CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Study Session 3:00 PM
Regular Meeting 5:30 PM
Wednesday, March 25, 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
There were no changes to the agenda.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Robert McCormick submitted a letter to the City Council and expressed his concern with being evicted from his apartment.
2. STUDY SESSION
A. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Capital Improvements Program Update and Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Programmed Projects Revision Recommendation: Staff will present the bi-annual 5-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) update and present proposed schedule adjustments for five (5) programmed CIP projects to maintain compliance with the FY 2025–2026 Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funding requirement for discussion and direction.
John Corella, Director of Public Works, provided an update on the Capital Improvements Program and Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Programmed
Projects Revision. The following points were presented:
CIP Project Update
oProject Selection Process
o5-Year CIP Programmed Investments
oFY 2025-2026 Completed and in Progress Projects
oProjects Under Construction
MOE Program Projects Revisions
oBackground
oPast Annual Expenditures
oFunded CIP Projects Experiencing Delays
oProposed Projects to be Advanced
oCurrent Funding Distribution
oSummary of MOE Funding
oProposed MOE Funding Distribution
oFiscal Impact
oConclusion
The City Council asked clarifying questions and emphasized the importance of community outreach and communication regarding projects. Staff provided responses addressing these points.
This item was for discussion only, and there was no formal action taken by the City Council.
3. CLOSED SESSION
A. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)- One (1) Matter
Case Name: Jose Garcia v. Cathedral City Police; City of Cathedral City; Jeffrey Aguirre
Case No: 5:24-cv-00237-JGB-DTB
Recommendation: There is no recommendation.
B. Conference with Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code 54957.6
Labor Negotiator: Algeria Ford, Assistant City Attorney and Asusena Soren, Human Resources Manager
Employee Organization: Cathedral City Firefighters Association (CCFA) Recommendation: There is no recommendation.
City Attorney Eric Vail announced that the City Council will meet in Closed Session to discuss the items list on the agenda.
The City Council recessed into Closed Session at 4:19 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 4:10 p.m.
City Attorney Vail reported that the City Council met in Closed Session, provided direction on both items and there was no other reportable action taken.
Mayor Raymond Gregory adjourned the Study Session meeting at 4:10 p.m.
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
Mayor Pro Tem Ernesto Gutierrez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION)
Councilmember Nancy Ross 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
Item 3D and 3G were pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no members of the public that wished to speak.
2. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Christina Gordon reported on the following:
Her attendance at Yoga in the Amphitheater
Her meeting with the Rancho Mirage Chamber
Her attendance at the Historic Preservation Committee meeting Her participation in interviews for the vacant seat on the Historic Preservation Committee
Her meeting with Communications and Events Manager Ryan Hunt Her attendance at the ribbon Cutting for Plant Growth
Her attendance at the Color of the Spectrum event
Her visit to the Senior Center Food Bank
Her meeting with a Desert Sun Reporter
Councilmember Nancy Ross reported on the following:
Her recent illness
Her participation as Principal for the Day at James Workman The upcoming Senior Inspiration Awards luncheon
Her planned attendance at the upcoming No Kings rally in Palm Springs She thanked all those who sent her well wishes well she was ill
Councilmember Rita Lamb reported on the following:
The Coachella Valley Mountain Conservancy’s recent activities Her attendance at the Cathedral City Auto Center meeting Her attendance at the AMVETS event at Desert Memorial Park Her attendance at the Butterfly Festival
Her dinner with residents from Tramview Mobile Home Park The upcoming Festival of the Arts event
Mayor Pro Tem Ernesto Gutierrez reported on the following:
His meeting with a cannabis business owner
His meeting with a local philanthropist
His appearance as a speaker at the Riverside Women Federate event His attendance at the ribbon cutting for Plant Growth
His discussion with a local developer
His meeting with City Manager Firestine
His lunch meeting with Scott Robinson from the Boys and Girls Club The upcoming Boys and Girls Club Meatball Festival
Mayor Raymond Gregory reported on the following:
His attendance at the Coachella Valley Community Association Institute event held at City Hall
His attendance at the 2026 Rainbow Youth Summit
His attendance at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Executive Committee meeting
His trip to the mountains
His attendance at the Riverside County Transportation Commission Budget and Implementation Committee meeting
His attendance at the Riverside County Transportation Commission AdHoc Committee meeting
His meeting at the Palm Spring Airport related to the increased noise and complaints
His attendance at Landau Elementary School’s career day The upcoming Senior Inspiration Awards luncheon
The upcoming Festival of the Arts event
The upcoming Boys and Girls Club Meatball Festival
The upcoming Taste and Sounds
The upcoming Family Fitness event
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
Recommendation: Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda M.O. 2026-44
A motion was made by Councilmember Lamb and seconded
by Councilmember Gordon to Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
SECONDER: Christina Gordon, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Gordon
B. Commissioner/Committee Member Attendance Record
Recommendation: Receive and File
M.O. 2026-45
A motion was made by Councilmember Lamb and seconded
by Councilmember Gordon to Receive and File the
Commissioner/Committee Member Attendance Record.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
SECONDER: Christina Gordon, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Gordon
C. Approval of the March 11, 2026 Study Session and Regular Meeting Minutes.
Recommendation: To approve the March 11, 2026 Study Session and Regular Meeting Minutes.
M.O. 2026-46
A motion was made by Councilmember Lamb and seconded
by Councilmember Gordon to approve the March 11, 2026 Study Session and Regular Meeting Minutes.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
SECONDER: Christina Gordon, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Gordon
D. 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, 571.1 This resolution will supersede all previous resolutions regarding job classifications and compensation levels to the extent they conflict with this new recommendation.
This item was pulled for separate consideration.
Staff provided an overview of the item.
The council asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff.
Reso 2026-06
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gutierrez and seconded by Councilmember Lamb to adopt a resolution approving city-wide publicly available pay schedules in compliance with California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Sections 570.5, 571, 571.1
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Gordon
E. 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: To provide second reading, by title only, and adopt an ordinance amending 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.
Ord 897
A motion was made by Councilmember Lamb and seconded
by Councilmember Gordon to provide second reading, by title only, and adopt an ordinance amending 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.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
SECONDER: Christina Gordon, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Gordon
F. Ratification of Agreement Between the City of Cathedral City and The American Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees (AFSCME)
Recommendation: To ratify the agreement between the City of Cathedral City ("City") and The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees ("AFSCME") via the Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028.
M.O. 2026-47
A motion was made by Councilmember Lamb and seconded
by Councilmember Gordon to ratify the agreement between the City of Cathedral City ("City") and The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees ("AFSCME") via the Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
SECONDER: Christina Gordon, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Gordon
G. Consideration of Support for Senate Bill 872 (SB 872) – State Water Infrastructure Funding
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a position of support for Senate Bill 872 (SB 872) and authorize the City Manager to sign a letter of support on behalf of the City of Cathedral City.
This item was pulled for separate consideration.
Staff provided an overview of the item.
The City Council asked clarifying questions and discussed the need for analysis on these types of requests. Staff provided responses addressing these points.
Staff will bring back an item to a future meeting to discuss a policy related to legislative affairs.
M.O. 2026-48
A motion was made by Councilmember Lamb and seconded
by Councilmember Gordon to adopt a position of support for Senate Bill 872 (SB 872) and authorize the City Manager to sign a letter of support on behalf of the City of Cathedral City.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
SECONDER: Christina Gordon, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Gordon
H. To Oppose AB 1383 (McKinnor) Public Employees' Retirement Benefits Recommendation: To oppose AB 1383 (McKinnor) Public Employees Retirement Benefits and authorize the City Manager to sign a letter of opposition on behalf of the City of Cathedral City.
M.O. 2026-49
A motion was made by Councilmember Lamb and seconded
by Councilmember Gordon to oppose AB 1383 (McKinnor) Public Employees Retirement Benefits and authorize the City Manager to sign a letter of opposition on behalf of the City of Cathedral City.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
SECONDER: Christina Gordon, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Gordon
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no Public Hearings.
5. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
Recommendation: To receive the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and authorize its transmittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the California Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.
Dominique Camps, Associate Planner, provided a presentation on the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report.
This City Council asked clarifying questions, which were responded to by staff and legal.
M.O. 2026-50
A motion was made by Councilmember Ross and seconded
by Councilmember Lamb to receive the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and authorize its transmittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the California Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.
RESULT: PASS
MOVER: Nancy Ross, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Ross, Gregory, Gutierrez, Lamb, Gordon
6. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to agendize an item to discuss and consider a policy related to legislative requests at a future meeting.
7. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Raymond Gregory adjourned the Regular Meeting at 7:13 p.m Mayor, City of Cathedral City City Clerk, City of Cathedral City