2022 04 19 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 6 APRIL 19, 2022
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 3:00
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, Acting Deputy City Clerk McGinley, Director of Business Unit and
Housing Development Villalpando, Marketing Manager Graham, Community
Resources Director Escobedo, Public Safety Manager Mendez, Community
Resource Manager Calderon, Human Resources Manager Triplett,
Management Analyst Calderon, Public Works Director/City Engineer McKinney,
Finance Director Martinez, Design and Development Director Castro, and
Public Works Director / City Engineer McKinney
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION –
PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (1) OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF
SECTION 54956.9 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE;
NAME OF CASE: CITY OF LA QUINTA, PETITIONER, V. LA QUINTA
ARTS FOUNDATION, RESPONDENT, USPTO TRADEMARK TRIAL
AND APPEAL BD., CANCELLATION CASE NO.: 92076446;
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 2 of 6 APRIL 19, 2022
NAME OF CASE: LA QUINTA ARTS FOUNDATION, PLAINTIFF, V.
CITY OF LA QUINTA, DEFENDANT, US DIST. COURT, CENTRAL
DISTRICT OF CAL., CASE NO. 5:21-CV-515
2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT
TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8 FOR PROPERTY
LOCATED ON MAIN STREET, EAST OF DESERT CLUB DRIVE
(WESTERLY PORTION ); APNS: 770-123-011 AND 770-124-010)
CITY NEGOTIATOR: JON MCMILLEN, CITY MANAGER
NEGOTIATING PARTY: WELLS MARVIN
UNDER NEGOTIATION: PRICE AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT
TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8 FOR PROPERTY
LOCATED ON AVENIDA LA FONDA, EAST OF DESERT CLUB DRIVE;
APNS: 770-125-003 AND 770-125-002
CITY NEGOTIATOR: JON MCMILLEN, CITY MANAGER
NEGOTIATING PARTY: NINO ROSINI
UNDER NEGOTIATION: PRICE AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING
AND MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:03 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 actions were taken in Closed Session that
require reporting pursuant to Government Code section 54957.1 (Brown Act).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Radi led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
City Clerk Radeva presented instructions on how to join the Council meeting
via teleconference using Zoom and stated that instructions are also available
on the City’s website and listed on the published agenda.
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; the Commission’s objective is to develop a
long-term strategic plan to continue energy services for the Coachella Valley
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 6 APRIL 19, 2022
following the 2033 expiration of the 99-year lease between IID and the
Coachella Valley Water District; and noted his support for the independent
study on electrical energy service alternatives for certain areas of the
Coachella Valley and the importance of this study; Local Agency Formation
Commissions (LAFCO) for the Counties of Riverside and Imperial have selected
a consultant to conduct the study, and are awaiting the funding from the State
of California pursuant to Governor Newsom’s sponsored bill, which is not yet
available.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Lyola Torres, La Quinta – said she moved to La Quinta
about six years ago from Los Angeles; expressed her concern of the
community’s outcry about short-term vacation rentals (STVR), the
divisiveness it has created in the community, and the misleading information
being provided by the circulators of the citizens’ initiative petition currently
knocking door-to-door to collect signatures representing that the petition is in
support of STVRs.
City Attorney Ihrke said a citizens’ initiative measure was filed with the City
and it is currently being circulated for signatures, and explained the signature
collection process and the signature verification process to qualify the
proposed initiative measure for the ballot are governed by State law; provided
a brief outline of the ballot measure process as prescribed by State law; and
noted that if there is a concern about misinformation or wrongdoing, it can be
reported to the Fair Political Practices Commission for investigation and
determination.
Mayor Evans said the STVR Program statistics and other relevant information
is available on the City’s website.
City Clerk Radeva said folks who may have signed the petition in error can
request to withdraw their signature with the Elections Official in accordance
with State law.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Lynne Daniels, La Quinta – said she has operated an STVR
for about 10-12 years; spoke of the evolution of the STVR program; STVRs
have helped improve and beatify homes in La Quinta; visitors shop in La
Quinta; expressed her concern about a neighbor who does not keep their
home neat, which affects the image of the neighborhood; the majority of STVR
homeowners obey the rules; and asked if the proposed initiative measure
passes how it would affect the existing STVR permit holders.
Mayor Evans replied that if the proposed initiative measure passes, STVRs in
non-exempt areas will be phased-out and permanently banned by January 1,
2025.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 4 of 6 APRIL 19, 2022
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta – said the Desert Sun recently
published an article noting the importance of water conservation; and spoke
in opposition of the proposed Coral Mountain Resort project.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. RECOGNITION OF LA QUINTA’S SENIOR INSPIRATION AWARD
RECIPIENT VICTORY GRUND
Mayor Evans said Riverside County current Fourth District Supervisor V.
Manuel Perez, alongside the Coachella Valley’s nine cities, now hosts the
annual Senior Inspiration Award, a 30-year old tradition. This event
recognizes the community’s unsung heroes, individuals 65 years and older
whose volunteerism and ongoing work in the community inspire us to be
active. This year’s luncheon event was held on March 31, 2022, at the Fantasy
Springs Resort Special Event Center in Indio, CA. The Senior Inspiration
Awards was started by former Fourth District Supervisor Patricia “Corky”
Larson and former Palm Desert Mayor Jean Benson as a way to thank the
volunteers of our community and to encourage others to join in on the
volunteerism and philanthropy. Each jurisdiction nominates one individual
every year to be recognized and explained the review process.
Mayor Evans introduced La Quinta’s 2022 Senior Inspiration Award recipient
Victory Grund and expressed Council’s gratitude for her service; a short video
was played showcasing Mrs. Grunds history and contribution to the community
through the creation of the La Quinta Arts Studio.
Mrs. Grund thanked the City for the honor and recognition; and expressed her
love and passion for art and the joy it brings into peoples’ lives.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE SPECIAL JOINT COUNCIL AND BOARDS AND
COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 28, 2022
2. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE CITY OF LA QUINTA
PROJECT LIST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022/23 FOR SENATE BILL 1 -
ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT 2017 FUNDING
[RESOLUTION NO. 2022-008]
3. APPROVE FISCAL YEAR 2022/23 THROUGH 2026/27 MEASURE
A HALF CENT SALES TAX FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PLAN
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 5 of 6 APRIL 19, 2022
4. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED APRIL 1 AND 8, 2022
5. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT FOR
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH EIDE BAILLY LLP FOR A TWO-
YEAR TERM EXTENSION AND RELATED COMPENSATION TO
PROVIDE AUDITING SERVICES
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Fitzpatrick/Peña to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended, with Item
No. 2 adopting Resolution No. 2022-008. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION – None
STUDY SESSION – None
PUBLIC HEARINGS – None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS – All reports are on file in the City Clerk’s Office.
MAYOR’S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ITEMS
Councilmember Peña said the League of California Cities will be holding City
Leaders Summit, May 11-13, 2022, in Sacramento, California, which includes
a Legislative Action Day and Mayors and Council Members Executive Forum.
Mayor and Councilmembers said they do not plan on attending this event.
Councilmember Sanchez said there was an increase in visitors in the area due
to the Coachella Festivals this past weekend; and he noted there has been an
uptake in graffiti, not because of the festivals, just in general, and asked that
the Council review the City’s regulations on graffiti and what outreach can be
done to minimize such negative impacts on the City’s beautiful aesthetics.
City Attorney Ihrke said graffiti regulations are established in Chapter 11.73
of the La Quinta Municipal Code, and explained the City’s expedited abatement
graffiti process included in this Chapter.
Mayor Evans said the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce, in
partnership with the City, held the 2022 La Quinta Spring Business Update
event at the SilverRock Park on April 6, 2022.
Mayor Evans noted the Annual City Picnic and 40th Birthday Celebration is
scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the Civic Center Campus
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 6 of 6 APRIL 19, 2022
between 9 a.m. and 12 noon, and encouraged the public to attend and
celebrate the Gem of The Desert.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
La Quinta’s representative for 2022, Mayor Evans reported on her participation
in the following organizations’ meetings:
CVAG COACHELLA VALLEY CONSERVATION COMMISSION
CVAG ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
La Quinta’s representative for 2022, Mayor Pro Tem Fitzpatrick reported on
her participation in the following organizations’ meeting:
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (RCTC)
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Peña to adjourn at 4:49 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California