HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 - MINUTES - 9/25/2002 STUDY SESSIONSTUDY SESSION
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
September 25, 2002
CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
A. Call to Order-Large Conference Room
B. Flag Salute
C. City Attorney Report on Matters Discussed in Closed Session-See Page 2 of
Agenda this date.
D. Public Comments
Sharon Lock stated her proposal for an alternative method to the drastic cuts that
are planned after the election; that a citizens advisory committee could be formed
to look at the budget and figure out why it is costing $10M more to run the City;
that special taxes should be evaluated every 3 years or so; that a different
measure could be put on the November 2003 ballot; and urged the Council to
save the $150k and walk away from hiring the consultant.
E. COUNCIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/REPORTS: None
F. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS –
City Manager stated that there are many issues to Item #1; that some boards and
commissions are recommending approval of the Public Bench Arts Program; and
that the Council may want to support this program as a pilot program.
G. STUDY SESSION
1. PUBLIC BENCH ARTS PROGRAM (DESERT FINE ARTS)
Assistant City Manager reviewed the project description, policy issue, and the
various commission actions, see copy attached.
Susan and Victor Coan gave presentation regarding the goals and issues relating
to the Bench Arts Program, see copy attached.
Councilmember Oden questioned how the artists are chosen, if more
applications are turned in than chosen, and if they are site specific.
Susan Coan stated that the benches can be placed anywhere in the City; that the
$750 charge goes back to the children’s after school program for art; and that
there is no cost to the school.
Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that no one is denied the after school art
program for lack of funds; and that the teacher is paid through the academy fund.
Councilmember Hodges stated a concern that the Council is not only looking at
the issue of the benches, but actual policy of public property being used for
private purposes.
City Manager stated this issue can be handled administratively; and that a policy
could be put in place for future issues.
2. PROTECTED-PERMISSIVE LEFT TURNS
Director of Public Works/City Engineer reviewed the handout and maps, copies
attached, and showed video narrated by Richard Jenkins for educational
purposes; and that the video will be shown on Channel 17 and be available for
different groups to use.
Councilmember Hodges stated concern over educating the public, so they will
know when to turn or not.
Councilmember Oden requested that the Public Relations Department get out as
much information as possible.
3. MESQUITE AVENUE IMPROVEMENT
Director of Public Works/City Engineer gave a brief report on the Mesquite
Avenue Improvement, stating that this project would improve the dips, help with
traffic calming, and that the funds would be available through the drainage repair
funds, the Gas Tax and Measure A Tax; and it would also require an amendment
to the General Plan.
Councilmember Mills stated his concern of the traffic backup that would happen
on nights when there were soccer games, as people would be trying to parallel
park while others would be trying to traverse east to the Mid-Valley Parkway; and
that possibly it would be better to cut into the park for extra space, so diagonal
parking could be used.
Councilmember Hodges stated concern for the frontage road aspect of this
project; that traffic might move faster without the dips, as they currently help with
traffic calming; and that this is not the right thing to do.
Councilmember Oden stated this does not appear to be an answer to the
Mesquite problem; and that it would look nice, but create more problems in the
future.
Director of Public Works/City Engineer stated that this issue evolved from
neighborhood groups; that Council could give some input on alternative traffic
calming methods that would maintain vehicle capacity of roadways.
ADJOURNMENT