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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAuthz Survey of PD Country Club Resident - Assessmnt Support Maint of Golf CoursePALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY STAFF REPORT REQUEST: AUTHORIZE STAFF TO CONDUCT A SURVEY OF THE PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB RESIDENTS TO DETERMINE SUPPORT FOR AN ASSESSMENT TO SUPPORT THE MAINTENANCE OF THE GOLF COURSE SUBMITTED BY: CATHERINE WALKER, SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST RYAN STENDELL, SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST DATE: JUNE 25, 2009 Recommendation: By Minute Motion, that the Agency Board authorize staff to conduct a survey of the Palm Desert Country Club residents to determine support for an assessment to support the maintenance of the golf course. Executive Summarv: Approval of staff recommendation will allow the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency to assist the residents of the Palm Desert Country Club community with the implementation of a survey. The purpose of the survey would be to poll the community and determine acceptance of a proposed assessment. The assessment would work to support the maintenance of the golf course. Discussion: At the June 15, 2009 meeting of the Citizens' Advisory Committee for Project Area No. 4, the Committee recommended the Agency Board direct staff to conduct a survey of the Palm Desert Country Club with regard to an assessment to support maintenance of the course. Currently, PDCC LLC has suffered financial hardship as a result of national economic conditions and unforeseen project costs. PDCC LLC has requested financial assistance from the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency in order to facilitate the refinance of the facility in an effort to avoid foreclosure, and the potential for the course to return to a deteriorated condition. At the June 15th meeting of the Citizens' Advisory Committee for Project Area No. 4, residents expressed both the need and desire for a survey which would poll the community's interest in a golf course maintenance assessment. The survey would also Staff Report Authorization to Conduct Survey of Palm Desert Country Club Residents to Determine Support for an Assessment to Support Maintenance of Golf Course Page 2of2 June 25, 2009 be utilized to determine which type of vehicle for assessment would best suit the community; either the creation of an assessment district, or an assessment that would be enforced through the Palm Desert Country Club Homeowners' Association or a new master association. Currently, the PDCC Homeowners' Association dues are not used for golf course or facility maintenance. Residents suggested this could be an option for additional assessment. The survey would be nonbinding on the residents. The Agency's participation would work to assist a portion of the City in their effort to mitigate future blight and neighborhood deterioration. Agency participation, other than the implementation of the survey is not recommended at this time. Submitted By: Catherine Walker Senior Management Analyst Department Head: ly a qn Senior Management Analyst Approval: Dave Yrigoy�r , irector of Red./Hsg. irector L isti McCarthy, edevelopment ID 1 BY RDA ON 1 �.1 -eaKi RZOO _ VERIFIED BY Original on file with City Clerk's Office \\win2k\groups\rda\Cathy Walker\Word Data\STAFF REPORTS\Staff Report PDCC Survey doc Klassen, Rachelle From: Russo, Karen Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 1:58 PM To: Michelson, Wilma Cc: Wohlmuth, John; Klassen, Rachelle Subject: Telephone call from resident I received a call from Monica Glandt, 836-1016, at 1:53 pm today. She asked that I pass along her comments to the City Council pertaining to Palm Desert Country Club. She does not believe that any financial aid should be given to Palm Desert Country Club. Rather, the residents should be assessed. Karen Karen Russo Secretary to the City Manager City of Palm Desert 73-510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, California 92260 (760) 776-6307 June 16, 2009 a C_ o Palm Desert City Council c_ z r City Hall CO C` r. n, = 73510 Fred Waring Drive r. " x; Palm Desert, CA 92260 cn �� RE: Palm Desert Country Club Assistance r9 Honorable Mayors and Council Members, We have lived in Palm Desert Country Club for 27 years. We have seen the development of many areas of this city and have voted for many of you over the years. We own two homes in PDCC and have a business in the Palm Desert area. We have loved this city and this small family community of Palm Desert Country Club. PDCC has a lot of history for the City of Palm Desert as well as the rest of the valley. It is an area where it is affordable for first time buyers. Small families can come, raise their families and enjoy the beauty of living near a course in Palm Desert. This is very rare for the desert these days. With the cost of golf going higher each year and economic trends looking a little on the downside, I think to keep our youth and average everyday families active in golf by supplementing PDCC is a great idea. It is an activity that families can enjoy together. The new clubhouse is beautiful and the meals prepared there are wonderful. My churches women's group meets there once a month in season for 9 hole scramble on the executive course which makes for a time of fun and socializing in our community. I think others should know of what PDCC can offer, and I think the city of Palm Desert would benefit by providing a place for families and those of average income, a course which they can participate in the game of golf which is what this valley is known for. PDCC has served this community well over the years. It would be the saddest thing to see PDCC course dry up and turn into a waste land. Please help keep this landmark of the desert open and beautiful. Thank you, Paul & Kim Henry Mr. & Mrs. Paul D. Henry 77692 Missouri Drive Palm Desert, California 92211 Michelson, Wilma From: Diane Medley [writedianeinpd@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:46 AM To: Benson, Jean Subject: [NEWSENDER] - PDCC, LLC's proposal - Message is from an unknown sender Ms. Benson As homeowners in the Palm Desert CC we urge the City to seriously consider PDCC LLC's proposal in order to save the Palm Desert Country Club golf course. We, like many others, have invested a lot of time and money in our homes and cannot afford a further loss in property values if the golf course were to be shut down. I personally worked very closely with code enforcement in forcing the former owner to step up to the plate and take care of his investment years ago when it became blighted. The majority of the homeowners here take pride in their properties. The course was then sold to PDCC, LLC, who did a beautifulf job of restoring the course in addition to building very attractive homes in our community. For the City to allow all of this hard work to go down the drain and a large community such as the PDCC to turn to dust would be shameful. Please seriously consider PDCC's proposal. Sincerely, Diane Medley and Travis Medley Michelson, Wilma From: Jim Blaisdell Biblais@dc.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 7:26 PM To: rspiegel@ci.pal m-desert.ca. us; Finerty, Cindy; Benson, Jean; Ferguson, Jim; rkelly@ci.palm- desert.ca.us Subject: [NEWSENDER] - Palm Desert Country Club, LLC - Message is from an unknown sender N O Hon. Robert A Spiegel, Mayor c Hon. Cindy Finerty, Mayor Pro Tem Hon. Jean M. Benson, Councilwoman Han. Jim Ferguson, Councilman Hon. Richard S. Kelly, Councilman C. To all: m By now you have surely received a great deal of input and lots of requests for assistance for Palm Desert Country Club, LLC (PDCC). In the current economic environment the city is obviously going to be reluctant to assist PDCC; the cost is certainly an issue and with many other pressing priorities you're not going to be anxious to in effect bail out PDCC. That said, PDCC is great community asset. Bad as the current economy is it will not last forever. Helping PDCC through these rough times will reap rewards in the future. Letting them fail and the golf course go to rack and ruin would result in serious loss and long term damage not only to the neighborhood but also the larger Palm Desert community. The golf course was recently completely refurbished at great cost, and in addition to the pleasure it gives golfers it is a marvelous community greenbelt. My wife and I are not golfers (heresy in the desert perhaps, but there are a few of us), and we do not live next to the golf course. That said, we take great pleasure in knowing the golf course is there as an aesthetic and well maintained open area. The loss of such an amenity would be tragic. If PDCC is allowed to fail and the golf course deteriorates the area would go to weeds, rodents and other wildlife we might not want in our communities would be attracted, it would become a nighttime playground for troublemakers and punks and would be a burden for law enforcement and falling property values in the area would cause long term financial loss to the City of Palm Desert. So for the sake not only of the immediate neighborhood but also the whole city I respectfully urge you to seek a way to preserve this remarkable community asset. Sincerely: Jim Blaisdell Missouri Drive Palm Desert, CA 92211 Michelson, Wilma From: phenry0022@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:16 PM To: rspiegel@ci.palm-desert.ca.us; Finerty, Cindy; Benson, Jean; Ferguson, Jim; rkelly@ci.palm- desert.ca.us Subject: [NEWSENDER] - Palm Desert Country Club - Message is from an unknown sender Attachments: Palm Desert Country Club appeal.doc Honorable Mayors and Councilmembers. Please read the attached note. I will be sending a hard copy to each one of you as well. Not knowing the time frame of your council meetings, I felt the need to get this to you soon. Thank you for listening, Kim Henry Missouri Dr. Palm Desert, CA 92211 A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See vours in lust 2 easv steps! 1 June 16, 2009 N _ Palm Desert City Council `n ►' =- City Hall 73510 Fred Waring Drive -V Palm Desert, CA 92260 c . rn RE: Palm Desert Country Club Assistance Honorable Mayors and Council Members, We have lived in Palm Desert Country Club for 27 years. We have seen the development of many areas of this city and have voted for many of you over the years. We own two homes in PDCC and have a business in the Palm Desert area. We have loved this city and this small family community of Palm Desert Country Club. PDCC has a lot of history for the City of Palm Desert as well as the rest of the valley. It is an area where it is affordable for first time buyers. Small families can come, raise their families and enjoy the beauty of living near a course in Palm Desert. This is very rare for the desert these days. With the cost of golf going higher each year and economic trends looking a little on the downside, I think to keep our youth and average everyday families active in golf by supplementing PDCC is a great idea. It is an activity that families can enjoy together. The new clubhouse is beautiful and the meals prepared there are wonderful. My churches women's group meets there once a month in season for 9 hole scramble on the executive course which makes for a time of fun and socializing in our community. I think others should know of what PDCC can offer, and I think the city of Palm Desert would benefit by providing a place for families and those of average income, a course which they can participate in the game of golf which is what this valley is known for. PDCC has served this community well over the years. It would be the saddest thing to see PDCC course dry up and turn into a waste land. Please help keep this landmark of the desert open and beautiful. Thank you, Paul & Kim Henry Mr. & Mrs. Paul D. Henry Missouri Drive Palm Desert, California 92211 Michelson, Wilma From: Cal Patton [mrandcj@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 12:30 PM To: Benson, Jean; Ferguson, Jim; Finerty, Cindy; Kelly; Speigel Subject: [NEWSENDER] - Palm Desert Country Club - Message is from an unknown sender Dear City Council Members, It has come to our attention that because of the downturn in the economy, the Palm Desert Country Club Golf Course is in jeopardy. We were also informed that you, the city council, have chosen to do nothing. If true, please reconsider your decision. We purchased our desert home in 1974 and have seen the area grow and evolve from basically a retirement community to a younger family oriented community. Being the best buy in the desert, many younger families have established homes at Palm Desert Country Club. Also, when the golf course was renovated, many new homes facing the course were built and sold. By not doing anything, the value of the community will further fall beyond what the current economy is doing to the value of their property. Again, please act in favor of the community. There has to be an equitable solution. To do nothing is arrogance of power. To find a solution is good management. We are all hurting to some degree because of the recession. Please don't make it worse. N O Cordially, y Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Patton —' Kansas St. r: �y 1 1 41629 Woodhaven Drive West Palm Desert, CA 92211 (760) 772 — 7580 June 20, 2009 Mayor Robert A. Spiegel Mayor ~ - City of Palm Desert r) 73-510 Fred Waring Drive" Palm Desert, CA 92260 Dear Mayor Spiegel: a 3 c7 I have watched the developments between the City and Palm Desert Country Club with interest. Woodhaven is just across Hovley Road from P.D.C.C. and has some matching characteristics. Both are owned by for -profit entities and depend on public play for a majority of their golf revenues. Since 1994, all 504 homeowners in Woodhaven have paid a monthly fee to the club owners for "mutual benefits" or "common amenities". (This is so, even though less than 25% of our residents are golfing members.) Such fee is currently $79 per month per homeowner, a total of $948 per year per home. In total, the fee represents $477,792 of annual revenue to the golf club owners. Not all homeowners are in agreement with the fee but the majority approve it every year knowing there are economic benefits to living in a golf course community, especially in the form of higher home values. I have been told that other golf clubs in the area not owned by the residents and/or members pay similar fees. I have served as president of our Homeowners Association for the last three years and have been told numerous times by the golf course owners that they could not continue in business without our amenities fee. From what I know of their finances, I believe them. I understand that the homeowners at P.D.C.0 do not pay any fee to support the golf course. It would seem to me that if the City subsidized P.D.C.C., residents of other clubs would expect a like bail -out in lieu of their paying fees to their golf course owners. That is certainly the gist of the many calls I have received from Woodhaven residents. I think subsidizing one club would open a pandora's box of like requests. We all know that the entire world is suffering from over capacity resulting in wide spread business closures and layoffs. With over 120 golf courses in the Valley, we too are burdened with over capacity. Perhaps golf courses in communities without support from all homeowners will have to close to eliminate the capacity excess. It's not a pleasant thought but it is reality. Thanks for taking time to read this letter and thanks for all you do for our fine City. Yours truly, Conrad J. Tuerk Michelson, Wilma From: Jane Malynn Ofmal2@verizon.net] Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:26 PM To: Benson, Jean Subject: [NEWSENDER] - Palm Desert Country Club Golf Course (PDCC) - Message is from an unknown sender Jean M. Benson, Councilwoman Palm Desert City Council Re: Palm Desert Country Club Golf Course As a homeowner in this beautiful area, we are kindly requesting your assistance in protecting and saving the Palm Desert Country Club Golf Course. The city must have been quite proud when the golf course appeared in the 2006 "Golf Magazine" as "Renovation of the Year. " Please don't let us lose this beautifully renovated historical golf course. We reside in Northern California, but also enjoy our desert home located at 42935 Texas Avenue which we purchased in 2001 because of its location on the golf course. Although we are not avid golfers, we love backing up to this beautiful green golf course. Over the years, we have made many improvements to our home as have others in this development. It would be devastating if we were to lose the golf course and/or it to become a weed patch or dust bowl. If this happens and the golf course is left to deteriorate, there will be even more homeowners to lose pride in their property or it become run down and properties to go into foreclosure, which then invites vandalism and becomes crime ridden; this could be more so than what is already happening with the down -swing of our economy. It will truly become an eye sore to the City of Palm Desert. This is not what we homeowners want nor do we believe the City of Palm Desert want to see happen! We would be receptive to a minimal parcel tax if the present golf course owners relinquish their ownership to a city controlled governing body, but do not want to provide funding to the present ownership. We ask you please; please don't turn your back to assisting PDCC in finding a solution to this big problem. Sincere regards, Frank and Jane Malynn ifma12(&verizon.net