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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPA4 Cmte - 04/21/08�L D PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: BETH LONGMAN, SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT DATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 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 April 21, 2008, meeting of the Project Area No. 4 Committee. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. RE Attachment (as noted) BY RDA L-{- 0 (Fe r9usuVi ON IG-9-U VERIFIED BY�1�� t Original on file with City Clerk's Office G:%rda%Beth Longman\CommitteeMPA UlMinute Transmittal.doc PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES April 21, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Campbell called a regular meeting to order on Monday, April 21, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Charles Ash Sherry Trevor Fred Benford Russ Campbell Jane Daugherty Robert Duncan Roberta Grubb Douglas Luhring Susan McMillen Also Present: Lauri Aylaian, Director of Planning Randy Case, Palm Desert Country Club Bill Conoway, Palm Desert Police Officer Mark Diercks, P.E., Transportation Engineer Evelyn Garman, Palm Desert Country Club Resident Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works Phyllis Harkins, Palm Desert Country Club Association Barbara Koltweit, Palm Desert Country Club Resident Beth Longman, Recording Secretary Justin McCarthy, ACM Redevelopment Janet Moore, Director of Housing Mari Schmidt, Planning Commission Liaison Aria Scott, Senior Financial Analyst Dave Simmons, Palm Desert Country Club Bob Spiegel, Councilmember Lt. Frank Taylor, Palm Desert Police Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES April 21, 2008 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Councilmember Spiegel congratulated Beth Ash on receiving the Senior Inspiration Award from the City of Palm Desert. At the award luncheon, Member Ash had commented on the menu light that Councilmember Spiegel was using and indicated he would like to have one. Councilmember Spiegel stated that he had a light not only for Member Ash, but for everyone. He distributed the menu lights. Lt. Frank Taylor introduced Officer Bill Conoway as the newest member of the motorcycle team in Palm Desert. He primarily deals with matters within Project Area No. 4. Member Ash commented that in addition to patrolling on Warner Trail and on California Avenue near the association clubhouse, there are other areas needing attention such as on California Avenue between Tennessee Avenue and Fred Waring, on New York Avenue, and on Elkhorn Trail. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF MARCH 17, 2008. Member Ash noted that a correction was needed to state that it is the City's responsibility to install the stop sign at California Avenue. MOTION made by Member Benford, seconded by Member Daugherty, and unanimously carried, that the Minutes of the March 17, 2008, meeting be approved as corrected. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS RATIFICATION OF THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS HELD ON MARCH 17, 2008. MOTION made by Member Ash, seconded by Member Luhring, and unanimously carried, that the election of officers be ratified. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None G'\rda\Beth Longman\CommitteesTA #4\Minutes\2008 Mmutes\Minutes 042108.doc 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES Anril 21. 2008 Vill. OLD BUSINESS None IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. UPDATE ON THE GOLF CART CIRCULATION PLAN AT PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB Randy Case stated that they have hired a professional civil survey firm to prepare a street marking plan for the street crossings. They expect to be able to review a draft of the plan with the City within the next several weeks. In addition to the street markings, the plan will also identify locations where signs will be installed. In regard to the access road from California Avenue, they are aware of the problem with dust from the road. They are reviewing plans to install pavement from California Avenue up to the cart path. There is also a problem with the visual aspect. They have met with the Petersons who live adjacent to the facility, and will install hedges on the back side of the 14th hole tee box. This will be a temporary fix, but will improve the Petersons' view. This has been discussed with the Petersons and they are satisfied with this remedy. There are a number of other issues in regard to the access road. One is that the road was to be moved ten feet to the east. That would entail going into the existing park, moving a wall, and reconfiguring the area. The Planning and Fire Departments had previously agreed that the road should not be moved into the park. They now need to meet with Public Works to see if it is feasible to keep the access road as it is. Member Ash noted that the park is owned by the homeowners' association not the City. They also had a requirement to build an eight foot wall to the back of the Petersons' property line. They built a six foot wall along the side of the Petersons' house, and have agreed to extend the six foot wall along the access road to the back of their property and to install new gates. Mr. Case acknowledged that the maintenance facility is an on -going issue, and noted that everyone is aware that they want to keep the facility in its temporary location in the middle of the 13th and 14th fairways. They are preparing a grading plan to show how the grading and landscaping will look from both the 13th and 14th fairways. If it is landscaped appropriately, the wall should not be visible. This plan will be submitted to the Planning Department in the next several weeks. They realize that this does not represent the originally approved plans, and want to work with the City and the homeowners to resolve GArda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA #4\Minutes\2008 Minutes\Minutes 042108.doc 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES ADrll 21. 2008 the matter in a manner acceptable to everyone. Mr. Case further stated that they have been financially affected by the weather, changes in the economy, and an early Easter season. They understand what they need to accomplish, but ask for patience on behalf of the City and homeowners in arriving at a solution. Member Ash asked if the revised plan includes employee parking. Mr. Case replied that it does. He acknowledged that the employees do not currently have a good place to park or spend their lunch break. The other issue that they have had a problem with is that they use the area originally intended for the maintenance facility as storage for waste from the golf course. This area has now been cleared up. Member Daugherty asked what was happening with the two lots that were graded at the end of number 11. They are now just weedy lots. Mr. Case replied that they own them and they will be cleaned up. The plan is to eventually build homes on the lots. Justin McCarthy asked if there had been any improvement in some of the yards adjacent to the golf course. Mr. Case stated that there has been some improvement and they will continue working on further improvements. Member Ash noted that Phyllis Harkins with the homeowners' association can provide an update on notifications to homeowners regarding complaints. Barbara Koltweit, a resident of Palm Desert Country Club, presented some photos of the existing maintenance facility and the area where the facility was intended to be placed. She states that the employees now park their cars by the pond, which is plainly visible from her home and is unsightly. Mr. Case agreed that this is not acceptable, and will work more closely with Ms. Koltweit to resolve the matter. Ms. Koltweit stated that she believes there will be opposition to their plan to keep the maintenance facility in its temporary location. Mr. Case stated that the building will be much smaller than originally planned. Ms. Koltweit asked about the plans for the area that was originally intended for the maintenance facility. Mr. Case responded that it will be graded to match the surrounding area, but is not certain of the exact plan. Evelyn Garman, a resident of Palm Desert Country Club, asked why the maintenance facility could not be constructed in the originally planned location. Mr. Case responded that the initial reason was security, which is a big problem for them. The original area is dark and it allows easy access to vandals and thieves without being as readily seen. Although they have also had equipment stolen from the alternate area, it is more difficult to steal from that area. There is also better synergy in the alternate location with access to the pump, well, G.\rda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA #4\Minutes\2008 Minutes\Minutes 042108 doc CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES Aoril 21. 2008 and utilities. There are also financial considerations. Ms. Garman asked if all of the equipment would be stored within the maintenance building. Mr. Case responded that the majority of the equipment would be stored inside. Ms. Garman pointed out that the building could be locked to avoid theft, to which Mr. Case replied that the thieves then cut the locks. Mr. Case stated that he wanted to meet with the residents prior to reviewing plans with City staff. Member Benford commented that on several occasions he had made reports to Code Compliance about overgrown grass, and illegally parked trailers and RVs. He commended Johnny Terfehr for always responding promptly. He also commended the country club employees for their professional demeanor and assistance. Mr. Case also informed the committee that the well by the 17t" hole shut down about two months ago due to a bad pump. The pump has been replaced and plans are approved to build a structure around the well. B. REVIEW OF GOLF CART ORDINANCES Lt. Frank Taylor distributed copies of the City's Golf Cart Ordinance. He stated that his understanding was that the residents of Palm Desert Country Club could drive their golf carts from their homes to the country club on streets where the speed limit was 25 mph. He understands that this agreement has been in place since Palm Desert Country Club was brought into the City. The ordinance states that golf carts driven on city streets must meet minimum design criteria, and must follow the rules of the road. Golf carts used solely on golf courses do not meet the minimum design criteria, but Lt. Taylor understands that the golf cart circulation plan currently being designed for Palm Desert Country Club is to allow these carts to more safely cross city streets between certain holes. Member Ash stated he recalls that when Palm Desert Country Club was brought into the City, the original plan was to allow area residents to drive their non -compliant golf carts with their clubs in the cart to and from the golf course; but they were not allowed to use these carts for other purposes. Lt. Taylor is trying to obtain a copy of the original agreement. It is his understanding, via Code Compliance, that all golf carts driven on city streets must comply with the ordinance, but those within Palm Desert Country Club do not need to have City -issued permits if used only within the club area. Randy Case stated that there are about 150 club members who have personal golf carts. He estimated that only about 20% would meet the minimum design criteria. A number of these members do not have G \rda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA #4\Minutes\2008 Minutes\Minutes 042108 doc 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES Aaril 21. 2008 access to the course other than through city streets. If these members are required to upgrade their carts, there will be an uproar. Member Ash reiterated his understanding and asked that consideration be given to allowing Palm Desert Country Club residents to drive their non -compliant carts to and from the golf course. Lt. Taylor stated that he would meet with Lauri Aylaian and her staff to discuss the matter. He also stated that it is not his intent to cause problems in this regard. He further stated that the problems they are attempting to address are carts driving on the wrong side of the road, carts cutting in front of cars, and juveniles driving carts. Member Ash stated that it is not the golfers that are causing these types of problems. C. UPDATE ON TRAFFIC ON CALIFORNIA AVENUE Lt. Taylor stated that Officer Conoway has been patrolling the area frequently, and the stop sign is now in place on California Avenue. He reported that the citation data on California Avenue and Warner Trail show that approximately 85% of the speeders are residents of Palm Desert Country Club rather than people cutting through the area. Unfortunately, numerous residents have been given tickets for speeding. He hopes that the recently installed stop sign at California Avenue will help decrease speeding in the area. Chairman Campbell asked if there were any plans to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Portola and Frank Sinatra. Councilmember Spiegel stated that there are plans to make modifications to this intersection and a traffic signal will be installed in the future. This intersection is seeing increased traffic with the Dinah Shore connection now open to Portola. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS Mari Schmidt, the new Planning Commission Liaison, introduced herself. She will be attending future meetings and reporting to the Planning Commission. B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS None G:\rda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA#4\Minutes\2008 Minutes\Minutes 042108.doc J G CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES April 21. 2008 C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON None D. STAFF None XI. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting is scheduled for May 19, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m. /;a Beth Longman, Fcording Secretary G:\rda\Beth Longman\Commdlees\PA #4\Minutes\2008 MinutesUnutes 042108 doc 7