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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPA4 Cmte - 04/20/09PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: MARIA HUNT �-� DATE: JUNE 18, 2009 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 20, 2009 meeting of the Project Area No. 4 Committee. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. �l Attachment (as noted) �CW ��d `\leit'%4 Rd BY RDAq-6 ( " iw ON-C-1-'nC`),I VERIFIED BY-G Original on file with City erk's Office PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES April 20, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Fred Benford called a regular meeting to order on Monday, April 20, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. It. ROLL CALL Members Present: Charles Ash Fred Benford Jane Daugherty Robert Duncan Roberta Grubb Kelly Litecky Douglas Luhring Members Absent: Javier Lopez Susan McMillen Also Present: Lauri Aylaian, Director of Planning Kathy DeRosa, SCE Dave Erwin, City Attorney Sheila Gilligan, ACM for Community Services Phyllis Harkins, Palm Desert Country Club Association Maria Hunt, Recording Secretary Richard Kelly, Councilmember Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Janet Moore, Director of Housing Larry Moore, Verizon Hart Ponder, Code Compliance Manager Arla Scott, Senior Financial Analyst Lt. Andrew Shouse, Palm Desert Police Department Dave Simmons, Palm Desert Country Club Robert Spiegel, Councilmember Johnny Terfehr, Code Compliance Officer Dave Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment/Housing CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES April 20, 2009 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Member Ash asked if it was required to have a red curb along the road where a fire hydrant is located. Mr. Greenwood replied that there is no parking permitted within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. It does not matter whether the curb is painted red or not. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF MARCH 16, 2009. With Committee concurrence, the Minutes of the March 16, 2009 meeting were unanimously approved. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS REQUEST FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL, OF THE REPLACEMENT HOUSING PLAN FOR THE COUNTRY VILLAGE APARTMENTS Janet Moore, Director of Housing, explained that the Redevelopment Agency is required by law to adopt a Replacement Housing Plan whenever it takes action that would lead to the destruction or removal of dwelling units from the low and moderate income housing market. The Agency is required to replace those units. The 66-unit Country Village Apartment complex has been completely demolished, and therefore replacement housing must be made available. The Replacement Housing Plan has been created to identify designated replacement units that are and/or will be available within the required time period. She stated that these replacement units will not be on site. Motion was made by Member Daugherty, seconded by Member Duncan to approve the Replacement Housing Plan for the -"Country Village Apartments. Motion was passed by unanimous vote. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII1. OLD BUSINESS None \\win2k\groupsVda\Mans Hunt\WPDATA\COMMITTEES\PA #4\Minutes\2009 Minutes\Minutes 042009.doc2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES April 20, 2009 IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. REPORT ON SHERIFF SUB -STATION Sheila Gilligan, Assistant City Manager for Community Services, reported that the City Council had directed staff to terminate its lease for the Washington Street Police Department Substation due to budgetary concerns. When opened several years ago, the rent was provided at a cost of $1/year. Since then, the rent has increased to $60,000 per year. Total annual cost for the Substation, including staffing, had reached in excess of $150,000 per year. The opening of the new Sheriff's station within the next 12-15 months would eliminate the need for the substation. Since notification of the lease termination, Kramer Properties had met with the City to offer a reduced rent which was still too high. Subsequent to that meeting wherein the new offer was declined, the owner extended an opportunity to the City to remain in the facility for the original $1 per year until the time that the new Sheriff's station is opened. That new offer would be presented to the City Council on Friday, April 24, for direction on how to proceed. If any new information arose from that meeting, she stated that staff would report it at a future Committee meeting. B. REPORT BY VERIZON ON PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING PROJECT STREET MARKINGS Mr. Larry Moore, Verizon representative, was provided with a copy of the photos of the street markings. He explained that each color represented a different utility company. He pointed out that not all the markings belonged to Verizon. Verizon contracts with other companies, such as Dig Alert and USA, to paint the markings on the streets. Member Ash asked if they were required by law to remove the markings. Mr. Moore replied that Verizon uses washable paint and that after time they disappear. If they wanted the markings removed, all they have to do is contact Verizon and request that they be removed. He stated he would provide them with his card. C. REPORT BY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON ON PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING PROJECT STREET MARKINGS AND LETTER Kathy DeRosa, SCE representative, reported that none of the markings shown in the photographs belonged to SCE. She had \\win2k\groups\rda\Maria Hunt\WPDATA\COMMITTEES\PA #4\Minutes\2009 Minutes\Minutes 042009.doc3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES April 20, 2009 checked with different departments, and it was confirmed that those markings did not belong to SCE. She suggested that the members contact USA and find out who the markings belong to. She stated that SCE does not have any work in the area, and that any work that they had been doing had been done by USA a while back. Chairman Benford stated that a while ago SCE had come out to do some repair work, and he noticed the markings so he assumed that they were Edison's. Ms. DeRosa explained that SCE does not mark the streets when they go out to repair a one-time outage. SCE does subcontract on certain contracts, but does not subcontract for maintenance. Member Luhring pointed out that the second picture on the left is an SCE marking, whether SCE marked it or not, maybe USA marked it, Underground Services Alert, or someone else. It appears to me that we are brushing over a situation that was of enough interest for you to bring it to the table. Verizon has said call them and they will come out and take care of what is in front of them at the time. Underground Services Alert's obligation is to come out, locate, mark, and then to remove those markings when the job is finished. If they are not doing it, then SCE, CVWD, and Verizon are not doing it. There appears to be a redundancy that says either they do what they are supposed to, rather than you bringing it here. It appears to be a community issue. Member Luhring stated that there is a major undergrounding taking place right now and there will be numerous markings throughout the country club. I know Verizon's policy, and the policy is not to have markings on the street four years later. Now because it is something that happened then, doesn't mean that it can't be taken care of now. Chairman Benford stated that it is basically up to the individual homeowner to call the utility company. Ms. DeRosa stated she would not recommend that they cover the markings, because it has been marked for a particular purpose. It will cost you if people have to go back to re -mark. She stated she doesn't know what those projects are, but her suggestion is to find out from USA what they are. If you keep erasing them, and utilities have to come out or someone has to come out and mark the street, the project will be charged for it. Ms. Scott stated that she had provided the address that had been given to her to the SCE representative that went out to look at those markings. He told her that those markings were not six months or six years old, they were relatively new. \\wm2k\groups\rda\Mans Hunt\WPDATA\COMWTTEES\PA #4Winutes\2009 Minutes\Minutes 042009 doA CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES April 20, 2009 Mr. Yrigoyen asked members to be patient. If the underground project goes forth, there will be more markings. When the project is complete, the streets will be repaved and the markings will disappear. Ms. Scott added that they have had to go back to re -mark the streets. Member Duncan asked if the Code required that the markings be washable, or is that something that Verizon does. Member Ash asked what the requirements were for those companies who put these markings on the street. Do they have to be removed at a certain time? He suggested that City staff find out what the Code requires from the utilities when they mark the streets. Mr. Yrigoyen stated he would look at the Code and report back to the Committee. Mr. Greenwood stated he had the answer to the question. The City requires that they use chalk paint to mark the utilities. He stated that they had conducted a test recently where they painted some with regular marking paint and some marked with chalk. One year later the markings were indistinguishable from each other, so the paint is removable. There is a requirement for the companies to remove the markings after the project is complete. The undergrounding project will take two to three years to complete, and the markings will be on the streets for two to three years. If you don't want the markings, I guess you don't want the underground project. Please do not remove the markings because it adds cost to the project and costs you money. Member Ash suggested contacting the City's Code Compliance Department if they have a problem. Hart Ponder asked members to contact him if they have any concerns. If there is an unauthorized item on the public right-of-way, then we will work with Mark Greenwood to make it right. Discussion followed regarding the letter that was sent to residents regarding their energy use. Member Daugherty asked if they would be receiving a letter every month. Ms. DeRosa reported that the letter had been sent by Positive Energy, Inc. The City of Palm Desert has a Set to Save pilot program for energy efficiency through the Public Utilities Commission, SCE, the Southern California Gas Company and Energy Coalition. The City of Palm Desert has been blessed with millions of dollars to help the City and its residents with energy savings and energy conservation. This is another piece of that component, and they are hoping that the pilot program will help you to learn to change your behavior. If you look at the first category, it shows last month's comparison to your neighbor and that is 100 neighbors within your area with approximately the same size house, and full-time resident. She noted that some residents have pools, and that makes a difference in the amount of energy used. City gives the \\win2k\groups\rda\Mana Hunt=PDATA\COMMITTEES\PA #4\Minutes\2009 MinutesWinutes 042009 doc5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES April 20, 2009 data to SCE and Positive Energy, then, Positive Energy does all the qualifications and sends the report to residents. Residents are getting the message that energy conservation reduces their energy costs. Member Daugherty stated that the letter was very heavy handed. She wants to save money and be a green person, but it struck her the wrong way. She pointed out that in her letter it stated she used 64% more than her efficient neighbors, which is a real downer. Here is a fix it, buy a new refrigerator, buy a new washing machine, etc. Not everybody can afford to do that. She felt that it was having the opposite effect on many people than what was intended. Ms. DeRosa stated that she didn't totally disagree with her, but this is exactly the response they were hoping to elicit. Member Daugherty stated that she didn't like that type of manipulation. Ms. DeRosa explained that it gives you an opportunity to call the Office of Energy Management to see how you can apply for the rebates to afford that new refrigerator or new air conditioning at discounted price, or what they can do to help you save money and still get the new appliances or help that you need. There is an SCE energy assistance program for seniors who qualify by income to get those appliances at no cost. For some people, it is definitely very negative and she apologized for that. The idea was to elicit a response and to catch your attention, whether good or bad. We are trying to find a way to make it more positive. SCE had a meeting with Positive Energy last week and raised those negative factors. This is another tool that Palm Desert is using to make people aware of ways to save energy. This is the behavioral component. Palm Desert has a commitment to save 30% in five years, and it cannot be done solely on mechanical change -out. There have to be behavioral changes for the program to succeed. Member Daugherty stated that she found it insulting. Ms. DeRosa explained that she was one of many that found it insulting. She stated she had spent two. hours on Wednesday at an energy summit, and this was one of the items that they discussed at length. She voiced the same concern. A couple of the Committee Members stated that they had made several changes and were still not saving enough energy. Ms. DeRosa suggested sharing their concerns with the Office of Energy Management and perhaps they could help them. \\win2k\groups\rda\Mara Hunt\WPDATA\COMMITTEES\PA #4\Minutes\2009 MinutesWinutes 042009.doc6 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES April 20, 2009 D. UPDATE ON PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB Dave Simmons reported that the grass is getting greener, have started aerating, and will be starting on the greens next week. The course is in good shape. The street markings are on the course. Signs for the greens have been delivered and will be installed this week. The area around the maintenance facility has been cleaned. He reported that they have had some problems with break-ins. There were two in the past week. Expensive radios were stolen from the trailer and the restroom was vandalized. Councilmember Kelly asked if the restaurant was going to be open during the summer, to which Mr. Simmons replied that it would be open for lunch and only sandwiches and hot dogs would be served. Member Daugherty asked who they could call after 3 p.m. to report problems. Mr. Simmons stated that the golf shop is open until 5 p.m. Member Daugherty stated that there are kids and dogs running around after 4 p.m. She tried to reach someone, but was unsuccessful. Mr. Simmons stated that the kids come out when they see the person picking up the sticks because they know that he will be locking the gate. He stated that they have had three locks cut. Chairman Benford asked about the golf play. Mr. Simmons replied that they were surprised that golf rounds were up from last season. He stated that 75 to 80 rounds per day are good. Chairman Benford asked if they had any specials for summer, to which Mr. Simmons replied that the rates would be in effect May 1. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON D. STAFF Dave Erwin, City Attorney, asked to address the Committee. He stated that he had been made aware of an email from Chairman Benford (copy attached) that had been addressed to Committee members and staff regarding an item that was to be before the Committee. He requested that this be made part of the record. He stated that by doing that it could develop a consensus contacting a \Wn2k\groups\rda\Maria HuntMPDATNCOMMITTEEWA #4\Minutes\2009 Minutes\Minutes 042009 doc7 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES April 20, 2009 quorum at a meeting under the Brown Act. He stated that about a month ago he had made a presentation on the California Brown Act and had advised the Committee members not to communicate via email or any other means about matters that were on the agenda because it was a violation of the Brown Act. They could only discuss it at the meeting. I would ask all of you to not talk to each other via email or otherwise about any items that are to be discussed at a meeting. Chairman Benford stated he thought it would be cost effective to send the photos via email to the members and staff. Mr. Erwin advised him not to send anything to the Committee members. If you want something included on the agenda, send it to staff. They will send it out to the Committee members with the agenda. XI. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m. Maria Hunt, Recording Secretary \\win2k\groups\rda\Maria Hunt\WPDATA\COMMITTEES\PA #4\Minutes\2009 MinutesWinutes 042009.doc8