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Home My WebLink About2001 - MINUTES - 12/14/2001 - JOINT STUDY SESSIONMINUTES OF CITY OF PALM SPRINGS JOINT STUDY SESSION DECEMBER 14, 2001 A Joint Study Session of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, was called to order by Mayor Kleindienst, at the Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Mesquite A Room, on Friday, December 14, 2001, at 5:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Members Mills, Oden, Reller-Spurgin and Mayor Kleindienst Absent: None AGUA CALIENTE TRIBE OF CAHUILLA INDIANS COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Present: Members Patencio, Prieto-Dodd, Siva and Chairman Milanovich Absent: Gonzoles-Lyons REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk reported that the agenda was posted in accordance with Council procedures on December 7, 2001. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. STATE COMPACT SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION FUND Police Chief stated that most Tribes are in favor of retaining 50% of the funds collected to remain in the area collected from; that the remaining funds are split between legislature and compact issues; that gaming problems, gaming control commission and the Indian Revenue Sharing Fund are designations for the remaining funds; that local jurisdictions request their share be allocated directly to the locality, not through a County distribution method; that the main issues were reimbursements for impacts of gaming, such as the downtown experience office; not one time funding requests each year, but a total allocation make to the local jurisdiction; clause to include reimbursement to Tribes for contracts with local Agencies for specific services; and that some Cities should just get the funds directly no matter if there is no impact on the City due to gaming issues. 2. BELARDO BRIDGE Assistant City Manager-Operations stated that the funding for the bridge is included in the Federal Transportation Bill; that it should be signed next week; that the pledge is $3 Million; request City to act as lead agency; believe can get plans completed and out to bid by summer; should be no more than 9 – 12 months to build; that CalTrans will be involved and City will need assistance to gain the funds through the Agency. 3. DESERT FASHION PLAZA City Manager stated City Council has not been asked nor reviewed a proposal regarding a request for funds for the DFP; that Council has nothing to act on at this time; and that the City Manager, City Attorney and Director of Downtown Development have met with Mr. Wessman, but no formal proposals or plans have been submitted. Tribal Chairman stated when the matter was discussed between staff and the ACDA it was assumed a Member of the City Council would attend. City Manager stated in June the request was not made for a Member of the City Council to attend. Tribal Chairman stated not requested, but Council makes a final decision and should have been there at that time to hear the discussion. City Manager: Mr. Wessman was not real at that time. Reller-Spurgin: At last Joint Meeting Tribal Members spoke of disappointment on how the matter was handled; Council directed the Team involved to meet with the ACDA; Council was not involved in the discussions. Mayor: There have been no plans, no funding requests, nor any support given to or from Mr. Wessman regarding the Desert Fashion Plaza. Mr. Oden: Have now met with Wessman with concept of dreams, he has closed escrow; is paying interest on the building; project opening area between Desert Museum and Palm Canyon; have discussed residential in back of property, but no assistance from the City. Tribal Chairman stated that he has been out of town but has spoken to City Attorney; City Attorney spoke of meetings over the past year with Wessman regarding the Desert Fashion Plaza; that City Attorney is part of City Council team; that the Tribal members are concerned with the negotiations that took place while negotiating with ACDA; that Wessman is part of the River Project; that City Attorney indicated the initial concept of Wessman; that it seems that the Plaza will be geared towards residential and entertainment; and that it is felt that the ACDA never had a chance with the City over the Desert Fashion Plaza; that after conversations with City Attorney the understanding is that the deal over the DFP was close to preordained; that now hearing from the Council. That there were no commitments made to Mr. Wessman. Oden stated that if both Councils are going to work together there needs to be questions asked and candid with each others feelings. Tribal Chairman stated that it is not easy knowing that Mr. Wessman had something taking place to get $5 million from the City, when it has been said that there was no funding available for the ACDA. Reller-Spurgin stated that when discussions took place, the City did not have the $5 million upfront funds; that we did know how to get it, nor did the City have the mechanism in place to find the funds. Tribal Chairman stated it is understood what is being said, but there was another person on the City’s team making commitments and that a meeting has been scheduled with Mr. Wessman for further discussions. 4. TRIBAL/RIVERSIDE COUNTY LAND USE Issue was not discussed. 5. JOINT LOBBING EFFORTS Tribal Planning Director stated that joint efforts in State and on Federal level have been beneficial; that a number of transportation bills have been passed; that the cost was $10,000, split $5,00 between each entity. 6. DEDICATION & ACCEPTANCE OF TRIBAL RIGHTS-OF-WAY & EASEMENTS Assistant Civil Engineer stated that concern is for properties outside City limits; that grants are needed for City to access property of sewer line repairs; that there is concerned for City to go out side the City limits to maintain the systems without the proper easements. Tribal Planning Director stated that the City contention is that each allottee must give a right of way conveyance; then it must be processed through BIA; that the Tribal attorney states that the documentation on file with the BIA is sufficient for the City and that no other documents are needed. City Manager stated that the two attorneys should get together to work out the details. 7. SECTION 14 MASTER PLAN Tribal Planning Director stated that the EIS/EIR is done for Section 14; that the land use is the same; that the plan is to encourage and accelerate the development of Indian Land in Section 14; that the first draft of EIR should be to the City the first week of January, 2002; that the EIS should be complete by June, 2002 with the final record of decision made by August, 2002. Mayor questioned what role the City should play in the plan. City Planning Director stated that some citizens do not understand differences in density or what can happen in the future. Oden: It does help the public to explain the projects in detail. Mills: City Planning Commission did review the General Plan; that there may be changes since the review; that the Plan does address steps towards solving potential problems in Section 14 and does allow for the area to be developed from an economic standpoint. Mayor questioned if the school district is aware that its area has been rezoned for retail and restaurants; and added that there is no fire station designation. 8. PARKING OF FOLLIES BUSSES ON SPA EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT City Manager stated that there is an issue of parking of Follies busses and that it is requested that the Tribe allow the parking of the busses on the Spa employee parking lot. Chairman stated the issue would be taken under submission, but that on the surface the matter does not seem feasible. 9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Joint Lobbying efforts; transportation efforts, Belardo Road, Revenue sharing, sewer easements- rights-of-way, tennis center funding. ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ITEMS: None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. PATRICIA A. SANDERS City Clerk