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~ CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE
CITY COUNCIL,
LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY BOARD,
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
AND THE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING
THE REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
Meeting Location:
City of Rancho Mirage
City Hall -Council Chamber
69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023
1 :00 P.M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER -1 :01 P.M.
a) Flag Sa lute -Led by Ryan Stende ll , Director of Public Works. b) Roll Call: Mallotto, Marker, Weill, Downs -All Present. (Michael O'Keefe also present following vote for Item No. 12)
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Pia Gardner, Rancho Mirage resident, voiced concerns regarding privacy issues at Parkview Villas.
Trinity Rabe Burke, Rancho Mirage resident, expressed support for Ms. Gardner and requested assistance with issues at Parkview Villas.
Mayor Downs reported that Marcus Aleman, the City's housing manager, was avai lable to speak with Ms. Gardner and Ms. Burke regarding their concerns.
Wally Melendez, member of the public, spoke of a need for a university in Rancho Mirage and regarding global warming.
12/07/2023 Regu lar City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 6
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COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Community Emergency Preparedness Commission (EPC).
Mr. Brown introduced himself, noting he was chair of the disaster preparedness committee at Del Webb Rancho Mirage, where he had resided for four years. He expressed gratitude to the Council for appointing him to the EPC, noting they had motivated him to serve. He also noted he had taken CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training offered by the City.
He commented that the City made it simple for citizens to be ready for emergencies by providing access to the www.rmready .org website. He also announced that the EPC distributed bags containing emergency preparedness information at the local farmers market.
Mayor Pro Tern Weill congratulated Lt. Espinoza and the Sheriff's department for the incredible job that they did. He commented on the importance of maintaining public safety and spoke of a recent burglary at The Home Depot in Rancho Mirage .
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS -None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the following Consent Calendar items:
1. 2.
3 .
4. 5 .
6. 7 .
8 .
Approve November 2, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes.
Approve November 16, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes .
Approve November 21, 2023, Special Meeting Minutes.
Approve Final Acceptance of Improvements for Tract Map No. 36809-1 (Pulte -Del Webb Rancho Mirage).
Approve Final Tract Map No . 36620 (Palo Verde 37, LLC).
Approve Final Parcel Map No. 38315 (Palomino Four).
Adopt Joint Resolution Nos . 2023-56, 2023 -HA-05, 2023-SA-02, 2023-LB -04, 2023- CSD-03, and 2023-JPFA-02, Approving Adoption of a Revised Purchasing Procedures Policy.
Adopt Resolution No. 2023-SA-03, Approving and Adopting a Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule and Administrative Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 -2025 Pursuant to Assembly Bills 26x1 and 1484 .
9. Approve Contracts .
. J 10. Approve Demands.
l Public Comments -None .
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Council Member Mallotto recused herself from Item No. 4, due to her primary residence being in Del Webb Rancho Mirage.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/MARKER TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NOS. 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9, AND 10, AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 4/0.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/MARKER TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 4, AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 3/0 (MALLOTTO RECUSED).
ACTION CALENDAR
11. Consider Adopting Resolution No. 2023-(Next in Order), Declaring the City's Intention to Annex Territory to Community Facilities District No. 1 and to Levy a Special Tax Therein for Additional Police and Fire Services, Preliminarily Approve a Map of the Area Proposed to be Annexed, and Schedule a Public Hearing to Consider the Annexation and the Levy of Special Tax for Annexation No. 191. (In Connection with Tentative Parcel Map No.
TPM38152 -Bushnag)
Jacob De La Cruz, Financial Analyst, presented the staff report.
Public Comments -None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/WEILL TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-57,
DECLARING THE CITY'S INTENTION TO ANNEX TERRITORY TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 1 AND TO LEVY A SPECIAL TAX THEREIN FOR ADDITIONAL
POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES, PRELIMINARILY APPROVE A MAP OF THE AREA
PROPOSED TO BE ANNEXED, AND SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ANNEXATION AND THE LEVY OF SPECIAL TAX FOR ANNEXATION NO. 191. MOTION CARRIED 4/0.
12. Consideration of Filling Vacancy on City Council and Possible Installation of New Council Member.
Mayor Downs introduced the item.
Public Comments
Isiah Harris, Rancho Mirage resident, expressed support for the appointment process and offered his thoughts on the recent interviews. He noted the applicants' willingness to commit extensive time to Rancho Mirage spoke highly of the City's citizens. In closing, he expressed support for applicants David Grey and Sheri Stewart.
Dominic Moon hart, member of the public, noted he was a former student of Rancho Mirage High School and requested the City Council become more involved with the high school and the youth of the area. He also mentioned he aspired to serve on the City Council in the future. 12/07/2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6
Brad Anderson, Rancho Mirage resident, spoke in opposition to the appointment process.
He commented that the process was challenging and that not being able to cast a ballot for a candidate took away his voice .
Mayor Pro Tern Weill expressed appreciation to all the individuals who participated in the recruitment process and for the community in which he lived. He expressed confidence that the Council would select a candidate who would fairly represent the people they served.
Council Member Marker praised all the applicants and noted the level of commitment involved in becoming a Council Member and serving on the City Council. She commented that selecting a candidate with experience in the City's operations would ensure a smooth transition.
Council Member Mallotto clarified that leaving the Council seat vacant was not a legal option.
She expressed gratitude to all applicants . She also recommended that those who were not selected for appointment consider applying to serve on one of the City's many boards and commissions, as the City was always in need of great people to fill those important roles.
Mayor Downs commented that he was pleased to see a retired General, former City Commissioners, and a Chamber of Commerce member as candidates. He expressed appreciation to all applicants.
Mayor Pro Tern Weill commented that his nomination was a difficult one to make , as each individual would have made an outstanding contribution . He noted that the individual he selected was still actively involved on a City commission and he was impressed with the candidate 's demeanor. He noted the candidate's familiarity with the Valley , due to previous experience volunteering in a different City, for which they received accolades from that City's city manager.
He added that the individual received the Coachella Valley Volunteer of the Year Award in 2009.
Mayor Pro Tern Weill nominated Michael O'Keefe for appointment to the City Council.
Mayor Downs noted that choosing his nominee was difficult, as there were three who caught his attention. He nominated Michael O'Keefe for appointment to the City Council.
Council Member Mallotto acknowledged that it was a difficult choice to make . She nominated Michael O'Keefe for appointment to the City Council.
Council Member Marker commented that , to have a seamless transition, the individual would need to be knowledgeable about the City's business. She noted David Grey's tenure as chairman of the Planning Commission, as well as his years of experience on the Mobilehome Fair Practices Commission. She commented that City projects were expanding quickly , and Mr.
Grey was aware of both ongoing and upcoming projects . She spoke of Mr. Grey's character and qualities, which were shared with her by one of his references. She also noted that he was an active attorney. Council Member Marker nominated David Grey for appointment to the City Council.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/MALLOTTO TO APPOINT MICHAEL O'KEEFE TO FILL
THE VACANCY ON THE RANCHO MIRAGE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE REMAINDER OF FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER RICHARD W . KITE'S CURRENT TERM. MOTION CARRIED 4/0.
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Mayor Downs invited Mr. O'Keefe to the front of the dais for the administration of his oath.
Mr. O'Keefe was sworn into office by Kristie Ramos, City Clerk.
Mayor Downs invited Council Member O'Keefe to his sit at the dais and welcomed him to the Rancho Mirage City Council.
Council Member O'Keefe thanked the Council for trusting him in the position and commented that he looked forward to working with Council and staff. He pledged to the residents of Rancho Mirage that he would do his best to be a good and effective Council Member.
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: Juarez v . City of Rancho Mirage et al.
Riverside Superior Court Case No. CV-PS-202234.
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) Colin Kirkpatrick, 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, Juarez v. City of Rancho Mirage et al, and Wendy Hope Heckman v . City of Rancho Mirage .
Brad Anderson , Rancho Mirage resident , commented that he had assumed everything was finished regarding Closed Session Item No . 3. He commented on residents suing the City and mentioned individuals possibly being intimidated by the City .
Wally Melendez , member of the public, reminded the Council that it was Pearl Harbor Day.
Mayor Downs thanked Mr. Melendez for the reminder about Pearl Harbor Day.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION-1:50 P.M.
RECONVENE OPEN SESSION -2:47 P.M.
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CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Colin Kirkpatrick, 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 2:48 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council: 12/21/2023 ~~
Kristie Ramos , City Clerk
12/07/2023 Regular City Counci l Meeting Minutes
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