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, September 3, 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 Mallotto 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. CAL FIRE / Riverside County Fire Department Update CAL FIRE Chief Robert Fish introduced himself to the City Council and provided brief remarks regarding his new role.
2.B. Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Update
Board Director Monica Bradley provided an update on the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce.
2.C. Proclamation Recognizing Hunger Action Month
Lorena Marroquin, FIND Food Bank Interim President & CEO, provided an update on the food bank’s impact reports.
Mayor Mallotto spoke in support of Hunger Action Month, encouraged the public to donate shelf-stable foods, and presented Ms. Marroquin with a proclamation in recognition of Hunger Action Month.
3. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein wished students a wonderful 2026-2027 school year and reminded the audience to monitor the weather reports.
Council Member Weill recognized the 25th Anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
Council Member Downs reminded residents of the upcoming November election, congratulated Eisenhower Health on its recent recognition by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes, and announced the Rancho Mirage nominees for the Champions of Hospitality Awards.
Mayor Pro Tem O’Keefe shared that the City had partnered with DocuPet to bring pet reunification services to the community and recognized the Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory Foundation Board for hosting the recent TEDxRanchoMirage event. He also thanked the hardworking people of Rancho Mirage and wished everyone a Happy Labor Day.
Mayor Mallotto announced that September was Greater Palm Springs Spa Month. She also shared that the Rotary Clubs of the Coachella Valley and LifeStream Blood Bank were uniting for a valley-wide blood drive, provided event details, and announced that the organizations would be making donations to FIND Food Bank in support of its work.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS/REPORTS
None.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR (A-I)
Ryan Stendell, Assistant City Manager, presented the Consent Calendar items.
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
5.A. Waive Full Reading of Any Ordinance Introduced or Adopted Pursuant to this Agenda
5.B. Zoning Text Amendment Case No. ZTA26-0002 – Applicant: City of Rancho Mirage. Ordinance Amending Section 17.32.040 (Preferred Locations) of Chapter 17.32 (Wireless Communication Facilities) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Ordinance No. 1234, 2nd Reading, 1) Finding Adoption of this Ordinance Exempt from CEQA; and 2) Amending Section 17.32.040 (Preferred Locations) of Chapter 17.32 (Wireless Communication Facilities) of Title 17 (“Zoning”) of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code to Streamline the Entitlement Process for Wireless Communication Facilities at Designated Preferred Locations.
5.C. July 16, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes — RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the July 16, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
5.D. Final Acceptance of Improvements for Tract Map No. 33329 (Via Josefina) — RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept the private improvements for Tract Map No. 33329 as completed and authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion with the County Recorder ’s Office.
5.E. Approval of Final Tract Map No. 38492 (Vista Del Sol) — RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Final Parcel Map No. 38492 and authorize the City Manager and/or his designee to execute the Subdivision Improvement Agreement prior to issuance of grading permit.
5.F. Approval of Final Parcel Map No. 38978 (Vista Del Sol) — RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Final Parcel Map No. 38978 and authorize the City Manager and/or his designee to execute the Subdivision Improvement Agreement prior to issuance of grading permit.
5.G. Quarterly Treasurer ’s Report for the Quarter Ending June 30, 2026 — RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and File the June 30, 2026, Quarterly Treasurer’s Report.
5.H. Contracts
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the terms of the contracts as presented and authorize the City Manager to execute the subject contracts.
5.I. Demands
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the demands as presented.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.A. Vista Del Sol Street and Waterline Improvement District #31-26 — RECOMMENDED ACTION: Consider whether to proceed with formation of Vista Del Sol Street and Waterline Improvement District No. 31-26, provided a majority protest does not exist following the public hearing and ballot tabulation.
Ryan Stendell, Assistant City Manager, introduced the item, explaining that ballot tabulation would take place following public testimony.
The following individuals provided public testimony: Tom Hazelbaker, Brad Anderson, and Mark Dubose.
Tyler Fowlkes, Senior Management Analyst, presented the staff report.
A discussion ensued.
With ballots still being tabulated, Mayor Mallotto, with consensus from the City Council, continued the remainder of Item No. 6A to be conducted following Item No. 7A.
Following the vote for Item No. 7A, Mayor Mallotto recessed the meeting for a break at 2:04 P.M. She reconvened the meeting at 2:07 P.M., with all City Council Members present.
Mr. Stendell declared the ballot results as follows: The landowners of record within the Assessment District as of the close of the Public Hearing did cast their ballots, with a 98% majority protest, meaning 98% of the district was opposed to forming a district.
A majority protest existed and no action was taken by the City Council.
7. ACTION CALENDAR
7.A. Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) Joint Powers Agreement Amendment — RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Third Amendment and Restatement of the Joint Powers Agreement of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG).
Juan Guerra, Administrative Analyst, presented the staff report.
The following individual provided public comment: Brad Anderson.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY WEILL/DOWNS TO APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE THIRD AMENDMENT AND
RESTATEMENT OF THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (CVAG). MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
8. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals provided non-agenda public comments: Mark Morris, Patrick Lowry, Susan Ragsdale, Wally Melendez, and Brad Anderson.
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 2:27 P.M.
9.C. Reconvene Open Session
Mayor Mallotto reconvened the meeting at 3:08 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 3:09 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council: 09/17/2026