Mayor Mallotto
Mayor Pro Tem O'Keefe
Council Member Downs
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein
Council Member Weill
REGULAR MEETING OF THE RANCHO MIRAGE CITY COUNCIL
AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, ENERGY AUTHORITY,
HOUSING AUTHORITY, JOINT POWERS FINANCE AUTHORITY, LIBRARY
AND OBSERVATORY, AND REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARDS 69-825 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 1:00 PM
MINUTES
1. GENERAL
1.A. Call to Order
Mayor Mallotto called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M.
1.B. Flag Salute
Mayor Pro Tem O'Keefe led the flag salute.
1.C. Roll Call: Downs, Fromberg Edelstein, Weill, O'Keefe, Mallotto All City Council Members were present.
2. PRESENTATIONS
2.A. Holocaust Artifacts Donation Ceremony
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein provided introductory remarks, acknowledged DAP Health, the Tolerance Education Center, and the Jewish Federation of the Desert for their partnership in the ceremony, and shared the story of how the artifacts came to be donated.
David Briggman, CEO of DAP Health, spoke regarding the significance of the artifacts and presented a related video.
The artifacts were presented to Michelle Gold, Executive Director of the Tolerance Education Center, who then remarked on their historical significance, and recognized Holocaust survivor Rose Peppin in attendance.
Danny Labin, CEO of the Jewish Federation of the Desert, spoke regarding the community impact of retaining the artifacts locally.
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein spoke regarding the tragic events of the Holocaust and emphasized the importance of preserving the artifacts.
Mayor Mallotto expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the donation ceremony.
Mayor Mallotto recessed the meeting for a break at 1:27 P.M. and reconvened the meeting at 1:33 P.M., with all City Council Members present.
2.B. Update by The Salvation Army
Don Bradley, Salvation Army Board Chair (Dick and Beverly Davis Corps), spoke of the Salvation Army organization and announced their 2026 annual gala.
Major Neil Navarro shared current programs offered by the Salvation Army, including related statistics, and noted planned future programs. He thanked the City Council for their continued support.
3. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Council Member Weill announced that a Fireworks and Drone Show Spectacular would be held at Agua Caliente Casino Resort on July 4th in celebration of America's 250th birthday. He reported his attendance at the recent Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Signature Speaker Series titled Sky's the Limit PSP Travelers Update & Canadian Visitors Report. He recommended that community members view the presentation and attend future speaker series offerings.
Mayor Pro Tem O'Keefe announced that the Rancho Mirage Animal & Emergency Hospital opened at Bob Hope Drive and Highway 111, with full emergency services. He also spoke on the importance of recognizing Juneteenth and wished all the fathers a Happy Father's Day.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS/REPORTS
None.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR (A-F)
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the Consent Calendar items.
The following individual provided public comments: Tony Serna (West Coast Arborists Representative).
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/DOWNS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
5.A. June 4, 2026, Special City Council Meeting Minutes (Budget Study Session) — RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the June 4, 2026, Special City Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
5.B. June 4, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes — RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the June 4, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
5.C. Appointment to the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Board of Trustees — RECOMMENDED ACTION: Appoint Mayor Pro Tem Michael O’Keefe to serve on the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Board of Trustees for the remainder of the current term, which expires January 4, 2027.
5.D. Proposition 4 Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 — RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-(Next-in-Order), Establishing the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 in Accordance with the Provisions of Division 9 of Title 1 of the California Government Code. (Adopted Resolution No. 2026-37)
5.E. Contracts
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the terms of the contracts as presented and authorize the City Manager to execute the subject contracts.
5.F. Demands
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the demands as presented.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.A. Historic Preservation Case No. HP26-0002 – Consideration to Designate the Residential Home Located at 71076 Country Club Drive as a Historic Resource
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-(Next-in-Order), Designating the Residential Home Located at 71076 Country Club Drive, Rancho Mirage, California (Assessor Parcel Number 688-230-003) a Historic Resource (Pursuant to Rancho Mirage Municipal Code Chapter 15.27).
Ben Torres, Planning Manager, presented the staff report.
No public testimony was provided.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY O’KEEFE/FROMBERG EDELSTEIN TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-38, DESIGNATING THE RESIDENTIAL HOME LOCATED AT 71076 COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE, RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA (ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER 688-230-003) A HISTORIC RESOURCE. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7. ACTION CALENDAR
7.A. Shop Local Rancho Mirage Gift Card Program Proposed Bonus Campaign for Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve a new Shop Local Rancho Mirage Gift Card Bonus Campaign to coincide with the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce’s “Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage” from July 22-August 16, 2026, utilizing a $30,000 bonus fund with a 50% match incentive.
Alexandria Sanchez, Digital Marketing Coordinator, presented the staff report.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/O’KEEFE TO APPROVE A NEW SHOP LOCAL RANCHO MIRAGE GIFT CARD BONUS CAMPAIGN TO COINCIDE WITH THE RANCHO MIRAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S “TASTE OF SUMMER RANCHO MIRAGE” FROM JULY 22-AUGUST 16, 2026, UTILIZING A $30,000 BONUS FUND WITH A 50% MATCH INCENTIVE. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7.B. Technology Disruption During Public Meetings Policy — RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt the Technology Disruption During Public Meetings Policy as presented.
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk, presented the staff report.
MOVED/SECONDED BY FROMBERG EDELSTEIN/WEILL TO ADOPT THE TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTION DURING PUBLIC MEETINGS POLICY AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7.C. Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-(Next in Order), Approving and Adopting the City’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget; 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-LB-(Next in Order), Approving and Adopting the Library and Observatory Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget; 3) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-HA-(Next in Order), Approving and Adopting the City of Rancho Mirage Housing Authority’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget; 4) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-HA-(Next in Order), Adopting and Approving a Schedule of Reimbursement for City Staff Time to be Paid to the City of Rancho Mirage for Fiscal Year 2026-2027; 5) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-CSD-(Next in Order), Approving and Adopting the Rancho Mirage Community Services District’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget; 6) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-(Next in Order), Approving and Adopting a Reimbursement Schedule of City Staff Services Subject to Payment by Designated Special Funds for Fiscal Year 2026-2027; and 7) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-(Next in Order),
Approving Updates to the Calendar Year 2026 Salary Schedule to Comply with California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) Statutory and Regulatory Requirements for Compensation Earnable and Publicly Available Pay Schedules.
Joseph Carpenter, Assistant Director of Administrative Services, presented the staff report.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO: 1) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-39, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY’S FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET; 2) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-LB-01, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET; 3) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-HA-01, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET; 4) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-HA-02, ADOPTING AND APPROVING A SCHEDULE
OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR CITY STAFF TIME TO BE PAID TO THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027; 5) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-CSD-01, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE RANCHO MIRAGE COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT’S FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET; 6) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-40,
APPROVING AND ADOPTING A REIMBURSEMENT SCHEDULE OF CITY STAFF SERVICES SUBJECT TO PAYMENT BY DESIGNATED SPECIAL FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027; AND 7) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-41, APPROVING UPDATES TO THE CALENDAR YEAR 2026 SALARY SCHEDULE TO COMPLY WITH CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEE’S RETIREMENT SYSTEM (CALPERS) STATUTORY AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPENSATION EARNABLE AND PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULES. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
8. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals provided non-agenda public comments: Patrick Lowry, Susan Ragsdale, Wally Melendez, and Wayne Avrashow.
9. CLOSED SESSION
9.A. Closed Session Agenda
— 1) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - POTENTIAL INITIATION OF LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4). One Potential Case
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, announced that the City Council would recess to Closed Session to confer with legal counsel regarding one potential initiation item, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4).
9.B. Recess to Closed Session
Mayor Mallotto recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 2:42 P.M.
9.C. Reconvene Open Session
Mayor Mallotto reconvened the meeting at 3:48 P.M., with all City Council Members present.
9.D. Closed Session Announcements
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, announced that no reportable action was taken during Closed Session.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Mallotto adjourned the meeting at 3:48 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council: 07/16/2026