2020 06 03 CC Minutes Special MeetingCITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 3 JUNE 3, 2020
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 5:00
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, and Community Resources Director Escobedo
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Evans led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None
City Clerk Radeva said WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS were provided by
Robert Ambriz Jr., related to Closed Session Item No. 1 on the Agenda,
which were distributed to Council, and incorporated into the agenda packet
and public record of the meeting.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6; CITY DESIGNATED
REPRESENTATIVE: CHRIS ESCOBEDO, DIRECTOR OF
COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION: LA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 2 of 3 JUNE 3, 2020
QUINTA CITY EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION, AND
UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES (SPECIFIED POSITIONS IN
VARIOUS CITY DEPARTMENTS AS IDENTIFIED IN THE STAFF
REPORT FOR BUSINESS SESSION ITEM NO. 1 ON THIS
AGENDA)
COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING
AND MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 5:03 P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 6:41 P.M. WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT
REPORT ON ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION:
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957.1, subdivision (a)(6) [Brown
Act], City Attorney Ihrke reported labor negotiations with the La Quinta City
Employee Associations have concluded, and the items that were part of
these negotiations ae going to be presented and considered by the City
Council under Business Session Item No. 1 on tonight’s Agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY PLAN FOR CITY OF LA QUINTA
Community Resources Director Escobedo presented the staff report, which is
on file in the Clerk’s Office.
Council said these are tough times, and with a heavy heart, difficult
decisions had to be made; noted their empathy and understanding for the
affected employees, who are part of the La Quinta family, and expressed
their gratitude for their dedication and efforts; expressed hope that
circumstances may change in the future; noted that due to COVID-19
pandemic service delivery has changed; reflected back on the economic
downturn caused by the dissolution of the redevelopment agencies and the
affects it had on City operations and workforce; discussed the progress the
City has achieved since 2013 through implementing cross-department
collaborations, employee trainings and development, and technological
advancements resulting in process efficiencies; and said in light of the City’s
current revenues deficit, a long-term recovery vision and a plan are
necessary to ensure the City can ensure continuity of operations and service
delivery.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 3 JUNE 3, 2020
Council thanked Staff for their efforts to provide support to the affected
employees, who would be provided medical coverage for a period of time,
and offered a severance package by management, should the employees
choose to accept it.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Radi/Fitzpatrick to approve a new organization plan, a reduction in work
force, and voluntary furlough program for unrepresented, confidential and
contract employees as recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
MAYOR’S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ITEMS – None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Radi to adjourn at 6:58 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California