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2009 01 20 RDA MinutesLA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2009 A regular meeting of the La Quinta Redevelopment Agency was called to order by Chairman Kirk. PRESENT: Agency Members Adolph, Franklin, Henderson, Sniff, Chairman Kirk ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENT -None CLOSED SESSION 1. Conference with Agency's real property negotiator, Douglas R. Evans, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential terms and conditions of acquisition and/or disposition of real properties identified as APNs: 773-370-028 and -029 (Silverhawk Apartments on Eisenhower Drive). Property Owner/Negotiator: G Companies, James. C. Gianulias. The Redevelopment Agency recessed to Closed Session to and until the hour of 4:00 p.m. 4:00 P.M. The Redevelopment Agency meeting was reconvened with no decisions being made in Closed Session which require reporting pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.1 (Brown Act). PUBLIC COMMENT -None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA -Confirmed APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION - It was moved by Agency Members Sniff/Adolph to approve the Redevelopment Agency Minutes of December 16, 2008, as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. Redevelopment Agency Minutes 2 January 20, 2009 CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF DEMAND REGISTERS DATED JANUARY 6 AND JANUARY 20, 2009. 2. RECEIVE AND FILE TREASURERS REPORT DATED NOVEMBER 30, 2008. 3. RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE & EXPENDITURES REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 30, 2008, AND INVESTMENT SUMMARY REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2008. MOTION - It was moved by Agency Members Sniff/Adolph to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion carried unanimously. BUSINESS SESSION 1. CONSIDERATION OF REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REORGANIZATION. Agency Member Henderson nominated Chairman Kirk to continue as Chair for 2009. Agency Member Sniff nominated Agency Member Franklin to serve as Vice Chair. MOTION - It was moved by Agency Members Sniff/Henderson to appoint Agency Member Kirk as Chair and Agency Member Franklin as Vice Chair of the Redevelopment Agency. Motion carried unanimously. 2. CONSIDERATION OF SILVERROCK RESORT CLUBHOUSE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT PLANS, FINAL LANDSCAPE PLAN, LEED CERTIFICATION UPDATE, BUDGET UPDATE, CLUBHOUSE OPERATIONS UPDATE, AND PHASE II INFRASTRUCTURE. Assistant City Manager-Development Services Evans presented the staff report, and reviewed the clubhouse building elevations. Yule Rowe, landscape architect for HSA Design Group, reviewed the overall landscape plan. Redevelopment Agency Minutes 3 January 20, 2009 Agency Member Adolph asked if the palm trees would be located in areas with sufficient room for harvesting equipment. Mr. Rowe stated those located near driveways and parkways would be accessible by equipment, but some of the others will not be. Agency Member Adolph voiced safety concerns, and a preference to eliminate any palm trees that are not accessible by harvesting equipment. Assistant City Manager-Development Services Evans indicated staff will review the locations for accessibility, and make adjustments accordingly. Agency Member Adolph voiced concern that the caliper of all trees used in the project not be based on box size. Mr. Rowe stated the caliper and height will be identified in the specifications. Agency Member Sniff referenced the need for adequate space to service all of the landscape areas. Agency Member Franklin asked about alternatives to using date palms. Mr. Rowe explained the use of any other type of palm tree would change the concept and theme of the project. Agency Member Sniff stated he feels the key is serviceability with ease, otherwise the palm trees should not be planted. In response to Chairman Kirk, Assistant City Manager-Development Services Evans explained Landmark has seen the current plant list, and the tree list is similar to what they previously reviewed. He confirmed staff can have Landmark look at the full plant list before finalizing it and bringing it back to the Agency. Agency Member Adolph commented on the importance of properly staking the trees to avoid losing them in windy conditions. Bob Altevers, project architect with Altevers Associates, reviewed the clubhouse dome and the elements. Agency Member Adolph stated the dome is a waste of money, and questioned the the detail proposed at the top of the dome being visible from the ground. Agency Member Sniff stated the dome makes a strong statement, and people will identify it with the resort. He feels it makes the building special and unique. Redevelopment Agency Minutes 4 January 20, 2009 In response to Agency Member Henderson, Mr. Altevers confirmed the trim the will be installed in other areas of the building. Agency Member Henderson stated the dome is a critical part of the building and the site. She agrees it will be costly, but noted the project will not be built until the City is able to fund it. Agency Member Franklin stated she agrees the dome is a needless expenditure. She also prefers less "busy" patterns than what is proposed with the tiles. In response to Agency Member Sniff, Mr. Altevers stated the inside of the dome will be visible from below. Agency Member Adolph noted a dome design can be provided inside with an outside rectangular design. Chairman Kirk spoke in support of the dome, and feels it could be larger; it is the most singular element of the design that sets it off from other projects. He agrees the the pattern proposed for the dome will not be seen from the ground, and suggested using solid color tiles on the dome, with decorative tiles at a pedestrian level. He cautioned about using the patterns that have a religious representation in some cultures. In response to Agency Member Franklin, Mr. Altevers stated the dome is approximately 16'/z feet across with lighting provided through windows below. Randy Duncan, General Manager of SilverRock Resort, and Joe Gill, Director of Golf Operations for Landmark Golf, reviewed the clubhouse fiscal analysis report. Agency Member Henderson referenced Mr. Duncan's comment about not expecting higher rounds of golf, and asked would not the new clubhouse opening provide an opportunity for more tournament play. Mr. Duncan stated a substantial increase in rounds is not anticipated. Mr. Gill explained current rounds that are missed with some tournament play are being filled with other types of play. In response to Agency Member Adolph, Mr. Duncan stated annual operating expenses for the current clubhouse is just under 54 million, and the estimated operating expenses for the new clubhouse is 54.7 million. Agency Member Adolph stated he would like to see the new Redevelopment Agency Minutes 5 January 20, 2009 clubhouse built, but present economic conditions may not enable the City to take on the added burdens of operation at this time. Agency Member Franklin questioned the average room occupancy estimate being realistic. Agency Member Sniff noted there is no point in pursuing the new clubhouse at this time because it is hotel dependent. He suggested giving consideration to a modified clubhouse that would provide food service in the evening. He is not in favor of moving forward with the clubhouse at this time, and would like some re-thought given to its operation when it is built. Agency Member Henderson commented on the need to be sensible, smart, and continue with good planning with the City's reserve account. Chairman Kirk stated he agrees now is not the time to proceed with the clubhouse even though it would be cheaper to build now than later. He commented on the importance of being ahead of the curve when the time is right. He expressed appreciation for the openness of the report regarding expenses. Agency Member Adolph congratulated Randy Duncan on his recent award as Golf Manager Inductee. Assistant City Manager-Development Services Evans stated with the Agency's concurrence, staff will proceed with preparation of the bid documents so the documents are ready when the Agency directs staff to move forward. Chairman Kirk confirmed the Agency's direction is to: 1) move forward with the landscape plans with Landmark reviewing for management considerations; 21 take a hard look at the palm trees, especially date palm trees, for maintenance considerations; 3) move forward with the dome, but not using decorative tiles; 4) delay construction of the clubhouse; and 5) move forward with the infrastructure plans, working with Coachella Valley Water District to finish up some of the infrastructure. STUDY SESSION -None Redevelopment Agency Minutes 6 January 20, 2009 CHAIR AND AGENCY MEMBERS' ITEMS -None PUBLIC HEARINGS -None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved by Agency Members Sniff/Adolph to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Respectf su~b~mi>tted, VERONICA J. NTECINO, Secretary City of La Quinta, California