HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-20Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment
Agency, Housing Authority, and Board of Library Trustees
Regular Meeting Minutes
*Councilmember Nestande participated remotely in accordance with SB 707 due to
family care.
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, August 20, 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 3:00 p.m.
4. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
The following items were considered in closed session:
4.a Closed Session Meeting Minutes: July 9, 2026
4.b Public Employee Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Government Code
Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager
5. ROLL CALL - REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Moreno 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 no reportable actions were taken.
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9. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
9.a Proclamation and Presentation: FIND Regional Food Bank - Hunger Action
Month
Mayor Trubee presented Lorena Marroquin, representing FIND Regional Food
Bank, with a proclamation recognizing September 2026 as Hunger Action Month.
Ms. Marroquin provided an update on FIND Regional Food Bank’s 2026 Palm
Desert Impact Report.
10. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
10.a Riverside County Sheriff's Office Department Update
Lieutenant Daniel Porras, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, provided an
update on ongoing efforts to increase public awareness and education on the
impacts of drug overdoses.
10.b Capital Improvement Project Update
Casey Arndt, Director of Capital Projects, provided an update on the Monterey
Avenue Street Rehabilitation Project.
11. MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION
Councilmembers provided updates on their attendance at various meetings and events.
12. NONAGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals expressed concern that the proposed school at St. Margaret’s
Church would worsen existing parking, traffic circulation, and student safety issues
during drop-off and pick-up at Bermuda Dunes Learning Center:
Chloe
Christina Torres, Palm Desert resident
Gail Clark, Executive Director of Bermuda Dunes Learning Center
Emily Vogt, Kathi McGoldrick, and Alyssa Williams, representing the Palm Desert Area
Chamber of Commerce, expressed appreciation for the City’s continued support and
partnership and provided information regarding upcoming community events.
Jay Jarvis, suggested alternative uses for vacant parcels located along Portola Avenue
and Highway 111, including at the Shops at Palm Desert.
13. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Moreno pulled Items L and P for separate discussion.
Mayor Trubee recused himself from consideration of Item Q due to the proximity of his
real property to the subject property.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
To approve the consent calendar as presented, with the exception of items L and P,
which were pulled for separate discussion.
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Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.a Approval of City Council, Successor Agency, Housing Authority, and
Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Approve the Minutes of July 9, 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 3/31/2026 to 8/7/2026.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.c June 2026 Procurement Report
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Receive and file the Procurement Report for June 2026.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.d Receive and File Applications for Alcoholic Beverage Licenses
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Receive and File Applications for Alcoholic Beverage Licenses for:
Rebel Sushi House (Alcala Investments) 72286 HWY 111 Ste J5 Palm
Desert, CA 92260-2785
Buffalo Wild Wings (West Coast Wings V, LLC) 72920 HWY 111 Palm
Desert, CA 92260-3315
Hotel Paseo (Marcus Palm Desert, LLC) 45350 Larkspur Lane Palm
Desert, CA 92260-4389
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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13.e Ratification of Letter of Support for Artists Council Grant Application
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Ratify the letter of support submitted on June 30, 2026, for the Artists Council’s
grant application to Bighorn Cares.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.f Ratification of a Letter of Support for CV Link Shade Project
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Ratify the letter of support submitted on July 8, 2026, for the Coachella Valley
Association of Governments’ (CVAG) Proposition 4 funding application for the CV
Link Shade Structure and Shade Tree Project.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.g Finance Committee Reports
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Receive and file the General Fund Report, Parkview Office Complex Report,
Desert Willow Golf Resort Financial Reports, and City Treasurer’s Investment
Report for periods ending June 30, 2026.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.h Acceptance of a Resignation from the Architectural Review Commission
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Accept the resignation of Nicholas Latkovic from the Architectural Review
Commission effective July 8, 2026.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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13.i Acceptance of a Resignation from the Historic Preservation Committee
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Accept the resignation of Rochelle McCune from the Historic Preservation
Committee effective July 13, 2026.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.j Approve the Reappointment of Board Members to the El Paseo Parking &
Business Improvement District Board
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Reappoint Rebecca Elliott to the El Paseo Parking & Business
Improvement District Board of Directors for a three-year term ending
December 31, 2029.
2. Reappoint Mahasti Islami to the El Paseo Parking & Business
Improvement District Board of Directors for a three-year term ending
December 31, 2029.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.k Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Third Amendment and Restatement of the
Joint Powers Agreement of the Coachella Valley Association of
Governments.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Third Amendment and Restatement of
the Joint Powers Agreement of the Coachella Valley Association of
Governments.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents related to its
implementation
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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13.l Resolution Setting the City Council Regular Meeting Schedule for Calendar
Year 2027
Following discussion, the City Council agreed to retain the August 26, 2027,
meeting on the calendar and reconsider the need for the meeting in July 2027.
Motion by: Mayor Trubee
Seconded by: Councilmember Harnik
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-053, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Palm Desert, California, Setting the City Council Regular Meeting
Schedule for the Calendar Year 2027,” as amended to retain the August 26,
2027, meeting.
2. Directed staff to evaluate the agenda forecast and return to the City Council
on July 8, 2027, for consideration of whether to cancel the August 26, 2027,
meeting.
Motion Carried (4 to 1)
13.m Adoption of Ordinance No. 1455, Approving a Fourth Amendment to
Development Agreement 96-1 for Desert Willow Westin to Extend the
Agreement Term and Find the Project Exempt from CEQA
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Adopt 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)
13.n Fiscal Year 2025-26 Library Services Annual Report
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Receive and file the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual Report on Library Operations,
summarizing the Palm Desert Library’s second year of service delivery under City
management.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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13.o Release the Faithful Performance and Labor and Materials Bond and
Accept the Maintenance Bond for Tract Map 37993, Located Northeast of
Portola Avenue and Julie Lane
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Accept the public improvements for Tract Map 37993, commonly known
as Montage, shown on Street Improvement Plan ST21-0001.
2. Release the Faithful Performance Bond in the amount of $144,408.20.
3. Release the Labor and Materials Bond in the amount of $72,204.10.
4. Release the Monumentation Cash Bond in the amount of $32,000.
5. Accept the Maintenance Bond in the amount of $144,408.20.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.p Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. C45130 with M & M Sweeping,
Inc. for Citywide Street and Parking Lot Sweeping Services (Project No.
MST00010)
In response to an inquiry, Public Works Director Chavez reported on efforts to
mitigate sand and debris on roadways.
Motion by: Councilmember Moreno
Seconded by: Councilmember Harnik
1. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. C45130 with M & M
Sweeping, Inc. to extend the contract term; add the Technology Drive
extension to the regular sweeping service area; and increase annual base
compensation to $270,000, subject to CPI increase.
2. Authorize the City Attorney to make non-monetary changes to the change
orders and amendments as deemed necessary.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment, the optional one -
year extensions, Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase, and any
documents necessary to effectuate the actions taken herewith.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.q Approve Maintenance Service Agreement Amendments for Landscape
Maintenance Areas 6 and 9
Mayor Trubee recused due to the proximity of his real property to the subjec t
property.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Approve Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. C45050 with Horizon
Professional Landscape, Inc., of Coachella, CA, in the amount of $5,208,
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to extend the contract through June 30, 2027, and increase the annual
contract amount to $173,208, subject to CPI increases.
2. Approve Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. C45060 with Mariposa
Landscapes, Inc., of Irwindale, CA, in the amount of $11,357.52, to extend
the contract through June 30, 2027, and increase the annual contract
amount to $377,728.20, subject to CPI increases.
3. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to
the amendments.
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute amendments, the remaining one-
year extension, including CPI increase requests, and execute any other
documents necessary to effectuate the actions taken herewith.
Motion Carried (4 to 0)
13.r Purchase of Nine Ancestral Feathers by Adrian Litman from the 2025-26 El
Paseo Sculpture Exhibition for Installation at Gerald Ford Drive Median
near Dinah Shore Drive
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
1. Approve Contract No. C51190, the purchase of Nine Ancestral Feathers
from the 2025/2026 El Paseo Sculpture Exhibition and its installation in
the Gerald Ford Drive median near Dinah Shore Drive, in an amount not
to exceed $15,000, for inclusion in the City of Palm Desert’s permanent
public art collection.
2. Waive city permit fees related to the relocation and installation of said art
piece.
3. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to
the agreement.
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and related
documentation.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
14. ACTION CALENDAR
14.a Update on Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 General Fund Revenue and
Consideration of a 10-Year Repayment Strategy for the City's CalPERS
Unfunded Accrued Liability and Ratify the FY 2026-27 Additional
Discretionary Payment of Up to $1.2 Million
Veronica Chavez, Deputy City Manager, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and
responded to City Council inquiries.
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Motion by: Councilmember Moreno
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. Receive updated FY 2025-26 General Fund Revenue Projections.
2. Consider commitment to a 10-year repayment strategy for the City's
CalPERS UAL, beginning FY 2026-27.
3. Ratify authorization making the FY 2026-27 CalPERS Additional
Discretionary Payment (ADP) from remaining unallocated General Fund
balance available at the close of FY 2025-26, in the amount of $1,206,372
and complete the required notification with CalPERS.
4. Appropriate $1,206,372 from Unobligated General Fund Balance to
General Services Retirement Contributions Account No. 1104159 -
4101500.
5. Direct staff to include future-year ADP funding options in the annual
budget process, using anticipated revenue growth from Measure G Sales
Tax, or other General Fund resources as available.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
14.b Award of a Task Order to Accenture LLP to Provide Construction
Management Services for the Fire Station 33 Renovation and Fire Station
71 Demolition and Reconstruction Projects (Project Nos. CFA00017 and
CFA00019)
Lucero Leyva, Senior Project Manager, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and
responded to City Council inquiries.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. Award a task order to Accenture LLP, for Construction Management
Services of Fire Station 33 and 71 in the amount not to exceed of
$3,271,210.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to approve the use of the former
Sheriff's Substation building as a temporary fire station during renovation
of Fire Station 33 (Project No. CFA00017) and reconstruction of Fire
Station 71 (Project No. CFA00019).
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the task order and any other
documents necessary to effectuate this action.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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15. PUBLIC HEARINGS
15.a Approve a Hillside Development Plan for a New One-Story, 7,600 Square-
Foot Single-Family Residence at 47780 Calle de Los Campesinos
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 member of
the public wishing to speak.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Mayor Trubee
Adopt Resolution 2026-054 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City
of Palm Desert, California, Approving a Hillside Development Plan for the
Construction of a New Single Family Residence at 47780 Calle de Los
Campesinos and Finding the Project Exempt from Environmental Review in
Accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
15.b Designation of an Existing Single-Family Home Located at 73411 Bursera
Way as a Historic Landmark Pursuant to Criteria C and F of Palm Desert
Municipal Code Section 29.40.010
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 member of
the public wishing to speak.
Motion by: Councilmember Moreno
Seconded by: Mayor Trubee
Adopt Resolution 2026-055 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City
of Palm Desert Designating an Existing Single Family House at 73411 Bursera
Way as a Historic Landmark Pursuant to Criteria C and F in Palm Desert
Municipal Code Section 29.40.010 and Finding Said Action Is Categorically
Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act Pursu ant to State CEQA
Guidelines Section 15038 (Assessor’s Parcel Number 630 -081-018).”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
16. INFORMATION ITEMS
None.
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17. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 5:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Michelle Nance, CMC
Assistant City Clerk/Assistant Secretary
_________________________
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk/Secretary
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