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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-28 CC MINUTES - Special MeetingPALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AND STUDY SESSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2006 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro Tem Foat called the Study Session and Special Meeting to order at 6:09 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilmember Mills led the Pledge. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmember McCulloch, Councilmember Mills, Councilmember Pougnet, and Mayor Pro Tem Foat. ABSENT: Mayor Oden. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Ready, City Attorney Holland, City Clerk Thompson. REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Holland reported that at 5:00 P.M. the meeting was called to order and the City Council recessed into Closed Session to discuss matters on the posted Closed Session Agenda. No reportable actions were taken. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Mayor Pro Tem Foat requested the City Council take Item 3.A. out of order and consider Item 3.A. prior to the Study Session. ACTION: Accept the Agenda as amended. Motion Councilmember Pougnet, seconded by Councilmember McCulloch and unanimously carried 4-0 on a roll call vote. AYES: Councilmember McCulloch, Councilmember Mills, Councilmember Pougnet, and Mayor Pro Tem Foat. NOES: None. ABSENT: Mayor Oden. PRESENTATIONS: None. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS AND REQUESTS: None. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: None. 3. LEGISLATIVE: 3.A. INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE PROHIBITING STREET LEVEL OFFICES IN THE HISTORIC VILLAGE CENTER, AND ALLOWING STREET LEVEL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE HISTORIC VILLAGE CENTER SUBJECT TO A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, FOR A PERIOD OF 45 DAYS PENDING THE COMPLETION OF A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF STREET LEVEL City Council Minutes June 28, 2006 Page 2 OFFICE AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTION USES IN THE HISTORIC VILLAGE CENTER OF THE CITY AND THE ADOPTION OF ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S ZONING CODE AND RELATED LAND USE REGULATIONS: JIM STUART, Palm Springs, provided background information and requested the City Council support the Urgency Ordinance. WILSON HONG, commented on the rent increase at the Horizon Village Mobile Home Park. City Attorney Holland provided background information as outlined in the staff report dated June 28, 2006. Councilmember Mills requested the City Attorney comment on the effective date of the ordinance and requested staff address the ordinance in relation to the business license process. Councilmember Pougnet commented on the need for the urgency ordinance and the effect to the Downtown corridor. Councilmember McCulloch commented on the effects of this type of business in the downtown area. Councilmember Mills requested staff define the boundaries of the historic business district and commented on the prepared staff report. Mayor Pro Tem Foat requested staff address the effects on business in the district that may be in the process of opening. ACTION: 1) Waive reading of the Ordinance text and adopt by title only; and 2) Adopt Ordinance No. 1692, "AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, PROHIBITING STREET LEVEL OFFICES IN THE HISTORIC VILLAGE CENTER IN THE C-B-D ZONE, AND ALLOWING STREET LEVEL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE HISTORIC VILLAGE CENTER IN THE C-B-D ZONE SUBJECT TO A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, FOR A PERIOD OF 45 DAYS PENDING THE COMPLETION OF A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF STREET LEVEL OFFICE AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTION USES IN THE HISTORIC VILLAGE CENTER OF THE CITY AND THE ADOPTION OF ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S ZONING CODE AND RELATED LAND USE REGULATIONS." Motion Councilmember McCulloch, seconded by Councilmember Mills and unanimously carried 4-0 on a roll call vote. AYES: Councilmember McCulloch, Councilmember Mills, Councilmember Pougnet, and Mayor Pro Tem Foat. NOES: None. ABSENT: Mayor Oden. City Council Minutes June 28, 2006 Page 3 The City Council Special Meeting was adjourned at 6:33 P.M., and the City Council continued with the Study Session. PUBLIC COMMENT: INEZ CARDOZO-FREEMAN, Palm Springs, commented on the current programs at Well in the Desert, and spoke in support of a permanent solution to provide assistance to the homeless. JASON BRUECKS, Palm Springs, expressed concerns with the current location of the homeless society near businesses, schools, the library, and community activity centers. JOSETTE MCNARY, Palm Springs, commented on the effects of the current homeless location near the Palm Springs Library, and requested the City Council not renew the lease at the Frey Building. WAYNE MCKINNY, provided background information on the services to the homeless and stated the Well in the Desert was given no opportunity in the site selection of a Homeless Resource Center, and spoke in opposition of the proposed location near the Interstate 10. JULIE WARREN, Palm Springs, commented on the conditions at the Palm Springs Library due to the services provided to the homeless, and requested the City not renew the lease on the Frey Building. WILSON, MCNARY, Palm Springs, commented on the damage to the community due to the homeless population, and requested the City Council not renew the lease at the Frey Building. WALLACE BROWN, Palm Springs, stated the proposed location near Interstate 10 would not be used, and requested the City Council consider other locations near the Airport or the Dog Park. ARLENE ROSENTHAL, stated concerns with respect to the proposed site near Interstate 10, and stated the Well in the Desert wants to work with the Community to solve the issues and meet the social service needs of the poor. NANCY VALDIVIA, stated her concerns with the homeless at the Palm Springs Library and the safety of city employees at the library, and requested the City Council not renew the lease at the Frey building. BOB HUNT, Palm Springs, stated we need solutions for the homeless for today, the present and the future, stated the airport location would be more appropriate than the Interstate 10 location. City Council Minutes June 28, 2006 Page 4 KEITH KNAUS, Palm Springs, stated the Interstate 10 site is appropriate for a Homeless Resource Center. BATIYA KUGLER, commented on the patrons of the Well in the Desert and the services provided. AIMEE SALZMANN, Palm Springs, commented on homeless issues in the Sunrise Area and the Leisure Center and requested the City Council not renew the lease at the Frey Building. SHELLY SAUNDERS, Palm Springs, requested the City Council place the Homeless Resource Center at the Interstate 10 site, and requested the City Council not renew the lease of the Frey Building. PAULA AUBURN, Palm Springs, stated her support for the placement of a Homeless Resource Center at the Interstate 10 location. MATT BOUSQUETTE, commented on impacts of the homeless at Sunrise Park and the Palm Springs Library, and stated the current homeless facility is in the wrong place. ED DIETRICH, commented on the history of the homeless and stated we need a long- term solution, recommended the Interstate 10 location. MILT LEVINSON, Palm Springs, commented on the problems at the Library and Sunrise Park due to the homeless population, and requested the City Council not renew the lease at the Frey Building. VIC GAINER, Palm Springs, commented on the clients of Well of the Desert and the services offered. SLY ZELNYS, stated the Resource Center does need to be relocated as soon as an alternative site is selected, stated the Interstate 10 location is not the best choice. DARYL JAMES, Palm Springs, stated the Well in the Desert does need to be relocated and commented on the services provided to homeless veterans, and recommended the Interstate 10 site. ANDREW STARKE, stated the current facility is not suitable for a Homeless Resource Center and the facility needs to move, requested the City Council not renew the lease at the Frey Building. JIM STUART, Palm Springs, commented on parolees’ use of the homeless shelters and requested the Well in the Desert provide security. RON WILLISON, stated the Well in the Desert is a bad situation and in the wrong location, and stated the lease should not be renewed at the Frey Building. City Council Minutes June 28, 2006 Page 5 ELIZABETH FAUSTO, commented on the police presence and actions in Sunrise Park and that the Well in the Desert contacts the Police Department for homeless issues that do not involve clients of Well in the Desert. LISA KENNEDY, Palm Springs, commented on Homeless issues, the Frey Building and the Senior Center, and requested the City Council not renew the lease at the Frey Building. MARC PARKER, commented on different types of homeless and the reactions of the Police Department. ROMEO BERGERON, Palm Springs, commented on the history of the homeless population. GAYLE HODGES, Palm Springs, stated the people in the community causing the problems are not the Well in the Desert clients. ALFRED KOWALSKI, commented on the homeless issues. JUAN FRASCO, commented on the services provided by the Well in the Desert. The City Council recessed at 7:56 P.M. The City Council reconvened at 8:05 P.M. 1. STUDY SESSION: 1.A. HOMELESS RESOURCE CENTER - POTENTIAL SITES AND PROGRAMS: Mayor Pro Tem Foat provided the history of the Homeless Task Force and the Homeless and Economically Disadvantaged Blue Ribbon Committee. City Manager Ready provided background information on the current site at the Frey Building, provided information on possible sites for a Resource Center. Councilmember Pougnet thanked the Task Force, provided background information on the Blue Ribbon Committee and the needs of the homeless and the economically disadvantaged, and requested City Council input on providing a Desert Resource Center. Mayor Pro Tem Foat commented on the cooperation between the Cities and Riverside County to provide services to the homeless and economically disadvantaged. Councilmember McCulloch commented on current situations at Sunrise Park and the Well in the Desert, the Interstate 10 location, "magnet center" concept to a Homeless Program, and stated his support for a regional solution at the Interstate 10 location. City Council Minutes June 28, 2006 Page 6 Councilmember Mills commented on the proposed sites, and stated his support for the Interstate 10 site as a regional site along with a satellite site near where the clients are located, commented on the temporary nature of the proposed location and stated we need to deal with the problems at Sunrise Park. Councilmember Pougnet commented on concerns with the property owners near the Interstate 10 site and transportation issues at the site. Mayor Pro Tem Foat commented on the collaborative efforts and stated the City would not be providing services, benefits of having partners and requested clarification on the concept of an interim site. City Manager Ready provided background information with regard to the offer from Burrtec to lease the site on a temporary basis. Councilmember Mills commented on the temporary nature of the site, and participation from CVAG as well. Mayor Pro Tem Foat commented on the activities of CVAG with respect to the homeless issues. Councilmember Pougnet requested the City Council Subcommittee meet with Supervisor Wilson and get a plan quickly. City Manager Ready commented on the role of staff and requested direction from the City Council with respect to the Frey Building lease and activities in Sunrise Park, the Library, Mizell Senior Center and the Baseball Stadium. Gary Jeandron, Police Chief, commented on the rights of the homeless and outlined the activities of the Police Department. Councilmember McCulloch requested information on the status of the Blue Ribbon Committee. Councilmember Pougnet outlined the Tasks of the Blue Ribbon Committee such as site, programs, and on-going funding, and participation of the Neighborhood Organizations for short-term feeding centers. Councilmember Mills requested the Police Chief address the concerns and the number of complaints in-and-around the park, enforcement, and the impacts to the surrounding facilities. Councilmember Pougnet requested the City Manager address the impacts to the surrounding facilities and specifics with the Well in the Desert license agreement. City Manager Ready outlined the tools he intends to implement to safeguard the surrounding areas and facilities, and some specifics of the license agreement. City Council Minutes June 28, 2006 Page 7 Mayor Pro Tem Foat requested the City Manager work with the library staff to address the parking needs of employees, and a process for looking at other temporary sites. Councilmember Mills requested the Director of Library Services address the activities and enforcement at the Library, the City Manager review the direction he has received with respect to the lease at the Frey Building, and a daily monitoring system and reporting back-to the City Council if the Frey Building license agreement is extended. ACTION: Direct the City Manager to proceed with the placement of a Homeless Resource Center at the Interstate 10 site; 2) Direct the Homeless and Economically Disadvantaged Blue Ribbon Committee to report on costs, programs and partnerships with other agencies; 3) Direct the City Manager to return to the City Council with a day- to-day license agreement for Well in the Desert for the use of the Frey Building along with a monitoring and reporting program; and 4) Direct the City Manager to initiate programs and policies to alleviate the current homeless issues in Sunrise Park and adjoining facilities. By consensus of the City Council. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS: Councilmember Pougnet commented on the July 4th celebration and thanked the Committee. Councilmember Mills requested staff return Case No. 5.1056 PD314 Mesquite Village to the City Council for review. Mayor Pro Tem Foat announced Free Taxi Cab program on July 4th, the 4th of July Celebration and Palm Springs Power Baseball, and requested the City Manager investigate another staff person for the City Council. ADJOURNMENT: The City Council adjourned at 9:27 P.M. to the Regular Meeting, Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at 6:00 P.M., City Hall Council Chamber, preceded by a Closed Session at 4:30 P.M., City Hall Small Conference Room, 3200 Tahquitz Canyon Way. APPROVED BY A MOTION OF THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS 5TH DAY OF JULY, 2006. MAYOR ATTEST: City Clerk