Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01B Prelim Minutes 01-28-2021CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL (CC), SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (SA), AND HOUSING AUTHORITY (HA) MEETING. (VIRTUAL MEETING) DRAFT MINUTE THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 CALL TO ORDER — 3:00 P.M. Mayor Kelly convened the meeting at 3:01 p.m. P01 I CAI I Present: Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/Vice Chairman Jan C. Harnik Councilman/Director/Member Sabby Jonathan Councilmember/Director/Member Gina Nestande Councilmember/Director/Member Karina Quintanilla Mayor/Chair/Chairman Kathleen Kelly Alsn Present - Randy Bynder, Interim City Manager/Executive Director Robert W. Hargreaves, City Attorney Andy Firestine, Assistant City Manager Grace L. Rocha, Acting City Clerk/Acting Secretary PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY: None ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION: A. Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: 1) (City Council) Property: Civic Center Substation, 73720 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert Agency Negotiator: Randy Bynder/Andy Firestine Other Party Negotiator: County of Riverside Property Owner: City of Palm Desert DRAFT MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting B. Conference with Legal Counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2). Potential cases: 2 C. Public Employment pursuant to Government Code Section 54957: Title of Position: City Manager With City Council concurrence, Mayor Kelly adjourned the meeting to Closed Session of the City Council at 3:02 p.m. She reconvened the meeting at 4:02 p.m. RECONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY, AND HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING — 4:00 P.M. a) Roll Call: Harnik, Jonathan, Nestande, Quintanilla, and Kelly b) Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag — Councilmember Gina Nestande c) Inspiration/Invocation — Councilman Sabby Jonathan REPORT ON ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION None PRESENTATIONS None NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS MR. KIM FLOYD addressed the City Council on two issues. He asked Council to make sustainability a priority in this year's planning process by taking action, providing more staff resources to the Committee, and update the 2010 Sustainability Plan. The second issue is Desert Community Energy (DCE). He said the reason the Sierra Club supports Community Choice Aggregation is because it brings the decision making relating to electrical power back at the local level — not to Southern California Edison and not to Lancaster. MR. JOHN PICK requested the City Council initiate a voluntary implementation of district representation by going to five districts rather than putting it to a vote of the residents. Otherwise, the City could face another lawsuit, which tends to be divisive. N DRAFT MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and may be approved by one (1) Minute Motion. 1. MINUTES of the Special City Council Closed Session meeting of January 8, 2021. 2. APPROVE CLAIMS AND DEMAND WARRANTS — City: 11/27/2020, 12/4/2020, 12/11 /2020, 12/15/2020, 12/17/2020, 12/31 /2020, and 1 /8/2021; Successor Agency: 12/11/2020, 12/23/2020, and 1/8/2021; Joint City/Housing: 12/23/2020. 3. RECEIVE AND FILE APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE by Casaluna Restaurant, 72355 Highway 111, Suite C, Palm Desert (CC). 4. RECEIVE AND FILE APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE by Kitchen 86, 73130 El Paseo, Suite I and J, Palm Desert (CC). 5. RECEIVE AND FILE AUDITED COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (CAFR) for the City of Palm Desert — Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020 (CC). 6. RECEIVE AND FILE AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT of the Palm Desert Recreational Facilities Corporation for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020 (CC). 7. RECEIVE AND FILE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT on Agreed -Upon Procedures Performed on the Measure "A" Transportation Fund for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020 (CC). 8. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Amendment No. 1 with TJKM Transportation Consultants for Engineering and Traffic Services for Establishment of Speed Zones Citywide to extend contract to March 31, 2021 (Contract No. C39140, Project No. 590-20) (CC). 9. AUTHORIZE PURCHASE of Dell Technologies Integrated Data Protection Appliance (IDPA) from Kovarus, LLC, San Ramon, California, in the amount of $112,432.13 (Contract No. C41100) (CC). Upon motion by Harnik, second by Nestande, and 5-0 vote of the City Council, Successor Agency, and Housing Authority Boards, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: Harnik, Jonathan, Nestande, Quintanilla, and Kelly; NOES: None). CONSENT ITEM HELD OVER None 3 DRAFT MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting ACTION CALENDAR 10. ORDINANCE NO. 1362 -AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADDING SECTION 2.38.060 ESTABLISHING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS (CC). Mayor Pro Tern Harnik moved to waive further reading and pass Ordinance No. 1362, to second reading, establishing campaign contribution limit requirements for elected officials by adopting the "no limit" limit. Motion was seconded by Nestande and carried by a 4-1 vote (AYES: Harnik, Jonathan, Nestande, and Kelly; NOES: Quintanilla). 11. ORAL REPORT OF SUMMARY OF COMPENSATION AND REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT APPOINTING NEW CITY MANAGER, EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2021 (CONTRACT NO. C41110) (CC). Councilman Jonathan moved to, by Minute Motion, approve Contract No. C41110, Employment Agreement Appointing Todd Hileman as City Manager for the City of Palm Desert, effective March 1, 2021, and setting compensation and other terms of employment. Motion was seconded by Nestande and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: Harnik, Jonathan, Nestande, Quintanilla, and Kelly; NOES: None). INFORMATION ITEMS 12. UPDATE ON THE $25,000 UNITE PALM DESERT COMMUNITY PARTNERS GRANT TO THE PALM DESERT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (CONTRACT NO. C40830A) (CC). Update Report was received and filed. PUBLIC HEARING None MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUEST FOR ACTION Reports and comments: 1. Mavor Pro Tern Harnik • Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) - the team continues to meet with state and federal representative advocating for transportation, broadband, and housing. Tomorrow they are meeting with Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee for the State of California Laura Friedman. M DRAFT MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting • Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP) — the City will be receiving another million in PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for businesses in Palm Desert. • LiveStream Blood Bank — Residents are invited to donate blood, because there is a substantial need. Councilmember Quintanilla added she heard that surgeries may be cancelled if hospitals don't receive more blood donations. 2. Councilmember Gina Nestande AB1826 — Solid Waste/Organic Waste is coming down the pipeline. It's the mandatory commercial organic recycling program, which comes at the worse time when struggling businesses are trying to stay afloat. Her question of staff is that she would like to know how much money there was in the Recycling Fund. She explained this bill would impact businesses that generate specified amount of organic waste, which may cost at the minimum $75 per business. Mayor Kelly noted Council held a study session when the legislation was initially introduced, but perhaps it was time to have another one prior to implementation. Mayor Pro Tern Harnik offered that UCR is offering virtual composting classes. 3. Councilmember Karina Quintanilla • Art in Public Places Committee — stated she was looking forward to the art submissions for the sculpture at the San Pablo roundabout. • Children's Discovery Museum — The museum is re -adapting and shifting their focus towards a community museum. There was discussion of converting the vision from a place where you take kids for a field trip to a place of community resource to disseminate information, knowledge, and provide workshops. This could elevate the ability to serve the community and be eligible for different grant funding as they expand the population. • Consideration of a Farmers' Night Market — there has been a request to explore a night market to avoid competition. Also, questions were raised on whether the second market was a certified vendor, is it fully organic, and if it complied with the Market Match that nonprofits use. She is requesting more input from staff on this matter. Mayor Kelly added that staff is working on solutions, and Council will be kept abreast with an update at the next City Council meeting. 4. Councilman Sabby Jonathan Covid-19 Testing — he explained that part of the path for reopening the economy is testing, testing, and more testing. Thanks to the efforts of City staff, they coordinated with University of California, Riverside — the Palm Desert campus to provide testing. The facility is open Monday through Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., it's free, and results are quite prompt. 5 DRAFT MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting • Desert Community Energy (DCE) — He reported the first and only city that opted into the program is Palm Springs, and they just completed their first nine months. He provided a PowerPoint presentation, highlighting the program's more notable successes and cost -savings to customers. He said the program is primarily about being green and protecting the planet, and based on the fact that the program has already reduced Green House Gases by 72,380 metric tons, which equates to 15+ vehicles off the road, tells him the program is a success. He said DCE is not for profit, it's about community reinvestment and creating local jobs. He said DCE just approved a long-term contract with a local provider Terra -Gen LLC for when energy projects in Palm Springs will directly supply the Palm Springs customer through DCE. The estimated cost -savings over the length of the contract is between $7 and $10 million, generating 5 to 6 permanent jobs and up to 180 temporary jobs locally. 5. Mayor Kathleen Kelly • International Holocaust Remembrance Day — She represented the residents of Palm Desert on Wednesday at the holocaust virtual event. She has long been aware of the urgency of fighting holocaust deniers, however, on January 6, as the nation watched the storming of the capitol on live T.V., it was evident the challenge went beyond holocaust deniers. Therefore, this year was especially important for people of goodwill to stand together so that we never forget and it never happens again. • Study Session for City Council Goal Setting — Friday, February 19, 2021 — she stated past sessions have direct Council towards possible initiatives, sometimes as many as 10 or 12, and Council then focuses on which of those are most important. The recent Budget Study Session makes clear the impacts of Covid are going to be multi -year. Tools to deal with the impacts is in the selected filling of existing vacancies. The City Council clearly does not belong in the weeds on personnel decisions, but this year it seems particularly important for Council to have conversations about priorities to inform department heads as they are in the process of formulating their budgets. On February 19, Council will look at the 2021 goals and discuss which of those still have urgency, but in addition Council will have a freer discussion about priorities it wants to identify. The timing is challenging, because the City has a new City Manager arriving March 1, and optimally, the new City Manager would be involved in the conversations of those priorities. However, the timetable for making progress on the budget dictates that Council at least start the conversations, and those conversations can evolve once the new City Manager is on board. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS • Distribution of PPE provided by Coachella Valley Economic Development Partnership C( VEP) — Business Advocate Deborah Glickman stated that on December 21, the City opened up a PPE Distribution Center at the Palm Desert Community Center, Monday DRAFT MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting through Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. During that time, the City serviced 120 businesses. Bulk distributions were also made to Westfield Palm Desert, The Gardens on El Paseo, Chartwell Properties, and the Certified Farmers Market in Palm Desert. These were ways to access a higher volume of stores and make distribution faster. When they closed the distribution center, staff changed the model to go out to businesses directly. Altogether, staff has serviced about 450 businesses. The PPE package included face masks, hand sanitizers, and face shields. • Lupine Lane Plaza — Director of Community Development reported staff has arranged to have the plaza up and running by Monday with modifications to traffic plans to enhance access to some of the adjacent businesses. Additionally, he will work with Ms. Glickman to ensure PPE is available at the plaza and adjacent businesses. • Retirement Announcement of Public Information Officer David Hermann — Director of Administrative Services Lori Carney noted this was David's last City Council meeting as his last day is Friday, February 5, 2021. She presented Mr. Hermann with an engraved memento box, adding he has been the voice of the City for the past 14 years, and he will be truly missed. City Manager and Councilmembers offered their farewell wishes and heartfelt comments to Mr. Hermann commending his work and acknowledging what a true professional he has been for the City. Mr. Hermann stated that being a member of the Palm Desert team has been the greatest honor of his professional career. He is deeply indebted to his colleagues for their collaboration and their tireless work on behalf of this unique and wonderful community. He is grateful to this Council and past Council's for the trust they placed on him and their thoughtful leadership of this amazing City. ADJOURNMENT With City Council, Successor Agency, and Housing Authority concurrence, Mayor Kelly adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m. KATHLEEN KELLY MAYOR/CHAT R/CHAI RMAN ATTEST: GRACE L. ROCHA, ACTING CITY CLERK AND ACTING SECRETARY Palm Desert City Council Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Housing Authority 7