SPECIAL JOINT STRATEGIC PLANNING
SESSION MINUTES
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
9:00 a.m.
Indian Wells Golf Resort
44500 Indian Wells Lane, CA 92210
Present: Chair Sanders
Vice Chair Whitman
Commissioner Peabody
Commissioner Reed
Commissioner Griffith
Commissioner O'Hea
Commissioner Sklar
_____________________________________________________________________ A. CONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY, & GOLF RESORT
JOINT STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND
ROLL CALL
Mayor/Chair Sanders convened the Joint City Council, Housing Authority, and Golf Resort Strategic Planning Session at 9:03 a.m. on April 2, 2024, in the Indian Wells Golf Resort, Celebrity Ballroom.
B. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
It was the CONSENSUS of the City Council/Housing Authority to Approve the Agenda as Submitted.
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Brenda Campbell, resident, expressed concerns about speeding on Fairway Drive and provided suggestions on slowing traffic. Mr. Doug Hanson, resident, spoke about the structure of the strategic agenda and requested staff provide an overview of the City’s reserves.
Strategic Planning Minutes - April 2, 2024
2 D. INDIAN WELLS STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION
D.1 2024 City Council, Housing Authority, and Golf Resort Strategic Planning Session
City Manager Christopher Freeland provided a brief overview of the Strategic Planning Session.
D.2 Annual Financial Economic Forecast
City Finance Director Kevin McCarthy presented a summary of the City's Economic Forecast, update on general fund loans, financial analysis, and Community Facility Districts. There was discussion concerning redevelopment loans and investments. Councilmember Peabody expressed concern relating to the general fund cash flow after expenses of upcoming capital improvement projects. Mr. McCarthy provided a summary of the Housing Authority's finances. There was a clarification regarding housing funding sources for capital improvements projects and cash flows.
There was further discussion regarding transient occupancy tax trends over the past few years after the Golf Resort remodel. Councilmember Peabody expressed concern about funding sources for capital improvement projects, and suggested the focus of funding should be on public safety, fire services, and street improvement.
At 10:13 a.m. Chair Sanders recessed the session and reconvened the at 10:21 a.m.
It was determined to APPROVE staff continue to address deferred maintenance of the Housing Authority properties and discuss capital improvement projects at the May Housing Authority meeting.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Whitman, seconded by Commissioner Griffith to Approve Recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 7 - Griffith, O’Hea, Peabody, Reed, Sander, Sklar, Whitman
NOES: 0 - None
At 10:25 p.m., Chair Sanders adjourned the Housing Authority portion of the session.
Strategic Planning Minutes - April 2, 2024
3 Public Works Manager Dina Purvis presented the City's Capital Improvement Plans. Mayor Sanders stated that there is a need to separate traffic vehicles from pedestrians.
It was determined to AUTHORIZE. the advancement of projects on Fairway Drive, Eldorado Drive, Rancho Palmeras, and Cook Street, advance the local road paving project, advance the sidewalk improvements along Highway 111, and at a future meeting provide details on implementation.
A motion was made by Mayor Sanders, seconded by Councilmember Griffith to Approve Recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sander, Whitman
NOES: 0 - None
City Manager Christopher Freeland presented an overview of the Whitewater Channel lining project.
At 10:49 a.m., Mayor Sanders recessed the session.
D.3 Discussion on Possible Redesign of the Players Course at the Indian Wells Golf Resort
Mayor Sanders reported the park dedication scheduled on April 15, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. The Golf Resort Strategic Planning Session convened at 1:00 p.m.
Finance Director Kevin McCarthy stated that Golf Resort operates as a business and provided a financial overview of the Indian Wells Golf Resort's performance.
Indian Wells Golf Resort General Manager, Robin Graf, introduced golf resort management staff and corporate office staff. Indian Wells Golf Director Joe Williams presented an overview of golf operations, financial golf play results, and improvements in the golf academy. Indian Wells Director of Agronomy Nick Leitner provided an overview of the projects completed, improved agronomy performance with new equipment, and efforts to improve course conditions.
Mr. Graf presented an overview of Food and Beverage department training, menu updates, and leadership staffing changes. Indian Wells Golf Resort Controller Wes Smith provided an update on food and beverage sales.
Strategic Planning Minutes - April 2, 2024
4 Mr. Graf provided a background of restaurant renovations, and continued efforts to enhance the guest experience, and increase resident activities.
Mr. Ed Doyle spoke about transforming the identity and experience at the Vue restaurant. Mr. Doyle provided information about the new restaurant design. There was discussion about the timeline of releasing the final restaurant concept and restaurant name. Councilmember Griffith suggested that the restaurant focus on service training. Indian Wells Golf Resort Director of Marketing, Ben Rodny, introduced the sales team and presented the organizational chart. Mr. Rodny presented an overview of media efforts, email communication, and social media outreach, and website trends.
At 2:05 p.m. Councilmember Peabody left the meeting.
City Manager Christopher Freeland presented the proposed golf players course redesign. Mr. Freeland provided a background on easements and provided an overview of the relocation of golf holes 17 and 18. Mr. Freeland further outlined the various designers for the golf resort redesign.
At 2:28 p.m., Mayor Sanders recessed the meeting and reconvened at 2:35 p.m.
Senior Vice President Operation Bill O’Brian provided a timeline of the golf course redesign project. Mayor Pro Tem Whitman suggested considering a formal outreach to expand efforts to obtain additional architect design proposals and spoke in support of the redesign project. The discussion centered on delaying the golf course redesign to allow additional architects to provide input. Councilmember Griffith spoke in support of Troon recommendations.
Mayor Sanders expressed concerns relating to labor cost increases. Mayor Sanders responded to a member of the public question regarding the $5 million renovation.
It was determined to APPROVE moving forward with the maintenance required to move holes 17/18 to the Northside of the wash and create a fire road.
A motion was made by Councilmember Griffith, seconded by Councilmember Reed to Approve Recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
Strategic Planning Minutes - April 2, 2024
5 AYES: 4 - Griffith, Reed, Sanders, Whitman
NOES: 0 -
ABSENT: 1 - Peabody
There was discussion relating to the appropriation of funds for the golf course redesign and the selection of an architect to move the project forward. Mayor Pro Tem Whitman suggested obtaining additional architect designs and recommended conducting a formal solicitation for architects.
Councilmember Reed expressed his support for the project.
It was determined to APPROVE the selection of Jon Fought as the architect to redesign the players golf course and provide a supplementary appropriation of $400,000 for the project.
A motion was made by Mayor Sanders, seconded by Councilmember Reed to Approve Recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 3 - Griffith, Reed, Sanders
NOES: 1 - Whitman
ABSENT: 1 - Peabody
E.ADJOURNMENT
At 3:29 p.m., Mayor Sanders Adjourned the Joint Strategic Planning Session to a regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on April 16, 2024, in the City Hall Council Chamber.
Respectfully Submitted,
_________________________
Angelica Avila, MMC
City Clerk