HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-26 RPEC Regular Meeting MinutesRESOURCE PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
CITY OF PALM DESERT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
August 26, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
Present: Committee Member Estelle Dahl, Committee Member Dean
Gatons, Committee Member Geoffrey Gregory*, Vice-Chair
Vincent Heuring, Committee Member Stephen Nelson*,
Committee Member Donald Ziegler, Chair Berlinda Blackburn,
*Committee Members Gregory and Nelson arrived at 3:04 p.m.
Staff Present: Deputy Director of Economic Development Amy Lawrence,
Recording Secretary Michelle Nance
Liaisons: Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnik
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Resource Preservation and Enhancement Committee was
called to order by Chair Gatons on Monday, August 26, 2024, at 3:01 p.m. in the
Administrative Conference Room, City Hall, located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm
Desert, California.
2. ROLL CALL
3. ELECTION OF THE RESOURCE PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSON
Motion by: Vice -Chair Blackburn
Seconded by: Chair Gatons
To elect Vice-Chair Blackburn as Chairperson.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
Motion by: Committee Member Heuring
Seconded by: Chair Gatons
To elect Committee Member Heuring as Vice-Chairperson.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
4. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
Docusign Envelope ID: A97D0467-78C0-4B59-92AC-B689DCA3066D
Resource Preservation and Enhancement Committee Meeting Minutes
August 26, 2024
2
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Committee Member Gatons requested a clerical change to Item 7A of the minutes
regarding the potential plastic bag ban.
Committee Members Gregory and Nelson arrived at this time of the meeting.
Motion by: Committee Member Dahl
Seconded by: Committee Member Gatons
To approve the consent calendar as amended.
Motion Carried (7 to 0)
5.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approve the Minutes of June 17, 2024.
6. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None.
7. ACTION CALENDAR
7.a CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ARTIFICIAL
TURF/SYNTHETIC GRASS ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
Brad Anderson, resident of Rancho Mirage, spoke in opposition to the proposed
resolution.
Community Services Manager Muir provided a staff report and responded to
member inquiries.
Motion by: Committee Member Dahl
Seconded by: Committee Member Gregory
Recommend that City Council adopt a resolution approving the Administrative
Policy to prohibit the use of artificial turf/synthetic grass in public rights-of-way.
Motion Carried (7 to 0)
7.b RECEIVE AND FILE PRESENTATION ON THE INLAND REGIONAL ENEGRY
NETWORK (I-REN)
Jacob Alvaraz, of Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), narrated
a presentation and responded to member inquiries.
Motion by: Committee Member Gatons
Seconded by: Committee Member Gregory
Receive and file presentation on the Inland Regional Energy Network (I-REN)
Motion Carried (7 to 0)
Docusign Envelope ID: A97D0467-78C0-4B59-92AC-B689DCA3066D
Resource Preservation and Enhancement Committee Meeting Minutes
August 26, 2024
3
7.c RECEIVE AND FILE UPDATE ON COMPREHENSIVE CLIMATE ACTION
PLAN (CCAP)
Deputy Director of Economic Development Lawrence and Jacob Alvaraz, of
Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), provided the staff report
and responded to member inquiries.
Motion by: Committee Member Gatons
Seconded by: Committee Member Dahl
Receive and file update on Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP).
Motion Carried (7 to 0)
7.d RECEIVE AND FILE UPDATE ON THE RESOURCE PRESERVATION AND
ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE’S 2024/2025 WORKPLAN
Deputy Director of Economic Development Lawrence provided a staff report.
Motion by: Committee Member Nelson
Seconded by: Committee Member Dahl
Receive and file update on the Resource Preservation and Enhancement
Committee’s 2024/2025 Workplan.
Motion Carried (7 to 0)
8. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
8.a RESOURCE PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The following items were discussed but do not necessarily reflect the committee's
consensus:
• Coachella Valley Water District's book on water-friendly landscapes;
• City of Palm Desert's Emergency Management guide;
• The need for improved transportation options for residents in North
Palm Desert;
• The importance of both battery-operated and gas generators; and
• The possibility of using the Shops of Palm Desert as an air-conditioned
walking location before opening hours.
8.b CITY COUNCIL LIAISON
Mayor Pro Tem Harnik echoed the committee's comments on the importance of
having multiple generator options and provided an update on current City
projects.
Docusign Envelope ID: A97D0467-78C0-4B59-92AC-B689DCA3066D
Resource Preservation and Enhancement Committee Meeting Minutes
August 26, 2024
4
8.c CITY STAFF
8.c.1 RESOURCE PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
(RPEC) PROJECT/PROGRAM STATUS REPORT FOR AUGUST 2024
Report provided; no action taken on this item.
8.d ATTENDANCE REPORT
Report provided; no action taken on this item.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The Resource Preservation and Enhancement Committee adjourned at 4:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Michelle Nance, Deputy Clerk II
Recording Secretary
_________________________
Amy Lawrence, Deputy Director of Economic Development
Secretary
_________________________
DATE APPROVED BY RESOURCE PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
Docusign Envelope ID: A97D0467-78C0-4B59-92AC-B689DCA3066D
October 21, 2024