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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 - MINUTES - 4/25/2001 - STUDY SESSIONSTUDY SESSION CITY OF PALM SPRINGS APRIL 25, 2001 CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION A. Call Back to Order-Large Conference Room-Kleindienst absent (Entered during discussion of Item 2) B. Flag Salute C. City Attorney Report on Matters Discussed in Closed Session-See Page 2 of Agenda this date. D. Public Comments Wendy Busig-Kohn, reviewed handout, copy on file in Office of the City Clerk, regarding the establishment of a web site for alternative solar energy facts. Donna Fortini, Webmaster, stated that the site being designed for the solar energy facts should be easily navigatiable; and that the information available on the site should be invaluable to the citizens. Ferdinand Rose, 254 North Palm Canyon, stated that the Muni Parking lot needs repairs and should not be overlooked; that the infrastructure of the City is important to the economy; that there are immediate needs in the lot that need to be addressed; that there are concerns regarding the establishment of a parking structure being proposed; that the structure will block access and exposure of property located on Indian Avenue; and added that the proposal may need amendment. E. COUNCIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/REPORTS Councilmembers commented on various civic functions attended. Councilmember Oden stated that he had attended the White Party two separate times; that it is quite an event; that there is an unfortunate perception of the Party that a few are causing that is overshadowing the proper conduct of the overwhelming majority; that out of an attendance of approximately 25,000 there were 12 – 15 drug related incidents; that it is being said that the Mayor is against the event; that since the Mayor is against the event, the event will not be allowed to take place again; that the process is that each and every member of the Council, including the Mayor has one vote; that it is prudent for each member of the Council and the Mayor to watch how things are addressed; that the promoter does hire extra security; that if people are committing illegal acts, they are doing so under a lot of security; and that an open discussion of the event is being looked forward to. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that the matter was brought up at the last Meeting of the City Council; that it was the first time that the issue of illegal drug use at the Party was brought up; that it is not clear where the Mayor got the information that was cited; that the information may have been obtained from the Police and Fire Departments; and that if that is the case the reports should have been forwarded to all members of the Council. City Manager stated that reports are being prepared with specific information for Council review. Councilmember Jones stated that the reports should include a comparison of all events in the City. F. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS – None G. STUDY SESSION 1. WRITTEN STATUS REPORT ON URGENCY ORDINANCE 1593 City Attorney stated that Council’s Rules and Procedures does allow the Council to take ministerial actions at Study Session and recommended the approval of a Minute Order approving the issuance of a status report on Urgency Ordinance 1593 Minute Order 6839 approving issuance of a status report on Urgency Ordinance 1593 was presented; after which, it was moved by Hodges, seconded by Reller- Spurgin and carried by the following vote that MO6839 be adopted. AYES: Hodges, Jones, Oden and Reller-Spurgin NO: None ABSENT: Kleindienst 2. INLAND EMPIRE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP PRESENTATION Presentation given by Terri Ooms and Sara Miggins, Inland Empire Economic Partnership. The Presentation consisted of review of documents, copy on file in Office of the City Clerk, see attached. Councilmember Oden clarified that not all vocational school in Palm Springs were listed; and questioned the role of the private sector in the partnership. Ms Ooms, stated that the private sector supports the program; that members also sit on the Economic Development Commission and that the Commission works on issues and marketing plans and design of marketing ads. Councilmember Oden questioned the funding source. Ms. Ooms stated that the funding is from the membership based on a per capita rate; that the benefits are trade show participation, leads, marketing ads and in answer to questions by Council added that the focus of the leads are for Bio- Tech and high-tech industry; that the effort is to try and develop a workforce eligible to fill positions; that the area needs to be marketed and that major interest is coming from England, Japan and Canada; that the budget for marketing is $500,000 and is funded by public sector monies; that the per capita cost is 26 cents; that the biggest incentive offered by Cities to draw the high tech industries is fast track permitting; that high tech companies also look for trained workforce applicants and quality of life issues. Mayor entered at this point. 3. CITY STREET BANNER POLICY Director of Downtown Development reviewed the policy in place for street banners; and added the banners have evolved into an annual program; that although the regulations are in the Zoning Ordinance; that the focus of the program typically is events that are happening in the City; that Main Street is involved in the program; that the banners across the street are City sanctioned events; community events or valley-wide events; that few valley-wide event banners are requested; that the intent is actually for civic or patriotic events to keep the Community informed and involved; that the fees are generate about $7,500 and about 50% of the total available space is used. Director of Facilities stated that once the banner is paid for it is put up when the space is available and typically is not more than four week ahead of the event. Councilmember Hodges cautioned that the banners should be to publicize events and not be commercial advertisements. Mayor stated that there are some instances when a convention comes to town that part of the package of securing the event may be a banner announcing the presence of the conventioneers; and that the times this is done should be monitored; that there are three possible street banner locations, and questioned if additional castle banners are needed. Director of Downtown Development stated that the castle banner can not be placed too far north due to wind; and that the Desert Fashion Plaza is being considered as a potential site for the Desert Museum to use castle banners for its upcoming events; that some requests for site are denied due to the blocking of mountain vistas; that care is given to location of the castle banners on Tahquitz due to the concern of vistas; that the street banners hang on cable across the street; that the width for the cable may need to be reduced in order to keep the banner straight. Mayor stated that when the holiday stars go up across the street, they should not be backed by a banner; that the effect of the stars is taken away; and questioned the program of replacing the castle banners. Director of Downtown Development stated that the castle banner life is five years; that currently the Follies does replace its own banners and that Main Street is instrumental in the replacement of the others; that the Desert Museum is submitting a program for the placement of banners encourage the summer use of the museum; that the cost of the banners is $100 each and the Veterans Day Committee did purchase 75 patriotic banners for use during the year. Director of Facilities stated that the banners being used at this time will be good for one more year, but will need replacement soon. 4. DOWNTOWN PARKING SOLUTIONS City Manager stated that think tank had been formed to assess the needs of the City and to find possible solutions to the parking problems; that the committee was formed with staff and private sector; that representatives of the committee, Larry Pitts, Phyllis Silver and Rick Service are present at this meeting to assist in answering questions and the presentation. Ric Service, stated that currently down valley newspaper ads are being place indicating that parking is better in those locations; the ad did appear three times in the last week; that the message is clear, that fun is being poked at Palm Springs parking problem; that due to Council efforts the downtown in Palm Springs has turned around; that part of the turnaround if problem with parking; and added that some solutions will be presented. Larry Pitts, stated that on his property he does now charge for parking for those who are not using the businesses within the parking area; that the parking must be limited to customers only due to the shortage of parking; that south of Arenas Road is an arts and entertainment district; that there is problem with the employees and customers finding spaces to park; that the City Manager was correct in moving ahead on the issue; that it is important to tackle the problem; that action will be needed by the Council to solve the problem. Phyllis Silver stated that additional parking is needed, but it is needed first in the uptown area; that the parking concerns should be addressed at Alejo then south on Palm Canyon; that the Amado Center parking is working well; but more is needed, that the Wolf Goldberg property should be taken by the City and converted into a parking lot. Director of Downtown Development stated that to help solve the problem employee parking needs should be addressed; that there is a shortage of about 400 spaces; that once that issue is solved, most of the entire problem will be solved due to the freeing up of spaces; that proposals have been to locate the parking for employees in Section 14; that the logistics may result in the designated spaces not being utilities; that in any proposed location consideration needs to be given to the neighborhood surrounding the proposal; that a parking lot is a visibility issue; that the Committee did focus on Indian Avenue; that the Desert Fashion Plaza, Mercado Plaza, Henry Frank Arcades are currently being used; that north of Tahquitz issues may be solved with the building of the parking structure for the casino; that the 400 spaces needed immediately are from the area south of Tahquitz, that Arenas Road is being examined to build a streetscape to include parking, lighting and pedestrian friendly access; that the change will result in an additional 75 spaces; that there is some concern that the Marquis may not proceed with its plan for additional parking, that the cost for the Arenas Road project would be somewhere around $275,000. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin questioned if the merchants on Arenas Road had been consulted and were in agreement. Director of Downtown Development stated that the desire is there; that is diagonal parking is used, some of the other lots in the area may be able to be converted to employee only parking; that the Planning Commission did review the plan and does want to pursue the design aspects. Mayor questioned if along the Arenas Road corridor, streetlights and banners would be put in place like the downtown to encourage the same motif. Director of Downtown Development stated that the same intent of the present lighting program is being put forward; and that on any parking lot the emphasis is being placed away from residential neighborhoods; and reviewed a map of a proposed parking structure, copy attached, that there are two levels proposed to the structure, that the views from the hotel would not be disrupted; that the most efficient level in a parking structure is the middle level; that if underground parking is requested the cost rises from $7 – 8,000 per space to $12 - $13,000 per space; that a three story structure could be built in six months; that the project could be built over the summer; that the within the area proposed the Saloon and Fisherman’s Market are willing to relocate; that a service drive would be located between the two parking structure proposed; that the Planning Commission direction was to look at the full block to be parking structures with the frontage being retail shops; that access to Fisherman’s Market could be made with some type of bridging between the structures, but that the Market does want to move to a Palm Canyon address; the visitors want easy parking with high visibility; that the trees that would be placed in front of the structure would be 35-40 feet tall; that the building would be 35 feet tall; and that the proposal calls for a soft street scape. Mayor questioned the downtown merchant contribution. Mr. Service, stated that staff did brief the merchants on a possible 5 alternatives; that it maybe a hard sell to the merchants; that a Mello-Roos may have to be put into play; that there are other options and a hybrid may need to be found; that parking rights could be sold, but it may be that City funding is needed to get something done. City Manager stated that the Arenas Road improvements are currently in the budget; that the funding needed will be for parking structures; and that the intent is to be a private/public partnership. Director of Downtown Development stated that in order to advance in the concept a consultant is needed; that the fee would be somewhere around $10,000; that the analysis would include layout and costs; and that appraisals of property that may need to be taken by the City will also need to be done. Councilmember Hodges questioned if the Arenas Area merchants have been consulted. Director of Downtown Development stated that two years ago the proposal was considered. Councilmember Hodges stated that at that time a walkway was proposed and that contact should be made with the merchants. Mayor questioned if the project was approved what the completion date would be. Director of Downtown Development stated by the time all is taken through the process, it would probably be one year from this summer. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that recent talks have centered on incentives for economic development in the City and one of the incentives is fast processing; that this may be an example of when fast processing is needed. Council consensus to endorse the Arenas Road improvement concept. Councilmember Hodges stated that the parking structures do sound good, but would like to request the full concept be presented for study. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that the number one priority should be in the relocation for the Saloon and Fisherman’s Market. Council consensus to proceed with studies to determine the cost and design of the parking structures. City Manager stated that with Council endorsement, the Committee would continue to work together. ADJOURN