2020 03 20 CC Minutes Emergency Meeting
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 3 MARCH 20, 2020
EMERGENCY MEETING
EMERGENCY MEETING
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
An emergency meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at
10:07 a.m. by Mayor Evans. The meeting was held by teleconference pursuant
to Paragraph 11 of Executive Order N-25-20 (Governor of California).
PRESENT: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, Peña, Radi, Sanchez, Mayor Evans
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Jon McMillen, City Clerk Monika Radeva, and
City Attorney Bill Ihrke
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Evans led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed
City Manager McMillen said City Staff is constantly working to provide
information, support, and essential services to the community during these
extraordinary times.
CLOSED SESSION
1. THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES, PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION (a) OF GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.
CONSULTATION WITH: ALEXANDER JOHNSTON, SENIOR
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR; WILLIAM H. IHRKE,
CITY ATTORNEY
COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING
AND MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 10:10 A.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 11:37 A.M. WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 2 of 3 MARCH 20, 2020
EMERGENCY MEETING
REPORT ON ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Ihrke said Council discussed the threat to public services and
facilities that have been caused by the threat of the spread of COVID-19 and
the Governor’s most recent response issued last night by the statewide “stay
at home” order. The Council considered a proposed resolution, Emergency
Resolution No. EM 2020-002, titled:
AN EMERGENCY RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, DIRECTING THE EMERGENCY CORPS
COMMANDER TO OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CALIFORNIA
GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER N-33-20 (STAY AT HOME ORDER) IN
THE CITY OF LA QUINTA
Per the La Quinta Municipal Code, the City Manager serves as the Emergency
Corps Commander. A MOTION was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Radi/Fitzpatrick to adopt the resolution, which passed unanimously.
In general summary, the resolution recognizes that the Governor’s executive
order requires residents of California to stay at home and leave only for
essential services, and that the City of La Quinta will follow the Governor’s
executive order, and that the City Manager in his role as the Emergency Corps
Commander will oversee, using City Staff and resources, the implementation
of the Governor’s executive order in and throughout the City of La Quinta.
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Evans said the City continues to utilize its programs and services in
order to keep the City’s business thriving during the state’s “stay at home”
order and ensure essential services remain available to the community. The
City’s Economic Development Subcommittee will work with Staff to develop
programs that support City’s local business owners as soon as possible.
Mayor Pro Tem Peña wanted to assure residents that the Council and City Staff
are in constant communications with the City’s public safety officials, both the
Riverside County Fire and Sherriff’s Departments; encouraged residents to use
the emergency 911 number only for emergencies, and all other questions,
comments, and reports should be directed to the business line, which will be
posted on the City’s website; said residents can remain calm; the state’s stay
at home” order does not prohibit residents from going outside to walk their
dog or get some exercise; and encouraged everyone to follow the
recommended safety guidelines.
Councilmember Radi wanted to reassure the La Quinta community that
Council and City Staff are working to provide quality and accurate information
to the public as fast as possible; information is being incrementally
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 3 MARCH 20, 2020
EMERGENCY MEETING
communicated from the state to regional and local agencies, and the City in
turn is passing it on to the community; communication is essential during this
local emergency to ensure residents stay informed and safe.
Councilmember Sanchez said he concurs with the comments made so far;
noted City Staff is working on creating a designated email address and a phone
line specific to COVID-19, allowing residents to pose questions, and share
concerns and observations, which would be separate from contacting the City
regarding daily operations.
Councilmember Fitzpatrick said Council and City Staff are doing everything
possible to maintain the state’s order and the flow of information; noted that
health has always been one of the City’s main priorities; although the City has
had to close facilities for group sports and recreation, residents can still enjoy
the City’s hiking trails while observing social distancing and the public health
guidelines for staying healthy and safe; and encouraged residents to get out
and enjoy the beautiful desert weather and sun.
Mayor Evans said on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, Council adopted a resolution
proclaiming a Local Emergency; at that time a “shelter in place” was already
in effect for residents with compromised immune system and 65 years of age
or older; the state’s order from last night extended the shelter in place to all
non-essential services; the City is in constant communications with the state
and will continue to push information to the La Quinta community as it is made
available; and a lot of agencies are currently seeking clarification on what
constitutes essential services to ensure compliance and safety for all
communities.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Radi/Fitzpatrick to adjourn at 11:46 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California