CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: November 12, 2025 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF INSTALLATION OF THE ARENAS BUSINESS
DISTRICT LANDMARK FLAGPOLE
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: David McAbee, Director of Public Works
SUMMARY:
Formal City Council acceptance of the Arenas Business District Landmark Flagpole Project (“Project”) is required to document the completion of public works improvements and to authorize the filing of a Notice of Completion with the Riverside County Recorder in accordance with Section 9200 of the California Civil Code.
The Project provided for the construction and installation of a 65-foot landmark flagpole, including a reinforced concrete base, protective bollards, and lighting, located in the City- owned parking lot at the southwest corner of Indian Canyon Drive and Arenas Road.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Accept the public works improvement known as the Arenas Business District Landmark Flagpole Project, as completed in accordance with the Construction Contract; and
2) Authorize the Director of Public Works to execute and file for recordation with the Riverside County Recorder a Notice of Completion (Attachment A) for the Arenas Business District Landmark Flagpole Project.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
According to the Public Integrity Disclosure form (Attachment B), EMD Construction is registered in the state of California.
BACKGROUND:
On July 21, 2025, the City Council approved the Arenas Business District Landmark Flagpole Project, in partnership with Greater Palm Springs Pride, to design and construct
City Council Staff Report
November 12, 2025 -- Page 2
Acceptance of Installation of the Arenas Business District Landmark Flagpole a 65-foot landmark flagpole on City-owned property at the corner of Indian Canyon Drive and Arenas Road.
The City funded the design and installation of the flagpole, base, and associated site improvements. Greater Palm Springs Pride contributed $75,000 toward project costs and entered into a 30-year license agreement with the City for operation and maintenance responsibilities.
The completed improvements include a steel flagpole, concrete base, lighting, protective bollards, striping, and all electrical and site restoration work.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Construction of the Project began July 22, 2025, and was determined to be substantially complete on October 4, 2025.
The flagpole is operational and has been accepted by Greater Palm Springs Pride for ongoing management and maintenance per the executed License Agreement.
Acceptance of the improvements will allow Public Works to file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder, formally closing out the contract and releasing retention in accordance with California Civil Code § 9200.
Staff recommends that City Council accept the Project as required by Section 9200 of the California Civil Code and authorize the Public Works Director to file and record a Notice of Completion to be submitted to the County. A copy of the Notice of Completion is included as Attachment A.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures (“Class 3”). The Class 3 exempt allows, in part, the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small structures. Here, the Project is exempt per the Class 3 exemption since it involves the installation of a single, new flagpole on City-owned property in the downtown commercial district.
The City has also considered whether the proposed Project is subject to any exception to the Class 3 exemption, as set forth in State CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2. No exception applies for the following reasons:
1. The Project is not located in a particularly sensitive environment. The site is located in the downtown commercial district, whereby the site and every surrounding lot has been developed. Since the Project and surrounding area is fully built-out, no sensitive environment exists in this location.
City Council Staff Report
November 12, 2025 -- Page 3
Acceptance of Installation of the Arenas Business District Landmark Flagpole
2. The Project would not result in any significant cumulative impacts on the environment. The likelihood of another flagpole being installed in the surrounding vicinity is extremely low, based on lack of available open space and desire.
3. The Project does not involve any unusual circumstances and has no potential to result in a significant impact on the environment. The Project involves installation of a single, thin flagpole with a height of 65 feet and a significantly smaller footprint than the activities contemplated in the Class 3 exemption. Further, the Project is located in a fully developed commercial area near buildings of similar height and sits on City-owned property, where there are no height standards for flag poles.
Lastly, the site is not listed on any hazardous materials registry, contains no sensitive habitats or archaeological resources, and is not subject to extraordinary geological or flood hazards beyond standard building-code provisions.
4. The Project is not located near any scenic highways; therefore, it does not have the possibility to damage any scenic resources within a state scenic highway.
5. The Project is not located on a site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code.
6. The Project site or adjacent property does not contain any historical resources, therefore there is no possibility the project would result in any significant impact on a historical resource.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
Approval of this action supports the City Council strategic plan to provide quality, well maintained infrastructure and facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City is holding retention funds in the amount of $4976.07 for EMD Construction pending acceptance of improvements and filing the Notice of Completion with the County Recorder’s Office.
The total budget allocation for the flagpole kit and installation, lighting, base, and protective bollards project was $109,473.63 from the Economic Development Fund (FY 2025-26 Budget), which included a 10% contingency ($9,952.15). The contingency was not used, resulting in a total actual expenditure of $99,521.48.
Upon presentation of final project expenses, Palm Springs Pride will reimburse the City $75,000. The net fiscal impact to the City after reimbursement is $24,492.
REVIEWED BY:
Assistant Director of Public Works: Daniel Martinez
Director of Public Works: David McAbee
Assistant City Manager: Teresa Gallavan
City Manager: Scott Stiles
City Council Staff Report
November 12, 2025 -- Page 4
Acceptance of Installation of the Arenas Business District Landmark Flagpole ATTACHMENTS:
A. Notice of Completion
B. Public Integrity Disclosure