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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Citizens Advisory Committee Project Area 4 06/20/2011PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JUNE 20, 2011 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 Russ Campbell, Member Ron Crisp, Member Phyllis Harkins, Member Absent: Jane Daugherty, Member Berit Reistad-Daly, Member Staff Present: Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Officer Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Janet Moore, Director of Housing _ Pedro Rodriguez, Senior Code Officer f(� e1..IV & �� 1>` BY RDA Also Present: Jean Benson, Mayor Robert Spiegel, Mayor Pro Tern Roger Dash, Planning Commissioner ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON 'S- -c,II VERIFIED BY ll �1-1 Original on file with City Clerk's 01fice Chairman Benford communicated that he last heard that Palm Desert Country Club (PDCC) fell out of escrow. Mr. McCarthy mentioned that it would be discussed further under Informational Items. Chairman Benford thanked staff for the nameplates. CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JUNE 20, 2011 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF APRIL 18, 2011. Minutes of the meeting from April 18, 2011, were unanimously approved as submitted and carried by a 6-0 vote with Members Daugherty and Reistad-Daly ABSENT. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS None 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) Mr. Kilpatrick reported that he inspected the golf course on Friday, June 17. He displayed pictures of the golf course conditions. He mentioned that staff has been in contact with Wilshire Bank, and their response is that they are going to take care of it. Staff is looking at some administrative actions against Wilshire bank. Member Crisp inquired what some of the actions are. Mr. Kilpatrick responded that it is for a distressed property that has to be maintained under the ordinance. He noted that the first fine is $1,000 and the fine goes up from there. Chairman Benford asked if there is any word as to a buyer. Ms. Aylaian responded that she has had a number of conversations with Wilshire State G 1rdaWMonice O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 6-20-11 docx 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JUNE 20, 2011 Bank in the last couple of weeks. She stated that from the last time the Project Area No. 4 Committee met, they were in escrow with a firm that was out of Texas. Escrow fell through and the buyer is no longer interested in buying the property. The bank is now trying to re -market the property. She mentioned that there have been at least two parties that have met with City staff in the last three weeks. One party is local and the other is from out of the area. Both parties are doing their due diligence. She noted that staff is letting them know of the requirements on the property. Vice Chair Grubb asked at what price is the property listed for. Ms. Aylaian answered it is listed for $2.5 million. Chairman Benford asked if the City Council anticipates making changes to the requirements. Ms. Aylaian responded that she does not think City Council would make a decision without having a recommendation from staff and hearing input from the community in a public hearing. Ms. Peggy Podojil, 44680 Dakota Trail, Indian Wells, asked what the requirements are. Ms. Aylaian responded the requirements are the following: 1) relocate the maintenance facility; 2) that they keep a capital reserve; and 3) that they spend a certain amount a year on operating and maintaining the golf course. Mr. McCarthy added that staff is prepared to review anything that a buyer would propose. Chairman Benford inquired if anyone knew why it fell out of escrow. Ms. Aylaian said no. Member Archer mentioned that someone heard the bank wanted a cash offer, which killed the deal. Member Harkins asked if the maintenance facility would still need to be located in the same final location. Ms. Aylaian responded that staff would have to look at any new proposed locations. She noted that the building must be completely screened. Member Harkins mentioned that the area where the City is requesting the building be placed is dug out. She asked if the City would allow for the dirt to be filled back in. Ms. Aylaian responded that staff would have to see what would be proposed. G:Vda\Monica O'ReillyWord1PA No. 41Minutesl20111Minutes 6-20-11.docx 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JUNE 20, 2011 Ms. Barbara Powers, 76918 Kentucky Avenue, Palm Desert, addressed the Committee and submitted pictures showing the condition of the golf course. She commented that one little fire cracker is going to start a fire. Member Crisp asked Mr. Kilpatrick when some action is going to be taken. He responded that it would be discussed with legal counsel tomorrow. Chairman Benford thanked staff for the report. B. UPDATE ON CARLOS ORTEGA VILLAS (Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst) Mr. Alvarez introduced himself and gave a presentation on the Carlos Ortega Villas. Carlos Ortega Villas is a 72-unit Senior Affordable Housing Project located off Washington and Avenue of the States. He noted that Casey's is adjacent to the project, which would be remodeled and refurbished with the assistance from the Redevelopment Agency and the current operator. He also mentioned that there is also an area set aside for a future fire station. Mr. Alvarez stated that the primary access to the project is off Avenue of the States, and the secondary access is off of Dudley Drive. Dudley Drive is contemplated to be an emergency access only or perhaps just an exit. He mentioned that they are aiming at a Net Zero Energy Efficient Project. They are also aiming for a LEED Silver Certification, which is another measure for energy efficiency. Mr. Alvarez displayed the elevation and architecture of the project. He mentioned that the community building is two-story, which would be used for activities and events. Ms. Moore added that the building will have a leasing office and it will overlook the pool. Chairman Benford asked what the requirements to qualify are. Ms. Moore responded that it is affordable housing, which is based on household size, income, and for ages 62 and over. Chairman Benford inquired about the timeframe of the project. Mr. Alvarez replied that the preliminary design is complete. Staff anticipates that the project would go out to bid in about a year from now. Mayor Pro Tem asked for an update on Casey's. Mr. Alvarez responded that staff is currently in negotiations with Casey's. G:VdaWonica O'RetllyMord\PA No. 41Minutes1P l lWinutes 6-20-11.docx 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JUNE 20, 2011 Member Archer inquired if the energy efficiency would be for the complex itself and not the individual units. Mr. Alvarez replied that it would be for the entire complex, including the common areas. Member Harkins voiced her concern with traffic, and asked what traffic studies or what issues is the City going to be looking at regarding that area. Mr. Alvarez responded that the Public Works Department is looking at traffic issues. Mr. McCarthy reminded the Committee the project is substantially a net improvement. There were approximately 70 apartment units there before that had a lot of people in the front porches hanging around, and when the Sheriff deputies showed up all of sudden the doors and windows closed with an eerie silence. He noted that the project changing from an apartment complex to a senior complex, hopefully the traffic generation should be less. Chairman Benford asked where the solar panels would be placed. Mr. Alvarez responded that all panels in order to be efficient need to face south. You will not be able to see the panels from Avenue of the States, but you will see them internally. Vice Chair Grubb inquired if part of the community building would be available for lease. Ms. Moore answered no. There would be a leasing office for the manager upstairs. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS Member Crisp asked Mr. McCarthy for an update on the elimination of Redevelopment. He responded that the Senate and the Assembly passed the balanced budget. As part of balancing the budget there was a two -bill procedure; whereby, the first bill would require redevelopment agencies to voluntarily give a substantial amount of money to the State. The second bill, if agencies do not give money, they would be shut them down. They are thinking that this two -bill approach would get around Proposition 22. He explained that the governor vetoed the budget bill, but the two bills were not officially part of the budget bill that he vetoed. Mr. McCarthy stated that the immediate action of the League of California Cities and California Redevelopment Association was pretty much unconstitutional on its face. So the litigators' are ready to go should it get signed by the governor. He stated that the Redevelopment Agency is still G.trdaWonica O'ReNy\Word\PA NO. 4\M1nu1es\2011\Minutes 6-20-11.docx 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES JUNE 20, 2011 operating. Staff is looking at the first bill to see what are the implications and if we could comply. Our initial sense is that we probably could. It is somewhat modeled on the voluntary compromise that the California Redevelopment Association put forward; however, there are a lot of twists and turns that they are trying to evaluate at this time. Vice Chair Grubb inquired if the money would be going to the State or the community. Mr. McCarthy replied the State. 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 3:40 p.m. Monica O'Reilly, Recording Secret G1rda\Monica O'ReillylWord\PA No. *Minutes\2011\Minutes 6-20-11.docx 6