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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 - MINUTES - 10/23/2002 STUDY SESSIONSTUDY SESSION CITY OF PALM SPRINGS October 23, 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 Grace Jablow, Palm Springs, stated the importance of voting NO on Measures U, V, W, & X; that the residents should not take the quality of life in Palm Springs for granted; and that she deals with truth and facts. Shelly Saunders, Palm Springs, stated the citizens must be informed why a NO vote on Measures U, V, W, & X is so important; that the budget cuts for youth programs and shortened Library hours are not scare tactics, they are written in the Resolution; and that the Save Our City group is here to help our City, and should stay together after the election. Wendie Busig-Kohn, Palm Springs, stated that there would be a service commemorating the death of “Dalia”; that flowers would be planted on her property; and that she is promoting a concert featuring Mateo Yano, a vocalist from Italy. E. COUNCIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/REPORTS: Councilmember Hodges stated she was introduced to the TRAUMA project, an intervention program, at the last CVAG meeting, and the group is going to do a presentation at the next CVAG Public Safety meeting. Councilmember Oden stated he attended the 20th Anniversary of the Daniel Children’s Center at the Betty Ford Center, and a meeting of the Save Our City group. Mayor stated he attended the Fire Fighters Memorial March in New York, and stated it was a very emotional and memorable experience. F. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS – City Manager stated that Saturday, November 2, 2002, is the Open House at the James O. Jessie Community Center, from 1 – 5 p.m. G. STUDY SESSION 1. AIRPORT ACCESS ROAD SECURITY RECONFIGURATION Executive Director - Airports reviewed the project description and how a way to divert all large vehicles to be inspected is the security issue; and described the visual plan on the board, indicating that the Planning Commission and the Airport Commission have approved the plans for the Inspection Facility Site, which will have a fabric roof much the same as the Airport. (Copy of plan on file) Michael Buccino explained the landscape concept of having the area start out looking like desert landscape and then moving toward the inspection facility and making it look like an oasis, and described the plans on the board. Councilmember Mills questioned how many parking spaces will be lost, and Executive Director – Airports stated that actually 150 parking spaces will be picked up. 2. GENE AUTRY INTERCHANGE AESTHETIC DESIGN Director of Public Works/City Engineer reviewed the concept of the project, and stated that the designs were presented to the Planning Commission, the Design Review Board, and the Public Arts Commission, and all of them selected the same design as the one they would prefer. (Copy of designs attached) Kevin Peterson, Parsons Brinkerhoff, Inc., discussed the details of the design process; and stated that CVAG has the budget for the design and CalTrans maintains the bridges, so they must both be consulted on materials. Councilmembers Hodges and Oden stated they liked the alternative designs better than the one selected by the different commissions. Councilmember Mills and Mayor Kleindienst stated their concerns regarding the materials, and suggested that the bridge design make a strong and simple statement. The item will come back to a study session in the future with suggested modifications. 3. PALM SPRINGS DESERT RESORTS CONVENTION AND VISITORS AUTHORITY TRAFFIC INTERSECTION IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM Michael Fife, President of the PSDRCVA, presented the Visitor Signage on Traffic Signals proposal, copy attached, and stated how it would help visitors get around town to all the landmarks and events along Highway 111; that it would help the traffic flow; and that CVAG will pay $18,000 for the signs and installations. Councilmember Mills questioned if the signs only come in purple, and was advised by Mr. Fife that the colors represent the purple mountains and the clear blue sky, and the signs were positively reviewed and approved by the majority of cities involved. City Manager stated that the approval of the signs could be done with a Resolution to come back to the next City Council meeting on the consent agenda. Councilmember Hodges stated that the signs are ridiculous; and unless there are maps with key legends, the visitors will not know what the signs represent; that possibly maps could be included with visitor guides or some other form of public information; and they will be confusing to visitors and residents alike. ADJOURNMENT