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1997 02 25 CC Minutes. LA QUINTA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 1997 Special meeting of the La Quinta City Council of February 25, 1997 was called to order by Mayor Holt. PRESENT: Council Members Adolph, Henderson, Perkins, Sniff, Mayor Holt ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENT None STUDY SESSION 1. DISCUSSION RELATING TO HIGHWAY 111 LANDSCAPE DESIGN THEME. Ms. di lono, Planning Manager, advised that in November 1996, Council approved a contract with Ray Lopez & Associates for the development of various landscape design themes for Highway 111. She advised that this discussion would consist of typical landscaping along Highway 111 and at major driveway entrances into the City. The consultant and architect would review the landscape themes, bus stop designs, and monument sign alternatives. Ray Lopez, P.O. Box 12885, Palm Desert, of Ray Lopez & Associates, advised that in an attempt to come up with a design concept unique to La Quinta, they*re proposing to use a variety of evergreen, flowering trees as opposed to the desert landscape theme as used in Palm Desert and the use of palm trees in Indian Wells. The landscaping will include some subtle low-mounding areas and a substantial amount of turf that will be kept away from the curb. Medium-high shrubs will be used to screen the backs of buildings, parking lot areas, etc. He advised that the undulation would vary. In response to Council Member Adolph, Mr. Lopez advised that trees cannot be used in medians, but the medians would be designed similar to the rights-of- way with the use of Ocotillos, Mexican and Red Bird of Paradise, and some small palms if approved by Caltrans. He advised that turf, mounding, flowering shrubs and trees, and ocotillos would be used at the driveway entrances, but fan palms would also be used there to designate those areas as entries. The meandering sidewalks along the rights-of-way would end and begin at each driveway. BIB] 06-19-1997-U01 10:00:05AM-U01 ADMIN-U01 CCMIN-U02 02-U02 25-U02 1997-U02 .City Council Minutes 2 February 25, 1 997 Council Member Henderson advised that she didn't like ocotillos and pointed out that they are used throughout the length of Palm Desert's median. Mr. Lopez advised that his intent was to plant them in groups. He further advised that boulders up to 1 2 inches high and indigenous to this area would be used throughout the landscaping. He also reviewed the different types of shrubs that would be used. In response to Council Member Adolph, Mr. Lopez advised that, although Palm Springs Gold will be used initially, it will eventually be taken over by ground cover. Javier Garcia, P. 0. Box 12885, Palm Desert, of Ray Lopez &, Associates reviewed the bus stop designs, advising that Design A would be made of concrete and metal construction with either a stand-alone or built-in bench and an ocotillo art feature, a water fountain designed to look like an obelisk to match the street signs, and a waste receptacle. Design B would have a theme similar to the La Quinta Hotel with a concrete mission tile roof, a wood beam across the top, and a metal shade canopy across the back. It would also have a built-in water fountain, trash receptacle, and a mosaic tile art theme * embedded in the wall. The mosaic tile could be a mural, bus route, some type of advertising or art work selected through an art contest. Council Member Henderson preferred Design B, but with obelisks on each side. Mayor Holt agreed with Design B. In response to Council Member Adolph, Mr. Garcia advised that metal was selected for the benches because it's lightweight, easy to install and can be painted to alleviate corrosion. It's also maintenance-free and not easily broken. The roof would have mission tile on the top and stucco underneath. Council Member Adolph felt that drinking fountains could require a lot of maintenance. In response to Council Member Sniff, Mr. Herman, Community Development Director, advised that there would beB to 10 of these structures built along Highway 111. In response to Council Member Perkins, Mr. Lopez advised that he's spoken to SunLine and it hasn't yet been determined who would be responsible for maintenance of the bus stops. BIB] 06-19-1997-U01 10:00:05AM-U01 ADMIN-U01 CCMIN-U02 02-U02 25-U02 1997-U02 . City Council Minutes 3 February 25, 1 997 Council Member Sniff asked if telephones had been considered to which Council Member Perkins pointed out the problem of vandalism. In response to Council Member Perkins, Mr. Garcia advised that the bus stops would be illuminated at night. Council Member Henderson suggested the use of solar lighting. She felt that both efforts were great and that it's a sad commentary that drinking fountains and telephones can't be provided without the concern of vandalism. Council Member Perkins advised that some of the drinking fountains are fairly well vandal-proof, but the telephones are likely to be stolen. Council Member Henderson pointed out that the bus stops would be in the line of traffic and possibly less prone to vandalism. She wished to see an obelisk used somewhere in Design B. In response to Council Member Perkins, Mr. Vogt, Public Works Director, advised that there would be curb-cuts to allow buses to get out of the main flow of traffic. Mr. Garcia then reviewed the monument sign designs, advising that Design A is concrete with oxidized-metal lettering and illuminated with flood lights. In response to Council Member Sniff, Mr. Genovese, City Manager, J;ised that, although, a monument sign has already been approved, these alternatives are being presented as part of the entire entry design and statement to ensure continuity of design between the monument signs and the bus stops. Mr. Garcia felt that Design D is more compatible with the bus stop designs and advised that it would be stucco construction with a stainless steel, brushed finish, with neon-lighted, raised lettering and a 6" X 8' timber embedded in the top of the structure. It would be maintenance-free except for replacement of the neon lighting. In response to Council Member Sniff, Mr. Garcia advised that the back side of the sign could be with or without lettering, noting that landscaping would most likely exist behind the sign. Mr. Genovese advised that the back side of some of the signs might be visible, but the locations are still yet to be determined. BIB] 06-19-1997-U01 10:00:05AM-U01 ADMIN-U01 CCMIN-U02 02-U02 25-U02 1997-U02 .City Council Minutes 4 February 25, 1997 In response to Council Member Henderson, Mr. Herman advised that contact was made with Mr. Shovim in regard to moving or eliminating the fence behind the art structure foundation at Highway 111 and Washington Street, but no decision has been made. Council Member Perkins felt that a 1 6-foot sign was too small to which Mr Garcia responded that a typical gateway sign is 4' X 9'. Mr. Garcia advised that Design B would use obelisks held together by an ornate rod and the lettering would be torch-cut. It would be concrete-colored and include the City logo. He advised that Design C is identical to Design D except that the 6'.' X 8' timber isn't shown all the way across the top of the structure. Council Member Perkins didn't like the word welcome" on the sign. Council Member Sniff agreed*and advised that otherwise, he liked Design A and didn't like any of the designs with the wood beam. Council Member Henderson suggested some type of rugged-mountain design along the top of Design A. Council Member Adolph wished to see something larger and more unique. Council Member Perkins wished to see a rugged mountain design as suggested by Council Member Henderson. Mayor Holt felt that the consensus was for something larger and more distinctive. Council Member Adolph suggested using a water feature or planter with the sign. Council Member Sniff liked a larger version of the original design and the idea of a water feature. Council Member Perkins suggested a water spray behind the sign with colored lights shining on it. Mr. Genovese advised that staff would bring back a revised version of Design A with a rugged-mountain skyline on top and 4,ossibly a water feature for Council's consideration. BIB] 06-19-1997-U01 10:00:05AM-U01 ADMIN-U01 CCMIN-U02 02-U02 25-U02 1997-U02 . City Council Minutes 5 February 25, 1 997 Council Member Perkins advised that he and Council Member Sniff would be meeting with Supervisor Wilson at 3:30 p.m. on February 27th. He advised that Supervisor Wilson has also requested that he and Council Member Henderson meet with him at 9:00 a.m. on March 3rd for a meeting with two Council Members from lndio and Brad Hudson, a County representative. He felt that Supervisor Wilson*s purpose was to try to mediate between the two jurisdictions. Ms. Honeywell, City Attorney, pointed out that this has not been agendized for discussion and she felt that there may be some problem with three Council Members meeting outside the City to discuss the same issue. There being no further business, it was moved by Council Members Sniff/Henderson to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. UNDRA L. HOLA, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California BIB] 06-19-1997-U01 10:00:05AM-U01 ADMIN-U01 CCMIN-U02 02-U02 25-U02 1997-U02