Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-02-24MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 1977 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Brush called the meeting of the City Council to order at 7:10 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. II. PLEDGE - Councilman Jim McPherson III. INVOCATION - Mayor Pro-Tempore Ed Mullins IV. ROLL CALL Present: Councilman Jim McPherson Councilman Ed Mullins Councilman Alexis Newbrander Councilman Bill Seidler Mayor Noel Brush Also Present: Martin J. Bouman, City Manager Paul E. Byers, Director/Management Services David J. Erwin, City Attorney V. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS A. DESIGNATION By City Council of Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tempore For Ensuing Year, Beginning March 10, 1977. Mayor Brush stated that at the time the last appointment was made, Council had agreed the term would be for one year and would be reviewed at that time, with this being the time to make that appointment. Mayor Brush announced that he was not a candidate for the position of Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tempore. He stated that he would like to nomi- nate Councilman Mullins for Mayor in that he was very quali- fied and had been an excellent Mayor Pro-Tempore. Dave Erwin stated that the Mayor should declare the nomina- tions open and the Mayor so declared. Mayor Brush nominated Ed Mullins for the position of Mayor and Councilman McPherson seconded the nomination. Councilman Seidler moved to close the nominations and Councilman Newbrander seconded the motion; carried unanimously. Congratulations were extended to Councilman Mullins for his appointment. Mayor Brush declared the nominations open for the position of Mayor Pro-Tempore. Councilman Seidler nominated Councilman McPherson for the position of Mayor Pro-Tempore and Councilman Newbrander seconded the motion. Councilman Mullins moved that the nominations be closed and Councilman Newbrander seconded the motion; carried unanimously. Congratulations were extended to the newly appointed Mayor Pro-Tempore, Jim McPherson. February 24, 1977 Page 1 B. RESOLUTION NO. 77-16 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING SECTION 1 OF RESOLUTION NO. 76-105, APPOINTING SHEILA GILLIGAN AS ACTING CITY CLERK, AND APPOINTING SHEILA GILLIGAN TO THE POSITION OF CITY CLERK. Councilman Newbrander moved and Councilman Mullins seconded to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 77-16. Motion carried unanimously. C. APPOINTMENT of Representative to the Coachella Valley Mos- quito Abatement District. (Continued from February 10, 1977). Councilman McPherson moved that Dr. Robert Rottschaefer be reappointed as the City's representative to the Coachella Valley Mos- quito Abatement District and Councilman Seidler seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. D. PRESENTATION of Resolution of Appreciation to MR. ROBERT T. ANDERSON, Retiring Chief Administrative Officer of the County of Riverside. Mayor Brush read the resolution for the benefit of the press and audience and then presented it to Mr. Ted Smith along with a key to the city. Mr. Smith accepted the resolution and key stating that he would present these to Mr. Anderson at a dinner to be held on March 1, 1977. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the February 10, 1977, Meeting of the City Council. Rec: Approve as presented. B. STATEMENT OF CASH TRANSACTIONS FOR MONTH OF JANUARY. Rec: Receive and file. C. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY TREASURY - Demand Nos. 77-074 and 77-081. Rec: Approve as presented. D. RESOLUTION NO. 77-7 OF THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING THE REDISTRIBUTION OF SALES TAX REVENUES ON THE BASIS OF POPULATION. Rec: Receive and file. E. RESOLUTION NO. 77-19 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BUENAVENTURA, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING THE REDISTRIBUTION OF SALES TAX REVENEUS ON TIIE BASIS OF POPULATION. Rec: Receive and file. Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Seidler seconded to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried unanimously. VII. PUBLIC BEARINGS A. RESOLUTION NO. 77-6 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 76-84 AND RESOLUTION NO. 76-132, ESTABLISHING RECLASSI- FICATIONS, TITLE CHANGES, TABLE OF CLASSIFIED POSITIONS, SALARY RANGE ASSIGNMENTS AND CAR ALLOWANCE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES. Mr. Bouman stated that this resolution had been prepared at the request of Council to bring the salary resolution in conformance with the budget adopted for the current fiscal year. Mr. Bouman pointed out the specific additions, changes, and deletions. February 24, 1977 Page 2 Councilman Newbrander moved and Councilman Mullins seconded to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 77-6. Motion carried unanimously. B. RESOLUTION NO. 77-17 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 75-6, PROVIDING FOR A REVISION OF THE METHOD FOR DRAWING OF CHECKS BY AUTHORIZING THE DEPUTY CITY TREASURER TO BE ONE OF TIE SIGNATORIES RATHER THAN THE ACTING CITY CLERK. Mr. Bouman stated that this was a housekeeping matter in than the resolution would have to be amended in that we no longer have an Acting City Clerk. State law provides for the City Treasurer to designate his own deputy for the purposes of signing checks, and it is more appropriate to have two check signers from the Department of Finance. Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Mullins seconded to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 77-17. Motion carried unanimously. C. RESOLUTION NO. 77-18 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING A REFUND OF THE BUSINESS LICENSE TAX FEES PAID IN THE YEARS OF 1975 AND 1976 BY TWO LOCAL LAUNDROMATS. Mr. Bouman stated that either by human error or computer error, two laundromats had been charged excessive fees as a result of being placed in the wrong category. This reso- lution would provide reimbursement to the businesses. Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Mullins seconded to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 77-18. Motion carried unanimously. IX. ORDINANCES - For Introduction: None ORDINANCES - For Adoption: A. ORDINANCE NO. 129 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING ARTICLE 25.38, CHAPTER 25, OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE, KNOWN AS THE SIGN ORDINANCE AND AMENDING SECTION 25.39-2.10. Mr. Bouman indicated that this was the second reading of the ordinance and unless Council had questions, he had not further staff report. Councilman Seidler moved to accept the report from the Planning Commission concurring with the changes made in Ordinance No. 129 and to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 129. Councilman McPherson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. B. ORDINANCE NO. 156 - AN ORDINANCE OF TIE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 99, SPECIFICALLY ARTICLE 41 OF THE PALM DESERT ZONING ORDINANCE DEALING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT REQUIREMENTS. Mr. Bouman indicated that this ordinance was also in the second reading stage and unless Council had questions, he had no further report. Councilman Newbrander moved to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 156. Councilman Mullins seconded the motion; carried unanimously. February 24, 1977 Page 3 X. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None XI. CONTINUING BUSINESS None XII. NEW BUSINESS None XIII. OLD BUSINESS None XIV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS MR. BOB GIOGA, 74-624 Willow Street, Palm Desert, addressed the Council expressing concern over the water pressure situation on the north side of the highway under the jurisdiction of the Community Services District. He stated that he owned property in the commercial district there which he was trying to sell. However, the sale of the property was being hindered by the fact that building would not be permitted due to the lack of adequate water pressure for fire protection. Mayor Brush indicated that the Council was well aware of the problem and that they, as well as the City Staff, were working with the Community Services District for a common solution. He indicated that it would take months for this solution to occur and that the problem did not only exist in the commercial area on the north side of Highway 111 but also throughout the residential areas. He cited an example of a recent residential fire where the fire trucks had to use the water from the tanks because the pressure of the hydrants was not adequate. Mr. Gioga suggested that the City run water lines under Highway 111 to provide hydrants and pressure for them in the commercial area on the north side. He stated that it would only cost about $250 to accomplish this. Mr. Bouman stated that a project of this nature would cost over $250,000. He pointed out that because two separate water districts are involved, the problem is further complicated. He also indicated that merely getting the pressure to the north side would not solve the problem in that the pipes under the ground were not large enough to accept the required pressure and would therefore have to be replaced. He assured Mr. Gioga that the situation was well under investigation for any and all possible solutions. He also stated that it would be months before anything could be done. Councilman Newbrander pointed out that had the City not hired a Fire Marshal, this problem might not have been discovered. Mayor Brush pointed out that the City was not really responsible in that it is the responsibility of the Community Services District However, because of the magnitude of the problem, the City had been involved and had met with the District's Board and also members of their engineering consulting firm. It is a definite problem, but it is receiving utmost attention. Mr. Bouman read a letter that had been prepared for distribution to the Board members of the Palm Desert Community Services Dis- trict wherein the City suggested a meeting as soon as possible with not only the City staff and Council but also the members of the Coachella Valley County Water District to begin methods of resolving the problem. He concluded by stating that we are all aware that we have an obligation here and we will solve the problem. February 24, 1977 Page 4 XV. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. City Manager 1. Mr. Bouman asked Council whether or not he was directed to send the letter and Council unanimously assured him that the letter to the Board of Directors of the Palm Desert Community Services District should be sent as soon as possible. 2. RESOLUTION NO. 77-19 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE 1976-77 FISCAL YEAR TO PROVIDE FOR EXPENDITURES OF THE FEDERAL ANTI -RECESSION GRANT. Mr. Bouman explained that Staff had been unaware of the Federal Anti -Recession Grant Program wherein money was available to local governmental agencies. The program is aimed at easing the recession. The City has already received a check for $7,200 from the Grant Program and we will receive another $2,400 for a total of about $9,600. The thrust of the program is that the money has to be spent to build and get it into the community. Resolution No. 77-19 provides using the $9,600 imme- diately for the purpose of hiring 4 maintenance workers for work on the streets, park, parkways, etc. for the next 18 weeks. They would require a small amount of expenditure for tools and equipment for this work. He pointed out that we are required to use the money right away. We have a Public Works Supervisor wherein we can properly utilize these people to maintain and supevise the work in these areas. Councilman Seidler asked whether or not we are working with the organization called Desert Beautiful on the landscaping of the medians. Mr. Bouman indicated that we are to the extent that they are involved with the planning. Councilman Seidler stated that he presumed that these workers would coordinate that activity with Desert Beautiful and work on the projects we jointly agree are priority items. Mr. Bouman stated that although we were working together in the planning of the projects and where the work was to be done, the actual work and supervision remained the responsibility of the City. Councilman Newbrander moved and Councilman Mullins seconded to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 77-19. Motion carried unanimously. B. City Attorney None C. City Council Councilman Seidler pointed out that a meeting was scheduled in the near future to have a mid -year review of our budget. This review included review of major projects and where we stand on the projects for the year. He requested that a summarization of that review should be presented at the Council meeting following that Study Session. Mr. Bouman stated that this would be done and further indicated that the Study Session would probably result in the necessity for Council action on the mid -year budget. Councilman Newbrander expressed her sincere thanks to Mayor Brush for the outstanding job he had done for the City in the past year. February 24, 1977 Page 5 Councilman Mullins stated that the Mayor deserved a round of thanks from the entire Council. Councilman McPherson stated that since he would not be at the meeting of March loth, it would be appropriate for him at this time to congratulate the Mayor and also thank him for the job he has done in the past year. He stated that the Mayor's performance had been exemplary in view of the considerable amount of problems the City had experienced in the past year, particularly since September. He stated that he himself would not have liked to be in the Mayor's shoes and the Mayor should be congratulated for the excellent job he had done. Mayor Brush expressed his gratitude for the compliments stating that it had been a wonderful year for him. Mayor Brush asked that everyone note the future meetings listed on the Agenda. XVI. ADJOURNMENT Councilman Seidler moved and Councilman Mullins seconded to adjourn the meeting; carried unanimously. Mayor Brush adjourned the meeting at 8:52 p.m. WARD D. MULLINS, MAYOR ATTEST: _-- lei c_ SHEILA R. GILL'IGAN, City Clerk City of Palm Desert, California February 24, 1977 Page 6