CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Study Session 3:00 PM
Regular Meeting 5:30 PM
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
City Council Chambers
68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Cathedral City, CA 92234
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Raymond Gregory called the Study Session portion of the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Present:
Raymond Gregory, Mayor
Ernesto Gutierrez, Mayor Pro Tem
Rita Lamb, Councilmember
Nancy Ross, Councilmember
Christina Gordon, Councilmember
AGENDA FINALIZATION
Anne Ambrose, Interim City Manager, announced that item 3A under Closed Session would be continued to February 25, 2026.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no members of the public that wished to speak.
2. STUDY SESSION
A. SunLine Presentation
Recommendation: This is a presentation only, there is no formal action required.
Mona Babauta, SunLine Transit Agency CEO, provided a presentation on SunLine’s Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Initiative, which included SunLine’s service area, the Rides Reimagined process and their community survey.
The City Council asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by Ms.
Babauta.
Public Comments:
Mr. Carrillo expressed concern with drug activity near bus routes.
Anita Carrillo expressed concern with drug activity near bus routes.
This was a presentation only, and there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
3. CLOSED SESSION
A. 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 Association (CCFA)
Recommendation: There is no recommendation.
This item was continued to the February 25, 2026 meeting.
B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2)
Significant Exposure to Litigation
Number of Matters: One (1) – Zenergy / Old Landfill
Recommendation: There is no recommendation.
Eric Vail, City Attorney, announced that the City Council will meet in Closed Session to discuss the items listed on the agenda.
The Council recessed to Closed Session at 3:25 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 4:08 p.m.
City Attorney reported that the City Council met in Closed Session, and there was no reportable action taken.
RECESS
REGULAR MEETING - 5:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Raymond Gregory called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Rita led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION)
Councilmember Christina Gordon offered the Invocation.
ROLL CALL
Council Present:
Raymond Gregory, Mayor
Ernesto Gutierrez, Mayor Pro Tem
Rita Lamb, Councilmember
Nancy Ross, Councilmember
Christina Gordon, Councilmember
AGENDA FINALIZATION
There were no changes to the agenda.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kathryn Fuller expressed concern with cannabis odor.
Paula Wekekind expressed concern with code compliance and city staff.
Patrick Meehan expressed concern with cannabis odor.
Elisha Meehan expressed concern with cannabis odor.
Janet Ream expressed concern with cannabis odor.
Danny Lee discussed the FM3 community survey report.
Katherine Evans expressed concern with cannabis odor.
2. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Christina Gordon reported on the following:
Her attendance at the Fire Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony Her update with staff related to the C4 facility
Her tour of the C4 facility
Her attendance at the City Council Annual Goal Setting meeting Her attendance at the Soul Springs Festival
Her attendance at the League of California Cities Riverside Division meeting Her attendance at Tastes and Sounds
Councilmember Nancy Ross reported on the following:
Her attendance at the 100 th birthday celebration for a resident Her participation in the Courageous Resistance event
The filing of her Form 460
Her attendance at the Mosquito and Vector Control luncheon Her attendance at an event for Congressman Raul Ruiz
Her attendance at the FIND Food Bank Guardians Breakfast Her attendance at the grand opening of the La Quinta Wellness Center Her attendance at the Coachella Valley Women’s Tribute Project at Cicada Fine Arts Center
Her attendance at a house party where they discussed mobile home parks Her attendance at the Fire Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony Her attendance at the Regional Mosquito and Vector Control Convention The City Hall Picture Day
Her attendance at the Animal Campus meeting
Her walkthrough of Desert Marigold
Her meeting with Interim City Manager Ambrose
Her meeting with a constituent
Councilmember Rita Lamb reported on the following:
The recent Emergency Preparedness Event
Her attendance at the Fire Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony Her attendance at the bench dedication for Buford Crites The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy’s activity
The IGNITE Program Series
Her attendance at Yoga in the Amphitheater
Her attendance at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Public Safety meeting
Mayor Pro Tem Ernesto Gutierrez reported on the following:
His attendance as the alternate at the Visit Greater Palms Springs Board meeting His attendance at the Steering Committee meeting related to the Development Code update
His meeting with Interim City Manager Ambrose
His attendance at the City Council Annual Goal Setting meeting His attendance at the League of California Cities Riverside Division meeting His attendance at Taste and Sounds
The upcoming Coachella Valley Conservation Committee meeting The upcoming Mary Nutter Collegiate Softball Tournament The resident call he received
Mayor Raymond Gregory reported on the following:
His attendance at the Riverside County Transportation Commission Annual Workshop
His attendance at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Transportation Committee meeting
He thanked staff and legal for their work related to the City Manager recruitment His attendance at the City Council Annual Goal Setting meeting His attendance at the League of California Cities Riverside Division meeting His attendance at the regular Riverside County Transportation Commission meeting
His attendance at Taste and Sounds
The upcoming Valentines Day
The upcoming Date Festival
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
Recommendation: Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda M.O. 2026-20
B. Approval of the January 28, 2026 Regular Meeting minutes.
Recommendation: To approve the Regular Meeting minutes of January 28, 2026.
M.O. 2026-21
C. Commissioner/Committee Member Attendance Record
Recommendation: Receive and File
M.O. 2026-22
D. Notice of Completion for the Dream Homes Park (aka Esperanza Park):
Perimeter Wall Project (C07021)
Recommendation: To accept and approve the Dream Homes Park:
Perimeter Wall Project (C07021) as complete; and 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 Urban Habitat upon expiration of the Notice of Completion.
M.O. 2026-23
E. Notice of Completion the Dream Homes Park Project (aka Esperanza Park) (C07021)
Recommendation: To accept and approve the Dream Homes Park Project (C07021) as complete; and 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 Urban Habitat upon expiration of the Notice of Completion.
M.O. 2026-24
A motion was made by Councilmember Lamb and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gutierrez to approve the Consent Agenda.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
SECONDER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Gordon
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 25-0005 - An amendment to Chapter
9.114 (Accessory Dwelling Units) of Title 9 Planning and Zoning of the Cathedral City Municipal Code for consistency with new State legislation regulating accessory dwelling units.
Recommendation: Continue the public hearing for Zoning Ordinance Amendment 25-0005 to the City Council meeting of February 25, 2026.
Andrew Firestine, Community and Economic Development Director, provided an overview of the request to open the Public Hearing and continue it to the February 25, 2026 Regular City Council meeting.
Mayor Raymond Gregory opened the Public Hearing to receive public comments, seeing none, he returned discussion to the City Council.
M.O. 2026-25
A motion was made by Councilmember Lamb and seconded
by Councilmember Gordon to continue the Public Hearing for Zoning Ordinance Amendment 25-0005 to the Regular City Council meeting on February 25, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., to be held in the City Hall Council Chambers, with no further public notice required.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
SECONDER: Christina Gordon, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Gordon
5. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. Employment Agreement for City Manager
Recommendation: To approve an employment agreement with Andrew Firestine for the position of City Manager
City Attorney Eric Vail provided an overview of the proposed agreement to appoint Andrew Firestine as the City Manager. He orally provided the terms of the proposed agreement and total compensation which included:
5-year term
Annual base salary of $280,000
Retirement benefits to 401A and 457 retirement accounts Educational stipend of 2.5% of the annual base salary
Monthly auto allowance of $600
Monthly technology stipend of $55
Benefits in the Non-Rep Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) M.O. 2026-26
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gutierrez and seconded by Councilmember Ross to approve To approve an employment agreement with Andrew Firestine for the position of City Manager.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Nancy Ross, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Gordon
Christina Burton, City Clerk, administered the Oath of Office to Andrew Firestine.
Andrew Firestine, City Manager, addressed the Council. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the City Manager.
6. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There was no discussion on future agenda items.
7. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Raymond Gregory adjourned the meeting at 6:42 p.m.
Mayor, City of Cathedral City City Clerk, City of Cathedral City