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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-13 (2)MINUTES ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL and PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1996 CIVIC CENTER ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor/Chairman Snyder convened the meeting at 2:00 p.m. H. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmember/Member Jean M. Benson Mayor Pro-Tem/Vice Chairman Richard S. Kelly Councilman/Member Robert A. Spiegel Mayor/Chairman Walter H. Snyder Excused Absence: Councilman/Member Buford A. Crites Also Present: Ramon A. Diaz, City Manager Carlos L. Ortega, Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Sheila R. Gilligan, City Clerk/Agency Secretary Phil Drell, Director of Community Development Pat Conlon, Director of Building and Safety Paul Gibson, Director of Finance/City Treasurer Evelyn Bridges, Acting Director of Code Compliance Mary P. Gates, Deputy City Clerk III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. OLD BUSINESS A. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 1996/97 BUDGETS. 1) Fgonomic Development Plan/Business Development Center Mr. Ortega distributed copies of the Economic Development Strategy which includes the Business Development Center as part of it. He said it was MINUTES ADJOURNED MEETING OF PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL AND PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JUNE 13, 1996 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * basically a long range plan and was nothing that was going to be implemented on July 1st or soon thereafter. Councilmember Benson expressed concern with language on page 54 relative to weaknesses and mentioning the "Palm Springs Syndrome" and said she felt this needed to be changed. Councilman Kelly agreed. Mr. Diaz noted that this was a working document and that there were things that needed to be changed. Mayor Snyder suggested that the Council read through this document and that it come back at a later meeting for discussion. 2) Property Maintenance Ordinance Mr. Drell reviewed the proposed changes to the property maintenance ordinance as noted in his report dated June 13, 1996. He then discussed the enforcement of this ordinance and offered to answer any questions. Councilman Spiegel suggested sending some type of notice out to all residents explaining this new ordinance. Mrs. Gilligan responded that a story relative to the property maintenance ordinance would be included in the next City newsletter. Councilmember Benson asked whether there would be a certain amount of money put into this program to help citizens who cannot afford to clean up their property. Councilman Kelly agreed and said the City needed to be prepared to spend some money because there are people out there who cannot even afford to get a loan. Mr. Ortega responded that there was CDBG money available that could be given out as grants, and the RDA Housing Program had guidelines where the Agency would loan up to $15,000. He said that amount could be increased if necessary and if people need additional money. Upon question by Councilmember Benson, he said liens would be placed on the property and taken care of when the homes are sold. Councilmember Benson expressed concern that the City would help out financially and then six months later the property would look the same as it did before. Mr. Conlon stated that the City could front the money and then have 2 MINUTES ADJOURNED MEETING OF PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL AND PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JUNE 13, 1996 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * that amount placed on the assessment rolls to be collected with the next year's property taxes. He said this was the way lot abatements are taken care of. The Council discussed the rehabilitation program, and Mr. Conlon noted that Councilman Kelly had brought back from Phoenix an excellent policy booklet that perhaps the City of Palm Desert could get some ideas from. Councilman Kelly stated he felt it might be a good idea for some staff members to go to Phoenix and spend some time there to find out how the program works, what their problems were, and how they have handled things. In addition, he felt there should be one person who goes out to the neighborhoods to organize neighborhood meetings to get everyone together to agree on what is to be done. Councilmember Benson asked whether there was an appeal process, and Ms. Bridges responded that it was the same type of appeal process as for nuisance abatements. Additional discussed ensued relative to the possibility of making the appeal process more difficult and perhaps having them go to the Building Board of Appeals and Condemnation before coming to the City Council. Mayor Snyder noted that the City could go to the Palm Desert Property Owners' Association which also takes care of these types of things. Councilman Kelly also suggested taking an area and getting interested citizens in that area together to form a citizens' committee for that area and then letting that committee review the problems. Mr. Conlon stated that the current bylaws of the Building Board of Appeals and Condemnation indicated that the Board hears appeals on Building Code items. If the Council wishes the Board to be involved in the abatement appeals, those bylaws would need to be revised to authorize them to do this. Councilmember Benson and Mayor Snyder both felt this was the logical place for this appeal process. Councilman Spiegel stated that he would like to see, by area in the City, and when it is available, information relative to how many abatements are being done. He also suggested that for those people who voluntarily fix up their homes after being notified, the Mayor should send a letter thanking them for doing so. Council agreed. 3 MINUTES ADJOURNED MEETING OF PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL AND PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JUNE 13, 1996 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mr. Diaz suggested expanding the newsletter article to say that if you have an organized neighborhood, i.e., Neighborhood Watch, and would like to contact us, we can make arrangements to come out and talk to the group and explain the program. Ms. Bridges stated that staff would make sure there is a reporting form that comes to Council periodically detailing what has been done. Upon question by Mr. Diaz as to the procedure for getting this information to the Council, Councilman Spiegel stated that he would first like to see the information on the Agenda to let people know what the City is doing, and the Council could then take a few minutes to discuss it. V. ADJOURNMENT With Council concurrence, Mayor/Chairman Snyder adjourned the meeting at 3:05 p.m. to Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. to discuss items listed on the Agenda as follows: Public Employee Performance Evaluation pursuant to Section 54957 Title of Position: Risk Manager/Human Resources Manager Mayor/Chairman Snyder reconvened the meeting at 8:15 p.m. and immediately adjourned with no action announced from Closed Session. 'SHEILA R. GILLIGAN, ,gyry CLERK/ AGENCY SECRETARY WALTER H. SNYDER, MA'''OR/CHAIRMAN 4