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Home My WebLink About2001 - MINUTES - 9/13/2001 - JOINT STUDY SESSION1 MINUTES OF CITY OF PALM SPRINGS JOINT STUDY SESSION SEPTEMBER 13, 2001 A Joint Study Session of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, was called to order by Mayor Kleindienst, in the Council Chamber, on Thursday, September 13, 2001, at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Members Hodges, Jones, Oden, Reller-Spurgin and Mayor Kleindienst Absent: None AGUA CALIENTE TRIBE OF CAHUILLA INDIANS COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Present: Members Gonzales-Lyons, Prieto, Silva, Pate-Dodd, and Chairman Milanovich Absent: None REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk reported that the agenda was posted in accordance with Council procedures on September 7, 2001. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. TRIBAL/RIVERSIDE COUNTY LAND USE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT Indian Planning Director review the land use agreement with Riverside Council; and added that there are parts of land that were excluded; that the areas need to be remapped; that a study has been done and that it is found that the Tribe Council determined that the Indian Planning Department could handle a portion of the land issues; that the areas affected are Belle Monte; Parc Andreas and Bob Ponds home; that the land is fee land on reservation; and that the area includes land that is inaccessible; that the building permit process, inspections and the like will be handled by the Indian Planning Department; that currently the employees are part time; but as projects come around those may be expanded. Mayor stated that this plan seems to be a first Phase of a goal. Tribal Member Lyons stated that there is no goal at this time; that things seems to be working and there is no need to change. Chairman stated that there will be a time to come of age. 2. MUNICIPAL SERVICES Tribal Planning Director stated that more work is being done in the County area; that the Council does not provide adequate services; that services such as animal services are done taken care of; that as activity rises, so will the demand for services; and that some ground work is being done with staff to determine contractual services. Councilmember Hodges questioned if there were plans to join the CVAG animal control services. Indian Planning Director stated that the idea is being discussed; but the direction is not yet clear. Councilmember Hodges questioned if there was a willingness to join efforts with the City to build a new facility. Tribal Member Lyons stated if the area was centrally located the matter could be considered, 2 Chairman stated that the Tribal Council would wait to see what the City Council does regarding its own services before making a decision. Councilmember Hodges questioned what other services is the Tribal Council seeking to contract. Chairman stated Police and Fire; that it does take a long response time for the County; that the City does respond faster; that with the assumption of responsibility the ability to provide safe service is needed. Police Chief stated that negotiations have begun regarding police services; that the department is looking forward to working with the Tribal Council; that after some resolution is found with police, the next step will be the fire department. Mayor questioned if the idea of a Station 6 being built was feasible. Fire Chief stated that it would be a tribal issue; that a fire management plan is being put together; but that there is a great deal of concern on the clarification of the intent of use that needs to be clarified. Indian Planning Director stated that the consultant and Fire Chief would be meeting to discuss goals. Mayor stated that Fire Station 5 was built some 20 years ago; that the location was determined due to the possibility of expansion to the east; that the expansion has not happened; that discussions have been held to determine if there is a better site for Fire Station 5; and that the same model does not want to be followed in determining a Fire Station #6. Fire Chief stated that the South Palm Canyon has a different type of threat; that there is a mixed use of brush and residential; that a customization of equipment would be needed; that it is possible medical response teams should be in place; that there are concerns that would need to be addressed. C. SEWER SERVICE CONNECTION – ACANTO WAY Tribal Planning Director stated that both Council’s are aware that the Tribe will be building in an area outside the City, but wishes to extend the sewer lines to cover the project; that currently the City requires for those types of hookups to pay double the cost; that it is in the best interest of all for the project to use the sewer system rather than septic tanks; that the fees are not being requested to be waived, just implemented at the normal fee instead of the double. Chairman stated that it is preferable for the fees to be normal rather than double; that the Tribal Council is requesting that all options be considered. Councilmember Oden stated there are some health & safety concerns with septic tanks. 3 Indian Planning Director stated with the building of an equivalent of 400 dwelling unit the concern is that the water table is high in the area; that it may be a threat to the water quality; that it would be a preference to hook up to the City’s system. Councilmember Oden stated that it is a difficult problem; that recently a business owner requested the same thing but the City Council required the payment of double fees. Chairman stated that the Tribe’s application had been revised to delete the reference to the waiver of double fees; that it would be an issue to be debated by the City Council. Councilmember Hodges stated that this is the first the City has heard of the annexations of the areas in the south; that the City was intending to annex those areas; but now the situation is changed; that the City is not opposed to the proposed project, but that in her opinion all should be removed from the septic tank systems, but that for the past 8 years the City has been looking to annex this identical area. Mayor stated there is a concern of cherry picking services; that when annexation was discussed with the areas the only service wanted was sewer; that fire and police was to remain County services; that is what delayed the annexation; that if the residents wanted all the services the City had to offer, then the annexation would have already taken place. Tribal Member Lyons stated that the situation at this time is two governments working together to service the needs of its residents. Mayor stated that the City has taken a stand on the implementation of double fees for hookup outside the City boundaries. Chairman stated this is a Government-to-Government request. Mayor requested that the Tribal Council generate a letter with its request for further consideration. D. BELARDO BRIDGE UPDATE Aviation Director stated that all is in place for federal funding; that the lobbyists should be letting the City know the status; that the project when ranked did fall from #2 to #18; that CalTrans does the ranking; that the results were issued 10 days ago; that there is no appeal process; that the ranking process is done, and that the energy needs to be focused on the conferees; that this project is $3.7 million; that there is a lot of roadway widening and paving; and that lobbyists efforts will continue to try for the funding. E. FUTURE ITEMS OF DISCUSSION Chairman expressed disappointment that the Council did not work more closely with the Tribal Council on the sale of the Desert Fashion Plaza; that it was felt that the City wanted to deal with someone other than the tribe and that it is troubling. City Attorney stated that it was the upfront requesting by the ACDA that held back the deal; that the City could simply not come up with what was requested; that the issue with Wessman does not have that same type of upfront costs; that the refinancing of the Convention Center has provided a potential of some help, but not to the ACDA level; that the problem was purely financial and both sides were too far apart. Chairman requested a meeting of the City negotiators, ACDA and the Tribal Council to clarify issues. Both Councils directed to place Municipal contract services, State Lobbyist issues for discussion on the next agenda. ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ITEMS: None. 4 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. PATRICIA A. SANDERS City Clerk