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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-28MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER 73510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER - 3:00 P.M. Mayor Harnik convened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Pro Tem Jean M. Benson Councilman Robert A. Spiegel Councilman Van G. Tanner Councilmember Susan Marie Weber Mayor Jan C. Harnik Also Present: John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager David J. Erwin, City Attorney Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk Bo Chen, City Engineer Russell Grance, Director of Building & Safety Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic Development Janet M. Moore, Director of Housing Frankie Riddle, Director of Special Programs Casey Hartman, Battalion Chief, Palm Desert Fire/Riverside Co. Fire Dept./Cal Fire Bill Sullivan, Asst. Chief, Palm Desert Police Dept./Riverside Co. Sheriffs Dept. J. Luis Espinoza, Assistant Finance Director Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager Grace L. Mendoza, Deputy City Clerk Upon question by Mayor Harnik, Ms. Klassen affirmed that all the agendas for today's meetings had been posted in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - A (CLOSED SESSION ITEMS) None MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 IV. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Reauest for Closed Session: A. Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Govemment Code Section 54956.8: 1) Property: NEC Shadow Mountain Drive/Larkspur Lane (APNs 627-262-008 and 627-262-011), Palm Desert Negotiating Parties: Agency: John M. Wohlmuth/Martin Alvarez/Ruth Ann Moore/City of Palm Desert/Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Property Owner: Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment 2) Property: 72-990 Highway 111 (APN 640-140-019), Palm Desert Negotiating Parties: Agency: John M. Wohlmuth/Martin Alvarez/Ruth Ann Moore/ City of Palm Desert Property Owner: City of Palm Desert Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment B. Conference with Legal Counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Govemment Code Section 54956.9(b): Number of potential cases: 2 With City Council concurrence, Mayor Hamik adjoumed the meeting to Closed Session at 3:01 p.m. She 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 TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Mayor Jan C. Harnik VII. INVOCATION - Councilman Robert A. Spiegel 2 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 VIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - B MR. DOUG GALLOWAY, Broken Arrow Trail, Palm Desert, representing Palm Desert Youth Sports Association (PDYSA), delivered fliers to Councilmembers and formally invited them to their Opening Day Event scheduled for Saturday, March 9. He was happy to report back to the City Council that thanks to Councilman Tanner's suggestion on February 14, they had secured a performance by the Palm Desert Charter Middle School Marching Panthers. The Living Desert will also be performing on Opening Day with their live animal show (although the new bald eagle wasn't ready to go public yet). He went on to say that they're also reverting back to their smaller camival-type activities — bounce houses, barbecue, and vocalists — and he said there was plenty of room on their dais for Councilmembers to participate. Ceremony begins at 11:00 a.m., with antique military aircraft flyover scheduled for 11:40 a.m., and he looked forward to everyone coming out. Responding to question, he said they were optimistically still working on having the 29 Palms Marine Corps Color Guard appear that day, along with a Marine Veteran guest speaker to provide some inspirational remarks, as they had last year. IX. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS None X. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular City Council Meeting of February 14, 2013. Rec: Approve as presented. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY TREASURY - Warrant Nos. 158 and 162. Rec: Approve as presented. C. APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE by Embassy Suites Palm Desert Resort, 74700 Highway 111, Palm Desert. Rec: Receive and file. D. APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE by Mic and Moe's, 37011 Cook Street, Suite 101, Palm Desert. Rec: Receive and file. 3 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 E. APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSQ, by Mitch's On El Paseo Prime Seafood, 73951 El Paseo, Palm Desert. Rec: Receive and file. Approved 4-0-1 (Harnik ABSTAINING) F. APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE by Schmidy's Tavern, 72286 Highway 111, Suites J3 & J4, Palm Desert. Rec: Receive and file. G. APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE by Wolfgang Puck Pizza Bar, 73130 El Paseo, Suites I & J, Palm Desert. Rec: Receive and file. H. RESOLUTION NO. 2013 -12 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, Setting Forth its Findings and Authorizing the Destruction of Paper Records from the Office of the City Clerk That Have Been Digitally Imaged (February 14, 2013, List). Rec: Waive further reading and adopt. I. REQUEST FOR RATIFICATION of Lease of Office Space Nos. 4 and 5 at the Portola Community Center by Academic Joumey/Danitza Borges. Rec: By Minute Motion, ratify Academic Joumey's Lease of Office Space No. 4 as of March 1, 2013, and Office Space No. 5 as of February 1, 2013, at the Portola Community Center. J. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Amendment to Contract No. C31340 with PMC World — Agreement for the Update to Title 25 - Zoning - Palm Desert Municipal Code, Extending Time of the Contract by Six Months to August 28, 2013. Rec: By Minute Motion, amend the subject contract with PMC World for an additional six months' time to complete the update to Title 25 - Zoning - Palm Desert Municipal Code — there are no funds required for extending the contract time. 4 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 K. REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE OF WORK for Contract No. C31880 — Palm Springs Art Museum -Palm Desert Improvements Project (Project No. 872-12) (Zeus Construction, Palm Desert, 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. L. REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE OF WORK for Contract No. C31940 — Roof Replacements at the Sheriffs Substation and Fire Station Nos. 33 and 71 (Project No. 761-13) (Garland/DBS, Inc., Cleveland, OH). Rec: By Minute Motion, accept the work as complete and authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the subject project. M. REQUEST FOR RATIFICATION of City Manager's Approval to Reimburse Southern California Edison Company in the Amount of $30,724.66 for Electrical Line Extension Services Provided as Part of the Freedom Park Construction Project. Rec: By Minute Motion, ratify the City Manager's approval to reimburse Southern California Edison Company in the amount of $30,724.66 for electrical line extension services provided as part of the Freedom Park Construction Project. Upon a motion by Tanner, second by Benson, and 5-0 vote of the City Council, with the exception of Item E, on which Mayor Harnik ABSTAINED, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. XI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None XII. RESOLUTIONS A. RESOLUTION NO. 2013 - 13 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, RESTATING THE CITY OF PALM DESERT IRS SECTION 125 FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN. Human Resources Manager Lori Carney stated this was a housekeeping issue where over the years the Plan has been amended a number of times, and this Resolution will brings all the documents together in one easily recorded spot by restating the entire plan. Councilman Spiegel moved to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 2013-13. Motion was seconded by Tanner and carried by a 5-0 vote. 5 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 XIII. ORDINANCES A. For Introduction: None B. For Adoption: 1. ORDINANCE NO. 1252 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 2.16.010 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA —AUDIT, INVESTMENT & FINANCE COMMITTEE. Councilman Spiegel moved to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1252. Motion was seconded by Tanner and carried by a 5-0 vote. 2. ORDINANCE NO. 1253 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTIONS 2.48.110 AND 2.48.090 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE (AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS. 758 AND 116), RELATIVE TO DISASTER ADMINISTRATION AND EMERGENCY RELIEF. Councilman Spiegel moved to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1253. Motion was seconded by Weber and carried by a 5-0 vote. XIV. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT TO WESTCON CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $88,738 FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2013 CURB RAMP MODIFICATION PROJECT (CONTRACT NO. C32490, PROJECT NO. 753-13). Responding to question, Mr. Chen said this project will get done in about one or two months, stating this project wasn't related to the pavement project that is scheduled for late May. This project was more of an update of curb ramps at several locations where the work will be minor. Mr. Wohlmuth explained the reconstruction of Highway 111 has been postponed in its entirety, and staff was working with Matich to start that project in May. He said the proposed Curb Ramp Modification relates to handicap ramps, which by law, the City is required to update ADA accessability whenever there is a road improvement project. Further responding, he said there shouldn't be any traffic delays, because the work is on the sidewalk and not the road. 6 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 Mayor Pro Tem Benson inquired about the ramps at Desert Crossing, because she has previously mentioned they are a problem. Mr. Wohlmuth responded the property owner for Desert Crossing is responsible for their handicap ramps. He knew Public Works and Building and Safety had looked into that issue and probably offered to help pay, but he wasn't sure, so he will find out the status and provide an update. Councilman Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Award the subject contract for construction of the 2013 Curb Ramp Modification Project to Westcon Construction Group, Inc., Indio, California, in the amount of $88,738; 2) authorize the Director of Finance to set aside a 10% contingency for the project in the amount of $8,873.80; 3) authorize the Mayor to execute said contract — funds are available in Account Nos. 110-4312-433-3320 - ADA Curb Ramp and 231-4312-433-4001 - New Construction Tax/ADA Curb Ramp. Motion was seconded by Tanner and carried by a 5-0 vote. B. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB AND THE CITY OF PALM DESERT FOR SERVICES RELATED TO THE FORMATION OF A LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING DISTRICT OR COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT. Responding to question, Senior Management Analyst Ryan Stendell confirmed the proposed two Agreements allowes the City to be reimbursed for all expenses, except staff time. He said the property owners are asking a lot of questions, which requires staff to use a third party, and the City is asking to be reimbursed for that expense. Councilman Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion, authorize the City Manager to: 1) Execute the subject Funding Agreement between Palm Desert Country Club (PDCC) and the City of Palm Desert, allowing PDCC to place funds in trust for the purpose of creating a Landscape and Lighting District (LLD) or Community Facilities District (CFD) (Contract No. C32580A); 2) enter into an agreement with Willdan Financial Services to provide Special District Engineering Services related to the PDCC Golf Course (Contract No. C32580B) — PDCC funds to be placed in Trust Account No. 610-0000-228-3000 for this purpose. Motion was seconded by Tanner and carried by a 5-0 vote. C. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH D&B VISIONS FOR CONSULTING SERVICES RELATIVE TO THE CITY'S COMMERCIAL AND MULTI -FAMILY HOUSING RECYCLING PROGRAMS (CONTRACT NO. C32590). Councilman Spiegel asked if the recycling money received back from Burrtec would pay for this contract. Ms. Riddle answered yes, stating it came out of the AB939 Fund, confirming no General Fund monies will be used. 7 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 Councilman Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Authorize the Mayor to enter into an Agreement with D&B Visions, Temecula, Califomia, for Consulting Services Relative to the City's Commercial and Multi -family Housing Recycling Programs; 2) authorize expenditure of funds for this purpose in an amount not to exceed $80,000 from the Recycle Fund - Account No. 236-4195-454-3090. Motion was seconded by Benson and carried by a 5-0 vote. D. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO REIMBURSE THE PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM FOR HONORARIUM AND INSTALLATION COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,555.93 FOR VARIOUS SCULPTURES ON DISPLAY WITHIN THE ERIC JOHNSON MEMORIAL GARDEN (PER LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT AND PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM, CONTRACT NO. C29860). Mr. Aryan stated the proposed reimbursements are required under the Lease Agreement executed with the City; therefore, staff recommended approval. Councilman Tanner asked if the sculptures were permanent. Mr. Aryan responded the sculptures are permanent and can be rotated, but he didn't anticipate that happening for another two or three years. He said the Museum can have altemating exhibits on the location. Further responding, he said the City can incur cost again for up to 20 honorariums and 20 sculptures; the Museum currently has nine sculptures. Councilman Tanner moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Approve reimbursement in the amount of $39,555.93 to the Palm Springs Art Museum for honorarium and installation costs for various sculptures on display within the Eric Johnson Memorial Garden; 2) appropriate $39,555.93 from the Unobligated General Fund for said reimbursement and transfer to Account No. 110-4800-454-3885 for this purpose. Motion was seconded by Spiegel and carried by a 5-0 vote. E. REQUEST FOR RATIFICATION OF CITY MANAGER'S APPROVAL TO FUND THE ANNUAL FINE ART INSURANCE PREMIUM IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,250 FOR ART SCULPTURES LOCATED WITHIN THE ERIC JOHNSON MEMORIAL GARDEN PER THE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM (CONTRACT NO. C29860). Mr. Aryan noted this item was also required under the Lease Agreement with the Museum; therefore, staff recommended approval. Councilman Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Ratify City Manager's approval of $8,250 in funding for the Annual Fine Art Insurance Premium for art sculptures to be placed in the Eric Johnson Memorial Garden, per conditions of the Lease Agreement with the Palm Springs Art Museum; 2) appropriate $8,250 from the Unobligated General Fund for Fine Art Annual Insurance Premium costs and transfer to Account 8 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 No. 110-4800-454-3885 for this purpose. Motion was seconded by Tanner and carried by a 5-0 vote. F. REQUEST FOR DIRECTION IN RESPONSE TO INFORMATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN PROGRESS REPORT. Assistant Planner Missy Nale noted the staff report and the Sustainability Plan Update. She said staff is asking for direction from the City Council regarding the Sustainability Plan Update. In 2008, the City hired a consultant to develop the City's first Environmental Sustainability Plan and Greenhouse Gas Inventory, which was to be developed in three phases. Phase I of the Environmental Sustainability Plan identified a Top 20 list that was developed by the consultant and the Core Sustainability Team. One of those top 20 items was to develop a Citizen's Sustainability Committee, which has since happened. The Committee went in different important directions other than the Top 20 identified. Some of the Top 20 items have been completed, and some have moved forward in other directions to topics such as De-asphaltification, which is updating the City's current parking Code; currently, the parking code requires too many parking spaces for new developments. She said the update of the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance will allow for LED lighting, stating Council may recall there was a staff report on that topic at the previous Council meeting. Another topic brought up by former Councilmember Bill Kroonen was the Environmental Effects of Plastic Bags on the Environment. Therefore, the Top 20 list, the Citizen's Sustainability Committee, and Council Action Update is included in the staff report for Council's review. Additionally, upon the approval of the Sustainability Plan, an existing staff member was identified to take on the additional role of Sustainability Coordinator. She said the staff report detailed how staff's time has been overstretched, stating there is not enough time for a planner to conduct full-time planning duties as well as sustainability coordination to fully achieve the objectives set forth in the Sustainability Plan. Staff requested direction and recommended the following three options: 1) Continue pursuit of the Environmental Sustainability Plan with the Top 20 list, as existing staff time permits; 2) pursue and prioritize City Council and Citizen Sustainability Committee's objectives, as existing staff time and resources permit; 3) determine that sustainability planning, outreach, education, and implementation should continue to be a priority of the City. In this case, staff would bring forward budget numbers at the annual budget cycle for Council review. Responding to question, she said staff's recommendation was Option 3 (Provision of additional resources: staff, capital budget, or both). Mr. Wohlmuth disagreed. Mayor Pro Tem Benson stated that with the overall update (Strategic Plan) on how Palm Desert should move forward, she figured sustainability will be 9 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 a part of it. She felt the City should continue with this program, because she didn't see a reason to start something and not finish it. Additionally, there are too many issues that will be coming up in the future as things change from year to year and Palm Desert should be at the forefront. Therefore, she would go along with Option 3. Mayor Harnik noted Coachella Valley Association of Govemments (CVAG) was taking on PACE (Property -assessed Clean Energy) program and hopefully it will take the lead on many of these issue to take the load off the specific cities. CVAG has the HERO (Home Energy Renovation opportunity) program and Ygrene Energy, which was discussed extensively the other night. She believed much of this should be discussed at the Budget Study Session, because there have been serious changes to the budget. With regards to the plastic bag issue, the City has already stated it was an important goal, but the State has strong legislation going forward, which may take the onerous out. On the De-asphaltification, the Committee conducted parking counts within 38 different areas during the spring high tourist season 2012. However, the parking lots are most filled between Thanksgiving and at the end of the year. It is also when businesses come out of the red and make a profit, which kept them sustainable. Therefore, she would like a count during that time before moving forward on this item. She said it will be difficult to pinpoint what will be the right amount of parking for the City, but believed it had allowed for more than was needed. However, the City needed to be careful that its approach didn't hurt businesses. One of the Top 20 actions is to codify City fleet purchasing requirements for alterative fuel, which the City needed to be careful with because of what happened with the ambulance; it cost the City a lot and there was no great advantage. She understood the City set some goals, but they weren't necessarily deadlines, so to move forward a little bit at a time to achieve the best results, is what should be done. She said Palm Desert has been the leader in Sustainability, it has inspired other cities and organizations to follow because of its success, and by no means was she suggesting the City put the program aside, but that it be flexible and realistic within its budget. MN poi Mr. Wohlmuth said there was no doubt the City of Palm Desert has been the leader in environmental sustainability for decades, starting from its drought tolerant landscaping in1985/86, which also started a recycling trend in 1989 with AB939 that was passed in 1991, and the City's Energy Independence Program (EIP) with AB811 Program. He said the City has been on the cutting edge of sustainability and has been doing a great job of protecting its resources in carrying it out. He went on to say that work is spread out throughout the organization in Economic Development, Special Programs, and Landscape, not just with one coordinator. And frankly, the City's MR programs, innovative at the time, has encouraged other communities to adopt similar types of programs. The City has accomplished a lot through emi AB939 - drought tolerant landscaping by educating the public on the 10 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 benefits, not only to the environment, but in many cases to their pocketbooks. The issue at hand is that the City set goals that were intended to be completed by 2012, but they are not. However, as noted by staff, the Plan itself includes a Sustainability Committee, and when a City has a recommending body to the City Council, they will come up with some of their own ideas, which takes time to research and implement, and that is what has occurred. He didn't believe there was a real problem here, because in his opinion, staff is putting effort on sustainability throughout City Hall, which will continue. He said if the Council can accept and understand that the goal of implementing Phase I took time and Phase II will also take time, the City didn't have to pour more resources into this. He said everyone needed to accept that it is being done in the time frame that it's financially able to do so, and if that meant a Planner's time is 75% on current planning issues and 25% on sustainability, then so be it. Granted that if the pick up in housing starts, it will impact planners time. However, his personal goal, which he heard from Council in his evaluation, is that economic development was the City's most important function, and part of that function is getting projects through the planning process quickly, because it provided the development industry some savings, although it may not always be the case. If there is a slowing down of housing or commercial projects, planners time can be spent more in sustainability. He reiterated that if the Council can accept the progress already made, which will continue, he wasn't convinced more expenditure of money for additional staff was needed to move quicker. He said if Council directed him to move quicker, that's what he'll bring back at budget, a request for additional staff to implement all these goals. He understood Sustainability was a priority, but in his opinion, the City's current pace was working fine. Mayor Harnik commented the City's economic development is what paid for implementing the sustainability plan and programs. Councilman Tanner suggested looking at this issue in more depth at Budget Review, and if something different needs to be done, it can be discussed then. Councilman Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Receive and file the Progress Report; 2) continue pursuit of the Environmental Sustainability Plan's objectives, such as the Top 20 list, as existing staff time and resources permit — staff and the Citizen's Sustainability Committee can continue to work on low- to no -cost budget projects in partnership with various local organizations. Responding to question, Ms. Nale clarified that Option 2 is asking the Council to prioritize the additional topics that the Sustainability Committee has brought up along with the original Top 20 Council action items. In other words, prioritize the Sustainability Committee action items and the Top 20 Council items or just prioritize the Top 20 action items. 11 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 Mayor Hamik stated.she liked the idea of integrating them all, because the Sustainability Committee was formed to bring forth good ideas, which they did. She said the Council may need to look at their items and how those may fit into the Top 20 list, because that may shuffle things up. Mayor Pro Tem Benson agreed, stating if it's brought up at budget time, Council can review the cost, prioritize, and see what the Council wants to do, but to drop the program was not a way to proceed. Councilman Spiegel clarified his motion was to continue to work on the low - to no -cost projects. Councilmember Weber seconded the motion, and it carried by a 4-1 vote, with Benson voting NO. XV. CONTINUED BUSINESS None XVI. OLD BUSINESS None XVII. PUBLIC HEARINGS None XVIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. CITY MANAGER 1. City Manaaer Meetina Summaries for the Period of February 4 - 15, 2013. With City Council concurrence, the Meeting Summaries were received and filed. B. CITY ATTORNEY None C. CITY CLERK 1. Announcement of Rescheduled City Council Study Session on Thursday, March 14, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. - Administrative Conference Room for a Discussion About Palm Desert Country Club. 12 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 Ms. Klassen called attention to the rescheduled Study Session that was originally planned for February 14 at 2:00 p.m. Councilmembers took note of the upcoming March 14 Study Session. D. PUBLIC SAFETY 1. Fire Department None 2. Police Department None E. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL 1. City Council Reauests for Action: a) Report on Commercial Property Vacancies, — Councilman Spiegel commented, as it related to discussion here today about the importance of economic development to the City, that there were some major commercial areas here that had been vacant for some time. He asked about: 1) Von's intentions for Waring Plaza; 2) any activity on the former T.G.I. Friday's property that's been vacant for five years; 3) any activity on shopping area anchored by Office Max where the Kentucky Fried Chicken store had been located. Because it's not really known what's going on in these locations that have been vacant for some time, he asked for a report at the next City Council Meeting. Mr. Wohlmuth agreed to provide this information. 2. City Council Consideration of Travel Reauests and Reports: None 3. City Council Committee Reports: a) SunLine TransitAaencv Board — Councilman Spiegel reported from yesterday's meeting that it was announced they'd purchased 70 bus shelters for the Coachella Valley, in addition to their existing stock, at no cost to the cities. He'd given the information to Mr. Wohlmuth, asking him to see where they 13 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 may be needed, if the City's being taken care of, and to let him know if not. 4. City Council Comments: a) Crisis Communication WorkshoR — Mayor Hamik said she, Councilmember Weber, staff members Steve Aryan and David Hermann, all attended the Workshop hosted by Fourth District Supervisor John Benoit. She found it very helpful with a lot of valuable information provided. b) Maintenance Superintendent Association (MSA) Meeting — Mayor Hamik said today she enjoyed lunch with MSA of the Inland Empire as Palm Desert hosted the regular meeting, and representatives came to the City from Fontana, Palm Springs, and everywhere else in the region. She said Carlos Hernandez and the Corporation Yard staff did a great job with the food, and Public Works Project Administrator Ryan Gayler gave a great presentation on street paving, which was very educational for her. 5. Suggested Items for Future City Council Meeting Agendas: None XIX. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Spiegel, second by Tanner, Council, Mayor Harnik adjourned the meeting at 4:39 p ATTEST: RACHELLE D. , ITY CLERK CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA and unanimous vote of the City .m. 2 JAN C. F'ARNIK, MAYOR 14