2015 04 07 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 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
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION '54956.8 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT:
THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF WASHINGTON STREET AND HIDDEN
RIVER ROAD (APNs 609-040-007, 609-040-023, 609-040-028, 609-040-029,
609-051-007 AND 609-051-003) HOUSING AUTHORITY NEGOTIATOR:
FRANK J. SPEVACEK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NEGOTIATING PARTIES:
SANDER AND PAULA SALKIND, URBAN HOUSING COMMUNITIES AND
COACHELLA VALLEY HOUSING COALITION
UNDER NEGOTIATION: PRICE AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
COUNCIL RECESSED' TO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:31P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 4:13 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).
Councilmember Radi led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
City Manager Spevacek requested that Consent Calendar Item No. 6 be moved to
Business Session for discussion and separate vote. Council concurred.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Evans presented a proclamation to OneLegacy Ambassadors Miles and Sylvia
Kaye in recognition of April as Donate Life California Month. OneLegacy is a non-profit
organ and tissue recovery organization sponsoring a run/walk at Cal State Fullerton on
April 25, 2015.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
APRIL 7, 2015
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Kay Wolff, La Quinta — Ms. Wolff suggested that the Council take
the lead in the community to guide staff and commissioners regarding water
conservation and to deter development that includes lakes, rivers, etc. She said the
formation of a water advisory committee may be worthwhile, and if the beautiful Civic
Center park grass must go, then so be it.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Joseph Dolence, La Quinta — Mr. Dolence spoke about an abuse
of power at La Quinta Park by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and feels that
they are not the right tool to address problems at the park. He offered to meet with one
or more Councilmembers to provide his solutions to the current problems. Mayor Evans
offered to meet to discuss Mr. Dolence's suggestions.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Laurie Harris, La Quinta — Ms. Harris said she is a teacher and the
mother of two skaters who use both skate parks in the City and is concerned about the
Police bullying she has witnessed. She questioned the issuance of $100 tickets when
the sign says the tickets are $50. Ms. Harris said she held a meeting attended by about
40 parents and skaters to discuss the matter..
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jack Harris, La Quinta — Mr. Harris suggested manning the skate
parks to discourage the few who cause problems.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Farah Meadows, La Quinta — Ms. Meadows said her son is a
skater and she would be willing to sit on a committee formed to solve the skate park
problems. She said her other son, John, who was also a skater, was killed in February
and requested that the City consider renaming the park to the John Meadows Memorial
Skate Park. Ms. Meadows offered to contribute to the park renovation and to participate
in a renovation committee.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Lily Choate, Indio — Ms. Choate said she was the grandmother of
John Meadows. She said she appreciates the wide open design of the park because
parents can see everything that is going on at a glance. Ms. Choate stated that skaters
should not be the targets of police and suggested that the School Resource Officers
patrol the park, get to know the kids and the adults who will assist the police.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mary O'Brien Pritchard — Ms. O'Brien Pritchard asked the Council
to make improvements at the Avenue 52 roundabout because drivers think it is a two-
lane roundabout resulting in dangerous driving conditions. She also requested that La
Quinta residents be given direct access by walking or by vehicle to the Goldenvoice
concert grounds in Indio.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE MINUTES OF MARCH 17, 2015
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APRIL 7, 2015
2. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED MARCH 13, 20 AND 27, 2015
3. pulled by Councilmember Osborne due to a potential conflict of interest from a
business relationship with Licensee >>> APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
CONTRACT SERVICES AND REVOCABLE LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH LA
QUINTA FARMS FOR DUST STABILIZATION AT SILVERROCK RESORT
4. DENIAL OF CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FILED BY SHAWN BLACKWELL, DATE
OF LOSS — JUNE 27, 2014
5. APPROVE BID DOCUMENTS AND AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT FOR
BIDS FOR THE LA QUINTA LIBRARY LIGHT -EMITTING DIODE LIGHTING
CONVERSION PROJECT
6. pulled by the City Manager and moved to Business Session No. 5 for
discussion>>> CONSIDERATION OF AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR
PERIMETER LANDSCAPING OF CITY -OWNED LOTS ON AVENUE 52
7. EXCUSE ABSENCES FOR ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MEMBER
ROOKER AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER REDMOND
FROM MEETINGS
8. ACCEPT GRANT OF EASEMENT AND AGREEMENT FOR PUBLIC STREET
PURPOSES ON DUNE PALMS ROAD FROM THE DESERT SANDS UNIFIED
SCHOOL DISTRICT
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Franklin/Pena to
approve Consent Calendar Items Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 as recommended. Motion
passed unanimously.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Franklin/Radi to
approve Consent Calendar Item No. 3 as recommended. Motion passed: 4 ayes, 0
noes, 1 abstain (Osborne).
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROPRIATE FUNDING, ADD FOCUSED DRAINAGE STUDY PROJECT TO
FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AND
APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RBF
CONSULTING FOR DRAINAGE STUDY
Councilmember Osborne asked the City Attorney to provide an opinion as to
whether he should recuse himself because of his professional relationship with
NAI Consulting. City Attorney Ihrke said under the new FPPC regulations, it was
not necessary for Councilmember Osborne to recuse himself because NAI is not
mentioned in this project nor is NAI specifically under contract for it.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
APRIL 7, 2015
Public Works Director Jonasson presented the staff report, which is on file in the City
Clerk's Office.
City Manager Spevacek said that staff will be researching funding options such as
infrastructure financing districts while the study is underway.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Radi/Franklin to
appropriate funding, add a focused drainage study project to the Fiscal Year 2014/2015
Capital Improvement Program and approve a professional services agreement with
RBF Consulting for a drainage study. Motion passed unanimously.
2. APPROVE SECOND ROUND COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANTS AND
FUNDING REQUESTS
Robert Ambriz, Jr. presented the staff report, which is on file in the City Clerk's Office.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Franklin/Osborne to
approve second round community services grants and funding requests. Motion
passed unanimously.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mike from the General Patton Memorial Museum (did not submit a
speaker form with his name and residence on it) - spoke about the purpose of the
museum.
3. APPROVE AMENDMENT WITH RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF
ANIMAL SERVICES FOR ANIMAL FIELD SERVICES
Community Development Director Johnson presented the staff report, which is on file in
the City Clerk's Office.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Radi/Franklin to
approve the Amendment with Riverside County Department of Animal Services for
animal field services. Motion passed unanimously
4. INTRODUCE ORDINANCE AMENDING THREE CHAPTERS OF TITLE 1 OF
THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO GENERAL PROVISIONS AND EIGHT
CHAPTERS OF TITLE 2 RELATING TO ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
A. TAKE UP ORDINANCE BY TITLE AND NUMBER ONLY AND WAIVE
FURTHER READING
B. INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 524 ON FIRST READING.
City Clerk Maysels presented the staff report, which is on file in the City Clerk's Office.
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APRIL 7, 2015
Council requested that Chapter 1.04, City Seal, be further amended to remove the detail
of the seal's size and shape and state that those details will be set by Council resolution
as well as any additional text and/or graphics.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Osborne/Pena to
take up Ordinance No. 524 by title and number only, as amended, and waive further
reading. Motion passed unanimously.
City Clerk Maysels read the following title of Ordinance No. 524 into the record:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SEVERAL CHAPTERS OF TITLE 1 AND TITLE 2 OF
THE MUNICIPAL CODE
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Osborne/Radi to
introduce Ordinance No. 524, as amended, on, first reading. Motion passed
unanimously.
5. Consent Calendar Item No. 6 - pulled by the City Manager and moved to
Business Session No. 5 for discussion and separate vote >>> CONSIDERATION
OF AWARD OF A CONTRACT [WITH GOLDEN VALLEY CONSTRUCTION]
FOR PERIMETER LANDSCAPING OF CITY -OWNED LOTS ON AVENUE 52
COUNCILMEMBER PEVA ANNOUNCED THAT HE MAY HAVE A CONFLICT
OF INTEREST DUE TO PROXIMITY OF THIS PROJECT TO HIS PROPERTY
AND LEFT THE DAIS FOR THE DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON THIS ITEM.
Public Works Director Jonasson presented the staff report, which is on file in the City
Clerk's Office.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Radi/Franklin to
award a contract to Golden Valley Construction for perimeter landscaping of city -owned
lots on Avenue 52. Motion passed: 4 ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent (Pena).
COUNCILMEMBER PENA RETURNED TO THE DAIS.
STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSS POTENTIAL PROJECTS TO INCLUDE IN THE FISCAL YEAR
2015/2016 THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2019/2020 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM
Principal Engineer Wimmer and Golf, Parks and Facilities Manager Howlett presented
the staff report, which is on file in the City Clerk's Office.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5
APRIL 7, 2015
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Tom Brohard, La Quinta — Mr. Brohard expressed his concern
about the condition of Monroe Street, and asked that improvements be included in the
2015/16 Capital Improvements Project budget.
Regarding transportation projects, Councilmembers discussed possible funding sources
for Monroe Street improvements; future developments in the area and possible
developer reimbursements for street improvements; design standards; drainage issues;
improving Monroe Street in sections; approaching Goldenvoice to contribute to
improvements; restriping plan for the roundabout, and; negotiating an agreement with
the City of Indio whereby La Quinta advances its cost of a traffic signal and is repaid in
the future.
Regarding parks and facility projects, Councilmembers discussed converting scrawny
grass areas in parks to desert landscaping; removing the skate park in the Cove and
creating a larger one at La Quinta Park; use of Quimby funds for park improvements;
pros and cons of a skate park entrance or membership fee; purchase of land for park
uses at Dune Palms Road and Westward Ho Drive; cost of annual park operation;
scheduling preliminary CV -Link improvements now to accommodate joggers in northern
La Quinta; installing tennis and pickle ball courts at Fritz Burns Park; encouraging inter-
city transportation; priority level of pool improvements; options regarding heating the
pool and installing fun features; need for community input on park projects; traffic at
Jefferson and Dunbar Streets; providing for an entertainment component at Fritz Burns
Park; setting aside land in the southeast section of the City for public use; and
possibility of recreation facility share arrangements with area hotels and schools.
Councilmembers concurred that Monroe Street improvements should be moved up on
the priority list; La Quinta should take the lead with Indio on the traffic signal; Fritz Burns
skate park should be repurposed, and; the development of a new skate park using
Quimby funds should be explored.
Project score cards were provided to Councilmembers to rank the projects.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Deb Eric, La Quinta (no speaker form provided to confirm name
spelling) — Ms. Eric asked the Council to prioritize Monroe Street improvements.
2. DISCUSS ESTABLISHING AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE
CITY'S FINANCIAL NEEDS
City Manager Spevacek presented the staff report, which is on file in the City Clerk's
Office.
Councilmembers discussed the timeline for an initiative; predictability of state legislation
that would further hamper municipal revenues; and the makeup of a committee.
The Council reached consensus on establishing an advisory committee that would have
the ability to form ad hoc subcommittees; members to be from all sectors of the
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6
APRIL 7, 2015
community; staff to solicit volunteers for the committee after which Council will decide
on the details such as number of members, assignment, term, etc.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
La Quinta's representative for 2015, Mayor Evans, reported on her participation in the
following organization's meeting:
• COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT POLICY COMMITTEE
La Quinta's representative for 2015, Councilmember Osborne, reported on his
participation in the following organizations' meetings:
• IID ENERGY CONSUMERS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE
• LA QUINTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
La Quinta's representative for 2015, Councilmember Radi, reported on his participation
in the following organizations' meetings:
• COACHELLA VALLEY ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
• CVAG TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department Reports were received and filed. Copies are available in the City Clerk's
Office.
City Clerk Maysels announced that the City Council meeting of April 21, 2015 may be
cancelled if no pressing agenda items arise before the posting deadline.
MAYOR'S AND COUNCIL MEMBER'S ITEMS
Councilmember Osborne said he supports Councilmember Franklin's suggestion that
La Quinta research whether it should consider commercial and industrial zoning in
certain areas. This research must include discussions with such businesses to
determine their location criteria.
Councilmember Franklin noted the great amount of collaboration among Valley
organizations. She informed the Council that there is not yet a sponsor for the golf
tournament, but even if one is not found, the tournament will be held.
Councilmember Pena asked for a staff report on the problems at the La Quinta skate
park so the Council can respond to parents and the press.
Mayor Evans reported that she and two Councilmembers will be manning the phones at
the Find Food Bank telethon; she and the City Manager presented an update on the
City to 80 to100 La Quinta Country Club homeowners and she has been invited to other
community groups as a result; the Visitors Bureau reports that hoteliers' business is
very busy with the upcoming festivals; the La Quinta High School Wind Symphony
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APRIL 7, 2015
successfully performed at Carnegie Hall; and the City birthday party is scheduled for
April 25th at Civic Center Park with a Mayor's Walk scheduled beforehand starting at the
Wellness Center.
PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Radi/Osborne to adjourn at 8:17 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Digitally signed by City of La Quinta
DN: serialNumber=6fmhzhdhvf1z93cr,
L "c=US, st=California, l=La Quinta,
o=City of La Quinta, cn=City of La
"Quints -T
r" Date: 2015.05.0612:03:06-07'00'
SUSAN MAYSELS, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8
APRIL 7, 2015