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PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MEMORANDUM
TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
FROM: BETH LONGMAN, SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT
bt---
DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 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 June 18, 2007, meeting of the
Project Area No. 4 Committee.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank
you.
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Attachment (as noted) BY RDA
ON IC-)1-6r7
VERIFIED BY
Original on file with City Clerk's Office
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PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR
PROJECT AREA NO.4
MINUTES
June 18, 2007
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Campbell called a regular meeting to order on Monday,
June 18, 2007, at 2:59 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Members Absent:
Russell Campbell, Chairman Jane Daugherty
Charles Ash Douglas Luhring
Fred Benford Susan McMillen
Harry Church
Robert Duncan
Roberta Grubb
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
Ryan Gayler, Project Administrator
Connor Limont, Planning Commission Liaison
Beth Longman, Recording Secretary
Karen Lyons, Palm Desert Country Club Home Owners' Association
Justin McCarthy, ACM/Redevelopment
Carlos Ortega, City Manager
Arla Scott, Senior Financial Analyst
Bob Spiegel, Councilmember
Janis Steele, Parks and Recreation Manager
Frank Taylor, Lieutenant, Riverside County Sheriff's Department
Johnny Terfehr, Code Compliance
Scott Williams, Palm Desert Country Club
Dave Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment/Housing
CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4
MINUTES June 18, 2007
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Member Benford asked if there were any updates on the vandalism to
cars on Tennessee and New York. Lt. Frank Taylor stated that they were
looking into the incidents, but there is a complete lack of physical
evidence. There was a similar occurrence in the Sagewood area near
Country Club and Monterey approximately six months ago, and another in
the business area along Washington Avenue. They have some indication
that it is a juvenile problem. The patrol units have been made aware of
the curfew violations by some of the area juveniles, and extra patrols have
been added.
Member Ash stated that he is asked on a regular basis when a stop sign
will be installed at California and New York. He commented that,
regardless of what the City's surveys have shown, it is a dangerous
intersection primarily in the early morning. Mark Diercks responded that
he is beginning to believe Member Ash after the recent golf course
inspection he attended. A large part of the problem was created by the
development of the houses in this area because previously this was a
wide-open area with good visibility. Mr. Diercks is still not totally
convinced that a stop sign is the correct answer. This matter will be under
discussion and will be resolved in the next few months. A stop sign will
probably be installed, but he needs to consider the standpoint of the
general public, and a stop sign will require every car to stop for the few
golf carts that use this crossing. Member Ash commented that it is more
than a few golf carts, particularly during the season. Mr. Diercks will
definitely be revisiting this matter.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF MARCH 19, 2007.
MOTION made by Member Trevor, seconded by Member Duncan, and
unanimously carried, that the Minutes of the March 19, 2007, meeting
be approved.
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
VI. NEW BUSINESS
None
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CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4
MINUTES June 18, 2007
VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
A. UPDATE ON ROAD WORK PROJECTS IN THE PALM DESERT
COUNTRY CLUB AREA
Mark Diercks, P.E., Transportation Engineer, noted that the striping
on California has been completed. He introduced Ryan Gayler,
Project Administrator, to address the pavement projects. Mr. Gayler
stated that every street except California and Tennessee has either
been- paved or slurry sealed within the last few years. California and
Tennessee are scheduled to be slurry sealed in the summer of 2008.
Chairman Campbell asked how often streets were slurry sealed, and
Mr. Gayler stated that it was done every five to six years.
Member Ash commented that the street repairs made after the
installation of sewer laterals were not done very well. Mr. Gayler
stated that on New York the developer was required to grind and pave
to eliminate the numerous repair areas so that there was only one
joint. New York should be in pretty good shape, but California and
Tennessee need additional work.
IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. PROGRESS AT PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB
Charles Delorey, General Manager of the Palm Desert Country Club,
stated that the inspection of the renovated country club was
performed the previous Friday, and everyone agreed that the final
result exceeded expectations. There were a few areas of concern
including signage and the maintenance facility. They are willing to do
whatever it takes to create uniform signage throughout the
community. They have requested an extension on the maintenance
facility primarily because the proposed area is difficult to secure, and
they feel that the current location is more secure. They are
developing a proposal to keep the maintenance facility in its current
location.
B. UPDATE ON THE INSPECTION OF THE PALM DESERT COUNTRY
CLUB
Arla Scott, Senior Financial Analyst, stated that the she, Mark Diercks,
Shawn Kilpatrick from Code, and Mike Tellir from Desert Willow
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CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4
MINUTES June 18, 2007
inspected the golf course the previous Friday. The inspection went
well and the golf course is in good shape. As Mr. Delorey has already
noted, there were a few areas of concern. Ms. Scott will be preparing
a detailed report of the inspection. Councilmember Spiegel
commented that it is an outstanding addition to the City of Palm
Desert.
C. UPDATE ON FREEDOM PARK
Janis Steele announced that Freedom Park is now open. There was
a well -attended grand opening celebration on June 9. There are still a
few outstanding items to complete, but they wanted to get the park
open for everyone to enjoy. Some of the soccer and ball fields still
don't have grass, but they will be ready for play in the fall. The
veteran's art piece will be in place for the dedication on Veteran's
Day.
Member Church asked if there would be a dog park. Ms. Steele
stated that there is a dog park. The original plans did not include a
division of the area for small and large dogs, but that has been done.
There will be water available in the small dog area within two weeks.
The large dog area already has water available.
Chairman Campbell asked what the fenced area was for. Ms. Steele
stated that this is the Community Gardens. The gardens are being
installed by the Community Services department and should be
completed by the end of the summer.
Member Ash commented that the funds for the park were well spent,
and that the park will be well used. It is a great addition to the City of
Palm Desert.
Member Trevor asked if the Parks and Recreation District was going
to have an office at Freedom Park. Councilmember Spiegel
commented that this was considered in the early stages of the
planning, but there will be no such building at Freedom Park.
D. UPDATE ON MOTORCYCLE MUFFLER NOISE
Lt. Taylor reported that vehicle exhaust systems could emit a
maximum of 95 decibels. Motorcycles are exempt from this
requirement per the vehicle code, but the manufacturers build their
vehicles to meet this standard or less. Any exhaust system altered
from the manufacturer's specifications is illegal, and Police officers
can issue citations to the owner of the vehicle.
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CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4
MINUTES June 18, 2007
X. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS
Chairman Campbell mentioned that he drives on Oasis regularly
and he sees drivers who do not pay attention to the recently
installed "No Turn on Red" sign. This sign prohibits southbound
traffic on Oasis from turning right onto Hovley when the stoplight is
red. Mark Diercks said that he would have a larger sign installed.
Lt. Taylor stated that some of the council members have talked to
him about the number of people who run red lights. They are going
to begin a program to target violators in various locations each
month. They will also separately note these violations in their
monthly reports.
Member Grubb asked if the City has ever considered banning leaf
blowers. Councilmember Spiegel said that it had been looked into,
but nothing was ever put in place. Member Benford commented
that this was attempted in Beverly Hills, but the gardeners could not
afford to purchase the quieter equipment. Because the residents
couldn't get anyone to do work, the city revoked the order. Member
Grubb stated that this was successful in a gated community she
lived had in. Member Ash commented that the easiest way to
control the noise was to control the hours during which the
equipment could be used.
Member Benford noted that Carlos Ortega, the "Man About Town,"
was responsible for raising over half of the $500,000 donated to
College of the Desert, and thanked him on behalf of the committee.
Mr. Ortega stated that the entire community was wonderful, and can
always be counted on to come forth whenever there is a good
cause.
Councilmember Spiegel noted that COD is building a public safety
academy that is very important not only to Palm Desert, but to the
entire Coachella Valley. One of the problems experienced in the
Coachella Valley is the difficulty in recruiting and retaining public
safety personnel because of the high cost of housing. If we have
locally trained personnel, they are more likely to remain in the
community. The City Council approved $2 million in the last budget
session for future maintenance of the public safety academy
building.
Member Ash noted that there have been other communities such as
Orange and Los Angeles Counties that have provided a housing
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CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4
MINUTES June 18. 2007
subsidy for public safety employees so that they could live in the
communities in which they worked. He asked if there were any
plans for that type of program here. Chairman Campbell noted that
many prison employees from the two prisons in Blythe actually live
in the Coachella Valley and commute every day. Dave Yrigoyen
noted that the City is currently building 93 single-family homes in
the Falcon Crest development. One of the qualifying criteria is that
an applicant works in the City. There are a few police officers
purchasing homes in the development.
In regard to the undergrounding costs, Mr. Yrigoyen stated that staff
is working with Southern California Edison to develop an estimate.
He expects to have additional information at the next meeting.
Member Ash stated that he would meet with the Palm Desert
Country Club Home Owners' Association, and that Dick Landis will
also be involved. Member Trevor asked Member Ash if *he had sent
out a survey to the homeowners. Member Ash stated that the
length of the lines involved must be determined, and an estimate of
costs be obtained from the City. Once they have that information, a
survey will be sent out. Councilmember Spiegel noted that if the
undergrounding project goes to a vote and passes, the City would
pay for half of the cost. If the landowners do not vote to proceed
with the undergrounding, the City will not ever contribute towards
the cost. It is a one-time vote.
B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS
None
C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON
None
D. STAFF
None
XI. ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting is scheduled for July 16, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. There being
no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:37 p.m.
l
Beth Longman, Rerbrding Secretary
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