2023 12 05 CC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023
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
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Ashelanna Ruby, La Quinta — said she has been a Coachella Valley
resident for 14 years; purchased an existing business, "Cooking with Class," at Caleo Bay
Park in La Quinta in 2022; complained about the severe backlog and delays of La Quinta's
building and fire permits and plan check review and processing she experienced while
trying to complete tenant improvements on the leased business location, which caused a
disagreement with the property owner, and eventually resulted in termination of her lease;
and noted she should not have to pay any outstanding plan check fees as the severe delays
by City caused the closing of her business.
City Manager McMillen said staff would investigate the matter and contact Ms. Ruby.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Don Shoffstall, La Quinta — provided the 2022 election results for the
multiple Homeowner Associations (HOAs) within the PGA West community for Measure A,
a citizen initiative petition that proposed to phase-out and permanently ban non -hosted
short-term vacation rentals (STVR) in non-exempt areas by January 1, 2025, which was
not approved by the qualified votes; and recommended that annually the City incorporate
residents' participation in its periodic review of the STVR program's impacts and effects.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
City Clerk Radeva said minor revisions to Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 and 2 on pages
14 and 30 of the agenda packet will be announced during Council's consideration of the
Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Pena said he will recuse himself from discussion and vote on Consent
Calendar Item No. 5 due to a potential conflict of interest stemming from the proximity of
his real properties to the vacant parcels being considered under this Agenda item, and
requested that it be pulled for a separate vote.
Council concurred.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 1 of 5 DECEMBER 5, 2023
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. PRESENTATION ON THE SALTON SEA MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
BY MIGUEL HERNANDEZ, PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER AT THE CALIFORNIA
NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY
Mr. Hernandez provided an update on the restoration efforts for the Salton Sea pursuant
to the Salton Sea Management Program.
Council discussed appreciation of the progress being made to mitigate the human and
animal health hazards resulting from the Sea; public tours available to view the mitigation
projects; the City's resolution in support of importing sea water; and State and Federal
funding available.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta — said she was a kayaking instructor in
North Carolina, and stated that access for kayaks to enter the Salton Sea disappeared
when water importing ceased; and the project done by the United Arab Emirates shows
water importation is feasible, and suggests that the Army Corp of Engineers consult with
those engineers.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 21, 2023
2. ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 607 ON SECOND READING AMENDING CHAPTER
3.25 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO SHORT-TERM
VACATION RENTALS [ORDINANCE NO. 607]
3. ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 608 ON SECOND READING ADDING SUBSECTION
3.25.070(S) TO CHAPTER 3.25 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATED TO SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS TO ESTABLISH THAT
APARTMENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR OR OBTAIN A SHORT-
TERM VACATION RENTAL PERMIT [ORDINANCE NO. 608]
4. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE FINAL PARCEL MAP NO. 38298
LOCATED ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF CALLE TAMPICO AND
WASHINGTON STREET [RESOLUTION NO. 2023-040]
5. ADOPT RESOLUTIONS TO: 1) DECLARE ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS 770-
123-011, 770-124-010, AND 770-124-012 LOCATED IN THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA AS SURPLUS LAND, AND 2) DECLARE ASSESSOR
PARCEL NUMBER 770-125-003, LOCATED IN THE CITY OF LA QUINTA,
CALIFORNIA AS EXEMPT SURPLUS LAND; EXEMPT FROM
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO SECTION 15312 OF THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
[RESOLUTION NOS. 2023-041 AND 2023-042]
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 2 of 5 DECEMBER 5, 2023
6. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR ONE CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICER
TO ATTEND THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
ACADEMY TO OBTAIN THEIR CODE ENFORCEMENT CERTIFICATION IN
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, JANUARY 22-26, FEBRUARY 26 — MARCH 1, AND
MARCH 11-15, 2024
7. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR THE FINANCE DIRECTOR AND
THREE FINANCE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND THE CALIFORNIA
SOCIETY OF MUNICIPAL FINANCE OFFICERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, JANUARY 30 — FEBRUARY 2, 2024
8. RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT DATED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NOS. 1 AND 2
City Clerk Radeva noted the following revisions for the record:
• Consent Calendar Item No. 1 — paragraph two, on page 14 of the agenda packet
(or page 8 of the November 21, 2023, Council minutes), shall read as follows:
"As amended by City Attorney Ihrke to designate alternate site 6 ("Darby') and to add the
following recital to Resolution No. 2023-039 under the findings of GPA 2022-0002"
• Consent Calendar Item No. 2 — Subsection 3.25.055(E), on page 30 of the agenda
packet (or page 7 of Exhibit A to Ordinance No. 607), shall go into effect on January
4, 2024, and shall read as follows:
"E. Commencing on January 4, 202, December 21, 2023, which is the effective date of
Ordinance No. 607 adding this Subsection (E), this section may not be amended by the
city council, except by no less than four-fifths (4/5) majority vote of the city council.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/McGarrey to
approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 and 2 as amended, and Nos. 3-4 and 6-8 as
recommended, with Item Nos. 2 and 3 adopting Ordinances 607 and 608, respectively;
and Item No. 4 adopting Resolution No. 2023-040.
Motion passed unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 5
COUNCILMEMBER PEIVA RECUSED HIMSELF, AND SAID HE WILL ABSTAIN
FROM THE DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 5
DUE TO A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST STEMMING FROM THE
PROXIMITY OF HIS REAL PROPERTIES TO THE VACANT PARCELS UNDER
CONSIDERATION
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/McGarrey
to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 5 as recommended, adopting Resolution Nos. 2023-
041 and 2023-042. Motion passed: ayes - 4, noes - 0, abstain - 1 (Pena), absent - 0.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 3 of 5 DECEMBER 5, 2023
BUSINESS SESSION
1. INTERVIEW AND APPOINT A RESIDENT TO SERVE ON THE FINANCIAL
ADVISORY COMMISSION (FAC)
Council waived presentation of the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Mayor Evans explained the process the Council follows in conducting interviews and
appointing members, and provided a summary of the roles and responsibilities of the
members serving on the FAC.
Council interviewed the following two applicants, in alphabetical order, who gave a brief
presentation of their experience and qualifications:
• Geoffrey Kiehl
• Mark Sussman
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers McGarrey/Sanchez to
appoint Geoffrey Kiehl to serve on the Financial Advisory Commission for an unexpired
term ending June 30, 2024.
Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mark Sussman, La Quinta — commented on the need to address the
financial benefits of the lithium mining component at the Salton Sea.
STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSS CONSTRUCTION STAGING ALTERNATIVES FOR AVENUE 50
BRIDGE PROJECT NO. 2019-02
Management Analyst Mignogna presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office.
Council discussed the proposed road closures and detour routes, and its effects to the
nearby residential communities and schools; expressed general support for the full road
closure as presented under Alternative 2; anticipated project timeline and construction
schedule; financial benefits of full -closure versus staged construction, as well as a shorter
construction timeline; importance of robust community outreach; and possible overlap of
construction timelines of the La Quinta Village Apartments development and the Avenue
50 Bridge project; and coordination with local utilities.
Council reached a consensus and directed staff to proceed with Alternative 2 — Full
Roadway Closure, as presented.
PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS — All reports are on file in the City Clerk's Office.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 4 of 5 DECEMBER 5, 2023
MAYOR'S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' ITEMS
Council reported their attendance at the annual Historic Casita Lighting, which included the
Lumberyard building this year, held at the La Quinta Museum on November 30, 2023; and
the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony held at the Civic Center Park on December 1, 2023.
Mayor Evans thanked all agencies and parties that helped make the 2023 Indian Wells —
La Quinta Ironman 70.3 Triathlon event a success, held on December 3, 2023; and
reported on her attendance at the following events: Riverside County Sheriff's Department
Coffee with a Cop; Media Day for the upcoming American Express Golf Tournament slated
to be held in January 2024; the La Quinta Resort and Club's Annual Tree Lighting, and
announced that the Long Horn Steakhouse restaurant in La Quinta is now open.
Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez reported on his and Councilmember Pena's attendance at the
Rancho La Quinta Homeowners Association Thanksgiving Day Ceremony for U.S. Marine
Corp, which welcomed marines from the Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Councilmember Pena encouraged the Council to tour the Coachella Valley Mosquito and
Vector Control District in Indio, California.
La Quinta's representative for 2023, Mayor Evans reported on her participation in the
following organizations' meeting:
• CVAG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
La Quinta's representative for 2023, Councilmember Fitzpatrick reported on her
participation in the following organizations' meeting:
• CVAG TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
MAYOR EVANS RECESSED THE MEETING TO CITY HALL'S ANNUAL OPEN
HOUSE MEET AND GREET AT 5:23 P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 6:11 P.M. WITH
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Fitzpatrick/McGarrey to adjourn at 6:11 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
6? • I 1 IF " _ --
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
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