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Home My WebLink About2009-04-08 CC MINUTES CITY COUNCIL CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA y : ADJOURNED MEETING AND JOINT MEETING MINUTES WITH THE AQUA CALIENTE TRIBAL COUNCIL. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2009 Palm Springs Convention Center, Primrose C CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pougnet and Tribal Chairman Milanovich called the meeting to order at 5:08 p.m. CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Hutcheson, Councilmember Weigel, Mayor Pro Tern Mills, and Mayor Pougnet. ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Ready, City Attorney Holland, City Clerk Thompson. TRIBAL COUNCIL ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Richard M. Milanovich, Chairman, Jeff L. Grubbe, Vice Chairman, Karen Welmas, Secretary/Treasurer, Vincent Gonzales III, Member, Jeannette Prieto-Dodd, Member(arrived at 5:19). ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: Tom Davis, Tribal Council Chief Planning Officer, Art Bunce, Tribal Attorney, and Michelle Carr. INTRODUCTIONS: Chairman Milanovich introduced new Secretary/Treasurer Welmas and new Tribal Member Gonzales. City Manager Ready introduced City staff, and Tribal Staff introduced themselves. PUBLIC COMMENT: JOHN TYMON, requested assistance from the Tribal Council on the subject of elder abuse and Indian Land space rentals. City Council Minutes April 8, 2009 Page 2 1. DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1.A. MUSEUM MARKET PLAZA UPDATE AND STATUS REPORT: Thomas Wilson, Assistant City Manager, provided an updated on the Museum Market Plaza, the current Specific Plan, and the timetable for adoption of the Specific Plan on May 13, 2009, and the current status of the renovation plan. Tom Davis, Tribal Chief Planning and Development Officer, requested City staff provide additional information with respect to the Specific Plan and how it relates to the City's General Plan, and the renovation plan. Discussion was held regarding the renovation plan as it relates to the Specific Plan. Chair Milanovich thanked the City Council and Planning Staff for the effort on the Specific Plan. No action taken. Tribal Member Jeannette Prieto-Dodd arrived at 5:19 p.m. 1.8. RAMON ROAD WIDENING, SAN LUIS REY DRIVE TO LANDAU BLVD; David Barakian, City Engineer, provided background information on the Ramon Road Widening and the Whitewater Bridge, stated the project has been approved for funding with CVAG, and the City is in the process of selecting the design consultant. Discussion was held regarding the widening as it relates to the widening of the road and bridge to six lanes, and the consistent width of the road, Federal assistance for the project, including the bridge widening, and the timeframe for the project is three to four years before the funding phase. No action taken- I.C. INTERSTATE 10/INDIAN CANYON DRIVE AND INTERSTATE 10/GENE AUTRY TRAIL INTERCHANGE PROJECTS: David Barakian, City Engineer, provided background information on the Indian and Gene Autry Interchanges, and stated the issues with utilities have been resolved, and Gene Autry will be the first interchange to be constructed, scheduled to begin November, 2009, with a two year construction process. City Council Minutes April 8, 2009 Page 3 City Engineer Barakian stated the Indian Canyon project should be cleared for construction February, 2010, with an issue with one right-of- way property owner which may cause delay. Discussion was held regarding the final design of the Interchange. No action taken. I.D. VISTA CHINO BRIDGE OVER WHITEWATER RIVER (NEW GRANT APPLICATION WITH CALTRANS): David Barakian, City Engineer, provided background information on the proposed Vista Chino Bridge project, stated a request has been submitted in the amount of $90 million under the Low Water Crossing Program, commented on the impact to Vista Chino during storms. Discussion was held regarding the size of the bridge, a four lane bridge, and the length of the proposed bridge, the cost and the grant amount. No action taken. 1.E. UPDATE ON BELARDO ROAD PROJECT: Margaret Park, Tribal Director of Planning and Natural Resources provided an update on the Belardo Road Project, and stated the project is out for public comment, and the environmental studies and process should be completed by July, and then would be subject to right-of-way acquisitions. Discussion was held regarding the construction timeline, the construction could not be started until the right-of-way acquisitions are complete, the project as it relates to the Tahquitz trails. No action taken- 1-F. WHITEWATER RANCH (OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOINT COLLABORATION): Todd Hooks, Tribal Economic Development Director, provided background information on 200 acres of Tribal property known as Whitewater Ranch, commented on the access to the property from Interstate 10, the Caltrans Highway Oasis program, and opportunity for joint planning and construction of the property. Discussion was held regarding the opportunities to the Tribe and City, and a gateway property to the City, and the impact of the MSHCP on the property, the current uses around the property for renewal energy, upgrade of the rail system to the area. City Council Minutes April 8, 2009 Page 4 No action taken. 1.13. UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE FEDERAL STIMULUS PROGRAMS/AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009: City Manager Ready provided an update on the Status of the Federal Stimulus Programs, stated the City is finalizing the project lists the City will apply for, and recommend the City staff and Tribal staff look at regional applications if appropriate. Discussion was held regarding the status of some the transportation grants and police grants, and the joint lobby efforts in Sacramento. No action taken. I.H. IDENTIFICATION AND DISCUSSION OF JOINT GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AND APPLICATIONS: Alva Johnson, Tribal Director of Government Affairs provided an update on the Federal lobbying efforts. Discussion was held on the City providing letters of support. No action taken. IDENTIFICATION OF FUTURE AGENDAIDISCUSSION ITEMS: Commercial rail service. Update of the Federal Stimulus Programs. Museum Market Plaza update. COUNCILMEMBER/TRIBAL COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mayor Pougnet requested Fire Chief Goetz and Police Chief Dominguez provide an update on the recent 50 acre fire in Palm Springs. Chairman Milanovich thanked the City Council for the upgrades and renovation at the Palm Springs International Airport. The Joint Meeting with the Tribal Council adjourned at 6:15 p.m., and the City Council recessed. The City Council reconvened at 6:22 p.m. and continued with the Adjourned Regular Meeting. City Council Minutes April 8, 2009 Page 5 2. REGULAR MEETING ITEMS: 2.A. APPROVE THE SCHEMATIC DESIGN OF THE ANIMAL SHELTER AND ESTABLISH THE PROJECT MASTER BUDGET: Al Smoot, Owners' Representative, provided background information as outlined in the staff report dated April 8, 2009. The City Council discussed the estimate and eliminating square footage and programs due to the cost without building structural changes, the inclusion of the Friends of the Animal Shelter and Animal Control staff to evaluate the modifications, and the clarification of the recommendation in reference to no changes to the footprint of the building. ACTION: 1) Approve the Animal Shelter Schematic Design dated February 17, 2009 as modified by Staff Recommendations dated March 27, 2009; 2) Establish the Master Budget for construction of $6,000,000; and 3) Authorize the Design Team to submit the project to the Planning Department and Design Development. Motion Councilmember Weigel, seconded by Councilmember Foat and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. 3. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Holland requested the City Council consider adding one Item to the Closed Session Agenda pursuant to Government Code Section 54966.8, Conference with Real Property Negotiator, for the Racquet Club property leased by the City from the Palm Springs Unified School District to discuss price and terms of the lease. Mayor Pro Tern Mills stated he has a business related conflict of interest with respect to the request to add the Closed Session Item with the Palm Springs Unified School district, and would not participate in the discussion or the vote to add the Item to the Closed Session Agenda. 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 act on the Item; and 2) Add to the Closed Session Agenda Conference with Real Property Negotiator to discuss price and terms of lease of the Palm Springs Unified School District Property located at the Racquet Club. Motion Councilmember Foat, seconded by Councilmember Weigel and unanimously carried (4-0) noting the absence of Mayor Pro Tern Mills. The City Council recessed at 6:35 p.m. to Closed Session to discuss Items on the Closed Session Agenda. See Closed Session Agenda. The City Council reconvened into Open Session at 7:38 p.m. City Council Minutes April 8, 2009 Page 6 4. REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Holland stated the City Council took no reportable actions in Closed Session. ADJOURNMENT: The City Council adjourned at 7:40 p.m. to the Regular Meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at 6:00 P.M., Council Chamber, City Hall, preceded by a Closed Session at 4:30 P.M., Small Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, APPROVED BY A MOTION OF THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS 15T" DAY OF APRIL, 2009. JZ&Z /� - STE EN P. POUGNEtt, MAYOR ATTEST: r MES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK