1997 01 28 CC Minutes-z LA QUINTA CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 28, 1997
Special meeting of the La Cuinta City Council of January 28, 1 997 was called to order
at the hour of 1:00 PM by Mayor Holt, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Council Members Adolph, Henderson, Perkins, Sniff, Mayor HoIt
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENT None
STUDY SESSION
3. DISCUSSION OF SUMMER INTRA-CITY BUS SERVICE.
Mr. Hartung, Building and Safety Director, advised that this matter was
considered by the Council last spring, but decided that it was too late to
implement it for last summer and decided to review it again this year.
Council Member Henderson stated that she continued to wish to see a summer
bus program implemented, referring to the City's recreation and senior programs
and was impressed with the proposal submitted by Laidlaw She felt that with
the Palm Desert Post, we could begin soliciting input from the community as to
the kind of use that could be generated.
Mayor Holt asked how close the bus service could come to the residences and
Council Member Henderson assumed that there would be the possibility of being
picked up at the door, but that kind of service would probably require more
dollars.
Council Member Perkins hoped that there could be a connection between this
proposed service and SunLine.
Council Member Adolph felt that we need to establish some method of
determining the need and possible usage prior to implementing the program and
agreed that the Palm Desert Post could be utilized for this purpose. He would
support the program if we could make a determination as to the need.
Council Member Sniff stated that he has not seen a Palm Desert Post delivered
to his house for the past three months. He agreed that we need to determine
the need and the days of the week and time it would be used. He also
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questioned whether or not it would be provided free to the rider. He asked if
any other providers were contacted, such as GreyLine and Mr. Hartung advised
not. He wondered if there would be a duplication of services currently being
provided by SunLine. If it goes forward, he felt that it could include shopping
areas. He felt that the overall program needs to be more fully defined.
Mayor Holt felt that this could be utilized for summer school which would be a
very important link.
Council Member Perkins didn't look at this as providing a bus service for the
City of La Quinta, it would be a contract to provide a particular charter service.
He wasn't looking at providing shopping services, but rather to go to the lake,
senior center and parks. He doubted that there were any other bus services
that would provide this particular kind of charter service. It will be difficult to
project usage for something totally new that we need to take a chance on it
and see if it works. We may be able to get some ideas by soliciting input
through the Palm Desert Post.
Council Member Henderson stated that this idea originally surfaced as part of
the pool discussions as a means of transporting the youngsters from one
activity to another that is being provided as well as providing service to the
senior center and as it appears, there won't be a pool this summer either.
Regarding costs, she advised that Palm Desert subsidizes their intra-city bus
service. She felt that there is time to get the program more defined to get it
implemented for this summer.
Mr. Genovese, City Manager, questioned Council's desire as to the contents of
a survey--whether it is just to measure the interest or to include a more defined
service including routes.
Council Member Henderson commented that the shopping opportunities are
relatively close to the recreational opportunities and so it could possibly include
both. She suggested that the matter should be brought back to the Council
with a map so that the Council could map out a proposed route in which to
solicit input for.
* Council Member Perkins didn't have any objections to having those areas
included, if they currently are not included in the SunLine bus route.
Council Member Sniff continued to wish to have GreyLine contacted. He felt
that with the severe summer temperatures, the pickup point is also important.
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Mr. Genovese advised that within a month, staff will bring back a map with
some of the points of interest as have been discussed along with the SunLine
routes in an order to see how they can be meshed. Staff won't address the
issue of cost until the route has been determined. Hours will also be explored.
DISCUSSION OF FUNDING ALTERNATIVES FOR THE LA QUINTA HISTORICAL
SOCIETY'S MUSEUM.
Mr. Weiss, Assistant City Manager, advised that as part of the Council's
discussion in July in approving the contract services agreement with the
Historical Society to subsidize their rent, Council directed staff to agendize this
matter for a future study session to discuss a long-term funding solution for the
museum. In discussions with Mr. Ned Millis, President, he advised that the
asking price for the existing building and three parcels is $250,000 although
there has been no appraisal). The Historical Society currently has $25,000 in
their fund for this purpose and they are putting $6,000-$7,000 per year into
that fund in addition to having ongoing efforts to pursue grants. Should the
Council wish to consider purchase of the property, possible funding sources
include the general fund emergency Reserve, Quimby Fees, Community Services
fund, RDA Project Area No.1 funds, CDBG and Infrastructure funds.
Council Member Adolph questioned the size of the parcels in question and
Council Member Henderson advised that Mr. Yessayian said that the total
acreage is 1.27 acres, to which Council questioned. Council Member
Henderson commented that the problem with an appraisal is that there are no
comps out there.
Council Member Adolph felt that the asking price is extremely high and stated
that he didn't think that the City belongs in the real estate business. It seems
that the City has always bought high and sold low. Unless we know that we
are going to break even on this down the road, he didn't think he could support
it.
Mayor Holt stated that she totally supports the Historical Society and what
they've accomplished. She felt that the owner seems to be decent in their
willingness to carry the note and the interest rate they're asking. She asked if
there are any time frames involved.
Council Member Henderson was not aware that the owner was exerting any
pressure on the Historical Society. She personally finds the dollar figure to be
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high and probably is because of the liberal terms. She would not encourage the
City to walk blindly into anything of this nature, but rather to sit down with the
owner and see what can be arranged. She felt that CDBG and Quimby could
be utilized and that the property could be brought into the City's park system
and could be utilized to assist with the City's parking problems in that area and
could possibly encourage some development of the downtown.
Council Member Sniff also was supportive of the Historical Society, but felt that
there are a number of considerations here including the need for an independent
appraisal. If we purchase it, it needs to be made functional in order to be an
asset to he Village, and in order to do that, it needs to be expanded. He
suggested that it could be woven into the discussions of The Village. He felt
that the price is out of line even though the terms are reasonable. He
encouraged the Council to discuss The Village soon and until then, he didn't
know how this discussion could go further. He suggested that the staff be
directed to schedule a discussion of The Village.
Mr. Genovese advised that staff is scheduling a discussion of The Village for
late March or early April.
Council Member Perkins felt that the biggest problem with The Village is the
Specific Plan. Development there will happen when developers see the
advantage of the area and not have the City dictate to them. He saw no
difference in supporting the Historical Society than the City's support for the
Chamber of Commerce and Arts Foundation, which the City has decided to
heavily subsidize. He felt that this is an opportunity for the community, in that
rt's something we could help preserve and expand the building and help make
their relationship to the City as important as the Chamber and Arts Foundation.
He asked how the City can help the Historical Society proportionately to the
Chamber and Arts Foundation. He felt that the Chamber should be helping
organizations such as this. He felt that the City staff has brought more
businesses to the City than the Chamber has. He saw the Historical Society
being important to the overall character and culture of the community and
supported it wholeheartedly.
Mr. Weiss advised that staff has determined that the lots are each 40' x 1OO.
Council Member Henderson sees this as a commitment from the City to
preserve an historical structure and referred to the City Code in which
preservation of historical structures is discussed. She pointed out that there are
not that many historical buildings in the community. She wished to see the
City staff continue to meet with the Historical Society and the property owner.
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Council Member Sniff supported obtaining some kind of an appraisal and some
discussions with the property owner after the appraisal. He felt that it could
be an integral part of The Village.
Council Member Adolph felt that we should do everything we can to save the
building, but didn't want to pay an inflated price. If we purchase the building,
he asked who would be responsible for the operation and maintenance? He felt
that those issues will need to be addressed if we are going to look seriously at
purchasing this building.
Mr. Genovese stated that staff will move forward with an appraisal prior to
studying any other issues.
2. DISCUSSION OF BOARIDSICOMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES.
Mr. Weiss, Assistant City Manager, referred to the staff report in which various
actions taken by the Council during the past year concerning
Boards/Commissions are outlined. Also outlined are various suggestions that
have been discussed regarding different structures that might be applied to
boards and commissions.
Council Member Sniff stated that his first choice is to keep the commissions in-
tact and up to full membership; and that meetings set for the evening hours
allowing some latitude for commission choice and staff convenience). He felt
that the Council needs to provide the commissions with more defined direction
so that there is a better line of communication.
Mayor Holt was happy with the modifications we have already made and she
didn't wish to go back to a Community Services Commission; and the
combining of the Human Services, Parks & Recreation and Cultural
Commissions. She also didn't support eliminating their stipend even though
many of them are willing do so if that would mean keeping the commissions.
She did wish to see the Council meet with each Commission at least once each
year for some one-on-one interaction. She felt that the more people in the
community who are involved, the better off the City is.
Carl Ingram, 78-865 Sanita Drive, believed that all of the Commissions are
needed and there needs to be seven on each. If there is a budget problem, he
was willing to forgo the stipend. He commented that they are still operating
with an Interim Parks & Recreation Director and there is a need to get a full-
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time, experienced Director.
Council Member Sniff felt that the City needs to move forward in recruiting a
new Parks & Recreation Director.
Mr. Genovese, advised that staff is proceeding in all ways possible and any
further discussions would have to be held in Closed Session.
Council Member Henderson felt that all Commissioners are working diligently in
pursuing their interests. In reviewing the ordinances, she sees some similarities.
She felt that the Coachella Valley is blessed with the number of independent
organizations filling the needs and desires of the community. We have very
strong community organizations filling the needs of the areas defined for the
Cultural Commission and we have a very active Parks & Recreation District,
as well as our own Parks & Recreation Department. She felt that there is some
over-lapping of responsibilities between the Human Services Commission and
the Senior Center. She questioned the role of the previous Community
Services Commission.
Mayor Holt advised that on the previous Community Services Commission,
there were two Commissioners assigned to each of the components of that
Commission, i.e., Human, Culture and Parks & Recreation. The Commissions
are now made of more doers" and are doing more for the community than was
previously being done.
Council Member Adolph was opposed to forming another Community Services
the only combination he could possibly support would be combining the Human
Services Commission with the Parks and Recreation Commission. He would not
support reducing the membership on the commissions to five or eliminating their
stipend. He favored meetings starting at seven in the evening to allow for more
community involvement and was not supportive of ad hoc committees.
Council Member Sniff stated that initially, there was a Human Relations
Committee which evolved into theCommunity Services Commission comprised
of seven members.
Council Member Henderson advised that one of the problems all of the
Commissions face is communications with the Council as well as the
community. No one attends their meetings, attendance of members is a
problem and would function very well at five members and when the Council
makes appointments, people are being considered who have never attended a
meeting. The Planning.Commission was increased to seven when the Design
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Review Board was eliminated and added to the functions of the Planning
Commission. The City Council functions well with five members and everyone
feels a commitment to attend the meetings. If a commission finds itself unable
to function because people can't find the time to attend the meetings then
maybe we don't need that commission. She commented that the Parks &
Recreation and Human Services just had a joint meeting and are looking to
holding a joint workshop and she felt that they could function as one
Commission very well. A significant number of the needs we wished to see
addressed by all these commissions are currently being addressed by the various
community organizations. She felt that it would be much more important for
this community to have a commission in place to operate as a go-between with
the organizations already in place. When she first came on the Council, she felt
that funding requests should be run through the commissions first and that
never happened. Therefore, she felt that a new Community Services
Commission should be put in place with their main function to be to
communication with the community organizations.
Mayor Holt agreed that the various commissions need to be better utilized and
continued to believe that the City needs maximum community involvement.
Regarding the time of the meetings, she felt that should be left up to the
individual commissions to decide.
Council Member Perkins advised that he has served on both five-member and
seven-member commissions and felt that a five-member commission can
accomplish much more in a shorter period of time. Regarding attendance, when
people are appointed, they understand the date and time of meetings and it's
their responsibility to be there. He agreed that the time of meetings should be
left up to the individual commissions. He believed that some consolidation is
needed and pointed out the amount of staff time required and the City's staff
is already overloaded and these commissions are taking them away from work
they were hired to do.
Council then proceeded to review staff's options and came to the following
consensus:
1. NO on creating a new Community Services Commission comprised of the
current Human Services, Parks & Recreation and Cultural Commissions.
2. NO on combining the Arts in Public Places with Cultural Commission.
3. YES on combining the Parks & Recreation with Human Services.
4. NO on combining the Parks & Recreation with Cultural Commission.
5. NO on reducing the members from seven to five.
6. NO on eliminating remuneration for members.
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7. NO on setting time of meetings leave it up to the Commissioners).
8. POSSIBLY allow for ad hoc committees when needed, but not as a
normal practice.
9. YES on Council providing more Council direction.
Council Member Henderson felt that we should start each fiscal year with the
Chairmen of each commission having a joint meeting to learn what's going on
in other areas. She then referred to the Investment Advisory Board and said
that when she served on the Investment Task Force there seemed to be a
number of financial issues that the Task Force didn't feel was fully understood
by the Council. She is now finding that she's receiving a number of financial
reports that she doesn't't understand and she depends on the lAB to have
reviewed them first and they are not because they are not within their charge.
She wished to see a change in the ordinance in order to get a little more input
from the lAB.
Mr. Genovese advised that the Council has periodically dealt with the matter of
which reports are to be transmitted to the lAB and have made a distinction
between financial versus investment-related matters.
Council Member Henderson felt that the matter should be revisited to determine
if there are some financial documents that should be reviewed by the lAB.
Council agreed to re-visit the issue, while not stating that they would be willing
to make a change without some compelling reason.
Council Member Henderson felt that there should be some pre-qualification for
applicants for any Board/Commission, such as attendance at two or three
meetings of the Board/Commission they are applying for.
Council concurred on directing the Clerk to hold any appointment in abeyance
and advising them that they are required to attend two meetings of the
Board/Commission.
Council also directed the City Clerk in advertising for all vacancies so that
positions can be filled prior to July 1, 1997.
Council also directed staff to bring back consideration of combining the Parks
& Recreation Commission with the Human Services Commission.
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned upon motion by Council
Members Sniff/Adolph and carried
Res pctfully submitted
46
AUNDRA L JUHOLA City Clerk
City of La Quinta California
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