HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/23/1982 - MINUTES CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FEBRUARY% 23, 1982
An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to
order,by Mayor Doyle, in the Large Conference Room, City Hall ,
3200 Tahquitz-McCallum Way, on Tuesday, February 23, 1982' at
3 p.m.
ROLL CALL : Present: Councilmembers Field, Ortner, Rose
and Mayor Doyle
Absent: None
LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
1 . AIRPORT LEASE - PAN AM
Recommendation: That the Council approve Airport Use
Agreement and Special Airport Security Cost Agreement
with Pan American World Airways, Inc. , for term ending
February 29, 1984.
Transportation Director reviewed his report, .dated . (51 )
February 23, 1982, and stated that the airline has -
given every assurance that it intends year-around
service, which will serve Houston-Phoenix-Palm Springs-
Phoenix-Houston.
Resolutions 14166 and 14167, approving use and security
agreements, were presented; after which, it was moved
by Rose, seconded by Field, and unanimously carried,
that Resolutions 14166 and 14167 be adopted.
SunAire Airlines : In response to comment by Council-
woman Ortner, Transportation Director stated that SunAire
operates under different regulations and is exempt from (51 )
those which apply to the larger carriers; that it does
not have any obligation to pay denying boarding or stay-
over costs; that it is short on equipment at the present
time,, and has experienced difficulty with planes being
laid-over at LAX because of fog; that he has discussed
the unreliability and oversale problems_ with its rnanage-
ment and they are still working on the reliability issue;
and that he was not aware of any cancellation of flights
because of them not being fully loaded.
Cochise Airlines : Transportation Director reported
that Cochise Airlines has suspended all operation in (51 )
California.
2. MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE - MEN 'S CLUB PRIME TIME STARTING
Recommendation by Community Services Commission : That
the Council approve a one-month trial change in prime
time play, commencing March 1 , 1982, to permit the Men 's
and Women 's Golf Clubs to start golf play one hour (92)
earlier.
Acting Director of Community Services reviewed report
of Parks & Golf Course Superintendent, dated February
23, 1982, detailing the Commission 's recommendation
and impact that overall change in policy could result
in an annual loss of about $5,000 per year, per weekly
hour of prime time eliminated.
41?
Council Minutes
2-23-82 Page 2
2. MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE (Continued)
City Manager stated that he would not recommend any .
change at this time; that it might be appropriate at
sometime, but presently would be premature and could
lead to escalation of further losses ; that it would
be difficult to justify why club members should receive
the benefit and not make it available to other City
residents who are not members of the club; that the
loss could easily increase to $25,000 per year; that
the $5,000 per hour eliminated was based on 12 of
the 17 weeks of the prime time season; that the
course has not been in a cash-plus situation for
very long, and there is nothing in the future that
will moderate the occasional flooding problems, and
it can be expected that the course may occasionally
suffer major damage from flooding; that staff is
working on the development of a master plan for the
course that will deal with 'the types of replacement
expenditures needed to maintain a top-quality course CONT'D
and to do other types of improvements to enhance the (92)
course; that the cash position is such that funds
are beginning to be generated to accomplish that;
that user and Community Services Commission input
will be sought before presenting -recommendation to
the Council ; that two years ago a $1 . 5 million
reconstruction project was completed,, the cost of
which was spread over a two-year period; that he did
not think the local subsidyto residents can be
increased, the cost of which comes from tourist; `
and that he was not concluding how much of that
subsidy should be paid by tourist, but could see_
this proposal as expanding that.
In answer to question by Council , City Manager stated
that there is no reserve budgeted for the golf course;
that the $191 ,065 estimated unencumbered cash balance
6/30/82 shown in the Superintendent's report, does not
include depreciation_ or any similar costs, nor would
the amount continue to reflect land purchase payments
from the Sewer Fund as a long-term income.
Mayor stated that his previous comments "that this
might be given consideration was made in the context
of inquiries having been made in the past, but nothing
definitive was ever submitted; that he has concerns
giving benefits to these clubs, which exist for
the enjoyment of its members and do not provide any
enhancement for the golf course or conduct fund
raising to provide amenities for it; and that the
Council could have problems with this type user
fund if it lifts the barriers for special groups.
Councilman Rose stated that allegations have been made
that the Council is not responsive to the community,
and he believed this was evidence to the contrary and
saw it as an important and necessary step in the process;
that he believed the statements by the City Manager were
correct based on staff assumptions, but the point -was
missed that the request was not to change the system,
butto prove that the assumptions are either correct or
not correct, specifically, that "there will or will not
be a loss of revenue, and if the loss of revenue assumption
is correct, the Clubs would not pursue the issue; that if
the assumptions asserted by members of the Men' s Club
Council Minutes
2-23-82 Page 3
2. MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE (Continued)
are correct, he did not believe there would be any
harm in doing it and saw no reason why it should
not be done; that the intent of the Club was that
only residents who have the card would get the
special opportunity and that he did not equate
this to problems with other enterprise funds;
that these users are those who use the course on
a year-around basis and give the greatest support
to it and should receive the benefit more than
those who come in over a short period of time;
that he did not see any down-side risk, since they
will not pursue it if they are wrong about the
assumption; and that the Golf Course Starter was
in agreement for the change to Thursday because it
is a slow day and he made no complaint to the
Commission that it would mean a loss of revenue
to him.
Councilman Field stated that the suggestion has been
made before; that he was aware of the upgrading which
has taken place physically and financially; that: he CONT 'D
has concerns regarding equity and the potential for (92)
opening the door for any and all residents, rather
than just club members ; and that he would be willing
to listen further, but felt the issue was premature.
In answer to question by Council , Acting Director of
Community Development stated that it cannot be
stated factually that there would be a loss of
golf-cart revenue, although it is recognized that
some club members have their own carts and do net
take advantage of that service.
Councilman Rose stated that he did not. believe -it was
premature, based on fact that nothing is being
suggested to change the fact that the City is
beginning to make money on the golf course; and
that regarding equity, he believed this was the
type of advantage that should be given to residents
over non-residents.
City Manager commented on the lack of a statistical
method for making a true comparison; and noted that
the course is full from 6 :30 a.m. to 11 a.m. , observing
that on the preceding Monday, 100 reservations had to
be turned away.
Parks & Golf Course Superintendent stated that there
has not been one day this year during the short winter
period that a club member has not been able to complete
the course.
Mayor stated that if a trial period were instituted, it
should be available to any resident card holder; and
that he could support the idea of special privilege if
the club contributed something to the golf course.
No action taken.
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Council Minutes
2-23-82 Page 4
3. COUNCIL reports and requests
a) At request of Councilman Rose, Mayor directed that
issue of ambulance service be considered at the
March 9, 1982, non-agenda study session.
b) In response to question by Councilwoman Ortner, City
Manager stated that staff is in the process of
addressing concerns outlined in letter from residents
concerning the condition of Barona Road, and will
report back to to the Council .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business at 3:40 p.m. , Mayor
declared the meeting-adjourned.
JUDITH SUMICH
' City Clerk