HomeMy WebLinkAboutPreliminary Minutes - City Council - October 8, 2015DRAFT
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY,
OCTOBER ,2015
."
CIVIC
WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260
Ia CALL TO ORDER - a
Mayor Weber convened the meeting at 3-00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present:
Council e ber Jan C. Harnik
Councilman Sabby Jonathan
Mayor Pro Tom Robert A. Spiegel
Councilman Van G. Tanner
Mayor`Susan Marie Weber
Also resent;
Jahn M. Wohimuth, City Manager
Robert W. Hargreaves, Assistant City Attorney
achelle D. Klassen, City Clerk
Russell Grance, Director of Building & Safety
Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development
Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic Development
Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance/City Treasurer
Janet M. Moore, Director of Housing
Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works
Frankie Riddle, Director of Special Programs
o Chen, City Engineer
Stephen Y. Aryan, -Risk Manager
Susan Trevino, Chief, Palm DesertPolice/Riverside Co. Sheriffs Department
David Adams, Admin. Sgt., Palm Desertolice/ iver ide Co. Sheriffs Department
Grace L. Mendoza, Deputy City Clerk
ME y y y
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY _ COUNCIL
1_® ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
guest for Clcased esaio :
A. Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.6:
1 jProperty- APN 6 7-071- 1
(Sad Antonio Circle/AlessandroWest)
NegotiatingParties:
Agency- John M. Wohlmuth/Rudy P. Acosta/Martin Alvarez/
City of Palm Desert
Property wner: David & AgnesHoltz
UnderNegotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment
B. Conference with Legal Counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation
pursuant to Government Code Section 5495 .9(d)():
Number of potential cases:
r Public olov e t pursuant to Government Code Section 54 57:
Title of Position, City Manager
With City Council concurrence, Mayor Weber adjourned the meeting' to Closed
Session at :01 p.m. She reconvened the meeting at 4:01 p.m.
V. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - c
REPORTA. ON ACTION CLOSED SESSION.
None
ALLEGIANCEV1. PLEDGE OF
UNITEDTHE - Mayor Pro Tern Robert A. Spiegel
INVOCATIONVIL - Council e ber Jan C. Harnik
COMMUNICATIONSVill. ORAL
. ANDREI DOROSHIN, representing Invisible Sea, Inc., Palm Springs, CA,
referred to recent articles in The Desert Sun reporting that I1 (imperial Irrigation
District) is threatening to pull out of the QSA (Quantification Settlement Agreement,
otherwise known as water agreements from 0 ) established to give water tot e
Coachella Valley. He said IID cannot pull out, noting they've tried previously and
been ruled against in the courts, leaving the agreements in place. If IID tries to do
9
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PRELIMINARY MINUTES DRAFT
REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2015
or local rescue groups to help reduce the overpopulation of unwanted pets and
ensure that they are healthy, spayed/neutered, and micro -chipped before being
available for sale,.which isn't the case with purchases from a puppy store. Each
individual recounted relevant personal experiences or expertise to give credence to
their request. The group provided City Councilmembers with a proposed Humane
Business Model and a copy of the Cityof Burbank,California's, ordinance to prohibit
the sale of all dogs and cats by a retail " et stare, reiterating their request that
Palm ese o the same.
LISA BLODGETT, La' Uinta, CA.
. TIFFA I Lo LIE, Le Quinta, CA.
. JANET LITTON, PalmDesert,
. VALERIE MASI, Best Paw Forward Dog Training.
. DEBORAH DOWICHUCK (sp?), Indio, GA.
5 lop
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
X. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the Regular City Council Meeting of September 24, 2015.
e: Approve as presented.
B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY TREASURY - Warrants
Dated 9/11/2015, /1 /2015, and /22/2015a
ece Approve as presented
C. CLAIM1 ST CITY/ t o
Warrants Dated /18/2015 and 9/2 /2015 (Joint i tiwith the
Palm Desert Housingri
ec. Approve as presented.
CLAIMD. I THE CITY #750 by enie Stewart in an Unspecified
Amount.
ece By Minute Motion, reject the Claim and direct the City Clerk to so
notify Claimant.
E. CLAIM -AGAINST THE CITY 1#7601 by Interinsurance Exchange of the
Automobile lu /Lonette Wesser in the Amount of 7,952a .
ece By Minute Motion, reject the Claim and direct the City Clerk to so
notify Claimant.
F: CLAIM I T THE CITY 7 0) by Lonette Wesser in the Amount of
,1,57.44.
ec. By Minute Motion, reject the Claim and direct the City Clerk to so
notify Claimant.
G.0 IA LY I 11/ ST T TS for the Months
of July 2015 and August 2015 (Joint Considerationit the Successor
Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment
ec: Receive and filed
on
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COUNCILREGULAR PALM DESERT CITY
H. CITE` COMMITTEE AND COMMISSIONMEETINGI
. Audit, Investment & Finance Committee Meeting of July 28, 2015.
2. Marketing CommitteeMeeting of June 16, 2015.
ec: Receive and file.
1. APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLICV CDenny's,
73833 Highway 111, Palm Desert.
c: Receive and file:
J. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATIONto Reject All Bids for Contract
o. C34 4 — Civic Center Turf eduction Phase I Project reject
o. -16).
ece By MinuteMotion: 1) Reject all bids received for the subject contract-,
2) authorize City staff to re -bid the project.
K. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of an Amendment to the One-year Contract
Extension with Glyn Donald Gray, d.b.a. GDG, for Operation of the El Paseo
Courtesy Cart Service, Incorporating New Insurance Requirements and New
Commencement ate to Include the 2015 Golf Cart Parade (Contract'
o. C33032).
ec; By Minute Motion, amend the subject contract with GDG,
Palm esert, California, as follows: 1) Start data of October 25, 2015,
to include the Golf Cart Parade, 2) include requirements for drivers'
V records, 3) authorize the City Attorney to`make non -substantive
changes to and the Mayor to execute the Contract Extension —
changes do not increase the contract amount and funds are available
in the approved FY 201 -2016 Budget in Account;
o. 1104416-436 100 -Courtesy Carts.
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L. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Exemptions from unicpal Cade
Sections 9.58.010 and 9.58.020 - Public Consumption of Alcohol - in
Connection with Receptions for Art Exhibitions to be Held in the Palmexert
Community Gallery Between November 2 - February 2016.
ec: By Minute Motion, approve exemptions from unicipal Code
Sections 9.58.010 and 9.58.020 - Public Consumption of Alcohol - in
connection with the opening receptions for Art Exhibitions to be held
in the Palm Desert Community Gallery between November 2015 and
February 2016, tentatively: November 2 - Irene Ryan Maloney and
Kim Uhlik; November 1 - Dennis Johnsen and Robert Quintana,and
February 1Paul Hamel and Randall Weidner.
M. INFORMATIONAL REPORT Related tote`Striping of 'Shepherd Lane
Between Julie Lane and Frank Sinatra Drive.
ee; By Minute Motion, receive and file;
Upon a motion by Spiegel, second by Harnik, and 5-0 vote of the City Council
(AYES- Harnik, Jonathan, Spiegel, Tanner, andWeber; one), the Consent
Calendar was approved as presented,
X1. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
II. RESOLUTIONS
None
X11111. ORDINANCES
For Introduction:
•
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCILMEETING
B. ForAdoption:
1 ORDINANCE NO. 1291 ORDINANCE CITY COUNCIL
F THE CITY OF PALMT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING
CERTAIN AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 5.2 OF THE
PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE -SINGLE-USEA T
PLASTIC
Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel noted the Council already approved this item
when the Ordinance was introduced.
Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel moved to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance
o 1291. Motion was seconded by Tanner and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: arnik,
Jonathan, Spiegel, Tanner, andWeber; : one):
Council e ber Harnik thanked Mr. Bagato for all the work done on
the Ordinance.
BUSINESSXIV. NEW ,
REQUEST FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT TO UNIONTREE AND
PALM SERVICES, INC., IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED50,00
T FISCAL 2 15-2 T l A T ILL
L_ RESORT (CONTRACT . C346 ).
r. Alvarez stated approval of this contract will help staff move forward with
the annual tree pruning at Desert Willow Golf Resort. He said they are
scheduled to prune 500 trees under the proposed contract.
Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel noted staff went out to bid and the lowest bidder is
a local contractor,
Mayor Pro TernSpiegel moved to, by Minute Motion, authorize: 1) Award of the
subject contract to UnionTree and Palm Services, Inc., Cathedral City, California, at the
Desert Willow Golf Resort in an amount not to :exceed $50,0 0; 2) authorize Mayor to
execute the contract — funds are available in Course and Grounds Expenses Account No.
5204195-4803100. Motion was seconded by Harnik.
Councilman Jonathan said staff as getting the cost down to what was
budgetted by pruning500 trees instead of 750. He asked if staff as worried
about the other 250 trees.
r. Alvarez replied 500 trees will be sufficient for the year, stating staff set
the unit price at $100, adjusting the amount down. Further responding, he
confirmed the trees that don't get pruned will be scheduled for next year;
staff has a tracking system of when the trees are pruned.
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Mayor Weber called forte vote and the motion carried on a -0 vote (AYES:
arni , Jonathan, Spiegel, Tanner, andWeber-, one).
REQUESTB. FOR APPROVAL OF FIVEIUPDATING
VARIOUS L T MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS
SECTIONS.
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REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2015
precise plans. He asked if staff as simply removing it or suggesting that
once a precise plan is approved, it was valid item per item.
r. Ceja explained that a precise plan will still expire in two years, and the
option to extend it for one-year periods p to three years total, was being
eliminated. He said this was based on projects that still have merit that the
City didn't want to see expire. Therefore, the City wants to eliminate the
three-year ceiling.
Councilman Jonathan understood then that the precise plan would still need
to come back for an extension, but it wouldn't be limited to tree. He
questioned how often did one return for an extension.
r. Ceja replied annually after the initial two years.
Councilman Jonathan following up on his second item said that on Page 3
of the staff report, Ordinance No. 1293 indicates the Code requires that e
Certificate of Use`be issued prior to a building permit issuance, which is what
staff is proposing to implement. o ever, sometimes a developer doesn't
know who is going to occupy the building, becausehe's building on
specifications. Therefore, how can a Certificate of Use be issued prior to the
issuance of a building permit. In other words, the building is ready to go but
it's vacant.
r. Ceia replied the language is inserted for like a shell building, stating the
building itself is ready for occupancy. Should a tenant come e in the future,
they will have to do a tenant improvement and obtain a Certificate of
Occupancy for that as well.
Councilman Jonathan reiterated that sometimes buildings are ready to go:
and ready to occupy, but there is no tenant, therefore, it's building- permit
ready. He wants to make sure the language didn't prevent a build ira -per it-
readystructure from getting permitted, just because there wasn't a tenant.
..r
Councilme
yik n JR �yM than stating thoughtX1: ARto YIR R with the section yy y y y�,. alc iW
Harnik
oke
he
per -square -foot fee for affordable Units. He thought the Council allthbrized
the City Manager to negotiate the fee, but not demand it.
Mr. Wohlmuth tl k ♦ working: aw ya +i.,.. for commercial
, r Ma mmercial space yt ,::.Af drges
for anticipated employees in that
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Councilman Jonathan said , e had forgotten to differentiate between the
residential and commercial.
Mayor Weber called for the vote and the motion carried by a - (AYES- Harnik,
Jonathan, Spiegel, Tanner, andWeber; , one):
XV. CONTINUED BUSINESS
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reiterated the fence was her main concern because of the dust that
construction can cause:
Mayor Weber responded staff will address her concerns, further stating that
Palm esert didn't do anything haphazardly.
r. Ceja said the Applicant proposed in his Conditions of Approval to build
six-foot high block wall along the property line. If it's amenable to the
Applicant and City Council, that condition can be amended to address the
timing of the block wall going in prior to grading or construction of building.
With no further public testimony being offered, Mayor Weber declared the public
hearing closed.
Councilman Jonathan said it was a great project at a great location, and it
will be`a good addition to the City. However, he had serious concerns about
the parking. He understood there were parking studies done, but with 1
years on the`Planning Commission, he's seen parking studies come and go,
because there are parking studies and then there is reality, He said the
project was going from 20 units to 47 units, which was more than doubling
with no added parking spaces. Additionally, there is going to be 12
employees and 17 parking spaces, leaving very few parking spaces
available. The reality is that besides employees, there are a lot of vendors
that come and go and use those parking spaces, leaving essentially none for
the residents or their visitors. He believed the City was cresting a problem,
-so he would like to see this reworked in such a way that either the adjacent
property is acquired for parking or the plans are reworked with fewer units.
If one follows the percentage of % of the units having parking, that would
be closer to 40 spaces. Hewasn't suggesting 40, but he believed there was
a certain number than needed to be added to avoid a parking crisis.
Therefore, he suggested the plan be reworked and the developer take
another look at reconfiguring the plan where a certain number of parking"
spaces are added.
Mayor Weber asked if staff wanted to comment on the parking issue,
because she was sure it had been examined.
r. Ceja said the Applicant provided a parking study, but staff id its own
study by visiting the site on different days and times throughout the week,
finding that the parkin"" lot was not full with at least 12 spaces open at any
ive ti e. He pointed out that many of the residents themselves didn't drive
and there is a transit line in close proximity for workers at the site.
Additionally, staff lace a condition that vehicles of residents are; only
allowed if they have a valid driver's license and vehicles are registered y the
resident. Staff believes parking is sufficient at the site, because oft e types
of residents and the fact that most of them are non -drivers.
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Councilman Jonathan commented he read the staff report, stating the
discussion and debate needed to be amongst the Council.
Mayor Weber said she wanted clarification for herself.
ouncil e ber Harnik said she too wondered if there would be an increase
in parking for the new planned units or if it was going to remain the same.
However, she's gene quite often over to Atria, who has a similar situation
with the assisted living, and the Joslyn Center, and seldom as the parking
ever full, therefore, she will trust staffs study. She inquired about the
number of times staff had gone to the site to takea look at the parking
situation.
r. Ceia said staff made reference in the staff report that it went to the site
six separate times, but they have actually been over there more like 20
times, and there have been only four to five cars at any given time. He said
the Applicant can clarify that they have a vehicle there as well to drive
patients to their' appointments, which also reduces the need for vehicle
parking.
Councilman Tanner asked if there were any alternative plans or discussions
to add parking spaces so that the end result was more than adequate
instead of less than adequate.
r. Ceja responded not for additional parking spaces at the site itself. They
did discuss the elimination of driveways, where there is one single driveway
along Catalina, where it frees up pan -street parking in the event there is a
need for overflow on special days and holidays.
s. Aylaian agreed with Councilman Jonathan's initial responses, in that
when the recommendation came through without additional parking, she too
was taken aback and looked into it further: What it brought to mind, was that
about 18 monthsago staff looked at its parking standards across the City for
any different types of uses, one of which was for assisted living facilities.
Staff went out and looked at all ;the assisted living and senior housing ,
facilities to see how the parking was used, She personally went out a
number of times, as she as trying to put together some information, and as
a whole, she believed the City's previous parking standards for these types
of facilities were way over parked. Consistently, the facilities were parked at
30% of their capacity. However, there is one facility in town that is an
exception, Manor Care on Country Club Drive, where there is a problem. or
the rest of them, including this facility, they was consistently at least another
/a of spaces available at various different times of the day. The said the
fact that capacity has doubled with no additional parking spaces, should not
be indicative or necessarily signal there is a problem. he said the problem
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was with the old standards when the City`was requiring ore than what is
actually used for these types of facilities.
Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel said he personally thought it was a great addition to
the City and it couldn't be at a better location,` high was across from the
Joslyn Center.
r. Wohlmuth said this was the appropriate time to modify the condition on
the block wall as part of the motion.
Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel moved to, waive further reading and: 1) Pass Ordinance
o. 1297 to second reading, approving evlop ant Agreement Amendment 15-086, for
a end 'eats to Development Agreement 97-1, and Change of Zone 15-0 6 to apply the
Residential Single -Family ( -2) and Senior Overlay (S.O.) Districts to two properties along
San Pascual_ venue; 2) adopt Resolution No. 2015 - 85, approving Precise Plan 1 -08
and a Notice of Exemption for expansion of the Legend Gardens Senior Living Facility, gs
a ::ended in condition o: 8 to reflect that licant shall install a :six Moot hi block
all alon the southern propert line of the ex anded' facilit ri `r t issuance,
lit r it t I ti I I it Motion as seconded arnik
and carried bya -1 vote Y arnik, i gel, Tanner, and Weber; :Jonathan).
I. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. CITY MANAGER
1 Qgy14gngggLMgg1bg3j4ariesforthe Period of September 1 -2 ,
2015.
r. Wohimuth noted his Meeting Summaries maries epo contained in the
agenda packets and offered to answer questions. Upon'inquiry, he
answered that Joe Funkey was planning o open at least one
(possibly two) barbecue restaurant in the City and was currently
negotiating on purchase of a property bordering on Alessandro.
With City Council concurrence, the City Manager Meeting Summarieswere received
and filed.
2. rin ill uites arriott for r ai field lnn on i wa 111
r. Wohlmuth asked Director of BuildingSafety Russell Grance to
come forward to provide an update on the status of the former
Fairfield Inn along Highway 111, which was involved in a fire last April.
r. _ ranee said that plans were finally approved by the Comity's
consultant on September 4, and now it was awaiting approval from
the ,County Health Department, which was holding up issuance of the
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2015
building permit. However, he said the demolition permit was issued,
so that work should commence soon. Responding to question about
how soon vertical constructionwould commence following demolition,
he hoped that it would be one right after the other.
Council e burs received the information and were pleased to do so in order to be
able to respond to numerous questions in the community.
3. City Staffing
r. Wohlmuth noted that he'd provided City Councilme bers with a
memo alerting them to the fact that Director of Community
Development Lauri Aylaian had submitted her resignation to him
earlier this week, which he sadly accepted, ands e would be taking
a similar position with the City of Palm Springs.e' been focusing
on a recruitment for the Director of Finance, with Mr. Gibson set to
retire in April 2016, and now he's recruiting" for two Department
Heads — one more quickly than the other.
Councilme bers thanked herfor heryears of service and wished Ms. Aylaian all the
best as she moves on to her new position.
B. CITY ATTORNEY
A
0
None
CITY CLERK
None
PUBLIC Y
a Fire C7ep ant
None
2. olic+ De a enfi
=
1. Council Re oasts for ctionlCo ittee e o s/Co ` eats:
a) Councilman Jonathan Reports —
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1) CVAG Executive Committee Meeting - attended September 28 as
an observer and offered words of: appreciation to Councilme 'ber
arnik for representing the City there.
ii) Palm Desert High cool Campus Tour— attended at the invitation
of Principal Bob Hicks; it was amazing and made him look forward to
the upcoming T. ,;(Trustees Reaching Every Community) Tour
where Council e bers will again get to see PDHS close-up.
iii) League of California Cities Annual Conference — attended in
San Jose,September` 30 - October 2, Tong with Councilmembers
arnik, Tanner, and Mayor Weber, which was very productive.
iv) 2 "d Annual - e-Fit Palm Desert Challenge — participated with his
colleagues and many City staffers on Sunday, October 4. Data
received at yesterday'spost-event analysis meeting reflected over
1,000 participants. Last year 700 people participated, which
exceeded the goal of 500 in their first year. This event is amazingly
successful, and Council will get a further report, but the one thing that
can't be reported on or measured was the incredible energy that is
created and exists that day — wide range of people all coming
together to celebrate fitness, health, and the beauty of the City of
Palm ese . Later during Council comments, Councilman Jonathan
heartily congratulated City Senior Management Analyst Ryan Stendell
for all his efforts that made this event so successful.
) General Plan Update - had a phone conversation with Matt Burris
of Raimi + Associates, and glad to see it moving forward. Met with
staff regarding future direction of the retail and commercial space,
especially the City core. Learned e 'lot and excited to see the
direction.
vi) Potential Facade Enhancement Projects et'with staff about
future projects.
Councilof the group this week, moving forward and hopin to come before
- • - •. •
Councilmanon • his input
Councilwisdom are very much appreciated.
viii) Ethics In Public Service Course — attended yesterday here in the
#"
A) Housing Commission — attended yesterday's meeting.
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x) Certified Farmers Market attended ribbon -cutting of the new
Market, which is goingto evening hours every Wednesday,
4. - 8-00 pm. In January they will begin offering beer
sampling from local breweries.
xi) Mini -Muster at Ronald Reagan Elementary School — attended this
morning, wonderful to see how any groups come together for this
important program — Historical Society, Desert Sands School District,
Rotary, Riverside ' County Fire, etc. -- to teach kids how to be safe in
the event of a fire, It saves lives, and the kids really have a ball.
xii) Request for Action -w at upcoming Council Team-Building/Goal-
Setting Sto y Session would like to talk about the dynamic with staff
when Council goes into deliberation prior to taking action. He felt
there was sometimes an unequal balance in this process; and while
e didn't have an issue with staff being available to answer questions
at that point if asked, he didn't think staff should be part of the
discussion/debate on any matter and would like to discuss it at the
retreat.
Councilmembers and Mr. Wohimuth agreed that his request should be shared with
r. Mathis for the upcoming session on October: 30.
b) Council e bet Harnik Reports
1) At September 24 Meeting, she talked about The Living Desert'and
there never being any intention to haves arks at the park. She said
Desert Sun Reporter Sherry Barkascame to her at the conclusion of
the meeting and very professionally and civilly wondered how she
could make that remark. She didn't know what she was talking about
then, but after further research found she had been wrong. In about
20 yearn there will be small species of sharks that are consistent with
the desert ecosystem and Sea of Cortez on hand at The Diving
Desert. She wanted to make sure to report that the ity's Desert Sun
Reporter was absolutely accurate and thanked her for politely calling
it to her attention.
ii) Y-Be-Fit PalmDesert was an amazing event with perfect weather
on Sunday, October 4.
Relay ForPalm Desert was also perfect
October 3. She commended City Senior- Assistant
for • doing •• •e that the
American Cancer Society has been raising money for the cure for
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iv) Riverside County Transportation Commission - attended the
Budget Implementation o mittee Meeting wham funds were
approved for a grade separation in the vicinity of Avenue 60.
v) CVAG Executive Committee Meeting — referred to Councilman
Jonathan's comments above, in that she participated in the three-hour
and 4 - inute long meeting on epte ber 28 that was very
emotionally chard:
c Councilman Tanner Rgpgrts
1) Habitat For Humanity Homes on San Benito — reported that the
project was progressing very well, and he anticipated that they'd be
ready for occupancy very soon. He said the relationship between the
City and Habitat was tremendous, and he was very proud each and
every time he passed the site.
ii) Mini -Muster at Ronald Reagan Elementary School -- said he was
there very early this morning and may have missed Councilman
Jonathan there but wanted to report for the first time at this event
seeing e Riverside County Fire Department's Helicopter land in the
middle of the field at Freedom Park. He believed it was the first time
in the 23-year history of Mini -Muster that the helicopter came down,
and the kids were ecstatic it was unbelievable. He added that he
attended Mini -Muster at one of the other elementary schools earlier
in the week and got absolutely drenched — and it was great too.
iii) Y- e-Fit Palm Desert-- recognized the City team for the excellent
effort given on Sunday. He said the challenge gees out now for
Ryan Stendell and Kevin Swartz to finish the contest next year in less
than an hour. He also challenged that if he could participate at 64
years of age, Eric Ceja should too.
iv) Groundbreaking Ceremony at Golf Center Village in Indio
attended at the suggestion of Tom Freeman and Chandi. He
encouraged is colleagues and staff to get this developer into the City
of Palm Desert even more, noting that he is involved with one of the
restaurants going in downtown. He added that when an is new
venture opens in Indio in the next six months, he will be the single
largest local employer " there, larger than JFK Hospital.
v) Soccer Park Update _ Councilman Tanner reports he'd been at .
the Park the last two Saturday mornings, and the fields look great. He
offered a big shout -out to the ity's Landscape and Maintenance
Crews for their excellent work there. People know he's involved with'
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2015
the City and come up to thank him for condition of the whole
facility — it's all greet.
vi) Pickleball — when he was at Freedom ark at 3:00 a.m. today,
walked over to see the Pickleball players, and they are thrilled with
their courts. Last year when the Mini -Muster was being held in
Freedom ark, the Pickleball courts weren't there yet; somebody
came to him to ask where they should park, as the Pickleballers and
now softball players were also using Freedom ark for practice,
vii) League of California Cities Conference was great®
viii) Living Desert back to normal operating ours of :30 a.m.
4:30 p.m. daily. There have been a lot of changes and will continue
to be. Coming mid -November will be the Butterfly Exhibit that will
include both `do estic acid severalforeign species all the way through
from the larval stage on.
d) MgDLELoT i el Co ants
Denny's Restaurant coming in to the former Elephant Bar
location in the City, and that's a good thing.
e) Mayor Weber Comments
Thanked Mayor Pro Terri Spiegel for filling in on document -
signing duties and the like while she took her first vacation in
some time.;
2. Council Consideration of Travel RAouests and
None
XIX ADJOURNMENT
With City Council concurrence, Mayor Weber adjourned the meeting at 5:12 p.m.
SUSAN MARIE WEBER, MAYOR
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