CITY Or RANCHO MIRAGE
CITY COUNCIL,
LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY BOARD,
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
AND THE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING
THE REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
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 — 1:01 P.M.
a) Flag Salute — Led by Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney. b) Roll Call: Mallotto, Marker, O'Keefe, Weill, Downs — All Present.
PRESENTATIONS
"National Night Out" Announcement by Riverside County Sheriffs Office and CAL Fire.
Kyle Albenesius, Community Service Officer, provided a detailed overview of the upcoming "National Night Out" event, which would be held at Rancho Mirage Community Park on October 1st, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. He mentioned he worked closely with Hayley Tice, Marketing & Events Specialist, to bring the event to Rancho Mirage for the first time. He invited the City Council, Rancho Mirage residents, and all Coachella Valley residents to attend. CSO Albenesius shared that the Riverside County Fire Department would be joining the event, along with personnel from the Palm Desert Sheriffs Station.
Council Member Marker thanked all first responders for their service to the community and invited everyone to attend the "National Night Out" event.
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Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Update.
Kristen Crawford, Development Coordinator of the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM), shared a brief video highlighting CVRM. She provided updates on three (3) ongoing projects: a new homeless shelter facility scheduled to open by August 2025, a new laundry facility, and a secondary thrift store.
She thanked the City of Rancho Mirage and the City Council on behalf of CVRM for their support.
NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Francesca Forrer, Director of Intergraded Marketing at Acrisure Arena and Board Member of the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce, provided a business update on the Chamber's "Move Small Business Forward" campaign. She announced that the "Legislative Business Breakfast" event with Assemblymember Greg Wallis would be held on September 6th. She also announced upcoming events at the Acrisure Arena.
Joyce Kiehl, Director of Communication for Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) and Board Member of the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce, shared that the Chamber was creating a new user- friendly website. She added that Chamber staff was working diligently to obtain accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which would place the Chamber in the top 10% of chambers nationwide.
She announced a collaboration between VGPS and the Barbie brand for the Pavilions of Wonder at the London Design Festival from September 14th to 22nd. She mentioned VGPS was launching a new Fall campaign, which included the Ritz -Carlton Rancho Mirage. Lastly, she expressed gratitude to the City Council for supporting the Rancho Mirage Chamber and VGPS.
Wally Melendez, member of the public, spoke regarding the Brown Act and the ability to speak for three minutes. He also expressed concerns regarding air pollution.
Susan Ragsdale, member of the public, presented artwork. She also commented on a lawsuit and submitted related materials.
Robert Puentes, member of the public, expressed appreciation for the Veterans monument at Whitewater Park.
Wayne Avrashow, Rancho Mirage resident, suggested the City establish an economic development position dedicated exclusively to assisting local businesses.
Gregory Goodman, Rancho Mirage resident, expressed concern regarding Rancho Mirage Amphitheater renovations and suggested surveying residents on their preferred programming.
Mark Curran, Rancho Mirage resident, voiced support for a dedicated economic development position.
COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Council Member O'Keefe spoke regarding animal welfare and announced that the City would host a Rancho Mirage Rescue Rally Pet Adoption & Wellness Fair on October 12th at the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory. He noted the event would be in collaboration with the Riverside County 09/05/2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7
Animal Services, and other local animal welfare organizations, to provide free adoption services, a mobile wellness clinic, and a variety of other animal care services. He presented a brief video that detailed the event. Council Member O'Keefe also introduced two puppies, Copper and Lily, who were available for immediate adoption.
Council Member Mallotto commented that the "National Nights Out" event was an excellent opportunity to meet public safety personnel and thanked first responders for their service.
She announced that Dr. Kirk Dandridge, who formerly chaired the Rancho Mirage Community Emergency Preparedness Commission, was retiring from the Commission. She complimented Dr.
Dandridge for his efforts with the Commission and spoke regarding his professional background.
Mayor Pro Tem Weill thanked Dr. Dandridge for his efforts with the Community Emergency Preparedness Commission and wished him success in his future endeavors. He announced his attendance at the recent Marine Corps League National Convention held at The Westin Rancho Mirage Gold Resort & Spa. He spoke regarding the history of the Marine Corps League, noting he was honored to welcome the Marines and their families. He shared that he attended a ride -along with Deputy Cody Mayer and expressed gratitude to the Sherriffs Department for its devoted deputies and innovative equipment. Mayor Pro Tem recounted an instance from the ride -along, presenting a real - life example of the advantages of automated license plate readers. He mentioned that the City of Rancho Mirage had a ratio of two officers per 1,000 residents and public safety would remain a priority.
He concluded by commending the Sherriffs Department and CAL Fire for their contributions to the community.
Council Member Marker shared that Riverside County was considering conducting an economic analysis for the entire County using an outside consulting firm. She suggested that the City of Rancho Mirage utilize the study's findings and continue the study at a local level, saving the City a substantial amount of funding. She spoke regarding the City's economic revitalization, including land purchases, reformation of the Rancho Mirage design district, and revitalization of The River and the Rancho Las Palmas commercial center. Lastly, Council Member Marker proposed a motion to include an item on the next City Council meeting agenda to consider the commitment to undergo an economic development study with an outside agency.
Mayor Downs noted that Council Member Marker could ask the City Clerk to put an item on the agenda.
Mayor Downs spoke regarding the affordable housing initiative and expressed concern with the Coachella Valley Water District's (CVWD) uncooperative actions. He shared that the City Council had approved four projects on City -owned lands that would result in roughly 700 affordable housing units, meeting 65% of the required state mandate of the current housing element of the City's general plan.
He added that an authorized affordable housing project on the site of the former Rancho Mirage Mobile Home Park, specifically aimed at occupancy by Veterans, bordered the CVWD-controlled Whitewater wash. He noted that the developed properties on the north and south sides of the proposed project were required to have 50 -foot buffer zones between the buildings and the end of the wash, but CVWD intended to impose a 300 -foot buffer zone on the parcel for the proposed affordable housing development. He added that the buffer zone requirement would negatively impact the original development plan. Mayor Downs reported that on June 12th, he and Mayor Pro Tem Weill, along with Ryan Stendell, Assistant City Manager, and Majna Dukic, Director of Development Services, met with two CVWD general managers and two CVWD board members to discuss the importance of the affordable housing project and the buffer zone requirement. He shared that the primary objective was 09/05/2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7
to request a buffer zone lesser than the 300 -feet requirement and that CVWD responded that they would review the request and follow up by the end of July. He explained that CVWD failed to respond to the request until Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, contacted CVWD and was advised that no accommodation would be provided. He stressed the City was not happy with the result of the City's meeting with CVWD on this issue.
Council Member Mallotto noted the importance and great demand for affordable housing in Rancho Mirage. She mentioned that residents 55 and older had a waiting list of over 4,500 requests for new housing units; the waiting list was double that for non age -restricted units. She spoke regarding the cooperation between the nine (9) neighboring cities in the Coachella Valley. Lastly, she expressed hope for additional discussions with the region's various organizations to fulfill the state mandate for affordable housing.
Mayor Pro Tem Weill noted that the development negatively impacted by the CVWD buffer zone requirement was designed for Veterans and their families. He added that it was a shame that the project was in jeopardy due to an impractical application.
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. 1220, 2nd Reading, Approving Monterey Specific Plan Amendment SP24-0001. (APNs 685-090-009, -012, -014, -015, -016, & -017)
3. Adopt Ordinance No. 1221, 2nd Reading, Amending Section 10.60.020 (Speed Limits Designated) of Chapter 10.60 (Speed Regulation) of Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code.
4. Approve July 18, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes.
5. Approve Final Acceptance of CP 20-361 - Sidewalk Completions.
6. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-51, Approving the Updated Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP).
7. Receive and File the June 30, 2024, Quarterly Treasurer's Report.
8. Approve Contracts.
9. Approve Demands.
Public Comments — None.
Mayor Downs commented on Consent Calendar Item No. 2, noting that the Monterey Specific Plan included three (3) affordable housing projects that would help Rancho Mirage fulfill 65% of its affordable housing goals.
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MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/MALLOTTO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. Environmental Assessment Case No. EA22-0008 and Tentative Tract Map Case No.
TTM22-0006 (TTM No. 38447) - Applicant: Lucy Duran. Consideration to Subdivide a
5.04 -acre Parcel into Eight (8) Residential Lots and Four (4) Lettered Lots for Common Areas, Including a Private Street. Located at the Southwest Corner of the Intersection of Via Florencia and Via Josefina (APN: 685-100-012).
A. Consider approving the filing of a Mitigated Negative Declaration (SCH# 2023120620) based on Environmental Assessment Case No. EA22-0008 and pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act Section 15168.
B. Consider approving Tentative Tract Map Case No. TTM22-0006 (TTM 38447), 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 Testimony — None.
Mayor Downs spoke in favor of additional housing in Rancho Mirage.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/WEILL TO:
A. APPROVE THE FILING OF A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (SCH# 2023120620) BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CASE NO. EA22-0008
AND PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT SECTION 15168; AND
B. APPROVE TENTATIVE TRACT MAP CASE NO. TTM22-0006 (TTM 38447), SUBJECT
TO THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL AND BASED ON THE CONTENT AND FINDINGS IN THE STAFF REPORT.
MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
11. Consider Adopting Resolution No. 2024 -(Next -in -Order), Designating the Residential Home Located at 71331 Country Club Drive, Rancho Mirage, California (Assessor Parcel Number 684-020-010) a Historic Resource.
Ben Torres, Planning Manager, presented the staff report.
Public Testimony — None.
Council Member O'Keefe commented that the home was stunning and a great candidate for designation.
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Mayor Downs explained the Historic Preservation Commission's involvement with the designation process and commended the Commission for their efforts.
MOVED/SECONDED BY O'KEEFE/WEILL TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-52, DESIGNATING THE RESIDENTIAL HOME LOCATED AT 71331 COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE, RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA (ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER 684-020-010) A HISTORIC RESOURCE (PURSUANT TO RANCHO MIRAGE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 15.27).
MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
ACTION CALENDAR
12. Consider Adopting Resolution No. 2024 -(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 the special tax for Annexation No. 196. (In connection with Tentative Tract Map No. 38224 — La Paloma Homes Inc. - APN 685-080-014)
Jacob De La Cruz, Financial Analyst, presented the staff report.
Public Comments — None.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MARKER/MALLOTTO TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-53,
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 THE SPECIAL TAX FOR ANNEXATION NO. 196. (IN CONNECTION WITH TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 38224 — LA PALOMA HOMES INC. - APN 685-080-014).
MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - POTENTIAL INITIATION OF LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d) (4). (One Potential Case)
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6(a)
Designated City Labor Negotiator: Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager Employee Organization: Rancho Mirage Employees Association Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, reported that the City Council would recess into closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding one potential initiation of litigation item and one labor negotiation item.
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RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
RECONVENE OPEN 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 2:13 P.M.
Mayor Downs reconvened the meeting at 3:03 P.M.
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 3:04 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council:Ln(iq/
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Kristie Ramos, City Clerk
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