HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-16Thursday, February 16, 2023
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Palm Desert City Council (CC),
Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency (SARDA),
and Housing Authority (HA)
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361, this meeting was conducted by teleconference and there
was in-person public access to the meeting location.
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular Meeting of the Palm Desert City Council was called to order by Mayor Kelly
on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, City Hall, located
at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmembers Jan Harnik, Gina Nestande, Karina Quintanilla, and Evan
Trubee; and Mayor Kathleen Kelly.
Absent: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Councilmember Harnik led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INSPIRATION/INVOCATION:
Mayor Kelly offered words of inspiration.
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Hargreaves stated that direction was given by the City Council; no
reportable actions were taken.
PRESENTATIONS:
A.PROCLAMATION – MALCOLM DAVID MACFARLANE DAY
Mayor Kelly congratulated Mr. MacFarlane on his many years of service with the
Citizens on Patrol (COPs) program; expressed the City Council’s gratitude for his
strong sense of volunteerism and civic pride; and presented him with a proclamation
in his honor.
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CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
A.PALM DESERT UNIVERSITY UPDATE
Human Resources Manager Staehle and Human Resources Analyst Molina provided
an update regarding the City’s professional development program and recognized
participating staff in attendance.
B.PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER HOURS AND OPERATIONS UPDATE
Paula Simmonds, Family YMCA of the Desert representative, provided an update of
the modified hours of operation for the Palm Desert Aquatic Center, noted regular
operating hours depended upon sufficient staffing levels for safety, and responded to
City Council inquiries. Palm Desert Aquatic Center Manager Keyes provided
additional information and further responded to City Council inquiries.
MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION:
Councilmember Trubee reported his attendance at the League of California Cities
conference for new mayors and councilmembers and other committee meetings.
Councilmember Harnik reported her attendance at various meetings and highlighted the
dedication of the Palm Desert High School baseball field as Salazar Field in honor of
longtime coach Darrol Salazar.
Mayor Pro Tem Quintanilla noted the need for veterinarians in the area; spoke of her
participation in various events; and thanked staff for presenting the conceptual drawing
for the Palm Desert Visitor Center to the Cultural Arts Committee.
Mayor Kelly informed residents of the City of Palm Desert’s program that reimburses
animal adoption fees paid for animals obtained from county or nonprofit shelters and
rescue groups within the city; acknowledged Engineers’ Week and expressed
appreciation for City engineers and the work they do.
NONAGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Geoffrey Gregory, Palm Desert resident, advised that his neighbor installed a pickleball
court at his rental home and urged the City Council to take immediate action to prohibit
such activity in a residential area.
Linda Alden Cloud, Chair of the Architectural and Design Committee of the Palm Desert
Historical Society, shared information on a walking tour event as part of Modernism Week;
thanked the City Council for the award of a $3,000 grant to produce the Society’s booklet,
and shared information on another tour and the volunteers.
Gregg Akkerman, Palm Desert resident, requested the Council provide an update on
Measure B, voted upon on November 8, 2022.
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Kim McFarland, Palm Desert resident, supported the comments of Mr. Gregory, noting
that a pickleball court should not be allowed at a rental property in a residential area.
1.CONSENT CALENDAR:
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM QUINTANILLA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the consent calendar with the removal of Item
1E for separate discussion.
A.APPROVAL OF FINDINGS RELATIVE TO AB 361 – REMOTE
TELECONFERENCING
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to find that the State of California continues in a
Governor-declared state of emergency to combat the COVID epidemic, that state
and local health officials are recommending social distancing, and that the City
may continue to employ remote teleconferencing.
B.APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY, AND HOUSING
AUTHORITY MINUTES
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Minutes of January 26, 2023.
C.APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to approve warrants issued for the period of
November 26, 2022, through February 2, 2023.
D.ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023002 AUTHORIZING DESTRUCTION OF
OBSOLETE RECORDS FROM THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND HOUSING
DIVISION
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-002 authorizing the
destruction of obsolete records from the Finance Department and Housing
Division pursuant to California Government Code Section 34090.
E.REJECT ALL BIDS SUBMITTED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ONE QUAIL
PLACE PARKING LOT REHABILITATION (PROJECT NO. 81920)
(Housing Authority)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar. Please refer to page 5 of these
minutes for a summary of that action.
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City of Palm Desert Page 4
F.AWARD CONTRACT NO. C44690 TO URBAN HABITAT, INC., OF LA QUINTA,
CALIFORNIA, FOR THE PORTOLA AVENUE AND MAGNESIA FALLS DRIVE
MEDIAN ISLAND LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT
OF $275,978 (PROJECT NO. 93723)
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1.Award Contract No. C44690 to Urban Habitat, Inc., of La Quinta, California, for
the Portola Avenue and Magnesia Falls Drive Median Island Landscape
Installation project in the amount of $275,978.
2.Authorize the Director of Finance to set aside a contingency in the amount of
$55,000 for unforeseen conditions.
3.Authorize the Director of Finance to appropriate $60,000 from the Unassigned
General Fund Reserves to Account No. 1104614-4337001.
4.Authorize the City Manager or designee to review and approve written requests
for the use of contingency per Section 3.30.170 of the Palm Desert Municipal
Code.
5.Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
G.AWARD CONTRACT NO. C44570 TO JACOBSSON ENGINEERING
CONSTRUCTION, INC., OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, FOR THE WHITE
STONE LANE STREET IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $535,122
(PROJECT NO. 51221)
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1.Award Contract No. C44570, including Additive Bid Item #1, to Jacobsson
Engineering Construction, Inc., of Palm Desert, California, for the White Stone
Lane Street Improvements in the amount of $535,122.
2.Authorize the Director of Finance to set aside a contingency in the amount of
$53,500 for unforeseen conditions.
3.Authorize the City Manager to review and approve written requests for the use
of the contingency amount.
4.Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
H.APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT NO. C41690 WITH HR GREEN
PACIFIC, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,375 FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT,
BUILDING, AND PLANNING WORKFLOW DEVELOPMENT, AND TRAKIT
IMPLEMENTATION
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1. Approve an amendment to Contract No. C41690 between HR Green Pacific,
Inc., and the City of Palm Desert in the amount of $44,375 for land
development, building, and planning workflow development, and TrakIT
implementation.
2.Authorize City Manager or designee to execute Contract Amendment No. 3.
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City of Palm Desert Page 5
I.AWARD CONTRACT NO. C44790 TO ESCRIBE SOFTWARE LTD FOR
AGENDA MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1.Award a three-year subscription agreement No. C44790, with an option to
extend the agreement for an additional two-year term, to eScribe Software LTD
for agenda management software.
2.Authorize the City Manager to execute said agreement.
EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR:
E.REJECT ALL BIDS SUBMITTED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ONE QUAIL
PLACE PARKING LOT REHABILITATION (PROJECT NO. 81920)
(Housing Authority)
Rumzi AlAbbasi, Contractor, spoke in objection to the staff recommendation and
requested that the City Council award the project to his company as the lowest
bidder.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
TRUBEE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1.Reject all bids received for the construction of One Quail Place Parking Lot
Rehabilitation.
2.Authorize staff to re-advertise for the construction of One Quail Place Parking
Lot Rehabilitation.
2.ACTION CALENDAR:
A.ADOPT RESOLUTION NOS. 2023003 AND 2023004 APPROVING 2022/23
MIDYEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS AND REVISED STAFF ALLOCATION
SCHEDULE
Finance Director Chavez presented the staff report and responded to City Council
inquiries.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
TRUBEE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1.Adopt Resolution No. 2023-003 approving mid-year budget adjustments for the
Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2023.
2.Adopt Resolution No. 2023-004 approving revised staff allocation schedule for
the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2023.
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B.INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1390 AMENDING THE PALM DESERT
MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE, CLARIFY, AND CODIFY BYLAWS AND
GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR THE CITY’S BOARDS, COMMISSIONS,
COMMITTEES, AND TASK FORCES
City Clerk Mejia presented a staff report and responded to City Council inquiries.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to waive further reading and introduce
Ordinance No. 1390 amending the Palm Desert Municipal Code to update, clarify,
and codify bylaws and general provisions for the City’s boards, commissions,
committees, and task forces.
C.INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1391 REVISING CHAPTER 2.68 OF
THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE RELATIVE TO CULTURAL ARTS
COMMITTEE
Deputy Director of Economic Development Lawrence presented a staff report and
responded to City Council inquiries.
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM QUINTANILLA, SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, CARRIED 5-0, to waive further reading and
introduce Ordinance No. 1391 revising Chapter 2.68 of the Palm Desert Municipal
Code relative to the Cultural Arts Committee.
D.APPROVE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO. C44800 WITH THE COUNTY OF
RIVERSIDE TO PROVIDE CAPITAL FOR FIRE STATION CONSTRUCTION
AND A STAFFING COST SHARE FOR FIRE STATION 102
Assistant City Manager Escobedo narrated a PowerPoint presentation and
responded to City Council inquiries.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1. Approve Cooperative Agreement No. C44800 with the County of Riverside to
provide capital for fire station construction and a staffing cost share for Fire
Station 102.
2.Authorize the City Manager to execute the cooperative agreement.
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City of Palm Desert Page 7
E.AWARD CONTRACT NOS. C44810 AND C44820 TO MULTIPLE VENDORS
FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES OF PUBLIC WORK
PROJECTS FOR AN AGGREGATE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $11,739,394
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM QUINTANILLA, SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER TRUBEE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1. Award Contract No. C44810 to Anser Advisory Management, LLC., of Santa
Ana, California, and Contract No. C44820 to MARRS Services, Inc., of
Fullerton, California, for construction management services of Public Works
projects for a term of two years (2) years with the option to renew for no more
than three (3) additional one-year terms in a combined aggregate amount
between both vendors, not to exceed $11,739,394.
2.Authorize the City Manager to execute said agreements and subsequent task
orders.
3.Direct the City Attorney, Director of Finance, and Director of Public Works to
review annual expenditures and performance of the vendors under said
Agreements.
F.AWARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NO. C44830 TO KIMLEY
HORN AND ASSOCIATES IN THE AMOUNT OF $496,464 FOR A RAIL
STATION FEASIBILITY STUDY
Councilmember Harnik recused herself due to a potential financial conflict and left
the Council Chamber.
Management Analyst Mager narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded
to City Council inquiries.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER TRUBEE, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
QUINTANILLA, CARRIED 4-0-1 (HARNIK RECUSED), to:
1. Award Professional Services Agreement No. C44830 to Kimley-Horn and
Associates of Indian Wells, California, for a rail station feasibility study in the
amount of $496,464 for a one-year term with an option to renew for one (1)
additional one-year term based on satisfactory performance.
2.Authorize the City Manager or designee to review and approve written
amendment requests in an amount not to exceed $49,646.
3.Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute and renew the agreement
and any documents necessary to effectuate the actions taken herewith.
Councilmember Harnik returned to the Council Chamber.
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G.RESCIND RESOLUTION NO. 201889 AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023005
REVISING TAXATION RATES FOR CANNABIS BUSINESSES OPERATING
WITHIN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT
Management Analyst Mager narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to
City Council inquiries.
Paul Cotterell, representing The Leaf, encouraged the City Council to approve the
staff recommendation and thanked them for their work on this item.
Scott Rusczyk, representing the Coachella Valley Cannabis Alliance Network,
supported Mr. Cotterell’s comments.
Kenneth Churchill, representing West Coast Cannabis Club, supported the staff
recommendation to lower cannabis tax to 5%.
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM QUINTANILLA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
HARNIK, CARRIED 5-0, to rescind Resolution No. 2018-89 and adopt Resolution No.
2023-005 revising tax rates for cannabis businesses operating within the City of Palm
Desert.
3.PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A.RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
FIVEYEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS PLAN
YEAR 20232028, INCLUDING PROGRAM YEAR 20232024 ANNUAL ACTION
PLAN AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
Maria Gallegos, Michael Baker & Associates consultant, narrated a PowerPoint
presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.
Mayor Kelly opened the public hearing.
Norma Biegel, representing Operation SafeHouse, spoke about her organization and
thanked the City Council for their consideration of a grant request.
Laura Nickerson, representing the Desert AIDS Project, spoke about his organization
and thanked the City Council for their consideration of a grant request.
Jack Newby, representing the Joslyn Center, spoke about his organization and
thanked the Cove Communities Services Commission and the City Council for their
consideration of a grant request.
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM QUINTANILLA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
HARNIK, CARRIED 5-0, to open the public hearing and receive comments regarding
the development of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan and Analysis of Impediments
Plan Year 2023-2028, including Program Year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan and the
Community Development Block Grant Program.
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INFORMATION ITEMS:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
The City Council adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Níamh M. Ortega
Assistant City Clerk/Assistant Secretary
ATTEST:
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk/Secretary
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL: 3/9/2023
Anthony Mejia (Apr 17, 2023 08:31 PDT)
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