07/21/2022 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 8
CITY COUNCIL,
LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY BOARD,
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
AND THE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING
THE REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2022
1:00 P.M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER – 1:00 P.M.
a) Flag Salute: Led by Steven Quintanilla, City Attorney. b) Roll Call: Downs, Smotrich, Weill, Kite, Townsend – All present.
PRESENTATIONS
Update on The Joslyn Center by Executive Director Jack Newby.
Council Member Kite noted the City’s history of financial support for The Joslyn Center and introduced the facility’s Executive Director, Jack Newby.
Mr. Newby presented a video highlighting The Joslyn Center and provided an overview of the various services provided by the center.
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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
Marylin Bauer, Rancho Mirage resident, inquired about plans for celebrating the City’s upcoming 50 years of incorporation.
Mayor Townsend noted staff was actively working on plans for a celebration.
Abigail Wright, Rancho Mirage resident, expressed dissatisfaction with the landscaping on Da Vall Drive, outside of Casas Del Seville.
Susan Ragsdale, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke of her pending eviction.
Wally Melendez, member of the public, noted the excessive heat in the desert and emphasized the need to switch to alternative forms of energy for vehicles.
Blaine Siler, Rancho Mirage resident, commented that renovations to his home were postponed due to the historic preservation review process. He requested the City Council approve his improvements and amend what modifications must be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Majna Dukic, Director of Development Services, reported that proposed modifications to Mr. Siler’s home were scheduled for consideration at a special meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on August 3rd.
COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Mayor Townsend announced that he would not run for re-election in November. He spoke of his service on the City Council and the accomplishments in which he took pride.
Council Member Smotrich noted she was not wearing a mask because she was sick, but to keep herself well. She wished the community a wonderful summer. She also thanked Mayor Townsend for his service.
Council Member Downs thanked Mayor Townsend for his years of service to the City. He then listed the various City boards/commissions and requested that the Marketing Department create a video highlighting the boards/commissions and their impacts on the City.
Council Member Weill noted the Riverside County Transportation Commission approved the environmental assessment for railway transportation to connect the Coachella Valley and Los Angeles.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, recognized the City staff and first responders who work outside throughout the day, noting the excessive heat the Valley had been enduring.
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CONSENT CALENDAR
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the following Consent Calendar items, requesting the City Council continue Item Nos. 5, 6, and 7 to the next regular City Council meeting:
1. Approve July 7, 2022, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
2. Approve Final Parcel Map No. 37182 (Chandi).
3. Approve Library and Observatory Closure for the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival.
4. Approve Demands.
5. Continued from July 7, 2022 - Approve Final Acceptance of Improvements for Tract Map No. 36809-2 (Del Webb Rancho Mirage).
6. Continued from July 7, 2022 - Approve Final Acceptance of Improvements for Tract Map No. 36809-3 (Del Webb Rancho Mirage).
7. Continued from July 7, 2022 - Approve Final Acceptance of Improvements for Tract Map No. 36809-4 (Del Webb Rancho Mirage).
Public Comments:
Barbara Andrew, Rancho Mirage resident, expressed thanks to City staff and the City Council for investigating complaints regarding the Del Webb Rancho Mirage community.
Lorena Ritchey, Rancho Mirage resident, expressed thanks to City staff and the City Council for investigating complaints regarding the Del Webb Rancho Mirage community.
Council Member Downs noted staff was still reviewing the developments at the Del Webb Rancho Mirage community and expressed support for continuing the related agenda items.
Council Member Smotrich expressed support for the comments made by Council Member Downs and thanked staff for their efforts.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/SMOTRICH TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NOS. 1, 2, 3, AND 4 AS PRESENTED AND CONTINUE ITEM NOS. 5, 6, AND 7 TO THE NEXT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2022, AT 1:00 P.M. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Amendments to the Adopted 2022–2029 Housing Element Update - Environmental Assessment Case No. EA21-0005 and General Plan Text Amendment Case No.
GPTA21-0001:
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A. Finding that the Previously Adopted Negative Declaration for the 2022-2029 Housing Element Update is Still Valid and Pursuant to CEQA Section 15162 No Further Environmental Review is Required.
B. Resolution No. 2022-(Next-in-Order), Amending the Adopted 2022-2029 Housing Element Update.
Majna Dukic, Director of Development Services, presented the staff report.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/SMOTRICH TO:
A. FIND THAT THE PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE 2022-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE IS STILL VALID AND PURSUANT TO CEQA SECTION 15162 NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED; AND
B. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-39, AMENDING THE ADOPTED 2022-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE.
MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
9. Resolution No. 2022-(Next-in-Order), Approving the Designation of the Residence Located at 37-190 Marber Drive as a Historic Resource Pursuant to Rancho Mirage Municipal Code Chapter 15.27.
Ben Torres, Planning Manager, presented the staff report, noting the City had 70 homes and 30 districts designated as historic resources.
Mayor Townsend thanked Mr. Torres, the Historic Preservation Commission, and Melissa Ritchey for their collective efforts with the property.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY TOWNSEND/SMOTRICH TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-40 APPROVING THE DESIGNATION OF THE RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 37-190 MARBER
DRIVE AS A HISTORIC RESOURCE PURSUANT TO RANCHO MIRAGE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 15.27. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
ACTION CALENDAR
10. Appointment to The Joslyn Center Board of Directors.
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk, presented the staff report.
Public Comments - None.
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Mayor Pro Tem Kite noted there was a lot going at The Joslyn Center and this appointment meant there would be an additional person to assist.
Mayor Townsend commented that he interviewed Mr. Aguas and his application and experience were stellar. He added that Mr. Aguas would be a great asset to the board.
MOVED/SECONDED BY TOWNSEND/KITE TO APPOINT HUGO AGUAS TO SERVE AS THE CITY’S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE JOSLYN CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE CURRENT TERM. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
10A. Consideration of Modifying the Turf Rebate Program in Partnership with Coachella Valley Water District.
Jessica Pulliam, Senior Management Analyst, presented the staff report.
Victoria Llort, Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) Government and Regional Affairs Coordinator, emphasized the success of the City of Rancho Mirage’s recently launched turf rebate program and expressed excitement to continue CVWD’s partnership with the City.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, noted the success of the program and thanked Ms. Llort and CVWD for their partnership. He also presented a video highlighting the turf rebate program.
Public Comments:
Rick Andrew, Rancho Mirage resident, asked if his homeowners association could apply for a rebate and suggested the City Council consider offering a rebate program for replacing trees and plants with boulders, gravel, and other rocks.
Mr. Hagerman explained that homeowners associations may apply for the turf removal rebate.
He added that the City had no plans for a rebate for tree or plant replacement.
Council Member Weill noted the popularity of the turf rebate program, emphasizing it was an excellent opportunity for residents to conserve water and lower their water bills.
Council Member Smotrich commented she was thrilled with the response to the program. She reminded applicants to follow the program guidelines and not skip a step in the process; for instance, they should not remove turf prior to approval of their application.
Council Member Downs mentioned that resorts were also taking advantage of the turf rebate program.
Mayor Pro Tem Kite spoke highly of the turf rebate program.
MOVED/SECONDED BY TOWNSEND/KITE TO APPROVE A MODIFICATION TO THE
RANCHO MIRAGE TURF REBATE PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, APPROVE AN ADDITIONAL $750,000 ALLOCATION TO THE
PROGRAM, 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.
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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: Unspecified since disclosure would jeopardize pending settlement negotiations.
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
6. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.
Public Employee: City Clerk/Board Secretary
7. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR REGARDING UNREPRESENTED
EMPLOYEE
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.
City Representative: Steven B. Quintanilla, City Attorney Unrepresented Employee: City Clerk/Board Secretary
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, an unspecified existing litigation item, performance evaluation for the City Manager, conference with labor negotiator regarding the City Manager, performance evaluation for the City Clerk, and conference with labor negotiator regarding the City Clerk.
The City Council, Library and Observatory Board, Housing Authority Board, and the City Council representing the Redevelopment Successor Agency recessed into Closed Session at 2:30 P.M.
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RECONVENE OPEN SESSION
Mayor Townsend reconvened the meeting at 4:02 P.M.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Steven Quintanilla, City Attorney announced that no reportable action was taken during Closed Session.
ACTION CALENDAR
11. Proposed Revisions to City Manager/Executive Director of Affiliated Agencies - Employment Agreement.
Steven Quintanilla, City Attorney, reported that at the City Council’s direction, the City Manager/Executive Director was offered an increase in his annual compensation to $300,000 and an increase of $50 per pay period to the employer contribution to his 457b deferred compensation retirement plan. He added that the City Manager/Executive Director accepted the offer.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/SMOTRICH TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT INCREASING THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION TO $300,000 AND INCREASING THE EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION TO THE 457B DEFERRED COMPENSATION RETIREMENT PLAN BY $50 PER PAY PERIOD. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
12. Proposed Revisions to City Clerk/Secretary of the Boards of Affiliated Agencies - Employment Agreement.
Steven Quintanilla, City Attorney, reported that at the City Council’s direction, the City Clerk/Board Secretary was offered an increase of $50 per pay period to the employer contribution to her 457b deferred compensation retirement plan. He added that the City Clerk/Board Secretary accepted the offer.
Public Comments – None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY TOWNSEND/SMOTRICH TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CLERK/BOARD SECRETARY’S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT INCREASING THE EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION TO THE 457B DEFERRED COMPENSATION RETIREMENT PLAN BY $50 PER PAY PERIOD. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
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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 4:06 P.M.
Prepared by: Kristie Ramos, City Clerk
Date Approved by City Council: September 1st, 2022