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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 - MINUTES - 3/27/2002 STUDY SESSIONSTUDY SESSION CITY OF PALM SPRINGS MARCH 27, 2002 CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION A. Call Back 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 David Justin Lynch, no address given stated that financial support should be given to Mizell Senior Center and the Film Festival. E. COUNCIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/REPORTS Councilmembers commented on various civic functions attended. Councilmember Oden requested a Proclamation be given to the special events White Party and Dinah Shore Golf Tournament; and questioned the process or procedures for issuance of proclamations. City Attorney stated that there are no written procedures; that the current practice is now based on past practice; that in some cities the requests are listed on the agendas for Council prior approval for issuance and in other cities the Mayor is given the authority; that in Palm Springs it has been the past practice for the Mayor to issue the proclamations. Councilmember Oden stated in the past there was not a problem when a Member of the Council requested a proclamation to be issued by the Mayor; that at this time, it seems the proclamations are only issued on a pick and choose basis; that this is a challenge for the Members; that when an event comes to town typically a proclamation is issued welcoming them; that this matter does need to be schedule for full discussion at an upcoming study session; that it may be that an amendment to the Charter should be done to clarify the duties of the Mayor; that there has been a change in the operating procedures of the Mayoral office; that it is best for the City to have a directly elected Mayor; that the duties of the Mayor should be delineated and requested the matter be schedule for full discussion at an upcoming study session. Council consensus to discuss and delineate duties of the Mayor at an upcoming study session. F. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS – None G. STUDY SESSION 1. DISCUSSION OF FILM FESTIVAL 2002 RESULTS David Baron and Lee Weigel reviewed a handout, copy attached. Council discussion ranged on marketing schemes, ticket sells, ways for City to assist in a non-monetary manner; joining with other valley cities in promotion; promoting the event in Southern California; including consultants and ethnic organizations; the gala event, and why it is done, even though it does loose money; the impact of 9-11 on the event; the outstanding bill at the convention center; and promise of payment of the bill; the importance of the event to the City, but the budget outlook for the City may not allow larger participation; that the City produces one-quarter of the budget for the event; that the event does need and is getting sponsors; that a bullet list of goals of the event should be provided to the Council; that the event is measured by the success of TOT, sales-tax; and that the event will not request any more funding from the City unless it is needed. 2. MIZELL SENIOR CENTER 2001-02 BUDGET REQUEST City Manager distributed copy of letter from the Mizell Senior Center requesting funding for the Center at $104,000. Council consensus to consider the request at the upcoming budget workshop. 3. 2002-03 BUDGET DISCUSSION Director of Finance & Treasurer reviewed a handout, copy attached and stated that increase due to the 9-11 event has impacted the budget; that bargaining unit increases will also have a large impact on the balance; that should the City lose its UUT, the impact on the budget will be approximately 6 million dollars; that increased energy costs have out paced the collection of the UUT; that some debt service will be transferred to other areas; that some monitoring of time share tax will be done differently; that the Marquis agreement will expire resulting in the collect of TOT; that the hiring of jail staff has increased the employees resulting in increased wages and benefits; that PERS will be giving some funding, approximately $745 – 850,000 back to the City; that costs for insurance have gone up 20%; that the recent action regarding the airport was a loan of $350,000; that the loan will be repaid; that the General Plan does need to be done; that the proposal is to do in two phases; that the first phase will be around $400,000; that capital improvements have been increased; that some projects are figured on a multi-year project basis; that the Palm Canyon Theater will need additional work due to fire wall upgrades; that ADA requirement need to be addressed; that staff is investigating having the site registered as a historic site for possible grant funds; that priorities of the Council are needed to continue to drive the budget process forward; that the parking issue and traffic synchronization is being fast tracked; that the mining ordinance needs to be updated to better protect the City; that if not updated, it can turn into a State issue; that the Mizell Senior Center will be added to the upcoming workshop discussion and additional the Palm Springs Youth Center and the Boys & Girls Club for possible funding. Mayor requested that the intersections for upgrading of illuminated signage, streetlights, left turn signals and new signage be added to the workshop. ADJOURNMENT