03/03/2022 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 7
CITY COUNCIL,
LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY BOARD,
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
AND THE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING
THE REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022
1:00 P.M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER -1:00 P.M.
a) Flag Salute: Led by Jeremy Gleim, Director of Development Services b) Roll Call: Downs, Kite, Smotrich, Townsend, Weill – All present
PRESENTATIONS
Update on Acrisure Arena and the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Arturo Aviles (via telecommunication), Community Engagement Manager at Acrisure Arena, provided an overview of the Acrisure Arena and the Coachella Valley Firefirds. He noted construction timelines, ownership, parking availability, interior layout, and various planned events.
Mayor Weill thanked Mr. Aviles for his presentation and noted the excitement the arena brought.
He also reflected on his childhood experiences watching hockey matches.
Access Remotely iii
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83254169550?pwd=MGJRb1hFNi
9aeHdVS05sNFNqVFRiUT09
Passcode: 739051
Webinar ID: 832 5416 9550
Zoom Call-In Nos.: 1 (669) 900-9128 (Carrier charges may apply) 1 (888) 475-4499 (Toll Free)
At Meeting Location
City of Rancho Mirage
City Hall - Council Chamber
69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Pursuant to Assembly Bill No. 361 (Effective September 16, 2021), there will be the ability to teleconference into the meeting and the public may observe the meeting and offer public comment as follows:
SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED FOR THE PUBLIC IF ATTENDING IN PERSON
~ CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE
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Council Member Kite shared his excitement for the arena’s development.
Mayor Pro Tem Townsend inquired if members of the public would be able to skate at the arena, to which Mr. Aviles responded there would be opportunities for the public to skate.
Council Members Smotrich and Downs both expressed their excitement and support for the facility.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Tom Weil, Palms Springs International Airport Commissioner, provided an update on the airport.
He noted the facility had grown in the number of airlines and visitors; however, the airport had not expanded in its capacity. He described the various efforts the airport was taking to adjust to the new traffic levels.
Patrick Lowry, Rancho Mirage resident, expressed support for the hockey arena, noted the ongoing tragedy in Ukraine, and requested the City do more to support Black History Month and International Women’s Day.
Rob Bergstein (via telecommunication), Rancho Mirage resident, expressed difficulties with finding staff reports on the City’s website and suggested improving remote participation for public meetings.
Randi Felich (via telecommunication), Rancho Mirage resident, expressed concern with illegal coyote trappings, emphasizing the City should develop a coyote management plan and incorporate the California Fish and Wildlife for public education.
COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Townsend announced upcoming events at the City amphitheater, hosted by Desert Theatricals in partnership with the City of Rancho Mirage. He also provided an overview of upcoming programming at the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory.
Council Member Smotrich recognized Mary Lou Suter, Chair of the City’s Community Emergency Preparedness Commission, and provided an overview of best practices for emergency preparedness.
Council Member Downs emphasized the approval process for the Section 31 development was held during multiple public meetings, noting no deals were made behind closed doors. He also described the process by which developers sought partners after receiving project approval.
Council Member Downs and Mayor Weill both noted the lengthy resume of DMB Development.
Mayor Weill highlighted the City’s new 2022 Rancho Mirage Resident Golf Card program, noting the many benefits the program provided to participants.
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CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, noted the Zoom link and login information for remote participation during the City Council meeting was on the meeting agenda. He added that the zoom link was working correctly.
MINUTES February 17, 2022 Regular Meeting.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY KITE/SMOTRICH TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 17, 2022 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the following Consent Calendar items:
1. Final Acceptance of Butler Abrams Trail Improvements - City Project CP 19-357.
2. Contracts.
3. Demands.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY TOWNSEND/DOWNS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. CONTINUED FROM FEBRRUARY 3, 2022
Resolution No. 2022-(Next-in-Order), Amending the General Plan to Update Both the Housing and Safety Element, Case No. GPTA21-0001, and Certify and Adopt the Negative Declaration, Case No. EA21-0005.
Jeremy Gleim, Director of Development Services, presented the staff report.
Public Testimony:
Mary Lou Suter, Rancho Mirage resident, commented that she lived in an affordable housing unit in Rancho Mirage and noted the exceptional quality of the development. She recommended members of the public visit the San Jacinto Villas for insight into the quality of the City’s affordable housing.
Jack Swenson, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to the overlay at Sites D and G, specifically to the density at those locations. He added that close proximity to public transportation, grocery stores, jobs, and other amenities were necessary for affordable housing.
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Kathryn Swenson, Rancho Mirage resident, noted she was not against affordable housing; however, approval of higher density near Peterson Road would create increased traffic levels that could not be supported by existing infrastructure. She also read a comment letter from Denise Roberge.
Kay Williams, Rancho Mirage resident, thanked the City for the new trash bins installed throughout the City and for the City newsletters. Ms. Williams expressed frustration that City staff did not meet with community members following the previous Council meeting. She also expressed opposition to the higher density allocation near Peterson Road.
Jeffrey Jones, Rancho Mirage resident, noted Site G did not have the parking and infrastructure available to meet the needs of the proposed higher density.
Marilyn Arcoli Arcaroli, Rancho Mirage resident, described the lacking infrastructure at Peterson Road, noting accommodating higher traffic volumes may be dangerous.
Laura Jessup, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to the overlay being placed near Peterson Road and recommended the overlay be positioned near Rancho Mirage High School.
Kevin Jennier, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to overlays on Sites G and D, citing traffic and noise concerns.
Rob Bergstein (via telecommunication), Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to Sites G and D, noting it would change the scope, scale, and character of the existing neighborhoods.
Jim Walker (via telecommunication), Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to Site A and expressed support for Site B. He described safety concerns with Highway 111, noting increased housing density near Highway 111 may be dangerous.
Lisa McFadden (via telecommunication), Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to the overlay being placed on the former Rancho Palms Mobile Home Park and Thunder Road. She ceded her remaining time to Mike Fontana.
Paul Pacera, (via telecommunication) spoke in opposition to the proposed housing plan and allocated his remaining time to Mike Fontana.
Mike Fontana, Rancho Mirage resident, thanked the City Council for giving the public the necessary time to express their positions and thanked the City Council for the upgrades to Butler Abrams Trail. Mr. Fontana expressed support for staff’s alternate motion B, requesting that the word “or” was removed, so that the overlay zone was removed from both the former Rancho Palms Mobile Home Park and Thunder Road areas. He noted the lack of compliance with the State’s housing demands by other jurisdictions within Riverside County. He spoke in favor of expanding the Santa Rosa Villas, noting residents weren’t against affordable housing, but rather the density. He mentioned Senate Bill 166, noting the restrictions the City would need to follow to lower zoning density once approved. He described the existing plan for Site C, noting it could be a great candidate for the affordable housing overlay. He also noted the location near the Rancho Mirage High School could be a mixed designation, with a portion of the site designated with an affordable overlay. Mr. Fontana expressed support for alternate motion B, with the removal of the word “or,” so that the overlay zone was removed from both the former Rancho Palms Mobile Home Park and Thunder Road areas.
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Note: The meeting was recessed for a break at 2:56 p.m. and reconvened at 3:06 p.m.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, thanked the members of the public for expressing their concerns with the project. He explained the City was being forced to consider higher density due to State of California requirements. He noted the Site C location had already been included in the State’s calculation for units, so shifting the overlay to that location would be a net loss of units. Mr. Hagerman noted the State of California took away the City’s land use designation power with recently passed legislation and described the discretion the City had with developments on City-owned property.
Mr. Gleim reported that Site C had inherent challenges that made it more difficult to develop and the State could reject the City’s plans based upon the likelihood of development.
Steve Quintanilla, City Attorney, provided an overview of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment assigned to the City. He also described the Southern California Association of Governments’ role with regional planning. Mr. Quintanilla noted every City in the Valley had to update its housing element to meet the new State requirements and noted that any future projects brought to the City must go through the public approval process.
Mayor Pro Tem Townsend praised The Desert Sun for appropriately describing the Regional Housing Needs Assessment desert cities must comply with and noted the power the State of California would assume over the City of Rancho Mirage if the City did not comply.
Council Member Downs described the due diligence City staff performed in reviewing the State’s requirements and the City’s options. He noted the City was only responsible for identifying areas for future affordable housing, but was not responsible for ensuring anything was built. He noted the State required the sites to be spread across the City and not centered in one location. Council Member Downs also mentioned that any future projects must go through the City’s public review process.
Mr. Gleim summarized staff’s recommendation as described in the staff report.
Council Member Kite emphasized the City Council did not want to approve a project that would negatively impact the City and he believed the City practiced a greater due diligence in planning than the State of California. He noted the importance of meeting deadlines to not lose land use rights and expressed support for staff’s recommendation.
Council Member Smotrich emphasized the importance of maintaining land use rights within the City of Rancho Mirage and noted the City was not given a lot of options with respect to the housing allocation requirements.
Mayor Weill commented that he had not seen any projects that would be developed on the sites in question; however, should a development be proposed, the City Council would take their due diligence to ensure the project was a good fit for the community.
MOVED/SECONDED BY TOWNSEND/DOWNS TO APPROVE AND UPHOLD THE PLANNING COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-06,
AMENDING THE GENERAL PLAN TO UPDATE THE HOUSING AND SAFETY ELEMENTS, WITH NO CHANGES. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
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ACTION CALENDAR
5. Consideration of Resolutions Modifying the Membership of Certain Boards and Commissions:
A. Resolution No. 2022-(Next-in-Order), Designating City Council Members as Ex Officio Members on All City Boards and Commissions Established by Resolution of the City Council.
B. Resolution No. 2022-LB-(Next-in-Order), Designating All Board Members as Ex Officio Members on the Library and Observatory Advisory Commission.
Steve Quintanilla, City Attorney, presented the staff report.
Public Comments - None.
Mayor Weill commented that he felt it important the City Council members had the opportunity to participate with every commission.
MOVED/SECONDED BY KITE/WEILL TO:
A. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-07, DESIGNATING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
AS EX OFFICIO MEMBERS ON ALL CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL; AND
B. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-LB-03, DESIGNATING ALL BOARD MEMBERS
AS EX OFFICIO MEMBERS ON THE LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY ADVISORY COMMISSION.
MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
6. Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Mid-Year Budget Adjustments:
A. Resolution No. 2022-(Next in Order), Amending the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget.
B. Resolution No. 2022-(Next in Order), Approving Updates to the Calendar Year 2022 Salary Schedule to comply with California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) Statutory and Regulatory Requirements for Compensation Earnable and Publicly Available Pay Schedules.
C. Resolution No. 2022-LB-(Next in Order), Amending the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget. (Library and Observatory)
Joseph Carpenter, Senior Manager Finance & Human Resources, presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
Brad Anderson (via telecommunication), Rancho Mirage resident, expressed concern with the item, noting transparency, and added that he would submit a letter.
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MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/KITE TO:
A. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-08, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 BUDGET;
B. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-09, APPROVING UPDATES TO THE CALENDAR YEAR 2022 SALARY SCHEDULE TO COMPLY WITH CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEE’S RETIREMENT SYSTEM (CALPERS) STATUTORY AND
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPENSATION EARNABLE AND
PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULES; AND
C. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-LB-04, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 BUDGET.
MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7. Award of Contract to McAuliffe & Company, Inc. for Architectural Design Services Related to the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater in an Amount Not to Exceed $386,241.00.
Ryan Stendell, Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
Brad Anderson (via telecommunication), Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to the project, noting the money could be better spent elsewhere, such as public safety improvements.
Mayor Pro Tem Townsend congratulated City staff for their diligence with respect to this project.
Mayor Weill and Mr. Stendell discussed grant opportunities for City infrastructure projects.
Council Member Smotrich spoke to the prestige of the City’s amphitheater.
MOVED/SECONDED BY TOWNSEND/SMOTRICH TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH MCAULIFFE & COMPANY, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $386,241 FOR THE PREPARATION OF CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR THE RANCHO MIRAGE AMPHITHEATER EXPANSION PROJECT (CP 21-371). MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to consider, the meeting of the City Council, Library and Observatory Board, Housing Authority Board, and the City Council representing the Redevelopment Successor Agency was adjourned at 4:11 P.M.
Prepared by: Kristie Ramos, City Clerk
Date Approved by City Council: March 17th, 2022