HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-19 RPEC Meeting Minutes FINAL - signedRESOURCE PRESERVATION & ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES
Monday
June 19, 2023
Click HERE to review the meeting audio.
Click HERE to view the agenda packet.
1. CALL TO ORDER
3:00 p.m.
Regular Meeting
A Regular Meeting of the Resource Preservation & Enhancement Committee was called to
order by Chair Gatons on Monday, June 19, 2023, at 3:00 p.m., in the Administrative
Conference Room, City Hall, located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Committee Members Vincent Heuring, Mel Mason, Stephen Nelson, and
Chairperson Dean Gatons.
Absent: Vice Chair Berlinda Blackburn
Liaison(s)
Present: Jan Harnik, City Council Liaison
City Staff
Present: Amy Lawrence, Deputy Director of Economic Development; Eric Ceja, Director of
Economic Development; Kevin Swartz, Management Analyst, Shawn Muir,
Community Services Manager, Randy Chavez, Deputy Director of Public Works,
Lucero Leyva, Project Manager, and Monique Lomeli, Recording Secretary.
3. NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
4. PRESENTATIONS:
A. NORTH PALM DESERT COMMUNITY PARK
Interwest Consultant Gianno Feoli narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the conceptual
design of the North Sphere Community Park and responded to Committee Member
inquiries.
During the course of discussion, individual Committee Members offered commentary as
follows. The below points do not necessarily reflect Committee consensus:
• Remain cognizant of the presence of excess sand.
City of Palm Desert Page 1
Resource Preservation & Enhancement Committee Minutes June 19.2023
• Create community gardens in protected spaces.
• Conduct traffic analysis to address ingress/egress of West parking lot and explore
traffic calming measures.
• Clarify emergency only exits on adjacent developments.
• Preferential parking for electric vehicles and bicycles.
• Incorporate security measures such as callboxes or security cameras.
• Offer paved and natural running paths.
The Committee took no formal action on this item.
B. NORTH SPHERE FIRE STATION
Project Manager Leyva narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed North
Sphere Fire Station location, project timeline, conceptual layout, and responded to
Committee Member inquiries.
C. ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION PLANS
Management Analyst Swartz narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Electric
Vehicle Charging Station plans and responded to Committee Member inquiries.
Council Liaison Harnik encouraged staff and the Committee to explore all energy options,
including the use of hydrogen fuel cells, before committing to one energy source.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR:
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER MASON, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER
NELSON, CARRIED 4-0, to approve the consent calendar.
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER MASON, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER
NELSON, CARRIED 4-0, to approve the Resource Preservation & Enhancement Regular
Meeting minutes of February 27, 2023.
CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER: None.
6. ACTION CALENDAR
None.
7. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
A. RESOURCE PRESERVATION & ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Committee Member Heuring provided comments in support of EV charging stations and
requested an update on the ban of gas -powered leaf blowers.
Committee Member Nelson reported on the recent Arbor Day Festival and suggested
greater community outreach to highlight local events and increase attendance.
Chairperson Gatons provided an update on the community's positive response to turf
conversion and green waste disposal opportunities and encouraged the City to develop a
plan to prepare for the anticipated influx of traffic generated by the lack of a Portola
City of Palm Desert Page 2
Resource Preservation & Enhancement Committee Minutes June 19.2023
interchange.
B. CITY COUNCIL LIAISON
Council Liaison Harnik encouraged the Committee and residents to exercise patience in
traffic and expressed appreciation to City staff for continued progress on City projects.
C. CITY STAFF
Deputy Director Lawrence provided a written project status report and provided verbal
updates on the mylar balloon ordinance, turf rebate program, environmental initiatives
plan, and the resignation of Committee Member Dennis Guinaw.
Community Services Manager Muir provided a verbal update on the Pollinator Garden's
participation in Pollinator Week and related activities.
D. ATTENDANCE REPORT
The attendance report was provided with the agenda materials. The Committee took no
action on this matter.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The Resource Preservation and Enhancement Committee adjourned at 4:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
M.UYU.a I f14t2eLb
Monique omeli, Senior Deputy Clerk
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Amy Lawrence, Deputy Director of Economic Development
Staff Liaison
APPROVED BY RPEC: 09/05/2023
City of Palm Desert Page 3
2023-06-19 RPEC Meeting Minutes FINAL
Final Audit Report 2023-09-27
Created: 2023-09-27
By: Monique Lomeli (mlomeli@palmdesert.gov)
Status: Signed
Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAgYx-1 HuNQuxilw-dazsugtz0yXD7fg72
"2023-06-19 RPEC Meeting Minutes FINAL" History
Document created by Monique Lomeli (mlomeli@palmdesert.gov)
2023-09-27 - 4:57:51 PM GMT
Document emailed to Amy Lawrence (alawrence@palmdesert.gov) for signature
2023-09-27 - 4:58:17 PM GMT
Email viewed by Amy Lawrence (alawrence@palmdesert.gov)
2023-09-27 - 4:59:08 PM GMT
r Document e -signed by Amy Lawrence (alawrence@palmdesert.gov)
Signature Date: 2023-09-27 - 10:41:48 PM GMT - Time Source: server
O Agreement completed.
2023-09-27 - 10:41:48 PM GMT
O Adobe Acrobat Sign