Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 - MINUTES - 6/22/1994 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 22, 1994 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, 3200 Tahquitz Canyon Way, on Wednesday, June 22, 1993, at 6:30 p.m., at which time, the City Attorney announced items to be discussed in Closed Session, and at 7:30 p.m., the ' meeting was convened in open session. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Hodges, Lyons, Reller-Spurgin, Schlendorf and Mayor Maryanov Absent: None The meeting was opened with a Salute to the Flag, and a moment of silence. REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Agenda was posted in accordance with Council procedures on June 17, 1994. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY ON MATTER DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION(All Entities)-See items on Page 2 of agenda this date. PUBLIC COMMENTS: a) Comment re Item 1: Fred Ebeling, 2460 Tuscan Road, commented regarding implementing the Utility User Tax; and added that in the spirit of the Jarvis amendment, the Council should not vote in favor of the tax. b) Comment on matters not on the agenda: Rob Saunders, P.O. Box 5091, stated that the Police Department should be commended for the professional attitude it projects; and that the City Manager is professional and prompt in business issues; that there had been some recent articles in the newspaper commenting on the Police Department and various City Staff members, and that in his opinion, all are good people; and thanked the Council for the support given for the volunteers at P.S. T.V. Voices. LEGISLATIVE ACTION: 1. UTILITY USER TAX CONTINUANCE Recotmriendation: That the Council amend Ord 1464 to extend collection of the utility user tax, to June 30, 1997. City Manager reviewed the staff report. Councilmember Hodges expressed appreciation to the citizens for the majority vote given in support of continuing the tax; that it will allow an additional three years for the Council to reorganize City government, review alternatives to raising revenues, and to get operations in order; that the budget will need to be reviewed periodically; that a debt is owed the voters to operate the City without the tax; that in her opinion, the passage is not a carte blanche for the next three years, but rather a statement from the citizens that they are willing to help; that it will now be the Council responsibility to show that the City can operate without the tax in three years; and recommended consideration of lowering the tax to four (140- percent during the summer months. 007 Councilmember Schlendorf stated the public has given the Council the tools to operate the City in the manner to which it is accustomed; that by approving the Utility User Tax it is a tool to be used if needed, but that the goal is not to need it; and that it is important to remember that even though a majority of the citizens voting approved the tax, it is not a mandate oy the voters, merely a tool for the Council to use. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that the public has indicated that it wants parks, pools, library, and public safety; that it is the Council's responsibility to use the funds effectively, and review the need annually. Councilmember Lyons stated that the Charter was crucial for passage; that the passage allows for privatization of many city services; and that the Council needs to unanimously make the effort to work towards making City government run like a business. Council Minutes 6-22-1994, Page 2 1. UTILITY USER TAX CONTINUANCE (Cont'd) Mayor stated that the Members of the City Council have summed up his own thoughts regarding the , passage of both measures; that all fiscal matters on the ballot, other than Palm Springs, suffered defeat; that in his opinion, it is clear the public is wanting parks, library services, pool, safety services, and all factors of municipal services; that in the past two years, the Council may have made some mistakes, but on the whole an excellent job has been done to reduce City related costs; tlaiat government works at a snail's pace; that in private business when a decision is made, it is acted on immediately; but that in government it is different; that the Council is restrained by laws, negotiating units, and mandates, that these restraints are not necessarily wrong, but they are time consuming; that currently the Requests for Proposals are out for maintenance of parks and the Golf Course; that now that the City is a Charter City, more cost efficiency measures will be realized; that the citizens, by endorsement of the measures, recognize the efforts by the Council, and that the majority rules; and that the measure indicate a mandate by the people for the Council to carry on with the policies that are being set into place. Assistant City Clerk read title of ordinance, as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS AMENDING SECTION 8 RELATING TO UTILITY USER TAX ORDINANCE NO. 1454. It was moved by Reller-Spurgin, seconded by Lyons, and unanimously carried, that further reading be waived, and that the Ordinance be introduced for first reading. 2. AIRPORT SAFETY AREA - AIP-17 Recommendation: That the Council award contract for the Airport Safety Area Project, CP94-09, under FAA Grant project AIP-17. City Manager requested the matter be withdrawn from the agenda due to the new FAA Director appointment; that the new Director is reviewing the related documentation in the Department of (05: Transportation audit report. Mayor clarified that the review will consist of determining the authority of the FAA in granting a$1/year lease for City buildings on Airport property; that there is no statue of limitations on audits by the FAA; and that Senator Feinstein is working to clear up the matter. 3. ANNEXATION 26 Consideration of resolution ordering annexation and approval of required agreement with the County to finalize said agreement, has been continued from previous meetings. City Manager requested the matter be withdrawn to allow additional time: for the City Attorney to finalize (054) agreements. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business Mayor declared the meeting adjourned to Wednesday,June 29, 1994, 3200 Tahquitz Canyon Way, 7:30 p.m. JUDITH SUMICH ity Clerk 1 C J By: PATRICIA A. SANDERS Assistant City Clerk