HomeMy WebLinkAboutInfo Rprt - Holiday Decor PgrmCITY OF PALM DESERT
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
INFORMATIONAL REPORT
REQUEST: RECIVE AND FILE INOFRMATION REPORT ON HOLIDAY DECOR
PROGRAM AND PROVIDE DIRECTION CONCERNING THE REMOVAL
OF THE EL PASEO MEDIAN TREE LIGHTS.
SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager
DATE: January 23, 2014
Recommendation
By Minute Motion,
1. Receive and file informational report on the City of Palm Desert's Holiday Decor
Program.
2. Provide other direction, if so desired, for the median lights to stay up longer during
the entire shopping season through March 9, 2014.
3. Approve modifications to the electrical retrofit on the El Paseo Medians in an amount
not to exceed $4,000. Funds are available within the Landscape Services
Maintenance Account and no appropriation is requested.
Backsaround
Holiday Lighting Design and Decor (Palm Desert, CA) is in the process of removing and storing
Palm Desert's holiday decorations the week of January 13, 2014. This inventory includes the El
Paseo decor, Highway 111 wreaths, and City Hall decor. The tree lights on El Paseo will be
removed based on Council's direction and were originally schedule for removal on January 20,
2014. The lights currently turn on via a photocell when it is dusk and remain on until
approximately midnight.
At the City Council meeting of January 9, 2014, the Council considered the option to remove the
lights or extend their removal a few months. The Council opted to continue this item, so they
could meet with local business owners to obtain their thoughts on this matter.
Staff has received numerous compliments on the revised decor program, including requests to
keep the El Paseo median tree lights up permanently. On January 16, 2014, the El Paseo
Business Improvement District Board moved unanimously to recommend that the City Council
keep the median lights on through daylights savings time (March 9, 2014). The Gardens on El
Paseo is also planning on keeping their landscape lights on through the season.
Leaving the lights on long-term could have the potential to restrict the trees' growth; however,
there would likely be no negative impact to keep the lights installed for an additional few
months. Should the City Council wish to leave the lights on past January 20, 2014, staff
recommends removing them on March 9, 2014. Not only does this date coincide with daylight
savings time, but it permits enough time to remove the lights and not interfere with their annual
pruning.
Staff Report: Holiday Decor Information Report
January 23, 2014
Page 2of2
Fiscal Imaact
Staff recommends some minor modifications to the existing electrical retrofit on the El Paseo
Medians, which should be enacted regardless if the tree lights remain on longer. Such action is
necessary to prevent the electrical wires from remaining on the turf and interfering with weekly
maintenance operations. The cost is anticipated not to exceed $4,000 and is available within the
Landscape Services Maintenance Account, no appropriation is requested.
Submitted By:
Stepher� Y. AryOn, Ris Mariag
11
Reviewed By:
Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance
Approval:
h M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
//
/CITY COUNCIL CTION
APPROVED ✓ 9C` DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
MEETIN DA /—,.�3- „a°/
AYES: CYl , peer clear. 0/2i2Pr
NOES: -V) (Y)
ABSENT: /' P-
ABSTAIN: A )(Mt --
VERIFIED BY:
Original on Filo with City Jrk's Office
* By Minute Motion:
2) Direct median lights to stay up longer during
the entire shopping season through April 1, 2014.
4-1
_. ._..r.-x.^Ir.7^-:!rivc..-*ter. �:•m: y_
CITY OF PALM DESERT '' '
L.! i'A 3:.:.t.,.,12. _ ; :-..1).:
OFFICE OF THE CITY MAN GER
....,.iit•11I4J',g_s$A>4rt 4,1.. -, .r :+.•v
INFORMATIONAL REPORT
REQUEST: RECIVE AND FILE INOFRMATION REPORT ON HOLIDAY DECOR
PROGRAM.
SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager
DATE: January 9, 2014
Recommendation
By Minute Motion,
1. Receive and file informational report on the City of Palm Desert's Holiday Decor
Program.
2. Provide other direction, if so desired, for the median lights to stay up longer during
the entire shopping season (through April 2014).
Backaround
Holiday Lighting Design and Decor (Palm Desert, CA) indicated that they will be removing and
storing the Palm Desert's holiday decorations commencing Monday, January 13, 2014, when all
the holiday decorations will be removed (Le. Highway 111 wreaths, City Hall, etc.). The tree
lights on El Paseo will be removed the following week, commencing Monday, January 20, 2014.
Staff has received numerous compliments on the revised decor program, including requests to
keep the El Paseo median tree lights up permanently. Such action would be difficult because
there is the potential to restrict the trees' growth and additional maintenance time is needed to
care for the surrounding area, due to the various electrical cords. In addition, staff believes
having the lights year round would also loose the impact that they have during the holiday
season.
Submitted By:
r-7
Stephen Y. Atyan, Rigk Man(ger
Approval:
J •tin M. Wohlmuth, City Manager