HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2025-020RESOLUTION NO. 2025-020
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY CLRK-
003 - LEGISLATIVE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL LETTERS
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert frequently receives requests to issue letters
of support or opposition for legislation, funding applications, and initiatives advanced by
other agencies, jurisdictions, or regional partners; and
WHEREAS, the City has historically relied on an informal process for evaluating and
authorizing such correspondence, often involving the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish a consistent, transparent, and
accountable framework to guide the issuance of such letters while complying with the
Ralph M. Brown Act and the Palm Desert Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, Administrative Policy CLRK-003 – Legislative and Intergovernmental
Letters, attached hereto as Exhibit “A,” formalizes existing practices, provides procedures
for Councilmember notification and input, and clarifies the authority of the Mayor, Mayor
Pro Tem, and City Manager in the issuance of legislative correspondence.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. That the foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated
herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby approves Administrative Policy CLRK-003
– Legislative and Intergovernmental Letters, attached hereto as Exhibit “A,” and
incorporated herein by this reference.
ADOPTED ON APRIL 10, 2025.
JAN C. HARNIK
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
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I, Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 2025-020 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a
regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert on April 10, 2025, by the
following vote:
AYES: NESTANDE, PRADETTO, QUINTANILLA, TRUBEE, AND HARNIK
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
RECUSED: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of Palm Desert, California, on ___________________.
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
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4/13/2025
Resolution No. 2025-020 Page 3
Exhibit A
CITY OF PALM DESERT
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
Subject Legislative and Intergovernmental Letters
Policy No. CLRK-003
Date Issued: April 10, 2025
Amended: N/A
Approved by Resolution No. {2025-020}
Authored by City Clerk Department
I. PURPOSE
To establish a consistent and transparent process for reviewing, approving, and
issuing legislative and intergovernmental letters on behalf of the City of Palm Desert.
This includes letters of support or opposition related to pending legislation, regional
initiatives, partner agency projects, and funding requests.
II. SCOPE
This policy applies to all departments and officials involved in the preparation and
issuance of formal correspondence representing the City’s position on legislative
matters, intergovernmental partnerships, or project-related funding efforts.
III. DEFINITIONS
A. Legislative/Intergovernmental Letters: Formal correspondence expressing
support or opposition to proposed legislation, initiatives, or projects initiated by
external jurisdictions or agencies, such as regional hospitals, universities (e.g.,
California State University, University of California, Riverside), the Coachella
Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), or other cities.
B. City-Initiated Projects: Projects or funding efforts led by the City of Palm Desert.
C. Controversial: Politically sensitive items that have divided community interest
or may significantly impact the City’s policies, resources, or strategic direction.
IV. GENERAL POLICIES
A. Authorization for Issuance: The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem may authorize
time-sensitive legislative or intergovernmental letters on behalf of the City.
Letters authorized by the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem shall be placed on the next
available City Council agenda for formal ratification.
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If the City Council does not ratify a previously issued letter, the letter shall be
considered withdrawn. The City Clerk shall notify the requesting agency in
writing that the City Council did not ratify the correspondence.
B. Handling of Controversial or Split-Support Letters:
1) If the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are not in agreement on a letter, or if the
matter is deemed controversial, the item shall be agendized for City Council
discussion and direction.
2) If both the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem oppose the issuance of a letter, the
matter shall not proceed unless a member of the City Council independently
requests that the item be placed on a future agenda. In such cases, the City
Manager or City Clerk shall agendize the matter in accordance with the Palm
Desert Municipal Code § 2.36.060.
C. City Manager Safeguard Role: The City Manager may direct that any
proposed letter, regardless of support from the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, be
submitted to the City Council for consideration, particularly if the matter is
politically sensitive or controversial.
D. Exception for City-Initiated Funding Support: At the request of City staff, the
Mayor may sign letters requesting funding or grants for City-initiated projects
without City Council ratification.
E. Councilmember Notification and Input (Non-Deliberative):
In the interest of transparency, a draft legislative or intergovernmental letter
proposed for issuance by the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem will be distributed by the
City Manager or City Clerk to the remaining City Councilmembers for individual
review, if time permits. Councilmembers may raise individual concerns or
objections to the City Manager or City Clerk. Staff shall not share other
Councilmembers' positions or facilitate discussion outside a public meeting. If any
concern is raised, the City Manager or City Clerk shall notify the Mayor and Mayor
Pro Tem that a concern was received. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem may then:
1) Proceed with the letter as drafted
2) Agendize the item for City Council consideration
3) Revise or withhold the letter
V. TRANSACTIONAL PROCEDURES
A. Departments may propose letters for consideration, which shall be routed
through the City Manager and City Clerk for coordination.
B. The City Clerk shall maintain a record of all legislative and intergovernmental
letters issued, including those authorized administratively and those ratified by
the City Council.
C. Letters requiring ratification shall be placed on the next available City Council
agenda, typically under the Consent Calendar, unless otherwise requested.
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