~ CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE
CITY COUNCIL,
LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY BOARD,
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
AND THE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING
THEREDEVELOPMENTSUCCESSORAGENCY
Meeting Location:
C ity 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, MAY 18, 2023
1 :00 P.M.
MINUTES
a) Flag Salute -Led by Mayor Pro Tern Downs.
b) Roll Call: Mallotto, Marker, Weill, Downs, Kite -All Present.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to the number of li cense plate readers in the community, noting their appearance and that they feel invasive. He mentioned he would release information related to his monitoring of the City during COVID restrictions. He commented that he was refused entry into a Palm Springs Cemetery District meeting. He also questioned why a recent City Council special meeting was held.
Wally Melendez, member of the public, commented that people burn up when walking around the City looking for shade, a tree, water, or air. He also spoke of a need for a Rancho Mirage University offering dendrology studies .
Bruce Martinez, Rancho Mirage resident, commented that one should not have to go to other cities to seek assistance related to the Americans with Disabilities Act. He mentioned the murder of a police officer by a man with a knife and the passing of a friend from a fentanyl overdose. He also commented that there were many different elements of dysfunction in a person. 05/18/2023 Reg ular City Counci l Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 8
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COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Council Member Mallotto announced that the Riverside County Sheriff's Department would hold an Ice Cream Social for the community at Ben & Jerry's on May 31 st . She also reported that Rancho Mirage Citizens on Patrol Services (COPS) was recruiting volunteers . She described COPS as a vital aspect of the community, noting they patrol the community, report public nuisances and suspicious activity to code compliance , and support the City in major events.
Mayor Pro Tern Downs commended the Public Works Department for the great job they did on the Wolfson Park updates and invited the public to visit the park. He also commented on the recently approved license plate readers, noting they helped the Sheriff's Department protect the community against burglaries and vehicle thefts. He mentioned that property crimes may be more common in Rancho Mirage than other cities in the Coachella Valley due to median home prices, median household incomes, and the number of vacant second homes. Mayor Pro Tern Downs thanked Sheriff's Department personnel for requesting license plate readers for the community and helping keep the City safe for its residents.
Council Member Weill commented on the significance of Memorial Day in honoring those who gave their lives for our freedom. He noted a wreath would be placed on the Tomb of the Unknowns on Memorial Day and saluted Veterans, including any in the audience . Council Member Weill invited the public to join him at Rancho Mirage Community Park on Memorial Day and emphasized the need to keep in mind the individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice .
Council Member Marker thanked Council Member Weill for his kind words and echoed his comments on the importance of Memorial Day.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Isaiah Hagerman , City Manager, gave a brief overview of the license plate reader program.
He presented a video highlighting the program , noting the video was available on the City website . He commented on the significance of providing law enforcement with the technology required to work efficiently.
Mayor Pro Tern Downs thanked Sheriffs Lt . Espinosa , who was present in the audience, and his staff for their work and efforts in requesting the City obtain license plate readers .
CONSENT CALENDAR
Isaiah Hagerman , City Manager, presented the below-listed Consent Calendar items:
1. Approve May 4, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes .
2. Approve Contracts.
3. Approve Demands .
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Public Comments -None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/DOWNS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
Mr. Hagerman requested that Item No. 6 be moved up on the agenda and heard prior to Public Hearings; there was no objection by Council.
NOTE: Item No. 6 was heard prior to Public Hearings.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. Environmental Assessment Case No. EA22-0003 and Tentative Tract Map Case No.
TTM22-0002 (TTM No . 38222). Applicant: Bravo Holdings, LLC. Consideration to Subdivide a 10.12-acre Parcel into Eight (8) Residential Lots and Three (3) Lettered Lots, Including a Private Street. Location: East Side of Vista Del Sol, Just East of the Betty Ford Center and West of Vista Dunes Road (APNs: 685-280-002; -003).
A.
B.
Consider Approving the filing of a Mitigated Negative Declaration based on Environmental Assessment Case No . EA22-0003 and pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act Section 15168; and
Consider Approving Tentative Tract Map Case No. TTM22-0002 (TTM38222), subject to the conditions of approval and based on the Content and Findings in the Staff Report.
Pilar Lopez , Senior Planner, presented the staff report .
Public Comments
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, commented it was good that improvements were made in the area before development happened.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO:
A. APPROVE THE FILING OF A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CASE NO. EA22-0003 AND PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT SECTION 15168; AND B. APPROVE TENTATIVE TRACT MAP CASE NO. TTM22-0002 (TTM38222),
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
5. Consider Temporary Use Permit Case No. TUP23-0014 . Applicant: AES Mechanical Services Group, Inc. Consideration for a Helicopter to Land and be in Use at The River Shopping Center in Order to Transport 3,200 lbs . of HVAC Equipment to the Rooftop of Suite A-137 on June 5, 2023, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p .m . Location : 71800 Highway 111 (APNs: 684-262-014; -015; 684-440-039; 684-430-044).
Lezlee Vasquez, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report.
Public Comments
Brad Anderson , Rancho Mirage resident, opposed the use of a helicopter due to noise and disruption of business .
Council Member Weill commented it was great seeing everything going on at The River, including replacement of older equipment and construction of a new Dave & Buster's.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/MALLOTTO TO APPROVE THE LOCATION FOR A HELICOPTER LANDING AND USE AT THE RIVER LOCATED AT 71800 HIGHWAY 111 ON MONDAY, JUNE 5TH, 2023, FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M. BY AES MECHANICAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
6. Consider Annual Appointments to City Boards and Commissions.
NOTE: Item No. 6 was heard prior to Public Hearings.
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk, presented the staff report and listed the following nominations :
Nominations for the Architectural Review Board:
Mayor Kite:
Mayor Kite:
Mayor Kite:
Director of Development Services:
Director of Development Services:
Director of Development Services:
Director of Development Services:
John Milander
John Greenwood
Andrew Dick
Tom Doczi
Jean Renaker
Narendra Patel
Lance O'Donnell
Nominations for the Community Cultural Commission:
Mayor Kite:
Mayor Pro Tern Downs:
Council Member Mallotto:
Council Member Marker:
Council Member Weill :
05/18/2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Michael O'Keefe
Kayla Pressman
Sally Traidman
Donna Malouf
Frank Furino
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Nominations for the Community Emergency Preparedness Commission:
Mayor Kite: Caprice Leinonen
Mayor Kite: Katie Stice (Technical Advisor)
Mayor Pro Tern Downs: David Richardson
Council Member Mallotto : Kirk Dandridge
Council Member Marker: Tonia Hyams
Council Member Weill : Mary Lou Suter
Nominations for the Community Parks and Trails Commission :
Mayor Kite: Dennis Constant
Mayor Pro Tern Downs : Tim Esser
Council Member Mallotto: Warren Schneider
Council Member Marker: Ehrick Wright
Council Member Weill : Fred Stroock
Nominations for the Historic Preservation Commission:
Mayor Kite : Frank Lopez
Mayor Pro Tern Downs: Carol Leibowitz
Council Member Mallotto: Christian Braun
Council Member Marker: Craig Traupane
Council Member Weill : Ray Keller
Nominations for the Housing Commission :
Mayor Kite:
Mayor Pro Tern Downs:
Council Member Mallotto:
Council Member Marker:
Council Member Weill:
At-Large (Project Tenant):
Isiah Harris
Jennifer Caridi
Scott Newton
Leigh Genesen
Darrell Mulvihill
Mary Bundy
Nominations for the Library & Observatory Advisory Commission:
Mayor Kite : Donald Stein
Mayor Pro Tern Downs: Ron Treat
Council Member Mallotto: Dom Summa
Council Member Marker: Lois Reese
Council Member Weill : Steve Ezer
Library Director/Astronomer Patrick Lambright (Technical Advisor) Nominations for the Library & Observatory Foundation Board:
Mayor Kite: Christine Hughes
Mayor Kite: Leslie Usow
Mayor Pro Tern Downs: Alison Soltysiak
Mayor Pro Tern Downs: Lucy Tagmyer
Council Member Mallotto: Patrice Merritt
Council Member Marker: Robert Moon
Council Member Marker: James Sowa
Council Member Weill: Gary Gaitan
Mayor Kite also serves on this Commission.
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Nominations for the Mobilehome Fair Practices Commission:
Mayor Kite: Mike Renner
Mayor Pro Tern Downs: Marlene Marie Cassetta
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Council Member Marker: Gary Jones
Council Member Weill: Diane Lynn
At-Large (Mobilehome Owner): Jay Wilson
At-Large (Mobilehome Park Manager): Stan Markowitz
Nominations for the Planning Commission :
Mayor Kite :
Mayor Pro Tern Downs:
Council Member Mallotto :
Council Member Marker:
Council Member Weill :
David Grey
Murray Bryant
Mark Curran
Pamela Chanter
Jassen Agostini
Nominations for the Speaker Series Commission :
Mayor Pro Tern Downs: Eric Cunningham
Council Member Mallotto: Samir Khanna
Council Member Marker: Robert Berg
Council Member Weill : Mary Yoshioka
Nominations for the Traffic Safety Commission :
Mayor Kite: Michael Ziskind
Mayor Pro Tern Downs: Sidney Burks
Council Member Mallotto: Steven Shuey
Council Member Marker: Owen McIntosh
Council Member Weill : Del Smith
Sheriff's Department: Sheriff's Sergeant Don Olson
Citizens on Patrol Services: COPS Captain Alfonso Carpenter Public Comments
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident , commented that applications were not in the agenda packet and there should be term limits.
Council Member Weill congratulated the nominees and thanked everyone who volunteered to serve on a board or commission. He added that those who served did so out of a sense of dedication and were the City's eyes and ears.
Mayor Pro Tern Downs echoed Council Member Weill's comments. He added that, although volunteers may not receive compensation, the work done by them was priceless.
Mayor Kite acknowledged board and commission nominees in the audience , noting he looked forward to working with them over the next year.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/DOWNS TO RATIFY THE NOMINATIONS OF MEMBERS
TO SERVE ON THE CITY'S VARIOUS BOARDS/COMMISSIONS FOR THE ONE-YEAR TERM BEGINNING JUNE 1, 2023, AND WAIVE ANY APPLICABLE TERM LIMITS. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
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CLOSED SESSION AGENDA J l 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.
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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-2 031 (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 .
Public Comments
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, commented that the Heckman case may be an ove rreach by the City . He also spoke of a concern of retaliation against property owners who speak at the podium and questioned the capability of Council Members.
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 2:00 P.M.
RECONVENE OPEN SESSION
Mayor Kite reconve ned the meeting at 2:46 P .M .
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CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Steve Quintanilla , City Attorney, reported 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 2:47 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council: 6/1/2023
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk
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