07/07/2022 Regular City Council Meeting Agenda Page 1 of 6
CITY COUNCIL,
LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY BOARD,
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
AND THE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING
THE REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022
1:00 P.M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER – 1:00 P.M.
a) Flag Salute - Led by Ryan Stendell, Director of Public Works. b) Roll Call: Downs, Smotrich, Weill, Kite, Townsend – All present
PRESENTATIONS
Presentation of an Award to Council Member Smotrich by Veterans for Peace.
Tom Swann Hernandez, Veterans for Peace, presented the Greg Pettis Memorial Elected Official of the Year Award to Council Member Smotrich, thanking her for her leadership and her dedication to the Nation’s Veterans.
Council Member Smotrich thanked Mr. Swann Hernandez and the Veterans for Peace Jon Castro Chapter 19 organization for the award and for their commitment to protecting our Nation.
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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
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NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Lucy Meepos, Rancho Mirage resident, emphasized the severity of the drought being experienced by the State of California and expressed opposition to the Section 31 development.
Joyce Kiehl, Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Board Member and Director of Communications for Visit Greater Palm Springs, noted the Chamber was approaching its 500 member goal. She emphasized the Chamber was experiencing exceptional growth and was excited to continue its support for local businesses with programs like the Rancho Mirage Taste of Summer.
Ricardo Loretta, member of the public, announced an upcoming Rotary District 5330 event which would host the Rotary International’s first ever female President. He requested the City of Rancho Mirage consider becoming the title sponsor of the event, noting proceeds generated would be reinvested into the local community.
Wally Melendez, member of the public, spoke regarding climate change education and the importance of curbing emissions.
Susan Ragsdale, Rancho Mirage resident, alleged she was the victim of bullying, citing her eviction, and requested help from the City.
Patrick Lowry, Rancho Mirage resident, suggested the City make a monetary contribution to support Ukrainian refugees and requested a greater presence from the Sheriff’s Department.
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, suggested the City take steps to mitigate the issues mentioned by Susan Ragsdale. He commented that he hoped City funds were not used to produce the magazine the City recently distributed to residents. Mr. Anderson also expressed hope that City Council incumbents would not run for reelection.
COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Council Member Weill mentioned the dangers of carbon dioxide poisoning in relation to the recent deaths of American tourists abroad. He also recapped the recently held Coffee with a Cop event, which provided residents an opportunity to speak with the City’s law enforcement officials.
Council Member Smotrich continued to urge residents to support local business. She spoke regarding Babe’s BBQ and Brewhouse and presented a video highlighting the restaurant.
Mayor Pro Tem Kite announced the upcoming start of the Taste of Summer program, which would operate from July 11, 2022 to August 12, 2022.
Council Member Downs described proposed lithium extraction projects at the Salton Sea, noting he hoped some proceeds from the operations were reinvested into managing the Salton Sea.
He emphasized the impact the Salton Sea had on the entire Coachella Valley.
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Mayor Townsend described best practices for senior citizens to avoid identity theft and other types of scams. He presented a video, filmed in partnership with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, describing various scams of which seniors should be aware.
Council Member Smotrich described the types of scams she had experienced.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, noted a recent cyber-attack against College of the Desert and described the extensive work performed by the City’s Information Services Department to mitigate the City’s exposure to such attacks.
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. Approve June 16, 2022, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
3. Adopt Ordinance No. 1194, 2nd Reading, Adding Chapter 2.88 "Electronic and Paperless Filing of Fair Political Practices Commission Campaign Disclosure Statements and Statements of Economic Interests" to Title 2 "Administration and Personnel" of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code.
4. Approve Side Letter of Agreement Between the City of Rancho Mirage and the Rancho Mirage Employees’ Association.
5. Approve Final Acceptance of Tamarisk Neighborhood Crack Sealing (CP 21-372).
6. Approve Contracts.
7. Approve Demands.
8. Continued from June 16, 2022 - Approve Final Acceptance of Improvements for Tract Map No. 36809-2 (Del Webb Rancho Mirage).
9. Continued from June 16, 2022 - Approve Final Acceptance of Improvements for Tract Map No. 36809-3 (Del Webb Rancho Mirage).
10. Continued from June 16, 2022 - Approve Final Acceptance of Improvements for Tract Map No. 36809-4 (Del Webb Rancho Mirage).
Mr. Hagerman requested Item Nos. 8 through 10 be continued to the next regular City Council Meeting to allow the sub-committee additional time to review the status of the project.
Public Comments - None.
Council Members Downs and Smotrich, members of the Section 31 Sub-Committee, expressed agreement with Item Nos. 8 through 10 being continued to the next meeting.
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MOVED/SECONDED BY KITE/SMOTRICH TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NOS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, AND 7 AS PRESENTED AND CONTINUE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NOS. 8, 9, AND 10 TO THE NEXT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING (JULY 21, 2022, AT 1:00 P.M., AT RANCHO MIRAGE CITY HALL). MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
ACTION CALENDAR
11. Appointment to the Rancho Mirage Speaker Series Commission.
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk, presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke of a lack of transparency in the commissioner appointment process and suggested the length of an applicant’s City residency be considered.
Council Member Downs described Mr. Cunningham’s qualifications.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO APPOINT ERIC CUNNINGHAM TO SERVE ON
THE RANCHO MIRAGE SPEAKER SERIES COMMISSION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE CURRENT TERM, WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 1, 2023. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, noted the various ways City commission vacancies were advertised.
12. Consideration of an Agreement with FIND Food Bank for Services Related to the Edible Food Recovery Program.
Jessica L. Pulliam, Senior Management Analyst, presented the staff report.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY TOWNSEND/SMOTRICH TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER
TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH FIND FOOD BANK FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEETING SB-1383 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE RANCHO MIRAGE EDIBLE FOOD RECOVERY PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
13. Consideration of Implementing a Turf Rebate Program in Partnership with Coachella Valley Water District.
Jessica L. Pulliam, Sr. Management Analyst, presented the staff report.
In response to a question by Mayor Townsend, Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, confirmed the program would be simpler than in the past, as applicants would no longer have to go back and forth between the City and the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD). He described the approval process the City had for landscape plans. Mr. Hagerman reported that both the City and CVWD would promote the program to inform the community. He added that City staff would also reach out to homeowners’ associations directly to inform them of the program.
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Public Comments:
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to the program, noting he altered his landscape years ago without receiving compensation.
Victoria Llort, CVWD Government and Regional Affairs Coordinator, thanked the City for considering launching the program.
In response to question by Council Member Smotrich, Ms. Llort described the pre-approval process which included a site visit by CVWD.
In response to a question by Mayor Pro Tem Kite, Mr. Hagerman confirmed the City had sufficient staffing levels to manage the program, emphasizing CVWD would assist in the administrative process.
Council Member Downs noted his support for the program.
Council Member Weill mentioned many homeowners in Mission Hills had taken advantage of the previous program.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/SMOTRICH TO APPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE RANCHO MIRAGE TURF REBATE PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, AND A PROGRAM BUDGET OF $500,000, AND
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER, OR DESIGNEE, TO TAKE ALL FURTHER ACTIONS TO
IMPLEMENT THE SAME, INCLUDING APPROVING AND EXECUTING ALL ASSOCIATED AGREEMENT(S), APPROVED AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY. 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 - EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).
Case Name: Veronica Juarez v. City of Rancho Mirage, City of Rancho Mirage Housing Authority, and Does 1-10, inclusive.
Case No.: CVPS2202234
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4. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.
Public Employee: City Manager/Executive Director
5. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR REGARDING UNREPRESENTED
EMPLOYEE
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.
City Representative: Steven B. Quintanilla, City Attorney Unrepresented Employee: City Manager/Executive Director
Steve Quintanilla, City Attorney, described the approval process held for the Section 31 development.
Public Comments:
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, suggested legal counsel comments be included on the agenda and that the City Council consider previous employee negotiations while in negotiations with the City Manager.
Steven Quintanilla, City Attorney, reported that the City Council would recess into closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding 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, Veronica Juarez v. City of Rancho Mirage and City of Rancho Mirage Housing Authority, public employee performance evaluation for the City Manager, and conference with labor negotiator regarding City Manager.
The City Council, Library and Observatory Board, Housing Authority Board, and the City Council representing the Redevelopment Successor Agency recessed into Closed Session at 2:33 P.M.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, reconvened the meeting at 5:18 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 5:18 P.M.
Prepared by: Kristie Ramos, City Clerk
Date Approved by City Council: July 21st, 2022