE ON FREEDOM PARK Janis Steele reported that the construction is on schedule and they expect to have the park open by May 2007. There will be a grand opening celebration in the spring with the official dedication of the park on Veteran's Day 2007. C. PRESENTATION ON THE OFFICE OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT Patrick Conlon, Director of Energy Management, informed the committee that the Department of Energy Management and its partners (Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, the Energy Coalition, and the California Public Utilities Commission) have embarked on a five-year mission to reduce city-wide energy use by 30%. The two areas that they will focus on are new construction and retrofitting existing homes. A proposed ordinance will be coming before the City Council that will require new homes to be either 10 or 15 percent more energy efficient than the Title 24 minimum standards. Title 24 contains the energy code requirements to which new houses must conform. This proposed ordinance has already been reviewed and approved by the California Energy Commission and, if approved, G:Vda\Beth Longman\Commttees\PA #4\Mmutes\2006 Minutes\Minutes 112006.doc 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES November 20, 2006 will make Palm Desert one of only three cities in California that will have more restrictive standards than the Title 24 minimum. In regard to retrofitting existing houses, they are requesting that the Public Utilities Commission approve an application to grant additional funds for use in making existing houses more energy efficient. They are not asking for a rate increase, but rather a re -allocation of funds to Palm Desert to assist in meeting the new energy goals. An administrative law judge has already recommended the approval of $14 million for the first two years of the program. After two years, they will go before the Public Utilities Commission again to request funding for the final three years of the program. Mr. Conlon provided a listing of energy saving measures that will be actively promoted. While there are many categories where energy saving can be realized, replacement of air conditioners will be their primary focus, and they will provide an incentive of $1,400 to assist homeowners in replacing their old units. This will be the best use of funds and will provide the highest level of energy savings. Changing out an air conditioner with a SEER rating of 6 to one at 13 or 14 SEER will save a considerable amount of money and energy. Duct sealing and pool pump replacement will also be aggressively promoted because these are also areas where significant energy savings can be achieved. Regarding savings in natural gas, they will be targeting homeowners' associations who use gas heaters to heat their swimming pools. Replacing a 70 percent efficient natural gas pool heater with a 92% pool heater results in considerable savings in money and energy. Mr. Conlon reported they also intend to pursue grants and funding from environmental non-profit organizations for the Palm Desert solar initiative with the idea of receiving a grant to the City that will help provide an incentive for people to install photovoltaic solar panels. D. PRESENTATION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT EMERGENCY PLAN Gary Rosenblum, Risk Manager, gave a Power Point presentation outlining the City's emergency plan. He stated that Palm Desert is concerned with several different emergency situations, but is primarily concerned with the effects of earthquakes. Planning is ongoing and constantly being updated at the city, county, and state levels. All of the various groups and agencies meet regularly to discuss emergency planning. The City has updated its emergency plan twice, most recently last year. G:\rda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA M4\Minutes\2006 Nhnutes\Minutes 112006.doc 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES November 20.2006 The City provides police, fire, and medical emergency coverage through contracts with Riverside County. In the event of a disaster, the City will coordinate with police, fire, paramedics, and public health services. In the event of a massive disaster, the City will operate under the Incident Command Center out of Riverside County and/or the state, and federal agencies. Member Grubb asked how a citizen could find out what do in an emergency situation. Mr. Rosenblum stated that the City's website (www.citvofr)almdesert.orq) has information regarding emergency preparedness (found under Departments/Risk Management). People can also contact Mr. Rosenblum directly for information. There was a special edition of The Bright Side that covered emergency preparedness, and that can also be found on the City's website (under Department/Community Promotions). Mr. Rosenblum stated that homeowners' associations are encouraged to have a plan in place for their residents, and that he can help associations set up a plan. Individuals should also make personal plans to be prepared in their homes, offices, and cars. There are two levels — planning and preparation. Planning is figuring out what you are going to do before, during, and after an earthquake; and preparation is gathering the things needed to be self-sufficient for up to a week. Everyone needs to be as prepared as they can be because the government is not going to be able to help everyone simultaneously. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS None B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS None C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON None D. STAFF Mark Diercks mentioned the Lady of Guadalupe March that will be going to Warner Trail on December 12, 2006, at about 12 noon. G:\rda\Beth Longman\Commttees\PA k4\Minutes\2006 MinutesUAinutes 112006.doc C CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES November 20.2006 There will be several thousand people walking down the street. It begins in Palm Springs and ends in Coachella. XI. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting is scheduled for December 18, 2006, at 3:00 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. G:\rda\Beth Longman\ComrntteeS\PA M4\Mmu1es\2006 Mmutes\Minutes 112006.doc 4 Beth Longman, Rrding Secretary 7