HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-09
Thursday, March 9, 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 2449, 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, March 9, 2023, at 4:00 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.
* Due to family care, Councilmember Nestande participated remotely.
Absent: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Pro Tem Quintanilla led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INSPIRATION/INVOCATION:
Councilmember Harnik offered words of inspiration.
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Kelly noted due to the cancellation of the closed session, there was no report.
PRESENTATIONS:
A. COLLEGE OF THE DESERT FREE ONLINE LANDSCAPING CERTIFICATION
TRAINING
Veronica Izurieta, representing Partnership and Community Education (PaCE),
narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding their free online Landscaping
Certification program.
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CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
A. PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE UPDATE
City Manager Hileman noted the promotion of Randy Chavez to the position of Public
Works Deputy Director and Shawn Muir to Community Services Manager.
Director Alvarez narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding the City’s maintenance
activities.
B. PALM DESERT 50TH ANNIVERSARY UPDATE/MCCALLUM THEATRE UPDATE
Tourism & Marketing Manager Soule provided an update on various events planned
for the City of Palm Desert’s 50th anniversary; displayed a slide depicting the new
McCallum Theatre mural.
C. LICENSE PLATE READER UPDATE
Lt. Willison narrated a PowerPoint presentation relative to Automated License Plate
Readers (ALPR) and their success in recent investigations and responded to City
Council inquiries.
MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION:
Councilmembers Harnik and Trubee and Mayor Pro Tem Quintanilla reported on their
attendance at various meetings and events.
Councilmember Nestande encouraged residents to participate in the upcoming
community input sessions regarding Desert Willow Golf Resort, noting that the input and
feedback will be reported at a future City Council meeting.
Mayor Kelly reported on her attendance at various meetings and events and thanked staff
for their participation in the recent Homelessness Point-in-Time Count.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Judy Almquist, Palm Desert resident, spoke in opposition to Desert Willow Golf Resort’s
Champions Club membership limits, and expressed her appreciation for the planned input
sessions.
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1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Mejia requested that the City Council add Consent Item No. 1Q related to
a letter of support for the City of Indian Wells Community Funding Request for the
Whitewater Channel Lining Project, noting that the matter came to the attention of the
City after the posting of the agenda and there is a need to take immediate action.
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM QUINTANILLA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
HARNIK, CARRIED 5-0, to add consideration of a letter of support for the City of Indian
Wells Community Funding Request for the Whitewater Channel Lining Project to the
Consent Calendar as Item 1Q.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the consent calendar with the removal of Item
1F and 1O for separate discussion.
A. 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 February 16, 2023.
B. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to approve warrants issued for the period of October
10, 2022, through February 16, 2023.
C. APPOINT THREE DIRECTORS TO THE EL PASEO PARKING AND BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to appoint Rebecca Elliot, Michelle Whittaker, and
Alec Longmuir to the Board of Directors of the El Paseo Parking and Business
Improvement District, each for three-year terms expiring June 30, 2026.
D. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION 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
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to waive the second reading of the ordinance text in
its entirety and read by title only; and adopt Ordinance No. 1390.
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E. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1391 REVISING
CHAPTER 2.68 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE RELATIVE TO
THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to waive the second reading of the ordinance text in
its entirety and read by title only; and adopt Ordinance No. 1391.
F. APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF THE DONATION OF ASSESSOR PARCEL
NUMBERS 628-030-009 (5.18 ACRES) AND 628-030-011 (4 ACRES) FROM
SLAUGHTER FAMILY TRUST TO THE CITY OF PALM DESERT
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Please refer to Page 7 of these minutes for additional information.
G. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-006 DECLARING CITY OF PALM DESERT
OWNED PROPERTIES WITH ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBERS 627-102-017
AND 627-102-025 SURPLUS LAND AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO RELEASE
A NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY FOR THE SALE OF THE PROPERTIES
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-006 declaring City of Palm Desert properties with
Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 627-102-017 and 627-102-025 surplus land for
purposes of the Surplus Land Act.
2. Authorize staff to release a Notice of Availability for the sale of the properties.
H. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-007 ESTABLISHING 2023 CITY COUNCIL
GOALS
City Clerk Mejia noted Mayor Kelly nominated Councilmember Harnik and Mayor
Kelly to serve on an ad hoc subcommittee related to City Events as noted in the
Q&A Memo distributed prior to the meeting and posted online.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-007 establishing the City Council Goals for the
2023 calendar year.
2. Appoint Mayor Kelly and Councilmember Harnik to an Ad Hoc Council
Subcommittee to work with staff regarding development of and opportunities
to enhance City-sponsored events; and marketing of existing and new City-
sponsored event.
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I. RECEIVE AND FILE THE CITY OF PALM DESERT AUDITED ANNUAL
COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT (ACFR) FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDED JUNE 30, 2022
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to receive and file the Audited Comprehensive
Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
J. RECEIVE AND FILE THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON
AGREED-UPON PROCEDURES PERFORMED ON THE MEASURE A
TRANSPORTATION FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2022
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to receive and file the Independent Accountants’
Report on Agreed-Upon Procedures Performed on the Measure A Transportation
Fund for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
K. ACCEPT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, RELEASE THE FAITHFUL
PERFORMANCE, THE LABOR AND MATERIALS, THE GRADING BONDS,
AND ACCEPT A MAINTENANCE BOND FOR EXTRA SPACE STORAGE
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1. Accept public improvements.
2. Release the Faithful Performance Bond in the amount of $8,263.50 and the
Labor and Materials Bond in the amount of $16,527.00.
3. Release the Grading Bond in the amount of $6,821.55.
4. Accept the Maintenance Bond in the amount of $1,652.70.
L. RESOLUTION NO. 2023-008 OPPOSING INITIATIVE NO. 21-0042A1, A
NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT MEASURE THAT JEOPARDIZES CITIES’ ABILITY
TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to: adopt Resolution No. 2023-008 opposing Initiative
No. 21-0042A1, a November 2024 statewide ballot measure that jeopardizes
cities’ ability to provide essential services and infrastructure.
M. LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION
OF GOVERNMENTS’ COMMUNITY FUNDING REQUEST FOR THE SOCAL
COMPREHENSIVE GOODS MOVEMENT PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION
STRATEGY UPDATE
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for
the Southern California Association of Governments’ (SCAG) Community Funding
request for the SoCal Comprehensive Goods Movement Plan and Implementation
Strategy update.
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N. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A THREE-YEAR
AGREEMENT NO. C44940 WITH ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
INSTITUTE, INC. FOR AN ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT SOFTWARE LICENSE
IN THE AMOUNT OF $178,800
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to authorize the City Manager to enter into a three -
year agreement, No. C44940, with Environmental Systems Research Institute,
Inc. for an Enterprise Agreement Software License, in the amount of $178,800
plus taxes, to provide unlimited software licenses, maintenance, support, training,
and technical assistance for Geographic Information Systems initiatives.
O. REQUEST FOR OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR MAYOR PRO TEM
QUINTANILLA TO ATTEND THE 40TH ANNUAL NALEO CONFERENCE JULY
11-13, 2023, IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion.
Please refer to Page 7 of these minutes for additional information.
P. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE CITY MANAGER’S EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT NO. C41110 EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2023
In accordance with the Brown Act, City Clerk Mejia provided an oral report
summarizing the City Manager’s compensation and benefits as follows:
Increase to annual salary by $24,000 to a total of $305,000.
Existing benefits include 200 hours of vacation per year; City contribution of
$1,500 per month to City Manager’s 401a retirement plan; and the same
medical, health, and retiree health benefits provided to other exec utive
management employees.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to approve Amendment No. 2 to the City Manager’s
Employment Agreement No. C41110 with L. Todd Hileman effective
March 1, 2023.
Q. LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE CITY OF INDIAN WELLS COMMUNITY
FUNDING REQUEST FOR THE WHITEWATER CHANNEL LINING PROJECT
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
NESTANDE, CARRIED 5-0, to authorize the Mayor to sign a Letter of Support for
the City of Indian Wells Community Funding Request for the Whitewater Channel
Lining Project.
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EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR:
F. APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF THE DONATION OF ASSESSOR PARCEL
NUMBERS 628-030-009 (5.18 ACRES) AND 628-030-011 (4 ACRES) FROM
SLAUGHTER FAMILY TRUST TO THE CITY OF PALM DESERT
City Clerk Mejia noted a correction to the staff recommendation to accept the land
donation from the Slaughter Family Trust.
Councilmember Harnik noted that the Slaughter Family Trust donated their private
land to the City of Palm Desert to be used as a regional park, and expressed her
gratitude on behalf of the City to the family for their kindness and generosity to the
community.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY MAYOR KELLY,
CARRIED 5-0, to:
1. Approve acceptance of the donation of Assessor Parcel Numbers (APN) 628 -
030-009 (5.18 acres) and 628-030-011 (4 acres) to the City of Palm Desert
from Slaughter Family Trust.
2. Authorize the City Manager to sign the Donation Letter, subject to the
satisfaction of the City Attorney.
O. REQUEST FOR OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR MAYOR PRO TEM
QUINTANILLA TO ATTEND THE 40TH ANNUAL NALEO CONFERENCE JULY
11-13, 2023, IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
TRUBEE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1. Direct the Council Subcommittee (Mayor Kelly and Councilmember Harnik) to
review and revise the travel policy guidelines for consideration at the
April 13, 2023, City Council meeting.
2. Continue the request for authorization of out-of-state travel for Mayor Pro Tem
Quintanilla to attend the 40th annual National Association of Latino Elected and
Appointed Officials (NALEO) Conference to the April 13, 2023, City Council
meeting.
2. ACTION CALENDAR:
A. REQUEST FOR DIRECTION ON APPOINTMENT OF A POET LAUREATE
Economic Development Deputy Director Lawrence presented the staff report and
responded to City Council inquiries.
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM QUINTANILLA, SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER HARNIK, CARRIED 5-0, to appoint Mayor Pro Tem
Quintanilla and Councilmember Harnik to a subcommittee to bring back
recommendations to the City Council on a process for selection a poet laureate.
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3. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
The City Council adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Níamh M. Ortega
Assistant City Clerk/Assistant Secretary
ATTEST:
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk/Secretary
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL: 03/23/2023
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