2015 01 10 CC Minutes Sp Mtg - Com. WorkshopCITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2015
A special meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 12:01 p.m. by
Mayor Evans at the La Quinta Museum, 77-885 Avenida Montezuma, La Quinta.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Franklin, Osborne, Pena, Radi, Mayor Evans
ABSENT: None
Of the 35 attendees who signed in, 21 were residents, 5 were Councilmembers, and 9
were City staff members.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Led by Mayor Evans
PUBLIC COMMENT
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Harry Shaffner, La Quinta — Mr. Shaffner stated that he is on the
Haciendas of La Quinta Homeowners' Association (HOA) Board, the entrance to which
is at Avenue 50 and Eisenhower Drive. He said that the intersection has flooded
numerous times and the HOA's mission is to remind the Council of the suffering of the
18 homeowners due to uninsured flood damage, as well as the negative effect past
flooding has on the value of all homes in the HOA.
STUDY SESSION
1. CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP TO DISCUSS THE CITY'S VALUES, ITS 2014
ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND 2015 INITIATIVES
Mayor Evans explained the purpose of the workshop and introduced Cynthia Henson,
the facilitator.
Ms. Henson conducted a quiz on La Quinta facts whereby participants held up "A" or
"B" signs to indicate their answers.
Ms. Henson reviewed the City's. five values, which are (1) customer service, (2)
teamwork, (3) perseverance/problem solving, (4) integrity/professional conduct, and (5)
innovation/creativity.
City Manager Spevacek provided a comprehensive history of the challenges and
accomplishments of the Council and City staff over the past three years.
Ms. Henson led participant groups in discussions and exercises regarding 2015
initiatives.
SPECIAL MEETING CITY COUNCIL AGENDA 1 JANUARY 10, 2015
Group discussions and exercises resulted in the following suggestions:
• Stronger brand
• More beautiful thoroughfares
• Streamline permits
• Proactive Code Compliance
• Entertainment facilities — all ages
• Flood control measures
• Infrastructure maintenance
• Water conservation
• SilverRock development
• Retail variety
• Diversity in high paying jobs
• Quality of life -
• Drive-thru in cove
• Out from under Palm Springs shadow
• Activities for all ages to enjoy together
• Reach out to part-time residents
• Diversity, reaching out to the gay community
• Involving younger people
• Increased community involvement
• Business friendly
• Maintain financial stability
• Business license requirement for residential landlords
• Economic development importance is high, need definitive approach
• Consider pop-up businesses, streamline city approvals for them
• More diverse retail/restaurants, not all upscale
• More entertainment, concerts, community theater
• Suggest all festivals must use a certain percentage of La Quinta businesses in
order to get a permit.
• Customer service in Finance re: business license and TOT
• Amphitheater
• Using revenue as efficiently as possible
• Diversify revenue sources, attract tech jobs and clean industry
• Goal of burying utility lines
• Land use should include water use, be good water stewards
• Capitalize on existing assets
• Examine disaster preparedness, e.g. egress out of cove
• Refine architectural guidelines
• "Eat, play, live" nothing unique about this branding
• Must streamline Muni Code before code compliance is proactive
• Call community meeting: "polish the gem"
SPECIAL MEETING CITY COUNCIL AGENDA 2 JANUARY 10, 2015
Attendees provided the following feedback on their workshop experience:
■ Earnest
■ Encouraging
■ Enlightened
■ Willingness to change
■ Excitement over new direction
■ Positive involvement
■ Enlightened
■ Enhancement, revenue
■ Motivating
■ The future is bright
■ Openness inspiring
■ Thanks to residents
■ Interesting
■ More rocks, less sand
■ Gratitude for hosting
■ Diversity
■ Quality of life
■ Informative .
■ Thoughtfulness
■ Great event
■ Great food
Mayor Evans and Councilmembers expressed their gratitude to all participants for
giving their time, and encouraged residents to stay involved, provide input to
Councilmembers and staff, and to attend future workshops.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Osborne/Radi to adjourn at 3:58
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Digitally signedby City ofz Quinta
DN serialNumber=6fmhzhdhuFz93cr, c --US,
i"'? xst=California, l=La Quinta, o=City of La
Qiimta, cn=City of La Quinta
t" Date: 2015.02.04 08:10:41 -08'00'
Susan Maysels, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, CA
SPECIAL MEETING CITY COUNCIL AGENDA 3 JANUARY 10, 2015