CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA
Study Session 3:00 PM
Regular Meeting 5:30 PM
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Study Session Room
68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Cathedral City, CA 92234
MAYOR
Raymond Gregory
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mayor Pro Tem
Ernesto Gutierrez
Councilmember
Nancy Ross
Councilmember
Rita Lamb
Councilmember
Christina Gordon
STUDY SESSION 3:00 PM
Normally no action is taken on Study Session Items, however, the City Council reserves the right to give specific policy direction and take specific action as necessary.
Presentations will be limited to 10 minutes unless other provisions are made in advance.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
AGENDA FINALIZATION
At this time the City Council may announce any items being pulled from the agenda or continued to another date.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is the opportunity for members of the public to comment on any items not appearing on the regular agenda. Because of restrictions contained in California Law, the City Council may not discuss or act on any item not on the agenda but may briefly respond to statements made or ask a question for clarification. The Mayor may also request a brief response from staff to questions raised during public comment or may request a matter be agendized for a future meeting. Public
2 Comment will be limited to three (3) minutes.
2. STUDY SESSION
A. Sarah Street Area Assessment District Formation Project - Phase 2A Results
Recommendation: This item is presented to the City Council to provide an update on the Phase 2A results of the Sarah Street Assessment District Project for discussion, information, and direction from the Council.
B. Cathedral City Auto Center SWOT Analysis
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file the Cathedral City Auto Center SWOT analysis and provide direction on the areas of focus that Council would like staff to explore as part of future planning and capital improvement discussions.
C. 2025 Annual Code Compliance Review
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file the 2025 Code Compliance annual review and provide any feedback or direction as appropriate regarding ongoing and future Code Compliance programs and initiatives.
D. Winter/Spring 2026 Special Events Preview
Recommendation: This is for presentation purposes only.
3. CLOSED SESSION
A. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d) (1) - One (1) Matter Case Name: Anthony K. Aragon and Margo E. Blessing v. City of Cathedral City
Case No: CVPS2204243
Recommendation: There is no staff recommendation.
B. Conference with Real Property Negotiations Pursuant to Government Code 54956.8 Property Location: 68010 Ramon Road, Cathedral City, CA 92234 A.P.N. 678-210-041 Under Negotiation: Price and Terms Negotiating Parties: City of Cathedral City and Marwan Jizrawi Recommendation: There is no staff recommendation.
C. Conference with Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code 54957.6
Labor Negotiator: Algeria Ford, Assistant City Attorney and Asusena Soren, Human Resources Manager
Employee Organizations: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and Cathedral City Firefighters
3 Association (CCFA)
Recommendation: There is no staff recommendation.
RECESS
REGULAR MEETING - 5:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION)
ROLL CALL
AGENDA FINALIZATION
At this time the City Council may announce any items being pulled from the agenda or continued to another date.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION – Lift to Rise
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is the opportunity for members of the public to comment on any items not appearing on the regular agenda. Because of restrictions contained in California Law, the City Council may not discuss or act on any item not on the agenda but may briefly respond to statements made or ask a question for clarification. The Mayor may also request a brief response from staff to questions raised during public comment or may request a matter be agendized for a future meeting. Public Comment will be limited to three (3) minutes.
2. COUNCIL REPORTS
This is an opportunity for each member of the City Council to report on any conferences they attend, local events or make any other comments they may have.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
The following Consent Calendar items are expected to be routine and noncontroversial. They will be acted upon by the City Council at one time without discussion. Any Council Member, Staff Member, or Citizen may request removal of an item from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
A. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
Recommendation: Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
B. Commissioner/Committee Member Attendance Record
Recommendation: Receive and File
C. Approval of the December 10, 2025 Special City Council meeting minutes and the December 10, 2025 Study Session and Regular
4 meeting minutes.
Recommendation: To approve the December 10, 2025 Special City Council meeting minutes and the December 10, 2025 Study Session and Regular meeting minutes.
D. Check Demand - December 2025
Recommendation: Receive and File
E. Notice of Completion for the SB 821 - Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeway Project (C08673)
Recommendation: To accept and approve the Senate Bill (SB) 821 - Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeway Project (C08673) 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 Union Pavement Services (UPS), Inc., upon expiration of the notice of completion.
F. Notice of Completion for the SB 821 - Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Route Project (C08672)
Recommendation: To accept and approve the Senate Bill (SB) 821 - Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Route Project (C08672) as complete; authorize the City Manager to execute and file a notice of completion (NOC) 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.
G. Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with MSA Consulting, Inc. for Design of Date Palm Drive between Interstate 10 and Varner Road Project (CIP No. C08671).
Recommendation: Approve Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with MSA Consulting, Inc., for the Date Palm Drive Widening Project (CIP No. C08671) between Interstate 10 and Varner Road, extending the agreement term by six (6) months, retroactive from December 28, 2025, through June 28, 2026, to complete project design and permitting; and authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment.
H. Approval of a Resolution to Summarily Vacate unused five-foot wide Public Utility Easements (PUEs) on Lots 66 and 67 and a portion of Lot 68 of Desert Retreat Estates, and on Lots 56 and 57 of Cathy Estates, located north of Dinah Shore Drive, between Cathedral Canyon Drive and Wishing Well Drive (Vacation No. 2025-01).
Recommendation: City Council make the required findings contained in the Resolution, approve and adopt the Resolution summarily vacating all City and public interests in the five-foot wide Public Utility Easements (PUEs) on Lots 66 and 67 and a portion of Lot 68 of Desert Retreat Estates, and on Lots 56 and 57 of Cathy Estates, located north of Dinah Shore Drive, between Cathedral Canyon Drive and Wishing Well Drive.
5 I. Approve a Resolution Adopting an Updated City-Wide Salary Schedule Recommendation: To adopt a resolution approving city-wide publicly available pay schedules in compliance with California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Sections 570.5, 571, and 571.1. This resolution will supersede all previous resolutions regarding job classifications and compensation levels to the extent they conflict with this new recommendation.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 25-0001, Conditional Use Permit Revision 25-0003 and Administrative Variance 25-0006 – A proposal of King’s Schools of the Desert to amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow schools in the RR (Resort Residential) zone district to construct an additional 36,170 square feet of school facilities; and allow a 10% increase in building height for the gym building component of the Project located at 67675 Bolero Road (APNs 681-310-019 and -040).
Recommendation: Find the Project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Section 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines, introduce an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment 25-0001, and Conditional Use Permit Revision 25-0003 and Administrative Variance 25-0006.
B. Adoption of Local Implementing Provisions for the Short-Term Rental Facilitator Act of 2025 (SB 346)
Recommendation: Staff recommends the City Council introduce for first reading, read by title only, and waive further reading of an ordinance adding Section 5.96.090 to Chapter 5.96 of Title 5 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code to implement the Short-Term Rental Facilitator Act of 2025 (SB 346), and direct staff to return for second reading and adoption.
5. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. FY 2025/2026 Budget Status Update, Quarter One
Recommendation: This item is presented for information, discussion and direction only.
B. Award a Professional Services Agreement to Iteris, Inc. to Update and Revalidate the Local Roadway Safety Plan
Recommendation: Award a Professional Services Agreement to Iteris, Inc. in a not-to-exceed amount of $49,908.07 for the update and revalidation of the city’s Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP), as required by the California Department of Transportation, and approve a 10% contingency for unforeseeable costs totaling $4,990.80, thereby, bringing the total Project budget to $54,898.87, and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement and required contract documents.
C. Retired Annuitant Appointment - Interim Deputy Fire Chief (Stephen Tumir)
Recommendation: Staff recommends City Council adopt a Resolution
6 authorizing an exception to the CalPERS 180-day waiting period pursuant to Government Code sections 7522.56 and 21221(h), thereby allowing the City to appoint Stephen Tumir as a retired annuitant in the interim position of Deputy Fire Chief, effective January 18, 2026.
D. Update on the Public Arts Commission Activities
Recommendation: To hear a report on the current activities of the Public Arts Commission.
6. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
This is an opportunity for members of the City Council to request that, and for the City Council to discuss whether, one or more items should be added to the agenda of a future regular or special City Council meeting. To comply with the Brown Act, discussion should be limited to whether to add the item(s), and direction given to the City Manager regarding scheduling and prioritization of the item(s).
7. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
NOTES TO THE PUBLIC
The City of Cathedral City complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you require special assistance to participate in this meeting, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (760) 770-0322 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
If you desire to address the City Council during the meeting, please complete a Request to Speak Form available at the entrance and present it to the City Clerk. Speakers will be called upon at the appropriate time.
When providing public comment during a Council Meeting, California Law may require speakers to disclose a campaign contribution made to an elected or appointed City Councilmember if speaking on certain projects or contracts to be acted upon by the City Council. Please use the following link to determine whether you have a legal obligation to disclose your campaign contribution: https://www.cathedralcity.gov/transparency
Written Comments will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Written comments may be submitted via email, letter, or other forms of written communication.
To email comments please email to [email protected].
Hard copies of written comments and any other document will be provided to the City Council and made available for the general public to review. All written comments received by the submission deadline will be made part of the official record. The meeting minutes will include: The name of the individual submitting the comment and a brief statement summarizing the content of the comment.
Submitted Written Comments will not be read into the record during the meeting.
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