City Council
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 17, 2022
1:30 PM
Welcome to a meeting of the Indian Wells City Council. All documents for public review are available for public inspection at City Hall reception, 44-950 Eldorado Drive, Indian Wells during normal business hours.
Members of the Public who wish to speak during public comment or on a particular item should fill out a blue slip and submit it to the City Clerk. Comments will be limited to 3 minutes. Speaker will be alerted when their time is up. Speakers are then to return to their seats and no further comments will be permitted.
In accordance with State Law, remarks during public comment are to be limited to subjects within the City's jurisdiction. Remarks on other agenda items will be limited to those items. Remarks from those seated or standing in the back of the chambers will not be permitted. All those wishing to speak including City and Staff need to be recognized by the Mayor before speaking. Please turn off all communication devices (phones) or put them on non-audible mode (vibrate) so as not to cause a disruption in the Council proceedings.
City Hall Council Chamber
March 17, 2022City Council Meeting Minutes
1.RECONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Reed reconvened the City Council of the City of Indian Wells at 1:30 p.m. on March 17, 2022 in the City Hall Council Chamber.
Mayor Reed, Mayor Pro Tem Griffith, Council Member Sanders, Council Member Muzik, Council Member Balocco
Present: 5 -
2. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
It was the CONSENSUS of the City Council to Approve the Agenda as Submitted.
3. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
A.Presentation of the 2022 Commemorative Poster for the Annual Indian Wells Arts Festival by Dianne Funk
Ms. Diane Funk owner and producer of Indian Wells Arts Festival updated the Council on the Indian Wells Arts Festival taking place from April 1-3, 2022, and unveiled the 2022 festival poster "Superbloom Sunset" by artist Jan Bushart from the state of Hawaii. Ms. Funk thanked the Council for being a presenting sponsor.
B.Indian Wells Marketing Update Presentation by
Chief/Marketing Officer Colleen Pace with Visit Greater Palm Springs and Director of Indian Wells Sales/Marketing Sean Smith
Visit Greater Palm Springs Chief/Marketing Officer Colleen Pace provided an overview of their mission and campaigns efforts for Indian Wells and surrounding resorts. Director of Indian Wells Sales/Marketing Sean Smith gave an overview on tourism efforts and social media pages. Mr. Smith outlined the upcoming initiatives, newsletters that are being developed, and holiday experience that is to be presented to the Council at a future meeting.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Ty Peabody, former Council Member, expressed concerns relating to violations of the Council Policy Manual. Mr. Philip Beckenkourt, La Quinta resident and Coachella Valley Energy Commission representative, spoke in support to find a solution for electrical service and encouraged the City to support those efforts. Mr. Doug Hanson, former Council Member, expressed concerns relating to community emails being sent on behalf of the Mayor and spoke in opposition of the proposed property home check policy. Ms. Judy Nadel, Ms. Jacqueline Bradley, and Mr. Tom Flanaghan, residents, spoke in support to increase public safety services.
5. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS
City Manager Christopher Freeland provided an update on the landscape improvements on Miles Ave and Highway 111.
March 17, 2022City Council Meeting Minutes
6. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS AND COMMENTS
City Attorney Todd Leishman reported the Council met in Closed Session and no reportable action was take which, under the Brown Act would be required to be publicly noticed. He provided an overview of certain exceptions that are made when the City receives requests for accommodations.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
A.Adoption of City’s Investment Policy
It was determined to ADOPT the City’s Investment Policy as amended.
This Recommendation was Adopted.
B.Findings to Hold Remote Teleconference/Virtual Meetings and Hybrid (i.e., In-Person and Teleconference/Virtual) Meetings for All City Legislative Bodies, in Accordance with Assembly Bill 361 It was determined APPROVE remote teleconference/virtual and hybrid meetings for all City legislative bodies by finding that a statewide state of emergency is currently in place and that state and local officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social distancing in connection with COVID-19; and
AUTHORIZE City Manager to implement teleconference/virtual or hybrid public meetings as needed in accordance with Assembly Bill 361.
This Recommendation was Approved.
C.Council Members Attendance at 2022 Events
It was determined APPROVE the attendance of Council Member/s to events held in 2022 as identified in the staff report.
This Recommendation was Approved.
D.2022 City Council Strategic Planning Session
It was determined to APPROVE the 2022 City Council City Goals.
This Recommendation was Approved.
E.Sponsorship Request for the California Contract Cities Association Golf Tournament Luncheon and League of California Cities Riverside County Division Reception
It was determined to APPROVE the sponsorship of the California Contract Cities Golf Tournament Lunch on May 12, 2022; and
APPROVE the sponsorship of the League of California Cities May meeting reception on May 9th, 2022.
This Recommendation was Approved.
March 17, 2022City Council Meeting Minutes
F.General Plan Housing Element Annual Progress Report for 2021 It was determined to RECEIVE and FILE the General Plan Housing Element Annual Progress Report and Low Moderate Income Housing Asset Fund Addendum for 2021; and DIRECT Staff to submit the Annual Progress Report and Low Moderate Income Housing Asset Fund Addendum to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
This Recommendation was Approved.
G.February 15, 2022, Special Council Closed-Session Minutes It was determined to APPROVE the February 15, 2022, Special Council Closed-Session Minutes.
The Minutes were Approved.
H.City Treasurer’s Report for January 2022
It was determined to RECEIVE and FILE the City Treasurer’s Report for January 2022.
This Recommendation was Approved.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Council Member Sanders, seconded by Council Member Balocco to Approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES:Reed, Griffith, Sanders, Muzik, Balocco5 -
NOES: 0
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
March 17, 2022City Council Meeting Minutes
A.Fire Access Maintenance District No. 1 Annual Levy and Collection of Assessments
Mayor Reed opened the public hearing at 2:28 p.m. to hear testimony in favor or against Resolution No. 2022-09.
Mr. Larry Bonafide, resident, reported the Fire Access Maintenance District is financially strong and thanked City staff for their assistance.
Mayor Reed closed the public hearing at 2:30 p.m.
It was determined to ADOPT Resolution No. 2022-09 to read as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA, ORDERING
THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A SPECIAL TAX FOR THE CITY OF INDIAN WELLS FIRE ACCESS MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1.
A motion was made by Council Member Sanders, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Griffith, that this Resolution be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES:Reed, Griffith, Sanders, Muzik, Balocco5 -
NOES: 0
B.Special Fire Tax Standby and Availability Charges Annual Levy Mayor Reed opened the public hearing at 2:30 p.m. to hear testimony in favor of or against Resolution No. 2022-10; hearing none, Mayor Reed closed the public hearing.
It was determined to ADOPT Resolution No. 2022-10 to read as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-10
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA, ORDERING
THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE CITY OF INDIAN WELLS FIRE TAX STANDBY AND AVAILABILITY CHARGES PURSUANT TO CITY ORDINANCE NO. 170.
A motion was made by Council Member Sanders, seconded by Council Member Balocco, that this Resolution be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES:Reed, Griffith, Sanders, Muzik, Balocco5 -
NOES: 0
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
March 17, 2022City Council Meeting Minutes
A.Eisenhower Walk of Honor Residency Recognition
Requirements
It was determined to DIRECT staff to modify the three (3) year minimum residency requirement to a one year minimum of residency to be recognized on the Eisenhower Walk of Honor and Veterans’ Memorial.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Griffith, seconded by Council Member Balocco, that this Recommendation be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES:Reed, Griffith, Sanders, Muzik, Balocco5 -
NOES: 0
B.Public Safety Crime Prevention Initiatives
Mr. Ted Mertens, former Council Member, expressed concerns relating to the vacant home check proposed policy. There was discussions in support of increasing police services and to re-evaluate the home check policy.
A motion was made by Council Member Balocco, seconded by Council Member Sanders to APPROVE one additional patrol service officer. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Balocco, Griffith, Muzik, Reed, Sanders NOES: 0 -
A motion was made by Council Member Balocco, seconded by Council Member Sanders to defer discussions and review of police services and home checks to the Public Safety Committee and report findings at a future Council Meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Balocco, Griffith, Muzik, Reed, Sanders NOES: 0 -
This Recommendation was Approved.
March 17, 2022City Council Meeting Minutes
C.Update on Proposed Park at Eldorado and Fairway
Mr. Marty Lax, resident, expressed concerns relating to the process for acquiring the vacant lots for the proposed dog park on Fairway and Eldorado Drive. Mr. Ty Peabody, former Council Member, spoke in opposition of a dog park and suggested to continue to be financially conservative.
Council Member Balocco suggested vacate the acquired property on Fairway and Eldorado Drive.
Mayor Pro Tem Griffith clarified based on the general plan community meetings staff was directed to seek properties for opportunities of potential parks and spoke in support of the project. Desert Recreation General Manager Kevin Kalman spoke in support of moving forward with a proposed park.
Council Member Muzik and Council Member Sanders clarified in part the Council agreed to acquire the land due to concerns relating to SB9 legislation. Council Member Sanders stated he attended the community meetings and there was opposition of a dog park but there was support for a passive park. Mayor Reed suggested to wait another year before moving forward with the park.
It was determined to AUTHORIZE staff to work with Desert Recreation District (DRD) in designing a passive park at the corner of Fairway and Eldorado based upon community member feedback at the recent community meetings; and
REQUEST DRD to conduct a park design charette in April 2022, at the Indian Wells Golf Resort, and INSTRUCT staff to bring back designs for a passive park at a future City Council meeting for public discussion and deliberations.
A motion was made by Council Member Muzik, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Griffith, that this Recommendation be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES:Griffith, Sanders, Muzik3 -
NOES:Reed, Balocco2 -
10. COUNCIL MEMBERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
A. Council Member Balocco
Council Member Balocco reported Coachella Valley Energy Commission utility is at 100 percent capacity and are working towards a funding solution. He reported Finance Committee recommended the approval of the investment policy which was on today's agenda.
B. Council Member Muzik
Council Member Muzik reported the following events for Community Activities Committee: Animal Shot Clinic on April 9, 2022 from 8:30a-12:00p, Back 9 Walk on April 10, 2022 at 6:45 a.m., resident end of year celebration on April 13, 2022 from 6:00p-9:00p, and the Memorial Day event being held in May.
March 17, 2022City Council Meeting Minutes
C. Council Member Sanders
Council Member Sanders reported Coachella Valley Economic Partnership business conference and economic forecast is scheduled on April 21, 2022 7:30 a.m. at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. He reported the hospitality industry is struggling in attracting capital from traditional sources. He reported Coachella Valley Mountain Conservancy awarded $2.5 million in climate resilience grants.
D. Mayor Pro Tem Griffith
Mayor Pro Tem Griffith reported attending a guardian breakfast at FIND Food Bank and stated the national guard has been assisting the food bank since the start of the pandemic. She reported attending Taste of Tennis and Animal Samaritans events held in Indian Wells and Desert Arc award luncheon.
E. Mayor Reed
No report.
11. ADJOURNMENT
At 3:50 p.m., Mayor Reed ADJOURNED the City Council meeting to a regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held at 1:30 p.m. on April 21, 2022 in the City Hall Council Chamber.
Respectfully Submitted,
_____________________________
Angelica Avila, CMC
City Clerk
This council meeting may be viewed on the City's website at http://www.cityofindianwells.org/cityhall/citycouncil/viewmeetings.asp and the complete agenda packets are available on the City's website at http://www.cityofindianwells.org/cityhall/cagaends.asp