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Home My WebLink About1976-09-16MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 16, 1976 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Brush called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. II. PLEDGE - Councilman McPherson III. INVOCATION - Mayor Pro-Tempore Ed Mullins IV. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: V. Councilman McPherson Councilman Mullins Councilman Seidler Mayor Brush Also Present. Councilman Newbrander Martin J. Bouman, Acting City Manager David J. Erwin, City Attorney RESOLUTION NO. 76-118 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, RATIFYING THE DECLARA- TION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY. Mr. Bouman explained that this resolution ratified his original declaration of a state of emergency as a result of the September loth flood. He further indicated that this state of emergency would exist by passage of the subject resolution until Council adopted another resolution declaring the termination of the state of emergency. Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Mullins seconded to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 76-118. Motion carried unanimously. VI. STATUS REPORT AND GENERAL DISCUSSION OF FLOOD RELATED MATTERS. Mr. Lowell Weeks of the Coachella Valley Water District showed on an aerial photograph the flow of the water across Palm Desert. He further explained that a flow of water came down the Martinez Canyon, knocking out a diversion dike built by the California Department of Transportation. It then proceeded down Dead Indian Canyon where it hit the Dead Indian Canyon Diversion Dike, the force of which caused a breach in two places, allowing the the water to spread across the urbanized area of Palm Desert in a northeasterly direction towards the White Water River Storm Channel. Mr. Weeks advised the audience that the firm of Bechtel Engineering had been engaged by the Coachella Valley Water District to conduct a thorough survey and study to determine how to correct this situation from happening in the future. September 16, 1976 Page 1 Mr. Bouman advised the audience of the present status of the flood situation indicating that the damage estimated at that point was approximately $17.2 million. He stated that this was not an exact figure and that it could and would be adjusted accordingly as new information came in. He advised that every effort had been made by Council and the City Staff to have the area declared a State Disaster Area which in turn should lead to the declaration of a Federal Disaster Area. The State declaration will provide the City with funds for the rebuilding of public facilities whereas the Federal declaration would provide loans to homeowners for restoration of their homes. No interest figure had been made available as yet for the Federal Aid loans. Mr. Bouman pointed out that 120 Marines were in the area as well as State and County fire fighting crews assisting the residents in digging out. He stated that anyone requiring assistance should contact City Hall. He added that the Red Cross was also in the area for assistance. Colonel Shaeffer of the Marines was in the audience and Council and Staff thanked him sincerely for his men's help. Colonel Shaeffer responded by thanking everyone for their gratitude and their kindness to his men while they had been working in the area. The following individuals spoke regarding the flood: Mr. George Faucette 73-451 Bursera, Palm Desert Mr. Winter 73-163 Somera Road, Palm Desert Mr. Ben Barnum 74-105 Setting Sun Trail, Palm Desert Mr. Lintz 48-240 Center Crt., Palm Desert Mr. Mel Taylor 73-011 Somera Road, Palm Desert Mr. Mike Meenan KCMJ Radio Station Mr. Carlo Tozi 72-920 Homestead, Palm Desert Mr. Bill Aaron 44-855 San Luis Rey, Palm Desert Mr. Tom O'Sullivan 74-990 Homestead Road, Palm Desert Mr. Frank Hoffman 73-840 Flagstone Lane, Palm Desert Mr. Ted Landon Representative for Shadow Mountain Resort Club Palm Desert Mr. Art Leatherby 73-273 Salt Cedar, Palm Desert Mr. Russ Johnston 73-266 Goldflower, Palm Desert Mr. Robin Barrett 44-393 Lingo Lane, Palm Desert September 16, 1976 Page 2 Mr. Ray Zellar 48-425 Alamo, Palm Desert Ms. Elizabeth Niranga 73-302 Highway 111, Palm Desert Dr. Harold Byrd 47-967 Sun Corral, Palm Desert Mr. George Marzicola 73-743 Highway 111 Representing the Palm Desert Board of Realtors Mrs. Madelyn Baker 72-881 Bel Air Road, Palm Desert Ms. Gloria Greer 73-347 Tamarisk, Palm Desert Ms. Rosalyn Landis Palm Desert Mr. Don Bolas 73-182 Skyward Way, Palm Desert Ms. Shirley Spark 73-010 Somera Road, Palm Desert Ms. Bonita Bolas 72-183 Skyward Way, Palm Desert Considerable Council discussion ensued including discussion relative to one or more lending institutions having already issued moratoriums on mortgage payments for those residents having been affected by the flood. Councilman Mullins moved to direct the Staff to work with the Board of Realtors in contacting lending institutions regarding a mortgage moratorium for flood disaster victims. Councilman McPherson seconded the motion; carried unanimously. Councilman Seidler moved to direct the City Manager to inves- tigate various engineering firms for recommendation to the City Council as to the hiring of a firm to study our needs. Councilman McPherson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Councilman Seidler moved to instruct the City Attorney to conduct a review of this entire matter and to gather whatever information is necessary to protect the City's interest. Councilman Mullins seconded the motion; carried unanimously. VII. ADJOURNMENT Councilman Seidler moved and Councilman McPherson seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion ied unanimously. Mayor Brush adjourned the meeting at 9:5, p NOF BRUSH, MAYOR ATTEST: . • '—SREILA R. GILLIGAN, meting City Clerk City of Palm Desert, California September 16, 1976 Page 3