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Date: March 21, 2012 NEW BUSINESS
Subject: TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY MEDIAN LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS
CITY PROJECT 08-20
From: David H. Ready, City Manager
Initiated by: Public Works and Engineering Department
SUMMARY
In 2009, the Public Works and Engineering Department initiated a project to develop
schematic landscape plans for the Tahquitz Canyon Way median; included as part of
the scope was the development of schematic landscape plans for City Hall. Final
approval of the schematic landscape plans for the Tahquitz Canyon Way median have
been on hold due to the Council's separate consideration of the historic designation of
the City Hall property. In an effort to move the Tahquitz Canyon Way median project
forward, the City Hall has been excluded from the Council's consideration of the
schematic landscape plans at this time.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Approve the schematic landscape plans for the Tahquitz Canyon Way median;
2) Approve Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 5809 with RGA Landscape
Architects, Inc., in an amount of $94,400 for a revised total contract amount of
$157,940 for the Tahquitz Canyon Way Median Landscaping Improvements, City
Project No. 08-20; and
3) Direct staff to process the final landscape design approval pursuant to
Architectural Review guidelines including consultation with the Indian Planning
Commission and Tribal Council; and
4) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
ITEM NO."L�_
City Council Staff Report
March 21, 2012 - Page 2
Tahquitz Canyon Way Median Landscaping(CP 08-20)
STAFF ANALYSIS:
On March 25, 2009, the City Council awarded a contract to RGA Landscape Architects
("RGA") to provide the City with a professional schematic landscape plan to convert the
existing Tahquitz Canyon Way median landscaping to a desert-landscape, drought
tolerant, and sustainable landscape that balances the Mayor's call for sustainability
while maintaining the enduring vision of greenery and colorful annuals for Palm Springs
tourists. The project also included preparation of schematic landscape plans for the
Palm Springs City Hall and Riverside County Administrative Offices complex— however,
approval of these schematic landscape plans has been excluded from this action and
will be brought forward at a later date.
A copy of the March 25, 2009, City Council staff report is included as Attachment 1.
A Steering Committee appointed by the City Manager met periodically with RGA during
development of the initial draft schematic landscape plans. Public review and comment
was solicited early in the process of preparing the schematic landscape plans, with the
project being posted on the City's webpage and an opportunity to review draft
schematic landscape plans being made available to the Office of Neighborhood
Involvement and the downtown merchants association "Main Street". On October 29,
2009, a public meeting was held at City Hall providing another opportunity for the public
to review the preliminary draft schematic landscape plans prior to initiating the formal
Major Architectural Review process.
Comments received from the public were reviewed and considered by the Steering
Committee, and ultimately the Steering Committee recommended moving forward with
the final draft schematic landscape plans.
Schematic Landscape Design Vision and Concepts
The goal of the redesign of the median is to convert the existing Tahquitz Canyon Way
median landscaping to a desert-friendly, drought tolerant and sustainable landscape
that balances the Mayor's call for sustainability while maintaining the enduring vision of
greenery and colorful annuals for Palm Springs tourists and visitors. Drought tolerant
landscaping will be dominant, but it won't be the only landscape concept. The schematic
landscape plans encompass the entire median island within Tahquitz Canyon Way from
El Cielo Road at the airport west to Indian Canyon Drive near the Spa Casino Resort'.
' The schematic landscape plans have been prepared for all of the Tahquitz Canyon
Way median; however, final landscape plans will only be developed for the Section 14
segment as that segment has been funded by the Tribe for final design and
construction.
02
City Council Staff Report
March 21, 2012- Page 3
Tahquitz Canyon Way Median Landscaping(CP 08-20) ,
Sustainability features included in the schematic landscape plan are:
• Reduce the amount of sod and increase the use of drought tolerant native plants.
• Reuse some of the existing palm trees in the median.
• Look into using the median as storm water retention for irrigation purposes.
• Incorporate native images and art pieces that reflect the culture of the ACBCI, and
integrates existing pieces like those at Tahquitz and Indian Canyon.
RGA was directed to develop a new landscape and landform along Tahquitz Canyon
Way conveying an unforgettable visual experience extending all the way from the airport
to Indian Canyon Drive. The schematic landscape plans express the Palm Springs
"Brand" while also distinguishing the Tribal land in Section 14. The plans are unified by
sustainable practices and a continuity of appropriate plant materials. The plans will be
the framework within which the geological and environmental uniqueness of the region
will meld the heritage of tribal culture, the art and architectural excellence associated
with Palm Springs, and address the tourist experience.
The entire 2.25 miles of the Tahquitz Canyon Way median is organized by four zones2
with special emphasis placed on the gateway at the intersection of El Cielo Road and
Tahquitz Canyon Way, the entries into Section 14, the Tribal land, and the high
pedestrian-use urban zone between the Renaissance Hotel and Indian Canyon Drive.
Balancing the need for continuity and specialness, the plan links all zones by a landform
with subtle changes that reflect the special character of each zone and to reinforce its
uniqueness. Changes from one zone to the next may include artwork, plant material
selections, variation in texture, materials and lighting. Emphasis has been given to
native and non-native desert adapted plant materials. Particular attention is paid to
plants within Section 14 that have cultural significance to the Cahuilla Indians. The
schematic landscape plans achieve this combination of goals through a number of
means, including:
• Integration of bio swales / rain gardens
Irrigation system re-design
• Use of locally sourced materials
• Use of multi-species plantings to avoid massed monocultures
• Reinforce the image of the existing Mexican Fan Palms silhouetted against the
mountains and sky as the iconic "image" of Palm Springs
• Employ native California Fan Palms as part of a design palette demonstrating
sustainable practices and a powerful symbol of our unique ecology and Tribal
heritage
• Use of theme plant materials to tie mid-century modem architecture with sensitivity
to sustainable landscape design
2 The fourth zone — "Civic Zone", includes City Hall and has been excluded from this
action.
03
City Council Staff Report
March 21, 2012- Page 4
Tahquitz Canyon Way Median Landscaping(CP 08-20)
In addition to the schematic landscape plans for the four zones, two plant palettes have
been identified:
City of Palm Springs Plant Palette: Section 14 Plan Palette: Resort
Civic/Neighborhood Zones Tribal/Downtown Urban Zones
Large Trees: Large Trees:
• Fever Tree • Ironwood
• Sonoran Palo Verde • Honey Mesquite
• Blue Palo Verde • Blue Palo Verde
Small Trees: Small Trees:
• Chihuahuan Orchid • Cat's Claw Acacia
• Desert Willow • Desert Willow
Palms: Palms:
• California Fan Palm California Fan Palm
• Mexican Fan Palm
Shrubs:
Shrubs: • Desert Verbena
• Summer Star • Four-Wing Saltbush
• Winter Gold • Desert Milkweed
• Pink Beauty • Wild Grape
• Easter Egg Bush • Jojoba
• Cimarron • Creosote Bush
• Coral fountain • Chia
• Valentine • White Dalea
• Cascalote Smoothie • Brittle Bush
• While Evening Primrose
Accents:
• Agave Varieties Cacti:
• Hesperaloe Varieties • Agave
• Yucca Varieties • Cotton Top Cactus
• Barrel Cactus
• Teddy Bear Cactus
• Prickly Pear Cactus
• Western Prickly Pear
In addition to the plantings, iconic planters, public art, native designs, sculptures,
monuments, enhanced pavement/pavers, and lighting will be incorporated into the
Tahquitz Canyon Way median. Placement and type of art, pavers, planters, lighting, and
monuments will be determined as part of the final design.
A copy of the schematic landscape plans is included as Attachment 2.
04
City Council Staff Report
March 21, 2012- Page 5
Tahquitz Canyon Way Median Landscaping (CP 08-20)
Prior Architectural Review Process
On January 11, 2010, the AAC voted 5-0-1 (Parker abstaining) to generally recommend
approval of the schematic landscape plan for the Tahquitz Canyon Way median, and for
a restudy of the City Hall schematic landscape plan.
On January 25, 2010, the Director of Planning Services approved Case No. 3.3377 —
MAA, a Minor Architectural Approval application of schematic landscape plans of the
City Hall parking lot and surrounding areas.
On February 8, 2010, a group of interested persons filed an appeal of the Planning
Director's decision with the City Clerk.
On March 10, 2010, the Planning Commission considered the appeal, and voted 5-0 to
approve the appeal and overturn the Planning Director's approval.
Because at that time the architectural review for the schematic landscape plans
included the City Hall, concerns regarding the historic site designation and changes to
City Hall site subsequently delayed formal approval of the schematic landscape plans
for the Tahquitz Canyon Way median. Generally, AAC and the Planning Commission
considered the schematic landscape plan for the Tahquitz Canyon Way median
favorably, subject to subsequent review of final landscape plans.
On March 22, 2011, the Tribal Council reviewed the schematic landscape plan for the
Tahquitz Canyon Way median, and recommended approval to the City Council with the
following conditions:
1. Remove the mid-block pedestrian crossings;
2. Preserve the existing bike paths and on-street parking along Tahquitz Canyon
Way; and
3. Public artwork and Tribal icons proposed in the Tahquitz Canyon Way median in
Section 14 shall be submitted to the Tribe for review and approval prior to
installation.
A copy of the Tribal Council approval letter is included as Attachment 3.
Staff recommends the City Council approve the schematic landscape plan for the
Tahquitz Canyon Way median to be used as the basis for the final design of the Section
14 median re-landscaping.
05
City Council Staff Report
March 21, 2012 - Page 6
Tahquitz Canyon Way Median Landscaping(CP 08-20)
Proposed Architectural Review Process
This type of capital project is generally exempt from the City's architectural review
process. Chapter 91.00.05 (B) of the Palm Springs Zoning Code (PSZC) establishes
that "A street...right-of-way, water course, drainage channel or body of water included
on the zoning map shall, unless otherwise indicated, have no zoning and shall not be
used or improved for other than the purpose for which they exist. Under this provision
of the PSZC, the Director of Planning Services has determined that as the public right-
of-way itself has no zoning, any improvements within the right-of-way fall under the
discretion of the Public Works and Engineering Department and are outside the realm of
the PSZC and its procedures (such as architectural review).
The Public Works and Engineering Department recommends for highly visible public
works transportation projects that may have aesthetic enhancement, including
landscaping, architectural review should occur to allow review and recommendation of
proposed aesthetics prior to the City Council's final approval. For this project staff
recommends that the City Council direct the Public Works and Engineering Department
to follow an architectural review procedure outlined below for review of the final
landscape design.
Consultation with the Indian Planning Commission and Tribal Council is important for
this project given the significance of the median landscaping within Tahquitz Canyon
Way in Section 14, and particularly in light of the Tribe's generous funding of this
project.
Proposed Architectural Review Process:
1. Architectural Advisory Committee review/comment
2. Indian Planning Commission review/comment
3. Tribal Council review/comment
4. City Council approval
Staff recommends Council approve the contract amendment with RGA to prepare a final
landscape design for the Section 14 segment of this project (see Attachment 4).
06
City Council Staff Report
March 21, 2012 - Page 7
Tahquitz Canyon Way Median Landscaping (CP 08-20)
FISCAL IMPACT:
On January 18, 2012, the Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding and
Subcontractor Services Agreement with the Tribe, which allows the City to indirectly
receive $2,000,000 of federal funds from the Tribe's Indian Reservation Roads ("IRR")
Program to complete the re-landscaping of the Tahquitz Canyon Way median within
Section 14 (from Indian Canyon Drive to Sunrise Way). Funding for this project is
covered 100% by these IRR funds.
SUBMITTED:
Prepared by: Recommended by:
Jim 99L
Marcus L. Fuller David J. Barakian
Assistant Director of Public Works Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Approved by:
o.
Thomas J. Wils Asst. City Manager David H. Ready, Ci ger
Attachments:
1. March 25, 2009, City Council staff report
2. Tahquitz Canyon Way median schematic landscape plans
3. March 24, 2011, Tribal Council letter
4. RGA Contract Amendment
07
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'F0`"gyp City Council Staff Report
Date: March 25, 2009 CONSENT CALENDAR
Subject: APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RGA
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, INC. FOR THE TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY
MEDIAN, PALM SPRINGS CITY HALL, AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES SCHEMATIC LANDSCAPE DESIGN, CITY
PROJECT 08-20
From: David H. Ready, City Manager
Initiated by: Public Works and Engineering Department
SUMMARY
Award of this contract will allow the City to proceed with preparation of schematic
landscape designs for the Tahquitz Canyon Way median (extending from Indian
Canyon Drive to El Cielo Road), Palm Springs City Hall, and the Riverside County
Administrative Offices complex.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Approve Agreement No. with RGA Landscape Architects, Inc., in the
amount of$63,540 for preparation of schematic landscape plans for the Tahquitz
Canyon Way median (extending from Indian Canyon Drive to El Cielo Road),
Palm Springs City Hall, and the Riverside County Administrative Offices complex
(City Project No. 08-20); and
2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents; and
3) Direct the City Manager to appoint a Steering Committee for this project_
STAFF ANALYSIS:
On May 29, 2008, Mayor Pougnet issued a call to the citizens of Palm Springs to join
him on "The Palm Springs Path to Sustainability", and "20 First Steps on Sustainability"
agreed upon by the Palm Springs City Council on May 21, 2008, including:
2. Complete a comprehensive water audit of all public buildings and facilities and
develop an action plan that will reduce City water usage by 50% by 2012; and
ITEM, NO. L $
City Council Staff Report
March 25,2000-Page 2
Tahquitz Canyon way Median Design(CR 08.20)
5. Identify City Hall as a showcase for public sustainability efforts and a model for
energy, water and waste conservation; and
9. Implement a model re-landscaping project showcasing the Tahquitz Median from the
airport to downtown by the end of 2009.
The purpose of this project is to implement these provisions of the Mayor's call for
sustainability, and will provide the City with a professional schematic landscape plan to
convert the existing Tahquitz Canyon Way median landscaping to a desert-landscape,
drought tolerant, and sustainable landscape that balances the Mayor's call for
sustainability while maintaining the enduring vision of greenery and colorful annuals for
Palm Springs tourists. The project also requires preparation of schematic landscape
plans for the Palm Springs City Hall and Riverside County Administrative Offices
complex.
In October, staff prepared a Request for Proposals (RFP), to solicit proposals from
landscape architects interested in working on this project. In the RFP, staff emphasized
the following:
This project is a highly visible, important architectural project for the City of Palm
Springs. A well conceived, Palm Springs"design for the landscaping is expected. The
project will require collaboration with the community, City staff, as well as, the
Architectural Advisory Committee, the Planning Commission, and City Council.
Processing the schematic landscape architectural plans through the City's Major
Architectural Approval process is required.
On October 17, 2008, the RFP was released for public review and distributed to
landscape architecture firms registered with the City.
On November 14, 2008, the following 17 firms submitted Proposals in reply to the City's
solicitation (in alphabetical order):
BMLA, Inc.; Corona, CA
Community Works Design Group; Riverside, CA
Conceptual Design & Planning Company Inc.; Irvine, CA
Copley Design Collaborative; Oceanside, CA
David Evans and Associates, Inc.; Riverside, CA
David Volz Design; Costa Mesa, CA
Design Workshop; Stateline, NV
FORMA; Costa Mesa, CA
Hermann &Associates; La Quinta, CA
NUVIS; Costa Mesa, CA
Randy Pumel Landscape Architects; Rancho Mirage, CA
RGA Landscape Architects, Inc.; Palm Desert, CA
09
City Council Staff Report
March 25,2009- Page 3
Tahquitz Canyon Way Median Design (CP 08-20)
RHA Landscape Architects-Planners, Inc; Riverside, CA
RJM Design Group Inc.; San Juan Capistrano, CA
Stantec; San Marcos, CA
Summers/Murphy& Partners, Inc.; Dana Point, CA
TKD Associates, Inc.; Rancho Mirage, CA
On December 3, 2008, the City Council appointed Mayor Pro Tempore Mills and
Councilmember Hutcheson to the Tahquitz Median Landscape Design Subcommittee.
Subsequently, staff met with the Council Subcommittee to form an Evaluation
Committee to participate in reviewing the submitted proposals, which consisted of the
following individuals:
Mayor Pro Tempore Mills
• Councilmember Hutcheson
• Planning Commissioner Doug Donenfeld
• Sustainability Commissioner Mark Nichols
• Michael Buccino (Owner, Michael Buccino Associates)
Director of Parks and Recreation, Sharon Heider
• Asst. Director of Public Works, Marcus Fuller
On January 15, 2009, the Evaluation Committee met to review the final ranking of the
submitted proposals, following each Committee member's independent review and
evaluation of the proposals. As a result, the Committee concluded that there were two
"top ranked"firms: Design Workshop and RGA Landscape Architects, inc. These firms
were invited to participate in a formal interview on February 19, 2009.
Following the interviews, the Evaluation Committee met and considered RGA
Landscape Architects, Inc., (RGA) as the most qualified firm. The firm proposes the
following individuals as the primary staff assigned to this project: Ronald Gregory, Rob
Parker, and Reuel Young (who will be working in conjunction with RGA as a consultant).
Staff has prepared a consultant services agreement with RGA who has offered to
provide the required services in an amount not to exceed $63,540.
Given the importance of this highly visible public project, staff recommends that City
Council authorize the City Manager to form a Steering Committee to work with RGA
throughout the process of preparing preliminary and final schematic landscape designs.
It is staffs recommendation that the Evaluation Committee be assigned this task as the
Steering Committee, with the exception of Michael Buccino, on the basis that it might
appear as a conflict of interest having Michael Buccino indirectly coordinate the
preparation of schematic landscape plans by another local landscape architect.
City Council Staff Report
March 25, 2009-Page 4
Tahquitz Canyon Way Median Design(CP 08-20)
FISCAL IMPACT:
Although this project was not included as a capital improvement project in the
2008/2009 fiscal year budget, staff is recommending that this project be funded from the
following Measure Y account: 26 1-2494-51 52 5 (Desert Landscape Conversion). Staff
notes that this account was first established as part of the 2006/2007 fiscal year budget,
and has not yet been used for a desert landscape conversion project. The account was
continued into the 2008/2009 fiscal year budget with a balance of$107,639-
SUBMITTED.
David J. Barakian Thomas J. Wilsp
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Assistant City Manager
fir.
David H. Ready, City4 ager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Agreement