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Home My WebLink About2025-04-10Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, and Board of Library Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes April 10, 2025, 3:30 p.m. Present: Mayor Jan Harnik, Councilmember Gina Nestande, Mayor Pro Tem Evan Trubee, Councilmember Karina Quintanilla, Councilmember Joe Pradetto 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 Harnik on Thursday, April 10, 2025, 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 Harnik adjourned to Closed Session at 3:30 p.m. 4. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA 4.a Closed Session Meeting Minutes: March 27, 2025 4.b Conference with Legal Counsel regarding Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)1 4.c Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation 4.d Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation 5. ROLL CALL - REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M. 6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Pro Tem Trubee led the Pledge of Allegiance. 7. INSPIRATION Mayor Harnik provided words of inspiration. 8. REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION City Attorney Shah stated that direction was given by the City Council; no reportable actions were taken. 9. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS 9.a NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK PROCLAMATION Mayor Harnik presented a Proclamation to Library Services Director Shaffer declaring April 6–12, 2025, as National Library Week. Docusign Envelope ID: 9328E6E8-E93C-4157-8350-67D4C13A03EC City Council Meeting Minutes April 10, 2025 2 9.b MCCALLUM THEATRE UPDATE Robert McConnaughey and Kajsa Thuresson-Frery, representing McCallum Theatre, provided an update on the McCallum Theatre and responded to Councilmember inquiries. 10. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Chief Beverlin, of Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department expressed appreciation to City staff and the City Council for the groundbreaking event of Fire Station 102 and provided an update on the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating and responded to Councilmember inquiries. 11. MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION Councilmembers provided updates on their attendance at various events. 12. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS Miguel Gonzalez, a College of the Desert student, advocated for a comprehensive tobacco license program to reduce youth access to tobacco products. Mike Morsch, Palm Desert resident, expressed appreciation to City staff and Councilmembers. Joseph Gonzalez, student at College of the Desert, spoke on the importance of regulating illegal flavored tobacco products in order to prevent youth addiction to tobacco products. 13. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto 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 Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto Approve the Minutes of March 27, 2025. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.b APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto Approve the warrant registers issued for the period 3/20/2025 to 4/3/2025. Motion Carried (5 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: 9328E6E8-E93C-4157-8350-67D4C13A03EC City Council Meeting Minutes April 10, 2025 3 13.c RATIFICATION OF LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO FUNDING REQUESTS FOR AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND VIRTUAL REALITY RESEARCH AND RETRAINING CENTER AND REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL RESOURCE CENTERS PROGRAM Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto Ratify letters of support for California State University, San Bernardino’s (CSUSB) Community Project Funding requests for the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) Research and Retraining Center and the Regional Entrepreneurial Resource Centers Program. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.d RATIFICATION OF LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT INLINE BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM AND TERMINAL EXPANSION PROJECT Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto Ratify the letter of support for the City of Palm Springs’ Community Project Funding request for the Palm Springs International Airport Inline Baggage Handling System and Terminal Expansion Project. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.e LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR SENATE BILL 664 (OCHOA BOGH) AND MONITOR ASSEMBLY BILL 262 (CALOZA) Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto 1. Direct staff to take a monitor position on Assembly Bill 262 (Caloza) – California Individual Assistance Act, allowing staff to track the bill as it progresses and return for further City Council consideration once a legislative analysis and fiscal impact are available. 2. Authorize the issuance of a letter of support for Senate Bill 664 (Ochoa Bogh) – Blue Envelope Program. Motion Carried (5 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: 9328E6E8-E93C-4157-8350-67D4C13A03EC City Council Meeting Minutes April 10, 2025 4 13.f LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR SENATE BILL 346 (DURAZO) – TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAXES AND SHORT-TERM RENTAL FACILITATORS Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto Authorize the issuance of a letter of support for Senate Bill 346 (Durazo) relating to transient occupancy taxes and short-term rental facilitators. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.g LETTER OF OPPOSITION TO SENATE BILL 79 (WIENER) –TRANSIT- ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto Authorize the issuance of a letter of opposition to Senate Bill 79 (Wiener) relating to transit-oriented development. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.h RESOLUTION 2025-020 ADOPTING ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY CLRK-003 - LEGISLATIVE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL LETTERS Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto Adopt Resolution 2025-020 entitled “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY CLRK-003 - LEGISLATIVE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL LETTERS.” Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.i RESOLUTION 2025-021 ESTABLISHING THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS MARKETING PANEL AND CLARIFYING MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto Adopt Resolution 2025-021 entitled “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC AFFAIRS MARKETING PANEL TO BE ADVISORY TO THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 2025-012.” Motion Carried (5 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: 9328E6E8-E93C-4157-8350-67D4C13A03EC City Council Meeting Minutes April 10, 2025 5 13.j ACCEPTANCE OF A RESIGNATION FROM THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto With regret, accept the resignation of Brooke Beare Stjerne from the Civic Engagement Committee. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.k HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE 2025 ANNUAL WORK PLAN Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto Approve the Homelessness Task Force's 2025 Work Plan. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.l PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE 2025 WORK PLAN Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto Approve the Public Safety Committee’s 2025 Work Plan. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.m APPROVE CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 TO C47750 WITH WEST COAST ARBORISTS, INC., OF INDIO, CA, FOR ADDITIONAL ARBORICULTURAL SERVICES (PROJECT NO. MLS00026) Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto 1. Approve Change Order No. 1 to C47750 with West Coast Arborists, Inc. of Indio, CA, for additional arboricultural services to increase compensation in an amount not to exceed $275,000; for a total annual amount of $1,389,125. 2. Authorize the City Attorney to make any necessary non-monetary changes to the agreement. 3. Authorize the City Manager to execute said Change Order. Motion Carried (5 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: 9328E6E8-E93C-4157-8350-67D4C13A03EC City Council Meeting Minutes April 10, 2025 6 13.o AWARD CONTRACT NO. C49090 TO TRI-STAR CONTRACTING II, INC. FOR ON-CALL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS FOR PUBLIC STREETS AND SPACES (PROJECT NO. SST00001) Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto 1. Award Maintenance Services Agreement No. C49090 with Tri-Star Contracting II, Inc., of Desert Hot Springs, California, in the amount not to exceed $150,000 for FY 2024-25, and $500,000 annually thereafter for a 38-month term with the option of (2) additional one-year extensions. 2. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to the agreement. 3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any other documents necessary to effectuate this action, in accordance with Section 3.30.170 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.p APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO CONTRACT NO. C41450 WITH HINDERLITER, DE LLAMAS AND ASSOCIATES (HDL) TO CONTINUE BUSINESS LICENSE TAX AND FEES ADMINISTRATION Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto 1. Approve Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. C41450 with HdL to extend the term for one (1) year. 2. Authorize the City Attorney to make any non-monetary changes to the agreement. 3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any amendments to the agreement. Motion Carried (5 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: 9328E6E8-E93C-4157-8350-67D4C13A03EC City Council Meeting Minutes April 10, 2025 7 13.n REJECT ALL PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR PUBLIC ART AND EL PASEO SCULPTURE MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AN INTERIM SCULPTURE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT Management Analyst Powell clarified that staff intends to negotiate the interim maintenance services at an hourly rate of $90. Motion by: Councilmember Nestande Seconded by: Councilmember Quintanilla 1. Reject all proposals submitted for Public Art and El Paseo Sculpture Maintenance Services. 2. Authorize staff to solicit new proposals for these services. 3. Authorize staff to negotiate and the City Manager to execute a six-month contract with Rice Construction from July 1, 2025, through November 30, 2025, to ensure continuity of service during the re-bidding process. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.q AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CONTRACT NO. C47070 WITH FLOCK SAFETY FOR EXPANSION OF AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION (ALPR) SYSTEM; APPROPRIATION AND USE OF CITIZENS OPTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY/SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUNDS Public Safety Analyst Hurtado and Lieutenant Porras, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, responded to Councilmember inquiries. Motion by: Councilmember Nestande Seconded by: Councilmember Quintanilla 1. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. C47070 with Flock Safety in the amount of $138,750 for the purchase and installation of 44 additional cameras. 2. Authorize appropriation in the amount of $133,000 from Fund 229-Public Safety Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund Balance (COPS/SLESF) to Account No. 2294210-4391400. 3. Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 and any necessary documents, and to make non-monetary modifications as needed. Motion Carried (5 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: 9328E6E8-E93C-4157-8350-67D4C13A03EC City Council Meeting Minutes April 10, 2025 8 14. ACTION CALENDAR 14.a CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING AN INTERIM CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT NO. C49100 City Attorney Shah provided an oral report summarizing the compensation and benefits for the Interim City Manager in accordance with Government Code § 54953(c)(3). Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto Approve the Interim City Manager Employment Agreement No. C49100 with Christopher Escobedo, effective March 24, 2025. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 14.b PROVIDE DIRECTION ON LIBRARY FOUNDATION CONSIDERATIONS Director of Library Services Shaffer narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Councilmember inquiries. Jann Buller, Palm Desert resident, spoke in favor of establishing a library foundation or partnering with the Desert Community Foundation. Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto Authorize staff to take all necessary actions to establish a charitable account to benefit the Palm Desert Library with the Desert Community Foundation, including the initial deposit of $50,000. Motion Carried (5 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: 9328E6E8-E93C-4157-8350-67D4C13A03EC City Council Meeting Minutes April 10, 2025 9 15. PUBLIC HEARINGS 15.a RESOLUTION 2025-022 AMENDING THE AMOUNT OF THE DUI DRIVER AND VEHICLE IMPOUND COST RECOVERY FEE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 10.25 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE Public Safety Analyst Hurtado narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Councilmember inquiries. Mayor Harnik opened and closed the public hearing, there being no member of the public wishing to speak. Motion by: Councilmember Pradetto Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Trubee Adopt Resolution 2025-022 entitled “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE AMOUNT OF THE DUI DRIVER AND VEHICLE IMPOUND COST RECOVERY FEE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 10.25 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 2014-95.” Motion Carried (5 to 0) 16. INFORMATION ITEMS City Clerk Mejia provided a reminder of the April 30, 2025, deadline to submit applications for Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces. 17. ADJOURNMENT Before adjourning, the City Council recognized the contributions of Jim Grayson, who served as a trusted legal advisor to the City since 2000. His expertise was instrumental in shaping major projects including Desert Willow, The Gardens on El Paseo, and numerous affordable housing initiatives. Mr. Grayson was also a mentor and valued partner to City staff. The City Council adjourned the meeting at 6:22 p.m. in his honor and memory, extending heartfelt condolences to the Richards, Watson & Gershon team and to Mr. Grayson’s family. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Michelle Nance Acting Assistant City Clerk/Assistant Secretary _________________________ Anthony J. Mejia, MMC City Clerk/Secretary Docusign Envelope ID: 9328E6E8-E93C-4157-8350-67D4C13A03EC