CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, February 15, 2024
1:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chamber
44950 Eldorado Drive, Indian Wells, CA 92210
Present: Mayor Sanders
Mayor Pro Tem Whitman
Council Member Peabody
Council Member Reed
Council Member Griffith
_____________________________________________________________________ A.CONVENE THE INDIAN WELLS CITY COUNCIL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Sanders convened the City Council Meeting at 1:36 p.m. on February 15, 2024, in the City Hall Council Chamber.
B.APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
It was the CONSENSUS of the City Council to Approve the Agenda as Submitted.
C.PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
No presentations.
D.PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Douglas Hanson, resident, expressed his concern regarding the enforcement of Measure J Council term-limits. Mayor Sander and Mayor Pro Tem Whitman discussed the concerns expressed about the enforcement of Measure J-Council term-limits. Mr. Brian Penna, resident, expressed gratitude for safer streets in Indian Wells, and requested more information regarding the Living Desert funding request. Mayor Sanders reports a community meeting scheduled for February 21,
Council Minutes- February 15, 2024
2 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber relating to safe streets and clarified the funding process for the Living Desert request.
E.CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS
City Manager Christopher Freeland reported a community meeting regarding the Living Desert funding request on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. Mr. Freeland reported that a community meeting concerning safe streets will be held on February 21, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. Mr. Freeland further reported that BNP Tournament tickets sales have exceeded previous years, while resident day at tennis is on March 7, 2024, and Richard Blais celebrity chef is being showcased during the tennis. Public Works Director Ken Seumalo clarified the safe streets process includes stakeholders’ gatherings with police, fire, and school district.
F.CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS AND COMMENTS
City Attorney Todd Leishman reported that a closed session was held to discuss the items listed on the agenda, but no reportable action was taken that, under the Brown Act, would be required to be publicly disclosed.
G.CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Peabody requested Item G1 - City Treasurer's Report for December 2023 to be removed for further discussion.
G.1 City Treasurer’s Report for December 2023
Finance Director Kevin McCarthy provided an overview of the treasurer report and cash reserves.
It was determined to RECEIVE and FILE the City Treasurer’s Report for December 2023.
A motion was made by Council Member Peabody, seconded by Council Member Griffith to Received and File. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 -
Council Minutes- February 15, 2024
3 G.2 Ordinance Amending Sections 21.60.020, 21.60.080., 21.90.030, and Adding Section 21.60.085 to the Zoning Code Relating to City Landscape Requirements and Finding the Action to be Categorically Exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act
It was determined to ADOPT Ordinance No. 752 to read as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 752
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDIAN
WELLS AMENDING SECTIONS 21.60.020, 21.60.080, 21.90.030, AND ADDING SECTION 21.60.085 TO THE CITY ZONING CODE RELATING TO CITY LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS; AND FINDING THE ACTION
TO BE CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.
A motion was made by Council Member Griffith, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Whitman to Adopt the Resolution. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 -
G.3 Council Member Attendance at 2024 Event
It was determined to APPROVE the attendance of Councilmember Peabody to attend the 2024 Living Desert event as identified in the staff report.
A motion was made by Council Member Griffith, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Whitman to Approve the Recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 -
G.4 Update to Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
It was determined ADOPT Resolution No. to read as follows:
Council Minutes- February 15, 2024
4 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDIAN
WELLS, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE CITY OF INDIAN WELLS LOCAL
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN ANNEX FROM THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY
OPERATIONAL AREA MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL LOCAL HAZARD
MITIGATION PLAN AS REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL DISASTER
MITIGATION AND COST REDUCTION ACT OF 2000.
A motion was made by Council Member Griffith, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Whitman to Adopt the Resolution. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 -
G.5 Readoption of the City’s Investment Policy
It was determined to READOPT the City’s Investment Policy as presented; and
FIND the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15060.
A motion was made by Council Member Griffith, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Whitman to Approve the Recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 -
H.PUBLIC HEARINGS
No scheduled public hearings.
I.GENERAL BUSINESS
I.1 BNP Paribas Open City of Indian Wells’ Suite Food and Beverage Service
Assistant City Manager Peter Castro provided a background on the BNP Paribas Open suite food and beverage system. Mayor Pro Tem Whitman
Council Minutes- February 15, 2024
5 requested that future negotiations include an increase in food credit to accommodate the added amenities. Council Member Reed expressed concern about the extra costs to fully serve the suites with food and beverages.
It was determined to APPROVE supplemental appropriation in the amount of $75,000 for food and beverage service for the 2024 BNP Paribas Open.
A motion was made by Council Member Peabody, seconded by Council Member Griffith to Approve the Recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Sanders, Whitman
NOES: 1 - Reed
J.COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS AND COMMENTS
J.1 COUNCIL MEMBER GRIFFITH
Councilmember Griffith attended Mayors & Councilmembers Academy on January 24-26-2024 in Monterey, California and encouraged the Council to participate in future academies. Ms. Griffith reported that CVAG Energy and Sustainability Committee are conducting discussions on share costs with Imperial Irrigation District. Ms. Griffith reported Community Activities Committee following events; Back 9 Walks, Salton Sea Tour, Paradise Pickleball mixer on February 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., and Indian wells Resident Day at the Palms Springs Air Museum on Feb 24, 2024, from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
J.2 COUNCIL MEMBER REED
Reed reported that Riverside County Transportation Commission Executive Director Anne Mayer announced her retirement on May 1, 2024, and Deputy Aaron Hake has been appointed as the new Executive Director. Mr. Reed reported that the LOSSAN scheduled meeting on February 20, 2024, is the same day as the community meeting for the Living Desert funding request and will not be present at the community meeting.
J.3 COUNCIL MEMBER PEABODY
Councilmember Peabody reported that Sunline Transit Agency Sunline continues to acquire buses from Riverside County Transportation and are at 90% of its services to the public. Mr. Peabody reported that the Indian
Council Minutes- February 15, 2024
6 Wells Marketing Committee conducted discussions regarding the 2023 Winterfest event and are making recommendations for the 2024 Winterfest event.
J.4 MAYOR PRO TEM WHITMAN
Mayor Pro Tem Whitman attended the California League of Cities conference in Sacramento and discussed various issues related to governance, housing land use, and term limits. Mr. Whitman reported that CVAG Public Safety Committee conducted a tour of the new Indio Police station. Mr. Whitman reported that Coachella Valley Economic Partner has shut the Palm Desert iHub and the Palm Springs iHub is open. Mr. Whitman reported that the Indian Wells Public Safety Committee conducted discussions on traffic noise and safety measures. Mr. Whitman stated that a Fireman position was added for Indian Wells, Indian Wells Lieutenant Wright provided an update on services, and a new traffic flow plan for the tennis tournament was discussed.
J.5 MAYOR SANDERS
Mayor Sanders stated that the vehicle noise reduction issue will be on the March Council agenda for discussion. Mr. Sanders reported that CVAG Executive Committee conducted a study regarding the dust storm as the result of storm Hilary and expressed concerns about the economic impacts on tourism due to the storms. Mr. Sanders expressed his gratitude to Finance Director Kevin McCarthy and Indian Wells Lieutenant Wright.
K.ADJOURNMENT
At 2:35 p.m., Mayor Sanders Adjourned the City Council meeting to a regularly scheduled meeting to be held at 10:00 a.m. on March 7, 2024, in the City Hall Council Chamber.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Angelica Avila, MMC
City Clerk