CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
5:30 PM
Pursuant to AB 361 and Cathedral City Resolution 2022-06, this meeting was conducted by video conference.
• CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez. • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Mark Carnevale lead the Pledge of Allegiance. • INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION)
Mayor Pro Tem Rita Lamb offered a moment of reflection. • ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Ernesto Gutierrez Mayor Remote
Rita Lamb Mayor Pro Tem Remote
Mark Carnevale Councilmember Remote
Nancy Ross Councilmember Remote
Raymond Gregory Councilmember Remote
• AGENDA FINALIZATION
There were no changes to the agenda.
1. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required by Elections Code Section 21621
Recommendation: 1. Receive a report from staff and the City’s redistricting consultant on the redistricting process and permissible criteria to be considered to redraw district boundaries; and
2. Conduct a public hearing to receive public input on
district boundaries.
3. Review draft maps.
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4. Select a preferred map.
5. Introduce the first reading of an Ordinance, by title only and waive further reading, of the City Council adjusting the Boundaries of City Council Electoral Districts of the City of Cathedral City, California.
Geremy Holm, Best Best and Krieger Consultant, provided an overview of the redistricting process and the fourth public hearing. He provide d a brief overview of Federa l Law, California criteria for cities, other traditional principals, and the previously presented draft maps. He presented draft map C version 2, draft map D version 4, and draft map E for review and consideration.
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez opened the four th Public Hearing to receive input from the general public related to the consideration of revised City Council District Boundaries as required by Election Code Section 21621. Seeing none, Mayor Gutierrez closed the Public Hearing and returned discussion to the City Council
A motion was made by Councilmember Carnevale and seconded by Councilmember Gregory to select proposed Map E and introduce the first reading of an Ordinance, by title only and waive further reading, of the Cit y Council of the City of Cat hedral City, adjusting the Boundaries of City Council Electoral Districts and redefining the Boundaries of all City Council Electoral Districts of the City of Cathedral City, California.
M.O. 2022-23
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Deborah McGarry, Public Affairs Man ager Southern California Gas Company, provided an update to the City Council related to winter billing.
3. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Nancy Ross reported that she attended the CVAG Energy and Environment Resources Committee meeting, Taste of Jalisco, an d Tour De Palm Springs. She reported that the last dinosaur has been instal led at the Jurassic Wonders Exhibit and thanked all those involved with the project. She reported that she attended her first Riverside Housing Academy with SCAG, which was complex, and she is very optimistic moving forward. She also reported that she spen t Valentine’s evening with her husband Bob and celebrated all he does for her. She met with former Cathedral City Mayor, John Aguilar, who is now on the Coachella Valley Water Distr ict Board, to discuss their plans for Cathedral City. She reported that she met with staff to review the updates to the Cathedral City Municipal Code.
She also met with a builder interested in building on several infill lots within Cathedral City. She repo rted that she helped facilitate the donation of a grandfather clock to the Cathedral City Senior Center. She reported on the February 16, 2022, Cathedral City P a g e 3 Printed on 3/03/2022
Special City Council Meeting. She announced that she held an open forum with a gated community in District 2 to discuss their issues and concerns. She spent a full day studying issues in the City, studying for the Riverside Housing Academy, and preparing for two SunLine Transit Agency meetings. She attended a wedding of a Cathedral City Commissioner and the Senior C enter’s 4 0th Anniversary celebration held at Spencers.
Councilmember Mark Carnevale attended the Taste of Jalisco , which was an amazing event. He reported that he attended a CVEP meeting. They are doing a great job looking into the future. He reported on the Special City Council Meeting where they discussed the 5 -year strategic plan. He reported that he attended the CVAG Homeless Committee meeting and stated that they are making good progress. He reported that the Cathedral City Police Department did the yearly point- in-time count and estimated that Cathedral City has about 60 h omeless individuals.
He also reported that he along with Mayor Pro Tem Lamb met with staff to review the updates to the Cathedral City Municipal Code. He reported that he discussed two possible developments within Cathedral City with Stone James, Economic Development Director. He announced that he and his son prepared and donated food for 400 people for the Tour De Palm Springs event. He is looking forward to attending the upcoming Mary Nutter Collegiate Softball Tournament, which is always a lot of fun. He is also looking forward to the upcoming Tejano Music Festival on March 5, 2022.
Councilmember Raymond Gregory reported on the pervious Regular and Special City Council meetings. He announced that he attended the Tasted of Jalisco , which was a great eve nt. He reported that he was able to observe a Yoga Class at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater. He also reported that he along with Mayor Gutierrez attended a meeting with st aff to review the updates to the Cathedral City Municipal Code. He hopes ev eryone had a good President’s Day and Valentine’s Day with their friends and family. He reported that he attended the Senior Center’s 40th Anniversary Celebration at Spencers. He an nounced that the Mary Nutter Collegiate Softball Tournament is coming up an d Mayor Gutierrez will be throwing out the first pitch. He also reported that the Tejano Music Festival and the Butterfly Festival are coming up and encouraged everyone to check out the City’s website discovercathedralcity.com for more information.
Mayor Pro Tem Rita Lamb reported that she represented the City at the Thrillville Parade and Festival on President’s Day and thanked all the volunteers involved. She reported that the S .C.R.A.P. Gallery has a display at Thrillville as well. She reported that the CVAG Mountains Conservancy Committee is reviewing grants and it was a great opportunity to learn about how grants are written. She recognized Gary Marshall, Chair of the Parks and Community Events Commission, who will be sitting in on the Trails Manageme nt sub -committee in her place. She recognized two Cathedral City High School wrestlers who will be competing in the CIF SS Division Title matches. She reported that she had an opportunity to film another Corona Virus Storytime and thanked Chris Parman for his help. She also attended the Dinner with Patsi fundraiser, which was held at Bubba and Brews. She gave a shout out to Scott Robinson, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clu b, for coordinating with the new Firebirds Hockey Team and the Parks and Co mmunity Events Commission on a field hockey demonstration. She received some resident concerns related to code Cathedral City P a g e 4 Printed on 3/03/2022
enforcement and road paving/resurfacing. She reported that she gave a resident a ride and he expressed how great automotive care is in the City. She announced that the City’s Spring mailer is available and has a wealth of information in it.
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez hopes everyone had a great Valentine’s Day and President’s D ay. He along with City Manager Charles McClendon , met with Assemblyman Garcia regarding the grant for the Dream Homes Park and possible help with the College of the Desert Road Runner project issue. He reported on the February 16, 2022, Special City Counci l Meeting. He participated in an early morning news interview with KESQ to promote Taste of Jalisco and thanked Chris Parman for all of his efforts. He also had the opportunity to promote the Taste of Jalisco and the new Amphitheater on KNews Radio. He was able to kick off the festivities of Taste of Jalisco by raising the Americ an and Mexican Flag outside of City Hall. He reported that he attended the Taste of Jalisco and was happy to see some of the past Mayors and Councilmembers in attendance. He also re ported that he met with City Manager McClendon and Assistant City Manager F uentes to discuss the City and the upcoming agenda. He announced that he will be attending the Mary Nutter Collegiate Softball Tournament where he will be throwing out the first pit ch. He also announced the upcoming City Hall at Your Corner Event on February 24, 2022. He thanked everyone for being so active in the City.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember Gregory and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lamb to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
A. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
M.O. 2022-34
B. Minutes Approval
M.O. 2022-35
1. City Council - Special Meeting - Jan 22, 2022 8:00 AM
2. City Council - Study Session - Feb 9, 2022 3:00 PM
3. City Council - Regular Meeting - Feb 9, 2022 5:30 PM C. Receive and File Payment of Claims and Demands for January 2022 Recommendation: The City Council acting in its capacity for the City, the Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency,
the Housing Successor Agency and the Cathedral City
Public Finance Authority Board receive and file payment of claims and demands in the aggregate sum of $8,004,435.38 for the month of January 2022.
M.O. 2022-36
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D. Approval of Grant Expenditures SLESA FY 2019-2020
Recommendation: Approve the Expenditure Plan Appropriating Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Account (SLESA) for FY 2019-
2020 allocation.
M.O. 2022-37
E. Rescind Resolution No. 2021-28
Recommendation: Approve Resolution No. 2022-__ Rescinding Resolution No. 2021-28 which authorized Pension Bonds and Validation
Action in Connection Therewith.
Reso 2022-10
F. HSIP 9 Traffic Signal Upgrades - Advantec Contract Amendment 1 Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Contract Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement
with Advantec Consulting Engineer’s Inc., in the amount of $42,237 to prepare the alterations to the plans,
specifications, and environmental documents to
accommodate two additional intersection traffic signal
modifications for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 9A, Traffic Signal Upgrades at Twelve (12) Intersections Project (CIP # C08752).
M.O. 2022-38
G. CalRecycle Grants and Payment Program Resolution
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution authorizing the submittal of application(s) for all CalRecycle Grant(s) and Payment(s) for which the City of Cathedral City is eligible.
Reso 2022-11
H. Notice to Comply with SB 619
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the submittal of a Notice to Comply with SB 1383 to the California Department of
Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle); and
authorize the City Manager or his designee, to execute the Notice of Intent to Comply application.
Reso 2022-12
5. ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
6. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. Appointment to Public Arts Commission
Recommendation: To make an appointment to the Public Arts Commission to fill one vacant seat on the Commission with a term
continuing to June 30, 2023.
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A motion was made by Councilmember Carnevale and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lamb to appoint Craig Liebelt to fill an unexpired term on the Public Arts Commission continuing to June 30, 2023.
M.O. 2022-39
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
B. Donation of a 2003 Wells cargo Trailer to CCHS Marching Band Recommendation: To authorize the Police Department to donate a 2003 Wells Cargo enclosed trailer to the Cathedral City High School Marching Band Boosters, Inc.
M.O. 2022-41
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Lamb and seconded by Councilmember Carnevale to authorize the Police Department to donate a 2003 Wells Cargo enclosed trailer to the Cathedral City High School Marching Band Boosters, Inc.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
C. Desert Recreation District (DRD) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Recommendation: Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Desert Recreation District (DRD) for the costs related to the annexation and election processes in an amount not-to-
exceed $286,749 and authorize the City Manager to execute the MOU and related documents in a form approved by the City Attorney.
M.O. 2022-41
A motion was made by Councilmember Gregory and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lamb to ap prove a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Desert Recreation District (DRD) for the costs related to the annexation and election processes in an amount not-to-exceed $286,749 and authorize the City Manager to execute the MOU and related documents in a form approved by the City Attorney.
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RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
D. HSIP Cycle 10 Design Professional Services Agreement Recommendation: Award a Professional Services Agreement to STC Traffic Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $58,628 to prepare the plans, specifications and environmental documents for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), Cycle 10,
High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) Signal at
Ramon Road and Avenida La Paloma; and authorize the
City Manager to execute the contract.
M.O. 2022-42
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Lamb and seconded by Councilmember Carnevale to award a Professional Services Agreement to STC Traffic Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $58,628 to pre pare the plans, specifications and environmental documents for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), Cycle 10, High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) Si gnal at Ramon Road and Avenida La Paloma; and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
E. Authorization of Task Order for Interwest Consulting Group in the amount of $68,425 and issue the Advanced Engineering Fee for SCE to begin the design of the East Palm Canyon Master Underground Plan (MUP) for CIP #C08874
Recommendation: Authorize the Southern California Edison (SCE) Preliminary Design and Engineering Advanced Fee in the amount of
$4,200 for the East Palm Canyon Master Underground Plan (MUP) Project; and, authorize Task Order to Interwest
Consulting Group not to exceed $68,425 for the survey and design services for the MUP and roadway widening design; and, authorize the Director of Engineering/Public Works to initiate the SCE Preliminary Design and execute Task Order 01 to Interwest, respectively.
M.O. 2022-43
A motion was made by Councilmember Gregory and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lamb to authorize the Southern California Edison (SCE) Preliminary Design and Engineering Advanced Fee in the amount of $4,200 for the East Palm Canyon Master Underground Plan (MUP) Project; and, authorize Task Order to Interwest Consulting Group not to exceed $68,425 for the survey and design Cathedral City P a g e 8 Printed on 3/03/2022
services for th e MUP and roadway widening design; and, authorize the Director of Engineering/Public Works to initiate the SCE Preliminary Design and execute Task Order 01 to Interwest, respectively.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
The City Council recessed at 8:03 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 8:10 p.m.
F. Task Order for the Design of Traffic Signal and Intersection Improvements at Landau Blvd and McCallum Way
Recommendation: Approve a Task Order for the SB1 funded design of a Traffic Signal and related intersection improvements at Landau
Blvd and McCallum Way with City cn-call traffic engineering consultant Webb and Associates for the not to exceed
amount of $81,856; and authorize the Director of
Engineering/Public Works to execute the Task Order.
Danny Lee expressed his support for this item a nd hopes it will slow traffic down in that area.
Danielle Mead expressed support of this item and feels it will be greatly appreciated by the community.
M.O. 2022-44
A motion was made by Mayor Gutierrez and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lamb to approve a Task Order for the SB1 funded design of a Traffic Signal and related intersection improvements at Landau B lvd and McCallum Way with City on-call traffic engineering consultant Webb and Associates for the not to exceed amount of $81,856; and autho rize the Director of Engineering/Public Works to execute the Task Order.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Mayor
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
G. Continuation of Teleconference Meetings
Recommendation: To adopt a resolution authorizing the City Council and Commissions to meet via teleconference pursuant to
Assembly Bill (AB) 361.
City Manager Charles McClendon stated that the City Council will need to consider whether or not to a dopt a new resolution to continue teleconference meetings pursuant to AB 361.
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Terry Applegate expressed her concer n with the rise of COVID -19 cases around the world. She recommends everyone continue to wear masks.
Danny Lee does not feel conformable participating in meetings if they were solely in-person. He hopes the City will continue teleconference as an option wh en in- person meetings resume.
Councilmember Mark Carnevale stated that he is open to returning to in -person or continuing virtual meetings , however, he it is uncomfortable speaking while wearing a mask and would prefer not to.
Councilmember Raymond Gre gory feels there is no rush to return to in -person meetings and expressed support for continuing teleconference meetings.
Councilmember Nan cy Ross expressed her support for continuing teleconference meetings.
Mayor Pro Tem Rita Lamb expressed her support for continuing teleconference meetings.
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez expressed his support for continuing teleconference meetings.
Reso 2022-13
A motion was made by Councilmember Carnevale and seconded by Councilmember Gregory to adopt a resolution authoriz ing the City Council and Commissions to meet via teleconference pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 361.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
H. Update on Emergency Actions Related to COVID-19
Recommendation: Update on Status of Emergency Proclamation. Possible action to continue or rescind Resolution 2020-06.
Update on Emergency Actions taken by City, County, State of Federal Agencies.
Possible consideration of additional measures to be taken.
Council may add items not listed on the agenda pursuant to Government Code section 54954.2 by majority vote.
City Manager Charles McClendon reported that there was a big data dump into the State's syst em on February 8, 2022, which was case information that was backed up from the last month. He stated that he took that data an d spread it over the last 30 days to get a clearer picture. He stated that the numbers were bad in late January through February, however, the numbers have since Cathedral City P a g e 10 Printed on 3/03/2022
improved at the Federal, State, County, and City levels. He indicated that we are still seeing increase numbers in deaths, which tend to lag behind. He feels it is encouraging, although, there is still a lot of transmission occurring in the community.
7. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Nancy Ross would like to bring an agenda item forward to invite College of the Desert Superintendent Dr. Martha Garcia to discuss the Road Runner Motors project.
Terry Applegate supports this item.
It was the consensus of the City Council to invite College of the Desert Superintendent Dr. Martha Garcia to attend a City Council meeting to discuss the Road Runner Motors project at her convenience.
8. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURN
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez asked that everyone keep the Nation of Ukraine in their prayers.
He adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:47 p.m.
Mayor, City of Cathedral City City Clerk, City of Cathedral City