CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Study Session 3:00 PM
Regular Meeting 5:30 PM
Wednesday, November 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 3:00 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
Robert McCorrmick discussed a past incident at the Cathedral City Senior Center.
Bob McKechnie and Karen Riley, Cathedral City Peace Initiative, discussed the upcoming Gratitude Event.
Danny Lee would like to see City Hall at Your Corner meetings return and made suggestions to make them more available to the public.
2. STUDY SESSION
A. City Maintenance and Non-City Funded Projects Presentation Recommendation: The City Maintenance and Non-City Funded Projects Presentation is presented for information, discussion and direction only.
John Corella, Director of Public Works, provided an update on city maintenance/renovation projects and regional collaboration efforts. The following points were presented:
Landscape and Lighting Districts
oBackground
oProgram Goals
oProgress Highlights
Recent Maintenance/Renovation Work
Upcoming Projects
Upcoming Maintenance/Renovation Projects
Coachella Valley Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Public Works Maintenance Commitment
Danny Lee feels we need more trees and inquired about the Tree Initiative from 2018. He expressed concern related to the monument signs on Landau.
The following comment was received for the record:
Sunshine Herrera highlighted areas where she would like to see more transparency.
The City Council provided feedback and asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff.
This was a presentation only, and there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
B. Discuss Potential Charter Amendments
Recommendation: To discuss whether the City Council desires to consider making amendments to the City Charter.
Anne Ambrose, Interim City Manager, provided an overview of potential City Charter Amendments. The following points were presented:
Term Limits
Council Compensation
At-Large Mayor
After discussion, it was consensus of the City Council to hold community meetings to gather public input on a potential Charter Amendment, with the process to begin at the end of 2026 in preparation for the November 2028 election.
3. 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 Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) Significant Exposure to Litigation
Number of Matters: One (1)
Recommendation: There is no staff recommendation.
B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1)
Items: One (1) Cathedral City v. Fantasy Balloon Flights Recommendation: There is no staff recommendation.
The following comment was received for the record:
David Koslow expressed his concern about legal fees and posed three questions for Council.
RECESS
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 4:59 p.m.
The Council reconvened at 5:39 p.m.
City Attorney Eric Vail announced that the City Council met in Closed Session and there was no reportable action taken.
REGULAR MEETING - 5:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Nancy Ross called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION)
Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory offered a 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
There were no changes to the agenda.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Janet Ream provided comments related to the cannabis odor and the C4 Facility.
David Sanchez commented on pavement issues in certain areas of the City.
2. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Mark Carnevale reported on the following:
His attendance at the Spooktacular event
His attendance at the Grand Opening of Dutch Bros
His attendance at the Grand Opening of the CVLink
His attendance at the 18 th Annual Fields of Valor
He presented a Cathedral City Flag to Council
His visit to the new Guadalajara Restaurant
Councilmember Rita Lamb reported on the following:
She gave a shout out to Patsi for being recognized in the Desert Sun Her attendance at the Boys and Girls Club grand opening of their new garden Thanked Justin Gardner for his participation as a speaker at Field of Valor She thanked those involved in the Fields of Valor event Her attendance at the AMVETS Veteran’s Day event
The Cathedral City Peace Initiative’s focus areas
Her attendance at the League of California Cities Riverside Division meeting Her attendance at the Cathedral City Auto Center’s monthly marketing meeting Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory reported on the following:
His attendance at the Howl-o-Ween event
His attendance at the Spooktacular event
His attendance at the Riverside County Transportation Commission Budget and Implementation Committee meeting
Halloween at his house
His attendance at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Transportation Committee Meeting
His attendance at the Senior Center’s Gala glimpse
His attendance at Tastes and Sounds
His attendance at the Grand Opening of Dutch Bros
His attendance at the Grand Opening of the CVLink
His participation in Pride Weekend festivities
His attendance at the League of California Cities Riverside Division meeting His attendance at the Riverside County Transportation Commission meeting The next City Council meeting on December 10, 2025
Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez reported on the following:
Day Light Savings
The Veteran’s Day holiday
His attendance at many events already mentioned
His attendance at the Living Healthy Expo
His attendance at Tastes and Sounds
The upcoming Steering Committee Meeting related to the Development Code Update
His attendance at the upcoming Coachella Valley Association of Governments Conservation Committee Meeting
The upcoming International Hot Air Balloon Festival
He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving
Mayor Nancy Ross discussed her time as Mayor of Cathedral City.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
Recommendation: Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda M.O. 2025-188
B. Commissioner/Committee Member Attendance Record
Recommendation: Receive and File
M.O. 2025-189
C. Approve the October 22, 2025, Study Session and Regular Council Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the October 22, 2025, Study Session and Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
M.O. 2025-190
D. Check Demand October 2025
Recommendation: Receive and File
The following comment was received for the record:
Sunshine Herrera expressed concern related to the transparency of City spending on the check demand.
M.O. 2025-191
E. Second Amendment to Contract with SCS Engineers
Recommendation: Approve an amendment to the professional services agreement with SCS Engineers for cannabis odor control support and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement with SCS Engineers.
M.O. 2025-192
F. Second Reading of Ordinance Adopting Regulations for the Operation of Food Trucks within Cathedral City
Recommendation: Adopt the second reading of an uncodified ordinance implementing a temporary food truck pilot program on private property.
The following comment was received for the record:
Peter Bedard expressed opposition to further food truck regulations.
Ord 893
G. Second Reading and Adoption of the 2025 California Building and Fire Codes Ordinance with Local Amendments
Recommendation: To provide second reading, by title only and adopt an ordinance adopting the 2025 California Building Standards Code and certain specified appendices thereof, including local amendments, and repealing and replacing section 8.50.030(a) to require verification of a public sewer connection and making findings of local climatic, geological and topographical conditions, as required.
Ord 894
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to approve the Consent Agenda.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
5. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. Award a Construction Contract to Onyx Paving Company, Inc. for HSIP Cycle 11D: Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (C08757) Recommendation:
To:
Award a construction contract to Onyx Paving Company, Inc., in the amount of $306,000 for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 11D – Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (C08757); Approve a ten percent (10%) contingency in the amount of $30,600 for unforeseeable construction costs and project changes; thereby bringing the total construction budget for this project to $336,600; Authorize the City Manager to execute both contract documents, and Authorize the City Engineer to request bonds and insurance for the project and issue the Notice to Proceed.
A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to:
Award a construction contract to Onyx Paving Company, Inc., in the amount of $306,000 for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 11D – Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (C08757); Approve a ten percent (10%) contingency in the amount of $30,600 for unforeseeable construction costs and project changes; thereby bringing the total construction budget for this project to $336,600; Authorize the City Manager to execute both contract documents, and Authorize the City Engineer to request bonds and insurance for the project and issue the Notice to Proceed.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale
M.O. 2025-193
B. FY 2025/2026 Budget Roll Over and Budget Adjustments Recommendation: City Council approve the FY 2025/2026 budget carryforward and newly identified adjustments.
The following comment was received for the record:
Sunshine Herrera expressed her concern with how the information was provided in the staff report.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to approve the FY 2025/2026 budget carryforward and newly identified adjustments with removal of the LGBTQ+ Community Center Annual Event sponsorship.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Carnevale
M.O. 2025-194
6. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
The City Council directed staff to coordinate a date to schedule the annual goal setting meeting. An item will be brought back to the next meeting to consider a date.
7. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nancy Ross adjourned the meeting at 7:12 p.m.
Mayor, City of Cathedral City City Clerk, City of Cathedral City