2020 08 05 FAC Minutes
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES 1 AUGUST 5, 2020
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, August 5, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
A regular quarterly meeting of the Financial Advisory Commission
(Commission) was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chairperson Mills.
This 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: Commissioners Batavick, Hoffner, Hunter, Rosen, Twohey and
Chairperson Mills
ABSENT: None
VACANCY: One
STAFF PRESENT: Finance Director Romero, Financial Services Analyst Hallick,
Management Assistant Delgado, Design and Development Director Castro,
Planning Manger Flores, Building Official Ortega, Public Works Director/City
Engineer McKinney, and Management Analyst Mignogna
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Twohey led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Finance Director Romero requested adding the following verbal updates under
the Departmental Reports section of the Agenda:
• LifeStream Annual Coachella Valley Nine Cities Blood Drive Challenge
• Finance Account Technician recruitment
• Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company custody account
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES 2 AUGUST 5, 2020
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING
• Fiscal year 2019/20 audit preparations
• Federal Emergency Management Agency contract services with Vanir
Chairperson Mills requested an update from staff on the Avenue 48 Art and
Music Line regional project spearheaded by the Coachella Valley Association
of Governments (CVAG).
The Commission concurred.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND DEVELOPMENT
UPDATES
Highway 111 Corridor Area Plan (Plan)
Design and Development Director Castro and Planning Manger Flores gave a
brief update on the status for the Plan including the components asked for in
the request for proposal (RFP) for form-based code planning and engineering
services for the Plan. Planning Manager Flores said a total of three proposals
were received, two firms were invited for interviews, and staff anticipates
bringing this item for Council review and consideration in September 2020.
Chairperson Mills shared his experience being on the interview panel for the
RFP Plan.
SilverRock Development (Development)
Building Official Ortega gave an update on the Development including the
status on the plan checks for the several projects pending, including the
Pendry hotel, Pendry residences, Montage hotels, Montage residences and
bungalows, shared facilities, water and pool structures.
The Commission requested an update on the grand opening for the
Development currently scheduled for Fall of 2021 and the status for the
transition of the golf course operations from the City to the developer . Staff
said they’re anticipating an update from the developer on the grand opening
to Council in a future meeting this Fall. Staff noted the transition of the golf
course operations was originally intended to be done as early as June 2020;
however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was delayed and the City’s
contract with Landmark Golf Management was extended until to June of 2021
to ensure continuity of operations. Finance Director Romero said that the City
would continue to monitor operations for golf course and anticipated operation
cost would be added to the 10-year projections after audit season at the end
of October 2020.
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES 3 AUGUST 5, 2020
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING
The Commission asked about the median landscape at the entrance of
SilverRock (SRR at the roundabout on Jefferson Street and Avenue 52. Public
works Director/City Engineer McKinney said that the landscape for the
roundabout in front of SRR is not part of the Development, but may be started
as a median landscape project for next year.
SilverRock Event Site (Site)
Public works Director/City Engineer McKinney said completion of the Site
project is anticipated for September 2020 and gave an update on the
outstanding Site plan components pending completion.
Avenue 48 Art and Music Line Project (Project)
Public Works Director/City Engineer McKinney said that the City has held
several meetings with CVAG regarding the Project’s design; and noted CVAG
was close to finalizing the plan to submit for grant funding needed to construct
the Project.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
1. APPROVE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES DATED JUNE 3, 2020
2. APPROVE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES DATED JUNE 9,2020
3. RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT
DATED MAY 31, 2020
Motion – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Twohey/Rosen
to approve the Consent Calendar, as submitted. Motion passed: ayes 6, noes
0, vacancy 1.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPOINT A FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSIONER
CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSON TO SERVE FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2020/21
Finance Director Romero presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Finance Department.
Finance Director Romero provided the Commission with an overview of the
roles and responsibilities of a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. The
Commission nominated to reelect Commissioners Mills and Twohey to
continue in their roles as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, respectively, for
fiscal year 2020/21; and Commissioners Mills and Twohey expressed their
willingness to continue to serve in these capacities.
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES 4 AUGUST 5, 2020
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING
Motion – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Rosen/Batavick
to appoint Commissioners Mills and Twohey to serve as Chairperson and Vice-
Chairperson, respectively, for fiscal year 2020/21. Motion passed: ayes 6,
noes 0, vacancy 1.
STUDY SESSION – None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Staff provided a verbal update on all departmental report items.
1. LA QUINTA COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY
ECONOMIC RELIEF PROGRAM (Program) – VERBAL UPDATE
The Commission and staff discussed the Program guidelines; the City’s
community outreach efforts; and the $10,000 cap for one-time rent/mortgage
and utilities reimbursement for certain businesses with a physical storefront.
The Commission recommended expanding the Programs’ eligibility guidelines
by either extending the application deadline, increasing the cap amount if
available funding remains, or if an additional allocation is approved for the
Program.
2. LIFESTREAM ANNUAL COACHELLA VALLEY NINE CITIES BLOOD
DRIVE CHALLENGE
Finance Director Romero said that the nine cities blood drive is going on
through the end of August and encouraged anyone who can donate to do so.
She mentioned successful blood donations would be tested for COVID-19 anti-
bodies.
3. FINANCE ACCOUNT TECHNICIAN RECRUITMENT
Finance Director Romero noted the following:
• 75 applications received – Human Resources performed the initial
screening;
• 35 qualified applicants received a supplemental exercise;
• 10 applicants would be interviewed on Tuesday, August 11, 2020;
• Second interviews to follow for at least top two candidates;
• Reference checks; selection and a formal offer are anticipated by the
end of August 2020.
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES 5 AUGUST 5, 2020
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING
4. BANK OF NEW YORK (BNY) MELLON TRUST COMPANY CUSTODY
ACCOUNT
Finance Director Romero announced that Council approved a custody account
agreement with BNY Mellon Trust Company at a regular meeting on Tuesday,
August 4, 2020.
5. FISCAL YEAR 2019/20 AUDIT PREPARATIONS
Finance Director Romero said that the City is preparing for a fiscal year end
audit for fiscal year 2019/20. She mentioned the final comprehensive audit is
scheduled for the week of October 12th and would be done virtually.
6. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)
CONTRACT SERVICES WITH VANIR
Finance Director Romero announced the FEMA contract was officially executed
with Vanir Construction Management, Inc. on Monday, August 3, 2020 and a
kickoff meeting is scheduled with the City’s Finance Department and Vanir
staff the week of August 17, 2020.
COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
2. SUB-COMMITTEE REVIEW OF POLICE SERVICES – VERBAL
UPDATE
Commissioners Batavick and Rosen shared their experience and involvement
in the sub-committee tasked to review and evaluate police service levels and
associated costs; to date the sub-committee has held four virtual meetings to
review and discuss the City’s annual study for police services prepared by
Matrix Consulting Group, the different components for police expenses and
patrol service levels, and the components for possible contract negotiations
with other cities.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Twohey/Hunter to adjourn this meeting at 5:34 p.m. Motion
passed: ayes 6, noes 0, vacancy 1.
Respectfully submitted,
Jessica Delgado, Management Assistant
City of La Quinta, California