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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-28Palm 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 A Regular Meeting of the Palm Desert City Council was called to order by Mayor Trubee on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 3:54 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 3. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION Mayor Trubee adjourned to Closed Session at 3:54 p.m. 4. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA The following items were considered in closed session: 4.a Closed Session Meeting Minutes: April 23, 2026 4.b Conference with Legal Counsel regarding Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)1 Name of Case: Lydia Irene Duran, et al. v. Western National Builders, et al, Riverside County Sup. Court Case No. CVRI2400152 4.c Conference with Legal Counsel regarding Anticipated Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) 1 case. Potential litigation involving Code Enforcement Case No. CE-25-0530 concerning an unpermitted concrete driveway encroachment onto City-owned property identified as APNs 628-130-008 and 628-130-028. 4.d Conference with Real Property Negotiations pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 Property Description: APNs 628-130-008 and 628-130-028 Agency: City of Palm Desert City Negotiator: Chris Escobedo/Richard Cannone/Rosie Lua Negotiating Parties: Neil and Celine Jacobson Under Negotiation: Price and Terms Docusign Envelope ID: E5C615AD-365D-892D-81C5-65C78530DCF0 Palm Desert City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 2 4.e Conference with Real Property Negotiations pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 Property Description: APN: 620-140-020 (72-880 Highway 111) Agency: City of Palm Desert City Negotiator: Chris Escobedo/Richard Cannone/Martin Alvarez Negotiating Parties: Poag Shopping Centers, LLC Under Negotiation: Price and Terms 5. ROLL CALL - REGULAR MEETING - 4:32 P.M. 6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Trubee led the Pledge of Allegiance. 7. INSPIRATION Councilmember Moreno 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 Mini Muster Program Presentation and Art Contest Certificate Distribution Following a brief video of the Mini-Muster program, Mayor Trubee presented certificates to the following art contest winners:  Margarita Rios-Juarez, Ronald Reagan Elementary School  Madison Stallings, George Washington Charter School  Inez Buckley, Abraham Lincoln Elementary School  Gwen Rucker, Gerald R. Ford Elementary School  Oceana Garcia, James Earl Carter Elementary School 9.b Presentation: Sister Cities Foundation Rosemary Ortega, Past President of the Palm Desert Sister City Foundation, narrated a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the history of the sister city relationships with Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico, and Gisborne, New Zealand. 9.c Proclamation: Paul A. Voth Following a brief video, Mayor Trubee presented a proclamation to Mr. Paul Voth in recognition of his service and contributions to the community. 10. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS 10.a Riverside County Sheriff's Department Update Lt. Daniel Porras, of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, provided an update on the City's 2025 crime trends. Docusign Envelope ID: E5C615AD-365D-892D-81C5-65C78530DCF0 Palm Desert City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 3 10.b Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Quarterly Update Chief Cody Wright, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on recent department activity between January and March,2026, and responded to City Council inquiries. 10.c Library Department Update Lauren Hancock, Library Manager, provided updates on the Library’s Children Summer Reading Cup challenge and the search for a new Poet Laureate. 10.d Internship Program Update Todd Butts, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Gael Gomez and Analiese Torres, Communications Interns, provided an update on the Internship Program and presented a brief video. 11. MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION Councilmembers provided updates on their attendance at various meetings and events. Councilmember Moreno, with the support of Mayor Trubee, requested that staff return with options for a potential ban on data centers. Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto, with the support of Councilmember Moreno, recommended that the matter be reviewed in conjunction with the development code update. 12. NON­AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS Leslie Miller, Palm Desert resident, expressed concerns related to a transformer blowout and possible dangers to the community. Donald Zeigler, Palm Desert resident, requested the City's website be updated in relation to the former Environmental Resource Committee. 13. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Trubee announced his recusal from item 13.d due to proximity to his real property. Councilmember Harnik announced her recusal from item 13.d due to potential financial conflict with her spouse's business. Councilmember Moreno pulled items 13.f and 13.h for further discussion. Motion by: Councilmember Nestande Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto To approve the consent calendar as presented, with the exception of items: 13.d, 13.f, and 13.h. Motion Carried (5 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: E5C615AD-365D-892D-81C5-65C78530DCF0 Palm Desert City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 4 13.a Approval of City Council, Successor Agency, and Housing Authority Minutes Motion by: Councilmember Nestande Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Approve the Minutes of May 14, 2026. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.b Approval of Warrant Registers Motion by: Councilmember Nestande Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Approve the warrant registers issued for the period 5/8/2026 to 5/14/2026. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.c April 2026 Procurement Report Motion by: Councilmember Nestande Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Receive and file the Procurement Report for April 2026. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.d Receive and File Applications for Alcoholic Beverage Licenses Motion by: Councilmember Nestande Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Receive and File Applications for Alcoholic Beverage Licenses for:  The Hood (Viking Holding Company, LLC) 74360 HWY 111 Palm Desert, CA 92260  J's Deli (J's Deli Palm Desert, LLC) 73655 El Paseo Ste L & M Palm Desert, CA 92260 Motion Carried (3 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: E5C615AD-365D-892D-81C5-65C78530DCF0 Palm Desert City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 5 13.e Adoption of Ordinance 1450 Amending the Palm Desert Municipal Code relating to City Council Agendas and Request for Action Motion by: Councilmember Nestande Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Adopt Ordinance No. 1450 entitled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, Amending Section 2.36.060 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code relating to City Council Agendas and Requests For Action.” Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.f Ratification of Letter Supporting the Palm Desert Charter Middle School Charter Renewal Councilmember Moreno inquired about enrollment and transfer vouchers. In response, City Clerk Mejia stated that the requested information was not available. Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Seconded by: Mayor Trubee Ratify the issuance of the letter supporting the renewal of the Palm Desert Charter Middle School (PDCMS) charter. Motion Carried (4 to 0, Moreno Abstained) 13.g Acceptance of a Resignation from Parks and Recreation Committee Motion by: Councilmember Nestande Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Accept the resignation of Ralph Perry from the Parks and Recreation Committee effective May 18, 2026. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 13.h Award Construction Contract for Energy Efficiency Windows at City Hall Councilmember Moreno inquired about projected long-term savings from the new insulated windows. In response, Project Manager Kevin Swartz stated that this information would not be available until after installation. Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande 1. Reject August-Jaye Construction, Inc., bid protest dated January 23, 2026. 2. Award Construction Contract No. C50780 to South Coast Specialty Construction, Inc., for Energy Efficiency Replacement Windows at City Hall in the amount of $247,400, plus a $50,000 contingency for unforeseen expenses. Docusign Envelope ID: E5C615AD-365D-892D-81C5-65C78530DCF0 Palm Desert City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 6 3. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to the agreement. 4. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any written requests for change orders up to the contingency amount, amendments, and any other documents necessary to effectuate this action, in accordance with Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 3.30.170(B). 5. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Notice of Completion (NOC) and the City Clerk to file the NOC upon satisfactory completion of the Project. 6. Find that the Proposed Action is Categorically Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1, Existing Facilities. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 14. ACTION CALENDAR 14.a Introduction of an Ordinance amending Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 2.52.705(F), "Accrued Vacation Time Buy-Back," to Authorize Tiered Vacation Leave Buy-Back Amounts of Up to One Hundred Sixty (160) Hours per Calendar Year Veronica Chavez, Director of Finance, provided a staff report, and responded to City Council inquiries. Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Seconded by: Councilmember Harnik Introduce Ordinance No. 1451 entitled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, Amending Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 2.52.705(F), ‘Accrued Vacation Time Buy-Back,’ to Amend Annual Irrevocable Election Procedures, Increase Eligible Buy-Back Amounts, and Authorize a Limited Initial Implementation Transition Election Period,” to authorize eligible employees to buy back up to one hundred sixty (160) hours of vacation leave per calendar year, subject to tiered eligibility thresholds. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 14.b Receive and File a Recap of the 2026 Fashion Week El Paseo and Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival Events and Provide Direction Regarding a Future Sponsorship Agreement with Palm Springs Life Thomas Soule, Public Affairs Manager, and Paulina Larson, of Palm Springs Life, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries. The City Council discussed the events' economic benefits, tourism impacts, sponsorship funding, event growth opportunities, cost increases, data reporting, and potential cost reductions related to venue and public safety expenses. Docusign Envelope ID: E5C615AD-365D-892D-81C5-65C78530DCF0 Palm Desert City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 7 Councilmember Moreno requested more comprehensive, multi-year performance data, Ms. Larson acknowledged the request and comm itted to providing additional survey and marketing metrics after the meeting. Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Seconded by: Mayor Trubee 1. Receive and file the 2026 event recap for Fashion Week El Paseo and the Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival. 2. Provide direction regarding a potential future sponsorship agreement with Desert Publications, Inc., d.b.a. Palm Springs Life. 3. Direct staff to return with any necessary agreement and appropriation actions for future City Council consideration. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 15. PUBLIC HEARINGS 15.a Public Hearing on City Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts as Required by Assembly Bill 2561 Amber Molina, Senior Human Resources Analyst, provided a staff report and responded to City Council inquiries. Mayor Trubee opened and closed the public hearing, there being no other member of the public wishing to speak. Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Councilmember Quintanilla Hold a public hearing and receive and file the report on City Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts as required by Assembly Bill 2561. Motion Carried (5 to 0) 15.b Appeal of Planning Commission Decision Approving an Addendum to Mitigated Negative Declaration, Finding the Project Exempt from CEQA Under Guidelines Section 15183, and Approving a Precise Plan and Tentative Tract Map 39307, Portola Springs Project Carlos Flores, Deputy Director of Development Services, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries. Mayor Trubee opened the public hearing. David Hubbard, attorney representing the applicant, stated the project is consistent with the City's General Plan, zoning, and density standards and qualifies for streamlined environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15183; asserted the appeal lacks substantial evidence and that no significant and peculiar impacts unique to the project site have been identified; requested the Docusign Envelope ID: E5C615AD-365D-892D-81C5-65C78530DCF0 Palm Desert City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 8 Council deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission's approval of the project, including the addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration. Representatives of the applicant also submitted materials asserting that the appellant has historically utilized CEQA challenges to obtain labor -related agreements rather than to address environmental concerns. Brian Flynn, attorney representing the appellant, requested the Council grant the appeal and remand the project for additional environmental review; asserted the project does not qualify for a CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 exemption and that the addendum is inadequate; argued that either an Environmental Impact Report or a Mitigated Negative Declaration is required; contended that cumulative impacts were not properly analyzed and maintained that the appellant has standing to challenge the project due to its geographic proximity to the site. During rebuttal, Mr. Flynn reiterated that CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 does not apply to the project and argued that additional environmental review is required to adequately evaluate project impacts. During rebuttal, Mr. Hubbard reiterated that the project is consistent with the City's General Plan, zoning, and density standards, and that the appellant failed to present substantial evidence demonstrating a significant and peculiar impact unique to the site; requested the Council deny the appeal and uphold the environmental determinations supporting the project. Mayor Trubee closed the public hearing there being no other members of the public wishing to speak. During the course of the discussion, Councilmembers commented on the continuing challenges associated with CEQA implementation and expressed concern regarding the use of environmental review processes to delay housing projects; noted the City's ongoing need for housing and observed that similar environmental challenges are likely to continue absent legislative reforms to CEQA. Motion by: Councilmember Harnik Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto Adopt a Resolution 2026-025 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, Denying an Appeal and Confirming the Decision of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert, California, Approving a Precise Plan and Tentative Tract Map 39307 for the Development of a 156 Single -Family Residential Lots Located at the Southwest Corner of Frank Sinatra Drive and Portola Avenue and Approving an Addendum to the Previously Approved Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Finding the Project Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.” Motion Carried (5 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: E5C615AD-365D-892D-81C5-65C78530DCF0 Palm Desert City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 9 16. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Michelle Nance Assistant City Clerk/Assistant Secretary _________________________ Anthony J. Mejia, MMC City Clerk/Secretary Docusign Envelope ID: E5C615AD-365D-892D-81C5-65C78530DCF0