HomeMy WebLinkAbout23928 RESOLUTION NO. 23928
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A NEGATIVE
DECLARATION FOR THE OPERATION OF THE BUZZ
TROLLEY SERVICE AND APPROVING THE BUZZ
TROLLEY SERVICE. A6564. A6552.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FINDS AND
DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS:
A. In the summer of 2013, the City of Palm Springs and a group of stakeholders
from the hospitality, dining and retail community began discussions with a goal to
bringing a trolley service to the City of Palm Springs.
B. On November 20, 2013, the City Council approved the release of an RFP
(Request for Proposals) to contract with a transit operator for the selection and leasing
of vehicles, and operation of a trolley service over a one-year pilot program period and
possibly beyond.
C. On December 19, 2014, the BUZZ Trolley service was launched and began
regular operations as a free City-operated service intended for the benefit of both
residents and visitors around the Downtown and Uptown District areas and connecting
several of the larger outlying areas on a pilot program.
D. In March of 2015, the City considered making the BUZZ Trolley service a
permanent operation and therefore initiated an environmental review to analyze the
project pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
E. The proposed BUZZ Trolley service is a "project' as defined by CEQA. Pursuant
to Section 15063 of the CEQA Guidelines, an Initial Study was completed which
analyzed all required CEQA issues, including but not limited to noise, air quality,
greenhouse gas emission, traffic, and land use compatibility.
F. The Initial Study concluded that the proposed BUZZ Trolley service could not
have a significant effect on the environment. On this basis, a Negative Declaration was
prepared.
G. A Notice of Intent to adopt a Negative Declaration (ND) was circulated for a 20-
day review period. The public review and comment period commenced on April 27,
2015 and closed on May 18, 2015. The comment period was further extended and the
City accepted additional comments until 5:00 PM on June 18, 2015. The City
responded to all written comments received on the Negative Declaration.
Resolution No. 23928
Page 2
H. On November 4, 2015, the City Council held a public hearing to consider the
BUZZ Trolley Initial Study/Negative Declaration in accordance with applicable law.
I. The City Council has carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence
presented in connection with the project, including, but not limited to, the Initial Study,
the Negative Declaration, the staff report, and all written and oral testimony presented.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Negative Declaration reflects the independent judgment and
analysis of the City Council. The City Council finds that, in light of the whole record
before it, the project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby adopts the Negative Declaration for the
BUZZ Trolley service. The documents that constitute the record of proceedings are
located at 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262, and the
custodian for these documents is the City Clerk.
SECTION 3. The City Council authorizes and approves the BUZZ Trolley
service as generally described in the Negative Declaration, including minor
modifications to the route and the relocation, deletion, or addition of stops along the
route.
ADOPTED THIS 4T" DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2015.
DAVID H. READY, MANAGER
ATTEST:
JAMES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
Resolution No. 23928
Page 3 CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 23928 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on the 4th day of November,
2015, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Hutcheson, Councilmember Mills,
Mayor Pro Tern Lewin, and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
i
MES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
City of Palm Springs, California