2003 08 19 RDA Minutes LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
i~'-- MINUTES
I AUGUST 19, 2003
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Redevelopment Agency was called to
order by Chairperson Henderson.
PRESENT: Board Members Osborne, Perkins, Sniff, Chairperson Henderson
ABSENT: Board Member Adolph
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Perkins/Sniff to excuse Board
Member Adolph. Motion carried unanimously.
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.
Redevelopment Agency recessed to Closed Session to and until the hour of
3:00 p.m.
3:00 P.M.
The Agency concurred to take up Study Session Item No. 1 at this time.
STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSSION OF A WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN, CONCEPTUAL
GRADING PLAN, CONCEPTUAL PERIMETER LANDSCAPE PLAN, AND
PROJECT ENTRY CONCEPT PLANS FOR SILVERROCK RANCH.
.._ Assistant Executive Director Weiss presented the staff report.
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Gil Martinez, of GMA International, gave a brief overview of the
planning process for each of the components.
Sonny Sim, project manager with Pace Engineering, stated their first
step is to get a plan in place that has the right amount of turf and
landscape to match the amount of water available for the site. The
report will have options with the first being a preferred project
alternative coordinated with the planner and golf course architects.
Second will be a plan with traditional and advanced water'
conservation methodologies, and third they will look at ways to reduce
turf, landscaping, and lakes in the preferred alternative to match the
amount of water available. They are coordinating with CVWD on the
use of canal water, and are doing studies to make sure there is
enough capacity in the onsite wells to supplement if canal water
should not be available. They will need a routing plan to complete the
water management plan.
In response to Board Member Osborne, Mr. Sim stated, currently, the
plan does not include underground water storage. Regarding use of
recycled grey water for irrigation, he stated that is a possibility, and
CVWD recommends it. He stated the lake depths will depend on the
size of each lake, and confirmed they are looking to route canal water
into the lakes then back to the canal.
In response to Board Member Perkins, Mr. Sim stated they are looking
at various lakes throughout the project with the largest being 12
acres.
Board Member Sniff noted canal water is salty and contains moss,
barnacles, etc., and asked how the foreign objects will be dealt with
as it is transported through pipes. He also asked about the literal
surface of all lakes combined.
Mr. Sim stated they will get water samples to make sure the water
quality is proper for irrigation, and water enhancement methods such
as aeration, bio-filtration, and wetlands will be used to treat the water.
Mr. Weiss stated the total acreage of the lakes is approximately 20
acres.
Mr. Sim confirmed the main lake body is approximately 12 acres with
the remaining lakes being 8 acres.
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Mr. Martinez stated if the current retention ponds are included the
total amount being studied is :35 acres.
Board Member Sniff noted water is a sensitive subject.
Mr. Weiss stated Pace will be looking at existing onsite wells to
determine their capacity as well as the potential for locating an
additional well because the project will be required to have a back-up
system should canal water not be available.
In response to Chairperson Henderson, Mr. Weiss stated there's been
preliminary discussions with CVWD about grey water usage but part
of the difficulty is not having the capital infrastructure in place to treat
and deliver grey water to the site. There's also some question that it
would actually add to the amount of water, from a system-wide basis,
throughout CVWD's system. He added there's been some discussion
as to the possibility of the City becoming creative and proactive in
contributing to an infrastructure system that would allow delivery of
grey water to the site but there's concern that there wouldn't be
sufficient grey water generated to make it economically viable. As for
having something in place to be ready for grey water use when it is
.---- available, he stated that issue would have to be discussed with the
~ project engineer and CVWD, and would need a realistic timetable from
~ CVWD on that type of program.
Chairperson Henderson stated she would like for CVWD to be asked
that question at some point.
Mr. Martinez asked the Palmer Course Design Group representative to
review the draft routing plan.
Mr. Weiss suggested focusing on issues containing the routing within
the envelope that. was prepared as part of the conceptual plan and
dealing with the details under the business session item.
Eric Larsen, golf architect with Palmer Course Design Group, stated
they plan to provide as much tournament play as possible along the
mountain, which is the primary amenity of the project. They propose
for the tournament course to have six tees on each hole, and to be
isolated from the second course. He reviewed the preliminary routing
plan, and requested some consideration be given to purchasing a small
area between the canal and rocks in the southern section for one of
the holes.
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Mr. Weiss advised Mr. Larsen is working closely with GMA to make
sure the routing plan works within the envelope created for the
course, and to see how the minor tweaks might impact the remaining
portions of the project.
Mr. Martinez stated the City has been offered the starter shack from
St. Andrews but noted it may not fit into the theme. He then
reviewed various entry concepts.
Board Member Perkins stated he feels the entry concepts provide
some ideas, and likes a dramatic entrance like the Mystic Hills concept
with silver lettering.
Board Member Osborne stated he feels the entrances should be
representative of the project size and location, and suggested using
native trees.
Board Member Sniff spoke in support of an entrance that is large, 'oval
or round, and with a traffic circle that is at least 150 feet across with
room for outcroppings and active water and a pond. He feels it should
have a sense of being somewhat irregular with dramatic height of 30
to 35 feet height, and the outer edge of the traffic circle should have
dramatic plants that graduate in size away from the street. He
suggested using intermediate size palm trees of no more than 35 feet
high to reduce the maintenance and avoid the risk of losing them.
Chairperson Henderson noted the "front door" of the project is the
initial presentation, and she agrees it should be large and dramatic.
She supports bringing the mountain forward into the entry with large
boulders, and stated she doesn't have a problem using a few palm
trees but would also like to use other trees from this area.
Board Member Perkins suggested using large wood gates that would
stay open and frame the entry road.
Mr. Larsen stated he agrees the entrance statement is critical but
noted it's only part of the whole "house and yard." He suggested
using indigenous rock and large boulders throughout the project to
bring the mountain forward.
Board Member Sniff stated he was pleased to hear that because he
has made that suggestion.
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Mr. Weiss advised GMA will come back at a future meeting with more
definitive plans for the areas discussed today.
In response to Board Member Sniff, Mr. Martinez stated the grading
plan is currently underway, and Pace has recommended using a lake
depth of 10 feet. He added they have received correspondence about
the potential for ponding of water on Avenue 54 and are addressing
that. They will develop a conceptual grading plan for all components
of the project, including the.tournament course, and a conceptual
master grading plan for the second course to show how it should
drain, and it will be coordinated with the golf architect. He indicated
excess dirt from the lakes will be used on the golf courses and
perimeter area.
Board Member Sniff commented on the difficulty of containing
drainage from the mountains when a 500-year storm happens, and
noted the water is likely to drain southeasterly toward PGA West.
Mr. Martinez pointed out the driving range and public park area can
serve as retention basins to handle peak water flow north and west of
the canal. The area south and east of the canal will be more
--- challenging but lowering the resort course and using berming will
I reduce or eliminate the problem.
The Agency concurred to take up Business Item No. 1 at this time.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. CONSIDERATION OF PRELIMINARY GOLF COURSE ROUTING PLAN
FOR SILVERROCK RANCH.
Ass'istant Executive Director Weiss presented the staff report.
Cory Williams, project coordinator with Palmer Course Design Group,
reviewed proposed changes to the preliminary routing plan. He noted
the 15th hole, as proposed, is on a key piece of land not owned by the
City but, if purchased, would likely be the signature hole for the golf
course.
In response to Chairperson Henderson, Mr. Weiss stated KSL owns
the property, and is determining a purchase price. As for
environmental concerns, he noted it will be necessary to look at the
buffer zone the Agency agreed to create in certain areas adjacent to
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the toe of slope. It's his understanding that the property is not within
the Bighorn Sheep habitat area.
Chairperson Henderson stated the San Jacinto/Santa Rosa National
Monument Advisory Group was very adamant in the legislation that a
buffer zone not be required.
Agency Counsel Jenson advised the buffer zone is a mitigation
measure required by Fish & Game and Fish & Wildlife but may not
extend to that property.
Mr. Weiss advised approval of the preliminary routing plan will allow
the golf architect to move forward with the final routing plan, and
allow Pace Engineering to further pursue the water management plan
based on information from the golf architect. He added the tentative
date for reviewing the final routing plan is September 1 6, 2003.
In response to Board Member Osborne, Mr. Williams explained the 7th
hole provides an alternate route for players to try if they want more
challenge.
In response to Board Member Osborne, Mr. Weiss stated staff will
look into the potential of purchasing the property from KSL but noted
it will not have a major effect if the property cannot be obtained.
In response to Board Member Sniff, Gil Martinez, of GMA
International, confirmed the master concept plan will still
accommodate three hotels in the core area and a fourth hotel in the
special use area.
Board Member Sniff commented on the need to think big and to
provide multiple options.
MOTION -It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Osborne to approve
the preliminary golf course routing plan for SilverRock Ranch and
authorize Palmer Course Design Company to begin preparation of a
final routing plan for Agency consideration in September 2003.
Motion carried unanimously with Board Member Adolph ABSENT.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Osborne to approve the -
Redevelopment Agency Minutes of August 5, 2003 as submitted. Motion
carried unanimously with Board Member Adolph ABSENT.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF DEMAND REGISTER DATED AUGUST 19, 2003.
2. TRANSMITTAL OF TREASURER'S REPORT DATED JUNE 30, 2003.
3. TRANSMITTAL OF REVENUES & EXPENDITURES REPORT DATED
JUNE 30, 2003.
4. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS
PURSUANT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 33445(a) AND
AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR THE AVENIDA
LA FONDA STREET ENHANCEMENT PROJECT. (RESOLUTION NO.
RDA 2003-15)
5. ACCEPTANCE OF ASSESSMENT/SEWER HOOK-UP FEE SUBSIDY
PROGRAM - PROJECT 2003-03, AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE
CITY CLERK TO RECORD A NOTICE OF COMPLETION.
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Perkins to approve
the Consent Calendar as recommended and with Item No. 4 being
approved by Resolution No. RA 2003-15. Motion carried unanimously
with Board Member Adolph ABSENT.
BUSINESS SESSION ........... continued
2. CONSIDERATION OF REVISIONS TO THE HOME PURCHASE SECOND
TRUST DEED LOAN PROGRAM - LA QUINTA HOUSING PROGRAM.
Community Development Director Herman presented the staff report.
Bruce Cathcart, 51-001 Eisenhower Drive, of La Quinta Realty,
requested the Agency make allowances for three families that have
already made a deal with the contractor but didn't get into the
program last year. He requested the three families be grandfathered in
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under the current amount, and added he understands a fourth family
with the same circumstances is working with another realtor.
Carlos Zamora, 45-259 King Street, Indio, urged the Agency to grant
Mr. Cathcart's request.
Ciera Hame, 74-603 Leslie Avenue, Palm Desert, stated she has been
waiting six to eight months to get this home, and asked the Agency to
grant the request.
MOTION -It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Osborne to approve
revisions to the Home Purchase Second Trust Deed Loan Program that
entail: 1) establishing the maximum second trust deed loan amount for
Iow-income households to $85,000; 2) requiring a qualifying ratio of
not less than 25% nor greater than 35% of the borrower's gross
monthly income; and 3) funding only $1,000,000 of the $3,000,000
appropriated for second trust deed loans in the 2003/2004 Agency
budget during the next six months, and authorize staff to grandfather
the three families.
Chairperson Henderson referenced the potential of a fourth family and
suggested including up to four families as long as they are already in
the process.
MODIFIED MOTION -It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Osborne
to approve revisions to the Home Purchase Second Trust Deed Loan
Program that entail: 1) establishing the maximum second trust deed
loan amount for Iow-income households to $85,000; 2) requiring a
qualifying ratio of not less than 25% nor greater than 35% of the
borrower's gross monthly income; and 3) funding only $1,000,000 of
the $3,000,000 appropriated for second trust deed loans in the
2003/2004 Agency budget during the coming six months; and
authorize staff to grandfather up to four families as long as they are
already in the process.
Motion carried unanimously with Board Member Adolph ABSENT.
CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS' ITEMS - None
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
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The Redevelopment Agency recessed to Closed Session as delineated on
Page 1.
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).
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
JUNE S. GREEK, Secretary
City of La Quinta, California,.-