2015 02 03 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY,3, 2015
A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by
Mayor Evans.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Franklin, Osborne, Pena, Radi, Mayor Evans
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA — None
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN
PROXIMITY TO AVENIDA MONTEZUMA, AVENIDA VILLA AND AVENIDA
NAVARRO (APN: 773-076-018).
CITY NEGOTIATOR: EDIE HYLTON, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
NEGOTIATING PARTY: CITY OF LA QUINTA AND ALTHEA PROPERTIES
UNDER CONSIDERATION: PRICE AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
MAYOR EVANS RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:31 P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 4:02 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 Evans led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Patrick Swarthout, La Quinta — Mr. Swarthout described a recent
dog attack on his wife and dog causing injury to both that required medical treatment
and stitches. He said he believes the dog should be euthanized to prevent another
attack.
Councilmembers asked Community Development Director Johnson to review the
incident with Animal Control Officers and provide a memo to the Council summarizing
the event.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Allen Worthy, La Quinta — Mr. Worthy said he is homeless and
living on the streets of Venice Beach and the desert. He requested City Attorney
assistance with his case against the City of Palm Springs.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Shanden Sessions, La Quinta — Mr. Sessions said he represents
Organic Solutions and is interested in becoming a medical marijuana provider in La
Quinta. He stated that his 3,285 La Quinta customers plus customers to the east would
benefit by not having to drive to Palm Springs for their medication.
City Attorney Ihrke explained the current law in La Quinta outlawing marijuana
dispensaries and the December 16, 2014 federal law preventing the enforcement of
federal laws against the sale of medical marijuana in states that permit medical
marijuana sales. He explained the steps necessary to change the local law, should
Council so choose.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Nolan Sparks, Palm Desert — Mr. Sparks thanked the Council for
their support on behalf of the YMCA.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Mayor Evans informed the Council that staff requested the Study Session item be heard
before the Business Session item.
Councilmember Franklin requested that Consent Calendar Item Nos. 3 and 4 be pulled
for discussion and separate vote.
Council concurred.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS — None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE MINUTES OF JANUARY 10 AND JANUARY 20, 2015
2. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED JANUARY 16 AND JANUARY 23,
2015
3. pulled for discussion by Councilmember Franklin >> APPROVE PLANS,
SPECIFICATIONS AND ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE, AND AUTHORIZE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR PARKWAY LANDSCAPING DESIGN FOR
CITY OWNED PROPERTIES ALONG AVENUE 52 NEAR CALLE AMIGO
4. pulled for discussion by Councilmember Franklin >> ADOPT RESOLUTION
GRANTING CONDITIONAL APPROVAL OF AMENDED FINAL MAP AND
SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
MONTERRA DEVELOPMENT [RESOLUTION 2015-006]
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
5. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL TECHNICIAN TO
ATTEND TRAINING MARCH 11-12,2015 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
6. DENIAL OF CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FILED BY WILLIAM WALKER; DATE OF
LOSS —SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
7. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR FOUR MEMBERS OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
ACADEMY IN NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 4-6,2015
MOTION!— A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Radi to
approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-2 and 5-7 as recommended. Motion passed
unanimously.
Regarding Item No. 3, in response to Councilmember Franklin, Public Works Director
Jonasson described the landscaping plans for the site and stated that if needed, the lot
could be accessed for parking.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Steve Zabala, Mission Viejo — Mr. Zabala spoke on behalf of the
project builders, Woodbridge Pacific Group. In response to Councilmember Franklin's
questions regarding Item No. 4, he explained that the map was amended because it
was desirable for the project to join the Greg Norman homeowners' association. The
main entrance for the project is now the main Greg Norman entrance. The access off
Monroe Street will be for emergencies only. He said it was a big coup for this project to
be a part of the PGA West homeowners' association.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Radi to
approved Consent Calendar Item Nos. 3 and 4 as recommended, with Item No. 4
adopting Resolution 2015-006. Motion passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION
1. YEAR END FISCAL YEAR 2013/2014, MID YEAR 2014/2015 AND RESERVE
DISCUSSIONS
Finance Director Conrad presented the staff report, which is on file in the City Clerk's
office.
Councilmember Osborne asked what the carryover was from Fiscal Year 2012/2013
into Fiscal Year 2013/2014. Ms. Conrad stated about $1 million.
Ms. Conrad stated there are threeitems to consider: the reserve for insurance premium
increases; amending the revenue budget; and an $80,000 request from Community
Development for temporary contract staffing.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
Councilmembers discussed and commented on the presentation, expressed their
appreciation to the Investment Advisory Board for their hard work and review, and had a
consensus to hold another study session for further review and input from City Manager
Spevacek, who was absent.
Discussion included: possibility of redefining reserve policy; investigating better ways to
protect reserves; exploring contractual reserves for police/public safety services;
including capital and infrastructure reserves; unfunded pensions; combining economic
development and stabilization reserves; providing more expense forecasting; concern
with future prospect of state disallowing cities to have independent contractors; noted
that the state cannot do another triple flip until bonds are paid off [Proposition 57];
definition of emergency reserves; emergency reserve allocations; redefining "disaster"
definition; earmarks for county/state/federal takeaways; revisiting allocations with
suggestion of moving disaster funds to capital; participatory budget allowing community
to submit projects and vote on .how money is used; review of council's flexibility in
reallocating reserves; and the need for more reserves.
City Attorney Ihrke commented that there are currently some constitutional protections
for city sales, use, and property taxes, and there may be contractual ways of protecting
reserves; however, he said that placing reserves under contractual protections means
that the moneys can only be used for that designated contractual use with a private third
party. He added that no action can be taken that is against public policy or would
interfere with the legislative power of a future city council, nor is anything absolute with
respect to state legislation impacting city revenues, but there are ways of providing a
possible higher standard of protection for reserves. He will do further research and get
back to council.
MAYOR EVANS MOVED THE PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEM UP, TO
BE HEARD AS CLOSE TO THE 5:00 P.M. PUBLISIZED HEARING TIME AS
POSSIBLE.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. ADOPT RESOLUTIONS TO APPROVE A SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AND
TENTATIVE TRACT MAP TO ALLOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF 48 SINGLE
FAMILY HOMES AT ANDALUSIA, EAST OF MADISON STREET AND SOUTH
OF AVENUE 58 [RESOLUTIONS 2015-007 AND 2015-0081
Community Development Director Johnson presented the staff report, which is on file in
the City Clerk's Office.
Councilmembers discussed the timeline for installing landscaping along Madison Street,
Monroe Street and Avenue 60; parking pockets within the development; emergency
vehicle access; and consistency with the Specific Plan.
Mayor Evans declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 5:50 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 4
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Nolan Sparks, Palm Desert — Mr. Sparks spoke as a
representative of the developer, Coral Option I, LLC, saying the project is expected to
be a walkable environment, such as a campus, and a "lock and leave" property for
buyers from areas such as Orange County, Los Angeles County and the Northwest.
Sale prices will range from $800,000 to $1.1 million. He added that landscaping along
Avenue 60 is associated with a future project that is three to five years away.
Mayor Evans declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 5:57 p.m.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Franklin/Pena to
adopt RESOLUTION 2015-007 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2013-928,
ALLOWING THE DEVELOPMENT OF 48 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
WITHIN THE ANDALUSIA PROJECT
Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Franklin/Pena to
adopt RESOLUTION 2015-008 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 36524 LOCATED
WITHIN THE ANDALUSIA PROJECT, AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER
OF AVENUE 58 AND MONROE STREET
Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTER NOT ON THE AGENDA:
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jennifer Carlson, Bermuda Dunes — Ms. Carlson said the Up with
People organization is returning to the Coachella Valley March 16-23. They will be
raising money for the Ophelia Project with benefit concerts in Indio and Palm Springs.
She explained that the organization is looking for host families to house their 110
international and out-of-town performers and provided the website for further
information, tickets and support: upwithpeople.org.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. RECEIVE AND FILE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2014
Finance Director Conrad presented the staff report, which is on file in the City Clerk's
office.
Councilmembers discussed preparation for next year's audit; use of word "future" on
page 91 regarding bond proceeds; use of the term "advance" implying repayment,
which is not intended; the requirement for Council action to remove the "advance"
designation; source of repayment to the civic center fund; financial statement for the
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
Housing and Financing Authority; monthly revenue from Washington Street Apartments;
payments to City, if any, for acting as an agent; payment of interest on advances;
possibility of reclassifying advances to investments; unfunded pension liabilities; and
Finance Department staff training on the new software system, accounting webinars
and overnight travel to key seminars.
City Attorney Ihrke stated he will check whether City costs could be recouped under the
Improvement Act.
COUNCILMEMBER PEIVA LEFT THE MEETING AT 6:23 P.M.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Radi/Franklin to
receive and file the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for year ended June 30,-
2014.
0;2014. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Pena absent).
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
La Quinta's representative for 2015, Mayor Evans reported on her participation in the
following organizations meeting:
• GREATER PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
La Quinta's representative for 2015, Councilmember Franklin reported on her
participation in the following organizations meeting:
• SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY
La Quinta's representative for 2015, Councilmember Osborne reported on his
participation in the following organizations meetings:
• CVAG VALLEY -WIDE HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE
• IID ENERGY CONSUMERS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE
La Quinta's representative for 2015, Councilmember Radi reported on his participation
in the following organizations meetings:
• COACHELLA VALLEY ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
• CVAG TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
• RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department Reports were received and filed. Copies are available in the City Clerk's
Office.
Mayor Evans requested that staff attempt to complete the Municipal Code review
project in less than the anticipated 18 months.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
MAYOR'S AND COUNCIL MEMBER'S ITEMS
Mayor Evans thanked the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for the recent tour of
its Thermal Station and commented on the dedication of the Officers to the City and its
residents.
Mayor Evans announced that the next Mayor and Council walk will be held on Saturday,
February 21 at 8:00 a.m., starting at La Quinta Park — a great opportunity to interact
with the community. She also recognized the Museum for setting a new record on
guests; commented that the Chamber had a successful car show event also on
Saturday; encouraged more collaboration with community organizations; and mentioned
the State of the City will be held on Thursday, February 5.
Councilmembers discussed the importance of questioning the claims, statements and
actions of outside agencies on whose boards they serve as La Quinta representatives
because they cannot assume all agencies' staff is as thorough as La Quinta City staff.
Councilmembers provided examples where agencies requested approval for projects
that had no ongoing funding source.
MAYOR EVANS RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 6:57 P.M. TO FINISH
DISCUSSING THE CLOSED SESSION ITEM
COUNCILMEMBER OSBORNE LEFT THE MEETING AT THE END OF THE
CLOSED SESSION.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 7:40 P.M.
WITH COUNCILMEMBERS FRANKLIN AND RAD! PRESENT, AND
COUNCILMEMBERS OSBORNE AND PEVA ABSENT. NO ACTIONS WERE
TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION THAT REQUIRES REPORTING PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.1 (BROWN ACT).
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Franklin/Radi to adjourn at 7:41 p.m. Motion passed 3-0-2 (Osborne
and Pena absent).
Respectfully submitted,
Digitally signed by City of La Quinta
DN: serialNumber=6fmhzhdhvfjz93cr,
<c US, st=California, l=La Quinta, o=City
-ofLaQuinta, cn=City of La Quinta
{ Date: 2015.02.18 08:49:15 -08'00'
SUSAN MAYSELS, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 7
FEBRUARY 3, 2015