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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 - MINUTES - 1/22/2003 STUDY SESSION (VER 1)STUDY SESSION CITY OF PALM SPRINGS JANUARY 22, 2003 CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION A. Call to Order-Large Conference Room-All Present B. Flag Salute C. City Attorney Report on Matters Discussed in Closed Session-See Page 2 of Agenda this date. D. PUBLIC COMMENTS The following persons spoke in support of the expansion of the Convention Center. Dwayne Waraball, Wyndham Hotel Joy Meredith, Crystal Fantasy Doug Lasnow, Street Bar E. COUNCIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/REPORTS Councilmembers commented on various civic functions attended. F. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS City Manager stated that a docket to set Study Sessions would be brought to Council at a future meeting. G. STUDY SESSION 1. PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTER - EXPANSION Fentress Bradburn, architects, review site plans for the expansion, see attached copy. Director of Finance & Treasurer review a financial handout, see attached copy. Executive Director – Airports stated that meeting rooms is short in the plan; that approximately 20,000 additional square foot is needed that the cost is $260/per square foot for meeting room space and $200 square foot for exhibit hall space; that there can be some remodel, but that there is a cost to try to blend the remodel to the new; that prefunction space must be revamped to match the new building; that ADA, earthquake compliance is a factor in cost; that there are a lot of unknowns that can drive a remodel up in cost; that there are upgrades needed for HVAC AV equipment and furniture that will be needed; that the highest cost will be the upgrade to Code; that to move across Amado will run $1.3 to $1.4 million in relocation of utilities alone; that the reversal of the entry will be approx $1.8 million; that currently there is $400,000 slotted to marketing, $400,000 to FTE and $1 million for contingencies; that some of that funding could be used to build a ballroom that could be converted to meeting room space, but that direction is needed, in addition there will be upwards of cost of $2 million for a parking lot. Directions of Council, stay south of Amado, reverse the main entry; start marketing the expansion. Mayor stated that need to know exactly what $1.5 million will buy, what is the partnership with the hotels, and what role does the CVA & tourism play. Executive Director – Airports stated that work will continue with full expansion; that the budget will be discussed in a few weeks; that schematics will come forward in mid-march and that a timeline from the architect will be provided to the Council. 2. MESQUITE AVENDUE STREET & LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS City Engineer review background of the street scheme for Mesquite Avenue and traffic calming methods proposed; and added that Vella Road improvements will include widening the west side at the signal will be more turning traffic; that the design will match that of the airport; and reviewed plans on display. Council stated that there is problems with 2-way parking; that people will try to park on the wrong side of the street; that the Field 7 & 8 parking lot is unimproved; that there is a concern with that ingress and egress; that the lot does need to be addressed; that there does need to be a tie in with the park. City Engineer stated that a General Plan Amendment would be needed before improvements; that the amendment will be brought forward with the design approval; and that construction will start thereafter. Council stated that City should be aware of AYSO activities. City Manager stated that a timeline for City projects with impacts would be provided to the Council. 3. ENFORCEMENT OF CODES & ORDINANCES IN DOWNTOWN Councilmember Hodges stated that the sign ordinance needs to be review, when holiday decorations should come down and that signs placed behind windows all need review; that the last time the ordinances were reviewed were in 1984 or 1986; that there is a lot of dead wood in the Ordinances; that a task force should be formed to review the Codes; and that the Ordinance should be updated. Councilmember Oden stated that would like to initiate dialogue with the merchants; that there are many issues and that policies should be established before such a program is launched; that there are many issues, from trimming of trees to the Film Festival that could be addressed, but that through direction is needed. Councilmember Hodges stated that someone needs to start; that we need to change the image of “we pick on you”, that is the perception when a business leaves; that there are a lot of businesses that simply just don’t succeed, but it is always blamed on the City and its tight control and the Ordinances we have in place. Councilmember Oden stated that the perception might be there, but that before a task force is formed, we need to know what the goal is. Councilmember Hodges stated that if we wait it would be another 10 years before anything gets started. Councilmember Mills stated that Hodges is right; that there is inequity in the downtown; that the code enforcement issues are tough; that if the City has a code it should be enforced, other wise the code should be repealed; and that there should be some evaluation of the sign ordinance. Councilmember Hodge stated that she is looking for a broader taskforce to look at business licensing, permitting process and how to make it simpler to do business in the City; that there are things that need changing; that there are not enough people in the enforcement division to keep up to enforce the laws evenly. Mayor stated that enforcement may not be equally done; that thus far the City has maintained a quality approach to its building; that the reality is to try to maintain the bar; that the last time the sign ordinance was reviewed it was gone through page by page; that it is difficult and time consuming. Councilmember Hodges stated don’t want the bar lowered, but should get rid of what doesn’t mean anything anyway; that white lights are not allowed downtown, but they are all over; that postcard racks are popping up on the sidewalks, that there is no consistency in what is happening. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that personally there is no interest in reviewing the sign ordinance again. Councilmember Oden questioned when the subject of Community dialogue is set for the agenda. City Manager stated that the discussion is scheduled at the upcoming study session. Councilmember Oden stated that the City is a different community now that it was 5 years ago; that 60% of the residents who live here have lived here less that 10 years; that there the Council needs to do some dialoguing with the Community first to see what is wanted and desired; that a structure is needed for the process. Councilmember Hodges stated that we need a task force. Mayor questioned if the established downtown organizations should be asked. Councilmember Hodges stated that someone new should be used, that existing downtown organizations should not be used; and that the merchants could put the thing together. ADJOURN