CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
5:30 PM
City Council Chambers
68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Cathedral City, CA 92234
• CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Mayor Mark Carnevale. • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Ross led the Pledge of Allegiance.
• INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION)
Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez offered the Invocation. • ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Mark Carnevale Mayor Present 5:30 PM
Nancy Ross Mayor Pro Tem Present 5:30 PM
Raymond Gregory Councilmember Present 5:30 PM
Ernesto Gutierrez Councilmember Present 5:30 PM
Rita Lamb Councilmember Absent
• AGENDA FINALIZATION
There were no changes to the agenda.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
Steve Vogelsang expressed his concern with potholes, drains, wild cats, and speeding in the City.
Brenda Ramirez, thanked the City on behalf of the Cathedral City High School Jazz Band for the opportunity to play at the opening night of Tastes and Sounds of Cathedral City, and invited the Council to their upcoming pasta dinner fundraiser.
She also discussed the need for traffic mitigation at the corner of 30th and Date Cathedral City P a g e 2 Printed on 2/27/2024
Palm before and after school to assist students with crossing the street.
Jens Mueller, expressed his concern with the presentation provid ed at the Study Session meeting of January 24, 2024, regarding trash cans, which he feels was false. He also expressed his concern with the trash can violations in the City and feels someone needs to be held accountable.
2. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Raymond Gregory reported on the following:
• His attendance at the Riverside County Transportation Commission Annual Conference
• His attendance at the City Council Goal Setting and Strategic Planning Session
• The current activities of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Finance Committee
• His attendance at the Taste of Jalisco
• His attendance at the Badge Pinning Ceremony at the Fire Department • His attendance at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Transportation Commission meeting
• His attendance at a ribbon cutting hosted by the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce
• The kick-off of the Tastes and Sounds of Cathedral City • His attendance at the Riverside County Transportation Commission Regular meeting
• The report given by Riverside County Transportation Commission during the Study Session meeting
• The upcoming President's Day Holiday
• The upcoming Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic Softball Tournament at Big League Dreams
Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez reported on the following:
• He wished everyone a Happy Valentine's Day
• He wished a happy and blessed Ash Wednesday to everyone • His attendance at the grand opening of Grounded, the new spa at the Desert Princess
• His attendance at the City Council Goal Setting and Strategic Planning Session
• His attendance at the Taste of Jalisco event, where he participated in the tequila tasting
• His attendance at the Emergency Preparedness event at Agua Caliente Elementary School
• His attendance at the Celebration of Life of a longtime volunteer of the Police Department
• His biweekly meeting with City Manager McClendon and Assistant City Manager Ambrose
• The resident inquiries he received regarding illegal food vendors, code compliance warnings, and the traffic congestion on Date Palm Cathedral City P a g e 3 Printed on 2/27/2024
• His attendance at the Tastes and Sounds of Cathedral City • His visit to a property that will be discussed at the public hearing this evening • His visit to the Horizon Road neighborhood
• His tour around the City, where he saw many illegal flower vendors
Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Ross reported on the following:
• Her attendance at the Badge Pinning Ceremony at the Fire Department • She voted for the 2024 Primary Election
• Her participation as a speaker at the Leadership Coachella Valley • She along with Mayor Carnevale are working on an upcoming Emergency Preparedness Event
• Her attendance at the City Council Goal Setting and Strategic Planning Session
• She discussed the local radio station KWXY
• Her attendance at the Mosquito and Vector Control Board meeting • Her attendance at the SunLine Transit Agency meeting
• Her attendance at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Energy and Sustainability Committee meeting
• The upcoming Boys and Girls Club Annual Meatball Festival • Police Department is looking for volunteers for Citizen's on Patrol • The upcoming Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic Softball Tournament at Big League Dreams
Mayor Mark Carnevale had nothing to report outside of what was already reported.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ross and seconded by Councilmember Gregory to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Nancy Ross, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
AYES: Mark Carnevale, Nancy Ross, Raymond Gregory, Ernesto Gutierrez
ABSENT: Rita Lamb
A. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
M.O. 2024-18
B. Minutes Approval
M.O. 2024-19
1. City Council - Study Session - Jan 24, 2024 3:00 PM
2. City Council - Regular Meeting - Jan 24, 2024 5:30 PM
3. City Council - Special Meeting - Jan 27, 2024 8:00 AM Cathedral City P a g e 4 Printed on 2/27/2024
C. Receive and File Payment of Claims and Demands for January 2024 Recommendation: The City Council acting in its capacity for the City, the Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency,
the Housing Successor Agency, the Cathedral City Public Finance Authority Board, and the Cathedral City Downtown Foundation Board receive and file payment of claims and demands in the aggregate sum of
$13,830,042.00 for the month of January 2024.
M.O. 2024-20
D. Ratify the nomination of Peter Bedard by Councilmember Rita Lamb to serve on the Historic Preservation Committee and appoint him to fill an unexpired term continuing through June 30, 2026.
Recommendation: To ratify the nomination of Peter Bedard by Councilmember Rita Lamb to serve on the Historic Preservation Committee and appoint him to fill an unexpired term continuing through June 30, 2026.
M.O. 2024-21
E. Adopt Resolution approving City-wide Salary Schedules Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Cathedral City, Approving a Citywide Publicly Available Pay Schedule in Accordance with California Code of
Regulations, title 2, Section 570.5.
Reso 2024-05
F. Amendment to the Cathedral City Fire Management Association (CCFMA) Agreement
Recommendation: Recommend that the City Manager enter into a side letter agreement with the Cathedral City Fire Management
Association.
M.O. 2024-22
G. Adopt Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to approve and/or execute various routine easements, agreements and licenses; and, approve other actions for City owned land on behalf of the City.
Recommendation: City Council authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to approve and/or execute various routine easements,
agreements and licenses; and, approve other actions for City owned land on behalf of the City.
Reso 2024-06
4. ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Appeal of Variance 23-004 and Conditional Use Permit 23-003 Cathedral City P a g e 5 Printed on 2/27/2024
Recommendation: 1. Conduct a public hearing on Variance 23-004 and Conditional Use Permit 23-003 to consider an appeal of the Planning’s Commission’s decision on December 6, 2023,
particularly denial of Variance 23-004 to delete the parking lot shading requirement for a proposed 1,953 square-foot cannabis dispensary located at 67455 East Palm Canyon
Drive within the PCC (Planned Community Commercial)
Zoning District and;
2. Overturn Planning Commission’s decision and
approve Variance 23-004;
3. Remove Condition of Approval No. 3.49 of
Conditional Use Permit 23-003 requiring 50% of the parking lot to be shaded; and
4. Determine this project is categorically exempt from
CEQA under Section No. 15303 (Class No. 3, New
Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the State CEQA Guidelines
Sandra Molina, Deputy Director of Development Services, provided an overview of the appeal of Variance 23-004 and Conditional Use Permit 23-003.
Members of the City Council inquired about the applicability of distance requirements and how the distance requirements are measured from residential zones, resort residential zones and schools/daycare centers, which were responded to by staff and legal.
City Attorney Eric Vail provided guidance for the hearing proceedings for those in attendance that will be participating, including the applicant and staff. He indicated that the applicant would have an opportunity for a rebuttal after testimony is heard.
Mayor Mark Carnevale opened the Public Hearing to hear from the applicant and receive input from the general public related to the appeal of Variance 23 -004 and Conditional Use Permit 23-003.
Chris McFadden, Applicant/Architect for the proposed project, discussed why the variance in the conditions of approval is problematic due to unique circumstances of the property.
Mayor Mark Carnevale asked if there were any members of the public that wished to speak.
Bruce Bauer, Representing Glory to God Minist ries, stated that he submitted letters to the City Council related to the negative impacts of this project on his clients and what he believes the process for reviewing this appeal should be. He discussed his client's activities that involve children that will take place within 60 feet of the proposed project. He also discussed the standard of review for this appeal. He reported on what he feels are parking issues related to the use of his client's driveway in order to enter the proposed project. He urged the City Council to reject the project or require the following:
Cathedral City P a g e 6 Printed on 2/27/2024
▪ The facility have no consumption on site
▪ Street widening be completed in front of the project to ensure a safe line of site
▪ That the applicant provide a barrier to ensure ingress and egress are restricted from the Glory of God Ministries property and provide signage stating such
Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Ross asked for clarification of statements made by Mr.
Bauer, which he responded to.
Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez discussed his visit to the site and the issues he encountered with parking and line of site.
John Corella, Director of Engineering and Public Works, provided an overview of the facts related to the site of the proposed project , which included the original mutual easement access requirement, the line of site, street widening and parking issues discussed this evening.
John Soulliere, expressed his opposition to the proposed project due to the exposure it may cause to children that visit the neighboring church and issues with line of site on Highway 111.
Carrie Driggs, expressed her opposition to the proposed project due to the line of site issues and traffic , which she feels is not safe for the children that attend the neighboring church.
Al Franz, expressed his opposition to the project due to the public safety impacts it will have. He feels there will be issues with consumption on site, which will affect the children in the nearby vicinity.
Brad Anderson, urged the Council to deny this project or uphold the Planning Commission's decision.
Chris McFadden responded to some of the concerns raised and indicated that some of the concerns can be mitigated.
The City Council asked clarifying questions which were responded to by staff.
Mayor Mark Carnevale closed the Public Hearing and returned discussion to the City Council.
Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez expressed his opposition to the project.
City Attorney Eric Vail discussed the standard of review for this appeal, in which all decisions should be based on the facts and not moral opinions.
Councilmember Raymond Gregory expressed his support for this project.
Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Ross expressed her support of the project.
Cathedral City P a g e 7 Printed on 2/27/2024
Mayor Mark Carnevale expressed his opposition to the project.
A motion was made by Councilmember Greogry and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ross to affirm the CUP, grant the variance and add a cond ition that there will not be a consumption lounge on site.
RESULT: FAILED [2 TO 2]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Nancy Ross, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Nancy Ross, Raymond Gregory
NAYS: Mark Carnevale, Ernesto Gutierrez
ABSENT: Rita Lamb
A motion was made by Councilmember Gregory and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ross to reopen the Public Hearing and continue it until a date when the full Council is in attendance.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Nancy Ross, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Mark Carnevale, Nancy Ross, Raymond Gregory, Ernesto Gutierrez
ABSENT: Rita Lamb
The City Council recessed at 7:57 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 8:05 p.m.
6. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. Northgate Community Church 2024 Run for Refugees 5K SUP Recommendation: To approve Special Use Permit for the 2024 Northgate Community Church Run for Refugees 5K.
M.O. 2024-24
A motion was made by Councilmember Gregory and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ross to approv e a Special Use Permit for the 2024 Northgate Community Church 5K Run for Refugees , and approve a sponsorship in the amount of $300.00 to cover the application fee.
Cathedral City P a g e 8 Printed on 2/27/2024
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Nancy Ross, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Mark Carnevale, Nancy Ross, Raymond Gregory, Ernesto Gutierrez
ABSENT: Rita Lamb
B. 2024 Color the Spectrum Art Festival SUP
Recommendation: To approve Special Use Permit for the Autism Society Inland Empire's 2024 Color the Spectrum Art Festival in the
Cathedral City Community Amphitheater.
Juanita Hernandez, Autism Society Inland Empire, stated that this an inclusive and free event which highligh ts Autism in the Community. She stated that she has had a great experience with the City in the past.
M.O. 2024-25
A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez and seconded by Councilmember Gregory to approve a Special Use Permit for the Autism Society Inland Empire's 2024 Color the Spectrum Art Festival in the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
AYES: Mark Carnevale, Nancy Ross, Raymond Gregory, Ernesto Gutierrez
ABSENT: Rita Lamb
C. Strategic Plan Update and Adoption
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council review and approve updates made to the Five-Year Strategic Plan made at the January 27, 2024 Goal Setting Session.
M.O. 2024-26
A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez and seconded by Councilmember Gregory to approve the updates made to the Five-Year Strategic Plan at the January 27, 2024 Goal Setting Session.
Cathedral City P a g e 9 Printed on 2/27/2024
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
AYES: Mark Carnevale, Nancy Ross, Raymond Gregory, Ernesto Gutierrez
ABSENT: Rita Lamb
7. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Ross would like to agendize an item to discuss Autism Certification at a future meeting.
Councilmember Raymond Gregory would like the Council to sign a proclamation related to Outdoor Workers Week.
ADJOURN
Mayor Mark Carnevale adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Mayor, City of Cathedral City City Clerk, City of Cathedral City