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2020 07 09 STVRP AD-HOC1 SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM JULY 9, 2020 AD-HOC COMMITTEE AGENDA Short-Term Vacation Rental Program Ad- Hoc Committee agendas and staff reports are available on the City’s web page: www.LaQuintaCA.gov SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM AD-HOC COMMITTEE AGENDA CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER 78495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 AT 4:00 P.M. ****************************** SPECIAL NOTICE Teleconferencing and Telephonic Accessibility In Effect 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 in the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950 et seq.), members of the Short-Term Vacation Rental Ad-Hoc Committee, the City Manager, City Attorney, City Staff, and City Consultants may participate in this meeting by teleconference. Additionally, pursuant to the above - referenced executive orders, the public is not permitted to physically attend at City Hall the meeting to which this agenda applies, but any member of the public may listen or participate in the open session of this meeting as specified below. Members of the public wanting to listen to this meeting may do so by tuning- in live via http://laquinta.12milesout.com/video/live. 2 SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM JULY 9, 2020 AD-HOC COMMITTEE AGENDA Members of the public wanting to address the Short-Term Vacation Rental Program Ad-Hoc Committee, either for public comment or for a specific agenda item, or both, are requested to send written comments ONLY by email to the Short-Term Vacation Rental Program Ad-Hoc Committee Secretary Lori Lorett at LLorett@LaQuintaCA.gov, and specify the following information: 1) Full Name 4) Public Comment or Agenda Item Number 2) City of Residence 5) Subject 3) Phone Number 6) Written Comments The email “subject line” must clearly state “Written Comments.” Written public comments must be emailed to the Ad-Hoc Committee Secretary no later than 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Written public comments, received prior to 12:00 p.m. the day of the meeting, will be distributed to the Short-Term Vacation Rental Program Ad-Hoc Committee, incorporated into the agenda packet and public record of the meeting, and will not be read during the meeting unless, upon the request of the Short-Term Vacation Rental Program Ad-Hoc Committee Chairperson, a brief summary of any public comment is asked to be read, to the extent the Short-Term Vacation Rental Program Ad-Hoc Committee City Staff can accommodate such request. ****************************** CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Committee members Best, Butler, Caldwell, Church, Coronel, Franco, Grotsky, Jonasson, McDonough, Monroe, Navarro, Schutz, Shelton, Spinney and Tamm PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Please email “Written Public Comments” to LLorett@LaQuintaCA.gov and limit your comments to approximately 350 words. The Committee values your comments; however, in accordance with State law, no action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the agenda. 3 SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM JULY 9, 2020 AD-HOC COMMITTEE AGENDA CONSENT CALENDAR Note: Consent Calendar items are routine in nature and can be approved by one motion. 1.APPROVE MINUTES OF JUNE 4, 2020 DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. CHAIRPERSON SCHUTZ TO REVIEW COMMITTEE PLAN AND FUTURE MEETING TOPIC SCHEDULE 2. CITY STAFF TO PROVIDE SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM AND CODE ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION 3. TOPICS TO COVER AT NEXT MEETING - COMMUNITY PERCEPTION, GUEST BEHAVIOR, AND GUEST EXPECTATIONS ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Short-Term Vacation Rental Program Ad-Hoc Committee is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2020. DRAFTPage 1 of 4 STVR PROGRAM AD-HOC COMMITEEE JUNE 4, 2020 MINUTES SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM AD-HOC COMMITTEE MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2020 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Short -Term Vacation Rental Program Ad-Hoc Committee (Committee) was called to order at 4:03 p.m. by Lori Lorett. This meeting was held by teleconference pursuant to Executive orders N -25- 20, N-29-20, N-33-20, and N-35-20, executed to 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.). ROLL CALL PRESENT: Committee members Best, Butler, Caldwell, Church, Coronel, Franco, Grotsky, Jonasson, McDonough, Monroe, Navarro, Schutz, Shelton, Spinney, and Tamm ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Design & Development Director Danny Castro, Hub Manager Tommi Sanchez, Permit Technician Michelle Lopez, Administrative Assistant/Committee Secretary Lori Lorett, Public Safety Manager Martha Mendez, Code Compliance Supervisor Kevin Meredith, Community Resources Director Chris Escobedo, and City Attorney Bill Ihrke PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Committee Secretary Lori Lorett led the committee in the Pledge of Allegiance DRAFTPage 2 of 4 STVR PROGRAM AD-HOC COMMITEEE JUNE 4, 2020 MINUTES PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Committee Secretary Lorett said the following WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS were submitted by La Quinta resident David Dinnel regarding the cancellation of Committee meetings in April and May 2020, which were distributed to the Committee, and incorporated into the agenda packet and public record of the meeting. COMMITTEE ITEMS 1.APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED MARCH 5, 2020 The Committee expressed general support of the March 5, 2020 meeting minutes; and Committee Members Schutz/Church moved and seconded, respectively, to approve the minutes as submitted; motion passed unanimously. 2.APPOINT TWO MEMBERS TO SERVE AS COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSON FOR THE DURATION FOR WHICH THE COMMITTEE REMAINS ACTIVE The committee reached a consensus and appointed Committee Members Schutz and McDonough to serve as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, respectively. 3.REVIEW COMMITTEE OBJECTIVES The Committee’s objective is to provide recommendations to City Council regarding the Short-Term Vacation Rental Program. 4.DISCUSS AMENDMENT FIVE TO CITY EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 7 RELATED TO SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL (STVR) GUIDELINES The Committee discussed the City’s COVID -19 related health and safety precaution measures put into place in accordance with the California Department of Public Health and Riverside County Public Health Officer directives and guidance; the City’s effective communication of the constantly changing COVID-19 directives; the STVR restrictions and related enforcement; and Executive Order No. 7 multiple amendments . Further Committee discussion followed regarding STVR owners not adhering to the restrictions and occupancy limits. DRAFTPage 3 of 4 STVR PROGRAM AD-HOC COMMITEEE JUNE 4, 2020 MINUTES The Committee expressed general displeasure with the complexity of Executive Order No. 7, which caused confusion; the communication channels and speed; and prolonged enforcement. Committee discussion followed regarding La Quinta Executive Order No. 5 related to limited uses for outdoor recreation at parks, trails, and recreational courts in the City; and La Quinta Executive Order No. 6 related to limited use of private shared-use swimming pools and spas in the City. Code Compliance Supervisor Meredith gave a detailed presentation on: •The number of current open/closed STVR-related cases, complaints, citations, and suspensions; •STVR hotline call center and step-by-step process for receiving and responding to complaints; •Adverse effects to the STVR program due to a limited number of properties not complying; •Ability to submit a request for public records with the Clerk’s Office in order to determine the number of STVR properties in a neighborhood prior to purchasing a home. 5.DISCUSS LIST OF TOPICS FOR COMMITTEE TO COVER Staff provided the list of topics the Committee compiled during the March 5, 2020 meeting. 6.DISCUSS POST COVID-19 BEST PRACTICES GOING FORWARD Staff provided a list of recommended guidelines from the C enters for Disease Control and Prevention regarding proper cleaning and disinfecting. 7.TOPICS TO COVER FOR NEXT MEETING – OVERVIEW OF SHORT- TERM VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM INCLUDING CODE ENFORCEMENT •The Committee reached a consensus and directed Committee Chair Schutz and Committee Vice Chair McDonough to arrange discussion topics into categories for the Committee’s review and consideration . •The Committee reached a consensus and directed Staff to prepare a STVR density map and present it to the Committee for consideration at the next meeting. DRAFT Page 4 of 4 STVR PROGRAM AD-HOC COMMITEEE JUNE 4, 2020 MINUTES • The Committee reached a consensus and directed Staff to provide a summary of the STVR hotline process and enforcement statistics to the Committee for review. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by C ommittee members Caldwell/McDonough to adjourn this meeting at 5:32 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, LORI LORETT, Committee Secretary City of La Quinta, California Hotline Verifies STVR from Spreadsheet Code Enforcement Data (Provided during 06.04.20 meeting) 2019 2020 (Year to Date) COMPLAINTS 629 649 (Approx. 550 since 03.17.20) CODE CASES 439 452 (Approx. 350 since 03.17.20) CITATIONS 93 21 SUSPENSIONS 11 6 PROBLEM PROPERTIES 17 (5+ complaints per year) WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS STVR AD-HOC COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 9, 2020 WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS & HAND-OUTS STVR PROGRAM AD- HOC COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 9, 2020 1 From: Sally Long‐Shelton < Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2020 11:38 AM  To: Lori Lorett <llorett@laquintaca.gov>  Subject: Post Treading on Nextdoor "isn't it time to Stop the City of La Quinta Airbnb's?  ** EXTERNAL: This message originated outside of the City of La Quinta. Please use proper judgement and caution when opening  attachments, clicking links or responding to requests for information. **  Lori... might you also be able to get this out to the committee members? Good Morning STVR AD-HOC Committee Members & City Management... I wanted to share a post that is treading on Nextdoor. It has had over 300 replies, which is a very large amount amount for a ND Post. Several of our neighbors are more than concerned. I know about three of these participating Nextdoor Members and the issues they are and have been experiencing and fighting, which are real. This post and now the maps of the locations of STVR'S just in with our packets for this afternoon, make complaints more understandable and why so many of our neighbors are upset. This is a real indicator of how important our job is to find and streamline our City's current STVR Procedures. A few names on this post.. that we might want to get any of Code Enforcements info on. Leo Knasiah~Desert Club Estates, **Author of this Post** Melissa Labayog~Highand Palms (she's the nextdoor neighbor of Dupont Estate Resort.. DupontEstateResort.com Rury Fernandez~La Qunita Cove Among these real complaints from these neighbors are Parking, Loud Noise, invasion of personal space & privacy. Regards,Sally Shelton The Post below..... ****Isn't it time to Stop the City of La Quinta allowing Airbnb's? Is there any group or person trying to close down Airbnb's. I do not understand why residents have to put up with AirBNB's in the City of La Quinta. Isn't it time residents take back our neighborhoods. I will help anyone to put the question on November 2020 Ballot that would stop AirBNB's in La Quinta's residential neighborhoods. Why are commercial Businesses (AirBNB's) allowed to operate in a residential neighborhood. Posted in Recommendations to 26 neighborhoods bTeh de islinpklaeyde dim. Taghe ec failnen omtahave been mov ed, y renamed, or deleted.Verify that the link poto the correct file and ints location. Thank bTeh de islinpklaeyde dim. Taghe ec failnen omtahave been mov ed, y renamed, or deleted.Verify that the link poto the correct file and ints location. 353 Comments STVR PROGRAM AD-HOC COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 9, 2020 HAND-OUT BY COMMITTEE MEMBER SALLY SHELTON From: To:Lori Lorett Subject:Public Comments to Ad Hoc STVR Committee Date:Thursday, July 09, 2020 9:28:23 AM ** EXTERNAL: This message originated outside of the City of La Quinta. Please use proper judgement and caution when opening attachments, clicking links or responding to requests for information. ** July 9, 2020 To: LLorett@LaQuinaCA.gov and Ad Hoc Short Term Vacation Rental Committee From: Jeffrey and Valerie Smith Subject: Public comments We have lived in La Quinta Cove for 46 years, and in our current home on Avenida Alvarado for 42 years. As long term residents we have seen this community change dramatically. Most of the change has been positive. The La Quinta Cove has become the wonderful, quiet, scenic residential community we love. But, of course, not all change has been positive. We feel that among the negatives is the current influx of short term vacation rentals without owner operators living at the sites. Longer term or monthly rentals have always been a feature of the cove allowing our snowbirds to enjoy this environment as much as we full time residents. They pose no major problems. The problem with the short term vacation rentals is that it has completely changed the character of the neighborhoods that drew us to La Quinta and the Cove. Blocks where STVRs have proliferated in the Cove and in other parts of La Quinta have ceased to be the peaceful residential neighborhoods they once were, and are now filled with mini hotels where short term renters are free to choke the streets with cars, and act in ways that would never be accepted in a legitimate hotel. We no longer know our neighbors, they change from day to day and week to week. Previously, if there were problems with neighbors that we knew, most of us felt secure approaching them for a solution. We have done this a number of times over the years up here on Avenida Alvarado. We do not know the short term vacation renters. It would be foolhardy to approach them for a problem. We feel that this is far more than a mere enforcement issue. Even if a resident followed the letter of the regulations about tenant violation of La Quinta law, the disturbance has to occur before action is taken. We encourage the Committee to listen to the comments made before the City Council last Tuesday evening by North La Quinta resident Maria Puente. As she points out, ones life has to be significantly disturbed before the resident can complain. And then the remedy for that day's disturbance may or may not be addressed by the city or sheriff's deputies. Then a new set of short term tenants arrive and it happens all over again. Ms. Puente's situation is not unique. It is happening all over the city, especially in the Cove. What is the solution? First, we need an up-to-date map of licensed and nonlicensed short term rental sites throughout the city. We need to see where the impact of STVRs is the greatest. Once we know the saturated areas limits can be placed on the number of licenses granted for that block. Steps can be taken to ameliorate the problems before they reach the point where La Quinta residents demand an end to STVRs. This would be a tremendous financial hit for the city. Investors who purchased homes in the Cove for rentals would still be allowed to use them as income property. They would remain available to rent just as they always were, just not short term (-30 day) vacation rentals. We appreciate the committee's thoughtful attention to our comments, and hope that once the mapping is complete we will see a way forward that will return our neighborhoods to the places we came here to enjoy. Sincerely, Jeff and Val Smith From: To:Lori Lorett Subject:Written Comments Date:Wednesday, July 08, 2020 4:57:40 PM ** EXTERNAL: This message originated outside of the City of La Quinta. Please use proper judgement and caution when opening attachments, clicking links or responding to requests for information. ** Linda Williams La Quinta Public Comment I am very concerned that short term vacation rentals are destroying the character of our neighborhoods. Our resident homeowners no longer have the peace and tranquillity they once had. There are far too many problem properties and the onus is on the neighbors to police them. In my neighborhood these rentals never stopped operating during the shutdown, totally ignoring the order. In fact, the activity increased. There needs to be better monitoring of these businesses. Neighbors should not be forced to monitor them. I would suggest having code enforcement patrol our neighborhoods for violations. We need immediate resolution of these issues and would welcome any help you can give us. Thank you, Linda Williams City Council Meeting  July 7, 2020  Tuesday  Honorable Mayor of La Quinta, City Council Members,  Good Afternoon. My name is Maria L. Puente. I am a resident of LQ. I have lived in LQ for 30 years. I was   a Historical Preservation Commissioner when the city created that commission in 1994. I am a teacher at  LQHS and an Adjunct  Professor at College of the Desert.  I own a house in  North La Quinta, in the Acacia Homes. I have been enjoying my property peacefully, as  my home is the place where I come back  for peace, rest and to recuperate from the stress  at work. My  property is the place where  I  find the solace to recharge emotionally, I  water my plants, garden, feed   and listen to the birds, sit in my patio to pause and reflect  from our busy, frantic and stressful life.  As I have said, I have enjoyed my property for many years… until this past year.    In North La Quinta, at   Sanita Drive, in La Quinta del Rey, there  is an  infamous and  unbearable  STRV property located just  directly behind my backyard. The previous  owners retired and sold the  property in June  2019, and since then it has been hell on earth for me. The new owner converted that  property  into a short term rental. They   rent everyday of the week and during the weekend as well. It  has become a  true mad house. Every three days I dread to see who are the next people coming.  I never  get a break  to enjoy  peace and quiet and  to rest in my own property. It seems that every week  the  same vicious cycle repeats. This is not quality of life at all.   The renters are out of control. They  play  really loud music with microphones and speakers (it exceeds  permitted decibels) during the day and at night (past 10 pm, when they start their parties) , they have  karaoke sessions with microphones to make it ever louder, they scream from the top of their lungs, they  jump in the pool making a  big splash, and  create a  true calamity environment for the neighbors.   The renters have no respect or consideration   for quiet times or to  the neighborhood. There is trash all  over the side walk and  many cars   parked and blocking trash collection. The only thing  waiting to  happen is a shooting or  a fire in that property, God forbid, and for the renters to jump the fence and do  something to me. I fear for my personal safety. They smoke marihuana and  the odor comes to my  house. Why do I need to smell /breathe the second hand marihuana while trying to sit  and enjoy  my  backyard?   My master room faces directly to their swimming pool. I can’t help but to hear and receive all the  acoustic wave and  bangs from the loud music and screaming during the day and during the night. My  house was built with standard insulation, not sonic sound proof. Why does    city of La Quinta allow this  suffering of unsolicited mad behavior to go on at the expense of the poor  enduring neighbors??  My neighborhood was designed, built, advertised  and sold as a residential neighborhood. That means   steady and established  people live there,  go to work and come back to their homes to rest and enjoy  the tranquility of their homes .   My house is located   in a residential neighborhood, not in a  motel row, party street, on going Coachella  Fest, Summer never Ending Love House,   Wild Party square  and a house of questionable reputation  where constant transient young people are in and out,  acting like a pack of wolves. And by the way,   never observing any social distancing or whatsoever, endangering the safety and health of those around  and nearby.   That  is not the  quality of life I was sold and I  bought when I invested in my house. This is affecting  the  value of my property, my peace of mind, my  personal safety and producing anxiety and countless   sleepless nights.  For the last 11 months I have kept  a log of at least 60 phone calls (and counting) placed to the Hotline,  Police and City Hall, which is the procedure put  in place by City of La Quinta for neighbors to complain  about any disturbance by STVRs.  That does not work. The property violates rules every week, and yet,  they keep renting the place and nothing has happened yet to solve  the ongoing  problem. What about  the three strikes and your permit is revoked?   The hotline person says that if in  45 minutes the noise has not ceased, please call again. Ok, so at 2 am I  am supposed to be counting the minutes and the call again?? When I call the police they tell me they  will send a deputy when he /she is in the area and available because they have more pressing situations  to take care of; by the time they come the renters are passed out from overdrinking and being high from   drugs. This is a most  frustrating situation. Eventually, if the city fines the owner, the city collects the  money; however, the neighbor doing the reporting, the calling and the enduring of the violation gets  nothing, no resolution, no satisfaction. This is not working.   I have also even  been told once  to get myself a set of headphones to not  hear the noise, in my own  house!!?? That is so disrespectful and insensitive. I should not be in my own house wearing a set of  headphones  to block the loud music from wild people partying.  Palm Desert   does not allow STVRs and that Cathedral City is in the process of banning them. Gated  communities throughout  La Quinta do not allow  any short term rentals at all; they only allow rentals of  at least one month. The city of LQ is allowing  all those pack of wolves destroying the  non gated  neighborhoods. That is a type of discrimination towards the people who can’t afford to live in a gated  community. Good people are going to have to move out because there is no way to live in these  conditions. We in the desert  want and need peace and serenity, not constant disturbances. I do not  want to move, I have invested my career and my life in LQ. I want  to stay here.  What else  is there for me to do? What else does  city of La Quinta expect me to do? This can’t go on  any longer. The situation is really disturbing. Nobody  can live life like this, policing renters, calling  hotlines,  calling the police, contacting the City; it is a catch 22, and this vicious cycle repeats weekly!! I  am reaching out to you, elected officials, because you have  the duty, obligation   and responsibility to  care for the welfare of the residents of LQ, and  to  protect the  full time residents  from this nonsense  that you have allowed  to happen and snowball. The latest I have heard is that the property in question  is being given a 60 days suspension and a citation; however, that has not happened yet and it  is not  enough. After that time the same problem will continue. The property needs to be totally banned  for  short term rentals and  get back to  being part of the quiet neighborhood where it is located.  Why does the City of La Quinta  think that has the right to take away my right to enjoy my own   property, my right to peace, tranquility  and quiet in my own  property, and give  that right to the   abusive renters?  I have to get up by 5: 30 AM to go to work. I need my rest. Why can’t I go freely  to  bed at 9 pm but instead I have to be waiting until 10 pm to see if the renters quiet down, which they do  not, and then I have to start the  unproductive phone calls session and lose another night of sleep? I am  a hostage in my own home!  Why does  city of LQ allow this STVRs to take place and take over  in quiet, nice neighborhoods? What  is the rationale to destroy residential, peacefully established neighborhoods? Those renters  and their   obnoxious behavior  for sure would not be allowed in any  hotel! The owner only cares about making  money from the property; they think they rent to  five people but 20 rowdy, out of control  show up   with many cars and destroy the peace, tranquility  and serenity of the neighbors and  the environment.   Why does the City of La Quinta allow this insanity to continue?  The short term renters (three days, one weekend) come with one only goal in mind: to party, which includes the crowds, the many cars, the noise, the screaming, the marihuana, the trash. A normal residential neighbor would not have parties all weekend and during the weekdays and making noises all day. The truth is that STVRs are just incompatible with residential and family oriented, regular working people neighborhoods. More than ever, now that we spend a lot of time at home and that we have to stay home and work from home because of the unprecedented Corona Virus pandemic, it is most important to feel safe and be able to relax in your own house, in the quiet residential neighborhood that we originally invested our money in by buying our house, without constant stressful disturbances of careless transient and loud party people. What is the solution? Please give a hotel voucher for the neighbors affected by the noise disturbances of the STVRs, so they can have a good night sleep, including the meal (they can’t cook at home) and gasoline. But we do not want to leave our houses. Better yet, have city of LQ buy my property so I can move to quiet area. I am more than willing to sell it to you. However, the best solution is: Keep La Quinta as the Gem of the Desert, not the hell of the desert. Please I beg you to do the right thing. Please I beg you not renew and to revoke for good the STRV permit to this property. Please I beg you to restore peace and tranquility in my neighborhood. Thank you very much for listening to me.     From: To:Lori Lorett Subject:Fwd: Ad hoc committee STR Date:Monday, June 29, 2020 6:15:50 PM ** EXTERNAL: This message originated outside of the City of La Quinta. Please use proper judgement and caution when opening attachments, clicking links or responding to requests for information. ** I have a concern I would like the Ad Hoc STR committee to consider… I was asked by a committee member to send it your way to possibly get the discussion on the agenda for next week. Thank you for your time, Barb Montavon > > > On 6/23/20, 8:18 AM, "Barb Montavon" wrote: > > I will try to listen to the next City Ad Hoc meeting but wanted to voice a concern to you about occupancy allowed by the City. > When the allowable number of occupants exceeds the number of 2/bedroom, it encourages over-occupancy and the overflow is noticeable via parking problems and noise/disturbance/personal behavior problems. The City does not enforce occupancy. For more than 2 years, I have reported Owners who continue to advertise on VRBO, Airbnb and other various websites for more than the allowable occupants. The last time I reported was after I was told by City Council that their 3rd party admin company would really crack down on the problem. City employees also relayed to me that the Council was considering reducing the number of allowed occupants to only 2/bedroom and not allow the “plus 2”, with no place to sleep. IF they would make that adjustment, I think it would be an excellent way to eliminate some of the problems. When a small 3 bedroom home that is under 2400 sq. ft. converts a den (which the city allowed after the owner simply installed a barn door to the exterior of the room), 10 people can rent that home. The scenario becomes 10 people share the cost of a $250/night stay as an STR location. The result is $25/night/person,which is a bargain and hotels can’t possibly compete. These are the occupants of our “gated community”. Our HOA's CCRs state the property “shall be used for single family residential purposes”. It does not eliminate rentals, but the “restricted use" to maintain as a single family residential community is our challenge. > It’s too easy to get a “party house“ situation going when the prices are so low and they split it so many ways because no one knows how many are actually coming. > Thanks for the platform! > Love to discuss anytime! > Barb > > > > From:Lori Lorett To:Lori Lorett Subject:FW: vacay rentals Date:Thursday, July 09, 2020 12:18:20 PM From: Suzanna Banana   Sent: Friday, June 05, 2020 2:01 PM To: Vacation LQ <vacationlq@laquintaca.gov> Subject: vacay rentals ** EXTERNAL: This message originated outside of the City of La Quinta. Please use proper judgement and caution when opening attachments, clicking links or responding to requests for information. ** Hello I moved to LaQuinta two 1/2 years ago.  I am annoyed by the rentals, particularly especially the ones that do not go by the rules. Now you're dropping the fines as well?  We are in a pandemic and I do not care if their rental revenue is lost.  I wish these were not allowed and would vote to not allow them. Do homeowners get to vote on these issues? Who in particular makes these decisions? I had no idea and did not imagine when I purchased in a nice neighborhood in LaQuinta, that I would be subjected to in-out activity, cars, noise, and left feeling not safe, because it is a revolving door.  POWER POINT STVR AD-HOC COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 9, 2020 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 1 CITY OF LA QUINTA STVR AD‐HOC COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 9, 2020 CONSTITUENCY •REPRESENTED BY STAKEHOLDERS FROM ALL AREAS •CITY IS A VITAL PARTNER IN ALL DELIBERATIONS •COEXISTENCE IS A GIVEN •SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IS ANTICIPATED •DELIVERABLE IS A SERIES OF ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS ASSUMPTIONS 2 1 2 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 2 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT •SHOW UP ON TIME AND COME PREPARED •STAY MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY PRESENT •LISTEN WITH AN OPEN MIND  •STAY ON POINT AND ON TIME •ATTACK THE PROBLEM …... NOT THE PERSON •HELP MAKE GROUP DECISIONS AND IDENTIFY ACTIONABLE ITEMS •THINK AS A “TEAM” NOT AS AN INDIVIDUAL •MAKE REMARKS SHORT, VALUABLE AND TO THE COMMON GOAL 3 METHODOLOGY •IDENTIFY PAIN POINTS •PRIORITIZE •ISSUES THAT ARE A PROBLEM ACROSS DIFFERENT CONSTITUENTS (INCLUDING CITY) •VISIBILITY / PROMINENCE (COMMUNITY PERCEPTION) •IMPACTS BOTH STVR OWNERS AND OTHER HOMEOWNERS •IDENTIFIES ILLEGAL / OBNOXIOUS / DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR •ALLOWS CITY TO DO ITS JOB BETTER / EASIER / FASTER / CHEAPER •DISCUSS POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATIONS •MUST BE ACTIONABLE •CONVERGE ON PREFERRED SOLUTION •DEVELOP AN ARRAY OF POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS •OPTIMIZE •DEVELOP SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS Identify Prioritize Solve Recommend 4 3 4 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 3 IDENTIFIED ISSUES (FROM THE LORI LIST) Outreach & Marketing Compliance & Enforcement Applications / Process Online  Access What are the rules that are already established? Explanation of enforcement?  Regulations? Special event permits New website Discuss limitations… SR density, noise issues, expectations for  neighbors. Noise ‐ Not just music Verifying information on applications STR Policy discussions ‐ Gray areas 3 strikes policy Trash solutions TOT ‐ Recognitions of where money comes from and how it  benefits the City False accusations from neighbors Control investors with STR's Reduce negativity regarding STR Noise technology Limitations on how many times a property an  be rented Marketing of STR Response times Ordinance ‐ What's working vs what's note? Workshops for new STR owners Creating STR map for City of La  Quinta Staff to provide facts and numbers for STR Better information distribution to the public regarding STR ‐ provide positive Occupancy issues (day vs night) How can we get everyone to report TOT? Benefits for City Impact on neighborhoods New website New website Cap on multiple violations, rentals,  etc. Education Room conversions Guest expectations Define noise restrictions Factual information from complaint  calls STR guests vs homeowners guests 5 PROPOSED MEETING TOPICS •MONTH 3 – JULY –THE DATA •GATHER ALL DATA FROM CITY HALL TO REVIEW AS A COMMITTEE  •APPROVAL OF MONTHLY DISCUSSION TOPICS •MONTH 4 AUGUST –THE PROCESS •HOTLINE PROCESS / RESPONSE TIMES •TIMELY CONTACT OF RESPONSIBLE PARTIES •ENFORCEMENT •CITY RESOURCES •INTELLIGENT ENFORCEMENT •FALSE ALARMS •MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS & FINES •STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATION (FROM CITY TO OWNERS,  NEIGHBORS, ETC.) •MONTH 5 – SEPTEMBER –THE NEIGHBOR •NOISE / CONDUCT / PRIVACY •OBJECTIVE VS SUBJECTIVE GUIDELINES •HOMEOWNER EDUCATION •HOMEOWNER RIGHTS •PROBLEM HOMEOWNERS •MONTH 6 ‐ OCTOBER  ‐THE STVR OWNER •MARKETING / BRANDING / PR •SURVEY CREATION FOR STVR PORTAL •TRAINING / NEW MANAGER / STVR OWNER  WORKSHOPS •SERVICE PROVIDERS 6 •MONTH 7 – NOVEMBER –THE GUEST •COMMUNITY PERCEPTION •STVR DENSITY •IMPACT ON NEIGHBORHOODS (TRAFFIC, PARKING) •GUEST BEHAVIOR •OCCUPANCY (DAY / NIGHT) •NEIGHBOR TREATMENT / SENSITIVITY •GUEST EXPECTATIONS •COMMUNICATION / EXPECTED BEHAVIOR •MONTH 8 - DECEMBER -THE CITY •WEBSITE / PAYMENT PORTAL / EASE OF OPERATION •COLLECTING MISSING TOT REVENUE FROM THOSE REPORTING •GATHERING & PUBLISHING STATISTICS (REVENUES, STVR FAQ) •MISSING TOT REVENUE -- SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS •PERMITTING – ROOM / GARAGE CONVERSIONS •MONTH 9 – JANUARY ‐CONCLUSIONS •PREPARE PRELIMINARY REPORT •REVIEW SURVEY FINDINGS AND PREPARE FINDINGS FOR FINAL REPORT •DETERMINE MARKET IMPACT ON NEIGHBORHOODS & COMMUNITY OUTREACH •MONTH 10 – FEBRUARY ‐PRESENTATION •FINALIZE ALL FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5 6 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 1 SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM AD-HOC COMMITTEE July 9, 2020 1 2 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 2 Short-Term Vacation Rental Program & Code Enforcement Updates PURPOSE: Provide overview of the Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Program Review of Code Compliance role with STVR and how rules are enforced. 3 4 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 3 SUMMARY Maintain balance between residential quality of life and property owners that host STVR's STVR team formed to review and make enhancements to program Online Portal now available –Application/Registration and TOT reporting all available online Overview of STVR revenue and review of increase for each year Overview of City Ordinance updated in 2018 to clarify regulations and streamline process of enforcement Review Code Enforcement STVR policies and procedures SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM OBJECTIVE: Our foremost priority is preserving the quality of life for La Quinta residents. Creating an environment where renters are welcome in our community as we strongly encourage them to respect the neighbors and neighborhoods in which they are renting. Therefore, protecting the balance of government and property ownership, and ultimately to ensure a safe and effective program. 5 6 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 4 WHERE ARE WE AT? •1,320 active, registered STVR’s •5.3% of total 25,022 dwelling units TOP OF THE COVE 7 8 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 5 MIDDLE OF THE COVE BOTTOM OF THE COVE 9 10 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 6 SECTION OF PGA WEST SECTION OF NORTH LA QUINTA 11 12 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 7 OUR STVR TEAM The Hub: Design & Development Director, Hub Manager, Five Permit   Technicians, and an Administrative Assistant all assist with STVR  applications, permits and payments. Code Compliance: Community Resources Director, Public Safety Manager, Code  Compliance Supervisor, Four Code Officers, Administrative  Technician  and an Administrative Assistant all help enforce the rules  and regulations that pertain to the STVR program. MUNIRevs& LODGINGRevs ONLINE PORTAL: MUNIRevs & LODGINGRevs February 1, 2020, we launched our NEW STVR online portal! 13 14 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 8 Provides online portal service for application/registration services Easy access to make monthly TOT payments Makes it easier for owners of multiple properties to manage everything in one place Sends automatic email reminders/notifications for TOT payments, required documents needed and STVR updates Friendly system support always available •Keeps records of online rental postings to assist with tracking unpermitted renting •Allows the City to find those who are not in compliance and issue citations to ensure the program is running smoothly and effectively STVR REVENUE... LET'S COMPARE 15 16 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 9 $0 $500,000 $1,000,000 $1,500,000 $2,000,000 $2,500,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 STVR TOTAL $- $50,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000 $250,000 $300,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $550,000 $600,000 $650,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $850,000 STVR Revenue by Month 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 17 18 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 10 FY 2019-2020 •Short-Term Vacation Rental transient occupancy tax (TOT) received: $2,353,216 •Total TOT received (hotels, resort fees & STVR): $7,149,982 STVR PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS •Added Permit Technician position dedicated to STVR •Website updates – webpage dedicated to STVR •24/7 Hotline •Community outreach – Workshops, Festival Mailers, Ad-Hoc Committee •Added online services – MUNIRevs & LODGINGRevs 19 20 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 11 STVR ORDINANCE UPDATE (2018) •Property owner authorization required for permit issuance •Owner must provide 24/7 local contact •Code to conduct inspections to verify bedrooms counts, if necessary •Increased citation fines - General STVR Violation Fines ($500-$1,500) - Operating a STVR without a Permit ($1,000-$2,000) - Hosting a Special Event at a STVR without a Special Event Permit ($5,000) CODE COMPLIANCE •Collaborates with Design & Development team •Manages/monitors Hotline calls •Conducts STVR application inspections •Responds to and inspects STVR related complaints – noise, parking & property maintenance •Issues citations •Formation of Sub-Committee’s 21 22 STVR Ad‐Hoc Committee Regular Meeting 7/9/2020 12 QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? THANK YOU FOR COMING! OUR NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING IS: THURSDAY AUGUST 6, 2020 TOPICS TO COVER AT NEXT MEETING: COMMUNITY PERCEPTION, GUEST BEHAVIOR, AND GUEST EXPECTATIONS 23 24