2022 12 20 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 3:30
p.m. by Mayor Evans.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, McGarrey, Pena, Sanchez, and Mayor
Evans
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
CLOSED SESSION
1. 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 3:32 P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 4:07 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 McGarrey led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta - thanked Mayor Evans for her
statement that she would vote to preserve the zoning "as is" at the Coral
Mountain property.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. PRESENTATION BY THE LIVING DESERT ON "PRIDE OF THE
DESERT" CAMPAIGN BY PRESIDENT/CEO ALLEN MONROE
President/CEO Monroe of The Living Desert gave a presentation on expansion
plans; conservation efforts; visitor services; educational programs; and the
mission and future objectives of the Living Desert. Mr. Monroe asked Council
to consider supporting the Living Desert through annual contributions to its
education programs, sponsoring community events, and/or partnering in
conservation programs.
Council discussed the shortage of veterinarians and vet technicians, and The
Living Desert's efforts to provide scholarships; "Museums for All Admissions
Program" which includes zoo admission at a reduced rate of $3 entrance fee
to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) electronic benefit
transfer (EBT) cardholders; educational programs in the Coachella Valley;
careers in conservations; and the organic growth of the G-scale model train
display.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 6, 2022
2. AFFIRM RESOLUTION NO. 2021-035 FINDINGS RELATED TO THE
STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO COVID-19 AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO IMPLEMENT TELECONFERENCE
ACCESSIBILITY ONLY WHEN A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE
LEGISLATIVE BODY IS HELD VIRTUALLY PURSUANT TO
ASSEMBLY BILL 361 (STATS. 2021, CH. 165)
3. APPROVE RECIPIENT FOR THE 2023 LA QUINTA SENIOR
INSPIRATION AWARD
4. RECEIVE AND FILE FISCAL YEAR 2021/22 DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT FEE REPORT
5. RECEIVE AND FILE FISCAL YEAR 2021/22 ART IN PUBLIC
PLACES ANNUAL REPORT
6. RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT DATED
JUNE 30, 2022
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7. RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT DATED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
8. RECEIVE AND FILE FIRST QUARTER FISCAL YEAR 2022/23
TREASURY REPORTS FOR JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 2022
9. RECEIVE AND FILE FISCAL YEAR 2021/22 MEASURE G SALES
TAX COMPLIANCE REPORT
10. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED DECEMBER 2 AND
DECEMBER 9, 2022
Consent Calendar Item No. 3 - Comments
COUNCILMEMBER MCGARREY DISCLOSED THAT SHE SERVES AS AN
UNPAID VOLUNTEER ON THE BOARD OF FRIENDS OF THE DESERT
MOUNTAINS ORGANIZATION
Councilmember Fitzpatrick thanked and acknowledged all of the nominees.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/
Sanchez to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion passed
unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. RECEIVE AND FILE FISCAL YEAR 2021/22 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 discussed the unassigned reserves fund balance being the only
uncommitted funds available; percentage of sales tax revenue from spending
by non-residents is over 62%; and the transparency of the City budget and
budget preparation.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/
McGarrey to receive and file Fiscal Year 2021/22 General Fund Year -End
Budget Report and approve the amended budget carryovers from 2021/22 to
2022/23 as recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
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2. APPROPRIATE FUNDING FROM UNASSIGNED RESERVES AND
APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES WITH NV5,
INC., TO PREPARE THE VILLAGE UNDERGROUNDING
FEASIBILITY STUDY PROJECT NO. 2022-06
Public Works Director/City Engineer McKinney and Management Analyst
Mignogna presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Council discussed deterioration of aging infrastructure; involvement and
responsibility of Spectrum and Frontier to remove their lines from utility poles;
study to include poles running along rear yards; need for buy -in from property
owners; undergrounding project being identified by residents at the 2022
Community Workshop as their number one priority; adding stakeholder
meetings to the NV5 contract to involve Cove residents from the start, or have
staff lead the community outreach, or include the matter at the February
Workshop; the financial data and clear benefits of undergrounding dry utilities
is needed in order for residents to evaluate; the results of this same study
done in 2010; and addressing the commercial component and City projects
first this time before moving on to undergrounding residential lines.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/
Sanchez to appropriate $24,315 in unassigned reserves; approve Agreement
for Contract Services with NV5, Inc. in the amount of $124,315 to prepare the
Undergrounding Feasibility Study Project No. 2022-06; and authorize the City
Manager to execute the agreement as recommended. Motion passed
unanimously.
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
Mayor Evans reported on her attendance at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor;
and Councilmembers' attendance at ribbon cuttings at "Yes, Please" and
"Crumb) Cookies".
Mayor Evans also reported on her attendance at the Local Agency Formation
Commission (LAFCO) Imperial Irrigation District (IID) study session, and
recommended that Council hold a study session to discuss governance
structure options to identify La Quinta's preference, and communicate that to
all sister cities.
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REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
La Quinta's representative for 2022, Councilmember Fitzpatrick reported on
her participation in the following organizations' meetings:
• RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
• GOVERNOR'S REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE LISTENING SESSION ON
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS
La Quinta's representative for 2022, Councilmember McGarrey reported on
her participation in the following organization's meeting:
• IID ENERGY CONSUMERS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE
La Quinta's representative for 2022, Councilmember Pena reported on his
participation in the following organizations' meetings:
• COACHELLA VALLEY MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
• SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Evans adjourned the Council meeting
at 5:28 p.m. to call to order the La Quinta Housing Authority meeting. Motion
passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
v
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
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