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CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Cathedral City
Study & Regular Meeting
Wednesday, October 09, 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
Council Present:
Mark Carnevale, Mayor
Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
Rita Lamb, Councilmember
Council Absent:
Nancy Ross, Mayor Pro Tem
• AGENDA FINALIZATION
There were no changes to the Agenda.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Robert McCormick discussed the comments he submitted to the City Council, and he questioned why certain professionals in the Country have an uncaring disregard for the bottom two-thirds of the population.
2. CLOSED SESSION
There were no Closed Session items.
3. STUDY SESSION
FIND Food Bank Presentation - Debbie Espinosa, President and CEO •
Cathedral City
Debbie Espinoza, President and CEO FIND Food Bank, provided a presentation on the state of hunger in Cathedral City.
This was a presentation for information and discussion only, there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
B. Presentation on EnerGov Implementation
Mathew Levy, Enterprise System Analyst, provided a post-implementation update of the Cathedral City Citizen Self Services (CSS) and Enterprise Permitting and Licensing (EPL). The following points were presented:
• Project Overview
• Objectives Summary
• Implementation Recap
• Key Outcomes and Achievements
• Staff Involvement
The City Council asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff.
This was a presentation for information and discussion only, there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
C. Fire Department Strategic Plan Update
Michael Contreras, Cathedral City Fire Chief, provided an update on the Fire Department's Strategic Plan. The following points were presented:
• Introduction
• 7 Pillars of the Strategic Plan
1. Customer Service
2. Professional Development
3. Community Interaction
4. Leadership Development
5. Operational Effectiveness
6. Wellness and Safety
7. Fiscal Responsibility
• Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis • Future and Next Steps
The City Council asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff. This was a presentation for information and discussion only, there wa 10 formal action taken by the City Council.
RECESS
The City Council recessed at 4:56 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING - 5:30 PM
• CALL TO ORDER
Cathedral City
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 Rita Lamb offered a moment of reflection. • ROLL CALL
Council Present:
Mark Carnevale, Mayor
Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
Rita Lamb, Councilmember
Council Absent:
Nancy Ross, Mayor Pro Tem
It was the consensus of the City Council to excuse Mayor Pro Tem Ross' absence.
• AGENDA FINALIZATION
There were no changes to the Agenda.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jens Mueller, expressed his opposition of Measure W.
David Sanchez, expressed his concern with various code compliance issues and encouraged the members of the City Council to walk the City.
Antonia Baciu, clarified that the City Council voted to place Measure W on the ballot so the residents can vote on whether or not they want to support it. He expressed his support of Measure W.
2. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez reported on the following:
• Volunteering at FIND Food Bank
• His attendance at the Palm Springs Unified School District State of the District Address
• His participation in the Rio Vista Elementary School Walk to School Event
• His meeting with the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager to discuss the Agenda Packet and other items and concerns
• The upcoming Coachella Valley Battle in the Desert Event • His attendance at an upcoming small rally in Coachella Valley • The upcoming Pancake Breakfast at the Fire Station
Cathedral City
• He told a story of a former employee of his and their experience with a 911 call into the City
Councilmember Rita Lamb reported on the following:
• The celebration of life for Diane Gil
• Her attendance at the Cathedral City Senior Center Food Bank • FIND Food Bank
• Her attendance at the presentation and Meet and Greet for Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
• She thanked all of the Commissions and Committees for all they do • She reminded everyone to take advantage of the free Fall Booklet, which is a wealth of information
• She discussed resident concerns and appreciations
Councilmember Raymond Gregory reported on the following:
• He stated that there is a large segment of the population in Cathedral City that appreciates dog parks
• His participation in the Rio Vista Elementary School Walk to School Event
• His attendance at the Ribbon Cutting for the Craft Corner at the Senior Center
• His attendance at the Stashtober Event at Luchador (Boys and Girls Club fundraiser)
• His attendance at the Safe Schools Fundraiser hosted by REAF • His attendance at the Riverside County Transportation Commission Meeting
• The upcoming Roadrunner Motors Groundbreaking Event
• The upcoming League of California Cities Annual Conference • The City becoming a Certified Autism Center
City Manager Charles McClendon provided an overview of what the City did to become a Certified Autism Center.
Mayor Mark Carnevale reported on the following:
• His attendance at the Ribbon Cutting for the Craft Center at the Senior Center
• His participation in a meeting with the Southern California Edison Representative
• His attendance at the International Day of Peace Event at the Senior Center
• The complaints he has received regarding cannabis odor issues • How proud he is of the Cathedral City Police Department
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
Recommendation: Waive full reading of Ordinances on Agenda.
M.O. 2024-165
Cathedral City
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B. Approval of September 25, 2024, Study Session and Regular Council Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the September 25, 2024, Study Session and Regular City Council Minutes.
M.O. 2024-166
Amendment to the Personnel Rules
Recommendation: To adopt the amended Personnel Rules as presented and authorize the City Manager to implement the updated
Personnel Rules and make minor administrative
adjustments as needed.
M.O. 2024-167
Resolution of Intention to Establish Improvement Area (IA) No. 22 - CFD NO. 2006-01
Recommendation: To adopt a resolution of intention (ROI) to establish Improvement Area (IA) No. 22-CFD No. 2006-01.
Reso 2024-40
Resolution Designating Holidays Cathedral City Public Offices Shall Be Closed for Calendar Year 2025
Recommendation: To adopt a resolution designating holidays on which the city shall be closed to the public for calendar year 2025.
Reso 2024-41
F. Resolution Adopting an Amended Conflict of Interest Code Recommendation: To approve a resolution rescinding Resolution 2022-49 and adopting a Conflict-of-Interest Code applicable to
designated positions by incorporating Regulation 2,
California Code of Regulations, Section 8730 - the
Standardized Conflict-of-Interest Code as well as
Appendices in which members and employees are
designated and disclosure categories are set forth.
Reso 2024-42
A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to approve the Consent Agenda.
RESULT: PASS [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
Cathedral City
NOES:
ABSENT: Ross
ABSTAIN:
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There are no Public Hearing items.
5. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. Approve Public Arts Commission's Recommendations for Awarding Funding through the Community Grant Program
Recommendation: To approve the Public Arts Commission's recommendations for awarding funding through the Community Grant
Program.
M.O. 2024-168
A motion was made by Councilmember Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to approve the following Public Arts Commission's recommendation for awarding funding through the Community Grant Program:
• Cathedral City Peace Initiative - $2,500
• Cathedral City Senior Center - $4,000
• Coachella Valley Classical Voices - $9,950
• Coachella Valley Repertory - $3,550
RESULT: PASS [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT: Ross
ABSTAIN:
Social Media Strategic Plan Update
Recommendation: This item is presented for information, discussion, and direction only.
Ryan Hunt, Communications and Events Manager, provided an update on the Social Media Strategic Plan. The following points were presented:
• Previous Platforms and Process
• New Strategy
• Cathedral City Voice
• Legal Process
• Platform Focus
• Your Storytellers
Cathedral City
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• Community Engagement
There was discussion among the City Council Members and staff. This item was a presentation only, there was no formal action required or taken.
C. Sphere of Influence Fiscal Impact Analysis Update
Recommendation: This item is for information and discussion only, no formal action will be taken.
Andrew Firestine, Community and Economic Development Director, provided an update on the Sphere of Influence Fiscal Impact Analysis. He indicated that since the April 2024 presentation to the City Council, infrastructure deficiencies in the sphere of influence have become clearer, notably with the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) and the availability of electrical service. He noted that the IID serves areas in the City's sphere of influence east of Bob Hope Drive and that they have expressed to prospective developers in its service area, including those in unincorporated Riverside County and in the cities of Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert, that it will not issue will-serve letters for new projects without the construction of new electrical substations to add new capacity to the service area.
Individual projects are being conditioned to implement these substations at an average cost of $20 to $30 million. He stated that the cities of Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Riverside County are working in partnership with IID and five other entities to bring a 100MVA substation to Thousand Palms that would serve the area, including IID service areas within Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert. Both the cities of Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert are financially contributing to the project at a rate of over $5 million per city. These agreements are currently being executed, including the payment of deposits, that would allow HID to order the long lead items needed. He stated that it is estimated that the substation is 24 to 30 months out from the date that the multi-party agreement is executed. Mr. Firestine indicated that he will continue to update the City Council as information becomes available.
The City Council asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff. This was a presentation only, there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
6. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There was no discussion on future agenda items.
7. CLOSED SESSION
There were no Closed Session items.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Mark Carnevale adjourned the City Council Meeting at 6:55 pm I Man le
Mayor, City of Cathedral City City Clerk City of Cathedral City Cathedral City