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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitizen's Advsry Cmte PA4 - 02/22/10ON PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 2010 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Benford convened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Fred Benford, Chairman Kelly Litecky, Member Roberta Grubb, Vice Chair Terry Archer, Member �QC�IIJ�� � `J BY RDA Russell Campbell, Member ` W/ Ron Crisp, Member ON �` Jane Daugherty, Member VERIFIED BY 09k— Phyllis Harkins, Member Douglas Luhring, Member Original on file wifh City Clerk's Office Staff Present: Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Monica Loredo, Administrative Secretary Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Veronica Tapia, Redevelopment Accountant Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst Guests: Richard Kelly, Councilmember Robert Spiegel, Councilmember Mari Schmidt, Planning Commissioner Lt. Andrew Shouse, Palm Desert Police III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Member Campbell commented that at the last meeting he mentioned a dog off its leash in his community, and reported that the very next morning he received a phone call from Animal Control. Within an hour and a half CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 2010 they came out and spoke to the person. He now sees the gentleman with both dogs on leashes in hand and a plastic bag. It was taken care of immediately. He thanked staff for their indulgence. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF JANUARY 11, 2010. Minutes of the meeting from January 11, 2010, were unanimously approved as submitted and carried by a 9-0 vote with Member Litecky ABSENT. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vill. OLD BUSINESS None IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. UPDATE ON PROJECT AREA NO. 4 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (Catherine Walker, Sr. Management Analyst & Veronica Tapia, Redevelopment Accountant) Mr. McCarthy stated that the fundamental purpose of the Project Area No. 4 Committee is to monitor the Redevelopment Agency's expenditures of funds on capital projects that were approved through the plan. He noted that there a couple of new members. The information being presented is a background of updates to see how the progress has been and where they are going. Ms. Walker communicated that at the last meeting there were a number of items that the Committee requested for staff to address. First was the GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\M1nutes 2-22-10.docx 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 2010 population breakdown of Project Area No. 4 and how many residents are in each community, show boundary lines of the various communities, projects completed within Project Area No. 4 over the last ten years, and an update on the undergrounding. Ms. Walker continued with a Power Point presentation. A map of Project Area No. 4 was displayed. The City's current geographic information system (GIS) shows there are 1,675 units in Palm Desert Country Club. The estimated population is 8,668 in Project Area No. 4 based on the year 2000 Census data. Ms. Tapia reported that $26 million was spent on acquisitions, street improvements, the 1-10 Interchange on Washington, parks, and community facilities. She mentioned that there is a $2 million loan to the University of Riverside (UCR) that would be paid back in the next five years. Other projects are the undergrounding and the Warner Trail storm drain. The projects are paid primarily with bond funds, which the Agency has taken out $37 million with $10 million left for remaining projects. Other housing expenses were California Villas and Carlos Ortega Villas that is in the design stage. Councilman Kelly requested a copy of the Power Point presentation. Ms. Walker responded that she would provide him with one. Mr. McCarthy asked Ms. Tapia if the $16 million for California Villas was inclusive of acquisition and redevelopment. She replied that it is all included. She noted that Carlos Ortega Villas is just acquisition and conceptual design at this time. Vice Chair Grubb commented that $10 million is for undergrounding and inquired for what else. Ms. Tapia responded for emergency services. Vice Chair Grubb also inquired about the funds for California Villas and Carlos Ortega Villas. Ms. Tapia replied that both were paid with Housing Set -Aside funds, which is a different fund all together. Councilman Spiegel asked what funds were used for the home that was recently purchased on Kansas Street. Ms. Tapia answered that it was purchased with bond funds. Member Daugherty asked what was going in at the Kansas Street location. Councilman Spiegel responded that there is only going to be drought tolerant landscaping; no walls. Ms. Tapia displayed before and after pictures of recent projects. GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\M1nutes\2010\Minutes 2-22-10.docx 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 2010 Member Crisp asked how many units are in California Villas. Ms. Tapia replied 141. Councilman Spiegel inquired about Casey's Restaurant. Ms. Tapia responded that Casey's is currently being negotiated. Chairman Benford clarified if all projects are paid for by bonding or surplus. Ms. Tapia replied that it either comes from bond funds or taxes. Member Crisp asked how many units are proposed for Carlos Ortega Villas. Ms. Walker answered 72. Ms. Walker communicated that staff wanted to provide the Committee with a list of items that they have accomplished. She stated that the Committee has done a lot to eliminate blight in Palm Desert. In addition, staff wanted to provide the information for the new members. Member Daugherty requested an update on the State taking Redevelopment funds. Mr. McCarthy responded that the State proposed to take approximately $30 million from the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency; $25 million from the current fiscal year and $5 million from the next fiscal year. He explained that a number of agencies have filed a lawsuit declaring it as unconstitutional. The first hearing was held, and the judge requested briefs on a number of issues related to some of the claims being made by the parties. The briefs are to be tendered March 2; then each party has 30 days to respond to the counter parties briefs. Mr. McCarthy stated that by sometime in April, the Agency will have a clear indication whether or not it is going forward. He indicated that representatives that attended the hearing could not detect a leaning one way or another by the judge. Mr. McCarthy stated that the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency has reserved those funds, and structured as if the Agency would have to tender the funds to the County and the County to the State. Councilman Kelly added that the League of California Cities is putting a referendum on a ballot measure to hopefully have a constitutional amendment that would prevent the State of California from doing that ever again. Mr. McCarthy commented that has been the practice of the State for almost his entire career; about 27 years. Chairman Benford inquired if the State can take the $65 million in reserves. Councilman Kelly clarified that the $30 million is not General Fund money; it is Redevelopment funds. GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\M1nutes\2010\Minutes 2-22-10.docx 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 2010 Chairman Benford asked if there will be projects in Project Area No. 4 that will be put on hold because of the budget. Mr. McCarthy responded that there is a provision in the action that the Agency could borrow money from Housing. He noted that to his knowledge there is nothing in Project Area No. 4 that has been impacted. Ms. Walker displayed the boundaries for the undergrounding. She indicated that everything within the bold line will be assessed or see some form of assessment. Councilman Spiegel inquired if the residents outside of the boundary line are already undergrounded. Ms. Walker replied yes. Chairman Benford asked if residents that are already undergrounded would also be assessed. Ms. Walker responded that if they are within the boundary line, yes they would be assessed. Councilman Spiegel clarified that if a resident lives in an area that is undergrounded, they do not pay as much. Ms. Walker answered that was correct. Chairman Benford inquired if you need 70 percent of votes to get it on the ballot. Councilman Spiegel replied yes. Councilman Kelly interjected that the 70 percent was to give the City some indication if the money should be spent. When the vote actually happens, it is 50 percent plus one. Mr. McCarthy added that they have moved beyond the point of 70 percent. The City Council directed staff to move forward in order to receive some numbers and to do the polling. Chairman Benford asked when the polling would be done. Mr. McCarthy responded that per the report, the polling would be done in August. Ms. Walker reaffirmed that polling would be done in August 2010. An assessment report should be ready June 2010. Councilman Spiegel asked how much the City has spent to get it ready. Ms. Walker responded that the City Council has committed a little under $1 million to complete the design process to ensure that the residents receive an accurate assessment. She explained that each utility company needed an initial design fee, and a fee for the consultant to put the report together. GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 2-22-10.docx 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 2010 Member Archer commented that those residents that are already undergrounded, many of those are serviced by overhead lines so that is why they would be assessed a portion. Ms. Schmidt asked if the right-of-ways for the utilities are in place. Ms. Walker replied that most of them are. Mr. McCarthy stated that one of the variables as they get closer is deferring a month or two of the actual polling. To conduct the polling in August might be not considerate given the fact that a lot of people are gone during that time. He stated that is one issue that would have to be discussed. Councilman Kelly asked how many residents are gone during that time. Member Harkins responded that based on what they can determine, it is somewhere between 15 to 20 percent of people that do not live there during the summertime. Ms. Walker also displayed four quadrants of the proposed boundaries for the undergrounding for a better understanding of what is being looked at. Councilman Spiegel asked if one quadrant could be done and not another. Ms. Walker responded that she was not sure, but would ask that question. B. UPDATE ON THE MONITORING OF TREES IN PROJECT AREA NO. 4 (Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager) Mr. Knight reported that he took a drive around Palm Desert Country Club Golf course. He stated that the trees are being watered and most showed signs of growth compared to where they were last summer. He noted that he did not see any situations that needed immediate attention. Councilman Spiegel asked Mr. Knight if he would want to talk about the new program. Mr. Knight communicated that the City has a turf replacement program where the City will provide funds to convert turf to desert landscape. The program has two sections; one for home owners' associations (HOA) and one for residential property owners. The residential property owners' part involves the front yards adjacent to City streets. The City will pay $2 a square foot for every square foot of turf that is removed up to $2,000. He mentioned that City staff will help with a landscape design for the area where there is going to be desert landscaping. For the HOA component, it is for parkways (area from back of curb to property line or fence) adjacent to City streets. Applications are available as of today online or at the GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 2-22-10.docx 6 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 2010 Public Works Department counter. The first day they will receive applications will be on Tuesday, March 9, at 8:00 a.m. in the Public Works Department on a first -come, first -served basis. Chairman Benford asked what the steps are to get the application online. Mr. Knight responded that you go to www.citvofr)almdesert.orq and it is available on the home page with a link that will take you to the application. Member Luhring inquired about the numbers for the HOA component. Mr. Knight replied that it is the same square footage rebate, which is $2 a square foot for every square foot turf removed up to $10,000. For complete landscape they have a half conversion, which that maximum is $5,000. That part of the program involves installing a 24-inch strip adjacent to curb between the curb and turf to keep nuisance water off the street. Member Archer asked if the program will be available to the Home Improvement Program (HIP) applicants in conjunction with the grants that they qualify for. Mr. Knight answered that if someone qualifies for HIP they could go that route, but if they do not qualify for HIP they could apply for the turf replacement program. Member Luhring stated that there are limited funds, and inquired how many transactions the City has enough money for. Mr. Knight responded that if everyone went for the full amount, it would be approximately 50 homes and 10 HOAs. Councilman Spiegel asked how much money the City put in. Mr. Knight responded $110,000 and the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) put in $110,000. Chairman Benford asked about the design consultant. Mr. Knight replied that he will be helping with the design along with Ms. Hollinger, Landscape Specialist. They will work with the individual property owners. He noted that a design manual has been made available on the website. Member Daugherty inquired about the formula for amount of money you receive. Mr. Knight replied it is $2 a square foot for every square foot of turf that is removed up to $2,000 in the front yard. Mr. Luhring asked if the program is referred to the Turf Buy Back Program. Mr. Knight apologized for the name; it is called the Cooperative Landscape Water Management Program. He noted that CVWD came up with the name. There are five other cities in the valley that have the same program. G:\rda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 2-22-10.docx 7 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 2010 Member Harkins commented on the $5,000 to $10,000 that you are either going to take one or the other. For example, if they were to add a pool and landscape in front then they would only qualify up to $10,000. But if they strictly do along the sidewalk for nuisance water its only $5,000. She asked if you receive $15,000. Mr. Knight replied no. Mr. Greenwood asked Mr. Knight if water service must be established for one year. He answered no. C. INFORMATIONAL NUMBER OFUNITS IN PROJECT AREA NO. 4 Information was provided under Update Item A (see above). D. INFORMATIONAL AMENDMENT TO THE RALPH M. BROWN ACT (OPEN MEETINGS LAWS) Mr. McCarthy stated that Mr. Dave Erwin, City Attorney, was unavailable to attend the meeting. He will check to see if he would be able to attend the next meeting. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON D. STAFF XI. ADJOURNMENT Upon unanimous motion by the Project Area No. 4 Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m. Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\M1nutes\2010\Minutes 2-22-10.docx 8