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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 - MINUTES - 3/24/1999 - STUDY SESSIONCOUNCIL STUDY SESSION MARCH 24, 1999 Reller-Spurgin absent 1. CLOSED SESSION - City Attorney reported on matters discussed in Closed Session; see attached agenda listing. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS a) Howard Lapham, resident, read from a prepared statement, and provided a handout (see attached) concerning the City as the entertainment center of the Valley; and the City’s support needed for the revitalization of the Promenade (Former DFP). b) Bill Clausen, LMI/Tourism, presented the Council with the first “ady”? (advertising industry) award for the billboards. c) Jim Jones, resident, expressed opinion that 100% of the low-moderate income housing should not be located in one single location of the community, noting that there are numerous units in the San Rafael area; and that the Council previously indicated an interest in rehab of existing units before adding new units. d) Linda Jackson, Board of Directors of Camino del Sol Homeowners Association, agreed with Mr. Jones and stated her understanding that the City has reached its housing requirement goal, and new low income units will adversely impact existing property if they are all within one area. 3. COUNCIL COMMENTS a) Mayor and Councilmembers reported on various civic and community organizational meetings and events which they attended, subsequent to the last regular meeting, and announced upcoming events of community interest. b) Hodges: requested staff look at what can be done about the deteriorating condition of the vacant P.S. Hotel downtown c) Barnes: announced he had volunteered to serve on a subcommittee to work with the school districts on an after school care program, similar to that in San Diego, which is eligible for grant funding. d) Oden: requested that City follow-through with proclamation to Jean Benson, who was honored recently by the League of Women Voters. Council Study Session e) Mayor: requested City Manager to contact CalTrans to be more sensitive to exit closures, without providing directions as to how to get back to one’s destination, i.e., the closure of both Indian Canyon and Palm Drive, sends motorist’s to Date Palm, with no instruction how to get back to Palm Springs. 4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS City Manager announced that Councilmember Reller-Spurgin was absent due to illness. 5. BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION PROGRAM 1999 SURVEY UPDATE George Wyatt and Kay Hazen provided an update on the program. Ms. Hazen noted that the program is the centerpiece of the economic development program to help make local businesses successful and to keep them, or help them to expand if it makes sense to do so; that Roy Wilson was instrumental in obtaining a $50,000 workforce training grant. She responded to questions, noting that the results of the survey will be presented to the Council in June, and will include an update as to which if any of the prior survey issues have not been resolved and if they are still a high priority and should continue to be worked on, as well as new areas of emphasis. 6. MARKET STUDY - ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES REPORT Economic Development and Recycling Coordinator provided an executive summary of the report - the full text was given to the City Council; noting that if all proposed units were in fact completed, and added to those under construction, or existing, the number would be in excess of 115% of the need for this area (Palm Springs-Palm Desert area) City Manager stated that the next step is to have the Planning Commission evaluate the issues and points raised in the study, and to come back with policies and ordinance changes as appropriate; and that the goal is to develop a plan to manage the use so as not to be overburdened or under-utilized. Director of Planning & Building stated that the Brentwood project has been on hold, and will be looked at in study session with the Commission on April 7; that a policy report could be forthcoming, but any zoning text amendments will be delayed pending increases in his staff level. 7. SMALL-APARTMENT REHAB PROGRAM Economic Development and Recycling Coordinator and CDBG & Housing Coordinator provided report; noting that in the Cottonwood/Chuckwalla Area there are mainly smaller units (8-10-20) and often an owner needs assistance for small jobs, e.g., roofing, pool repair, and the concept of the program is to find way to streamline the process and find a way to help those who need a little assistance; that many of the owners do not have permanent financing, and the lenders view these as commercial loans; that after discussions, the lending community is more favorable toward the concept; that the recommendation is to start with a pilot program of $250,000-350,000 in small loans up to $25,000 as a test, and see how it works; one possibility is for the Housing Fund provide some guarantee, with repayment over 5-7 years, collected through the lender. Council Study Session Questions for which information is to be provided: how many low-mod units exist today; how many units subject to rent control; what are plans for the neighborhood to go from low-mod to something better; revisit Recapturing Our Neighborhood Program or other policies, to see if that determination should be made; what are crime statistics - as well as ambulance; whatever is done in area, should be lure for investment back into the area. CDBG Coordinator stated that a lot of calls are received from owners asking for help with problems that they cannot get funding for, e.g., trash enclosures; program would help smaller unit owners. Director of Community Development reported that there has never been a policy directing that anyone area be designated as low-mod, rather a distribution; should be incentive to help others also upgrade. Oden and Barnes agreed that the program is good, and will serve as incentive to others. Consensus that criteria for use of funds is needed; labeling of area is not. 8. DESERT HIGHLAND-GATEWAY - SINGLE FAMILY REHAB & NEW CONSTRUCTION Program explained by CDBG Coordinator: developer looking for 6 homes to pickup for cheap, rehab them , and then sell to owners at low monthly payments. Economic Development & Housing Coordinator explained that “silent second” asks that the CRA provide a second loan in an amount that would be enough to bring down the monthly payment to within a $400 range. Hodges: considered rehab more costly than building new; silent second be more substantial, may end up selling house and not getting enough to repay the second. More info needed. Economic Development & Housing Coordinator: some properties selling from !0,00- 15,000l $30,000 in rehab costs is projected. Consensus: concern about “silent second” concept; need to be selective about houses purchased to be rehab; more info needed; caution about how much work could be done for $30,000. Mayor: might be better for City to buy houses, tear down, and then loan for a new house. New Construction Program: 4-5 bedrooms; $85,00-90,000; Agency assist with writing down land costs, benefit flows directly to buyer; Agency currently owns 3 lots - 7500 square feet size in the area, R-1-D. Discussion regarding possibility of 2-story - can look at it, may not be energy efficient in terms of A/C; other new homes have been built, but it has not spurred others to occur, maybe this is not answer. California Energy Commission still wants to do a project in Palm Springs. Developer guarantee might a tool for incentive to build, do not know how that would work mechanically, but it could be explored. Council Study Session 9. COYOTE RUN PHASE II Preliminary site plan prepared by CVHC, for 60 units south of existing project site; would use same child care, add a pool; Agency will be asked to donate land. Hodges: existing project is great; concerned about concentration in one area; recognize that other land areas would have to be looked at to accomplishing scattering units throughout the city. Mayor would like more data - how does amenity package grow with development; where are the low mod units now; are there enough units; how much money remains in housing fund; if unit goal has been reached, and funds remain, maybe there are other ways to spend the money. 10. HOUSING ASSISTANCE FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM This proposal to be reviewed when information concerning other above items is returned to the Council for presentation and discussion. Adjourned: 9:15 p.m.