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Home My WebLink About2026-03-26Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, and Board of Library Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION - 3:00 P.M. A Regular Meeting of the Palm Desert City Council was called to order by Mayor Trubee on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 3:00 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 Trubee adjourned to Closed Session at 3:01 p.m. 4. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA The following items were considered in closed session: 4.a Closed Session Meeting Minutes: March 12, 2026 4.b Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 Agency designated representatives: City Manager and Human Resources Director Employee organization: Palm Desert Employees Organization and Unrepresented employees. 4.c Conference with Real Property Negotiations pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 Property Description: 37023 Cook Street, Suite 102 Agency: City of Palm Desert City Negotiator: Chris Escobedo/Richard Cannone/Amy Lawrence Negotiating Parties: Sinatra and Cook Project, LLC Under Negotiation: Price and Terms 4.d Conference with Legal Counsel regarding Significant Exposure to Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)2 1 case. Docusign Envelope ID: E5E95502-1178-8A2E-8368-870C74A2AB38 City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes March 26, 2026 2 5. ROLL CALL - REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M. 6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Trubee led the Pledge of Allegiance. 7. INSPIRATION Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto 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 PROCLAMATION: FRANK LOCATELL Mayor Trubee presented a proclamation recognizing Frank Locatell and honoring his extraordinary scientific achievements. 9.b PROCLAMATION: RECOGNIZING GOVERNMENT FINANCE PROFESSIONALS WEEK Mayor Trubee presented a proclamation to the City of Palm Desert Finance te am recognizing Government Finance Professionals Week. 9.c PROCLAMATION: WATER CONSERVATION MONTH Mayor Trubee presented a proclamation recognizing Water Conservation Month. 9.d PROCLAMATION: DR. DOUG WALKER Mayor Trubee presented a proclamation recognizing Dr. Doug Walker, celebrating his Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California Service with Distinction Award 9.e PRESENTATION: COACHELLA VALLEY MOSQUITO & VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT BOARD UPDATE Doug Walker, Palm Desert representative, provided an update on the activities of the Coachella Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District. . 10. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS 10.a SHERIFF DEPARTMENT UPDATE Lt. Porras, of the Riverside County Sheriff Department, provided an update on e - Bike Safety Course and Patrol Program and introduced the new e-bikes for the downtown patrol team. 11. MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION Councilmembers provided updates on their attendance at various meetings and events. Docusign Envelope ID: E5E95502-1178-8A2E-8368-870C74A2AB38 City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes March 26, 2026 3 12. NONAGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS Linda Candler, Palm Desert resident, requested follow-up regarding slope and pad heights and the builder’s initial timeframe comments for the Refuge project at Gerald Ford Drive, near Portola Road. Roderick Alexander, representing Olive Crest, requested the installation of a bus stop on Portola Road near Country Club Drive to help serve the families attending Olive Crest. 13. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Harnik announced her recusal from Consent Item 13.j due to proximity to her real property. Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande To approve the consent calendar as presented, with the exception of item 13.l which was pulled for separate discussion. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 13.a APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY, AND HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande Approve the Minutes of March 12, 2026. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 13.b APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande Approve the warrant registers issued for the period 3/5/2026 to 3/12/2026. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 13.c FEBRUARY 2026 PROCUREMENT REPORT Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande Receive and file the monthly Procurement Report for February 2026. Motion Carried (4 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: E5E95502-1178-8A2E-8368-870C74A2AB38 City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes March 26, 2026 4 13.d RATIFICATION OF LETTER SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY BILL 1632 (JOHNSON) - TRESPASS Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande Ratify the issuance of the letter supporting Assembly Bill 1632 (Johnson) relating to trespass enforcement procedures. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 13.e RATIFICATION OF LETTERS REGARDING KRATOM REGULATION AND ASSEMBLY BILL 1088 (BAINS) Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande 1. Ratify the issuance of a letter to the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) Public Safety Committee, encouraging evaluation of a coordinated regional approach to synthetic kratom regulation and youth protections 2. Ratify the issuance of a letter supporting Assembly Bill 1088 (Bains) relating to statewide public health standards for kratom products. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 13.f RATIFICATION OF LETTERS SUPPORTING FISCAL YEAR 2027 CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING / COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING REQUESTS Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande Ratify the issuance of letters supporting Fiscal Year 2027 Congressionally Directed Spending / Community Project Funding requests submitted by regional agencies and jurisdictions. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 13.g RATIFICATION OF LETTER SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY BILL 1855 (GONZALEZ) – PASSENGER RAIL CEQA EXEMPTIONS Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande Ratify the issuance of the letter supporting Assembly Bill 1855 (Gonzalez) - Passenger Rail CEQA Exemptions. Motion Carried (4 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: E5E95502-1178-8A2E-8368-870C74A2AB38 City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes March 26, 2026 5 13.h RATIFICATION OF LETTER SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY BILL 2002 (SOLACHE) - REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PLANNING Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande Ratify the issuance of the letter supporting Assembly Bill 2002 (Solache) relating to the Regional Early Action Planning program. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 13.i REVIEW THE 2025 GENERAL PLAN AND HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTS AND AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH, AND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande Authorize City staff to submit the General Plan and the Housing Element Annual Progress Reports to the State Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Motion Carried (4 to 0) 13.j AMENDMENTS TO THE EL PASEO VILLAGE PUBLIC PARKING EASEMENT AGREEMENT AND THE PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE EL PASEO VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande 1. Approve the Second Amendment to the El Paseo Village Public Parking Easement Agreement between the City of Palm Desert and The Gardens on El Paseo LLC. 2. Approve the Second Amendment to the Parking Management Plan (PMP) for the El Paseo Village Shopping Center Public Parking Easement. 3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to implement the project. Motion Carried (3 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: E5E95502-1178-8A2E-8368-870C74A2AB38 City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes March 26, 2026 6 13.k AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CONTRACT NO. C44960 WITH PFM ASSET MANAGEMENT, A DIVISION OF U.S. BANCORP ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT FOR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY SERVICES Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande 1. Approve Amendment 1 to Contract No. C44960 with PFM Asset Management, a division of U.S. Bancorp Asset Management, Inc. to extend the contract term for investment management and advisory services through June 30, 2027. 2. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to the amendment. 3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment and all documents necessary to effectuate this action. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 13.l RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE 2026 CITY COUNCIL GOALS Debbie Green, Palm Desert resident, spoke in opposition to opening a new charter school on the California State University San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus. Stephen Nelson, Palm Desert resident, opined regarding the need for a school in North Palm Desert. Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande 1. Adopt Resolution 2026-012 entitled “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY COUNCIL GOALS FOR THE 2026 CALENDAR YEAR.” 2. Receive and file the proposed work plans and preliminary funding information. 3. Appoint Councilmember Harnik and Councilmember Nestande to a 2 -by-2 subcommittee with the Palm Springs Unified School District. Motion Carried (4 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: E5E95502-1178-8A2E-8368-870C74A2AB38 City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes March 26, 2026 7 14. ACTION CALENDAR 14.a APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT AND THE PALM DESERT EMPLOYEES ORGANIZATION (PDEO) AND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT AND UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES Andrea Staehle, Director of Human Resources, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries. Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Seconded by: Councilmember Harnik 1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Palm Desert and the Palm Desert Employee Organization (PDEO), effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. 2. Approve the Agreement between the City of Palm Desert and Unrepresented Employees effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. 3. Authorize the City Manager to take actions to implement the MOU and agreement between the City of Palm Desert, PDEO, and Unrepresented Employees. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 14.b CONSIDERATION OF THE PALM DESERT CIVIC CENTER SKATE PARK OPERATIONAL MODEL AND POTENTIAL TRANSITION TO AN UNSUPERVISED PILOT Shawn Muir, Community Services Manager, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries. The City Council directed staff to ensure that appropriate signage and monitoring cameras are installed at the skate park. Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Seconded by: Mayor Trubee 1. Implement a 12-month pilot program for the Civic Center Skate Park as an unsupervised facility, while ensuring compliance with California Health and Safety Code § 115800 through required signage and enforcement of protective equipment requirements. 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute any amendment or related documents to Contract No. C32410, if necessary, to implement the City Council’s direction, including the 12-month pilot period Motion Carried (4 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: E5E95502-1178-8A2E-8368-870C74A2AB38 City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes March 26, 2026 8 14.c APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CONTRACT NO. C49180C WITH TILDEN- COIL CONSTRUCTORS, INC., FOR NEW LIBRARY FACILITY (PROJECT NO. CFA00027) Jess Culpeper, Director of Capital Improvement Projects, and Ryan Lamb, Senior Project Manager, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries. Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Mayor Trubee 1. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. C49180C with Tilden -Coil Constructors, Inc. on the New Library Facility Project, to compensate completed preconstruction and design services, and add demolition of the Parkview Office Building to the contract, reducing the total compensation from $1,737,227 to $1,068,460 ($86,451 Progressive Design-Build Services plus $982,009 Demolition) as Tilden-Coil’s final scope of work for the project. 2. Authorize maintaining contingency in the amount of $170,000 for unforeseen expenses related to demolition. 3. Authorize the City Attorney to make any necessary non -monetary changes to the amendments. 4. Authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment and any documents necessary to effectuate the actions taken herewith. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 15. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 16. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Michelle Nance Assistant City Clerk/Assistant Secretary _________________________ Anthony J. Mejia, MMC City Clerk/Secretary Docusign Envelope ID: E5E95502-1178-8A2E-8368-870C74A2AB38