CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Cathedral City
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
City Council Chambers
68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Cathedral City, CA 92234
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Nancy Ross called the Study Session portion of the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Present:
Nancy Ross, Mayor
Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
Rita Lamb, Councilmember
Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
AGENDA FINALIZATION
There were no changes to the agenda.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no members of the public that wished to speak.
2. CLOSED SESSION
There are no Closed Session Items
3. STUDY SESSION
A. General Plan Annual Progress Report 2023-2024
Recommendation: To receive the 2023 and 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report for information and discussion.
Dominique Camps, Associate Planner, provided overview of the 2023/2024 Annual Progress Report for the General Plan. The following points were presented:
• Background and Purpose of the Report
• General Plan Elements
• Development Review and Examples
• Development Entitlements
• EnerGov
• Citizen Self Service Portal (CSS Portal)
• Development Code Update
• Active Transportation
• Esperanza Park
• Panorama Park Crosswalk
The City Council ask clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff.
This item was a presentation only, there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
B. 2024 Crime Stats Update
Recommendation: For information and discussion only
Rick Sanchez, Deputy Police Chief, provided an overview of the 2024 Crime Stats for the City of Cathedral City. The following points were presented:
• 2024 NIBRS Crimes Against Persons
• 2024 NIBRS Property Crimes
• 2024 NIBRS Crimes Against Society
• Two Year Crime History - Persons
• Two Year Crime History - Property
• Two Year Crime History - Society
• Future Crime Reduction Strategies
The City Council asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff.
This item was a presentation only, there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
RECESS
The City Council recessed at 4:00 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING - 5:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Nancy Ross 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 Mark Carnevale offered the Invocation.
ROLL CALL
Council Present:
Nancy Ross, Mayor
Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
Rita Lamb, Councilmember
Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
AGENDA FINALIZATION
There were no changes to the agenda.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Rafael Soto presented the PJA Team Soccer Franchise and the Coachella Soccer Club, which is a semi-professional team in the Coachella Valley.
Maryellen Muir expressed her concern with the ongoing cannabis odor and the effects it is having.
Debbie Price expressed her concern with the ongoing cannabis odor and the effects it is having.
Janet Ream expressed her concern with the ongoing cannabis odor and the effects it is having.
Christine Anderson expressed her concern with the ongoing cannabis odor and the effects it is having.
Abraham Andrew Golt, stated that he lives in Tramview Mobile Home Park and reported an issue with golf balls flying onto his property.
Scott McDonald expressed his concern with the ongoing cannabis odor and the effects it is having.
Alan Carvalho thanked the City for the LGBT+ Days. He expressed his concern with the issues related to public safety and cannabis odor, and feels the City Council should protect their citizens.
The following comment was received for the record:
David Koslow requested that the City Council table all items related to the consideration of expenditures.
2. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Rita Lamb reported on the following:
• Her attendance at the Boys and Girls Club 1st Annual Breakfast • Her attendance at the ribbon cutting for Cat City Liquor • Her attendance at the LGBT+ Days events
• Her attendance at the Annual Diversity Day event hosted by AMVETS • Her attendance at Rio Vista Elementary School to read books to the kids • Her attendance at the Corvette Club meeting held at Jessup Auto Center Councilmember Mark Carnevale reported on the following:
• His meeting with Fire Chief Michael Contreras to discuss a recent fire • The upcoming meeting with the Fire Department at Date Palm Country Club • His participation in the Boys and Girls Club Golf Tournament Fundraiser • The information he passed along to the C4 facility
• His attendance at the Fire Department's Badge Pinning Ceremony • His meeting with a developer regarding a new project in the City • The upcoming Joint Meeting with the City Council and the Tribe • The upcoming Zoning walking tour
• His TV interview related to Measure W
• He gave a shout out to the Communications and Events department for the LGBT+ Days
• His small business of the week was Taqueria Tortilla Factory Councilmember Emesto Gutierrez reported on the following:
• His participation in the Boys and Girls Club Golf Tournament fundraiser • The last and upcoming Special City Council Budget Workshop Meetings • His attendance at the LGBT+ Days events
• Ash Wednesday
• The upcoming Joint Meeting with the City Council and the Tribe • The upcoming Zoning Code Update meeting at the Cathedral City Senior Center • The upcoming Tastes and Sounds
• The upcoming St. Patrick's Day
Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory reported on the following:
• His participation in the painting of the Rainbow Crossing • His attendance at the last Tastes and Sounds
• His attendance at the LGBT+ Days events
• His attendance at the Riverside County Transportation Commission Meetings • His attendance at the City Selection Committee Meeting • The upcoming Joint Meeting with the City Council and the Tribe • The upcoming Butterfly Festival
• The upcoming Barone Art Exhibit display
• The upcoming Special City Council Budget Workshop meeting • The upcoming Tastes and Sounds
Mayor Nancy Ross reported on the following:
• Her attendance at the SunLine Transit Agency meeting
• Her attendance at multiple Coachella Valley Association of Governments meetings
• Her meeting with the Women's Leadership Council
• Her attendance at the ribbon cutting for Cat City Liquor • Her efforts to help the Monarch Butterfly Species, which are endangered • Her attendance at the painting of the Rainbow Crossing event • Her attendance at Jury Duty
• The past two Special City Council Budget Workshop meetings • Her attendance at the LGBT+ Days events
• Her attendance at the Chamber's Legislative Breakfast • Her attendance at the Mosquito and Vector Control Board meeting • Her attendance at the Fire Department's Badge Pinning Ceremony • Her "Notes from Nancy" publication
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
Recommendation: Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda M.O. 2025-29
B. Approval of the February 19, 2025, Special City Council Meeting, February 26, 2025 Study Session and Regular Council Meeting and March 5, Special City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the February 19, 2025, Special City Council Meeting, February 26, 2025 Study Session and Regular Council Meeting and March 5, Special City Council Meeting Minutes.
M.O. 2025-30
C. Ratify Memorandum of Understanding Between the City and the Cathedral City Police Officer's Association (CCPOA)
Recommendation: To ratify the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Cathedral City ("City") and the Cathedral City Police Officer's Association ("CCOA") for the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027.
M.O. 2025-31
D. Resolution Adopting an Updated City-Wide Salary Schedule Recommendation: To adopt a resolution approving a city-wide publicly avle 2, Sections 570-5, 171,57. a This resh Cain mia superson l pring resolutions regarding job classifications and compensation levels to the extent Reso 2025-03
E. Approval of a Participation Service Agreement with the County of Riverside Transportation Department for Da Vall Drive and 30th Avenue Slurry Seal Improvements
Recommendation: To approve a participation service agreement for the construction of the Da Vall Drive and 30th Avenue Slurry Seal Improvements project in the amount of $37,000 and, assign the County of Riverside Transportation Department as lead agency on behalf of the city; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
M.O. 2025-32
F. General Plan Annual Progress Report 2023-2024
Recommendation: To review and accept the 2023 and 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report for submittal to the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.
M.O. 2025-33
A motion made by Councilmember Carnevale and seconded
by Councilmember Lamb to approve the Consent Agenda.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Community Development Block Grant FY 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan Introduction
Recommendation: To introduce the Community Development Block Grant FY 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan for review, discussion, and direction.
Elizabeth Medina, Analyst, provided an overview of the 2025/2026 Annual Action Plan.
Mayor Nancy Ross opened the Public Hearing to receive public comments, Seeing none, she closed the Public Hearing and retumed discussion to the City M.O. 2025-34
A motion was made by Councilmember Carnevale and seconded by Councilmember Gutierrez to accept the introduction of the Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan for FY 2025-2026.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
SECONDER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
5. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. FY 25/26 Community Assistance Grant Process and Ad Hoc Committee Selection
Recommendation: Staff recommends the City Council approve proceeding with the FY 2025/2026 Community Assistance Grant Programs.
M.O. 2025-35
A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to approve proceeding with the FY 2025/2026 Community Assistance Grant Programs.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
B. Increase in Authorized Staffing to Implement Measure W FY 2024/2025 Initial Staffing Requirements
Recommendation: To authorize an increase of eight FTE in the city's authorized staffing schedule to allow the early hiring of up to six Firefighter Paramedics and two Public Safety Dispatchers to ensure Medic #4 is in service by July 1, 2025.
M.O. 2025-36
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Gutierrez to approve an increase of eight FTE in the city's authorized staffing schedule to allow the early hiring of up to six Firefighter Paramedics and two Public Safety Dispatchers to ensure Medic #4 is in service by July 1, 2025.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
6. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There was no discussion on Future Agenda Items.
7. CLOSED SESSION
There are no Closed Session Items
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ross adjourned the March 12, 2025, Study Session and Regular Council Meeting at 7:04 p.m.
Nancy Ross, Mayor k Tracey R Hermosillo, City Clerk