05/05/2022 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, MAY 5, 2022
1:00 P.M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER – 1:03 P.M.
a) Flag Salute: Led by Council Member Kite
b) Roll Call: Downs, Smotrich, Weill, Kite, Townsend – All present
PRESENTATIONS
Recognition of CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department Personnel.
Battalion Chief Kotz provided a summary regarding a lifesaving event that occurred with a Rancho Mirage resident and CAL FIRE personnel. He presented a video recapping the event and introduced the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department personnel who saved the life of the Rancho Mirage resident.
Mayor Townsend thanked the CAL FIRE personnel for their dedication to the City and for their diligent efforts and presenting plaques honoring their life saving efforts.
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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 Weill thanked the CAL FIRE personnel for their professionalism and due diligence.
Council Member Smotrich expressed her thanks to the CAL FIRE personnel and expressed the level of comfort she had knowing the City was well protected.
Mayor Pro Tem Kite thanked the CAL FIRE personnel for their service.
Council Member Downs thanked the CAL FIRE personnel for their service.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Tom Atkin, Rancho Mirage resident, asked for clarification of the City’s brand, which was referenced in a recently published Mayor’s message. He also expressed concern with the Section 31 development, commenting the Disney partnership could be problematic.
Wally Malendez, member of the public, expressed concern with the real estate market and provided a handout on the subject.
Chuck Parker, Salton Sea Coalition representative, provided an update on external agencies’ reporting of the Salton Sea and requested the City Council continue to support sea water importing. He provided a packet of information, including a resolution for Council to consider adopting.
Felicitas Nunez, Salton Sea Coalition representative, described the need for clean water in Mecca and Thermal and the negative health implications being caused by the Salton Sea. She spoke in favor of sea water importing.
Patrick Lowry, Rancho Mirage resident, mentioned that CAL FIRE personnel saved his life during a separate event than the one recognized earlier. Mr. Lowry expressed support for abortion rights and for the people of Ukraine. He expressed concern with the level of service provided by the Sheriff Department and mentioned local crime statistics.
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, noted his opposition to license plate reader cameras in the City. He expressed concern with California’s rising crime rates and the City’s Code Compliance division. He also mentioned a code citation received by his neighbor.
Peter Johnson, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to the Section 31 development, specifically the quantity of water proposed to be used for the project.
COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Mayor Townsend provided an overview of the recent groundbreaking for Disney’s Cotino Storyliving project. He played a video highlighting the event and provided an overview of the project.
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Council Member Weill provided an overview of the City’s general plan, specific plans, and the Section 31 development. He highlighted the reduction in the size of the crystal lagoon at the Section 31 development and noted the water usage was reviewed and approved by the Coachella Valley Water District. Council Member Weill concluded his comments by expressing his excitement for the project.
Mayor Townsend mentioned that information related to the Section 31 property, including approved water usage, was available on the City’s website.
Mayor Pro Tem Kite highlighted the Chevron Championship golf event recently held in Rancho Mirage. He noted the championship tournament was moving across the country; however, the Ladies Professional Golf Association was planning to host another tournament in Rancho Mirage known as the Gallery Classic. Mayor Pro Tem Kite also provided information regarding the City’s new resident golf program.
Council Member Downs spoke regarding of the Section 31 development, noting most residents were in support of the project.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Note: City Manager Comments were heard prior to Council/Board Member Comments/Reports.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, thanked the City’s first responders for their high level of service.
He noted that the reason Rancho Mirage was not listed as a low-crime city in the crime statistics referenced by a public speaker was because Rancho Mirage was not included in the analysis due to the City’s population size.
MINUTES April 21, 2022 Regular Meeting.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/KITE TO APPROVE THE APRIL 21, 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. Receive and File the March 31, 2022 Quarterly Treasurer’s Report.
2. Demands.
Public Comments - None.
Council Member Kite inquired about the return rate in the treasurer’s report.
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Mr. Hagerman provided a summary of the rate the City was receiving and the total return.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/KITE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
ACTION CALENDAR
3. Resolution No. 2022-(Next-in-Order), Declaring the City’s Intention to Annex Territory to Community Facilities District No. 1 and to Levy a Special Tax Therein for Additional Police and Fire Services, Preliminarily Approve a Map of the Area Proposed to be Annexed, and Schedule a Public Hearing to Consider the Annexation and the Levy of the Special Tax for Annexation No. 188 (in Connection with Preliminary Development Plan Case No.
PDP19005 - Hazelden Betty Ford Center).
Kofi Antobam, Director of Administrative Services, presented the staff report.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY SMOTRICH/WEILL TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-14, DECLARING THE CITY’S INTENTION TO ANNEX TERRITORY TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 1 AND TO LEVY A SPECIAL TAX THEREIN FOR ADDITIONAL
POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES, PRELIMINARILY APPROVE A MAP OF THE AREA
PROPOSED TO BE ANNEXED, AND SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ANNEXATION AND THE LEVY OF THE SPECIAL TAX FOR ANNEXATION NO. 188.
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 et al. v. City of Rancho Mirage et al.
Case No.: CVRI2100368
2. 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
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2). (2 Potential Cases)
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Steven Quintanilla (via telecommunication), City Attorney, reported that the City Council would recess into closed session to discuss Vacation Rental Owners and Neighbors of Rancho Mirage et al. v. City of Rancho Mirage et al, Vacation Rental Owners and Neighbors of Rancho Mirage v. City of Rancho Mirage, and conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation (two potential cases).
Public Comments - None.
The City Council, Library and Observatory Board, Housing Authority Board, and the City Council representing the Redevelopment Successor Agency recessed into Closed Session at 2:19 P.M.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, reconvened the meeting at 3:44 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 3:45 P.M.
Prepared by: Kristie Ramos, City Clerk
Date Approved by City Council: May 19th, 2022