Palm Desert City Council
January 25, 2024

PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL

STUDY SESSION MEETING
AGENDA

Thursday, January 25, 2024
2:30 p.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, California
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the purpose of the Study Session is to review the items listed on the agenda. No action will be taken.

Pages

1. CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION

2. STUDY SESSION TOPICS

2.a STUDY SESSION: CITY COUNCIL ROLES AND NEW LAWS &

ELECTIONS UPDATE
3 RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file a presentation regarding City Council Roles and New Laws and Elections Update.

2.b STUDY SESSION: TRAFFIC ASSESSMENT STUDIES OF EL PASEO

RAISED MID-BLOCK CROSSINGS AND UNIVERSITY PARK ON-STREET

PARKING OPTIONS
21 RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file an update on the El Paseo raised mid-block crossings and University Park on-street parking options.

2.c STUDY SESSION: PALM DESERT FARMERS' MARKETS UPDATE 49 RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file an informational update on Palm Desert Farmers' Markets.

3. ADJOURNMENT

4. PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTE: Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449, this meeting may be conducted by teleconference. Study Session is accessible in person or on the City’s website:
www.palmdesert.gov under the Council Agenda link at the top of the page.

Agenda Related Materials: Pursuant to Government Code §54957.5(b)(2) the designated office for inspection of records in connection with this meeting is the Office of the City Clerk, Palm Desert Civic Center, 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. Staff reports for all agenda items considered in open session, and documents provided to a majority of the legislative bodies are available for public inspection at City Hall and on the City’s website at www.palmdesert.gov by clicking “Council Agenda” at the top of the page.

Americans with Disabilities Act: It is the intention of the City of Palm Desert to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an attendee or a participant at this meeting, or in meetings on a regular basis, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the Office of the City Clerk, (760) 346-0611, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible.

AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Níamh M. Ortega, Assistant City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing agenda for the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency for the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority, was posted on the City Hall bulletin board and City website www.palmdesert.gov no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting.
/S/ Níamh M. Ortega
Assistant City Clerk
City Council Study Session

CITY OF PALM DESERT

STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: January 25, 2024
PREPARED BY: Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk
REQUEST: STUDY SESSION: CITY COUNCIL ROLES AND NEW LAWS &

ELECTIONS UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file a presentation regarding City Council Roles and New Laws and Elections Update.

BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:

City staff will provide an update on recent changes to the laws related to the Brown Act, Political Reform Act, and Elections. In addition, we will provide a refresher on the role of City Council Liaisons and Alternates to Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces (collectively known as “Appointed Bodies”).

Legal Review:

This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s office.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact.

ATTACHMENT:

1. Presentation

Get Started
January 25, 2024
STUDY SESSION:

CITY COUNCIL ROLES AND

NEW LAWS & ELECTIONS
UPDATE

AB 2449 allows individual members to remote participation for Just Cause and Emergency Circumstances. Cannot
exceed 3 consecutive months or 20% of regular meetings.

AB 557 provides for a legislative body to meet remotely during a proclaimed state of emergency to determine
whether meeting in person would present imminent risks to health and safety. Finding must be renewed every 45 days.

Assembly Bill 2449
Sunsets January 2026
Assembly Bill 557
No Sunset Date
The Brown Act &
Remote Participation

Annual
Work Plans
Role of City
Council Liaisons
Role of Alternate
City Council Liaisons
Boards, Commissions,
Committees, & Task Forces
Palm Desert Municipal Code 2.34.060: City council liaisons facilitate communication between the city council and appointed bodies. A city council liaison is not a member nor advocate of the appointed body and does not give direction or influence decisions but can assist and provide information.

Ballot Designations
Elections Code 13107(a)(1): Words designating the
elective city office which the candidate holds at the
time of filing the nomination documents to which
the candidate was elected by vote of the people
Mayor & Mayor Pro Tem Council Member/Incumbent
Can not be used as a ballot
designation.

These titles can be used in the
candidate statement.

Councilmember is an
acceptable ballot designation
Incumbent may not be used for
district-based elections, unless
the member was directly elected
from that district.

S
enateBill1439:Amendments
totheLevineAct
Localofficialsmustrecusethemselvesfrommostlicense,permit, contract,orotherentitlementdecisionsinvolvingapersonwho contributedmorethan$250totheirpoliticalcampaignswithin
12monthsbeforethedecision,unlesstheycomplywithspecific
disclosureandrefundrequirements. Local officials are prohibited from a ccepting,soliciting,or
directingcampaigncontributionsover$250fromapartyor
participantinvolvedinapendingproceedingtoanypolitical
campaigncommittee-theirownorothers. Thisprohibitionlasts 12monthsafterafinaldecision.

CITY OF PALM DESERT

STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: January 25, 2024
PREPARED BY: Bassam AL-Beitawi, Senior Project Manager
REQUEST: STUDY SESSION: TRAFFIC ASSESSMENT STUDIES OF EL PASEO RAISED MID-BLOCK CROSSINGS AND UNIVERSITY PARK ONSTREET PARKING OPTIONS RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file an update on the El Paseo raised mid-block crossings and University Park onstreet parking options.

BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:

City staff has recently undertaken various requested traffic assessment studies, including on the El Paseo raised mid-block crossings and University Park on-street parking options. The purpose of this study session is to review the findings and recommendations of the assessment studies for Council discussion.

Legal Review:

This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.

City Council Study Session
Traffic Assessment Studies:

University Park Area Parking
&
El Paseo Raised Mid-block Crosswalks
January 25, 2024

Agenda
 University Park Area Parking
 Background
 Existing Conditions
 Alternatives
 Recommendations
 El Paseo Raised Mid-block Crosswalks
 Background
 Methodology & Design Criteria
 Existing Conditions
 Recommendations

University Park Area
Parking Study: Background  Why study parking around University Park?  Continual growth has increased demand on park space (increased parking demands)
Requests from residents to increase parking,
especially near Dog Park
 What is the purpose of the parking study?  Explore options to increase parking  How far apart is University Dog Park & University Park East?  Approximately 0.4 miles apart

13 Parking Spaces
10 Parking Spaces
University Dog Park
University Park East
University Park Area: Existing Conditions
 Located in northern area of city
 New housing development between parks
 Speed limit: 35 mph (University Park Drive)
 40 mph (College Drive)
Dog Park
&
Park East
Dog Park  13 parking spaces (2 ADA spaces)
Park East  10 parking spaces (1 ADA space)
 48’ wide (curb-to-curb)
 11’ wide travel lane
 6’ wide bike lane in each direction
 12’ wide raised median island
 On-street parking prohibited (both sides)
University Park Drive

University
Dog Park

University Dog Park:

Short-term Recommendations

 Most feasible options
 Implemented quickly
Why recommend short-term solutions?
Reduce size of parking spaces from 13’ to 9’ (minimum width) Restripe parking spaces to gain 1 additional parking space Does the Study have any short-term solutions?
Not recommended
1 additional space does not meet demand
Is this short-term solution recommended?

Alternative 1: Parking Pocket
 Construct a parking pocket
(northwest of College Drive)
 Provides 10 additional parking
spaces (2 ADA spaces)
 Requires retaining wall with fill to
bring parking area to street level
 Cost: $710,000 ($71,000 per space)
University Dog Park:

Long-term Recommendations

University Dog Park:

Long-term Recommendations
Alternative 2: Parking Area
 Construct a parking area
(driveway into College Drive)
 Requires grading of slope
 Provides pedestrian access to
park from existing path
 Provides 30 additional parking spaces
(2 ADA spaces)
 Cost: $1,745,000 ($58,200 per space)

Divert Bicycle Traffic onto Sidewalk
University Dog Park:

Long-term Recommendations
Alternative 3: Street Parking
 Remove raised median on University
Drive (Baylor Way & College Drive)
 Remove Class II bike lane & divert
bicycle traffic to sidewalk
 Realign travel lanes to accommodate
left & right turns (College Drive)
 Provides 48 additional parking spaces
 Cost: $197,000 ($4,100 per space)

University
Park East

University Park East:

Long-term Recommendations
Alternative 4:

Parking Expansion
 Expand cutout parking spaces
 28 total parking spaces
 19 new (1 ADA)
 9 existing (1 ADA)
 Requires at least 30’ from bike
ramps off the sidewalk
 Cost: $974,000 ($51,300 per space)

Recommendations:

University Park Area
 Alternative 3 – Street Parking
 Most feasible alternative
 Provides permanent solution
to mitigate parking shortage
 Provides the most spaces for
the lowest costs
Location Recommendation Cost
Per Space
Total
Cost
Alternative 1:

Parking Pocket
Build new parking pocket to accommodate
10 additional parking spaces
(2 ADA parking spaces)
$71,000 $710,000
Alternative 2:

Parking Area
Build new parking area above park to
accommodate 30 parking spaces
(2 ADA parking spaces)
$58,200 $1,745,000
Alternative 3:

Street Parking
Remove existing median & bike lane, &
divert bike lane into sidewalk to
accommodate 48 parking spaces on both
sides of street
$4,100 $197,000
Location Recommendation Cost
Per Space
Total
Cost
Alternative 4:

Parking Expansion
Build new/expand parking area to
accommodate 19 additional parking spaces
(2 ADA parking spaces)
$51,300 $974,000
University Dog Park
University Park East

El Paseo
Raised
Mid-block
Crosswalks

Raised Mid-block Crosswalks:

Background
 Why study the raised crosswalks on El Paseo?
 El Paseo merchants requested the City to install additional mid-block crosswalks on El Paseo (Highway 74 & San Pablo Avenue)
 What locations are apart of the study?
 Review 3 existing locations
 Review 3 new locations
 What is the suggested design / type of new raised crosswalks?  Similar to 3 raised crosswalks on El Paseo & Larkspur Lane

Methodology
 Evaluate existing roadway conditions
 Field visit & observations of pedestrians' travel behavior  Data collection
 Traffic volume
 Speed measurements
 Pedestrian counts & certain locations
 Collision data analysis (October 2018 - October 2023) Design Criteria
 National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)  California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD)  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)  Federal Highway Administration Guidelines (FHWA)
Raised Mid-block Crosswalks:

Methodology & Design Criteria

 Review 3 existing locations for upgrades:
 El Paseo (San Pablo Avenue & Larkspur Lane)
 El Paseo (Larkspur Lane & San Luis Rey Avenue)
 Larkspur Lane (El Paseo & Shadow Mountain Drive)
RRFB Unit
Raised Mid-block Crosswalks:

Existing Locations

Raised Mid-block Crosswalks:

Recommended Upgrades to Existing Locations
Location Recommendation Cost
El Paseo (San Pablo Avenue to Larkspur Lane) • Retain & improve crosswalk • Upgrade RRFB system
$130,000
El Paseo (Larkspur Lane to San Luis Rey Avenue) • Retain & improve crosswalk • Upgrade RRFB system
$130,000
Larkspur Lane (El Paseo & Shadow Mountain Drive) • Construct a sidewalk bulb-out on east & west sides • Upgrade RRFB system
$240,000

Recommended Upgrades to:

Larkspur Lane
(El Paseo & Shadow Mountain Drive)
 Construct a sidewalk bulb-out
at raised crosswalk to shorten
crossing distance & increase
pedestrian visibility

Ocotillo Drive & Sage Lane
Sage Lane & Lupine Lane
Lupine Lane & San Pablo Avenue
New El Paseo Crosswalk
Options Explored…

Collision Data
 No vehicle-pedestrian collisions observed at location Field Observations
 Existing segment length is ~800 feet
 Located near restaurants & jewelry shop
 Connects to 2 pedestrian-only passages leading to parking areas behind stores
 No driveways along this segment
Recommendation
 Construct raised pedestrian crossing & RRFB placed at location  Cost: $467,500
Raised Mid-block Crosswalks:

Ocotillo Drive & Sage Lane
El
Paseo
Ocotillo Drive
Sage Lane

Collision Data
 No vehicle-pedestrian observed collisions at location Field Observations
 Existing segment length is ~675 feet
 Located near retail stores & 2 jewelry shop
 Connects to 2 pedestrian-only passages leading to parking areas behind stores
 No driveways along this segment
Recommendation
 Construct raised pedestrian crossing & RRFB placed at location  Cost: $467,500
Raised Mid-block Crosswalks:

Sage Lane & Lupine Lane
Sage Lane
Lupine Lane
El Paseo

Collision Data
 No vehicle-pedestrian collisions observed at location Field Observations
 Existing segment length is ~510 feet
 Located near retail stores & coffee shop
 Connects shopping center into interior of north side of block  Terminates near existing driveway, which creates potential for vehicle-pedestrian conflicts
Recommendation
 Not recommended
Raised Mid-block Crosswalks:

Lupine Lane & San Pablo Avenue
Lupine Lane
El Paseo
San Pablo Avenue

Recommendations:

New Mid-block Crosswalks
Location Recommendation Cost
Ocotillo Drive to Sage Lane Construct raised crosswalk w/RRFBs $467,500 Sage Lane to Lupine Lane Construct raised crosswalk w/RRFBs $467,500 Lupine Lane to San Pablo Avenue Not recommended N/A
Improvement (Per Location) Cost
New decorative “flower” striping (per new location) $34,250 Remove decorative striping from existing locations $2,800 New MUTCD “ladder” type striping $27,000
Colored permeable brick pavers $37,000
Brick pavers $32,000
Costs Include:

Total Costs:

Questions

PALM DESERT
FARMER’S

MARKET(S)

PALM DESERT FARMERS' MARKETS
 October thru May
 Wednesday's between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm
 For-profit operator
 Not City Sponsored
 October thru April
 Sunday’s between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm
 Non-profit operator
 City Sponsored Page 50 of 52

COACHELLA VALLEY MARKET COMPARISON
City
Levels of
Sponsorship Levels of Marketing Comments
Original Certified
Palm Desert
Farmers Market $19,696
Facebook: 7
Twitter: 2 City Sponsored Sunday Farmers Market.

Certified Farmers
Market Palm
Desert None
Facebook: 17
Twitter: 3 Not a City Sponsored Farmers Market (Wednesday) Indio None
Miscellaneous reposts on social media. Not set schedule and the City does not generate content
CV Harvest Box is the operator. No Certified Market
operator at this time.

Indian Wells None
Miscellaneous reposts on social media. Not set schedule and the City does not generate content
As a private-business the City is not providing any
additional assistance nor advertising than they would
for others.

La Quinta None
Miscellaneous reposts on social media. Not set schedule and the City does not generate content
Limited contact between the City and operator as the
operator is on private property and most information
flows through Old Town La Quinta Management
Rancho Mirage None
At City park, consider it a city event, provided mailers to residents in proximity to event, promote more on social media.

Rancho Mirage considers the market a special event,
different from other for-profit businesses and provides space at a City park, fee waivers, and assist with
advertising.

ALTERNATIVE

LOCATIONS
 San Pablo – previous location, electrical and water
available. Business disruption
 Civic Center Park – conflicts with other park uses and municipal code
 The Mall – ample parking and HWY 111 visibility,
water availability unknown