~ CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE
SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL,
LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY BOARD,
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
AND THE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING
THE REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 81 2022 -2:30 P.M.
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:
At Meeting Location
City of Rancho Mirage
City Hall -Council Chamber
69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Access Remotely iii
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom . us/j/87862110699?pwd=Uzd4dF JS Rm FRbTd1 TEU0SXdONmpGdz09
Passcode:218078
Webinar ID: 878 6211 0699
Zoom Call-In Nos.: 1 (669) 900-9128 (Carrier charges may apply) 1 (888) 475-4499 (Toll Free)
SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED FOR THE PUBLIC IF ATTENDING IN PERSON
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER-2 :31 P.M.
a) Flag Salute -Led by Council Member Downs.
b) Roll Call: Downs, Smotrich, Weill, Kite, Townsend.
Present: Downs, Weill, Kite.
Absent: Smotrich, Townsend.
ACTION CALENDAR
1. November 8, 2022, Rancho Mirage General Municipal Election Results :
A. Resolution No. 2022-(Next-in-Order), Reciting the Facts of the General Municipal Election Held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Declaring the Results and Such Other Matters as Provided by Law; and
B. Installation of Newly Elected City Council Members. J Kristie Ramos, City Clerk, presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
Brad Anderson , Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in favor of installing new officers.
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MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/DOWNS TO:
A. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-57, RECITING THE FACTS OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022, DECLARING THE RESULTS AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW; AND B. INSTALL NEWLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION CARRIED 3/0.
Ms . Ramos administered the oath of office to Council Members Downs, Mallotto, and Marker, and presented them with Certificates of Election. The new Council Members then took their seats at the dais .
Mayor Kite noted he looked forward to serving with the new members and thanked them for making themselves available to serve on the Council.
Council Member Marker thanked her supporters and spoke of her commitment to Rancho Mirage . She specifically noted her commitment to having a thoughtful approach, remaining open- minded when making decisions, and maintaining a high quality of life for residents. She added she would work hard to bring the right businesses to the City, listen carefully , advocate for what was best for the community, communicate effectively, and strengthen relationships with neighbors .
Council Member Mallotto commented it was an honor to have been elected to the City Council and expressed appreciation to her supporters. She noted that, as a resident of Rancho Mirage, she had been the beneficiary of measured and thoughtful decisions which give residents quality of life in a special community. She commented she would continue with that approach, taking each item seriously in how it benefited City residents .
Council Member Downs commented being elected was both an honor and obl igation . Trust of the voters was an honor and Council Members had an obligation to be true to that trust. He added Council Members must ensure every decision and vote took into consideration what was best for the people of Rancho Mirage and what was best for the future of the City . He spoke of his confidence that Council Members Mallotto and Marker would be true to their obligation to residents and welcomed them to the City Council.
Council Member Weill commented he could not be more pleased with the election of Council Membe rs Downs , Mallotto , and Marker. He noted he spoke with Council Member Downs regarding the possibility of running for City Council while he was serving on the Planning Commission. He added that Council Member Downs was appointed to the City Council when Dana Hobart retired and he was thrilled that he had now been officially elected . He welcomed Council Member Marker to the Council , noting her family had been dedicated residents and successful business owners for many years and were extremely philanthropic. He welcom ed Council Member Mallotto to the Council , noting her remarkable career with the City of Cathedral City , her successful caree r as a realtor, and also her servic e as Chair of the Rancho Mirage Speaker Series Commission . He congratulated all three newly elected members and commented the e ntire Council would continue to achieve the degree of excellence for which Rancho Mirage was known .
12/08/2022 Special City Council M ee ting Minutes Page 2 of 3
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2 . Appointment of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern .
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk , presented the staff report .
Public Comments:
Philip Bettencourt, member of the public , sa luted outgoing and incoming City Council Members and thanked City staff for their efforts related to the recordation of a Section 15 land partition.
MOVED/SECONDED BY KITE/WEILL TO APPOINT RICHARD W. KITE TO SERVE AS MAYOR AND STEVE DOWNS TO SERVE AS MAYOR PRO TEM . MOTION CARRIED 3/0.
Ms. Ramos administered the oath of office to Mayor Pro Tern Downs and Mayor Kite , who then took their new seats at the dais.
Mayor Pro Tern Downs thanked City staff, Council Members , family , friends , and voters for their support. He noted how much work staff did to prepare City Council to make decisions. He thanked recently retired Council Members Smotrich and Townsend for being his friends and supporters over the past year. He thanked retired Council Member Dana Hobart, who was the guiding light for the Council for many years, and was also a friend and supporter. He thanked his wife and family again. He thanked the voters for providing him the opportunity to serve on the City Council. Mayor Pro Tern Downs also thanked all those who ran for Council. He noted that the outcome of the election was a clear message that the people of the City support the Cotino project and oppose short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods .
Mayor Kite congratulated new Council Members and spoke of his confidence in the current Council and what it would be able to accomplish. He mentioned it was the beginning of a new era . He also noted the City would soon celebrate it's 50th a nniversary. He acknowledged Council spouses in the audience. Mayor Kite then announced a welcome reception would be held in the lobby immediately following the meeting .
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to consider, the special meeting of the City Council , Library and Observatory Board , Housing Authority Board , and the City Council representing the Redevelopment Successor Agency was adjourned at 3:03 P.M .
Date Approved by City Council: 3/2/2023
~~30-rYv-a.-
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk
12/08/2022 Specia l City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3