On September 26th a list was posted titled "26 Questions for Palm Springs City Council Candidates". Copies were emailed to eight of the eleven candidates. Two replies have been received. Candidates Michael Gallardo and Barbara Beaty provided responses to all questions and graciously assented to publication of their views. Gallardo's responses were published October 9, and Beaty's appear below.

1.  Have you seen the latest City budget and, if so, what, if anything, stands out or otherwise leaves you with unanswered questions or concerns?

YES, I have seen the budget. It is apparent that Palm Springs mirrors the over spending we have seen in our nation.  Recently the city had to cut its budget by $11.5 million, the state required $4..5 of redevelopment funds to offset California's deficit, but the rest of the budget cuts were a reflection of over spending. The majority of the cuts came from employee reductions (64%). 

 

Something that really stood out was that the tax collections in 2007/2008 decreased by nearly 7.4% despite a full year with the new Super WalMart.

Sales and use taxes were down 19.9% since 2006.  

My biggest concern is the city's mismanagement of Redevelopment Funds.  In 2007 to offset the city's deficit the council under the direction of the city manager spent $52 million of redevelopment agency money to purchase The Visitors Center and other city owned parks.

According to California law the purpose of redevelopment money (which comes from property taxes in the redevelopment areas) is to "remove blight, increase tax revenue  and remove high business vacancies." How does the city expect to accomplish this with parks, which cost the city to maintain?

This money could have been used to attract new businesses, and new revenue, much like the city of Indio attracted Jack-A-Lope Ranch with five hundred thousand dollars, a new signal light on a street named "Jack-A-Lope.  This was all done with redevelopment funds.  Jack-A-Lope will pay back the loan in five years and the city collects the tax revenue. 

2.  Are you familiar with the Palm Springs Neighborhood Involvement Committee (PSNIC) and, if so, is your own neighborhood one that's currently represented?

Yes and my neighborhood is not represented. 

3.  The proposed new Palm Springs Animal Shelter facility, on city-owned land, is expected to cost $5,000,000 dollars to construct. The 19,000 sq. ft. facility is planned for 75 dogs and 75 cats. That's $263.16 per sq. ft. and $33,333.33 per individual animal cage. In your opinion, is the City building an expensive animal palace or do you consider the five million dollar cost reasonable?

After this "animal palace" is built it will cost the city nearly 1 million dollars a year to maintain.  I believe the city should consider using the county's beautiful new animal shelter in Thousand Palms.  It would cost the city around 100K a year to maintain (1/10th of the cost).

4.  Should the City sell its Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Desert Water Agency and, if so, for what purpose should the money from the sale be used?

Yes.

I would reverse the sales of parks and property to the Redevelopment Agency and repay the money taken in interest and principal payments.  I would also repay the agency the $5 million taken for the animal shelter. 

5. The City Redevelopment Agency board consists of the City Council. Should the council members be replaced or the board expanded to include non-council members?

State law requires the council to act as the agency.  The city should consider having a Citizen's Oversight Committee that would meet in conjunction with the Redevelopment Agency.  This committee should be comprised of community business leaders, and residential, commercial and industrial real estate developers.

6.  It's often said that Palm Springs is unfriendly to businesses.. If you believe that to be true, how should the causes be identified and processes followed to address the problems now and on a continuing basis?

I believe all new businesses should be required to attend a business orientation workshop at City Hall within their first 30 days of business to help owners become familiar with the various ordinances and zoning issues. I would also support a business of the month award.  Why not showcase a photo of the business owner on a "Wall of Fame" at the City Hall. At the end of the year the city could give a"BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD". The city needs to rally around the small business owners with recognition. People typically work harder for praises than raises.  

In addition Palm Springs needs to let business owners explore innovative marketing ideas without the fear of being fined.

7.  Should the City implement an ongoing outreach program to recruit underrepresented community segments for the various board, committee and commission appointments?

YES

8.  Do you support and, if so, would you actively seek a fundraising cap on campaigns for city council seats?

I would not support a cap on individual giving. I would support a cap on corporate giving.

9.  Do you support and, if so, would you actively seek establishment of a new City Audit/Budget/Finance Commission of appointed citizens?

Yes

10. Should the City enter into negotiations with the O'Donnell Golf Club for purchase of the remaining 30+ years in their 99 year lease, so the property can be made available for public purposes?

I understand that there are approximately 300 members in the club.  If they accepted a friendly offer of $20,000 each, that would only cost the city $6 million. That would be an appropriate use of redevelopment funds.

11. Should the City install parking meters on all business streets?

No.  This would discourage people from shopping

12. Should the City encourage community clubs and volunteer groups by offering a large meeting facility of spaces for reserved daily rental at modest fees?

Yes

13. Should the City paint all crosswalks in commercial districts and on streets with speed limits above 35 mph?

Yes

14. Should the City have a uniform maximum speed limit of less than 50 mph and, if so, what should it be? 

Yes, 45 mph

15. Do you support any form of district elections for Palm Springs city council members and, if so, which type (i.e. one council member must live in each district, and (a) voting is restricted to district residents, or (b) voting is city wide)?

No

16. The position of Mayor is a four year term. Would you support term limits for the position?

Yes.

17. The position of City Council member is a four year term. Would you support term limits for the position?

Yes

18. If elected, how many hours per week, on average, do you plan on devoting to discharging the responsibilities of the position?

As many hours as necessary to get the job done.

19. If you are currently employed, how many hours per week, on average, are needed to fulfill the responsibilities of your present position?

I have a passive income and my hours are very flexible

20. Have you or are you considering a career in politics and, if so, when and what other offices interest you?

NO!

21. Relations between the City's officials and Desert Water Agency have sometimes been described as "wet" or "frosty". What steps should be taken to establish a cooperative and, hopefully, friendly relationship between the two agencies?

No answer at this time   

22. The City Council has placed a new Cell Phone Utility Tax on the ballot. If passed it would place a 4.5% tax on monthly cell phone bills, automatically apply the 4.5% tax to similar new technology developments, and automatically increase the existing emergency response utility tax each year based on inflation. What is your position with respect to the ballot measure and its three components?

NO

23. Los Angeles station KABC-TV recently recognized Palm Desert as a community deserving of the "Extreme Green - Finding eco-friendly solutions in hostile places" title. That city has long been recognized as the valley's energy and water conservation leader. Palm Desert is one of two California cities with a "a direct loan program" that provides residents with loans to finance alternative power systems, such as solar rooftop panels. What steps would you recommend Palm Springs take to achieve equal footing with Palm Desert as an "Extreme Green" city?

1-     The  City has no solar panels on any city building (that I know of) even though extended conversations occurred with our city manager and at least one company (PermaCity Solar of L.A. )

2-     The Energy Audit from Edison on City Hall and/or City Hall is either not complete or still not widely known publicly if complete.

3-     No new bike paths have been added, widened or repainted.  The recent Parks and Recreation Master Plan when presented to the City did not include Bike Paths

4-     No new bike parking racks or slots have been added to downtown..

5-     Architectural Review, Planning Commission and Building Department should require bike parking on all new projects. They should also call for parking stalls in garages to include outlets for future plug-in electric/hybrid cars.

6-     Builders should get discounted building permit fees for going green.  The States new Title 24 will require higher standards.

7-     Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon in the downtown corridor should have the right lane of parking removed to make way for bike lanes that can be used safely with bike racks added each block for convenience.

24. Palm Springs is not touted as a pedestrian or golf cart friendly city - that "friendly" designation belongs to Palm Desert. Do you consider pedestrian or golf cart transport issues an important component for a city like Palm Springs and, if so, what steps should be taken to address the concerns?

YES,  pedestrian and golf cart transportation is very important to our city.    The city should not only be golf cart and pedestrian friendly but it should also be wheelchair friendly.  There are many areas on our public sidewalks that are unattainable by wheelchair.

25. Are you familiar with the Palm Springs 2007 General Plan, including its nine components (Administration, Land Use Element, Housing Element, Circulation Element, Recreation - Open Space & Conservation Element, Safety Element, Air Quality Element, Noise Element, Community Design Element)? If so, are there any portions of the plan that you question or have concerns about?

YES  I am.

Quoting from the General Plan:

"Community Redevelopment Law authorizes a city to undertake redevelopment projects to turn BLIGHTED, deteriorating areas into revitalized community assets"

My Question: How was Sunrise Park blighted or deteriorating? How does a park create revenue for the city?

Quoting from the General Plan

"State law provides for development agreements between a project proponent and the City to provide developers with additional assurances that....conditions of approval...will not be nullified."

BUT.......

"The City is not prohibited from applying NEW RULES, REGULATIONS, and POLICIES to the property."

This means the City Council can apply NEW RULES after the $100K (or more) plan is submitted?  This clause is what has held our city hostage for more than ten years with the Fashion Plaza.

26. The Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort (formerly the Palm Springs Municipal Golf Course) is a money-losing operation that's listed in the General Plan as park land.. Do you support its continuation as a subsidized benefit for the golfing interests in the community?

What is needed is a hotel / resort to attract golfers.  Increased play will eliminate the need for the subsidy.

I would consider a possible acquisition of the Tommy Jacobs golf course on El Cielo as a hotel / clubhouse / restaurant site.  We could tunnel under or bridge over El Cielo for golf carts to access the Tahquitz Creek courses that could be reconfigured to a new clubhouse on El Cielo.  This would also service the Mesquite golf course.  The site is only minutes from the airport and close to downtown.

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A copy of the above has also been posted by Observer on the The Desert Sun newspaper's MyDesert.com website.

Bond Shands
Palm Springs
October 13, 2009