2024 03 20 CC Minutes Sp Joint Mtg B-CCALL TO ORDER
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL, BOARDS,
COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024
A special joint meeting of the La Quinta City Council, Boards, Commissions, and
Committees was called to order at 5:11 p.m. by Mayor Evans.
ROLL CALL COUNCIL:
Present: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, McGarrey, Pena, Sanchez, Mayor Evans
Absent: None
ROLL CALL FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION (FAC):
Present: Commissioners Anderson, Batavick, Kiehl, Way, and Chairperson Dorsey
Absent: Commissioners Mast, Mills
ROLL CALL PLANNING COMMISSION (PC):
Present: Commissioners Guerrero, Hassett, Hernandez, McCune, Tyerman, and
Chairperson Nieto
Absent: Commissioner Caldwell
ROLL CALL HOUSING COMMISSION (HC):
Present: Commissioners Casto, Pacheco, Paltin, and Chairperson Chapman
Absent: Commissioner Gaeta-Mejia
ROLL CALL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION (CSC):
Present: Commissioners Blakeley, Chiapperini, Gordon, Shelton, and Chairperson
Biondi
Absent: None
ROLL CALL CONSTRUCTION APPEALS BOARD (CAB):
Present: Board Member Venuti
Absent: Board Members Edwards, Leonhard, and Morris
Vacancy: One
ROLL CALL COACHELLA VALLEY MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT
(CVMVCD) BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Present: Trustee Pena
Absent: None
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COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
ROLL CALL PALM SPRINGS AIRPORT COMMISSION (PSAC):
Present: None
Absent: Commissioner Hughes
ROLL CALL IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT (IID) ENERGY CONSUMERS'
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ECAC):
Present: Committee Members McGarrey and McKinney
Absent: None
ROLL CALL IID COACHELLA VALLEY ENERGY COMMISSION (CVEC):
Present: Commissioner Evans
Absent: None
ROLL CALL COACHELLA VALLEY CONSERVATION COMMISSION — TRAILS
MANAGEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE (CVCC TMS):
Vacancies: Two
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA — Confirmed
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Community Services Commissioner Chiapperini led the audience in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
STUDY SESSION
1. UPDATES ON CITY PROJECTS AND DISCUSSION ON CITY -RELATED
MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST
Mayor Evans welcomed all participants to the annual special joint meeting, explained the
purpose of the meeting, and thanked all Board, Commission, and Committee Members
for their service and contribution.
City Manager McMillen provided a brief summary of the projects and priorities discussed
during the annual Community Workshop held on February 22, 2024, which included
current efforts to:
• Create a Strategic Plan
• Create a Mission Statement
• Update Core Values
Mr. McMillen explained the Strategic Plan was comprised of 12 Focus Areas, listed below,
for the City to address over the next 5-10-15 years; the City is seeking community input
and the next discussion meeting will be held on April 25, 2024; the five (5) listed in bold
below were discussed at the 2024 Community Workshop:
• Implement the Re -envisioned Highway 111 Plan
• Address IID Lease Expiration, Equipment Needs
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COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
• Underground Utilities
• Exemplary Public Safety
• Marketing and Tourism
• Broaden Community Involvement
• Continue to address Affordable Housing Needs
• Expansion of La Quinta's Boundaries
• Expand Art in Public Places
• Preserve La Quinta's History
• Enhance Health / Wellness and Recreation Amenities
• Economic Development
A summary overview of the City's completed projects and accomplishments over the last
year shown at the 2024 Community Workshop was presented via a video.
Finance Director Martinez presented an overview of fiscal year (FY) 2023/24 Finance
Department major accomplishments:
• Adopted a balanced budget for FY 2023/24
• Awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by
the Government Finance Officers Association for FY 2021/22
• Completed Measure G Annual Report for FY 2022/23
• Monitored and proactively addressed long-term pension obligations
• Maintained strong reserve levels, which are fully funded to policy targets
Ms. Martinez listed the department's future projects:
• Prepare and implement FY 2024/25 Budget
• Implement new models for long-range financial planning to provide stability to the
City through prudent management of financial resources
• Utilize current and emerging technology tools to improve financial transparency
and engagement through ease of access to financial information
• Monitor fiscal impacts and federally reimbursable expenses related to Tropical
Storm Hilary
• Review current policies and procedures for all areas of Finance and revise as
necessary
FAC Chairperson Dorsey provided a brief summary of the FAC's meeting schedule and
membership; asked the FAC Members present to introduce themselves; explained the
roles and responsibilities of the FAC as prescribed by the La Quinta Municipal Code
(LQMC); and enumerated some of the recent projects the FAC has completed.
Public Safety Deputy Director Mendez presented an overview of FY 2023/24 Public
Safety Department major accomplishments:
• Completed the 2023 event cycle safely, which included the American Express Golf
Tournament, two La Quinta Art Celebrations, BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament,
Coachella and Stagecoach festivals, and Indian Wells -La Quinta Ironman 70.3
Triathlon
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• Installed 69 FLOCK Cameras (automated license plate reader system) throughout
the city to aid in police investigations
• Conducted Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainings
Ms. Mendez listed the department's future projects:
• Expand the number of Public Safety outreach events, through neighborhood
watch, emergency services, police, and fire
• Continue to provide Emergency Operation Center (EOC) training to staff
Public Works Director/City Engineer McKinney provided an overview of completed and
current projects.
Public Works Completed Projects:
• La Quinta X -Park
• La Quinta Landscape — Desert Pride, Sierra Del Rey, and Marbella
• Washington Street at Avenue 50 and Calle Tampico Sidewalk Improvements
• Citywide Public Safety Camera System
• Citywide Striping Refresh
• FY 2021/22 PMP Slurry Seal
• FY 2022/23 PMP Slurry Seal
• Jefferson Street Slurry Seal
• Avenue 50 and 52 Pavement Rehabilitation
• Tropical Storm Hilary Repairs
• Fred Waring Drive Pavement Rehabilitation
• Jefferson Street and Highway 111 Intersection Improvements
• Citywide Miscellaneous Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvements
• Moon River Drive Rehabilitation
• X -Park Public Safety Camera
• Civic Center Activities Promenade
• Cove Trails Parking Lot Improvements
• La Quinta Village Utility Undergrounding Feasibility Study
Public Works Projects Underway:
• Highway 111 Corridor — Specific Plan and Roadway Design
• La Quinta Cultural Campus
• Highway 111 Pavement Resurfacing — Federal funding process underway
• Dune Palms Road Pavement Rehabilitation — preparing for construction
• South La Quinta Median Landscape — construction continues
• Dune Palms Road Bridge — under construction
• Avenue 50 Bridge — preparing for design
• La Quinta Landscape Renovation — Cactus Flower, under construction
• Fritz Burns Park Improvements — in -design
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Design and Development Director Castro explained the Design and Development
Department is comprised of planning, building, and the permitting center; and presented
an overview of the Department's FY 2023/24 major accomplishments:
• Implemented Tyler EnerGov (a new permitting software)
• Completed a citywide Historic Resources Inventory survey
• Completed fiscal study of La Quinta's Sphere of Influence (SOI)
• Issued building permits for 257 new single-family homes and 58 new apartment
units
Mr. Castro provided an overview of future projects:
• Develop a comprehensive training program for Building Inspectors
• Develop processes to improve and streamline the permit/plan review process
• Complete development standards and street design for the Highway 111 Corridor
Specific Plan
• Continue to research and conduct community outreach regarding potential
annexation of the SOI
PC Chairperson Nieto asked the PC Members present to introduce themselves; and
provided an overview of recently approved development projects:
• Chick-Fil-A
• Quick Quack Car Wash
• La Quinta Village Apartments
• Club at Coral Mountain
• Hampton Inn Hotel
Mr. Nieto provided an overview of projects under construction:
• Desert Club Apartments
• Stone Creek
• SolTerra
• Jefferson Street Apartments
• Point Happy
Mr. Nieto provided an overview of the PC's meeting schedule, membership and required
qualifications, and roles and responsibilities.
Community Services Deputy Director Calderon presented an overview of FY 2023/24
Community Services Department accomplishments:
• Expanded Wellness Center and X -Park Operations
• Expanded Events and Community Programs
• 11 Art in Public Places Installations
• Updated Community Recognition and Awards criteria and programs
Ms. Calderon presented an overview of Community Services Department future projects:
• Cultural Campus at the La Quinta Museum
• Fritz Burns Park Enhancements
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• Youth Advisory Committee
• Art assessment, inventory, and appraisal
• Art in Public Places virtual art tour
• Community Murals/Signal Box Art
Ms. Calderon provided an overview of the CSC meeting schedule and membership; and
noted the CSC was recently renamed to the Arts and Community Services Commission
(ACSC).
CSC Chairperson Biondi asked the CSC Members present to introduced themselves;
explained the roles and responsibilities of the CSC; noted the CSC was recently renamed
to the ACSC; and enumerated a few of the ACSC projects and ongoing initiatives.
Director of Business Unit and Housing Development Villalpando provided an update on
the City's current economic development and marketing/public information efforts and
outreach.
HC Chairperson Chapman provided an overview of the HC meeting schedule,
membership and required qualifications; asked the HC Members present to introduce
themselves; and explained the roles and responsibilities of the HC.
Mr. Villalpando explained the States Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
requirements of La Quinta based on the most recent assessment completed in 2021,
which covers the planning period of October 2021 through October 2029, and imposed a
requirement for the City to build approximately 1,500 additional housing units in the next
8 years.
General discussion followed regarding the formula the State uses to establish RHNA
requirements for cities; high costs associated with building affordable housing; land
available for affordable housing projects; the growing need for affordable housing in
general as well as for seniors; and State tax credits to help fund and develop affordable
housing projects are no longer available.
City Manager McMillen thanked all Board, Commission, and Committee Members for their
service and contribution to the City.
Mayor and Councilmembers provided a brief summary of their history in the Coachella
Valley and their individual roles and responsibilities in representing the City by serving on
several regional, county, and state agencies that collaborate to provide public services
and infrastructure improvements for the Coachella Valley.
Mayor Evans and Councilmembers thanked the Board, Commission, and Committee
Members for their time, commitment, and dedication to La Quinta, and noted the
importance of each Member's service and involvement.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA — None
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COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES MEMBERS' ITEMS — None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Fitzpatrick/McGarrey to adjourn at 6:51 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
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