HomeMy WebLinkAbout22837 RESOLUTION NO. 22837
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS OPPOSING THE PROPOSED
WHITEWATER LOCATION OF THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY
REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER.
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Springs is world-renown as a tourist destination and
place for relaxation and escape; and
WHEREAS, the economy of the area has grown to both nurture and rely on the
area's reputation as the "ultimate desert playground" where visitors can enjoy natural
beauty, a relaxed urban scene, unique cultural events, and a connection to the ancient
past and recent modern history; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that the continued success of the local economy
is greatly dependent on the preservation the area's recreation and tourism appeal; and
WHEREAS, the County of Riverside has determined that there is a need for
additional jail facilities; and
WHEREAS, the County has selected a site for a new regional detention center
located in the Whitewater area, north of the Interstate 10 freeway, west of Highway 62;
and
WHEREAS, the proposed site is located at the entry to the Coachella Valley and
the City of Palm Springs and will be one of the first desert landmarks encountered by
commuters, tourists, vacationers and others who travel to or through the Coachella
Valley; and
WHEREAS, the impact of such a facility on the perceptions of visitors and
tourists could significantly and detrimentally affect their desire to visit Palm Springs and
surrounding areas, such that the City and local businesses could experience losses in
convention bookings, hotel and lodging reservations, and retail sales; and
WHEREAS, the County has identified other sites which could serve as a location
for the proposed detention center, yet which would not pose a threat to any local
economy; and
WHEREAS, the County has prepared a draft Environmental Impact Report,
which insufficiently and inaccurately analyzes the adverse economic impact that the
proposed detention center would have on the Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Springs has offered separate comment on the draft
EIR, identifying how the proposed detention center would create significant and
manifest economic losses to local businesses and the City.
Resolution No. 22837
Page 2
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council calls upon the Riverside County Board of
Supervisors to recognize that the Riverside County Regional Detention Center at the
proposed Whitewater location would have a detrimental affect on the economy and
residents of the City of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby opposes the development of the Riverside
County Regional Detention Center at the proposed Whitewater location.
SECTION 3. The City Council further recommends that the County Board of
Supervisors immediately halt the CEQA review of the Whitewater site and identify one
of the alternative locations as the preferred site for the Riverside County Regional
Detention Center.
ADOPTED THIS 1ST DAY OF DECEMBER, 2010.
David H. Ready, anager
ATTEST:
i
ames Thompson, City Clerk
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. 22837 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 15t day of December,
2010.
AYES: Councilmember Weigel, Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson, and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Foat and Councilmember Mills.
ABSTAIN: None.
James Thompson, City Clerk tZ/1-5,2a t a
City of Palm Springs, California