WRITTEN
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
JUNE 3, 2025
La Quinta City Council 3 June 2025-Public Comment Items not on agenda Topic: Recall Specific Plan Specific Plan 03-067 Amendment 5-Halt the building of the proposed barrier fence and plan for public recreation
Speaker: Mary Mann La Quinta CA 92253 mobile
Coral Mountain should be the Gem of La Quinta and gateway to the Santa Rosa Wilderness area. There is a wonderful opportunity here for the City of La Quinta and its leadership to engage with the surrounding landowners and stakeholders including a new community of residents that now lives in south La Quinta. I want to see my City take a good look at this area south of Avenue 54, how it has grown and changed under the current general plan and what will be needed for the future. The City can lead to encourage development that allows for and embraces the natural environment, allowing for enjoyment and access to the Wilderness on our western boundary that so many of us crave. This is in direct alignment with the City Mission Statement and several of the Goals set forth in the Strategic Plan.
The area in question is a local haunt for seeking solace in the desert, hiking, mountain biking, walking dogs, playing, flying, hot air balloon launches! It is accessed by increasing numbers of people, noticeable even in the few years since we moved in. There is character and solidarity we are building in this neighborhood and community, despite being behind walls and being >6 miles from any City amenities.
Once the Developer leaves we are in blocks of isolated homes, all responsible for our own maintenance. This may look good on paper at the outset, but it is ultimately damaging to our bottom line, community, and quality of life. The risks associated with water supply, natural disasters, maintenance of infrastructure that will be borne directly by the City, CVWD, IID, County of Riverside and our neighbors in Indio and the City Sphere of influence as well as the ultimate new homeowners in the community. These are long-term ongoing costs and risks that have not been considered.
Take the time and eƯort to develop plans for how our City will interface with natural open space, providing low impact benefits to citizens and visitors. These eƯorts in community building and allowing the public, stakeholder agencies and groups to create a plan that could make Coral Mountain the Gem of La Quinta will be rewarded in civic pride and attraction to the area. I point to numerous new events such as the Iron Man, which will attract lovers of sport and the outdoors. How can we provide ways for these events to continue and host these visitors in such a way that they will want to come back or stay? 1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING - JUNE 3, 2025 - WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS BY RESIDENT MARY MANN PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - REGARDING CLUB AT CORAL MOUNTAIN SPECIFIC PLAN 2003-067 One way is to provide amenities that are accessible and open to the public. Places for people to get out, explore, experience the desert, have a picnic, take a hike, ride a bike.
A few other comments I have sent to Recreation District President and Manager:
I am writing to get information on the status and plans for the Coral Mountain Regional Park. From what I have been able to glean online whatever plans for this new DRD community resource have been stalled and the BOR agreement it is tied to may be expiring.
La Quinta is going forward with building private golf course development under a specific plan amendment that was soundly opposed by the community at the time. Under the plan for the new development, there are several references to the pending DRD park facility as mitigation of the adding of people, infrastructure and cutting oƯ of public access for recreation. Despite this, there did not seem to be any partnership opportunity extended to the DRD to create a facility that will accommodate the needs of this part of the District and City of La Quinta.
The one agreement that DRD signed with the developer to build a trail would be negated if the BOR agreement expires. This would mean the loss of the one concession the developer was asked to provide to maintain even minimal access to the public to lands that have been identified as unique in many respects, geologically, ecologically, have historically and currently provided desert recreation opportunities for the whole Valley and beyond. In particular an 8' high fence that received no vetting on its eƯectiveness for the stated purpose of protecting sheep and its path ignores the unique archaeological and ecological features it would bisect. Damage to this would have a detrimental eƯect on the planned conservation eƯorts of DRD that are revealed in the initial planning for the Coral Mountain Park.
We have added hundreds of people to this part of the Valley (South La Quinta, Indio) in only a few years with many new private developments but the Cities (La Quinta in particular) have not been compelled to provide any public recreation facilities or even planned for these.
There does not seem to be any planning for maintaining access around Coral Mountain for exploration and entering into the Santa Rosa Wilderness. We desperately need to get an integrated plan together. There are many agencies involved, DRD, City of La Quinta, Indio, Riverside County, BLM, BOR, CVWD, IID, Tribes.
2 Riverside County and partners are investing a lot into upgrades to the Lake Cahuilla Park. I have not seen that La Quinta has been proactive at all in planning for new recreational visitors to the area.
We truly need a facility that would be the Gateway to the Santa Rosa wilderness and oƯer a trail head, picnic and staging area, parking, restrooms. This is already a popular area for mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, exploration of the archaeological and historical artifacts, discovery of desert fauna and flora, oƯ-roading, climbing, dog-walking, horseback riding, prayer and reflection. The use of the area around Coral Mountain has increased dramatically even in the short time I have lived in this particular spot in the Valley.
It is now critically important that the District bring this Coral Mountain Regional Park project back to the top of the list.
So reaching out to you to see if you may see a way to activate discussions in the District and with other government entities to plan for development of the Coral Mountain Regional park, or find other groups, citizens who can assist in opening a dialogue around planning for saving of our existing desert recreation opportunities at Coral Mountain and Santa Rosa Wilderness and providing facilities required to accommodate increased use in coming years.
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From: Donaldson, Sara <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 11:01 AM
City Clerk Mail
Written Public Comment 6/3/25
To:
Subject:
Regarding item FY 2024-25 Community Service Grants – 3rd Round Dear La Quinta City Council,
As a staff member at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School, I am requesting the reconsideration of awarding grant funds to the Desert Sands Educational Foundation to assist our school in funding our new mural.
We have been through a rigorous process the past two years to not only rebrand, but redesign what our school looks like physically, academically, and culturally. While the mural is not a curricular program or material used within a classroom, it represents our new vision and goal of having students buy into their education and be proud of their accomplishments. As a teacher of 13 years, I can confidently say that the hardest part about being in education currently is that student motivation to even come to school has plummeted since COVID. Furthermore, when students are at school, they find it difficult to see how their learning applies to their everyday life.
With a mural that is not only designed by a local artist, but also representative of our students' community, we will be representing our new design principles of building positive communities, using collaborative design, and being inclusive. Academically, this is a large project that we can tie into, along with working alongside the artist, our project-based learning initiative next year.
We want students to be proud of their school, excited to be here every day, and motivated to learn and contribute back to the community within the city of La Quinta.
Thank you,
Sara Donaldson
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School
La Quinta, CA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - JUNE 3, 2025 - WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM COLONEL PAIGE MIDDLE SCHOOL BUSINESS SESSION ITEM NO. 1 - COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANTS 3RD ROUND FY 2024-25 - MURAL 1 From: Loaiza, Michael <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, June 2, 2025 2:08 PM
To: City Clerk Mail
Subject: Written Comments Michael Loaiza, La Quinta,
My name is Michael Loaiza, and I serve as the school counselor at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School.
I’m writing with deep hope and respect to ask you to reconsider our grant application—an opportunity to create something truly special for our students and community.
This past year, our school has undergone a transformation—one rooted in identity, purpose, and belonging. Our students have been asked to dream bigger, to lead with heart, and to believe they matter.
Now, we want to give them a permanent symbol of that belief.
The mural we propose—created by a local artist—will be more than paint on a wall. It will be a daily reminder to our students that they are seen, they are valued, and they are capable of rising with pride and purpose. It will reflect the spirit of La Quinta and celebrate the legacy of Colonel Paige in a way that resonates with this generation.
We ask you to help us bring this vision to life—not just for today’s students, but for every child who walks these halls in the years to come.
With sincere gratitude,
Michael Loaiza
School Counselor
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - JUNE 3, 2025 - WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM COLONEL PAIGE MIDDLE SCHOOL BUSINESS SESSION ITEM NO. 1 - COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANTS 3RD ROUND FY 2024-25 - MURAL 1 From: Markson, Robin <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 8:49 AM
To: City Clerk Mail
Subject: Public Comment for 6/3/2025
one piece still missing: a mural that captures the
Dear Mayor Evans and Honorable Councilmembers,
Good evening. My name is Mrs. Markson, I live in La Quinta and I have the privilege of serving as the Project Teacher at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School. I’m reaching out to respectfully ask that you reconsider our grant application for a mural that we believe will be the heart of our school’s transformation.
Over the past year, our students have been deeply involved in reimagining what it means to be a Paige Eagle—what it means to belong, to lead, and to look toward the future. They’ve helped shape our mission, our visual identity, and our culture. But there’s energy, hope, and pride that’s growing on our campus.
This isn’t just about beautification. It’s about giving our students something permanent and visible that reflects who they are and the potential they carry. A mural is a powerful teaching tool—one that can inspire, spark conversation, and connect students to their school and city in a lasting way.
We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and we’re excited for where we’re going. I hope you’ll see this mural not just as art, but as a symbol of what’s possible when young people are empowered to shape their environment and their story.
Thank you for considering our request.
Robin Markson
Project Teacher
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School
43-495 Palm Royale Drive
La Quinta, CA 92253
760-238-9710
Extension 42113
FAX: 760-345-1202
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - JUNE 3, 2025 - WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM COLONEL PAIGE MIDDLE SCHOOL BUSINESS SESSION ITEM NO. 1 - COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANTS 3RD ROUND FY 2024-25 - MURAL "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." --Randy Pausch What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Emerson
1 From: Triplett, Brooke <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 8:56 AM
To: City Clerk Mail
Subject: Public Comment for Council Meeting
Good Morning,
I wanted to take a moment to express my desire to support Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School and the mural we are requesting funding for. I joined CMPMS in December of 2023. When I first arrived at the school, there were many challenges--but a lack of sense of belonging by both staff and students was something I noticed right away. Under new leadership at the school, we proposed a reimaging/rebranding process. This process has taken many hours, feedback from students, staff, parents, and community members. We have poured over what is best for our students because we want Paige Middle School to be THE middle school of choice in our valley. We have spent the last year pouring our hearts and souls into building a new school for our students--not just in name and appearance, but also from the foundation up--focusing on design centered processes, new mission, guiding principles, and yes, at the end a new mascot and colors. This new mascot is a symbol and representation for our school of all the work and all the change we have made, and will continue to make, for many years to come. It is the finished product and final piece of a long journey and an exciting fresh start and future for our school. I kindly ask you to consider helping to fund the new mural. It will serve for years to come as a reminder to all of us of what we stand for and why we do the hard work every day. It is a point of inspiration and pride for our community and a testament to the values we believe in. Thank you. -Brooke Triplett, Assistant Principal CMPMS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - JUNE 3, 2025 - WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM COLONEL PAIGE MIDDLE SCHOOL BUSINESS SESSION ITEM NO. 1 - COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANTS 3RD ROUND FY 2024-25 - MURAL