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Home My WebLink About1974-01-10r CITY OF PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1974, 7:00 P.M. '7O ORDER. The regular meeting of the : Palm. Desert City _- __ ci _ -as called to order by Mayor Clark on January 10, 1974 __ -:: ?»M. at the Palm Desert Middle School. IT. _ _ = _ 'ION; Councilman Aston gave the Invocation. III. I'LEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Councilman Brush led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. RDLL CALL PRESENT: Councilman CHUCK ASTON; Councilwoman JEAN EENSON; Councilman NOEL BRUSH; Councilman JAMES McPHERSON; and Mayor CLARK ABSENT: None Others Present: City Manager - E. R. Asmus Deputy City Attorney - John Anderholt Senior Planner, Indio - Jerry Dupree V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 27, 1973 and the Adjourned Meeting of January 2, 1974 were approved as submitted. VI. SUBMISSION OF CLAIMS A. RESOLUTION NO. 74-1 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT APPROVING CLAIMS AGAINST TIIE CITY. City Manager requested the item for office supplies, Stockwell & Binney $86.63 be deleted for further invoice check, making the total claim $2,078.83. Moved by Councilman Brush, seconded by Councilman Aston and unanimously carried that these claims be paid. VII. AWARDS & PRESENTATIONS: On behalf of City Attorney David Erwin, Deputy City Attorney John Enderholt presented Mayor Clark with a gavel. VIII. SCHEDULED MATTERS: None IX. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Lei Peck, Concerned Citizens, asked for clarification of Ordinance *12. X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. ORDINANCE NO. 17 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CREATING AND ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF CITY MANAGER, DEFINING TIIn DUTIES AND PO ;ERS THEREOF AND PROVIDING COMPENSATION THEREFOR. 3acond reading. .'oved by Councilman Aston, seconded by Councilwoman Bens:n that further reading be waived and that Ordinance No. 17 be adopted. Councilman Brush raised the question of both cash severance pay in a lump sun equal to three rionths' pay and = -:./5 majority of the Council to dismiss a City Manager. Motic' err;-d by the following vote: Aston, Benson, McPherson, Clark ::O S : Brush B. Report & Recommendations re: Planning Service City Manager Asmus read his report, dated.1./10/74, in full. Councilman Brush moved, seconded by Councilman Aston that the City Manager be authorized to immediately recruit and employ an Associate Planner and approved a salary range of $12,000 - #15,000 per annum. Motion unanimously carried by the following vote: AYES: Aston, Benson, Brush, McPherson, Clark NOES: None XI. NEW BUSINESS A. Appeal of Plot Plan denial of Kopstein Development 72-655 Parkview City Manager stated Mrs. Anne Foster had formally requested that the City Council continue this hearing. Mrs. Foster stated she was withdrawing her request. Mr. Emanuel Kopstein, representing the developers of Parkview Manor Apartments, addressed the meeting. IIe stated the plot plan had been approved on May 13, 1973; building permits were issued on July 6, 1973, costing $4,000; that the plot plan required that substantial construction commence within one year and that construction has commenced and sub- mitted to the Council what they can see on the land. Project consists of 82 units on 8 acres of land. They have increased the square footage in the one -bedroom units from 540 to 572, which will rent for $155 unfurnished, and $175 furnished; the junior, or studio apartments contain 460 square feet and would rent for $149 furnished. Balconies would be added on second floor units (4' x 7'); all ground floor units would be garden type with sliding glass doors to common areas consisting of attractive landscaping, walkways, barbeque, picnic facilities, one large swimming pool 20' x 40' and one therapy pool. Three planned tennis courts and a basketball area immediately to the east, landscaped with grass and trees. He stated they were not willing or able to contract expense on changing basic building locations as building pads had bean dug down 3' and dirt has been compacted to support the foundation. Ile further stated this is one of the only projects in the area which offers facilities to the handicapped, doors extra wide, bars for support in bathrooms and bedrooms, extra wide walkways, special parking. Project is planned for students,staff and working people in the area and was designed to provide improved student housing. An expected increased cost of $25,000 would be added with the additional improvements. 2 1/10/74 :d Peck, Concerned Citizens, stated they were of the opinion -ha_ _ � aace -it property owners :could be seriously affected by the dev 7-=nt. If a two-story apartment house of this type were ally tc be built, it would attract other developments of this typ=. He a'_leged that this street is one of the main streets.' into 2_1:ege of the Desert and the property should be upgraded. IIe f _: --_ _= alleged that Mr. Kopstein was a member of Concerned Cit.iz= and was made a Director in 1973 and was present 'when rezo-' - - -: as :a i scussed , restricting two-story buildings in that area. He recommended the appeal be denied. ?:s. Wall, a resident in the area between the College and the proposed apartment building, advised she had discussed this with Dr. Stout, College President, who told her he could not endorse any housing but could only recommend if the property were properly disciplined or maintained. Mrs. Anne Foster emphasized that Dr. Stout said he could not approve any building unless it had been inspected, and that he could never approve a building with 2 or 3 students in a small apartment. Mr. Kopstein stated he had only attended one meeting of the Concerned Citizens. He suggested Dr. Stout be invited to attend a Council meeting and express his own feelings. Councilwoman Benson did not feel there was any significant change in the plans and that the balconies would be additional handicaps, with clothes hanging out, etc., like presently exists in another substandard apartment building in the area. Councilman Aston moved, Councilwoman Benson seconded that the City Council approve the action of the Planning Commission and denied the appeal. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Aston, Benson, Brush, McPherson, Clark NOES: None Meeting was recessed at 8:22 P.M. and resumed at 8:30 P.M. B. Report and Recommendations re selection of an independent auditor Councilman Aston moved, Councilwoman Benson seconded that the City Council authorize the City Manager to secure proposals for auditing service for subsequent presentation to the Council and that such proposals be solicited from firms or individuals experienced in auditing municipal accounts in the State of California. Motion unanimously carried. C. Report and Recommendation re Business License Ordinance City Manager Asmus read his report in full.. Councilman McPherson moved, Councilman Aston seconded that the City Manager be authorized to request the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce and El Paseo Merchants Association to appoint a small committee to develop a recommended ordinance and fee structure for Council consideration, that April 1, 1974 be established as the date when a suggested ordinance be ready for City Council consideration, and that Councilman Brush be appointed as liaison member to serve on said committee. Motion unani:7.oLlsly carried. 3 1/10/74 D. Verbal report on meeting with Division of Highway Officers re: Traffic and speed sinning on Highways 111 and 74. City : Ianagcr Asmus reported that in the past this. area has 'tee^n served by both San Diego and San Bernardino and that 7.0.: the city will be entirely in the San Bernardino distr_z-. A year ago they conducted traffic studies *and' the =:.:st speed they can legally put on the highways is just as ;Jrase71-1-_lv posted. Speeds can only be set at what 85% of the ==='e is moving at the time. They suggested that • rather than having another study now, that due to the new speed li-.it of 55 mph it could have some effect on the S5!: average, and a wait of 30 to 60 days might prove more beneficial. Mr. Asmus will investigate further and submit a more detailed report on January 24, 1974. Statement of Fund Balances as of 1/9/74 Statement was received and filed. Another report will be presented on January 24, 1974. XII. wrITT r N COMMUNICATIONS A. Application for County CUP for Planned Residential Development (immediately north of City limit; west of Portola - 133 acres) Planner Dupree advised this is in County jurisdiction and is brought to the Council so they may be apprised in the event it may someday he within city limits. This is a country club project and with the exception of 8 acres would be a golf course. Portola Avenue would be used as an access road. Plot plans will be presented to the Council in February. XIII. REPORTS & REMARKS Mayor Clark thanked the two representatives of the Junior Woman's Club for the cake and coffee provi,3ed at the r.eeting. He also stated he has been riding around the city looking at drainage trouble spots and hopes to have a cost estimate from the County Road Department to improve some locations. XIV. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M. until Monday, January 14, 1974 at 7:00 P.M. at the City Hall for the purpose of going into Executive Session to make final decisions on the Citizens Advisory Committee. ATTEST: i C1a <'3 . Hcnry Mary ainterj- Deputy City Clerk 4 1110/ 74