2017 07 05 CC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017
A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by
Mayor Evans.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, Pena, Radi, Sanchez, Mayor Evans
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
City Manager Spevacek requested that Study Session Item No. 2 be heard first due to a
participant's need to catch an outgoing flight to Phoenix.
Councilmember Pena said he will recuse himself from discussion and vote on Closed
Session Item No. 1 due to a conflict of interest as the property is a source of income.
Mayor Evans said she will recuse herself from discussion and vote on Business Session
Item No. 1 due to a possible conflict of interest stemming from a business
relationship.
Council concurred and confirmed the agenda as amended.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 78150
AVENIDA LA FONDA (APN 770-124-006)
CITY NEGOTIATOR: FRANK J. SPEVACEK, CITY MANAGER
PROPERTY OWNER: FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS
UNDER NEGOTIATION: PRICE AND TERMS OF PAYMENT OF THE PROPERTY
IDENTIFIED
2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8 FOR THE PROPERTIES LISTED BELOW:
CITY NEGOTIATOR: FRANK J. SPEVACEK, CITY MANAGER
NEGOTIATING PARTIES: OWNERS AS LISTED BELOW
UNDER NEGOTIATION: PRICE AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
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Page 1 of 7 JULY 5, 2017
• 46300 DUNE PALMS ROAD - ENGLISH CONGREGATION OF JEHOVAH'S
WITNESSES
• 46400 DUNE PALMS ROAD (PORTIONS) - CHIN FAMILY PROPERTIES,
LIMITED
• 46400 DUNE PALMS ROAD, UNIT 58 - LETICIA ARIAS
• 46400 DUNE PALMS ROAD, UNIT 59 - ALEJANDRO AND MARIA PREBOT
• 46400 DUNE PALMS ROAD, UNIT 82 - MARIA C. MARRUFO
• 46400 DUNE PALMS ROAD, UNIT 83 - JOSE AND IMELDA BENAVIDES
• 46400 DUNE PALMS ROAD, UNIT 84 - GARCIA/ROMERO
COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING AND MOVED
INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:32 P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING AT 4:03 P.M. WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT
REPORT ON ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Ihrke reported no action was taken on Closed Session Item No. 1 that
required reporting pursuant to Government Code section 54957.1 (Brown Act).
City Attorney Ihrke reported that the City Council authorized execution of all inclusive
settlement agreements for the properties identified in Closed Session Item No. 2; and
that the agreements will be a public record after they are executed.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Fitzpatrick led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mr. Martin Arredondo, Life Stream Blood Bank, La Quinta -
encouraged City employees and residents to donate blood at the 9 Cities Challenge
Blood Drive scheduled for Saturday, July 15, at the Wellness Center.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE MINUTES OF JUNE 20, 2017
2. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED JUNE 16 AND 23, 2017
3. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR CITY CLERK TO ATTEND BUSINESS
WRITING AND GRAMMAR SKILLS WORKSHOP IN ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA,
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SEPTEMBER 13-14; AND FOR MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT TO ATTEND
CALIFORNIA CITY CLERK'S ASSOCIATION "NUTS AND BOLTS" WORKSHOP IN
BREA, CALIFORNIA, OCTOBER 19 — 20, 2017
4. EXCUSE ABSENCES FOR COMMISSIONER MARK JOHNSON FROM THE AUGUST
9, 2017 FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING, AND COMMISSIONERS
ROBERT WRIGHT AND LORETTA CURRIE FROM THE JUNE 27, 2017 PLANNING
COMMISSION MEETING
5. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO CREATE PART-TIME PLANS EXAMINER POSITION
AND AMEND THE MANAGEMENT ANALYST, CODE ADMINISTRATION
TECHNICIAN, AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT CLASSIFICATIONS
6. APPROPRIATE FUNDING AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO GRANITE
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY TO CONSTRUCT MILES AVENUE (SEELEY DRIVE TO
DUNE PALMS ROAD) MEDIAN LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS (PROJECT NO.
2015-020
7. ADOPT RESOLUTIONS APPROVING MEMBERSHIP IN THE JOINT POWERS
AGREEMENT WITH GOLDEN STATE FINANCE AUTHORITY, AND
PARTICIPATION IN ITS COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT AND PACE
PROGRAM TO FACILITATE FINANCING OF ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY
IMPROVEMENTS FOR LA QUINTA RESIDENTS
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Radi to
approve the Consent Calendar as recommended, with Item No. 5 adopting Resolution
No. 2017-034, and Item No. 7 adopting Resolution Nos. 2017-035 and 2017-036.
Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROVE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP WITH THE COACHELLA VALLEY ECONOMIC
PARTNERSHIP AND APPOINT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE AND ALTERNATE
MAYOR EVANS RECUSED HERSELF AND LEFT THE DAIS DURING THE DISCUSSION
AND VOTE ON THIS ITEM DUE TO A POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST STEMMING
FROM A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
MAYOR PRO TEM RADI ASSUMED THE DUTIES OF PRESIDING OFFICER FOR THIS
ITEM
Council waived presentation of the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Councilmember Pena expressed his disappointment that Mr. Joe Wallace from the
Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP) was not in attendance and that the
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2016 letter to the City was not signed and dated. He hoped this is not an indication of
where we are headed.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Pena to
approve the annual membership with CVEP as recommended; and appoint Mayor Pro
Tem Radi and Councilmember Sanchez as representative and alternate, respectively.
Motion passed: ayes 4, absent 1 (Evans).
MAYOR EVANS RETURNED TO THE DAIS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MEETING
AND RESUMED THE DUTIES OF PRESIDING OFFICER
STUDY SESSION
2. DISCUSS MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017/18
Marketing and Communications Supervisor Graham, along with JNS Next
representatives - Owner/CEO Garry Sage, Digital Specialist Charlie Littlejohns, and
Senior Managing Director Risseth Lora, presented the staff report, which is on file in
the Clerk's Office.
Councilmembers discussed removing the "Gem of the Desert" slogan under the La
Quinta logo and replacing it with the word "California;" the importance of establishing
a strategy to differentiate the City from the hotel chain and to make people aware
that the City of La Quinta is located in California; the value of expanding the contents
available on the City's YouTube site to increase its viewership and attract tourism and
remind the local community of all that La Quinta has to offer; the website bounce rate
challenges; the research data provided by JNS Next; the importance to boost up the
City's economic development web page and collaborate with CVEP and East Valley
Coalition to enhance the City's brand name recognition; exploring the use of
innovative augmented reality tools which overlap digital and printing advertising;
providing Council with periodic updates on the development of the City's marketing
strategy based on pre -established benchmarks; incorporating a "second home"
marketing approach by featuring the City's beautiful real estate, natural vistas, high
quality education, and thriving affluent retirement community who are a strong
financial foundation for the City; Art on Main Street marketing; quail mail, e -blast, e -
newsletter, and event calendar; the proposed JNS' amplified story telling strategy as
part of the City's marketing plan, which would utilize a local writer to relate La
Quinta's authentic story, and the narrative would be posted on a web page on the
playinlaquinta website and could also include additional audio and video components;
and the difference between primary and secondary marketing research data.
Council concurred with the proposed marketing strategies.
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1. DISCUSS PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERA SYSTEMS
Community Resources Director Escobedo, Police Chief City of La Quinta Captain Grace,
and Traffic Signal Maintenance Supervisor Gunterson presented the staff report, which
is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Councilmembers discussed the numbers of cameras currently at intersections to
detect vehicles; the objectiveness of the City Wide Camera System Survey; the delicate
balance between monitoring and crime prevention, and privacy and government
interference; communities utilizing this system other than Moreno Valley and Hitachi;
methods to prioritize locations; the importance to use a phase-out implementation
strategy to achieve cost effectiveness; available grant funding options; expanding
timeline of obtaining public input to include October in order to capture more of the
part-time residents; next step to convene community meetings in the Fall to gain
further input and advertise these events in the Gem; adding bandwidth to the project's
planning process as it is a key driver for economic development; and the City's duty to
implement systems that are adjunct to provide a safe community, assist with liability
issues, and expedite investigations.
Council commended the Safety Camera Ad-hoc Committee for their efforts.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - After 5:00 P.M.
1. INTRODUCE FOR FIRST READING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION
9.60.030 OF TITLE 9 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROVIDE
GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO FENCE AND WALL STANDARDS
Associate Planner Carlos Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office.
MAYOR EVANS DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 5:55 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: None
MAYOR EVANS DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 5:57 P.M.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Sanchez to
take up Ordinance No. 560 by title and number only and waive further reading.
Motion passed unanimously.
City Clerk Maysels read the following title of Ordinance No. 560 into the record:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 9.60.030 OF TITLE 9 OF THE LA
QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO STANDARDS AND CRITERIA
FOR MATERIALS AND HEIGHTS FOR FENCES AND WALLS
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MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Sanchez to
introduce at first reading Ordinance No. 560 as recommended. Motion passed
unanimously.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Sanchez to
make a finding, included in Ordinance No. 560, that adopting this ordinance is exempt
under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3)
Review of Exemptions - General Rule. Motion passed unanimously.
2. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING FISCAL YEAR 2017/18 THROUGH 2021/22
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Principal Engineer Wimmer presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office.
MAYOR EVANS DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:OOP.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: None
MAYOR EVANS DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:OOP.M.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Sanchez
to adopt Resolution No. 2017-037 as recommended:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA
APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2017/2018 THROUGH 2020/2022 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Motion passed unanimously.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
All reports are on file in the City Clerk's Office.
City Clerk Maysels reminded Council about the upcoming Special Joint Meeting of The
La Quinta City Council and City Boards and City Commissions at the Library on July 18,
2017. She explained that special meetings do not get counted against the attendance
of the Board and Commission Members if they are unable to attend.
MAYOR'S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Radi commented on the danger of hiking during the extremely hot
summer months in the desert and what the City could do to alert people; Council
discussed the communication methods currently used to warn residents and hikers.
Mayor Pro Tem Radi said that there are no charging stations for electric cars in La
Quinta and he would like the City to explore the ability to provide this service. Council
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directed staff to collaborate with Coachella Valley Association of Governments and
Sunline to identify key locations and potential partnerships.
Councilmember Sanchez addressed the City's ban on fireworks and requested that
Council reconsider this item. Fire Chief La Clair talked about fireworks safety. Council
did not reach a consensus to bring this item for further consideration.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
La Quinta's representative for 2017, Mayor Evans reported on her participation in the
following organizations meeting:
• CVAG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
La Quinta's representative for 2017, Councilmember Pena reported on his
participation in the following organization meeting:
• SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY (alternate)
• AD HOC COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE CITY CANNABIS OPTIONS
• CVAG VALLEYWIDE HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Radi/Sanchez to adjourn at 6:31 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
PAM NIETO, Deputy City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
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