HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-09-22MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1977
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mullins convened the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:05
p.m. on Thursday, September 22, 1977, in City Hall Council Chambers.
II. PLEDGE - Mayor Pro-Tempore Jim McPherson
III. INVOCATION - Mayor Ed Mullins
IV. ROLL CALL
Present:
Councilman Noel Brush
Councilman Jim McPherson
Councilman Alexis Newbrander
Councilman Roy Wilson
Mayor Ed Mullins
Also Present:
Martin J. Bouman, City Manager
Paul A. Williams, Director of Environmental Services
David J. Erwin, City Attorney
Paul E. Byers, Director of Management Services
Hunter T. Cook, City Engineer
Carlos Ortega, Assistant to the City Manager
V. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS
A. APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING COMMISSIONER To Fill The Expired
Term of Mr. George Berkey.
Mr. Bouman reported that two people had filed applications
for the position on the Planning Commission. Mr. George
Berkey had filed for reappointment and Mr. Richard Gordon,
a resident and insurance broker.
Councilman McPherson moved for reappointment of Mr. George Berkey
and Councilman Wilson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Mullins noted the City's fortune to have Mr. Berkey serve again
for a four-year term and also stated that he was sure that Mr. Gordon
would be assigned to another committee and would be of great value to
the City.
B. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBER OF THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD To Fill The
Unexpired Term of Mr. Bill Hobbs, Recently Resigned.
Mr. Bouman reported that one application had been filed for
the Design Review Board, that of Phyllis Jackson, a local
real estate broker.
Councilman Brush moved and Councilman McPherson seconded to
appoint Mrs. Phyllis Jackson to the Design Review Board. Motion carried
unanimously. Mayor Mullins stated that the City was fortunate to have
Mrs. Jackson's willingness to serve and that her interest in our com-
munity as well as her knowledge would be invaluable.
September 22, 1977 Page 1
V. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the September 8, 1977, Meeting of the City Council.
Rec: Approve as presented.
B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY TREASURY - Demand Nos.
78-023, 78-024, and 78-025.
Rec: Approve as presented.
C. STATEMENT OF CASH TRANSACTIONS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST, 1977.
Rec: Approve as presented.
D. REPORT FROM THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
Rec: Receive and File.
E. RESIGNATION of Mr. Bill Hobbs From the Design Review Board
Effective October 1, 1977.
Rec: Receive and accept with regrets.
F. NOTICE OF CLAIM from RICHARD J. WILSON, ATTORNEY AT LAW,
73-081 El Paseo, Suite 1, Palm Desert, California, for
Alleged Flood Damage to Property Owned by John M. and
Gladys M. Velli in the Amount of $20,000.
Rec: Deny the claim and direct the City Clerk to
so advise the claimants.
G. NOTICE OF CLAIM from SHARON BORNSTEIN, 74-430 Abronia Trail,
Palm Desert, in the Amount of $64.05 for Damage Suffered by
Her Car on an Allegedly Unrepaired City Street.
Rec: Deny the claim and direct the City Clerk to
refer it to the City's insurance company.
Councilman Newbrander moved and Councilman McPherson seconded to
approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Councilman Brush asked whether or not a letter would be sent to Mr.
Hobbs thanking him for his participation on the Design Review Board
and the Mayor assured him that this would be done.
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CASE NO. TT 10900, ALFRED COOK, APPLICANT: Consideration of
a Tentative Tract Map for a 10-Lot, Single -Family Residential
Subdivision To Be Located At The Northeast Corner of Catalina
and San Pasqual.
Mayor Mullins declared the Public Hearing open.
Mr. Williams reviewed the Staff Report with Council indicating
that the request for approval was for a tentative tract map
consisting of a 10-lot subdivision for single family resi-
dences. He pointed out that the width of the lots falls
short of the width required by the Zoning Ordinance, 2 lots
9' short and 2 lots 2' short, but the shortfall is within
the amount permitted in order to obtain an adjustment. The
applicant is proposing to dedicate an additional 5 feet
on both Catalina Way and San Pasqual Avenue, resulting in
a half -width of 30 feet for Catalina and 30 feet for San
Pasqual.
September 22, 1977 Page 2
Mr. Williams stated that the Planning Commission had received
input from an adjacent property owner objecting to the
project due to the fact that it would remove a 20' easement
he had been using. The Council has since received a letter
from Attorney Richard J. Wilson which states that he is
prepared to file suite in Superior Court to Quiet Title to
the 20' easement on behalf of his client, Francis H. Gamble
(letter attached and made a part of these minutes as Exhibit
"A"). Mr. Williams advised that Deputy City Attorney Jeff
Patterson had, at the Planning Commission, advised that if
the easement did exist, it was still a private matter between
the applicant and Mr. Gamble and that the City had no juris-
diction to rule on it.
Mr. Williams stated that the Planning Commission did recommend
approval of the Tentative Tract Map subject to several con-
ditions. The applicant, in reviewing the conditions, felt
that sidewalks were not needed on the cul de sac and was
somewhat opposed to the installation of street lights.
Staff recommended approval by Resolution No. 77-101, subject
to the conditions as specified by the Planning Commission.
Councilman McPherson asked Mr. Williams if the lot would be
graded up so that it would drain towards San Pasqual and
Mr. Williams advised that it would be.
Mayor Mullins asked for input in FAVOR of the Tentative Tract Map.
MR. ALFRED COOK, Applicant, addressed Council stating that
in considering all of the conditions of the Planning Commis-
sion and staff on the project, the only one he had difficulty
accepting for this size project was the sidewalks on such a
small cul de sac. He felt that sidewalks were not necessary
in that very little traffic would be generated for their use.
He asked that Council consider deleting the requirement for
sidewalks on the cul de sac.
Mayor Mullins asked for input in OPPOSITION to the Tentative
Tract Map.
MR. FRANCIS H. GAMBLE addressed Council as an adjacent
property owner to the proposed project. He stated his
opposition was not to the project but to the fact that
the project did not allow him an access easement to his
property.
Mr. Dave Erwin advised that this was not a matter that
the Council could settle. The matter would have to be
decided in the courts.
Mayor Mullins declared the Public Hearing closed.
Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Wilson seconded to
approve the Tentative Tract Map by Resolution No. 77-101. Motion
carried unanimously.
VIII. RESOLUTIONS
A. RESOLUTION NO. 77-102 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING EXCISE TAX
REFUND COLLECTED IN FISCAL YEAR 1976/77.
B. RESOLUTION NO. 77-103 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING PERMIT
REFUND AND APPROPRIATION FOR SAID REFUND TO ACCOUNT NO.
11-4970-000.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 77-104 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING PERMIT REFUND
AND APPROPRIATION FOR SAID REFUND TO ACCOUNT NO. 11-4970-000.
September 22, 1977
Page 3
D. RESOLUTION NO. 77-105 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING PERMIT REFUND
AND APPROPRIATION FOR SAID REFUND TO ACCOUNT NO. 11-4970-000.
Councilman Wilson questioned the date on Resolution No. 77-102
indicating that either the year or month was wrong. Mr. Bouman advised
that he would have the month corrected as it was obviously a typographi-
cal error.
Mr. Bouman requested the Council's adoption of all resolu-
tions with one motion in that they all dealt with the same
type matters, refunds of permits for the prior year that
were not used.
Councilman Brush moved and Councilman McPherson seconded to
waive further reading and adopt Resolution Nos. 77-102, 77-103, 77-104,
and 77-105, with 77-102 being corrected to reflect the correct month.
Motion carried unanimously.
E. RESOLUTION NO. 77-106 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING TRAFFIC CON-
TROL DEVICES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS.
Mr. Bouman stated that the City Engineer had made studies
at various locations in the City to determine traffic flow
and activity. The City Engineer is recommending stop signs
as listed on the resolution.
Councilman Newbrander pointed out that Flagstone Lane did
not cross Fairway at any point and the resolution might be
more clear if it read "at the fairway". The remainder of
the Council agreed and the Clerk was instructed to so
change the resolution.
Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Brush seconded to waive
further reading and adopt Resolution No. 77-106. Motion carried unani-
mously.
IX. ORDINANCES
For Introduction:
None
For Adoption:
None
X. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
XI. CONTINUING BUSINESS
None
XII. NEW BUSINESS
A. REQUEST FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT NO. 1012 For Maintenance and
Repair of Various Streets to Low Bidder, Massey Sand & Rock
Company.
Mr. Bouman reported that bids had been received in response
to a call for bids for resurfacing of a number of streets
in the City, and he reviewed the streets. Massey Sand &
Rock Company was the low bidder at $78,000, which was 1%
below the Engineer's estimate. Staff recommended the award
of the contract. Mr. Bouman also stated that this was recon-
struction of streets rather than resurfacing of streets, and
it was necessary to make this distinction.
September 22, 1977 Page 4
Councilman Newbrander moved and Councilman Wilson seconded to
waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 77-100, accepting the
bid and authorizing award of Contract No. 1012 to Massey Sand and Rock
Company in the amount of $78,000 for the reconstruction of various
streets. Motion carried unanimously.
XIII. OLD BUSINESS
A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Notice of Completion for Work Com-
pleted on Contract No. 1009, Massey Sand and Rock Company.
Mr. Bouman reported that the work had been completed on
this contract, that it had been inspected and found satis-
factory to the City Engineer, and Staff was recommending
to close the contract and make payment.
Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Newbrander seconded to
(1) accept the work on behalf of the City; (2) instruct the City Clerk
to file a Notice of Completion; and (3) instruct the City Clerk to
release the bonds 35 days after the Notice of Completion has been filed.
Motion carried unanimously.
Councilman Wilson asked whether or not these were the streets
involved with Council's approval for gravel along the shoulders.
Mr. Cook advised that this work was not part of the contract and
that bids had been received for the grav4?.1 work. However, they
were grossly out of line, and the contract would probably have
to be further reviewed and sent to bid again.
XIV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Evelyn Young, 74-534 Driftwood Street, Palm Desert, addressed
Council presenting an ashtray with the Queen's official seal on
it. She thanked the Council for allowing her to be the City's
embassary in presenting a proclamation to the Lord Mayor of
London.
XIV. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. CITY MANAGER
1. Mr. Bouman explained that Assessment District 77-1
for the installation of curb, gutter, and tie-in
paving on Portola between Grapevine and Flagstone.
The City Attorney has recommended our employing a
special assessment attorney, and the City has
prepared an agreement with F. MacKenzie Brown, Attorney
at Law, for legal services in connection with this
assessment district. His fees are standard and will
be included in the total cost of the district and
divided among the property owners involved. Staff
recommended the adoption of Resolution No. 77-107
approving the agreement.
Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Brush seconded to
waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 77-107. Motion carried
unanimously.
B. CITY ATTORNEY
None
C. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Mullins asked that everyone note the future meetings
listed on the Agenda.
Mr. Williams pointed out two corrections to the meeting
schedule: (1) There would be a joint meeting of the
Planning Commission and the Design Review Board on the
29th of September at 4:30 p.m., and (2) the Planning
Commission Study Session on October 4th would be held
at 4:30 p.m. rather than the listed 5:30 p.m.
September 22, 1977
Page 5
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Brush moved and Councilman Wilson seconded to adjourn
the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Mullins adjourned the
meeting at 7:44 p.m.
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SWARD D .' MULLINS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
SHEILA R. GILLIGAN, CITY ERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
September 22, 1977 Page 6