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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/4/2001 - STAFF REPORTS (3) MINUTES OF CITY OF PALM SPRINGS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY March 21, 2001 A Regular Meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Palm Springs, California, was called to order by Chairman Kleindienst, in the Council Chamber, 3200 Tahquitz Canyon Way, on Wednesday, March 21, 2001, at 5:30 p.m., at which time, the City Attorney announced items to be discussed in Closed Session, and at 7:00 p.m., the meeting was convened in open session. ROLL CALL: Present: Agency Members Jones, Hodges, Oden, Reller-Spurgin, and Chairman Kleindienst Absent: None REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk reported that the agenda was posted in accordance with Agency procedures on March 16, 2001. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION (All Entities)- See items on Page 8 of agenda this date. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved by Oden, seconded by Jones and unanimously carried that the Minutes of October 4, December 6, 2000; January 3 and 17, 2001 be approved. Note: Clerical correction on 1/17/01 to reflect .25 acres. PUBLIC COMMENTS: a) Jane Smith, President Movie Colony, stated that the consideration of the lighting did not include the public's input; that the State is in an energy crisis; that approval of the lighting will result in a failure to follow the City's General Plan; that the view of the night skies will be ruined; and that the Council should spend the City's money wisely. LEGISLATIVE ITEMS: A. TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION Recommendation: That the Council approve a contract with MRC Associates for the electrical engineering design of the decorative light fixtures on Tahquitz Canyon Way, between Indian Canyon Drive and Avenida Caballeros for $7,500.00. CP00-36. A416C. City Engineer reviewed the staff report. CRA Minutes 3-21-01,Page 2 Agency Member Jones stated that the City did make a commitment to the Office of Neighborhood Involvement; that the commitment was to include the Office in discussions of projects before the project came before the City Council for consideration; that there has been no opportunity for the public to give input on the lighting; that the State is in an energy crisis; that the City should be cautious in placing more street lights; that the lighting is being called decorative, but in fact are street lights; that the General Plan does not allow the lighting; that in the City of Beverly Hills the same type of proposal went through a process of citizen survey, samples of the lighting on display for citizen input; and that the entire City was involved in the process; that this matter should be put on hold until the public is involved in the process or if the public determines if it wants the lighting. Agency Member Oden stated that Palm Springs is a tourist community; that the lighting will attribute to safety and security issues; that meetings were held regarding the proposal; that representatives of the various neighborhood groups have addressed the matter in open sessions of the Council and was even discussed in the joint meeting with the Tribal Council; that each project that comes before the Council for action is generally discussed on many levels before being presented to the Council for action; that it would not be advisable to put a building moratorium in place in the City; and that even though the State is in a crisis regarding energy, safety should not be sacrificed. Agency Member Reller-Spurgin stated that the matter was discussed at a study session; that the area is dark at night and causes a feeling of fear of security in the area and added that the benefit of the lighting is not just for the tourist, but the residents as well. Chairman stated that the lighting has worked in the downtown area; that the main issue of the concept of the lighting was for safety; that it was determined by tourists and residents alike that the downtown was too dark and was felt to be unsafe; that a team was formed and the determination made that greater lighting was needed to give the aura of safety and a feeling of festivity; that the program has been expanded whenever possible; that the program has been a good success story for the City; that this is not a new discussion for the City, but one that has been ongoing; that needs for the lighting are evaluated and added where determined; that the lights are added where the people go and that the result is a more vibrant area. Agency Member Jones stated that this is not about safety but the addition of street lighting to the Community. Chairman stated that the lighting does not extend into the street as streetlights are designed to do; that the proposal will light the sidewalk and a small portion of the street. Director of Downtown Development stated that the program is a pedestrian lighting program; that all fixtures shine on the sidewalk; that every other fixture has an additional light that will illuminate a portion of the side of the street, but that it does not and is not meant to qualify as a street light; that the lighting will provide the same type of lighting as the downtown or uptown area and is predominately a pedestrian fixture. CRA Minutes 3-21-01,Page 3 Agency Member Reller-Spurgin stated that streetlights are usually taller and brighter; that the arm of the fixture extends out onto the street; that these fixtures cast a subtle lighting that would be no further in the street than the hood of a car parked by the curb. Resolution 1119 as recommended was presented; after which, it was moved by Oden, seconded by Reller-Spurgin and carried by the following vote that R1119 be adopted. AYES: Hodges, Oden, Reller-Spurgin and Kleindienst NO: Jones. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairman declared the meeting adjourned. PATRICIA A. SANDERS Assistant Secretary