2022 01 18 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 8 JANUARY 18, 2022
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 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, Deputy City
Clerk Romane, Director of Business Unit and Housing Development
Villalpando, Community Resources Director Escobedo, Community Resources
Manager Calderon, Public Safety Manager Mendez, Senior Emergency
Coordinator Johnston, Public Works Director/City Engineer McKinney, Finance
Director Martinez, Interim Accounting Manager Hallick, Management Analyst
Kinley, Design and Development Director Castro, Planning Manager Flores,
Senior Planner Flores.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
City Manager McMillen requested to pull Item Nos. 2 and 3 under the
Announcements Presentations and Written Communications section of the
Agenda and postpone them to the February 1, 2022, Council Meeting.
Mayor Evans said she would like to make additional announcements under the
Announcements, Presentations, and Written Communications section of the
Agenda related to COVID-19 safety protocols and the upcoming Annual
Community Workshop.
Council concurred.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None.
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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)
2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT
TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8 FOR PROPERTY
LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF HIGHWAY 111, WEST OF DUNE
PALMS (APN 600-390-024)
CITY NEGOTIATOR: JON MCMILLEN, CITY MANAGER
NEGOTIATING PARTY: MANNINO LIVING TRUST
UNDER NEGOTIATION: PRICE AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING
AND MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:05 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 no reportable actions were taken in Closed
Session that require reporting pursuant to Government Code section 54950 et
seq. (Brown Act).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Evans led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Deputy City Clerk Romane said WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS were received
by the residents listed below in alphabetical order; which were distributed to
Council, made publicly available, and incorporated into the agenda packet and
public record of the meeting:
Andrew Castro, La Quinta – requesting clarification on the City issued
Executive Orders due to COVID-19, and certain sections of the La Quinta
Municipal Code related to short-term vacation rentals (STVRs); and
Lyola Torres, La Quinta – supporting STVRs.
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PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Alena Callimanis, La
Quinta – spoke in opposition of the proposed Coral Mountain Resort project;
expressed concerns about the quality of life for the La Quinta residents in
proximity of this project; and developing the vacant land will release carbon
dioxide which would contribute to Green House Gas emissions.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS – ADDED ANNOUNCEMENT
AT CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Mayor Evans thanked the residents who submitted comments regarding
Councilmember Sanchez’s refusal to wear facial covering at the December 21,
2021 Council meeting in accordance with current California state health
requirements due to COVID-19 imposing a facial covering mandate until
February 15, 2022; said a lot of the comments were in support of the need to
follow health and safety protocols; and noted tonight’s meeting is held
virtually due to the temporary closure of City Hall to help mitigate the spread
of COVID-19.
Mayor Evans said the rest of the Council does not support Councilmember
Sanchez’s refusal to follow safety protocols, as expressed during the
December 21, 2022 Council meeting; and further non-compliance will be
addressed.
Deputy City Clerk Romane provided an overview of the teleconference
accessibility instructions allowing members of the public to attend and
participate in tonight’s meeting virtually via Zoom.
Deputy City Clerk Romane noted City services continue to be available via
the City’s website and online permit portals while City Hall remains closed.
1. PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL BLOOD
DONOR MONTH
Mayor Evans, on behalf of the City Council, presented a Proclamation to Vice
President of Operations Michelle Johnson with LifeStream Blood Bank in
recognition of National Blood Donor Month; LifeStream has a new blood donor
center at 46660 Washington Street in the Washington Park commercial center
in La Quinta; appointments for blood donations can also be made at
lstream.org or 1-800-try-giving; currently the nation is experiencing the worst
blood shortage in history; noted the great need and importance of blood
donations; and said there will be several upcoming blood drive events.
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Ms. Johnson expressed her gratitude for the City’s support and commended
Mayor Evans’ efforts to create awareness of the need for blood donations.
2. Pulled from the Agenda and will be tabled for the February 1, 2022
Council Meeting >>> PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF
CAPTAIN HERMAN LOPEZ WITH RIVERSIDE COUNTY
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT FOR HIS PUBLIC SERVICE
3. Pulled from the Agenda and will be tabled for the February 1, 2022
Council Meeting >>> INTRODUCE RIVERSIDE COUNTY
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT NEW CAPTAIN MICHAEL BIANCO
4. AMERICAN EXPRESS GOLF TOURNAMENT AND EVENT – 2022
STATUS UPDATE
Executive Director Pat McCabe with American Express and Project Manager
Rory Parson with BWG, provided a summary of the upcoming American
Express Golf Tournament, scheduled for January 17-23, 2022 at PGA West,
including COVID-19 health and safety protocols, schedule of the event;
attendance, parking, traffic plan, shuttle route, and security; public safety
protocols; ingress and egress plans; access points; and outreach.
City Manager McMillen provided an overview of the City’s contributions for
this event.
General discussion followed those attendees entering the event site from
PGA West residences have three access points that will require proof of
compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols; available testing options; ticket
verification process; and charity distributions.
5. TALUS – PROJECT STATUS UPDATE
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Robert Green,
President and CEO, Robert Green Company/SilverRock Development Co.
provided a detailed presentation on the project’s overall progress and
sequence of activities onsite for 1) Montage Hotel and Spa, including vertical
construction and pool, 2) Montage Guestrooms, 3) Montage Residences, 4)
Conference and Shared Services Building, 5) Golf Clubhouse, 6) Pendry
Residences, and 7) Pendry Hotel.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - Continued
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY – David Richer, La
Quinta – said he has lived in La Quinta since 2016; La Quinta has the best
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bike trails around; expressed concerns about Councilmember Sanchez’s
comments and refusal to wear a mask during the December 21, 2021; and
noted the importance of wearing masks in order to ensure everyone’s safety
against COVID-19.
CITY’S ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP STATUS UPDATE – ADDED
ANNOUNCEMENT AT CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Mayor Evans said the Annual Community Workshop scheduled for January 29,
2022, will be postponed until the health and safety COVID-19 related
restrictions are lifted and it can be conducted in-person.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 21, 2021
2. AFFIRM RESOLUTION NO. 2021-035 FINDINGS RELATED TO THE
STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO COVID-19 AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT TELECONFERENCE
ACCESSIBILITY TO CONDUCT PUBLIC MEETINGS PURSUANT TO
ASSEMBLY BILL 361 (STATS. 2021, CH. 165)
3. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE APPLICATION FOR, AND
RECEIPT OF, CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 1383 LOCAL
ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS TO ASSIST WITH
IMPLEMENTATION OF SB 1383 REGULATION REQUIREMENTS
[RESOLUTION NO. 2022-001]
4. APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A REPLACEMENT PLAYGROUND
STRUCTURE FOR SEASONS PARK FROM DAVE BANG &
ASSOCIATES, INC. THROUGH SOURCEWELL COOPERATIVE
PURCHASING AND APPROPRIATE $92,635
5. APPROVE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT AND
AMENDMENT TO SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT FOR
TRACT MAP NO. 33336, PALO VERDE II, A RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF AVENUE 58
WEST OF MADISON STREET
6. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED DECEMBER 17, 31, 2021
AND JANUARY 7, 2022
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Comments on Consent Calendar Items:
Item No. 4 – Mayor Pro Tem Fitzpatrick thanked staff for their continued
efforts to improve and replace the City’s park equipment; and noted the
importance of adding shade structures over the swing sets.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Radi
to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended, with Item No. 3 adopting
Resolution No. 2022-001. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. RECEIVE AND FILE FISCAL YEAR 2020/21 GENERAL FUND YEAR-
END BUDGET REPORT AND APPROVE THE AMENDED BUDGET
CARRYOVERS
Finance Director Martinez presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Clerk’s Office.
Council thanked staff for their prudent management of funds and resources
and for the support to the City’s business and residential community; and
thanked the community for voting to implement Measure G sales and use tax,
which has allowed the City to fund a lot of infrastructure projects, public
safety, and provide economic support to the local business community during
COVID-19.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Peña/Fitzpatrick to Receive and file Fiscal Year 2020/21 General Fund Year-
End Budget Report and approve the amended budget carryovers from
2020/21 to 2021/22 as recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSS AL FRESCO DINING PROGRAM
Design and Development Director Castro presented the staff report, which is
on file in the Clerk’s Office.
Council discussed Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) would apply
dependent on the size of the outdoor dining area; existing outdoor dining
improvements do not count towards TUMF calculations, only additional patio
improvement; the proposed Al Fresco Dining Program provides options for a
temporary outdoor dining area via a Minor Use Permit or for permanent
improvements via a Modification by Applicant permit; possibility to have
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adjoining restaurants install shared outdoor area; utilizing surplus parking
spaces; importance of ensuring safety standards, access points, and path of
travel; setback requirements flexibility; these improvements are available to
new and existing restaurants; TUMF fees are due at building permit issuance;
evaluate options for the City to mitigate the TUMF costs for businesses; the
City does not waive permit fees; importance for aesthetics to cohere with the
brand of La Quinta; economic assistance be available to existing businesses
only; the outdoor dining areas allowed during the pandemic did not require a
permit, and this program will allow them to get permitted; importance to stay
consistent and work with the businesses that received assistance through the
Small Business Emergency Economic Relief Program (SBEERP); the City does
not review site furnishings; assess the businesses that participate in the
program; discuss if improvements should be made permanent; inquire if non-
participating businesses are interested in the program; outdoor improvements
require construction costs in addition to permitting costs; future enterprises
will be future contributors to the development and growth of the city;
importance to formally permit the improvements.
Council expressed consensus for establishing a more formalized process for
the Al Fresco Dining Program; evaluate options to build-in the permit fees in
the SBEERP; implement the program sometime in the next 6-8 months; and
seek input from the affected parties on what would be the key points from
their perspective.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS - All reports are on file in the City Clerk’s Office.
MAYOR’S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ITEMS
Councilmember Peña reported on his attendance at Temalpakh Farm, the new
tribal farmer’s market soft opening today in Coachella, California; and the
retirement celebration for Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant
Buompensiero.
Mayor Evans thanked Mayor Pro Tem Fitzpatrick for attending the Martin
Luther King Jr Commemoration Celebration held outside of the Coachella
Library on January 16, 2022.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
La Quinta’s representative for 2022, Mayor Evans reported on her participation
in the following organization’s meeting:
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IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT – COACHELLA VALLEY ENERGY
COMMISSION
La Quinta’s representative for 2022, Mayor Pro Tem Fitzpatrick reported on
her participation in the following organizations’ meetings:
COACHELLA VALLEY MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (RCTC)
La Quinta’s representative for 2022, Councilmember Peña reported on his
participation in the following organizations’ meeting:
CVAG PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
La Quinta’s representative for 2022, Councilmember Sanchez reported on his
participation in the following organization’s meeting:
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES – TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION
AND PUBLIC WORKS POLICY COMMITTEE
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Radi/Fitzpatrick to adjourn at 5:58 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California