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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 - MINUTES - 12/10/2003 Council Minutes 12-10-03, Page 1 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 10, 2003 A Special Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, was called to order by Mayor Oden, in the Council Chamber, 3200 Tahquitz Canyon Way, on Wednesday, December 10, 2003, at 6:00 p.m., at the Riviera Hotel, Executive Board Room, 1600 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California, Closed Session preceding at 3:00 p.m, (See separately posted agenda) at which time, the City Attorney announced items to be discussed in Closed Session, and at 6:00 p.m., the meeting was convened in open session. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Foat, McCulloch, Mills, Pougnet and Mayor Oden Absent: None REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk reported that the agenda was posted in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act procedures for Special Calls. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION (All Entities) - See items on Page 3 of agenda this date. PRESENTATIONS: None HOUSING AUTHORITY: INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: FINANCING AUTHORITY: COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - No Business PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS LISTED ON AGENDA: None LEGISLATIVE ITEMS 1. COUNCIL PRIORITIES & SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS Recommendation: That the Council discuss and establish priorities and guidelines; and review projects of significance. City Manager stated that there are many projects going on in the City; that this is an opportunity for Council to request information regarding specific projects; that traditionally workshops are held off-site, not filmed or televised; that it is the time for the Council to formulate general ideas and requests to be followed up at future study sessions; that there is a handout, copy attached, of Department Head major issues; and that this is the time for the Council to sets its priorities. Mr. Pougnet requested an update on the Desert Fashion Plaza and questioned how the City assists the current owner to find and secure tenants, Director of Planning & Zoning reviewed the renovation project and added that the , construction project will be long term; that the owner is defining the market and monitoring the progress of the Spa Hotel. Council Minutes 12-10-03, Page 2 ' Director of Community & Economic Development stated that work is ongoing with the current owner for potential tenants; that the concept plan is a mixed-use project to include residential and retail; that the theater issue needs to be resolved; that the market indicates that the Valley is over saturated with theaters; that the issues was pending due to the Courtyard bankruptcy; that there may be a public subsidy required to obtain theaters; that the courtyard is currently closed and is renovating to 6 screens and stadium seating; that the courtyard will take 15% of the market; that the result is not much left for new theaters; that the residential market in the City is strong; that a premium price is being paid to live in Palm Springs at this time; that there are height restrictions in place up to 60 feet; that the project concept is similar to the project built in Durango, CO; that the museum has been involved in development discussions; that and that a portion of the parking will be leased by the Museum for special events and that currently the Spa Casino leases space for parking. Foat questioned what theme would be used for the Plaza; that to just get an anchor tenant is not enough; that a K-Mart is not wanted in that area; that there are other bookstores in town and an anchor bookstore may impede sales for the downtown stores; that most downtown's have a theme and that the DFP could be torn down to build an themed park and added that t-shirt or tennis shoe stores are not acceptable. Director of Planning & Zoning stated that there are a number of ways the Plaza could be developed; that the developer could be asked for the concept; but that the development energy or catalyst does need to be in place. City Manager stated that the Agency is still on the hook for the first assistance at about $5 million and that the questions will be how to get Wessman to do whatever option the Council feels is best. City Attorney stated that it is the economics of a project that will determine what subsidy the City may need to provide; that the theme of Wessman is entertainment; and to create activity to bring people downtown; that outdoor entertainment is the first preference; that theaters are desired; that night activity is the concern; that part of the strategy is to combine the entertainment with residential; that Wessman is holding off due to the market concerning theaters; that if the Spa is successful, then the developer will be able to secure the theaters, if not, a subsidy will have to be provided or more residential will enter the equation; and that the development is hinging on the Tribal Projects being built. Mayor stated that the Courtyard 10 is currently under construction, but should be completed for the opening of the Film Festival. City Manager stated that inspections for that project are being done immediately upon request. ' Mayor stated that at the last workshop staff was given guidelines on what was the Council's desire for the downtown; that at that time it was determined that the downtown would be entertainment; the uptown would be designed arts and crafts and that it is not clear that the uptown has evolved to what was wanted and that the Downtown Director should be requested to give an update of the areas at an Council Minutes 12-10-03, Page 3 upcoming study session. City Manager stated that the uptown does endorse the lighting program; that 1s` , Friday does need some additional marketing and that the Share the Legend marketing program is getting underway; that Mr. Wessman could be asked to attend a study session to get an update on what is being considered. Mills stated that a Master Plan needs to be determined, particularly concerning the linkage, vehicular and pedestrian from the convention center to the downtown; that the front of the convention center is being moved to facilitate the orientation; that the plans for the pedestrian link on Andreas does need to be obtained from the Tribe; that Main Street does want the issue of closure of Palm Canyon for special events to be addressed; that a report fro Main Street regarding Bike Weekend is requested; that permanent funding sources for the Senior Center and the Boys & Girls Club needs to be determined and set in place; that the annexation of Parc Andreas and Belle Monte should be aggressively pursued; and that the City does need a destination resort; and that should likewise be a priority for the City. Foat stated that there is a lack of Community involvement in the City; that a Department of Neighborhood Empowerment should be established; a lobbyist in Sacramento and the establishment of a legislative Committee to track issues should be a priority; that we need some vision on where the city is going and to tell the downtown to what is happening with Tribal Section 14 land; that the Budget Task Force recommendations to cut items in the budget and to increase ' revenue should be reviewed and the tax advertising issue should also be brought forward. McCulloch stated that there is concern over the 2003-04 budget and that there should be a status update on the 2003-04 and 2204-05 budgets; that options from the budget task force should be reviewed; that Mr. Stiles should be contacted to see if the existing members would like to continue or is the task force should be reformed to continue the examination of the budget as a working project. Pougnet stated that business development and downtown develop should be a priority; that the homeless issue, senior center funding and affordable housing should also be priorities. City Manager stated that during the docket review for upcoming study sessions, so some of the issues being presented could be added to that list. Mayor stated that a comprehensive downtown parking plan does need to be addressed; that a neighborhood services plan to focus on neighborhood should be established; that some type of non-profit component does need to be set in place to help fund improvements in neighborhood; that the City does need to address some of a neighborhood service plan rather than Code enforcement; that the annexation of Parc Andreas and Belle Monte, BREP, and brining ' business to the downtown corridors; a teen center, all need to be addressed; that another non-profit should be addressed to work with the City; that goals related to the citizens should be established; that customer satisfaction in dealing with the City is an issue and a championship golf course with a destination resort should be a priority. Council Minutes 12-10-03, Page 4 ' City Manager stated that there are significant projects coming before the Council; that the transportation issue for Gene Autry and Indian 1-10 exchanges are STIP project; that the progress of those project may be delayed up to 4 years due to funding; that RCTC will be asking if the City would like to switch those project to STP funding rather than STIP; that once moved off the STIP list the projects would start over is the City wished to add them back. City Engineer stated that RCTC will be asking in January, 2004 for support or opposition of the switch; that it is not clear if there will be funding is the projects are switched to STP; but that it is clear that there is no funding for the projects in the STIP budget. Mayor requested an update of the information and alternatives before the next RCTC meeting. City Manager stated that the remodel of the Council Suite is proceeding. City Attorney stated that the item should not be discussed due to possible Brown Act Violations. 2. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Recommendation: That the Council discuss the Department of Development ' Services as related to the Departments of Planning, Building, Engineering and Community & Economic Development. Mills questioned the recommendation of the Task Force. Assistant City Manager stated that the recommendation was to create an Office of Strategic Manager for the purposes of the General Plan Update, Multi-Habitat Plan and major projects and the day to day operations of the Planning Department be separated with a newly created position. Mills stated that while the meetings of the Task Force were attended, the recommendation being stated is not recalled as one that separated the Department in to two separate functions. McCulloch stated that the discussion was to hire a Planning Manager to help with the day-to-day operations, but that there was no division recommended. Assistant City Manager stated that the recommendation of separate division came from the Kaplan Report. Foat stated that the Kaplan Report was read; that the plans were clearly laid out and that the Task Force Report and the Kaplan Report could be implemented jointly. ' Assistant City Manager stated that the Planning Manager would be under the Planning Director; that if the Council desires a different direction the recruitment process would need to be taken. Council Minutes 12-10-03, Page 5 Mayor questioned with the additional development would it be more efficient to ' split the department. Mills stated that many options were discussed with the Task Force; that currently in the Planning Department the longest term employee has been with the City 3 years; that in a period of 3 years, it is hard to grasp the City's planning issues; that to bring someone in from the cold and to put them in the Planning Director position would cause major difficulty. Foat stated that 3 years is a very short length of time and requested copies the terminated employees exit interviews. McCulloch stated that employee come here for the training, then are bid away with higher salaries and that the City cannot compete with the higher salaries. Foat stated that the City should not be dependent on one person and that the organization should be based on what is best for the City. Mills stated that some positions depend on knowledge and that a person in a leadership position without any history causes the process to suffer. Foat stated that the City should not be at the mercy of the employees; that if a decision needs to be made, the decision should not be based on the dependency on one person. ' Mayor stated that Option 2 hires a separate Planning Director; that the responsibilities would be different than current; that this same discussion has been held on and off for a long time; that studies have been paid for; that recommendations made, but the problem is still not addressed; that the City has hired people for this Department; that those folks have moved their families and then quit the City after three months; that indicates a problem; Option 2 is a win/win situation; that the institutional memory is kept and an additional manager is brought on board to address day to day issues; that sometimes people are afraid of change; but growth occurs through change; that the City needs a new perspective, but does need to retain knowledge and history. Pougnet stated that the Kaplan and Development Task Force Reports have dealt with critical issues; that the City cannot be beholden to one individual; and questioned staff recommendation. Mills stated there are two staff recommendations; but that the City Manager should be making the decision on organization. Mayor stated that the Council should direct the policy on how the City operates. Mills stated that there are two staff recommendations and it is not clear, which one is predominate. ' Council Minutes 12-10-03, Page 6 ' City Manager stated that the only reason the issue is before Council is that since being hired 3 %2 years ago, this is a continual problem; that the City is perceived as business unfriendly; that studies have been done; that the past election brought the department to the forefront; that many recommendations have been given, but none implemented due to finances; that the Director of Planning is a lightening rod; that a lot of no's are said with the enforcement of Ordinances; that a lot of enemies are made; that the perception can not be fixed; that it is his recommendation that the department be split; that something needs to be done and as of yet nothing else has worked; that the current director has more than can be handled; that if the Council decides not to split, then with the implementation of E-Gov and other recommendations, the problem may be alleviated; however, something needs to be done to correct the perception. Foat stated if advice is being sought Option 2 is recommended; or the item could come forward for action at the next meeting. Assistant City Manager stated that if Option 2 is desired, the recruitment-taking place for the Planning Manager would need to be changed. Foat stated that when Option 2 comes forward for approval, the financial obligations should likewise be presented. Mills stated that the Council is looking at the most valuable department in the ' City; that the Task Force appointed to analyses the department was composed of 25 people who actually use the department on a daily basis; that is the Task Force recommendation is ignored there will be problems; and as far as perception goes for business unfriendly, that is an overall perception occurring from the front door on. Mayor questioned the real problem with Planning. Mills stated that the department is bogged down; that the Planning Director is bogged down; that getting a planning manager will lighten the load; that if the department is separated, it will still be critical to have one person in charge; that if this the direction the Council is recommending, then a job description for the planning manager should be provided to Council; that if Option 2 is being recommended, then job descriptions of both Directors should be provided along with how information will flow to the Planning Commission and to the Council. McCulloch stated that as Chair of the Task Force the experts in the field were listened to; that the Task Force strongly supports Option 1, not Option 2. Mayor stated that this is a policy decision for the future of the City; that Council has confidence that staff will share information with a new Planning Director for the day-to-day operations; and that Option 2 does address the current perception. ' Mills stated that this is a perception issue; that the reality is that the Planning Department has a good track record; that the negative comments are coming from sources that do not get exactly what they want; that to address a perception is not right and that the Council should be addressing issues. Council Minutes 12-10-03, Page 7 Mayor stated that we need to communicate with the consumer; that there has ' been a reluctance to conduct a survey; that the City has been doing reports for a very long time; that image is important; and that there is a cost to not addressing the perception; that there are three member that have indicated a desire for Option 2. City Manager stated that the item would come forward when the issues of development fees are discussed to cover the cost related to the new positions. 3. COUNCIL MEETING TIMES & PROCEDURES Recommendation: That the Council review regularly scheduled meeting times to determine possible alternatives and review Council procedures. McCulloch stated that day meeting times are desired. Foat stated that a special Closed Session should be held on a Saturday for the full day. Consensus of Council for City Manager to check Councilmember schedules for a full Closed Session to be schedule on a Friday to allow Department Head information when needed. Mills stated if the meetings started earlier the 4th and 51h study sessions could be ' eliminated. Council consensus to keep open meetings at 7 p.m. and move Closed Session start to 4 p.m., until new members are caught up with all the issues. 4. FUTURE STUDY SESSION DOCKET Recommendation: That the Council establish priorities for future Study Session agendas Council consensus to rank items for discussion, see attached copy. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. PATRICIAA. SANDERS City Clerk