HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-01-24CITY OF PALM DESERT
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 24, 1974
I. ____ TO ORDER. The regular meeting of the Palm Desert
C_ __ :__c__ was called to order by Mayor Clark on January
24, :.-= at 7:05 P.M. at the Palm Desert Middle School.
II. 1-::VOCATION. Councilman Aston gave the invocation.
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Councilman Brush led the Pledge
of Allegiance.
IV. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilman CHUCK ASTON; Councilwoman JEAN
BENSON; Councilman NOEL BRUSH; Councilman
JAMES McPHERSON; and Mayor HENRY CLARK
ABSENT: None
Others Present:
City Manager - E. R. Asmus
City Attorney - David Erwin
County Planner - Jerry Dupree
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of the Adjourned meeting of January 8, 1974.
were approved as submitted.
B. Minutes of the Regular meeting of January 10, 1974
were approved as submitted.
C. Minutes of the Adjourned meeting of January 14, 1974
were approved as submitted.
VI. SUBMISSION OF CLAIMS
RESOLUTION 74-3 - A RESOLUTION.OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT ALLOWING CLAIMS
AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY TREASURY
Claims in the amount of $3,778.03 were presented for
approval. Moved.by Councilman Aston, seconded by Councilman
Brush and unanimously carried that these claims be paid.
VIII. AWARDS & PRESENTATIONS
A. Introduction and Gereral Discussion with Citizens
Advisory Committee
The following members were introduced: JOH "_AC D.
LECKY; RON GORMAN; ED PECK; ED MULLINS; GEORGE: BE^K,_Y;
WILLIAM SEIDLER; DON EIC`IARPSON; KERMIT 1`.,\t'":I.,`:; ROY WTTSON;
ROBERT RICCIARDI; JEAN ANN PIRSCHI; JOIN OUTCAULT. Absent
were Janis 'Dale, Mrs. Josephine Luhring and :stage Harmin.
The first organizational meeting will be field at
7:3: P.X. on Thursday, January 31, 1974 at the Retired
Ct:_=::rcn's Foundation on PorLola Avenue in Palm Desert.
'_rman and Vice -Chairman will be elected at that time.
Attorney Erwin commented that the State has a new
conflict of interest law which went into effect on January
1, 7.174 but that he did not feel that members of this
Co7-'!::ea wore subject to filing n financial statement.
Discussion ensued concerning the master plan and sphere
o: ;__=_ucnce. Mayor Clark said he would like to have the
appoin t one of two who would help the Council in
deter ining the hest qualified professional. planning firm.
IX. ORAL CX:MUNICATI0NS
Robert I::icciardi presented a letter from Howard B.
Lawson, an opponent of. the K Mart project, which was
entered into the record.
Robert Saunders, Hallmark Engineering, Cathedral City,
stated he had been retained by a group of out-of-town
investors interested in purchasing property in Palm Desert.
He said they chose to remain anonymous but they had a
Question. Since becoming a City, is it necessary to get
permission or meet with Concerned Citizens in order to
proceed. 14ayor Clark commented that Concerned Citizens
served a useful purpose before incorporation but that
since incorporation, the Planning Commission has total
responsibility for making decisions as to what will be
acceptable to the community. The only exception may be
that property under the Palm Desert Property Owners
Association where deed restrictions may be stricter than
the zoning ordinances. In that case it may be necessary
to get their recommendations and approval. Mr. Saunders
further asked that if after approval has been made by the •
Planning Commission and City Council, what would happen
if Concerned Citizens files a suit against the developer.
Attorney Erwi.n said that so far as the City is concerned,
the City has the responsibility, if their decision is
challenged, to uphold the decision. Ed Peck stated that
Concerned Citizens has only served in an advisory capacity
to any developer who has wanted to come in the City.
Fd Benson, 1106 Sandpiper, suggested a tape recorder
be utilized for public hearings. Re also suggested and
encouraged that City Council members take steps to receive
monetary compensation.
X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Plot Plan Disapproval Appeal, 74-603 Shadow
Hills Dr., 7 carports - Building Permits
239559-65
Bruce Vinton, construction superintendent for
the Hugh Thorson project, said this is a 64 unit, 3-story
complex and that at the time they took out permits in
July 1973, the carports were not included in the project.
Councilwoman Benson said she was not in favor of the metal
frcr:es, out in the open.
Councilman McPherson *roved, Councilman Brush
second that this matter be continued until February 14,
1974. .0 ;permit the developer to redesign the projec't-by
.pro\vi .i gig' a wall or landscaping -or redesign of the -Carports.
1/24/74
Approval of Final Subdivision Naps 5055
(cable Plaza East)
Discussion ensued concerning.a poker pole in
rfgHt of way immediately behind the building.
.'ayor Clark moved, seconded by Councilman Aston
tha: _ e final subdivision man be approved subject to the
cu.:_"_tion of a S10,000 bond that would guarantee payment
of t:na moving of this pole as necessary over the next year.
`lotion unanimously carried.
XI. NEW BUSINESS
A. ORDINANCE NO. 19 - AN ORDIN'1NCT .OF T}1F CITY OF
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ANNEXING CERTAIN CONTIGUOUS
TERRITORY TO SAID CITY UNDEP. THE PROVISIONS OF
GOVERNMENT CODE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, WHICH
PROCEEDINGS ARE DESIGNATED AND KNOWN AS PALM DESERT
NO. 1 - SUN KING (LAFC NO 74-6-4)
Councilman Aston. moved, Councilman Brush seconded
that further reading be waived, and passed to an adjourned
meeting of the City Council for second reading. Motion
unanimously carried.
C. General Discussion re: Sewer hook-up, house
lateral installations and main sewer line
construction.
Mr. B.D. Powell, County Surveyor, and Mr. Lowell
Weeks, General Manager, Coachella Valley County Water
District, briefed the Council on general polices, and the
proposed building of trunk lines •throu'gh: portions' of
Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage. As of this date, with the
arrangement with the Health Department, who establishes
the method of sanitation and can delegate authority to the
Building Department, any new construction or replacement of
a septic tank, if within 200' of the lines, they must hook
into a line
Meeting was recessed at 8:40 P.M. and called to order
at 8:50 P.M.
D. Notice of Planning Commission action taken
January 7, 1974 on:
1. CUP No. 01-73-PI) (M.B. Johnson)
2. CUP No. 02-73-PD (Emblem Construction)
3. CUP No. 03-73-PD (Destination Resort)
4. Variance No. 01-73-PD (Destination Resort)
Councilman Aston moved, Councilman Brush seconded
that the above cases, which were approved subject to con-
ditions, be received and notice of action filed. Motion
unanimously carried.
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C. Application of Southern California Edison for
Electric Franchise
City Manager Asnus explained that in accordance with
t _ Franchise Act of 1937, it is necessary for the City
Council to adopt a Resolution declaring its intention to
grant an electric franchise to Southern California Edison
Company. After the hearing on the application the• Council
will adopt an ordinance granting the franchise. The
Resolution would establish a hearing date of February 28,
1974.
RESOLUTION NO. 74-4 - RESOLUTION OF TIIE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT DECLARING
ITS INTENTION TO GRANT AN ELECTRIC FRANCHISE
TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY
,Councilman McPherson moved, Councilman Aston
seconded that further reading be waived and that Resolution
No. 74-4 be adopted. Motion unanimously carried.
B. Consideration of Joint Powers Agreement re
_Formation of the Coachella Valley Association
of Governments
City Manager Asmus explained that Palm Desert is
the only city which is presently not a member. Cost for.
a 3-month period is.$1,700.. Cost is based on 502 population
and 50% assessed evaluation. Palm Desert would pay the
third highest of the total cost of the Association. Re
believed the value of the Association for Coachella Valley
is worth City participation.. Mayor Clark commented that
the basic goals are joint studies.on air pollution, traffic
and similar matters whici are common to each, but as a group
it would be worth exploring and he felt that as a City, with
the cities on all sides being members, Palm Desert should
do its part to see if it would work. He recommended joining.
Councilwoman recommended joining for a year, if at all. The
cost for one year would be $6,178.
Councilman Brush moved, Councilwoman Benson
seconded that the City of Palm Desert become..a member
of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, and
that the Mayor be authorized to sign the. agreement on
behalf of the City. Motion unanimously carried.
E. Report on City Seal Contest
Councilman Aston reported that there were 182
entries and that the 7 finalists were being presented to
the Council to select the winner.
Councilwoman Benson moved, Councilman McPherson
seconded that the entry submitted by Lois Hammer, 74-385
El Carnino, Apt. 41, International Lodge, Palm, be declared
as the official Palm Desert seal. Motion unanimously carried.
Councilman Brush stated that all entries will be
displayed at the Expo this Saturday, January 26, 1974.
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F. Determination re: Holiday schedule February 12,
and February 1S, 1974
City :tanager recommended that February 18, 1974.
b. -=_==r__ a legal holiday but not February 12, 1974.
Co_Incilmnu Aston moved, Coune.iLman Brush seconded
the_ =i r:; 18, 1974 he declared a legal holiday for the
City of ?alm Desert. Notion unanimously carried.
XII. :RITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
A. Letter From Anne Foster
It was agreed that communications in this category
be distributed to Council members but not entered on the
agenda.
XIII. REPORTS & REMARKS
Councilman Brush made a motion that the City *tanager
be authorized to purchase a speaker system and recorder
immediately. Motion seconded by Councilman McPherson and
unanimously carried.
There was general discussion regarding priorities of
the.Citizens' Advisory Committee but no specific decisions
or direction given. Mayor Clark suggested each Council
member should try to come up with recommendations at the
next meeting.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
Councilwoman Benson moved that the meeting be adjourned
to Executive Session for personnel purposes. Motion seconded
by Councilman Aston and unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 9:25 P.M.
Meeting was called to order by Mayor Clark at 10:14''
P.M.
Councilman "_McPherson moved, Councilman Brush seconded
that meeting be adjourned to February 1, 1974 at 6:00 P.M.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M.
Mary Paintir - Deputy City Clerk
1/24/74