HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 - MINUTES - 5/9/2001 - STUDY SESSIONSTUDY SESSION
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
May 9, 2001
CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
A. Call Back to Order-Large Conference Room-Hodges absent
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, read a prepared statement, copy attached.
Dean Stephen Kaufman, stated that teen suicide is on the rise; that mental health
is needed; and that issues with the youth range from does the community care to
whether government can be trusted.
E. COUNCIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/REPORTS
Councilmembers commented on various civic functions attended.
F. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS – None
G. STUDY SESSION
1. SALTON SEA PRESENTATION
Power Point presentation was given by Tom Kirk, Executive Director, Jack Wyatt,
Communications Director and available for questions was Corky Larson, Board
Member.
The presentation consisted of review of handouts, copy attached, and a review of
the history of the formation of the sea and current status. The sea was created in
or about 1905; that a breach in the irrigation caused Lake Cahuilla; that the sea
is man controlled at this point; that it is a fairly stable body of water; that the sea
does represent a part of the Pacific flyaway; that one-half of all bird species are
found at the sea; that in 1780 the wetland area consisted of 5 million acres; that
in 1999 the wetland area is now 450,000 acres; that part of the challenge of the
sea is the salinity; that the sea is 25% more salty than the ocean; that the salt
occurs due to agricultural return water; that the sea generates 5 million tons of
salt each year; that there have been complaints of eutrophication (smell) typically
in August; that the algae dies and the smell grows; that the visitors to the area
last year was 250,000; that each year publicity occurs over the amount of bird
deaths; that actually it is less than 1% of the birds that do die during usage; that
one question is why restore the sea; that the answer is clear, it is for the
environment and for the economy; that there are some solutions; that there have
been 40 years of studies on what to do; that some of the solutions are to create
solar evaporative ponds; that the studies have resulted in a wildlife disease
program; that the shoreline is being cleaned up using snow blowers; that part of
the problem is what to do with the salt of the sea; that salt is high weight and low
commodity; that methods have been looked at for recycling or put the salt in a
landfill; that the salinity of the sea should have been addressed and resolved 30
years ago; that the project cleanup will cost $200 to $300 million; that the sea
itself is divided in regions; that the Sonny Bono Refuge is on the north side and
was instrumental in getting attention to the situation at the sea; that one question
is why wait for the salt to get in the sea; that the answer is that the water getting
into the sea is fresh; that it is the trickle water that contains the salt; that the sea
will never be a fresh water lake, nor are the plans to convert the sea to fresh
water; that the goal is to get the sea closer to ocean salt levels; that clean up has
been slated as a preferred project for Congress; that support by all the Cities is
critical and that there are many political undertones with the project with opinions
from water districts, farmers, to tourism; and that in the end the answer will not
be easy, but the sea is an asset to the Coachella Valley.
2. 2001-02 BUDGET DISCUSSION
Director of Finance & Treasurer reviewed a handout, copy attached.
City Manager stated that many of the figures are based on the last presentation
and direction given to and by Council; that the positions listed on page 8 were
conceptually new positions; that most are reclassifications due to changes in job
duties; that the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center (JOJDUC) the
situation evolved of having temporary employees with the City for 10+ years; that
questions have been raised by the bargaining units; that with the new leader at
the JOJDUC it is felt that the services needed will be provided; that the new
positions are offset by consolidating old salaries; that while it does look like three
new positions are being added to the JOJDUC, it is a combination of temporary
staff and current program staff; that both centers the JOJDUC and the Leisure
enter will have one position that goes one-half time at each site; that the total
positions will be 5 and one-half for both centers; that the changes will allow
Saturday hours at both centers; that some of the positions will be 30 hour per
week positions, with prorated benefits; that the new position in Information
Technology is slated for support to the library; that details for each department
are listed in the handouts; and that there are further requests listed on page 10
for Council consideration.
Oden: Clarification is needed on the Fire Department personnel request.
City Manager stated that the program was submitted for two interns; that one is
being considered with one.
Fire Chief stated that with this type of program, the training is more beneficial for
two; that the success rate is higher with the camaraderie between two people
that are away at Academy; that the goal of the intern is to fill vacancies for
firefighter positions.
Reller-Spurgin: the additional requests will drive the deficit from $2 million to
$2.4 million.
Mayor: Page 10 has requests from Planning regarding Ordinances that have
been discussed by the Council that do need to be funded; that both Ordinances
are issues in the Community; that the issues will not go away; that the City needs
information to develop the regulations; that as the downtown develops more
items will become an issue.
Oden: Concurred with the Mayor and added that the Fire Intern program needs
both both positions to be successful.
Mayor: Council direction regarding the noise and underground of utilities
ordinances.
Jones: The situations will not resolve themselves; that right now the
undergrounding issues are unfair.
Oden: Concurred with Jones; need both Ordinances to be addressed in
equitable fashion.
Mayor: Questioned if the allowance for Tourism included the one-time allocation
of the $161,000.
Director of Finance & Treasurer stated that the one-time allowance was not
included.
Mayor: Page 3 indicates that the TOT revenue source is the highest number in
any given year; that the 2nd highest number is property taxes; that the allowance
for tourism is a direct impact to the revenue to the City; that if the City loses
tourism, we lose revenue; that the Council may need to be aggressive in the
funding of tourism; that the additional request of $100,000 may not go very far
and directed the matter be addressed again mid-year.
Jones: Concurred with Mayor, and requested a relook midyear at funding for
tourism.
Oden: Concurred with Mayor, added may need relook quarterly.
Mayor: Other States are aware of the power situation in California and are taking
advantage of the tourism situation. Page 11 downtown maintenance, sidewalk
cleaning, does the budget include the increase Council allocated mid year, or is it
a reflection of last year’s budget.
Director of Finance & Treasurer stated that the budget reflects the increase in
maintenance.
Oden: Should have a quarterly update on steam cleaning of downtown
sidewalks.
Mayor: Questioned the costs associated with FTZ, was it for activation?
Director of Economic Development, line 16 is same as what was allocated when
FTZ was under the airport funds; targeting funds to develop business
opportunities in FTZ; will also include contract services for information, trade
shows, market efforts; that the $13,000 is not to conduct a study, but to do things
to put businesses in the FTZ; received three inquiries in past 1 ½ weeks; good
opportunity at this time for FTZ to come together.
Mayor: Line 14, $386,000 down from $422,000 why.
Director of Finance & Treasurer: Carryover of this years saving till next year,
with carryover added to the $386,000 equals funding from last year.
Mayor: Looking for ways to fund the engine for the future; need to know if there
is enough money for FTZ and Economic Development; need to reinvest in Econ
Dev; need to move right away.
City Manager: Will see more progress this year out of Econ Dev; a lot more
activity occurring; almost all City does now is Econ Dev; the Econ Dev
Department will have the support of Planning, Downtown and Redevelopment
Directors.
Oden: What is percentage increase over this year than last year for line 14.
Director of Finance & Treasurer: Will save around $70,000 this year to carry
over; will apply to next year’s budget; about a 10% increase over what was
budgeted last year.
Oden: Will the goals be accomplished with level of funding.
City Manager: If change the current process, Council will be pleased with the
results.
Economic Development Director: Economic Development Corp looking to help
Economic Development in City, not only with expertise, but with funding to grow
the City’s future.
Oden: Heard that message at workshop, clear that the Corp wants to be a part
of the system of economic development.
Mayor: Concern for allocation of PM10 attainment; right now City is out of
compliance; have one year to get back in compliance; if don’t reach attainment,
economic development will be standstill; when grading done tore open desert
floor; opened 500 acres; line 31 & 32 is in question, are the allocations enough to
deal with PM10 issues.
City Engineer stated that items 31 & 32 are a small piece of effort to comply with
PM10 issues; main effort is with building department in development; have a list
that must be monitored and enforced; that where main results will come from; if
out of compliance need to show mitigating measures to be less likely to be cited
by AQMD; if out of compliance with no mitigation no federal funding can be given
to City.
Mayor: Road that parallels I-10 by Cabazon creates dust that is airborne, comes
to City monitors and registers, who can City call with that issue; need to be sure
the work we are doing is adequate; need to cite and do follow-up with water if
needed am not certain that the funding allocated can cover the issue of PM10, do
not want the line item to be shortchanged, this area is vital to economic
development of City.
Mayo: Item 1; question on tickets for events; issue has surfaced a number of
times; could allocate each member or just fund on a first come, first serve basis.
Jones: Will go with what majority of Council wants.
Oden: Need to allocate something, too many things Council invited to, very
expensive and cannot attend all.
Mayor: Could fund $6,000 per year; allocation of $100.00 per month per council
member; for use only by Member not spouse.
Members Reller-Spurgin & Oden concurred.
Oden: Page 10 item 2, need clarification, will be better to fund both interns will
increase local opportunity as well.
Reller-Spurgin, Jones & Kleindienst concurred.
Director of Finance currently $220,000 additional; increase deficit to $2,206,000
with $4.8 million on surplus.
City Manager: Question is why staff recommend budget with $2 million deficit;
variable of revenue will fluctuate; may be higher, but are projected conservatedly;
may have savings in other areas; that a close monitoring will be done on a
monthly basis, with quarterly updates for Council.
Mayor: Please with numbers, are a lot of assumptions however; please with
insertion of charts; like format and appreciate work by staff.
City Manager: Finance Department did a stellar job.
Reller-Spurgin: With increases need accountability; departments will need to
show results of funding, how it is used, what are the benefits reaped.
Director of Finance & Treasurer: May 23 will bring information on bond
refinancing and housing funds.
ADJOURNMENT