CITY OF PNCHO MIRAGE
CITY COUNCIL,
LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY BOARD,
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
AND THE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING
THE REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2023
1:00 P.M.
MINUTES
Meeting Location:
City of Rancho Mirage
City Hall - Council Chamber
69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
CALL TO ORDER — 1:00 P.M.
a) Flag Salute - Led by Kristie Ramos, City Clerk.
b) Roll Call: Mallotto, Marker, Weill, Downs, Kite — All present.
NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Marcia Stein, Rancho Mirage resident, invited the public to a "Rally for Israel" at the Jewish Federation of the Desert.
Wally Melendez, member of the public, spoke regarding fuel cell electric vehicles, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
Elliot Blank, Rancho Mirage resident and Key Largo Estates Homeowners Association President, expressed concern regarding sand blowing onto Key Largo Estates properties from the north side of Dinah Shore Drive, resulting in expensive sand removal costs. He also requested median improvements to enhance the nearby residences and structures in the vicinity of Bob Hope and Dinah Shore Drives.
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Ryan Stendell, Director of Public Works, reported that the City had partnered with the City of Palm Desert to work on the blow sand issue in that area. He mentioned a grant funded project that would attempt to mitigate the sand issue.
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, reported that a recent Animal Commission meeting could not be held due to the absence of a commissioner. He also spoke regarding financial issues related to the Desert Healthcare District.
COUNCILIBOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Council Member Weill gave the City, the marketing department, and the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce high marks for the recent State of the City presentation, which included a comprehensive overview of all City operations. He presented a video highlighting the event.
Mayor Pro Tem Downs commented on the importance of affordable housing and the need for periodic reviews on the subject. He spoke regarding the City's plans to build affordable housing in the upcoming cycle, which would run from 2023 to 2030.
Mayor Kite spoke regarding the Rancho Mirage High School Rattlers football team and invited the public to support the team by attending their next playoff game.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS — None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the following consent calendar items:
1. Waive Full Reading of All Ordinances Introduced or Adopted Pursuant to this Agenda.
2. Adopt Ordinance No. 1212, 2nd Reading, Amending and Restating Ordinance No. 1192 Levying Special Taxes within City of Rancho Mirage Community Facilities District No. 5 (Section 31) and the Improvement Areas Thereof.
3. Adopt Ordinance No. 1213, 2nd Reading, Prezoninq Approximately 257 Acres of Section 24, Adopting the Tribe -Approved Section 24 Specific Plan (SP23-0001).
4. Approve Introduction of Ordinance No. (Next -in -Order), 1st Reading, Repealing and Replacing Chapter 9.30 ("Use of Library and Observatory") of Division III ("Offenses Against Public Peace") of Title 9 ("Public Peace, Morals and Welfare") of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code Regarding the Public's Use of the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory.
5. Approve October 19, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes.
6. Approve Final Acceptance of Improvements for Tract Map No. 36809-4 (Pulte — Del Webb Rancho Mirage).
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7. Receive and File the September 30, 2023, Quarterly Treasurer's Report.
8. Approve Special Assistance Fund (SAF) Awards.
9. Approve Contracts.
10. Approve Demands.
Public Comments
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to Consent Calendar Item No. 4, commenting on a lack of due process and suggesting use of a subcommittee. He also spoke regarding Item No. 9, noting he was opposed to a contract for recruitment of a City Engineer; he was also opposed to a contract to purchase additional license plate reader cameras, noting the potential for misuse and State law not being followed.
Steve Quintanilla, City Attorney, announced that Council Member Marker would recuse herself from Consent Calendar Item No. 3, since her business, Marker Broadcasting, had provided the Tribe with marketing/advertising services within the prior 12 months.
Mr. Quintanilla announced that Council Member Mallotto would recuse herself from Consent Calendar Item Nos. 3 and 6, since she lived within a residential community that bordered the territory that would be annexed in Item No. 3, and lived in the residential community associated with Item No. 6.
Mr. Quintanilla added that, since Item Nos. 3 and 6 were on the Consent Calendar, Council Members Marker and Mallotto did not have to leave the dais during the vote.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NOS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, AND 10, AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 3, AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 310 (MARKER & MALLOTTO RECUSED).
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 6, AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 4/0 (MALLOTTO RECUSED).
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
11. Public Safety Update by Lieutenant Rick Espinoza, Riverside County Sheriffs Department.
Lt. Espinoza provided an overview of Sheriffs Department operations from 2022 to present and thanked the City Council for providing his department with the resources needed to protect the citizens.
Council Member Weill expressed gratitude to Lt. Espinoza and the entire department, noting he often receives comments regarding how safe the City felt, He added that examples of successful use of resources supported the decision to fund investments.
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Mayor Pro Tem Downs thanked Lt. Espinoza for his attendance and the report given and expressed support for the automatic license plate readers. He noted that some residents had concerns about the cameras and asked Lt. Espinoza to speak on the protections in place to prevent misuse.
Lt. Espinoza responded that there were procedures in place for the cameras through the County. He added that officers were unable to use the system without a valid reason and needed a file number related to a case to obtain information.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, reassured the public that City staff did not have access to the cameras and Sheriffs deputies were not allowed unrestricted access. He commented that he had the pleasure to present information regarding the camera system to a local homeowners association, alongside Lt. Espinoza, noting some of the most challenging calls public safety received were from citizens who had been victimized. He added that, based on current data, it was evident the technology was having an impact.
Council Member Mallotto commented that she also attended the homeowners association meeting and expressed gratitude for Lt. Espinoza and his team's participation. She noted that the presentation eliminated misconceptions residents had and gave them even more security and confidence in the Sheriffs Department.
Public Comments
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to the automatic license plate readers, calling them invasive. He commented that he would like to see a community -based oversight board with access to the data.
12. Palm Springs International Airport Commission Update by Commissioner Keith Young.
Airport Commissioner Keith Young presented a PowerPoint highlighting completed and ongoing projects at the Palm Springs International Airport.
Mayor Kite thanked Commissioner Young for the presentation and asked him to provide an update on the current parking situation.
Commissioner Young reported that airport staff was aware of the growing need for additional permanent parking during peak season and that a shuttle bus was currently in place to help with overflow parking.
Council Member Mallotto extended thanks to Commissioner Young for his presentation and inquired as to whether staffing levels for the shuttle service would be increased as the season went on.
Commissioner Young replied that he would pose Council Member Mallotto's question to airport staff and report back.
Mayor Pro Tem Downs asked how far along the airport was with terminal design.
Commissioner Young responded that the details had not yet been disclosed to the airport commission.
Council Member Weill asked how often airport commission meetings were held. 11/02/2023
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Commissioner Young noted that the commission held monthly meetings; however, they met more frequently when needed.
Public Comments — None.
ACTION CALENDAR
13. Review of CalFire Service Levels and Proposal for the Implementation of a Third Medic Unit (Ambulance), the Replacement of Two Existing Medic Units, and Discussion of a New Third Fire Station within City Limits.
Talon Burgess, Assistant to the City Manager, presented the staff report.
Public Comments — None.
Council Member Weill commended Mr. Burgess on his presentation. He commented that the City was expected to grow, due to new development, and the need to expand CalFire personnel should be considered to better serve residents.
Mayor Pro Tem Downs asked if CalFire had information as to when it would be critically important to have a new fire station in operation.
Fire Chief Beverlin responded that, while there was no deadline, acknowledging the need was the first step. He revealed that construction of a new fire station in Palm Desert was presently underway and was expected to take three to five years.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, thanked Chief Beverlin and noted that an additional medic unit would help the City tremendously. He explained how cities cooperate to share medic and fire resources when required, resulting in varying longer responses. He added that there were several benefits in adding a third fire station in the City as opposed to expanding a current one, which would conflict with personnel already in service. Mr. Hagerman invited consultant Bill Hunley to speak.
Mr. Hunley expressed he was excited to work on the project and acknowledged how much the City took pride in its public safety. He shared that he was in the fire service for 32 years and had been retired for the past eight years.
Council Member Weill thanked Mr. Hunley for his input and commented on his background being what the City needed in terms of the proposed project.
Council Member Marker expressed gratitude to Chief Beverlin and Mr. Hunley for their services and to Mr. Hagerman for his hard work. She also thanked Mr. Burgess for the presentation and expressed support for the new initiative.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/MALLOTTO TO:
A. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO CONTRACT WITH FRAZER FOR THE
PURCHASE OF THREE NEW MEDIC UNITS (AMBULANCES) AND WITH STRYKER
FOR THE NECESSARY AMBULANCE EQUIPMENT, APPROVED AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY;
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B. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO BRING BACK A CONTRACT AMENDMENT
WITH CALFIREIRIVERSIDE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ADD THE
PERSONNEL FOR A THIRD MEDIC UNIT TO OPERATE OUT OF COUNTY FIRE STATION 35 FOR CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL; AND
C. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO START THE PLANNING PROCESS ON A NEW THIRD FIRE STATION TO BE LOCATED IN THE NORTHERN SECTION OF THE CITY.
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.: CVR12100368.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).
Case Name: Juarez v. City of Rancho Mirage et al.
Riverside Superior Court Case No. CV -PS -202234.
Steve 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 and Juarez v. City of Rancho Mirage et al.
Public Comments
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, commented he was unable to find information on recent cases. He spoke of a lack of openness and cases for previous closed meetings being removed from the agenda. He also expressed mistrust and mentioned ethics.
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 2:19 P.M.
RECONVENE OPEN SESSION
Mayor Kite reconvened the meeting at 3:01 P.M.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Steve Quintanilla, City Attorney, 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 3:02 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council: 12/07/2023
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk
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