HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 - MINUTES - 6/27/2001 - STUDY SESSIONSTUDY SESSION
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
JUNE 27, 2001
CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
A. Call Back to Order-Large Conference Room-Kleindienst absent.
B. Flag Salute
C. City Attorney Report on Matters Discussed in Closed Session-See Page 2 of
Agenda this date.
D. Public Comments
Howard Lapham, read a prepared statement, copy on file in Office of the City
Clerk.
E. COUNCIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/REPORTS
Councilmembers commented on various civic functions attended.
Hodges: Requested discussion of redistricting of Supervisory Boundaries be on
upcoming agenda; requested copies of all policies and procedures the
Department of Planning uses.
Oden: Requested Mr. Knapp be invited to upcoming meeting to discuss strategy
for marketing visions for the City and possibly the airport.
F. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
Henry Frank Parking lot on schedule should be completed end of September;
Arenas Road should be completed mid October.
Oden requested signage be placed regarding alternative routes for Arenas so no
loss of foot traffic occurs.
G. STUDY SESSION
1. DRIVE-THRU FACILITY REGULATIONS
Director of Planning & Building reviewed a handout, copy on file in Office of the
City Clerk and added that in all cases where a drive thru is allowed by zoning it is
only allowed with a Conditional Use Permit.
Jones: Several citizens have expressed concern with the number of applications
pending in the Planning Department for drive-thrus; that the pedestrian
atmosphere does need to be preserved in the downtown; that the City has
funded alternative fuel vehicles and the permitting of drive-thrus is contrary to
low-emissions; that the message of the City is that it is environmentally friendly;
that this type of use should be regulated and kept away from the downtown
corridor and Tahquitz corridor.
Hodges: At the right location drive-thrus do serve a large populace and a need in
the City; that the downtown does have a village atmosphere, but it is in fact a big
city; that currently the City does not allow the use in the downtown; that there are
places where the drive-thrus should be permitted and at this time there is no
need to tighten up the Ordinance.
City Attorney: the Council could draw distinctions on where the drive-thrus would
be supported; that there are areas that due to the high amount of pedestrian
traffic the use might be of concern; and that the Council would need to explain
the reasonable difference for types of use.
Oden: A whole generation has grown up with the fast food restaurants and the
fast food concept and that is where the drive-thrus are located; that the areas are
already designated and are ok; that the drive-thrus do serve a need in time and
expense; and that if the drive-thru is located in an appropriate area there should
not be a problem.
City Attorney requested direction from Council.
Oden: No change necessary, controls already in place.
Jones: Potentially drive-thrus are allowed all over the City; that it may be through
a CUP process, but still are permitted and clarified the location of Palm Canyon
Drive for the Members.
Oden: Section 14 is not controlled by the City as to uses; that the rest of the City
that can be regulated is so.
Reller-Spurgin: Need to be fair and consistent in uses; that banks need drive-
thru facilities; that there is no problems with the current CUP’s in place and that
the City needs to continue to send the message of being business friendly.
Jones: Misnomer, the Council does not have to approve everything that comes
before it; that there should be rules and regulations.
Reller-Spurgin: The City does have rules and regulations; and that the City
needs to be competitive with the Valley in uses that it has in its boundaries.
Jones: Ordinance that was self-authored has no prevention on a drive-thru use
by a bank.
Oden: Each application for a conditional use permit for a drive-thru must come
before the Council and each one should be considered on its own weight and
merit.
2. PRELIMINARY SKATE PARK DESIGN
City Manager reviewed a handout concerning cost projections for the skate park
and swim center complex project, copy on file in Office of the City Clerk.
Reuel Young, Project Architect, meetings have been held with concerned parties,
including skaters, residents, the Commissioners and any others that have
indicated interest; that the present buildings were built many years ago; that they
are substandard; that a remodel of the facilities would probably end up more
costly than a new building; that there has been concern on control of the skate
facility; that there will be parameters set; that the buildings will be built in such a
way that people can not simply wander in and out; that the concept is that there
will be bleachers so that parents can sit in the shade and watch the youth; that
the shape of the skate park has evolved into a “L” shaped facility; that if the two
are required to be separated, the project will not be fluid, that the focus is that the
vendors, snak bar and the like are located on the northern area of the site; that
there will be a paid entry point; that parking will be increased; that the only
permitted people inside the skate area will be the skaters; that a control fence will
keep the level of skaters apart; that there will be three zones consisting of
beginning, advanced, and challenging; there will also be controls set in place for
noise, lights, traffic and the like; that the lighting should be set up so that there
will not be a glare; traffic noise should drown out any noise created by the
skaters; and that the visual and sculptural components of the fencing have not
been drawn up as of yet.
Jones: Has a study been done to project how many Palm Springs children would
use the facility versus the total amount that would use the facility.
Vicki Oltean, the number of students at PSUSD is approximately 15, 000; and
projects are that one-half of the students will use the facility.
Jones: Inaccurate way to set numbers.
Oltean: the Police Department has given a number of citations in the downtown
area for the use of skateboards and the number has been growing; that one
purpose of the skate park is to give the youth an alternative to the downtown for
skateboarding.
Oden: The Youth Commission meetings have indicated that the usage of the
skate park will be high.
Jones: Point is that it is a Palm Springs facility and should be used by Palm
Springs youth; that Palm Springs taxpayers are footing the bill.
Oden: Other Cities could take the same attitude with their facilities.
Jones: Need to know the statistics for usage by Palm Springs residents.
Reuel Young: Palm Desert is doubling its facility; skate park is used not only by
its residents but valley wide; that skate parks are being developed all over
southern California; not sure if resident only type of studies have been done.
Oden: Will park be regulated as to use.
Oltean: Not decided; Palm Desert has membership cards; meetings are being
held to discuss issue, no conclusion as of yet; If too much is charged or too
restrictive, youth will continue to use streets, parks and downtown.
Jones: Need nominal fee to have control.
Oden: Is the suggestion to have the Palm Springs youth have ID’s to get
membership.
Jones: Not saying keep kids out if not from Palm Springs.
City Attorney: Suggest parents sign waivers and be aware of possible hazards
and risks.
Jones: Responsible parents want control; toured the site, good location; lead to
believe that donations from the public would be sought, only $5,000 donated so
far, so it may not be embraced by Community.
Oltean: Need conceptual design to request donations and move program ahead.
Jones: When get conceptual design
Oltean: Need Council direction to move ahead; is the direction a total concept of
swim/swim center; many variables need clarification on Council desire.
Hodges: Council will match funds donated by public up to $50,000.
Oden: Look at total needed, almost there due to grants and the like; need to
address City issue of lockers, restrooms, etc; this should be a one-time
renovation of complex.
Reller-Spurgin: Fence should be fluid design; possibly Public Art Commission
could fund as part of program.
Oden: Total in place is $450,000, could start moving ahead.
Reller-Spurgin: Believe public will come thru for youth, need to move forward.
Hodges: Have funds to start project and should do so; should not be a Taj Maha;
something for youth to use and have fund with; need to move forward.
City Manager: If a larger plan is desired, bonds could be an alternative.
Hodges: Voters already designated $400,000 to be used for parks, rec and
library use only.
Oden: If build skate park, restrooms are already inadequate.
Reuel Young: The issue of the ballooning of the project comes from discussions
with the users; could move with what we have and do rest later.
Jones: If going to do something do it right or better not to do at all; need to
address all issues.
Oden: Concur; come back with proposal of ways to fund project.
Jones: Need to move forward with fundraising.
Hodges need to move forward with skate park to give kids something to do.
3. POTENTIAL BALLOT MEASURES
City Clerk reviewed memo on Council suggested ballot measures.
Consensus of Council only one to move forward would be concerning Charter
Amendment for commencement of Members of the City Council terms; TOT
should be brought forward by Hoteliers.
Jones there has been 4 initiatives filed with City Clerk;
Oden only two have been filed, one regarding the Office of the Mayor and a
referendum on the Convention Center refinancing.
Jones: Also hillside development and drive-thrus.
Reller-Spurgin: We just addressed drive thrus.
Jones: Community is upset with inactivity of Council; public feels strongly on
issues; short term rentals are also a initiative that is out for signature; Community
has issues that must be addressed; just an extension of democracy to take
things to the ballot; Council here to represent the public, but can make mistakes;
this way the citizens can address those mistakes; could try to compromise and
listen to the residents.
Reller-Spurgin: Council does listen; but have not had any of these issues
brought up to the Council; it is the Council that should be leading the Community,
otherwise what is the Council for.
ADJOURN