HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-28 CC MINUTES - Special Meeting CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
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SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2010
Council Chamber
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pougnet called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION: The City Council recessed into Closed Session at
6:00 p.m. to discuss one Litigation Item as described on the Special Meeting Agenda.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION: The City Council reconvened to Open Session at
6:31 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pougnet led the Pledge.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Mills, Councilmember
Weigel, Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson, and Mayor Pougnet.
ABSENT: None.
ALSO PRESENT: Acting City Manager Wilson, City Attorney Holland, City Clerk
Thompson.
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Holland stated the City Council
recessed into Closed Session to discuss one Item as described on the Special Meeting
Agenda, and reported the City Council provided the City Attorney with direction and
authority with regard to a matter of potential litigation that could be filed against the City.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
ACTION: Accept the Agenda as presented. Motion Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson,
seconded by Councilmember Foat and unanimously carried on a roll call vote.
1. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
SID CRAIG, commented on Item 4.C., and requested the City Council support AB 2706
regarding hate crimes against homeless persons.
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2010
Page 2
DOUG HAIRGROVE, Palm Springs, commented on Item 5.A., and the meeting with the
LGBT Committee and the Palm Springs Police Department.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS:
Mayor Pougnet provided a brief report on the successful Christmas in July fundraising
event for the Festival of Lights Parade.
Councilmember Foat provided an update on the activities of the Friends of the Palm
Springs Animal Shelter, and asked the Community to consider the adoption of Pets at
the Animal Shelter.
Mayor Pougnet expressed the City Council's condolences to Councilmember Mills on
the loss of Donna Mills and noted the City Council adjourned in her memory at the last
meeting.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: None.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
3. LEGISLATIVE: None.
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
4.A. CONTINUE THE FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND THE
COMMERCIAL INTERIOR REMODEL PROGRAM AND APPROVE AND
IMPLEMENT A NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION INCENTIVE
PROGRAM AS PART OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT PLAN:
Councilmember Foat stated she a tenant in property she owns may have
applied for a Facade Improvement Program grant, would not participate in
the discussion or the vote and left Council Chamber.
Tom Wilson, Acting City Manager, provided background information as
outlined in the staff report dated July 28, 2010.
Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson stated his support to continue the Facade
Improvement Program and the Commercial Interior Remodel Program.
Councilmember Weigel requested staff address if the funding is in the
current Budget, stated his support for the Facade Improvement Program,
but expressed funding concerns.
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2010
Page 3
Councilmember Mills requested staff address if the Commercial Interior
Remodel Program was designated to the Downtown and Uptown area of
the City, the status if the Program was approved but not funded.
ACTION: Continue the Facade Improvement Program in the amount of
$100,000. Motion Mayor Pro Tom Hutcheson, seconded by Mayor
Pougnet and unanimously carried 4-0 on a roll call vote.
AYES: Councilmember Mills, Councilmember Weigel, Mayor Pro
Tern Hutcheson, and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Foat.
Councilmember Foat returned to the dais.
The City Council continued discussion on the Commercial Interior
Remodel Program and the New Residential Construction Incentive
Program.
Councilmember Foat requested staff address the types of projects that
would qualify for the funding.
Councilmember Weigel requested staff address the obligations of the
building owners or tenants for the Commercial Interior Remodel Program.
Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson provided an example of how the program
attracts businesses to the City.
Councilmember Mills requested staff address if the program was a loan or
a grant.
ACTION: 1) Continue the Commercial Interior Remodel Program in the
amount of $100,000. Motion Councilmember Foat, seconded by Mayor
Pro Tom Hutcheson and carried 4-1 on a roll call vote.
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Weigel, Mayor Pro
Tern Hutcheson, and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: Councilmember Mills.
The City Council continued discussion on the proposed New Residential
Construction Incentive Program.
Mayor Pougnet commented on the other successful economic programs
initiated by the City.
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2010
Page 4
Councilmember Foat requested staff address the number of projects that
could qualify for the program, the amount of funding for the program, and
if the waiver of in-lieu fees were considered a part of the funding.
Councilmember Mills requested staff address the process to secure the
plan check fees in advance when vertical construction may not start for a
period of time, the definition of vertical construction for the program, and
the plan check component of the fee waiver.
Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson stated his support for the program, and
requested staff return with some kind of concept program for residential
foreclosures.
Councilmember Weigel stated his concerns with the program,
recommended the plan check component be eliminated from the program,
and suggested funding could be used for current quality of life issues in
the City.
Mayor Pougnet commented on other means to provide programs and
investments such as infrastructure bond, and stated his support for the
program.
Councilmember Mills stated waiving fees in arrears may not be beneficial
to the applicants, and stated this program will provide positive impact to
the property tax base.
Councilmember Foat stated the Hotel Incentive Program has a pay back
component to the program, stated this program has no pay back provision
by the developers, and requested staff address if a commission
reimbursement component was considered a part of the program.
ACTION: Approve and initiate a New Residential Construction Incentive
Program as part of the City of Palm Springs Economic Development Plan
in the amount of $400,000, amending the proposed program to add a
provision that the waiver of plan check fees may be in arrears. Motion
Mayor Pougnet, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson and
unanimously carried on a roll call vote.
4.13. APPROVE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR THE FACADE
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND THE COMMERCIAL INTERIOR
REMODEL PROGRAM AND INITIAL FUNDING FOR THE NEW
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM AS PART OF
THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN:
Councilmember Hutcheson stated he is a member of the O'Donnell Golf
Club and may have a conflict of interest with respect to the source of the
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2010
Page 5
funds, would not participate in the discussion or vote on the use of the
Whitewater Mutual Water Company proceeds, and left Council Chamber.
Tom Wilson, Acting City Manager, provided background information as
outlined in the staff report dated July 28, 2010.
By consensus the City Council determined not to use the funds from the
sales of the Whitewater Mutual Water Company to fund the programs.
Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson returned to the dais.
The City Council continued discussion on alternate funding sources.
Councilmember Weigel stated the City has tapped redevelopment funds,
and stated his opposition to the use of redevelopment funds as proposed.
Councilmember Foat requested staff address the available redevelopment
reserves for funding, recommended reserves for redevelopment, and
commented on the merits of the programs.
Mayor Pougnet commented on the merits of the programs, prioritized the
programs, and stated his support of the programs.
ACTION: 1) Approve supplemental funding from Redevelopment Agency
Funds in the amount of $100,000 for the Facade Improvement Program;
2) Call a $100,000 portion of the Frances Stevens Park Promissory Note
issued by the Community Redevelopment Agency to the City of Palm
Springs; 3) Adopt Resolution No. 1408, "A RESOLUTION OF THE
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR
2010-11 TO FUND THE FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM;" and 4)
Adopt Resolution No. 22782, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE
BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-11 TO FUND THE FACADE
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM." Motion Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson,
seconded by Councilmember Mills and carried 3-1 on a roll call vote.
AYES: Councilmember Mills, Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson, and
Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: Councilmember Weigel.
ABSTAIN: Councilmember Foat.
ACTION: 1) Approve supplemental funding from Redevelopment Agency
Funds in the amount of $100,000 for the Commercial Interior Remodel
Program; 2) Call a $100,000 portion of the Frances Stevens Park
Promissory Note issued by the Community Redevelopment Agency to the
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2010
Page 6
City of Palm Springs; 3) Adopt Resolution No. 1409, "A RESOLUTION OF
THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2010-11 TO FUND THE COMMERCIAL INTERIOR REMODEL
PROGRAM;" and 4) Adopt Resolution No. 22783, "A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA,
AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-11 TO FUND THE
COMMERCIAL INTERIOR REMODEL PROGRAM." Motion
Councilmember Foat, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson and
carried 3-2 on a roll call vote.
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson, and
Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: Councilmember Mills and Councilmember Weigel.
ACTION: 1) Approve initial funding from Redevelopment Agency Funds in
the amount of $400,000 for the New Residential Construction Incentive
Program; 2) Call a $400,000 portion of the Frances Stevens Park
Promissory Note issued by the Community Redevelopment Agency to the
City of Palm Springs; 3) Adopt Resolution No. 1410, "A RESOLUTION OF
THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2010-11 TO FUND THE NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
INCENTIVE PROGRAM;" and 4) Adopt Resolution No. 22784, "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR
2010-11 TO FUND THE NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
INCENTIVE PROGRAM." Motion Councilmember Foat, seconded by
Councilmember Mills and carried 4-1 on a roll call vote.
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Mills, Mayor Pro Tern
Hutcheson, and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: Councilmember Weigel.
4.C. PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AB 2706 (LOWENTHAL)
AMENDING THE CAL. CIVIL CODE TO DEEM VIOLENCE AGAINST
HOMELESS PEOPLE OR THEIR PROPERTY AS A HATE CRIME FOR
CIVIL LITIGATION:
Lee Husfeldt, Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations,
provided background information as outlined in the proposed resolution.
Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson requested the Police Chief address if the
proposed legislation affects the activities of the Police Department.
Councilmember Foat commented on the importance of the legislation and
requested the City Council support the Resolution in support.
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2010
Page 7
Councilmember Weigel stated his support for the legislation and hoped
additional penalties for criminal activities would be implemented by the
Legislature.
ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 22785, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS SUPPORTING
CALIFORNIA AB 2706 (LOWENTHAL) AMENDING THE CAL. CIVIL
CODE TO DEEM VIOLENCE AGAINST HOMELESS PEOPLE OR THEIR
PROPERTY AS A HATE CRIME FOR CIVIL LITIGATION." Motion
Councilmember Foat, seconded by Councilmember Mills and
unanimously carried on a roll call vote.
4.D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
ACTION: Approve the City Council/Community Redevelopment Agency
Minutes of July 7, 2010. Motion Councilmember Mills, seconded by
Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson and carried 3-0 on a roll call vote.
AYES: Councilmember Mills, Councilmember Foat, and Mayor Pro
Tern Hutcheson.
NOES: None.
ABSTAIN: Councilmember Weigel and Mayor Pougnet.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
5.A. APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL JOINT STATEMENT ENDORSING THE
POLICE CHIEF'S NEW POLICY WITH RESPECT TO LEWD CONDUCT:
ACTION: Approve the City Council Joint Statement endorsing the Palm
Springs Police Department's New Policy with respect to lewd conduct and
restrictions pertaining to undercover operations. Motion Councilmember
Foat, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson and unanimously
carried on a roll call vote.
5.13. APPOINTMENT OF A CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE TO
INTERVIEW AND SCREEN CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT TO
THE PALM SPRINGS BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)
ADVISORY BOARD:
Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson stated if City funding was available for the BID
it should be from the City of Palm Springs Economic Development
Program Funding.
ACTION: Appoint Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson and Councilmember Mills to
a City Council Subcommittee to interview and screen candidates for
appointment to the Palm Springs Business Improvement District Advisory
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2010
Page 8
Board. By consensus of the City Council, noting the abstention of
Councilmember Foat.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Council adjourned at 7:37 p.m. to an Adjourned Regular
Meeting, Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at 6:00 P.M. Council Chamber, City Hall,
preceded by a Closed Session in the Small Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 East
Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
APPROVED BY A MOTION OF THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS
8T" DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2010.
STEPHEN P. POUGNET, MAYOR
ATTEST:
MES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
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