HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-12-12CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 1974
PALM DESERT MIDDLE SCHOOL
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Palm Desert City Council was
called to order by Mayor Clark at 7:02 P.M. on December 12,
1974 at the Palm Desert Middle School.
II. PLEDGE
III. INVOCATION
IV. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilman CHUCK ASTON; Councilwoman JEAN BENSON;
Councilman NOEL BRUSH; Councilman JIM McPHERSON;
Mayor HENRY CLARK
Absent: None
Others Present:
City Manager - Harvey L. Hurlburt
City Attorney - Dave Erwin
Dir. of Environmental Services - Paul Williams
V. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS & APPOINTMENTS - None
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Councilman Aston moved that the minutes of the City
Council meeting of 12/5/74 be approved as submitted. Motion
seconded by Councilman McPherson and carried unanimously.
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Notice of Hearing of Southern California Edison
Company before the PUC for authorization to make
effective a special adjustment to billings
Action: Received and filed
B. Notice of Southern California Gas Company before
the PUC for general increase in gas rates
Action: Received and filed
C. Desert Sands Unified School District letter dtd
11/27/74 requesting an ordinance be adopted to
assist the Sheriff's Department in maintaining
crowd control
Action: Received and referred to City Manager for
appropriate action
D. Letter from Palm Desert Citizens Action Committee
dtd 12/5/74 re proposed ordinance of disclosure
Action: Received and City Manager directed to reply
E. Letter from Palm Desert Citizens Action Committee
dtd 12/5/74 re City Treasurer
Action: Received and filed
F. Letter from Chairman, CAC, dated 12/9/74 re General
Plan recommended changes
Action: Received and referred to Planning Commission
G. CVAG letter dated 12/2/74 re By -Pass
Action: Referred to City Manager for assignment of
appropriate staff member to Special Ad Hoc Committee
Councilman Aston moved that the Consent Calendar be
adopted. Motion seconded by Councilman McPherson and carried
unanimously.
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. P.P. 1030 - STOTTER & CAPLOW - Consideration of
appeal of Planning Commission denial of K-Mart and
other retail stores, south side of Highway 111 at
El Paseo
The Mayor opened the hearing.
Mr. Williams read a letter from Mr. M. Resnick
representing Stotter & Caplow, requesting an extension for
30 days. Mr. Williams said staff recommended denial without
prejudice because the plot plan procedure is no longer in
effect and because the Core Area shows the property appropriate
for residential.
There were no proponents nor opponents to the
applicant's request for an extension of 30 days.
Mayor closed the hearing.
Councilman Brush moved for denial without prejudice
a request for appeal of Planning Commission denial of P.P.
1030, by Resolution No. 74-114. Motion seconded by Council-
woman Benson and carried unanimously.
B. Tentative Tract 6259 - C. G. DUNHAM - Consideration
of tentative tract for 12=lot subdivision covering
3.22 acres located along the north side of Grapevine
and the east side of Burroweed Lane R-2-8000
The Mayor opened the hearing.
Mr. Williams said this matter was continued for
staff to revise the Resolution, which provides that the
cul-de-sac shall be installed in a manner acceptable to the
Director of Environmental Services and that no -parking signs
shall be installed along the cul-de-sac of Burroweed Lane.
He recommended approval of the project by Resolution No. 74-99.
Mr. Curt Dunham, 71-888 Vista Del Rio, Rancho Mirage,
said he concurred with the staff recommendations and requested
that the map be approved, as amended.
Councilman McPherson moved that Tentative Tract 6259
be approved by Resolution No. 74-99. Motion seconded by
Councilman Brush and carried unanimously.
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IX. ORDINANCES
For Introduction:
A. ORDINANCE NO. 63 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, AUTHORIZING CERTAIN CITY
EMPLOYEES TO ISSUE MISDEMEANOR CITATIONS
Councilman McPherson moved that further reading be
waived and that ORDINANCE NO. 63 be passed to second reading.
Motion seconded by Councilman Brush and carried unanimously.
B. ORDINANCE NO. 65 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, AMENDING ORD. NO. 24 OF
SAID CITy RELATING TO REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR
THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC NUISANCES IN SAID CITY
Councilman Aston moved that further reading be
waived and that ORDINANCE NO. 65 be passed to second reading.
Motion seconded by Councilman McPherson and carried unanimously.
For Adoption:
A. ORDINANCE NO. 61 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, RESTRICTING HOURS OF
CONSTRUCTION
Councilman McPherson moved that further reading be
waived and that ORDINANCE NO. 61 be adopted. Motion seconded
by Councilman Aston and carried unanimously.
X. RESOLUTIONS
A. RESOLUTION NO. 74-110 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, ALLOWING CLAIMS
AND WARRANTS AGAINST CITY TREASURY
Councilman Aston moved that further reading be
waived and that RESOLUTION NO. 74-110 be adopted. Motion
seconded by Councilwoman Benson and carried unanimously.
B. RESOLUTION NO. 74-111 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, TERMINATING
COUNTY BUILDING INSPECTIONS IN THE CITY AT 12:00
P.M. ON DECEMBER 31, 1974 AND COMMENDING PREVIOUS
COUNTY SERVICE
Councilman Aston moved that further reading be
waived and that RESOLUTION NO. 74-111 be adopted. Motion
seconded by Councilman McPherson and carried unanimously.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 74-112 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, APPROVING RATE
SCHEDULE WITH COACHELLA VALLEY TELEVISION
Councilman Aston moved that further reading be
waived and that RESOLUTION NO. 74-112 be adopted. Motion
seconded by Councilman McPherson and carried unanimously.
D. RESOLUTION NO. 73-113 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, MODIFYING THE
HOLIDAY PROVISIONS FOR CITY EMPLOYEES
Councilman Aston moved that further reading be
waived and that RESOLUTION NO. 74-113 be adopted. Motion
seconded by Councilman McPherson and carried unanimously.
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E. RESOLUTION NO. 74-115 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, DESIGNATING THE
DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AS THE OFFICER
ENFORCING TITLE 25 OF THE CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE
CODE IN SAID CITY
Councilman Aston moved that further reading be
waived and that RESOLUTION NO. 74-115 be adopted. Motion
seconded by Councilman McPherson and carried unanimously.
XI. CONTINUING BUSINESS
A. Consideration of a contract for Improvement District
No. 1 with Wilsey & Ham, Inc. in the amount of $31,300
Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Aston
seconded that the contract be approved.
Councilman Brush said he had some questions. He said
he was not satisfied with it and thinks it falls within the
same line of thought discussed in the study session, that there
are many questions unanswered in his own mind and in the minds
of lot of people in the community. He said the drawings indi-
cated a tram and various treatments proposed. He could not see
detailing until it has been determined what they will do with
it.
Mr. Larry Morrison of Wilsey & Ham said it would be
possible to eliminate some items before any costinn were done
if that were the decision of the Committee. The set meetings
would establish more ground rules for decision making purposes.
For example, if it were concluded that there was no interest
at all in awnings for stores, that could be eliminated. He
said in most cases it would be useful to have some of the cost
implications of a particular item as part of the basis for
making a decision. As an example, if the Committee said
there should be no tramway, that should be done. However,
since that is a very fundamental question to the whole future
downtown that would be one which might be harder to cast aside
than the awnings. So it is not the intent to study things that
people aren't interested in. It is the basic concept for those
things that it is felt need exploring, then using that data to
select items and come up with a composite plan.
Councilman Brush said it looked like approving a
contract calling for payment of over $31,000 and not knowing
what is being asked for at this point.
Mr. Morrison said the basic components to be studied
are identifiable - obviously parking is one of the key con-
cerns - circulation, using the Frontage Roads - landscaping,
including lighting, signing, plant materials, surfaces, etc.
The intent is to study at the level of detail every element
that is involved.
Councilwoman Benson said she was concerned over the
meeting schedule involved and the cost therefor.
Mr. Morrison said this had not been billed into
the contract because it was prior to the City structure of
what committees there would be.
vote:
The original motion was carried by the following
AYES: Aston; McPherson; Clark
NOES: Benson; Brush
Mr. Morrison said he would feel better if he knew why
the Council was not all in accord.
Councilwoman Benson said she thought we would be paying
for something before knowing what we are developing - like
putting the cart before the horse.
Councilman Brush said he too thought the cart was
before the horse. He thought more factors should be deter-
mined before issuing the contract,
Mayor Clark pointed out that the proper function of the
Priority Committee is to control and direct, through the
Council, the Wilsey & Ham studies, thus ensuring proper use
of these monies.
XII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER - None
XIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Review of proposed Coachella Valley County Water
District Sewer Projects for conformance with
General Plan
Councilman Aston moved that these projects be
approved by RESOLUTION NO. 74-109. Councilman Brush
seconded the motion which was carried unanimously.
B. Discussion of change to State Department of
Transportation 20-year program
Mr. Williams said this matter had been referred
back to the Planning Commission who reviewed it and
recommended that the Council find the proposed plan has no
effect on the City, and on the basis of the correspondence
received no response is necessary.
XIV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
XV. REPORTS & REMARKS
A. City Manager - None
B. City Attorney - None
C. Mayor & City Council
Councilman Aston said the appointments of one
member and the Chairman of the Architectural Review Board
expire on January 3, 1975, before there is another ARB
meeting, therefore, a new Chairman from the Council and a
replacement for Ed Mullins, a member of the Planning Com-
mission, should be done this meeting or next week, Council-
man Aston recommended that the terms go through the first
Tuesday of the month to which they are appointed.
Councilman Brush thought the term of the Chairman
of the Committee should be extended to permit more familiari-
zation with their duties.
Councilman McPherson said the terms of all the
members should be extended, not just the Chairman, to four
months.
Councilman Brush moved that the term of the
Architectural Review Board members be extended through the
first Tuesday in January. Councilman McPherson seconded the
motion which was carried unanimously.
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Councilman Brush moved that Councilwoman Benson be
Chairman of the Architectural Review Board effective the
first meeting after the first Tuesday in January, 1974.
Councilman Aston seconded the motion which was carried
unanimously.
Councilman McPherson moved that the terms of the
Planning Commission members on the Architectural Review
Board be for a term of four months, following the first
Tuesday in January, and that they be staggered so there
is a new member from the Planning Commission every two
months. Councilman Brush seconded the motion which was
carried unanimously.
Councilman Brush said there had been a great deal of
discussion on the duties and responsibilities of the two
committees for the Core Area. At a recent meeting it was
decided that the Finance Committee duties were pretty
well defined but that there should be some changes for
the Traffic Priority Committee. It was decided to change
the name to the Core Area Planning Priority Committee. The res-
ponsibilities have been enlarged to make it more than
just traffic. The composition of the Committee has been
enlarged to a total of15 members. There will be a member
of the City Council who will act as the Chairman; a member
of the Planning Commission; a member of the Citizens
Advisory Committee; a representative from the Chamber of
Commerce; a Cal Trans Traffic Engineer; a County Traffic
Engineer; a representative of the Sheriff's Department;
a member of the Automobile Club; a citizen at large; a
representative from the Palm Desert Property Owners Asso-
ciation who is a property owner in the Core Area; a business
man or property owner from each of the 4 quadrants of the
Core Area; and a representative of a utility firm.
Councilman Brush made a motion to approve the compo-
sition of the Committee, as above, the scope of responsibi-
lities, and the title change. Motion seconded by Councilman
McPherson and carried unanimously.
Mayor Clark said for the benefit of the press that the
Council meeting scheduled for next Thursday, December 19,
will be held, however, the discussion of the General Plan
which was originally scheduled for that date will be post-
poned until a Special City Council meeting on January 6
with the hope that more people will be back from their
Christmas holiday and, therefore, every citizen will have
the best opportunity to attend the hearing and make their
wishes known, and he hoped the press would give this
adequate publicity. Mayor Clark further said that the
meeting on December 19 is in lieu of the meeting on
December 26th, which has been cancelled.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Aston moved that the meeting be adjourned
to 7:00 P.M. December 19. Motion seconded by Councilman
McPherson and carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M.
A (TEST:
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Mary Pal Yiter-Deputy City Clerk