HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Finance Committee 11/26/2019�. El
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PALM DESERT
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Leo called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
Committee Members: Absent:
Karen Alexander, Member
Russell Campbell, Vice -Chair
Robert Leo, Chair
Susan Marie Weber, Mayor
Gina Nestande, Mayor Pro -Temp
Also Present:
Guests:
Lauri Aylaian, City Manager (armved at 10 41 a.m.)
Janet M. Moore, Director of Finance
Anthony Hernandez, Senior Financial Analyst
Veronica Tapia, Senior Management Analyst
Patty Leon, Recording Secretary
Eric Ceja, Principal Planner
Derek White, General Manager - Desert Willow Golf Resort
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
MOTION was made by Member Campbell to approve the Minutes of the
regular meeting of the Palm Desert Finance Committee held on September 24, 2019.
Motion was seconded by Member Alexander and carried by a 4-0 vote, with
Alexander, Campbell, Nestande, and Leo voting AYE.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. REPORT ON CITY INVESTMENT SCHEDULE AND SUMMARY OF CASH
FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2019
Mrs. Janet Moore provided a summary of the reports, reporting the yield -to -
maturity interest has gone down. The City's investment portfolio has been
laddered out for 2 to 3 years in an attempt to lessen the effects in the event
FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 26, 2019
the rumors about negative interest rates are of any consequence. She
reminded the Committee of a time when interest rates were .01 % back in
2015 and 2016.
MOTION was made by Member Campbell to recommend that the City Council
receive and file the City Investment Schedule and Summary of Cash Reports for
September and October 2019. Motion was seconded by Member Alexander and
carried by a 5-0 vote, with Alexander, Campbell, Nestande, Weber and Leo voting
AYE.
B. STATEMENTS FOR LOCAL AGENCY INVESTMENT POOL ACCOUNT
FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2019
Mrs. Moore reported the same types of returns for CAMP and LAIF at
approximately 2% rate. She noted that staff decided to divest from the
Riverside County accounts as the returns are lower than CAMP and LAIF.
MOTION was made by Member Campbell to receive and file the reports for
Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF), California Asset Management Program
(CAMP), and Riverside County Investment Pool for September and October and
August 2019. Motion was seconded by Member Campbell and carried by a 5-0 vote,
with Alexander, Campbell, Nestande, Weber and Leo voting AYE.
C. FINANCIAL REPORT FOR CITY OF PALM DESERT THROUGH
OCTOBER 2019
Mrs. Moore summarized the report, highlighting the City's actuals were very
close to last year. The hotel, formerly known as Fairfield Inn, that was
destroyed by a fire 5 years ago, was issued a Certificate of Occupancy and
is anticipated to open soon. She further noted that sales tax remains
consistent with what was projected.
Member Nestande commented that a report from the Greater Palm Springs
Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) showed TOT was down 7% from last
year as well as short-term rentals were down 33%. She asked how this
would affect the City financially.
Mrs. Moore stated that staff took into consideration the reduction in TOT for
short-term rentals at the time the City Council extended the phase out
period to December. Therefore, TOT received from July to December was
not included into projections for FY 19/20 so the effect of such a reduction
in the Coachella Valley may offset the increase that was not included. Mr.
Derek White commented that the CVB report indicated that the whole
market was down in September but moving forward looked good.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES NOVEMBER 26, 2019
MOTION was made by Member Campbell to receive and file the financial
report for the City of Palm Desert through October 2019. Motion was seconded by
Member Alexander and carried by a 5-0 vote, with Alexander, Campbell, Nestande,
Weber and Leo voting AYE.
D. FINANCIAL REPORT FOR PARKVIEW PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
BUILDINGS FINANCIAL REPORT THROUGH OCTOBER 2019
Mr. Hernandez provided a summary of both September and October
reports.
MOTION was made by Member Campbell to receive and file the financial
report for the Parkview professional office buildings through April 2019. Motion
was seconded by Member Weber and carried by a 5-0 vote, with Alexander,
Campbell, Nestande, Weber and Leo voting AYE.
E FINANCIAL REPORT ON DESERT WILLOW GOLF RESORT THROUGH
OCTOBER 2019
Mr. White provided a summary of operations through October 2019,
highlighting a record -breaking revenue for the month of October.
Member Leo asked if an increase to minimum wage is anticipated.
Mr. White responded that minimum wage has increased by 10% every year
and has been included in the budget projections.
MOTION was made by Member Campbell to receive and file the financial
report for the Desert Willow Golf Resort through August 2019. Motion was
seconded by Member Alexander and carried by a 5-0 vote, with Alexander,
Campbell, Nestande, Weber and Leo voting AYE.
V. CONTINUED BUSINESS
None.
VI OLD BUSINESS
None.
VII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
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FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES NOVEMBER 26, 2019
A. PRESENTATION RELATIVE TO UPCOMING PROJECTS (ERIC CEJA,
PRINCIPAL PLANNER)
Eric Ceja, Principal Planner, provided a presentation of upcoming projects
relative to transportation, housing and commercial in Palm Desert. He
provided a brief overview of the following projects: 1) Desert Surf Project
proposed at Desert Willow; 2) El Paseo's crosswalks, considered a
demonstration project; 3) Housing at University Park, Ponderosa Homes,
and the Revel/Avenida communities both considered for active seniors: 4)
The Sands project has been placed on hold until a new developer is on
board, 5) CV Link project anticipates a construction date of May 2020; 6)
San Pablo project phase 2 to start May 2020; and 7) Development of
commercial stores and hotels are being considered on Avenue of the States
(Casey's Lot), Technology Drive, and Monterey Crossings.
B. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
C. REQUEST TO ADD POTENTIAL ITEMS TO UPCOMING AGENDA
D. STAFF NOTES
Member Weber thanked the Committee members for their service and
distributed thank you cards from the City Council.
VIII ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10.51 a.m, to the next regular meeting of January
28, 2020.
P,espectfully submitte
PattyLeon R�ordin Secreta
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