UPDATED: 26 Questions for Palm Springs City Council Candidates
 | Desert Observer's Page Palm Springs, CA. Letter, with 26 questions, addressed to Palm Springs City Council candidates. |
The season of city council political forums has arrived. As you probably know, these aren't events where citizens are able to submit queries but instead are shows where a moderator asks pre-screened questions of candidates. So, there's no way for the average voter to obtain answers from all candidates to questions similar to the ones on this page. In theory candidates have platforms that would seek to provide answers, but in actual practice, such doesn't exist.
Now that you've settled into campaign mode and are asking for votes, I'm wondering whether your campaign platform includes issues of concern to me or whether you've been asked some of the questions I've been wondering about. Please note my original list of 20 questions has been expanded to 26 and the new ones appear at the end. Here's the list of queries, in no particular order, for your consideration.
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?
2. Are you familiar with the Palm Springs Neighborhood Involvement Committee (PSNIC) and, if so, is your own neighborhood one that's currently 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?
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?
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?
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?
7. Should the City implement an ongoing outreach program to recruit underrepresented community segments for the various board,committee and commission appointments?
8. Do you support and, if so, would you actively seek a fundraising cap on campaigns for city council seats?
9. Do you support and, if so, would you actively seek establishment of a new City Audit/Budget/Finance Commission of appointed citizens?
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?
11. Should the City install parking meters on all business streets?
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?
13. Should the City paint all crosswalks in commercial districts and on streets with speed limits above 35 mph?
14. Should the City have a uniform maximum speed limit of less than 50 mph and, if so, what should it be?
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).
16. The position of Mayor is a four year term. Would you support term limits for the position?
17. The position of City Council member is a four year term. Would you support term limits for the position?
18. If elected, how many hours per week, on average, do you plan on devoting to discharging the responsibilities of the position?
19. If you are currently employed, how many hours per week, on average, are needed to fulfill the responsibilities of your present position?
20. Have you or are you considering a career in politics and, if so, when and what other offices interest you?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Thanks very much,
Bond Shands
Palm Springs Voter
September 25, 2009
Posted by Administrator at 9/26/2009 9:47 AM 
Categories: Opinion
Tags: Palm Springs Palm Springs Redevelopment Agency Palm Springs City Council
Categories: Opinion
Tags: Palm Springs Palm Springs Redevelopment Agency Palm Springs City Council
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