HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 - MINUTES - 9/26/2001 - STUDY SESSIONSTUDY SESSION
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
September 26, 2001
CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
A. Call Back to Order-Oden absent
B. Flag Salute
C. City Attorney Report on Matters Discussed in Closed Session-See Page 2 of
Agenda this date.
D. Public Comments - None
E. COUNCIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/REPORTS
Councilmembers commented on various civic functions attended.
Reller-Spurgin requested report regarding the status of downtown cameras.
Mayor stated Sunline Ad Hoc had met regarding the possible power plant and
added that may be possible to designate any excess power.
F. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager stated attendance at the ICMA meeting in Salt Lake.
G. STUDY SESSION
1. VIDEO PRESENTATION REGARDING BAULTZ VON RUBIN
Video clip televised on interview with Roland Cook, Fire Engineer/Dog Handler
and Bautz Von Rubin and response to 9-11-01 New York Terrorist disaster.
2. APPOINTMENT CVEP-EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Director of Economic Development stated that June, 2001 the Executive
Committee amended the bylaws to allow two elected’s from the Valley to be
members of the Board; that Palm Springs was selected to fill one of the
vacancies; that the meetings are monthly on the second Tuesday of the month in
Palm Desert.
Hodges: Councilmember Oden did state he wanted to serve.
Reller-Spurgin: Motion to appoint Councilmember Oden was presented; after
which, it was moved by Reller-Spurgin, seconded by Hodges; and unanimously
carried, that the motion be adopted.
Councilmember Hodges requested meeting times for CVAG in order to review
meeting schedules for possible attendance.
Council direction to ratify motion at 10/3/01 meeting.
3. DISCUSSION OF 9-11-01 EVENTS IMPACT AT PS INTERNATION AIRPORT
Interim Director of Aviation reviewed a power point presentation, copy attached,
and reviewed a handout, copy attached.
Mayor stated that some of the security measures set in place will change the
appearance of the airport; and questioned what impact would be to the
concessionaires.
Interim Director of Aviation stated that Los Angeles has had a cut in transatlantic
flights which result in Palm Springs need to decrease commuter flights to Los
Angeles; that there is some concern regarding the concenssionaire Anton; that
Anton had invested approximately $8 million in improvements at the Regan
International Airport; that the airport has been shut down and may not be
reopened; that the company may end in bankruptcy; that some of the new FAA
restrictions will not allow anyone except ticketed passengers beyond security
check points; that the impact will be felt by all the concessionaires that operate in
airports; that Palm Springs does have Paradies Shops in place; that the company
is a strong one and should be able to weather the uncertainity; that the
commercial side of the airport is beginning to get return activity; and that at this
time some construction projects will be put on hold until revenues pick up at the
airport.
4. TRAFFIC CALMING
City Engineer gave power point presentation, copy attached, and added that the
problem the neighborhoods is experiencing originate from long and wide streets;
traffic moves quickly and the speed limit is exceeded; that typically the speed
limit is 25MPH; and that studies indicate that traffic flows at 5-7- MPH above the
speed limit.
Mayor questioned if emergency vehicles exceed the speed limit.
Hodges: Depends on the streets; that some streets have dips and the fire truck
must move slowly through the portion of dig.
City Engineer stated that there are alternatives that the City could implement;
that speed humps are a gradual rise and are wide; that typically fire trucks can
straddle the humps; that speed bumps are typically high and narrow; that most of
the time speed humps and stop signs encourage drivers to speed between them
to make up for lost time stopping; that the humps are more gradual and drivers
seem to temper speeds when the humps are implemented; that chockers and
median strips are all expensive alternatives; that the most cost effective and
efficient is the speed humps; that the humps can be removed; and that the
purpose of the item tonight is to introduce the Council to the matter and briefly
explore alternatives; that a policy is needed to establish the priority and program
criteria; that traffic calming only works when a neighborhood wants them; that
there are suggestions in the handouts, copy attached, for establishment of a
program; that Council is requested to review the alternatives and recommended
if and which program it would approve; that the intent is that if this type of
program,, after review by the Council, is acceptable, staff will come back with a
proposed program to enable the City to deal with requests, the ability to prioritize
and to create a budget for the City; that it is clear that each program must be
tailored to the neighborhood; that the cost per hump is approximately $2,000;
that the humps are removable; that some of the neighborhoods may be willing to
do an assessment district; that the City would only have to offset partial costs;
that a number of complaints on speeding traffic in neighborhoods have been
received; and that the program once in place the complaints will be addressed.
Reller-Spurgin stated that Mesquite should be the test case; that Mesquite is a
priority due to the school.
Kleindiest: stated that it seemed that the handout given contains various of City
programs; that those programs rate the need on a point system; that those who
fall within a certain range of points qualify as to type and need of speed
deterrent; that one of the problems with the speed humps is that a car does get a
lift off feeling; that the humps do cause younger drivers to try for that lift feeling;
that it would be better to have a horizontal deterrent rather than a vertical; that
the study should be done to give the Members possible direction; that the
$35,000 in the account can be used not only for the study but for implementation;
and that a city wide program is needed.
City Manager stated that the department can determine the type of program and
that the Council could approve the implementation and what type of devices
should be used.
City Engineer questioned whether or not to use Mesquite as the pilot program.
Reller-Spurgin: affirmed.
Hodges: Need to develop program first, then determine priorities.
Council direction: Mesquite as pilot program; staff to develop city-wide program
and possible solution for Council review.
5. BRIEFING ON DRAFT SPECIAL EVENTS POLICY
City Manager stated that the draft before the Council is merely for review; that no
decision is being requested at this time.
Assistant City Manager reviewed handout and added that the item will appear
before the Council several times in order to get clear direction.
City Attorney stated that the Ordinance will be a combination of two ordinances,
parade and sanctioning of events; that the parade ordinance is unconstitutional;
that ordinances must have standards and that the process must not be time
burdensome; that the question will be what type of events does the City want to
sanction; that definitions have been developed and criteria needs to come from
the Council; that permitted events means events that require a permit; that
sanctioned events mean that some type of financial support is given by the City;
that the designation of major and minor event is defined; that the guidelines need
to be established by the Council in order for staff to implement them; that a
subcommittee if Council could be appointed to work with staff to develop possible
guidelines for Council consideration; that there are many factors to consider; that
applications are being developed; and that the policy would be fair top all
involved.
Mayor stated that Reller-Spurgin and the Mayor would serve on the
subcommittee.
6. COUNCIL CHAMBER USE BY NON-PROFIT GROUPS
City Manager stated that there have been requests to use the Chamber; that
currently costs are not being recovered; that currently the charge is $25.00 per
day for non-profits that book for 6 months at a time; that there have been keys
issued to the non-profits to assist in cutting costs; that the groups open and close
the Chambers; that there is a security question with the policy; and that Council
policy is needed at this time.
Assistant City manager stated that the Friday Night Speakers has used the
Chamber for 30 years; that the Senior Center has raised its rates; that Friday
Nights Speakers can not afford the increase in rents; that the group does cleanup
after itself; that the group has indicated it would be willing to pay an increase in
fees; that the facility department has determined it could contract with the
janitorial services to open and close the chamber; and that the fee for rental will
need to be increased to $65.00 a night to cover the City’s costs.
Hodges: need to recover costs that City expends otherwise a drain on budget.
Mayor: all keys issued should be returned to City; that there are security issues
and access to the building that is questionable.
Council directive to raise costs to $65.00/night and return to Council for formal
action.
City Manager questioned the use by the Chamber of Commerce for candidate
forums and whether there should be a charge for the use.
Reller-Spurgin stated that the Chamber does a lot for the City; that the City is not
a member of the Chamber and should be; and that the use should be given at no
cost and include televising in addition.
ADJOURNMENT