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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPA4 CMTE - 03/19/07PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: BETH LONGMAN, SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT DATE: JUNE 18, 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 March 19, 2007, meeting of the Project Area No. 4 Committee. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Q Attachment (as noted) /& IVCG( 01 4Y RDA ON 6 ' a29-07 VERIFIED BY Original on file with City Clerk's Office G:\rda\Beth Longman\Comm1ttees\PA#4\Minute Transmittal.doc PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES March 19, 2007 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Campbell called a regular meeting to order on Monday, March 19, 2007, at 3:01 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Russell Campbell, Chairman Douglas Luhring Charles Ash Fred Benford Harry Church Jane Daugherty Robert Duncan Roberta Grubb Susan McMillen Sherry Trevor Also Present: Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Planning Charles Delorey, Palm Desert Country Club Mark Diercks, P.E., Transportation Engineer Richard Kelly, Mayor Connor Limont, Planning Commission Liaison Beth Longman, Recording Secretary Justin McCarthy, ACM/Redevelopment Lisa Ream, Recycling Technician Bob Spiegel, Councilmember Janis Steele, Parks and Recreation Manager Frank Taylor, Lieutenant, Riverside County Sheriffs Department Dave Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment/Housing CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES March 19. 2007 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Member Benford voiced a compliant about Harley Davidson motorcycles. He is a biker himself and knows that the European and Japanese motorcycles meet all the standards of California decibel codes, but all Harley Davidsons have straight pipes and are exceptionally loud. They are noisy and wake up many people in the neighborhood, and he would like the police to crack down on them. Lt. Frank Taylor stated that he will look into the matter, but it is his understanding that most of them are street legal based on what his officers determine from traffic stops. Lt. Taylor will provide a report at the next meeting. Member Daugherty commended the City for the wonderful job done on the exterior renovation at California Villas. She commented that she had some visitors who asked if they were timeshares or condos that could be purchased. She appreciates the improvements every time she drives by. Member McMillen asked if there were a timetable to have the utilities moved underground in the Palm Desert Country Club area. Member Ash responded that there was a movement to have this work done and asked if anything was happening at the City. Mr. Yrigoyen replied that it was in the hands of the citizens. Mr. McCarthy added that there is a requirement that the community poll its residents to gauge the level of acceptance for an assessment to pay for the work. That has not yet been done and it is up to the community to undertake that determination. Discussion occurred about the percentage of residents who must approve the plan and it was recalled that 80% was required. Member McMillen asked if there was an estimate of the assessment. Mr. McCarthy stated that the cost would depend on the extent of the work. Mr. Yrigoyen commented that the City would look at paying for a majority of the cost for California Drive because as a regional arterial it qualified for funding. The only thing the City couldn't pay for along California is the connections to the private property. There is also a program the City has that pays on a 50% basis for eligible costs for undergrounding. The residents, through an assessment district, would have to carry the balance. Mr. Yrigoyen stated that an update would be provided at the next meeting. Councilmember Spiegel stated that the undergrounding process is currently underway in his neighborhood. They don't have a regional arterial road, but the City is paying 50% and his assessment is approximately $26,000. Mayor Kelly stated that he believes that Palm Desert Country Club assessments may be less because there is a large portion that will be fully funded because of the regional arterial road. G.Vda\Beth Longman\Commttees\PA #4\Minules\2007 Mlnutes\Minules 031907.doc 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES March 19, 2007 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF NOVEMBER 20, 2006. MOTION made by Member Ash, seconded by Member Daugherty, and unanimously carried, that the minutes of the November 20, 2006, meeting be approved. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chairman Campbell opened the floor for nominations for Chair. MOTION was made by Member Ash to nominate Russell Campbell as Chairman for the ensuing year, seconded by Member Trevor, and unanimously approved. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION OF TRAFFIC STUDY FOR THE INTERSECTION OF NEW YORK AVENUE AND CALIFORNIA DRIVE Mark Diercks, P.E., Transportation Engineer, stated that another traffic study had been done at the intersection of New York Avenue and California Drive, and they still do not find that the traffic volume warrants an all -way stop. The survey took place over a three-day period in order to gather a 24-hour sampling. The volume of traffic on California is substantially greater than on New York, and the issue is whether to stop all the traffic on California just to serve the smaller volume on New York. Member Ash commented that it isn't the quantity of cars, but the speed at which they travel that raises the possibility of a golf cart/car collision. If people are aware that a stop sign is ahead, they'll slow down. Mr. Diercks stated that they don't want to install a stop sign in order to control speed. He's also concerned that if a stop sign were installed, the people in the golf carts wouldn't be as aware of the traffic and could be hit if someone G:VOMBelh LongmanlGommllees\PA #MMmules\2007 Minules\Minutes 031907.doc 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES March 19, 2007 runs the stop sign. Having spent several hours observing traffic at that intersection, his recommendation is based on his observations and the volume of traffic. Chairman Campbell noted that, based on the information provided, there has not been a reported crash at the intersection since 2003. This is almost four years with no accidents and he supports the City's recommendation. Mr. Diercks stated that the developer has been requested to provide an overall golf cart plan for the country club, but nothing has yet been received. The issue is not just at this intersection, but also throughout the entire country club area. Member Ash stated that there were no accidents at Warner Trail and California and stops signs were finally installed there. Mr. Diercks stated that was because the traffic on California and on Warner Trail was just about equal in volume at about 4,000 to 5,000 cars per day. Member Grubb asked if a "Caution" sign could be installed. Mr. Diercks stated that it was something they were still considering. Member Daugherty asked the City to press the country club to come up with a golf cart crossing plan. Three years ago the developer promised that there would be signage for the crossings, but nothing as happened. Her husband, who plays the course regularly, is constantly commenting about the number of golf carts that are almost hit. Mr. Yrigoyen commented that in accordance with the City's maintenance agreement with Palm Desert Country Club, the City would be inspecting the golf course to ensure that it is up to standards. This will be one of the items covered during the inspection. Mayor Kelly asked about the status of the double line striping on California. He was told that it was to be done after the completion of the seal coating. Mr. Diercks thought that they were close to having the work done, and will provide a follow up. Mayor Kelly requested a report for the next meeting on the entire project including the seal coating and striping. IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. PROGRESS AT PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB Charles Delorey, General Manager of the Palm Desert Country Club, noted that the course was recently awarded Renovation of the Year by a national golfer's magazine. Mr. Delorey further reported that they have exceeded their projections on estimated rounds and revenues by about 25%. They have also added 15 to 20 new memberships since the beginning of the year. GlydalBeth LongmanlCommdteestPA *MMmutes12007 Minutesftnutes 031907.doc 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES March 19, 2007 In regard to the street crossings, he agrees that traffic moves very quickly on California, and that there are blind spots in the area where the new homes have been built. He is aware that golf course management is working with the City on a plan, but does not know if a plan has been completed. Arla Scott, Senior Financial Analyst, stated that there is a maintenance agreement with the Palm Desert Country Club that requires an inspection of the golf course and facilities. A full inspection is scheduled for March 20, 2007, and will include City inspectors such as building inspectors, landscape inspectors, and the golf course superintendent from Desert Willow. The inspection will ensure that all the agreed upon work has been completed. Member Benford commented that he marshals at the course and has heard complaints about the lack of sand for refilling bottles to repair divots. Also, many other golf courses have receptacles for broken tees on the tee boxes and he asked if there were any plans to add them here. Mr. Delorey agrees that there needs to be more sand and tee disposal available. B. UPDATE ON FREEDOM PARK Janis Steele, Parks and Recreation Manager, reported that the grand opening would take place at the end of May or the beginning of June. Landscaping is underway and completion should be within the next few months. C. UPDATE ON DRUG -RELATED ISSUES Lt. Frank Taylor, Palm Desert Assistant Chief of Police and a 24-year resident in Project Area 4, reported that there has been approximately 30 felony and 31 misdemeanor arrests in the area over the past year. That may sound like a lot, but these numbers reflect a significant decrease in activity in the area. The decrease was noticeable when the City began the California Villas renovation project, and after their acquisition of the Country Village Apartments. The Police Department has been concentrating their efforts in that area, the area around the Michigan Apartments, and in Joe Mann Park. They have worked with the Parks Departments and Code Enforcement to make it a safer area. Everyone needs to continue to work together to stay on top of the issues and address them as best as possible. That includes alcohol violations and illegally parked or abandoned cars. They have also worked with the Coachella Valley Narcotics Task Force and the Coachella Valley Violent Gang Task Force to address problems in the area. Lt. Taylor is made aware of any problems in the Palm Desert Country Club area on a daily basis. G:Vda\Beth Longman\Comm ttees\PA 04ftnutes\2007 Mlnutesftnutes 031907.doc 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES March 19, 2007 Member Trevor asked if there were other areas of Palm Desert experiencing drug problems. Lt. Taylor stated that there are other areas in the City that experience problems and cited recent burglaries south of El Paseo. Member Trevor asked if the burglaries were drug related. Lt. Taylor stated that a high percentage of all thefts are related to drug issues. The most prevalent crime that all cities are currently dealing with is identity theft; whereas several years ago it was burglaries. They are seeing that a high percentage of the perpetrators are not residents of Palm Desert, but are coming from elsewhere. D. PRESENTATION OF THE CITY'S RECYCLING PROGRAM Lisa Ream, Recycling Technician, distributed the City's recycling brochure that has been mailed to all city residents. The City has a mandatory automated collection ordinance that went into effect in 2004. It was implemented to encourage recycling by all residents, including those residing in gated communities. Ms. Ream reviewed aspects of the program such as green waste recycling, household hazardous waste, universal waste, document shredding, bulky item pick up, and oil recycling. There are also programs in place to help small businesses with hazardous waste recycling. Ms. Ream reported that the City has exceeded the mandatory diversion rate and diverted 62% of waste to recycling. The mandatory rate is currently 50%. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS Mr. Yrigoyen reported that Lauri Aylaian has been promoted to Director of Planning, and introduced Martin Alvarez as the new Redevelopment Manager. B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS None G:\rda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA 94ftnutes\2007 MinutesUnutes 031907.doc 0 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES March 19. 2007 C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON Lauri Aylaian introduced Connor Limont as the new Planning Commission representative to the Project Area 4 committee. Ms. Limont replaces Cindy Finerty who is now a City Councilmember. D. STAFF None XI. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:43 p.m. Beth Longman, RQording Secretary GVda\Beth Longman\Commltees\PA N4\Minutes\2007 Minutes\Mmutes 031907.doc 7