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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 - MINUTES - 5/3/2001Joint Meeting 05-03-01, Page 1 MINUTES OF CITY OF PALM SPRINGS JOINT MEETING MAY 3, 2001 A Joint Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, was called to order by Mayor Kleindienst, at the Convention Center, 277 Avenida Caballeros, on Thursday, May 3, 2001, at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Members Jones, Hodges, Oden, Reller- Spurgin and Mayor Kleindienst Absent: None AGUA CALIENTE TRIBE OF CAHUILLA INDIANS COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Present: Members Patencio, Preito-Dodd, Siva, and Chairman Milanovich Absent: Gonzales-Lyons REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk reported that the agenda was posted in accordance with Council procedures on April 27, 2001. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None 1. BELARDO BRIDGE UPDATE Assistant City Manager-Operations gave a brief history on the Belardo Bridge project; and added that the Mayor had discussed the matter with representatives in Washington D.C.; that the trip was successful; that Congresswoman Bono did agree to place the project as number one; that we are in a wait mode at this time; and that the action will be taken at a later date; that Members of Congress were impressed at the cooperative venture between the Tribe and the City; that Congressman Presley was supportive of the project; that this is the fourth year that the grant has been applied for; that last year the project was rated number 2, but did not get funded; that this time the project has not only been earmarked, but the applications submitted for the grant funding; that there was some confusion with a letter submitted to Congresswoman Bono’s office from CVAG, placing another project as the priority, that the issue was clarified with the Belardo Bridge project being the top priority; that the City should be notified in late June or July as to the status of the funding; and that the information received on Capital Hill will be copied and forwarded to the Tribal Council. 2. ENDANGERED SPECIES MULTI-SPECIES HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN Presentation by Jim Sullivan and Bill Habert, CVAG representatives. Mr. Sullivan gave an overview on the planning effort and draft plan; and added that additional funding is needed to continue to purchase the acres of concern; that currently the habitat is composed of 197,000 acres; that the acreage includes properties in Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Hills, San Jacinto Mountains and San Gorgonio Mountains; that there are other land linkages that need to be acquired; that areas for blow sand that affect the habitat of the fringe toed lizard, in Whitewater are being evaluated; that the conservation of the land allows for a protection of the ecological processes; that currently 70% of the land Joint Meeting 05-03-01, Page 2 for conservancy is through public lands; that 80-90% of the land is designated for open space; that part of the controversy is the location of land that is needed adjacent to the 29 Palms Mission Indians on reservation land; that the habitat of the different species does need to be maintained; that projects such as Mountain Falls and Shadowrock do fall within essential habitat designated lands; that the Chino Cone is of concern at this time; that the area is slated for conservation; that there are boundaries that are established by Fish & Game that are followed by this plan; that the Canyon Area on the west side of South Palm Canyon has likewise been designated as essential habitat; that there is available 40 acres for development; that concepts do change and the extent of the areas also change; that the designations are of significant issue to the landowners; that one particular property owner did dedicate 120 acres in the canyon for habitat; that there are many issues that are left to be resolved; that some of the analyzation includes, what the land being used for and what are the land constraints; that within each proposed area the local jurisdictions are being met with; that once the land is identified as needed for conservation, contact is made with the landowner; that General Plan and Zoning policies for the area is reviewed; that the natural constraints to development are evaluated; that the area is monitored for possible development; that once funding is available, the acquisition process starts; that State and Federal funds are available; that it may be that some sort of mitigation fee may need to be charged on a local level; that currently one fee for the fringe toed lizard is $600 per acre; that other funding sources may include tipping fees at Eagle Mountain; that the Plan is important to deal with protection of a full range of endangered species; that the Plan will help to prevent development from ruining the quality of life issues we have; that the Plan will also protect scenic, recreational and cultural resources and serve as a filter for the residents and that it is hoped that the Cities, Tribe and BLM will take a cooperative effort in the development and support of the Plan. 3. INDIAN CANYONS MASTER PLAN DRAFT Tom Davis. Tribal Planning Director, reviewed the draft Indian Canyon Master Plan, copy on file in Office of the City Clerk, and added that the Master Plan has four interrelated primary objectives, to determine the existing character and use patterns of the area, to evaluate and make recommendation concerning future improvements; to serve as the General Plan required under the Management Agreement with the State Department of Parks and Recreation; and to make recommendations concerning the ultimate boundaries of the Indian Canyons Heritage Planning Area properties and possible additions; that the Friends of the Indian Canyons are taking an acquisition part; that recently an additional 52 acres were purchased located north and adjacent to the existing Heritage Park; that any improvements to the area should enhance the natural wonders and attempt to reduce any impact that might adversely affect the quality of the natural landscape; that some areas do allow residential building; that the planning area land use categories include, Residential, low density – that allows up to 2 single family dwelling units per acre, Estate residential – that allows up to 1 single family dwelling per acre, Canyon – all non-tribal properties within the Canyon land use area are allowed a maximum residential density based on topography, those areas go from less than 15% to greater than 35% slope; that most projects that are proposed on slopes will require an environmental impact report; and that all projects will be built with the preservation of the natural beauty as utmost. Joint Meeting 05-03-01, Page 3 4. REPORTS OR REQUESTS Tribal Planning Director stated that an appeal had been filed regarding Eagle Rider; that if the material submitted complies with the Ordinance, the matter will be referred to the Indian Planning Commission for review; that the next step after review is for the matter to be heard in a joint public hearing between the Tribal Council and the City Council; that a response had been received regarding the Federal Post Office site; that the issue is in the process of response; that the City of Palm Springs Assistant City Manager-Operations will be consulted for possible alternative sites; and that there is good possibility the situation will work out. Consensus of both Council’s for next meeting to be scheduled on September 13, 2001, 6:00 p.m., at the Tahquitz Interpretive Center, Palm Springs. ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ITEMS: None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. PATRICIA A. SANDERS City Clerk