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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 1258 - Water-Efficient Lndscpe Guidlines �A�'�P����'E��__�,__�� � �l�'� C��d���:,�`��z,.��.�_ CITY OF PALM DE E �Y���� ��(�j �Ai.�9.'3�'� i� �fs's`�.s ��.;�4�.3��5�3 DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY EVELOPMENT STAFF REPORT REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE PALM DESERT MUNCICPAL CODE, CHAPTER 24.04, PERTAINING TO WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE AND GUIDELINES SUBMITTED BY: Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner DATE: August 22, 2013 CONTENTS: Ordinance No. �25s , Exhibit A Legal Notice Recommendation Waive further reading and pass Ordinance No. 125s , to second reading approving amendments to the Palm Desert Municipal Code (PDMC) Chapter 24.04 Water-Efficient Landscape, and to adopt by reference Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) Ordinance No. 1302.1, and all future amendments. Executive Summary This report recommends that the City Council adopt amendments to the Municipal Code to establish minimum water-efficient landscape requirements for newly installed and rehabilitated landscape areas greater than 5,000 square feet.The amendments also ensure that the City is in compliance and meets the State of California Code of Regulations Title 23. Water Division 2. Department of Water Resources Chapter 2.7 Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and the State of California Water Conservation in Landscaping Act. Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) has created a water efficient landscape ordinance in compliance with the Department of Water Resources(CVWD Ordinance 1302.1). It is the intent of the City to defer technical irrigation review and approval process to CVWD. The City will still maintain full authority over aesthetic (plant choice, spacing, and design) review. Backqround AB 1881 was enacted into law on September 28, 2008. AB 1881 modifies and strengthens the existing"Water Conservation in Landscaping Act"(California Government Code section 65591 et seq.) (the"Act").The Act's goal is to improve state water conservation efforts by establishing a model water-efficient landscape ordinance for local agencies to adopt and use for the purpose of reducing water waste associated with irrigation of outdoor landscaping.AB 1881 also requires the State Department of Water Resources to update the existing model water-efficient landscape ordinance which provides guidelines for cities and counties to adopt local landscape irrigation ordinances as required by the law. Staff Report Approval of Amendments to Chapter 24.04 Water-Efficient Landscape Page 2 of 3 August 22, 2013 California Government Code Section 65595 (a portion of AB 1881) requires that local agencies either adopt a water-efficient landscape ordinance that is at least as effective in conserving water as the updated State model ordinance adopted by the State, or adopt the updated State Model Water-Efficient Landscape Ordinance. CVW D has adopted a water conservation ordinance, identified as Ordinance No. 1302.1,which seeks to prevent the misuse of the City's water supply, which is more restrictive than the requirements of AB 1881. Analvsis The amendments to Chapter 24.04 would promote water conservation through the planning, design, installation, and maintenance of landscapes by the use of climate-appropriate plant material and efficient irrigation. The amendments would also create a Palm Desert landscape theme through enhancing and improving the physical and natural environment. Also,the proposed amendments would comply with provisions of California Assembly Bill 1881 (AB 1881). AB 1881 modifies and strengthens the existing"Water Conservation in Landscaping Act" (California Government Code section 65591 et seq.). The City will defer technical irrigation review and approval process to CVW D consistent with the CVWD ordinance. The City will have full authority over aesthetic plant choice, spacing, and design review. In 2012, the Landscape Beautification Committee merged into the City's Architectural Review Commission, which approves plant pallet, location, and aesthic impacts. The proposed amendments establish clear procedures for submitting the Landscape Documentation Package, enforcement, and penalties for violation of the ordinance. The new ordinance applies to all new and rehabilitated landscaping for public agency projects and private development projects including, but not limited to: A. Industrial, commercial and recreational projects. B. Developer installed and rehabilitated landscaping in single-family tracts,five or more infill lots, and multi-family projects. C. New construction landscapes that are homeowner-provided and/or homeowner-hired in single and� multi-family residential projects with a cumulative total property/project landscape area equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet. Environmental Review The City Council hereby determines that this Ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") (California Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.). Pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15307 (14 Cal. Code Regs., § 15307), this Ordinance is covered by the CEQA Categorical Exemption for actions taken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of a natural resource where G:\Planning\Kevin Swartz\Word�Chapter 24.04 Water-Efiicient Landscape\Council Staff Aeport.doc Staff Report Approval of Amendments to Chapter 24.04 Water-Efficient Landscape Page 3 of 3 August 22, 2013 the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. The adoption of this Ordinance will result in the enhancement and protection of water resources, and will not result in cumulative adverse environment impacts or any other potentially significant impact described in State CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2. It is therefore exempt from the provisions of CEQA.The City Council hereby directs the City Manager or his designee to prepare and file a Notice of Exemption within five business days following adoption of this Ordinance. Fiscal Analvsis There is no significant fiscal impact regarding the approval of the amendments to Chapter 24.04 Water-Efficient Landscape of the Palm Desert Municipal Code. Submitted By: h�- �� Cl'fY COt}'�CIG�C'!'ION . Kevin Swartz, A istant Planner �D DF�� r RE THER ��2� ,�"` � , -- Department Head: MEET D AYE5 NOES: - ABSENT: ____ Lauri Aylaian, Dire tor of Community Deve�&��� � --------- -- Y�RIFIED BY: _-._ Original on File with City •�•i�'s (3�'�ice Mark e nwood, Dire or of Public Works A ro al: Jo M. Wohlmuth, City Manager G:\Planning\Kevin Swartz\Word\Chapter 24.04 Water-Efficient Landscape\Council Staff Report.doc ORDINANCE NO. 1258 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 24.04 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE, PERTAINING TO THE WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE AND GUIDELINES WHEREAS, California Constitution Article X, Section 2 and California Water Code Section 100 provide that because of conditions prevailing in the state of California (the "State"), it is the declared policy of the State that the general welfare requires that the water resources of the State shall be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent of which they are capable, the waste or unreasonable use of water shall be prevented, and the conservation of such waters is to be exercised with a view to the reasonable and beneficial use thereof in the interest of the people and the public welfare; and WHEREAS, pursuant to California Water Code Section 106, it is the declared policy of the State that the use of water for domestic use is the highest use of water and that the next highest use is for irrigation; and WHEREAS, California Assembly Bill 1881 ("AB 1881"), enacted into law on September 28, 2008, modifies and strengthens the existing "Water Conservation in Landscaping Act" (California Government Code section 65591 et seq.) (the "Act"). The Act's goal is to improve state water conservation efforts by establishing a model water efficient landscape ordinance for local agencies to adopt and use for the purpose of reducing water waste associated with irrigation of outdoor landscaping; and WHEREAS, AB 1881 requires the State Department of Water Resources ("Department") to update the existing model water efficient landscape ordinance which provides guidelines for cities and counties to adopt local landscape irrigation ordinances as required by the law; and WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 65595 (a portion of AB 1881) requires that local agencies either adopt a water efficient landscape ordinance that is, based on evidence in the record, at least as effective in conserving water as the updated State model ordinance adopted by the State or adopt the updated State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance; and WHEREAS, the Coachella Valley Water District ("CVWD") has adopted a water conservation ordinance, identified as Ordinance No. 1302.1, an Ordinance of the Coachella Valley Water District Establishing Landscape and Irrigation System Design Criteria ("CVWD Ordinance No. 1302.1") which seeks to prevent the misuse of the City's water supply through measures that include restrictions on water usage, and which satisfies the requirements of AB 1881; and ORDINANCE NO. 1258 WHEREAS, the City Council finds that CVWD Ordinance No. 1302.1 is more restrictive than the State's Model Ordinance because CVWD Ordinance No. 1302.1 requires a more stringent rate of evapotranspiration, and a higher degree of minimum irrigation system design efficiency; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend Chapter 24.04 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code ("PDMC") to adopt by reference CVWD Ordinance No. 1302, and all future amendments and to make other related amendments to said chapter; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that this Ordinance is necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare and to comply with applicable State law. NOW THEREFORE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, THAT THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE IS HERBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Amendments to PDMC Chapter 24.04. Chapter 24.04 of the Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as illustrated in Exhibit "A." SECTION 2: Exemption from California Environmental Quality Act. The City Council hereby determines that this Ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") (California Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.). Pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15307 (14 Cal. Code Regs., § 15307), this Ordinance is covered by the CEQA Categorical Exemption for actions taken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of a natural resource where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. The adoption of this Ordinance will result in the enhancement and protection of water resources, and will not result in cumulative adverse environment impacts or any other potentially significant impact described in State CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2. It is therefore exempt from the provisions of CEQA. The City Council hereby directs the City Manager or his designee to prepare and file a Notice of Exemption within five business days following adoption of this Ordinance. SECTION 3: Severability. The provisions of this Ordinance are severable, and the invalidity of any section, paragraph, phrase, clause, or part of this Ordinance shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remainder of this Ordinance. G:�Planning\Kevin Swartz\Word\Chapter 24.04 Wuter-Efficient Landscape\Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.doc ORDINANCE NO. �258 SECTION 4: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after its adoption in accordance with the provisions of California law. SECTION 5: Publication. The City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California, is hereby directed to publish this ordinance in The Desert Sun, a newspaper of general circulation, published and circulated in the City of Palm Desert, California, and shal� be in full force and effective thirty (30) days after its adoption. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, at its regular meeting held this day of , 2013, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: JAN C. HARNIK, MAYOR ATTEST: RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA G:�Planning\Kevin Swxrtz\Word\Chapter 24.04 WaterEfficient Landscape\Wnter Efficient Lundscape Ordinance.duc ORDINANCE NO. 125s EXHIBIT "A" CHAPTER 24.04 WATER-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE 24.04.010 - Purpose and Intent. 24.04.020 - Appiicability. 24.04.030 - Applicability--Exemptions. 24.04.040 - Landscape Documentation Package. 24.04.050 - Landscape Design Plan. 24.04.060 — Invasive Plant Species 24.04.070 - Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance. 24.04.080 - Landscape Irrigation Audits. 24.04.090 - Grading Design Plan. 24.04.100 - Certificate of Completion. 24.04.110 - Provisions for Existing Landscapes. 24.04.120 - Nuisance and Waste Water Prevention. 24.04.130 - Fees for Initial Review and Program Monitoring. 24.04.140 - Enforcement and Penalties 24.04.150 - Appeals. 24.04.010 - Purpose and Intent A. The purpose�of this Chapter is to establish minimum water-efficient landscape requirements for newly installed and rehabilitated landscapes. It is also the purpose of this Chapter to implement these minimum requirements to meet the State of California Code of Regulations Title 23. Water Division 2. Department of Water Resources Chapter 2.7 Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and the State of California Water Conservation in Landscaping Act, Reference: Sections 65591, 65593, 65596 Government Code. B. The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) has created a water efficient landscape ordinance in compliance with the Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance; Attachment A of Ordinance 1302.1 Landscape and Irrigation System Design Criteria ("CVWD Ordinance.") The City hereby adopts by reference CVWD Ordinance No. 1302 (in its most current edition as of the date of plan submittal) as the City's water efficient landscape criteria. It is the intent of the City Council to defer technical irrigation review and approval process to CVWD consistent with the CVWD ordinance. The City will have full authority over aesthetic (plant choice, spacing, and design) review. C. It is the intent of the City Council to promote water conservation through the planning, design, installation, and maintenance of landscapes by the use of climate-appropriate plant material and efficient irrigation as well as to create a Palm Desert landscape theme through enhancing and improving the physical and natural environment. G:�Planning\Kevin Swartz\WordAChapter 34.04 Wateo-Efficient LnndscupeAWater 8fficient Landscape Ordinance.doc ORDINANCE NO. 125s D. These provisions are supplementary and additional to the subdivision and zoning regulation of this code and shall be read and construed as an integral part of the regulations and controls established thereby. E. Refer to Ordinance No. 1302.1, an Ordinance of the Coachella Valley Water District establishing landscape and irrigation system design criteria. As Ordinance No. 1302.1 is amended and/or revised, so is Chapter 24.04, Water- Efficient Landscape so that it reflects the currently adopted version of the CVWD ordinance. 24.04.020 — Applicability This chapter applies to: A. All new and rehabilitated landscaping for public agency projects and private development projects including, but not limited to, industrial, commercial and recreational projects. B. Developer installed and rehabilitated landscaping in single-family tracts, five or more infill lots, and multifamily projects, per CVWD Ordinance 1302.1. C. New construction landscapes that are homeowner-provided and/or homeowner- hired in single and multi-family residential projects with a cumulative total property/project landscape area equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet. D. Existing landscapes are subject only to Sections 24.04.120, 24.04.130, 24.04.150, and 24.04.160. 24.04.030 Applicability - Exemptions The following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter: A. Homeowner-provided or rehabilitated landscaping at single-family and multifamily projects having a cumulative total property/project landscape area of less than 5,000 square feet; B. Cemeteries; C. Registered historical sites as determined by the City Council; D. Ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system; and E. Plant collections, excluding typical landscaped areas, as part of botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public. C:�Planning\Kevin Swaitz\Word\Chapter 24.(M Water-Pfficient Landscape\Water E�cient L�ndscape Ordinance.doc ORDINANCE N0. 1258 24.04.040 - Landscape Documentation Package A. Two copies of a Landscape Documentation Package conforming to this Chapter shall be submitted to the City of Palm Desert and CVWD per Ordinance 1302.1. Preliminary approval of the project, specifically the Landscape Design Plan as outlined in Section 24.04.050, and defined within CVWD Ordinance 1302.1, shall be obtained from the Architectural Review Commission prior to submittal of the Landscape Documentation Package to the Director of Public Works. No person, either as property owner, contractor, landscape architect or otherwise subject to the provisions of this Chapter shall cause landscape construction work to begin without having an approved Landscape Documentation Package approved by CVWD per Ordinance 1302.1, and from the Director of Public Works. B. All requirements for the Landscape Documentation Package are found within CVWD Ordinance 1302.1. C. Landscapes shall be maintained per the approved Landscape Document Package. D. All properry owners, persons, firms, corporations, agents, empfoyees or contractors of regulated projects shall complete and submit the landscape project application and comply with the approved Landscape Documentation Package as required pursuant to this Chapter and CVWD Ordinance No. 1302.1. E. An approved Landscape Documentation Package will run with the property and the installed landscape will be maintained into perpetuity per the approved Landscape Documentation Package. A current or new property owner may request amendments to an approved Landscape Documentation Package provided they are consistent with the original intent, design quality, and water efficiency of the original approved Landscape Documentation Package. Any request shall be subject to the current City approval process. 24.04.050 - Landscape Design Plan A. For efficient use of water, a Landscape Design Plan shall be carefully designed and planned for the intended function of the project. B. The Landscape Design Plan shall be submitted as part of the Landscape Documentation Package; and include all components, contents, and items required by CVWD Ordinance 1302.1. C. The Landscape Design Plan shall incorporate design criteria found in the current edition of the City's "Desert Flora Design Guide" publication. G:�Planning\Kevin Swartz\WordACh¢pter 24.(M Water-EBicient Land'xnpeAWa[er Efficien[Landscape Ordinance.doc ORDINANCE NO. 1258 24.04.060 - Invasive Plant Species Noxious weeds are any weed designated by the weed control regulations in the Weed Control Act and identified on a regional district noxious weed control list. Lists of invasive plants are maintained at the California lnvasive Plant Inventory and USDA invasive noxious weeds database, and are prohibited in a landscape design. 24.04.070 - Landscape and Irrigation Maintenance A regular maintenance schedule containing the following conditions shall be submitted with the Certificate of Completion for all projects: A. Landscapes shall be maintained to ensure water efficiency. The regular maintenance schedule shall include but not be limited to routine inspection, adjusting and repairing irrigation equipment; aerating and dethatching turf areas; replenishing decomposed granite ground cover; fertilizing; prun�ing, weeding, and removing any obstruction to emission devices in all landscaped areas. B. Whenever possible, repair of irrigation equipment shall be done with the originally specified materials or their equivalents. C. Operation of irrigation systems outside the normal watering window is allowed for auditing and system maintenance. D. Landscape and irrigation maintenance activities shall be pursuant to those described in the current edition of the City's "Desert Flora Maintenance" publication. 24.04.080 - Landscape Irrigation Audits Landscape irrigation audits shall be completed for new developments and existing landscape pursuant to CVWD Ordinance 1302.1. 24.04.090 - Grading Design Plan Grading Design Plans per Title 27 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code shall be submitted as part of the Landscape Documentation Package. For the purpose of this section, the Grading Design Plan shall meet and shall be submitted pursuant to CVWD Ordinance 1302.1. 24.04.100 - Certificate of Completion Certificates of Completion shall be certified by a license architect or designer of record per CVWD Ordinance 1302.1 and submitted to the City of Palm Desert for all projects. G:�PlanningAKevin Swartz\WordAChapter 24.04 Wuteo-Efricient Lunds�:apeAWater Efficient Landscape Ordinance.doc ORDINANCE N0. 1258 24.04.110 - Provisions for Existing Landscapes Existing landscapes in excess of one acre in size shall be subject to a landscape audit, irrigation survey, and water use analysis pursuant to CVWD Ordinance No. 1302.1, Landscape and Irrigation System Design Criteria. 24.04.120 - Nuisance and waste water prevention A. Public Nuisance Declaration. Any landscaping or landscaping irrigation system installed or maintained in violation of this Chapter, including those failing to conform to approved landscaping plans, is declared to be a public nuisance under Section 8.70.010 and 8.70.030 and is subject to abatement pursuant to Chapter 8.20. B. Nuisance Water. The operation of a landscape irrigation system that creates overspray and/or runoff onto impervious surfaces (such as sidewalks, driveways, ditches, gutters, and roadways) in the public right of way shall be deemed to create nuisance water when such condition is observed to exist on any three days within a seven-day period. Nuisance water is a public nuisance under section 8.20.020(T)(8) and subject to abatement pursuant to Chapter 8.20. C. Variances. The City Manager or his/her designee may, in writing, grant variances to persons who apply in writing for water uses prohibited by this chapter if it is found that a variance is necessary to prevent an emergency condition relating to health and safety, and if the person seeking a variance has demonstrated that he or she has implemented measures in some other manner that achieves the objectives of the chapter. 24.04.130 - Fees for Initial Review and Program Monitoring A. For the purposes of ineeting its obtigations under this chapter, the following fees are deemed necessary to review landscape documentation packages and monitor landscape irrigation audits and shall be imposed on the subject applicant, property owner or designee. 1. A Landscape Documentation Package review fee will be due at time of initial project application submission to the Public Works Department. 2. The water purveyor may require every five years the project owner/developer to cause a landscape irrigation audit to be completed by a certified landscape irrigation auditor. No City fee will be due for the review of the audit by the Director of Public Works. 3. If a Landscape Documentation Package is not submitted prior to the start of landscape construction work by those persons required to submit a package, a late submittal fee of twice the review fee shall be charged. G:\Planning\Kevin Swartz\Word\Chapter 24.04 WaterEfficient Landscape\Water Efficient Landsc:ape Ordinance.doc . � ORDINANCE N0. 1258 B. The City Council, by resolution, shall establish the amount of the above fees in this section in accordance with applicable law. 24.04.140 - Enforcement and Penalties A. For the purposes of ensuring that persons comply with the provisions of this chapter, the City Manager or his/her designee may, following written notice to subject property owner(s), initiate enforcement action(s) against such property owner(s) or designee(s), which enforcement action may include, but not be limited to, the following: 1. Revocation of a Landscape Documentation Package; 2. Revocation of an approved conditional use permit; 3. Withholding issuance of a certificate of use, certificate of occupancy, or building permit; 4. Issuance of a stop work order; 5. Public nuisance abatement pursuant to Chapter 8.20; and 6. Issuance of a citation. B. Any landscaping that is installed, constructed, altered, enlarged, converted, moved, or maintained contrary to the provisions of this Chapter and/or CVWD Ordinance No. 1302.1, or failure to comply with any of the conditions of an approved Landscape Documentation Package, permit, precise plan, conditional use permit or variance granted by the Architectural Review Commission, Planning Commission, and City Council under this Chapter or CVWD Ordinance No. 1302.1, is declared to be unlawful. Any property owner, person, firm, corporation, agent, employee or contractor, otherwise violating any provision of this Chapter or CVWD Ordinance No. 1302.1 shall be guilty of an infraction and shall be punishable as provided herein. 24.04.150 - Appeals Decisions made by the Director of Public Works may be appealed by an applicant, property owner(s) or designee(s) of any applicable project to the City Manager in writing, within (15) days from the date of notification of decision. The City Manager's decision may be appealed to the City Council by an application in writing to the City Clerk of the City Council within fifteen (15) days from the date of notification of decision. G:�PlanningAKevin Swartz\WordVChapter 24.04 Water-Efficient LandscapeAWater Efficient Landscape Ordinance.doc 4..-�� CI �� 'r � � � � lii� � � � � �� � F �` '•,,: �� ,�, 73—Sio Fit��Wnwn�c, Dk�vr. Pn�h� Dese.Esr,Ca�iFe�Kwn gz?6o—�;78 ` � re[.:760 ;46—o6�i , Fnx:760 3qi—�o98 , inloC�palm-de�ec[_or�; ��. CITY OF PALM DESERT LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 24.04 WATER-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE AND ADOPT BY REFERENCE COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT ORDINANCE NO. 1302.1, AND ALL FUTURE AMENDMENTS. PROJECT LOCATION: Citywide, City of Palm Desert, Council Chambers PUBLIC HEARING: SAID public hearing will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2013, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the Palm Desert Civic Center, 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California, at which time and place all interested persons are invited to attend and be heard. Written comments concerning all items covered by this public hearing notice shall be accepted up to the date of the hearing. Information concerning the proposed moratorium is availabie for review in the Department of Community Development at the above address between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you challenge the proposed actions in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing. PUBLISH: Desert Sun Rachelie Klassen, City Clerk August 10, 2013 Palm Desert City Councii �