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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 - MINUTES - 9/8/1993 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEM13ER 8, 1993 An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, was called to order by Mayor Maryanov,in the Large Conference Room, City Hall,3200 Tahquitz Canyon Way, on Wednesday, September 8, 1993, at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Hodges, Lyons, Reller-Spurgiu, Schlendorf and Mayor Maryanov Absent: None The meeting was opened with the Salute to the Flag and a moment of silence. REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk reported that the agenda was poster!in accordance with Council procedures on September 3, 1993 INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGENCY REPORTS: a) Councilmember Schlendorf reported that SCAG approved the NAFTA agreement; and that the City will need to join with CVAG and other valley interests in making a strong voice for the environmental issues. PUBLIC COMMENTS: a) Eric Meeks thanked the Council for allowing his business to be a part of Villagefest, and urged attendance at the event. LEGISLATIVE ACTION: 1. GRAFFITI PROGRAM Council consideration of alternatives for prevention and removal of graffiti and costs related thereto. Director of Public Works reviewed his report, outlining four options, including no change in the program as it was cut from the 1993-94 budget for which no further action would be required. Councilmember Schlendorf questioned if the Sunline Graffiti Removal progran had been pursued, and explained that Sunline has been adding one city at a time to a complete removal program, including equipment and use of "prisoners", and asked that staff check to see if it can add Palm Springs, and how much it would charge; and that she was pleased that the options presented include funding sources other than the General Fund. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that the Council has a financial responsibility to the community, but it also has an obligation to keep the community looking clean in order to attract new business; that the Rotary Club's concern in taking over the program was related to liability, and that it was too much to put on volunteers, and expect that the removal will be abated within 24 hours. Mayor liked the idea of looking into the Sunline program; that he was concerned about doing (061- something immediate to paint out the graffiti, and that staff should be vigorously investigating all 015 options, including fundraising, and fines for violators and making parents responsible where the violators are minors; that the City Attorney, police department and courts should look to developing a program to enhance the cost recovery and prohibition by including the family as well; that he favored reinstating the program on a short term to attack the problem immediately and then come back within 30 days with a report on deterrents, cost recovery, Sardine's program,and other alternatives. Councilmember Schlendorf stated she did not have a problem with fines, provided there is an appeal process recognizing the conflict between legal responsibility and the trauma of a family in distress when this act occurs. Councilmembers Lyons and Reller-Spurgin agreed that they did not think option 4, noted in the memorandum of the Director, was productive. Consensus of the Council was to approve funding to address the problem immediately, with a report back in 30 days, and a followup report regarding Sunline at the next meeting. Discussion also followed regarding staffing, and use of temporary help or diverting the assignment to an existing employees. It was moved by Schlendorf, seconded by Reller-Spurgin, and unanimously carried, that Resolution 18179, amending the budget to appropriate$15,000 from Gas Tax Funds, I11-304, to provide up to 90 days funding, and that this matter be further considered at the September 15 meeting concerning altemativec and nntentinl fines fur vinlatnre O Council Minutes 9-8-93 Page 2 2. BUDGET UPDATE Council directed that 1993-94 budget status be reviewed and discussed at this meeting. Director of Finance reviewed his report distributed at the meeting, a copy of which is on file with the City Clerk, providing a review of the City's budget status through August 31, i.e., related to expenditures,amendments,revenues,and new revenue sources,overall projecting the approximate same level operating budget balance as when the budget was adopted. Councilmember Lyons stated that the TOT appears up in August, and September looks better. (061- Councilmember Schlendorf stated that she hoped the budget status would be reviewed monthly, 015) with recaps quarterly, and would like to see the new revenue sources by departments, and to see what has been achieved, in order to give an idea of how to prioritize programs, and how Fast that should happen. Director of Finance stated that he has a quarterly reporting format on major operating and expenditure activity,and can report on new revenue sources more often if'there are major changes in the operating and expenditure activity,rather than a full report each month. He noted that there is not much activity during the first quarter of the year,and the report is available during the third week of the following quarter. He responded to question by Council, and stated that he has done an analysis of investments, and can include that in the quarterly reports; and that there have only been 3 amendments to the budget; and that new revenue sources will be coming back to the Council as fast as possible. Assistant City Manager noted that those are being tracked, and that some are of a nature that they would not yet be collected. No formal action was taken, and there was no opposition to the reporting suggested, by the Director of Finance. 3i. FIREWORKS COMMITTEE Council directed that the appointment of a Committee to perform a July 4th fireworks display be reviewed and discussed at this meeting. Note: Letter from Steve Platt, dated July 23, informing Council of the formation of a volunteer group of citizens whose intent it is to put on a program in 1994,with understanding that the City will not and cannot provide any funding,and questioning whether the Council wished to appoint them "as an officially appointed committee." City Attorney stated that an officially appointed committee would be subject to the Brown Act, and a volunteer group acting on its own might be in the capacity of a contractual relationship with the City. (104- Mayor stated that the group has guaranteed that it will raise the money and will not come back 001) to the City for funds, and asked how people could make donations and[receive the tax benefit. Assistant City Manager stated that funds could be donated to the City, held in trust and agency, and then paid out. It was moved by Schlendorf, seconded by Lyons,and unanimously carried, that funds be accepted and placed in a separate trust and agency fund account, for future dispersal for the fireworks program. It was moved by Schlendorf, seconded by Reller-Spurgin, and unanimously carried, that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr.Platt and his group; and that the City Attorney explore options concerning the group, and its relationship to the City. Councilmember Hodges asked that the Council receive a copy of the thank you letter, as well as copies of other letters which the Council has directed be written on oilher matters as those may occur in the future. 4. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Council directed this matter be reviewed and discussed to determine Community involvement in City funding alternatives. Councilmembers Schlendorf and Hodges presented a recommendation to the Council to implement a citizens participation plan achieved through a standing committee and three sub-committees,with the goal of developing community priorities, financing those priorities, educating the public, and (140- developing a broad base of support as implementation occurs, an outline of the plan was 001) distributed, and a copy is on file with the City Clerk. Councilmember Schlendorf stated that the initial survey could be accomplished perhaps by staff, .� . . . a ...............:t.....I——1—tdn of dnvrinnin o'and annI VAno the survey 91 .13 ) Council Minutes - 9-8-93 Page 3 4. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT (Continued) Councilmember Hodges explained the purpose of the standing and subcommittees, i.e., which would evaluate the survey results and assure implementation; work with the results and set up public forums; use survey data to assist in drafting a charter, including possible options on the ballot for short and long term budgeting, and monitoring programs. She stated that public involvement is needed to get started, and it will take a lot on the part of the Council and the citizens. Councilmember Schlendorf stated that the time line would mean October before the survey data can be completed and entered, and it would be early March before the plan can be carried out; and there should be a lot of information and data about what will be brought for a vote. Councilmember Lyons stated that he had just received the information, and it will take time to digest it; Councilmember Reller-Spurgin concurred;and the Mayor stated that he was not prepared to vote on it at this time. In answer to question by Councilmember Lyons, Councilmember Schlendorf stated that a random sample survey would be conducted; that 25% of the registered voters has been used; and that the focus group would develop the questions, some of which would be multiple choice and others open ended. Mayor stated that he wanted to assure independence and was not certain that was possible with the volunteer statistician, and the budget consideration must also be addressed. Consensus of the Council that this matter be scheduled for an adjourned meeting to be held September 22. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. 5 JUDITH SUMICH City Clerk