HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitizens's Advisory Minutes 10/15/07ME
PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MEMORANDUM
TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
FROM: BETH LONGMAN, SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT /
DATE: MARCH 26, 2008
SUBJECT: SUBMISSION OF MINUTES FOR THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY
COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4
Attached is a copy of the approved Minutes from the October 15, 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) ON (�$
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
October 15, 2007
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Campbell called a regular meeting to order on Monday,
October 15, 2007, at 3:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Members Absent:
Charles Ash
Fred Benford
Russ Campbell
Harry Church
Jane Daugherty
Robert Duncan
Roberta Grubb
Douglas Luhring
Susan McMillen
Sherry Trevor
Also Present:
Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager
Lauri Aylaian, Director of Planning
Pat Conlon, Director of Energy Management
Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works
Dick Kelly, Mayor
Connor Limont, Planning Commission Liaison
Beth Longman, Recording Secretary
Justin McCarthy, ACM/Redevelopment
Hart Ponder, Code Compliance Manager
Arla Scott, Senior Financial Analyst
Bob Spiegel, Councilmember
Johnny Terfehr, Code Compliance Officer
Frank Taylor, Lieutenant, Palm Desert Police Department
Dave Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment/Housing
CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4
MINUTES October 15, 2007
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Member Ash noted that there was nothing on the agenda about the stop
sign at New York Avenue and California Avenue. Mark Greenwood stated
that a 3-way stop sign will be installed at this intersection.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2007.
Member Ash commented that there are actually nine property owners
who would be effected by the proposal presented by Randy Case
rather than the three referenced in the Minutes of the September 17,
2007, meeting. With this notation, the Minutes were unanimously
approved.
V.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
VI.
NEW BUSINESS
None
VII.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
Vill.
OLD BUSINESS
None
IX.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. UPDATE ON PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB
There was no one present from Palm Desert Country Club.
B. UPDATE ON UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING
Arla Scott presented very preliminary cost estimates for the utility
undergrounding in Palm Desert Country Club. She received these
estimates verbally. Southern California Edison's estimate is $22
million, Verizon's estimate is $11 million, and the cost of issuance is
$4.4 million resulting in a total estimated cost to underground utilities
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CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4
MINUTES October 15, 2007
of $37.4 million. The Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency could
possibly contribute up to 40% of the total cost with the balance being
the responsibility of the residents of Palm Desert Country Club. This
would result in an approximate assessment of $15,000 to $25,000 per
homeowner. The Agency could issue a bond of approximately $25
million to cover this expense that would be repaid by the homeowners
over a period of time.
Member Ash commented that a number of homes already have
undergrounding from the street to the house, but that there are many
that do not. He added that there would need to be a differentiation
between these two types of homeowners. Dave Yrigoyen noted that a
benefit assessment district would need to be formed and the homes
that already have the utilities underground would not be assessed the
same as the homes that do not. The estimated assessment per home
as stated by Ms. Scott is the estimated average for about 90% of the
homeowners. Mayor Kelly noted that there is a wide range between
the low and high end of the estimate. Ms. Scott replied that this is
because the engineering costs have not yet been finalized. Mayor
Kelly asked how California Avenue was figured into this estimate
because it is a major arterial and would be paid by the Agency. Dave
Yrigoyen commented this will be worked out in the final figures and
those will not be available for at least six months because Verizon is
dragging their feet. Member Luhring asked if the Verizon estimate
included using fiber optic and Ms. Scott stated that this has been part
of the on -going discussion that is not yet finalized.
Connor Limont stated that utility undergrounding is just being
completed in her neighborhood. She noted that the preliminary
estimates they received were between $12,000 and $15,000, while
their actual costs ended up very close to the Palm Desert Country
Club estimate. The reality is that homeowners need to have a
realistic estimate even if it is painful.
Ms. Scott stated that there are 1,083 homes involved. That number
will be used by the engineers in conjunction with the type of property
in determining the costs on a property -by -property basis. Member
Daugherty asked what terms will be used for calculating the payback
for the homeowners. Ms. Scott stated that a 30-year term will be
used, and the annual amount will be added to the property taxes. The
full assessment could also be paid up front. The assessment is
attached to the property and would be the responsibility of any
subsequent property owner.
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CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4
MINUTES October 15, 2007
C. UPDATE ON NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Lt. Frank Taylor stated that there was another Neighborhood Watch
meeting on September 29, and approximately 25 people attended.
Most of those in attendance were interested in becoming block
captains. Lt. Taylor explained at the meeting that he had discussed
with Mark Greenwood the installation of new Neighborhood Watch
signs at the primary entrances to the area. There is a meeting
scheduled for November 13 for the potential block captains.
D. UPDATE ON FRED WARING DRIVE WIDENING
Mark Greenwood commented that all utilities have been cleared out of
the way and that the storm drain work is almost complete. The project
is expected to be completed in early 2008.
X. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS
Member Daugherty noted that there has been low flying, noisy, light
aircraft in the area of Bermuda Dunes Country Club. It circles
continuously and she was wondering if the City had received any
complaints. Johnny Terfehr commented that the City's noise
ordinance does not address this specifically and suggested that
Member Daugherty may want to contact the FAA because there are
limits on how low aircraft can fly. Member Ash asked if there were
any limits on ultra light airplanes flying in the areas of airports.
Lauri Aylaian commented that she has made reports to the FAA
and has never received any satisfactory results.
Member Benford thanked the City for the wonderful lunch at Desert
Willow and the gift that was presented.
B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS
None
C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON
Connor Limont commented that the Palm Desert Lodge will be
replaced with a Long's Drugs. While many people dislike seeing
the Lodge demolished, this will be a welcome addition to the area.
The Planning Commission has also sent a recommendation to the
City Council to limit helicopter/heliports in the City.
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CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4
MINUTES October 15, 2007
There has also been a problem with a noise issue at a rental
property on Grapevine, and that the conditional use permit has now
been withdrawn.
D. STAFF
Dave Yrigoyen noted that typically during the holiday season the
committee does not meet, and that in January and February the
scheduled meeting dates fall on the Martin Luther King and
Presidents' Day holidays. Unless there is a need for a special
meeting of the committee, the next meeting will take place in March
2008. Monthly cancellation notices will be sent to the committee
members.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting is scheduled for March 17, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. There
being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:29 p.m.
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Beth Longman, R ording Secretary
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