DRAFT 04/07/2022 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 5
CITY COUNCIL,
LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY BOARD,
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
AND THE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING
THE REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
1:00 P.M.
DRAFT MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER – 1:01 P.M.
a) Flag Salute: Led by Council Member Downs
b) Roll Call: Downs, Kite, Smotrich, Townsend, Weill – All present.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Greg Wetmore, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire, spoke of the challenges the coronavirus pandemic caused for his organization. He also invited all those in attendance to join their upcoming event “Celebrating Life Without Limits” champagne luncheon.
Mayor Weill highlighted the diligent efforts Mr. Wetmore had provided to the U.C.P.I.E. organization.
Council Member Smotrich noted her desire to have the U.C.P.I.E. bike presentation to children shown on Rancho Mirage Television.
Access Remotely iii
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83759457901?pwd=SytidzRIanZy
UE02d0syYk5VUEVTdz09
Passcode: 621934
Webinar ID: 837 5945 7901
Zoom Call-In Nos.: 1 (669) 900-9128 (Carrier charges may apply) 1 (877) 853-5257 (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
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Matt Johnson, Former Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Chair, described the various goals and efforts of the Chamber. He noted the Chamber’s upcoming programs and thanked the City Council for their support.
Mayor Weill thanked Mr. Johnson and the rest of the Rancho Mirage Chamber, noting the special relationship between the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce.
Wally Melendez, member of the public, described the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Coachella Valley and emphasized the importance of education.
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to the purchase of automatic license plate reader cameras from Vigilant Solutions, citing concerns with monitoring residents. He expressed disappointment that there were no oppositional candidates running for election in the Riverside County Board of Supervisor District 4 race. He also noted there were three City Council Members up for reelection and he hoped some of them did not run for reelection or at least that there were oppositional candidates.
COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Council Member Downs noted his participation in a recent Visit Greater Palm Springs Executive Committee and Board of Directors Joint Meeting. He reported that the Executive Committee authorized the President/Chairman to engage in a campaign aimed at College of the Desert.
Council Member Downs provided an overview of the subject campaign.
Mayor Weill noted that the LPGA Chevron Championship was recently held in Rancho Mirage and was a great success. He mentioned that this was the last time the event would take place in Rancho Mirage; after being held in Rancho Mirage for 51 consecutive years, the event was moving to a different location. Mayor Weill thanked Gabe Codding, Marketing Director, for all of his efforts related to the tournament over the years. He also announced that a Legends of the LPGA Tournament, to be held in Rancho Mirage, was in the planning stages and may debut next April.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, welcomed Majna Dukic as the new Director of Development Services, congratulating her on the new position.
Mayor Weill congratulated Ms. Dukic.
MINUTES March 17, 2022 Regular Meeting.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY KITE/TOWNSEND TO APPROVE THE MARCH 17, 2022 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
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CONSENT CALENDAR
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the following Consent Calendar items:
1. Waive Full Reading of All Ordinances Introduced or Adopted Pursuant to this Agenda.
2. Receive and File the Historic Preservation Commission Annual Report.
3. Contracts.
4. Demands.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/KITE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. Development Agreement Amendment Case No. DA21-0005 Regarding the Development, Operation, and Maintenance of an 84-unit Assisted Living Facility (Original Development Agreement Case No. DA180003) at a Vacant 4.15-acre Parcel Located on the Southeast Corner of Country Club Drive and John L. Sinn Road - Assessor’s Parcel No. 682-010- 022. Applicant: Carefield Solana LLC.
A. Filing of a Categorical Exemption of Environmental Impact Pursuant to Section 15332 of CEQA for Infill Development.
B. Ordinance No. (Next-in-Order), 1st Reading, Approving the Amended and Restated Statutory Development Agreement by and between the City of Rancho Mirage and SH 9 Rancho Mirage, LLC.
Ben Torres, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to an extension, noting concern with the development timeframe.
Council Member Kite noted the project was originally approved in 2018 and questioned if there were any changes to the previously approved plans.
Mr. Torres reported that no changes were made to the original proposal.
Council Member Smotrich questioned the construction timeline for the project.
Mr. Torres responded that the coronavirus pandemic was the source of construction delays, according to the developer.
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Council Member Smotrich inquired regarding palm tree height on the north side of the project and proposed sidewalk development.
Mr. Torres reported that the project had not changed since Council’s original approval in 2018 and that sidewalks met the development standards.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, commented on the intense operational burden assisted living facilities had endured over the past two years.
Mayor Weill noted the construction cost would now be higher for the developer due to the current cost of materials.
Council Member Smotrich emphasized supply chains may also cause construction issues.
MOVED/SECONDED BY SMOTRICH/TOWNSEND TO:
A. APPROVE THE FILING OF A CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15332 OF CEQA FOR INFILL DEVELOPMENT; AND
B. APPROVE INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1193, 1ST READING,
APPROVING THE AMENDED AND RESTATED STATUTORY DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE AND SH 9 RANCHO MIRAGE, LLC.
MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).
Case Name: Vacation Rental Owners and Neighbors of Rancho Mirage v. City of Rancho Mirage
Case No.: CVPS2200167
Steven Quintanilla, City Attorney, reported that the City Council would recess into closed session to discuss Vacation Rental Owners and Neighbors of Rancho Mirage; RM Vacation Rentals LLC, et al. v. City of Rancho Mirage.
Public Comments:
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, urged the City Council to conclude the ongoing case.
The City Council, Library and Observatory Board, Housing Authority Board, and the City Council representing the Redevelopment Successor Agency recessed into Closed Session at 1:43 P.M.
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Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, reconvened the meeting at 3:06 P.M. and announced that no reportable action was taken during Closed Session.
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 3:06 P.M.
Prepared by: Kristie Ramos, City Clerk
Date Approved by City Council: