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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-10 CC MINUTESPALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2007 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro Tom Pougnet called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tom Pougnet led the Pledge. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember McCulloch, Councilmember Mills, and Mayor Pro Tom Pougnet. ABSENT: Mayor Oden. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Ready, City Attorney Holland, City Clerk Thompson. INVOCATION: The Invocation was led by Brother Bonaventure from St. Vincent's Arch Abbey in Pennsylvania. PRESENTATIONS: John Foster and Michael Wilthorpe presented to the City Council a limited Giclee painting of Bob Hope by well-known artist Graeme Baxter to place in the City's Conference Room. REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Holland stated that at 5:00 P.M. the meeting was called to order and the City Council recessed into Closed Session to discuss items on the posted Closed Session Agenda. No reportable actions were taken. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: ACTION: Accept the Agenda as presented. Motion Councilmember Foat, seconded by Councilmember Mills and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. PUBLIC COMMENT: KEITH McCORMICK, provided an update on the proposed Downtown/Uptown Business Improvement District and a proposed New Year's Eve Celebration. RICHARD JENKINS, commented on Item 1.B, and the over use of the City's sports and leisure complex at Demuth Park. DR. DOUG KUNTZ, Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, provided an update on the site selection of a new animal shelter, and commented on fundraising efforts. ' TOM KANARR, Palm Springs, commented on the usage of Demuth Park and requested the City Council provide upgrades to the facilities. City Council Minutes January 10, 2007 Page 2 COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS AND REQUESTS: None. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: None. 1. STUDY SESSION: 9.A. FISCAL YEAR 2006-07 MID -YEAR BUDGET REVIEW: City Manager Ready and Craig Graves, Director of Finance, provided background information as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2006-07 Mid -Year Budget Review document. Councilmember Mills requested staff clarify that the surplus from the previous year returns to Fund Balance_ Councilmember Foat requested staff provide additional information on the Cable TV Franchise Fee and how the current legislation may affect the projected fees, and the impact of the closure of hotels and the current status of other hotels in the City. Councilmember McCulloch stated he is pleased with the projections and provided a historical perspective of the state of the budget. ' Mayor Pro Tern Pougnet requested staff address if the salary increases are calculated in the projections, address any anticipated large expenditures that may skew the projections, and the decrease in the percentage of public safety as it relates to overall cost. Councilmember Foat thanked the staff for the preparation of the budget. No action taken. 1.B. IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITIZATION OF POTENTIAL MUNICIPAL FACILITIES: City Manager Ready and Troy Butzlaff, Assistant City Manager, provided background information on the list of municipal facilities for a proposed general obligation bond, and requested the City Council identify any other facilities that should be included on the list of potential facilities. Councilmember Foat requested clarification on existing funds and land for a new fire station, the possibility of removing or moving the Victoria Park Fire Station No. 3, and the possibility of moving the location of the library. Councilmember McCulloch requested staff clarify if the bonds would ' require a vote of the citizens and the super -majority requirement of a City Council Minutes January 10, 2007 Page 3 2/3rds vote, the assessment rates per $100,000 of property value, and the history of cities getting the necessary votes to pass a bond measure. Councilmember Mills commented on the recent bond issue measures by the Palm Springs Unified School District, and the history of City bond measures. Councilmember McCulloch requested staff address the bond capacity of the City. Councilmember Mills requested public restrooms in the Downtown, and certain park and recreation improvements with respect to softball and soccer uses be added to the list of facilities for the survey. Councilmember Foat requested staff address the cost estimates for the proposed animal shelter. ACTION: Direct staff to proceed with the survey with the staff recommended facilities and add Park and Recreation Improvements. By consensus of the City Council. Councilmember Mills stated he may have a potential conflict of interest with respect to Item 1.C., would not participate in the discussion or the vote, and left Council Chamber. 1.C. DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL SITES FOR THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER FACILITY: City Manager Ready and Gary Jeandron, Police Chief, provided background information on the proposed site of a new animal shelter. Councilmember Foat stated the proposed site is excellent and suggested staff review the Marin County site and programs. Councilmember McCulloch requested staff address the site with respect to Gene Autry Trail, a main artery, and where the City could acquire additional land to replace the percolation pond. ACTION: Direct staff to proceed with analysis on the proposed site, and provide information on the replacement of the percolation pond, the intended use for the site. By consensus of the City Council. Councilmember Mills returned to the dais. I I.D. DESIGN FOR DEVELOPMENT UPDATE: Tom Wilson, Assistant City Manager, provided background information as outlined in Downtown Palm Springs Master Developer Opportunity RFQ. City Council Minutes January 10, 2007 Page 4 Councilmember McCulloch requested staff address a design plan with all I of the various owners, and who will pay for the Master Plan. Councilmember Mills requested staff address the Developer product that will be presented to the City and the Tribe, and if potential Developer's respond to only a portion of the project area. Councilmember Foat commented on the expected end product provided by the RFQ, and the partnership with the Tribe. Mayor Pro Tern Pougnet commented on the timing and the overall progress and success of the process. No action taken I.E. DISCUSSION OF LAFCO SPHERE OF INFLUENCE AMENDMENT APPLICATIONS: Craig Ewing, Director of Planning Services, provided an update to the Sphere of Influence Application. Mayor Pro Tem Pougnet requested staff address the current status with ' the Cathedral City Sphere of Influence east of Gene Autry. Councilmember Foat requested staff address the meaning of Sphere of Influence. Councilmember Mills requested staff clarify if Palm Springs is pursuing the west side of Gene Autry at the Wash. City Manager Ready asked the City Council if they wanted to pursue the small triangle piece in the unincorporated area on Palm Canyon near Golf Club Drive at the Palm Springs -Cathedral City border. Councilmember McCulloch requested staff address any environmental issues with the prior gas tanks on that site. ACTION: Direct staff to pursue the addition of the small triangle parcel in the unincorporated area on Palm Canyon near Golf Club Drive at the Palm Springs -Cathedral City border, to the City's Sphere of Influence. By consensus of the City Council. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The City Council adjourned at 7:46 P.M. to a Regular Meeting, ' Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, City Hall, City Council Minutes January 10, 2007 Page 5 ' preceded by a Closed Session at 5:00 p.m., Small Conference Roam, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. APPROVED BY A MOTION OF THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS 7ih DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2007. MAYOR ATTEST: ,/sty Clerk