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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-02-22MINUTES REGULAR MEETING PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1979 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS * * :'c * * * * * * * * * * ;'c * * * * :'c :c :'c * :ti * * * :c * * ;: * * :'c * * :c I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Mullins called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. II. PLEDGE - Mayor Pro-Tempore Jim McPherson III. INVOCATION - Mayor Ed Mullins IV. ROLL CALL Present: Councilman Noel J. Brush Mayor Pro-Tempore James E. McPherson Councilman Alexis D. Newbrander Councilman S. Roy Wilson Mayor Edward D. Mullins Also Present: Carlos L. Ortega, Assistant to the City Manager Paul A. Williams, Director of Environmental Services Paul E. Byers, Director of Finance L. Clyde Beebe, Director of Public Works V. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS A. PROCLAMATION Declaring the Week of March 5th to March 10th as "Volunteer Fire Fighter Week" in Palm Desert. Mayor Mullins read the Proclamation and presented it to to Mr. Gary Goudswaard of the Palm Desert Volunteer Fire Fighters. Mr. Goudswaard thanked the Council and stated that they will use the week as a fund raising week for the Fire Department. B. PROCLAMATION Declaring March 4th through 10th, 1979, as "Save Your Vision Week" in Palm Desert. Mayor Mullins read the Proclamation and indicated that the Proclamation would be mailed to the organization for presentation at a luncheon. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Meeting of the Palm Desert City Council. Rec: Approve as presented. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY TREASURY - Demand Nos. 79-054, 79-073, 79-074, and 79-081. Rec: Approve as'presented. C. STATEMENT OF CASH TRANSACTIONS FOR MONTH OF JANUARY, 1979. Rec: Receive and file. February 22, 1979 Page 1 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR (Continued) D. REQUEST FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE By IRONWOOD CORPORATION, for Ironwood Country Club, 48-870 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert. Rec: Receive and file. E. MINUTES of the Building Board of Appeals & Condemnation for February 1, 1979. Rec: Receive and file. F. MINUTES of the Technical Traffic Committee of February 13, 1979. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the actions of the Technical Traffic Committee. G. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF REFUND OF PRIOR YEAR'S REVENUES By Mr. Harry Brewer In The Amount of $252.20. Rec: Approve the request and authorize the refund from Account No. 31-4999-000. H. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF REFUND OF PRIOR YEAR'S REVENUES By Mrs. Barbara Fuller In The Amount of 85,439.60. Rec: Approve the request and authorize the refund from Account No. 31-4999-000. I. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of an Extension of Time on Contract No. 1021, Street Resurfacing Program, Massey Sand & Rock Co. Rec: By Minute Motion, authorize an extension of time to February 28, 1979, for the completion of Con- tract No. 1021. Councilman Brush moved and Councilman McPherson seconded to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried unanimously. VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of a Change of Zone from PR-4 and 0.S. to R-2 8,000 (8) or Any Other Zone Deemed Appropriate and a Tentative Tract Map for a 238 Lot Residential Subdivision to Provide for 227 Dwelling Units on Approximately 80 Acres Located at the Southeast Corner of Portola Avenue and Country Club Drive (Continued Item - RIDGEWOOD DEVELOPMENT, INC.). Mayor Mullins declared the Public Hearing open and asked Staff for their report. Mr. Ortega advised that the City had received a written request for withdrawal from the applicant, but that the applicant's representative was present and might wish to confirm this. MR. FRED ARMSTRONG, Representative of Ridgewood Development, addressed Council stating that they had requested a continu- ance in January to allow them time for further study. Then some new developments came through last week wherein they withdrew their request. However, now some additional new developments were precipitating their request for a further continuance to the meeting of March 8, 1979. Mayor Mullins invited input in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the request, and none was offered. Councilman Wilson moved and Councilman Brush seconded to continue the Public Hearing to the meeting of March 8, 1979. Motion carried unani- mously. February 22, 1979 Page 2 VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Continued) B. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of a 1-Year Extension of Time on the Approval of a Tentative Tract Map to Create 12 Residential Lots and 1 Common Lot on Approximately 1.39 Acres. Case No. TT 12050, LINSCO AGENCIES, LTD., Applicant. Mayor Mullins declared the Public Hearing open and asked for the Staff Report. Mr. Ortega reported that the Planning Commission had approved a one-year extension of time for this project, and Staff did recommend approval with the addition of a special condition that $500 be contributed to the Signalization Fund. This special condition would become Special Condition #2 of the resolution. Mayor Mullins invited input in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the exten- sion, and none was offered. He declared the Public Hearing closed. Councilman Newbrander moved to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 79-16 approving a 1-year extension of time and including the additional special condition of a $500 contribution to the Signaliza- tion Fund. Councilman Wilson seconded the motion; carried unanimously. VIII. RESOLUTIONS A. RESOLUTION NO. 79-17 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING CERTAIN RATES FOR SIGNALIZATION FEES. Mr. Ortega reported that the Council, by Resolution No. 78-55, had previously established the Signilization Fund. However, the resolution had contained no specific charges. Resolution No. 79-17 establishes specific charges which would be $50 per residence and/or living unit; $500 per 1,000 sq. ft. of building area for commercial areas; and $500 per acre for industrial areas. Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Brush seconded to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 79-17. Motion carried unanimously. IX. ORDINANCES For Introduction: None For Adoption: None X. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None XI. CONTINUING BUSINESS None XII. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL By CVAG for the Newly Developed Short Range Transit Plan. Mr. Ortega stated that the Plan, which is State mandated, has been drafted by CVAG and Sunline via a contract with the Southern California Association of Governments and the approval of the Riverside County Transportation Commission. The Plan must describe the current level of service, service projections, plans for service improvement and to identify, if any, unmet transit needs within the Coachella Valley. There are two items in the Plan that February 22, 1979 Page 3 XII. NEW BUSINESS (Continued) refer to Palm Desert: (1) The dropping of the Palm Desert Local fixed route bus and replacing it with a dial -a -ride van; and (2) Joining with the City of Rancho Mirage in the provision of such a dial -a -ride system. The Plan is silent on the feasibility of such an alternative which is something that will have to be addressed by Sunline and the city or cities involved. Mr. Ortega stated that it was Staff's recommendation to forward the following comments to CVAG relative to the Plan: 1. Support of the Short Range Transit Plan's recommendation for dropping the current fixed route system and replace- ment with a dial -a -ride van. 2. That in combination with No. 1, the report indicate that the dial -a -ride would fulfill all current transit needs with the stipulation that in one year, a deter- mination be made on the continuation or expansion of the service which could include an accessible vehicle, if warranted. Councilman Brush moved and Councilman McPherson seconded to authorize Staff to submit the recommended comments to CVAG. Motion carried unanimously. XIII. OLD BUSINESS None XIV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS MR. BOB VAUGHN, 73-403 Highway 111, Palm Desert, spoke as the owner of Swensen's Ice Cream Factory, stating that he had suf- fered between $2,500 and $3,000 in vandalism damage. He felt this was a very serious problem that had been going on for a long time, and something had to be done about it. He offered criticism of the Sheriff's Department in their patrol of the commercial area, their cooperation with the merchants, and stated that he had suffered $2,500 in damage before they would even come out. Councilman Newbrander stated that from the very beginning, the Council had talked to the Sheriff's Department complaining that the patrol cars were more interested in traffic violations than they were in watching the commercial area. Councilman Brush stated that this problem has been going on for some time. Mr. Vaughn has had 6 or 7 windows broken, his store spray painted, water put in his gas tank, and the Kentucky Fried Chicken had its safe stolen. He felt that some type of action must be taken. He questioned whether or not the Sheriff's Department was doing the job right, and secondly, he stated that he would like to see a patrol in this area from 8:00 p.m. to 4 or 5:00 a.m. If the cost of that is too prohibitive, he asked to know the cost for a retired patrolman or some type of security company to patrol the area within these hours. Councilman Wilson suggested that this be made a Study Session item with the Sheriff's Department being invited to advise what their suggestions or recommendations would be for cor- recting the problem. Mr. Ortega stated that at the present time, the City contracts for two 24-hour patrol cars. However, previous talks indicated that the City can get extra coverage, and he stated he would investigate the costs of the extra coverage and report at Study Session on Thursday, March 1, 1979. The following individuals spoke relative to the same problem: Mr. Charles Williams, Charles of the Desert Men's Store Mr. Richard Kromwell, Sandmar Accents Mr. Bill `'emswart, In -Step Shoes February 22. 1979 Page XV. REPORTS AND REMARKS A CITY MANAGER Mr. Ortega reported that the City participates in the Housing and Community Development Block Grant Program and that for 5th Year Monies, $63,000 is available to the City for expen- diture on HCD projects. He stated the following projects as being recommended by Staff: 1. Supplemental drainage project on the Frontage Road Conversion Project. 2. Implementation of Catalina/San Pasqual Park. 3. Reserve for future years. 4. A new project. Mr. Ortega pointed out that the City should indicate to the County which project they would like to go ahead with. Councilman Brush stated that although he was very aware of the need for parks and recreational areas, he still felt the greatest need in our City was for flood and drainage control. Councilman Newbrander stated her agreement. Councilman Brush moved to utilize the $63,000 received from 5th Year Community Block Grant entitlements to supplement the Frontage Road Drainage portion of the project. Councilman Newbrander seconded the motion; carried unanimously. B. CITY ATTORNEY None C. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL Councilman Brush inquired as to whether or not the temporary billboard advertising "Crime Prevention Week" had been removed. Mr. Ortega advised that he did not know, but he would have the Code Enforcement Department look into the matter in the morning. XVI. ADJOURNMENT Councilman Wilson moved and Councilman McPherson seconded to adjourn the meeting; motion carried unanimously. Mayor Mullins adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m. / a - AWARD D . " I„IULLINS , MAYOR ATTEST: `/ -SHEILA R. GILLIGAN, CITY ERK CITY OF PALM DESERT, CAL ORNIA February 22, 1979 Page 5