2023 10 03 CC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023
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 (joined the meeting 3:40 p.m.), Pena,
and Mayor Evans
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Fitzpatrick to
excuse Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez's absence from tonight's meeting. Motion passed: ayes
— 3, noes — 0, absent — 2 (McGarrey and Sanchez), abstain — 0.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Councilmember Fitzpatrick said she would like to comment on Consent Calendar Item
Nos. 4 and 5. Council concurred.
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.
CITY ATTORNEY IHRKE REPORTED DURING "REPORT ON ACTION(S)
TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION" THAT COUNCILMEMBER MCGARREY JOINED
THE COUNCIL MEETING AT 3:40 P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL MEETING AT 4:06 P.M. WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM SANCHEZ
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).
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Fitzpatrick led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Philip Bettencourt, La Quinta — said he is the official representative
of the Marine Committee for Rancho La Quinta Homeowners Association (HOA) who are
again hosting a Thanksgiving Day Ceremony for the U.S. Marine Corp, which offers
Marines use of HOA facilities such as golf, tennis, and pickleball, and offers valley
residents the opportunity to share their Thanksgiving Day with Marines from the Air
Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms; and extended an invitation to the Council to join the
Rancho La Quinta residents at the Ceremony to welcome the Marines.
Mayor Evans, on behalf of the Council, thanked the Rancho La Quinta HOA for their
hospitality and thoughtfulness.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jeff Fishbein, Chair of the La Quinta Chamber of Commerce,
Coldwell Banker Realtor and La Quinta resident — provided an update on Chamber events
and activities, including the State -of -the -City event, held on 9/28/2023 at the Embassy
Suites Hotel, and thanked the Council and City staff for their collaboration and
attendance; and noted upcoming events, and announcements of new businesses.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Kristine Hinos, La Quinta — requested information on the Cove gas
project underway.
Councilmember McGarrey disclosed that she works for Southern California Gas
Company, and provided a brief description of the project to upgrade gas lines.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION
WEEK — OCTOBER 8-14, 2023
Mayor Evans presented a Proclamation in recognition and observance of National Fire
Prevention Week; this year's theme is "Cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to
fire prevention," and the campaign aims to educate the public about simple but important
steps that can be taken to help reduce the risk of fire when cooking at home.
Riverside County Fire Department La Quinta Division Chief Richard Tovar accepted the
proclamation, thanked Council for the recognition, and briefly spoke about the importance
of fire safety and prevention.
2. PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF ROBERT AND TINA CUNARD FOR 42
YEARS OF BUSINESS IN THE CITY WITH CUNARD'S SANDBAR
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Mayor Evans read the history of Mr. and Mrs. Cunard in La Quinta, and Cunard's
Sandbar; Mayor Evans presented a proclamation to Robert "Bob" and Tina Cunard in
recognition of 42 years of business in the City.
Mr. Cunard spoke of the restaurant's history, and he and his family accepted the
proclamation with thanks.
3. AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
CHAPTER - COACHELLA VALLEY BRANCH — AWARDED THE PROJECT OF
MERIT AWARD 2022-2023 FOR THE TRAFFIC, MOBILITY, AND
BEAUTIFICATION CATEGORY TO THE CITY OF LA QUINTA FOR THE
JEFFERSON STREET AT AVENUE 53 ROUNDABOUT PROJECT NO. 2017-09
Mayor Evans congratulated the City on obtaining this prestigious award.
Public Works Director/City Engineer McKinney commended the collaborative efforts and
thanked the La Quinta community, staff, and City consultants for their engagement and
work on the project.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
2. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS
SUPERINTENDENT TO ATTEND CALIFORNIA PARKS AND RECREATION
SOCIETY MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SCHOOL IN LAKE ARROWHEAD,
CALIFORNIA NOVEMBER 6 - 10, 2023
3. EXCUSE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER CASTO FROM THE SEPTEMBER
13, 2023, QUARTERLY HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
4. APPROVE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE, AND
ADVERTISE FOR BID THE EISENHOWER BASIN SLOPE REPAIR PROJECT
NO. 2023-22 LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF EISENHOWER DRIVE
BETWEEN AVENIDA FERNANDO AND COACHELLA DRIVE
5. APPROVE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE, AND
ADVERTISE FOR BID THE CITYWIDE SLURRY SEAL IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT NO. 2023-15
6. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED SEPTEMBER 15, AND 22, 2023
7. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT
FOR CONTRACT LEGAL SERVICES WITH RUTAN & TUCKER, LLP
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COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
ITEM NO. 4 - Councilmember Fitzpatrick said some of the repairs were caused by recent
storm damage, and Mayor Evans explained the location and extent of the damage.
ITEM NO. 5 — Councilmember Fitzpatrick asked City Engineer McKinney to explain the
details of the slurry seal improvement projects, and Councilmember McGarrey provided
additional detail.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Fitzpatrick to
approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion passed: ayes — 4, noes — 0,
absent — 1 (Sanchez), abstain — 0.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROVE FIRST ROUND COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANTS FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2023/24
Management Analyst Calderon presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office.
Mayor Evans and Councilmember McGarrey noted they are members of the Rotary Club,
which does not constitute a conflict of interest in voting on this item.
The following PUBLIC SPEAKERS, listed in the order in which they spoke, provided an
overview of the objectives, services, and programs their respective organizations offer to
the community:
• Donald Kagan, Volunteer Team Lead with California Care Force
Council expressed a consensus to add a $500 starter grant for the California Care Force
to the First Round of Community Services Grant allocations.
• Dr. Rick Axelrod, Assistant Medical Director with LifeStream Blood Bank of San
Bernardino and Riverside Counties
• Bruce Cathcart, Secretary with The Rotary Club of La Quinta Foundation
• Dr. Janet Braslow, Tech Trek Coordinator AAUS PS with American Association of
University Women Inc.
• Dom Calvano, President and co-founder of Alzheimer's Coachella Valley
• Jill Beighley, Operation School Bell Chair and Past President with Assistance
League Coachella Valley
• Juanita Hernandez, Program Specialist with Autism Society Inland Empire
(attending via Teleconference)
• Kelly Becker, La Quinta High School Teacher, and La Quinta High School Boys' &
Girls' Water Polo Team; and La Quinta High School Students Cameron Jackson-
Dungey, accompanied by Bella Garczynski, Ella Kotz, and Audrey Lennon
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MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/McGarrey
to approve the first round Community Services Grants for fiscal year 2023/24 as detailed
below for a total not to exceed amount of $25,450:
• American Association of University Women Inc. (AAUW CA SPF) $2,500
• Alzheimer's Coachella Valley (ACV) $ 500
• Assistance League Coachella Valley $2,000
• Autism Society Inland Empire $2,500
• La Quinta High School Blackhawk Boosters (Aquatics) $5,000
• La Quinta High School Boys' & Girls' Water Polo Team $5,000
• LifeStream (Blood Bank of San Bernardino & Riverside Counties) $2,500
• The Rotary Club of La Quinta Foundation $4,950
• (added) California Care Force $ 500
Motion passed: ayes — 4, noes — 0, absent — 1 (Sanchez), abstain — 0.
2. APPROVE VETERAN NOMINATIONS FOR INCLUSION ON VETERANS'
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT MONUMENTS AT CIVIC CENTER CAMPUS
Community Services Management Analyst Calderon introduced Administrative
Technician Erika Arvizu who presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office.
Council discussed possible criteria change to reduce the duration of residency which
allows for more new residents to be included; and standardizing the plaques for
consistency (the Coast Guard plaques states "U.S." whereas all other service branches
spell out "United States".
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/McGarrey to
approve the 21 veteran nominations, as listed in the staff report, for inclusion on the City's
Veterans Acknowledgment Monuments at Civic Center Campus. Motion passed: ayes —
4, noes — 0, absent — 1 (Sanchez), abstain — 0.
3. APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE, FOR FIRE PROTECTION, FIRE PREVENTION,
RESCUE, FIRE MARSHAL, AND MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICES, TO
ADOPT THE MUNICIPAL STAFFING MODEL AND MODIFY STAFFING
LEVELS AT FIRE STATION 93
Public Safety Manager Mendez presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office with Riverside County Fire Deputy Division Chief Robert Fish of East Operations,
and Riverside County Fire Division Chiefs Biran White and Richard Tovar providing
additional information.
Council discussed the reduction in paramedics in the budget; the nationwide shortage of
paramedics; CalFire's program to recruit medics; staffing at Fire Stations No. 93, No. 70,
and No. 32; definition of firefighter -medics — paramedics versus EMTs (emergency
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medical technician) versus BLSs (basic life support); staffing per engine; standard of
quality expected by the Council and residents of La Quinta; concern for unfilled Captain
positions; and recruitment efforts and local paramedic programs.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Pena to
approve an Amendment to Cooperative Agreement with the County of Riverside, for fire
protection, fire prevention, rescue, fire marshal, and medical emergency services, to
adopt the Municipal Staffing Model and modify staffing levels at Fire Station 93 as detailed
in Attachment 1 to the staff report. Motion passed: ayes — 4, noes — 0, absent — 1
(Sanchez), abstain — 0.
STUDY SESSION — None
PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
Repeated item »> PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Melissa Labayog, La Quinta — stated that there is a large short-term
vacation rental (STVR) population in La Quinta; concerned about a large STVR property
near her home; stated there is an ongoing investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff's
Department regarding a possible sexual assault at a nearby STVR property; there was
an unscheduled party last night at an STVR property; asked that STVR licenses be
revoked and to remove all ability for strangers to stay at the following addresses:
• 78435 Cameo Dunes Place
• 46485 Cameo Palms Drive
• 46555 Cameo Palms Drive
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS — All reports are on file in the City Clerk's Office.
MAYOR'S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' ITEMS
Councilmember Pena reported on his attendance at the Riverside County Sheriff's
Association Golf Tournament; and a land use bus tour for City Attorneys from various
California cities.
Councilmember Fitzpatrick reported on her attendance at the Volunteer Captains Kick -
Off meeting for the La Quinta Arts Celebration held on 9/28/2023.
Mayor Evans reported on her attendance at Coffee -with -a -Cop event; and the National
Municipal Lawyers Association conference held at the La Quinta Resort last week.
Councilmember McGarrey reported on her attendance at Coffee -with -a -Cop event; and
the La Quinta Farmer's Market in Old Town.
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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:
• GREATER PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION AND VISITORS' BUREAU
La Quinta's representative for 2023, Councilmember Pena reported on his participation
in the following organizations' meetings:
• CV MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
• SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Fitzpatrick/McGarrey to adjourn at 5:58 p.m. Motion passed: ayes — 4, noes — 0, absent
— 1 (Sanchez), abstain — 0.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
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