Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 - MINUTES - 9/27/1995 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1995 An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, was called to order by Mayor Maryanov, in the Council Chamber, 3200 Taluquitz Canyon'Way, on Wednesday, September 27, 1995, at 6:00 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: Councilmembers Hodges, Kleindienst, Lyons, Reller-Spurgin, ' 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 posted in accordance with Council procedures on September 22, 1995. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION (All Entities) -See items on Page 3 of agenda this date. INTERAGENCY REPORTS: a) Councilmember Hodges reported on activity of CVAG Executive Committee, i.e., concerning the Desert Museum expansion and TUMP Fees waiver approval, adding that an ad hoc committee has been set up to look at the TUMP fee issue. She commented on a new street sweeper relative to PM10, and asked staff to look into it to see what the City can do; and commented on the next meeting; and its speakers; and that the Executive Committee will discuss the Bedminster program at a future meeting, and the RFPs will not be delayed as a result, however, she felt a presentation can be made concerning Bedminster and Palm Springs' position. ' b) Councilmember Lyons commented on CVAG being asked to take a position on the aggregator alliance, which he described, and in which CVAG has joined. c) Councilmember Kleindienst commented concerning the Sunline meeting, and proposals regarding CNG fueling station legislation which is on the Governor's desk for signing; that Sunline is proposing a test program, concerning picking up shopping carts, by the same provider which maintains A^ie bus stops; that Waste Management will purchase a CNG fueled trash truck; and he noted that a Senior Center Van was stolen this week, and asked the public's help in finding; it. PUBLIC COMMENTS: a) The following persons spoke on matters not related to an agenda item:: Ron Cole, R-C Express Cab asked for 15-minute opportunity at a future study session, to present proposal concerning cabs. Chuck Hubbard regarding funding of the municipalization study from room tax, which he felt could have been loaned from the Airport Fund; that he has not seen the proposal; and expressed his opinion of the Council's action. Dick Sroda commented on the budget projected savings/deficit; that amount of compensation/benefits to employees in excess of$100,000 per year. Shirley Meeks, resident, commented regarding carpeting at City Hall, and request ' for a return telephone call. Lissa Hubbard, resident, expressed opinion concerning the ballot measures, and their support/opposition in the community, and her reasons for opposing both. Fred Ebeling comments concerning salary parity with similar organizational structure; and a local group who is working on ideas for the future of Palm Springs. Council Minutes 9-27-95, Page 2 b) The following persons spoke concerning Item 1: Simon Hausman, resident, supported allowing commissions to be able to speak (060- out on local issues, which enhances leadership in the community, and enables the 010) community to identify commission positions, and to hold them accountable for (114- those positions. 009) ' c) The following persons spoke concerning Item 2: Mark Watkins, Indio businessman, suggested that dispute resolution processes be used as an alternate to City Attorney legal firms. He distributed copies of (061- materials he asked that the Council read, concerting dispute resolutions. 017) Darrell Meeks stated that commissioners should not be forced to snake their political views known. He also asked if other departmental budgets would be reviewed in the same detail as the City Attorney services. Betty Tuminello staled that commissions are to advise, and members should be prepared to take a position, and the majority vote would represent the position of the commission. LEGISLATIVE ACTION: 1. CITY BOARD & COMMISSION ENDORSEMENT OF CITYWIDE POLICY ISSUES On September 20, 1995, Council directed this matter for discussion and possible action to this date. Mayor stated that his recommendation was that commissions be allowed to lake a position ' on local election issues, if they so desired, and not that they were being required to do so; that he was not talking about candidate endorsements, which he felt would not be appropriate; that the Council similarly decided to take a position on the Airport, by a majority vote, and not to do so on the gaming issues; and that Ire could see two commissions possibly taking positions with opposing view points on the gaming issue. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that she did not speak on the issue when it was raised at the study session, and asked that it be discussed at this time; that the Council encourages people to become involved in the City, and to give of their time, and to deny taking a position appears to say that their opinions do not have merit; however, she also (060- respected people's rights to privacy, and they may not wish to make their views public. 010) Councilmember Lyons stated that several commissioners have spoken to him, and (114- indicated that their positions are expressed in the voting booth, and did not wish to expose 009) those publicly; that it would be confusing if different commissions each took different views; that it is not true that the commissions positions have no merit, in that the Council typically accepts commission recommendations, rather than overruling them; and that the commissions' jobs are to advise the Council, and not make political decisions. Councilmember Hodges agreed, and added that commissioners, individually, are not precluded from speaking on issues; that the commissions are advisory bodies, and the issue is whether the Council will take positions on political issues; that there is no public accountability process, such as recall, for commissioners; and that she did not believe taking positions on political issues is necessary, nor within a commission's purview. ' Councilmember Kleindienst stated that the commissions are advisory, or to work with staff members; that he did not favor their taking positions on issues within the purview of the Council, and may result in different signals to the public; that political issues should be from the Council, and may be based on recommendations or advice of commission; that members may speak as individuals; that he did not advocate boards or commissions taking positions on such issues; and that if a commission felt strongly, it could forward a resolution for the Council to consider. Council Minutes 9-27-95, Page 3 1. CITY BOARD & COMMISSION ENDORSEMENT OF CITYWIDE POLICY ISSUES Continued) Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that closure on the subject was needed; that she respected what was said, and agreed, and would encourage commissioners to give individual personal opinions on a one-to-one basis, if they so desired. ' City Attorney suggested that the Council's Rules of Procedure may be amended to reflect a policy statement consistent with the discussion. So ordered. 2. CITY ATTORNEY CONTRACT AND LEGAL COSTS On September 20, 1995, Council directed this matter for discussion to this date. Note: Refer to verbatim transcript on file with the City Clerk for specifics on this matter. Councilmember Lyons presented findings and recommendations of Council sub-committee established in connection with the adoption of the budget to loot: at the costs associated with the City Attorney. Reference is made to the transcript for comments by Councilmembers. Conclusion, sub- (061- committee to meet with the City Attorney for further discussion. 017) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. I/I ;v`-� ( � )\ UDJJTH SUMICH City Clerk '