2003 05 06 RDA Minutes LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES
MAY 6, 2003
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Redevelopment Agency was called to order by
Chairperson Henderson.
PRESENT: Board Members Adolph, Osborne, Perkins, Sniff, Chairperson Henderson
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENT- None
CLOSED SESSION
1. Conference with Agency's real property negotiator, Mark Weiss, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential terms and conditions
of acquisition and/or disposition of a portion of 525+ acres located at the
southwest corner of Avenue 52 and Jefferson Street. Property
Owner/Negotiator: John Foster.
2. Conference with Agency's real property negotiator, Mark Weiss, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential terms and conditions
of acquisition and/or disposition of a portion of 525_ acres located at the
southwest corner of Avenue 52 and Jefferson Street. Property
Owner/Negotiator: Michael Wiles Group.
3. Conference with Agency's real property negotiator, Mark Weiss, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential terms and conditions
of acquisition and/or disposition of real property located at the northwest corner
of Avenue 52 and Jefferson Street (APN 772-220-007). Property
Owner/Negotiator: Susan Harvey.
4. Conference with Agency's real property negotiator, Mark Weiss, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential terms and conditions
of acquisition and/or disposition of real property located southeast of the Miles
Avenue and Washington Street intersection and north of the Whitewater
Channel (APNs 604-040-012/013 and 604-040-022/023). Property
Owner/Negotiator: Richard Oliphant, California Intelligent Communities, LLC).
The Agency recessed to Closed Session to and until the hour of 3:00 pm.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes 2 May 6, 2003
3:00 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA- Confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION -It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Adolph to approve the Minutes of
April 15, 2003, as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF DEMAND REGISTER DATED MAY 6, 2003.
MOTION -It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Adolph to approve the
Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion carried unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CONCEPTUAL MASTER
PLAN FOR THE LA QUINTA GOLF AND RESORT PROJECT.
Assistant Executive Director Weiss presented the staff report. He advised
during the interviews, 10 golf architects indicated 185 acres is adequate for a
golf course, and 4 indicated 185 acres would be sufficient but they preferred
200 acres. He stated the consultant will address the issue of trail options.
Gil Martinez, consultant with GMA International, reviewed trail options A
through D.
Board Member Adolph noted Option D would keep hikers away from the golf
area and maybe allow longer fairways.
Chairperson Henderson asked if a combination of options could be used, to
which Mr. Martinez responded, "Yes."
Redevelopment Agency Minutes 3 May 6, 2003
Board Member Sniff referenced a meeting he and the City Manager had with the
Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan Advisory Group at CVAG last week,
and stated they didn't provide much assurance that trails in the mountains were
in the current plans.
Executive Director Genovese stated the group indicated the Habitat Plan would
have to be amended, as opposed to including the trails with the plan they are
currently proposing.
Board Member Sniff stated he understood an amendment process is yet to be
defined, and voiced caution about getting any hopes up that the trail can be
included.
Chairperson Henderson stated her discussions about the trail with Department
of Fish & Game representatives have not been negative, and commented on the
need to include the trail now so as not to lose the opportunity. In addition to
a trail in the mountain area, she feels the trail in Option A will be needed to
access the special use area.
Board Member Adolph noted the area will be accessible by road, and stated he
feels the trail should be along the mountain perimeter.
Chairperson Henderson suggested leaving the option to hike back to the special
use area in case it is needed.
Board Member Osborne concurred.
Chairperson Henderson stated the PGA West Homeowners Association has
expressed concerns about a trail along the mountains, and has asked that their
concerns be addressed.
Board Member Adolph commented on CVWD disallowing use of canal water for
golf courses due to the Federal restriction of Colorado River water, and asked
if a well site exists on the property that will do the job.
Mr. Weiss stated there may be space for one additional well site on the property
near the roundabout but noted that level of the project plan has not been
reached. He stated as many as eight well sites may be needed, and staff is
looking for additional off-site well locations.
Chris Bergh, of MDS Consulting, stated the property will probably accommodate
two well sites, and eight will be needed for the entire project.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes 4 May 6, 2003
Board Member Adolph commented on the need to make sure water is available
for the lakes.
In response to Board Member Osborne, Mr. Bergh indicated golf courses need
one million gallons of water each day. He added there are a lot of things
involved with determining how many well sites are needed.
In response to Board Member Adolph, Mr. Bergh confirmed the irrigation runoff
will be retained in lakes.
In response to Board Member Sniff, Mr. Bergh stated CVWD's standard well
depth is 1,200 feet.
Board Member Sniff commented on the need for long-term assurance of water
availability.
Mr. Martinez stated the next step may be to prepare a water plan for the
project, and noted CVWD has new recharge programs to remedy the water
situation.
Chairperson Henderson commented on the inability to dig a lake on the property
until we have assurances on water availability.
Board Member Adolph stated he has asked the City Manager to write a letter
to CVWD on behalf of two golf courses that have been told by CVWD that they
have to convert their water source from the canal to private wells within one
week, and they don't have private wells. He suggested having a presentation
by CVWD to bring the City up to date on the water issue.
Chairperson Henderson suggested dealing with the project name after dealing
with the resolution for the concept plan.
In response to Board Member Sniff, Mr. Martinez stated the plan has been
reviewed by the Arnold Palmer group and David Chapman, as well as other golf
course experts. He noted GMA has also done over 200 golf courses. He stated
the golf architect will have a lot of latitude in the plan because there is a lot of
acreage to work with. He believes, however, that five different golf architects
will come up with five different designs, and if given a blank sheet to work
with, the architects will take more than 200 acres for each golf course, and
leave the City what is left. He stated there's at least 10% flexibility built into
the plan.
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Butch Riber, 78-835 Lima, urged the Agency to approve the concept plan, and
commented on the appropriateness of naming the project Silver Rock Ranch.
He also suggested that a marketing consultant be hired right away.
Board Member Adolph stated since the golf architects indicated during the
interview process that they could live within the parameters of the plan, he no
longer has a problem supporting it.
RESOLUTION NO. RA 2003-08
A RESOLUTION OF THE LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY
OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN
FOR THE LA QUINTA GOLF AND RESORT PROJECT.
It was moved by Board Members Perkins/Osborne to adopt Resolution No. RA
2003-08 as submitted.
Board Member Perkins noted the Agency will be the final authority on any
changes to the plan, and stated he has faith in the work staff and the
consultant have done on this project.
Board Member Sniff stated he still feels it would have been better to select a
golf architect before approving the conceptual plan, and pointed out the
keyword is "conceptual." He stated he would support the plan but wants to be
sure a water master plan is done as soon as possible to make sure the project
is "doable."
Motion carried unanimously.
Board Member Sniff suggested selection of a name be postponed until a golf
architect is on board.
Board Member Adolph stated he understood one of the residents sent a fax to
the City suggesting "Watermark" or "Waterline" as a name for the project.
Ms. Ackerman stated the names "Waterline" or "Watermark" were not included
on the website and, therefore, not part of the vote tally. She suggested the
possibility of using "Waterline" for the name of the boutique hotel. She
reviewed the short list of five names with potential marks (Iogos), and advised
they recommend "Silver Rock Ranch" since it was voted //1 on the website.
She distributed T-shirts, mugs, etc. to the Agency with the five potential names
and Iogos.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes 6 May 6, 2003
Board Member Adolph noted there are golf courses in California with the names
Silverado and Silver Lakes. He asked how many hits the website received on
the vote. Ms. Ackerman stated she didn't know but could find out and let staff
know in the morning.
Chairperson Henderson noted it was made clear before the final vote tally on the
website that the Agency would make the final decision on the name.
Board Member Perkins stated he feels it's important to have a project name to
give to people, and is opposed to postponing the decision. He stated he doesn't
know the meaning of some of the names.
Board Member Osborne stated he believes selecting a name will start the
marketing aspect of the project, and that although golf is an important part of
the project, he doesn't feel it should control it.
Board Member Adolph stated he feels "Silver Rock Ranch at La Quinta" is too
long, and doesn't have anything to do with the property. He believes the name
should depict the area, and likes Watermark because it does.
Ms. Ackerman commented on the need to have flexibility with other land use
elements in the project, and the need to have a name to market the project.
Board Member Adolph questioned marketing being a problem since people are
already approaching the City about the project.
Chairperson Henderson stated she understood Silver Rock Ranch was suggested
by Board Member Perkins after the last meeting. She has shared the possibility
of that name with other individuals who have provided input on how it might be
used in the project.
Board Member Sniff asked when a golf architect is expected to be hired, and
Mr. Weiss stated the target is by June. Mr. Sniff stated he would like to wait
and see what the architect says about the name. He feels "Watermark at
La Quinta" is a more logical and defensible name, and stated he will not support
"Silver Rock Ranch."
Ms. Ackerman noted if a name is selected today it can be included in the
package put together by GMA.
Chairperson Henderson stated she feels the story/myth told by Fred Rice about
silver being hidden in the La Quinta mountains provides relevance to the name.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes 7 May 6, 2003
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Perkins/Osborne to name the
municipal golf course project "Silver Rock Ranch at La Quinta."
Board Member Perkins stated he feels Spanish names will not mean anything
to most people that visit the project.
Chairperson Henderson stated she hates to see lines drawn in the sand on what
she feels is probably the most important part of the project. She questioned
why the Agency would allow the golf architect to influence the name of the
project.
Board Member Adolph stated he cannot vote for "Silver Rock Ranch" because
it sounds like a dude ranch but will go along with whatever the Agency decides.
Board Member Osborne noted both the professionals and the residents like the
name, and he feels it will work.
Motion carried with Board Members Adolph and Sniff voting NO.
2. CONSIDERATION OF A CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TOM
FROST GOLF, INC. TO PROVIDE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR SERVICES
FOR THE LA QUINTA GOLF AND RESORT PROJECT.
Assistant Executive Director Weiss presented the staff report.
Torn Frost, 11457 Harrisburg Road, Los Alamitos, of Tom Frost Golf, Inc.,
introduced his associate, Ron Hagen. He stated their role will be to execute the
game plan set by the City and to make sure the bidding guidelines are met.
Ron Hagen, 304 San Vicente Circle, Palm Desert, stated he has worked on a
number of golf course projects. He added they would be tracking everything in
the project to make sure it's done right.
In response to Board Member Adolph, Mr. Hagen stated he serves as principal
consultant for the firm, and his office is located in his Palm Desert home.
In response to Board Member Sniff, Mr. Frost indicated Mr. Hagen is a
consultant and not an employee. He added this will be the first time Mr. Hagen
works under contract for the firm.
In response to Chairperson Henderson, Mr. Weiss stated the practice of putting
groups together to provide needed expertise is quite common. He added the
Redevelopment Agency Minutes 8 May 6, 2003
selection committee was looking for multi-faceted skill in golf and public
processing.
Board Member Osborne stated he has asked the second-highest ranking firm,
David Chapman, to attend this meeting to respond to some questions.
In response to Board Member Osborne, David Chapman, 78-495 Coyote Court,
stated he knows of Mr. Frost and respects his work. He gave a brief overview
of his own background and ways he feels he could help the project. Regarding
the use of local contractors when he did The Tradition, he stated they went
outside the area for most of the subcontractors . He added that he has not
dealt with the public process.
In response to Board Member Adolph, Mr. Chapman stated he owns a golf
course development company, and has staff at his office located at The
Tradition. He stated he feels he was the catalyst for getting The Tradition
project done and is proud of it.
Chairperson Henderson commented on the difficulties involved with public
works projects, such as prevailing wage issues, and noted this six-month
contract would restrict him from having any other part in the project.
Mr. Chapman stated he understands the restriction but was hoping it might
work into a longer position. As for prevailing wage issues, he noted the City
has that information, and stated he feels he can bring a team to the project.
Chairperson Henderson pointed out public projects have to be put out to bid,
and it is that process that will determine the team.
Mr. Chapman stated he feels he can bring the best people to the table for the
bid process.
Board Member Sniff stated he would be interested in knowing his rate and if he
has the ability to fulfill the contract.
Board Member Adolph stated he cannot support the contract. He is
uncomfortable about both Mr. Frost and Mr. Hagen working out of their homes,
and wants to deal with viable businesses.
Chairperson Henderson noted the number of home offices have increased.
Board Member Adolph stated that is okay for small projects but not for a project
this size.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes 9 May 6, 2003
In response to Board Member Perkins, Mr. Weiss stated staff has conducted a
more extensive background check on Mr. Frost's agency, and added, although
staff has worked with Mr. Chapman, they have not negotiated a contract with
him.
MOTION - It was moved by Board Member Perkins and Chairperson Henderson
to authorize the Executive Director to execute a Contract Services Agreement
with Tom Frost Golf, Inc. to provide development coordinator services for the
"Silver Rock Ranch at La Quinta" project. Motion failed with Board Members
Adolph, Osborne, and Sniff voting NO.
Chairperson Henderson noted the matter will go back to staff.
3. CONSIDERATION OF CONSULTANT SELECTION AND INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
FOR GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS.
Assistant Executive Director Weiss presented the staff report, and advised the
selection committee has recommended the following firms be interviewed by
the Agency: Palmer Course Design Company, Gary Panks Associates, Jacobsen
Hardy Golf Course Design, and John Fought Design. He stated the ranking was
not based on the firms' cost proposals.
In response to Board Member Adolph, Mr. Weiss stated the top cost proposal
was over $2 million but that firm is not on the short list. The cost proposals
from the firms on the short list range from $800,000 to $1,000,000.
Chairperson Henderson suggested scheduling a special meeting for the interview
process.
Board Member Sniff stated he supports interviewing the top four firms, and with
holding a special meeting as soon as possible. He also suggested each firm be
allowed 45 minutes beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Board Member Osborne concurred with interviewing four firms and holding a
special meeting.
Board Member Adolph agreed with interviewing four firms.
After a brief discussion, the Agency concurred to continue this item until the
evening session to determine a date for the special meeting.
The Agency recessed to and until 7:00 p.m.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes 10 May 6, 2003
7:00 P. M.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
BUSINESS SESSION ............. continued
3. CONSIDERATION OF CONSULTANT SELECTION AND INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
FOR GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS.
(This item was continued from the afternoon session.)
After a brief discussion of available dates and times, the Agency instructed staff
to schedule the interviews for golf course architects for 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
STUDY SESSION'- None
CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS' ITEMS - None
The Agency recessed to Closed Session as delineated on Page 1.
The Agency meeting reconvened with no decisions being made in Closed Session
which require reporting pursuant to Section 54957.1 of the Government Code (Brown
Act).
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
JUNE S. GREEK, Agency Secretary
La Quinta Redevelopment Agency