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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 - MINUTES - 5/28/1991 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 28, 1991 An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council , of the City of Palm Springs, California, was called to order by Mayor pro tem Broich in the Large Conference Room, City Hall , 3200 Tahquitz Canyon Way, on Tuesday, May 28, 1991, at 3:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Broich, Hodges, Murawski and Neel Absent: Mayor Bono REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Report of City Clerk: Agenda posted in accordance with Council procedures on May 24, 1991. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: Mayor pro tem declared the meeting adjourned for the purpose of convening as the Community Redevelopment Agency; after which, members reconvened as the City Council . HOUSING AUTHORITY/INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: No business PUBLIC COMMENTS: a) George Goldberg expressed his opinion concerning the proposed raceway and city staff and commission personal interests in it; and urged that the issue be placed on the 1992 ballot. LEGISLATIVE ACTION: 1. CLASSIC PROJECT - INTERCONTINENTAL GOLF CENTER JOINT VENTURE Recommendation: That the Council approve an agreement to negotiate exclusively with P.S. Inter-Continental Golf Center (133- Joint Venture a "land disposition agreement," 'For a public 003) golf course project known as the "Classic Project. " - A2995. City Manager highlighted the memorandum of the Director of Economic Development, dated May 28, 1991, a copy of which is on file with the City Clerk. City Attorney stated that minor language changes are need in four sections of the agreement, relating to restrictions, formula for housing mitigation, impacts, and formula for payment of costs advanced by the developer for certain city costs; and recommended that approval of the agreement, be subject to final language approval by the City Attorney. Resolution 17524 as recommended, was presented; after which, it was moved by Murawski , seconded by Neel , and unanimously carried, Bono absent, that R17524 be adopted, subject to City Attorney approval of agreement document. 2. MOLLY TROLLEY - MIST SYSTEM On May 15, 1991, the Council continued consideration of request of Desert Adventures to have a mist cooling system installed (143- on one of the Molly Trolley vehicles. 002) Council Minutes 5-28-91 Page 2 2. MOLLY TROLLY (Continued) City Manager reported that the operator has submitted a proposal concerning operation of the trollly, which would include eliminating the fixed route, providing charter and concierge services, and no upfront costs to the City; that the matter will be brought to the Council at the next meeting. Councilmember Murawski stated that the trolly should be "positioned" at the Village Green; that there needs to be cooperation with the Museum, and perhaps a sharing of the building with the concierge for the trolly; and that he understood the operator wanted to wait until next season for the outdoor mist system. Mary Dungans, Desert Adventures, stated that since the Indian Canyons will be closed, the opportunity for the trolly is not as great during the summer months, and her greatest concern is establishing a solid plan for the season as to type of tours, marketing plans, etc. ; that she would like to have the mist system approved, and will proceed to work to including it in March, 1992, as well as anything that might happen with the remainder of the 1991 summer. Councilmember Murawski stated that the approval would only include the mist system on one vehicle, as a test program; and agreed with Councilmember Hodges that there should be a time period involved. Resolution 17525 approving the request for one test vehicle, at no cost to the city, subject to a review of the test program at the end of summer, 1992, and if determined appropriate by the Council that the unit be restored to its state prior to the test, it also shall be done at no cost to the City, was presented; after which, it was moved by Murawski , seconded by Broich, and unanimously carried, Bono absent, that RL7525 be adopted. 3. AIRPORT - SECURITY ACCESS CONTROL On May 15, 1991, the Council continued consideration of Change (051- Order No. 1 to contract with NUS Corporation, for additional 015) consulting services associated with the Airport Security Access Control System (SACS) , which will be under construction concurrently with the expansion project, for an increase of $56,227. 11 - A2830. Director of Aviation reported that a major portion of the cost relates to coordination meetings with the Terminal Expansion Architect; that the SACS is FAA grant funded, and was a separate project, bid before the Terminal Expansion project design started; that it is critical that design for the SACS meet federal requirements, and dovetail with the Terminal design; that usually one person from NUS is involved in the travel and meetings, varying from three to five days, and coordinating other meetings with the architect in Los Angeles; that the NUS contract will probably save $150,000 in costs that might otherwise be spent on the expansion project; and that during the past two months, the expansion design got to the point where the additional NUS work was critical . Mayor pro tem expressed concern about the change order process, and approving expenditures after the fact. Minute Order 4772 approving Change Order No. 1, as recommended, was presented; after which, it was moved by Neel , seconded by Hodges, and unanimously carried, Bono absent, that M04772 be adopted. 1'. k Council Minutes 5-28-91 Page 3 4. HOTEL RATING SYSTEM Recommendation: That the Council approve a contract with D. Richey Management to implement a hotel rating system for a minimum of 20 hotels, at $500 per hotel , in a program expected to be largely self-supporting - A2996. City Manager highlighted the memorandum of Director of Community Services & Promotions, dated May 28, 1991, a copy of which is on file with the City Clerk, noting that the hotel would pay the City $250 plus $3 per room, up to a maximum of $650; and that the average amount is expected to be $500, which is the flat amount to be paid to Mr. Richey. In answer to questions by Council , Director of Community Services & Promotions stated that the contract is for one year; that the average hotel size is 82 rooms, which equates to the $500; that there are 167 hotels in the city; and that it would be good if 30 hotels participated. Councilmember Murawski stated that visitors from outside of the community currently have no way of judging a hotel ; that those who do not participate, will be listed as "non-rated", but will still be listed with the Visitor Center; that there are 25-30 hotels which consistently participate, (050- and it is hoped that the program will motivate others to do likewise; that the proposal is limited to the first 20 hotels, and if it becomes greater in scope, a new proposal will have to be brought back to the Council . Councilmember Hodges stated that she did not feel there was enough information about the program; that if it takes off, the Council will be asked for more funds; that it is a benefit to the hotels, and they should pay the cost, without a subsidy from the City; and that the funds will be coming out of next year' s budget, which the Council has not seen, nor approved. Mayor pro tem stated that the contract is limited to 20 hotels, and rating would be based on the first twenty to sign up; those who did not sign up, would have to pay the full amount. City Attorney stated that limiting the number does not affect the proposed contract; and the rating form would be issued to the first twenty hotels to sign up. Councilmember Murawski stated that the funding comes from the T.O.T. Minute Order 4773 as recommended, was presented; after which, Broich, seconded by Murawski , and carried by the following vote, that M04773 be adopted: AYES; Broich, Murawski &' Neel NO: Hodges ABSENT: Bono Council Minutes 5-28-91 Page 4 5. VISION - DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION, PHASE II Recommendation: That the Council approve letter agreement (133- with SENCA Palm Springs, Inc. , to extend agreement to cover 005) Phase II pursuant to Section 2.2 of Agr 2840. City Manager reported that this matter was not ready for action, and would be placed on the June 19 agenda. 6. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - VENDING CARTS (Intro. 5-15-91) City Attorney stated that the ordinance required three affirmative votes. Mayor pro tem stated that he would be abstaining, and suggested (103- that this matter might be continued to June 5. 1 It was moved by Hodges, seconded by Neel , and unanimously carried, Bono absent, and Broich abstaining, that this matter be continued to June 5, 1991. 7. PURCHASE OF PASSENGER VAN Minute Order 4774 awarding purchase of a passenger van to (084- GMC Truck Division, for $14,531.67, for the Senior Center, 007) funded through CDBG funds, was presented; after which, it was moved by Murawski , seconded by Hodges, and unanimously carried, Bono absent, that M04774 be adopted. 8. FIRE SUPPRESSION BENEFIT ASSESSMENT DISTRICT Recommendation: That the Council cause report on proposed benefit assessment district to be prepared, and filed with the City; and direct that notice be given by the City Clerk for a hearing thereon on June 19, 1991; and authorize expenditure of funds to accomplish mailing notices. Fire Chief gave a slide presentation relative to changes in the level and cost of providing fire services in the past twenty years; of changing demographics in the community, necessitating the need for enhanced services, including (083- firefighter/paramedic; and the estimated annual cost to provide 008) staffing equipment to accommodate those needs. He stated that many agencies, including Cathedral City and the County, are also looking at the authority provided by State Law to establish a benefit: assessment district, following a protest hearing, and recommended that the Council take the initial steps to start the process, leading to a public hearing on June 19. He stated the expected revenues of about $3 million will only be used to fund fire department services; that there is a great likelihood the community' s fire rating will improve from a Class 4 to a Class 3, and possibly a Class 2; that the last change in 1982 in the rating produced a savings of about $430,000 in reduced commercial insurance premiums in the community; that 38 new positions would be added, including personnel trained as both firefighter and paramedic. Councilmembers Hodges and Murawski expressed appreciation for the recommendation coming forward. Res 17526 as recommended, was presented; after which, it was moved by Hodges, seconded by Murawski , and unanimously carried, Bono absent, that R17526 be adopted. ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ITEMS: None Council Minutes 5-28-91 Page 5 ADDED STARTERS: 9. MUTUAL RELEASE & SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT City Attorney reported that iL was not known until this date that the Council would be able to take action on a mutual release and settlement of pending litigation concerning Friends of the Cove, Indio Case 62565. It was moved by Murawski , seconded by Hodges, and unanimously carried, Bono absent, that this matter be determined eligible for consideration and added to the agenda. City Attorney reported that the litigation has been pending since September, when the Friends of the Cove brought the (133- action, which has been vigorously prosecuted, but open to 006) ztii settlement discussion; that the settlement was primarily N reached as a result of the developer being able to talk with some of the parties involved by the moratorium 'on the Canyon Area; that some of those parties who brought the suit have entered negotiations with the developer, and as a result of that, mutual releases have been reached, dropping all claims with the caveat that abandoning the lawsuit does not waive any rights concerning eminent domain, and such releases G are contingent upon the closing of the sales contracts. Minute Order 4775, approving the Settlement and Mutual Release Agreement, No. 2997 was presented; after which, it was moved by Neel , seconded by Murawski , and unanimously carried, Bono absent, that M04775 be adopted. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. 1 , l ,_JUDITH SUMICH City Clerk