HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 - MINUTES - 2/20/2003Council Minutes
-01, Page 1
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
CITY COUNCIL
And
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
MINUTES OF
FEBRUARY 20, 2003
A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, was called to
order by Mayor Kleindienst, at the Desert Museum, located at 101 Museum Drive,
Orientation Area, on Thursday, February 20, 2003, at 4:00 p.m., at which time, the City
Attorney announced items to be discussed in Closed Session, and at 6:00 p.m., the
meeting was convened in open session.
ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Mills, Reller-Spurgin and Mayor
Kleindienst
Absent: Councilmember Hodges and Oden
TRIBAL ROLL CALL:
Present: Tribal Members Patencio, Prieto-Dodd, Patencio and
Chairman Milanovich
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk reported that the agenda was posted in
accordance with Council procedures on February 14, 2003.
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION (All
Entities) - See items on Page 2 of agenda this date.
PRESENTATIONS: None
HOUSING AUTHORITY: INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: FINANCING
AUTHORITY: COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: No Business
The following items were discussed in a Study Session Format.
A. TRANSPORATION ISSUES
City Engineer review the status of projects of Indian Avenue/I-10 Interchange;
Belardo Bridge and South Palm Canyon Bridge updates; and added that the
plans for the I-10 interchange were accepted by CalTrans; that much will be done
but that with the present funding situation with the State, some grants funds may
be withheld or deferred; that clearly STIP funding is on deferral; that design and
environmental phases are moving forward through funding of Measure A.
Chairman Milanovich stated that the Tribe did support the effort, but that the
difference is that this is a CalTrans issue at which the Tribe has not authority.
City Engineer stated that most Federal and State funds are frozen right now, that
the funds may be freed up in the future, but that most of the interchange work will
be held up until the funds are released.
Tribal Planning Director stated that the public hearing process would start for the
Belardo Bridge renovations; that it will be 12 months before construction starts.
B. DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
CASINO
Tribal Planning Director stated that the Casino is proceeding on schedule; that
there have been no complaints by the neighboring property owners; that many
meetings were held with adjacent homeowners before the project started; and
that the project is moving forward.
TRIBAL MUSEUM
Tribal Planning Director stated that construction is on schedule; and that the
opening is planned for December 2005, with ground breaking occurring in
November of 2003.
CONVENTION CENTER PHASE II – EXPANSION
Executive Director – Airports stated that an overall new look will be
accomplished; that the front doors will face Calle Alvarado; that pedestrian walks
will be tied into the walkways of the Casino; that the design of the Convention
Center is to increase the exhibit hall to 100,000 square feet and double the size
of meeting room space and add a 20,000 square foot ballroom; that the
prefunction area will be renovated; that parking on Alvardo/Amado will be
designed so that if an additional expansion is needed that the parking lots can be
utilized in the expansion with tents to provide temporary meeting space; and that
the Prairie Schooner site may be used for additional parking in the future.
C. FINANCIAL ISSUES
COMPACT RENEGOTIATION
Tribal Members stated that as members of TASN the efforts will be supported,
but that it should be clear that the City is the first priority and will be supported,
that if the City desires the TASN recommendation to be upheld, then the Tribe
will support the direction, but that it is the City that the Tribe is placing first.
Chairman stated that $1.2 million is being sent to the State as part of the
compact payment; and that the Tribe is willing to write a letter to the State in
support of the City.
Mayor stated that hopefully most of the compact monies from the Tribe would be
given back to the City; that this City is the only City with a casino in its downtown.
D. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Next Meeting date of May 15, 2003 at 6:00 p.m., Spa Hotel; schedule for
discussion, Indian Avenue & Belardo Bridge updates; Compact negotiations;
Convention Center update; City’s 2003-04 fiscal year budget; and past Tribal
financial contributions to City.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Mayor declared the meeting adjourned.
PATRICIA A. SANDERS
City Clerk