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2003 07 01 RDA Minutes LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY · ' MINUTES JULY 1, 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 Board Member Osborne did not participate in Item No. I because of a potential conflict of interest due to one of his employees owning one of the properties. 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 real property located at the southeast corner of Westward Ho/Dune Palms (APN: 649-040-001) and at Westward Ho east of Dune Palms (APN: 649-040-005). Property Owner/Negotiator: Susan Harvey. Redevelopment Agency recessed to Closed Session to and until the hour of 3:00 p.m. 3:00 P.M. The Redevelopment 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). PUBLIC COMMENT - None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed Redevelopment Agency Minutes 2 July 1, 2003 APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Adolph to approve the Redevelopment Agency Minutes of May 30, June 13, and June 17, 2003 as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR · 1. APPROVAL OF DEMAND REGISTER DATED JULY 1, 2003. MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Adolph/Sniff to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion carried unanimously. BUSINESS SESSION 1. CONSIDERATION OF MASTER SCHEDULE, RFP FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES AND PLANT INVENTORY SERVICES FOR SILVERROCK RANCH. Assistant Executive Director Weiss presented the staff report. Board Member Adolph noted the schedule for the golf architect and possibilities for construction seem to be on schedule. Mr. Weiss advised a more-detailed grading and drainage plan will be needed to keep Palmer Design on track once the routing plan is completed. The project is somewhat behind schedule and staff is trying to save some of that time in design of the golf course by having data ready and available to the golf architect. He noted it may be necessary to come back to modify the schedule to make sure everything comes together properly, including modification of the GMA contract or a separate contract. Board Member Adolph asked if the Agency will see progress in the golf course design, and have an opportunity to review it before it is completed. Mr. Weiss stated Palmer Design has indicated they will refine the routing plan to submit to staff and contract consultants for review then bring forward a mock design for the Agency to review. He added staff has reviewed the public process with the golf architect, and explained the need for design review. In response to Board Member Osborne, Development Coordinator Roy Stephenson stated some preliminary information from the master water plan may be available for the Agency before the study is completed. Redevelopment Agency Minutes 3 July 1, 2003 In response to Chairperson Henderson, Mr. Stephenson confirmed the master water plan should be completed in time for the golf architect to do the grass plan. Board Member Osborne asked if the size of the lake could have an impact on the golf course design. Mr. Stephenson stated it's possible but the lake could also be replaced with other elements of the golf course. Board Member Osborne stated he has some concerns about the master routing plan being done about the same time the master water plan is done. Mr. Weiss stated GMA has been asked to prepare alternative plans that allow for what the current plan shows, and to be able to aesthetically pare back the size of the lake should that amount of water not be available. He stated the preliminary analysis indicates the project can be designed with the acreage of surface water included in the draft plan. Should the Agency wish to minimize the surface water, an alternative land use plan would need to be prepared that accomplishes that objective. He noted the largest lake fronts the commercial and hotel pads, and although it parallels some of the first golf course, it shouldn't have a major impact on the golf course design. Some of the other more significant bodies of water are around the casitas in Phases II. He doesn't feel there is any indication that a relatively-significant reduction in the overall surface acreage of water would have a significant impact to the routing or initial designs of the first golf course. In response to Board Member Adolph, Mr. Weiss confirmed a reduction in the size of the lake would provide more land for the golf course and/or commercial/hotel pads. He added Palmer Design will be looking at the conceptual layout of the lakes and design as part of the golf architect contract, and will be looking at how much water is on the plan. Board Member Osborne noted that will be difficult if both will be finished at the same time. Mr. Weiss stated the timing of the water analysis is consistent with only the first phase of the golf architect's initial work. The second phase, which is when a more detailed analysis on the layout of the golf course will be done, will take months to finalize and be part of the design process. That will provide an opportunity for staff to get the water analysis information to the golf architect during the critical phase of the golf course design. Board Member Sniff noted some of the issues are specific to the first golf course, and he's not sure how that can be done without looking at the eventual totality of the project. He voiced concern about sacrificing long- term quality for a "rush to judgment" to get grass growing. He believes a complete analysis of the entire project is in order, and that water is the Redevelopment Agency Minutes 4 July 1, 2003 number-one issue. He's not sure GMA will be able to do the water analysis with total fidelity, and prefers taking a few extra months to make sure the project is done right. He doesn't believe the size of the lake can be determined until the water issue is settled. He also commented on the need for an underground analysis to find out what is underground, such as pipes. He feels there's a need for ability and timing to put the Agency's vision into the design of the golf course, and that the Agency needs multiple opportunities to provide input. Board Member Perkins stated he supports moving forward, and feels staff has prepared a good program. He thinks it would be a mistake to delay the project any length of time. MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Perkins/Adolph to approve the proposed SilverRock Ranch Implementation Master Schedule, authorize the distribution of an RFP for civil engineering services (Phases lA and lB), and authorize staff to solicit and retain the services of a Plant Inventory Consultant. In response to Board Member Adolph, Mr. Weiss confirmed the water management plan is scheduled to be finished in August. Until it is finished, he won't know whether or not it adequately addresses Board Member Sniff's concerns. He noted the project can be done in a linear fashion, and the water question answered definitively before taking the next step, if that is what the Agency wants, but that will take several months. He further noted CVWD is not likely to have a definitive answer on the use of Colorado River water until an agreement is worked out with the other water districts and any litigation is solved. That may not be accomplished until early next year, and would push the project off to January 2006 at a minimum. Board Member Adolph stated he feels it's important for the design element to move forward, and if water is not going to be available for lakes, the Agency may have to take a second look. He can work with the design aspect of the project as long as all of the questions and concerns are answered before construction begins. In response to Board Member Sniff, Mr. Weiss stated GMA will help staff bring the next level of detail to the master plan for the entire project so all phases are consistent with the overall master plan. Chairperson Henderson stated she believes water is a critical component of the project, and will be the deciding factor as to when construction begins. She noted everything has to match CVWD's regulations, and if there is no water, the golf course will not be built. She's in favor of moving forward and being mindful of all the elements involved. She noted the museum construction has been put on hold because the timing is not right, and that may need to happen with this project as well. Redevelopment Agency Minutes 5 July 1, 2003 Board Member Sniff asked when grading would begin, and when the water management plan, which will determine the fate of the project, will be done. Mr. Stephenson stated mass grading for Phase I is scheduled to be done in December, and the water management plan is scheduled to be received the end of August. Chairperson Henderson stated she believes the fate of the project lies in CVWD's ability to supply the water, and they have already indicated they can supply the water shown on the conceptual master plan. She pointed out the master plan was developed according to CVWD's standards. Mr. Weiss stated the City received a "will serve" letter from CVWD just prior to Colorado River water being temporarily restricted for all golf course and construction development in the Valley. He added CVWD has indicated the situation is temporary, and that they are working on arrangements to restore the water this fall or early next year. Board Member Adolph asked if the depths of the lakes were supplied to CVWD. Mr. Weiss stated the focus was more on the surface area because of evaporation rates Board Member Sniff stated he has evaporation records from the United States Department of Agriculture from 1909 to 1980. Mr. Weiss stated he would be glad to forward the records to Pace Engineering. Chairperson Henderson spoke in support of having the records available. Motion carried with Board Member Sniff voting NO. STUDY SESSION - None CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS' ITEMS - None PUBLIC HEARINGS - None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved by Board Members Sniff/Adolph to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, JUNE S. GREEK, Secretary City of La Quinta, California