CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Cathedral City
Special Meeting
Thursday, March 13, 2025
2:00 PM
City Hall
Council Chambers
68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Cathedral City, CA 92234
MAYOR
Nancy Ross
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember
Raymond Gregory Rita Lamb
Councilmember Councilmember
Ernesto Gutierrez Mark Carnevale
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Nancy Ross called the Special Joint Meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Present:
Nancy Ross, Mayor
Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
Rita Lamb, Councilmember
Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Council Present:
Reid D. Milanovich, Chairman
Candace Patencio Anderson, Vice-Chairman
Savana R. Saubel, Secretary-Treasurer
John R. Preckwinkle III, Council Member
Virginia Siva Gillespie, Council Member
Council Absent:
None
1. AGENDA ITEMS
A. MEASURE W - CATHEDRAL CITY
Charles McClendon, Cathedral City City Manager, presented an update on Measure W.
He announced that the ½ Cent Transactions and Use Tax will be effective April 1, 2025, and will provide approximately $5 million annually to fund neighborhood street improvements, entry into the Desert Recreation District for programming and park maintenance, improved fire paramedic and ambulance services and a community recreation center. He noted that the Measure passed by 74% in the November election.
B. RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION GRANT - TRIBE
Robert Tucker, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tax Director, presented the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Restaurant Revitalization Grants. He noted that these grants are for taxpayer restaurants or bars located on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation who pay the tribal food and beverage sales tax. He stated that this is an opportunity to fully develop and expand their partnerships with taxpayers to upgrade and grow their businesses. The inaugural Taxpayer Business Improvement Grant Fund offers up to $100,000 in grants for improvements to taxpayer restaurants or bars. Taxpayer restaurants or bars may be eligible for up to $20,000 in grant funds for improvements.
He also reported on two other grants that they offer:
• Restaurant Week Grant Fund: To encourage participation in local cities "Restaurant Week." The fee for 2025 is $400 per participating establishment. • Vandalism Repair and Mitigation Fund: A fund of $25,000 is established to be disbursed in grants up to $2000 to taxpayers.
C. ZONING CODE UPDATE - CITY
Andrew Firestine, Cathedral City Community and Economic Development Director, provided an update on the Development Code. He noted that the existing Code is outdated, and often a barrier to development. He provided a timeline for the process of updating the Code and indicated that the following will be held:
• Current Phase: Public engagement and outreach/diagnosis • Stakeholder Interviews (mid-March)
• Community Open House #1 - March 13th
• Walking Tours - March 15th - 16th
• Citywide Survey and Digital Mapping Exercise
• Joint City Council/Planning Commission Workshop
Drafting of Phase 1 (1 of 4 Phases)
• 18 to 24 Month Process
It is anticipated that the adoption will take place in Fall 2026.
D. TRIBAL COURT - TRIBE
John Plata, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Legal Counsel, provided information on the newly opened Tribal Court. He announced that it opened October 1, 2024. The Tribal Court is made up of seven staff members and exercises general civil jurisdiction over Indians and non-Indians who either reside on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, transact business on the reservation, and/or have consented to tribal jurisdiction, or acted in a way that may bring them within the jurisdiction of the Tribe according to Tribal Law.
He provided the following example of cases:
• Contract Law • Adoptions
• Taxation Disputes • Tribal Customary Adoption
• Tort Liability Claims • Tribal Elder and Dependent Adult • Unlawful Detainer Protection
• Child Welfare • Foreign Judgements
• Child Protection • Civil Complaints/Civil Disputes
• Guardianship • Drafting Domestic Violence and
Harassment Protection Orders
E. HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE - CITY
Michae/ Contreras, Cathedral City Fire Chief, provided an update on the following:
• The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
• The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
• Emergency Operations Training and Exercise Program
He stated that these projects aim to enhance the City's preparedness, response, and mitigation capabilities in alignment with state and federal emergency management standards. He noted that all three of the projects remain on schedule and within scope. • The LHMP and EOP updates are progressing steadily, with drafts being delivered on time.
• The Training and Exercise Program will follow the near finalization of the EOP to ensure alignment with updated procedures and policies.
• Future updates will provide details on progress, timelines, and key milestones.
F. AGUA CALIENTE FUEL - TRIBE
Jeff Vatter, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Director of Economic Development, announced that an Agua Caliente Fuel Station is planned for the Tribe's property at the northeast corner of East Palm Canyon and Monty Hall Drive. He reported that the proposed development includes the following:
24 fueling positions
6 fueling lanes with extended queuing
• 1,000 square foot attendant building.
The project is projected to open in Summer 2026.
He noted that the Tribe has an existing Agua Caliente Fuel location in Rancho Mirage, with a second location breaking ground soon in Palm Springs.
Ernesto Gutierrez, Cathedral City Councilmember, indicated that the City is hoping to open a new dog park on the property located on Buddy Rogers, formerly known as 2nd Street Dog Park.
Charles McClendon, Cathedral City City Manager, mentioned that the City does not have funding for the park at this time and will be seeking funding opportunities in the future.
Nancy Ross, Cathedral City Mayor, mentioned that she has seen casinos in other areas provide parking for motor homes. She questioned if the Tribe will be considering having motor home parking at their location in Cathedral City.
Reid D. Milanovich, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Chairman, responded that they don't have any plans for their property surrounding the casino, so anything could be on the table for discussion at this location.
Mark Carnevale, Cathedral City Councilmember, questioned if the Big Lots property belonged to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribe.
Jeff Vatter, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Director of Economic Development, responded that the property he is talking about is allotted land and does not belong to the Tribe. He indicated that there is currently a master lease on this property that is being re- negotiated at this time, until they are successful with the negotiation, it is unsure what will happen with that property.
Mark Carnevale, Cathedral City Councilmember, expressed his appreciation for the casino in Cathedral City and how proud he is that it is in Cathedral City.
Ernesto Gutierrez, Cathedral City Councilmember, questioned how the casino is performing in Cathedral City.
Reid D. Milanovich, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Chairman, responded that the casino in Cathedral City is doing very well, they are pleased and proud of how strong the casino is and look forward to future opportunities in the City. He noted that the building was designed for expansion should they decide to do so in the future.
Reid D. Milanovich, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Chairman, thanked the Council and Staff for putting together the joint meeting. He feels that there is a benefit to the two councils coming together and having a good relationship. He feels that it is important for the communities to see the City and the Tribe working together for the betterment of everyone and he would like to continue to have these joint meetings, at least once a year.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nancy Ross adjourned the Special Joint Meeting at 4:48 p.m.
Nancy Ross, Mayor Tracey R. Hermosillo, City Clerk