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Home My WebLink About2006-09-13 CC MINUTES PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Oden called the meeting to order at 6:15 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Oden led the Pledge. (ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmember McCulloch, Councilmember Mills, Councilmember Pougnet, Mayor Pro Tern Foot, and Mayor Oden. ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Ready, City Attorney Holland, City Clerk Thompson. REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Holland reported that at 5:00 P.M. the meeting was called to order and the City Council recessed into Closed Session to discuss matters on the posted Closed Session Agenda. No reportable actions were taken. PRESENTATIONS: B Mayor Oden announced the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of Coyote Run Apartments in Palm Springs. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: ACTION: Accept the Agenda as presented. Motion Councilmember Pougnet, seconded by Councilmember Mills and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. PUBLIC COMMENT: GREG WETMORE, thanked the Cyty Council for their support for Gay Associated Youth and announced the upcoming open house. REV. KEVIN JOHNSON, Member of CLUE, requested the City Council assist citizens with the economic quality of life issues. TRACY TURNER, Member Progressive Community Coalition, commented on a proposed petition regarding responsible growth and economic justice. ALFREDO HUESO, Member Palm Springs Progressive Coalition, commented on health care and quality of life issues. CANDACE CORBETT, commented on responsible development, affordable housing, wages and benefits. City Council Minutes September 13, 2006 Page 2 MICHAEL ROSENFELD, Coachella Valley Teachers Association, stated his support for ' the Palm Springs Progressive Coalition. JIM STUART, Palm Springs, commented on the petition regarding height limits in the Downtown area, and the requirements under S1318 and "take" with respect to the proposed ordinance for the Chino Cone. DON BRUNKE, Palm Springs, commented on a recent "welcome" letter from Mayor Oden. VIC GAINER, Palm Springs, spoke in support of Item No. 2.8., proposed ordinance for the Chino Cone. CHARLES SACHS, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition of Item No. 2.B., proposed ordinance for the Chino Cone. CLAIRE JORDAN GRANT, announced the upcoming Unity Rally at Frances Stevens Park, Palm Springs. DAVID BARON, Palm Springs, commented on the proposed initiative to limit height in the Downtown area, and spoke in opposition of Item No. 2.B., proposed ordinance for the Chino Cone and Snow Creek area. ' LEWIS PORTER, Palm Springs, requested the City use alternative methods to scalp lawns in the City of Palm Springs. LAURA ZUVICH, Palm Springs, commented on development in the City of Palm Springs and the Chino Cone. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS AND REQUESTS: Mayor Pro Tern Foat commented on the percentage of people living below poverty level in the City of Palm Springs, and requested a study session on the quality of life for families including affordable housing. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Ready presented the new advertising logo for VillageFest, and the processing in which the logo was selected. 1. STUDY SESSION: I.A. PRESENTATION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS: City Manager Ready and Don Duckworth, Director of Building and Safety, ' presented the Code Enforcement Staff and provided an overview of duties of Code Enforcement. City Council Minutes September 13, 2006 Page 3 Thomas Wilson, Assistant City Manager-Development Services, provided an overview of the City's Code Enforcement procedures, activities and priorities- Mayor Oden commented on working with the business community. City Manager Ready commented on the relationship with the Neighborhood Organizations and provided an overview of the "Hot Spot Program." Don Duckworth, Director of Building and Safety, presented contact information for the Code Enforcement staff and expected response time. Mayor Oden requested additional information relating to illegal parking and vehicles. Councilmember McCulloch requested additional information with respect to window signs on vacant buildings, and suggested staff investigate vacant building window signs as a marketing opportunity. Councilmember Mills complimented staff and the policies initiated by Code Enforcement, and stated he will be looking for enforcement of the Sign Ordinance and urged citizens to call-in violations. Mayor Pro Tern Foat congratulated staff for their efforts, and requested information relating to fines and the filing of civil or criminal actions and abatement, and requested staff address the color of news racks, and residential landscaping. Councilmember Pougnet requested staff address the hours of Code Enforcement during weekend hours, and the coordination and communication with Main Street. Mayor Oden requested staff investigate odors from sewer traps in the Downtown area. No action taken. I.B. CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON REGULATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT AREAS INCLUDING THE CHINO CONE: PETE DANGERMOND, Riverside Land Conservancy, presented information regarding the Chino Cone and environmentally sensitive development with goals to preserve resources, create community assets, recognize property rights and create economic development opportunities. City Council Minutes September 13, 2006 Page 4 Mayor Oden requested the Conservancy address the issue of the transfer ' of Tribal money. Mayor Pro Tom Foat requested further clarification of a proposed hotel at the foot of the Tram, the trails and other uses, and the possibility of the transfer relating to the College of the Desert. Councilmember Pougnet requested clarification on the impacts of SB18, the length of time required to acquire property, and if the Land Conservancy has an established relationship with the Nature Conservancy. Councilmember Mills asked if the current ordinance prohibits any of the current proposed activities by the Conservancy. Mayor Oden commented on density off the Chino Cone and compensation of property owners, and stated areas requiring further discussion are infrastructure, road repairs, and bond issues. Councilmember McCulloch stated the City Council has been in favor of conservation if the property owners were compensated, and commented ' on the diminished impact to City revenues by the proposed conservation of land. Mayor Pro Tern Foat requested the Conservancy provide further information on the concept of "unguided" development. Councilmember McCulloch commented on the impacts of issuing bonds for land conservancy. The City Council recessed at 8:24 P.M. The City Council reconvened at 8:34 P.M. ACTION: Direct staff to initiate a Zone Text Amendment to incorporate the following: 1) Density transfer outside the area; 2) Density of Planning Area 9; 3) open space overlay; and 4) bonding/security and enforcement for grading work and restoration. Motion Councilmember Pougnet, seconded by Mayor Pro Tom Foat and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. ACTION: Direct staff to work with David Baron to ensure that appropriate Performa and financial studies are timely prepared and submitted for City Council consideration. Motion Mayor Pro Tern Foat, seconded by , Mayor Oden and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. City Council Minutes September 13, 2006 Page 5 2. ADJOURNED REGULAR MELTING: 2.A. REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA: ACTION: Receive and file Report on the Posting of the September 13, 2006, City Council Agenda. Motion Mayor Pro Tem Foat, seconded by Mayor Oden and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. 2.13. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 1700, ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT AREAS INCLUDING THE CHINO CONE: ACTION: Waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1700, "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ADDING SECTIONS 92.21.1.00, 92.21.1.01, 92.21.1.02, 92.21.1.03, 92.21.1.04, 92.21.1.05, 92.21.1.06, AND 92.21.1.07, AND AMENDING SECTION 91.00.10, OF THE PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF REGULATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT AREAS INCLUDING THE CHINO CONE_" Motion Mayor Pro Tem Foat, seconded by Mayor Oden and carried 4- 1 on a roll call vote. AYES: Councilmember Mills, Councilmember Pougnet, Mayor Pro Tem Foat, and Mayor Oden. NOES: Councilmember McCulloch. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS: Councilmember Pougnet requested a report from the City Manager on the status of funding for non-profit organizations. Mayor Pro Tem Foat requested banners be installed on the light-poles on Palm Canyon, requested staff place on the next agenda the creation of a legislative Subcommittee for Proposition 84 and funding for natural resource protection, and requested a study session for discussion on affordable housing, senior housing, and programs for the economically disadvantaged. Councilmember Mills requested the City Attorney report on the Planning Commission process in relation to Study Sessions. Mayor Pro Tem Foat commented on the Regional Access Foundation and requested staff research the relationship with the Foundation and the City of Palm Desert and present such during the Study Session on housing. Mayor Oden thanked the Downtown Merchants who participated in the recent Open House event. City Council Minutes September 13, 2006 Page 6 ADJOURNMENT: The City Council adjourned at 8:53 P.M. to a Regular Meeting, ' Wednesday, September 20, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, City Hall, preceded by a Closed Session of 4:30 p.m., Small Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. APPROVED BY A MOTION OF THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS 4tn DAY OF OCTOBER, 2006. MAYOR ATTEST: ��— f I Clerk