HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-09Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment
Agency, Housing Authority, and Board of Library Trustees
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 9, 2026
Present:Mayor Evan Trubee, Councilmember Jan Harnik, Councilmember Gina
Nestande, Councilmember Karina Moreno, Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto
1. CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION - 3:15 P.M.
A Regular Meeting of the Palm Desert City Council was called to order by Mayor Trubee
on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 3:15 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 3:15 p.m.
4. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
The following items were considered in closed session:
4.a Closed Session Meeting Minutes: June 25, 2026
4.b Conference with Legal Counsel regarding Anticipated Litigation pursuant
to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1)
One (1) case.
5. ROLL CALL - REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Nestande led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. INSPIRATION
Mayor Trubee provided words of inspiration.
8. REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Shah stated that no reportable actions were taken.
9. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS
9.a Video and Proclamation: Outdoor Worker Appreciation Week
Mayor Trubee presented a proclamation to the City’s outdoor workers in
celebration of Outdoor Worker Appreciation Week July 14 to July 20, 2026.
10. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
10.a Sheriff Department update
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None.
11. MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION
Councilmembers provided updates on their attendance at various meetings and events .
12. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dean Gatons, Palm Desert resident, requested that the City evaluate the installation of
a median on Hovley Lane West to improve traffic safety, citing concerns regarding
speeding and hazardous driving conditions.
Mike Morsch, Palm Desert resident, speaking on behalf of Fireside Pharmacy,
expressed concerns regarding the regulatory oversight and inspection requirements
imposed on local compounding pharmacies by the California Board of Pharmacy and
requested the City's support for efforts to reduce those requirements.
13. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
To approve the consent calendar as presented, except for items g, k, o, and s, which
were pulled for separate discussion.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.a Approval of City Council, Successor Agency, and Housing Authority
Minutes
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Approve the Minutes of June 25, 2026.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.b Approval of Warrant Registers
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Approve the warrant registers issued for the period 6/18/2026 to 7/3/2026.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.c Adoption of Ordinance No. 1452, Amending Chapter 8.85 of the Palm Desert
Municipal Code to Modernize Skate Park Regulations and Making a Finding
of Exemption Under CEQA
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Adopt Ordinance No. 1452 entitled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City
of Palm Desert, California, Amending Chapter 8.85 of the Palm Desert Municipal
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Code to Modernize Skate Park Regulations and Making a Finding of Exemption
Under CEQA.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.d Adoption of Ordinance No. 1453, Amending Sections 11.01.010, 11.01.080,
and 11.01.100 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code to Update Regulations
Governing the Distribution and Posting of Handbills in City Parks, and
Making a Finding of Exemption Under CEQA
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Adopt Ordinance No. 1453 entitled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City
of Palm Desert, California, Amending Sections 11.01.010, 11.01.080, and
11.01.100 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code to Update Regulations Governing
the Distribution and Posting of Handbills in City Parks, and Making a Finding of
Exemption Under CEQA.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.e Adoption of Ordinance No. 1454, Adopting Regulations for Golf Cart and
Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) Sales, Amending Palm Desert
Municipal Code Title 25, and Making a Finding of Exemption Under the
California Environmental Quality Act.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Adopt Ordinance No. 1454 entitled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City
of Palm Desert, California, Adopting Regulations for Golf Cart and Neighborhood
Electric Vehicle (NEV) Sales, Amending Palm Desert Municipal Code Title 25,
and Making a Finding of Exemption Under the California Environmental Quality
Act.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.f Ratification of Letter Supporting the Coachella Valley Women’s Business
Center Reach Initiative Funding Application
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Ratify the issuance of the letter supporting the Coachella Valley Women’s
Business Center’s application for funding to expand the CVWBC Reach Initiative.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.h Release Performance Bond, Labor and Material Bond, Grading Bond, and
Accept the Maintenance Bond for Tract Map 36342 located at the Northwest
Corner of University Park Drive and College Drive with the University Park
Master Plan
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Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Accept public improvements within University Park East shown on Street
Improvement Plan E-691-1
2. Release the following Public Improvement bonds:
a. Performance Bond in the amount of $32,136.00
b. Payment Bond in the amount of $32,136.00
3. Release the following Grading bond:
a. Faithful Performance Bond in the amount of $45,300.00
4. Accept the Maintenance Cash Bond in the amount of $3,213.60
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.i Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Participation in the County of Riverside’s
Urban County Program and Approve the Cooperation Agreement for Fiscal
Years 2027-2028 through 2029-2030
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Adopt Resolution 2026-042 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Palm Desert, California, Authorizing Participation in the County
of Riverside’s Urban County Program for Fiscal Years 2027-2028, 2028-
2029, and 2029-2030.”
2. Approve the Cooperation Agreement with the County of Riverside for
participation in the County’s Urban County Program for Community
Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and
Emergency Solutions Grant funds for Fiscal Years 2027-2028, 2028-2029,
and 2029-2030.
3. Authorize the City Attorney to make any necessary nonmonetary changes
to the agreement.
4. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Cooperation
Agreement and any related documents necessary to effectuate the action.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.j Award a Contract to LC Paving and Sealing, Inc., for the Monterey Avenue
Street Rehabilitation Project, California Environmental Quality Act
Determination (Project No. CST00027)
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Award Contract No. C50950, including Bid Alternate 1, to LC Paving and
Sealing, Inc., of Escondido, CA, for the Monterey Avenue Street
Rehabilitation Project (Project ID 2026-IFB-032) in the amount of
$1,960,085.50, plus a $200,000 contingency.
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2. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary nonmonetary changes to
the agreement.
3. 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).
4. 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.
5. Make a finding that the project is categorically exempt from further review
under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines,
pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), and authorize the
City Engineer to submit a Notice of Exemption.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.l Resolution Declaring Approximately 0.22 Acres of Successor Agency to the
Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency owned property located at Fred
Waring Drive and San Pablo Avenue (APN 627-101-068) as Surplus Lande
Pursuant to the California Surplus Land Act
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Adopt Resolution No. SA-RDA 106 entitled “A Resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency
Declaring Pursuant to Government Code Section 54221 that Real Property
Owned by the Successor Agency Located Near Fred Waring Dr and San Pablo
Ave (APN 627-101-068 [Formerly 627-101-062]) is Surplus Land and Not
Necessary for the Agency’s Use, Finding that such Declaration is Exempt from
Environmental Review Under the California Environmental Quality Act, and
Taking Related Actions.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.m Adopt a Three-Year Public Art Program, including the Fiscal Year 2026-27
Work Plan
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Adopt a three-year public art program, including the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Work
Plan as a planning and implementation framework for future public art
opportunities to expand installations at civic sites and City entry corridors.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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13.n Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance and Administration of the
Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant for the City’s Illicit Cannabis
Response and Education Campaign
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Adopt Resolution 2026-044 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Palm Desert, California, Authorizing the City Manager, or
Designee, to Execute the Board of State and Community Corrections
Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program, Cohort 4 Grant
Agreement and Related Documents.”
2. Authorize the City Attorney to make any necessary nonmonetary changes
to the agreement.
3. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take all administrative actions
necessary to implement the grant, including execution of required
assurances, reports, reimbursement requests, and related documents,
subject to the approved grant scope and budget.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.p Ratify Change Order No. 4 to Contract No. C43180 with Beck Oil, Inc. for
Gas and Diesel Fuel (MEQ00007)
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Ratify Change Order No. 4 to Contract No. C43180 with Beck Oil, Inc. for
gas and diesel fuel purchases, increasing the Fiscal Year 2025-26 annual
purchase authority by $20,000, from $140,000 to an amount not to exceed
$160,000.
2. Authorize the City Attorney to make nonmonetary changes to the change
orders and amendments as deemed necessary.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the change order, the three
optional one-year extensions, and any documents necessary to effectuate
the actions taken herewith.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.q Ratify the Purchase of One Ditch Witch HX30A Vacuum Trailer from Ditch
Witch West and Authorize Trade-In of Existing Vacuum Trailer No. 386
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Ratify the purchase of one Ditch Witch HX30A vacuum trailer from Ditch
Witch West in the net purchase amount of $99,029.64, plus a contingency
of $15,000, for a total amount not to exceed $114,029.64.
2. Authorize the trade-in of the City’s existing Ditch Witch vacuum trailer No.
386 for a trade-in credit of $20,000 per City Policy FIN-009.
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3. Authorize the City Attorney to make any n ecessary nonmonetary changes
to the purchase documents.
4. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any documents
necessary to effectuate the actions taken herewith.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.r Reject All Bids for the Construction of Pilot Medians and Authorize Staff to
Readvertise for Bid (Project No. MLS00031)
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Reject all bids submitted under Invitation for Bid 2026-IFB-018
Construction of Pilot Medians for Landscape Master Plan.
2. Authorize staff to re-bid the project with revisions to reduce the overall
cost of construction.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.g Designating the Northern Area of Palm Desert as “North Palm Desert”
Councilmember Moreno requested that the item be removed from the Consent
Calendar to acknowledge community support for designating the northern portion
of the City as "North Palm Desert," noting that the designation reflects the area's
identity as an integral part of the community.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-041 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the
City of Palm Desert, California, Formally Recognizing 'North Palm Desert' as a
Geographic Subarea of the City for Planning, Wayfinding, Econom ic
Development, Mapping, and Communication Purposes.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.k Resolution Adopting the City of Palm Desert Digital Accessibility Policy
Councilmember Moreno expressed appreciation to City staff for their efforts to
update the City's website to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
accessibility requirements and acknowledged the extended compliance timeline
as an opportunity to complete the work.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-043 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the
City of Palm Desert, California, Adopting a Digital Accessibility Policy.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.o Reject All Bids for Aquatics Consulting Services and Authorize Staff to
Readvertise for Proposals (Project No. MFA00022)
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Shawn Muir, Community Services Manager, announced that this item had been
pulled by staff to revise the recommended action. Staff's new recommendation
was to reject all bids received under the initial solicitation and work directly with
existing vendors to refine the project scope to enhance Aquatic Center
programming and amenities while reducing project costs.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Reject all proposals submitted under Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 2026-
RFP-015 Aquatics Consulting Services.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.s Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance and Administration of the
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program Award Number
30911 in the Amount of $160,800
Daniel Hurtado, Public Safety Coordinator, responded to City Council inquiries
regarding the Fiscal Year 2026–27 Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program, including
the proposed use of grant funds for public safety equipment and DUI
enforcement, and clarified that community education regarding illicit cannabis is
funded through a separate grant program.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Adopt Resolution 2026-052 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Palm Desert, California, Accepting Fiscal Year 2026/27
Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program Funds Under Award Number 30911
and Authorizing the City Manager, or Designee, to Execute the Grant
Agreement and Related Documents.”
2. Authorize the City Attorney to make any necessary nonmonetary and non-
substantive changes to the Grant Agreement.
3. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take all administrative actions
necessary to accept, administer, and implement the grant, including
execution of required assurances, reports, reimbursement requests,
amendments, certifications, and related documents, subject to the
approved grant scope and budget.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
14. ACTION CALENDAR
None.
15. PUBLIC HEARINGS
15.a Fourth Amendment to the Development Agreement 96-1 with WVC Rancho
Mirage, Inc., (formerly Starwood) for the Desert Willow Westin, and find the
project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
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Carlos Flores, Deputy Director of Development Services, narrated a PowerPoint
presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.
Mayor Trubee opened and closed the public hearing there being no members of
the public wishing to speak.
Motion by: Councilmember Nestande
Seconded by: Mayor Trubee
Introduce Ordinance No. 1455 entitled, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the
City of Palm Desert, California, Approving a Fourth Amendment to the
Development Agreement 96-1 between the City of Palm Desert and WVC
Rancho Mirage, Inc. (Formerly Starwood) for Desert Willow Westin, Extending
the Term of the Development Agreement and Finding the Project is Exempt from
Environmental Review in Accordance with the California Environmental Quality
Act.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
15.b Approve the Engineer’s Report and Order the Levy and Collection of
Assessments for City of Palm Desert Benefit Assessment District No. 1 for
Fiscal Year 2026-27
Maria Murillo, Management Analyst. provided a staff report.
Mayor Trubee opened and closed the public hearing there being no m embers of
the public wishing to speak.
Motion by: Councilmember Moreno
Seconded by: Mayor Trubee
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-045 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the
City of Palm Desert, California, Approving the Engineer’s Report and Ordering
the Levy and Collection of Assessments within City of Palm Desert Benefit
Assessment District No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2026-27, Pursuant to the Provisions of
the Benefit Assessment Act of 1982.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
15.c Approve the Engineer’s Report, and Order the Levy and Collection of
Annual Assessments for Consolidated Palm Desert Landscaping and
Lighting District No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2026-27
Maria Murillo, Management Analyst, provided a staff report.
Mayor Trubee opened and closed the public hearing there being no members of
the public wishing to speak.
Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Seconded by: Councilmember Moreno
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-046 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Palm Desert, California, Approving the Engineer’s Report for
Consolidated Palm Desert Landscaping and Lighting District No. 1 for
Fiscal Year 2026-27.”
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2. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-047 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Palm Desert, California, Ordering the Levy and Collection of
Assessments within Consolidated Palm Desert Landscaping and Lighting
District No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2026-27.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
15.d Conduct a Public Hearing and Adopt Resolutions Declaring the Results of
the Property Owner Protest Ballot Proceeding and Confirming the
Annexation of Tract 31377 (Corte Placitas) into Consolidated Palm Desert
Landscaping and Lighting District No. 1, Zone
Chris Gerry, Senior Project Manager. provided a staff report.
Mayor Trubee opened the public hearing. There being no requests to speak,
Mayor Trubee closed the public hearing.
At 4:47 p.m., the meeting recessed to allow City Clerk Mejia to tabulate the
property owner protest ballots. The meeting reconvened at 4:52 p.m.
City Clerk Mejia announced the results of the ballot tabulation, confirming that no
majority protest existed.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-048 entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Palm Desert, California, Declaring the Results of the
Property Owner Protest Ballot Proceeding Conducted for the Levy of
Assessments Related to the Annexation of Territory (Tract 31377 – Corte
Placitas) to the Consolidated Palm Desert Landscaping and Lighting
District No. 1 (Zone #6 – Hovley Lane), Fiscal Year 2026-27 and
Approving Certain Related Actions.”
2. Adopt Resolution 2026-049 entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Palm Desert, California, Confirming the Annexation of Parcels
within Tract 31377 – Corte Placitas to the Consolidated Palm Desert
Landscaping and Lighting District No. 1 (Zone #6 – Hovley Lane), the
Diagram and Assessments Related Thereto, Overruling All Protests
Concerning the Assessments, and Ordering the Levy and Collection of
Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-27.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
15.e Declare the Results of the Property Owner Protest Proceeding and Order
the Renewal of the President’s Plaza III Property and Business
Improvement District and the Levy and Collection of Assessments for
Fiscal Year 2026-27
Maria Murillo, Management Analyst, provided a staff report.
Mayor Trubee opened the public hearing. There being no requests to speak,
Mayor Trubee closed the public hearing.
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At 4:54 p.m., the meeting recessed to allow City Clerk Mejia to tabulate the
property owner protest ballots. The meeting reconvened at 5:01 p.m.
City Clerk Mejia announced the results of the ballot tabulat ion, confirming that no
majority protest existed.
Motion by: Councilmember Moreno
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-050 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Palm Desert, California, Declaring the Results of a Property
Owner Protest Proceeding for the President’s Plaza III Property and
Business Improvement District and Approving Certain Related Actions.”
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-051 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Palm Desert, California, Ordering the Renewal of the
President’s Plaza III Property and Business Improvement District,
Approving and Adopting the Management District Plan and Engineer’s
Report, and Authorizing the Levy and Collection of Assessments for Fiscal
Year 2026-27.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
16. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Michelle Nance
Assistant City Clerk/Assistant Secretary
_________________________
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk/Secretary
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