CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, July 18, 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
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A. CONVENE THE INDIAN WELLS CITY COUNCIL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Sanders convened the City Council Meeting at 1:30 p.m. on July 18, 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
C.1 Riverside County Fire Update by Battalion Chief Matthew Kotz Battalion Chief Matthew Kotz delivered a presentation outlining Fire Department statistics and notable events from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. During the presentation, questions were raised regarding the frequency of fire alarms triggered by actual fire incidents.
Council Minutes- July 18, 2024
2 C.2 Riverside County Sheriff Update by Indian Wells Lieutenant David Wright
Indian Wells Lieutenant David Wright presented a quarterly report summarizing case statistics as of June 30, 2024, along with highlights of notable operations and investigations.
C.3 Indian Wells Golf Resort Update by General Manager Robin Graf General Manager Robin Graf provided a report on recent events held at the Indian Wells Golf Resort and gave an update on the ongoing restaurant construction. Mr. Graf announced the name of the new restaurant: Krestel, which is scheduled to open on October 1, 2024. Mr.
Graf also reviewed the financial results and shared details about the upcoming Epson Tour, taking place from October 1–6, 2024.
Councilmember Griffith expressed appreciation to the Golf Resort staff, and Councilmember Whitman also extended thanks to the IWGR team.
Questions were raised regarding the restaurant manager.
D. PUBLIC COMMENTS
City Clerk Angelica Avila acknowledged a letter was submitted by Mr. Peter Xouleis and it was included in the agenda packet.
There were no other public comments.
E. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS
City Manager Christopher Freeland reported that the speed limit on Fairway Drive has been reduced to 30 miles per hour. Mr. Freeland announced that the bids for the Player’s Course redesign are currently open and will close on August 5, 2024. Mr. Freeland reported that the Warner Trail project is scheduled for completion by August 9, 2024, and work on the West Drop Structure will begin on July 29, 2024.
Mr. Freeland shared that Hyatt’s new restaurant, Tía Carmen, is set to open on July 23, 2024. Additionally, he reported that the BNP Paribas Open generated a total economic impact of $852 million in 2024.
Mr. Freeland concluded by noting his recent engagement with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
Council Minutes- July 18, 2024
3 F. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS AND COMMENTS
City Attorney Todd Leishman reported that the City Council met earlier in the day in a closed session and reached a settlement agreement with SitelogIQ regarding the Solar and Battery Project.
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
G.1 City Treasurer’s Report for May 2024
It was determined to RECEIVE and FILE the City Treasurer’s Report for May 2024; 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 Peabody, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Whitman to Receive and File the Recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 -
G.2 Resolution Re-establishing Community Activities Committee and Grants In Aid Committee
It was determined to ADOPT Resolution No, 2024-36 to read as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-36
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDIAN
WELLS, CALIFORNIA, RE-ESTABLISHING THE GRANTS-IN-AID
COMMITTEE; and
FIND the action exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).
A motion was made by Council Member Peabody, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Whitman to Adopt Resolutions. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 -
Council Minutes- July 18, 2024
4 G.3 Community Activities Committee Update
Catherine Manning, Management Assistant, gave a staff report. Council Member Griffith detailed upcoming events and possible events. Mayor Sanders stated staff is getting the First Division Band of the US Marine Corps for a performance.
It was determined to RECEIVE and FILE the Community Activities Committee Update for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Event Calendar; and
FIND the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).
A motion was made by Council Member Griffith, seconded by Council Member Peabody to Receive and File Recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 –
G.4 Adopt Ordinance to Form Proposed Community Facilities District No. 2024-1 (Public Safety)
It was determined to ADOPT Ordinance No. 757 to read as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 757
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDIAN
WELLS, CALIFORNIA, ACTING AS THE LEGISLATIVE BODY OF
COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2024-1 (PUBLIC SAFETY),
AUTHORIZING THE LEVY OF SPECIAL TAXES IN SUCH COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT; and
FINDS the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15061(b)(3).
A motion was made by Council Member Peabody, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Whitman to Adopt Ordinance. The motion carried by the following vote:
Council Minutes- July 18, 2024
5 AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 -
G.5 Update to Fiscal Year 2024-25 Approved Positions and Annual Salary Ranges
It was determined to APPROVE the update to employee’s salary schedule as required by the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013; and
DIRECT staff to post the employee salary range schedule on the City’s website; and
FIND the action exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).
A motion was made by Council Member Peabody, 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.6 Resolution Approving Modification to Conditional Use Permit No. 2024-01 (Riverside County CUP No. 1382) To Construct A New 425 Square Foot Comfort Station within the Portion of the Ironwood Country Club Golf Course Finding the Project Exempt from CEQA It was determined to ADOPT Resolution No. 2024-37 to read as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-37
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDIAN
WELLS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MODIFICATION TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2024-01 (RIVERSIDE COUNTY CUP 1382) TO
CONSTRUCT A NEW 425 SQUARE FOOT COMFORT STATION WITHIN
A PROTION OF IRONWOOD COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE
LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF INDIAN WELLS (APN: 771-070-027)
AND FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT PURSUANT TO CEQA
GUIDELINES SECTION 15303(c), NEW CONSTRUCTION OR
CONVERSION OF SMALL STRUCTURES; and
Council Minutes- July 18, 2024
6 FIND the project exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15303(c), New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures.
A motion was made by Council Member Peabody, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Whitman to Adopt Resolution. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 -
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
I. GENERAL BUSINESS
I.1 Amendment to Employment Agreement for City Manager
Assistant City Manager, Peter Castro, gave a staff report.
It was determined to APPROVE Sixth Amendment to the Employment Agreement for City Manager Christopher Freeland; and
FIND the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).
A motion by Council Member Griffith, seconded by Council Member Reed, to Approve Recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 –
I.2 Communication Plan Update
Senior Management Analyst Micaela Wilkey introduced Kaetlyn Hernandez, Cameron Grimm, and Ryder Smith of Tripepi Smith Marketing Firm. The representatives delivered a presentation highlighting the firm’s accomplishments in partnership with the City of Indian Wells.
Following the presentation, the City Council engaged in a discussion regarding areas within the city that may lack adequate advertising and marketing coverage.
Council Minutes- July 18, 2024
7 It was determined to DELEGATE the review of the Communication Plan to the Finance Committee and the Marketing Committee and come back to the Council to provide recommendations.
A motion by Mayor Sanders, seconded by Council Member Griffith, to delegate. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 –
I.3 Ordinance to Amend and Strengthen Code-Enforcement Provisions of the Municipal Code
City Attorney Todd Leishman gave a staff report.
It was determined to INTRODUCE Ordinance amending Chapter 8.08 of the Indian Wells Municipal Code relating to nuisance abatement and adding Chapter 1.28 of the Indian Wells Municipal Code relating to nuisance-abatement cost-recovery; and
FIND the action to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under state CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5); and
APPROVE the ordinance to be brought back for second reading and adoption.
A motion by Council Member Peabody, seconded by Council Member Griffith to Approve Recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 -
J. COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS
J.1 Mayor Sanders Request to Place a Discussion Item on a Future City Council Agenda
Mayor Sanders requested to place on the agenda for the September meeting, two items for discussion relating to the ordinance regarding shrubs and trees.
It was determined to APPROVE Mayor Sanders’ request to place a discussion on a future city council agenda.
Council Minutes- July 18, 2024
8 A motion by Council Member Griffith, seconded by Council Member Reed, to Approve Request. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 - Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: 0 –
K. COUNCIL MEMBER'S COMMENTS
K.1 COUNCIL MEMBER GRIFFITH
Council Member Griffith reported that the Grants in Aid Committee has convened and is now accepting applications, with a submission deadline of September 6, 2024.Council Member Griffith also shared that the Indian Wells Preservation Foundation will be hosting a walking tour event and plans to announce a new landmark in the near future.
K.2 COUNCIL MEMBER REED
Council Member Reed reported attending the Marketing Committee meeting and Riverside County Transportation Commission meeting, where it was decided not to move forward with a proposed ballot measure.
K.3 COUNCIL MEMBER PEABODY
Council Member Peabody reported attending the SunLine Transit Agency meeting and announced that a new facility is expected to become operational within the next month. Council Member Peabody also attended a Coachella Valley Animal Campus meeting and noted that donations are currently needed to support the campus.
K.4 MAYOR PRO TEM WHITMAN
Mayor Pro Tem Whitman reported attending a Coachella Valley economic Partnership meeting where he was asked to be on the executive committee and it was planned to have a strategic planning meeting.
K.5 MAYOR SANDERS
Mayor Sanders reported attending a Cove Communities Services Commission meeting, during which he was elected Chair of the Commission.
Council Minutes- July 18, 2024
9 L. ADJOURNMENT
At 2:50 p.m. Mayor Sanders ADJOURNED the Council meeting to a regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on September 5, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Angelica Avila, MMC
City Clerk