DRAFT 03/16/2023 Regular City Council Meeting Agenda Page 1 of 9
CITY COUNCIL,
LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY BOARD,
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
AND THE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING
THE REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2023
1:00 P.M.
DRAFT MINUTES
Meeting Location:
City of Rancho Mirage
City Hall - Council Chamber
69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
CALL TO ORDER - 1:01 P.M.
a) Flag Salute - Led by Gabe Codding, Director of Marketing. b) Roll Call: Mallotto, Marker, Weill, Downs, Kite - All Present.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tem Downs introduced Keith Young, who was recently nominated by Council to serve as the City’s representative on the Palm Springs International Airport Commission, and provided a brief overview of his background.
Mr. Young expressed appreciation to the Council for nominating him, noting he welcomed the opportunity to address Council’s ideas or concerns now and in the future.
Wally Melendez, member of the public, spoke of a need for fuel cell electric vehicle stations and provided a website address where related information was available.
Kristy Austin, representative of the Rancho Mirage Women’s Club, thanked the Mayor and Council for attending their recent event, adding she looked forward to their continued partnership.
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COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Downs spoke in support of the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, noting it was a remarkable cultural resource. He announced the museum was adding 40 new exhibits, including engineering, science, and a certified autism center. He commented that the museum was a travel destination for Rancho Mirage, and when it re-opened, it would do so with the help of the City. He noted the City made a financial commitment with a $150,000 matching grant in 2022; an additional $100,000 matching grant from Visit Greater Palm Springs resulted in $250,000 total from the City. Mayor Pro Tem Downs encouraged the public and Desert donor community to support the museum and help re-open the vital resource as quickly as possible.
Mayor Kite noted he was overwhelmingly in favor of providing funding to the museum, as it was a much-needed facility and probably the best children’s facility in the Valley.
Council Member Weill presented a video highlighting the 2023 Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Rammy Awards, noting the Chamber was the single most outstanding networking organization for the Valley. He encouraged the public to attend a Chamber-hosted lunch or event. He commented it was an honor to present former Council Member Dana Hobart with the Citizen of the Year Rammy Award and thanked Mr. Hobart for his years of service and contributions. Council Member Weill also announced that the City was currently recruiting volunteer board and commission members for the upcoming term beginning June 1st.
Council Member Mallotto noted she met with Cindy Burreson, CEO of Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, to discuss her vision for the facility. She commended Ms. Burreson for her efforts, diligence, and persistence in keeping the children’s future alive in Rancho Mirage.
Council Member Mallotto spoke of the Joslyn Senior Center being one of the Desert’s great resources for the senior community. She announced the center would hold its Joslyn in Bloom fashion show fundraiser at the Agua Caliente Resort on April 13th. Council Member Malloto also reminded the community that the Rancho Mirage Speaker Series would host their final guest speaker of the season, Sugar Ray Leonard, on March 21st at the Agua Caliente Resort.
Mayor Pro Tem Downs commented that Cindy Burreson and the board of directors of the Children’s Discovery Museum had done a remarkable job under very difficult circumstances.
He wished them well in finding a way to open the museum sometime this year.
Mayor Kite commented the community was anxious to see the museum open. He shared a list of upcoming City events, including the Beauty and the Beast musical at the amphitheater March 17th-19th, the 10th Annual Rancho Mirage Artists Studio Tour and Pop-Up Gallery on March 25th at the library, and the Moody Blues’ John Lodge performance on March 26th at the amphitheater.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS - None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the below-listed Consent Calendar items:
1. Waive Full Reading of All Ordinances Introduced or Adopted Pursuant to this Agenda. 6-2
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2. Approve March 2, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes.
3.Receive and File Annual Board/Commission Reports.
4.Approve Final Acceptance of Tamarisk Neighborhood Rubberized Emulsion Aggregate Slurry (REAS) Project - CP 22-373.
5. Approve Contracts List.
6. Approve Demands.
Public Comments - None.
Council Member Marker requested Item No. 3 be pulled for discussion. She spoke of a need to revisit the Rancho Mirage Speaker Series, as it lost a tremendous amount of money during the 2023 season, and attendance was very low. She recommended the Speaker Series be completely restructured if it moved forward.
It was determined that it was unnecessary for Item No. 3 to be voted on separately.
MOVED SECONDED BY WEILL/DOWNS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
7.Introduction of Ian Lasley, Assistant Director of Public Works, by Ryan Stendell, Director of Public Works.
Ryan Stendell, Director of Public Works, introduced newly hired Assistant Director of Public Works, Ian Lasley.
Mr. Lasley thanked staff and Council for the warm welcome and commented he looked forward to keeping the momentum going.
8. Destination Marketing Campaign Preview by Gabe Codding, Director of Marketing.
Gabe Codding, Director of Marketing, presented a video highlighting new destination marketing campaign material.
Mayor Kite asked if staff was requesting any monetary support at this level.
Mr. Codding responded that the campaign was already accounted for in the budget as part of the Marketing Master Plan.
Council Member Weill commented that the Galleri Classic would be another great stimulant for the marketing department.
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9.City of Rancho Mirage 50th Anniversary Celebration Preview by Gabe Codding, Director of Marketing.
Gabe Codding, Director of Marketing, provided an update on planning for the City’s 50th anniversary, specifically how staff was addressing suggestions made at a recent study session regarding the anniversary celebration.
Council Member Weill noted he preferred the commemorative coffee table book be a hardcover, as the 50th celebration deserved something more permanent.
Mayor Pro Tem Downs expressed support of creating a hardcover commemorative book that would last a long time and questioned if including advertisements was a good idea.
Council Member Mallotto expressed support for a hardcover book as well. She spoke in favor of including advertorials, as it would be an additional investment with established businesses and others.
Council Member Marker also expressed support for a hardcover book, noting advertorials were beautiful promotional pieces that did not look like ads.
Frank Jones, Palm Springs Life President/Publisher, explained how the commemorative book would be created and the process of incorporating advertorials, if preferred. He added it was not necessary to make a decision regarding advertorials immediately.
Council Member Weill noted he anticipated any advertorials included would be high class and in the form of a congratulatory message to the City on its anniversary.
Mayor Kite commented he looked forward to the next opportunity to review the product.
NOTE: Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, requested a five-minute recess. He also requested that Item No. 13 on the agenda to be heard prior to Item No. 10, to which there was no objection by Council.
NOTE: Mayor Kite recessed the meeting for a break at 2:15 P.M. and reconvened the meeting at 2:22 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.Environmental Assessment Case No. EA22-0011 and Conditional Use Permit Case No. CUP22-0005 – Applicant: Smartlink LLC on Behalf of AT&T Wireless. Consideration to Install an Unmanned 75-Foot-Tall Stealth Wireless Telecommunication Facility Designed to Resemble a Eucalyptus Tree (Mono-Eucalyptus) with Ground Equipment Located Within a 990 Square-Foot Enclosure at the Existing Southern California Edison Santa Rosa Substation. Location: Northwest Corner of Monterey Avenue and Clancy Lane, 732 Feet South of Verbenia Road (APN: 682-250-057):
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DRAFT 03/16/2023 Regular City Council Meeting Agenda Page 5 of 9 A.Consider Approval of the Filing of a Notice of Exemption Based on Environmental Assessment Case No. EA22-0011 and Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures).
B.Consider Approval of Conditional Use Permit Case No. CUP22-0005, Subject to the Conditions of Approval and Based on the Content and Findings in the Staff Report.
Joy Tsai, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Public Comments - None
Mayor Kite asked the timeline for the tower being built, as others had been approved, but not built.
Chris Doheny, applicant’s representative, reported he would submit the project to Building and Safety immediately following Council’s approval.
Council Member Weill asked if the tower would be available to other carriers.
Mr. Doheny replied there would be space available for other carries.
Council Member Mallotto asked how HOA’s communicated with their residents on this proposal.
Mr. Doheny responded that mailers were sent to residents within a certain radius of the proposed tower location inviting them to attend the hearing and provide feedback.
Council Member Marker asked how AT&T determined where new towers were built and how many were needed.
Mr. Doheny replied that location and number of towers was determined by AT&T research into where service was needed most.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO:
A. APPROVE THE FILING OF A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CASE NO. EA22-0011 AND PURSUANT TO THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (NEW CONSTRUCTION OR CONVERSION OF SMALL STRUCTURES); AND B. APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CASE NO. CUP22-0005, SUBJECT TO
THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL AND BASED ON THE CONTENT AND FINDINGS IN THE STAFF REPORT.
MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
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ACTION CALENDAR
11.Consider Introduction of Ordinance No. (Next-in-Order), 1st Reading, Amending Section
2.44.010 of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code to Adjust the Monthly Compensation and Benefits for City Council Members and Mayor.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the report.
Public Comments - None.
Mayor Pro Tem Downs thanked Council Member Marker for being part of the subcommittee that met several times to come to the proposed recommendation. He noted there had been no adjustments in Council compensation since 2008.
Mayor Kite asked how the amounts were determined.
Mayor Pro Tem Downs explained the subcommittee looked at cost of living adjustments (COLA) over the past 15-year period. He noted the COLA increase was approximately 40% over those 15 years; however, the recommendation was to adjust Council compensation by approximately 13%.
Mayor Kite asked when the changes would be effective, if approved.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, noted that, if approved, the changes would be effective 30 days after ordinance adoption (second reading of ordinance).
Council Member Marker noted it had been over a decade since Council’s compensation had been addressed. She added this was a small step in the right direction and would help encourage individuals who were not retired or wealthy to serve.
MOVED SECONDED BY MARKER/DOWNS TO APPROVE INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1204, 1ST READING, AMENDING SECTION 2.44.010 OF THE RANCHO
MIRAGE MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADJUST THE MONTHLY COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
12. Consider Design Alternatives for the Frank Sinatra Drive Low Water Crossing.
Ryan Stendell, Director of Public Works, presented the report.
Public Comments
Wally Melendez, member of the public, asked what type of wages would be used.
Mr. Stendell replied that prevailing wage was a requirement of the Department of Industrial Relations.
A discussion ensued regarding the history of the project. 6-6
DRAFT 03/16/2023 Regular City Council Meeting Agenda Page 7 of 9 Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, noted the purpose of the item was to update Council and obtain direction regarding alternatives.
MOVED SECONDED BY WEILL/MARKER TO PROCEED WITH THE FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE 1 (EXTENDING THE SOUTHERN EXTENT OF THE EXISTING
LWC TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT ROOM FOR A VEHICLE RATED BARRIER AND NEW SIDEWALK; ESTIMATED COST APPROXIMATELY $2,000,000). MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
13. Consider Implementation of a Rancho Mirage Power Choice Solar and Battery Residential Program.
NOTE: This item was heard following Item No. 9.
Jessica Pulliam, Senior Management Analyst, presented the report.
Public Comments - None.
Council Member Weill noted implementation would be mutually beneficial to both the City and the customers. He asked how much ongoing involvement the City would have with this program and if staff would be the main contact.
Ms. Pulliam reported that staff did not anticipate an increase in workload, as customers would be directed to Tesla and Participate Energy for onboarding.
Mayor Kite asked if there was a benefit to current solar customers.
Ms. Pulliam replied that the program was for those who currently do not have solar.
Mayor Pro Tem Downs inquired as to the source of funds for the program.
Ms. Pulliam explained that Participate Energy would handle the funds, which would come from federal tax credits.
Mayor Pro Tem Downs asked the expected cost savings for customers.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, explained that the savings would be dependent on the customer and their individual usage profile.
Mayor Kite asked if any other local cities were operating a similar program.
Ms. Pulliam responded that a successful pilot program was conducted in the City of Lancaster; however, no local cities were currently operating similar programs.
MOVED SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO APPROVE THE RANCHO MIRAGE POWER
CHOICE SOLAR AND BATTERY RESIDENTIAL 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. 6-7
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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.: 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: 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 3:26 P.M.
RECONVENE OPEN SESSION
Mayor Kite reconvened the meeting at 4:01 P.M.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, reported there was no reportable action taken during closed session.
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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 4:02 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council:
Prepared by:
____________________
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk
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