2018 04 03 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 3:00 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
• Councilmember Pena said he will recuse himself from discussion on Study Session
Item No. 2 regarding Senate Bill 1, Project No. 2015-03 La Quinta Village Complete
Streets Improvements, due to a conflict of interest stemming from the project's
proximity to his business property.
• Councilmember Sanchez said he will recuse himself during the discussion and vote
on Consent Calendar Item No. 4 due to a potential conflict of interest stemming
from a business relationship and potential source of income.
• Councilmember Fitzpatrick asked that Consent Calendar Item No. 4 be moved to
Business Session for discussion and separate vote.
Council concurred.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT
CODE SECTION 54956.8 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON HIGHWAY 111 EAST OF
DUNE PALMS (APN 600-020-053)
CITY NEGOTIATOR: CHRIS ESCOBEDO, ACTING CITY MANAGER
NEGOTIATING PARTY: SUNRIDGE HOTEL GROUP
UNDER NEGOTIATION: PRICE AND TERMS OF PAYMENT AND/OR
DISPOSITION OF THE PROPERTY IDENTIFIED
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 9 APRIL 3, 2018
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION:
SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OR (3)
OF SUBDIVISION (d) OF GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9 (NUMBER OF
POTENTIAL CASES: 1)
3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8 FOR THE PROPERTIES LISTED BELOW:
CITY NEGOTIATOR: CHRIS ESCOBEDO, ACTING CITY MANAGER
NEGOTIATING PARTIES: OWNERS AS LISTED BELOW
UNDER NEGOTIATION: PRICE AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
• 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
COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING AND MOVED
INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:05 P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING AT 4:00 P.M. WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT.
REPORT ON ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Ihrke reported no actions were taken in Closed Session that require
reporting pursuant to Government Code section 54957.1 (Brown Act). At the City
Council's request, he reported on the status of Closed Session Item No. 2 which
concerns alleged violations of the La Quinta Municipal Code brought forward by
citizens, relating to horses that were stabled at a property located at 54721 Monroe
Street. A Notice of Public Nuisance was issued on March 5, 2018, stating that there
were alleged violations of the La Quinta Equestrian Overlay Zone set forth in
Section 9.140.060 of the La Quinta Municipal Code. On March 19, 2018, there was a
citation issued for observed violations requiring landscaping maintenance and
removal of excess manure which appeared to be caused by the horses that were on
the property. City Code Enforcement Officers repeatedly inspected the property,
including yesterday and today. Code Enforcement Officers report that, as of today,
there are no remaining horses on the property, that the property owner is taking
efforts to make sure excess manure or other landscaping issues are attended to, and
that the property will be watered down to address these landscaping issues. The
administrative process that was in place starting with the March 5, 2018 Notice of
Public Nuisance required complete code compliance by April4, 2018. Code
Enforcement Officers will be reporting to other City Staff to see what, if any, remaining
items may need to be completed for the property owner's code compliance under the
City's administrative procedures. The City Council has authorized other legal remedies
as well.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Pena led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Randall Rounds, La Quinta - Mr. Rounds requested that the City
rename Simon Drive to Deputy Bruce Lee Drive to permanently honor Officer Lee who
was killed May 13, 2003 in the line of duty in La Quinta.
Mayor Evans asked Councilmember Pena to discuss the idea with Officer Lee's widow
Patsy and if she is in support, City staff will research the matter and bring
recommendations back to Council.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Patrick Swarthout, La Quinta - Mr. Swarthout, the Community
Development Officer for the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce provided
information on the Taste of La Quinta event April 7th from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Civic
Center Park featuring 17 restaurants and La Quinta Brewery.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Paulette Cudio, PGA West, La Quinta - Ms. Cudio provided an update
regarding noise from golf course maintenance at PGA West, and asked the Council to
consider a temporary ban on debris blowers before 8:00 a.m. and setting an upper
decibel limit.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mark Johnson, La Quinta - Mr. Johnson provided copies of his March
23, 2018 and March 27, 2018 letters to the Coachella Valley Water District Board (on
file in the City Clerk's Office) and summarized the contents which details his concerns
regarding unfair and unequitable water charges and taxes.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. PROCLAMATION FOR DMV / DONATE LIFE CALIFORNIA
Donald Hagan accepted the Proclamation on behalf of DMV/Donate for Life in which
the City designates April as Donate Life Month.
2. CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
VOLUNTEER
Mayor Evans presented the Certificate
Coordinator Johnston spoke about Ms.
organizations in La Quinta. Ms. Deal
supporting volunteers and their efforts.
TO PAULA DEAL, C.E.R.T. AND POLICE
to Ms. Deal, and Emergency Operations
Deal's history as a volunteer for multiple
thanked the City for acknowledging and
3. PROCLAMATION TO RETIRING CITY CLERK SUSAN MAYSELS
Mayor Evans and Councilmembers presented a proclamation to City Clerk Maysels in
appreciation of her years of service to La Quinta.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 9 APRIL 3, 2018
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE MINUTES OF MARCH 20, 2018
2. EXCUSE ABSENCES FOR COMMISSIONER D. QUILL FROM THE APRIL 9, 2018
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING, AND COMMISSIONER P.
QUILL FROM THE APRIL 10, 2018 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
3. ACCEPT ART DONATION FROM MELODY COHN
4. pulled by Councilmember Fitzpatrick and moved to Business Session Item No. 5
>>> WITHDRAW THE AUTHORITY FOR CITY STAFF TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
PUBLIC AUCTION FOR THE FORMER SAM'S CLUB BUILDING AND RE -ALLOCATE
FUNDS TO GENERAL FUND UNASSIGNED RESERVES
5. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED MARCH 16 AND 23, 2018
6. APPROVE REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE COACHELLA VALLEY
ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE
WASHINGTON STREET INTERSECTION WITH FRED WARING DRIVE (PROJECT
NO. 2017-01)
7. ACCEPT ON -SITE IMPROVEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MADISON CLUB
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT (TRACT MAP NO. 33076-2) LOCATED SOUTH OF
AVENUE 52, EAST OF MADISON STREET, AND WEST OF MONROE STREET
8. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT WITH LA QUINTA CITY EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION
IMPLEMENTING THE CITY'S EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE ONLY PAY PLAN
9. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO RECLASSIFY VARIOUS POSITIONS
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Radi to
approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-3 and 5-9 as recommended with Item Nos. 8
and 9 adopting Resolution Nos. 2018-011 and 2018-012. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE FACILITY USE AGREEMENT WITH THE LA
QUINTA ARTS FOUNDATION EXTENDING THE TERM TO 2019 FOR THE ANNUAL
ARTS FESTIVAL
Community Resources Manager Calderon presented the staff report, which is on file in
the Clerk's Office.
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MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Radi to
approve Amendment No. 3 to the Facility Use Agreement with the La Quinta Arts
Foundation; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. Motion
passed unanimously.
2. APPROVE MULTI -AGENCY PARTICIPATING AGREEMENT FOR COACHELLA
VALLEY REGIONAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION PROGRAM BETWEEN
COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS AND PARTICIPATING
CITIES OF LA QUINTA, CATHEDRAL CITY, DESERT HOT SPRINGS, COACHELLA,
RANCHO MIRAGE, INDIAN WELLS, INDIO, PALM DESERT, PALM SPRINGS, AND
THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
City Engineer McKinney presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Sanchez to
approve the Multi Agency Participating Agreement for Coachella Valley Regional
Traffic Signal Synchronization Program as recommended; and authorize the City
Manager to execute the agreement. Motion passed unanimously.
3. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A DEBT MANAGEMENT POLICY
Finance Director Campos presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Radi/Pena to adopt
Resolution No. 2018-013 approving a Debt Management Policy, as recommended.
Motion passed unanimously.
4. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REVISIONS TO THE CITY'S PURCHASING
AND CONTRACTING POLICY
Senior Accountant Martinez presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office.
Council discussed its support for including the existing conflict of interest policy into
this policy; adding cannabis to list of inappropriate credit card purchases; periodic,
unannounced audits of petty cash; support for policy of limiting City credit cards to
two controlled by the City Manager and the Finance Director; difference in gift limits
between City policy and Fair Political Practices Commission's rules; federal guidelines
for federally -funded projects; and, continuation process to include disadvantaged
businesses in projects receiving federal funds.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Pena to
adopt Resolution No. 2018-014 approving revisions to the City's Purchasing and
Contracting Policy, as recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 5 of 9 APRIL 3, 2018
5. pulled by Councilmember Fitzpatrick from Consent Calendar Item No. 4 and
moved Business Session Item No. 5 for discussion >>> WITHDRAW THE
AUTHORITY FOR CITY STAFF TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC AUCTION FOR
THE FORMER SAM'S CLUB BUILDING AND RE -ALLOCATE FUNDS TO GENERAL
FUN UNASSIGNED RESERVES
COUNCILMEMBER SANCHEZ ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAS A POTENTIAL CONFLICT
OF INTEREST DUE TO POSSIBLE SOURCE OF INCOME FROM THIS PROPERTY AND
LEFT THE DAIS DURING DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON THIS ITEM.
Council discussed means to keep funds available for future economic development
and land acquisition opportunities.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Pena to
withdraw the authority for staff to participate in the public auction sale of the former
Sam's Club Property and to maintain funds in the land acquisition account in the
General Fund for future opportunities.
Motion passed ayes 4, noes 0, absent 1 (Sanchez).
COUNCILMEMBER SANCHEZ RETURNED TO THE DAIS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE
MEETING.
STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSS PICKLEBALL COURTS PLACEMENT
Parks Superintendent Ambriz presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office.
Council discussed the converting tennis courts to pickleball courts now versus
reevaluating when the skate park and fitness court are completed; long-term
recreation planning citywide; regret at converting one tennis court instead of two
initially; support for plans to upgrade the adjacent seating area; reserving one
pickleball court for walk-ons only; balancing the demands of both tennis and pickleball
players; unlikelihood of private clubs opening up for non-members' use of their courts;
exploring joint use of courts with the High School and private facilities in the north end
of the City; need for use statistics; cost of building new versus conversion.
Consensus of the Council was to collect a year of use data for each type of court;
explore alternative sites for new tennis and pickleball courts; and, convert one
additional tennis court to four pickleball courts during the 2018 summer season.
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2. DISCUSS SENATE BILL 1 FUNDS FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE AND
REHABILITATION ACT
COUNCILMEMBER PENA RECUSED HIMSELF AND LEFT THE DAIS DURING THE
DISCUSSION OF THIS ITEM DUE TO A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST
RESULTING FROM THE PROXIMITY OF ONE OF THE FIVE PROJECTS, PROJECT NO.
2015-03 - LA QUINTA VILLAGE COMPLETE STREET IMPROVEMENTS, TO HIS
BUSINESS PROPERTY.
City Engineer McKinney presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Council discussed the funding source and its reliability; round -about on Eisenhower;
and scheduling construction of projects near schools during school holidays.
Consensus of the Council was to support the priority ranking and timing of the projects
as presented.
COUNCILMEMBER PENA RETURNED TO THE DAIS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE
MEETING.
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City Engineer McKinney and Associate Planner Carlos Flores presented the staff report,
which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Council discussed development services goals for 2018; the new technology staff was
required to learn during this time; support for the online services; and, improving the
32% grade.
4. DISCUSS RESERVE POLICY ANALYSIS REPORT AND FINDINGS
Finance Director Campos and Financial Services Analyst Hallick presented the staff
report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Council discussed setting a minimum funding amount per category rather than a set
amount or percentage in order to allow for flexibility; need for clarity on the number of
Council votes necessary to override or change the policy; importance of a reserve
policy in communicating La Quinta's financial stability to the markets and investors;
redefining the natural disaster reserve so it's accessible when needed; IRS regulations
regarding irrevocable pension trusts; amount appropriate for the unassigned account
of the General Fund; capital replacement reserve funds and capital improvement
project program funds; police services reserve fund; economic disaster fund.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 7 of 9 APRIL 3, 2018
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mark Johnson, La Quinta resident and Financial Advisory
Commissioner - Mr. Johnson thanked City Clerk Maysels for the thorough risk analysis
done and incorporated into the Reserve Policy and to the Clerk and Clerk's staff for the
assistance and support provided over the years.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: George Batavick, La Quinta resident and Financial Advisory
Commissioner - Mr. Batavick thanked the Finance Director and staff for their work on
the policy and explained that the intent of the policy is to set goals, not absolutes.
Council would determine each year based on budgets if the goals could be met, not
met, or exceeded.
Consensus of the Council was to establish the new reserve categories as
recommended, to determine the cash flow reserve amount annually based on an
examination of revenue, and requested staff develop two scenarios for Council to
consider: (1) with $8 million of unassigned funds, and (2) with $4 million of unassigned
funds remaining and the remainder funding reserves.
PUBLIC HEARINGS -None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
All reports are on file in the City Clerk's Office.
City Attorney Ihrke reported that he received correspondence from PGA West in
response to Mr. and Mrs. Cudio's public comments at the February 20, 2018 Council
meeting, and he will provide the letter to the City Clerk for City records.
MAYOR'S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' ITEMS
Councilmember Fitzpatrick reported on the success of the Pillars of the Community
event and Easter Egg Hunt, and passed along to staff a compliment received on the
maintenance of the dog park in north La Quinta.
Councilmember Radi reported on the success of the Mission LQ rocket event.
Mayor Evans reported on attendance at the Neighborhood Watch Group meeting and
their interest in strengthening Propositions 47 and 89; participation in the BIA Mayors'
panel; opening of the skate park; attendance at the Trilogy Health Fair and Mr. Grgich's
95th birthday event; and, Coachella Fest logistics update.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 8 of 9 APRIL 3, 2018
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
La Quinta's representative for 2018, Mayor Evans reported on her participation in the
following organization's meeting:
• COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT POLICY COMMITTEE
La Quinta's representative for 2018, Councilmember Pena reported on his
participation in the following organization meeting:
• JACQUELINE COCHRAN REGIONAL AIRPORT
La Quinta's representative for 2018, Councilmember Radi reported on his participation
in the following organizations' meeting:
• COACHELLA VALLEY ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
• CVAG TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
• SUN LINE TRANSIT AGENCY
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Pena/Fitzpatrick to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
SUSAN MAYSELS, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
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