Cathedral City Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Study & Regular Meeting
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
3:00 PM
City Council Chambers
68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Cathedral City, CA 92234
STUDY SESSION 3:00PM
• CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mark Carnevale called the Study Session portion of the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
• ROLL CALL
Present: Mark Carnevale, Mayor
Nancy Ross, Mayor Pro Tem
Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
Rita Lamb, Councilmember
• AGENDA FINALIZATION
There were no changes to the agenda.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Danny Lee, discussed the background checks he has been required to submit over the years for various reasons. He discussed and questioned portions of Municipal Code section 5.33 which governs Massage Therapists.
2. CLOSED SESSION
There were no Closed Session items.
3. STUDY SESSION
A. City Entryway Monument Subcommittee Report and Public Arts Commission Recommendations
John Corella, Director of Public Works, provided an overview on the City Entryway Monument subcommittee report and the Public Arts Commission recommendations. The following points were presented:
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•Background of Mayor Pro Tem Ross’ idea of a standardized entryway monument concept
•Public Art Entryway Examples
•Wayfinding Sign Program
•Mountain Cathedrals Entryway Piece
•Proposed New Entryway Monument
•Relocating Existing Art Pieces
•Installation of New Monument Pieces
•Recommendation:
oAccepting this proposal as the new entryway monument and foregoing further need to conduct a monument entryway study; or oConducting a more formal entryway monument study and include this as a recommendation and include in the upcoming FY budget; or
oConfirming whether the Council wishes to continue to use the current entryway monument identified in the 2016 Wayfinding Sign Program, and reaffirm budgeting for additional monuments in future FY budgets
The City Council provided their feedback related to branding, relocating art, wayfinding signage and proposed entryway pieces. They asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff.
It was the consensus of the Council to move forward with accepting this proposal as the new entryway monument and foregoing further need to conduct a monument entryway study. Staff will research any licensing issues, alternative materials and other factors in order for the Council to make an informed decision on entry pieces in the future.
This was a presentation for information and direction only, there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
B. Residential Parking – An Assessment of Zoning Regulations and On- Street Parking
Andrew Firestine, Community and Economic Development Director, and John Corella, Director of Public Works, provided an overview on their assessment of zoning regulations and on-street parking. They provided the following recommendations:
•Initiating amendments to the Cathedral City Municipal Code to
1. Prohibit parking in front of a mailbox;
2. Increase or eliminate the driveway width standard; and
3. Allow a greater percentage of a front yard to be improved as a driveway or open parking area
•Implement pilot program for street sweeping notifications and observe results
The City Council provided their feedback and asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff. It was the consensus of the City Council to support Cathedral City Page 3 staff’s recommendation. Staff will prepare a draft ordinance based on the discussion by the City Council to bring back to a future meeting for consideration.
This was a presentation for information and direction only, there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
C. 2024 Fall Events Preview
Ryan Hunt, Communications and Events Manager, provided a Fall Events preview for 2024. The following events were presented:
•College of the Desert’s Road Runner Motors Groundbreaking •2024 Homecoming Parade & Pep Rally
•Coachella Valley’s Battle in the Desert
•Howl-O-Ween 2024
•Halloween Spooktacular
•Palm Springs Pride Parade
•Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival
•SnowFest
•Palm Springs International Film Festival
Frank Velasquez, National President of the Unpunished Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, thanked the City Council for allowing his organization to hold the 8 th Annual Police Office Memorial Ride in Cathedral City on November 9, 2024.
This was a presentation for information and discussion only, there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
RECESS
The City Council recessed at 4:46 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING - 5:30 PM
• CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mark Carnevale called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez led the Pledge of Allegiance. • INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION)
Councilmember Raymond Gregory offered a Moment of Reflection. • ROLL CALL
Present: Mark Carnevale, Mayor
Nancy Ross, Mayor Pro Tem
Cathedral City Page 4 Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
Rita Lamb, Councilmember
• AGENDA FINALIZATION
There were no changes to the agenda.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
David Sanchez, expressed his concern related to code enforcement issues, street sweepers, taxes, and salaries of city employees.
Jens Mueller, expressed his concern with the City’s budget and staff salaries.
He urged all citizens to vote no on Measure W.
2. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez reported on the following:
•His attendance at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Conservation Commission Meeting
•His attendance at the All Valley Mayor and Tribal Leaders Luncheon •Thanked Mayor Carnevale for attending the Agnes Pelton Open House •His attendance at the Police Department’s Swearing-in Ceremony •His meeting with the City Manager to discuss tonight’s agenda and other issues in the City
•The calls he received related to illegal food vendors
•His tour of the City where he discovered illegal food vendors •His participation at the upcoming volunteer day at FIND Food Bank Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Ross reported on the following:
•She apologized for missing the last Council meeting due to sickness •The upcoming Community meetings she will be hosting to introduce the Police and Fire Departments to the community, and discuss Measure W •Her attendance at the upcoming Salton Sea Symposium
•Her upcoming travel to Oregon
Councilmember Raymond Gregory reported on the following:
•He thanked staff and the Police and Fire Departments for the great job they do
•His attendance at the All Valley Mayors and Tribal Leaders Luncheon •His attendance at the Police Department’s Swearing-in Ceremony •His nomination of Eri Nox to the Historic Preservation Committee •His attendance at both the Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ Public Safety and Homelessness Committee Meetings •His attendance at 2024 Mobility 21 Summit
•He reminded everyone of the winter rehabilitation at the parks in the City Cathedral City Page 5 Councilmember Rita Lamb reported on the following:
•Her attendance at the Agnes Pelton Open House
•Her attendance at the Senior Center’s International Day of Peace Event •Her attendance at the AMVETS International Day of Peace Event •Her attendance at the City of La Quinta’s State of the City Event •The Boys and Girls Club’s publication, recent activities, and sponsors •She announced the Boys and Girls Club 2023 Youth of the Year is Christy Quintanilla, who is a graduate of Cathedral City High School •Her attendance at the Date Festival, where she rode in a Corvette with the head of the Corvette Club
Mayor Mark Carnevale reported on the following:
•His attendance at the All Valley Mayors and Tribal Leaders Luncheon •He apologized for not being able to attend the Police Department’s Swearing-in Ceremony
•The wedding that he officiated
•His attendance at the Senior Center’s International Day of Peace Event •The upcoming Coachella Valley Association of Governments Executive Committee Meeting
•His upcoming meeting with the owner of El Super Toro Loco •The calls he received related to cannabis odor in certain areas •The upcoming Palm Springs Unified School District Legislative Breakfast •The upcoming Craft Corner Ribbon Cutting and Dedication at the Senior Center
•He gave a shout out to DJ Sports Bar
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
Recommendation: Waive full reading of Ordinances on Agenda.
M.O. 2024-156
B. Approve September 11, 2024 Study Session and Regular City Council Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the September 11, 2024 Study Session and Regular City Council Minutes.
M.O. 2024-157
C. Check Demand - August
Recommendation: Receive and file Check Demand of August 2024.
M.O. 2024-158
D. Specific Plan Amendment 99-58-A to the Uptown Village Specific Plan Recommendation: To provide second reading by title only and adopt an ordinance adopting Specific Plan Amendment 98-55-A to
Cathedral City Page 6 the Uptown Village Specific Plan.
Ord 880
E. Accept the Resignation of Peter Bedard from the Historic Preservation Committee
Recommendation: To accept the resignation of Peter Bedard from the Historic Preservation Committee effective immediately and direct staff to proceed with filling the vacant seat.
M.O. 2024-159
F. Ratify the Nomination of Eri Nox by Councilmember Raymond Gregory to fill the Unexpired Vacant Seat on the Historic Preservation Committee Continuing through June 30, 2025.
Recommendation: To ratify the nomination of Eri Nox by Councilmember Raymond Gregory to fill an unexpired term on the Historic Preservation Committee and appoint him to serve for a
term continuing through June 30, 2025.
M.O. 2024-160
G. Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrimage 2024 SUP
Recommendation: To approve a Special Use Permit for the Annual Virgin de Guadalupe Procession.
M.O. 2024-161
H. Approve Public Arts Commission Request to Spend $513.48 from the Commission Budget for Display Boards for Future Art Exhibits Recommendation: To approve Public Arts Commission Request to spend $513.48 from the Commission budget for display boards for future art exhibits.
M.O. 2024-162
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ross and seconded by Councilmember Gregory to approve the Consent Agenda.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Nancy Ross, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no Public Hearing items.
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5. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. Special Use Permit - 2024 Fields of Valor
Recommendation: To approve the SUP for the annual Fields of Valor event at Patriot Park.
M.O. 2024-163
A motion was made by Councilmember Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to approve the Special Use Permit for the Annual Fields of Valor event at Patriot Park on November 8-15, 2024.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
B. Approve $2,125.00 in Additional Art in Public Places Funds for the Ocotillo Bench Project
Recommendation: To approve $2,125.00 in additional Art in Public Places funds to paint two additional benches ($500 each) as part of the Ocotillo Bench Project and amend the painting
contract (an increase of $1,125).
M.O. 2024-164
A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to approve $2,125 in additional Art in Public Places funds to paint two additional benches ($500 each) as part of the Ocotillo Bench Project and amend the painting contract.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
C. Discussion Regarding the Implementation of an Administrative Policy Related to the Handling of Public Comments Received via Email, Letter, or Other Forms of Communication for City Council, Commission and Committee meetings.
Recommendation: To provide Staff with direction on whether or not there is support to implement an Administrative Policy related to the handling of public comments received via email, letter, or other forms of communication for City Council, Commission Cathedral City Page 8 and Committee meetings.
David Sanchez, feels the City should send flyers to invite the residents to the City Council meetings.
The following comment was received via email and is entered into the record:
David Koslow, expressed his support of an administrative policy and feels public comments should be read into the record at public meetings.
It was the consensus of the City Council to support the Administrative Policy, proposed by staff, related to the handling of public comments received via email, letter, or other forms of communication for City Council, Commission and Committee meetings.
6. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There was no discussion on future agenda items.
7. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Carnevale adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor, City of Cathedral City City Clerk, City of Cathedral City