CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Special Meeting 3:00 PM
Wednesday, January 07, 2026
Study Session Room
68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Cathedral City, CA 92234
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Raymond Gregory called the Special Meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Ernesto Gutierrez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Council Present:
Raymond Gregory, Mayor
Ernesto Gutierrez, Mayor Pro Tem
Rita Lamb, Councilmember
Nancy Ross, Councilmember
AGENDA FINALIZATION
There were no changes to the agenda.
1. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. Appointment to fill the Vacant District Three City Council Seat Recommendation: To review the Letters of Interest submitted by candidates who would like to be considered for the appointment to the vacant District Three City Council seat and make an appointment.
Anne Ambrose, Interim City Manager, provided background regarding the vacancy on the City Council and outlined the qualification and selection process to fill the vacant seat. She reported that the City received twelve letters of interest by the posted deadline, with Joe Camareno formally withdrawing prior to the meeting.
The City Clerk conducted a random sequence generator to determine the order in which the candidates would address the City Council regarding their qualifications and interest in serving on the Council. Each candidate was allotted three minutes to provide remarks. Candidates addressed the Council in the following order:
1. Alberto Ruiz
2. Jennifer Novak
3. Teresa Garay
4. Jason Clauson
5. Sunshine Herrera
6. Christina Gordon
7. Ava Dupree-Holmes
8. Stephen Burchard
9. Colby Gregory
10.Raymond Manriquez
11.Daniel Brumer
Public Comments:
Art Gregoire expressed support for Christina Gordon.
Thommy and Michael Kocan expressed support for Christina Gordon.
Shelley Kaplan commended the City Council and the candidates. He expressed the importance of appointing a new City Manager and maintaining priorities.
Alan Carvalho thanked staff for the way in which the meeting was conducted and expressed his appreciation for the Council and the candidates.
Erik Castillo expressed support for Colby Gregory.
Danny Lee expressed support for Colby Gregory and Christina Gordon.
Rita Gonzales discussed what she would like to see in the City and requested clarification on the qualifications to fill the vacant seat.
Joe Camareno expressed support for Christina Gordon.
Kara Robinson expressed support for Christina Gordon.
Shauna McGloin expressed support for Raymond Manriquez.
The following written comments were received for the record:
Danielle Mead expressed support for Colby Gregory.
Eri Nox expressed support for Stephen Burchard and Sunshine Herrera.
The City Council took a brief recess at 4:09 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 4:18 p.m.
The City Council engaged in discussion regarding the candidates and the next steps in the selection process. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to direct questions to Colby Gregory and Christina Gordon.
Each candidate was asked the same questions and was allotted three minutes to respond to each question. Colby Gregory and Christina Gordon responded to the questions as presented by the City Council.
M.O. 2026-01
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gutierrez and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to appoint Christina Gordon to the District Three City Council seat with a term expiring in November 2026.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb
The City Council took a brief recess at 4:50 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 4:57 p.m.
Christina Burton, City Clerk, administered the Oath of Office to Christina Gordon.
2. CLOSED SESSION
A. Public Employees Appointment Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)
One (1) Position
Title: City Manager
Recommendation: There is no staff recommendation.
Eric Vail, City Attorney, announced that the City Council will meet in Closed Session to discuss item 2.A. listed on the agenda.
The City Council recessed into Closed Session at 5:15 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 7:45 p.m.
The City Council completed discussion on item 2.A and there was no reportable action taken by the City Council.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Raymond Gregory adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
Mayor, City of Cathedral City City Clerk, City of Cathedral City