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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 - MINUTES - 3-28-2001 - STUDY SESSIONStudy Session 3-28-01, Page 1 STUDY SESSION CITY OF PALM SPRINGS March 28, 2001 CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION A. Call Back to Order-Reller-Spurgin absent B. Flag Salute C. City Attorney Report on Matters Discussed in Closed Session-See Page 2 of Agenda this date. D. Public Comments Jim Stuart, expressed appreciation to the Council for the demonstration regarding the noise level of Harley Davidson Motorcycles; and added that the bikes were not as loud as anticipated; that the power crisis in the State should be addressed on a joint level with CVAG; that the Cities need to work together; that if the Coachella Valley is separated into different districts, the voice of the Valley will be weakened and recommended that the Valley remain represented by one Assembly and Senate District. E. COUNCIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/REPORTS Councilmembers commented on various civic functions attended. F. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS – None G. STUDY SESSION 1. SEWER SERVICE CHARGE RATES Assistant City Manager-Operations reviewed a handout concerning Cost of Service for establishing rates; that in two years the cost of service should once again decrease; that when the plant is expanded, the costs will rise to the consumer; that assessment by the City Attorney is that the COS question added to the ballot is not affected by Prop 218; that the voters could approve a method of determining rates and when the rates needed adjustment, the matter would not have to go to ballot; that a special tax needs 2/3 vote to pass, while a general tax needs a simple majority; that further research is being conducted by the City Attorney to determine if the methodology could be put to a vote; that under Prop 218 certain funds beyond COS can be placed in a reserve account for maintenance of the facility; that the reserve could then be used for expansion purposes; that the upcoming needed expansion should be covered at this time through the set aside funds, but the next growth expansion has not been set aside. Mayor stated that the State has not set aside for infrastructure, and now the needs must be addressed; that if funding is not set aside, another building moratorium will be set in place in the City such as that of the 70’s; and that it Study Session 3-28-01, Page 2 takes a long time to overcome the reputation of not allowing or being building friendly; that projections of growth potential does need to be provided to the Council; that there may be other models in place in other Cities that could be obtained through SCAG for Council information and requested that both be provided to the Council within 30 days. Councilmember Oden stated that the information should include the types of expansion needed; what the projections are for the next five years; what the costs would be and examples of models others have used. Council consensus for staff to respond within 30 days with information requested. 2. AUTOMATED CITIZEN INFORMATION SYSTEM Public Information Officer demonstrated the City of Diamond Bar’s automated telephone information system; and added that the system does contain the ability to fax information and coordinate with the Web Site of the City; that the system proposed is a four port system; that messages can be tracked; that voice mail can be converted to e-mail; that the system could be promoted on the back cover of the telephone book; that AQMD funds are eligible to be used for the costs, due to saying trip miles to City Hall; and that the cost is approximately $30,000; that the AQMD funding is currently committed to ride share; that the funds total approximately $47,000; that 1/3 of that amount is given to CVAG for PM 10 programs; and that the rest ($32,000) is allocated to the various programs for rideshare. Mayor questioned the allocation for rideshare. Director of Finance stated that the ride share program pays $2.00 per day that it amounts to about $500.00 per year for those that participates. Mayor stated that Special Events could be featured including events at the Convention Center and Tourism ideas; and that it may be that both entities could contribute to the costs. Council consensus to proceed forward to include in the Fiscal Year 2001-02 budget. 3. PRELIMINARY 2001-01 BUDGET DISCUSSION Director of Finance reviewed handout; and added that the property assessments determined by the County were incorrect; that the City was overpaid; that a refund will be required; that there is a possibility that the State will not allow the retroactive fees; that the Vehicle License fee is consistent; that the gap between the cost of operating the convention center is starting to close; that Capital Improvements will come to the Council separately; that that the funding in AD155 should be sufficient to cover costs; that the increase in electrical rates may be much higher than projected; that the outlook is conservative; that the funds in the Risk Management fund has set aside $600,000 to cover possible litigation costs regarding the Living Desert lawsuit; that spending from the fund is down; that the grant for additional police officers has not expired, and the City will have to Study Session 3-28-01, Page 3 absorb future costs at this time; that the funding for the downtown experience and other programs that the Council added have amounted to approximately $million additional to the budget; that police overtime is coming into budget; that the fire department is over budget; that the funds in MVR are slated for updating the vehicle fleet; that health insurance did rise dramatically; that it is the general fund that will take the hit; that all changes requested by staff have been reviewed by the City Manager; that those that were approved are figured in the budget; that there are some things that did not get approval. Mayor stated that tourism will be taking a large hit this summer; that hotels are considering a surtax to help cover electricity costs; that it is projected that TOT valley wide will be down; that there have been reports of hotels closing for the summer and added that projections from restaurant should be gathered and furnished to the Council. And questioned if the operation of the Tennis Center would include full time employees or temporary; that the proposed budget does not seem to address the survey of possible historical sites in the City; that Desert Highland Community Center should include some funding for Saturday hours. City Manager stated that there may be long term part time employees hired to run the tennis center; that funds will be budgeted for help provide for Saturday hours; that Council should forward any requests to the Assistant City Manager for inclusion in the budget. Mayor requested that Commission and Boards requesting funding forward the requests in the upcoming week to the Assistant City Manager for the next Cabinet Council Meeting. Councilmember Hodges stated that ground rules do need to be established for community based organizations requests for City funding. City Manager stated that rules have been established and that the rules will be forwarded to Council for review. Mayor stated the biggest issue to face the City will be energy; that contact should be made with State Representatives to try to get incentives established; that the City does endorse and support the installation of peaker plants; that the impacts of energy will end up affecting all economy in the City; and that creative ideas and methods will need to be used to help tourism. ADJOURNMENT