CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Cathedral City
Study Session 3:00 pm
Regular Meeting 5:30 pm
Wednesday, March 26, 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 3:00 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
Alan Carvalho thanked the City Council for Tastes and Sounds. He also discussed when Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders came to Cathedral City and all the City Council Members were in attendance.
2. CLOSED SESSION
There were no Closed Session Items.
STUDY SESSION
A. City Entryway Monuments
Recommendation: To review size and cost options for the agreed upon "Mountain Cathedrals" entryway sculpture monument replicas, and discuss sizes particular to locations and funding of each monument placement.
John Corella, Director of Public Works, provided an overview of City Entryway Monuments. The following points were presented for Council's discussion:
• Entryway Monument Size Options
• Estimated Costs
• City Entryway Locations
• Funding Discussion
The City Council took a break at 3:23 p.m. to review the samples of monument pieces displayed in the entry way of the Council Chambers.
The City Council reconvened at 3:26 p.m.
Alan Carvalho made suggestions for designs and other sources of funding.
The Council provided their feedback and asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff. The City will collaborate with the Public Arts Commission on monument dimensions for the various locations. Once that process is complete the City will look to see what can be programmed into future projects and which ones can be allocated in future budgets. There was no formal action taken by the City Council.
B.
Alty Council Mategic than York Strategic Plan at the January 25, 2025 Recommendation: This item is for information, discussion and direction only. If the City Council agrees that staff has captured the updates sufficiently, the adoption of the amended plan is on the Consent Agenda later this evening for adoption.
Anne Ambrose, Assistant City Manager, provided an overview of the amended 5-Year Strategic Plan. The following points were presented:
• Strategic Plan
• Background
• Values, Vision, Mission
• Goals and Objectives
• Goal A- Serve the Community with Pride and Dedication • Goal B- Community Investment
• Goal C- Fiscal Sustainability
• Goal E- Safety
• Goal F- Embracing Inclusive Community
• Fiscal Impacts
• Strategic Plan Goal
The City Council asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff.
There was no formal action taken by the City Council. This item will be considered for formal approval at the Regular Meeting of March 26, 2025.
RECESS
The City Council recessed at 4:02 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
Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION)
Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez offered the Invocation.
ROLL CALL
Council Present:
Nancy Ross, Mayor
Rita Lamb, Councilmember
Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
AGENDA FINALIZATION
There were no changes to the agenda.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Janet Ream expressed her concern related to the cannabis odor and feels there is still no action being taken against the cannabis facilities.
Chris Thompson expressed his concern related to the cannabis odor and feels there is still no action being taken against the cannabis facilities.
The following comments were received for the record:
Scott McDonald submitted a letter to the City Council expressing his concern related to the ongoing cannabis odor monitoring efforts, and he urged the City to take action against facilities violating odor regulations.
David Koslow stated that his comment addresses all items on the agenda where the City Council is considering expenditures of public funds and he requests that the City Council declare a moratorium on those and all future items until full information has been presented to the citizens in public meetings.
2. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Mark Carnevale reported on the following:
• His attendance at the last Special City Council Budget Workshop meeting • His meeting with developer Craig Smith
• His participation in the Design and Development Walking Tour for the Development Code update
• The water issue at Date Palm Country Club
• His small business of the week is Cat City Smoke Shop Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez reported on the following:
• His attendance at the Joint Special City Council Meeting with the Tribe • His attendance at the Zoning Code update meeting held at Senior Center • His attendance at the Butterfly Festival
• His attendance at Tastes and Sounds
• The illegal food vendors in various areas of the City • The upcoming Parks and Community Events Commission Communications Subcommittee meeting
Councilmember Rita Lamb reported on the following:
• Her participation in the Design and Development Walking Tour for the Development Code update
• Her attendance at the Senior Center Food Drive at the Grocery Outlet • Her participation as Principal For A Day at Nellie Coffman Middle School • Her attendance at Tastes and Sounds
• She recognized Erin Hyland, PACE Commissioner, for her work in the community
• Her attendance at the Esperanza Park Community meeting • Her meeting with a former student and now entrepreneur Christian Villanueva Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory reported on the following:
• His attendance at the Joint Special City Council Meeting with the Tribe • His attendance at the Butterfly Festival
• His attendance at the Senior Center Food Drive at the Grocery Outlet • His attendance at Tastes and Sounds
• The last and upcoming Special City Council Budget Workshop meetings • His attendance at the Riverside County Transportation Commission Budget and Implementation meeting
• His attendance at the Boys and Club pre meatball fundraiser • The upcoming Boys and Girls Club Annual Meatball Festival • The upcoming Senior Inspiration Awards
• His upcoming trip for the Fire Department's accreditation Mayor Nancy Ross reported on the following:
• A show she attended at Mary Pickford along with her spouse • Her attendance at the Joint Special City Council Meeting with the Tribe • Her attendance at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Energy and Sustainability meeting
• Her attendance at the Montage Community Event
• Her attendance at the FIND Food Bank Annual Breakfast • The upcoming FIND Food Bank Annual Telethon Fundraiser • Her attendance at the Ofelia Project Luncheon awards
• Her meeting with a fellow Animal Campus board member
• The upcoming Special Council Budget Workshop meeting
• She took a few days off to care for her spouse who was ill • Her attendance at a protest on Perez Rd
• Her attendance at the Butterfly Festival, where she planted milk weed for the endangered Monarch Butterfly Species
• The upcoming Senior Inspiration Awards
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
Recommendation: Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda.
M.O. 2025-37
B. Approval of the March 12, 2025, Study Session and Regular Council Meeting Minutes, the March 13, 2025, Special Joint City Council and Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribal Council Meeting Minutes and the March 19, 2025, Special City Council Meeting Minutes.
Recommendation: Approve the March 12, 2025, Study Session and Regular Council Meeting Minutes, the March 13, 2025, Special Joint City Council and Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribal Council Meeting Minutes and the March 19, 2025 Special City Council Meeting Minutes.
M.O. 2025-38
C. Check Demand - February
Recommendation: Receive and File
M.O. 2025-39
D. Notice of Completion for HSIP Cycle 9B: Varner Road Safety Improvements Project (C08751)
Recommendation: To accept and approve the Highway Safety Improvements Program (HSIP) Cycle 9B, Varner Road Safety Improvements Project (C08751), as complete; authorize the City Manager to execute and file a notice of completion with the Riverside County Recorder's Office; and authorize the release of retention funds to Granite Construction Company, upon expiration of the notice of completion (NOC).
M.O. 2025-40
E. Adopt the Public Works Title VI Implementation Plan to Comply with Updated Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM) Requirements.
Recommendation: To adopt the Public Works Department Title Vl Implementation Plan in compliance with Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures (LAPM) requirements; appoint the Public Works Director as the Title VI Coordinator; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the Public Works Nondiscrimination Policy Statement included in the Public Works Department Title VI Implementation Plan.
M.O. 2025-41
F. AB1600 Development Impact Fee Funds Project Commitments Recommendation: To approve the AB1600 Development Impact Fee Project Commitments List.
M.O. 2025-42
G. Amended Five-Year Strategic Plan
Recommendation: To approve the amended five-year Strategic Plan.
M.O. 2025-43
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Carnevale to approve the Consent Agenda.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
5. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
Recommendation: To receive the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and authorize its transmittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the California Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.
M.O. 2025-44
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Gutierrez to receive the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and authorize its transmittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the California Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
B. Contract with Petrochem Materials Innovation, LLC for Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 Rubberized Emulsion Aggregate Slurry Projects
Recommendation: To approve a contract with Petrochem Materials Innovation, LLC. (PMI) for $1,441,901.29 to supply and apply Rubber Emulsion Aggregate Slurry (REAS) on East Palm Canyon Drive (C08695), Assessment District (AD) 86-5 Neighborhood streets (C08696), Vista Chino Drive (C08697), and Date Palm Drive (C08698), including traffic control, crack seal, asphalt patchwork and striping replacement; and, approve a fifteen percent (15%) contingency in the amount of $217,098.71 for unforeseeable construction costs, making the total encumbrance $1,659,000.00; and, authorize the City Manager to execute the required contract documents; and, authorize the City Engineer to request bonds and insurance for the project, and issue the notice to proceed.
Art Gregoire expressed his concern with the current road work in the Cove area and hopes that the roads will be back to normal when complete.
M.O. 2025-45
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to approve a contract with Petrochem Materials Innovation, LLC. (PMI) for $1,441,901.29 to supply and apply Rubber Emulsion Aggregate Slurry (REAS) on East Palm Canyon Drive (C08695), Assessment District (AD) 86-5 Neighborhood streets (C08696), Vista Chino Drive (C08697), and Date Palm Drive (C08698), including traffic control, crack seal, asphalt patchwork and striping replacement; and, approve a fifteen percent (15%) contingency in the amount of $217,098.71 for unforeseeable construction costs, making the total encumbrance $1,659,000.00; and, authorize the City Manager to execute the required contract documents; and, authorize the City Engineer to request bonds and insurance for the project, and issue the notice to proceed.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
C. Approval of Funding from the Parks and Community Events Commission (PACE) Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Events Budget for a Second Mobile Spay and Neuter Clinic
Recommendation: To approve $3,000 from the Parks and Community Events Commission (PACE) Fiscal Year 2024-2025 PACE events budget to fund a portion of the second Mobile Spay and Neuter Clinic at the Cathedral City Library on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, and an additional thirty (30) large dogs at the Riverside County Animal Shelter.
The following comment was received for the record:
Danny Lee expressed his support for the proposed services, but feels this type of expenditure should be paid from the general fund, leaving the Parks and Community Events budget to fund events that children and families can enjoy.
M.O. 2025-46
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to approve $3,000 from the Parks and Community Events Commission (PACE) Fiscal Year 2024-2025 PACE events budget to fund a portion of the second Mobile Spay and Neuter Clinic at the Cathedral City Library on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, and an additional thirty (30) large dogs at the Riverside County Animal Shelter.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO O]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
D. Purchase of Three (3) 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV 2WT Trucks for the Facilities Division, Public Works Maintenance, and Environmental Division.
Recommendation: To authorize the purchase of three (3) 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV 2WT trucks for the Facilities, Public Works Maintenance, and Environmental Divisions, respectively, at a total cost of $194,655.69; and authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute all required documents for purchase.
M.O. 2025-47
A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory to approve the purchase of three (3) 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV 2WT trucks for the Facilities, Public Works Maintenance, and Environmental Divisions, respectively, at a total cost of $194,655.69; and authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute all required documents for purchase.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
E. Replacement of Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations in the Cathedral City Parking Structure
Recommendation: To authorize the replacement of the existing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with four (4) new Level 2 EV chargers in the Cathedral City parking structure in an amount not to exceed $14,800 and authorize the Director of Public Works to execute an operations and maintenance agreement with EV Range.
Art Gregoire provided some insight on his experience with charging his electric vehicle and feels the City should explore installing level 3.
M.O. 2025-48
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to approve the replacement of the existing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with four (4) new Level 2 EV chargers in the Cathedral City parking structure in an amount not to exceed $14,800 and authorize the Director of Public Works to execute an operations and maintenance agreement with EV Range.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
F. Sign Toppers for the Intersection of Channel Drive and Valley Vista Drive and the Intersection of Channel Drive and Carroll Drive.
Recommendation: Approve the installation of 2 sign toppers, each, for the intersection at Channel Drive and Valley Vista Drive and the intersection of Channel Drive and Carroll Drive at a total cost of $610.00 to be paid from City Council District Improvement Funds and authorize the waiver of the sign topper application fee and the staff report preparation fee.
Sue Townsley thanked Council for attending the Senior Center Food Drive at Grocery Outlet. She discussed this project and thanked all involved. She would like a 3'd sign topper to be framed and provided to Jane Rasco.
Art Gregoire discussed Jane and Diane and all that they did in the community.
M.O. 2025-49
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Gutierrez to approve the installation of 2 sign toppers, each, for the intersection at Channel Drive and Valley Vista Drive and the intersection of Channel Drive and Carroll Drive at a total cost of $610.00 to be paid from City Council District Improvement Funds and a third sign as requested to be purchased using Councilmember Lamb's City Council District Improvement Funds to be entrusted to the care of Jane Rasco and authorize the waiver of the sign topper application fee and the staff report preparation fee.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There was no discussion on future agenda items.
7. CLOSED SESSION
There were no Closed Session Items.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nancy Ross Adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
last
Nancy Ross, Mayor Tracey R Hermosillo, City Clerk