HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-27 CC MINUTES CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
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MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2008
City Hall Council Chamber
CALL. TO ORDER: Mayor Pougnet called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pougnet led the Pledge.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmember Hutcheson, Councilmember Mills, Councilmember
Weigel, Mayor Pro Tem Foat, and Mayor Pougnet.
ABSENT: None.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Ready, City Attorney Holland, City Clerk Thompson.
PRESENTATIONS:
Gloria McDermott and Michael Master, representing ARF Academy Awards, presented
a check to the City for the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Holland reported that the meeting was
called to order at 5:00 p.m. and the City Council recessed into Closed Session to
discuss the Items as contained on the Closed Session Agenda. No reportable actions
were taken.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE. AGENDA:
ACTION: Accept the Agenda as presented. Motion Councilmember Mills, seconded
by Councilmember Hutcheson and unanimously carried on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
CHARLES SACHS, Palm Springs, commented on the recent removal of trees in his
condominium complex, and requested the City Council require a permit for the removal
of trees.
RICHARD MILLS, Palm Desert, commented on Item 1.B., proposed contractor for the
Rainmaker Fountain Improvements and his personal experience with the Fountain.
City Council Minutes
February 27, 2008
Page 2
DAVID AIKEN, Palm Springs, Friends of the Fountain, commented on Item 1.B., and
stated the organization has raised over $6,700 for the repair of the Fountain.
FRANK TYSEN, Palm Springs, commented on the Palm Mountain Resort renovation
project.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS: None.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:
City Manager Ready requested the Fire Chief provide an update on public safety
response time.
Mayor Pro Tern Foat requested the City Manager comment on the recent article in The
Desert Sun regarding crime rates.
Councilmember Weigel commented on his communication with The Desert Sun with
respect to the recent article on crime rates.
1. STUDY SESSION:
1.A. TOURISM AND CONVENTION CENTER UPDATE:
Jim Dunn, Palm Springs Convention Center, provided an update on the
activities at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
Rick Leson, Palm Springs Convention Center, provided an update on key
conventions and events held at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
Mary Jo Ginther, Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism, provided an update on
the activities with respect to the Bureau of Tourism.
The City Council discussed and/or commented on the following with
respect to the Convention Center and Tourism: current and projected
attendance and convention space reservations, impacts due to the current
economic conditions, client satisfaction ratings, ranking of satisfaction
ratings, response from users to the expansion and renovation, tracking the
increase in specific attendance due to the Palm Springs venue, definition
of an "outdoor adventure traveler," graphic presentation and quality of
graphics produced by the Bureau, which events bring visitors, and event
economic impact in terms of a Special Events Ordinance.
No action taken.
City Council Minutes
February 27, 2008
Page 3
I.B. RAINMAKER FOUNTAIN IMPROVEMENTS:
City Manager Ready and Troy But7lafF, Assistant City Manager, provided
background information as outlined in the Memorandum dated February
26, 2008.
The City Council discussed and/or commented on the following with
respect to the Rainmaker Fountain: warranty or guarantee if the Fountain
is renovated, the causes of the Fountain failure, future maintenance and
cost of the Fountain, length of time to complete the renovation, contract
with Waterline to prepare maintenance schedules and professional
inspection expertise during the renovation, extent of the demolition cost
estimate, and the fundraising efforts by the Community.
ACTION: 1) Direct staff to move forward with the preparation of a
renovation contract; 2) Direct staff to review maintenance costs and
contracts for the preparation of maintenance specifications and fountain
maintenance; and 3) Direct staff to address Community fundraising efforts.
By consensus of the City Council.
The City Council recessed at 7:41 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 7:51 p.m.
1.C. FISCAL YEAR 2007-08 MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW AND
DISCUSSION OF REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS AND/OR BOND ISSUE
ELECTION ALTERNATIVES:
City Manager Ready and Tom Kanarr, Interim Finance Director, provided
background information as outlined in the Mid-Year Budget Review dated
February 27, 2008.
The City Council discussed and/or commented on the following with
respect to the Mid-Year Budget Review: increasing the scope for the
proposed expenditure for plantings and maintenance, the current
problems with the tree wells/planter areas in the Downtown area,
replacement factor for damaged plants due to special events and high
traffic areas, increase in maintenance costs, going to bid or amending the
current landscape contract, immediate positive impacts for the current
tourism season, adapt a tree or business participation in the Uptown area,
the uses of BID funds, the proposed minimal surplus in the budget, any
potential impact to the City's budget at the State level including the
Special Distribution Fund, and the investment portfolio.
ACTION: Direct the City Manager to proceed with the preparation of a
contract and budget appropriation for Downtown plantings and
maintenance, with options for expanding the project. By consensus of
the City Council.
City Council Minutes
February 27, 2008
Page 4
2. CONSENT CALENDAR:
ACTION: Approve Items 2.A. and 2.B. Motion Mayor Pro Tern Foat, seconded
by Councilmember Weigel and unanimously carried on a roll call vote.
2.A. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE JAMES O. JESSIE DESERT
HIGHLAND UNITY CENTER RE-ROOFING PROJECT, CITY PROJECT
07-20:
ACTION: 1) Approve an agreement with Al Miller and Sons Roofing, Inc.,
for the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center Re-roofing Project,
in the amount of$81,200, City Project No. 07-20; and 2) Authorize the City
Manager to execute all necessary documents. A5620. Approved as pant
of the Consent Calendar.
2.8. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN EXECUTIVE
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH GEOFFREY KIEHL, DIRECTOR
OF FINANCE AND CITY TREASURER:
ACTION: Authorize the City Manager to execute an executive
employment agreement with Geoffrey Kiehl as Director of Finance and
City Treasurer. A5621. Approved as part of the Consent Calendar.
EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS, REQUESTS, AND REPORTS:
Councilmember Hutcheson requested the City Manager provide information and
expectations for the upcoming City Council Goal/Priority setting session.
Councilmember Mills requested the City Manager review the Banner Fee waiver
request from the Palm Springs Unified School District, review the promotion of the City's
trail systems and for City Staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission to review
development of trail heads, signage and parking for the City's Trails.
Councilmember Weigel commented on the State proposal for the early release of
persons in the State prison system, and requested the City Manager bring forth a
Resolution in opposition for City Council consideration.
Mayor Pougnet requested Staff bring forth an Item to create a City Council
Subcommittee to address mutual issues with the City of Desert Hot Springs,
commented on bus shelters and the Sunline approval of a bus shelter program, and
requested the City Manager review the policy for the trimming of palm trees.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Council adjourned at 8:42 p.m. to a Regular Meeting,
Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, City Hall, preceded
by a Closed Session at 5:00 p.m., Small Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 Last
Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
City Council Minutes
February 27, 2008
Page 5
APPROVED BY A MOTION or THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS
5T" DAY OF MARCH, 2008.
STE HEN POUGNET, MAYOR
ATTEST:
MES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK