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~ CIN OF RANCHO MIRAGE
CITY COUNCIL,
LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY BOARD,
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
AND THE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING
THE REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
City of Rancho Mirage
City Hall -Council Chamber
69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
CALL TO ORDER -1 :00 P .M.
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 2 1 2023
1 :00 P.M.
DRAFT MINUTES
a) Flag Salute -Led by City Attorney Steve Quintanilla. b) Roll Call: Mallotto, Marker, Weill, Downs, Kite -All Present.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Susan Ragsdale, member of the public, spoke of her eviction from Whispering Waters.
Wally Melendez, member of the public, spoke of a need for a hydrogen fuel cell station and requested a related resolution.
COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tern Downs mentioned that the recent Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Rammy Awards was a great event and he was happy to see retired Rancho Mirage City Council Member Dana Hobart honored as Citizen of the Year. He also spoke regarding the recent adjustment to the City's contract with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department to add more deputies to the City. He noted the standard ratio was one officer per one thousand in population.
He commented that the City's current ratio was 1.75 officers per thousand, but after the adjustment, it would be two officers per thousand. Mayor Pro Tern Downs assured residents that the City of Rancho Mirage had adequate policing coverage for its residents.
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Council Member Weill shared that he participated in the Chamber of Commerce Rammy's, which was a wonderful event at which major businesses were well-represented. He expressed what a pleasure it was for him to recognize former Council Member Dana Hobart as the recipient of the Barbara Sinatra Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, adding that Dana had been his friend for 25 years. He noted that Dana initially suggested he get involved with the City; he served on the Planning Commission for six years prior to his past 11 years as a Council Member. Council Member Weill shared the list of 2023 Rammy Award winners and commended them all.
Council Member Marker recognized Council Member Weill for an outstanding job presenting former colleague Dana Hobart with his award at the Rammy's. She also expressed kudos to Katie Spice and her team for their efforts with the Chamber organization. Council Member Marker reported that she serves as a Riverside County Transportation Commissioner, noting one of the largest driving forces to the Coachella Valley was tourism, which has had a steady increase in traffic. She reported that she suggested implementing a fast track or toll road on the interstate, and the commission was receptive to the idea. She also mentioned that the Palm Springs Air Museum did an incredible job with their annual gala, which raised $2 million in one night, and was supported by desert cities including Rancho Mirage. She added that the gala recognized women in aviation.
Mayor Kite presented a video highlighting the story behind the Catino development. He noted that things were really moving at the project site and it was exciting to hear the interest from the public. Mayor Kite mentioned residents should stay tuned for more updates from Disney in the near future and could access more information at www.StoryLivingbyDisney.com .
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, noted that the individual who spoke regarding her eviction during non -age nda public comments had been referred to the Adult Protective Services agency by City staff. He added that he was informed she previously refused help from the agency; however, City staff reached out to the agency again in an attempt to assist and look out for people in the community. Mr. Hagerman thanked staff for their efforts.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the below-listed Consent Calendar items:
1. Approve December 8, 2022 Special Meeting Minutes.
2. Approve January 19, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes.
3. Approve February 16, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes.
4. Approve Demands.
Public Comments -None .
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/DOWNS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
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ACTION CALENDAR
5. Consider Nominating an Applicant to Serve on the Palm Springs International Airport Commission.
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk, presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tern Downs mentioned that Keith Young was unable to be in attendance due to travel.
He noted Mr. Young had considerable educational and professional experience and would well represent the commission. He added that Mr. Young would be present at the next Council meeting to be recognized.
Public Comments -None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO NOMINATE KEITH YOUNG TO SERVE AS THE
CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE CURRENT TERM. MOTION CARRIED 5/0
6. Consider Resolution No. 2023-(Next-in-Order), Establishing the Protocol for Nominating Persons to Serve on the Palm Springs International Airport Commission on Behalf of the City of Rancho Mirage.
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk, presented the report.
Public Comments -None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-07
ESTABLISHING THE PROTOCOL FOR NOMINATING PERSONS TO SERVE ON THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSION. MOTION CARRIED 5/0
7. Consider Allocating Additional Funds to the Turf Rebate Program in Partnership with Coachella Valley Water District.
Jessica Pulliam, Senior Management Analyst, presented the report .· Public Comments -None.
Council Member Weill commented that, if the proposed funding allocation was approved, 95 million gallons of water per year would be saved due to turf conversion. He added that the City of Rancho Mirage was fortunate to be able to give back to this extent. He noted that other cities had now recognized this opportunity and had also implemented turf conversion programs.
Mayor Pro Tern Downs thanked staff for initially recommending the turf conversion program to Council. He noted that the current proposal brought the total contribution to the program to $3 .25 million, which would result in a savings of approximately 95 gallons of water annually. He added that the crystal lagoon at the Catino project would use approximately 24 to 25 million gallons of water per year, due to evaporation, so the turf conversion program alone would save nearly four times the amount water being used in the lagoon .
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MOVED/SECONDED BY MARKER/WEILL TO APPROVE AN ADDITIONAL $300,000
BUDGET ALLOCATION TO THE TURF REBATE 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
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
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.: CVRl2100368
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: Wendy Hope Heckman v. City of Rancho Mirage
Case No.: 5:22-cv-2031 (Central District of California)
4. 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.
5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -POTENTIAL INITIATION OF LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4). (1 Potential Case).
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, Wendy Hope Heckman v. City of Rancho Mirage, an unspecified existing litigation item, and one potential initiation of litigation item.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council, Library and Observatory Board, Housing Authority Board, and the City Council representing the Redevelopment Successor Agency recessed into Closed Session at 1 :39 P.M.
RECONVENE OPEN SESSION
Mayor Kite reconvened the meeting at 2:17 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 2:18 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council:
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk
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