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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Citizens Advisory Committe Project Area 4 03/08/2011m� PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES MARCH 8, 2011 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Benford convened the meeting at 3:04 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Fred Benford, Chairman Roberta Grubb, Vice Chair Terry Archer, Member Russ Campbell, Member Ron Crisp, Member Jane Daugherty, Member Phyllis Harkins, Member Absent: Berit Reistad-Daly, Member Staff Present: Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Ruth Ann Moore, Economic Development Manager Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst Also Present: Jean Benson, Mayor Robert Spiegel, Mayor Pro Tern Roger Dash, Planning Commissioner Sherry Barkas, The Desert Sun ORAL COMMUNICATIONS le, BY RDA Lri(le fy fit);y it ON q-asp-;�C'I VERIFIED BY_k7K-1r(1 J Original on file with City Clerk's Office Member Crisp mentioned that there was a meeting held here at City Hall last week regarding Redevelopment. He stated that Mr. McCarthy gave the best presentation and congratulated him. Mr. McCarthy thanked Member Crisp. He commented that a lot of the credit goes to the history. Palm Desert has a very good story CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES MARCH 8, 2011 and there was a lot of work done by staff. He stated that a great deal of credit goes to Mr. Carlos Ortega. Member Harkins communicated that there is an ongoing traffic situation in their community at the intersection of Warner Trail and California Drive, a very busy four-way stop. She commented that she happened to be on El Dorado and she saw some signs that say "Watch for Bicyclists," and at that intersection they get a lot of the Del Webb Sun City bike club people. She stated that they literally fly through that intersection and do not stop, and she has witnessed a of lot near misses. She was curious if perhaps down the road there could be some analysis on the amount of bicyclists or if they know there is a busy weekend of bicycle rallies, perhaps signs could be put up to make drivers aware. Member Harkins commented that they had a wonderful 50tn Anniversary event at their association on February 26. There were well over 200 people that attended. They have a fabulous DVD. If anyone would like a copy of the DVD, please call the association office. Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel interjected that both he and Mayor Benson were at the event. Member Campbell commented that he does not know how much help a sign will do for bicyclists. He has seen bicyclists make left hand turns against the light, and has watched them go through stop signs so cars need to be aware. Chairman Benford stated that he is not sure if there is anything you can do unless a police officer is there. Mayor Benson suggested having COPS out there on a Saturday morning. She noted that she will talk to the City Manager about it. Chairman Benford communicated that the spots on the wall at corner of California Drive and Fred Waring Drive are still there. In addition, bricks have started to fall off. Chairman Benford asked Mr. McCarthy if a straw poll was taken at the last Palm Desert Country Club (PDCC) Undergrounding Project Forum. He responded yes and is part of the staff report. GArda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 3-8-11.docx 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES MARCH 8, 2011 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF JANUARY 20, 2011. Minutes of the meeting from January 8, 2011, were unanimously approved as submitted and carried by a 7-0 vote with Member Reistad-Daly ABSENT. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None V1. NEW BUSINESS None VI1. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vill. OLD BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION FOR REDEVELOPMENT STAFF TO RECOMMEND DEFFERAL OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT AREA NO. 4 UNDERGROUNDING Ms. Walker reported that a third forum was held at the PDCC Homeowners' Association that was attended by approximately 100 residents. An anonymous straw pool was performed with approximately two-thirds of the residents voted to postpone or cancel the project. Some comments on the cards were to defer indefinitely. There are three motivating factors that staff believes has contributed to this: 1) The depreciation of home value; 2) The depreciation in the overall income levels; and 3) The golf course issue. Staff is requesting that the Committee take a vote requesting authorization to go forward to request for a deferral of the Undergrounding Project formally at the City Council. Member Harkins inquired which portion of the two-thirds was in favor of never doing it. Ms. Walker responded that it was almost an even split between the two. GArda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 3-8-11.docx 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES MARCH 8, 2011 Member Archer asked how long is staff planning to defer the project. Mr. McCarthy responded until there is a consensus in the community, the golf course issue has been settled, and the economy and home prices have recovered. He noted that they could sit on the funds for a period of time, but at some point they are going to have to expend them. Given what the State is contemplating, the funds could go away completely. Member Crisp inquired what happens if the Committee does not take an action on this item. Ms. Walker answered that if there is no action, staff will proceed as they have been. Member Daugherty voiced that the Committee should go along to deferring the project. The reason is if they go along the way they are and it absolutely fails what is the chance of getting it back again. If they were to defer the project, there might be a chance that it will happen sometime down the line. Vice Chair Grubb asked how much has been expended for this project. Ms. Walker replied approximately $750,000. Mr. McCarthy interjected that part of the amount is for the design, which the design has shelf life. Staff would have to get the project re -estimated in terms to what the pricing would be. He noted that interest rates could go up in the future. Chairman Benford inquired if the $750,000 would be lost if the project is not deferred. Councilman Spiegel responded not if the Committee votes on it. If voted down and the community later requests to underground again, they would have to pay the full amount. Member Campbell moved to defer the Undergrounding Project. Motion was seconded by Member Daugherty, and carried by 6-1 vote with Member Harkins voting NO and Member Reistad-Daly ABSENT. Member Harkins requested to amend the motion to have a time period. Chairman Benford responded that a date is reasonable. He requested a recommendation for a time period of the deferral. Mr. McCarthy responded that it is the Committee's preference; possibly 24 to 36 months. Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel recommended two years. The Project Area No. 4 Citizens' Advisory Committee, unanimously moved to amend the first motion to defer the Undergrounding G:\rda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 3-8-11.docx 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES MARCH 8, 2011 Project for a period of two years by a 7-0 vote with Member Reistad- Daly ABSENT. IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. UPDATE: PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE (Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst) Ms. Walker reported that there has been no change with the golf course. The property is currently being marketed for approximately $2.5 million. She noted that the Code Enforcement Department is periodically inspecting the golf course to mitigate any potential health and safety issues. Member Archer mentioned that one of their board members was contacted by a realtor who expressed someone was interested in purchasing the club, and wanted some input from the association. Member Harkins stated that the association received permission from the bank allowing them to go onto the course to investigate any complaints. They found that residents from the association were dumping clippings on the golf course. B. UPDATE: PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING (Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst) The undergrounding was discussed under Old Business. C. REDEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION (Ruth Ann Moore, Economic Development Manager) Mr. McCarthy noted that some may have already seen the presentation. Ms. Ruth Ann Moore introduced herself and gave the Redevelopment presentation. At the end of the presentation, Ms. Moore encouraged the Committee to contact their elected state representative to keep local tax dollars local. Vice Chair Grubb inquired what is the percentage of money going to schools. Ms. Moore explained that if the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) were to dissolve, funds would go to the State and the State would use the funds for education, health care services, and the courts. GArda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 3-8-11.docx 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES MARCH 8, 2011 Vice Chair Grubb voiced that her concern are the schools. Mr. McCarthy stated that the real beneficiary is not going to be the schools. It is going to be the State. Initially the State would take the money and allocate funds for services the State is responsible for with a portion going to schools. He commented that the State of California basically spends everything it receives, and does not plan very well for the future. Mr. McCarthy stated that in the last 24 months RDA has sent approximately $30 million to the State. The funds came out of Project Areas 1, 2, 3, and 4. Those were local property tax dollars that were sent to the State of California. RDA has also sent another $10 to 20 million of General Fund money that is suppose to come from the State that the State has held back. He made clear that the funds are being pulled out from the local economy, and it is really being done to defray expenses of the State. That is who the winner is in this endeavor. Vice Chair Grubb expressed that RDA has built a magnificent City, but feels that the property taxes should be directed to schools for a couple of years. Mr. McCarthy explained that this is not new that the State wants to raid local government. The question is do you want to keep the revenues locally? Do you think your local representatives would use the funds to benefit your community more than the State would? This is the issue. Vice Chair Grubb suggested changing the pass -through contracts so that more money goes to the schools. Mr. McCarthy responded that the City is already passing through to the schools more that it is required to do so under existing law. Mr. McCarthy noted that the State has approximately 235,000 employees, and to his knowledge he has not seen the State do any restructuring as he has seen in the local and county levels. There are thousands of people that have been laid off, including fire and police personnel in some areas. Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel interjected that last year the people of California passed Proposition 22, which the State cannot take money from cities. The State is trying to destroy something. They might win and they might not; it is going to be a tremendous legal fight. Chairman Benford commented that the City of Palm Desert has done a great job fiscally compared to other cities in California. Mr. McCarthy stated that the Governor had it right 25 to 30 years ago, and that they have to remember that we are on our own. GArda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 3-8-1 t.docx 6 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES MARCH 8, 2011 X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON Mr. Roger Dash introduced himself. He was recently appointed to the Planning Commission, and as a result of being on the Commission, he is now the liaison for the Project Area No. 4 Committee. The Committee congratulated Mr. Dash. Mayor Benson explained that Mr. Dash took over Ms. Schmidt's position since she was not reappointed. Mr. Dash added that he was on the Housing Commission. Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel mentioned that he was also on the Parks and Recreation Commission. D. STAFF XI. ADJOURNMENT Upon a unanimous motion by the Project Area No. 4 Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4:04 p.m. Monica O'Reilly, Recording Secre a%y GArda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minules\2011\Minutes 3-8-11.docx 7