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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/17/1984 - MINUTES MINUTES OF CITY OF PALM SPRINGS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 17, 1984 An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, and an Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Community Redevel- opment Agency of the City of Palm Springs, were called 'Co order by Mayor/Chairman Bogert, in the Large Conference Room, City Hall , 3200 Tahquitz-McCallum Way, on Monday, September 17, 1984 at 3:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Council/Agency Members Birer, Foster, Smith, Maryanov, Mayor/Chairman Bogert Absent: None LEGISLATIVE ACTION: 1. PA2B6-10. CONVENTION CENTER - EMINENT DOMAIN Recommendation: That the Agency direct that negotiations commence with property owners and lease holders of property within Convention Center district, and amend the budget to provide funds for legal work connected therewith, specifi- cally, amending the budget to accept loan frorii the City Council of $50,000; and that the Council loan $50,000 to the Redevelopment Agency. Redevelopment Director stated that it was desirable to be prepared for some legal advice in connection with potential eminent domain proceedings, and there are no redevelopment funds available because there has been no tax increment for this particular project area; and that of the $50,000, $25,000 would be for preparing the development agreement and $25,000 for working toward litigation on the acquisition of the properties. Resolution 15232 of the City Council, loaning $50,000 to the Redevelopment Agency was presented; after which, it was moved by Birer, seconded by Foster, and unanimously carried, Maryanov and Smith abstaining, that Resolution 15232 be adopted. Resolutions 247, 248, and 249 of the Redevelopment Agency, accepting the loan from the City, amending the Agency budget relative to the loan, and approving extending existing agree- ment No. 66 with Oliver, Stoever and Laskin to include the Convention Center, were presented; after which, it was moved by Birer, seconded by Foster, and unanimously carried, Maryanov and Smith abstaining, that Resolutions 247, 248, and 249 be adopted. It was moved by Birer, seconded by Foster, and unanimously carried that Agency staff proceed to negotiate with property owners and leaseholders as recommended for both the first and second phases of the project. Mayor declared the Council recessed for the purpose of remaining in session as the Redevelopment Agency and business resumed as follows. 2. PA2B6-10 - CONVENTION CENTER - DEVELOPMENT & DISPOSITION AGREEMENT Recommendation: That the Agency approve agreement with Kasirer, Wolfson and Franco and Simmons, Ritchie, Segal and Stark, attorneys for drafting of the development and disposi- tion agreement for the Convention Center project, and for bond counsel should that become necessary. In event bonds are not sold for the project, Simmons, Ritchie, Segal & CRA MINUTES 9-17-84 Page 2 2. PA2B6-10 - CONVENTION CENTER (Continued) Sterck to be compensated by the Agency at a rate of $125 per hour, up to a maximum of $25,000. Resolution 250, approving the agreement was presented, after which, it was moved by Foster, seconded by Birer, and unani- mously carried, Maryanov and Smith abstaining, that Resolu- tion 250 be adopted. 3. AGENCY BY-LAWS AMENDMENT The Redevelopment Director stated that the Agency's by-laws provide that its officers correspond to certain offices held by City officers, and because of title changes, it is neces- sary to amend the Agency by-laws, i .e. , Assistant Secretary/City Clerk ; and to provide that in the absence of the City's officers, those persons holding the corresponding office of the City in an acting capacity shall serve as acting officer of the Agency. Resolution 251, amending the by-laws to reflect titles as recommended, was presented, after which, it was moved by Foster, seconded by Birer, and unanimously carried that Resolution 251 be adopted. AGENCY ADJOURNMENT There being no further business Chairman declared the Agency meeting adjourned; and Mayor reconvened the City Council and business resumed as follows: 1 . STREET VACATIONS - PORTIONS OF CALLE ALVARADO AND ANDREAS ROAD Recommendation: That the Council declare intent to vacate portion of Calle Alvarado and portion of Andreas Road in Section 1.4, to allow for the construction of the Convention Center project, and set hearing thereon for October 17, 1984. Resolution 15233, declaring intent and setting hearing as recommended, was presented; after which, it was moved by Foster, seconded by Birer, and unanimously carried, Maryanov and Smith abstaining, that Resolution 15233 ibe adopted. 5. McCALLUM CIVIC BUILDING Note: Mr. Maryanov was excused for the remainder of the meeting. The purpose of the presentation was to provide the Council with updated information relative to the status of proposals received for the McCallum Civic Building. Redevelopment Director stated that two proposals were received: one from Wessman Plaza Development; and one from Pitts Development; that both proposals provide for retention of the existing structures as much as possible and to reno- vate them. Donald Wexler on behalf of Mr. Pitts, displayed rendering indicating the proposal of Mr. Pitts, stating that a parking structure is proposed on the Pitts property across from the Spa Hotel ; and that a park atmosphere with outdoor dining is desired on the corner. He stated that parking behind the Welmas Building and the Plaza could be used at night for this use. He illustrated other points of the proposal indicating greenhouse-balcony dining, service along the alley between the McCallum Building, and the existing Library. 89 CRA MINUTES 9-17-84 Page 3 5. McCALLUM CIVIC BUILDING (Continued) Mr. Wessman displayed renderings of his proposal discussing various elements, indicating covered sidewalk for a portion of Tahquitz McCallum, retail uses along the ground floor, restaurants on the top floor, outdoor dining and various architectural considerations to the existing structures to provide various reliefs and breaking height lines and the starkness of the existing building. He stated that the existing theater would be converted into four shops with windows on Indian Avenue and Tahquitz-McCallum Way, and that a skylight around the restaurant would be provided. He also stated that regarding the Library, he would like the oppor- tunity to open this area and incorporate it into the overall concept of the development, providing paving around the Library, softening its landscaping and planters around the trees currently in the back Library courtyard. lie stated that approximately 17,000 square feet of retail space would be provided. Public restrooms could be maintained by the developer including drinking fountains. He stated that a new building would be constructed on the corner to provide perhaps flowers or magazines for sale; and noted other addi- tional features to create a veranda on the second floor; that he has exclusive right to negotiate for the purchase and/or trade of the Tackett property; and that he has a meeting scheduled with the Liebling Trust relative to properties on the the north side of Tahquitz-McCallum Way. He expressed interest in what he would do with those properties, tying them to the McCallum Civic Building site, in particular, pro- viding parking and a complex which would be compatible to the renovated McCallum Building. He stated that his acquisition of the McCallum Building would provide him the means for relocation of certain tenants of properties on the north side of the street; and that it was his intent to spend a con- siderable amount of money on the renovation of the building, and that it might not place him in a position of competing on a dollar-for-dollar basis against Mr. Pitts' proposal . Redevelopment Director stated that both proposals are about the same in terms of interior walls and uses and the question becomes one of architecture and parking; that "-he Council could direct the staff to keep negotiating with both parties, or to work with one or the other and then go to the Architec- tural Advisory Committee and Planning Commission for review; that the second phase of the proposal process was to nego- tiate a price and resolve other issues prior to coming back to the Council ; and that the Council may choose not to have the dollars be the issue, but rather quality of design, then working toward monetary considerations. Mr. Wessman stated that he has ninety days on his exclusive right to the Tackett property and could provide parking for the McCallum Building on that site, which would give him a successful project even without the Liebling properties. Redevelopment Director stated that if both proposals are acceptable designs, staff could be -instructed to negotiate a lease or sale with both; however, Mr. Wessman has stated that he would not compete on a dollar basis because his proposal entails a considerable expense, and if dollars is the only consideration, then his proposal should not be pursued; and that if the Council wished to proceed with Mr. Picts proposal the staff would then take it to the Planning Commission; and move toward negotiating how much money would be paid, and agreements developed, including timing of parking structures. CRA MINUTES 9-17-84 Page 4 5. McCALLUM CIVIC BUILDING (Continued) Redevelopment Director stated that one criteria for the proposal was that the architecture be compatible with the adjacent Plaza and Library. Mr. Wessman stated that he took the criteria seriously and it will cost considerable money to accomplish that end; that he believed there are conceptual differences in the projects, in that one provides an old flavor similar to the Plaza, and the the other takes a softening of a stark building approach, and he did not believe that Mr. Pitts' proposal followed the RFP as he read it. He stated that he would tie his proposal to the ability to acquire the Tackett property, however noted that he cannot redevelop the Tackett property without the McCallum property site because of the situation of relocating tenants; and that he was willing to condition his proposal on a ninety day period in which to perform the acquisition of the Tackett property. Councilman Smith stated that if the north and south proper- ties could be tied together he would like to move in the direction of Mr. Wessman's proposal , and was concerned that referring or continuing this matter would only result in another ,year' s delay. Councilman Foster questioned if it would be possible of having the Redevelopment Director discuss renovation ideas with both parties, and then come back to the Council relative to potential lease or sale. Mr. Pitts stated that his bid is specific and he was willing to negotiate once the decision was made, and that he did not feel he was in a position to start bargaining in terms of money. Mr. Wessman stated that he agreed with Mr. Pitts, and the decision as to where the City wants to go with this property and what kind of architecture it wants must be concluded before attempting to negotiate price; that he would riot put himself in a bidding competition, and that he was not aware at this particular moment what he might be able to pay to the City, but would have to look at the project and obtain very accurate prices as to how much the development will cost, what will happen with the Tackett property, and the extent to which he may have to subsidize relocated tenants. Mr. Pitts stated that he could solve the parking problem immediately and noted that this site is also adjacent to the Plaza. Councilman Birer stated he wanted to be assured that the Council is dealing with equivalencies - that Mr. Wessman cannot develop the site without parking, and he would like to see a ninety-day period to see if Mr. Wessman 's proposal can actually be produced. Motion by Birer, seconded by Smith, that the Council extend consideration of choice of developer for additional ninety days to see if Mr. Wessman's proposal can be accomplished was later withdrawn. Mr. Wessman stated that he has signed an agreement with the Tackett Trust for a "1031 trade" of property, and he would know in ninety days if he has a valid trade; and that commit- ment of the McCallum Building will determine if he can pro- ceed with the Tackett project. CRA MINUTES 9-17-84 Page 5 5. McCALLUM CIVIC BUILDING (Continued) It was moved by Birer, seconded by Smith, and unanimously carried, Maryanov absent, that discussions with Mr. Wessman relative to his proposal be conducted over the next ninety days including a firm agreement of price, and., lacking success in that direction, Council will then pursue-. Mr. Pitts proposal , 6. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Mayor noted that there exists a vacancy on the City°s Library Board and the Energy Commission because of recent. resigna- tions. Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that a group interview of all interested persons and City Council be conducted for the Library Board on Tuesday, October 2, 1984, at 5:00 p.m. following the study session, and for the Energy Commission on Tuesday, October 9, 1984, also at 5:00 p.m. following the study session. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. JUDITH SUMiCH City Clerk