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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 02-25-2021 - Draft MinutesCITY 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 MINUTES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 _______________________________________________________ CALL TO ORDER – 3:00 P.M. Mayor Kelly convened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. ROLL CALL 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 Also 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: Lease Property – Parkview Professional Office Complex, 73720 Fred Waring Drive, Suite Nos. 217 and 220, Palm Desert Agency Negotiator: Randy Bynder/Janet Moore Other Party Negotiator: Lift to Rise Property owner: City of Palm Desert DRAFT MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting 2 B. Conference with Legal Counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d) (2). Potential cases: 2 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 4:06 p.m. RECONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY, AND HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING – 4:00 P.M. a) Roll Call: Harnik, Jonathan, Nestande, Quintanilla, Kelly b) Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag – Councilmember Karina Quintanilla c) Inspiration/Invocation – Mayor Kathleen Kelly REPORT ON ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION Mr. Hargreaves reported direction was given to staff, but there were no reportable actions taken. PRESENTATIONS • Mr. Michael Rosenkrantz provided a PowerPoint presentation to the City Council regarding Palms to Pines Parasports on what their vision is all about and helping people with disabilities live very full lives. He noted they are a countywide organization, but they are currently focusing on the Coachella Valley. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS MS. LINDA JOY SALAS spoke to the issue of moving toward a five-district system of elections in the City of Palm Desert. She noted she’s been involved since the whole issue got started about three years ago. She understood the pros and cons, and from what she gathered, the City has spent about $350,000 with attorney fees still pending. She believes that if the City Council places the five-district system on the election cycle for 2022, the City can save a lot of money, because a rank-choice voting system could cost another $350,000. She suggested the City conduct a study of this topic and place it on the next City Council agenda. Additionally, she would like to know the process for getting an item on the agenda. Mayor Kelly said she will coordinate with the City Clerk to ensure Ms. Salas receives a clear explanation of the City’s policy for inclusion of items on the agenda. MR. JOHN PICK stated that since the weather tragedy in Texas, a lot of locals have told him they are lucky to live in the Desert. However, if the power grid shut down, it could also have devastating impacts. He said a good example is what they’ve done in the City of Gonzales, California, by going totally off the grid to a microgrid system. He wouldn’t say Desert DRAFT MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting 3 Community Energy (DCE) was the answer, but the City needed to start somewhere and it needed to start soon. In the past, the issue had been cost, but knowing what we know now, he believed the response toward DCE may be different. 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 regular City Council, Successor Agency, and Housing Authority meetings of February 11, 2021. 2. APPROVE CLAIMS AND DEMAND WARRANTS – City: 1/12/2021, 1/15/2021, 1/20/2021, 1/22/2021, 1/29/2021, 1/31/2021, 2/9/2021, 2/10/2021, and 2/12/2021; Successor Agency: 1/15/2021, 1/22/2021, and 2/5/2021; Joint City/Housing: 1/22/2021, 2/5/2021, and 2/11/2021. 3. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Amendment No. 1 with the Jewish Family Service of the Desert to continue providing case management services for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (Contract No. C38720H) (CC). 4. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Amendment No. 1 with Michael Baker International, Inc., to provide additional on-call City surveying services and increase the amount of the contract in an amount not to exceed $50,000 (Contract No. C40520) (CC). 5. AUTHORIZE PURCHASE of Stencil/Paint Truck from Warren Anderson Ford, Riverside, California, in the amount of $126,339.14 (CC). 6. ACCEPT OFF-SITE IMPROVEMENTS AND APPROVE THE RELEASE of bonds in the total amount of $68,592.15 for the Chase Bank Project (111 Monterey Palm Desert, LLC, Applicant) (CC). 7. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL to eliminate the Hotel and Signature Events Committee, Library Promotion Committee, and Youth Committee (CC). Removed for separate consideration under Consent Items Held Over. Please see that portion of the Minutes for Council action. 8. ORDINANCE NO. 1363 – Waive further reading and pass to second reading an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, amending Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 2.34.010, to base commissioner and committee member appointment terms upon the fiscal year (This is the first reading of the Ordinance) (CC). DRAFT MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting 4 9. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-03 – Waive further reading and adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, approving final Parcel Map No. 36505 (DRRS Holdings, Applicant) (CC). 10. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-04 – Waive further reading and adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, authorizing the City Manager to Pledge Support on Behalf of the City of Palm Desert for the Lift to Rise “We Will Lift” Regional Housing and Economic Opportunity Initiative (CC). Councilmembers Jonathan and Quintanilla requested Item No. 7 be removed for separate discussion and action. Upon motion by Harnik, second by Nestande, and 5-0 vote of the City Council, the remainder of the consent calendar was approved as presented (AYES: Harnik, Jonathan, Nestande, Quintanilla, and Kelly; NOES: None). CONSENT ITEM HELD OVER 7. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL to eliminate the Hotel and Signature Events Committee, Library Promotion Committee, and Youth Committee (CC). Councilman Jonathan moved to, by Minute Motion: a) Eliminate the Library Promotion Committee, contingent upon consultation and approval of the Parks and Recreation Commission to place a Palm Desert Library Representative on the Parks and Recreation Commission as an ex-officio position, and integrate any associated discussion items into the Parks and Recreation Commission in the future; b) eliminate the Hotel and Signature Events Committee and integrate any associated discussion items into the Marketing Committee in the future; c) eliminate the Youth Committee and complement the Family YMCA of the Desert’s Youth and Government Program in the future (AYES: Harnik, Jonathan, Nestande, Quintanilla, and Kelly; NOES: None). ACTION CALENDAR 11. RESOLUTION NO. SA-RDA 083 – A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, APPROVING THE EXECUTION OF A TERMINATION AGREEMENT TO DISSOLVE THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY PALM DESERT FINANCING AUTHORITY (“RCPDFA”) AND TAKING RELATED ACTIONS (SA). Mayor Pro Tem Harnik moved to, by Minute Motion, waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. SA-RDA 083. Motion was seconded by Nestande and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: Harnik, Jonathan, Nestande, Quintanilla, and Kelly; NOES: None). DRAFT MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting 5 12. REQUEST TO RATIFY THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER’S AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO NECESSARY AGREEMENTS AND AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF UP TO $400,000 FOR UTILITY RELOCATIONS RELATED TO PRESIDENT’S PLAZA EAST AND WEST PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS (PROJECT NO. 758-14) (CC). Mayor Pro Tem Harnik moved to, by Minute Motion: a) Ratify and confirm the Interim City Manager’s execution and authorization to enter into necessary agreements for utility relocation related to President’s Plaza East and West Parking Lot Improvements; b) authorize the expenditure of up to $400,000 for utility relocations related to the project; c) authorize the City Manager or his designee to take any action and execute any documents necessary to facilitate these utility relocation agreements related to the project. Motion was seconded by Nestande and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: Harnik, Jonathan, Nestande, Quintanilla, and Kelly; NOES: None). 13. REQUEST FOR DIRECTION REGARDING DRIVE-THROUGH RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT (CC). Councilman Jonathan moved to, by Minute Motion, direct staff to study the issue and concerns raised this evening, and return with a sample of what a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) would look like that would include drive-through restaurants along portions of Highway 111 and adjacent properties for City Council consideration. Motion was seconded by Quintanilla and carried by a 3-2 vote (AYES: Jonathan, Nestande, and Quintanilla NOES: Harnik and Kelly). INFORMATION ITEMS None PUBLIC HEARING 14. RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM YEAR 2021 ACTION PLAN, INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CC). Mayor Kelly declared the public hearing open and invited public comments on this matter. With no testimony being offered, she declared the public hearing closed. No other action was required to be taken. DRAFT MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting 6 MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUEST FOR ACTION Reports and comments: Mayor Pro Tem Harnik: • Announced that The Living Desert Reserve was featured in the Westways Magazine. • Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) - Emerging Technologies Committee Meeting – The Committee discussed Asset Inventory Management Systems, which the City should explore to make better use of its assets. This includes pole tops, bolts, manholes, drain structures, and traffic poles. By having this inventory, the City will know what it owns, deal with carriers better, and benefit from smart cities opportunities. Councilmember Karina Quintanilla: • Public Safety Commission – one of the highlights of the meeting was the legislative update. In looking at all the changes, they can potentially impact many individuals. For example, the definition of elderly has been changed for consideration of parole, and it also reduces the amount of time before one can request parole. Additionally, you can now break a rental lease if there has been any kind of domestic violence or a crime has been committed. Previously, you could not break a lease even if it was dangerous to continue living at the leased location. Also, there is a new registration for sex offenders, etc., but the one most substantial is that in California, the chokehold is banned. Mayor Kathleen Kelly: • Sunline Transit Agency – reported she has shared in the past the initiatives SunLine is making to be a truly international leader in tapping liquid hydrogen as a safe source of fuel that is more earth friendly than electricity, because you eliminate the issue of worn out batteries. She is pleased to announce SunLine has secured a $5 million competitive grant from the California Energy Commission; it’s ¼ of the available funds for the purpose of creating an additional standalone liquid hydrogen refueling station. This could be hugely important as a resource to encourage more commercial use of hydrogen fuel as a source of automation. • Recognition of Ms. Pam Williams, a City committee member, was named the “Essential Worker of the Week” by NBC Palm Springs for her participation in our local rotary clubs Angels of Service Program, which consists of the work of the City that supports food service providers during the course of the month. • Thank you to Interim Randy Bynder for answering the call to step in as Interim City Manager. He said “yes,” without missing a beat. She said Randy brought huge energy to the City and provided the City Council great perspective and voice based on much experience. He has become a counselor to the City Council, and he was of immense help while it conducted its extensive search for a permanent city manager. He will be missed and Council will forever be thankful for his contribution and moving the City in the right direction. The remainder of the Council echoed the same sentiments, expressing their immense gratitude. DRAFT MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting 7 Request for Action: 1. Update on North Sphere Housing Inventory – Councilmember Gina Nestande attended a webinar on the state of housing for the Coachella Valley and learned the Valley has the lowest housing inventory. As an example, one year ago on any given day, there was 3,000 homes for sale, now there is a little over 1,000. For new construction, homes are flying off the shelf, in fact, homes are not being build fast enough. She requested staff provide an update on where the City is on future home development in the north sphere. 2. Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD) – Councilmember Karina Quintanilla said she has requested a meeting to reach out to DSUSD to see how and what the City Council can do to support reopening, whether its resources or parent communication. She noted the City Council has received emails questioning why schools are not all opened, stating she believed it all comes down to ensuring the right metrics are in place. 3. Desert X Planned Exhibit at The Living Desert – Councilman Jonathan learned the exhibit involves pyrotechnics by Pyro Spectaculars over 1200 acres in The Living Desert adjacent to animals and near the Big Horn sheep. He is concerned for the adverse impact to the animals. He requested staff reach out to The Living Desert, the Big Horn Institute, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and making sure the City is now allowing something that could be detrimental. Mayor Kelly suggested staff first start with reaching out to The Living Desert. Mayor Pro Tem Harnik offered that President/CEO Allen Monroe made the following statement: “Due to Covid-19 precautionary measures, and because the County has not yet moved The Living Desert out of the current tier, the Desert X Exhibition by Judy Chicago: ‘Living Smoke,’ will not be held at TLD. We are disappointed that we are unable to host her art this spring, but will probably remain a cultural partner of Desert X.” Councilman Jonathan said he was not opposed to them relocating the exhibition. In fact, in 2019, they canceled an exhibit at the White Water Preserve because it could cause damage to the Big Horn sheep and other environmental concerns. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Mr. Bynder thanked the City Council for the opportunity to serve, stating he learned a lot and staff was great to work with these past months. DRAFT MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2021 City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority Meeting 8 ADJOURNMENT With City Council, Successor Agency, and Housing Authority concurrence, Mayor Kelly adjourned the meeting at 6:33 p.m. ______________________________ KATHLEEN KELLY MAYOR/CHAIR/CHAIRMAN ATTEST: ____________________________________ GRACE L. ROCHA, ACTING CITY CLERK AND ACTING SECRETARY Palm Desert City Council Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Palm Desert Housing Authority