2019 05 07 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 9 MAY 7, 2019
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 7, 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 – None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
City Manager Spevacek requested to add “Introduce Promoted City Staff”
under the Announcements, Presentations, and Written Communications
section of the agenda.
Councilmembers Peña and Radi said they would like to ask questions and
comment on Consent Calendar Item Nos. 4 and 8.
Council concurred.
CLOSED SESSION
1. 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)
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6; CITY DESIGNATED
REPRESENTATIVE: CHRIS ESCOBEDO, DIRECTOR OF
COMMUNITY RESOURCES; AND EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION: LA
QUINTA CITY EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING
AND MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:02 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 2 of 9 MAY 7, 2019
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:
Mayor Evans reported Council will continue consideration of Closed Session
items after the open portion section of the meeting.
CITY ATTORNEY IHRKE PROVIDED ADDITIONAL REPORT ON CLOSED
SESSION PRIOR TO THE DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SECTION OF THE
MEETING
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Sanchez led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Quinn Brady, La Quinta – spoke about the “Swing Against
Cancer” golf tournament organized by USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer
Center to be held on Friday, November 15, 2019, at the Rancho La Quinta
Country Club located at 79301 Cascadas Circle in La Quinta, to raise proceeds
to help fund cancer research and new cancer therapies at USC Norris.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jaime Velasquez, La Quinta – expressed concerns about
Seasons Park landscaping due to lack of proper maintenance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY 2019 AS MENTAL HEALTH
MONTH
Mayor Evans, on behalf of the Council, presented the Proclamation to Sandy
Naya who accepted it on behalf of Riverside County Desert Behavioral Health
Advisory Board in which the City designates the month of May as Mental
Health Month. Ms. Naya said the John J. Benoit Behavioral Health Arts Festival
will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p. m. at the
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, located at 47470 Van Buren Street in Indio.
2. INTRODUCE RIVERSIDE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT BATTALION
CHIEF WILLIAM (BILL) LAWE
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 9 MAY 7, 2019
Riverside County Fire Department Division Chief Robert Fish introduced Fire
Department Battalion Chief William (Bill) Lawe who provided a brief overview
of his experience and qualifications.
3. CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EAGLE SCOUT MANUEL
BELANDRES – TROOP 1701
Mayor Evans and Council presented a Certificate of Achievement to Eagle
Scout Manuel Belandres of Troop 1701 in recognition of his unwavering
commitment to attend the La Quinta 9/11 Memorial Vigil since it was
established and commended him for becoming an Eagle Scout.
4. LA QUINTA TRANSIT VISION – PRESENTATION BY SUNLINE
TRANSIT AGENCY CEO LAUREN SKIVER
Sunline Transit Agency CEO Lauren Skiver spoke about Sunline’s proposed
transit network redesign for La Quinta, which is intended to provide faster and
more efficient “one-seat” rides by minimizing transfers and route overlaps;
launching Sunline’s rideshare program; and proposed La Quinta loop routes
which would enhance mobility along Eisenhower Drive and Jefferson Street
corridors, and associated service costs.
5. added >>> INTRODUCE PROMOTED CITY STAFF
City Manager Spevacek introduced the following new and promoted Staff:
Jacob Fuson, promoted to Plans Examiner with the Design and
Development Department; and
Angela Ferreira, promoted to Management Analyst with the City
Manager’s Office.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES DATED APRIL 24, 2019
2. APPROVE MINUTES DATED APRIL 16, 2019
3. APPROVE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES OF THE CITY
COUNCIL, CITY BOARDS, AND CITY COMMISSIONS DATED
MARCH 27, 2019
4. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT AMENDING THE
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE COUNTIES
OF IMPERIAL AND RIVERSIDE TO INCLUDE OCEAN WATER
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IMPORTATION AS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION FOR THE
RESTORATION OF THE SALTON SEA [RESOLUTION NO. 2019-012]
5. ADOPT RESOLUTION GRANTING CONDITIONAL APPROVAL OF
FINAL PARCEL MAP AND SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENT
AGREEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH PARCEL MAP NO. 37683,
RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT, LOCATED SOUTH OF HIGHWAY
111 AND NORTH OF VISTA CORALINA LANE
[RESOLUTION NO. 2019-013]
6. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED APRIL 12 AND 19, 2019
7. EXCUSE ABSENCE FOR PLANNING COMMISSIONER CALDWELL
FROM THE MAY 28, 2019 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
8. APPROVE CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
ENGINEERING RESOURCES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO
PREPARE THE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND ENGINEER’S
ESTIMATE FOR THE WASHINGTON STREET INTERSECTION WITH
FRED WARING DRIVE (PROJECT NO. 2017-01)
9. APPROPRIATE $167,000 AND AWARD CONTRACT TO
JACOBSSON ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION, INC IN THE
AMOUNT OF $1,101,753 FOR THE DUNE PALMS ROAD WIDENING
IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED ON DUNE PALMS ROAD BETWEEN
WESTWARD HO DRIVE / BLACKHAWK WAY AND 330 FEET
NORTH OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY STORM WATER CHANNEL
(PROJECT NO. 2009-04)
10. APPROVE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR SENIOR EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BASIC ACADEMY IN PASADENA,
CALIFORNIA, JULY 22-24, JULY 25-26, AND SEPTEMBER 11-12,
2019
11. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL TO
MODIFY THE PLANS TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL DRAINAGE FOR
THE EISENHOWER DRIVE RETENTION BASIN IMPROVEMENTS
(PROJECT NO. 2015-12B)
12. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH MERCHANTS BUILDING MAINTENANCE, LLC FOR
CITYWIDE JANITORIAL SERVICES
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 5 of 9 MAY 7, 2019
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 4
The following PUBLIC SPEAKERs spoke in support of amending the
Memorandum of Understanding between the Counties of Imperial and
Riverside to include ocean water importation as a long-term solution for the
restoration of the Salton Sea; and asked Council for their support:
Chuck Parker, Palm Desert
Robert Mueller, Rancho Mirage
Teresa Burr, La Quinta
Judy Norman, La Quinta
Councilmember Peña said he supports the proposed resolution; understands
the importance of restoring the Salton Sea and the dire condition it is currently
in; and hoped actions can be taken quickly.
Councilmember Radi said he supports the proposed resolution; the Salton Sea
is one of the top priorities in the City’s annual legislative guiding policy; and a
major benefit of using ocean water importation for the Salton Sea’s
revitalization would be hydro-power generation.
Mayor Evans said she supports the proposed resolution; the Salton Sea
revitalization is critical and must happen quickly through a combination of
recreational and economic drivers.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 8
Councilmember Radi said he spoke at Southern California Association of
Governments’ Traffic Safety Leadership Symposium held on Wednesday, May
1, 2019, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert; and
noted the City took leadership and proactively collaborated with CVAG and
neighboring agencies to establish a plan to upgrade the Washington Street
and Fred Waring Drive intersection, although its current traffic safety rating
does not require it yet.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Radi/Fitzpatrick to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended, with Item
Nos. 4 and 5 adopting Resolution Nos. 2019-012 and 2019-013, respectively.
Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROVE CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DESERT
RECREATION DISTRICT (DRD) FOR YEAR-ROUND MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATIONS OF THE FRITZ BURNS POOL
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Parks Superintendent Ambriz presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Clerk’s Office.
Council discussed the La Quinta Mermaids’ desire to keep the current water
aerobics instructor; monthly operational expense tracking; marketing
strategies; and estimated operations cost analysis.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Maureen Archuleta, DRD Community Services Supervisor,
said the programming is very flexible; spoke about the proposed classes and
associated fees; noted the current water aerobics instructor, requested by the
La Quinta Mermaids, plans to apply with DRD.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Barb Adair, DRD Assistant General Manager, said the
proposal submitted was in response to the scope of services identified in the
City’s Request for Proposal; however, DRD is flexible and can accommodate
whatever the community’s operational needs are; monthly accounting DRD
provides the City; credits from revenue-positive operational months will be
carried forward to the next monthly billing cycle.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Kevin Kalman, DRD General Manager said DRD is flexible;
scope of services can be amended to whatever the operational needs are; user
fees can be set either by DRD or the City; public pool operations do not
produce high-revenues; at this time it is late in the season and there might
be difficulties recruiting and training lifeguards; DRD’s subsidized cost for
running a full summer program is approximately $67,000 in addition to grant
funding; and swim lessons are the strongest revenue generator.
Council discussed it will take time to spread the word; anticipated operational
costs based on the cost analysis; prevailing wage will drive the cost up over
time; review operational costs after the summer season; and increasing the
not to exceed agreement amount to $100,000.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Peña/Fitzpatrick to approve Contract Services Agreement with Desert
Recreation District to provide year-round management and operation to the
Fritz Burns Pool as amended:
Section 2.1 Contract Sum shall not exceed $100,000, and reflect this
change on Exhibit B Schedule of Compensation;
Amend Exhibit A Scope of Services to reflect that DRD will provide
operations status report at September 17, 2019 Council Meeting;
Amend Exhibit A Scope of Service to reflect an increase in days of
operation and add programming to provide open/recreational swim
based on Staff direction;
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 7 of 9 MAY 7, 2019
and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. Motion passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – 5:00 P.M. – item taken out of agenda order
1. INTRODUCE FOR FIRST READING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
SECTION 9.60.340 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE TO
CLARIFY LANGUAGE REGARDING FLAGPOLES; CEQA: EXEMPT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061(b)(3) [ORDINANCE NO. 580]
Planning Manager Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Clerk’s Office.
MAYOR EVANS DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 5:26 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: None.
MAYOR EVANS DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 5:26 P.M.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Radi/Sanchez to make a finding that Ordinance No. 580 is exempt under the
California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3) Review
of Exemptions – General Rule and is consistent with General Plan 2035
Environmental Impact Report. Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Radi/Sanchez to take up Ordinance No. 580 by title and number only and
waive further reading. Motion passed unanimously.
City Clerk Radeva read the following title of Ordinance No. 580 into the record:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 9.60.340 OF
THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE TO CLARIFY LANGUAGE
REGARDING FLAGPOLES
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Radi/Sanchez to introduce at first reading Ordinance No. 580 to amend
Section 9.60.340 of the La Quinta Municipal Code to streamline development
process and standards. Motion passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION – item taken out of agenda order
1. DISCUSS FISCAL YEAR 2019/20 PRELIMINARY PROPOSED
BUDGET
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Finance Director Campos presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Clerk’s Office.
Council discussed reviewing the Art in Public Places (APP) fee to determine if
an adjustment should be made; tabling for a future discussion whether to
maintain the APP as a separate fund and use General Fund allocations so APP
can be tracked separately; Council and City Commissions schedule of budget
review is posted on the City’s website; adding a note on page 1 of the budget
document to explain the budget fluctuation; amending the design of the
budget report to provide year-to-date and a percentage columns; and
promote the budget information available on the website in order to receive
as much community input as possible.
Council reached a consensus and directed Staff to continue with the budget
preparation and review process, change the budget report to landscape view
to accommodate year-to-date and percentage columns; add annotations to
explain high number fluctuations; and promote the budget information
available on the City’s website.
2. DISCUSS CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES AND CITIZENS ON
PATROL (COP)
Public Safety Analyst Moreno presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Clerk’s Office.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Tapp said
COP program is an extension to the police department; COPs are the eyes and
ears in the community, with their main focus on quality of life; police
engagement with COPs has greatly improved; spoke about new programs that
can be implemented including the “You Are Not Alone” and golf cart patrol;
and the valuable input and recommendations the COPs provide.
Council commended Staff and Lieutenant Tapp for engaging the community
and incorporating COPs recommendations; and COPs, similar to appointed
members, are ambassadors in the community and can inform and educate.
Council reached consensus and directed Staff to move forward with the crime
prevention strategies and Citizens on Patrol programs as presented, and
incorporate these expenditures in the 2019/20 fiscal year budget:
COPS program – $7,000 annually;
Golf cart purchase – one-time fee of $5,000;
COPS training - $2,500 annually.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 9 of 9 MAY 7, 2019
REPORT ON ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Ihrke reported:
No actions were taken on Closed Session Item No. 1 that require
reporting pursuant to Government Code section 54957.1 (Brown Act);
Closed Session Item No. 2 will be continued to the May 10, 2019 Special
Council Meeting.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS – None.
MAYOR’S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ITEMS
Councilmember Fitzpatrick said Louise Neely passed away; spoke about her
role and contribution to the community and the La Quinta Historical Society;
Ms. Neely was born in 1925 on La Quinta’s Point Happy Ranch and participated
in the operations and maintenance of the ranch.
Councilmember Radi spoke about proposed Assembly Bill 392 regarding police
officer deadly use of force, and asked Council for their support in writing a
letter of opposition to the bill.
Councilmember Peña said that the League of California Cities – Public Safety
Policy Committee took an opposing stance as well.
Council reached a consensus and directed staff to prepare a letter of
opposition.
Mayor Evans stated that the CVAG Energy and Environment Committee will
also issue a letter of support letter for Assembly Bill 854 introduced by
Assembly Member Chad Mayes regarding Imperial Irrigation District.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS – None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Radi to adjourn at 6:05 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California