Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitizens Advsry Cmte PA4 - 08/16/2010PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2010 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 Russ Campbell, Member Ron Crisp, Member Jane Daugherty, Member Phyllis Harkins, Member Douglas Luhring, Member Absent: Terry Archer, Member Kelly Litecky, Member Staff Present: Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Mark Dierks, Transportation Engineer Dave Erwin, City Attorney Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Officer Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst Guests: Robert Spiegel, Councilmember Mari Schmidt, Planning Commissioner ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None BY RDA hlXr, � t ON VERIFIED BY hk Irej Original on file with City Clerk's Office CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2010 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF JUNE 21, 2010. Minutes of the meeting from June 21, 2010, were unanimously approved as submitted and carried by a 7-0 vote with Members Archer and Litecky ABSENT. B. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF JULY19, 2010. Minutes of the meeting from July 19, 2010, were unanimously approved as submitted and carried by a 7-0 vote with Members Archer and Litecky ABSENT. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vill. OLD BUSINESS None IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Ms. Walker requested that the Chairman move to Item B under Informational Items since the Power Point presentation for the golf course was displayed. Chairman Benford moved to Item B. GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 8-16-10.docx 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2010 A. UPDATE: PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB UNDERGROUNDING (Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst) Ms. Walker communicated that questions and answers from the forums along with the assessment roll would be available on the City's website soon. Staff plans on having another forum in the fall, and potentially attending a homeowners' association meeting at Palm Desert Country Club. She presented an analysis of assessment options. Ms. Peggy Podojil, 43220 Alabama, inquired about the people that already have undergrounding. Ms. Walker responded that it depends if you are in the boundaries of the assessment district. If they are within the boundary, they would have to participate in the public improvement portion only. Ms. Podojil asked where they could find a map. Member Harkins answered that they have a map at the Palm Desert Country Club Homeowners' Association office. Ms. Walker added that the map would also be available on the website. Councilman Spiegel asked Ms. Walker to explain how people could get on the website. Ms. Walker stated that people could go to www.citvofgalmdesert.orq. There will be an icon on the home page, then click on the proposed Palm Desert Country Club Undergrounding. Mr. McCarthy reported that subsequent to the last meeting there was a second forum. There were about 20 representatives of the community in attendance. He said that the response was a mix about 50/50. Staff is looking at having another forum in October, and at that time try to determine when the balloting process might make sense. Vice Chair Grubb asked if it would go on the political ballot. Mr. McCarthy replied no, and explained that it is a different process than the political ballot. Chairman Benford asked how a resident would know if they need a meter or not. Ms. Walker answered that it would be taken into consideration for on -site improvements. Mr. McCarthy stated that the ballot would reflect whether or not a meter is needed. GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 8-16-10.docx 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2010 Councilman Spiegel mentioned that everyone in Palm Desert is getting new meters. Mr. McCarthy made clear that there is a difference between a meter and a panel. Ms. Schmidt inquired when the assessment would start. Mr. McCarthy responded that it depends on the assessment cycle (October/November), which they missed this year so probably next year. Ms. Schmidt asked how long the build out is. McCarthy replied about nine months. B. UPDATE: PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE (Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Officer and Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst) Mr. Kilpatrick reported that mowing has begun. Candyl Golf was hired to mow the golf course and to maintain the greens, including fertilizing. Ms. Harkins inquired if Mr. Kilpatrick had a phone number or contact information for Candyl Golf. Chairman Benford interjected that the number is (760) 200-0073. Ms. Harkins asked if it was okay to contact them if there was a serious issue or what is the procedure. Mr. Kilpatrick replied that there is no one specifically identified as a person of contact by Wilshire Bank. He stated that Wilshire Bank is happy to communicate with the City of Palm Desert. Candyl Golf is also happy to communicate with the City, but they seem adverse communicating with the public. Ms. Harkins asked if they should communicate with Mr. Kilpatrick. He answered that they could for now. Mr. McCarthy reaffirmed that the best path of communication would be Mr. Kilpatrick to the Wilshire's representative. Mr. Kilpatrick presented pictures of the golf course. Councilman Spiegel asked if the grass is brown as in the picture. Mr. Kilpatrick explained that it looks brown after it was mowed due to the grass being quite high. He noted that the grass is being watered. GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 8-16-10.docx 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2010 Mr. Kilpatrick stated that there was a problem prior to Candyl Golf leaving when they were doing the abatement for the City. It was recommended that the irrigation be cut back to half of the normal so that the trees would not dry, and the grass would not grow as fast. He stated that someone has been tampering with the clocks and bumping them up to 200 percent. Mr. Kilpatrick mentioned that Mr. Don Johnson, their field crew chief, caught one of the residents out there with a key. The resident had been turning up the water all over the course. Chairman Benford commented that the sprinklers were on for hours every night. Member Daugherty mentioned that she lives by Hole 15, which has not been watered at all. Mr. Kilpatrick replied that the watering is sporadic. Member Harkins added that Hole 7 is not being watered either. Mr. Kilpatrick stated that the executive course is even drier. He noted that he spoke to Mr. Johnson about that, and he said he is going through the irrigation system station by station. He noted that it doesn't help him when a home owner is tampering with the system. Member Daugherty mentioned that she has seen a black and white car on the fairway, and asked who that is. Mr. Kilpatrick answered it is Mr. Don Johnson with Candyl Golf. Ms. Walker informed the Committee that Wilshire State Bank would maintain the course to mitigate health and safety issues, and that they have gone a little bit beyond that but not to playability. Mr. Kilpatrick communicated that Mr. Gibbons told him that they honestly want to market the course for sale, and in order do that they have decided that they would irrigate and mow the entire course. Member Crisp inquired on the status of the golf course. Mr. McCarthy explained that the bank went into the bankruptcy court and it was moved into Chapter 7. Wilshire Bank in collaboration with a prospective trustee, which normally would go to a trustee then sold off, but the court authorized the bank in essence to act as the trustee. He said that they have not taken possession of the asset because they do not want to be on the chain of liability. He stated that the bank's intent is to keep the asset not playable, but presentable in terms of not letting its potential value for a recovery erode so far that there is no value there other than maybe the clubhouse. GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 8-16-10.docx 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2010 Mr. McCarthy mentioned that they asked the City for names of potential golf course brokers. Mr. Kilpatrick continued with pictures of the golf course. He noted that the water levels for the lakes go up and down. He mentioned that when people are tampering with irrigation system and water is on, it affects the water level of the lake. That has created an additional problem for Candyl Golf. He mentioned that the new well is working well. Councilman Spiegel inquired if it was corrected so someone could not change the irrigation system. Mr. Kilpatrick responded that they have requested that new locks be put on the controllers, and they said that they would. Member Daugherty asked where the controllers are located. Mr. Kilpatrick replied that he does not have an irrigation plan for the golf course, but they are located in white boxes that are about 3.5 feet high. Member Harkins asked what is happening with the debris of the trees. Mr. Kilpatrick responded that he has talked to Candyl Golf about the trees. He would report back to the bank on their progress. Ms. Ruth De George, 76-797 California Drive, mentioned that grass has not been picked up at Hole 11. Mr. Kilpatrick replied that they are still in the process of mowing. He noted that they have a shortage in personnel. Councilman Spiegel asked Mr. Kilpatrick if he could contact Candyl Golf to let them know there was a meeting, and there were some concerns and take them the pictures. Mr. McCarthy inquired if the fallen branches are actionable under the City's code. Mr. Kilpatrick replied that they could. He could do the order to abate, and then ten days later the City could go out with contractors to remove the tree limbs. He would continue to put the squeeze on Candy[ Golf, but that the order to abate is another option. Member Harkins mentioned that their office receives calls on golf course issues, and they do not want to waste Mr. Kilpatrick's time. She stated that if Candyl Golf does not want to talk to them, is there an email address to contact them. Mr. Kilpatrick responded that he talked to Mr. Gibbons about posting a number at the clubhouse, but he has not received any information. He stated that he would continue to push for the number and contact name. GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\M1nutes 8-16-10.docx 6 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2010 Member Crisp asked the Committee if they felt a new operator could survive without some type of subsidy from the community. He asked if there is any chance that the City could request an RFP so that they could find out if the golf course could be operated at a profit. If not, how much subsidy would be required? Would it be required by the community? How would the community have some input and overseeing how the money is spent? Mr. McCarthy stated that he is not sure if that is the function of the Committee. He does know that Mrs. Benford would be making a request directly to the City Council. He added that he has had conversations with three different entities/individuals that are interested in the same discussion. Mr. McCarthy believes it is a community request, but he anticipates it is forthcoming. He stated that he cannot say what the City Council's response to that would be. Member Crisp asked if it would be appropriate for the Committee to make that request. Mr. McCarthy replied not at this time. He noted that there is a Brown Act issue and it is not on the agenda. Mr. McCarthy communicated that there is another issue. There may be potential conflicts arising because there are people on the Committee that are directly affected by the golf course. He explained that there is a process that might work, and they should let it play out and see what happens. Member Crisp inquired about the process. Mr. McCarthy answered that there are members of the public that would be approaching the City Council to make a comparable request to what Member Crisp is speaking to. Chairman Benford returned to Item A of Informational Items. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS Member Daugherty asked what is going on with the project on the corner of Washington and Avenue of the States. Ms. Walker responded that is the future site of the Carlos Ortega Villas. She stated that they are currently in the early stages of the design process. The early stages of the design process through construction documents would take approximately 19 months. GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2010\Minutes 8-16-10.docx 7 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2010 Mr. McCarthy added that once the concept is more fully developed, staff would bring it back to the Committee and the community to take a look at it. Member Crisp asked who the architect is. Ms. Walker replied Interactive Design. Ms. Podojil, resident, inquired about a dip at the signal light at Washington Street and Avenue of the States. It was mentioned that the dip is located on the Bermuda Dunes side. Mr. McCarthy interjected that staff would not be addressing that issue as part of the scope for Carlos Ortega Villas. Ms. Walker mentioned that they would be looking at traffic flow at Carlos Ortega Villas. Member Harkins mentioned that a home owner at Woodhaven Country Club asked her about the installation of a traffic light. She asked if it is something that the Project Area No. 4 Committee would get involved with to recommend. Mr. McCarthy responded that the message should be conveyed to the Public Works Department. Councilman Spiegel suggested adding it to the next agenda, and request that Mr. Greenwood attend the meeting. Chairman Benford thanked Councilman Spiegel and City staff for a great job with information and for being very helpful. He also thanked Ms. Loredo for the minutes. 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 3:45 p.m. Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary GArda\Monica Loredo\Word\PA No. 4\M1nutes\2010\Minutes 8-16-10.docx 8