HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/13/2010 - STAFF REPORTS - 00 (2)Page I of I
Jay Thompson
h L'.
From: Ginny Feat p n
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 2:49 PM
To: ginny foat; Jay Thompson
Subject: FW: Pointe Center and Palm Springs City Council meeting Jan 13,2010
Importance: High
From: Shirley Vulpe [mailto:savulpe@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 5:21 PM
To: Ginny Foat
Subject: Pointe Center and Palm Springs City Council meeting Jan 13,2010
Dear Councilwoman Float,
I am writing to say that my husband and I, both residents of Palm Springs Country Club
expressed our faith in you in the elections and expect that as a council member of Palm
Springs you will consider the grave concerns, financial losses and requests of Palm
Springs residents whose life and livelihood have been impacted by the actions of Pointe
Center when you hear what Pointe Center offers in your upcoming meeting.
Sincerely yours,
Dr's. Michael and Shirley Vulpe
shirely Vulpe
�✓>Q.�..j C �G�N'GJT
1/11/2010
Page 1 of 1
Cindy Berardi
From: fFabricant@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 2:58 PM
To: Chris Mills; CityManager@palmsprings-ca.gov; Ginny Foat; Lee Weigel; Rick Hutcheson; Steve Pougnet;
bammerman@wss-law.com; CityClerk
Subject: Point Center Financial & lawsuit & PSCC
Dear Palm Springs City Council and authorities:
When/if you are considering making a deal with Point Center Financial regarding the former Palm Springs
Country Club golf course, please remember that they have blatantly ignored their responsibilities regarding
the upkeep of what was once a golf course. You as managers and elected representatives are not allowed
to ignore your responsibilities. Point Center Financial should not be allowed to do that either.
I live next to what used to be the fairway of the 17th hole and enjoyed watching the golfers and appreciated
the green grass. I realize that Mr. Burnett (the previous owner) also ignored his responsibility but he was a
master at it -- witness his multiple bankruptcies and leaving developments in the lurch.
IF the individuals who purchased "shares" or "interests" from Mr. Hartley are to be believed, Point Center
Financial is faithfully following in the footsteps of Mr. Burnett. They might have been duped by Point Center
Financial. I hope the Palm Springs authorities do not succumb to PCF sweet talk as the investors were.
Therefore, Point Center Financial should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law with all fines and
judgments to be paid in full AND restoration/upkeep of the green space specified in Palm Springs City
Ordinance or Civil Code.
Please don't settle for a few pennies on the dollar. Please don't believe any "promises" you might receive
from Point Center Financial. That is not what we pay you for nor what we elected you for. You are
supposed to protect the public's interest. Please do not give it away.
Sincerely,
Fred Fabricant
2597A N. Whitewater Club Drive.
Palm Springs - 92262
Palm Springs Country Club - Phase II
1/11/2010
Page 1 of 1
Jay Thompson
From: Ginny Foat
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 2:50 PM
To: ginny foat: Jay Thompson
Subject: FW: PSCC golf course land
LU IG JI.I♦ C� E 51
From: racSOnyc@aol.com (mailto:rac50nyc@aol.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 12:41 PM
To: Steve Pougnet
Cc: Ginny Foat; Chris Mills; Rick Hutcheson; "Lee.Weigel@palmsprings-cityclerk"@palmsprings-
ca.govca.gov; dholland@wss-law.cem; CityManager@palmsprings-ca.gov
Subject: PSCC golf course land
To all concerned and representing the city of Palm Springs,
As a resident of Palm Springs, and a neighbor that backs up to the PSCC property,
I am very concerned about the final determination of this land use.
My hope is that the new owners of the PSCC property and the city of Palm Springs will be required to
very seriously consider the impact there decisions will have on those of us who are immediately adjoining
this property. The adverse affect of the PSCC property decline in the past few years has been
unacceptable. If this standard is maintained or continues to decline, the result will be further deterioration
of property values, neighboring home occupancy and maintenance, and standard of living in this area.
Property valuations/appraisals (*funded by financial institutions) that were $700k in 2007 ... are now
reduced to $200k. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what property owners will decide to do (in their
own best interests) if they are not seriously considered in these final decisions. The city of Palm Springs,
and this entire desert region, is on the verge of become a ghost town of sorts. Store fronts will continue to
remain vacant and more will result, services will continue to be lost, and residents will be picking up and
moving away from what was touted as "RESORT" living.
Five times in the past few years, my property has been seriously intruded upon and/or vandalized. My
neighbor have had trespassers using their property as an easement as access to the neighboring trailer
park, climbing fences, peeking in windows, theft and vandalism.
I had intended major improvements on my property, and I have put all of these considerations on hold
since the PSCC golf course started it's very sad decline, and the potential redefinition of the land use.
It will be up to those making the final decisions, and the considerations to those of us invested and
neighboring the PSCC property, how I proceed with my ownership of my property here in Palm Springs
Roger Case
2040 Joyce Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
* BIGBOYSONGS@aol.com
1/11/2010
Page 1 of 2
Jay Thompson
From: Ginny Foat
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 2:50 PM
To: ginny foat; Jay Thompson
Subject: FW: attached articles on PSCC golf course
Attachments: 2010-01-2 & 8 Desert Sun Article and response.RTF
From: Donna Buckinger[mailto:jdbuckinger2@verizon.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 10:12 AM
To: Donna Buckinger
Subject: attached articles on PSCC golf course
Dear All,
f V Pil 2_.�7
'LL 62 I
' T r
I'm not sure I made myself clear on my e-mail pertaining to the Palm Springs Council
Meeting on Wednesday the 13 of January.
First, this is a closed session because the city has a law suit against Pointe Center and
their investors. We as interested residents will not be able to attend.
What I would like is for you to contact the City Council, City Manager and City Attorney
to state that we hope they will consider the residents and their requests as well as what
PC offers. This is basically the only way we will be heard. Again I am supplying the e-
mail addresses for these people.
I have come to the conclusion that if we don't speak (or write) and be heard it is our
fault what happens or doesn't happen here.
I am attaching a copy of the original new article from the Desert Sun and a letter to the
editor which I think you might be interested in.
Donna
Mayor Steve Pougnet
Steve.Pouaneta,,nalmsorines-ca.2ov
Council Members
G innv. Fo atO, oalmsDrin Qs-ca- aov
Chris. Millsna,nalmsnrines-ca-Qov
hick.Hutcheson(@,,nalmsnrines-ca. eov
Lee. Weieelaoalmsorines-ca.pov
City Attorney Douglas Holland
dholland(@wss-law.com
1/11/2010
Page 2 of 2
City Manager Dr. David Ready
CityManager@palmsprings-ca.gov
Current attorney assigned case
bammermanAwss-law. cam
City Clerk James Thompson
cityclerk@palmsprings-ca.gov
fulwAIlllil
palm springs SATURDAY, dANuARY2,2010 st
Neighbors decry state of golf course
Once one of the valley's oldest courses,
it's now a blightscape city can't change
BY MARCEL HONORE Springs Country Club, watched the
The Kasen &un course's water get shut off— and the
Il was one of the Coachella Valleys greens transform into a blighted, dusty
oldest courses, where famous golfers tract of dunes, dying trees and a di -
like former President Dwight Eisen- lopidated clubhouse.
hover and Rat Pack royalty Frank "It really used to be a beautiful
Sinatra once teed off against the spec- place," Palm Springs Country Club
lacular views of,MountSan Jacinto. resident Sal Cursincero said Tuesday.
But several years ago [he Palm surveying what's left of the course and
Springs Country Club golf course shut clubhouse.
down completely, amid plans by de- A get sick every time I come down
velopers to replace the public 18-11101e here. Look what they turned it into."
course with a new 450-home pro- Cursincero and other residents in
ject. the 176-unit community continue to
Those plans dissolved into financial anxiously await some move by the
troubles, and the property owner died. course property owner, Aliso Viejo -
Residents in the separately owned gal- based Point Center Financial either
ed community next door, Palm
hand it to someone else.
The company acquired the property
for $19.2 million in February 2006. "if
you can't build on it, sell it;" CnrSin-
cero said.
Representatives for Point Center Fi-
nancial could not be reached for com-
ment.
In April 2008, the city of Palm
Springs filed suit in Riverside County
Superior Court's Indio branch against
Point Center Financial when [he prop-
erty continued to deteriorate despite
two code enforcement fines of S300
and $1,500.
The city''s suit stalled, however, be-
cause the court required all 92 indi-
vidual investors in the property be list-
ed as co-defendants and served wilh
the sit, according to an Aug. 12,2009
letter from Assistant City Attorney
Please see COUNTRY
Ct.i. R. RJ
COUNTRY
CLUB. New plan in works
to revitalize the property or
Continued from Bi
care of [lie property, reducing
Diego Santana.
erty maintenance code, there's the nuisance to the neighbors,
All of [ ines
be investors have been
little city officials can do, Hol- Holland said. He declined to
it
served, Sie
letter stated,
land said, elaborate whal would entail.
"I can't mandate that they put in Cursincero said he hoped the
and a new hearing has been set
for April26.
a golf course," he said. I can'tcity's action would prompt
The city has to ensure the
require them to go out and Point Center to lake action. He
plant' added that lore's trying to facti-
o zoned for use as open
p property, p
space,, i "s reasonable' main-
Point Center recently' started itate, a potential deal between
lamed" so that it doesn't
doing a "reasonable job" of getting Point Center and buyers in the
palm
come a Fire hazard, Palm
rid of weeds, dead trees and other Bay Area.
"Nobody
ey, Doug
Springs City AtNWednesday'
potential hazards, Holland said. wanes to rent here,
The citynobodywants to buyhere; the
Holland said dnes
long -ten n plan [hat would re- all runt out because of [lie
Beyond enforcing the prop-
forcing the
quire Point Center to take better course,." Cursucero said.
THE DESERT SUN I FRIDAY. J'a"
lInvestors also are
frustrated with owners
I sympathize with nearby residents
about [lie decrepit condition of Palm
Springs Country Club in the article by
ldarceI Honore. It is a blight I know,
since I am one of the reluctant owners.
I and other investors in Point Center
Financial have been fruitlessly rry-iiii;
to Hh4son Withowmers Dan I Lirki-y [iiul
his wife and officer in the company,
Re pub] [can Assemblywoman Diane
Harkey with no resolution. It is no
wonder your reporter could not reach
them for a conunenl.
Thr country club is typical of propci i
tcs Ili. iI once acquired, and Iichy fees paid
to PCF and the w6bby HaAeys, have
been virtually abandoned.
No dividends have been pa[d to in-
vestors and our attempts at wilhdrawa[
of funds have been stonewalled. Often,
[ales, fees, fines and upkeep have not
been paid, much to our consternation.
We are in the lengthy and exhaustive
process of suing. I see no resolul[on for the
local residcn[s except w[Ih the
replacement of the Harkeys with a
competent manager to look out for the
interests of investors and neighbors.
Perhaps 2010 will be [he year in-
vestment companies reafiie they have a
moral and legal obligation to their
Investors and communities or be made
to.
Aid SipaI,ki Palm Desed
Page 1 of
Cindy Berardi
From: Douglas C. Holland [DHolland@wss-law.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 5:32 PM
To: Donna Buckinger; Steve Pougnet; Ginny Foat; Rick Hutcheson; Chris Mills; Lee Weigel
Cc: David Ready City Manager; Kimberley Bowman; Patti Lee, Ben Ammerman; CityClerk
Subject: RE: PS v Palm Springs Country Club
Good afternoon. Donna:
The matter is on next week's agenda (January 13) for closed session. (This is a pending litigation matter.) I will mention to the
Council that you would prefer the Council does not accept any offer of Pointe Center until the matter has been discussed with the
neighborhood.
Douglas C. Holland
Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart
714.415.1042
dhollandBwss-law.com
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE — This e-mail transmission, and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages attached to it may contain
information that is confidential or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that you must not read this transmission and that any disclosure, copying, printing, distribution or use of any of
the information contained in or attached to this transmission is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you have received this transmission in error, please
immediately notify the sender by telephone at (714) 415-1042 or return a -mail and delete the original transmission and its atteohments without
reading or saving in any manner. Thank you.
From: Donna Buckinger[mailto:jdbuckinger2@verizon.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 4;47 PM
To: Mayor Steve.Pougnet; Council Woman Ginny Foat; Councilman Rick Hutcheson; Mayor proten Chris.Mills; Council man
Lee. Weigel
CC: David Ready City Manager; Douglas C. Holland; Kimberley Bowman ; Patti Lee; Ben Ammerman; cityclerk@palmsprings-
ca.gov
Subject: FW: PS v Palm Springs Country Club
Dear Mayor Pougnet & Council Members,
As noted in the following e-mail from Ben Ammerman, I would like to be advised on the date this item from
Pointe Center will be discussed. I feel that based on past performance or lack of performance from Pointe
Center and their previous lack of accountability, all the neighboring residents should have some input as to
whether the city accepts their offer for not.
Please advise me the date this item will be placed on the City Council Agenda.
Sincerely,
Donna Buckinger
760-416-1501
From: Ben Ammerman [ma ilto;bammerman@wss-law.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 4:07 PM
To: jdbuckinger@comcast.net
Cc: Douglas C. Holland; Nadine Lalich
1 /7/2010
Page 2 of
Subject: PS v Palm Springs Country Club
Ms, Buckinger,
As I mentioned earlier, this status update is general in nature as I have only recently come into contact with the above referenced
matter.
Negotiations between the City and Pointe Center are ongoing and there is a long term plan proposed by Pointe Center which the
City Council will assess at a City council meeting. The next court date is set for June and the attorney handling the case will aver
to keep you informed of the status as best they can under the circumstances.
It was a pleasure speaking with you.
Best,
Ben
Ben Ammerman
Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart
714.415.1070
Mai Ito : BAmmermanitbwss-law.com
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE - This e-mail transmission, and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages
attached to it may contain information that is confidential or legally privileged. If you are not the intended
recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you must
not read this transmission and that any disclosure, copying, printing, distribution or use of any of the information
contained in or attached to this transmission is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you have received this transmission in
error, please immediately notify the sender by telephone at (714) 415-1070 or return e-mail and delete the
original transmission and its attachments without reading or saving in any manner. Thank you.
1 /7/2010
Page 1 of 1
Cindy Berardi
From: ffabricant@aol.com
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 4:08 PM
To: ffabricant@aol.com; Chris Mills; CityManager@palmsprings-ca.gov; Ginny Foat; Lee Weigel; Rick Hutcheson; Steve
Pougnet; bammerman@wss-law.com, CityClerk;jdbuckinger@comcast.net; buddvi@msn.com;
dffina182237@yahoo.com; jackcretney@earthlink.net; john174@juno.corn; johnjanob@aol.com;
jweymiller@mac.Com; margkathfab@aol.com, mitchellmanor@bigplanet.com; NeiIPSCCII@msn.com;
pawla333@cs.com, tensladyir@aol.com; v1du4@epowerc.net; zber12004@yahoo.com
Subject: Point Center Financial & City Council
Dear All:
I don't know about you but I find it quite a coincidence that suddenly, after not seeing anybody for
LITERALLY months, some workers, apparently hired by Point Center Financial, are cutting down a few
weeds around trees on the former golf course at PSCC only two days before City Council has their closed
session meeting.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the water truck does make an appearance about once a month but
that is not enough to keep more trees from dying.
Fred Fabricant
PSCC - Phase II
1/11/2010