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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Citizen's Advisory Commuittee Project Area No. 4 10/17/2011PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT QREA NO. 4 MINUTES OCTOBER 17, 2011 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Benford convened the meeting at 3:03 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Fred Benford, Chairman Roberta Grubb, Vice Chair Terry Archer, Member Ron Crisp, Member Jane Daugherty, Member Phyllis Harkins, Member Absent: Russ Campbell, Member � �. � gu z, enior o e icer : Also Pr ������ �' �'e- BY RDA C�—�J esent. Robert Spiegel, Mayor Pro Tem ON i— ��-:�-C;1 � Jan Harnik, Councilmember VERIFIED BY�� Roger Dash, Planning Commissioner Original on file with City Cl�rk's Office Staff Present: Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Heather Buck, Project Coordinator Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Officer Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Ruth Ann Moore, Economic Development Manager Pedro Rodri e S' C d Off' III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Member Harkins again mentioned that the wall on Hovley still has dead shrubbery. She communicated that they have been having ongoing issues with the apartment complex on Michigan (Desert Mountain Apartments). They have signs with letters missing with one sign being on Warner Trail and one on Hovley. CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES OCTOBER 17, 2011 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPR�VAL OF THE MINUTES QF THE GfTIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2011. Minutes of the meeting from September 19, 2011, were unanimously approved as submitted and carried by a 6-0 vote with Member Campbell ABSENT. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. UPDATE ON PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE (Lauri Aylaian, Director of Planning) Mr. Kilpatrick stated that Ms. Aylaian was assisting a customer at the Planning Department counter, but that representatives from the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (CVMVCD) are present to give a presentation on the red ants at Palm Desert Country Club. Mr. McCarthy interjected that there is also a representative from the Palm Desert Country Club Golf Course. Ms. Maria Candy Kylis, CVMVCD, gave a presentation on fire ants. Chairman Benford inquired if Advion could be bought at the store. Ms. Kylis responded no because it has to be applied by a licensed technician. G:1rdalMonica 0'ReillylWord\PA No. 4lMinutes\20111Minutes 10-17-11.docz G CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES OCTOBER 17, 2011 Ms. Kylis stated that Palm Desert County Club Golf Course was treated on October 4, they treated the H�A common areas October 17, and they treated 105 residential areas in 2Q11. For fire ant inspections or treatments, contact (760) 342-8287 or www.cvmvcd.orq. Ms. Bobbye Dieckman, CVMVCD, communicated that red ants are a community problem. If your two neighbors have it and only you call for treatment and they don't, you will be re-infested. She suggested people talk to neighbors so they can call for treatment too. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked if the ants are seasonal or all year around. Ms. Dieckman responded that they are year around. Member Crisp inquired if there is a fee for treatment by CVMVCD. They said that there is no fee. Mr. McCarthy asked if there is a comparable problem anywhere else in the City. Ms. Dieckman replied yes. Mr. Kilpatrick asked CVMVCD if the situation became unusual, would they let the City know. They answered yes. Mr. McCarthy introduced Mr. Moe Sihota, one of the principal's of the Palm Desert Country Club Golf Course. Mr. Sihota stated that they purchased the golf course about 35 days ago, and they have been working full tilt trying to get the product up to market standard. They hope to introduce the golf course and clubhouse around January 1. He stated that they are in the process of establishing their administrative component of the golf course, which means hiring the chef to the bookkeeper. Mr. Sihota communicated that they are happy to be here, and they think that in the long run they could be an asset to the community. Member Crisp asked Mr. course or just the fairway wall to wall. Sihota if they are going to overseed the whole He responded they would overseed the course Chair Benford inquired what the fees would be. Mr. Sihota replied that they are currently working on the fees. Their goal is to create a golf course and offer a product that is exceptional for the price. He suspects that it would be in the neighborhood between $60 and $75, but hopes to give the golf course a$100 feel so people feel like they are getting their value. G:\rda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes12011UAinutes 10-17-11.docx 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES OCTOBER 17, 2011 Member Daugherty inquired about current memberships. Would they have to re-buy their membership? Mr. Sihota replied no and noted that pricing will be available on their webpage tt�morrow. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked if the clubhouse will open before the golf course. Mr. Sihota answered that he did not know. He stated that they are making some changes to the clubhouse, and they want to get it right before they open. He noted that receiving bids have been slow, he does not know how long it will take to get work done, and they also need to pass all inspections. Mr. Sihota commented that City staff has been very courteous and helpful. Member Crisp asked for the website address. Mr. Sihota responded it is www.palmdesertgolf.com. Chairman Benford asked if they would open by January 1. Mr. Sihota communicated that he wants to present a good product because you do not get a second chance to make good first impression. It is important to him on how they introduce themselves to the market so he would not under any circumstance rush the opening. Member Harkins mentioned that the homeowners' association office has received many calls to complain and that they have sent emails. She asked from this point forward, what is going to be the office staffing at the golf course so they could tell people there will be someone full time onsite at a certain date. Mr. Sihota answered that they try to respond to every email. He explained that they are currently overwhelmed with a quantum of work. He stated that he is planning on making some final decisions on administrative staff tomorrow or Wednesday, if satisfied, he hopes to have someone onsite by November 1. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked Member Harkins if the owners would be able to put an article in the monthly newsletter. She responded that she spoke with Mr. Sihota, and he had nothing that he wanted to place in the November newsletter. There is possibility something would be in the December newsletter. Member Archer interjected that there was an insert in the October newsletter. Mr. Sihota noted that they would be doing their own introductory newsletter to people within the area. G:1rdalMonica O'ReillylWordlPA No. 4\Minutes�20111Minutes 10-17-11.docx °+ CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES OCTOBER 17, 2011 Ms. Aylaian mentioned that staff is working on issuing a temporary permit for a maintenance facility. B. UPDATE ON THE CARLOS ORTEGA VILLAS (Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager) Mr. Martin Alvarez gave a presentation on the Carlos Ortega Villas. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked for an update on Casey's. Mr. Alvarez replied that they are still negotiating for the possible sale of that site. Member Crisp asked what the project cost is. Mr. Alvarez responded $20 million was budgeted. Mr. Alvarez also gave a presentation on the traffic flow at Carlos Ortega Villas. Chairman Benford inquired if rent would be based on income. Mr. Alvarez replied yes. There was brief discussion on Section 8. Member Harkins inquired if the solar panels are going to be flat on the Carlos Ortega Villas. Mr. Alvarez answered yes. Member Harkins thanked City staff for keeping the area clean. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS Chairman Benford thanked staff for bringing in the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District to the meeting. Member Archer mentioned that there seems to be more gang activity, vandalism, graffiti, and arrests going on around the apartment complex on Michigan. Is there any way to get more law enforcement in that area to show a presence? Ms. Aylaian responded that the best thing to do is to call the police consistently when there are concerns. If there is anything that is code related, please call the City's Code Department. Mr. McCarthy commented that they would bring it to the attention of the Police Chief. G:Uda\Monica O'ReilfylWord\PA No. 4\Minutes�20111Minutes 10-17-11.docx �J CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES OCTOBER 17, 2011 Member Harkins mentioned that she spoke to the Public Safety Commission last Wednesday about the exact same matter and also talked ta �t. Shouse. B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON D. STAFF XI. ADJ4URNMENT Upon a unanimous motion by the Project Area No. 4 Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m. ' � � Monica O'Reilly, Recording Secre a G:\rda\Monica 0'ReillylWord\PA No. 41Minutes�20111Minutes 10-17-11.docx V