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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitizens' Advisory Cmte PA4 - 03/15/10PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY �t CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES MARCH 15, 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 =�u 'BYRDA ON /,23-- c9-010 VERIFIED BY.6&"- J CI _ Original on file with City Cielr Office: Staff Present: Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Dave Erwin, City Attorney Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Monica Loredo, Administrative Secretary Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Hart Ponder, Code Compliance Manager Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst Guests: Richard Kelly, Councilmember Robert Spiegel, Councilmember Mari Schmidt, Planning Commissioner Lt. Andrew Shouse, Palm Desert Police CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES MARCH 15, 2010 Ill. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Ms. Harkins mentioned that at last week's Palm Desert Country Club (PDCC) Association Board of Directors meeting, the Board voted to set up "Meet the Candidate Nights," as they get into this election year. They are attempting to put a meeting together in May for the County Supervisor's position. In the fall, they will attempt to put something together for the City Council positions. Let her know if anyone wants to be on an email list to be notified of the meetings. She congratulated Member Archer, and also mentioned that he is a new member of the PDCC Association Board of Directors. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF FEBRUARY 22, 2010. Minutes of the meeting from February 22, 2010, were unanimously approved as submitted and carried by a 9-0 vote with Member Duncan ABSENT. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vill. OLD BUSINESS None IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. UPDATE: PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB UNDERGROUNDING (Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst) GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 8-15-10.docx 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES MARCH 15, 2010 Ms. Walker informed the Committee that at the last meeting, staff was asked to pursue the idea of developing a quadrant system for the assessment district at PDCC. She reported that she conferred with the consultant; and due to recent legislation, they would not be able to have four zones within the project area district. Quadrants would require four individual assessment districts, boundaries would be set by the utilities, it would require new designs, and would require four separate bond issuances. In addition, the project could potentially lose the economy of scale because the boundaries would not be four distinct equitable divisions in terms of a quadrant. Ms. Walker noted that they have a construction cost moving forward. Chairman Benford inquired when the construction cost would be available. Ms. Walker clarified that she is referring to a construction cost estimate, which is part of the engineer's report that is part of the report that will produce the assessment for each resident. She mentioned that the staff report for the construction cost would be going to the next City Council meeting. Mr. McCarthy commented it will be determined if polling should be deferred to the early part of fall just to make sure that there is enough people back in the community. He noted that they are still on track with the timeline that was previously provided. Chairman Benford asked if it would be better to suggest January or February for polling. Mr. McCarthy responded that it would be a policy discussion with the Project Area No. 4 Committee and the City Council. He stated that he does not think they need to wait that long. He feels that most people would be back by October. B. UPDATE: PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE (Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Office & Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager) Mr. Hart Ponder communicated that Mr. Shawn Kilpatrick was at a training class and could not attend the meeting. Mr. Ponder thanked the Committee and all departments that helped the Code Department with the improvements at the Palm Desert Country Club Golf Course. He displayed pictures of the current condition of the golf course. He noted that the trees are being monitored, lakes are being aerated, and watering of the golf course is being monitored. Chairman Benford inquired if there is any indication in the financial aspect. Mr. McCarthy responded that they do not have a financial status. He mentioned that there was an action taken by one of the vendors, a GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 3-15-10.docx 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES MARCH 15, 2010 company that leases golf carts and maintenance equipment. The company was asserting and asking the court for collections or collect some of the equipment. He is not sure what the result is going to be. The second issue, for one reason or another, they permitted their bankruptcy petition to lapse. In discussions with the City's counsel, they believe the court is kicking the bankruptcy out as an inducement so that they get their act together and resubmit their petition of bankruptcy. Mr. McCarthy stated that it is still pending and they are monitoring it. Chairman Benford commented that he ran into Mr. Dave Simmons, and asked him why they do not attend the Project Area No. 4 Committee meeting. Mr. Simmons responded that they choose not to. Mr. McCarthy stated that Mr. Kosmont expressed that due to past communications and legal interests, they have elected to not participate. He noted that the City does have contact with them, and that most of the times they are very responsive. Mr. Ponder added that the City still has ongoing inspections of the golf course. Chairman Benford expressed that Mr. Shawn Kilpatrick is "Johnny on the Spot" that takes care of complaints and follows up. Mr. Ponder thanked Chairman Benford for his comment, and that he would pass it on to Mr. Kilpatrick. C. INFORMATIONAL: AMENDMENT TO THE RALPH M. BROWN ACT — OPEN MEETING LAWS (Dave Erwin, City Attorney) Mr. Erwin explained the Ralph M. Brown Act that pertains to open meeting laws. He cautioned the Committee concerning a series of communications of any kind directly or through intermediaries to discuss, deliberate, or take action. The Ralph M. Brown Act is violated when six members have had discussions, deliberated, or taken action. He recommended to the Committee that when they have questions regarding the agenda to call City staff. He noted that there are exceptions to the Brown Act. Those exceptions are generally personnel items, litigation items, the threat of litigation, the thought of starting litigation, or real property. Mr. Erwin made clear that all of the Committee's discussions and decisions should be made during the meetings. Chairman Benford inquired if someone asks a Committee member about the underground that was published in the newspaper, would that be a violation of the Brown Act. Mr. Erwin responded that a discussion between six members of the Committee whether it is in the newspaper or not. He GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 3-15-10.docx 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES MARCH 15, 2010 stated to the Committee that if they have any questions to please contact staff, and that he is also available. He preferred that members ask him questions before doing anything. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS Member Crisp inquired if the City has a policy or ordinance concerning foreclosed homes and maintenance. Mr. Erwin answered that there is. Member Crisp stated that the house next to him has been vacant for at least six months, and weeds have started to grow as a result of the last rains. Mr. Erwin interjected that he should give the information to Mr. Ponder, Code Enforcement. Councilman Spiegel added that the Code Enforcement Department is responsible. He noted that normally that the bank is contacted, and it is their job to take care of it. If they do not take care of it, the City will and put a lien on the property. B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON D. STAFF XI. ADJOURNMENT Upon a unanimous motion by the Project Area No. 4 Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m. Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary G:\rda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\M1nutes\2010\Minutes 3-15-10.docx 5