2020 03 23 CC Minutes Emergency MeetingCITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 4 MARCH 23, 2020
EMERGENCY MEETING
EMERGENCY MEETING
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
An emergency meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at
6:00 p.m. by Mayor Evans.
The meeting was held by teleconference pursuant to Executive Orders N-25-
20, N-29-20, N-33-20, and N-35-20, executed by the Governor of California
in response to the state of emergency relating to novel coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19) and enabling teleconferencing accommodations by
suspending or waiving specified provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act
(Government Code § 54950 et seq.).
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
City Clerk Radeva said written public comments were received related to
Executive Order No. 4 issued by the City Manager on March 22, 2020,
immediately ordering the closing of all golf courses and ancillary use areas
pending further guidance from the state.
The following La Quinta residents provided WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS,
which were distributed to Council, and incorporated into the agenda packet
and public record of the meeting, were received by 6:04 p.m., expressing
general opposition against the closure of private golf courses:
Brad Forrester
Molly Chapman
Sonya Haley
Vikki Thornton
John Beckendorf
Lynn Foster
John Thornton
Nancy Kavayiotidis
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 2 of 4 MARCH 23, 2020
EMERGENCY MEETING
Danna Testa
Dennis Loper
Kari Clark
Scott Wrobbel
Barry Mattaini
Dennis Miller
Bruce Zahn
Chris Reynolds
Peggy Weisbly
Michael Pohl
T. P. Schmalzried
Colette Young
Larry Young
Andrew Moshier
John Argent
Tracy Riley
Marian Rosenwasser
Randall Bone
Bob Bradley
John Foster
Dan Fairchild
Mary Greening
Dale Schulte
Julianne Murphy
Diana Barickman
Cathleen Newman
Paul Lyon
The following La Quinta residents provided WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS, which
were distributed to Council, and incorporated into the agenda packet and public
record of the meeting, were received after 6:04 p.m., but prior to the adjournment
of the meeting at 7:25 p.m., expressing general opposition against the closure of
private golf courses:
Jonathan Harnish
Roger Buford
Dave Mileski
Patricia Grant
Tammy Fairchild
Betty Vogt
Maureen Hosp
Mary Montgomery
Steven Phillipi
Brian Cornell
Judie Cothrun
Richard Krell
Mark Engler
Tim Burney
James Griesgraber
Barney Adams
Joe Nemeth
Tim Putnam
Suzanne Donnelly
Michaela Lowe
Liz Mechelke
Jo Downey
Jim Henrietta
Carol Hanley
Lex Gamble
Julie Wilson
Al Backman
Dominic Lowe
Alice Wright
Gary Chamberlain
Rick Porter
Tom DiMare
Shawn Ygnatowiz
Karyn Boyer
Julie Stupka
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 4 MARCH 23, 2020
EMERGENCY MEETING
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 6:05 P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 7:15 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) – the City Council discussed the threat to public
services and facilities that have been caused by the threat of the spread of
COVID-19, and the states of proclaimed local and statewide public health
emergencies; and took the following action:
MOTION – A motion was moved and seconded by Councilmembers
Fitzpatrick/Radi to direct the City Manager to issue an Executive Order, as
soon as possible to close the use of outdoor recreational facilities, including
skate parks, dog parks, and courts, such as pickleball and tennis courts, and
playground equipment within the City of La Quinta effective immediately, and
staying in effect until further notice. Motion passed unanimously.
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Evans said the City Council has requested that the City Manager and
City Attorney seek further guidance from Riverside County Public Health
Officer and Riverside County Counsel regarding the definition of essential
services and allowable recreation, which are anticipated to be made available
tomorrow. Council will review and evaluate these guidelines prior to taking
any additional actions.
Mayor Evans thanked the community for providing public comments; noted
all written comments received related to the closure of golf courses will be
included in the public record; and Council is evaluating the information
currently provided by the Governor of California and the Riverside County
Public Health Officer, in order to determine best practices to ensure the safety
of the community, which remains the Council’s main priority.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 4 of 4 MARCH 23, 2020
EMERGENCY MEETING
Mayor Evans noted Executive Order No. 4 issued by the City Manager on March
22, 2020, immediately ordering the closing of all golf courses and ancillary
use areas pending further guidance from the state, was upheld by the City
Council and remains in full force and effect.
All Councilmembers echoed Mayor Evans’ comments above, commended the
community for being engaged and providing comments, and noted the
importance of ensuring an open line of communication during these trying
time.
Mayor Evans said while the state of local emergency is in place, the City
Council may call an emergency meeting with a one-hour notice; and the
Council continuously monitors the information related to COVID-19 that is
made available by state and county officials to ensure that decisions are made
to the best of Council’s ability to preserve the community’s health and safety
and represent the residents at large.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Radi/Fitzpatrick to adjourn at 7:25 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California