CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Cathedral City
Study Session 3:00 p.m.
Regular Meeting 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 09, 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. CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Eric Vail announced that the City Council will meet in Closed Session to discuss the following items listed on the Agenda:
A. Conference with Labor Negotiator: Pursuant to Government Code 54957.6
Labor Negotiator: Charles McClendon, City Manager and Eugenia Torres, Human Resources Manager
Employee Organization: Cathedral City Police Management Association (CCPMA)
Recommendation: There is no Staff Recommendation.
B. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation/Threat of Litigation, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2).
Number of Potential Cases: Two
Recommendation: There is no Staff Recommendation.
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 4:40 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 5:18 p.m.
City Attorney Eric Vail reported that the City Council met in Closed Session to discuss the items listed on the Agenda, there was no reportable action.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following comment was received for the record:
David Koslow expressed his concern related to the taxing, fining, fees and spending decisions of the City Council. He requested that the City conduct a credit card audit and employ an outside consulting firm to review and report at a future meeting on the direct and indirect short-term and long-term fiscal impacts on Cathedral City. He also requests that the City Council refrain from authorizing expenditures except for essential government services.
2. STUDY SESSION
A. Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 Biennial Budget General Fund Overview Discussion
Recommendation: This item is presented for information and discussion only.
Kevin Biersack, Director of Financial Services, provided the fiscal year 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 Biennial Budget General Fund overview for discussion. The following points were presented:
• Biennial Budget Process Review
• Cathedral City Budget Contents
• Revenue and Expenditure Summary
• Revenue Categories
• Where the Funds Come From
• Expenditures Categories
• Significant General Fund Items
• City Staff Compositions
• Department Summaries
• Where the Funds Go
• Fund Balance Summary
• Measure W
The following comment was received for the record:
Taryn Burns expressed her concern related to the summary of existing staffing and certain specifics of the Code Enforcement section of the staff report from the Special City Council meeting of April 2, 2025. Due to two pending cases against the City's code enforcement practices, she requested that the Code Enforcement division refrain from any activities related to goals until the two cases have concluded. She also requested that the City Council place an item on their next agenda related to the anticipated shortfalls in city revenues and the increases in fiscal obligations.
The City Council expressed their concern with reducing their budgeted District Improvement Funds from $30,000 to $20,000. It was the consensus of the City Council for the District Improvement Funds to remain budgeted at $30,000.
The City Council asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff.
This item was for information and discussion only, there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
RECESS
The City Council recessed at 5:18 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)
Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory offered the Moment of Reflection.
ROLL CALL
Council Present:
Nancy Ross, Mayor
Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
Rita Lamb, Councilmember
Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
AGENDA FINALIZATION
It was the consensus of the City Council to hear item 5C first under the Legislative portion of the Agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Greg Assaly expressed his concern related to the continuous cannabis odor and hopes the City can do something about it before next season.
Janet Ream expressed her concern related to the continuous cannabis odor and urged the City to enforce consequences on the C4 facility.
Michael Hayes thanked the City for the recent community meeting in the Cove. He expressed his concerns with continuous incidents in the Cove and the City's bookkeeping.
Eileen Lynch, Parkinsons Resource Organization, discussed Parkinsons Awareness Month and the resources available.
Chris Mayou expressed her concern related to the cannabis odor in Outdoor Resorts.
The following comments were received for the record:
David Koslow expressed his concern related to the taxing, fining, fees and spending decisions of the City Council. He requested that the City conduct a credit card audit and employ an outside consulting firm to review and report at a future meeting the direct and indirect short-term and long-term fiscal impacts on Cathedral City. He also requests that the City Council refrain from authorizing expenditures except for essential government services.
Taryn Burns expressed her concern related to the summary of existing staffing and certain specifics of the Code Enforcement section of the staff report from the Special City Council meeting of April 2, 2025. Due to two pending cases against the City's code enforcement practices, she requested that the Code Enforcement division refrain from any activities related to goals until the two cases have concluded. She also requested that the City Council place an item on their next agenda related to the anticipated shortfalls in city revenues and the increases in fiscal obligations.
2. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Mark Carnevale reported on the following:
• He thanked the Communications and Events Department
• The call he received from a business owner regarding US Rentals parking on the street
• His attendance at the Senior Inspiration Awards Luncheon • The last Special City Council Budget Workshop Meeting • His attendance at the Boys and Girls Club Annual Meatball Festival • He discussed the current odor mitigation measures at the C4 facility Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez reported on the following:
• His attendance at the Cathedral City Senior Center's Health Fair • The last Special City Council Budget Workshop Meeting • His weekly update meeting with City Manager McClendon • His attendance at the Boys and Girls Club's Annual Meatball Festival • The calls he received related to illegal food vendors and parked vehicles • The upcoming Coachella Valley Association of Government's Conservation Commission meeting
• The upcoming Special City Council Budget Workshop meeting • He wished everyone a happy Easter
Councilmember Rita Lamb reported on the following:
• Desert Recreation District is hiring lifeguards for the summer swim program at Cathedral City High School
• Her attendance at the Color of the Spectrum Autism Art Festival • Her attendance at the Salvation Army's Veteran and Community Expo • She thanked the Communications and Events Department for the Tastes and Sounds series
• Her interviews for the vacant seats on the Historic Preservation Committee • She discussed Parkinsons Resource Organization's information booth at Yoga in the Amphitheater
• The City's shredding events
• She thanked the Police Department for traffic control at Highway 111 and Cathedral Canyon
• The Climate Action Plan designed by the City of Tempe, Arizona • The street sign topper presented to Jane Rasco
• The upcoming Riverside County State of the County 4* District Mayor Pro Tem Gregory reported on the following:
• His attendance at the Senior Inspiration Awards Luncheon • His trip to Orlando Florida for the Fire Department's Accreditation Hearing • The last Special City Council Budget Workshop Meeting • The ribbon cutting at Angels Black Tiger Martial Arts and Fitness • His attendance at the Boys and Girls Club Annual Meatball Festival • His attendance at various ad hoc and regular committee meetings for the Coachella Valley Association of Governments
• His attendance at Tastes and Sounds
• His attendance at the Riverside County Transportation Commission meeting • He reminded everyone that it is festival season and to be cautious of traffic • He reminded everyone that it is Spring Break, be aware, drive safely and be cautious of children
Mayor Nancy Ross reported on the following:
• Her meeting with Ryan Hunt regarding State of the City • Her attendance at many meetings with the Animal Campus • Her meeting with City Manager McClendon
• The last Special City Council Budget Workshop meeting • Her participation at the FIND Food Bank Telethon
• Her attendance at the Visit Greater Palm Springs Board meeting • Her attendance at the Salvation Army's Veteran and Community Expo • The wedding that she officiated
• Her attendance at the Color of the Spectrum Autism Art Festival • Her participation in CVEP's Fast Pitch Event
• She is privileged to live and serve Cathedral City
• The next Tastes and Sounds
• The upcoming Senior Center's Fundraiser "Disruptive"
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
Recommendation: Waive Full Reading of Ordinances.
M.O. 2025-50
B. Approval of the March 26, 2025, Study Session and Regular City Council Minutes and the April 2, 2025, Special City Council Minutes.
Recommendation: Approve the Minutes of the March 26, 2025, Study Session and Regular City Council Meeting and the April 2, 2025, Special City Council Meeting Minutes.
M.O. 2025-51
Accept the Resignation of Ruth Fernandez from the Finance Advisory Committee and Mobile Home Fair Practices Commission.
Recommendation: accept the resignation of Ruth Fernandez from the Finance Advisory Committee and Mobile Home Fair Practices Commission effective immediately, and direct staff to proceed with filling the vacant seats.
M.O. 2025-52
D. Ratification of Council Appointments to Various Local Agencies Recommendation: To review the updated list of Local Agency Assignments and ratify the appointments.
M.O. 2025-53
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to approve the Consent Agenda.
RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no Public Hearings.
5. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
C. Preliminary Contract Award for Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival
Recommendation: To approve SoundSkilz as the selected vendor for the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival based on the evaluation panel's scoring and recommendation.
M.O. 2025-54
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to approve SoundSkilz as the selected vendor for the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival based on the evaluation RESULT: PASS [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Carnevale, Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
A. AB 1600 Development Impact Fee (DIF) Annual Update
Recommendation: This items is for presentation and discussion only.
Kevin Biersack, Director of Financial Services, provided an overview of the AB 1600 Development Impact Fee (DIF) Annual update for the Council's review.
Staff indicated that a Public Hearing will be held at a subsequent Council Meeting to formally adopt the AB 1600 Development Impact Fee Annual Update by Resolution.
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.
B. City User and Regulatory Fees Update
Recommendation: This item provides findings and recommendations from the recently completed user fee study. Upon incorporating City Council feedback, staff recommend the City Council hold a subsequent Public Hearing, whereby the City Council can determine whether to adopt the
schedule of user and regulatory fees.
Kevin Biersack, Director of Financial Services, provided an overview of the findings and recommendations from the recently completed user and regulatory fee study for the Council's review and input.
This City Council provided their feedback on the proposed fees and asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff. This was for information and discussion only, there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
Staff indicated that a Public Hearing will be held at a subsequent Council Meeting to formally adopt the user and regulatory fees with any modification discussed this evening.
6. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There was no discussion on future agenda items.
7. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nancy Ross adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:33 p.m. napierman
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