2008 11 25 CCCity Council agendas are
available on the City's web page
@ www.la-quinta.org
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA
STUDY SESSION ROOM
78-495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, California 92253
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008 - 5:00 P.M.
Adjourned meeting of the City Council for the purpose of meeting jointly with the
Planning Commission/Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
Historic Preservation Commission
Investment Advisory Board
Community Services Commission
CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call:
Council Members: Henderson, Kirk, Osborne, Sniff, and Mayor Adolph
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC COMMENT
At this time, members of the public may address the City Council on any matter
not listed on the agenda. Please complete a "request to speak" form and limit your
comments to three minutes. Please watch the timing device on the podium.
Joint City Council/Commission Agenda 1 November 25, 2008
STUDY SESSION
Joint Session - Planning Commission/ALRC - 5:00 p.m.
Roll Call: Planning Commissioners: Barrows, Quill, Weber, Wilkinson, and
Chairman Alderson
ALRC Members: Arnold, Fitzpatrick, and Rooker
1-A. DISCUSSION OF MATTERS OF JOINT INTEREST TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL, PLANNING COMMISSION, AND ARCHITECTURE AND
LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
WATER CONSERVATION AND LANDSCAPING, WHITEWATER CHANNEL
TRAIL, DESIGN GUIDELINES, AND TURF USAGE.
Joint Session - Historic Preservation Commission - 6:30 p.m.
Roll Call: Redmon, Sharp, Wilbur, Wright, and Chairperson Puente
1-B. DISCUSSION OF MATTERS OF JOINT INTEREST TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO A LA QUINTA HISTORICAL POINTS OF
INTEREST BROCHURE AND THE UPCOMING STATE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION CONFERENCE.
Joint Session - Investment Advisory Board - 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call: Commissioners: Deniel, Moulin, Park, Rassi, and Chairperson Ross
1-C. DISCUSSION OF MATTERS OF JOINT INTEREST TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD.
Joint Session - Community Services Commission - 7:30 p.m.
Roll Call: Commissioners: Biegel, Brodsky, Darroch, Fitzpatrick, Gassman, Quill,
and Chairman Leidner
1-D. DISCUSSION OF MATTERS OF JOINT INTEREST TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION.
ADJOURNMENT
Joint City Council/Commission Agenda 2 November 25, 2008
The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on December 2, 2008,
commencing with closed session at 3:00 p.m. and open session at 4:00 p.m. in the
City Council Chambers, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253.
DECLARATION OF POSTING
I, Veronica J. Montecino, City Clerk of the City of La Quinta, do hereby declare
that the foregoing agenda for the adjourned La Quinta City Council Joint Meeting of
Tuesday, November 25, 2008, was posted on the outside entry to the Council
Chamber at 78-495 Calle Tampico and on the bulletin boards at 51-321 Avenida
Bermudas and 78-630 Highway 111, on November 21, 2008.
DATED: November 21, 2008
c),10-��dLn
VERONICA J. MONTECINO, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
Joint City Council/Commission Agenda 3 November 25, 2008
STUDY SESSION: I -A
T-itit Ot QUM&
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Honorable Chairman and Members of the Planning Commission
Honorable Members of the Architecture and Landscaping Review
Committee
FROM: Les Johnson, Planning Director/.
DATE: November 25, 2008
SUBJECT: Discussion of Matters of Joint Interest to the Members of the City
Council, Planning Commission, and Architectural and Landscaping
Review Committee Including but not Limited to Water Conservation and
Landscaping, Whitewater Channel Trail, Design Guidelines, and Turf
Usage
The purpose of this memorandum is to identify discussion items for the upcoming
City Council, Planning Commission and Architectural and Landscaping Review
Committee joint meeting to be held November 25, 2008. Staff recently solicited
Commissioner and Committee members and received several responses. The
following items are being brought forward for discussion at the joint meeting:
PLANNING COMM/SS/ON.
Water Conservation and Landscaoi
Approximately one year ago, La Quinta enacted new landscaping water efficiency
standards, which are designed to minimize potable water consumption. Though most
of the standards are derived from a model ordinance provided by the Coachella Valley
Water District, additional standards were established that address water features and
maximum allowance of turf. Planning Commissioners would like to discuss with the
City Council the possibility of increasing water conservation measures as well as
discussing implementation of a green and sustainable program into the City's General
Plan.
Whitewater Channel Trail
The City's General Plan identifies a Class 1 Bicycle Trail along the Whitewater
Channel. Community and regional interest in implementing this trail continues to
grow. City staff recently met with Indio staff regarding their plans for implementing a
trail along the segment of the Whitewater Channel within their community. Currently,
the Coachella Valley Recreation and Parks District is conducting a feasibility study for
the development of three regional trails, one of them being the Whitewater Channel
trail. Planning Commissioners would like to discuss with City Council the possibility
of implementing the trail from Point Happy to the easterly City limits, which may
include combining efforts with the City of Indio to extend the trail further east. An
aerial map is attached for reference (Attachment 1).
Other items brought forth by the Planning Commissioners include:
• Annexation of the Vista Santa Rosa Sphere of Influence;
• Parks acreage ratio and potential for partnering for a regional park;
• La Quinta Entry Monuments;
• Pedestrian and bike connectivity and safe routes to school;
• Dust control requirements for all projects in excess of one acre in size.
ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE.
Design Guidelines
Recently, Architecture and Landscape Review Committee (ALRC) members have
expressed to staff an interest in establishing more descriptive and definitive design
guidelines for specific areas of the community. The ALRC would like to discuss with
the Planning Commission and City Council the potential of revising existing design
guidelines for the Village and Cove areas as well as establishing guidelines for
Washington Street and Highway 1 1 1 commercial areas.
Turf Usage
ALRC members have recently expressed concern with the limitations being placed
upon the use of turf and would like to discuss with the Planning Commission and City
Council the use of turf in landscape design. Committee members have expressed
concern with the outright reduction and even elimination of turf from landscapes
versus better design.
Other items brought forth by the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
include:
• Requiring additional drawings to be included
applications, such as street elevations;
• Procedure for review of final landscaping plans;
• Utilization of architectural consulting services
applications prior to ALRC and PC consideration.
Attachment: 1. Aerial map
in the materials provided with
for review and comment on
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STUDY SESSION: I-B
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Honorable Chairman and Members of the Historic Preservation
Commission
FROM: Les Johnson, Planning Directo ,
DATE: November 25, 2008
SUBJECT: Discussion of Matters of Joint Interest to the Members of the City
Council and Historic Preservation Commission Including but not
Limited to a La Quinta Historical Points of Interest Brochure and the
Upcoming State Historic Preservation Conference
The purpose of this memorandum is to identify discussion items for the upcoming
City Council and Historic Preservation Commission joint meeting to be held
November 25, 2008. Staff recently solicited Historic Preservation Commissioners
(HPC) and received several responses. The following two items are being brought
forward for discussion at the joint meeting:
La Quinta Historical Points of Interest Brochure
For the past few years, the HPC has discussed the possibility of developing a
brochure or map that would identify and briefly describe historic landmarks and
features in La Quinta. Examples of landmarks and features could include the La
Quinta Resort, Cove casitas, the ancient Lake Cahuilla water line in the southern
area, Hacienda Del Gato, etc. The Community Services Department has produced
maps for public art and bicycle pathways. Staff is suggesting that a similar
approach be taken with this proposal. The HPC would like to discuss with City
Council the potential of developing a brochure or map in the near term.
Upcoming State Historic Preservation Conference
The next annual State Historic Preservation Conference will be held in Palm
Springs, April 16 - 19, 2009. These conferences typically include mobile
workshops and meetings that highlight the area where the conference is held. The
HPC would like to discuss with the City Council the opportunity to include the La
Quinta Museum, La Quinta Resort and possibly other local historic locations for
consideration during this conference.
Other items brought forth by HPC members include:
• Historic Context Statement
• Demolition permit requirement
• Museum update and status of Manager assisting with curator efforts
STUDY SESSION: /— e
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Iu.0iu(. - : M . ul
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Honorable Chairman and Members of the Investment Advisory
Board
FROM: John M. Falconer, Finance Director
DATE: November 25, 2008
SUBJECT: Dicussion of Matters of Joint Interest with the Investment
Advisory Board
The purpose of this memorandum is to identify several discussion items for
the City Council and Investment Advisory Board joint meeting. The list of
items was obtained through recent consultation with these members.
1. The Investment Advisory Board would like to take this opportunity to
thank Council Member Osborne for his years of service on both the
City Council and the Investment Advisory Board (IAB). The IAB
would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mayor Adolph
and Council Member Sniff to their reappointments and congratulate
Kristy Franklin to her appointment as Council member.
2. The IAB would like to reiterate the strategies stated within the
Investment Policy; safety, liquidity and yield, in that order of
importance.
3. Beginning in October, the Treasurer has only been investing in Local
Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) and U.S. Treasury Bills. During this
time, the Treasurer has invested $28 million in U.S. Treasury Bills that
are earning an average of 1 %. The Treasurer could invest in other
investments that earn more interest, but based on the current market
conditions, has elected not to do so at this time. The Treasurer plans
to continue to invest in LAIF and U.S. Treasury Bills as other
investments mature.
STUDY SESSION:
s
F`y OF Tt1f'�
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Honorable Chairman and Members of the Community Services
Commission
FROM: Edie Hylton, Community Services Directoro<
DATE: November 25, 2008 1%%
SUBJECT: Joint Meeting Discussion Items
The purpose of this memorandum is to identify several discussion items for the City
Council and Community Services Commission joint meeting. The list of items was
obtained through recent consultation with these members.
Future Land Acquisition for Sports Fields
The Community Services Commission would like to discuss the need to purchase
property for future sports fields. This is an important issue based on the growing
demand and the use of current playing fields. A forty (40) acre site is requested for
the future growth and demands for sports fields.
Sports Field Renovation and Use
The Community Services Commission would like to discuss the Sports Complex
Renovation, a collaborative effort to upgrade the facility with funding support from
the City and the Desert Sands Unified School District. The Sports Complex
Rehabilitation Plan will go to the City Council soon for consideration.
Staff is working with sports organizations to relocate children from La Quinta Park
to the Colonel Paige Middle School after school during the week and on Saturdays.
Once the property is rezoned, the Community Services Commission would like the
City Council to consider lighting the fields to provide additional use at this facility.
Improvements to the Cove Hiking Trails and the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature
Preserve
Master plans have been developed for both of these projects and work has begun
to improve signage at both sites. The La Quinta Cove Hiking Assessment
recommends improved trail conditions and parking. Staff is working with the
Coachella Valley Water District and the Bureau of Land Management for
encroachment permits to make the changes recommended in the assessment. The
Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve will have plant identification signs and a
new DG trail adjacent to the fence line along Avenida Montezuma. Areas that have
been former roadways or exhibit soil compaction in the preserve will need to be re -
vegetated to return areas to their natural state.
Continued Support for Art in Public Places Cultural Programs and Services
The Art in Public Places Program and the Cultural Programs and Services supported
by the City through the Community Services Department, La Quinta Arts
Foundation, and the La Quinta Historical Society are important to the quality of life
for many La Quinta residents. The Community Services Commission wishes to
thank the City Council for their ongoing and continued support of art and culture in
our community.
Design Plan for the Whitewater Channel
The approved Community Services Master Plan outlines the public interest in off
road trail corridors for biking and walking. The City is working with the Coachella
Valley Recreation and Park District and other cities to evaluate the feasibility of a
linear trail along the Whitewater Channel. Although the feasibility study is
expected to be completed in January 2009, a detailed design plan is needed to
identify the scope of work and the costs associated with this project.
Off Leash Dog Park in the Cove Area
Dog owners in the community are requesting another off leash Dog Park located in
the Cove area. The Commission and staff would like to explore the potential for
another Dog Park located in the south area.