HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-28 RPEC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT
RESOURCE PRESERVATION & ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
Monday, February 28, 2022 – 3:00 P.M.
ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Dean Gatons called the meeting to order at 3:13 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Absent:
Chair Dean Gatons Vice Chair James Henderson
Member Berlinda Blackburn Vincent Heuring
Member Dennis Guinaw Evan Trubee
Member Mel Mason
Member David O’Donnell
Also Present:
Jan C. Harnik, Mayor
Gina Nestande, Councilmember
Amy Lawrence, Special Programs Manager
Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary
Trisha Stull, Management Analyst
Andy Ramirez, Deputy Director of Public Works
Bertha Gonzalez, Management Analyst
Deborah Glickman, Management Analyst
John King, SCE
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Lawrence reported that staff received an email from Palm Desert High School
student Jensen Fiskin and read it into the record.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. MINUTES of the Resource Preservation & Enhancement Committee
meeting of October 18, 2021.
Rec: Approve as presented.
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RESOURCE PRESERVATION & ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 28, 2022
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Member Blackburn moved to approve the Minutes of the regular
meeting held on October 18, 2021. Motion was seconded by Member Mason
and carried 5-0-3 with Blackburn, Gatons, Guinaw, Mason, and O’Donnell
voting AYE; with Members Henderson, Heuring, and Trubee ABSENT.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. CONSIDERATION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO THE CITY
COUNCIL THAT IT ADOPT A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF NET
ENERGY METERING
Ms. Stull reported that the Resolution in support of net energy metering was
presented to the City Council at its February 24, 2022 meeting by the
Assistant City Manager and was approved unanimously by the City Council.
No action was necessary.
B. CONSIDERATION TO RECOMMEND PRESENTATION ON THE LS-1
OPTION E PROGRAM TO THE CITY COUNCIL
Mr. Ramirez gave a presentation regarding the LS-1 Option E Program.
It was requested by Mayor Harnik that staff include, in the staff report to the
City Council, the locations of the streetlights that will be replaced in order
for the City Council to review the locations prior to the meeting.
Member Guinaw moved to authorize staff to: 1. Present the LS-1
Option E program to the City Council; 2. Recommend the City Council adopt
in the Municipal Code 4000 Kelvin color temperature as the City’s standard
for all streetlights; and 3. Recommend the City Council direct staff to secure
a streetlighting consultant to geo-locate all City-owned LS-2/LS-3 streetlight
locations and develop photometric requirements prior to retrofitting any
outstanding streetlight fixtures to LED technology. Motion was seconded by
Member Mason and carried 5-0-3 with Blackburn, Gatons, Guinaw, Mason,
and O’Donnell voting AYE; with Members Henderson, Heuring, and Trubee
ABSENT.
C. REQUEST FOR INPUT REGARDING A BICYCLE RACK INCENTIVE
PROGRAM FOR PRIVATE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES
Ms. Glickman reported that the bicycle rack incentive program for private
commercial properties was presented to the City Council at its January 13,
2022 meeting, and the City Council directed staff to bring the item to this
Committee for feedback before moving forward. Ms. Glickman presented
several bike rack options to which the members provided feedback.
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
RESOURCE PRESERVATION & ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 28, 2022
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No motion necessary.
D. RECEIVE AND FILE INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON SB 1383
IMPLEMENTATION
Ms. Stull stated that the informational report was included in the agenda
packet.
Member Mason moved to receive and file the informational report on
SB 1383. Motion was seconded by Member Blackburn and carried 5-0-3 with
Blackburn, Gatons, Guinaw, Mason, and O’Donnell voting AYE; with
Members Henderson, Heuring, and Trubee ABSENT.
VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS
NONE
VII. OLD BUSINESS
NONE
VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. STAFF
1. Project Status Report
Ms. Lawrence asked if there were any questions regarding any of the
items from the Project Status Report.
- Staff Reorganization
- Gas Powered Lawn Equipment Ban
- National Wildlife Federation’s Mayor’s Monarch Pledge
- November 2021 Document Shredding Event Stats
- City Council Study Session on Environmental Initiatives
- 2022 Meeting Schedule
Upon question by Member Blackburn, Ms. Lawrence responded that she
will inquire about the Monarch Pledge and how the garden transpired.
B. City Council Members
Councilmember Nestande made note of the following upcoming events.
Music and wine tasting on Saturday nights at the Gardens on El Paseo;
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
RESOURCE PRESERVATION & ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 28, 2022
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Fashion Week El Paseo; and the Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival. She
added that Presidents’ Plaza should be completed soon.
Mayor Harnik noted that the Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival is March
5, at Civic Center Park.
The City Council had its goal setting sessions and is looking at an Active
Transportation Program throughout the entire city. Mayor Harnik noted that
it would be beneficial for this committee to work with Randy Chavez,
Landscape Supervisor, to create a plant palette for guidance to the
developers regarding suggested flora and fauna.
C. Committee Members
Chair Gatons thanked the City for the BrightSide newsletter that included
an informational flyer from Burrtec.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
With Committee concurrence, Chair Gatons adjourned the meeting at 4:26 p.m.
Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary