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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 - MINUTES - 6/23/1999 - STUDY SESSIONCITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION JUNE 23, 1999 Kleindienst absent 1. CLOSED SESSION - Report by City Attorney on matters discussed, see attached 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS: a) Comments on matters not related to an agenda item: Wendie Busig-Kohn, resident, submitted a handout of written ideas for improvements in the community. See attached. Fred Ebeling, resident, commented on parking of Rec Vehicles, and that he should be allowed to create a pad and to park his, and he did not understand selective enforcement. b) Comments concerning Item 5: Ray Lovato, on behalf of the Hyatt Hotel and as secretary of the P.S. Hotel and Hospitality Association, expressed the hotel’s concern about starting work prior to 7 a.m., and a 24-hour work schedule would cause even more concern, and an 8 a.m. start time for that block is preferred. Bruce Taylor, Racquet Club Inn, also speaking for Kurt Hollbrook of the Hyatt Hotel, and expressed a similar problem but for another property, where he had to pay refunds as a result of patrons leaving, and it took years in which to recover financially; he agreed with an 8 a.m. start time. He stated that neither the Hyatt, nor the Hotel Association was given an opportunity to provide input, and they would like to be involved in decisions affecting them. 3. COUNCIL COMMENTS a) Councilmember Hodges: announced date for CVAG General Assembly meeting; requested the following be checked out: cars for sale parked on NW corner of Vista Chino and Gene Autry; cars parked on Ramon/Ocotillo at abandoned gas station; and why palm trees have been “cut off at the top” on the north side of Ramon, between Farrell & El Cielo. b) Councilmember Oden: reported on CAC plan for 2000-01, which was agendized, but not presented to the Board of Supv, and will be scheduled later; announced his appointment to the County Work Force Development Commission, which is vice-chaired by Tom Suitt. c) Councilmember Barnes: requested that possibility of using a shorter tree in the MVP landscaping be looked at, and he has received concerns that the trees are going to be too tall and will interfere with exposure of properties on the north and south sides of the parkway in terms of attracting development, and to provide information back to him. Council Study Session 6-23-99, Page 2 4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS a) Airport Director announced upcoming SWAAAE 53rd Annual Conference, and that it will be held in Palm Springs, and will include local representation on the program. 5. HOUSING FUNDS - NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS See attached, which was detailed by the City Manager. He added that the staff will be developing criteria to qualify for the funds (see as grants rather than loans), and working also with the Building Industry Association to develop programs to distribute funds into the neighborhoods and programs toward those most in need; that the BIA has an eleomonsary arm which could help in that regard; that some properties may have to be brought to compliance, in order to qualify for the sound insulation program, and get some help for other improvements; and that there are a lot of details to be worked out. City Manager stated that house painting would qualify - that the only real restrictions apply to the recipient income levels and circumstances; probably will look at a range of grant, and not all will need the full amount, per house. Ed Kibbey of the Building Industry Association stated that this is a learning phase, and the association has not adopted it as a policy, and will not until it is all fine-tuned; and that he believed it falls within something the association can do in the community. Council consensus: favorable, and should proceed with details. 6. DOWTOWN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Downtown Development Center Director used an aerial blueprint of the downtown, and explained the street improvement program, its phases, and other private and public construction which will take place during the summer months, along with street closures, restricted traffic, and parking areas. He stated that there have been block meetings, which included representatives of the hotels; and that concerning a suggestion for temporarily restoring Indian Avenue to 2-way during this time, it would cost about $200,000 for temporary signals (City Engineer noted that a full restoration of 2-way would be about $2 million). He stated that the Rose Garden at the Frances Stevens Park will be trimmed back, boxed, and kept alive for replanting after the art project is completed; that October 18 is the targeted completion for the street work; that all other private work is intended to be done during the same period; that there are liquidated damages for late completion, and incentives for an early completion; that the intersections with pavers will remain open, and the paving will “transition” to the pavers, which will not be removed. City Manager stated that he discussed the parking issue raised with the Assistant City Manager-Operations, and the Main Street proposal was accepted as reasonable; that regarding the employee parking the permit might be less than $30 for the first year since not a full year would be provided, and he will let the Council know; and that the employers will have to advise their employees of where they will be parking, which was never on-street downtown anyway, and the lots will be kept open to give customers a chance to park. He stated that concerning the Heritage Trail, he has an issues paper that Council Study Session 6-23-99, Page 3 he wants talk about with the Downtown Development Center Director, and that discussion is still open. Councilmember Hodges volunteered to sit in on the discussion, it was needed. 6. VILLAGEFEST INTERIM LOCATION Downtown Development Center Director used an aerial blueprint of the downtown, and showed where vendor parking would be on the Hicks property, how traffic would flow, and most of the information provided at the last Council meeting, but depicted on the blueprint. ADJOURN - 8:20 P.M. (my last!)