PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION MEETING
AGENDA
Thursday, December 12, 2024
3:00 p.m.
Council Chamber, City Hall
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, California
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the purpose of the Study Session is to review the items listed on the agenda. No action will be taken.
This is a joint meeting of the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Palm Desert Housing Authority, and Palm Desert Board of Library Trustees.
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449, this meeting may be conducted as a hybrid meeting allowing public access via teleconference or in person, and up to two Councilmembers may attend remotely.
WATCH THE MEETING LIVE: Watch the City Council meeting live at the City’s website:
https://palmdesert.zoom.us/ or on the City's YouTube Channel.
OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS MEETING:
Send your comments by email to: [email protected].
Emails received prior to 10:00 a.m. on the day of the City Council meeting will be made part of the record and distributed to the City Council. Emails will not be read aloud at the meeting.
Pages
1. CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION
2. STUDY SESSION TOPICS
2.a UPDATE ON THE DESIGN AND PROGRESS OF THE HAYSTACK ROAD
CHANNEL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
3 RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the current design and progress of the Haystack Road Channel Improvements project (CDR00003).
3. ADJOURNMENT
4. PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTE: Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449, this meeting may be conducted by teleconference. Study Session is accessible in person or on the City’s website:
www.palmdesert.gov under the Council Agenda link at the top of the page.
Agenda Related Materials: Pursuant to Government Code §54957.5(b)(2) the designated office for inspection of records in connection with this meeting is the Office of the City Clerk, Palm Desert Civic Center, 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. Staff reports for all agenda items considered in open session, and documents provided to a majority of the legislative bodies are available for public inspection at City Hall and on the City’s website at www.palmdesert.gov by clicking “Council Agenda” at the top of the page.
Americans with Disabilities Act: It is the intention of the City of Palm Desert to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an attendee or a participant at this meeting, or in meetings on a regular basis, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the Office of the City Clerk, (760) 346-0611, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible.
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Michelle Nance, Acting Assistant City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing agenda for the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency for the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority, was posted on the City Hall bulletin board and City website www.palmdesert.gov no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting.
/S/ Michelle Nance
Acting Assistant City Clerk
City Council Study Session
December 12, 2024
2
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: December 12, 2024
PREPARED BY: Ryan Lamb, Senior Project Manager
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE DESIGN AND PROGRESS OF THE HAYSTACK ROAD
CHANNEL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the current design and progress of the Haystack Road Channel Improvements project (CDR00003).
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
The Haystack Road Channel Improvements project is a critical initiative aimed at improving flood control and enhancing the environmental integration of the channel. To date, the City has achieved the following key milestones:
Project Contract
April 28, 2022: The City approved a contract for professional engineering and design services with Engineering Resources of Southern California (ERSC) to initiate the project.
Planning Commission Review
May 7, 2024: City staff presented the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact (IS/MND) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to the Planning Commission.
o Outcome: The Commission deferred action to a future meeting, requesting that additional City staff and consultants attend to address comments and questions. June 6, 2024: City staff re-presented the IS/MND to the Planning Commission. o Outcome: The Commission deferred action again, recommending City staff hold a Community Engagement Meeting to gather public input and present multiple design options.
Community Engagement
June 26, 2024: City staff conducted a Community Engagement Meeting, presenting four (4) design options for the channel improvements and gathering public feedback. November 7, 2024: A second Community Engagement Meeting was held, where City staff and consultants presented detailed analysis of the two (2) preferred design options based on feedback from the first meeting.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Haystack Road Channel Improvements – Council Study Session Presentation 3 4
HAYSTACK ROAD
CHANNEL IMPROVEMENTS
City Council Study Session
December 12, 2024
5 PROJECT PURPOSE
• General Manager of Marrakesh Country Club contacted the City about channel erosion concerns • Capital Improvement Project is created by the City
• City hires Engineering and Environmental Consultants
• Project presented to Planning Commission May 7, 2024
• Project re-presented to Planning Commission June 4, 2024 • Community Engagement Meeting June 26, 2024
• 4 options presented
6 PROJECT PURPOSE
• General Manager of Marrakesh Country Club contacted the City about channel erosion concerns • Capital Improvement Project is created by the City
• City hires Engineering and Environmental Consultants
• Project presented to Planning Commission May 7, 2024
• Project re-presented to Planning Commission June 4, 2024 • Community Engagement Meeting June 26, 2024
• 4 options presented
• 2 preferred options
7 PROJECT PURPOSE
• General Manager of Marrakesh Country Club contacted the City about channel erosion concerns • Capital Improvement Project is created by the City
• City hires Engineering and Environmental Consultants
• Project presented to Planning Commission May 7, 2024
• Project re-presented to Planning Commission June 4, 2024 • Community Engagement Meeting June 26, 2024
• 4 options presented
• 2 preferred options
• July 14, 2024 – Heavy rain causes damage requiring immediate emergency repairs • Community Engagement Meeting November 7, 2024
• Presented analysis of the 2 preferred options
8 Green Belt Channel
(Remains Grass)
Natural Channel
(2 options for revision)
Portola Ave.
Hwy 74
Alamo Dr.
Heliotrope Dr.
Green Belt
(No Changes)
Proposed Underground Infiltration System
to mitigate erosion and standing water
(Re-install grass afterward)
Significant Erosion Throughout
Marrakesh Country Club
Areas of concern for flooding
• Surrounding homes at risk of damage
• Public safety concerns (pedestrian and roads)
• Compromised utility infrastructure
PROJECT LOCATION
9 GREEN BELT
IMPROVEMENTS
• Underground perforated pipe
will help to reduce erosion and
standing water that invites
mosquitos
• Grass will be replaced
following installation
Green Belt Channel
(Remains Grass)
Alamo Dr.
Heliotrope Dr.
4 Locations
10 Natural Channel
(2 options for revision)
Portola Ave.
Marrakesh Country Club
Heliotrope Dr.
HEAVY RAIN
July 2024
11 • Private property at risk
• Public safety concerns
• Compromised utility infrastructure
CHANNEL EROSION
Looking South: SCE Power Pole Looking East: Marrakesh CC on left Looking East: Haystack Rd. on right Looking South-East toward Haystack Rd. 12 9
EMERGENCY REPAIRS
Aug.-Sep. 2024 ($200,000)
Before:
Marrakesh Country Club
13 10
EMERGENCY REPAIRS
Aug.-Sep. 2024 ($200,000)
After:
Marrakesh Country Club
14 2 OPTIONS FOR
CONSIDERATION
Natural Slopes Boulders & Soil Slopes
15 12
NATURAL OPTION
• Sand moved through the channel and onto slopes to
repair erosion
• Consequence of continued maintenance is destruction
of vegetation
16 BOULDER & SOIL OPTION
Before Repairs
After Repairs
Improvements at Maturity
17 14
COMPARISONS
Natural Slopes Boulder Slopes
• Level of protection:
• 100-year storm or larger presents a significant threat to channel functionality and integrity
• Unmitigated erosion at channel walls within feet of significant damage to private property and public infrastructure
• No Access Road for maintenance
• Lower upfront costs - Construction Cost Estimate: $500K • More Maintenance: $150K annually
• Plant impact: Less initially, but more long term with ongoing repairs
• Level of protection:
• 100-year storm would present minimal threat to channel functionality and integrity
• Controlled and predictable outcomes due to more robust channel walls
• Access Road for maintenance
• Higher upfront costs - Construction Cost Estimate: $3.3M • Less Maintenance: $50K-$75K annually
• Plant Impact: More initially, but less long term due to more robust side slopes requiring less repairs
Channel repairs East of Heliotrope Dr.
18 15
ENGAGE PALM DESERT
engagepalmdesert.com/projects
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