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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Citizens' Advisory Committee Project Area 4 09/19/2011PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Benford convened the meeting at 3:02 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Fred Benford, Chairman Terry Archer, Member Russ Campbell, Member Ron Crisp, Member Jane Daugherty, Member Phyllis Harkins, Member Absent: Roberta Grubb, Vice Chair Berit Reistad-Daly, Member Staff Present: Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment >, � rya ��1N (5-i✓� Also Present: QY RDA OIV %/ -1 �, ` ` � / Robert Spiegel, Mayor Pro Tern / Jan Harnik, Councilmember VE ! IED BY - Roger Dash, Planning Commissioner Original on file. with City C2rk's Office ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Member Harkins mentioned that on Hovley between Oasis Club and Idaho there is a block wall that Redevelopment installed about seven or eight years ago and on the front side there is landscape. There is a lot of landscape that is now dead. She inquired if there is landscape and lighting district for that area. Ms. Aylaian responded that the wall was installed about 11 years ago, and she believes it is for the City to maintain. She said that she would look into it. CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF JULY 18, 2011. Minutes of the meeting from July 18, 2011, were unanimously approved as submitted and carried by a 6-0 vote with Members Grubb 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 (Lauri Aylaian, Director of Planning) Ms. Aylaian was happy to inform the Committee that the code enforcement case that has been open for several years finally closed about a week ago. The course has been maintained consistently in recent months in a manner that is acceptable. She stated that the property has changed ownership a week ago. The new owner did their due diligence and met with staff before closing escrow. She noted that they are targeting an opening for the first of the year. Member Archer mentioned that he had a private meeting with the owners after they came to the association and made a presentation to the Board of Palm Desert Country Club (PDCC). He said that the meeting instilled confidence. The owners have done their homework, and seem sincere in GArda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 9-19-11.docx 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 their efforts. He mentioned that the owners are looking at possibly opening the clubhouse a little earlier maybe around Thanksgiving. Member Daugherty asked if there were any discussions about an assessment district. Member Archer stated that he believes they submitted a proposal to the City on their thoughts of doing some type of an assessment that would be done so it is collected through property taxes given to the City to hold. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked Mr. McCarthy if he has had any conversations about an assessment with the owners. He responded that he had an extensive conversation with one of the principals of the firm. He stated that he shared information on the feedback that was received while presenting the undergrounding project. He also shared that the community feels they have been abused with the whole process, and that they would need a "Show Me" period before going out to the community. Mr. McCarthy let the owner know that there were some people interested in an assessment, but then there were some people that rejected the concept. Councilwoman Harnik inquired if there has been any talk about doing a town hall to begin an exchange or make the people feel like they are part of the process. Member Archer responded that their Board offered to allow them to use their meeting area to do such a thing. He feels that at the right time they are willing to meet with the community. Member Archer commented that the owners mentioned if there were an assessment district, they would offer perks to the property owners either by reduced golf fees and reduced food and beverage fees, and other things to encourage residents to use the club. Mr. McCarthy stated that he did extend an invitation to their general manager to introduce themselves to the Committee. Ms. Aylaian interjected that they will be here at a future meeting. Mrs. Carol Benford (42880 Tennessee) commented that at one time they talked about a limited assessment district for people that have homes adjacent to the golf course. She inquired if it ever comes to a point of bringing it forward, would it have to come from the citizens and not the owners. Mr. McCarthy responded that is the City's preference. Member Crisp mentioned that the ownership seems to be very secret about who they are, which sends a red flag in his mind. Member Archer replied that he thinks they are flying under the clouds for a little bit to get G:\rda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 9-19-11.docx 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 their feet in and get established rather than getting inundated by everybody coming in and wanting answers because they don't have the answers just yet. Councilwoman Harnik commented that they might build a bridge if they send a letter to that effect to the homeowners' to get rid of those red flags. Member Harkins stated that the owners are taking a full page in their October newsletter. Mr. McCarthy commented that he has talked to 10 different entities in depth, and the owners seem to be the most sophisticated of the ones he has talked to. They asked the right questions. They seem to have a good grasp at what they were getting into. Councilwoman Harnik stated that the whole community, and understandably so, has been in such a state of upheaval through ownership one after the other. The best thing to do right now is keep communication open. Chairman Benford mentioned that the possibility of an assessment can keep the golf course going long term, but it is matter of setting up the rules. B. UPDATE ON THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY LEGISLATION BILLS (Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment) Mr. McCarthy reported that the legislature and the Governor adopted AB 26 the dissolution of redevelopment across the state and AB 27 is to adopt an ordinance to continue the redevelopment agency subject to paying a certain amount to the state. He stated that the City has adopted AB 27, which is the ordinance to continue the redevelopment agency. However, the League of California Cities and California Redevelopment Association have filed suit against the State. It has been taken under consideration by the State Supreme Court. The State Supreme Court issued a stay on everything, which moots anything we have done to date with the exception of contracts that were already in place and approved. He stated that the Agency is still moving forward on the design for the Carlos Ortega Villas, but pre-empted from entering into a development agreement for a construction contract until it sorts itself out. The court has tried to time the deliberations, the hearings, and briefs so they are able to make a decision prior to January 15. January 15 is the date of the first payment under the continuation ordinance. He noted that we would not know our fate until December or until the first of the year. GArda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 9-19-11 docx 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 Chairman Benford clarified that any projects that have been started will continue but nothing new. Mr. McCarthy responded that contracts that have been started like the design (architectural agreement) for the Carlos Ortega Villas is still moving forward; however, assuming that the City received all approvals and construction documents are completed, the City could not move forward in terms of retaining a contractor to build the units or developer to develop the units. He stated that there are certain things that are moving forward, but they will come to a stop until we get the ultimate disposition of the Redevelopment Agency sorted out. There was brief discussion on Proposition 22 and new legislation to clean up bills AB 26 and AB 27. Chairman Benford asked why continue with the design of Carlos Ortega Villas, if you are unable to build them. Mr. McCarthy replied that the design would have value in terms of actually building units there, but the question is who will build those units. Chairman Benford inquired if a private enterprise could take over a project like that. Mr. McCarthy answered no. It might be the Agency or successor, which would be the City. Member Archer asked how many units are there suppose to be. Mr. McCarthy replied 72 units. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel mentioned there will be a Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, and said staff could bring a map of the route to the next meeting. Ms. Aylaian stated that it is scheduled for December 31. Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel explained that the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon has a live band after every mile. The marathon starts and ends at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and the City of Palm Desert has put in some money for the Police Department to maintain the streets. He mentioned that the Marriott is one of the sponsoring hotels. It will start at 10:00 a.m. on New Year's Eve. GArda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 9-19-11.docx 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel commented that a Red Lobster will be built where the old Bananaz Restaurant building used to be. At the next City Council meeting, there will be a request for fagade enhancement funds to install drywells throughout the property to take care of any ground water. C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON D. STAFF XI. ADJOURNMENT Upon a unanimous motion by the Project Area No. 4 Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m. Monica O'Reilly, Recording Secrgry G:\rda\Monica O'Reilly Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 9-19-11.docx 6