2022 03 12 CC Minutes Community Workshop Special Meeting
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 4 MARCH 12, 2022
SPECIAL MEETING ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
A special meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 9:03 a.m.
by Mayor Evans to conduct the City’s Annual Community Workshop.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, Peña, Radi, and Mayor Evans
ABSENT: Councilmember Sanchez
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Fitzpatrick/Councilmember Radi to excuse Councilmember Sanchez’s absence
from this meeting. Motion passed: 4-1 – ayes (4), noes (0), absent (1 –
Sanchez), abstain (0).
COMMUNITY MEMBERS SIGNED IN: 53
CITY STAFF PRESENT: 23
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Evans led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
– None.
STUDY SESSION
1. ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP: “PROPELLING FORWARD – THE
POWER OF COLLABORATION AND THE ROAD TO RECOVERY”
Mayor Evans welcomed all participants to the annual community workshop and
explained the purpose of the workshop.
City Manager McMillen introduced himself, welcomed all participants, and
provided an overview of the workshop agenda and objectives.
Director of Business Unit and Housing Development Villalpando affirmed La
Quinta’s sacred values set by the community:
Health and Wellness
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SPECIAL MEETING ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
High Quality Aesthetics
Vibrant and Safe Community
Visually Beautiful City
Cultural Diversity
Finance Director Martinez presented the City’s current financial status and 10-
year revenue and expenditure projections; a hand-out of the financial projects
was distributed to Council, made publicly available, and incorporated into the
public record and agenda packet of this meeting.
City Clerk Radeva provided an overview of the Short-Term Vacation Rental
(STVR) Program characteristics, compliance status, and taxes, fees, and STVR
Program costs for 2021 calendar year, and citizens’ initiative petition status; a
hand-out of the STVR areas map was distributed to Council, made publicly
available, and incorporated into the public record and agenda packet of this
meeting.
A summary overview of the City’s completed projects and accomplishments over
the last year was presented by Staff.
MAYOR EVANS RECESSED THE COMMUNITY WORKSHOP FOR A BRIEF
BREAK AT 10:15 A.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE COMMUNITY WORKSHOP AT 10:43 A.M.
WITH ALL ATTENDING COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT
Staff presented the City’s initiatives and Big Rocks projects for fiscal year
2022/23:
Community Resources Department
Wellness Center – expand services and operations to 7-days per week
Ironman and AM/EX Golf Tournament collaborations
Concerts in the Park – increase the number of events for this program
series
Design and Development Department
Talus project – continue to facilitate development and construction
Highway 111 Corridor Specific Plan – streamline existing specific plan
requirements
Al Fresco Dining Program – refine the program to allow for safe and
visually appealing outdoor dining operations
2021-29 Housing Element – adopt the housing element
Village Cultural Campus Master/Vision Plan – conduct a study
New permit management software – implement a new software to
enhance functionality and increase customer service
Historic Resources Survey – update the survey
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SPECIAL MEETING ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
Public Works Department
Public Safety Camera System Phase II – additional locations,
installation of fiber cables to increase clarity of video stream at night,
possible license plate reader
Village Area Lighting – replace the pistachio-colored light posts with
smart lighting infrastructure
La Quinta Park Upgrades – update the splash pad, replace the existing
fountain, install retaining wall along the back path, and repurpose the
existing skate park to another recreational amenity
Workshop participants were teamed by tables and asked to collaborate on
ranking the top two Big Rocks projects most important to the community, and
to select a spokesperson to report out for each table. The top two projects
recommended by each table were added to the “Big Rock Projects” list and
participants were asked to vote on each project based on their priority.
The community voted on the projects below, listed based on ranking order:
1. Undergrounding Utilities
2. La Quinta Park Upgrades
3. Public Safety Camera System Phase II
4. Additional Concerts in the Park
5. Coral Mountain Park – Cahuilla History Incorporation
6.1 Shade Shelters at Parks & Bus Stops
6.2 Affordable Housing
Marketing Manager Graham noted the following upcoming City events:
La Quinta Spring Business Update – April 6, 2022, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30
p.m. at the SilverRock Park; and
City’s 40th Birthday Celebration – April 30, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.,
at the Civic Center Park.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: – Alena Callimanis, La Quinta – expressed her gratitude for
the community workshop and for giving residents an opportunity to voice their
opinions.
Ms. Callimanis submitted written comments in opposition of the Coral Mountain
Resort project, which were distributed to Council, made publicly available, and
incorporated into the public record and agenda packet of this meeting.
Mayor Evans said La Quinta resident Linda Stoddart submitted written comments
noting that traffic signal turning errors at intersections with very little traffic are
inefficient and cause unnecessary extra gas usage.
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SPECIAL MEETING ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
PUBLIC SPEAKER: – Philip Bettencourt, La Quinta – said he serves on the
Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Coachella Valley Energy Commission as the At-
Large Commissioner for Cities, and the Commission’s objective is to develop a
long-term strategic plan for continued energy service to the Coachella Valley
following the 2033 expiration of the 99-year lease between IID and the Coachella
Valley Water District.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: – Mario Sewell, La Quinta – said he and his wife are 18-year
residents of La Quinta; feels most of the important issues have been discussed,
such as undergrounding utilities, dealing with sun-chargers (sic, solar panels) in
parks and elsewhere, global warming; noted art is more important than ever,
people come from all over the world to visit the Cove; and he enjoys riding bikes.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: – Tammy Gordon, La Quinta – reminded everyone of the
importance to dump and drain standing water in their yards to help mitigate the
spread of mosquitos and other bug threats to public health; and said this would
aid the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District in protecting our
communities.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Marketing Manager Graham said residents can download the City’s GoRequest
app on their phones and easily report any maintenance and code compliance
issues.
Mayor Evans and Councilmembers thanked the participants for their time and
commitment to La Quinta; and noted community input and engagement are vital
in shaping our community’s future and vision of tomorrow.
MAYOR’S AND COUNCILMEMBERS’ ITEMS – None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Radi to adjourn at 11:56 a.m. Motion passed: 4-1
– ayes (4), noes (0), absent (1 – Sanchez), abstain (0).
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California