HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-11Palm Desert City Council Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2024
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Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment
Agency, and Housing Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2024, 3:30 p.m.
Present: Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnik, Councilmember Kathleen Kelly,
Councilmember Gina Nestande, Councilmember Evan Trubee,
and Mayor Karina Quintanilla
1. CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION - 3:30 P.M.
A Regular Meeting of the Palm Desert City Council was called to order by Mayor
Quintanilla on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, City Hall,
located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
None.
3. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Quintanilla adjourned to Closed Session at 3:30 p.m.
4. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
The following items were considered in closed session:
4.a Closed Session Meeting Minutes: December 14, 2023
4.b Conference with Real Property Negotiations pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.8
4.b.1 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: 72559 HIGHWAY 111, PALM DESERT
4.b.2 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: DESERT WILLOW LOT PAD B, APN 620-
400-008, -023
4.b.3 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: DESERT WILLOW LOT PADS C, D, AND E
5. ROLL CALL - REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Trubee led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. INSPIRATION
Mayor Pro Tem Harnik provided words of inspiration.
8. REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Shah stated that no reportable actions were taken by the City Council.
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9. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS
9.a COACHELLA VALLEY MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT
UPDATE
Doug Walker, Palm Desert's appointee for the Coachella Valley Mosquito &
Vector Control District (CVMVCD), introduced Jeremy Witte, CVMVCD General
Manager. Mr. Wittie narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City
Council inquiries.
10. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
None.
11 . MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION
Councilmembers reported on their attendance at various meetings and events.
Councilmember Trubee reported Palm Desert High School would host a World Guard
International competition in March 2024; thanked staff for their work on the recent Fred
Waring Drive project. Mayor Pro Tem Harnik reported that the Federal Rail
Administration added the CV Rail project to the Federal Corridor Identification and
Development program, and CalTrans was awarded a $500,000 grant for project
planning. She also encouraged residents to provide input for Connect SoCal. Mayor
Quintanilla noted the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce would make labor law
posters available to all businesses.
12. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Barbara Wasserkrug, Palm Desert resident, spoke about the hazards of chemtrails in
the atmosphere.
Ken Seumalo, Public Works Director for City of Indian Wells, thanked the Public Works
staff and the Riverside County Sheriff's department for their assistance with traffic
control at a recent special event that took place at Southwest Community Church.
13. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
To approve the consent calendar as presented.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.a APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY, AND HOUSING
AUTHORITY MINUTES
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Approve the Minutes of December 14, 2023.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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13.b APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Approve the warrants issued for the period 10/31/2023 to 1/4/2024.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.c ADOPT RESOLUTION FOR RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT
SCHEDULE AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGETS FOR THE FISCAL PERIOD
FROM JULY 1, 2024, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025, PURSUANT TO HEALTH
AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 34177 AND TAKING CERTAIN RELATED
ACTIONS
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Adopt Resolution No. SA-RDA 102 for Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule
and Administrative Budgets for the fiscal period from July 1, 2024, through June
30, 2025, and taking certain related actions.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.d NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE (PROJECT
NO. CST00004)
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Receive and file update on the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.e ACCEPT CONTRACT NO. C44890 WITH HORIZON PROFESSIONAL
LANDSCAPE, INC., FOR THE DESERT WILLOW PERIMETER LANDSCAPE
RENOVATION PHASE II PROJECT AS COMPLETE AND AUTHORIZE THE
CITY CLERK TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION (PROJECT NO. 871-23
/ CLS00001)
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. Accept the Desert Willow Perimeter Landscape Renovation Phase II
Project as complete.
2. Authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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13.f ACCEPT CONTRACT NO. C44690 WITH URBAN HABITAT, INC., FOR THE
PORTOLA AVENUE AND MAGNESIA FALLS DRIVE MEDIAN ISLAND
LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION PROJECT AS COMPLETE AND AUTHORIZE
THE CITY CLERK TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION (PROJECT NO.
937-23/MLS00027)
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. Accept the Portola Avenue and Magnesia Falls Drive Median Island
Landscape Installation Project as complete.
2. Authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.g APPROVE UP TO SEVEN ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY WAIVERS TO PALM
DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 9.58.010 AND 9.58.020 FOR THE
SALE AND CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AT THE HENDERSON BUILDING
LOCATED AT 72559 HIGHWAY 111 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. Authorize the City Manager to approve up to an additional seven
temporary event waivers to Palm Desert Municipal Code Sections
9.58.010 and 9.58.020 (Consumption/Possession of Alcoholic Beverages
on Public Property) at the Henderson Building (72559 Highway 111) as
needed for fiscal year 2023/2024.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the California Department of
Alcoholic Beverage Control documents or other documents to effectuate
the action herein, as required.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.h EXPAND THE UNITE PALM DESERT BICYCLE INCENTIVE PROGRAM
FUNDS TO BE USED BY THE CITY FOR PLACEMENT OF BICYCLE RACKS
ON CITY PROPERTY
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Expand the use of the Unite Palm Desert Bicycle Incentive Program funds to
allow the City to purchase and place bicycle racks on public property.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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13.i REALLOCATE $5,000 OF UNITE PALM DESERT SECURITY CAMERA
GRANT FUNDS FOR A MISTER SYSTEM GRANT PROGRAM
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. Reallocate $5,000 of Unite Palm Desert Security Camera Grant Program
(UPDSC) funds to a mister system grant program that grants up to $500
per commercial business/property owner to purchase and install misters at
their location.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute any and all documents related to a
mister system grant program.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.j ACCEPTANCE OF A RESIGNATION FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE AND MARKETING COMMITTEE - APPOINTMENT TO THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. With regret, accept the resignation of Gary Bindman from the Public
Safety Committee.
2. With regret, accept the resignation of Erin Scott from the Marketing
Committee.
3. Appoint Stephen Nelson to the Public Safety Committee to fill the
unscheduled vacancy for the term ending June 30, 2025.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.k APPROVE OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER
TO PROMOTE PALM DESERT FOOD AND WINE
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Authorize out-of-state travel for the Public Affairs Manager to travel to New York
City to promote Palm Desert Food & Wine at the James Beard House in
conjunction with Palm Springs Life and Visit Greater Palm Springs.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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14. ACTION CALENDAR
14.a APPROVE A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE SECOND REVISED AND
RESTATED DISPOSITION AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF PALM DESERT AND DESERT WAVE VENTURES, LLC
Economic Development Director Ceja presented a staff report and responded to
City Council inquiries.
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. Approve the Second Amendment to the Second Revised and Restated
DDA between the City of Palm Desert and Desert Wave Ventures, LLC.
2. Authorize the Mayor to execute said Agreements.
3. Authorize the City Manager to make non-substantive changes to the
Second Amendment to the Second Revised and Restated DDA as needed
prior to execution by the Mayor.
4. Authorize the City Manager to draft, negotiate, and execute other
supporting agreements that may be required by the DDA.
5. Authorize the City Manager to execute said agreements.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
14.b AWARD CONTRACT NO. C46970 TO ALTA PLANNING + DESIGN INC. TO
DEVELOP PALM DESERT VISION ZERO STRATEGY IN THE AMOUNT OF
$948,920, AND APPROPRIATE $66,980 IN MEASURE A FUND REVENUE
(PROJECT NO. GSS00001/CST00018)
Project Manager Gerry presented a staff report and responded to City Council
inquiries.
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Trubee
1. Award Contract No. C46970 to Alta Planning + Design, Inc., of Los
Angeles, California, to develop Palm Desert Vision Zero Strategy in the
amount of $948,920.
2. Authorize the Finance Director to appropriate funds in the amount $66,980
from unobligated Measure A Fund Balance to Account No. 21343000 -
4000910, Safe Routes.
3. Authorize the City Attorney to make any necessary non -monetary changes
to the agreement.
4. Authorize City Manager or designee to execute agreement and any
documents necessary to effectuate actions taken herewith.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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14.c REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK AND DIRECTION REGARDING UPDATING
ZONING AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS REGARDING CANNABIS
MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES
Development Services Director Cannone narrated a PowerPoint presentation
and responded to City Council inquiries.
Jocelyn Kane, Coachella Valley Cannabis Network (CVCAN) Board Vice
President, spoke against staff's recommendation and stated it would not bring
additional business to the area, asked that the City Council not be overly reactive
to a recent fire at a cannabis-related business.
Scot Rsuczyk, CVCAN Board President, spoke about the desire to balance the
need for public safety with allowing businesses to grow, and shared information
about their programs and meetings.
Kenneth Churchill, West Coast Cannabis Club and CVCAN Board Member,
spoke about his businesses' conformance to the City's regulations and
expressed concern regarding potential limitations placed on the retail portion of
his businesses.
City Manager Hileman clarified that retail operations at existing microbusinesses
are not affected by staff's recommendation, and confirmed that the State of
California has shifted the responsibility of inspection, oversight and compliance to
the City.
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Harnik
Direct staff to proceed with amendments to the Palm Desert Municipal Code
(PDMC) to:
a. Prohibit cannabis manufacturing businesses
b. Add Cannabis Microbusiness as a use that could be permitted through a
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in Service Industrial only with the following
use limitations:
i. Limited to one (1) business
ii. No retail storefront, delivery only [Note: cannabis retail is prohibited in
SI].
iii. Manufacturing is limited to packaging and labeling.
c. Update/clarify any inconsistent code sections.
d. Establish an annual fee of $2,760 for cannabis regulatory permits for
Microbusinesses and Distribution businesses to cover the cost of semi-
annual inspections.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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14.d APPROVE THE 2024 LIST OF SOCIAL MEDIA COMMEMORATIONS
Public Affairs Manager Soule narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded
to City Council inquiries.
Mayor Quintanilla expressed her opposition to commemorating Columbus Day
on social media and support for celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. Direct staff to commemorate Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day
and sensitively incorporate the comments from the City Council.
2. Approve the list of social media commemorations planned for 2024.
NOES (1): Mayor Quintanilla
Motion Carried (4 to 1)
15. PUBLIC HEARINGS
15.a PALM DESERT REDISTRICTING 2023: PUBLIC HEARING #5 REGARDING
REDISTRICTING OF CITY COUNCIL BOUNDARIES – CONSIDERATION OF
ADOPTING A CITY COUNCIL ELECTION DISTRICT BOUNDARIES MAP AND
ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION (TO COMMENCE AT 4:30 P.M. OR SOON
THEREAFTER)
Mayor Quintanilla opened the public hearing.
City Clerk Mejia narrated a PowerPoint presentation and respon ded to City
Council inquiries.
Michael Stafford, Palm Desert resident, spoke in opposition to Map 109
Renumbered B, and requested the introduction of Map 102c as an additional
focus map.
Debbie Green, Palm Desert resident, spoke in favor of introducing Map 102c as
an additional focus map and in opposition to Map 109 Renumbered B.
Mayor Quintanilla closed the public hearing, there being no other member of the
public wishing to speak.
Mayor Kelly thanked the City Clerk for his guidance through the process, and
thanked all residents for their participation. She assured residents that the City
Council has been monitoring the school boundary issue for a number of years,
and established a subcommittee to work with the school districts to determine if
the boundaries could be redrawn and learned it could not easily be done due to
funding issues for each school district. She also noted District 4 Fred Waring
Drive as a major commuter artery, and noted similar traffic safety issues on Fred
Waring Drive, Cook Street, and commuter difficulties at the north end of the
District 4, demonstrating a community of interest surrounding traffic issues.
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Mayor Pro Tem Harnik noted that District 4 also shares a unique border with
Indian Wells in addition to the traffic issues on Fred Waring Drive.
Motion by: Councilmember Kelly
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Harnik
1. Adopt “Map 109 Renumbered B” as the City Council election district
boundaries map.
2. Introduce Ordinance No. 1406 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
SECTION 2.38.040 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATED TO BY-DISTRICT ELECTIONS, DEFINING DISTRICT
BOUNDARIES, AND SCHEDULING ELECTIONS WITHIN THE
DISTRICTS.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
16. INFORMATION ITEMS
17. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 6:07 p.m.
18. PUBLIC NOTICES
_________________________
Níamh M. Ortega
Assistant City Clerk/Assistant Secretary
_________________________
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk/Secretary
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