2014 05 06 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014
A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by
Mayor Adolph.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Evans, Franklin, Henderson, Osborne, Mayor Adolph
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA — None
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH THE CITY'S REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, FRANK J.
SPEVACEK, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8
CONCERNING THE POTENTIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ACQUISITION
AND/OR DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT SILVERROCK
RESORT (APN'S 770-200-026; 776-150-021; 776-150-023; 770-060-056;
770-060-057; 770-060-058; 770-060-059; 770-060-061; 770-060-062;
777-490-004; 777-490-006; 777-490-007; . 777-490-012 AND 777-490-
014). PROPERTY OWNER/NEGOTIATORS: JOHN GAMLIN, MERIWETHER
COMPANIES; ROBERT S. GREEN, JR., THE. ROBERT GREEN COMPANY
COUNCIL RECESSED TO . CLOSED SESSION A T 3: 01 P.M.
MAYOR ADOLPH RECONVENED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 4:14
P.M. WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT. NO ACTIONS WERE TAKEN IN
CLOSED SESSION THAT REQUIRES REPORTING PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.1 (BROWN ACT).
Mayor Adolph led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA — None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
City Manager Spevacek requested that Consent Calendar Item No. 6 be pulled from
the agenda due to the receipt of new information from Coachella Valley Association
of Governments. Council concurred.
Mayor Adolph requested that Consent Calendar Item No. 5 be pulled for discussion.
Council concurred.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MAY 6, 2014
City Manager Spevacek introduced Rita Conrad, the newly -appointed Finance
Director.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
19 PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY AS MENTAL
HEALTH MONTH IN THE CITY OF LA QUINTA
Mayor Adolph presented the proclamation to Ms. Sandy Neja, member of the
Riverside County Desert Board of Mental Health.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE MINUTES OF APRIL 15, 2014
2. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTER DATED MAY 6, 2014
3. APPROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
TRAFFEX ENGINEERS, INC. FOR CONTRACT CITY TRAFFIC
ENGINEER SERVICES
4. EXCUSE BOARD MEMBER DAVID PARK'S ABSENCE FROM THE
APRIL 9, 2014 INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
5. pulled for discussion by Mayor Adolph > > > DENIAL OF CLAIM
FOR DAMAGES FILED BY: DAVID AND PATRICIA LAWSER; DATE
OF LOSS — AUGUST 25, 2013
6. pulled from the agenda by the City Manager for placement on a
future agenda > > > APPROVE SUB -REIMBURSEMENT
AGREEMENT WITH COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERNMENTS, ALL COACHELLA VALLEY CITIES AND
RIVERSIDE COUNTY FOR THE INTERCHANGE PROJECT AT
JEFFERSON STREET/INTERSTATE-10
7. ADOPT RESOLUTIONS ACCEPTING DEDICATION OF TWO LOTS
AT RANCHO OCOTILLO NEAR FRED WARING DRIVE AS FLOOD
REGULATION BASINS [RESOLUTION 2014-014 AND RESOLUTION 2014-0151
8. ADOPT RESOLUTION APPROVING PRELIMINARY ENGINEER'S
REPORT FOR LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT 89-1, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015, AND A
RESOLUTION DECLARING INTENT TO LEVY ANNUAL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2
MAY 6, 2014
ASSESSMENTS FOR LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT 89-1, AND GIVING NOTICE THEREOF [RESOLUTION 2014-
016 AND RESOLUTION 2014-0171
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Evans/Franklin
to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-4 and 7-8 as recommended with Item
Nos..7 and 8 adopting Resolutions 2014-014 through 017. Motion passed
unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 5
Mayor Adolph explained that he cannot support the recommendation to deny the
Lawser claim. City Attorney Jenson recommended that Council pull Item No. 5
without taking action and schedule it as a future Closed Session item. Council
concurred.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Dave Lawser, La Quinta — Mr. Lawser is the owner of the home
at 79815 Horseshoe Road where flooding has been a reoccurring problem over the
years. He requests that the City work with Neil Finch, representative of the Indian
Springs Country Club golf course, to resolve the flooding situation and his claim.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROVAL OF AN ART PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH MARIE BARBERA
FOR THE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A SCULPTURE AT THE
EISENHOWER DRIVE AND CALLE SINALOA ROUNDABOUT
Community Services Director Hylton presented the staff report, which is on file in
the City Clerk's Office.
Councilmember Henderson explained that, the artwork is charming but she could
not support this agreement because when traffic in a roundabout is heavy, art is a
dangerous distraction. She said she could support living art such as a flower
garden if an argument can be made for using Art in Public Places funds for ongoing
garden maintenance. Ms. Henderson added that the roundabout signs need
improvement.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Edward Armendarez, La Quinta - Mr. Armendarez said he
admires this piece of art and hopes the Council. approves the purchase and
placement, and it may help slow motorists down as they go through the
roundabout.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
MAY 6, 2014
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Linda Williams, La Quinta — Ms. Williams said she represents
the Historical Society, which supports the sculpture and its placement in the
roundabout.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Evans/Franklin
to approve the -art purchase agreement with Marie Barbera for the design and
installation of a sculpture within the Eisenhower Drive and Calle Sinaloa
roundabout. Motion passed: ayes 4, noes 1 (Henderson).
STUDY SESSION
1. 2013 ANNUAL POLICE REPORT
Chief of Police Shouse presented the staff report, which is on file in the City
Clerk's Office.
Councilmembers commented on bicyclists using full car lanes on Saturdays in the
Cove by riding six abreast; Coffee -with -a -Cop program; decline in incident
numbers; programs administered by School Resource Officers; the beat system;
Police participation in City events; calls for service and response time statistics;
and 2014 goals.
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Chris Escobedo, Assistant to the City Manager, presented the staff report, which
is on file in the City Clerk's Office.
Councilmembers discussed the need for a measurement tool to gauge the benefits
of strategies and programs; beneficiaries of sales tax revenue from online
purchases and the need for La Quinta to get involved in pending legislation; the
return on marketing dollars provided to the Convention & Visitors Bureau; funding
situation for the east Valley iHub; subcommittee review of city staff training
programs for performance-based system; level of marketing and budget; Chamber
of Commerce reporting; the GEM publication design, use and distribution; north La
Quinta needs and community organization; contributions to Coachella Valley
Economic Partnership and resulting benefits; reallocation of economic development
funds to attracting new business through commercial brokers; conversion of the
big box stores; connecting economic development expenditures with jobs;
economic development working to raise property values; and , economic value of
events in La Quinta and surrounding cities.
3. MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014/15
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 4
MAY 6, 2014
Recreation Supervisor Larson presented the staff report, which is on file in the City
Clerk's Office.
Councilmembers discussed when they can expect data on the rate -of -return on the
tourism website enhancements; staffing required to keep up with the short-term
rental revenue; hosting of registered vacation rental units on tourism site; keeping
La Quinta's message consistent by involving the ad agency in all marketing; the
cooperative marketing program; the need to improve the visibility and
sophistication of the tourist informational center — perhaps move it into city hall;
the GEM publication needs a redesign; cooperative marketing by restaurants;
Community Services e-mail list of 6,000; north La Quinta outdoor movie
attendance; cross -marketing with SilverRock resident cardholders; importance of
focusing on entities that are driving either sales tax or Transient Occupancy Tax in
either cooperatives or rethink the current use of some of the marketing dollars;
better return on the dollar from digital marketing and better ability to track results;
consideration of increasing the marketing budget, which was cut by 50 percent;
name recognition for La Quinta; not accepting the name of "Palm Springs" for
Valley -wide events such as Palm Springs Restaurant Week.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECESSED A T 6:33 P.M.
MAYOR ADOLPH RECONVENED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 7:04 PM
WITH ALL COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT
4. DISCUSS OPTIONS FOR.. LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE OF NORTH LA
QUINTA PARKWAYS MAINTAINED . BY LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPE
DISTRICT 89-1
Public Works Director Jonasson presented the staff report, which is on file in the
City Clerk's Office.
After discussion, Council reached a consensus to accept the offers of dedication of
the landscaped parkway lots depicted on the map attached to the staff report; seek
Coachella Valley Water District rebates for water conservation designs; review each
section individually to decide if some plants can remain; consider completing project
over a five-year period; seek homeowners' input in design; the "Scottsdale" level is
too barren; review the Municipal Code for compliance, and revision if needed; issue a
request -for -proposals to develop a design with resident input and use of existing
plants/trees where possible; remove turf and increase hardscape to reduce water
usage and annual maintenance; plant volume should be somewhere between the
"oasis" palette and the "La Quinta lush" palette; maximum budget after rebates may
be around $2 million over a multi-year period.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jeff Smith, La Quinta — Mr. Smith said he was speaking for
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5
MAY 6, 2014
himself and on behalf of the Cove Neighborhood. He believes it's fundamentally
unfair as it is now. Cove residents pay into the assessment district for the whole
city, not , for entry to private developments. When money was available, everyone
let it slide, but it's no longer sustainable. Of course, the residents in the 11
subdivisions don't want to pay for the benefits currently provided at no additional
cost. Mr. Smith said the folks in the north La Quinta subdivisions need to pay for
their share, maybe over time.
5. DISCUSS REVENUE ENHANCEMENT OPTIONS TO OFFSET COST OF CITY
SERVICES
Chris Escobedo, Assistant to the City Manager, presented the staff report, which is
on file in the City Clerk's office.
Council examined avenues to increase revenues including fees, assessments, a
general tax, and special taxes; adding an inflation or cost -of -living adjustment to an
approved tax; timeline if aiming to get on the November 2014 ballot; debatable
need to spend money on a survey; need to address the deficit in the citywide
assessment district caused by the freeze in revenue for many years — possibly with
a second assessment so that the first is not jeopardized or a general tax; best to
keep it simple with a sales tax increase.
Council reached a consensus to aim for a sales tax increase on the November 2014
election. City Manager Spevacek stated that staff will return to Council after
conducting an economic analysis; evaluating the community threshold regarding
the tax increase amount; considering the 1 duration the tax increase would be
needed; and other factors Council will need to consider.. Mr. Spevacek suggested
that Council begin to develop plans on ways to build community consensus through
discussions about a sales tax increase.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
La Quinta's representative for 2014, Councilmember Evans reported on her
participation in the following organizations meeting:
• GREATER PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU - awards
La Quinta's representative for 2014, Councilmember Henderson reported on her
participation in the following organizations meeting:
• LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES BOARD MEMBER
• RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
• SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
La Quinta's representative for 2014, Councilmember Osborne reported on his
participation in the following organizations meeting:
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6
MAY 6, 2014
• IID ENERGY CONSUMERS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE
La Quinta's representative for 2014, Mayor Adolph reported on his participation in
the following organizations meeting:
• COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOC. OF GOWTS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
• SO. CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS DELEGATE
• SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY
• CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INFO EXCHANGE COMMITTEE
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. REQUEST FROM THE OFFICE OF MILITARY AND DEFENSE SERVICES FOR
THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
City Manager Spevacek presented the staff report, which is on file in the City
Clerk's Office.
By consensus of Council, the City supports the six positions taken by the Riverside
County Office of Military & Defense Services.
2. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTED ON NEW FPPC REGULATIONS
MAYOR'S AND COUNCIL MEMBER'S ITEMS
Councilmember Osborne complimented the Community Services Department staff
on a great job during the City's birthday celebration, including the unanticipated
move due to the windstorm.
PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Franklin/Evans to adjourn at 8:24 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
SUSAN MAYSELS, C y Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 7
MAY 6, 2014