CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
5:30 PM
Pursuant to AB 361 and Cathedral City Resolution 2022-13, this meeting was conducted by videoconference.
• CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Councilmember Raymond Gregory. • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Mark Carnevale led the Pledge of Allegiance. • INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION)
Councilmember Nancy Ross offered a moment 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
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
City Clerk Tracey Hermosillo read a comment submitted by Ba ry Freet expressing his concern with how Code Compliance is interpreting the Municipal Code related to the parking of recreational vehicles. He encouraged the City Council to consider changing the language in the Municipal Code so that it is not contradic tory and is simplified.
2. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Mark Carnevale reported that he attended the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic Softball Tournament, where the Mayor did a great job throwing Cathedral City P a g e 2 Printed on 3/21/2022
out the ceremonial first pitch. He reported that he participa ted in a City Hall at Your Corner with Mayor Gutierrez . He also reported that he met with Stone James, Economic Development Director , to discuss development projects that need help getting back on track. He was able to help assist the Sunniva project by sp eaking to the Coachella Valle y Water Agency , which has caused some setbacks for the project. He also met with Assistant City Manager Katherine Fuentes and a large landowner to discuss zoning in the area north of interstate 10 , which he hopes they can addre ss. He received a call from a developer on Kylie Road, who expressed concerns with the delay with his project. He reported that he spoke with John Corella, Director of Engineering and Public Works, for an update on the repaving of the Century Park area and the Ofelia Bringas Bridge pr oject. He also reported that he reached out to Police Chief Crum regarding a large homeless encampment on Date Palm, which was taken care of. He reported that he spoke with an 80 -year-old man that was facing homelessness and un fortunately there were no res ources to help him, which was very disappointing. He also spoke with Carol Pipitone regarding the Shelter Box Program which helps shelter families and can accommodate a family of four for a few months. He hopes Ms. Pipitone can provide a presentation to Council soon. He reported that he attended a meeting regarding the City Peace Initiative. He announced that the Tejano Music Festival has been rescheduled, and he expressed his gratitude for Chris Parman’s efforts. He also announ ced the upcoming Grand Openin g of the Jurassic Wonders Exhibit, LGBT Days and the Butterfly Festival.
Councilmember Raymond Gregory reported that he attended the Riverside County Transportation Commission meeting as well as their Budget and Implementati on meeting. He reported that he attended a mixer for the Desert Business Association at the Roost Lounge and encouraged everyone to go visit the Roost Lounge. He also reported that on March 5th he attended a musical at CVREP, which was very well done. On March 7, along with Mayor Gutierrez, he attended a high-performance CPR demonstration at the Fire Department and thanked Fire Chief Muhr for the coordination. He announced the upcoming Butterfly Festival at Panorama Park on March 12, 2022, from 10:00 -1:00 p .m. He reminded everyone to s et their clocks forward Sunday for Daylight Savings. He announced that he will be participating along with Mayor Pro Tem Lamb, in a City Hall at Your Corner on March 17, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. He also announced the upcoming LGBT D ays and provided a brief overview of the many festivities. He stated that more information can be found at cathedralcitylgbtdays.com.
Mayor Pro Tem Rita Lamb reported that she attended the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic Softball Tournament and was very i mpressed with Mayor Gutierrez ’s ceremonial first pitch. She announced that yesterday was Woman's Day. She reported that she , along with Councilmember Ross , attended the Women's Leader Forum Speakers’ Series , which was a wonderful event. She announced the upcoming Butterfly Festival an d noted that the Evening Rotary is a sponsor of the event. She also announced that the Noon Rotary is having a Black -tie Bingo event on April 30, 2022, where Patsi will be the celebrity caller, all proceeds will go to Cathedral City High School scholarships and the Children's Discovery Museum. She reported that she attended the Coachella Valley Mosquito & Vector Control Board of Trustees meeting and reported on their recent strategic planning session. She announced that she will be participating in an upcom ing City Hall at Your Corner Cathedral City P a g e 3 Printed on 3/21/2022
meeting, which she is looking forward to. She asked that members of the public consider one thing they would like to see the City Council bring to Cathedral City to share at the City Hall at Your Co rner meeting. She also announ ced that Shannon Miller, Community Outreach for the Firebird Hockey Team, in conjunction with the Parks and Community Events Commission helped bring field hockey to the Boys and Girls Club. She thanked Kristin Lehigh from the C athedral City Library for making the library a great resource. She reported that she received several resident concerns related to debris in the wash, Code Enforcement processes , and large items left out on trash day. She stated that the City’s mailer has information on Burrtec services for large item pickups. She also spoke to a resident that would like the City to consider installing roundabouts in the City. She thanked Councilmember Ross for the beautiful moment of reflection this meeting.
Councilmember Nancy Ross reported that she stays busy and enjoys what she does. She feels there is so much need and she along with the rest of the Council are always happy to help. She reported that she requested at the last City Council meeting that Dr. Garcia, Presid ent of College of the Desert, be invited to a City Council meeting to discuss the Road Runner Motors Program, however, she has not yet provided her availability. She met with Mayor Middleton of Palm Springs and SunLine Transit Agency, to discuss new West C oast Center of Excellence. Sh e reported that she attended the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic Softball Tournament and was very impressed that the women pitch underhand, which is hard to do. She also reported that she was able to meet with several constituen ts. She reported that she met with Stone James, Economic Development Director, regarding affordable housing. She stated that she attended the Woman’s Leadership forum and expressed her gratitude that Mayor Pro Tem Lamb hosted her for that meeting. She reported that she met with City M anager twice and is always learning something new. She also reported that she attended two meetings with the SunLine Transit Agency Board. She also reported that she is on the planning committee for the California Cities Rivers ide Division Valley Leaders t o help schedule events for Fall.
She stated that she continues to participate in the SCAG Housing Academy as mentioned before. She reported that she will be attending the upcoming CVAG Energy and Environmental Resources Committee meeting.
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez stated that it is amazing to walk around and see everyone’s faces again and hopes to see everyone in the Council Chambers soon. He expressed his concerns for the war in Ukraine and hopes the world can come together and help end the war. He urged e veryone to donate to the cause to help Ukraine if they are able to. He reported that he attended a City Hall at Your Corner along with Councilmember Carnevale. He also attended the Marry Nutter Collegiate Classic Softball Tournament, where he threw out the first pitch and was able to get a ball signed by the San Diego team. He thanked Chris Parman for doing a great job and stated that he hears many great things about him all the time. He reported that he met with City Manager Mc Clendon and Assistant City Ma nager Fuentes for their weekly meetings. He also reported that he attended the CVAG Executive Committee Meeting along with City Manager McClendon. He met with a business owner who is trying to relocate his business to Cathedral City and is working with City Staff to help him out. He received a call from Josie Diaz , who was very upset about the wind for the Tejano Music Festival, he later heard it was cancelled due to the wind. He reported that he drove by the Jurassic Wonders Ex hibit and it was wonderful to see Cathedral City P a g e 4 Printed on 3/21/2022
all the people taking pictures. He feels the exhibit has been a great display for the City. He also attended the high -performance CPR demonstration along with Councilmember Gregory which was an incredible experience, and h e learned a lot.
He received a resident concern about speeding cars on Landau, 30 th, and Whispering Palms and will be following up with Police Chief Crum. He also received a complaint related to a trailer that was parked in same spot for a month and another complaint related to a resi dence with excessive trash which is visible to the public.
He reported that City Manager McClendon and Code Enforcement were working on these issues. He also received an inquiry related to the traffic signal on Landau and was able to provide the resident w ith an update on what was going on. He stated that a resident requested that the City consider updating the Municipal Code related to RV parking on surface streets, which he thinks is a great idea . He took a drive around the Ci ty to see what can be done to improve the City and feels the City needs to continue working with Code Enforcement and the Police Department to beautify the City. He reminded everyone to set their clocks ahead this Sunday for Daylight Savings. He reported t hat he will be attending the upcoming League of California Cities Riverside County Division meeting.
3. SPECIAL PRESENTATION - American Council of Engineering Companies Award - Cathedral City Community Amphitheater
John Corella, Director of Engineering a nd Public Works, presented th e California 2022 Engineering Excellent Merit Award received by the City from the American Council of Engineering Companies for the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember Gr egory and seconded by Council member Carnevale to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
A. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
M.O. 2022-45
B. Minutes Approval
M.O. 2022-46
1. City Council - Special Meeting - Feb 10, 2022 5:00 PM
2. City Council - Special Meeting - Feb 16, 2022 2:00 PM
3. City Council - Study Session - Feb 23, 2022 3:00 PM
4. City Council - Regular Meeting - Feb 23, 2022 5:30 PM C. CFD 2006-1, IA #16 Authorizing the Levy of a Special Tax (2nd) Reading Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt the Ordinance authorizing the levy of a special tax within Improvement Area Cathedral City P a g e 5 Printed on 3/21/2022
(IA) No. 16 of the City of Cathedral City Community Facilities District (CFD) No. 2006-1 (Law Enforcement, Fire,
Paramedic, Park and General Maintenance Services).
Ord 866
D. Appoint Voting Delegate for the Southern California Association of Government's (SCAG) Annual Regional Conference General Assembly Meeting
Recommendation: Appoint Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez as the voting delegate at the 2022 Southern California Association of Government's (SCAG) Annual Regional Conference General Assembly
Meeting.
M.O. 2022-47
E. Second Reading of an Ordinance adjusting the Boundaries of City Council Electoral Districts of the City of Cathedral City, California as required by Elections Code Section 21621
Recommendation: To approve the second 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.
Ord 867
F. Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Professional Construction Management Services with T.Y. Lin International for the Ofelia Bringas Memorial Bridge Project (aka Cathedral Canyon Drive Bridge over Whitewater River Project).
Recommendation: Approve a no cost Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Professional Construction Management Services with T.Y.
Lin International for the Ofelia Bringas Memorial Bridge Project (CIP No. 8919) extending the Agreement term; and authorize the City Manager to execute the Amendment.
M.O. 2022-48
G. Approve Amendment No. 01 to the Cooperative Agreement, 08-1680, between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Cathedral City for the Da Vall Drive Interchange Project Recommendation: Approve Amendment No. 01 to the Cooperative Agreement, 08-1680, dated May 10, 2019, in the amount of $20,000,
between Caltrans and the City of Cathedral City related to the Da Vall Drive/I-10 Interchange Project; and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 01.
M.O. 2022-49
5. ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Substantial Amendment to the CDBG FY 2021-22 Annual Action Plan Cathedral City P a g e 6 Printed on 3/21/2022
Recommendation: Approve a Substantial Amendment to reallocate unspent prior year CDBG funds for the FY 2021-22 Annual Action
Plan for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Andrew Lee, Assistant Engineer, provided an overview of the recommendation to approve a Substantial Amendment to reallocate unspent prior year CDBG funds for the FY 2021 -22 Annual Action Plan for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Members of th e City Council requested clarification on what services will be provided by WeeCare with the requested allocations and how it complies with the CARES Act funding.
Jessa Costanzo, WeeCare, provided an overview of the two progra ms offered by WeeCare.
The City Council expressed concern related to the allocations proposed for the WeeCare program and requested that further information be provided prior to the Council making a decision.
M.O. 2022-50
A motion was made by Councilmem ber Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Carnevale to table this item until the March 23, 2022 meeting to allow further information to be provided for Council's consideration.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 1]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
AYES: Ernesto Gutierrez, Rita Lamb, Mark Carnevale, Raymond Gregory
NAYS: Nancy Ross
M.O. 2022-51
A motion was made by Councilmember Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Carnevale to open the Public Hearing and receive public input and continue the Public Hearing to March 23, 2022.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez opened the Public He aring to receive input from the general public related to the Substantial Amendment to the CDBG FY 2021 -22 Annual Action Plan.
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Danielle Mead inquired what CDBG stands for and how the WeeCare program identifies childcare facilities and parents within the City.
Geoff Corbin, Cathedral City Senior Center, expressed his concern with the item being tabled.
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez announced that the Public Hearing will be continued to March 23, 2022.
7. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) & Desert Recreation District (DRD) Three-Party Agreement to Operate the Cathedral City High School Swimming Pool for Public Use
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to execute a three-party agreement between the City of Cathedral City and the Palms Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) and Desert
Recreation District (DRD), for operation of the Cathedral City High School Swimming Pool for Public Use during the
Summer months of 2022, in a form approved by the City
Attorney.
M.O. 2022-52
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Lamb and seconded by Councilmember Gregory to authorize the City Manager to execute a three -party agreement between the City of Cathedral City and the Palms Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) and Dese rt Recreation District (DRD), for operation of the Cathedral City High School Swimming Pool for Public Use during the Summer months of 2022, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
B. California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) Annual Lump Sum Payment
Recommendation: Authorize an allocation of $1,750,000 for a lump sum payment to CalPERS.
M.O. 2022-53
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Lamb and seconded by Councilmember Gregory to a uthorize an allocation of $1,750,000 for a lump sum payment to CalPERS.
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RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
The City Council recessed at 7:23 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 7:30 p.m.
C. Task Order with MVR Consulting to provide Grant and Project Support Services for the Dream Homes Park Proposition 68 Statewide Park Program Grant Project.
Recommendation: Approve a Task Order for MVR Consulting, in the amount not-to-exceed, $93,900 to provide Grant and Project Support Services to assist the Engineering Department in bringing the Dream Homes Park Proposition 68 Statewide Park
Program (SPP) Grant project to the construction bid
evaluation phase; and authorize the Director of
Engineering/Public Works to approve the Task Order.
M.O. 2022-54
A motion was made by Councilmember Carnevale and s econded by Councilmember Gregory to approve a Task Order for MVR Consulting , in the amount not-to-exceed, $93,900 to provide Grant and Project Support Services to assist the Engineering Department in bringing the Dream Homes Park Proposition 68 Statewide Park Program (SPP) Grant p roject to the construction bid evaluation phase; and authorize the Director of Engineering/Public Works to approve the Task Order.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
D. Task Orders for On Call Development Plan Check Services with NAI Consulting, Inc. and Fomotor Engineering, Inc.
Recommendation: Approve Task Orders to NAI Consulting, Inc. and Fomotor Engineering, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $60,000 each, respectively, for On Call Development Plan Checking Services, for a total amount of $120,000 for the remaining portion of FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23; and, authorize the Director of Engineering/Public Works to execute the Task Orders; and, authorize a General Fund Budget Amendment
in the amount of $120,000 to the Engineering Department’s Professional and Technical Services account 100-8600-860.
M.O. 2022-55
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A motion was made by Councilmember Gr egory and seconded by Councilmember C arnevale to approve Task Orders to NAI Consulting, Inc. and Fomotor Engineering, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $60,000 each, respectively, for On Call Development Plan Checking Services, for a total am ount of $120,000 for the remaining portion of FY 2021-22 and FY 2022 -23; and, authorize the Director of Engineering/Public Works to execute the Task Orders; and, authorize a General Fund Budget Amendment in the amount of $120,000 to the Engineering Department’s Professional and Technical Services account 100-8600-860.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
E. 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 provided an update on emergency actions related to COVID-19. He stated that the Council does not need to take any action on resolutions in place r elated to COVID -19. He stated that case numbers continue to decline. It is the best that it has been since late November and is trending in the right direction, which is consistent with what we are seeing a t the National, State and County levels. At the wo rkforce level, we are in the best position we have been in a long time as an organization. We continue to monitor the data from the California Department of Public Health and Cal OSHA to ensure we are in line with requirements.
This item was for information and direction only, there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
8. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There were no future agenda items discussed.
9. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURN
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 8:01 p.m.
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Mayor, City of Cathedral City City Clerk, City of Cathedral City