2023 03 07 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Mayor
Evans.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, McGarrey, Pena, Sanchez, Mayor Evans
ABSENT: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Brock Haynes, La Quinta High School Associated Student Body Sophomore Member, led
the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
City Manager McMillen said staff will explain a minor revision to the recommended action
noted in the staff report on Business Session Item No. 1 when the report is presented.
Councilmember Pena said he will recuse himself from discussion and vote on Study
Session Item No. 3 and Business Session Item No. 1, due to a potential conflict of interest
stemming from the proximity of his real property to this project.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Matthew Snyder, La Quinta — inquired about the consistency of the
City's enforcement process as it relates to the Short -Term Vacation Rental (STVR)
program; and listed complaints regarding special events at the Dupont Estate.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Claudia Snyder, La Quinta — asked the City to provide residents
evidence that the Dupont Estate issued notices to all residents within 500 feet, in advance
of every special event that occurred since 2016; requested evidence that the security
personnel working the October and November 2022 events were licensed as required;
and requested an explanation of how the Dupont Estate could have issued notice to
residents of the October 12, 2022 event 14 days prior, if its conditional approval for the
event was issued only five days prior to the event.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Melissa Labayog, La Quinta — submitted a request to speak form but
was not present to provide public comment when called upon.
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PUBLIC SPEAKER: Greg Regan, La Quinta — expressed concern about sand blowing
from the Talus development and covering the landscaping at Codorniz; requested a
permanent solution; and offered to be the liaison between the developer, the City, and
Codorniz residents.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jeff Fishbein, Chair of the La Quinta Chamber of Commerce,
Coldwell Banker realtor, La Quinta resident, and president of Codorniz Homeowners
Association — thanked Council for attending the joint ribbon cutting at the Palms in La
Quinta; and noted the 2023 La Quinta Car Show event was postponed to Saturday, March
25th due to weather, which resulted in additional cars and sponsors being added.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. PRESENTATION BY STUDENTS FROM LA QUINTA HIGH SCHOOL (LQHS)
ASSOCIATED STUDENT BODY (ASB) PROGRAM
• LQHS ASB Director Latoya Barnes — thanked the Council for inviting the ASB
students to speak before the Council.
• Mia Burr, LQHS ASB Executive President — explained the mission of the ASB.
• Ashley Arsey, LQHS ASB Executive Secretary — explained how she exemplifies
the "Blackhawk Way."
• Logan Jewet, LQHS ASB Junior Class President — explained the ASB's monthly
program to encourage the student body to become "Thinkers, Carers, etc".
• Leslie Grimaldo, LQHS ASB Freshman Class President — explained the
importance and benefits to her of being involved in school programs and
academies.
• Carla Mendoza, LQHS ASB Freshman Class Treasurer — explained that her
reasons for joining ASB are to gain leadership skill and bond with fellow members.
• Mia Burr and Carla Mendoza presented "Caring" pins to Council and Executive
staff.
Mayor Evans noted that in an effort to encourage youth to participate in City government,
City department directors met with ASB members to educate them on the inner workings
of city government after which, ASB members requested to attend a City Council meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 7, 2023
2. APPROVE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 15, 2023
3. APPROVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 21, 2023
4. APPROVE DECLARATION AND DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS VEHICLES AND
EQUIPMENT
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5. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR ONE COUNCILMEMBER TO ATTEND
THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES CITY LEADERS SUMMIT IN
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 12-14, 2023
6. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED FEBRUARY 17 AND FEBRUARY 24,
2023
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/McGarrey to
approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSS CONVERTING RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC CAR OFFICER POSITION TO A MOTOR OFFICER POSITION
Public Safety Manager Mendez and Riverside County Sheriff's Department Sergent Kyle
LaFond presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Council discussed La Quinta being one of the safest cities in the Coachella Valley;
thanked Police staff for their service; the benefits of switching a patrol car officer to a
motor officer position; danger to motor officers versus officers in vehicles; required
training for a motor position; costs associated with the switch, including the purchase of
a motorcycle; the superior performance, safety, and durability of BMW motorcycles
compared to Honda or Harley Davidson brands; need to overcome public perception of
police motor officers nationwide hiding to catch motorists; La Quinta's policy against
concealed traffic officers, and against rewarding officers based on tickets issued, instead
believe that police visibility is a better deterrent; officer visibility needed on Eisenhower
Dr. and Avenida Bermudas to deter speeding per community workshop attendees; danger
of the increase in incidents of running red lights; increased response times of motor
officers versus patrol cars due to maneuverability; how motor officers use their proactive
time, and how they interact with drivers; no nighttime coverage by motor officers; no traffic
coverage 24 hours per day; DUI enforcement; racing and donuts happening at night;
weather factors for motor officers; timeframe for filling motor positions and the training
involved; current patrol hours; motorcycle differential pay; and data on the best means to
decrease traffic collisions.
Council reached a consensus and directed staff to bring this matter back to Council for a
vote as a Business Session item.
2. DISCUSS NEW IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY COST
AND BENEFITS ANALYSIS [Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR)
cameras and ShotSpotter system]
Public Safety Manager Mendez and Riverside County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant
Andres Martinez (a.k.a. La Quinta Chief of Police) presented the staff report, which is on
file in the Clerk's Office.
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Council discussed availability of ALPR devices for motorcycles; use of ALPR by border
cities; the regional problem of crime; height of installed ALPR cameras; $2,500 per
camera per year, powered by solar; ability of ALPR system to alert police of the location
of a wanted vehicle; info sharing with other cities using the Flock system and with cities
using other systems; operational functions and applications; placing ALPR cameras on
private property; issues re placing ALPR cameras within housing developments; solar
battery life; camera data transmission and storage on a server; contribution of ALPR data
to other data sources in identifying crime hot spots; the 69 cameras to remain Flock
property, the data collected to be owned by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department;
ability to relocate and/or remove cameras; use of mobile ALPR cameras; alternative
ALPR camera vendors; avoiding conflicting coverage with border cities; future adoption
of policies regarding camera uses and sharing; and Sheriffs efforts to educate La Quinta
businesses and homeowners' associations on the benefits of purchasing such systems.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jason Silva, National Account Executive with ShotSpotter— provided
a presentation detailing the uses of the ShotSpotter system in curbing and solving gun
crime; no cost to deploy or maintain ShotSpotter system; explained "Data for Good"
program for social service purposes; and answered Council's questions on the system.
Council discussed gunfire heard by system from outside a covered zone; the system's
experience with echoing due to surrounding mountains; data on reports of gunfire in La
Quinta over past years; data on firearm crimes in La Quinta; acoustical refinement of
ShotSpotter sensors; false -positive rate currently under one percent; admissibility of data
in court; success rate in curbing gun violence, solving gun crime, etc.; how the
ShotSpotter system would assist La Quinta Police given the low level of reported gunfire
in the City; consequences of shooting a gun in the air; Sheriff records now kept on every
gun casing found; probable cause allowance with ShotSpotter data; ability to capture
illegal fireworks by system for police to respond; deterrent to criminals to enter the City;
inability to pick up voices and conversations; integrating ShotSpotter with ALPR cameras,
drones, etc.; use by school districts; cost of ShotSpotter; increase in officers proactive
time pursuits; system will pick up drive -by shots, but may not pick up shots inside cars or
buildings; ShotSpotter data kept indefinitely; devices deployed as high as possible on
buildings, poles, etc.; unreported gunfire can be as high as 80%; need for more data to
justify implementing this system in La Quinta; and value of installing such a system for
peace of mind.
PUBLIC SPEAKER (via teleconference): Jesse Mund, Sales Representative with Flock
Safety, and the Account Manager for Riverside County Sheriff's Department — provided
a presentation detailing the Flock Safety Raven gunshot detection system.
Council discussed the newness of Flock gunshot detection technology; need for statistical
metrics from cities that currently utilize the system; and have the same questions and
need for additional data raised regarding the ShotSpotter system.
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Council expressed general support for the ALPR system.
Council reached a consensus and directed City staff and Sheriff's Department staff to
provide more data on reports of gunfire in La Quinta e.g., locations, time of year, and data
from cities that have deployed gunfire detection systems.
MAYOR EVANS CALLED FOR A BRIEF RECESS AT 7:03 P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE COUNCIL MEETING AT 7:25 P.M. WITH
COUNCILMEMBERS FITZPATRICK, McGARREY, AND SANCHEZ PRESENT, AND
COUNCILMEMBER PEIVA ABSENT
MAYOR EVANS ANNOUNCED THAT COUNCILMEMBER PENA HAS RECUSED
HIMSELF FROM DISCUSSION ON STUDY SESSION ITEM NO. 3 AND
DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON BUSINESS SESSION ITEM NO. 1, DUE TO A
POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST STEMMING FROM THE PROXIMITY OF
HIS REAL PROPERTY INTEREST TO THE PROJECT LOCATIONS
3. DISCUSS FRITZ BURNS PARK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO. 2021-02
DRAFT MASTER PLAN
Public Works Director/City Engineer McKinney, Management Analyst Mignogna, and
Project Manager Ron Moreno with In -Site Landscape Architecture, Inc. presented the
staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Council discussed increased parking for park visitors; retention of dog park and skate
park; maximizing the uses of this community focal point; holistic planning necessary to
include maintenance yard; options to relocate the maintenance yard by purchasing
property in an annexed area north or east of the current City border; moving the dog park,
pool or parking to the City -owned teardrop/paisley-shaped lot or to the SilverRock park;
law enforcement access and visibility in proposed design; additional parking needed for
pickleball players; use of retention basins as dog parks; public input on revised master
plan is needed; use of paisley property as unpaved parking and installation of a crosswalk;
and shade structures needed regardless of whether master plan is implemented.
Council reached a consensus and directed staff to obtain community input on desired
uses and design; install additional shade structures; and determine if tennis court(s) can
be converted to pickleball courts.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES WITH SHADE
STRUCTURES, INC. DBA USA SHADE & FABRIC STRUCTURES, INC.
THROUGH SOURCEWELL COOPERATIVE PURCHASING FOR
INSTALLATION OF SHADE STRUCTURES AT FRITZ BURNS PARK PROJECT
NO. 2022-26 AND X-PARK PROJECT NO. 2022-28
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Public Works Director/City Engineer McKinney and Management Analyst Hansen
presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Council discussed shade along the X-Park fence that includes a side panel to visually
block street traffic; shade structure poles locations chosen by skatepark management and
City staff to minimize risks of skaters colliding with poles; option of planting shade trees;
and security of proposed shade structures in high winds.
City Attorney Ihrke said staff proposes to add the following language to the proposed
recommended action as listed in the staff report:
Authorize the City Manager to make any necessary and appropriate modifications
to the "GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS AND WARRANTY" section, included
in Exhibit A (pages 168 through 171 of the agenda packet), of the proposed
Agreement for Contract Services with Shade Structures, to be consistent with the
City's agreement.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Sanchez to:
• Approve Agreement for Contract Services (Agreement)for the installation of shade
structures at Fritz Burns Park Project No. 2022-26, and X-Park Project No. 2022-
28, with Shade Structures, Inc. dba USA Shade & Fabric Structures, Inc. through
Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing;
• Authorize the City Manager to make any necessary and appropriate modifications
to the "GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS AND WARRANTY" section, included
in Exhibit A, of the proposed Agreement with Shade Structures, to be consistent
with the City's Agreement; and
• Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
Motion passed: ayes 4, noes 0, abstain — 0, absent — 1 (Pena).
COUNCILMEMBER PENA RETURNED TO THE DIAS AT 8:23 P.M. FOR THE
REMAINDER OF THE MEETING
2. APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES WITH KILEY AND
ASSOCIATES, LLC TO PROVIDE FEDERAL LOBBYIST SERVICES
Management Specialist Griffin presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office.
Council discussed federal grants that are not earmarked for disadvantaged areas; the
receipt of one federal grant could pay for this service in addition to funding a project;
eligibility of projects already in progress; and lobbyists would provide awareness of
available funds.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Sanchez to
approve an Agreement for Contract Services with Kiley & Associates, LLC to provide
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federal lobbyist services; and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement as
recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
3. AUTHORIZE A MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO ISSUE A LETTER OF
CONCERN TO REINSTATE RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS (SRO) AT COACHELLA VALLEY UNIFIED
SCHOOL DISTRICT (CVUSD) SCHOOLS
Council waived presentation of the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Council discussed rising concerns about La Quinta students attending CVUSD; students
at CVUSD are protesting and parents are concerned; CVUSD school has been at risk of
State takeover; need for a positive, safe learning environment for students and teachers;
an unsafe school hampers development on the east side of La Quinta; role of Director of
Security at CVUSD in preparing students and staff for emergencies; this staff report was
distributed to CVUSD Board Members; need updated number of La Quinta students
attending CVUSD schools; consideration of a proportionate contribution from La Quinta
to SROs at CVUSD schools, or sharing existing police contracted by La Quinta; and the
possibility of La Quinta parents of students attending CVUSD petitioning for transfer to
Desert Sands Unified School District if the school's safety policy doesn't change.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Riverside County Sheriff's Department Lt. Martinez — explained
police response to school incidents; and supports the reinstatement of SROs at CVUSD
high school and middle school.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Riverside County Sheriff's Department SRO Ryan Casas — has been
the SRO at La Quinta High School for the past four (4) years; and explained the services,
resources, and training SROs provide to students and administration.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Sanchez/Fitzpatrick
to authorize the City Council to issue a letter to be signed by all Councilmembers,
requesting the reinstatement of Riverside County Sheriff's Department School Resource
Officers at Coachella Valley Unified School District schools, and further requesting the
resumption of two -by -two meetings between La Quinta City Council and CVUSD School
Board. Motion passed unanimously.
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 Councilmembers attendance at the La Quinta Art Celebration;
employee appreciation event; Chamber mixer and ribbon cutting; and the new La Quinta
Rotary Club.
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REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
La Quinta's representative for 2023, Mayor Evans reported on her participation in the
following organization's meeting:
• CVAG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
La Quinta's representative for 2023, Councilmember McGarrey reported on her
participation in the following organization's meeting:
• IID ENERGY CONSUMERS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE
La Quinta's representative for 2023, Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez reported on his
participation in the following organization's meeting:
• RIVERSIDE LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
McGarrey/Fitzpatrick to adjourn at 9:06 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
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