1997 10 28 CC Minutes^1 LA QUINTA CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
OCTOBER 28, 1997
Special meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at the hour of 1:30
p.m. by Mayor Holt, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Council Members Adolph, Henderson, Perkins, Sniff, Mayor Holt
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENT None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA Confirmed
BUSINESS SESSION None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF CITY'S DISADVANTAGE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE DBE) POLICY.
MOTION It was moved by Council Members Sniff/Henderson to approve the
Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion carried unanimously. MINUTE
ORDER NO.97-171.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. STREET VACATION 97-035 VACATION OF A PORTION OF A PUBLIC
UTILITY EASEMENT LOCATED WITHIN THE LA QUINTA GOLF ESTATES, UNIT
NO.1.
The Mayor declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN.
Mr. Vogt, Public Works Director, advised that the proposed vacation is a 1 0-
foot-wide utility easement located in the middle of two parcels that were
recently merged into one. The Coachella Valley Water District and The Gas
Company have no problems with the vacation and the applicant has agreed to
provide Imperial Irrigation District and Media One with an alternative easement.
There being no one else wishing to speak, the Mayor declared the PUBLIC
HEARING CLOSED.
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RESOLUTION NO.97-86
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA,
CALIFORNIA, VACATING A PORTION OF A PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENT
LOCATED WITHIN THE LA QUINTA GOLF ESTATES, UNIT NO.1.
It was moved by Council Members Sniff/Perkins to adopt Resolution No.97-86
as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.
STUDY SESSION
1. PRESENTATION OF CAL POLY'S STUDENTS VILLAGE PLAN AS GIVEN BY DR.
LLOYD OF CAL POLY.
Ron DiGrandi, President of the La Quinta Chamber of Commerce, presented a
plaque to Dr. Lloyd in appreciation for the work he and his students
accomplished in their study of The Village.
Dr. Richard Lloyd, of Cal Poly, advised that the students were asked by the
Chamber of Commerce to look at The Village for the purpose of presenting
some new ideas and a bold expression of what they felt The Village should be.
They reviewed the 1988 Village Specific Plan and felt there were some negative
aspects related to it such as economically ineffective subdivision patterns,
inappropriate planning controls, poor street design, and an inadequate water
system. They also felt it was developed for a different era and, therefore, was
preventing The Village from becoming a viable area. They looked at three
alternative solutions: 1) status quo, making minor adjustments to the adopted
Specific Plan; 2) adjusting the Specific Plan, looking for ways to update it; and
3) a bold alternative.
He advised that most of their time was spent on Alternative #2 which their
report is based upon. It includes a number of ideas for changing the area's
visual appearance and improving the water system. He noted that the changes
would probably result in new problems such as higher rents and taxes,
displacement and loss of businesses, and competition among commercial units.
It would also create questions and concerns that would call for some decision
making such as what physical and visual improvements should be made to
building facades and streetscape, what changes would be required in the
commercial mix to satisfy both the existing and projected customer demands
without damaging existing businesses, and what public and private actions
would be effective in dealing with the negative social activities within The
Village. They recommended the City obtain community input through
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City Council Minutes 3 October 28, 1 997
community meetings, surveys and questionnaires, and administrative groups be
implemented such as some type of Village Investment Corporation, Village
Community Council, and/or Village Retail Management Club. They also looked
at funding mechanisms for implementing the changes such as tax increments,
special assessments, bonds, bank loans, Mello Roos Districts, historic
preservation grants, etc.
He presented drawings for Alternatives 2 and 3, showing under Alternative #2
images of what they felt The Village would look like with a Spanish motif and
under Alternative #3, images of what it would look like as a spa and sports
resort. The spa and sports resort in the bold alternative" would be among the
finest in the world, with attractions appealing to both residents and tourists and
would require accumulation of land, a lot of private investment, and the City*s
input in the infrastructure. He felt it would be expensive, but have a lasting
impression on visitors and generate sufficient taxes to make it feasible.
Council Member Henderson expressed appreciation for their hard work on this
effort.
Council Member Adolph was pleased with their ability to keep an open mind and
felt some of their ideas could be utilized.
Council Member Perkins advised that he, too, appreciated their work and felt it
gave Council something to start with.
In response to Council Member Sniff, Mr. Lloyd confirmed that land banking
was included in their ideas for reconfiguring The Village.
Council Member Sniff expressed his appreciation for their work and felt what
is needed is a vision or plan that Council can agree upon, a collective will on the
part of the property owners and City, and some type of public/private financing.
He wished to see these three points discussed with the property owners as
soon as possible.
Mr. Lloyd agreed that it will take a lot of private financing as well as community
input to accomplish anything.
Mayor Holt felt the students* involvement was exciting and believed everyone
is anxious to see something happen in The Village.
Council Member Sniff suggested some type of tangible expression of
appreciation be given to Cal Poly, Dr. Lloyd, and the students who worked on
this effort.
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^1City Council Minutes 4 October 28, 1997
Council Member Henderson agreed.
Council Member Perkins asked for a list of the students' names.
Council Member Henderson felt it's going to take the cooperation of the
property owners and the City, as well as a vision, to accomplish anything in The
Village.
2. PRESENTATION BY CATELLUS HOUSING OF A PLANNED RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT ON AGENCY-OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED NORTHWEST OF
THE INTERSECTION OF JEFFERSON STREET AND AVENUE 48.
Mr. Herman, Community Development Director, advised that this matter would
be rescheduled for a future study session.
Council Member Perkins stated that he was pleased about some of the illegal
political signs being removed and hoped any remaining signs without stickers
would be removed as well.
There being no further business, it was moved by Council Members Sniff/Adolph to
adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
Re submitted,
***.JUHOLA,City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
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