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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 - MINUTES - 9/10/2002 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ' SEPTEMBER 10, 2002 An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, was called to order by Mayor Kleindienst, in the Large Conference Room, 3200 Tahquitz Canyon Way, on Tuesday, September 10, 2002, at 5:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Hodges, Mills, Oden, Reller-Spurgin, and Mayor Kleindienst 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 6, 2002. PRESENTATIONS: None REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk HOUSING AUTHORITY: INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: FINANCING AUTHORITY: COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: No Business PUBLIC COMMENTS: Howard Lapham, Palm Springs, stated the proposal of the consultant had been reviewed; that Palm Springs Life should be given the first consideration; that there are options that the Council can consider with direct mail, videos, Channel 17 and the City's Hot Line and that with the help of the private sector a grass roots campaign can be well ran. Jim Dollar, Palm Springs, stated the Tourism Advisory Council does support the Roctoberfest, but is expressing concern regarding the closure of Tahquitz Canyon Way. Rob Parkins, Palm Springs, stated the use of funds should be given for education of the voter; that expert help is needed; that delays can not be experienced and that it is requested that should the Utility User Tax be rescinded that scenario B be implemented with 20% cuts across the board for all departments. Joy Meredith, Tourism Board and President of Main Street, stated that Roctoberfest was slow in starting, but is evolving into a great event for the downtown; that the street closure is requested to go to Amado; that there will be a lot going on in the downtown; that there are some concerns with the closure of Tahquitz due to safety, but that otherwise full support is given to the event. Christina Cook, Palm Springs Hotel Association, stated the Association is giving full support to the expansion of the Convention Center, Dr. Gregory, Palm Springs, stated the Greyhound Bus Station is in deplorable condition; that the Council does need to take aggressive abatement action; that there are immediate health and safety concerns; and that there is willingness to serve on a volunteer panel to address the issue. Council Minutes 09-10-02, Page 2 APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: None ' PUBLIC HEARINGS: None COUNCIL COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/INTERAGENCY REPORTS: None LEGISLATIVE ACTION: 1. FISCAL YEAR 2002-03 BUDGET Recommendation: That the Council consider adoption of a Resolution of Intention to incorporate reductions by Fiscal Year Budget 2002-03 end, effective after the November 5, 2002 election, should the Utility User Tax (Measure U) be rescinded. City Manager reviewed handouts, copy on file in Office of the City Clerk. Councilmember Oden questioned the difference between Scenario E and B. City Manager stated the difference in Scenario E is that some Departments could not withstand additional personnel cuts or would not function at all; Scenario E moves additional personnel cuts to other Departments that can withstand additional cuts and still somewhat function. Councilmember Oden stated that E should be supported; that the Convention ' Center is the future of the City and must be expanded and that the voter just approved an increase to the Transient Occupancy Tax in the last election to allow the expansion. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated Measure Y was likewise approved by the voters to allow the skate park, but that if the Utility User Tax fails, those funds will be lost and the skate park will not be able to move forward. City Manager stated that with a decrease of 70'employees, there would be many programs that will not continue. Mayor stated that future revenues of,Measure Y were committed to build the skate park and that if the Utility User Tax is repealed, it will not be able to move forward and the Council will be looking for ways to allow the City to survive. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that if Measure U passes, this will be a difficult City to live in; that programs such as DARE and PAL will be cut; that everything the Council has worked for to put in place for its citizens will have to be stopped; and that it may be that the County will need to be contacted to pick up some services. Councilmember Mills stated that the scenarios before the Council are concepts; that if the Utility User Tax is repealed,',the Council will have to meet and confer again on solid cuts of service to the Community; that at this point it would be recommended for the Members of the Council to choose a scenario that best represents what would be cut so that the Community can be aware of what is being considered. Council Minutes 09-10-02, Page 3 ' Mayor stated it would be difficult to allow the Convention Center expansion to proceed if all else in the City is gone. Councilmember Oden stated the Convention Center will be the City's lifeline; that it cannot be cut and to do so plays into the proponents hands. Councilmember Hodges stated that each scenario portrays what can happen in the City, that it is uncertain if the expansion of the Convention Center could stay; and that it may be best to put all scenarios forward to the citizens. Motion to approve the budget using Scenario E was presented; after which, it was moved by Oden, seconded by Mills and failed by the following vote. AYES: Member Oden NO: Members Hodges, Mills, Reller-Spurgin and Mayor Kleindienst ABSENT: None. Councilmember Oden stated the Council must come up with a budget that indicates the ramifications so that the citizens will not think these are idle threats; that the budget needs to be specific in order to show sincerity. Motion to approve the budget using Scenario E, with modifications for the ' Convention Center to be reevaluated to alter the scope or to eliminate the expansion should Measure U pass was presented; after which, it was moved by Mills, seconded by Oden and failed by the following vote. AYES: Members Mills and Oden NO: Members Hodges, Reller-Spurgin and Mayor Kleindienst ABSENT: None. Mayor stated the Resolution approved should condition a final analysis of the budget to include all departments and programs, excluding no function of the City. Councilmember Oden stated the City only has one main industry, tourism; and the industry needs support at all times, even through ideology. Councilmember Hodges stated a lot of work has been done in reviewing each department and program and recommending the cuts; that it would be best to present all the information to the voters so that a true reading of what will happen can be given. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated support should be given to Scenario C and requested City Manager review the scenaro. ' City Manager read Scenario C, copy on file in Office of the City Clerk. Council Minutes 09-10-02, Page 4 Resolution 20457 as recommended w/Scenario C was presented; after which, it ' was moved by Reller-Spurgin, seconded by Kleindienst and carried by the following vote that R20457 be adopted. AYES: Members Hodges, Mills,,Reller-Spurgin and Mayor Kleindienst NO: Member Oden ABSENT: None. 2. TMG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. Recommendation: That the Council approve an agreement with TMG Communications, Inc for a voter information campaign concerning the November 5, 2002 ballot measures for an amount not to exceed $125,000. A4561. Assistant City Manager reviewed the agreement in detail and with recommendations of the council, determined that the copy shall be two-color, the performance bond would be waived; that the card mailing would be deleted and that the agreement would be subject to City Attorney approval as to form. Councilmember Hodges stated that the timing for the information might be too late. Minute Order 7153 as revised to $125,000 for final contract amount was presented; after which, it was moved by Oden, seconded by Mills and carried by ' the following vote, that MO7153 be adopted. AYES: Members Mills, Oden, Reller-Spurgin and Mayor Kleindienst NO: Member Hodges ABSENT: None and Resolution 20458 amending the budget wasp presented; after which, it was moved by Oden, seconded by Mills and carried by the following vote that R20458 be adopted. AYES: Members Mills, Oden, Reller-Spurgin and Mayor Kleindienst NO: Member Hodges ABSENT: None. 3. ROCTOBERFEST Recommendation: That the Council consider possible street closures for the October 10 through 13, 2002, Roctoberfest. Director of Tourism reviewed the event and requested the street closure be approved. ' SEPT (Special Events Planning Taskforce) representative stated that the closure of Tahquitz had not been considered by the committee and would need to go before that Board. Council Minutes 09-10-02, Page 5 ' Mayor stated that SEPT should be directed to consider the closure, if requested. Minute Order 7154 as recommended was presented; after which, it was moved by Oden, seconded by Reller-Spurgin and unanimously carried, that MO7154 be adopted. ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ITEMS: None. ADDED STARTERS: None REPORTS & REQUESTS: CITY COUNCIL reports or requests PUBLIC reports or requests STAFF reports or requests ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business Mayor declared the eeting adjourned. C2 * PATRICIA A. SANDERS City Clerk