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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitizens' Advisory Cmte PA4 - 11/16/09PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES NOVEMBER 16, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Benford convened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Fred Benford, Chairman Roberta Grubb, Vice Chair Charles Ash, Member Russell Campbell, Member Jane Daugherty, Member Robert Duncan, Member Kelly Litecky, Member Douglas Luhring, Member Absent: Javier Lopez, Member t BY RDA /kc ON �" a�'-C✓� VERIFIED BY 00 /}i IY1 Original on file with Citv Cli�rk's Office Staff Present: Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works Monica Loredo, Administrative Secretary Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst John Wohlmuth, City Manager Guests: Richard Kelly, Councilmember Robert Spiegel, Councilmember Lt. Andrew Shouse, Palm Desert Police Department Randy Case, Palm Desert Country Club Development, LLC K. Kaufmann, The Desert Sun CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES NOVEMBER 16, 2009 I11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Member Ash communicated that back in August he requested that the City provide the Committee with some type of schedule or timeline on things that they were going to do or things that were going to happen. He commented that he was going through the notes from the previous meeting; that he unfortunately missed. He stated that the notes were all about what had been done, and that there was nothing on what is going to happen in the future or a schedule. Member Ash also stated that Ms. Arla Scott had promised months ago to provide an update on the cost per unit for the undergrounding, and noted that there was no mention of that in the notes. Mayor Spiegel commented that the undergrounding was discussed at the last meeting, which he missed. He noted that all figures were not in yet. They still needed a response from Time Warner. Member Ash interjected if there is a schedule that indicates when it is all going to happen. Mr. McCarthy responded that a schedule was presented to the Committee at the previous meeting. He stated that Staff would provide him with the information that was communicated to the Committee, which included a perspective schedule going forward. He noted that the schedule is intended to provide a close as possible, hard number to the residents in terms of what the undergrounding will cost. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF OCTOBER 19, 2009. Member Ash commented that on page 5 of the minutes that the $1.2 million increase should be $1.2 billion. Minutes of the meeting from October 19, 2009, were approved with the correction stated above. Motion moved/seconded by Campbell/Duncan, and carried by an 8-0 vote with Member Lopez ABSENT. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None 2 GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2009\Minutes 11-16-09.docx CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES NOVEMBER 16, 2009 VI. NEW BUSINESS A. DISCUSSION OF ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR PUBLIC WORKS PURPOSES WITHIN PROJECT AREA NO. 4 (Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works) Mr. Greenwood communicated that the home on the corner of Hovley Lane East and Kansas Street has been vacant for quite some time. The home has a troubled history. The house has been hit several times by vehicles. He mentioned that the home has been abandoned a couple times within the past five years, which represents blight in the entire Project Area No. 4 area, as well as Palm Desert Country Club. He stated that the City Council is authorizing staff to move ahead with the purchase of the property. Staff is not sure what to do with it, but staff feels it is not an appropriate place to have anyone living since it has been hit many times by vehicles. Chairman Benford asked if the home would be torn down. Mr. Greenwood responded that they would like to tear it down and make it an open space area. Member Ash commented that during the daytime it is not a bad area, and suggested a small library. Mr. McCarthy asked Mr. Greenwood if he knew how much the acquisition budget is going to be. He replied that they anticipate acquiring the house for $150,000 or less. Mr. McCarthy informed the Committee that staff is asking for their approval for the acquisition. He noted that at this time libraries are contracting not expanding, and does not anticipate a library. Chairman Benford moved to recommend the acquisition of land. Member Campbell seconded the motion, and carried by an 8-0 vote with Member Lopez ABSENT. Member Duncan asked Mr. Greenwood if they would be going through a foreclosure process or would it be a straight up purchase. He responded that the house is currently in foreclosure and the bank has a real estate agent; staff is working with that agent. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None 3 GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. MMinutes\2009ftnutes 11-16-09.docx CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES NOVEMBER 16, 2009 VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. UPDATE ON PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB Mr. Randy Case, Palm Desert Country Club, LCC, introduced Mr. Mike Ritchie as the new Director of Golf/Club Operations. He is well known in the desert. He worked at Desert Falls for a number of years. Mr. Case reported that overseeding was completed a week or so ago, and noted that grass is starting to grow pretty quick. He mentioned that they switched nine's. Chairman Benford inquired why they were switched. Mr. Case responded that it made more sense for traffic flow. He explained that when you are done with the ninth hole, you come right up to the clubhouse for food or drinks a lot easier. Mr. Case stated that you now see green grass when you drive by. They are projecting that the course will open the first week of December. He mentioned that they are still in the process of picking up grass; tree limbs were cleaned up. They first put their efforts into the overseeding, and now turning their efforts towards the edges around the streets where it is more visible. Member Daugherty inquired about the rough. She mentioned that the rough on their fairway has not been mowed or anything. Mr. Case replied that they are now just getting to the rough, and should be mowed by the time they open for the season. Vice Chair Grubb asked if both golf courses were overseeded. Mr. Case answered yes, and noted that they still have work to do on the short course. The short course will open maybe two weeks later. Mr. Case stated that they appreciate everybody's support, and they appreciate the City's patience with them. Soon they will have everything cleaned up. Chairman Benford inquired about memberships and asked what is different. Mr. Case responded that the price is different and are now lower. 4 GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2009\Minutes 11-16-09.docx CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES NOVEMBER 16, 2009 He stated that they now have packages, seasonal and yearly memberships. Councilmember Kelly asked how much memberships are. Mr. Case responded that the seasonal membership is $2,000 (single); a year is $2,600 (single); seasonal $2,600 (couple); and yearly $3,500 (couple). He noted that it all breaks down to less than $300 a month, and that they have received a good response to the new rates. Councilmember Kelly inquired about the daily rate. Mr. Case replied $50 before 1:00 p.m. and $30 after 1:00 p.m. Chairman Benford asked Mr. Case if there will be summer rates. He answered yes. Mr. McCarthy inquired if the restaurant is open to the public. Mr. Case said not yet. Mr. McCarthy asked if they are open for lunch or for only dinner. Mr. Case responded that they are going to simplify the menu and lower the prices, and will have some evening buffets. They are currently working on it. Mr. McCarthy mentioned to Mr. Case that the City is running a 20% off coupon co-op with any restaurant that wants to participate in the month of January. The promotion will run for a month. If interested, Mr. McCarthy stated that he would have staff contact him. Mr. Case responded that he would. Vice Chair Grubb clarified that they are going through bankruptcy, and asked if they have someone monitoring their books and are they receiving guidance each month. Mr. Case responded that it is tighter than that. They have to do weekly reporting to both institutions that provided the financing, and that there are also strict regulations under the bankruptcy laws. Vice Chair Grubb asked if they are much more comfortable now. Mr. Case responded that it is a matter of getting the revenue way over the expenses, which is their goal for this year. Chairman Benford commented that there seemed to be a lot of play in February and March. Mr. Ritchie mentioned that they feel comfortable meeting and exceeding what they did last year with the new packages and with the restaurant. 5 GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2009\Minutes 11-16-09.docx CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES NOVEMBER 16, 2009 Mayor Spiegel asked Mr. Case if they are going to promote it in the newspaper. He added that they are going to send out flyers next week to the local communities then to The Desert Sun. Mayor Spiegel noted that the Palm Desert Sun that comes out on Thursdays is a good vehicle, and that the price is more reasonable. Mr. Case commented that they set aside a fair amount of money for marketing. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS Mayor Spiegel communicated that Member Ash has been with the Committee from the get -go, and announced that he has resigned. He noted that this might be his last meeting since there might not be a meeting in December. Mayor Spiegel congratulated Member Ash and handed him a gift. Member Ash stated that it has been a good ride and has been fun. You feel like you are part of the community. Mayor Spiegel commented that a lot of good things happened when the City annexed the area from the County, which Member Ash was a part of. Member Ash noted that it has nothing to do with what they are talking about, and mentioned that Sarah Palin's parents live on Tennessee. Her parent's home was graffitied pretty bad. He feels that there could be a little more police patrol in the area. Mayor Spiegel interjected that the Chief of Police is present. Lt. Andrew Shouse stated that their gang force officer investigated the tagging, and indicated that it was not gang related. He mentioned that they have made their presence felt out there, and that they still have their substation located near Palm Desert Country Club. Chairman Benford added that the neighbors are good about calling the police. He mentioned that he takes care of the Palin's house and car, but that they never saw the tagging. He feels it is important that they all keep an eye out for each other. 0 G:\rda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2009\Minutes 11-16-09.docx CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES NOVEMBER 16, 2009 Lt. Andrew Shouse mentioned that if they ever get advice from an officer that does not quite sound right to give him a call, and that he would look into it. He stated that they have prided themselves on being very responsive to the community, and to please give him a call if they have any issues. Chairman Benford commented that the Code Department also does a good job, and help take care of the community. Mayor Spiegel handed out awards. He thanked the members for being part of the Committee, and for their work this past year to help the community be a better place to live. Chairman Benford also thanked City staff and appreciates their help. C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON D. STAFF XI. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Member Campbell, seconded by Member Duncan, the meeting was adjourned at 3:26 p.m. 7 Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary G:\rda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4ftnutes\2009\Minutes 11-16-09.docx