Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, and Board of Library Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2026
Present: Mayor Evan Trubee, Councilmember Jan Harnik, Councilmember Gina Nestande, Councilmember Karina Quintanilla, Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto
1. CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION - 3:00 P.M.
A Regular Meeting of the Palm Desert City Council was called to order by Mayor Trubee on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, City Hall, located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
None.
3. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Trubee adjourned to Closed Session at 3:00 p.m.
4. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
4.a Closed Session Meeting Minutes: February 12, 2026
4.b Conference with Real Property Negotiations pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property Description: APN 630-250-052 (Northwest corner of Portola Avenue and Haystack Road)
Agency: City of Palm Desert
City Negotiator: Chris Escobedo/Richard Cannone/Martin Alvarez Negotiating Parties: Marrakesh Country Club (MCC)
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
5. ROLL CALL - REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. INSPIRATION
Councilmember Harnik provided words of inspiration.
8. REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Shah stated that direction was given by the City Council; no reportable actions were taken.
City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes
February 26, 2026
2 9. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS
9.a PROCLAMATION - LEADERSHIP COACHELLA VALLEY 25TH
ANNIVERSARY
Mayor Trubee presented a Proclamation to representatives of Leadership Coachella Valley in celebration of their 25th anniversary.
9.b PRESENTATION - LEADERSHIP COACHELLA VALLEY
Ryland Penta, Gerry Neighbors, Eileen Lynch, Matt McLeroy, Kelly Tweedie, Erin Hyland, Jessika Pollard, and Sean Webb, representing Leadership Coachella Valley, narrated a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the program's 25-year legacy of developing informed, connected leaders who strengthen regional collaboration, civic engagement, and economic growth across the Coachella Valley.
9.c PRESENTATION - RIVERSIDE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM, MATURE
ADULT PROGRAM
This item was continued to March 12, 2026.
10. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
10.a SHERIFF DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Lt. Porras, of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, introduced Corporal Avila, who provided a department update highlighting the recent addition of two (2) new motorcycles to enhance traffic enforcement, special event coverage, and rapid response capabilities throughout the City.
10.b FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Deputy Chief of Eastern Operations Beverlin, of CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire, expressed his gratitude to the City and introduced new Division Chief Cody Wright.
11. MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION Councilmembers provided updates on their attendance at various meetings and events.
Councilmember Quintanilla, with the support of Mayor Trubee, requested that staff explore a review of the Cannabis scorecard.
Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto, with the support of Councilmember Harnik, requested that the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem work with the City Manager to review the request for action procedure.
12. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes
February 26, 2026
3 13. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto announced his recusal from Item 13.j due to the proximity of the matter to his real property.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
To approve the consent calendar as presented.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.a APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY, AND HOUSING
AUTHORITY MINUTES
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Approve the Minutes of February 12, 2026.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.b APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Approve the warrant registers issued for the period 2/5/2026 to 2/12/2026.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.c JANUARY 2026 PROCUREMENT REPORT
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Receive and file the monthly Procurement Report for January 2026.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes
February 26, 2026
4 13.d ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 1442 APPROVING A THIRD AMENDMENT TO DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT 96-1 WITH WVC RANCHO MIRAGE, INC. FOR DESERT WILLOW, EXTENDING THE TERM TO AUGUST 27, 2026, AND FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT UNDER CEQA.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Adopt Ordinance No. 1442 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT 96-1 BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT AND WVC RANCHO MIRAGE, INC. (FORMERLY
STARWOOD) FOR THE DESERT WILLOW, EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY SIX (6) MONTHS TO AUGUST 27, 2026,
AND FINDING THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.” Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.e RATIFICATION OF LETTER SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY BILL 1708 (SOLACHE) – HOMELESS HOUSING, ASSISTANCE, AND PREVENTION (HHAP) PATHWAYS FOR CITIES ACT
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Ratify the issuance of the letter supporting Assembly Bill 1708 (Solache) - Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Pathways for Cities Act.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.f RATIFICATION OF LETTER SUPPORTING CITY OF INDIAN WELLS LOW FLOW CHANNEL PROJECT (PROPOSITION 1 GRANT APPLICATION)
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Ratify the issuance of the letter supporting the City of Indian Wells’ Proposition 1 grant application to the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy for the Low Flow Channel Capital Improvement Project.
Motion Carried
City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes
February 26, 2026
5 13.g RATIFICATION OF LETTER SUPPORTING CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY,
SAN BERNARDINO COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING REQUEST FOR
REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL RESOURCE CENTERS
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Ratify the issuance of a letter supporting California State University, San Bernardino’s $2.49 million Community Project Funding request for the Regional Entrepreneurial Resource Centers program.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.h AMENDMENT TO THE 2026 CITY COUNCIL LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE
ASSIGNMENTS
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Approve amendments to the 2026 City Council Liaison and Subcommittee Assignments.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.i APPROVE A FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 EL PASEO PARKING AND BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT MID-YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENT AND AMEND THE FG CREATIVE MARKETING SERVICES CONTRACT.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. Appropriate $50,000 to El Paseo Business Improvement District Account No. 2714491-4321500 as part of the FY 2025-26 Midyear Review.
2. Approve Amendment No. 7 to Contract No. C43370 with FG Creative to increase the FY 2025-26 not-to-exceed contract amount from $250,000 to $325,000.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 7 and make any necessary non-monetary changes to the agreement.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes
February 26, 2026
6 13.j EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE
CLUB MCC (MARRAKESH COUNTRY CLUB) FOR PROPERTY KNOWN AS
THE HAYSTACK/PORTOLA SITE
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a six-month Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) between the City and The Club MCC (Marrakesh Country Club) for property located at the northwest corner of Portola Avenue and Haystack Way, and to execute any related documents necessary to effectuate this action.
2. Authorize the City Attorney to make any necessary non-monetary changes to the ENA.
RECUSED (1): Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto
Motion Carried (4 to 0)
13.k AGREEMENT WITH REGENCY ESTATES HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT THE TAMARISK ROW RETENTION BASIN AND
ACCEPTANCE OF EMERGENCY ACCESS EASEMENT
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. Approve a Right-of-Entry Agreement for Temporary Access and Construction with Palm Desert Regency Estates Homeowners Association for access to repair and restore the Tamarisk Row Retention Basin.
2. Authorize repair and restoration improvements to the Tamarisk Row Retention Basin in an amount not to exceed $200,000.
3. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to the agreement.
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any other documents necessary to effectuate the taken herewith.
5. Approve acceptance of Emergency Access Easement Deed granting emergency access to the Tamarisk Row Retention Basin to perform emergency repair and maintenance.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes
February 26, 2026
7 13.l APPROPRIATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 FUNDS FOR THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
1. Approve an appropriation of $121,003 in Fiscal Year 2025-26 for the California Department of Justice (DOJ) Tobacco Grant Program and establish the related grant project accounts.
2. Authorize the Director of Finance to appropriate funds from the General Fund Reserve to the Interfund Transfer Out Account (Account Number 1104199-450100) in the amount of $121,003, and transfer into the Tobacco Grant Fund (Account Number 2210000-3910000).
3. Appropriate $121,003 to the Tobacco Grant Fund Professional Other No. (Account No. 2214422-4309000).
4. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any amendments, modifications, or extensions to the executed Memorandum of Understanding.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
13.m COVE COMMUNITIES SERVICES COMMISSION AREAS IDENTIFIED FOR
ENHANCED COLLABORATION
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Nestande
Receive and file report on Cove Communities Services Commission areas identified for enhanced collaboration.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
14. ACTION CALENDAR
None.
15. PUBLIC HEARINGS
15.a INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTERS 8.34 AND 8.36
OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO TOBACCO
RETAILER LICENSING, SMOKING REGULATIONS AND REGULATION OF KRATOM SALES AND POSSESSION.
Pedro Rodriquez, Code Compliance & Support Services Manager, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.
Mayor Trubee opened the public hearing.
City of Palm Desert City Council Minutes
February 26, 2026
8 The following individuals spoke in support of allowing adult use of natural Kratom products and a prohibition on synthetic high-potency Kratom products:
Don Mezzie
Jordan Thomas
Alec Sholay
Matthew McHolland
GiGi Croupe
Heather S.
Mayor Trubee closed the public hearing, there being no other member of the public wishing to speak.
Motion by: Councilmember Harnik
Seconded by: Councilmember Quintanilla
Introduce Ordinance No. 1443 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTERS 8.34 AND 8.36 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO TOBACCO RETAILER LICENSING, SMOKING REGULATIONS,
AND REGULATION OF KRATOM SALES AND POSSESSION AND MAKING A
FINDING OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
16. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Michelle Nance
Assistant City Clerk/Assistant Secretary
_________________________
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk/Secretary