HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-27MINUTES
REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2003
CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER
I. CALL TO ORDER - 3:00 P.M.
Mayor Benson convened the meeting at 3:02 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present:
Councilman Buford A. Crites
Councilman Jim Ferguson arrived at 3:15 p.m.
Councilman Richard S. Kelly
Mayor Pro-Tempore Robert A. Spiegel arrived at 3:21 p.m.
Mayor Jean M. Benson
Also Present:
Carlos L. Ortega, City Manager/RDA Executive Director
David J. Erwin, City Attorney
Sheila R. Gilligan, ACM for Community Services
Homer Croy, ACM for Development Services
Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment
Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk
Phil Drell, Director of Community Development
Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance/City Treasurer
Teresa L. La Rocca, Director of Housing
David Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment
Robert P. Kohn, Director of Special Programs
Mark Greenwood, Engineering Manager
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - A
None
IV. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
Reauest for Closed Session:
Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.8:
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
1) Property: Lease Property - Parkview Professional Office Complex,
73-710/720 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert
Negotiating Parties:
Agency: Paul S. Gibson/City of Palm Desert
Property Owner: City of Palm Desert
Other Parties: State of California, Assembly Committee on Rules
Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment
Conference with Legal Counsel regarding existing litigation pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.9(a):
a) Renee Capela v. City of Palm Desert, et al., Riverside County Superior
Court Case No. INC 021720
Conference with Legal Counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation
pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b):
Number of potential cases: 2
Councilman Kelly moved to adjourn to Closed Session at 3:04 p.m. Motion was
seconded by Crites and carried by a 3-0 vote, with Councilman Ferguson and Mayor
Pro-Tempore Spiegel ABSENT.
Mayor Benson reconvened the meeting at 4:01 p.m.
V. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M.
A. REPORT ON ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION.
None
VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Councilman Jim Ferguson
VII. INVOCATION - Mayor Jean M. Benson
VIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - B
None
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
IX. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS
A. PRESENTATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL BY WASTE MANAGEMENT
OF THE DESERT REGARDING COMMERCIAL RECYCLING.
Deborah McGarrey, Municipal Marketing Manager for Waste Management
of the Desert, made a presentation to the City Council regarding the status
of commercial recycling in the City of Palm Desert for 2002 (outline on file
and of record in the City Clerk's Office).
The City Council asked Waste Management to provide statistics as
follows: 1) Total landfill waste compared to recyclables; 2) percentage of
recycling households; 3) refuse audit for participating and
non -participating customers (commercial and residential [gated and non])
to determine percentage of refuse that could have been recycled from that
which was placed in the landfill container.
X. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the Regular City Council Meeting of February 13, 2003.
— Rec: Approve as presented.
B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY TREASURY - Warrant
Nos. 186, 189, 190, 191, and 194PDOC.
Rec: Approve as presented.
C-1. CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY (#499) by lnterinsurance Exchange of the
Automobile Club/Witten in the Amount of $715.15.
Rec: By Minute Motion, reject the Claim and direct the City Clerk to so
notify the Claimant.
C-2. CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY (#504A-E) by David Young (A);
Katherine Young (B); Pamela Wong (C); Eric Ong (D); and
Ronald Wong (E) in an Unspecified Amount.
Rec: By Minute Motion, reject the Claims and direct the City Clerk to so
notify the Claimants.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
D. MINUTES of City Committee and Commission Meetings.
1. Housing Commission Meeting of January 8, 2003.
2. Library Promotion Committee Meeting of November 13, 2002.
3. Public Safety Commission Meeting of January 15, 2003.
Rec: Receive and file.
E. LETTER OF RESIGNATION from James McCaughey from the
Rent Review Commission.
Rec: Receive with very sincere regret.
F. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of a Contract Service Agreement for
Maintenance of the City's Public Art Collection and the El Paseo Exhibition
(Contract No. C20360A).
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the subject agreement with
Sculpture Conservation Studio, Los Angeles, California, in the
amount of $44,800 for maintenance of the City's Public Art
Collection and the 18 sculptures in the El Paseo Exhibition for a
one year period and to be paid from the Art In Public Places
Maintenance Fund Account No. 241-4650-454-3372.
G. REQUEST FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT for Mapping, Plans, and
Specifications for the Palm Desert High School Cook Street Access
(Contract No. C20950, Project No. 602-02).
Rec: By Minute Motion, award the subject contract to Epic Engineers,
Redlands, California, in the amount of $29,600 and authorize the
Mayor to execute same.
H. REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE OF WORK for Contract No. C19620 --
Traffic Signal, Street, Storm Drain, and Water Improvements at Cook
Street and Frank Sinatra Drive (Project No. 678-01) (Granite Construction
Company, Indio, CA).
Rec: By Minute Motion, accept the work as complete and authorize the
City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the subject project.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
1-1. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Final Tract Map 30738
— (GHA Paloma Group II, Applicant).
Removed for separate consideration under Section XI, Consent Items
Held Over. Please see that portion of the Minutes for Council discussion
and action.
1-2. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Parcel Map No. 30769 (BP West Coast
Products, LLC, Applicant).
Rec: Waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 03-26, approving
Parcel Map No. 30769.
J-1. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Out -of -State Travel for Traffic Signal
Association/International Municipal Signal Association Certification
Program.
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the subject request for Traffic Signal
Technician's attendance at the certification program to be held in
Laughlin, Nevada, April 2-4, 2003 -- funds are available in Account
No. 110-4300-413-3120.
J-2. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Out -of -State Travel for Media
Relations 2003 Conference.
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the subject request for Marketing
Manager's attendance at the Conference to be held in
New York City, New York, April 13-15, 2003 -- funds are available
in Account No. 110-4417-414-3120.
K. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Serving Alcoholic Beverages on
City -owned Property During a Soroptimist International of Palm Desert
Event.
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the serving of alcohol (wine only) during
an event hosted by Soroptimist International of Palm Desert, the
showing of a video on how to eliminate unfair treatment and abuse
of women and children around the world, and scheduled to be held
in the Administrative Conference Room of City Hall, Monday,
March 3, 2003.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
L. CONSIDERATION of Artwork Placement in the Palm Desert Library.
Rec: By Minute Motion, concur with the recommendation of the Art In
Public Places Commission as per the February 19, 2003, Meeting,
Library Promotion Committee, and Library staff to approve
placement of two bronze sculptures by Robert McDermott
(Dancer 11, Short Break) in the Palm Desert Public Library -- funds
to acquire these sculptures were provided by a donation in memory
of former Library Promotion Committee Member Jim Terrell.
M. CONSIDERATION of Request for Financial Contribution from the
Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert's Second Annual Discovery
"Duck Pluck."
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the request for funding in the amount of
$2,500 and appropriate same from the Unobligated General Fund.
N. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
1. Progress Report on Retail Center Vacancies
2. Report on the 2002 Riverside County Economic Development
Agency (EDA) Business Visitation Grant
3. Status of Mountain View/Delaware Place Barricades Project
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel asked that Item 1-1 be removed for separate
discussion under Section XI, Consent Items Held Over.
Upon motion by Crites, second by Ferguson, the remainder of the Consent
Calendar was approved as presented by a 5-0 vote.
XI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
1-1. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Final Tract Map 30738
(GHA Paloma Group II, Applicant).
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel said it was his recollection that there was a
question about the lot size for some of the homes in this subdivision and
that the matter was going to come back to Council. He said he did not
recall that it had ever come back to Council for discussion.
Councilman Kelly said it had come back to Council for consideration, and
he remembered Council discussing his concerns with the right turn lane.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel moved to waive further reading and adopt
Resolution No. 03-25, approving the Final Subdivision Map of Tract No. 30738 and
approving the agreement relating thereto. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by
a 5-0 vote.
XII. RESOLUTIONS
None
XIII. ORDINANCES
For Introduction:
None
For Adoption:
A. ORDINANCE NO. 1035 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, AS AMENDED, FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 1,
AS AMENDED, OF THE PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.
Councilman Kelly moved to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1035.
Motion was seconded by Spiegel and carried by a 5-0 vote.
B. ORDINANCE NO. 1036 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 2 OF THE
PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel moved to waive further reading and adopt
Ordinance No. 1036. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by a 5-0 vote.
C. ORDINANCE NO. 1037 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT RELATED TO A 36-UNIT APARTMENT
COMPLEX KNOWN AS PALM VILLAGE APARTMENTS, LOCATED AT
73-610 SANTA ROSA WAY Case Nos. PP 02-16 and DA 02-02
(Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Applicant).
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel moved to waive further reading and adopt
Ordinance No. 1037. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by a 5-0 vote.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
D. ORDINANCE NO. 1038 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN
AMENDMENT TO DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT 97-2, ALLOWING
SERVICE INDUSTRIAL IN PLANNING AREA 2 OF THE
WONDER PALMS MASTER PLAN Case Nos. PP-02-20 and
DA 97-2 Amendment #1 (Prest / Vuksic Architects, Applicant).
Councilman Kelly moved to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1038.
Motion was seconded by Ferguson and carried by a 5-0 vote.
XIV. NEW BUSINESS
A. CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL TO A DECISION OF THE
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION, APPROVING A
MONUMENT SIGN SUBJECT TO REMOVAL OF THE EXISTING WALL
SIGN FOR THE DENTAL OFFICE LOCATED AT 44-239
MONTEREY AVENUE Case No. SA 02-220 (Signs By Mel for Bruce R.
Baumann, DDS, Appellant).
Planning Manager Steve Smith noted the staff report in the packets and
offered to answer any questions.
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel stated that the staff report noted, "Due to the
maturing of landscape material to the north and south of the sign it has
become obscured from view," and he suggested that it be taken down.
Mr. Smith responded that there were approximately seven to eight
California Fan Palms to the north and south; there were two in the
immediate vicinity of the proposed freestanding sign, and they would be
removed to open the area up considerably. However, there were still
others, specifically on the lot to the north, which impeded the view of the
wall sign.
Councilman Crites said he had stopped across the street from this building
and had noted wall signs all the way along that complex of buildings, all of
which had the same issues, all of which were either visible or not visible
depending on one's perspective of this issue.
Mr. Smith noted that the lot to the north had a freestanding sign. He said
he felt visibility would be improved with removal of the two palms;
however, it would still not be effective, particularly from the north.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel noted that according to the staff report,
Commissioner Vuksic amended his motion and moved to continue the
request to allow the Applicant to choose either a monument or wall sign,
with conditions, and the motion carried unanimously, indicating the
Commission was very adamant about what it wanted.
Mr. Smith noted that motion was passed the first time the Commission
considered this sign. The Applicant returned to a subsequent meeting
with the revisions and received approval with condition. The Commission
considered the matter a third time because the applicant, at the second
meeting, had not brought up the concern relative to removal of the sign.
The Commission did not choose to change its position and stayed with its
original action, resulting in this appeal by the applicant.
Councilman Crites said he knew there were several other wall signs along
that street that could, by staff's recommendation, do double signing. He
asked if staff would then be supportive of doing three or four more
freestanding signs in a row there.
Mr. Smith responded that freestanding signs were limited to a ratio of one
per complex; therefore, the signs for the others not included on this
particular sign may be impaired.
Mayor Benson said she could not see the point in having such a
freestanding sign.
Councilman Ferguson said his inclination was to support the unanimous
recommendation of the Architectural Review Commission.
Councilman Ferguson moved to, by Minute Motion, deny the appeal and uphold
the decision of the Architectural Review Commission. Motion was seconded by Spiegel
and carried by a 5-0 vote.
B. CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL TO A DECISION OF THE
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION, DENYING A REQUEST FOR
APPROVAL OF NEON LIGHTING TUBE WRAPPED AROUND EDGE OF
WINDOW CASING AT THE BUSINESS LOCATED AT
73-850 HIGHWAY 111, UNIT F Case No. SA 03-08 (Spring Oriental Rugs,
Appellant).
Mr. Smith noted that staff concurred with the recommendation of the
Architectural Review Commission on this matter.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
Councilman Ferguson moved to, by Minute Motion, deny the appeal. Motion was
seconded by Spiegel and carried by a 5-0 vote.
C. REPORT ON NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLE (NEV) PROGRAM
FOR EL PASEO.
Mr. Ortega stated that this was an item Council had asked staff to
research, and a staff report was included in the packets.
Councilman Ferguson noted that Palm Desert was one of the only cities in
the country that has golf cart lanes on its surface streets. The City already
owns and operates and gives to the members of the public some 300 golf
carts at Desert Willow. He said he did not understand why it was a
problem to provide golf carts on El Paseo for liability purposes.
Business Support Manager Ruth Ann Moore said staff felt it was important
to point out that they were on public roads, and this would be a program
that would be run by the City.
Councilman Kelly noted that transporting one's own family members was
one thing, but transporting other people was another matter.
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel asked if staff had looked at liability insurance,
and Ms. Moore responded that this was considered, and there was a
deductible of $1,000 per incident. She added that the City could get a
rider with the Joint Powers Authority.
Upon question by Mayor Benson, Councilman Kelly noted that the golf
carts at Desert Willow belong to the City; however, the people who use
them drive the carts themselves, and they are driven on the golf course
rather than on City streets.
Councilman Kelly said he felt it would be more beneficial to the City to
spend the money to purchase a new Shopper Hopper to go to the hotels
rather than using it to do something like this with the cost involved.
Mayor Benson said the purpose at the beginning was to expedite the
traffic up and down El Paseo.
Upon question by Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel, Ms. Moore responded that
the cart being recommended by staff would hold five people in addition to
the driver; however, it was her understanding it could go to eight before
reaching the requirement of a special license on the street.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
Councilman Ferguson expressed concern with the light ridership on the
Shopper Hopper and the cost of that vehicle. With ridership on the
Shopper Hopper averaging four per hour, one golf cart seating five would
accommodate those riders and not cost nearly as much.
Councilman Kelly said he felt it was impractical to duplicate something that
the City already has with the Shopper Hopper, which he felt was a high
visibility, good-looking vehicle. He added that another matter that had
been considered was running one of the Shopper Hoppers back and forth
on El Paseo and connecting to the Shopper Hopper that does the rest of
the City, although it would probably require any other vehicle to
accomplish that.
Councilman Crites said one issue to consider was the fact that
Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) are open. The time of the year
when there is the most traffic and shopping on El Paseo was also the time
of year in which people enjoy being outside. He said he felt people might
enjoy the experience of traveling in a vehicle where they are still outside,
except for the summertime. He suggested looking at doing this on a trial
basis at some point.
Councilman Kelly said he would be in favor of searching for something
that would be a novelty on El Paseo, including perhaps designing one
specifically for the City of Palm Desert and having someone build it for the
City.
Councilman Crites moved to, by Minute Motion, direct staff to closely review the
comments made at this meeting, including researching types of open-air trolleys
utilized by other communities or resorts, and return with the ideas that could be
considered during the FY 03/04 budget session. Motion was seconded by Ferguson
and carried by a 5-0 vote.
D. CONSIDERATION OF APPEAL OF ORDER TO ABATE ISSUED BY
CODE COMPLIANCE FOR AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE LOCATED
AT 42-265 WISCONSIN AVENUE Case No. 02-4871 (Brad & Monica
Grady, Appellants).
Code Compliance Manager Hart Ponder reviewed the staff report and
offered to answer any questions. He said staffs recommendation was
that the Council uphold the Order to Abate issued by Code Compliance
that would require removal of the accessory structure from the required
setback area.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
In response to comment by Mayor Benson regarding the letter from
Mrs. Grady indicating they did not consider a swing set for their children a
public nuisance, Mr. Ponder noted that this was actually a type of
children's detached structure, with walls, where children can climb up in it.
Councilman Crites confirmed with Mr. Ponder that the City's ordinance
allows a maximum of ten feet, and for every foot of height, the structure
would have to be one foot in from the property line.
MR. BRAD GRADY, Appellant, distributed pamphlets put out by the
structure's manufacturer that identifies the structure as a "Swing and
Slide." He said he was told that if he moved the structure, it would not be
a public nuisance as long as he got it within the setback regulations. He
had measured his yard and figured while the structure could be moved,
they would not be able to attach a slide or swing set because of where
they would have to place it. By moving it to the place where it falls into
City Code, it is actually moved closer to the street. He said it would not be
visible from three sides of the yard where there are large bushes and
trees, but it would be visible from the front. He had been instructed by the
Planning Commission that if he moved it forward, closer to the home,
closer to the street, where it would be more visible because the view
would change, it would not be a public nuisance because it would fall
within the setback regulations. While he did not mind moving the
structure, he was concerned that with the limited space to assemble it, he
would only be able to include a clubhouse and monkey bars rather than
swings, a slide, monkey bars, and a clubhouse. He noted that he had
been told that the complaint about the structure actually came from
someone walking through the neighborhood rather than one of his
neighbors.
Councilman Crites suggested that the Council appoint Councilman
Ferguson and another Councilmember to go out to the appellants'
property and work with them to find an acceptable resolution to the issue.
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion, appoint Councilmen
Crites and Ferguson to work with the appellants at their home to find an acceptable
resolution to the issue. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried by a 5-0 vote.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
XV. CONTINUED BUSINESS
A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF DESIGN CONCEPT FOR COUNCIL
CHAMBER ATRIUM (CONTRACT NO. C17180, PROJECT NO. 595-98)
(Continued from the meeting of January 23, 2003).
Councilman Kelly asked whether changes suggested by Council had been
made, and Mr. Knight responded that they had not yet been made.
Councilman Kelly moved to continue this matter to the meeting of March 13,
2003, with recommendation at that time to include the amended design and cost
estimate. Motion was seconded by Spiegel and carried by a 5-0 vote.
B-1. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF RENOVATION OF CERTAIN
AREAS OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BUILDING OF THE
PALM DESERT CIVIC CENTER (Continued from the meeting of
January 23, 2003).
Mr. Ortega noted the staff report in the packets. He noted an additional
area of work in the City Council office area that staff was requesting being
included in the project.
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel said he felt it was important for the Council to
approve whichever of the two options was the favorite of staff, and
Ms. Riddle noted that was Option No. 1.
Upon question by Council, Ms. Riddle responded that estimated cost for
Option No. 1 was $300,000, while Option No. 2 was $480,000.
Councilman Crites moved to, by Minute Motion, approve staff's recommendation
as follows: 1) Authorize staff to implement Option No. 1 for the subject project (see
accompanying staff report); 2) approve Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $12,600 to
Contract No. C20530 with Leigh & Associates, Palm Desert, California, and appropriate
said funds from the New Construction Tax Fund for construction documents for the
aforementioned renovation; 3) authorize City Clerk to advertise and call for bids for
construction of said project (Contract No. C20880). Motion was seconded by Spiegel
and carried by a 5-0 vote.
Councilman Crites moved to add the following item to the Agenda. Motion was
seconded by Ferguson and carried by a 5-0 vote.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
B-2. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF RENOVATION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OFFICE AREA OF THE PALM DESERT CIVIC CENTER.
Mrs. Gilligan noted that this came as the result of direction to staff from
two Councilmembers. She said Ms. Riddle had returned to the designer
and asked for available options along with cost estimates. That
information was included in the report to the Council.
Upon question by Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel, Ms. Riddle noted that the
cost would be approximately $17,000 for the remodel, changing of the
wall, and some furniture. The second option would be approximately
$10,000 because there is Tess reconfiguring in that option.
Councilman Crites said he felt Option No. 2 appeared the be the better of
the two.
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel said he felt the Council reception/meeting
area was wasted area, and Council should look at what can be done to
utilize it.
Mayor Benson said she also preferred Option No. 2, although she would
like to have some type of window treatment for the Mayor's office.
Ms. Riddle noted that the entry door on Option No. 2 would remain as it is,
as an unsecured double -door.
Councilman Ferguson moved to, by Minute Motion, approve Option No. 2 for the
subject renovation, with window treatment for the Mayor's office and the unsecured
double -door access to remain. Motion was seconded by Crites and carried by a 5-0
vote.
XVI. OLD BUSINESS
None
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
XVII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A PRECISE PLAN OF DESIGN
FOR A SINGLE -STORY BANK AND A TWO-STORY OFFICE BUILDING
ON A 2.33 ACRE SITE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF COUNTRY CLUB
DRIVE, 450 FEET EAST OF PORTOLA AVENUE, 74-150 COUNTRY
CLUB DRIVE Case No. PP 01-02 Amendment #1 (Sanborn AE, Inc., for
Canyon Bank, Applicant) (Continued from the meetings of December 12,
2002, and February 13, 2003).
Mr. Smith noted that at Council's direction, posts were placed that would
help envision the line of site after the proposed project is built. He showed
photos that were taken of these posts. He also noted that the City
Attorney had been asked to prepare a report relative to the O.P. height
limits.
Mayor Benson declared the public hearing open and invited testimony in FAVOR
of or in OPPOSITION to this request.
MR. ALAN SANBORN, 12275 S. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, spoke
as the applicant and noted that they had changed and modified the project
so that it conforms with the City's original approval of this project in height
and location of buildings on the site. He offered to answer any questions.
MR. JONATHAN WECK, 707 Regal Drive, Palm Springs, said he was the
Chief Financial Office/Senior Vice President of Canyon National Bank and
wanted to thank the Council for its consideration and support of this
project.
With no further testimony offered, Mayor Benson declared the public hearing
closed.
Councilman Crites stated that it was said this now matches what we have
"approved before," and he asked staff to define what that means.
Mr. Smith noted that when the property was rezoned in 2001, a precise
plan was approved that included the two-story element in this location at
25 feet in height. Initially, when the applicant returned in late 2002, it
included some other amendments, including the tower elements, which
had since been removed from the plan. The plan now was very similar to
that in 2001, with the exception that the bank drive -through, instead of
being located on the north side of the bank, would be on the west side.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
Councilman Crites asked if there were other existing two-story buildings
along that part of the street.
Mr. Smith responded that while the church on Country Club and Portola
immediately to the east of this project was not two-story, it was
approximately 30 feet in height. He noted that inside Desert Willow was
Intrawest which was all two-story.
Mayor Benson moved to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 03-22,
approving Case No. PP 01-02 Amendment #1. Motion was seconded by Spiegel and
carried by a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Ferguson voting NO.
B. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A PRECISE PLAN OF DESIGN
TO ALLOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 70-ACRE SHOPPING CENTER
WITH 689,071 SQUARE FEET OF GROSS COMMERCIAL SPACE AND
A TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP TO SUBDIVIDE 70 ACRES INTO
24 PARCELS; CERTIFICATION OF A DRAFT/FINAL SUBSEQUENT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS
"DESERT GATEWAY;" AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT TO AN
EXISTING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AS IT RELATES THERETO
FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF
MONTEREY AVENUE/DINAH SHORE DRIVE
(34-000 MONTEREY AVENUE) Case Nos. PP 01-30.
TPM 30502. DA 92-3 Restated. SEIR (Riley / Carver, LLC; Monterey 170/
Berdan Holdings LLC, Applicants) (Continued from the meetings of
January 23, and February 13, 2003).
Senior Management Analyst Martin Alvarez reviewed the staff report and
gave a slide presentation of the proposed project, which would include a
Sam's Club, a Super Wal-Mart, a fuel station, three sit-down restaurants,
four drive-thru restaurants, and several retail pad buildings. He said as
part of the project, the City required that a Subsequent Environmental
Impact Report be prepared.
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel asked whether this project included having
Gateway Drive go all the way to Gerald Ford as it appeared on the site
plan.
Mr. Drell responded that unfortunately, that road goes through properties
not owned by the applicant. It had been identified in the General Plan as
part of the City's circulation element, and it would have to be implemented
when those property owners can be approached to see if they will
cooperate to provide right-of-way to have the road done sooner rather
than later. Upon further question by Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel about
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
which roads would be done prior to opening of the center, he said they
would be 35th to Gateway, Gateway from Dinah Shore to 35th, and Dinah
Shore to Portola to Gerald Ford. He added that 35th between Monterey
and Gateway would go in with the first phase, and the full connection
between Gateway back to Dinah Shore would have to be something the
City would have to work on with the other adjoining property owners.
Upon question by Councilman Crites, Mr. Alvarez responded that in terms
of the 1-10 westbound overpass, this was something that is currently under
design. It was a preliminary concept, but as a condition of approval, the
developer was willing to contribute to that cost. He said in that condition,
staff was estimating the cost of that construction to be about $800,000,
and the developer was being asked to contribute 50% of that or up to
$500,000.
Councilman Ferguson stated that in talking with Councilman Kelly
yesterday, he indicated he had met with the Traffic Engineer, and his
traffic concerns were alleviated. However, he did not have the benefit of
that meeting and asked that the same information be provided to the
Council that was presented to Councilman Kelly. He noted that Page 15
of the staff report indicated that the City of Palm Desert's General Plan
states that the City shall make a good faith effort to maintain a Level of
Service C at all intersections. It was his understanding from the study
session that the level of service on this intersection was currently at D,
and he wondered, with all the mitigation measures being discussed and all
the additional trips being generated by the center, whether the City was
improving that intersection, keeping it the same, or actually deteriorating
the level of service.
Engineering Manager Mark Greenwood responded that there was no
actual study to give us an idea, and it was just staffs opinions. He felt that
the addition of the free right from Dinah Shore onto Monterey would help
conditions. He added that the traffic study from the project indicated that
the intersection of Monterey and Dinah Shore would go to a Level of
Service D, with or without this project. He said it was hoped that adding
the free right would draw more traffic onto Dinah Shore from Monterey,
and more people would choose to use Dinah Shore. Upon further
question by Councilman Ferguson, he said it was felt approximately
36,000 trips daily would be generated by this project at build out, while
currently there were approximately 50,000 trips daily at that intersection.
He said the intersection would get worse over time, and as we try to
identify measures to respond to the additional traffic, the free right turn
from Dinah Shore to Monterey would help the intersection not get even
worse. He said the study indicated that in order to get the intersection to a
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Level C, Monterey Avenue would have to widened to four through lanes in
each direction and triple left turn lanes would have to be provided in the
north, south, and east bound directions. That would mean Monterey
would be 12 lanes wide, with the same on Dinah Shore to get this
intersection to Level of Service C and this was not something staff felt
could be done.
Councilman Crites asked, in terms of circulation, how much value there
would be to have 35th go over to Dinah Shore, with Gateway going to
Gerald Ford.
Mr. Greenwood responded that he felt there would be some benefit there.
Councilman Crites asked which of those two Mr. Greenwood felt would
have the greatest value. Mr. Greenwood responded that he felt 35th could
be accomplished more directly and would be of more benefit.
Councilman Crites said there were a lot of questions about dual left turn
lanes on Monterey going into the project from the north and closing one
and changing the interior circulation, etc. He asked whether there had
been changes on those issues that had come to Mr. Greenwood as the
Traffic Engineer. Mr. Greenwood responded that he did not believe this
had been discussed since the study session.
MR. JOHN CRISTE, Terra Nova Planning & Research, 400 S. Farrell,
Palm Springs, gave an overview of the Subsequent Environmental Impact
Report and offered to answer any questions.
With Council concurrence, Mayor Benson recessed the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and
reconvened at 6:09 p.m.
Mayor Benson declared the public hearing open and invited testimony in FAVOR
of or in OPPOSITION to this matter.
MR. BILL CARVER spoke as developer and gave a brief history of the
project and then discussed difficulties and issues encountered in planning
the project. He also asked that, prior to a Council vote on this project, that
Conditions of Approval #16 (two additional items) and #27 be revisited.
MR. MARK OSTOICH, 3750 University Avenue, Riverside, gave a brief
overview of the project, noting that the overriding theme of the architecture
of the project was Santa Barbara, typified by extensive use of tiled roofs
with exposed wood beam features. He reviewed challenges with the
grade of the property, noting they felt they had arrived at an optimum
solution that mitigates all of the potential problems to the greatest possible
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extent. With regard to traffic, he said the traffic analysis done for this
project gave no credit for pass -by trips, so it assumed that none of the
trips that are naturally occurring along Monterey would visit this center,
and that is not the case. He said the fact was that since Monterey is
probably the main thoroughfare in and out of Palm Desert, many of those
trips will visit the center. He said the traffic study was extremely
conservative. He added that he felt the project was providing major
improvements all the way around the site -- street improvements, signal
improvements, and a significant number of improvements designed to
mitigate traffic. He said they had worked very hard on this project for
approximately 18 months and believed they had considered, with input
from staff and Planning Commission, all of the varying opinions about
what this project should look like.
The following spoke in favor of the project:
MR. RICHARD KUSSMAN, 345 San Remo, Palm Desert.
MS. ANNA RODRIGUEZ, Riverside County Economic Development
Agency, 44-199 Monroe Street, Indio, representing the County of
Riverside, owner of the property at the northeast corner of Monterey
Avenue and Dinah Shore, spoke in favor of the project with conditions
recommended by the Planning Commission.
MR. ED MEISTER, 90 Conejo Circle, Palm Desert.
MR. JIM SWANNER, 74-360 Buttonwood Drive, Palm Desert.
MR. CHARLIE ASH, 77-130 New York Avenue, Palm Desert.
MR. MIKE TURNER, resident of La Quinta and employed in Palm Desert,
complimented the developer on the innovative landscape concept.
The following spoke in opposition to the project:
MS. SHARI TRASK, 40-360 Sagewood Drive, Palm Desert, expressed
concern with traffic, growth in the desert, and increased empty commercial
buildings in the City.
MS. SUSAN HAYES, 73-050 Guadalupe Avenue, Palm Desert, was also
concerned with traffic, increased crime, and the negative appearance of
Wal-Mart stores and their properties in general.
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MR. DELBERT BALLESTEROS expressed concern with the loss of
Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores in Cathedral City when they move to
Palm Desert. He was also concerned with crime and said Wal-Mart was
known for that.
MR. KAREN SKILLERN, 48-710 Desert Flower, Palm Desert, was
concerned with future deterioration of the community, low wage jobs with
little benefits, loss of existing businesses due to the competition.
MR. CARVER spoke on the additional conditions under Public Works
Condition #16 and #27. With regard to Condition #16, he stated that a
meeting had been held the previous day on the right turn lane on the north
side of Dinah Shore; they had no problem with that and felt it was an
important part of getting the traffic through that intersection at Monterey
and Dinah Shore. What he did not realize they had agreed to was the
fact that they were going to do the slope all the way up Monterey to the
railroad tracks, and he did not know what the costs would be for that. He
said they also agreed to contribute to the study for the right hand turn
movement onto Interstate 10 as set forth in Condition #27, up to $500,000.
MR. OSTOICH noted that they were in agreement with both conditions,
with one exception on Condition #16. He said they had a concern with the
portion of the condition that requires, in effect, the widening of Monterey
Avenue.
Upon further discussion, Mr. Carver agreed to provide $100,000 for
identified improvements, for a total contribution of $600,000 for both #16
and #27.
Upon question by Councilman Ferguson, Mr. Ostoich said he had
authority to speak on behalf of Wal-Mart. Councilman Ferguson said an
issue not discussed at this public hearing but which was brought up by
someone who testified was that this would basically be taking a store out
of Cathedral City. He asked if WaI-Mart would be leaving Cathedral City.
MR. OSTOICH noted that there were both a Sam's Club and a Wal-Mart
in Cathedral City. He said no decision had been made to close the Sam's
Club store in Cathedral City; in fact, Wal-Mart's position was that it hoped
the Sam's Club would continue to flourish at that location and that there
would be enough customer response to support both the existing
Cathedral City Sam's Club and the new Sam's Club in Palm Desert. With
regard to Wal-Mart, it was likely the store in Cathedral City would be
closed; however, no decision had been made as to when that would
occur.
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Councilman Ferguson asked if Wal-Mart would be willing to covenant to
find a replacement tenant if it does move out of Cathedral City.
MR. OSTOICH explained that Wal-Mart has a department that does
nothing but put vacant stores into reuse. The store in Cathedral City is
one that Wal-Mart owns, it is an asset on Wal-Mart's balance sheet, and it
has an obligation to maximize the value of its assets. He said the Wal-
Mart in La Quinta was a perfect example. That Wal-Mart was expanding
into a new Super Center, which was not yet completed, and the old
building had already been leased to Kohl's. With regard to the Cathedral
City store, he said he was not in a position to tell the Council tonight that
Wal-Mart would covenant to find another tenant for the Cathedral City
store; however, what he had learned this evening was that Wal-Mart
would covenant to place no restrictions on that store. He noted that
frequently when a retailer closes a store, they will restrict the use of it to
prevent a competitor from moving into the location. He said he could
represent to the Council tonight that WaI-Mart would agree to replace no
restrictions on that building and it would, through its normal re -leasing
process, make diligent efforts to put a tenant in that building as soon after
it closes as possible.
Councilman Crites stated that in both the Study Session and in other
meetings, discussion had been held relative to improvements to the
intersection, although he saw none of that in the staff report. He asked if
he could assume that none of that had changed.
MR. CARVER said the developer would work diligently through the City to
get Rancho Mirage to agree to widen the curb on its side of the street to
get sufficient right-of-way to permit a double left into the project. The
reason they could not do anything else but that was they would have to
change the whole alignment of Monterey.
Councilman Crites said that was not a requirement of the project, and
Mr. Carver agreed.
With no further testimony offered, Mayor Benson declared the public hearing
closed.
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel said this did not look like any Wal-Mart he
had ever seen, and he commended Mr. Carver for that. He noted this was
approved by both Planning Commission and Architectural Review
Commission, and he said this was not a neighborhood shopping area any
longer and that it was now regional. He was proud to have the manager
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of Costco in the audience this evening, and he has spoken to him about a
month ago to find out if he was opposed to the competition. The manager
said he was not opposed and thought it would actually enhance his
business. He said with all of the new businesses in the area, including in
Rancho Mirage by the Home Depot store, there is going to be more traffic,
and it is important to find a way to deal with that. He felt the developer
had gone a long way in doing that with what was going to be done with
Dinah Shore and the other proposed improvements. He noted the project
presented to Council tonight was totally different than what was originally
shown.
Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel moved to waive further reading and: 1) Adopt
Resolution No. 03-27, approving a precise plan of design to allow the development of a
70-acre shopping center with 689,071 square feet of gross commercial space and a
Tentative Parcel Map to subdivide 70 acres into 24 parcels, with an amended Public
Works Condition No. 16, which would provide for the developer's contribution of
$100,000 for identified improvements; 2) adopt Resolution No. 03-28, certifying a Draft
and Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report prepared for the project known as
"Desert Gateway;" 3) pass Ordinance No. 1039 to second reading, approving a restated
Development Agreement relating to the project known as "Desert Gateway," located at
the southeast corner of Monterey Avenue and Dinah Shore Drive.
Councilman Kelly noted that this project had gone through a lengthy
process and many meetings before Planning Commission and
Architectural Review. He said he had ideas which he felt would be helpful
to the traffic, and the developer had concurred with those. He felt people
visiting Costco and purchasing fuel at Costco would use this center, and a
lot of people who would be just driving by would also probably stop there
and shop. He appreciated the developer's willingness to contribute toward
solving other problems on the freeway and said he knew if this project did
not go in that location, another project would be there some time in the
future, and it would all cause additional traffic.
Councilman Kelly seconded the motion.
Councilman Ferguson said he felt the process had worked well to a point.
He said in the last several days, there was apparently some movement on
tackling traffic issues. His biggest concern was that while we talk about
scenarios that potentially may happen, there is no requirement that they
do happen. If the Council approves, this project tonight without tightening
those up, the City will get those 36,000 trips generated. Whether they are
there already or not, he said he did not know because a study had not
been done to find that out. He said he did not know that the City had done
that before, where it had not tied specific mitigation measures as
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
requirements of approval. The list of items noted by Councilman Crites as
things Mr. Carver said he would look at did not beyond his looking at it. If
there is not a requirement to do it, sometimes they do not get done. He
said he had met Mr. Carver earlier today and felt he was an honorable
gentleman who had done some fine developments in Palm Desert, and he
did not mean this as a slight, but he disagreed with taking one of the worst
intersections in the City and almost doubling its volume without any
mitigation measures other than requiring an additional $100,000 here and
a half million there. He said his other concern was with the existing Wal-
Mart in Cathedral City. He said Palm Desert had bent over backwards in
the past to try and look after its neighbors. He noted the situation a
number of years ago with Target, which promised it would not close its
Indio store if Palm Desert allowed it to have a new store in Desert
Crossing; sure enough, right after it got its permits, the Indio store was
closed. In Palm Desert, when Albertson's went from San Pablo and
Highway 111 over to Deep Canyon and Highway 111, the City required a
covenant where they would find a replacement tenant to protect those
other shopkeepers and that center's viability. He noted that Sears was
coming to Westfield Shoppingtown, and Palm Desert had no legal
obligation to financially share sales tax with Indio as a result of that, but
Palm Desert said it would do it anyway because it did not want to impact
that shopping mall. He said with the representations made tonight about
Wal-Mart, Palm Desert could provide an assurance to Cathedral City,
which was in financial dire straits, and he could not see padding Palm
Desert's surpluses on the backs of a nearly bankrupt city. He said the
thing that probably troubled him more than anything was that Palm Desert
had been in a fight in the legislature for the past three years over
something called the "fiscalization of land use," where the legislature
seems to think it can make better land use decisions than local cities who
go after automobile dealers and big box retailers simply for the sales tax.
He said he had testified in many hearings in Sacramento, saying they
should look at Palm Desert, which did not have any auto malls or big
bucks retailers and did not chase sales tax dollars but instead had quality
development. He said one example of that was The Gardens on
El Paseo, and he felt this could be a project of that caliber. However, he
did not think we had dotted all of the is and crossed all of the is and
tightened it up where it needs to be tightened up. Unless we go through
an additional process to tend to those things, he said he could not support
approving the project tonight.
Councilman Crites said he agreed a lot of time and effort had been spent
on this project; however, a lot of those meetings were because it took a
year and a half to get the architecture of this project back to where it was a
year and a half ago because it went downhill rather than uphill. He said
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
this was the second meeting of substance that the Council had
participated in on this project, and he had never seen this project until
January. The Council had one meeting of questions, and now it had a
meeting of public comment, which he did not consider an enormous
number of meetings. He said he had asked Planning staff months ago to
find some examples of projects of this size that had architecture that they
felt Palm Desert could be proud of, and he had yet to receive a response.
He said he felt the landscape plan was something the City could be proud
of, and he liked the idea of a swirl of trees and other things. He expressed
concern with the many traffic issues, including extending 35th to Dinah
Shore, which were not included. He said he saw a quick presentation on
why this is the best grading plan, and he believed the applicant believed
that, although he did not. With regard to heights, he said there were
places that would actually end up being almost 90 feet above existing
grade elevation. He said he understood why that made good retail sense,
but he did not feel it made good sense in terms of the City itself. He
added that he did not think this was the place to have a project that thus
far did not meet his perception of standards, and it was not the welcome to
Palm Desert that he could be proud of.
Mayor Benson said she was one of the strong opponents of Wal-Mart
when it was brought to the City several years ago at the corner of Country
Club and Monterey Avenue. However, she had been involved with this
project for the last two years with Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel, and it had
been through many meetings with Architectural Review Commission. She
said if Palm Desert is going to have a Wal-Mart, Monterey and Dinah
Shore is the right place for it, and this is the right developer. She added
that she would rather have someone local who has a vested interest in
Palm Desert to develop it than someone from out of town wanting to put in
an auto mall with all of the neon lights, signs, etc. She noted that what
was happening in this area had already been determined by what Rancho
Mirage was doing, and she believed with all of the mitigation measures
this was the best place. She said that corner was going to be developed
eventually, and it might as well be developed by one of our own.
Mayor Benson called for the vote, and the motion carried by a 3-2 vote, with
Councilmen Crites and Ferguson voting NO.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
C. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF THE
VISITOR CENTER THREE-MILE LOOP TRAIL ON APPROXIMATELY
260 ACRES EAST OF STATE HIGHWAY 74 AND SOUTH OF THE
SANTA ROSA AND SAN JACINTO MOUNTAINS NATIONAL
MONUMENT VISITOR CENTER; APPROVAL OF A CHANGE OF ZONE
FROM HILLSIDE PLANNED RESIDENTIAL, DRAINAGE (HPR,D) TO
OPEN SPACE, DRAINAGE (OS,D) FOR 18 ACRES LOCATED
NORTHWEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF THRUSH ROAD AND THE
PALM VALLEY STORM CHANNEL ROAD; APPROVAL OF A PRECISE
PLAN AMENDMENT TO INCORPORATE THE AFOREMENTIONED
PROPERTY INTO HOMME/ADAMS PARK AND TO ALLOW
CONSTRUCTION OF A TRAIL SYSTEM LINKING HOMME/ADAMS
PARK AND CAHUILLA HILLS PARK Case Nos. C/Z 03-01. PP 01-01A
(City of Palm Desert, Applicant) (Continued from the meetings of January
23, and February 13, 2003).
Mr. Drell reviewed the staff report, noting that staff was in agreement with
the modified project description and mitigation measures recommended
by the biological opinion. The initial study had been modified to include all
those amendments and mitigation measures. He said if Council chooses
to act tonight and vote for approval, there was some risk both in terms of
legal challenge to the BLM's process and the City's process. This was a
30-day challenge period, and staff would propose that none of the
approved measures be implemented for 30 days awaiting determination
whether there is a legal challenge, but as soon as possible, staff would
post signage to both sites informing the public of the City's intention to
implement these within 30 days, informing them of the impending new
regulations to the Visitors Center, and directing them over to Homme and
Cahuilla Park, with a generalized map showing where the dog use will be
permitted. He offered to answer any questions.
Mayor Benson declared the public hearing open and invited testimony in FAVOR
of or in OPPOSITION to this request. With no testimony offered, she declared
the public hearing closed.
Councilman Crites suggested amendments to the Final Initial
Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Trail Improvement Project as
follows: 1) Striking the second to last paragraph in subsection "Project
Description;" 2) amending paragraph B-4 under the subsection "Project
Location - Biological Resources," to read An adequate management
program shall be provided to monitor compliance and enforce trail and
dog -use rules at the Homme-Adams and Cahuilla Hills Park Trail Loop.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
Councilman Crites moved to: 1) By Minute Motion, approve the Visitor Center
and Homme/Adams Park Loop Trail Plans; 2) waive further reading and adopt
Resolution No. 03-12, approving Case No. PP 01-01A; 3) waive further reading and
pass Ordinance No. 1034 to second reading, approving Case No. C/Z 03-01, with the
understanding that there would be a 30-day waiting period prior to implementation of
any of the approved measures and in which time staff would post signage notifying the
public of the intention to implement same, and with the following amendments to the
Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Trail Improvement Project: a) Striking
the second to last paragraph in subsection "Project Description;" b) amending
paragraph B-4 under the subsection "Project Location - Biological Resources," to read
An adequate management program shall be provided to monitor compliance and
enforce trail and dog -use rules at the Homme-Adams and Cahuilla Hills Park Trail Loop.
Motion was seconded by Ferguson and carried by a 5-0 vote.
XVIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. CITY MANAGER
None
B. CITY ATTORNEY
None
C. CITY CLERK
None
D. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
o City Council Requests for Action:
Councilman Kelly moved to place the following item on the Agenda. Motion was
seconded by Crites and carried by a 5-0 vote.
1. Consideration of Request for Expansion of the Sister Cities
Subcommittee (Councilman Buford A. Crites).
Councilman Crites said he was asked him to forward the
Sister City Subcommittee's request that it be allowed to
expand its membership two to handle all the different things
it is doing.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
Councilman Kelly moved to, by Minute Motion, approve expansion of the
Subcommittee by two members. Motion was seconded by Spiegel, carried by a 5-0
vote.
2. Mayor Benson commented that she and
Councilman Ferguson had met with the Desert's World
Affairs Council, which would like to expand its program and
form an alliance with the City for next year, adding that the
group also offered to make a presentation to the entire City
Council if it would be helpful. She and Councilman Ferguson
were in favor of such an effort, suggesting that the series be
made in conjunction with the Sister Cities Subcommittee and
using Desert Willow on Sunday evenings, moving from their
present location, The Lodge in Rancho Mirage.
3. Councilman Crites reported that the AQMD had asked for
community participation in an Electronic Advisory Board,
Palm Desert to nominate five people. He asked staff and the
Technology Committee to review the request.
o City Council Committee Reports:
1. Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel reported that the Palm Desert
Chamber of Commerce had announced a retreat scheduled
for late June to be held in Julian.
2. Mayor Pro-Tempore Spiegel reported that as of the most
recent reporting from the retail sector, The Gardens on
El Paseo enjoyed January sales 10% ahead of last year, and
Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert reported a 12% gain
with its specialty stores.
o City Council Comments:
None
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2003
XIX. ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Spiegel, second by Crites, and a 5-0 vote of the City Council,
Mayor Benson adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m.
ATTEST:
RA M1'1
KLS, CITY CLE K
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
. BENSON, MAYOR
28