2021 02 10 FAC MinutesFINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES 1 FEBRUARY 10, 2021
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2021
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, Way,
and Chairperson Mills
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Management Assistant Delgado, Financial Services Analyst
Hallick, Finance Director Romero, Accounting Manager Martinez, Public Works
Director/City Engineer McKinney, and Management Analyst Mignogna
COMMISSIONER WAY JOINED MEETING AT 4:02 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Twohey led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The following PUBLIC SPEAKER provided a verbal comment VIA TELEPHONIC
ACCESSIBITY:
Dale Tyerman, La Quinta – commended the Commission, Council, and staff for
their guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. He thanked the Commission
and staff for being fiscally cautious and planning ahead to ensure the City’s
fiscal viability. He asked that the same level of strategic planning continues
going forward to lead the City out of the pandemic, and suggested a formal
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strategic planning exercise be formed to outline opportunities to help the City
with the overall challenges coming out of the pandemic.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Staff requested the following two items be placed on the agenda for discussion
under Commissioners’ Items as requested by Chairperson Mills.
1.Potential formation of a 10-year projection project task force
2.Discuss a long-range strategic planning for the City of La Quinta
The Commission concurred.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
–None
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
1.APPROVE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES DATED NOVEMBER 23,
2020
2.APPROVE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES DATED DECEMBER 2,
2020
3.RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT DATED
OCTOBER 31, 2020
4.RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT DATED
NOVEMBER 30, 2020
5.RECEIVE AND FILE FIRST QUARTER 2020/21 TREASURY
REPORTS DATED JULY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER 2020
Motion – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Twohey/Hunter
to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1, 3, 4, and 5, as submitted. Motion
passed unanimously.
Consent Calendar Item No. 2, page No. 3, the last sentence under Study
Session Item No. 1 shall be amended to read:
The Commission expressed general support of these stages for the Plan and
Project.
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Motion – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Hoffner/Batavick
to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 2, as amended. Motion passed
unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND AN APPROPRIATION FROM MEASURE
G RESERVES FOR THE SILVERROCK RETENTION BASIN SOIL
STABILIZATION PROJECT NO. 2020-7 (Project)
Management Analyst Mignogna, Public Works Director/City Engineer McKinney,
and City Consultant Chris Hermann, President/CEO of Hermann Design Group,
presented the staff report, which is on file in the Finance Department.
The Commission and staff discussed the four preliminary design options and
associated costs for each one; annual maintenance costs for each option and
available funding sources; stabilizing material to be used around plants and
slopes; and expressed general consensus support for Option 4.
Motion – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Batavick/Hoffner
to recommend Council approval of Measure G reserve funding appropriation for
Option 4, in the amount of $427,250, for the SilverRock Retention Basin Soil
Stabilization Project No. 2020-07. Motion passed unanimously.
2. RECEIVE AND FILE THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL
REPORT (CAFR) FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020
Finance Director Romero, Accounting Manager Martinez, and CPA Partner Phillip
White with Eide Bailly auditing firm (EB) presented the staff report, which is on
file in the Finance Department.
Mr. White explained EB’s audit purview and scope and mentioned that this
year’s audit was done virtually due to the pandemic.
The Commission and staff discussed the CAFR footnotes on page 69 referencing
Long-Term Debt and debt related to the former Redevelopment Agency of the
City; Successor Agency debt noted in CAFR that is not a direct obligation for
the City; property tax collections on page 114 of CAFR pertaining to dissolution
of Redevelopment Agency; and the governmental activities leading to
decreased changes in net position found on page 10.
Motion – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Way/Hoffner to
receive and file the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for year ending
June 30, 2020, as submitted. Motion passed unanimously
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STUDY SESSION – None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1.FINANCE DEPARTMENT CURRENT AND FUTURE INITIATIVES
Finance Director Romero presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Finance Department.
Staff mentioned that the first meeting for the Interfund Library Loan
subcommittee will be on Friday, February 12, which includes Commissioners
Hoffner and Mills. Staff requested that Commissioners give the Commission a
verbal update on subcommittees they are currently participating in.
Commissioner Twohey shared his experience and what has been reviewed so
far on the Review for Pension Liability subcommittee.
Commissioner Batavick said that the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program
Budget subcommittee had their initial meeting in January; provided a summary
of the subcommittee’s scope of work and timeline.
Commissioner Hunter shared his experience and what has been reviewed so
far on the 2021/22 Operating budget subcommittee.
Finance Director Romero mentioned that the Short-Term Vacation Rental
Program Fiscal Analysis subcommittee has been postponed until further notice,
but has Commissioners Hoffner, Hunter, and Mills on standby.
Commissioner Hoffner asked if any changes in any policies and procedures
would be coming up as an item in a future meeting. Financial Services Analyst
Hallick confirmed that minor changes due to the pandemic for the City’s
Purchasing Policy would be brought forth for the Commission’s review and
consideration at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
2.PROPERTY TAX UPDATE FOR THE CITY OF LA QUINTA
Finance Director Romero presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Finance Department.
3.LA QUINTA COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY ECONOMIC
RELIEF PROGRAM (Program) – verbal update
Financial Services Analyst Hallick said as of date a total of $1.759 million dollars
has been disbursed; broke down the totals for the each individual part of the
Program; mentioned another $166,000 will be distributed this week; said
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES 5 FEBRUARY 10, 2021
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approximately $180,000 will remain available in the Program; and that over
100 individual businesses have been assisted by the Program.
The Commission commended the City on continuing to help businesses through
the Program and shared thankful comments heard from businesses.
COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
1.DISCUSS COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENT OF POTENTIAL
FORMATION OF A 10-YEAR PROJECTION PROJECT TASK FORCE
Chairman Mills suggested a task force be formed to brainstorm ideas on
presenting the Ten-Year Projections in an easier to read format for the public.
He requested staff place this item as a business session item on the agenda for
the next Commission meeting.
The Commission concurred.
2.DISCUSS A LONG-RANGE STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA
Chairman Mills suggested a task force be formed for a long-range strategic
plan. He mentioned staff had informed him of the City’s Economic Development
Committee (Committee) already formed and asked if the Commission could
participate. Staff mentioned those involved in the Committee and explained
that some items brought to the Committee are confidential, but would discuss
the potential participation of the FAC with the City Manager’s office. He
requested staff place this item for consideration at the next Commission
meeting.The Commission concurred.
Commissioner Hunter suggested considering placing the ten-year projections
on the City’s website under the Finance Department similar to how the Measure
G Oversight reports are displayed.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Way/Hunter to adjourn this meeting at 5:52 p.m. Motion passed unanimously
Respectfully submitted,
Jessica Delgado, Management Assistant
City of La Quinta, California