HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/2/2003 - STAFF REPORTS (15) DATE: January 2, 2003
TO: City Council
FROM: Safety, Special Programs & Enforcement Manager
WAVIER OF FEES FOR UAW-GM CONFERENCE TRAINING EVENT
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council waive fees for the rental of closed Taxiway"A"at Palm
Springs International Airport, in the amount of $4,000.00, for certain dates during the period
January 7, 2003 through January 31, 2003.
SUMMARY:
The requested action would relieve United Auto Workers - General Motors (UAW-GM) of the
financial responsibility for the rental of certain Airport facilities in consideration of their
commitment to the City of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.
BACKGROUND:
For the past five years UAW-GM has conducted their national leadership conference at the
Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs. One of the workshops for conference attendees has been a
behind-the-wheel course of instruction in accident avoidance techniques that has been held on
a section of decommissioned taxiway at the airport. Over the years, numerous staff and
dependents, in addition to students from local high schools, have received this very valuable
instruction at no cost to the City. Additionally, specialized instruction has been held for police
officers, fire personnel, Citizens on Patrol (COP) and soldiers from the National Guard. The
training they received is not available anywhere else in the valley at any cost. Members of the
media have also spent several hours filming and participating in these events, which received
considerable air time.This year,UAW-GM has again offered to conduct two full days of training
for City employees.
Three years ago,training was expanded to include skid control and off-road recovery methods.
General Motors contributed$10,925.00 toward the improvements that were required for these
exercises. During that year's conference, eight City employees completed the General Motors
Advanced Driver Training Instructor Course and now utilize these facilities to provide training
for other City employees and volunteers during the remainder of the year. In coordinating these
events, I have worked closely with the GM staff, which has allowed me the opportunity to
receive numerous hours of additional training in instructing skid control techniques. Again, at
no cost to the City. In July of 2002, 1 was invited to participate in training and act as an
instructor for GM personnel at a General Motors University course in Pontiac, Michigan. GM
paid all expenses for this trip.
For the past three years UAW-GM has conducted an infant car seat inspection program at City
Hall. local residents have been invited to bring their children, or grandchildren, to learn the
proper method of securing their carseats.Those car seats found to be inadequate or otherwise
inappropriate were replaced with new car seats free of charge. There has always been a strong
media presence during these events.An expanded car seat inspection program, in conjunction
with the National Safe Kids Coalition,will be conducted again this year at the Palm Springs Mall
from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm on January 10, 2003. They will also have a presence at Villagefest
on January 9, 2003. 1AA
Wavier of Fees for UAW-GM Conference Training Event
January 2, 2003
Page Two
Rental for the eight days that UAW-GM will be using the taxiway for their own personnel would
amount to $4,000.00, or $500 per day. It is recommended that, in light of the considerable
community benefit provided by this conference and the commitment to providing the City with
an excellent training facility, fees for the rental of this property be waived.
Lawrence D. Wedekind / %'Barry Griffith
Safety, Special Programs & Enforcement Manager Assi!�-,�fant Director of Aviation
APPRROO
City Manage✓
Attachment:
1. Minute Order
REVIEWED BY DEPT.OF FINANCE
MINUTE ORDER NO.
APPROVING THE RELIEF OF FINANCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY TO UNITED AUTO
WORKERS/GENERAL MOTORS FOR THE
RENTAL OF CERTAIN AIRPORT FACILITIES, FOR
THE PERIOD JANUARY 7, 2003 THROUGH
JANUARY 31, 2003, IN CONSIDERATION OF
THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS AND THE COACHELLA VALLEY.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that this Minute Order,approving the relief of financial responsibility to United
Auto Workers/General Motors for the rental of certain airport facilities, for the period January 7,
2003 through January 31, 2003, in consideration of their commitment to the City of Palm Springs
and the Coachella Valley,was adopted by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, in a meeting
thereof held on the 2nd day of January, 2003.
PATRICIA A. SANDERS
City Clerk