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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitizens' Advisory Cmte PA4 - 01/11/10PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2010 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Benford convened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Fred Benford, Chairman Roberta Grubb, Vice Chair Terry Archer, Member Russell Campbell, Member Ron Crisp, Member Jane Daugherty, Member Phyllis Harkins, Member Kelly Litecky, Member Douglas Luhring, Member Absent: Robert Duncan, Member C'I V ti F1p BY RDA ON /G !VERIFIED BY C)e Ira Original on file with City Clerk's Office Staff Present: Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Officer Monica Loredo, Administrative Secretary Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Hart Ponder, Code Compliance Manager Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst John Wohlmuth, City Manager Guests: Richard Kelly, Councilmember Robert Spiegel, Councilmember Mari Schmidt, Planning Commissioner Sgt. M. Reynolds, Palm Desert Police Department Sgt. J. Buompensiero, Palm Desert Police Department CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2010 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Member Harkins communicated that she would like to find out from staff exactly how many residents the Citizens' Advisory Committee for Project Area No. 4 represents. She would like the total count of houses and the breakdown per community. Chairman Benford commented that he has been on the Committee for a number of years, and no one has ever asked that question. It is something that he would like to know too. Ms. Aylaian responded that she would find out and report back at the next meeting. Member Campbell mentioned that he is curious about a technicality in his area of White Hawk. There is a young man that walks two dogs with one dog that has tried to bite him, but was on a leash. The other dog is on a leash, but the man never has the leash in his hand. He asked if the man is following the law and cannot be touched. Mr. Ponder, Code Compliance Manager, stated that he oversees the animal control contract. He indicated that according to the law, not only does the dog need to be on a leash, but the person in charge of the dog has to be in control of the dog. He mentioned that his other concern is if the dog actually bit or actually attacked. Member Campbell replied that he felt the teeth against his pants, but the teeth did not go through. He moved his leg and the dog missed. Mr. Ponder suggested an animal control officer interview Member Campbell. He noted that there is a dog ordinance where they could address dogs that are aggressive or not acting sociably through an investigation. Mr. Ponder stated that at the end of the meeting, he will be happy to take his information and have animal control go out there. Mr. Campbell thanked Mr. Ponder. G:\rda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 1-11-10.docx 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2010 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009. Minutes of the meeting from November 16, 2009, were approved as submitted. Motion moved/seconded by Campbell/Benford, and carried by a 9-0 vote with Member Duncan ABSENT. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Vice Chair Grubb moved to nominate Chairman Benford to remain in the Chairman position. Member Daugherty seconded the motion, and carried by a 9-0 vote with Member Duncan ABSENT. Member Luhring moved for Vice Chair Grubb to remain in the Vice Chair position. Member Campbell seconded the motion, and carried by a 9-0 vote with Member Duncan ABSENT. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vill. OLD BUSINESS None IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. UPDATE ON PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE (Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Officer II) Mr. Kilpatrick stated that he is the Code Compliance Officer assigned to Project Area No. 4. He informed the Committee that he has been conducting weekly inspections of the Palm Desert Country Club Golf Course since September with his most current inspection being Thursday, January 7. He displayed pictures that showed the current conditions. He GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 1-11-10.docx 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2010 reported that the Champion Course is open. With everything considered, it looks good. He noted that the golfers commented that they especially like the greens. Mr. Kilpatrick stated that the lakes look good and the water features are okay. The ponds on the 7th and 13th holes are a little cloudy, but there are no foul odors or any mosquitoes. The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control have not indicated that the lakes were of any concern, and that mosquito fish are still abundant. Candle Golf is set to chemically treat the ponds to improve water clarity. Mr. Kilpatrick indicated that the Executive Course was seeded in similar fashion as the Champion Course and is looking good with golfers playing on it. The Clubhouse is neatly trimmed and well cared for. The concrete chunks were removed from the maintenance yard, and the dumpster will soon be relocated inside the containment area. Chairman Benford stated that he has heard several complaints from neighbors that trees are beginning to show some bad signs. He asked if there is anything that could be done. Mr. Kilpatrick responded that he did discuss the trees with Mr. Dave Simmons, and that Mr. Simmons said it is in their interest to periodically come in to water the trees. He noted that they do not water the trees all the time. Mr. Kilpatrick commented that they do not want to completely irrigate the area because it is not seeded, but they are going to allow the Bermuda to come back in those areas. He stated that he will remind Mr. Simmons and Mr. Case that the trees need to be watered. Member Daugherty commented that the trees in general were planted a long time ago. She noted that trees were lost last year due to wind and some that just fell. She stated that she would panic if she lived near a huge eucalyptus. The trees are old and dangerous to the homes and to the people. Ms. Aylaian responded that the City has certified arborists on staff, and they do look at the trees periodically and monitor. The City can step in if it appears to pose an immediate threat to public property or life safety. She noted that most of the trees are on private property, and it would take the neighbors to keep an eye on the trees and report them. She made clear that it is something that the City monitors but cannot control because it is not the City that waters the trees. She stated that the City continues to work with the owners. Member Daugherty expressed that she does not think that water is the significant thing. The fact is that the trees are so old, and there were a lot of years over the 40 years that they were not cared for. She said that she has seen too many trees fall in the middle of the night without there being GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 1-11-10.docx 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2010 any wind. Luckily it did not happen during the day when there would have been a golf cart. Mr. Kilpatrick stated that he would continue to monitor the trees, and that he would relay any information back to the Landscape Manager. Member Harkins asked if the Palm Desert Country Club Association were to receive calls regarding the trees, should they direct them the Code Compliance Department or the golf course. Mr. Kilpatrick answered that they could always refer the calls to the Code Department. Member Harkins commented that the roughs are not being watered. When the Bermuda starts coming up, it is not going to be getting water. People in the community have a perception that it is going to be green come this summer. But without water, the Bermuda is not going to be green either. She inquired if it is their intention that the course is going to look like it does now all year long. Mr. Kilpatrick replied that he does not have an answer to that question. Member Crisp asked if there was an update on the bankruptcy. Mr. McCarthy responded that the bankruptcy proceedings are ongoing. A formal reorganization has not been filed. The most that has occurred is pro forma. He stated that reports the City has received indicate that they do not anticipate filing a plan until May or June. The plan would be predicated on how well the course performs over the next six or five months. He noted that may speak to the issue of what the condition will be in the summer. He explained that they are kind of in a window to evaluate the course, and they will negotiate or develop a plan for the court's consideration to be tendered around May or June. B. UPDATE ON PALM DESERTCOUNTRY CLUB UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING (Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst) Ms. Walker reported that a timeline was set, and staff has been in contact with both Time Warner and Verizon that are the two utilities the City was waiting on for drawings. They both have given her a deadline of January 14, which still fits into the matrix. Once the drawings are in, staff will be able to hand it over to the consultant who will calculate the assessment. G:\rda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 1-11-10.docx 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2010 Chairman Benford inquired if there is any indication of when it will be ready. Ms. Walker responded that they are still looking at the August 20, 2010, deadline for completion of the process, and should have a number from the consultant by March 2010. She clarified that the number would be an estimate of the assessment calculation. Chairman Benford asked if that would then go to the public for a vote. Ms. Walker indicated the process would be complete by August 20, 2010, which includes polling of the residents. Member Archer communicated that he is a new member, and is a little bit behind on some issues. He inquired if a ballot only goes to the residents that are affected by the cost of the undergrounding or does it go to the whole community. Chairman Benford replied that he lives in an area that is undergrounded, and he had the understanding that he would still be part of the assessment. Ms. Walker stated that everyone in the proposed district would receive a ballot. Mr. McCarthy interjected that Project Area No. 4 is much larger than the prospective district. Everyone affected in the district, if you are an assessee, would be given an opportunity to vote. He stated that staff will lay out a map of the district that would show the Committee what the area in question is. Member Archer requested that the boundaries of Project Area No. 4 are included on the map. Mr. McCarthy answered yes. C. PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB VANDALISM & THEFT OF HOLIDAY DECORATIONS (Palm Desert Police Department) Sgt. Jeff Buompensiero introduced himself to the Committee. He stated that for the month of December, there were two reports of vandalism that involved holiday decorations. He noted that it is helpful that residents report vandalism. He mentioned that there was a rash of vandalism in the business area off Washington Street. Sgt. Buompensiero communicated that they are working on putting programs together where they are going to saturate the area for vandalism. Chairman Benford asked if gangs or seniors are doing the vandalism. Sgt. Buompensiero responded that it is mostly young adults. He mentioned that there was one young adult that had a tagging party. G:\rda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 1-11-10.docx 6 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2010 Chairman Benford mentioned that the home of Sarah Palin's parents was tagged and his neighbor was burglarized. He noted that his neighbor left the newspapers out, which is a red flag. Member Luhring referred to Item C, Palm Desert Country Club Vandalism and Theft of Holiday Decorations. He inquired why the Project Area No. 4 Committee is discussing Palm Desert Country Club vandalism versus Project Area No. 4 vandalism. Mr. McCarthy responded that it was phrased that way because it was requested to be added to the agenda, and noted that it is a Palm Desert Country Club area. Mr. McCarthy said it was just a title, but if there is vandalism in other areas to please bring it to the City's attention. Member Luhring commented that the Police Department should be well aware of vandalism data before it comes to the Committee. He mentioned that he lives in a community with a security department. When there is vandalism in their country club, they immediately go through the security department and notify the Palm Desert Police Department. He stated that he sits on the Committee every month, and they talk about Palm Desert Country Club 90% of the time. He felt that they should be talking more generically to the entire Project Area No. 4 versus one area in Project Area. Sgt. Buompensiero stated that he ran a report for the month of December for the all of Project Area No. 4 area. The report only shows two reports of vandalism that was in Palm Desert Country Club. If there was other vandalism done, it was not reported to the police. He encouraged that if there is vandalism going on to please report it. He also requested that if they are not receiving the service they need to give him a call directly. Member Luhring communicated that he does not have a problem with the service from the Police Department, and said that the service has been terrific. His concern is that the report only shows two incidents, and the security in his community had four incidents. He noted that he needs to go back and find out if the Palm Desert Police Department or the Sheriff's Department was involved since it did not appear on the report. Sgt. Misty Reynolds commented that she believed one of the concerns for Project Area No. 4 was because the golf course was closing, and there would be an increase in crime. She mentioned that she has a report for the entire Project Area No. 4 area. GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 1-11-10.docx 7 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2010 Chairman Benford remarked that she is referring to mainly vandalism. When he reported a burglary, the police officer mentioned that there has been a rash of burglaries in the Palm Desert Country Club area. Sgt. Reynolds reported that for the entire Project Area No. 4 in the month of December there were two residential burglaries, two grand thefts, three petty thefts, and five vehicle thefts. Member Harkins stated that she was the one that requested the item be added to the agenda. She personally, as the association manager, received over six phone calls from residents that their decorations were stolen or damaged. Her reason for having the item on the agenda was because it is frustrating, and must be frustrating within all communities, point well taken by Member Luhring. All she wanted to know as a community, what do they do to keep these kids in jail and not thrown back into the street after a couple of hours after going to juvenile hall. Do they start putting pressure on the County Board Supervisors? Who do they go to get the judges to pay attention? Sgt. Buompensiero responded that the next thing that could be done as citizens and law enforcement is try to work together in these situations, such as following up through the courts. He mentioned that a lot of the time the kids do not have records, and they are only going to get probation. Chairman Benford commented that it is an age old problem. He thanked Sgt. Buompensiero and Sgt. Reynolds. He found the information very informative. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS Councilmember Spiegel commented that he received a copy of the latest Palm Desert Country Club Association newsletter. He mentioned that Mr. McCarthy and Ms. Walker attended a meeting and spoke to the group. He continued that there was a lady by the name of Ms. Louis Weber who asked the homeowners' if they wanted an assessment district to maintain the golf course. Councilmember Spiegel made clear that it is not the City's place to do that. It is the people's place to do that, and wanted to make sure everyone knew that. Chairman Benford noted that they went through that in a huge meeting. G:\rda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\M1nutes 1-11-10.docx 8 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2010 Member Harkins interjected that the meeting was held October 13. Mr. McCarthy recalls the lady bringing that up, and also recalls a negative response by the audience to that concept. C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON D. STAFF XI. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Member Daugherty, seconded by Member Luhring, the meeting was adjourned at 3:36 p.m. Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 1-11-10.docx 9