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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-03-02MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I. CALL TO ORDER Acting Mayor Snyder convened the meeting at 1:45 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Councilman S. Roy Wilson III. INVOCATION - Acting Mayor Walter H. Snyder IV. ROLL CALL Present: Councilman Buford Crites Councilman S. Roy Wilson Acting Mayor Walter H. Snyder Excused Absence: Mayor Pro-Tempore Jean Benson Mayor Richard S. Kelly Also Present: Sheila R. Gilligan, City Clerk/Public Information Officer Ramon A. Diaz, ACM/Director of Community Development/Planning V. RESOLUTIONS A. RESOLUTION NO. 92-17 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE APPLICATION OF SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY FOR DISCRETIONARY FUNDING BY THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION. Upon motion by Crites, second by Wilson, Resolution No. 92-17 was adopted by unanimous vote of the City Council. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE ACQUISITION OF COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT EXCESS PROPERTY, CAHUILLA WAY AND CAT CANYON DRIVE. Mr. Diaz reviewed the staff report, noting that although the land was actually located within the limits of the County of Riverside, it was in the City of Palm Desert's sphere of influence. MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 2, 1992 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mr. Diaz noted that the Coachella Valley Water District was asking $30,000 for the parcel, and a group of Cahuilla Hills residents was requesting that the City of Palm Desert construct a bus stop for school buses on the site. Upon question by Snyder as to whether the City had agreed to purchase the entire piece of property, Mr. Diaz responded that there was one parcel of land involved and that the City would purchase the entire piece; after the bus stop or turn -around is laid out, the remaining portion would then be sold for $20,000 to the property owner to the north, who had agreed not to subdivide it and to use it as an entrance to his property. He added that SunLine Transit Agency had committed to donate a bus shelter and bench and would not have any advertising on it; maintenance would be done by the Cahuilla Hills homeowners. Councilman Crites said he liked the idea of SunLine doing the bus shelter; however, he said he did not see where Desert Sands Unified School District was doing anything other than using the facility. Mr. Diaz responded that it was because of the Schoo: District's financial situation and the fact that it does not maintain bus stops anywhere else. He added that children in this area have to stand out by the curb to catch the bus. Councilman Crites said he felt Mayor Kelly's idea made sense that if we want a SunLine route going up Highway 74, we want to have a turn -around, and that is why the City has some interest in this. However, citizens who will be using that stop are not all citizens of Pal-. Desert, anc :le asked why the County of Riverside was not con:_ributing. I-- said he did not think the City should have to come up with ail of the funding and that he would like to see the Cahuilla Hills residents or the County of Riverside come up with half. He suggested a proviso that if the City does not receive back 50% of the funding from the County Board of Supervisors or the Cahuilla Hills residents within a certain amount of time, perhaps one or two years, then the City would have the ability to sell the land. 2 MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT C=-.Y COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 2, 1992 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Councilman Wilson moved to: 1) By Minute Motion, appropriate $30,000 from unappropriated reserves for the purpose of acquiring the site in question, 2) by Minute Motion, authorize the execution of simultaneous escrows whereby the City purchases the site for a bus stop shelter and sells the excess to the adjoining property owner for the $20,000, 3) waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 92-18, finding that the acquisition of approximately .75 acres of land owned by the Coachella Valley Water District is consistent with the City of Palm Desert's adopted General Plan, 4) by Minute Motion, authorize the execution of a lease agreement for $1.00 per year with SunLine Transit Agency for the bus shelter site, with the proviso that Desert Sands Unified School District could use the facility. Councilman Crites said he would second the motion to include an amendment that 50% of the capital outlay remaining as made by the City ($10,000) shall be paid back to the City by any combination of SunLine Transit Agency, Desert Sands Unified School District, County of Riverside, or Cahuilla Hills Property Owners' Association within the space of two years; if that is not done, then the City retains the option at that time of selling the site. Mr. Diaz noted that the second recommendation relative to simultaneous escrows would have to be revised to state that we would not transfer ownership of the remaining parcel until that is done. Otherwise, the City could end up with a $10,000 piece of property that cannot be sold because nothing could be built on it. Councilman Wilson suggested changing the amendment to direct staff to meet with the Cahuilla Hills Property Owners' Association to see if they would be willing to come up with the other half; if not, the City would go ahead and buy the property. Councilman Crites did not accept the change suggested by Councilman Wilson. Councilman Wilson did not accept Councilman Crites' second as amended. Councilman Crites withdrew his second. Councilman Snyder seconded Wilson's motion with the amendment suggested by Councilman Wilson that staff be directed to contact the Cahuilla Hills Property Owners' Association. The motion carried by a 2-1-2 vote, with Councilman Crites voting NO and Councilmembers Benson and Kelly ABSENT. 3 MINUTES ADJOURNED PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 2, 1992 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The question was raised as to whether or not this approval required three affirmative yes becausE .t involved the expenditure of money. Counc.. z Crites st .d that if it was so determined, his vote sho be changes ) an affirmative vote to facilitate the will the major. . (Subsequent to the meeting, the City Attorney advised that three affirmative votes were required; thus, Councilman Crites' affirmative vote is reflected on Resolution No. 92-18). VII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None VIII. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Crites, second by ilson, and unanimous vote of the Council, Acting Mayor Snyder adjourned the meeting at 2:20 p.m. ATTEST: SHEILA R. GILLIGAN, CITY CLERK CITY OF PALM DESERT, C IFORNIA WALTER H. SNYDER, ACTI MAYOR 4