DRAFT 09/15/2022 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes 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, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
1:00 P.M.
DRAFT MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
a) Flag Salute: Led by Steven Quintanilla, City Attorney. b) Roll Call: Downs, Smotrich, Weill, Kite, Townsend – All present.
PRESENTATIONS
Update on Rancho Mirage High School (RMHS) and RMHS Athletics.
Chris Calderwood, Athletic Administrator, provided a brief history of Rancho Mirage High School and thanked the City Council for their support over the past 10 years. He announced he would soon be retiring after a 38-year career in public education and introduced Eddie Martinez, RMHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director.
Eddie Martinez introduced himself and expressed gratitude to have Mr. Calderwood as a mentor.
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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 2-1
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NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dorian Whitney (via telecommunication), Rancho Mirage resident, spoke regarding pedestrian safety on Highway 111.
COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Mayor Townsend congratulated the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce on reaching 500 members and announced the beginning of the McCallum Theatre season.
Mayor Pro Tem Kite reported his attendance at the League of California (CalCities) Annual Conference; some session topics included expanding and protecting local control, affordable housing, land use, and employee relations.
Council Member Downs commended the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce on expanding their membership.
Council Member Weill reported his attendance at the CalCities Annual Conference and noted it provided an opportunity for networking and idea exchange with colleagues from other cities. He also spoke of the City’s budget and pension liabilities as compared to other cities.
Council Member Smotrich reported her attendance at a meeting which provided updates on the State of California.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Isaiah Hagerman wished former Council Member Dana Hobart a happy birthday.
Mr. Hagerman also reported that a recent storm event led to a leak at the City library, but IT infrastructure was protected due to a quick staff response.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the below-listed Consent Calendar items:
1. Approve September 15, 2022, Regular Meeting Minutes.
2. Adopt Joint Resolution No. 2022-(Next-in-Order), Making Findings Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953, as Amended by Assembly Bill 361, and Authorizing Continued Remote Teleconference Meetings of the City Council and Affiliated Agencies and All Other City-Affiliated Brown Act Bodies, in Accordance with AB 361 During the Current State of Emergency Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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3. Approve Rancho Mirage Energy Authority (RMEA) 2021 Power Content Label and Attestation.
4. Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to Land Lease Agreement to Ensure Continued Operation of Wireless Communication Tower Located at 70801 Highway 111.
5. Approve Demands.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/SMOTRICH TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
6. Burrtec Services Update.
Jessica Pulliam, Senior Management Analyst, provided an overview of the upcoming State- mandated changes to waste collection service and collection bins.
Public Comments
Dorian Whitney (via telecommunication), Rancho Mirage resident, recommended banning the sale of plastic bags by stores.
7. Turf Rebate Program Update.
Jessica Pulliam, Senior Management Analyst, provided a status update on the City’s turf rebate program in partnership with the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD.)
Public Comments - None.
ACTION CALENDAR
8. Resolution No. 2022-(Next-in-Order), Summarily Vacating Approximately 56,656 Square Feet of Excess Right-Of-Way on the Former Rio Del Sol Road, East of Bob Hope Drive in Sections 19 and 24.
Ryan Stendell, Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
Philip Bettencourt, Applicant, noted the proposed action was the result of litigation/mediation.
Public Comments - None.
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MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/SMOTRICH TO:
A. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-46, SUMMARILY VACATING APPROXIMATELY 56,656 SQUARE FEET OF EXCESS RIGHT-OF-WAY ON THE FORMER RIO DEL SOL ROAD, EAST OF BOB HOPE DRIVE IN SECTIONS 19 AND 24; AND
B. AUTHORIZE APPROVAL OF DEDICATION OF A 30-FOOT WIDE REPLACEMENT STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY RUNNING EAST AND WEST IN SECTIONS 19 AND 24 TO MAINTAIN LEGAL ACCESS TO VACANT PROPERTIES. THIS ACTION IS
SUBJECT TO FINAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE CITY ENGINEER AND
CITY ATTORNEY AND MUST REMAIN CONSISTENT WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE SECTION 19 SPECIFIC PLAN ON FILE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
9. Resolution No. 2022-(Next-in-Order), Designating the City of Rancho Mirage as the Enforcement Agency for State Regulations on Single-Use Foodware Accessories and Standard Condiments.
Jessica Pulliam, Senior Management Analyst, presented the staff report.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY TOWNSEND/KITE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-47,
DESIGNATING THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE AS THE ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FOR
STATE REGULATIONS ON SINGLE-USE FOODWARE ACCESSORIES AND STANDARD CONDIMENTS. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
10. Consider Agreement with the Coachella Valley Symphony for Free Performances for Residents and Guests at the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater in an Amount Not to Exceed $50,000.
Gabe Codding, Marketing Director, presented the staff report.
Mayor Townsend spoke highly of the Coachella Valley Symphony.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY TOWNSEND/WEILL TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER AND
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COACHELLA
VALLEY SYMPHONY FOR FREE PERFORMANCES FOR RESIDENTS AND GUESTS AT THE RANCHO MIRAGE AMPHITHEATER IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000.
MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
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11. Consider Special Assistance Fund (SAF) Award(s).
Gloria Griego, Senior Management Analyst, presented the staff report and thanked the Subcommittee Members, Council Members Smotrich and Weill, for their participation.
Public Comments - None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY SMOTRICH/WEILL TO APPROVE EXHIBIT “A” AWARDING FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS (SAF). 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: Unspecified since disclosure would jeopardize pending settlement negotiations.
4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).
Case Name: HOMETOWN COLONY, LLC, DBA THE COLONY MOBILEHOME PARK v.
CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE et al.
Case No.: 5:20-cv-02259 (United States District Court, Central District of California)
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, and Hometown Colony, LLC, DBA the Colony Mobilehome Park v. City of Rancho Mirage.
The City Council, Library and Observatory Board, Housing Authority Board, and the City Council representing the Redevelopment Successor Agency recessed into Closed Session at 2:42 P.M.
RECONVENE OPEN SESSION
Mayor Townsend reconvened the meeting at 4:05 P.M.
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CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Steven Quintanilla, City Attorney, announced there was no reportable action 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 4:06 P.M.
Prepared by: Kristie Ramos, City Clerk
Date Approved by City Council:
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