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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-08-28MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 1980 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS * is * i. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **** * �' i*: * J J * iV * J * * * iC7, if C iC C I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wilson called the Regular Meeting of the Palm Desert City Council to order at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 1980, in City Hall Council Chambers. II. PLEDGE - Mayor Pro-Tempore James E. McPherson III. INVOCATION - Mayor S. Roy Wilson IV. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Pro-Tempore James E. McPherson Councilman Alexis D. Newbrander Councilman Romeo S. Puluqi Councilman Walter H. Snyder Mayor S. Roy Wilson Also Present: Martin J. Bouman, City Manager David J. Erwin, City Attorney Carlos L. Ortega, Assistant City Manager L. Clyde Beebe, Director of Public Works Murrel Crump, Principal Planner V. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS A. APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING COMMISSIONER To Fill The Expired Term of Commissioner James Richards. Councilman McPherson moved that Mr. James Richards be reappointed to a 4-year term on the Planning Commission. Councilman Puluqi seconded the motion; carried unanimously. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular City Council Meeting of August 14, 1980. Rec: Approve as presented. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY TREASURY - Demand Nos. 80-017 and 80-022. Rec: Approve as presented. C. LETTER OF REQUEST FROM THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO Urging Palm Desert's Adoption of a Resolution Regarding Equal Rights Amendment and Selection of Atlanta, Georgia, as Site for 1980 Congress of Cities. Rec: Receive and file. D. CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY By Robert L. Empkie, 74-704 Pepper Tree Drive, Palm Desert, for Alleged Damages to his Automobile While Driving on El Paseo - $251.51. Rec: Deny the claim and instruct the City Clerk to so advise the Claimant and the City's Insurance Carrier. August 28, 1980 Page 1 MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING J: * * * iL * is V is * is ir: n is is n * is is * iC :C ' V VI. CONSENT CALENDAR (Continued) E. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF BONDS For Tract No. 10202, Ron Rimmer and Associates. Rec: By Minute Motion, accept the work as complete and authorize the City Clerk to release the bonds. F. REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE OF WORK ON CONTRACT NO. 1032, MASSEY SAND AND ROCK COMPANY (Improvements on the West Side of Portola Avenue, North of Fairway Drive). Rec: Accept the work as complete and authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion. G. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO CALL FOR BIDS for Street Resurfacing in the City of Palm Desert. Rec: By Minute Motion, authorize the City Clerk to adver- tise for bids for street resurfacing in the City of Palm Desert. H. LETTER OF REQUEST FROM HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH For Exemption From the Recently Enacted Special Tax for Upgrading Fire Protection and Prevention Services - Ordinance No. 223. Rec: Refer to the City Attorney for legal opinion. I. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF CARPET CLEANING CONTRACT FOR THE CITY OF PALM DESERT - 1980-81. Rec: By Minute Lotion, rescind the previous action awarding the contract to Blair's Hydro Steam Carpet Cleaning and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract with Daniel's. J. RESOLUTION NO. 80-114 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, SETTING FORTH ITS FINDINGS AND AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION REVENUE RECORDS FROM THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION THAT HAVE BEEN MICROFILMED. Rec: Waive further reading and adopt. Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Puluqi seconded to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried unanimously. VII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - A Mayor Wilson stated that since the Agenda was so short, any oral input would be taken later in the Agenda under Oral Communications B VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS None IX. RESOLUTIONS None X. ORDINANCES For Introduction: None For Adoption: None XI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None Anaiict 7R 14Rf MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL .TING n is V * * * is is is is is is ,, i'; J: is * * * is * * V n * XII. NEW BUSINESS None XIII. CONTINUING BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO INITIATE PROCEEDINGS TO VACATE A Portion of a Public Street Known as Fairhaven Drive, Between San Juan Drive and Park View Drive. (Continued from Council Meeting of August 14, 1980.) Mr. Bouman reported that the Council's action at their previous meeting was to continue this matter until such time as a develop- ment plan could be submitted to and approved by the Planning Commission. That is in the process now, and there is no recommended action until that part of the process has been completed. Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Snyder seconded to con- tinue the matter indefinitely. Motion carried unanimously. XIV. OLD BUSINESS None XV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - B The following individuals spoke relative to the high electric bills people were receiving, pointing out that many were on fixed incomes and could not afford this and also that stores that were remaining open in the summer months could not afford to do so if they had to pay such high electric rates. They inquired about the life -line rates being so low, about why Palm Desert was not able to get their electricity from the Imperial Irrigation District which had much lower rates, and about the windfall profits of Edison as well as the many rate increases they had received. Ms. Mary K. Regele, 47-833 Sun Corral, Palm Desert, owner of Linens & Things Mrs. Steve Kallejian, 47-825 Sun Corral, Palm Desert XIV. REPORTS AND REMARKS i A. CITY MANAGER 1. RESOLUTION NO. 80-115 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, INITIATING PRO- CEEDINGS TO CREATE AN ASSESSMENT DISTRICT TO FINANCE THE IMPROVEMENTS, LANDSCAPING, LIGHTING, AND MAINTENANCE OF PARKING LOTS 1 AND 2. Mr. Ortega pointed out that the Redevelopment Agency would be asked at their meeting to award a contract for the con- struction of the subject parking lots. However, they do not have the authority to create the landscaping, lighting, and maintenance district needed for their upkeep. He reviewed how the assessment procedure would work and stated that the resolution before the Council would allow Staff to commence with the establishment of the district. Councilman Newbrander moved and Councilman McPherson seconded to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 80-115. Motion carried unanimously. 2. RESOLUTION NO. 80-116 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, TO INITIATE ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS FOR THE JOSHUA TREE, PINYON, SHADOW MOUNTAIN AREA EAST OF HIGHWAY 74 WITHIN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT. Mr. Bouman stated that this was similar action dealing August 28, 1980 Page 3 MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING V n n i�f i�i�: is i�: .� i�C :C* iC J` i. :C is �� i�f iC n ice. '�. i�: is i�: is i�: i�: �: ill, * * n * JC JC Jf JC XIV. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. CITY MANAGER (Continued) 2. RESOLUTION NO.. 80-116 (Continued) with petitions from residents within the boundaries of the Palm Desert Property Owners Association requesting the City to form an assessment district for the instal- lation of curb, gutter, and tie-in paving in their area. He stated that very rough estimates for the cost of these improvements were in the range of $1,100,000. He reviewed provisions of the resolution and read it. Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Newbrander seconded to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 80-116. Motion carried unanimously. 3. REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF LICENSE FEE BY AQUIANAS SYNCHRONIZED SWIM TEAM OF THE COLLEGE OF THE DESERT. Mr. Bouman reported that this group had a fund-raising event where a frozen food truck came into Palm Desert and sold seafood, with a percentage of the profits going to the swim team. They are requesting exemption of business license fees for their sale on September 12, 13, and 14th. In keeping with similar action for other non-profit groups Staff recommended approval of the request. Councilman McPherson moved and Councilman Newbrander seconded to waive the requirement for business license fees. Motion carried by a 4-0-1 with Mayor Wilson ABSTAINING. B. CITY ATTORNEY None C. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL Mayor Wilson stated that the Council had been very quiet during the comments relative to the high Edison bills because they had their own comments to make under this section of the Agenda. Councilman Puluqi stated that he felt the Edison bills were too high -- that they had increased by 100%. He felt it was time Palm Desert checked into the Public Utilities Commission to see to it that it does not apply these high rates in the future. He stated this could be done as a cooperative effort with other Cove Communities, but Palm Desert had a responsi- bility to its residents. He felt that Staff should be directed to draw up a resolution for presentation at the next meeting, and he was ready to make a motion to that effect. Mr. Kermit Martin, Area Manager for Edison in Palm Desert addressed the Council. He stated that the rates had not increased 100%, and he reviewed the four rate increases granted Edison during the past year. These rate increase requests were directly related to the increased cost in fuel, not operational cost increases. He pointed out that the Public Utilities Commission had, in fact, granted a life -line rate to this area, but it had proven to be very nominal. He stated that the more killowatt hours a consumer uses now, the higher his rate is when it used to be the exact opposite. Mr. Martin explained that Edison had been advising the public to expect higher bills, but July's billing had been the first time this area had been hit with such large bills. He invited people to use the consumer advisors that his company was sending into the area to teach people how to conserve and lower their bills. August 28, 1980 Page 4 MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL 1_,L,TING i�' is i�: �i� ' J: *' is is i� * is is * * i�C is is * i. * i� * is * i. n is i� is iC � .� i� i� i� i� i, i� XIV. REPORTS AND REMARKS (Continued) C MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL (Continued) Councilman Puluqi stated that his mother was on a fixed income of Social Security money and that her bill was over half of her income. Mr. Martin replied that this unfortunately was a fact of life now and that many people were faced with iden- tical situations. In these cases, his company was working with the consumer to set up payment schedules mutually agreed upon Mayor Wilson asked how the kilowatt hour rate was determined. by the Public Utilities Commission. He asked if it varied from region to region and whether or not there was any possi- bility that the life -line rate could be increased here during the summer when air-conditioning was a necessity. Mr. Martin responded that these rates were implemented by the P.U.C. after a great deal of research with the obvious objec- tive to establish allocations where people could not sustain themselves. Even if our life -line rate was doubled, the bills would still be high because the consumption is so much greater. Mrs. Elma Chapman, 47-839 Sun Corral, Palm Desert, stated that she used less kilowatt hours this year at double the cost. Mr. Martin offered to have someone visit her home or any home to verify meter readings, if necessary. Mayor Wilson stated -that everyone was very frustrated, but the argument was with the regulatory body - the Public Utilities Commission. Councilman Puluqi moved and Mayor Wilson seconded to direct Staff to look into the matter to see if there is any appropriate avenue that a city government could take to encourage the Public Utilities Commission to re-evaluate life -line rates in the summer for the people in this area. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Wilson asked everyone to note the Future Meetings listed on the Agenda. XVI. ADJOURNMENT Councilman Snyder moved and Councilman McPherson seconded to adjourn the meeting to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter, said Executive Session to be held immediately following the adjourn- ment of the Redevelopment Agency Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Wilson adjourned to Executive Session at 7:55 p.m. Mayor Wilson reconvened the meeting at 9:30 p.m. and immediately adjourned in that there was no action to be taken. lATTE ST : ( SHEILA R. G t;ZGAN , CICLERK S . OY/WILS1 MAYOR l.� August 28, 1980 Page 5