HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-03 CC MINUTESCITY COUNCIL
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
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MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012
PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTER
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pougnet called the meeting to order at 6:18 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Boy Scout Troop 262, led the Pledge.
INVOCATION: Pastor David Sanger, Our Savior's Community Church, led the
Invocation.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmember Hutcheson, Councilmember Lewin,
Councilmember Mills, Mayor Pro Tern Foat, and Mayor Pougnet.
ABSENT: None.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Ready, City Attorney Holland, City Clerk Thompson.
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION:
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. and City Attorney Holland requested the
City Council consider adding one item to the Closed Session Agenda pursuant to Cal.
Gov. Code Section 54956.9(a) Existing Litigation.
City Attorney Holland stated a judgment was filed in the Pacific Hospitality Group v.
Palm Springs Community Redevelopment Agency litigation, after the posting of the
agenda and there is an immediate need to hear and/or take action on the Item.
ACTION: 1) Make the finding the Item came to the attention of the City after the posting
of the Agenda and there is an immediate need to hear and/or take action on the Item;
and 2) Add to the Closed Session Agenda, pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code Section
54956.9(a), Existing Litigation titled Pacific Hospitality Group v. Palm Springs
Community Redevelopment Agency, Case. No. INC 1105547, Riverside Superior Court,
Indio Division. Motion Councilmember Mills, seconded by Councilmember Lewin
and unanimously carried (4-0) noting the absence of Mayor Pougnet.
City Attorney Holland reported the City Council recessed into Closed Session to discuss
Items on the Closed Session Agenda. No reportable actions were taken.
City Council Minutes
October 3, 2012
Page 2
1. PUBLIC MEETING ON THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECT:
A. CITY COUNCIL DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION SUBCOMMITTEE
REPORT:
City Council Subcommittee members Mayor Pougnet and Councilmember
Mills provided a verbal update on Downtown revitalization.
No action taken.
B. PRESENTATION FROM THE DEVELOPER AND ARCHITECT
RENDERING OF THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECT FOR
THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 123 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
AS A PART OF THE MUSEUM MARKET PLAZA SPECIFIC PLAN:
John Wessman, Developer, and Mark Phillips, Project Architect, provided
a video and slide presentation of the proposed development.
The City Council discussed and/or commented on the following with
respect to the project: connectivity of music throughout the project,
connection to the existing Hyatt Hotel and making it part of the project, the
incorporation of the proposed Market Street, the elimination of curb and
gutters within the project, concerns about the height of the hotel, the large
"billboard" type signage as proposed on the hotel, openness of the project,
the abundant entertainment space, low heights along Palm Canyon, low
density of retail and density overall, view corridors, open gathering space
and green space, hotel to energize and attract retail, free Wi-Fi hot spot,
EV charging stations, the number of proposed restaurants, banner
marketing, removable shade structures, design of hotel, public access to
the pool and dining, iconic public art type element, the importance of the
Tahquitz Canyon and Belardo frontage and elements, the event space
availability for 10-years, proposed hotel financing does not cause delay to
the other aspects of the project and the construction of streets, hearing
from Palm Springs residents on the proposed hotel, additional details to
focus on Palm Canyon and Museum Drive, circulation throughout the
development and east -west and north -south connections, project will be
the core of Downtown Palm Springs, views generated from the hotel,
quality of architecture, the elements of the Specific Plan, and the
replacement of the proposed office building with the hotel.
No action taken.
C. PUBLIC COMMENT:
ANDREW STARKE, stated the Board of the Palm Springs Chamber of
Commerce has been in support of the revitalization of Downtown, and
noted the benefits to the business community in Palm Springs.
City Council Minutes
October 3, 2012
Page 3
MARK MARSHALL, commented on the quality of the hotel and the height,
and stated his concerns with Block C in the development.
PAUL KALMANEK, commented on the Palm Springs Celebrity Golf
Tournament, and the lack of City support toward the event.
AUDREY RUTTAN, provided suggestions for potential entertainment
within the Development.
TIM SIGLE, stated his support for the open space incorporated within the
proposed development, and stated his concerns with the type of retail and
continuing to draw a crowd.
WESLEY COLE, commented on the signage elements within the
development and the circulation on Palm Canyon, and stated his support
of the project.
STEVE ROSENBERG, commented on the community process to get the
City to this point, and stated his support of the project.
BOB THOMAS, stated his support for the project and stated the proposed
height is within reason.
WILLIAM HUTCHINSON, thanked the City Council for the revitalization of
the City.
JIM STUART, commented on the quality of the Developer and the
Architect, the proposed hotel and the attraction to the retail due to the
hotels, and spoke in support of the proposed height.
JACK NEWBY, stated his congratulations to the City Council and
Wessman Development for the project, commented on the quality of the
proposed hotel and the forward looking retail component.
JOY MEREDITH, commented on the support of the voters, the attraction
of locals and tourists to the development, the year round concepts of the
development, stated her support for the project, and commented on the
public input.
BOB HELBLING, commented on the quality of the project and the input
from the City Council, support for the set -back, placement and the height
of the proposed hotel, and the revitalization of the Downtown area.
City Council Minutes
October 3, 2012
Page 4
D. CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION ON THE DEVELOPER PRESENTATION
OF THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECT FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 123 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE:
Mayor Pougnet noted the timeline for the submission of the application
pursuant to the Project Financing Agreement.
No action taken.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Council adjourned at 8:46 p.m. to the next regular meeting
Wednesday, October 17, at 6:00 p.m., Council Chamber, City Hall, preceded by Closed
Session, Small Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm
Springs.
APPROVED BY A MOTION OF THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS
17T" DAY OF OCTOBER, 2012.
STEPH P.POUGNET.MAYOR
ATTEST:
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