2003 03 18 CC Minutes LA QUINTA CITY COUNCIL
; - MINUTES
MARCH 18, 2003
o A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at the hour of
2:00 p.m. by Mayor Adolph.
PRESENT: Council Members Henderson, Osborne, Perkins, Sniff, Mayor Adolph
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CLOSED SESSION - None
CounCil recessed to Redevelopment Agency to and until the hour of 3:00 p.m.
3:00 P.M.
Mayor Adolph led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
ANNOUNCEMENTS - None
PRESENTATIONS - None
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE - None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION - It was moved by Council Members Sniff/Osborne to approve the City
Council Minutes of March 4, 2003, as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.
City Council Minutes 2 March 18, 2003
CONSENT CALENDAR
In response to a question by Council Member Osborne regarding Item No. 2, Finance
Director Falconer advised there have not been any major changes in the portfolio since
January 31, 2003. He stated, due to the uncertainty of international events at this
time, $500,000 is being kept on hand for emergency purposes in the checking
account.
Lucia Moran, P. O. Box 1305, stated she was available to answer questions regarding
Item No. 8. In response to Mayor Adolph, she confirmed the requested funding is
sufficient to cover the costs as funding for the winners to attend the National event
comes from other aspects of the community. She stated Greater Coachella Valley is
used in the name because National rules require the name to reflect the entire area
participating in the local event.
1. APPROVAL OF DEMAND REGISTER DATED MARCH 4, 2003,
2. TRANSMITTAL OF TREASURER'S REPORT FOR JANUARY 31, 2003.
3. TRANSMITTAL OF REVENUE & EXPENDITURES REPORT FOR JANUARY 31,
2003.
4. APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH DAVID EVANS AND ASSOCIATES FOR CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE CITY'S THIRD FIRE STATION NO. 93,
PROJECT 2001-14.
5. APPROVAL OF AWARD OF CONTRACT TO HTE, INC. FOR PURCHASE AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF FINANCIAL SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS.
6. APPROVAL OF A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH THE MANNINOS
FOR THE CITY'S ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTH
OF HIGHWAY 111 AND EAST OF ADAMS STREET AND IDENTIFIED AS A
PORTION OF ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO. 649-020-006 FOR THE PURPOSE OF
ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS - THE EXTENSION OF LA QUINTA DRIVE.
7. APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH REVENUE
EXPERTS, INC. FOR SERVICES RELATED TO ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION
PROCESSING.
8. APPROVAL OF FUNDING REQUEST FROM THE GREATER COACHELLA VALLEY
SOAPBOX DERBY.
City Council Minutes 3 March 18, 2003
MOTION -It was moved by COuncil Members Sniff/Henderson to approve the
Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion carried unanimously. MINUTE
ORDER NO. 2003-27.
.,
BUSINESS SESSION
1. CONSIDERATION OF A FUNDING REQUEST BY THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN
WARS (VFW).
Community Services Director Horvitz presented the staff report.
Mayor Adolph asked if the $300 deposit is refundable, to which Ms. Horvitz
responded, "yes."
MOTION - It was moved by Council Members Henderson/Perkins to approve the
Community Services Grant for facility use of the La Quinta Senior Center by the
Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) on April 26, 2003, with funding to come from
the Special Projects Contingency Account. Motion carried unanimously.
MINUTE ORDER NO. 2003-28.
2. CONSIDERATION OF AWARD OF CONTRACT TO CONSTRUCT PHASE II FRITZ
BURNS PARK COURT IMPROVEMENTS, PROJECT NO. 2000-15A.
Public Works Director Jonasson presented the staff report.
In response to Council Member Henderson, Senior Engineer Freeland stated
there are not enough pavers left from the Calle Estado improvements to do all
of Avenida La Fonda, and a new order will be placed when those improvements
move forward. He confirmed the extras left over from Calle Estado can be used
for other areas, such as this project.
In response to Council Member Osborne, Mr. Jonasson confirmed only one bid
was received on this project.
Mayor Adolph stated he feels Alternate #3 is the best way to proceed..Council
concurred.
MOTION - It was moved by Council Members Sniff/Henderson to: 1) approve
- funding in the amount of $65,000 from Quimby Funds in order to award Project
No. 2000-15A; 2) award a contract to Courtmaster Sports, Inc'. in the amount
of $129,654 to construct Base Bid and Additive Alternate Concept No. 3
City Council Minutes 4 March 18, 2003
improvements for Phase II Fritz Burns Park Court Improvements, Project No.
2000-15A; and 3) approve the proposed project construction budget. Motion
carried unanimously. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2003-29.
3. CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S
DECISION OF JANUARY 28, 2003, APPROVING SIGN APPLICATION 2003-679
FOR A SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT TO ALLOW THE REPLACEMENT OF
TWO MONUMENT SIGNS AND THE REMOVAL OF ONE MONUMENT SIGN,
SUBJECT TO FINDING AND CONDITIONS, LOCATED WITHIN THE VON'S
SHOPPING CENTER AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF WASHINGTON STREET
AND HIGHWAY 111. APPELLANT: JIM SYMONS/CENSOURCE.
Community Development Director Herman presented the staff report, and
reviewed a rendering of the proposed signage.
In response to Mayor Adolph, Mr. Herman compared the size of the proposed
sign to the current sign, and noted the proposed sign is slightly smaller. He
stated the sign on Washington Street will be moved back and the two palm
trees removed to provide better visibility, the sign by Lumpy's will be in the
same location, and the sign next to Downey Savings will be eliminated. He
advised the issue being appealed by the applicant is the size of the letters. He
noted the applicant wants to reduce the letter size but the Planning Commission
chose not to deal with that issue.
In response to Council Member Henderson, Mr. Herman confirmed the Planning
Commission had the latitude to approve what was submitted to them but chose
not to. He further confirmed the City Code requires letters of at least 10 inches
but signs can be personalized through the sign program.
In response to Council Member Osborne, Mr. Herman stated the 10-inch letter
size requirement allows for better visibility on high-speed traffic areas. He
added the applicant has not proposed alternate signage at the 1 0-inch letter size
requirement.
Mayor Adolph asked if the applicant would be changing the signs if the appeal
is not approved, to which Mr. Herman responded that he doesn't know.
Tim Pitts, 1500 S. Sunkist Street #H, Anaheim, of Censource, pointed out the
letter height dictates the width of the sign, and the sign on Highway 111 is
between two palm trees and can't be widened. The sign would have to be
taller and wider to accommodate the required letter size, and they don't want
to remove the palm trees at that location.
City Council Minutes 5 March 18, 2003
In response to Council Member Perkins, Mr. Pitts stated the Von's letters are
close to the same size in the current and proposed signs.
Council Member Sniff stated he is persuaded by the arguments in favor of the
applicant, and doesn't have a problem with the variable letter size.
Council Member Osborne concurred.
Council Member Henderson agreed, and stated she feels moving the sign back
on Washington Street is a significant opportunity for the City.
Council Member Perkins concurred, and complimented the shopping center for
being one of the best-looking shopping centers around.
Mayor Adolph expressed appreciation for the smaller signage, and for moving
the one on Washington Street back.
MOTION -It was moved by Council Members Sniff/Henderson to uphold the
appeal by Jim Symons/Censource (for signage at Plaza La Quinta) and support
all other Planning Commission conditions of approval for Sign Application
2003-679. Motion carried unanimously. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2003-30.
STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSSION OF ALTERNATIVE STREET ALIGNMENTS FOR THE JEFFERSON
STREET PHASE II IMPROVEMENTS IN THE INDIAN SPRINGS NEIGHBORHOOD
BETWEEN WESTWARD HO DRIVE AND WHITEWATER STORM CHANNEL.
Public Works Director Jonasson presented the staff report.
Bob Ross, of RBF Engineering, reviewed three alignment alternatives for
Jefferson Street.
In reference to Alternative #1, Mayor Adolph suggested the possibility of
recouping the loss in parking spaces by utilizing the vacant home lots for
parking. He also voiced concern about Fiesta Drive being so close to the bridge
crossing.
Mr. Ross stated Fiesta Drive is proposed to be a right-in, right-out movement,
which will improve safety at that intersection.
City Council Minutes 6 March 18, 2003
In response to Council Member Osborne, Mr. Ross stated the 17th home in
Alternative #1 is on the south side of the bridge crossing. As for the extra
width of 40 to 50 feet under Alternative #1, he stated the golf course may not
want to purchase it because of maintenance costs, and it's too narrow to sell
as development property. He confirmed the area could be used for parking but
noted it is a distance from the clubhouse.
Council Member Henderson noted the area along Fred Waring Drive that Palm
Desert turned into a linear park looks good.
In response to Council Member Perkins, Mr. Ross stated the extra bridge costs
in Alternatives #2 and #3 are included and offset the home purchase costs in
Alternative #1. He confirmed there will be six lanes north of Westward Ho to
Indio Boulevard.
Mr. Jonasson advised a petition in favor of Alternative #1 with 15 signatures
has been received -- of those 11 are homeowners, 2 live in the area but do not
own property, 1 owns a vacant lot, and the other is the golf course operator.
He stated there is potential for the City to purchase property ahead of time from
consenting property owners instead going through the eminent domain process.
He added staff can return with more details at a later date if Council is
interested in doing that.
Council Member Henderson stated she would like to have information on the
early purchase program as soon as possible because she believes the affected
residents would like to get on with their lives, and understands one of them was
just diagnosed with cancer. She supports Alternative #1, and stated she is not
sure the City can produce a product under Alternatives #2 and #3 that residents
on either side of the street would support.
Council Member Perkins stated he supports Alternative #1, and feels the other
two concepts would be difficult for residents and not advantageous if they later
try to sell their properties. He noted taking both sides of the street will provide
sufficient width to accommodate bike lanes and a proper median. He believes
the six lanes will be full as soon as they open, and that the widening of
Jefferson Street will relieve some of the traffic on Washington Street.
Council Member Osborne spoke in support of Alternative #1 because he feels
it's better financially and better for the residents. He asked if the City has
received any negative comments on Alternative #1 from affected property
owners.
City Council Minutes 7 March 18, 2003
Mr. Jonasson stated the aforementioned petition is the only response received
regarding the alignment, and Alternative//1 seems to be the preference.
Council Member Sniff commented that he feels Alternative//1 is the only logical
answer, and he supports an early purchase program. He likes the bridge and
street being straight, and the open land on each side of the street.
Mayor Adolph stated he feels Alternative//1 is the common sense concept, and
he hopes the City can be equitable with the property owners so everyone is
happy. He feels widening both sides of the street will beautify the community
and provide more open space.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
C. V. Mountains Conservancy -- CounCil Member Sniff reported they had a prolonged
discussion at their last meeting about the trail behind Laguna de la Paz, and there was
a 10-2 vote in favor of not letting it go.
League of California Cities-Riverside Division -- Council Member Henderson announced
the May General Meeting will be held in La Quinta on May 1 2th.
Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention & Visitor's Authority -- Council Member
Henderson reported she was appointed to a subcommittee that will be looking into the
legal aspects of Indian tribes being full or part members of the Board, much like they
are at CVAG. She stated the idea was brought up by Supervisor Wilson's Office, and
the committee will be looking at a number of issues and reporting back to the
Authority. She noted there are a number of items with the Authority that don't
correlate with CVAG, such as Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), which the Indians do
not pay. Additionally, Desert Hot Springs is asking the Authority, as one of their
creditors, to take a more active position in supporting their bankruptcy efforts.
All other reports were noted and filed.
City Council Minutes 8 March 15, 2003
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
5-A. REPORT REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN THE JUDGING OF THE WASTE TO
WONDERS CHALLENGE, APRIL 11-17, 2003, AT THE RIVER IN RANCHO
MIRAGE AS REQUESTED BY S.C.R.A.P.
Council Member Sniff suggested Community Development Director Herman
represent the City as a judge in the Art Challenge. Council unanimously
concurred.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' ITEM - None
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved by Council Members Perkins/Osborne
to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
JUNE S. GREEK, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California