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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-28MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER 73510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER - 3:00 P.M. Mayor Benson convened the meeting at 3:05 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmember Jan C. Harnik Councilman William R. Kroonen Mayor Pro Tem Robert A. Spiegel Mayor Jean M. Benson Absent: Councilmember Cindy Finerty Also Present: John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager/RDA Executive Director David J. Erwin, City Attorney Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Stephen Y. Aryan, Assistant to the City Manger Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk Bo Chen, City Engineer Russell Grance, Director of Building & Safety Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance/City Treasurer Janet M. Moore, Director of Housing Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works Frankie Riddle, Director of Special Programs Bill Hunley, Battalion Chief, Palm Desert Fire/Riverside Co. Fire Dept./Cal Fire Misty Reynolds, Admin. Sergeant, Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriff's Dept. Bill Sullivan, Lieutenant, Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriff's Dept. Grace L. Mendoza, Deputy City Clerk III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - A (CLOSED SESSION ITEMS) None MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 IV. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Request for Closed Session: Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: 1) Property: APN 622-020-089 Negotiating Parties: Agency: John M. Wohlmuth/Justin McCarthy/City of Palm Desert/ Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency/ Palm Desert Housing Authority Property Owner: DesertArc Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment 2) Property: APN 627-262-008 Negotiating Parties: Agency: John M. Wohlmuth/Justin McCarthy/Ruth Ann Moore/ City of Palm Desert/Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Property Owner: City of Palm Desert Under Negotiation: x x Terms of Payment Conference with Legal Counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b): Number of potential cases: 2 Public Employment pursuant to Government Code Section 54957: Title of Position: City Manager Conference with Labor Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6: Negotiating Parties: John M. Wohlmuth/City of Palm Desert Mr. Erwin asked the City Council to add an item to the Closed Session agenda, as follows: Conference with Legal Counsel regarding existing litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a): a) City of Palm Desertv. Federal Housing Finance Agency, Federal National Mortgage Association, and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, United States District Court Case No. 10-cv-04482 (N.D. Cal.) 2 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 Upon a motion by Spiegel, second by Kroonen, and 4-0 vote of the City Council, with Finerty ABSENT, the aforementioned case of existing litigation was added to the agenda. With City Council concurrence, Mayor Benson adjourned the meeting to Closed Session at 3:06 p.m. She reconvened the meeting at 4:05 p.m. V. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M. A. REPORT ON ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION. None VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Mayor Pro Tem Robert A. Spiegel VI1. INVOCATION - Mayor Jean M. Benson VIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - B None IX. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS A. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE MONTH OF MAY 2011 AS "BUILDING SAFETY MONTH" IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT. On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel presented the proclamation to Director of Building & Safety Russell Grance. Mr. Grance thanked the City Council for celebrating Building Safety Month. He said now that they had a whole month of recognition, staff has focused on something different every week like Energy and Green Building, Disaster Safety and Mitigation, and Backyard Safety. B. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE MONTH OF MAY 2011 AS "MENTAL HEALTH MONTH" IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT. On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel presented the proclamation to Ms. Bonnie Gilgallon with the Desert Regional Mental Health Department. 3 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 MS. GILGALLON thanked the City Council for recognizing and bringing awareness to the month of May as Mental Health Month in the City of Palm Desert. C. APPOINTMENT TO THE PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion, appoint Jennie Rayner of The Living Desert to the Marketing Committee to fill the unexpired term of Kimberly Bowers (term 12/31/11). Motion was seconded by Kroonen and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Finerty ABSENT. X. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 14, 2011. Rec: Approve as presented. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY TREASURY - Warrant Nos. 210, 211, 215, 219, and 220. Rec: Approve as presented. C. COMPLIANCE ANALYSIS AND INVESTMENT REPORTS for the Month of February 2011 (Joint Consideration with the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency). Rec: Receive and file. D. CITY COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. 1. Audit, Investment & Finance Committee Meeting of February 22, 2011 2. Landscape Beautification Committee Meeting of February 16, 2011. 3. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting of March 1, 2011. Rec: Receive and file. E. REQUEST FOR DECLARATION of Surplus Property and Authorization for Disposal — Miscellaneous Computer and Accessories Equipment, Satellite Phones. Rec: By Minute Motion, declare items listed on the accompanying staff report's Exhibit "A" as surplus property and authorize disposal as appropriate. 4 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 F REQUEST FOR DECLARATION of Surplus Property and Authorization for Sale — Low -power Radio Equipment. Rec: By Minute Motion, declare items listed on the accompanying staff report's Exhibit "A" as surplus property and authorize the City Manager to negotiate sale. G. REQUEST FOR RATIFICATION of Staff's Submittal of the Household Hazardous Waste 19`h Cycle (FY 2010-2011) Grant Application to CalRecycle. Rec: 1) By Minute Motion, ratify submittal of the Household Hazardous Waste 19th Cycle (FY 2010-2011) Grant Application to CalRecycle; 2) waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 2011 - 30, authorizing Household Hazardous Waste Grant Applications and Solid Waste and Recycling Grant Applications to CalRecycle; 3) by Minute Motion, authorize expenditure of awarded funds from the Recycle Fund — Account No. 236-4195-454-3090. H. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Change Order Nos. 1-5 — Contract No. C30400 — Construction of Tenant Improvements at the State of California Water Resources Control Board, Suite 100 at the Parkview Office Complex, 73-720 Fred Waring Drive. Rec: By Minute Motion: 1) Approve Change Order Nos. 1-5 to the subject contract with Doug Wall Construction, Inc., Bermuda Dunes, California, with a net overall increase of $6,456.39 to the contract, reflecting changes to better suit the tenant's office space utilization, and authorize the Mayor to execute same; 2) appropriate $6,456.39 from Fund 510-4195-495-3370 for this purpose. I. REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE OF WORK for Contract No. C30400 — Construction of Tenant Improvements at the State of California Water Resources Control Board, Suite 100 at the Parkview Office Complex, 73-720 Fred Waring Drive (Doug Wall Construction, Inc., Bermuda Dunes, 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. 5 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 J. REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE OF WORK for Contract No. C30250 — Civic Center Parkway Turf Retrofit Project - Phase II (Project No. 962-11) (Candyl Golf Group, La Quinta, 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. K. REQUEST FOR RESCISSION of the Approval of Parcel Map 35269 (Peter Hartwig/Kathleen Ann Collins, Applicants). Rec: By Minute Motion, rescind approval of Parcel Map 35269. L. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION to Expend CaICOPS Funds for Purchase of Palm Desert Police Department Promotional Items. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the Palm Desert Police Department's request to purchase promotional items in an amount not to exceed $1,321.49 that will be funded by CaICOPS (Account No. 229-4210-422-3914) . M. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION to Expend CaICOPS Funds for Basic Motorcycle Academy Training at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's EVOC Center, San Bernardino, California. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the Palm Desert Police Department's request to expend funds not to exceed $2,649 for sending a Motor Officer to Basic Motorcycle Academy Training at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's EVOC Center, San Bernardino, California — funds are available under the CaICOPS Program (Account No. 229-4210-422-3914). N. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION to Expend CaICOPS Funds for the Palm Desert Police Department K-9 Team to Attend a Tracking Seminar at Adlerhorst International, Riverside, California. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the Palm Desert Police Department's request to expend funds not to exceed $750 for the Palm Desert Police Department K-9 Team to attend a Tracking Seminar at Adlerhorst International, Riverside, California — funds are available under the CaICOPS Program (Account No. 229-4210-422-3914). 6 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 O. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION to Expend CaICOPS Funds for an Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement Course to be Held in San Diego, California. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the Palm Desert Police Department's request to expend funds not to exceed $868 for sending three Palm Desert Police Officers to an Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement Course in San Diego, California — funds are available under the CaICOPS Program (Account No. 229-4210-422-3914). Upon a motion by Kroonen, second by Spiegel, and 4-0 vote of the City Council, with Finerty ABSENT, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. XI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None XII. RESOLUTIONS None XIII. ORDINANCES For Introduction: None For Adoption: None XIV. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SIMON CONTRACTING IN THE AMOUNT OF $88,975 FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2011 CURB RAMP MODIFICATION PROJECT (CONTRACT NO. C30640, PROJECT NO. 753-11). Mr. Greenwood stated this project was for the installation or repair at approximately 50 handicap wheelchair ramps mostly in the southern, central part of Palm Desert. He noted the low bidder is a local contractor. Responding to question, he said some ramps will be new locations, but most of the work will be for repairs at existing ramps; painting may be required at some locations. 7 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel noted the low bidder is from Indio, and the other two bidders were from outside the Valley. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Award the subject contract for Construction of the 2011 Curb Ramp Modification Project to Simon Contracting, Indio, California, in the amount of $88,975; 2) authorize the Director of Finance to set aside a 10% contingency for the project in the amount of $8,897.50; 3) authorize the Mayor to execute said contract — funding is available in General Fund Account No. 110-4312-433- -3320, and in New Construction Tax Fund Account No. 231-4312-433-3320 - Curb and Gutter/ADA Retrofit. Motion was seconded by Kroonen and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Finerty ABSENT. B. REQUEST FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT TO NAI CONSULTING, INC., IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $73,410 FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES RELATED TO FOUR (4) FEDERALLy- FUNDED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (FRED WARING DRIVE/HIGHWAY 111 FREE RIGHT TURN, HIGHWAY 111 IMPROVEMENTS, TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM INTERCONNECT, AND SAN PASCUAUFRED WARING TRAFFIC SIGNAL) (CONTRACT NO. C30850, PROJECT NOS. 658-08, 697-05, 553-99, AND 566-05). Responding to question, Mr. Greenwood confirmed no General Funds will be used, stating the contract was to do the processing of the paperwork for these Federally -funded projects. He noted the work will be done by a local contractor. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Award the subject contract in an amount not to exceed $73,410 to NAI Consulting, Inc., Cathedral City, California, for the four (4) Federally funded projects; 2) authorize the Mayor to execute said contract — funds are available in Account Nos. 213-4384-433-4001, 213-4362-433-4001, 440-4594-422-4001, and 234-4276- 422-4001. Motion was seconded by Kroonen and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Finerty ABSENT. C. REQUEST FOR DIRECTION RELATIVE TO A REQUEST TO RELOCATE THE BARRIER GATE ON MOUNTAIN VIEW NEAR WASHINGTON STREET (Barbara C. Sweat, Applicant). Mr. Greenwood stated this issue was about an existing barrier gate on Mountain View just west of Washington Street in the Palm Desert Country Club area. The gate has been in place for approximately 14 or 15 years; it was installed to keep traffic from cutting through Mountain View, which is a residential street. Due to property Tots on either side of Mountain View are staggered from each other and property lines don't align, when this gate was installed, it's actually located between the existing horseshoe driveway of the home on the north side of the street. The Applicant is building a house on 8 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 the south side of the street and wants to modify the gate so that it would also be between the two legs of her horseshoe driveway; currently, both legs of the horseshoe driveway are on the west side of the gate, which is the residential side. The resident across the street has objected to the Applicant's proposed modifications, because it will impact their home. Mayor Benson asked if the gate was installed because of the child care center there. Mr. Greenwood responded the childcare center is located one block over to the north on Delaware. He said there are apartments directly on the east side of the subject gate and residential homes on the west side of the gate. MR. DEREK SCOTT stated he was a friend of the Applicant Ms. Chris Sweat who was trying to build a house on the property at Mountain View. He said he was a project manager with 30 years of experience doing public work type of improvements. His client, the Applicant, is trying to relocate the barrier gate in order to gain access to Washington Street, which will provide her with a 300-foot trip to the main thoroughfare where there is a traffic light, access to the shopping center, safety, pharmacy, etc. Otherwise, it would be 1.3 miles to go up the street and down Warner Trail, then back down to Washington Street. He said the neighbors across the street, who are objecting to this relocation, already have one driveway on each side of this barrier gate where they can enjoy the access that his client was asking for. He couldn't understand why this was even an issue, because his client was only asking for the right for public health, public safety, and public access to the main street that the neighbors already had. He offered to present video representation of everything already mentioned, because the neighbor had stated that vehicles might back up into their driveway, which he didn't believe was true, and his video would demonstrate that fact. He said the Applicant's proposal was a win, win situation, because it offered to pay for the entire cost of the modifications and include a Knox Box that will allow emergency vehicles access to the entire neighborhood from Washington Street, which was the main access. Councilmember Harnik asked if the current barrier had a Knox Box. MR. SCOTT answered no, stating there was a pad lock on the current gate. He said when the Applicant is finished with the modifications, the barrier gate will be architecturally improved, and it will include a Knox Box, which has been approved by the Fire Department and Public Works. He believed everyone in the neighborhood will benefit from the proposed 10-feet relocation that will provide the Applicant access to Washington Street. He said there was nothing that could happen on either side of the barrier that 9 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 would decrease or increase impact. He really couldn't understand why people would object to the request. MS. MARTINA RAVICZ, Mountain View, Palm Desert, CA, stated she was the neighbor across the street. She acknowledged speaking with the Applicant and voicing her objections and reasons for them, which she believed were valid. She said prior to purchasing the home when it was a bank owned property, it had been vandalized, and after purchasing it in February 2010, there continued to be numerous incidents even after taking additional measures to prevent break-ins. This was one of the reasons shared with the Applicant about why she and her husband objected to moving the gate farther west. She said her home was left vacant for short periods of time in the middle of the night only to find it broken into, stating cigarette buds were left in the sinks and items moved from one room to another. She believed people from the apartment buildings were breaking into her home. Additionally, trash and liquor bottles had been thrown into her property and have seen people jumping over the fence to play on her lot. She said these issues have been reported to the police, but because of insufficient evidence to go on, nothing was done. Additionally, there are parents dropping or picking up their children from the middle school across the street park on both the west and east side of this barrier gate. She displayed a map from the Assessor's Office, which illustrated that the Applicant's property line and her lot did not align. She learned today that the barrier gate had existed at its present location for 15 years and was probably installed there in order to allow driveway access to the apartment building and not necessarily to give her property access to Washington Street. She said the barrier existed at its present location prior to both parties purchasing their homes. When she was first approached by the Applicant with the suggestion of moving the barrier, she offered her own suggestions. One was to leave the barrier in place for the Applicant's sake, because of all her own experience with the vandalism incidents mentioned earlier. Another suggestion she offered was to use a similar barrier gate like the one installed on Robin Street where the barrier is completely closed up. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked Ms. Ravicz if she was familiar with the two options mentioned in the staff report, and if she had objections to either one. MS. RAVICZ responded she had received a copy of the staff report and did have objections to both options. She said her objection is that the barrier gate would be moved 25 feet to the west and not 10 feet as stated by the Applicant, which is substantial. She said the move will give the people in the apartment buildings greater access to Mountain View, which would create more of the same issues and incidents she mentioned. She believed it would also create more traffic issues from the school across the street. Additionally, the current barrier gate is approximately 19.6 feet long, but the 10 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 proposed angled gate would be 30.5 to 32 feet, which was almost twice the length. She said this option would also cut into their view when the existing horizontal gate can be barely seen. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked if police reports were filed on the incidents mentioned. MS. RAVICZ answered yes, stating she reported them. She displayed a photograph of a sign that is installed elsewhere near Palm Desert High School where a student drop-off is not allowed, which she thought could be installed on Mountain View, but was told there was no rule on it for the Mountain View street. She went on to say that if Option 2 (angled gate) was used, it would create more chaos for vehicle when making a turn with children and their scooters there. Additionally, she was concerned the angled barrier gate would make it difficult for the dump truck and street sweeper to maneuver through there and cause vehicles to use her side of the street more. She said the angled barrier would also cut 1,000 square feet of public road from being used. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel stated he understood why Ms. Ravicz would object to the angled barrier, but surprised she would object to Option 1, which just moved the gate farther back to the west. MS. RAVICZ responded her reasons were stated earlier about not wanting to give the people in the apartment buildings more accessibility. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel said the break-in's were already happening, which he planned to inquire to find out what the Police Department was doing about it. Mayor Benson asked if the barrier gate existed prior to Ms. Ravicz moving into her home. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel responded the barrier gate was already there for about 10-15 years. MS. RAVICZ said she drove on Washington Street and went around on Fred Waring Drive to get to her driveway, instead of cutting onto Mountain View, and it only took her two minutes. She said this whole request was about cutting 1,000 square feet of public space, preventing the utilities (street sweepers) the ability to use the space to sweep it, so that one person can have the personal convenience of having access to Washington Street. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel stated the Applicant was asking for the same convenience Ms. Ravicz had. 11 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 MS. RAVICZ agreed, but stated the barrier gate already existed and believed it was installed at its present location for the purpose of not interfering with the apartment building driveway access. MR. SCOTT displayed a photograph that illustrated the present conditions on Mountain View, stating that if the barrier gate was moved a little bit to the west, it would change nothing. He said it would not change the parking, because of the existing driveways. The one thing it would change was allowing the Applicant the same access to Washington Street that the neighbor already enjoyed. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked if the Applicant was worried about break-ins'. MS. BARBARA CHRIS SWEAT, Applicant, responded she had already cleaned her property from things being thrown over the fence, which was something she had to live with. She said the Apartment Manager was good about helping out with the problem. MR. SCOTT said this was not about a break-in issue but rather a traffic issue. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel stated he understood the Applicant was asking to move the barrier gate farther west with the Applicant paying for the cost involved in order to gain access to Washington Street. MR. SCOTT answered yes. He offered to show a video of the garbage trucks backing up. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel stated he didn't see how the relocation would really affect the neighbor across the street, because the people in the apartments already had access to her property. He agreed the angled barrier gate wouldn't make sense and the drop-off of children will continue anyway. He noted the middle school was in Bermuda Dunes and not Palm Desert. He was in favor of the Applicant paying to have the barrier gate moved. Mayor Benson stated she couldn't find where Public Works provided a solution, but did provide a suggestion as an alternative. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel stated staff provided no recommendation. Mr. Greenwood stated the suggestion to angle the barrier gate was staff's suggestion as a compromise between moving it and not, but it didn't bring a resolution to this problem; therefore, it was referred to the City Council. 12 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 Councilmember Harnik noted Attachment C of the staff report listed the conditions on how the Applicant could be granted the relocation, but when that didn't work, is when staff suggested the angled option as shown in Attachment D4. Mayor Benson stated she failed to see why one person on the street could have access and the other one didn't. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel concurred. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the subject barrier gate to be moved horizontally west of its present location as shown in Exhibit 2, Option 1 of the staff report at no cost to the City and with conditions set forth by staff. Councilmember Harnik noted the Knox Box will provide an asset to the entire neighborhood. Councilmember Harnik seconded the motion, and it carried by a 4-0 vote, with Finerty ABSENT. XV. CONTINUED BUSINESS None XVI. OLD BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (CVAG) FOR THE COOK STREET WIDENING BETWEEN FRED WARING DRIVE AND FRANK SINATRA DRIVE (CONTRACT NO. C23760, PROJECT NO. 601-05). Mr. Greenwood stated the City Council had previously approved Amendment No. 4 to the Cook Street project with the CVAG Agreement, but staff neglected getting Amendment No. 3 approved prior to that; therefore, this was an administrative action. He said the plan and program on Cook Street was exactly the same as when first approved. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Approve Amendment No. 3 to the subject Reimbursement Agreement with CVAG for the Cook Street Widening between Fred Waring Drive and Frank Sinatra Drive; 2) authorize the Mayor to execute said Amendment - no funding required with this action. Motion was seconded by Kroonen and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Finerty ABSENT. 13 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 XVII. PUBLIC HEARINGS None XVIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. CITY MANAGER 1. City Manager Meeting Summaries Report for the Period of April 6-19, 2011. With City Council concurrence, the report was received and filed. 2. University of California. Riverside. Medical School - Mr. Wohlmuth stated he was able to schedule a meeting to be held June 8, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. with representatives from UCR Medical School, Board Members working with UCR Medical School, Carolyn Stark, himself, another City staff along with Councilman Kroonen and Mayor Benson. He said Councilman Kroonen and Mayor Benson had expressed interest in this subject, which was why he included them in the invitation list. He said there was no formal committee other than the University and Planning Committee, but two officials from UCR were available on June 8. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel stated he would like to see the agenda for that meeting. Mr. Wohlmuth agreed to provide him with a copy of the agenda. Mayor Benson asked if this meeting could be merged with the University Planning Committee. Mr. Wohlmuth answered no, because this matter was separate from the University Planning Committee. 3. Voluntary Donation Proaram - Mr. Wohlmuth said he met with the City of Indian Wells regarding the $1.00 Voluntary Donation Program they have in place at Indian Wells Golf Resort for the homeless. He met with Desert Willow and they have indicated that as long as publicity or advertisement was provided, the same can be implemented there. He and Ms. Riddle will work with them to get a month -long program for a voluntary donation of $1.00 for each transaction at Desert Willow. He said staff will track the program through the point of sales system. 14 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 Mayor Benson noted it was the City of Indian Wells decision to start this program in hopes that other golf clubs followed the lead. She said La Quinta, Palm Springs and Cathedral City have a golf club, and it was a place to start to get extra money. She said Palm Desert as a lead City honored its commitment to give $103,000 a year to Roy's Desert Resource Center; some cities didn't contribute. Mr. Wohlmuth said the voluntary program will run as a 30-day trial beginning May 15 through June 15 in order to get the right publicity and right table -tent cards, etc. After the trial period, staff will inform the Council of the success and perhaps meet with the Chamber of Commerce to see how many other businesses would like to participate in a program like this next year. Mayor Benson stated if all the mechanisms couldn't be in place for the May through June trial, perhaps delaying it to September or October when people are back in town was preferable. 4. Aquatic Center Update - Mr. Wohlmuth stated given those past reports to the Council about delays on products not arriving on time, he was happy to report the pool pumps have been shipped and the the was on the site. He said the pool pumps are expected to arrive within a week; therefore, keeping the June 11 Grand Opening in place and have a soft opening for the public in May. He said the pool is anticipated to be completed on time and on budget. 5. Tax Roll Billing - Mr. Wohlmuth said the Tax Roll Billing for Solid Waste & Recycling Services in Residential was pulled and will not be initiated this year. He said there are concerns he and Ms. Riddle are working on, and at a later City Council meeting in May or June, Ms. Riddle will provide an information report on how the City will enforce the mandatory collection through other means. Therefore, due to foreclosures and concerns on the concept of Tax Roll Billing for Solid Waste & Recycling, he decided to postpone that concept for 12 months and review it again next year. 6. Certificate of Achievement - Mr. Wohlmuth said Director of Finance Paul Gibson received the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for the Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2009/2010. He said the Mayor will provide another plaque for Mr. Gibson to hang in his office. He said this was an achievement the City was used to getting, but it was a stellar achievement for the City of Palm Desert and the Finance Department. 15 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 B. CITY ATTORNEY None C. CITY CLERK 1. Reminder of Joint City Council -Redevelopment Agency -Housing Authority Study Session Regarding the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget, Friday, April 29, 2011, 9:00 a.m. - Administrative Conference Room. 2. Announcement of Joint City Council -Redevelopment Agency -Housing Authority Study Session Regarding the General Plan Housing Element Update, Thursday, May 12, 2011, 2:00 p.m. - Administrative Conference Room. City Councilmembers acknowledged reminders. 3. Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). - Ms. Aylaian stated Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) was holding a meeting called the RHNA Primer for the Regional Housing Needs Allocation for the beginning of that process on May 4 at 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at CVAG. They are encouraging a City Official to attend to get familiar with the process. She said now was the time to learn about RHNA and provide input to the methodology by which existing and future housing needs will be allocated. She said it would be great to have a Councilmember attend who wanted to come up to speed on RHNA and advocate on behalf of the City at this point rather than after the numbers are assigned when it's too late to challenge or change the number of housing units that are allocated to the City. She said earlier participation was more meaningful than later. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel said he will attend if he was available. Mayor Benson said she will attend, but didn't want to be the designated Official. She suggested sending a notice to the CVAG Housing Trust representatives, because they are interested in what the RHNA numbers will be. She didn't know what good the RHNA numbers will do if the State did away with redevelopment. Ms. Aylaian responded the City will be assigned RHNA numbers whether or not there are redevelopment funds to allow the City to accomplish any of the goals. 16 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 D. PUBLIC SAFETY o Fire Department None o Police Department None E. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL o City Council Reauests for Action: 1. Palm SDrinas Art Museum - Councilmember Harnik requested a City Council Study Session to be scheduled with the Palm Springs Art Museum for an update. Mr. Wohlmuth agreed to attempt to set one up on a City Council meeting date prior to Closed Session. Councilman Kroonen supported the request and looked forward to it. 2. Police Report Request - Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel requested a Police Report on the burglaries on Mountain View, Palm Desert. Sgt. Misty Reynolds agreed to provide a report. 3. Leaaue of California Cities Annual Convention - Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel stated the League of California Cities was holding the Annual Convention on September 21-23, 2011, which conflicts with a City Council meeting. He asked staff to see how the meeting date can be adjusted. o City Council Consideration of Travel Reauests and Reports: None 17 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2011 o City Council Committee Reports: 1. Sister Cities Barbeaue - Mayor Benson reminded everyone of the invitation to the Sister Cities Barbeque on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 11:30 a.m. She said it was a "thank you" for those who helped Sister Cities progress along the way and to recruit those who are interested in the program. 2. New SunLine Bus Route - Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel distributed a copy of the new SunLine Bus routes. He said SunLine did a great job for the City, except for not having a bus stop on Country Club between Cook Street and Monterey where the City has a nice bus shelter. o City Council Comments: 1. Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner - Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel announced that on June 30, 2011, the Chamber of Commerce will hold a dinner for the installation of incoming Chamber Board of Directors and Outstanding Business Awards. The cost per person is $80, but the location for the dinner was unknown at this time. 2. McCallum Theatre - Councilmember Harnik noted the McCallum Theatre was named Number 1 in California for the first quarter. o Suaaested Items for Future City Council Meeting Agendas None XIX. ADJOURNMENT With City Council concurrence, Mayor Benson adjourned the meeting at 5:04 p.m. ATTEST: RA HELLE D. KLASS , CITY CLERK CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA , 0 _ 6 rA,-/ LI e r ' N M. BE N, MAYOR 18