Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPA #4 CMTE - 09/17/07VI - PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK ly-"' .�FROM: BETH LONGMAN, SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT DATE: DCEMBER 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 September 17, 2007, meeting of the Project Area No. 4 Committee. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. X Attachment (as noted) "`I i J � V J BY RDA ON (- co 0� Or c,inao on fi;'e with City Clerk's Office G:\rda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA #41Minute Transmittal.doc PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES September 17, 2007 CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairwoman Trevor called a regular meeting to order on Monday, September 17, 2007, at 3:01 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Charles Ash Fred Benford Harry Church Jane Daugherty Roberta Grubb Douglas Luhring Sherry Trevor Also Present: Members Absent: Russ Campbell Robert Duncan Susan McMillen Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Planning Randy Case, Palm Desert Country Club Mark Diercks, P.E., Transportation Engineer Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works Dick Kelly, Mayor Connor Limont, Planning Commission Liaison Beth Longman, Recording Secretary Justin McCarthy, ACM/Redevelopment Janet Moore, Director of Housing Carlos Ortega, City Manager Arla Scott, Senior Financial Analyst Dave Simmons, Palm Desert Country Club Bob Spiegel, Councilmember Frank Taylor, Lieutenant, Palm Desert Police Department Dave Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment/Housing CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES September 17, 2007 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Member Benford commented that he feels that members of the Project Area No. 4 Committee have a special responsibility to be aware of and report infractions in the community. He has reported them and finds the response from Code Compliance to be very good. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF JUNE 18, 2007. Vice Chairwoman Trevor asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Minutes of the June 18, 2007, meeting. There being none, the Minutes were unanimously approved. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON STOP SIGNS AT NEW YORK AVENUE AND CALIFORNIA AVENUE Mark Diercks, P.E., Transportation Engineer, noted that at the June 18, 2007, meeting he had agreed that a stop sign should be installed at this intersection. The City is awaiting plans from the developer for the golf cart crossings, which should include a three- way stop sign in this location. IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. UPDATE ON PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB Randy Case, Palm Desert Country Club, noted that the first annual inspection in accordance with the maintenance agreement had occurred. As a result of that inspection there were several items that G:\rda\Beth Longman\COmmlttees\PA WfAinutes\W07 tAnutes\Minutes 091707.doc L CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES September 17, 2007 they are currently working on. The primary item noted was the lack of a permanent maintenance facility, which Mr. Case stated he would address later in the meeting. There is a well that they installed near the tee box on the 171h hole that is lacking a structure. He expects preliminary plans for this structure to be approved in the next several weeks. The golf cart crossings are another outstanding item. They have hired Engineering Solutions, a local civil engineering firm, to prepare a plan for the golf cart crossings. Stop signs for the golf carts have been installed at all the street crossings, but signage alerting vehicle traffic is still needed. Plans for this item are expected in the next several weeks. There were also some questions regarding staffing that will hopefully be resolved by next year's inspection. Mr. Case distributed information on a preliminary proposal to provide a gateway into the Palm Desert Country Club at Washington Avenue and Avenue of the States. Mr. Case and Larry Kosmont, as owners of the Palm Desert Country Club, feel that there are additional opportunities and projects that can greatly enhance the community. One of the prime opportunities is to significantly improve the main entrance at Avenue of the States. The proposal also includes development of a retail center, an upgraded HOA building with a new state-of-the-art facility, realignment of the intersection at California Avenue and Avenue of the States, construction of a new maintenance facility for the golf course, relocation of Joe Mann Park, and a new Sheriff substation. Mr. Case also stated that they have plans to meet with the owners of the multi -family housing complex on Michigan Avenue on the north side of the community. They hope to be able to work with these owners to improve this complex. There are three property owners in the area covered by the proposal: Palm Desert Country Club Development, LLC, the Palm Desert Country Club HOA, and the City of Palm Desert. Each entity owns parcels of approximately the same size. The HOA has indicated an interest in upgrading their facility, but they do not have the funds available. One method of funding would be to create new development to generate revenue that could be used for a new HOA facility. Mr. Case commented that he believes the City purchased the residential apartments and the Casey's Restaurant site to be used for affordable housing. They believe that affordable housing is appropriate for the community, but that the area on Avenue of the States is not the best location. Justin McCarthy noted that what is proposed for the property on Avenue of the States is a senior housing G:\rda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA #4\Minutest2007 Wnutes\Minutes 091707.doc 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES September 17. 2007 project rather than low-income, and that the intent is to rehabilitate and upgrade Casey's Restaurant. In regard to the maintenance facility, Mr. Case stated that after looking at the area planned for the new facility over the past year, they believe that it is not the optimal location. They are proposing to keep the facility in its current location, which was originally intended to be temporary. Plans will be drawn up to construct the permanent facility and will be presented to the City for review. Mr. Case concluded by stating that the three property owners in the area covered by the proposal would all benefit from the continued development of the area with potentially no cost to the HOA. They will continue to work with the City on this proposal. B. UPDATE ON UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING Arla Scott, Senior Financial Analyst, stated that they have not yet received the order of magnitude package from Southern California Edison. They expect this package by the end of September and should have more information to provide at the October 15 meeting. C. UPDATE ON CALIFORNIA VILLAS Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager, provided the committee with an update on the Phase B renovation. This phase will include a retrofit of the landscape and parking lot improvements. The design is being finalized and they hope to get the project out for bid in November. The bid period will be four to six weeks with construction expected to begin in early 2008. D. UPDATE ON CRIME ISSUES WITHIN PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB Lt. Frank Taylor distributed an update to the letter regarding crime issues in the Palm Desert Country Club area. He stated that on July 24, 2007, he attended a Neighborhood Watch meeting where several issues were discussed including those related to the golf course, crime trends, and basic quality of life issues. He explained to that group how important it is to contact the police department when they have or see problems. Citizens can call 836-3215 and press 5, which sends the call directly to the dispatcher. The police department is there to help and respond to citizens' needs. In regard to the two vandalism incidents in May and June, Lt. Taylor stated that they have some information about who may have been G:\rda\Beth Longman\Commttess\PA M4\Minutes\2007 Minutes\Minutes 091707.doc 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES September 17, 2007 involved. They believe that the person involved may no longer be in the community because the vandalism has not continued. Following the July 24 meeting, Lt. Taylor was notified that there are approximately 18 people interested in being block captains. There will be another meeting on September 29 to organize the Neighborhood Watch program. Citizens will be introduced to the officers who will be specifically working in the area. The police department is working with Public Works to get Neighborhood Watch signs installed. He understands that signs will be posted on all arterial roads coming into Palm Desert Country Club. On August 6, 2007, a pro -active enforcement program was implemented. The program involved 34 beat patrol units, members of the Palm Desert Police Special Enforcement Team, the Community Oriented Policing Officer, Motorcycle Enforcement Officers, and members of the bicycle patrol. The program ran in two parts: the first from August 6 through August 9, and the second from August 13 through August 17. The hours in both segments were from approximately 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. The mission was to identify specific problem areas within the Palm Desert Country Club. Due to the level of vandalism in the area, one of the primary focus areas was to identify as many juveniles as possible. Several juveniles were contacted and information was obtained to assist in the investigation of past incidents and for future use. There were traffic violations cited, parking citations issued, vehicles towed, and felony and misdemeanor arrests made. Declines in speeding and parking citations were noted during the second enforcement period. Code Compliance has been instrumental in the decreased number of parking violations in the area. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS None B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS Councilmember Spiegel congratulated Randy Case on the new magazine they are publishing. He asked if the restaurant were open full time. Dave Simmons stated that beginning this week, they will be serving lunch seven days per week, and dinner service will begin on Fridays in October. A Saturday evening buffet will begin soon. G\rda\Beth Longrnan\Commttees\PA k4\Mmutes\2007 hbnutesUnutes 091707.doc 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES September 17, 2007 Member Trevor asked if they could accommodate club meetings. Mr. Case stated that they could handle groups of 200 to 300. Member Benford asked for an update on the golf course closure for over seeding. Mr. Case stated that they are trying a new schedule this year and have already closed the front nine and are cutting back on watering the back nine in anticipation of closing that for over seeding. The front nine will re -open on October 6 and the back nine will be closed. The back nine will re -open during the first week in November and then they will close the executive course. The entire course will be open by Thanksgiving. C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON None D. STAFF Dave Yrigoyen reminded the committee members that the City's annual appreciation event would be held at Desert Willow on October 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mark Diercks noted that the final phase of the Fred Waring widening project is underway. The contractor has requested that California Avenue be closed at Fred Waring for four days. If the intersection remains open, the work will take three weeks to complete. Mr. Diercks asked for feedback from the committee. Motion made by Member Ash, seconded by Member Benford, and unanimously carried, that the committee agrees that closing California Avenue for four days is preferable to extending the work for three weeks. XI. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:49 p.m. G:\rda\Beth Lonpman\Comrrttees\PA 04\Minutes\2007 Minutes\Minutes 091707.doc r � Beth Longman, Fc rding Secretary l-J