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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Citizen's Advisory Committee Projecct Area 4 01/20/2011Iv � PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2011 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Benford convened the meeting at 3:05 p.m. II. 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 Douglas Luhring, Member �P(F�1'E'd It BY RDA (5-0 ON -3 -,:;� q,-,-;�c// VERIFIED BY k0k Original on rile Mth, C,ly Clerk's Office Staff Present: Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Mark Dierks, Transportation Engineer Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Officer Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Ruth Ann Moore, Economic Development Manager Pedro Rodriguez, Senior Code Officer Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst John Wohlmuth, City Manager Guests: Jean Benson, Councilmember Robert Spiegel, Councilmember Mari Schmidt, Planning Commissioner Sherry Barkas, The Desert Sun CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2011 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Member Campbell communicated that he had an issue with a pool repairman. He noticed that his business card did not have his business license number so he called the City, and they confirmed that he did not have a license. He stated that he was able to get the guy in the backyard, and made a quick call to the City's Code Enforcement Department. A young lady answered the call, and Mr. Kilpatrick showed up and gave the man a citation. Member Campbell stated that he called the young lady and thanked her for taking care of the problem so quickly. He mentioned the lady was surprised because no one ever calls back other than to complain. He stated for the record that the Code Enforcement Department has done an outstanding job again. The City has hired good people that are well trained and they take care of the residents. Chairman Benford mentioned that there is a block wall at the corner of Fred Waring Drive and California Avenue, which has moisture that seeped through that looks like graffiti. He suggested painting over the big white spots. Member Archer commented that the dirt level is higher in the backyards along the wall than the street level. He thinks the sprinklers are soaking through the wall. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF NOVEMBER 15, 2010. Minutes of the meeting from November 15, 2010, were unanimously approved as submitted and carried by an 8-0 vote. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None G:\rda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 1-20-11.docx 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2011 VI. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Member Daugherty moved to nominate Member Benford for the Chair position. Member Crisp seconded the motion, and carried by an 8-0 vote. Member Benford will continue to be the Chairman by a unanimous vote. Chairman Benford moved to nominate Member Grubb for the Vice Chair position. Member Daugherty seconded the motion, and carried by an 8-0 vote. Member Grubb will continue to be the Vice Chair by a unanimous vote. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vill. OLD BUSINESS None IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. UPDATE: PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE (Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Officer II) Mr. Kilpatrick stated that his last inspection was January 19. He displayed pictures of the golf course conditions. Ms. Walker commented that the bank has not been as responsive to Code Enforcement as they previously have been. Staff is currently directing code communications through the City's attorney. She noted that the property will be up for auction on January 26. Mr. McCarthy explained that the City anticipates there will be a credit bid, where Wilshire Bank will bid what is owed to them for the asset. Unless someone comes in and bids higher then they get it. Whether they have someone in the wings as a potential buyer or operator is pure speculation on the City's part. How much is owed was asked. Mr. McCarthy responded maybe $5 million, and maybe $7 million with accrued interest. G:\rda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 1-20-11.docx 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2011 B. UPDATE: PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING (Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst) Ms. Walker announced that another community forum would be held on February 2, at the Palm Desert Country Club (PDCC) homeowners' association community room, and noted that a notification went out to the community. The meeting is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. C. UPDATE: ALBERTSON'S SHOPPING CENTER: LEFT TURN ACCESS ON HOVELY LANE EAST (Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works) Mr. Dierks reported that the shopping center has nine access points. Three on Washington Street with right turns only, two full accesses on Avenue of the States, two full accesses off Idaho, and two accesses on Hovley East. The issue is access off of Hovley East. He stated that traffic counts were performed the previous week, and there were approximately 16,000 cars a day on Hovley. They are split 50/50 between east and westbound directions. At the driveways, the western driveway has about 4,000 cars a day and the eastern driveway has about 1,300. Member Archer inquired if the numbers were cars going in and out. Mr. Dierks replied yes. Mr. Dierks stated that the western driveway is about 45 percent of the volume of cars making the left turn in, and left turn out is about 25 percent of the volume. The left turn at the eastern driveway is very minimal. Member Harkins commented that it is illegal to make left turns. Mr. Dierks reported accidents related to the driveways: 1) before the dual lefts on Hovley East and Washington from the months of January 1, 2003, to July 31, 2008, there were nine total collisions; and 2) the 26 months since then, there have been six collisions. He mentioned that last month they did an overlay, and made a modification and shortened the left hand turn pockets that created more of a storage area for the people turning left from the western driveway. He stated that staff has been looking at some potential improvements such as "Keep Clear" signage, which may allow people to make a left. Another potential improvement is to construct a raised median to help keep people out of the eastern driveway. The last potential improvement is a full median between Idaho and Washington, which would reduce the number of left turns left turn accidents. GArda\Monica O'Reilly Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 1-20-11.docx 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2011 Member Harkins inquired how the shopping center would feel if there was a full median. Ms. Moore replied that she talked to the owner of the shopping center, and stated that this is their major access to the center and a great concern to them. The other concern is that the owner and Albertson's are negotiating the lease, which may be a significant change to their desire for this location. Mr. Dierks mentioned the costs for the different improvements. Due to the new striping, his plan is to monitor for the next three to four months. Member Harkins asked if the "Keep Clear" would only be on the west and not on the east driveway. Mr. Dierks replied yes. Member Harkins inquired if the "Keep Clear" signage helps. Mr. Dierks answered that it tends to help in some places. Member Campbell commented that people do not pay attention to signs, and he would prefer the median. Member Archer stated that daily he sees people blocking the number one lane trying to turn left into the center and also sees people driving in the turn lane; eventually something is going to happen. Mr. Dierks noted that the shortened pocket should help. Member Archer suggested modifying the center double yellow line. Member Crisp inquired if the problem is left in or left out. Mr. Dierks answered it is 50/50. Chairman Benford asked what the recommendation is. Mr. Dierks responded modifying the double yellow to a skip stripe so you can cut into the lane earlier and the "Keep Clear" signage. Councilwoman Benson asked if the median is something that should be looked at during the budget. Mr. Dierks responded that it would have to be a budget item. G:\rda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minules\2011\Minutes 1-20-11.docx 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2011 X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS Member Harkins announced that the PDCC Association will be celebrating their 50t" Birthday/Anniversary on Saturday, February 26, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Alice Marble Hall. B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS Councilman Spiegel reported that for the first two quarters of this year, sales tax is up 9.5 percent. C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON D. STAFF Mr. McCarthy mentioned that Governor Brown is looking at eliminating Redevelopment. It is something that staff is monitoring. He recommended that they contact their appropriate legislative representatives at the State level, if they have a concern about the ability to retain Redevelopment funds for the benefit of Project Area No. 4. He also mentioned that he would be at the forum for the PDCC Undergrounding Project. At the forum, he will have a straw poll to get a sense of whether or not to proceed. He said that he had hoped that the golf course would have resolved itself before reconnecting with the community, but that at least it is looking a lot better. Member Grubb inquired if there is a book or manual that lists Redevelopment projects that have been done in Palm Desert. Mr. McCarthy responded that staff is putting information together. Member Crisp asked if the Governor were to win this battle, would the funding for the undergrounding be taken away. Mr. McCarthy replied that it could. Councilmember Spiegel asked Mr. McCarthy in regards to Proposition 22 passing, does that mean they could take money away like last year. He responded that they cannot do a repeat of the ERAF takes that they have been taking. He noted that it may actually be a legal defense to what is being proposed right now. Girda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 1-20-11.docx 6 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2011 Ms. Schmidt inquired if there would be exceptions to projects that were already started. Mr. McCarthy answered that most projects that have been encumbered via a legal contract, typically when you have changes in the law like this, the contract is protected under both the State and the Federal constitution. XI. ADJOURNMENT Upon a unanimous motion by the Project Area No. 4 Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:42 p.m. Monica O'Reilly, Recording Se4ry G \rda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 1-20-11 docx 7