HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-29 CC MINUTESFriday, May 29, 2020
Minutes of the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council
of the City of Palm Springs
Pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20, by Governor Newsom, this meeting was conducted by
teleconference and there was no in-person public access to the meeting location.
CALL TO ORDER:
An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Palm Springs City Council was called to order by Mayor
Kors on Friday, May 29, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, City Hall, located at
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Kors led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmembers Grace Elena Garner, Lisa Middleton, Dennis Woods; Mayor Pro
Tem Christy Holstege; and Mayor Geoff Kors
Absent: None.
City Staff
Present: David H. Ready, City Manager; Jeffrey Ballinger, City Attorney; Marcus Fuller,
Assistant City Manager; and Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk, were present at Roll
Call. Other staff members presented reports or responded to questions as indicated
in the minutes.
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION:
The Adjourned Regular Closed Session of the City Council of May 29, 2020, was called to order
by Mayor Kors at 12:00 p.m., with all members present.
The meeting convened into Closed Session to discuss the following items as listed on the Regular
Closed Session Meeting Agenda:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government
Code Section 54956.9(d)(1):
4348 Lockwood Avenue LLC et al. v. City of Palm Springs et al.,
Case No. RIC 1703102, Superior Court of the State of California, County of Riverside
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CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - MATTERS CREATING SIGNIFICANT
EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2):
Six (6) matters that, under the existing circumstances, the City Attorney believes creates
significant exposure to litigation.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - DISCUSSION TO CONSIDER INITIATION OF
LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4):
Under existing facts and circumstances, there are three (3) matters the City Council has
decided or may decide to initiate litigation.
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR Gov’t Code § 54956.8
Property Description: APNs 677-444-010; 677-444-013; and 67470 Sarah Street,
Cathedral City, CA 92234
Agency: City of Palm Springs
City Negotiator: Marcus Fuller, City Engineer/Assistant City Manager or
Designee
Negotiating Parties: Luis A. Avila Paz, Rosario Avila and Maria Avila
Under negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
Property Description: APNs 680-170-051 and 680-170-014
Agency: City of Palm Springs
City Negotiator: Marcus Fuller, City Engineer/Assistant City Manager or
Designee
Negotiating Parties: Bureau of Indian Affairs
Under negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
Property Description: Palm Springs Visitor’s Center (APN 504-040-053)
Agency: City of Palm Springs
City Negotiator: Marcus Fuller, City Engineer/Assistant City Manager or
Designee
Negotiating Parties: Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG)
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
Property Description: 502-210-023 (2-acre portion located at the northwest corner
of East Baristo Road and El Cielo Road)
Agency: City of Palm Springs
City Negotiator: David Ready, City Manager or Designee
Negotiating Parties:
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment (Lease)
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City of Palm Springs Page 3
Property Description: 505-182-010 and 505-182-004 (Adjacent parcels located at
the southwest corner of North Palm Canyon Drive and
Stevens Road)
Agency: City of Palm Springs and Successor Agency of the Former
Redevelopment Agency of the City of Palm Springs
City Negotiator: David Ready, City Manager or Designee
Negotiating Parties:
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment (Sale)
Property Description: 3.6 Acres at SE corner of Indian Canyon Drive and
San Rafael Road APN 501-031-028
Agency: City of Palm Springs
City Negotiator: David H. Ready, City Manager or Designee
Negotiating Parties: Community Housing Opportunities Corporation (CHOC)
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment (Sale)
Property Description: Boulders Property (Lots 1-45 of Tract Map 31095/APNs
504-150-011 through -055); Crescendo Property (APN 504-
040-046); Rimrock Property (APN 681-480-011); Gene
Autry Property (APNs 677-540-028 & 677-540-029); Block
G of parcel map 36446 (APN 513-560-048)
Agency: City of Palm Springs
City Negotiator: David H. Ready, City Manager or Designee
Negotiating Parties:
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6:
City Negotiator: David Ready, City Manager or Designee
Perry Madison, Director of Human Resources
Bryan Reyes, Chief of Police
Peter Brown, Attorney
Employee Organizations: Management Association of Palm Springs
Palm Springs Firefighters Association
Palm Springs Fire Management
Palm Springs Police Management Association
Palm Springs Police Officers Association
Public Employees Association of Palm Springs
All Unrepresented Employees
City Attorney Ballinger noted that the City Council and certain labor groups have agreed to defer
the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA); reported that the City Council received briefings and
provided direction to staff regarding the agendized Closed Session Items but did no t take any
reportable action.
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ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
At the request of City Attorney Ballinger, the City Council on a motion by Councilmember Garner,
seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holstege, carried 5-0, to add to the agenda discussion of impacts and
response to the local emergency related to the novel coronavirus, based on the need for action
came to the City’s attention after the posting of the agenda and action is needed prior to the next
City Council meeting. In addition, Mayor Kors requested adding City Council and City Manager
requests and upcoming agenda development to the agenda.
1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL GENERAL FUND BUDGET
IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID- 19);
FISCAL YEAR 2019/2020 ADJUSTED BUDGET AND FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021
PRELIMINARY BUDGET REVIEW
City Manager Ready presented the staff report.
The City Council expressed gratitude towards the labor groups for their willingness to defer
the annual COLA.
Councilmember Garner spoke on the importance of funding the Library and community
centers, noting that they provide vital resources to residents.
Councilmember Woods noted that the City Council will need to continue to monitor the
budget on a monthly basis and adjust as necessary.
Mayor Pro Tem Holstege spoke on the need for a cost/benefit analysis related to economic
development and tourism, noting the need to invest in the local economy.
MOTION BY MAYOR COUNCILMEMBER MIDDLEGON, SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER GARNER, CARRIED 5-0, direct staff to return with a draft budget,
based on a rolling budget concept with Scenario A, as outlined in the staff report.
B. DISCUSSION OF IMPACTS AND RESPONSE TO THE LOCAL EMERGENCY
RELATED TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
City Attorney Jeffrey Ballinger presented the staff report.
Mayor Kors noted that the Governor has given leeway to counties and municipalities to
open hotels and short-term lodging for leisure travel.
The City Council voiced concern regarding “rogue” hotels which have begun operating
without proper safety protocols and certain municipalities which have refused to act in
response to the illegal reopening, citing concerns related to unfair competition and public
health and safety; agreed that the City should continue to lobby the State and County to
enact regulations for a consistent, safe, and responsible reopening of lodging options.
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Councilmember Woods recused himself from discussing short-term lodging, noting that he has a
financial conflict of interest and left the Council Chamber at 2:40 p.m.
Mayor Kors reported that the County recently announced that short-term vacation rentals
may operate effective immediately; noted that property owners are required to obtain City
permits and follow safety guidelines.
The City Council directed staff to send a letter to the State and County requesting parity of
hotels with short-term lodging.
Councilmember Woods returned to the meeting at 2:45 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER REQUESTS AND UPCOMING AGENDA
DEVELOPMENT:
Councilmember Garner discussed the need for the City Council to set goals and priorities; voiced
support for purchasing body worn cameras for the police department; encouraged residents to fight
against racism, noting that the Library has many resources on the topic.
Councilmember Middleton spoke on the need to diversify the local economy and setting a reserve
policy which considers the volatility of sales and transient occupancy taxes.
Mayor Kors requested that staff develop an anti-bullying policy for youth programs offered by the
City; requested that staff agendize consideration to support a constitutional amendment to overturn
Proposition 209 slated for the November 2020 Election.
ADJOURNMENT:
The City Council adjourned at 2:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL: 07/09/2020