Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 - MINUTES - 3/1/2000 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 1, 2000 A 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, March 1, 2000, 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 Jones, Hodges, Oden, and Mayor Kleindienst Absent: Councilmember Reller-Spurgin The meeting was opened with the Salute to the Flag, and an invocation by Reverend Andrew Green, Church of St. Paul in the Desert. REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk reported that the agenda was posted in accordance with Council procedures on February 25, 2000. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION (All Entities) - See items on Page 4 of agenda this date. PRESENTATIONS: PSHS Student Body Report Firefighter of the Year-Chief Freet HOUSING AUTHORITY: INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: FINANCING AUTHORITY: COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: No Business PUBLIC COMMENTS: a) Comments regarding item 8: Frank Tysen, 175 Cahuilla, requested Council reconsideration of the Ordinance; that a committee had met and determined reasonable hours for the construction; that the recommendation by the Council did change those hours and that the message from the Council is that construction comes first and residents and tourism second. b) Comments regarding item 9: Eric Meeks, 1450 E. Mesquite, stated that the system presented is a digitized nervous system, with the Council being the brain; that the recommendation should be approved; and that revenue will be saved. Dick Sroda, Palm Springs, stated that $212,000 is too much to spend on an optical imaging system; that a scanner can be bought for less than $100.00 to put material on line; that the reorganization proposed should not be done before a new City Manager is selected; and added that a workshop held on the holidays was improperly posted in violation of the Brown Act. Council Minutes 03-01-00, Page 2 c) Comments on matters not on the Agenda: ' Selena Tracer, Palm Springs, stated that something needs to be done with the criminal activity in Ruth Hardy Park; that rallies had been held; that the turnout was good; and that the families would like to be able to use the facilities in the park. Paul Casey, Palm Springs, stated it is a privilege to speak before the Council and expressed appreciation for the support given to the Bike Weekend event; that the event is good for tourism and for the downtown merchants and that work has begun for the fourth event which will be forthcoming to Council for consideration. Bob Garner requested consideration for the airport to be renamed the Sonny Bono International Airport and suggested the name be dedicated on July 4"' in honor of the Nation's birthday. Fred Ebeling, Palm Springs, stated that his house had been burglarized; that it seemed there has been little concern by the authorities; that selective enforcement does occur in the community and added that the City Attorney is the one who gains from all the lawsuits filed against the City. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: Items 1 thru 6. CONSENT AGENDA: The following items are of a routine nature, and may be approved by one blanket motion, upon unanimous consent. Clarification questions may be asked prior to voting, and matters need not be voted upon separately. (Note: Contract amounts in excess of $50,000 require minimum of 3 affirmative votes.) Review by City Manager of Consent Items to be clarified. 1. MO 6579 approving agreement with Alcalde & Fay for Washington, D.C. legislative services for the remainder of calendar year 2000. A4202. 2. MO 6580 approving purchase of Hurst hydraulic rescue equipment from L.N. Curtis & Sons for$24,809.44, to equip the Pierce Fire Trucks. 3. MO 6581 approving short list of qualified airport engineering/consultant firms for use at the Palm Springs International Airport. 4. See Item 4 below. 5. MO 6582 approving acquisition of fiber optic cable connection between the police department and city hall from GTE for$12,306.17. Council Minutes 03-01-00,Page 3 6. Res 19755 and 19756 approving Payroll Warrants and Claims & Demands. Note abstentions, if any: Councilmember Warrant# Payee Particular Nature of Conflict Hodges 951131 DWA Client of Employer 951168 G & M 951177 Granite Const 951290 Pref. Plumb It was moved by Hodges, seconded by Oden, and unanimously carried, Reller- Spurgin absent, that Items 1 through 3, 5 and 6 be adopted. EXTENDED CONSENT AGENDA (Items pulled from the Consent Agenda): 4. TREE TRIMMING SERVICES Recommendation: That the Council approve purchase order for tree trimming services at various city locations to Golden Bear Arborists for a unit price of $41.85 per tree for 795 trees for a total cost of$33,270.75. Director of Facilities reviewed the staff report. Mayor Kleindienst questioned if the trimming included palm trees; and added that the price seems higher per tree than in previous years. Director of Facilities stated that the quote included all varieties of trees causing a higher quote per tree, but resulting in an overall lower bid. Mayor Kleindienst stated that all the trees at the Denny's located in the downtown looked dead. Councilmember Hodges stated that each year Denny's trims the trees the same way, with the result of the trees looking like they are dead. Mayor Kleindienst stated that trees seem to be excessively trimmed all over Palm Springs. Director of Facilities stated that the firm the City hires does trim the trees when the sap is running which is the peak time for trimming and that does allow the trees to experience regrowth. Councilmember Oden stated that even though the trees look dead at Denny's by the fall of each year they are full again. Minute Order 6583 as recommended was presented; after which, it was moved by Kleindienst, seconded by Oden, and unanimously carried, Reller-Spurgin absent, that MO6583 be adopted. ' COUNCIL COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/INTERAGENCY REPORTS: Mayor and Councilmembers reported on various civic and ' community organizational meetings and events which they attended, subsequent to the last regular meeting, and announced upcoming events of community interest. Council Minutes 03-01-00,Page 4 Councilmember Jones requested the situation occurring in Ruth Hardy Park be discussed at a future Study Session. ' Mayor Kleindienst requested a future Study Session be scheduled to discuss the use and requests for Measure A funding. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None LEGISLATIVE ACTION: 7. COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE Recommendation: That the Council adopt a recodified Comprehensive Fee Schedule, which provides minor updates, adds new fees., and incorporates all previously approved fee schedule amendments, and rescind Resolution 18581. City Manager stated that the item had been withdrawn from earlier City Council consideration due to questions concerning the proposed) new fees; that each department representative is available for questions; and reviewed the staff report. Director of Planning & Building stated that there are a number of new fees; that the fees are mostly related to private development; that the fees are a pass through of costs currently incurred by the City, and recommended approval. City Engineer reviewed a handout concerning minor changes to engineering , charges. Assistant City Manager stated that some divisions did recommend changes to the fee scheduled based on pass through fees. Councilmember Hodges questioned if the fees could be raised on dog licenses and added that the current fee is nominal. City Attorney stated that all fees should be based on recovery of ser✓ice; that there is no problem raising fees on that basis; and that Proposition 218 comes into play when a tax is proposed. Councilmember Hodges requested staff to evaluate the fees concerning dog licenses. Mayor Kleindienst stated that in review of the fees, supporting services should be considered. Resolution 19757 as recommended was presented; after which, it was moved by Hodges, seconded by Oden and unanimously carried, Reller-Spurgin absent, that R19757 be adopted. Council Minutes 03-01-00, Page 5 8, SECOND READING MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT (Intro 2-16-00) Councilmember Hodges stated that comments by Mr. Tysen were appreciated, but the reality of the situation is that no one starts work at 8 a.m.; that construction workers do start early; that the City would be constantly fining the sites until no one wanted to work in Palm Springs; and that a realistic approach should be made as to the start time. City Clerk read Title of Ordinance 1581 as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 8.04.220 OF THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE TO MODIFY THE PERMITTED HOURS FOR CONSTRUCTION. after which, it was moved by Hodges, seconded by Oden, and carried by the following vote that 01581 be adopted. AYES: Hodges, Oden and Mayor Kleindienst NO: Jones ABSENT: Reller-Spurgin 9. RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Recommendation: That the Council approve acquisition of a records management system from Astro Business Solutions Inc., for$211,879. Assistant City Manager-Operations reviewed the staff report and added that a committee was formed to review systems; that the funding was limited; that information will be electronically stored; that records will be available on the Internet; that there was a gift donation from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for$45,000; that Departments had pulled resources together to purchase the equipment; that the priority is Human Resources; that this recommendation is the consensus of the task force. Gary Blum, OTG, software vendor, stated that the initial implementation is estimated at no longer than one month; that Human Resources and Building Department will have past records outsourced for scanning and indexing purposes; that there will be multiple scanners throughout City Hall to maintain current records and that Astro Canon is also available for questions. Mayor Kleindienst stated that it will be an asset to be able to get records on a PC; that it would be an added bonus to be able to mark the text and use it in other documents; that having the agenda available on the Internet will be of value to the Community and that this will be tremendous for the City. Councilmember Jones stated that he was in favor of the addition for the City and questioned how long before all records would be accessible. Council Minutes 03-01-00,Page 6 City Clerk reviewed some benefits of the imaging and added that each ' Department would be responsible for adding its records to the system. Minute Order 6584 as recommended was presented; after which, it was moved by Kleindienst, seconded by Jones, and unanimously curried, Reller-Spurgin absent, that MO6584 be adopted. 10. REORGANIZATION 2000 Recommendation: That the Council approve a reorganization involving Office of Management and Budget, Facilities, and City Manager's Department, resulting in an annual savings to the general fund of over$300,000. Mayor Kleindienst stated that Councilmember Reller-Spuurgin did have some concerns regarding this issue. City Manager reviewed the staff report and added that when the Council did appoint him as Interim City Manager the charge was to keep the City moving ahead in the most efficient manner possible; that in reviewing personnel costs, and the organization, several goals became prominent; that funding did need to be saved in the General Fund and Economic Development funding needed to be expanded; that there are key employees retiring at the end of the year whose knowledge is not on paper, and those resources need to be maximized before the employees leave; that the changes were needed and recommended approval. ' Councilmember Oden stated that initially there were concerns with the proposals; but that those concerns have been'alleviated; that the charge is for the Interim City Manager to lead the organization, and that the Council needs to support that leadership; that this will result in a savings to the General Fund and will result in a more efficient organization. Mayor Kleindienst stated that with any new leadership there are changes; that last time there were changes in the Library Department with great results; that sometimes change is necessary and that the City does need to increase efficiency. Resolution 19758 as recommended was presented; after which, it was moved by Oden, seconded by Hodges, and unanimously carried, Fteller-Spurgin absent, that R19758 be adopted. 11. ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ITEMS: None. ADDED STARTERS: None REPORTS & REQUESTS: CITY COUNCIL reports or requests ' Councilmember Hodges questioned if there was a regulation prohibiting persons from extracting aluminum cans from trash recycling containers; and requested a public update on the status of hiring a City Manager. Council Minutes 03-01-00,Page 7 PUBLIC reports or requests Eric Meeks, Palm Springs, thanked the Council for support of Item 9, and added that staff will do a good job in implementation. STAFF reports or requests-None ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor declared �the meeting adjourned. PATRICIA A. SANDERS City Clerk