Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon Agenda - Public CommentBrent Rasi To: Anthony Mejia Subject: RE: RE : Warehouse/Fulfillment Centers, Mistake... -----Original Message ----- From: Nancy Rader <n.rader@me.com> Sent: Sunday, February 6, 2022 8:48 AM To: City Clerk <CityClerk@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: RE : Warehouse/Fulfillment Centers, Mistake... NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Oh, mistake to add these concrete behemoths along the corridors to the beautiful desert.... So sad... so sad..... Nancy Rader Palm Springs 10 _20Z2- ITEM NO. 10 i - Brent Rasi To: Anthony Mejia Subject: RE: Bird Scooters From: Alex Simmons <alejandrosimmsmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 8, 2022 12:12 AM To: Anthony Mejia <Anthony.MeiiaPPalmsaringsca.poy> Subject: Re: Bird Scooters NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe, Hello, Anthony. Hope all is well. 1 sent an e-mail last summer about allowing electric scooters in our city, but I believe it is becoming more of an issue because it would have been nice to have them before another summer comes, and winter is already almost ending soon. I believe that the city should introduce them now, they serve a great purpose and are desperately needed by many people in Palm Springs. Here is a list of reasons I believe city hall should introduce Bird e- scooters to the city: -First & foremost; it helps with transportation. It mobilizes people, even people who do have a car may want to use it, but mostly people who cannot afford to get a car, will have this cheap option. The infrastructure of Palm Springs is quite spread out, so these scooters save people time rather than just walking and/or taking the bus. -It helps boost the economy: When people are able to get around faster without taking over an hour out of their day, more people are able to get to work, and reach nearby local businesses to support them. I personally know many people who instead decide to just stay home because of the lack of available transportation options in this city. 1 QWbl:c- Cdr+mr�wf' ITEM NO. Y:`" -Sunline transit agency doesn't give us the sufficient service that we need in the valley (if you can help with that too, please do; the bus does not come often enough and service ends too early at night) so the scooters can fill in the gap for people who can afford to rent them. (Very cheap! About 21 cents per minute!) -The city of Coachella has had them for about 4 years now, and they have had no problems with it, but they are not allowed into the rest of the valley, which is a bummer because we want to be connected as the valley we are. CV Link is upon us and I think it would be nice to get a head start in allowing them so we can get around faster & easier, sooner. -Beat the Heat: The summers here are absolutely brutal! When we are walking, we just want to get to our destination faster. Many other cities in California and the country allow them and the results have been great. I feel like there is no reason we should not have them now. San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Sacramento, Redding, Santa Monica, Culver City, Coachella, & Riverside are some cities in California that have operated with them with little to no problems. The only thing I heard from one person in city hall was that "They are in the sidewalk everywhere" but that is exactly the point! It is easy to reach, jump on, & head out. I truly believe that the fact that it may not be "aesthetically pleasing" to some people should not be more important than our ability to get to work without having to take up a lot of our time walking in this hot desert city, which we know regularly reaches temperatures of up to 120degrees Fahrenheit. Personally, I will use it a lot because sometimes my bike tire pops and I have to walk it all the way into a gas station since it does not fit in my car. Also, it is better than just buying a personal electric scooter for many because some cannot afford one or to fix it when it breaks. I hope you guys can introduce them 2 Alex soon. Remember, the only radical thing about climate change, is inaction towards it. Thankyoul www.bird.co/cities/ On Sep 28, 2021, at 2.06 PM, Alex Simmons <alejandrosimmsE@gmail.com> wrote: Hello, my name is Alex and I am 24 years old. I have been a citizen of Cathedral City for most of my life, 15 years, and I work in Palm Springs. I rely on sunline transit agency to get me around the desert and to be honest, I'm sure you know that it is not a convenient bus agency. I would like to see the help of city council to expand public transportation and modernize it. This is mostly about e-scooters though. I am asking that you please introduce them to our city because it is an easy form of transportation that would solve many of our micro -mobility issues, like reaching the spots that the bus does not go to, beating the heat by not having to walk, not missing the bus, etc. We need e-scooters in Palm Springs. I am asking you to please contact the company, and work with them to introduce them to our city, because all kinds of people will benefit from it, not only young people. Some places are more than 20 minutes walking, having these scooters will fill in that gap. So far, Coachella City is the only city in Coachella valley to have them and they we are a larger city with a larger population that can benefit from them as well. It can also improve Cathedral City's economy by allowing people to get around better, and when we get around better we work better and are more connected. There are many reasons why we need them here and we are running out of time, especially since the government is making it so hard to drive a car nowadays. Gas prices, high fees during a pandemic, climate change, etc. Please take action. Thank You Alex Tiffani Bailey From: Anthony Mejia Sent: Wednesday, February 9, 2022 10:57 AM To: Tiffani Bailey Subject: RE: PACASO - Resident Input Agenda Correspondence — Non -Agenda Item Anthony J. Mejia, MMC City Clerk From: lames Valletti <iamesv@bdhomes.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 9, 2022 10:48 AM To: Amy Blaisdell <Amy.Blaisdell@palmspringsca.gov> Cc: Andrew Britt <andrewbritt@bdhomes.com> Subject: PACASO - Resident Input NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Hi Amy, Hope you are well! I am a recent full-time resident of Palm Springs and I just wanted to send you a note to say that I support the City's actions with regards to Pacaso, which is, ultimately, a time share, no matter how they try to twist the semantics. As a Realtor (that's my day job - who ISN'T, out here, though? LOL), what I find most appalling about Pacaso is that they list their "fractional ownership" on the MLS, which is disruptive to those who work in the industry, as well as potential buyers who call, confused about the market and the property. I also feel their business model takes away from the homeowners, hotels, and condo communities who contribute heavily to the fabric and economy of Palm Springs. It is also another nudge in the direction of "Zillow-ism," which I believe is ultimately harmful to Realtors. Perhaps you agree with me; perhaps you don't, but I do stand alongside the city's decision and wanted to express my support. Thank you, NOTE: Please use my NEW e-mail address going forward: jamesv@bdhomes.com James Valletti & Andrew Britt, REALTORS® James: (917) 442.2596 / Andrew: (919) 631.3699 DRE #: 02102725 / 01325548 DRE #: 02104944 / 01325548 41aPaid GROUP ,Vnn t&dmiw ,..eft �I W* Bennion Dewille Homes Z-'t'd _2 Z;,z qoA- �c, 6DV11" Tiffani Bailey From: Anthony Mejia Sent: Wednesday, February 9, 2022 2:40 PM To: Tiffani Bailey Subject: FW: A passer by Non -Agenda Correspondence Anthony J. Mejia, MMC City Clerk From: William Hawkins <imt1yu2@att.net> Sent: Tuesday, February 8, 2022 1:11 PM To: Grace Garner<Grace.Garner@paImspringsca.gov> Subject: A passer by NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Sent from Mail for WinLisa Middleton, Mayor 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, California 92262 Grace Elena Garner, Mayor Pro Tern Geoff Kors, Councilmember Christy Holstege, Councilmember Dennis Woods, Councilmember Llubi Rios, Executive Assistant Ladies and Gentlemen, I wanted to drop you a line to share our experiences with Palm Springs earlier this month. 1/30/2022 My wife and I flew out of Palm Springs on the 20th of January to visit my sister in Indianapolis for a week. When we decided to use Palm Springs it was partly because it appeared more inexpensive and partly because we wanted to spend time looking at some of the places to shop in unique venues and to share a relaxing lunch in one of your fine restaurants. When we arrived at your airport we were surprised to find that the parking was ALL in one place and there were no shuttles to take to park further away and save money. The costs were $20.00 per day and a portion more for every twenty minutes. We left our house in Riverside in plenty of time but trying to relax in your fine city with shopping and a pleasant lunch we became pressed for time to look for another place or way to park. That parking cost was over $150.00. That was over the cost of one of our flights. If our car could have fit into an airplane seat we could have taken it with us for less. As we were landing in Palm Springs a female passenger had a medical issue that caused the fine airport fire and rescue to respond to the plane at the gate. All passengers and crew stayed seated at the gate until the young lady was treated and transported for medical treatment. I don't know if it is true but it was rumored that she was reviewing her parking costs as we were on final approach. I don't expect anything can be done on your end but I do think it would really benefit the City of Palm Springs to explore other avenues to add to their coffers. I asked the parking attendant if there was a more economical way to park or if there were any discounts for veterans or elderly or handicapped clients. He said "Nope, the city of Palm Springs doesn't offer any discounts." Again, we appreciate the position you're in and do enjoy your city but we will likely not be using the airport for any of our future trips. I think it's a little penny wise dollar foolish. Thanks for your time, William and Rita Hawkins 17405 Wood Rd Riverside, California 92508 dows Tiffani Bailey From: Anthony Mejia Sent: Wednesday, February 9, 2022 3:01 PM To: Tiffani Bailey Subject: FW: Save Tahquiz Creek Golf Courses Agenda Correspondence — Non -Agenda Item Anthony J. Mejia, MMC City Clerk From: Grace Garner<Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov> Sent: Wednesday, February 9, 2022 2:56 PM To: City Clerk <CityClerk@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: FW: Save Tahquiz Creek Golf Courses From: Kelly Bryant <kbryant252@yahoo.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 5:34 PM To: Grace Garner<Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Save Tahquiz Creek Golf Courses NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Hello Councilmember Garner, My husband, David and I arrived at our winter rental home yesterday, which is located on Tahquiz Creek Golf Course. We were surprised to see many "Save PS Golf" signs in the neighborhood and reached out to learn more about the current decision facing the city council. Although we are not permanent residents, the course is a major draw for our snowbird escape. It is truly an economic driver for us to spend dollars on food, entertainment and more in the city. Understandably, this is a complex issue, but a decision to close Tahquiz Creek course would be not only devastating to many golfers, but have a resounding negative impact on the community. Thank you for your careful consideration and please preserve a real Palm Springs treasure. Kind regards, Kelly & David Bryant Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone ITEM NO. j,JVW ec�- Tiffani Bailey From: Sent: To: Subject: Agenda Correspondence Anthony J. Mejia, MMC City Clerk Anthony Mejia Wednesday, February 9, 2022 3:06 PM Tiffani Bailey FW: Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort From: Anne Williamson <annewmson20(@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 12:27 PM To: Grace Garner<Grace.Garner(@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. February 2, 2022 Dear Mayor Pro Tern Grace Elena Garner; I was born and raised in Boise, Idaho and have been coming to Palm Springs for the past 25 years. I retired in 2017, purchased a second home and now spend 5 months in Palm Springs. One of the reasons I chose Palm Springs as my retirement destination was the climate and the affordable golfing opportunities the valley provided. One of the golf courses I enjoy playing on a regular basis is the city owned Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort. It has been brought to my attention that there is talk of converting either one or both courses to desert preserve. I am NOT in favor of this action due to the following reasons: 1) Tahquitz Creek golf courses are the only city golfing amenities for the use and enjoyment of its citizens and visitors; 2) the golf courses are used daily with approximately 80,000 rounds annually; and 3) golfers will be forced to other locations in the Coachella Valley along with their dining and retail dollars. am urging you to save this wonderful golfing amenity and to reject the idea of selling the golf course(s) to an outside buyer. Sincerely, Anne Williamson 108 Desert Lakes Drive Palm Springs, CA 92264 (208)724-4613 annewmson20(o)-gmail.com / ,' W' AVG c4mYmc>✓r+ / OPEN LETTER leoEC EIVED from CITY OF PP Li A C 2�RX j : FOR BETTER COMMUNITY r _. c „ , DEVELOPMENT FICE � f �� (AA30 PALM SPRINGS) TO: MANUEL PEREZ, RIVERSIDE COUNTY SUPERVISOR AND THE COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (CVAG), TOM KIRK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RE: THE IMMEDIATE NEED FOR MORATORIUMS ON MASSIVE WAREHOUSING We desperately need your intervention, and we need it now. Our billion dollar tourist and leisure industry is very much dependent on the delicate scenic desert landscape which is under attack, and if we don't act now it will be too late. Once built, these projects will haunt us forever turning the area into a heavy industry zone. That is why moratoriums are essential to help us properly prepare for this onslaught. Already the Palm Springs city council foolishly changed its zoning of adjacent 1-10 properties, allowing gargantuan structures up to 95 feet tall and simply ignoring its Planning Commission or public debate. As Desert Sun editorial writer Eric Hartley put it, "leaving the voters feeling blindsided." In Banning, its city government has been considering approval of a 600,000 square foot warehouse next to an assisted living facility and right across the street from the Sun Lakes Country Club, a 3500 home senior community. They would face being surrounded by millions of square feet of warehouses. Plans include 200 semi trucks per day to enter the main highway to 1-10, already overwhelmed with traffic. The race is on as short-sighted city councils are trying to give the store away before their neighboring jurisdictions beat them to it, all while being seduced by overblown visions of tax benefits which will ultimately destroy their quality of life, if not their communities themselves. That is why we are in need of a regional solution. To start with we need immediate moratoriums to give us time to sensibly and effectively deal with this horrendous threat. The "go slow" approach was supported on January 27th by the Desert Sun in a thoughtful editorial titled, "Palm Springs Should Hold Off On Major Warehouses." As the paper put it, "Allowing them in Palm Springs could lead to more around the valley leaving parts of our desert looking like generic stretches of the Inland Empire rather than the unique treasure it is." Our leaders desperately need to grasp the immensity of the problem. A concerned Cathedral City resident suggested in a letter to the editor of the Desert Sun that the Palm Springs city council members should be required to actually see the problem at its worst, an example of which is en route to the Riverside National Cemetery once you turn south on the 215. For that matter all our council people, planning commissions and supervisors should see it. The writer of the letter called it a "...horror to behold. Miles of these huge warehouses stretch across the horizon as far as you can see." Several organized bus trips would be in order for leaders. A decade ago citizens successfully fought a battle against an 8500 inmate prison planned along the 1-10 near the entrance to Palm Springs. A study then conducted showed the negative impact that would have had on tourism. Imagine what the area would be like today had we not opposed it. Too much is at stake. Once the place is ruined, there is no going back. Frank Tysen President, ABC D i-/1jtz franktysenpgmail.com �-to-2a72 P,�veL��ci>v►nvv�: IThm 1,0. ,per .i+Y�iw Anthony Mejia From: LetsAll@GoBananas.net Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2022 7:52 AM To: City Clerk; Planning Subject: Warehouses can be taller by putting some of it underground INOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear City Council and Planning Staff, With Desert Hot Springs trying to out do Palm Springs on opportunities with warehouses by increasing their height to limit 120', take example from the SoFi Stadium which is 75% underground (SOFT article linked below). This may at times provide options if needed. Link to CNN SoFi stadium about being 75% underground: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/sofi-stadium-super-bowl-cec/index.html Thanks for reading, Bob Heinbaugh and Paul Hinrichsen — Upper West Side NOrg leadership 'L-tiO-zi2t Awn. A Q � V Anthony Mejia From: Merritt Paul <merrittmaster@yahoo.com> Sent: Monday, February 14, 2022 11:48 AM To: City Clerk; Flinn Fagg; David Newell Cc: JEFFREY KRINSK; Robin Wright; Law Office Sf; Dennis Palmieri; Desert Cities HOA Council; Jack Silver, Les Miklosy; markus; Robert Michler Subject: HOMELESS WELCOME CENTER Notice of Objection and OBJECTION to CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION OF PROJECT PAUL INOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. paul merritt contact email: merrittmaster@yahoo.com CELL TEL 949 249 2492 Greetings, HON. COUNCIL/ Clerk / AND CITY OF Palm SPRINGS CALIFORNIA, The PROJECT [NOTICE OF OBJECTION] AND OBJECTION inclusive of CAL. GOVT. CODE 6025 ET SEQ. HEREIN defined as the HOMELESS NAVIGATION CENTER aka ''Homeless welcome Center" location on McCarthy street off San Rafael St. PALM SPRINGS CAL 92262 DUE to the physical closure of CITY HALL by the authorization of the CITY OF Palm spring california and executive ORDER [20-401 of the Governor this document is duly submitted electronically. Additionally the staff contact party has been administratively on leave; and the OBJECTOR has not been able to obtain formal submission instruction[s]. OBJECTION TO THE ClEnA FILED CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION FOR THE HOMELESS 'PROJECT' notice of claim TUNDETERMINED dollar amount/ council approval of PROJECT negative declaration 2022 The LEGISLATIVE analysis for the SITE stems from the URGENT need to relocate felons and other criminal violators [see text] THE CORE OBJECTION to the establishment of the CENTER in violation of process and equity established by the GOVT CALIF. CODE 6500 ET SEQ. (e) (1) For purposes of this section, "environmental justice" means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes, and national origins, with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. (2) "Environmental justice" includes, but is not limited to, all of the following: (A) The availability of a healthy environment for all people. FACTUAL BACKGROUND The CITY of Palm Springs has acknowledged significant Racial discrimination via vis the " relocation " of blacks and persons of color adjacent to and around the site of the CENTER [eg North Palm Spring] decades ago from Palm Springs downtown. Proof of the CITY admission of violating Environmental Justice... is the physical removal of the Former Mayor Statue located in the front of City Hall. The Mayor was alleged to have caused discrimination and economic harm to the cultural racial status of Californians of Color. The Black CITIZENS 1 .: G Garv�m�C ITE,-A NO. D D - 1r�fi-- were ''relocated'' in the zone of the Homeless welcome Center. The above cited GOVT CODE has been ignored by both the CITY planning staff and the State of California GOVT. No hearings, report[s] , community outreach, direct written notice or other means to comply with the statute for Environmental Justice as been tendered by the CITY to the racial composition of the PROJECT neighborhood. PRIMARY ANALYSIS OF CITY FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE CAL. GOVT. CODE. TO locate up to 88 beds for persons of potential violence *, drug and alcohol use [low barrier Center criteria] indigent and vagrant status, compromised mental health person[s], etc. is a prima facie thwarting of the STATE law and its mandate of neighborhood racial composition fairness. Further the CITY and its planner[s] have not considered or implemented in conjunction with the approved CENTER; any local resident safety, or security [exterior] crime patrol , or nuisance abatement to the nearby racial composite neighborhood. Additionally the CITY has and continues to ignore the issue of trash [needles] litter and health and safety on the specific Center street McCarthy ... any routine or enhanced trash pollution controls. In fact the opposite of CITY non-compliance with the intent of of the ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GOVT. CODE, is the CITY is relocating and moving bus transit locations in the zone area of the CENTER. Second with the exception of one new gas station 3 blocks from the CENTER... the CITY has failed to promote or approve any neighborhood "retail" as commanded by the State Code. [eg mini -markets] * The legislative history of AB 101 cites the former background of "homeless state granted Housing was to locate newly released felons and persons of criminal misdemeanors" Conclusion, The mere systemic violation of the ENVIRONMENTAL Justice Code is in all relevant areas a continued pattern of racial injustice; on the sole basis of "dumping a homeless welcome Center" in the core of the black neighborhood is abhorrent to all Citizens of Palm Springs CA. This planning action is without compliance to the simple parameters of both environmental JUSTICE and the State law authorization. The Council/ City of Pahn Springs... in its determination; has categorically forgotten to evaluate the additional prohibition violating the Environmental Justice GOVT CODE provision in that 5 blocks surrounding the project presently is composed of LOW income existing housing. In effect the income discrimination is relevant in that adjoining neighborhood[s] currently are " saturated" with disparate low income residents. In fact the County of Riverside within 2000 feet of the proposed PROJECT has signed current low income leases. Additionally, The STATE LEGISLATURE language below; is in NON-COMPLIANCE with our area of concerns CHECKLIST FROM the AB 101 AND THE FILING of the "categorical exempption " filed by the CITY OF PALM SPRINGS excepting the PROJECT from all codes, regulations] and environmental procedures required by the PROJECT is objected to by stakeholder PAUL Merritt. [objector] to CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION, INTER ALIA California Environmental Quality ACT et seq. Further the CITY erroneously and mistakenly directed the OBJECTOR that the OBJECTION shall be processed to the COUNTY OF Riverside. COUNTY STAFF Member "Matthew'' tel 951 955 2706 replied to OBJECTOR'S inquiry...'' the COUNTY ONLY PROCESSES CATEGORICAL EXEMPTIONS] FOR UNINCORPORATED LAND AREAS and never for any CITY. Second STATE OFFICE opr " AMY " TEL 916 445 0613 informed OBJECTOR the ''exemption'' is merely filed with the STATE ref. file 2022-010555 and jurisdiction for all purposes is retained by the CITY [of Palm Springs] (1) Project readiness, which shall include all of the following: (A) A demonstration that the project or area development can complete environmental review and secure necessary entitlements from the local jurisdiction within a reasonable period of time following the submittal of a grant application. (B) A demonstration that the eligible applicant can secure sufficient funding commitments derived from sources other than this part for the timely development of a qualifying infill project or development of a qualifying infill area. (C) A demonstration that the project or area development has sufficient local support to achieve the proposed improvement. (2) The depth and duration of the affordability of the housing proposed for a qualifying infill project or qualifying infill area. (3) The extent to which the average residential densities on the parcels to be developed exceed the density standards contained in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c). (4) The qualifying infill project's or qualifying infill area's inclusion of, or proximity or accessibility to, a transit station or major transit stop. (5) The proximity of housing to parks, employment or retail centers, schools, or social services. In essence the CITY and its planners support in submitting, the CATEGORICAL CEQA EXEMPTION based soley on the foundation of the "inside the CENTER CRITERIA ";and have abjectly ignored the adjacent residents safety, health and economic concerns. For the above legal and equitable OBJECTIONS; the under -signed objector to the categorical exemption for the CENTER RESPECTFULLY requests the CITY CANCEL the filed ''exemption " and comply with the intent and ACT of both State and CITY OF PALM SPRINGS municipal code. paul merritt cell 949 249 249 2 dated FEBRUARY 14TH 2O22 3 February 14, 2022 To: Lisa Middleton, Mayor, Grace Elena Gardner, Mayor Pro-Tem, Christy Gilbert Holstege, Councilmember, Geoff Kors, Councilmember, Dennis Woods, Councilmember, Justin Clifton, City Manager, and City Attorney Jeffrey Ballinger. From: The CVRA Working Group, Lex Ortega, Kathy Weremiuk, Tobias Barrington Wolfe, Aftab Dada, Edward Dube, Dixie Miller, Stephen Moses Re: Putting the issue of the Palm Springs City Council Salaries on the Councils Legislative Agenda Dear Members of the Palm Springs City Council, City Manager Clifton and City Attorney Ballinger, We, members of the original CVRA Working Group, write to ask that the Council put the issue of increasing City Council Members' salaries on the legislative agenda. Removing barriers to service on the Palm Springs City Council was one of the key priorities in the CVRA Working Group report submitted to the City Council on September 27, 2018. Providing an adequate full-time salary for City Council members is a necessary step in service of that priority. Service on the Palm Springs City Council is now a full-time obligation. Whatever balance between public service and private employment may have been workable in the past, the demands of city policy and community engagement in today's Palm Springs makes working an additional job while serving on Council impractical. City Council members devote daytime, evening and weekends to fulfill their duties to the community. It is our understanding that four of the five members on the current Council have either given up any outside employment or have reduced hours because of the demands of their service. If the Council does not provide an adequate salary for its members, we face the danger that only residents who are wealthy, comfortably retired, or have partners with high -income jobs will be able to afford to take on this important public service, to devote the time that service requires, and to maintain something resembling a healthy work -life balance. The annual salary for City Council members currently stands at $29,196. That is less than the current California minimum wage for a full-time position: $31,200 at $15/hour for a 40-hour week. Once rent or mortgage, utilities, food, gas, and other basic expenses are calculated there is virtually nothing left to live on for one person in our increasingly expensive city, to say nothing of the resources needed to support a family. The City Council must recognize this situation as a serious barrier to access for service on the Council among the many Palm Springs residents who wish to serve but are not independently wealthy. V-Ao x i G Go rv%yy, . - I1`EM NO. N_LCt_— - A-IAO To encourage broader participation in elections and a more representative and diverse array of candidates, the Original CVRA Working Group Report recommended increasing the salary of the City Council from a stipend to an adequate full-time salary. Some options for consideration for council members include (1) 50% of the salary of a member of the California State Legislature, which would be $57,438.50 (the state legislative salary currently stands at $114,877); (2) the Palms Springs median family income, which currently stands at $53,447; or (3) the minimum threshold salary for a manager in California, which currently stands at $58,240 Council salaries should also be tied to inflation. The current system of reviewing City Council salary levels has resulted in no increases in over 14 years. The additional salary amount for the mayor should also be increased by a similar percentage. (The mayor currently receives an additional $12,304.) The CVRA is aware that this issue was placed on the agenda in March 2020 but was pulled because of uncertainty over the city's finances with the arrival of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. At the time, the Council acted prudently in preserving the city's finances and prioritizing the availability of funds for maintaining city services. While the pandemic is still with us, we are in a different place today than we were two years ago and the city is in a much better financial condition. It is time to take up the issue of Council salaries and to act before November when three seats will be up for election. Respectfully, Lex Ortega, CVRA Co-chair Kathy Weremiuk, CVRA Co-chair Tobias Barrington Wolff, CVRA Co-chair Aftab Dada, CVRA Member Ed Dube, CVRA Member Dixie Miller, CVRA Member Stephen Moses, CVRA Member