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2019 01 15 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 11 JANUARY 15, 2019 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 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, Peña, Radi, Sanchez, Mayor Evans ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA PUBLIC SPEAKER: Stephan Johnson, La Quinta – said he reported to the City a garage conversion into a living space in the La Quinta Cove that does not meet the City’s zoning and setback requirements in October 2018, which is currently under code compliance investigation, but has not yet been addressed; and expressed concerns about Staffs’ demeanor in handling his inquiries. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA City Manager Spevacek requested to make an additional announcement under Announcements, Presentations, and Written Communications section of the agenda. Councilmember Radi requested that Consent Calendar Item No. 9 be pulled for presentation of the staff report, comments, and a separate vote. City Clerk Radeva said Consent Calendar Item No. 1 – Council minutes dated December 18, 2018, will be amended on page 12 of the minutes and page 18 of the agenda packet to accurately reflect that Mayor Evans attended the Holiday Open House held by Senator Jeff Stone on December 12th not the 14th, at the District Office in Indio not the Southwest Office in Murrieta. Council concurred. CLOSED SESSION 1.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 2 of 11 JANUARY 15, 2019 PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OR (3) OF SUBDIVISION (d) OF GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9 (NUMBER OF POTENTIAL CASES: 1) 2. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (QUARTERLY REVIEW) PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957, COUNCIL APPOINTED POSITION – CITY MANAGER COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING AND MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:12 P.M. MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 4:04 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). PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Peña led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA The following PUBLIC SPEAKERS provided comments regarding Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) operations; inquired about the timeframe for issuing STVR permits; spoke about the importance of implementing and enforcing checks-and-balances to monitor and ensure compliance with the City’s code; asked for clarification on the City’s “three strikes” policy; suggested the City consider restricting STVRs only to owner-occupied properties; expressed concerns about lack of follow-up from the City on reported violations, excess occupancy and illegal conversions, STVR hotline, and particularly about the STVR and special event activities occurring at Morrow Ranch in PGA West and the disturbances they cause to the surrounding residential community, specifically with noise, lighting, traffic and parking congestions, and excess occupancy; and asked the City to partner with on-going homeowners’ associations, committees, and various residents’ efforts to resolve existing issues and ensure the integrity of the community:  Penni Sturgill, La Quinta  Barbara Montavon, La Quinta  Jim Cox, La Quinta  Larry Robinson, La Quinta  Deborah Brill, La Quinta CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 11 JANUARY 15, 2019 ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS 1. CITY STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS City Manager Spevacek said Account Technician Bernice Choo with the Finance Department and Administrative Assistant Lori Lorett with the Design and Development Department have joined Team La Quinta; and former Senior Planner Cheri Flores has been appointed in the capacity of Planning Manager. 2. LEADERSHIP INVESTMENT AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING (LINKS) - CITY OA LA QUINTA ACADEMY RECOGNITION Mayor Evans explained the City’s LINKS program, and jointly with Council presented to the following eight City employees with certificate of completion in the program: Employee Name and Title Department  Jessica Delgado, Management Assistant Finance  Carley Escarrega, Management Assistant Design & Development  Christina Gamez, Administrative Technician Community Resources  Armando Magallon, Permit Technician Design & Development  Alex Rodriguez, Parks Maintenance Worker Facilities  Jamie Torres, Management Assistant Community Resources  Jose Villalta, Traffic Signal Technician Design & Development  Wanda Wise-Latta, Executive Assistant Design & Development CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVE MINUTES DATED DECEMBER 18, 2018 2. ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 577 ON SECOND READING AMENDING SECTIONS OF TITLES 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, AND 13 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE TO STREAMLINE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND STANDARDS 3. EXCUSE ABSENCES FOR HOUSING COMMISSIONER DAVIDSON FROM THE DECEMBER 12, 2018 HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONER WYLER FROM THE JANUARY 14, 2019 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 4 of 11 JANUARY 15, 2019 4. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR CITY CLERK, MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO ATTEND LASERFICHE EMPOWER 2019 CONFERENCE IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, FEBRUARY 5-8, 2019 5. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR ONE COUNCILMEMBER TO ATTEND LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES GOVERNANCE, TRANSPARENCY AND LABOR POLICY COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, JANUARY 18 AND JUNE 14, 2019 6. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR MARKETING MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR TO ATTEND 2019 VISIT CALIFORNIA OUTLOOK FORUM IN RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, FEBRUARY 10-13, 2019 7. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR ONE COUNCILMEMBER AND ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER TO ATTEND CITY LAUNCH 2019 CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, MARCH 10-12, 2019 8. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR FOUR PLANNING COMMISSIONERS AND PLANNING MANAGER TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES PLANNING COMMISSIONERS ACADEMY IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, MARCH 6-8, 2019 9. pulled by Councilmember Radi for presentation of the staff report, comments, and a separate vote >>> ACCEPT LA QUINTA LANDSCAPE RENOVATION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT LOCATED AT THE ADAMS PARK RETENTION BASIN AND QUINTERRA DEVELOPMENT, ON THE NORTH SIDE OF MILES AVENUE, BETWEEN ADAMS STREET AND LOS MANOS DRIVE (PROJECT NO. 2016-03) 10. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED DECEMBER 14, 21, 2018 AND JANUARY 4, 2019 11. RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT DATED NOVEMBER 30, 2018 12. APPROVE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, ENGINEER’S ESTIMATE, AND ADVERTISE THE SILVERROCK VENUE SITE CONSTRUCTION FOR BID (PROJECT NO. 2016-08) CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 5 of 11 JANUARY 15, 2019 CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 1 – COUNCIL MINUTES DATED DECEMBER 18, 2018 – page 12 (or page 18 of the Agenda Packet), second paragraph from the bottom, shall be amended to read as follows: “Mayor Evans said she attended the Holiday Open House held by Senator Jeff Stone on December 12, at the Senator’s District Office in Indio and represented La Quinta.” CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 12 Mayor Evans said Council is approving the plans, specification, engineer’s estimate, and the advertisement for bids for this project, which is to build an event venue site at SilverRock Resort, similar to the Civic Center Campus, but larger in size. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Peña/Radi to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 – 8 and 10 – 12, as amended, with Item No. 2 adopting Ordinance No. 577. Motion passed unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 9 – pulled by Councilmember Radi for presentation of the staff report, comments, and a separate vote. City Engineer McKinney presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk’s Office. Council discussed the continuous desert-scape landscape improvements throughout the City that have been ongoing since 2014 and were initiated to achieve water conservation due to the drought; turf to desert-scape conversions consisting of rock and gravel on the south, north, and east sides of the outside perimeter of the Adams Park retention basin; maintaining the turf and constructing approximately a quarter-mile walking path on the west side of the retention basin making access to the retention basin safer and more accessible, as well as planting new turf at the bottom of the basin; allowing adequate growing period for new turf is standard for landscape improvement projects; and no other changes have been made to Adams Park. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Radi to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 9, as recommended. Motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 6 of 11 JANUARY 15, 2019 BUSINESS SESSION 1. RECEIVE AND FILE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2018 Finance Director Campos presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk’s Office, and introduced Manager Lauryn Stapleton with Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP (VTD), the City’s independent external auditor, who reported a summary of the audit findings and noted at the top of page 2 of the CAFR under the Opinions paragraph, the language is indicative of unmodified or a clean audit opinion by VTD. Council discussed the importance to maintain operational flexibility through the unassigned reserves fund which gives the City the ability to respond to unanticipated expenses and/or revenue reductions, and to allocate funds to pay-down existing unfunded liabilities; SilverRock enterprise fund loan repayment obligation to the General Fund stemming from the need for capital improvements and/or deficits resulting from operational expenses early on because the golf course was new, the need to repair various golf holes due to damage caused by heavy rains, repairing leaking lake liners, operational expenses due to the canal realignment initiated by the Coachella Valley Water District, and the golf course realignment of hole 18 to accommodate the Montage hotel development; establishing a strategy to repay the SilverRock enterprise fund loan obligation to the General Fund, which will be scheduled for Council consideration in the spring of 2019, based on an analysis of the potential value of the golf course when it becomes private and evaluating options to use the property tax revenue the City will receive to repay the loan; the Riverside County Assessor will determine the value of the golf course for property tax purposes; the process of depreciating the SilverRock Resort asset, as referenced in the CAFR, in accordance with the Purchase, Sale, and Development Agreement between the City and SilverRock Development Company; the City’s unemployment rate as reported in the CAFR. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Radi/Fitzpatrick to receive and file the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the year ending June 30, 2018, as recommended. Motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 7 of 11 JANUARY 15, 2019 2. APPROVE MEASURE G COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017/18 Financial Analyst Hallick presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk’s Office. Staff and Council commended the City’s Financial Advisory Commission for their time and efforts in exercising oversight over Measure G revenues. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Radi/Peña to approve the annual Measure G Compliance Report for the 2017/18 fiscal year as recommended. Motion passed unanimously. 3. APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES WITH RANGWALA ASSOCIATES TO PREPARE AN AREA PLAN FOR THE HIGHWAY 111 CORRIDOR Design and Development Director Castro presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk’s Office. Council discussed the scope of work Rangwala Associates would conduct, which would include an analysis of the existing 11 Specific Plans along the Highway 111 Corridor and how they would interact with the visioning and design of the Area Plan; schedule of performance; and total contract amount. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Kaizer Rangwala, AICP, Principal with Rangwala Associates, Woodland Hills – said Rangwala’s team is very excited about the opportunity to work with the City; understands the importance of the Highway 111 Corridor for La Quinta’s fiscal health; the team members’ experience and competencies are very well aligned with the scope of the project; a step in developing the Area Plan is to meet with the Planning Commission and Council to introduce Rangwala’s team, provide a forum for engagement, and seek input, which will be incorporated in the development of the Area Plan; a three- day charrette will be held in La Quinta, an intensive planning session where citizens and other interested community members share ideas, give feedback to the designers, and collaborate on the vision of the Highway 111 Corridor; and spoke about recent projects the firm has completed. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Radi to approve an Agreement for Contract Services with Rangwala Associates, not to exceed $204,995, to prepare an Area Plan for the Highway 111 Corridor; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. Motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 8 of 11 JANUARY 15, 2019 4. APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES WITH INTELESYSONE INC. TO REPLACE THE CITY’S UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS AND VOIP PHONE SYSTEM Assistant to the City Manager Villalpando introduced Management Analyst Rodriguez who presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk’s Office. Council discussed the new system will provide enhanced telephone units which can also be upgraded anytime during the five-year agreement, ability to send out emergency alerts, can integrate with Microsoft Office 365; a lease-to-own agreement includes annual maintenance for the equipment and system, and provides the City with the flexibility to evaluate the system and services should better technology becomes available during the term of the agreement; and implementation timeframe. Staff noted the agreement term will be from 2019 to 2024. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Radi to approve an Agreement for Contract Services with IntelesysOne, Inc., not to exceed $168,007, to replace the City’s Unified Communications and VoIP phone system, as amended for a five-year term spanning from 2019 to 2024; and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Evans asked the audience to join Council in a moment of silence in honor of the passing of Cathedral City Mayor Greg Pettis. 5. APPOINT ONE COUNCILMEMBER TO SERVE ON THE CALIFORNIA JOINT POWERS INSURANCE AUTHORITY FOR 2019 Council waive presentation of the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk’s Office. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Sanchez to appoint Councilmember Radi as the City representative to serve on the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority for calendar year 2019. Motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 9 of 11 JANUARY 15, 2019 STUDY SESSION 1. DISCUSS PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERA SYSTEMS UPDATE Community Resources Director Escobedo thanked Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Captain Reynolds and Assistant Police Chief Tapp, Battalion Chief, and Emergency Services Coordinator for their efforts and involvement with this program; and introduced Traffic Operations Analyst Gunterson, Public Safety Manager Mendez, and Public Safety Analyst Moreno who presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk’s Office. Council discussed the 90-day trial period is anticipated to be conducted from March to May 2019; the durability of the cameras to withstand the extreme desert heat; the three locations for this pilot program were selected because there is existing Ethernet connection to the network and the City would not incur connectivity costs at this time; the City’s fiber optics project, expected to be rolled-out in May, will allow additional areas to be included, such as parks and trailheads; Staff’s community outreach efforts are focused on the pilot program specifically, as well as providing general information and education on the entire project; conducting a survey following the pilot program would effectively gage and respond to the community’s feedback, concerns, and questions, and achieve greater community engagement; utilizing an outside agency to conduct a survey would cost between $22,000 and $30,000; Staff can achieve successful results by conducting the survey in-house; and this trial program is an opportunity to determine which system works best from technical standpoint in terms of clarity of footage, operational performance, and service responsiveness. Mayor Evans noted for the record that written comments in opposition to this program were received by an anonymous La Quinta resident, which were distributed to Council, incorporated into the record, and made available to the public. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Kay Wolf, La Quinta – said she has met with Staff and Council Members to discuss this program; expressed concerns about surveillance and civil rights, which deal with privacy, racial profiling, cultural bias, data sharing and protection, including protection with or from the public and immigration agencies; and provided comments on the proposed safety cameras policy. Council discussed the parameters and authority for data retention, deletion, and access; data disclosure in accordance with the California Public Records Act and related exemptions; data will be retained for year in accordance with the California Government Code; the Safety Camera Ad-hoc Committee CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 10 of 11 JANUARY 15, 2019 members have conducted community outreach for this pilot program; residents are encouraged and able to provide comments on the draft policy anytime during and after the pilot program; this program will not replace the City’s police force, but rather augment it, and improve the delivery of public safety; and the best time to conduct a survey to effectively engage and accurately gage the community’s response. Council reached a consensus and directed Staff to proceed with the 90-day pilot public safety cameras program; develop an outline of what extensive community outreach entails; and conduct a third-party survey following the program to gauge the community’s response. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None MAYOR EVANS SAID SHE HAS TO LEAVE TO REPRESENT THE CITY AT ANOTHER EVENT, ASKED MAYOR PRO TEM SANCHEZ TO ACT AS PRESIDING OFFICER FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MEETING, AND LEFT THE DAIS AT 6:25 P.M. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS All reports are on file in the City Clerk’s Office. 4-A. COMMUNITY RESOURCES – BODY WORN CAMERAS Council asked what the next steps would be following the 90-day trial use of body worn camera; Staff said additional equipment will be acquired if needed and the process will follow the established policies and procedures as presented back on September 18, 2018. MAYOR’S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ITEMS Councilmember Fitzpatrick requested that Staff provide an update on the progress of La Quinta’ Creation Station Makerspace and how it has been received by the community. Councilmember Fitzpatrick commended Staff for organizing the Community Workshop held on Saturday, January 12, 2019, at the Wellness Center; and based on the community comments received regarding the Fritz Burns park with regards to water features and additional pickleball courts, the park should be evaluated holistically, in conjunction with the contemplated improvement for the City’s maintenance yard facility, to determine what would be the best use of the space and adequate parking is available. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 11 of 11 JANUARY 15, 2019 Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez said last weekend Mayor Evans and he attended SafeHouse of the Desert event, which was very well attended; the organization provides emergency shelter, intervention, and outreach services to youth in crisis; as well as Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia’s Open House. Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez said he participated in a police ride-along on New Year’s Eve. REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS La Quinta’s representative for 2019, Councilmember Fitzpatrick reported on her participation in the following organizations’ meetings:  COACHELLA VALLEY MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY  RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (RCTC) La Quinta’s representative for 2019, Councilmember Peña reported on his participation in the following organization’s meeting:  CVAG PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE La Quinta’s representative for 2019, Councilmember Sanchez reported on his participation in the following organization’s meeting:  RIVERSIDE LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION  LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES – RIVERSIDE COUNTY DIVISION GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING (January 4, 2019 hosted by the City of Eastvale) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Radi to adjourn at 6:34 p.m. Motion passed: ayes (4), noes (0), absent (1 – Evans). Respectfully submitted, MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California