HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 - MINUTES - 11/1/2000CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 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, November 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, Reller-Spurgin, and
Mayor Kleindienst
Absent: None
The meeting was opened with the Salute to the Flag, and an invocation by Dr. Jim Tom -
United Methodist.
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk reported that the agenda was posted in
accordance with Council procedures on October 27, 2000.
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION (All
Entities) - City Attorney reported retirement agreements with Judith Sumich and Henry
Weiss approved by unanimous vote. See items on Page 5 of agenda this date for
further reports.
PRESENTATIONS: PSHS Student Body Report
Airport Advanced ASOS Certification
HOUSING AUTHORITY: INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: FINANCING
AUTHORITY: COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: No Business
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Wendy Busig-Kohn reviewed brochure concerning a concert by Jimmy Greenspoon to
be held on December 16, 2000 at the Annenberg Theatre.
Keith McCormick, PS Exotic Car Auctions, suggested the Bike and Hot Rod weekend
venue be moved to the MarketFair property, rather than close the main street in
downtown Palm Springs; and added that an auction of exotic cars will be held in two
weeks at the Convention Center.
Dolliah B. Dolliah, representing a group of outcast people, stated that he would be
speaking on their behalf.
Ric Supple, Las Casuelas, stated that support should be given to items 9 & 10; that the
leadership for the Festival of Lights has resulted in a quality event; that the parade only
gets better; that the k d lang concert is a dream come true and a gift to the downtown.
Council Minutes
11-1-00, Page 2
Stan Barnes, Parades of Palm Springs, stated that the Board would like to take the
Festival of Lights parade to the next level; that Main Street and the downtown merchants
have done an outstanding job in financially supporting the event for this year; but that the
additional funding would allow for the parade to be upgraded to an advanced level.
Dick Sroda, Palm Springs, stated that there was an article in the Desert Sun written by
one of the Board members of the Festival of Lights parade; that the article indicated that
the parade was self supporting and questioned why the funding was being requested.
Leo Finn, Muriel's, stated that if there were any questions relating to item 10, he would
be available for comment.
Darrell Meeks, Morongo Valley, stated that there should be a City statement issued
regarding the whereabouts of Jeremy Crocker; that Mr. Crocker was a long time resident
with family history in the development of Palm Springs; that the case is still open with the
Los Angeles Police Department Missing Persons Bureau and requested the citizens of
Palm Springs be informed as to the status of the case.
Joy Meredith, Crystal Fantasy, stated that the homecoming parade was held this day;
that the event was well attended; that there are many events happening with
Homecoming Week and requested community support.
Bonnie Izer (?), resident, questioned if item 11 had strict regulations regarding outside
' lighting; and added that the lights can be blinding.
Spiro, Penguins, stated that as a volunteer for the Parade of Lights his business block
raised $2,500; that the concern raised by the Merchants was to have some type of
recognition for their support.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
It was moved by Hodges, seconded by Oden, and unanimously carried, that
Items 1 thru 7, excluding Item 5, be adopted.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of Minutes of September 6 & 20, 2000.
Res 19930 approving City's Investment Policy with no revisions to the current
policy.
MO 6740 approving agreement with Ryan Harold for maintaining advanced life
support quality review, assurance and improvement objectives for term ending
June 30, 2006 for $15,000. A4292.
Council Minutes
11-1-00, Page 3
4. Res 19931 amending the 2000-01 fiscal year budget to provide matching funds
for Local Law Enforcement Block Grant allocation for police department laptop
computers for $13,197; and MO 6741 approving the purchase of 100 notebook
computers from Dell Computer through the CMAS system at a unit prim of
$2,223, plus $52.00 warranty, total cost $245,133.
5. See Extended Consent Agenda below.
6. Not Used.
Res 19932, 19933 and 19934 approving Payroll Warrants and Claims &
Demands.
Note abstentions, if any:
Councilmember
Hodges
Reller-Spurgin
Warrant # Payee
958057 DWA
958374 Spurgin
EXTENDED CONSENT AGENDA:
5. ASSESSMENT DISTRICT 155
Particular Nature of Conflict
Client of Employer
Spouse
Mayor clarified typographical errors in the agreement, referencing the exhibits;
and requested the agreement date be clarified in the document.
City Attorney stated that there were final changes to be made to the document.
Minute Order 6742 approving settlement agreement for Assessment District 155
with Divert & Brown, was presented; after which, it was moved by Kleindienst,
seconded by Reller-Spurgin and unanimously carried that MO6742 be adopted.
A4293.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
COUNCIL COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/INTERAGENCY REPORTS:
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
11-1-00, Page 4
' LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
8. Not Used.
9. 2000 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE
Recommendation: That the Council amend the fiscal year 2000-01 budget to
provide an additional $25,000 for the December, 2000 Festival of Lights Parade.
City Manager reviewed the staff report and added that representatives of
Parades of Palm Springs were available for questions.
Councilmember Hodges stated that the members of the Council do support the
parade; that the merchant support is likewise appreciated; that this request is to
move the parade to the next level; that the level would include fireworks,
grandstands and the like; and that the funding is needed to achieve that goal.
Councilmember Jones stated that he does enjoy parades; that the City already
has $12,000 budgeted for this parade; that the fundraising for the event should
have started before tonight; that to raise the funds needed, one must start early;
that it seems that approximately $15,000 will be donated by the merchants; that
the figures cited were from the Director of Downtown Development; that the
Special Event Fund was allocated less money this year than last year; that the
overall budget in the City has about $2,000 surplus; that last year $42,000 was
budgeted for the Festival of Lights; that the amount could cause some confusion
when the budget for the parade is referred to as a shoestring budget; and
questioned the actual dollars spent on the parade last year.
Mayor stated that there are some misnomers in the Fund names in the budget;
that the accounts describe one thing, but are actually used for another, such as
the Rodeo parade is actually a donation to the Mounted Police.
Director of Finance stated that the $42,000 cited in last year's budget for the
parade included holiday lighting for the downtown; that this year the two were
separated.
Councilmember Jones questioned if the parade received $12,000 last year.
Director of Finance confirmed the amount.
Mayor stated that the $12,000 represents the cost of staff involvement; that the
figure does not include all the volunteers of POPS, MAPS and many others; that
the $12,000 is for hard costs of putting on a parade; that to move to the next tier
will require additional funding; that the parade has a history of nine years and
keeps growing and added that each year it is a better event than the previous
one.
' Councilmember Jones stated that if the funding were allocated, some other
funded event in the Special Events Fund would lose.
Council Minutes
11-1-00, Page 5
Mr. Barnes stated that sorne of the figures being cited are inflated; that there is
money being raised; that the downtown is supportive; that the funds being raised
say a lot about Community support; that the shoe string budget excludes City in -
kind services; that it is the hard dollars that will allow the parade to go to the next
level; that the parade started out as a grass roots effort; that lights were on the
cars and the people who walked in the parade; that now there are floats, bands,
and tour buses coming to the event; that a partnership will be created with
Tourism, with the extra dollars to increase advertising in the Los Angeles, San
Diego and San Francisco areas; that weekend packages will be offered for the
tourists; that the event's benefit shows up on the books of the businesses; and
requested Council consideration of the financial support,
Mayor stated that fund raising for special events is hard; that one does not just
send flyers, but must go one-on-one for the request; that there are many
volunteers from the Community for the parade, but to expand the event City help
is needed.
Mr. Barnes stated that the Committee understands the concerns of the Council;
and that it is clear that a quality event that will benefit the Community is the goal.
Resolution 19935 as recommended was presented; after which, it was moved by
Oden, seconded by Hodges, and carried by the following vote that R19935 be
adopted.
AYES: Hodges, Oden, Reller-Spurgin and Kleindie:nst
NO: Jones.
10. HEART OF PALM SPRINGS FESTIVAL
Recommendation: That the Council approve sponsoring the Heart of Palm
Springs Festival by adopting a Resolution suspending certain regulatory
ordinances during the Wednesday, November 15, 2000 event as allowed under
Ordinance 1310.
City Manager clarified that there will be no amplification or alcohol in the streets;
that the 37 businesses in the block support the event; and that the Tennis Club
neighborhood does not oppose the event.
Councilmember Oden stated that the event will be tremendous and is a gift to the
City.
Minute Order 6743 sponsoring the event, and Resolution 19936 suspending
certain regulations were presented; after which, it was moved by Reller-Spurgin,
seconded by Oden, and unanimously carried that MO6743 and R19936 be
adopted.
Council Minutes
11-1-00, Page 6
' 11. ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING &ADOPTION
Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that with the possibility of massage in her
spouse's business, she would abstain, due to a conflict of interest.
Councilmember Jones stated opposition to the height allowance of the windmills
increasing to 300 feet. .
City Clerk read Title of Ordinance as follows:
Ordinance 1590 amending the Zoning Ordinance in regard to outdoor lighting
regulations, the height of commercial wind energy conversion systems,
motorcycle rental in the C1 Zoning District subject to a conditional use permit,
rate sign regulations, day spa regulations, and non -substantive miscellaneous
amendments to promote clarity;
after which; it was moved by Hodges, seconded by Oden and carried by the
following vote that 01590 be adopted.
AYES:
Hodges, Oden and Kleindienst
NO:
Jones
Abstain:
Reller-Spurgin
'
and
City Clerk read Title of Ordinance as follows:
Ordinance 1591 re: Amending the Zoning Map by approving a change of zone
from 0-20 (open land — one unit per 20 acres) to R-1-A (single family residential
zone), located on approximately 4.48 gross acres of land, west of Rose Avenue
and north of Stevens Road, Section 10;
after which; it was moved by Oden, seconded by Hodges and unanimously
carried, that 01591 be adopted.
12. EARTHQUAKE/FLOOD AND MULTI -MEDIA INSURANCE
Recommendation: That the City approve insurance renewals for earthquake,
flood and multi -media risks effective November 1, 2000.
City Manager reviewed the staff report and added that the intent is to move to a
multi -year policy and recommended approval.
Council Minutes
11-1-00, Page 7
Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that originally it was recommended to '
Council to hire a broker to obtain insurance; that the item for renewal is snot timely
or cost saving; that $75,000 was spent to hire the broker and the goals of the
Council are not being met; that the performance of the; broker has not been
satisfactory; that the timeliness of bringing renewals is not acceptable; that the
leverage for better rates is not being met; that it would have been better to use
local talent; and questioned if the policy could be approved and the search for
better rates continue, with an option to cancel the policy if a new rate could be
obtained.
Risk Manager stated that the points expressed by Councilmember Relle:r-Spurgin
were discussed with the City Manager; that staff will prepare a full report on what
the City obtained through the broker and what is lacking.
Councilmember Oden stated staff should not prepare such a report; that the
broker's proposal does indicate what is being achieved and what is not.
Risk Manager stated that the broker did an exhaustive quote; that AON is a top
company; that the value of City property did increase, thus increasing the cost of
the insurance.
Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that it is not fair to the Council to present
such an item for review, when the materials concerning the matter were not given
to the Council until the meeting started. '
Risk Manager stated the figures were not received from AON until this day; and
added that action to secure the insurance is needed.
Mayor stated that rates will go up when value increases and added that City
property is not valued at $176 million.
Councilmember Hodges stated that it is good that the property values are rising
in the City.
Resolution 19937 as recommended was presented; after which, it was moved by
Reller-Spurgin, seconded by Hodges, and unanimously carried, that FZ19937 be
adopted.
13. ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ITEMS: None
ADDED STARTERS: None
Council Minutes
11-1-00, Page 8
' REPORTS & REQUESTS:
CITY COUNCIL reports or requests
Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Management Plan (CVAG)
Subcommittee appointments (2 members meet on as -needed basis):
Councilmember Jones and Mayor Kleindienst.
Oden: requested status of EMS Life saving maneuver in Riverside County.
Jones: status of Quarterly Budget update; requested report re: Homeless Task
Force Update; requested report re: Measure U status.
Hodges: requested report regarding Missing Person Jeremy Crocker
PUBLIC reports or requests
Alice Broich urged continued support for Bike & Hot Rod Weekend.
STAFF reports or requests - None
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Mayor declared the meeting adjourned.
PATRICIA A. SANDERS
City Clerk