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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-03-09MINUTES PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MARCH 9, 1976, 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Henry B. Clark called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on March 9, 1976, in the City Hall Council Chambers. II. PLEDGE III. INVOCATION IV. ROLL CALL Present: Councilman Aston Councilwoman Benson Councilman Brush Councilman McPherson Mayor Clark Also Present: Harvey L. Hurlburt, City Manager V. RESOLUTION NO. 76-38 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, RECITING THE FACT OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD IN SAID CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ON THE 2ND DAY OF MARCH, 1976, DECLAR- ING THE RESULT THEREOF AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS ARE PRO- VIDED BY LAW. Mr. Hurlburt pointed out the major items in the Resolution, stating that a total of 2,238 votes were cast, with a whole number of votes cast (except absent voter ballots), was 2,130, and a whole number of absent voter ballots cast was 108. The results of this election had resulted in the election of Edward D. Mullins and Noel J. Brush to 4 year terms, and William R. Seidler, James E. McPherson and Alexis A. Newbrander to 2 year terms. Councilman Aston moved and Councilman Brush seconded to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 76-38; carried unanimously. VI. PRESENTATION OF PLAQUES TO ALL PRIOR MEMBERS OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION. Mayor Clark outlined the history of the Planning Commission stating that the City Council had acted as the Planning Commission for the first six months following incorporation. In July of 1974, Planning Commissioners were appointed. Mayor Clark pointed out how instrumental this Commission had been in helping the City accomplish the many difficult tasks before them in the first stages of being a City and expressed sincere appreciation on behalf of all of the Council for everyone's participation. The Mayor proceeded to present plaques to the following individuals: Edward D. Mullins William R. Seidler Councilwoman Jean M. Benson Councilman Chuck Aston Councilman Jim McPherson Councilman Noel Brush March 9, 1976 Page 1 Mr. C. Robert Hubbard was unable to attend the meeting and his plaque will be held until a future meeting when he can attend. Councilman Brush presented Mayor Clark with his plaque. Mr. Hurlburt stated that resignations had been received from both William Seidler and Edward Mullins from the Planning Commission. VII. PRESENTATION BY OUT -GOING CITY COUNCIL Mayor Pro-Tempore Noel Brush stated that the past two and one-half years had been hectic, but wonderful, realizing that the City was a fact. He further stated that the biggest single factor in the success of the first City Council was Mayor Henry B. Clark. Mayor Pro-Tem Brush read a Resolution of Commendation prepared for Mayor Clark, and presented it to him. Mayor Clark expressed his sincere appreciation stating that he had had a wonderful Council to work with. He stated that they had many difficult decisions to make, many of which they did not agree on, but this had made their success. He further stated that one of the best things this Council did was to rely on citizen input to advise them. However, the buck stopped at Council. He thanked his fellow council - members for their support and assistance. VIII. UNVEILING OF COUNCILMEMBER'S PICTURES Mayor Clark indicated that pictures of the first Council had been placed at the rear of the Council Chambers and asked for their unveiling. He further stated that the three new members of Council will have their pictures added to this. IX. COMMENTS FROM OUT -GOING MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL Councilwoman Benson stated that she was very proud to have served on the first City Council and felt that their success said it very well. She further stated that it was difficult to step down. She was very glad that the City did not have a K-Mart at the entrance, one of many things the first Council accomplished. Councilman Aston stated that he felt very grateful that he had had the opportunity to serve his community on the first Council and that he would continue to do so at the will of the new Council. He wished the new Council the best of luck and fortitude. X. PRESENTATION OF SERVICE PINS TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE FIRST CITY COUNCIL Mr. Hurlburt stated that service pins had been made for presentation to employees for service to the City of one year and two years. It was his pleasure to present the first of these pins to the members of the first City Council, which he so did. XI. SWEARING -IN CEREMONY FOR NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS Mr. Hurlburt, City Clerk,read the Oath of Office to the newly elected Councilmembers, Noel Brush, Edward Mullins, James McPherson, Alexis Newbrander, and William Seidler, requesting their affirmation of the oath, which they gave. Certificates of Election were presented to each newly elected member. March 9, 1976 Page 2 XII. SEATING OF NEW COUNCIL Mayor Clark invited the new members of Council to take their seats at the Council table while the departing members left. XIII. COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE NEW CITY COUNCIL Councilman Newbrander stated that she ran because she wanted to do something for Palm Desert. She contined with the fact that she was interested in all of the people and hoped that the Council meetings would receive good public participation. Councilman Seidler expressed his appreciation to the former Council for their excellent job. He stated that he felt the results of the election indicated the confidence in the first Council and their projects. He said the Council now seated should act, develop programs in tune with the community, and start an erra of establishing programs to benefit the whole community. Councilman Mullins stated that he was certainly happy to be here. He stated that it was a great thrill to be elected and he hoped he could perform as Councilman as the public would want him to. He would try. Councilman Brush said that excellent comments were presented and that he was very proud when he was first elected and this was an equal thrill. He promised to continue to serve the public to the best of his ability. Councilman McPherson expressed his extreme gratification for his reelection. He encouraged the rest of the candidates to continue to participate in City activities. He also expressed gratification that the voters had confidence in their old Council He asked that everyone participate by coming to Council meetings and expressing their views to Council. XIV. MEETING TURNED OVER TO CITY CLERK TO CONDUCT SELECTION OF NEW MAYOR BY NEW CITY COUNCIL. Mayor Clark turned the meeting over to Mr. Hurlburt, City Clerk. Councilman Mullins stated that it was obvious the amount of work that went into the position of Mayor. He felt that the outcome of the election showed what the Council had done in the past was what the public wanted to see happen in the future. He further stated that experience counts. Councilman Mullins nominated Councilman Brush to the position of Mayor for the newly seated Council. Councilman McPherson seconded the nomination. Mr. Hurlburt asked if there were any further nominations and with none presented, he closed the nominations. Councilman Brush was unanimously selected as the new Mayor. XV. COMMENTS BY NEWLY SELECTED MAYOR Mayor Brush thanked the City Council for their confidence as well as the public. He stated that we are a City, he believed in it along with many others and would work for it. XVI. CONDUCT SELECTION OF MAYOR PRO-TEMPORE Mayor Brush stated that in line with what had been previously said, that experience did count. There is a member of the Council who is extremely experienced in the ways of this community in that he has been here for over 25 years. Mayor Brush nominated Councilman Ed Mullins for the positon of Mayor Pro-Tempore and Councilman McPherson seconded the nomination. Mayor Brush asked if there were any further nominations and with none presented, nominations were closed. Councilman Ed Mullins was unanimously selected as Mayor Pro-Tempore. March 9, 1976 Page 3 XVII. PRESENTATIONS BY NEWLY SEATED CITY COUNCIL Mayor Brush presented outgoing Councilman Chuck Aston, Council- woman Jean Benson, and Mayor Clark with plaques of appreciation. XVIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Jack McFadyen, Shadow Mountain Drive, Palm Desert, addressed Council expressing his sincere congratulations on behalf of the Boosters Committee. Mr. Hurlburt, City Manager, stated that it had been a great pleasure for him to serve the previous Council and that they should be very pleased with their accomplishments in the past 2-1/2 years, especially since they were the first Council. He continued that he was pleased with the election and would be very happy working with the new Council at their pleasure. XIX. ADJOURNMENT Councilman Seidler moved and Councilman McPherson seconded to adjourn the meeting; motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. ATTEST: H Y L. LBU T, City Cle k March 9, 1976 Page 4