HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 - MINUTES - 6/9/1999 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS r 'r
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 9, 1999
An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, was
called to order by Mayor Kleindienst, in the Council Chamber, 3200 Tahquitz Canyon Way, on
Wednesday, June 9, 1999, at 5:30 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 Barnes, Hodges, Oden, Reller-Spurgin, and
' Mayor Kleindienst
Absent: None
The meeting was opened with the Salute to the Flag.
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk reported that the agenda was posted in
accordance with Council procedures on June 4, 1999.
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION (All
Entities)-See items on Page 3 of agenda this date.
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: Mayor declared the meeting adjourned for the
purpose of convening as the Community Redevelopment Agency; after which,members reconvened
as the City Council.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. 1999-2000 BUDGET
Consideration of adoption of the 1999-2000 budget.
City Manager reviewed in detail his memorandum dated June 2, 1999, noting that the (061-
budget provides a conservative increase in revenue and a modest increase n appropriations. 027 )
He also provided a handout indicating the kinds of programs supported through the utility
usertax.
' Mayor declared the hearing open.
Sharon Lock, resident, spoke in support of assigning planners to serve as coordinators to
neighborhoods.
Carol Prout, HSPB, spoke in support of providing funding to the Board, noting that an
original grant for plaques has been exhausted, and the Board is unable to carry out its
mission,and urged that the Council budget funds to aid it in its efforts to do its work.
Betty Beadling,representing the Mizell Senior Center, reviewed a handout - copy on file
with the City Clerk-noting various percentages of support to the senior centers throughout
the valley compared to that in Palm Springs, and that the Center's Board urges that the
Council restore the funding of the Center to its original coma»tment of several years ago of
$128,000.
Jim Jones, resident, commented regarding subsidizing rail service, which he contended is
about$286 per rail passenger at the Palm Springs Train Station for the coming budget year,
and that he felt light rail service is years away, and questioned why these funds should be
spent, in that the same number of passengers pass through the Airport in three hours as
compared to the entire year at the rail station. He read a variety of quotes attributed to the
City Manager,members of the Council,and others,concerning the retention of$1.8 million
in the W WTP fund,which he felt the budget did not reflect and that he felt mis-information
was being given, not by the SOS Committee, but by others, i.e., no challenges have been
made to any information provided by SOS.
Council Minutes
6-9-99,Page 2
Dick Sroda,resident,stated that the Council will spend$2 million more this year over last
year; that its prior commitment to reducing the utility tax should not be taken lightly; that
the Council should use the$2 million generated from the tax to either eliminate it or reduce
it by one-half,that a temporary tax should be temporary; that if the Council gives funds to
one commission, it should treat them all fairly; that over$100,000 is budgeted for the rail
station which he felt no one uses, and it has a better parking lot than City Hall; and that a
new law is being considered,which will require detailed explanations as to how funds are
spent,and prohibit"transfers"of money from fund to fund. '
Eric Meeks,resident,restated the essence of previous comments in support of an improved
and expanded website for the City,and that savings which he felt would be derived,and the
improvement in services that would be provided.
Fred Ebeling, resident, expressed his opinion concerning government, in particular, local
government,and that the general economy is what has contributed to recent success in the
community,and nothing the City Council has done.
There being no further appearances,the hearing was closed.
In response to question by Council,City Manager stated that he will continue to search far
funds necessary to implement the fire-paramedic program($75,000); that the coordination
with the neighborhoods will be an added assignment to the planners, with one planner
assigned to given"neighborhoods"some of which are identifiable by time and have active
alliances or associations already formed,as well as individual residents-the intent being to
cover the entire residential areas of the City;and that the planner will not necessarily attend
all organized meetings,as often,they are accomplished through other fimctions of the City.
Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that the budget is"a budget of assumptions"-mainly
based on assumptions about revenues, and she was concerned that projected revenue from
the UTT is included,yet the election is not unfit November, and she wanted to know what
would happen if a continuance was not supported by the voters;that during many Council-
Cabinet meetings there were discussions concerning funding for the commissions, i.e.,
plaques for designated historic sites, and she would like to see funding for at least that
aspect of its work, so that several of the designated sites could be marked each year; and
that she was not ready to adopt the budget at this time. ,
Councilmember Hodges shared similar concerns regarding the HSPI3, noting that of its
request,she supported the cost for markers and for the brochure(about$10,000 in total)but
not the$20,000 for a consultant to assist in developing historic site districts; and she felt
there had not be a lot of discussion concerning the budget,and was,also,not ready to adopt
it at this time.
Councilmember Barnes stated that he, also, was not ready to adopt the budget, and that
more information needs to be disseminated as to what the Council has done in terns of the
UTT and where the funds have been used;that without the tax,the budget would need to be
adjusted, and with it,the quality of life in the community can be enhatnced; that he favored
leaving it in place,and looking again mid-year to see if it can be further reduced,as was the
case last year;that problems come with prosperity-e,g.,increased robberies, medical aid
calls, and liability and maintenance situations that occur when there are large numbers of
people downtown; that downtown is the City's "jewel" and if tax relief is made, some of
these things would be sacrificed; that he would like to see a$50,000 contribution to the
Youth Center, which only receives a small amount from the United Way - otherwise it is
supported through fundraising - as an investment to implementing programs to help kids;
that he sees opportunity to make all of the unfunded programs happen,such as the RFP for
landscape maintenance could break down the jobs into smaller segments and give an
opportunity for local contractors to bid on them;and that he would like:to fund funds to help
the RSPB,but also wanted a clearerjustification as to the amounts requested.
Council Minutes v
6-9-99,Page 3
In response to question,City Manager stated that of the unfunded$75,000 needed for a fire.
paramedic program, it may be possible to fund it through salary savings over a period of
time;that the estimated time for a start-up of the program would be about 90 days,and part
of the costs includes an equipped truck. He also stated that the UfT was adjusted last year
after a review of the revenue versus the related expenditures, and there has not been any
overestimating of revenues in this budget.
' Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that the program could ultimately save money in
terms of wear and tear on the large fire trucks which are now used to respond to calls,most
of which are medical aid,and it will provide a tremendous service to the community.
Councilmember Oden stated that economic development was a high priority for the Council;
that the BREP (Business Retention & Expansion Program) survey was received and
indicated what was needed,but no additional funding has been provided since the study was
done;that earlier in the year,the Council talked about doing something in the industrial and
commercial areas - markers combined with public art to identify those areas, making it
easier for Realtors to market them; that he was pleased with the downtown experience
program and sees it as a high priority; that he felt there are areas where revenue can be
increased by building on what is in place and he would like to see those expanded in the
budget;and that the BREP plan was brought to the Council,but it did not fund it.
City Manager stated that the Economic Development Director has a plan, and he will be
asked to come to the next meeting for a presentation, noting that it had been held back
pending phasing of the P.S. Economic Development Center; that there are funds in the
budget that could be re-programmed,e.g.,SBA(Small Business Administration),which he
did not feel the City was getting enough value from.
Mayor stated that the budget is coming to closure,and that it can always be amended as the
Council desires to refocus on priorities during the year; that the tourism is up, and related
revenues are near, or exceed, ultimate highs; that the property tax is slowly beginning to
increase; that the Time Share TOT is a revenue source associated with tourism; that the
City must continue to encourage and support that industry; that downtown experience
funding focuses on tourism,and provides a cleaner and safer community;and that he would
like to see the following random matters addressed,which he sees as core needs: landscape
' all median islands; eliminate hazardous cross-gutters, e.g., Tachevah & Indian Canyon;
eliminate roads with high"crowns";develop a tree replacement program, including shrubs
and flowers,for those which have been lost or not replaced in the past, e.g., trees lost at
Sunrise Plaza due to disease;upgrade traffic signals for left-turn lanes;restoration of policy
for illuminated street name signs at major intersections; park improvements provided -
update and fund those identified by the Parks&Recreation Commission,i.e.,at Ruth Hardy
Park; a downtown parking solution that is acceptable to the Council and the public;
downtown sidewalk maintenance, and high-level of trash pickup scheduling downtown;
continue to address issue of downtown restrooms; development of the City's internet
website, creating a mind-set for continual updating and consistent formatting; banner
replacement - maintain focus on quality and responsibility for replacement as banners
deteriorate,e.g.,use of Veteran's Day Parade banners during other holiday events such as
July 4 and Memorial Day; stay aggressive on leveraging funds for ADA playground
equipment which was approved last year for Ruth Hardy Park; support the funding
suggested for the P.S.Youth Center;possible street resurfacing in some of the"Recapturing
Our Neighborhoods"program areas;provide funding to boards and commissions,but need
to know exactly what the benefit will be for the dollars provided;continue to find ways to
reduce costs and privatize services;continue alternate fuel vehicle conversion; and provide
safe crosswalks for children go to and from school,i.e.,on higher-speed streets.
Councilmember Barnes stated that many of these items can be achieved tivough improved
workmanship,and better commitment attitude.
Councilmember Hodges noted that many of the topics would be suitable for discussion in
workshop,and direction setting by the Council.
Council Minutes
6-9-99,Page 4
Councilmember Oden agreed,and added that the budget was developed based on standards
established some years ago by the Council, and represents what was asked for by the
Council; and that he would like to revisit the priorities and have a workshop as an initial
step.
City Manager suggested that the budget be continued to June 16, at which time he
recommended that it be adapted as a framework to begin with, followed by workshops, '
followed by a quarterly review and possible amendments;which will allow staff the time to
establish the books for the 99-00 fiscal year. In response to question, he stated that the
possibility of increasing the dog license to offset some of the Dog Park expenses was looked
at,and he would report the findings,which may have related to a Prop.218 issue.
It was moved by Oden, seconded by Barnes, and unanimously carved, that this matter'be
continued to June 16, 1999.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
a) Comments on matters not related to an agenda item:
Joy Meredith,Main Street,requested that the Council not implement the downtown
parking program in the controlled lots until after the street repair and construction
work this summer;that merchants and employees will find other places to park, in
order to have parking for customers, who otherwise will not seek out parking
around the area,especially since there will only be one lane open at all times, and
no on-street parking. She also supported relocating VillageFest during this time to
the UpTown area.
Bob Seale, Chairman of the Las Palmas Alliance, supported that City Manager's
recommendation to fund a planner for neighborhood coordination; and suggested
that the Council develop a business plan for the City, which would facilitate the
budget discussion.
Jim Murphy, General Contractor, requested that the Council amend the City's
ordinance to allow earlier work hours during hot weather.
John Tymgn,resident,agreed that the VillageFest should be moved to North Palm ,
Canyon Drive.
Jim Jones,resident,commented regarding a housing development proposed on San
Raphael,and stated that had the neighborhood known sooner of the proposal,there
would not be an issue of concern today; and residential areas need to be aware of
these project in the early stages.
Dick Sroda,resident,supported the idea of a business plan;tlilat although the City
Manager stated that budget amendments can happen, he did not believe any
amendments would ever occur.
Fred Ebeling, resident, commented on a "strategic plan" course at Harvard
University,and that people who pay the bills should be involved in the planning.
COUNCIL COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/INTERAGENCY REPORTS:
a) Councilmember Hodges announced the details for the next CVAG General
Assembly meeting on June 28.
b) Mayor announced result of Board of Supervisors meeting concerning changes to
County WECS ordinance,and attendance at the hearing by him and the Director of
Planning&Building;that the VillageFest participants require electricity,otherwise
vendors need to provide generators or alternate energy sources; explained the
PSDRCVB promotional partnership with First USANisa which will produce some
revenue for the CVB;and requested that AB 919 relating to afffordable housing and
local jurisdictional control be tracked by staff. '
Council Minutes
6-9-99,Page 5
ADDED STARTERS: -None
ADJOURNED
There being no further business at 9:20 p.m., the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned; Council
remained in study session format.
JUDITH SUMICH
City Clerk