2019 07 02 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 9 JULY 2, 2019
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 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 – Confirmed
CLOSED SESSION
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE / DISMISSAL / RELEASE
PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6; CITY DESIGNATED
REPRESENTATIVE: CHRIS ESCOBEDO, COMMUNITY RESOURCES
DIRECTOR; AND EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION: LA QUINTA CITY
EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
3. Continued from June 18, 2019 Council Meeting >>> ANNUAL
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 54957, COUNCIL APPOINTED POSITION – CITY
ATTORNEY
COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING
AND MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:01 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 the following pursuant to Government Code
section 54957.1 (Brown Act).
Closed Session Item No. 1 – there were no actions taken that require
reporting;
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Closed Session Item No. 2 – there were no actions taken that require
reporting; and
Closed Session Item No. 3 – Council completed the City Attorney’s
annual performance evaluation and reaffirmed his appointment.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Sanchez led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Steve Cherry, La Quinta – provided photos of the Highway
111 Corridor commercial signage, which were made available to the public
and incorporated into the agenda packet; stated the signage as it exists does
not efficiently and clearly advertise the businesses in each commercial center;
recommended that signage be improved as part of the City’s Corridor redesign
efforts currently underway; and noted he is interested in the hop-on-hop-off
bus route previously discussed as a partnership between the City and SunLine
Transit Agency, and would like to see that come to fruition.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. COACHELLA VALLEY MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL
DISTRICT (DISTRICT) WEST NILE RESPONSE AND PROGRAM
UPDATE – PRESENTATION BY LABORATORY MANAGER JENNIFER
HENKE
District Board President and City representative Doug Hassett introduced
Laboratory Manager Jennifer Henke who gave a presentation on the influx of
West Nile mosquito epidemic in the valley, the District’s efforts to control the
spreading and treat affected areas, mosquito’s lifecycle, symptoms people
would experience if infected, available prevention measures, and best
practices.
2. INTRODUCE GARRETT BEHRENS, RIVERSIDE COUNTY DISTRICT
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE LIAISON FOR COMMUNITY ACTION TEAMS
(CAT) PROGRAM
City Attorney Ihrke said the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office has put
together a liaison program, called Community Actions Team, and per Council’s
request invited the City’s local representative Deputy District Attorney Garrett
Behrens to introduce himself and give more information about the program.
Mr. Behrens said he is a prosecutor at the Riverside County District Attorney’s
Office, currently assigned to the Special Victims Unit and specializes in
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 9 JULY 2, 2019
eastern valley elder abuse; resides in La Quinta; the program’s objective is to
implement a way for prosecutors to get more closely involved with the cities,
in terms of listening to citizens’ and Council’s comments and needs, and help
address matters that the District Attorney’s Office can assist the community
with.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 11, 2019
2. APPROVE JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND HOUSING AUTHORITY
MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 18, 2019
3. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR SENIOR AND JUNIOR
ACCOUNTANTS TO ATTEND THE CALPERS EDUCATIONAL FORUM
IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, OCTOBER 27-30, 2019
4. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND
MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT TO ATTEND CITY CLERKS’
ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA TECHNICAL TRAINING FOR
CLERKS SERIES 200 IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, SEPTEMBER
10-13, 2019
5. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR DESIGN AND
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, PLANNING MANAGER, AND SENIOR
PLANNER TO ATTEND AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION
CALIFORNIA CHAPTER’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN SANTA
BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2019
6. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED JUNE 14 AND 21, 2019
7. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE CITY’S RECORDS
RETENTION SCHEDULE [RESOLUTION NO. 2019-025]
8. APPROVE CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH NV5, INC
AND THE ALTUM GROUP FOR ON-CALL CONSTRUCTION
SURVEYING SERVICES
9. APPROVE CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH HR GREEN
PACIFIC AND WILLDAN ENGINEERING FOR ON-CALL PUBLIC
WORKS DEVELOPMENT PLAN CHECK SERVICES
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10. APPROVE CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH EARTH
SYSTEMS, INC. AND CONVERSE CONSULTANTS FOR ON-CALL
MATERIALS TESTING SERVICES
11. REAFFIRM LEASES AND APPROVE ANNUAL PRINTING COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH COPIER LEASES
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NOS. 8, 9, AND 10
Mayor Evans said Consent Calendar Item Nos. 8, 9, and 10 approve
agreements with multiple vendors at certain amounts; however, the amount
budgeted is less than the aggregate cost of all agreements combined; the
purpose is to ensure professional services are available to Staff; and it is the
responsibility of Staff and the City Manager to monitor and manage the
expenses.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Radi/Sanchez to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended, with Item
No. 7 adopting Resolution No. 2019-025 respectively. Motion passed
unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH GREATER
COACHELLA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (GCVCC)
Marketing Manager Graham presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Clerk’s Office.
Council discussed the services included in the agreement, including the State
of the City event; and The Gem is evolving in the right direction and possible
expansion into Indian Wells.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Joshua Bonner, President and CEO of GCVCC – thanked
Council for their proactive open communications; spoke about the events the
GCVCC offers; and commended the La Quinta business community, Staff, and
Council for their support.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Radi/Fitzpatrick to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Greater
Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce, for a total not to exceed amount of
$100,250; and authorize the City Manager to execute it as recommended.
Motion passed unanimously.
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2. APPROVE CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH JNS NEXT
FOR DIGITAL MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICES
Marketing Manager Graham presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Clerk’s Office.
Council discussed the agreement terms allow flexibility of the not to exceed
amount for the entire term to be based on scope of services needed, such as
additional outreach for events; there is an overall decrease of marketing
related contract services due to the move of television, radio, and print
marketing services in-house; JNS is extremely dedicated to the community
and does a stellar job at promoting the City’s events; , boosting services are
included in the agreement, and the City receives metrics report showing the
number of people it reached and percentage that opened it; importance to
ensure that press releases are always deliverable.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Fitzpatrick/Peña to approve a three-year Contract Services Agreement with
JNS Next for digital marketing and public relations services, at estimated base
cost of $103,500 per fiscal year, for a total not to exceed amount of $500,000
for the agreement term; and authorize the City Manager to execute the
agreement as recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
3. APPROVE CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ACORN
TECHNOLOGY FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Assistant to the City Manager Villalpando presented the staff report, which is
on file in the Clerk’s Office.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mickey McGuire, CEO of Acorn Technology – said ensuring
IT safety is a priority an d a constant ongoing risk; Acorn will conduct an initial
assessment of the City’s IT needs and a vulnerability network scan within 60
days, and based on the collected data, Acorn will make recommendations on
addressing security concerns should they exist; the intent is to ensure the City
is protected in the best way technology allows; providing periodic trainings to
Staff as a preventative measure to cyber security; the transition period; and
the importance of institutional knowledge.
Council discussed the importance of providing annual training to Staff to
ensure they have the knowledge on what to look out for to protect the City’s
network security.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Radi/Peña
to approve Contract Services Agreement with Acorn Technology for
information technology services in an amount not to exceed $330,000
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annually for the first three years; add training; and authorize the City Manager
to execute the agreement as recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
4. ADOPT RESOLUTIONS TO APPROVE PERSONNEL POLICIES FOR
ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS
[RESOLUTION NOS. 2019-026 AND 2019-027]
Community Resources Director Escobedo presented the staff report, which is
on file in the Clerk’s Office.
Mayor Evans noted Staff provided a revised resolution of the Personnel Policy
for Elected Officials to include specific language that it would also apply to
“persons who are appointed to an Elected Official position by the City Council,”
which was made available to the public and incorporated into the agenda
packet.
Council thanked Staff and the City Attorney for drafting the different policies
to ensure the City’s compliance with current laws and requirements.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Peña/Radi
to adopt Resolution No. 2019-026 approving Personnel Policy for Elected
Officials as amended including the additional language listed above:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING PERSONNEL POLICY FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
And Resolution No. 2019-27 approving Personnel Policy for Appointed
Officials as presented
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING PERSONNEL POLICY FOR APPOINTED
OFFICIALS
Motion passed unanimously.
5. APPROVE CANCELLING THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS OF AUGUST 20 AND SEPTEMBER 3, 2019
Council waived presentation of the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk’s
Office.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Radi/Sanchez to approve cancelling the regular City Council Meetings of
August 20 and September 3, 2019 as recommended. Motion passed
unanimously.
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STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSS FUTURE ART EVENTS IN LA QUINTA
Community Resources Director Escobedo presented the staff report, which is
on file in the Clerk’s Office.
Council discussed the scope of the Request for Proposals (RFP) slated to
publish on July 11, 2019, following the scheduled July 10, 2019, Council
Special Meeting – Community Workshop (Community Workshop) to discuss
and receive community input regarding future art events in La Quinta; the
City’s first priority is that the RFP is specific to the March 5-8, 2019 art event
promoter, if the proposals include additional art events, they would certainly
be entertained, but the focus is on the main art event.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Gary Heath, La Quinta – presented the research and
analysis he conducted on “What to Name an Art Event” and distributed a
report containing his findings for Council’s consideration, which was made
available to the public, and incorporated in the agenda packet; and noted an
art show name needs to serve as an easily recognizable description of the type
of event it is and where it is located, it should be easy to say or pronounce,
and be visually easy to read in its printed form.
Council commended Mr. Heath for his engagement, effort, and valuable
research regarding the art event name; noted the report will be made
available to the attendees of the July 10, 2019, Community Workshop.
Council discussed it was most appropriate that the first public comments are
with regards to the name of the art event because the name sets the mission
and vision for the event; and importance that the City trademarks the new art
event name, thus, going forward, regardless of who the promoter might be,
the event name is owned by the City and it stays consistent.
Council encouraged attendance at the scheduled Community Workshop for
July 10, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. at La Quinta City Hall Lobby to provide ideas,
comments, and preferences regarding future art events in La Quinta; noted
the City will not produce the art event, but is looking to procure a producer to
organize and hold the event during the set March 5 – 8, 2019, dates due to
the popularity of the former La Quinta Arts Festival; and the City will consider
providing both, the Civic Center Park or the SilverRock Event Site, as options
to hold the event.
Council discussed this is a wonderful opportunity; importance to reach out not
only to the artists, but also to the many volunteers who helped organize the
previous events.
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PUBLIC SPEAKER: Brian Hanrahan, La Quinta – inquired about the La Quinta
Arts Foundation trademark on the La Quinta Arts Festival name; City Attorney
Ihrke explained the applicable legal restrictions due to the trademark.
Council noted this Study Session item and the following Community Workshop
are kick-off discussions and indicators of the City’s strong commitment to the
legacy of the La Quinta Arts Festival; art is an authentic and indivisible
component of the La Quinta brand; and the cancellation of the La Quinta Arts
Festival presents an opportunity to create an event that is even more dynamic,
legalities will be worked out, but most important is to continue the art legacy
of the City, and produce an event that honors the hard work and efforts of the
many artists and volunteers who built the reputation of the event over the
years; the positive feedback being received by the City, not only from the local
community, but from artists all over the country; and the SilverRock Event
Site provides an opportunity to grow the event, and hold many other types of
art events as well, such as digital art, performance art, etc. that will
complement the main art event.
Council discussed a similar change of events occurred about three years ago
when Art Under the Umbrellas event was cancelled, which triggered the launch
of the Art on Main Street event which has been extremely successful.
Council encouraged peoples to provide written comments should they be
unavailable to attend the Community Workshop next week.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
All reports are on file in the City Clerk’s Office.
City Attorney Ihrke said he was asked by the League of California Cities
General Council Patrick Whitnell to have Rutan and Tucker, LLP and Mr. Ihrke
present at the League’s Annual Conference, scheduled to be held in October
2019 in Long Beach, providing a land use and California Environmental Quality
Act litigation update.
MAYOR’S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ITEMS
Mayor Evans stated that the Council attended the Greater Coachella Valley
Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Awards in Rancho Mirage on Tuesday,
June 25 in Rancho Mirage – the event was well attended.
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Mayor Evans recommended that the flag ordinance be revisited to address
restrictions to place flags in side- and back-yards, and direct Staff to amend
the code and schedule it for Council consideration. Council concurred.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
La Quinta’s representative for 2019, Mayor Evans reported on her participation
in the following organizations’ meeting:
CVAG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
GREATER PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
La Quinta’s representative for 2019, Councilmember Peña reported on his
participation in the following organizations’ meeting:
CVAG VALLEY-WIDE HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
EXECUTIVE FORUM
La Quinta’s representative for 2019, Councilmember Radi reported on his
participation in the following organization’s meeting:
SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY
La Quinta’s representative for 2019, Councilmember Sanchez reported on his
participation in the following organization’s meeting:
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
EXECUTIVE FORUM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Radi to adjourn at 5:40 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California