HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990 - MINUTES - 12/20/1990 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
DECEMBER 20, 1990
An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to
order by Mayor Bono in the Large Conference Room, City Hall , , 3200
Tahquitz-McCallum Way, on Thursday, December 20, 1990, at 4 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Broich, Murawski Neel and
Mayor Bono
Absent: Councilmember Hodges (Ms. Hodges entered
during Mr. Wynder opening statement)
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA:
Report of City Clerk: Agenda posted in accordance with
Council procedures on December 16, 1990.
PERSONNEL HEARING - JUAN AVILA
Pursuant to Section 15.4 of the Personnel Rules, Acting
City Manager modified Personnel Board decision concerning
appeal by Juan Avila from his layoff which became effective
September 28, 1990, this matter is further appealed to
City Council whose action shall be final and finding.
The following persons were also present:
Appellant, Juan Avila (and his translator)
Attorney for Appellant, R.A. Bender
Attorney for the City, William Wynder, Rutan & Tucker
Mayor stated Council understanding that the counsel for
the parties have agreed, by written stipulation, upon
the procedures to be followed in connection with the
hearing; and asked that counsel present the signed stipula-
tion; after which, it was moved by Broich, seconded by
Neel , and unanimously carried, Hodges absent, that the
stipulation be adopted.
Note: Refer to full transcript of proceedings for opening
statements, swearing of witnesses, testimony and exhibits
entered; to be provided by Rutan & Tucker following the
close of this matter.
Mr. Wynder presented his opening statement, and proceeded
with the presentation of the City' s evidence. At the
conclusion of Mr. Wynder' s presentation, and testimony
by witnesses, discussion ensued concerning the continuance
of the hearing; and the dismissal of the former Personnel
Director, Heather Cameron, from further testimony. Mr.
Bender agreed to dismissing her as a witness.
It was agreed that the hearing would be continued to a
date agreed upon by the attorneys.
(Note: Subsequently set for January 14, 1991 at 4 p.m. )
RECESS - Mayor declared a dinner recess, after which members
reconvened.
Council Minutes
12-20-90 Page 2
LEGISLATIVE ACTION: (Continued from December 19, 1990)
2. P.S. VISION PROJECT
Consideration of actions regarding moving forward with
the expansion of the Convention Center; establishing a
downtown revitalization program; authorizing a golf course
development project, and designating a redevelopment survey
area for study purposes - continued from December 19,
1990.
Acting City Manager reported that portion of the item
were continued, in order that a subcommittee of the Council ,
staff and SENCA could meet to focus heavily on the Conven- (061-
tion Center Phase, because of the tight time-frame; that 009)
the committee commenced its work at 10 a.m. , this date,
and worked through to 3 p.m. ; that the ERA Technical Report
is available, and copies have been provided to the Council ;
and he detailed the actions contained in the proposed
resolution. He stated that the upfront cost of approxi-
mately $880,000 will be recovered through the public
Financing mechanism, of which $180,000 has already been
spent, and the remainder is appropriated in the proposed
resolution; and that the committee and staff will negotiate
the contract with SENCA to be brought back ;:o the Council
January 16.
Councilmember Murawski stated that all of the parties
involved worked very hard in going through the entire
proposal ; that guidelines for structuring the agreement
were reached; and by when the next steps would occur.
In answer to question by Acting City Manager regarding
the P.S. Classic project, Director of Economic Development
reported that sometime ago the Council was concerned about
developing a major entertainment complex and looked at
a site known as the Classic Project - a 400+ acre parcel ,
and a proposal by SENCA to develop it; that it included
an amphitheater, horse racing, and a golf course, and (139-
other amenities which would not conflict with downtown; 004)
that the City advanced $300,000 for the study; that
redevelopment could not be used to assemble land, since
the entire area was vacant; that SENCA worked with the
project, provided the study report, and worked with property
owners; that the major property owner decided to be the
developer, at which point Kanter took over the SENCA
position, plus the obligation to repay the $300,000 in
the event there was a project in the area.; that since
that time, the project has continued and negotiations
are in progress with a German firm, and the project consists
of 27 holes of golf, a hotel , and corporate pads; and
that the provision with SENCA is that when the DDA is
signed, $200,000 will be paid out of the bond financing,
and the remaining $185,000 returned to the General Fund
from the developer.
In answer to question by Acting City Manager concerning
the financing track record on phase I of the Convention
Center, the Acting Director of Finance reported that the
project was funded through a $5 million bond issue, and
was constructed for $34 million; that the $1 million balance
was applied to the debt service about six months ago.
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Council Minutes
12-20-90 Page 3
2. P.S. VISION (Continued)
Director of General Operations reported that there would
have been a greater savings, however, if early designs
had been followed, however, it was a "design built project"
- one which is designed as it is being constructed, and
which was necessitated by the short time-frame.
Councilmember Murawski stated that he felt the people
who could make those decisions did not know what they
were doing, which caused confusion, and resulted in poor
decisions about the size and location of the facility.
Councilmember Broich stated that as a member of the Economic
Development Commission at that time, he was a member of
the design task force, and that because it, was built and
designed at the same time, there were many additions and
deletions, but there were no "overruns" - only a change
order project. He stated the SENCA budget for the proposed
expansion was reviewed line-by- line, and reduced from
$545,000 to $412,300 to manage the project; that he is
comfortable with that, and in dealing wjith SENCA; and
that similar in-depth work is expected for the remaining
phases of the Vision Project.
Mayor commended Councilmembers Murawski and Broich for
their hard work, and willingness to take a big step into
the future of Palm Springs; that their concerns were valid;
that the Council ' s obligation is to lead the community
into the future, but not to frivolously spend money, nor
enter into deals with people who cannot provide what they
say they will provide; that they made certain that this
bold step is on the road to success, and he feels the
members are coming closer together as a council with the
same direction. Ile also commended Councilmember Hodges
for her willingness to join in steps to the future, i .e. ,
the Classic Project, the Canyon Development:, the downtown
revitalization, and the Convention Center.
Resolution 17378-A, entitled:
OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING
A CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION PROJECT, NEGOTIATION OF
CONTRACTS FOR DESIGN SERVICES AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
SERVICES,SOLICITATION OF BIDS, SELECTION OF A FINANCIAL
FEASIBILITY CONSULTANT, DESIGNATION OF BOND COUNSEL
AND UNDERWRITER, ESTABLISHMENT OF A FINANCING TEAM AND
AN ADVANCE OF FUNDS.
It was moved by Broich, seconded by Murawski , and unani-
mously carried, that R17378-A be adopted.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor declared the meeting
adjourned.
'�— JUDITH SUMICH
City Clerk