2022 02 01 CC Minutes
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 6 FEBRUARY 1, 2022
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 3:01
p.m. by Mayor Evans.
This meeting provided teleconferencing accessibility pursuant to Executive
Orders N-60-20 and N-08-21 executed by the Governor of California, and
subsequently Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361, 2021), enacted 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.).
PRESENT: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, Peña, Radi, Sanchez, Mayor Evans
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager McMillen, City Attorney Ihrke, City Clerk
Radeva, Deputy City Clerk Romane, Director of Business Unit and Housing
Development Villalpando, Management Analyst Kinley, Public Works
Director/City Engineer McKinney, Community Resources Manager Calderon,
Public Safety Manager Mendez, Senior Emergency Management Coordinator
Johnston, Finance Director Martinez, Interim Accounting Manager Hallick,
Design and Development Director Castro.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Councilmember Peña and Mayor Evans said they will recuse themselves from
discussion and vote on Consent Calendar Item No. 5 due to a potential conflict
of interest stemming from the proximity of their real property to this project;
and requested that it be pulled for a separate vote. Council concurred.
CLOSED SESSION
1. THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES, PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION (a) OF GOVERNMENT CODE § 54957.
CONSULTATION WITH: ALEXANDER JOHNSTON, SENIOR
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR; WILLIAM H. IHRKE,
CITY ATTORNEY (Review Continued Need and Response to
Proclaimed State and Local Emergencies Caused by COVID-19)
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 2 of 6 FEBRUARY 1, 2022
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED
LITIGATION. SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION
PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OR (3) OF SUBDIVISION (d) OF
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9 (NUMBER OF POTENTIAL
CASES: 1)
COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING
AND MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:04 P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 4:00 P.M. WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT
REPORT ON ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Ihrke reported that no actions were taken in Closed Session that
require reporting pursuant to Government Code section 54957.1 (Brown Act).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Evans led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Brad Anderson,
Rancho Mirage – expressed concern that COVID-19-related topics being
discussed in Closed Session are outside the range of topics permitted by the
Government Code and should be discussed during open session.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Andrew Castro, La
Quinta – expressed concern that the Council’s discussions in Closed Session
are without public oversight. He opposes the City’s mass surveillance via
camera systems and noise monitoring devices used to punish small businesses
and divulge their information publicly. He said responses to his multiple
requests for information are trickling in.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Eric Musser, La
Quinta – requested that his short-term vacation rental (STVR) permit for his
previous address be transferred to his new address to override permanent ban
in effect on the issuance of new STVR permits.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. GREATER PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION AND VISITORS’ BUREAU
ANNUAL UPDATE – PRESENTATION BY PRESIDENT AND CEO
SCOTT WHITE
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 6 FEBRUARY 1, 2022
PRESENTING VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Scott White,
President/CEO and Colleen Pace, Chief Sales/Marketing Officer with the
Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, provided an annual
update via Zoom on hospitality and tourism in the Coachella Valley.
2. COACHELLA VALLEY PUBLIC CEMETERY DISTRICT –
PRESENTATION BY GENERAL MANAGER JOSHUA BONNER
PRESENTATION VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Joshua Bonner,
General Manager, Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District (formed in 1927),
provided a presentation via Zoom on the budget status, changes and
improvements made by the district over the past year.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT
AND ACCOUNT TECHNICIAN TO ATTEND THE CALIFORNIA
SOCIETY OF MUNICIPAL FINANCE OFFICERS ANNUAL
CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, FEBRUARY 16-18,
2022
2. RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT DATED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
3. RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT DATED
OCTOBER 31, 2021
4. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED JANUARY 14 AND 21,
2022
5. pulled for a separate vote by Mayor Evans and Councilmember Peña >>>
AWARD CONTRACT TO UNIVERSAL CONSTRUCTION
ENGINEERING FOR THE CITYWIDE MISCELLANEOUS
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
NO. 2021-03
6. APPROVE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, ENGINEER’S ESTIMATE,
AND ADVERTISE FOR BID THE LA QUINTA LANDSCAPE
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT LOCATED AT THE LA QUINTA X-PARK
ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WESTWARD HO DRIVE AND EAST SIDE
OF DUNE PALMS ROAD (PROJECT NO. 2016-03G)
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 4 of 6 FEBRUARY 1, 2022
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/
Radi to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-4 and 6 as recommended.
Motion passed unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 5
MAYOR EVANS AND COUNCILMEMBER PEÑA RECUSED THEMSELVES,
FROM DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON THIS ITEM, DUE TO A POTENTIAL
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STEMMING FROM THE PROXIMITY OF THEIR
REAL PROPERTY TO THE PROJECT LOCATION
MAYOR PRO TEM FITZPATRICK ASSUMED PRESIDING OFFICER
RESPONSIBILITIES FROM MAYOR EVANS FOR THIS ITEM
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Radi/
Sanchez to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 5 as recommended. Motion
passed: ayes – 3, noes – 0, abstain – 2 (Evans and Peña).
MAYOR EVANS RESUMED PRESIDING OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR
THE REMAINDER OF THE MEETING
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROVE SECOND ROUND COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANTS FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2021/22
Community Resource Manager Calderon presented the staff report, which is
on file in the Clerk’s Office.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Sean Webb,
Director of Community Engagement and Education Foundation Desert Sands
Educational Foundation thanked Councilmembers and City Staff for sponsoring
their Royal Sands Gala on June 4, 2022.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Fabiola Valenzuela,
Resident Services Coordinator for the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition
thanked Council for the starter grant for teen support services.
PUBLIC SPEAKER(S) VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Christopher
Flicker, Scoutmaster; Suzanne Potter, Assistant Scoutmaster; Pam Raymont,
Committee Chair; and Bernadette Flicker, Senior Patrol Leader for Scouts BSA
Troop 451 thanked Council for their support, and provided a recap on their
accomplishments and the benefits the City’s grant will bring to local youth.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 5 of 6 FEBRUARY 1, 2022
Mayor Evans explained the purpose of the program and encouraged non-profit
organizations to apply.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Peña/
Fitzpatrick to approve second round Community Service Grants for fiscal year
2021/22 and award a total of $7,500 in grants as follows:
Coachella Valley Housing Coalition $ 500 starter grant
Colonel Mitchell Paige School $ 0
Desert Sands Educational Foundation $2,000
Scouts BSA Troop 451 (girl’s troop) $5,000
Motion passed unanimously.
2. INTRODUCE FOR FIRST READING AN ORDINANCE ADDING
SECTION 14.16.415 TO THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE
ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF ANY
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY [ORDINANCE NO. 598]
Public Works Director/City Engineer McKinney presented the staff report,
which is on file in the Clerk’s Office.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Peña/
Fitzpatrick to take up Ordinance No. 598 by title and number only and waive
further reading. Motion passed unanimously.
City Clerk Radeva read the following title of Ordinance No. 598 into the record:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA,
CALIFORNIA, ADDING SECTION 14.16.415 TO THE LA QUINTA
MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS FOR THE
MAINTENANCE OF ANY PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Peña/
Fitzpatrick to introduce at first reading Ordinance No. 598 to add Section
14.16.415 to the La Quinta Municipal Code establishing regulations for the
maintenance of any public right-of-way. Motion passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION – None
PUBLIC HEARINGS – None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS – None
MAYOR’S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ITEMS
Councilmember Fitzpatrick reported on her meeting with the captains of the
La Quinta Arts Celebration.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 6 of 6 FEBRUARY 1, 2022
Mayor Evans and Councilmember Peña reported on their attendance at the
ceremony renaming the Coachella Valley arena.
Mayor Evans reported on her presentation at the IEDC conference.
Councilmembers Peña and Radi explained that the City Attorney ensures that
Council strictly follows the Brown Act in discussing any item in Closed Session,
and asked the City Attorney to provide an explanation of the parameters of
the Brown Act in the future when public comments are made regarding Closed
Session discussions.
Councilmember Radi expressed gratitude for the work that the Border Patrol
has been doing.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
La Quinta’s representative for 2022, Mayor Evans reported on her participation
in the following organizations’ meeting:
CVAG ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
ROTARY DISTRICT
La Quinta’s representative for 2022, Councilmember Peña reported on his
participation in the following organizations’ meeting:
CVAG PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY
WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED
City Clerk Radeva announced that written public comments were received
from Andrew Castro regarding the STVR program, and Mr. Castro’s comments
were distributed to Council, made available on the City’s website, and included
in the record of today’s meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Radi/Fitzpatrick to adjourn at 5:37 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California