CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
5:30 PM
City Council Chambers
68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Cathedral City, CA 92234
This meeting was conducted in person and via Zoom.
• CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez. • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Nancy Ross led the Pledge of Allegiance.
• INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION)
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez offered the invocation.
• ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Ernesto Gutierrez Mayor Present 5:30 PM
Rita Lamb Mayor Pro Tem Present 5:30 PM
Mark Carnevale Councilmember Present 5:30 PM
Nancy Ross Councilmember Present 5:30 PM
Raymond Gregory Councilmember Present 5:30 PM
• AGENDA FINALIZATION
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
Maria Scagliotti expressed her concern with the current cultivation tax.
Dorian Whitney expressed his concern with the lack of public transit in the City.
Chuck Parker expressed his concern with the Salton Sea and urged the City Council to consider a resolution
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Feliz Nunez expressed her concern with the health i ssues caused by the Salton Sea.
Mitchell Velasco, Cathedral City High School Rotary Interact, invited the City Council to their upcoming Cinco de Mayo event.
2. SPECIAL PRESENTATION - Janeshia Adams-Ginyard
The City Council presented Janeshia Adams -Ginyard, Cathedral City Resident, with proclamation recognizing and congratulating her for her many accomplishments as an Emmy-nominated actress and stunt woman.
3. SPECIAL RECOGNITION - Gary Marshall and Antonio Baciu The City Council presented Antonio Baciu an d Gary Marshall with a Certificate of Recognition for their role in bringing Yoga Classes at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater to residents.
4. SPECIAL RECOGNITION - Terry Applegate and Sue Townsley The City Council presented Sue Townsley and Terry Applegate with a Certificate of Recognition for their extraordinary service to the Cathedral City Community.
5. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Gregory reported on the Special City Council meeting held on April 20, 2022, where they discussed cannabis regu lations. He reported that he attended the ERICA Board meeting, where the maintenance budget was approved . On April 18, 2022, he attended the Desert Business Association Awards where he was honored to presen t the Heritage Award to Ron Celona from CVREP. He reported that he attended the Riverside County Transportation Commission Budget and Implementation Committee meeting, they have started their budget process. The Coachella Festivals have been taking place, the first two are over and Stagecoach is coming up which he plans to attend. He announced that there will be a Spring Fest at Century Park from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Hall of Flowers will be held on May 4th and 5th, the SCAG Conference will be held on Ma y 5th and 6th. He announced that May 13, 2022, is the grand opening of the Panorama Dog Park at 9:00 a.m. He also announced that the College of the Desert Board of Trustees has decided to keep the Road Runner Motors program at the original location in Cath edral City and thanked all those involved. He reminded everyone that Mother's Day is coming up.
Mayor Pro Tem Rita Lamb recognized Ron Celona. She reported that she attended the 2022 Coachella Valley Business Conference and Economic Forecast, which was wonderful. She wanted to do a special acknowledge of Steve Fraiser for the CV Firebirds. He and Shannon Miller brought a hockey demonstration to the Boys and Girls Club. She reported that she stopped by the Riverside County Office of Social Services on Perez Road. In suite A they provide services for CalFre sh, Calworks, and Medi -Cal. In suite B they provided Women Infants and Children nutrition services (WIC). She thanked Patty Wexler for Yoga and expressed what a wonderful event it was. She reported that Gar y Marshall represented the City on the Trails Subcommittee in her place due to it being a conflict with the City Council Special meeting, she and Mr. Marshall will be meeting with Jim Karpiak, Director of the Cathedral City P a g e 3 Printed on 5/05/2022
Mountains Conservancy. She announced that she w ill be attending the City on the Palm Springs Unif ied School District 2x2 committee meeting on Monday. She also announced that last week was Mosquito Awareness Week. She had the opportunity to participate in the FIND Food Bank fundraiser telethon event, an d noted that FIND Food Bank Executive Director, De bbie Espinoza, is being recognized for her efforts.
She will be attending the upcoming AMVETS meeting. She announced that the Desert Recreation District and the City will be offering swim lessons this summe r.
She recited a quote, “Live purposely and walk humbly.”
Councilmember Mark Carnevale reported on the last Special City Council meeting , which was very productive. He attended the CVAG Homeless Committee and reported that they secured a 3 -year $300,0 00 grant from the State for homeless services. He pro vided an update on the CV 200 program. He reported that he is working on a cooling center with no luck so far and has reached out the Supervisor Perez for help. He attended a meeting, along with Councilmemb er Ross and Deanna Pressgrove, Environmental Conservation and Public Works Manager, for an update on SB 1383. He also reported that he attended the 2022 Coachella Valley Business Conference and Economic Forecast. He announced that he had two constituent co ncerns which were referred to Police Chief Crum an d City Manager McClendon. He reported that he will be attending the SCAG Conference on May 5th and 6th, along with is fellow Councilmembers. He will also be attending the upcoming Coachella Valley Animal Campus meeting. He announced the upcoming Spring Fest at Century Park from 8:30 a.m.to 12:00 p.m.
Councilmember Nancy Ross reported that she attended the CVAG Energy and Environment Resources Committee meeting, where they received $80,000 from the Coachella Valley Air Quality Enhancement. She also stated that the CVAG Energy and Environment Resources Committee also supports water importation to the Salton Sea. She, along with volunteers, handed out hundreds of flyers in the Ocotillo Park area to inform the public of two upcoming meetings to have discussion s with Desert Recreation District, the Police Department, the Fire Department, Coachella Valley Water District, Director of Engineering, Assistant City Manager and City Manager. She held the first of these two meetings on April 21, 2022. She reported that she met with a constituent about the importance of shade trees. She also reported that she met with the Museum of Ancient Wonders , where they discussed their ideas of a larger museum. She indicated that she met with two gated communities. She reported that she, along with Councilmember Carnevale , are working on SB 1383 guidelines and there will be a lot of education for residents. On April 18, 2022, she reported that she also attended a meeting with SCAG, an d reported that she is assisting with their Annual Elected Officials Corn Hole Tournament scheduled for September 30, 2022. She reported that she also attended the SCAG Housing Forum, met with a former Commissioner, and spoke with some Cannabis Industry Leaders. On April 21, 2022, she attended a meeting w ith a gated community to discuss their relationship with their neighbors, Extended Stay. She reported that she attended the SunLine Transit Agency Board meeting and stated that she is working with the CEO o f SunLine on some upcoming projects. She reported she took a meeting with the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce and took a tour of a Senior Living Center. She also reported that she attended a meeting regarding the future of hydrogen. On April 26, she met a friend for breakfast, caught up on phone calls , met with City Manager McClendon, met with HR Manager Cathedral City P a g e 4 Printed on 5/05/2022
Eugenia Torres and Fire Chief Muhr. She thanked Stone James, Economic Development Director, and Terry Applegate for their efforts with the College of th e Desert Road Runner Motors program issue.
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez hopes everyone is staying healthy. He announced that last week was Greek Easter and hopes everyone had fun. He also announced that the College of the Desert Board of Trustees has decided t o keep the Road Runner Motors program in the origi nal location in Cathedral City and thanked all those involved. He reported that he met with City Manager McClendon and Assistant City Manager Fuentes for his weekly meeting. He reported that he also met wit h a resident from Desert Princess who expressed hi s concerns with the vehicles speeding on Vista Chino and Landau, which he will be working on with Police Chief Crum. He reported that he attended the California Cities Mayors Meeting , where they discussed i mplementation and grants for AB 1383. He also repo rted on the Special City Council meeting held on April 20, 2022. He reported that he attended the CVAG Executive Committee meeting , where they discussed Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fees. He encouraged those who qualify to take advantage of Edison’s discount programs as temperatures rise. He reported that he spoke with a constituent related to code enforcement. He wished everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmembe r Gregory and seconded by Councilmember 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. 2022-79
B. Minutes Approval
M.O. 2022-80
1. City Council - Study Session - Apr 13, 2022 3:00 PM
2. City Council - Regular Meeting - Apr 13, 2022 5:30 PM C. Receive and File Payment of Claims and Demands for March 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 $11,342,642
for the month of March, 2022.
M.O. 2022-81
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D. Second Reading of Zone Ordinance Amendment No. 22-001 Recommendation: Provide second reading by title only, and adopt an ordinance amending Section 9.62.070 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code to prohibit new billboards in the City.
Ord 860
7. ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. Waiver of Traffic Signal Contribution for College of the Desert Roadrunner Motors
Recommendation: Waive the requirement that College of the Desert Roadrunner Motors participate by paying a share of the cost of a traffic signal at Margot Murphy Way and East Palm
Canyon Drive.
Terry Applegate expressed her concern with the wavier of the Traffic Signal Contribution and feels the City should be cautious.
M.O. 2022-82
A motion was made by Councilmember Carnevale and seconded by Councilmember Gregory to waive the requirement that College of the Desert Roadrunner Motors participate by paying a share of the cost of a traffic signal at Margot Murphy Way and East Palm Canyon Drive.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
B. Bringas Bridge Artwork: Public Art Commission Artist Recommendations
Recommendation: Authorize the Public Arts Commission to utilize the Art in Public Places Fund to commission and compensate the
below listed artists in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00 per pilaster for a total project cost not to exceed $57,776.00.
Piper Scott, Public Arts Commissioner, indicated that she would like to see fewer artists selected so the art works well together like an art gallery.
DeeAnn Hopings, Public Arts Commissioner, explained the process to complete the project and expressed her concern with keeping up with too many artists.
Danielle Mead expressed her excitement about this item. She mentioned that photos can be digitalize at local drug stores like CVS. She would also like to see more artists included.
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M.O. 2022-83
A motion was made to authorize the Public Arts Commission to utilize the Art in Public Places Fund to commission and compensate artists in the amount not to exceed $2,000 per pilaster for a total project cost not to exceed $5 7,776; and authorize the Public Arts Commission to select the artists to complete draft artwork for the City Council's consideration and approval.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Nancy Ross, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
C. Contract for Services - SoundSkilz and Fantasy Balloon Flights Recommendation: Approve two-year contract extensions with Fantasy Balloon Flights to produce the 2023 and 2024 Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival and Food Truck Fiesta, with SoundSkilz, Inc., to produce the 2023 and 2024 Taste of Jalisco Festival and Cathedral City LGBT Days.
Danielle Mead expressed her concern with focusing on tourism rather than members of the Community.
M.O. 2022-84
A mot ion was made by Councilmember Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Carnevale to approve the following:
A two-year contract extension with Fantasy Balloon Flights to produce the 2023 and 2024 Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival and Food Truck Fiesta
A two -year contract extension with SoundSkilz, Inc., to produce the 2023 and 2024 Taste of Jalisco Festival and Cathedral City LGBT Days at the rate of $75,000.00 per event.
Reduce the 2022 Snow Fest Event budget in the a mount of $20,000.00 and a budget a mendment in the amount of $20,000.00 to cover the $40,000.00 increase for the 2023 Taste of Jalisco Festival and Cathedral City LGBT Days events.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
D. PACT Team Staffing
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Recommendation: Staff recommends City Council authorize two additional sworn full-time positions for the Police Department using funding allocated through the PACT Team Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU).
M.O. 2022-85
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Lamb and seconded by Councilmember Gregory to authorize two additional sworn full -time positions for the Police Department using funding allocated through the PACT Team Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
E. CALBO Dinner Party
Recommendation: Approve Special Use Permit #22-003 allowing CALBO to utilize the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater for its annual convention dinner party.
M.O. 2022-86
A motion was made by Councilmember Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Ross to approve Special Use Permit #22-003 allowing CALBO to utilize the Cath edral City Community Amphitheater for its annual convention dinner party on May 11, 2022.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Nancy Ross, Councilmember
AYES: Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale, Ross, Gregory
F. 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 tha t he continues to monitor the data from the Riverside County Department of Pu blic Health. He indicated that has had one case among the workforce, which is a reminder that we need to remain vigilant and take proper precautions. He will continue to update the City Council.
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This item was for information and direction only. There was no formal action taken by the City Council.
10. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
11. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURN
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:56 p.m.
Mayor, City of Cathedral City City Clerk, City of Cathedral City