2024 04 02 CC Minutes4oFT-
CALL TO ORDER
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2024
A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Mayor
Evans.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, McGarrey, Pena, Sanchez, Mayor Evans
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA — None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Councilmember McGarrey said she will recuse herself and abstain from discussion and
vote on Consent Calendar Item No. 15 due to a potential conflict of interest stemming
from a business relationship, i.e., her employer, Southern California Gas Company, is
listed on the Demand Register, and requested that the item be pulled for a separate vote.
Councilmember McGarrey and Mayor Evans said they will comment on Consent
Calendar Item No. 4 related to setting compensation for City Boards, Commissions, and
Committees.
Council concurred.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION;
INITIATION OF LITIGATION PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (4) OF
SUBDIVISION (d) OF SECTION 54956.9 (NUMBER OF POTENTIAL CASES: 1)
2. 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)
3. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (QUARTERLY REVIEW)
PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957, COUNCIL
APPOINTED POSITION — CITY MANAGER
COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING AND
MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:02 P.M.
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MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL MEETING AT 4:02 P.M. WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT
REPORT ON ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Ihrke reported the following pursuant to Government Code section 54957.1
(Brown Act):
• CLOSED SESSION ITEM NO. 1 — no new reportable action on this matter.
The authorization to initiate litigation as reported out for Closed Session Item No. 1 from
the February 20, 2024, Council meeting remains in place, and no new action was taken
tonight for Closed Session Item No. 1 that requires additional reporting.
• CLOSED SESSION ITEM NO. 2 — Council took the following action on this item:
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Fitzpatrick
authorizing the City Attorney's Office to approve a settlement of litigation prior to
commencement of judicial proceedings. Motion passed unanimously.
If and when a settlement agreement is executed, upon inquiry of any person, the terms
and conditions of the agreement are subject to disclosure and would be available for
inspection as a public record in accordance with the California Public Records Act
(Government Code § 7920.000 et seq.).
• CLOSED SESSION ITEM NO. 3 — Council will reconvene Closed Session after
the Open Session portion of the meeting to consider this item.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Fitzpatrick led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
City Clerk Radeva said WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS were received from La Quinta
resident Jessica Klein regarding the Coachella Valley Animal Campus (CVAC) shelter,
which was distributed to Council, made public, published on the City's website, and
included in the public record of this meeting.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jessica Klein, La Quinta — provided a hand-out with questions
regarding the CVAC animal shelter; updated Council on her recent positive dog adoption
experience from the Humane Society of the Desert animal shelter in Desert Hot Springs;
said CVAC could learn from them; noted that CVAC turned down offers from Big Dog
Ranch in Florida and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah who proposed to take dogs
to help with overcrowding and provide training for staff; and requested that CVAC be put
on a future agenda for a full discussion.
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PUBLIC SPEAKER: Courtney White, La Quinta — lives in the Cove and would like to see
more street lights in La Quinta as it will help provide safety and security.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Richard Centeno, La Quinta — said the crosswalk on Calle Tampico
from the Seasons residential development across from the La Quinta Library is
dangerous, as cars do not slow down even when the lights are flashing; and suggested
the flashing white light be changed to red.
Mayor Evans said law enforcement will be alerted.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS — None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE COUNCIL MEETINGMINUTES OF MARCH 5, 2024
2. APPROVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 19, 2024
3. APPROVE COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 20, 2024
4. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO SET COMPENSATION FOR CITY BOARDS,
COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES [RESOLUTION NO. 2024-013]
5. APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE COACHELLA
VALLEY CONSERVATION COMMISSION AND THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
TO COMPLETE THE TRANSFER OF CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES
REGARDING THE PENINSULAR BIGHORN SHEEP BARRIER PROJECT
6. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES
WITH INTERWEST CONSULTING GROUP FOR ON-CALL BUILDING CODE
PLAN REVIEW AND INSPECTION SERVICES TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT
AUTHORITY FOR UP TO $415,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2023/24
7. APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES WITH TRITON
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. TO IMPLEMENT CABLECAST
TECHNOLOGY TO RECORD, STREAM, AND ARCHIVE PUBLIC MEETINGS
VIDEOS, AND RELATED MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES
8. APPROVE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE, AND
ADVERTISE FOR BID THE CITYWIDE SLURRY SEAL IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT NO. 2023-16, LOCATED IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS
9. ACCEPT OFF-SITE IMPROVEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SIGNATURE
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT (TRACT MAP NO. 36537-1) LOCATED WITHIN
PGA WEST DEVELOPMENT ON PGA BOULEVARD
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10. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR TWO COUNCILMEMBERS TO
ATTEND THE CALIFORNIA JOINT POWERS INSURANCE AUTHORITY 2024
ELECTED OFFICIALS SUMMIT IN HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA, MAY
14-16, 2024
11. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR CITY MANAGER TO ATTEND THE
CALIFORNIA JOINT POWERS INSURANCE AUTHORITY 2024 EXECUTIVE
SUMMIT IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 9-11, 2024
12. EXCUSE ABSENCES OF COMMISSIONERS CASTO AND GAETA-MEJIA
FROM THE MARCH 13, 2024, QUARTERLY HOUSING COMMISSION
MEETING
13. RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT DATED
JANUARY 31, 2024
14. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED MARCH 15 AND 22, 2024
15. Pulled for a separate vote by Councilmember McGarrey »> APPROVE DEMAND
REGISTERS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY DATED
JANUARY 12, FEBRUARY 16, AND MARCH 8, 2024
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 4 — COMMENTS
Councilmember McGarrey — said that the Construction Board of Appeals (CBA) should
receive compensation as do other members of City boards, commissions, and
committees.
Council discussed the CBA's three meetings in the last 10 years, and reached a
consensus that if the CBA begins to meet more frequently, approving compensation for
CBA members can be considered in the future; and noted that of the nine cities in the
Coachella Valley, La Quinta, Indio, and Desert Hot Springs are the only ones that offer
compensation for members of their boards, commissions, and committees.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Fitzpatrick to
approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-14 as presented, with Item No. 4 adopting
Resolution No. 2024-013. Motion passed unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 15
COUNCILMEMBER McGARREY RECUSED HERSELF, AND SAID SHE WILL
ABSTAIN FROM THE DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON CONSENT CALENDAR
ITEM NO. 15 DUE TO A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST STEMMING
FROM A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH HER EMPLOYER SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY
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MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Sanchez
to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 15 as presented. Motion passed: ayes — 4, noes
— 0, abstain — 1 (McGarrey), absent — 0.
BUSINESS SESSION — None
STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSS PROJECTS TO BE INCLUDED IN FISCAL YEARS 2024/25
THROUGH 2028/29 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP)
Public Works Director McKinney, Assistant Construction Manager Ayon, and
Management Analyst Mignogna presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office.
Council discussed existing and planned sidewalks; sidewalks the City will build and those
future developers will build; improvement of the functioning of Avenue 52 at Jefferson
Street roundabout; the danger of the Avenue 52 and Monroe Street intersection, and the
efforts of the three governing agencies to improve it; Robert Green Company's
responsibility for wear and tear on SilverRock Way causing the need to slurry seal;
CVWD's responsibility to complete street repairs to City standards, pavement CVWD
installs after its sink hole repairs; oversight of businesses that are responsible for drains,
grates, etc.; the possibility of moving forward with all three phases of the Fritz Burns Park
Improvements project at once; the success of the City's long range drainage improvement
plans; the positive responses from residents regarding the north La Quinta landscaping
projects; dog park at SilverRock Park; location of Welcome Center improvements
(restroom, sidewalk, etc.) at the new city -owned property at Eisenhower Drive and Calle
Tampico near the Bear Creek Trail; possibility of an encroachment permit from CVWD for
the improvements; reimbursement to developers for capital improvements they have
made; increasing the slurry seal/pavement repair budget from $2 million to $2.5 million;
Measure G funding utilized for CIP projects; contribution of short-term vacation rental
revenue (STVR) to these capital projects; and the use and testing of new products
available for longer lasing streets.
Council noted Management Analyst Julie Mignogna's departure from La Quinta
employment to join Coachella Valley Association of Governments after 7.5 years of
service, and thanked her for her dedication, professionalism, and passion for projects.
Council reached a consensus and directed staff to continue seeking grant opportunities
for funding sources and proceed with Capital Improvement Program projects as
presented.
PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS — All reports are on file in the City Clerk's Office.
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MAYOR'S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' ITEMS
Mayor Evans congratulated Marge Dodge recently recognized at the Senior Inspiration
Awards luncheon.
Mayor Evans and Councilmembers McGarrey and Fitzpatrick reported their attendance
at the La Quinta Easter Egg hunt; and thanked staff for the successful egg hunt.
Councilmember Sanchez reported on his attendance, along with Councilmember
McGarrey, at the Desert Sands Foundation Gala; and, the CVWD water tour.
Councilmember Fitzpatrick reported on her attendance at the At Work Personnel ribbon -
cutting; and, Vista Santa Rosa District 4 Community Council meeting.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
La Quinta's representative for 2024, Mayor Evans reported on her participation in the
following organizations' meetings:
• CVAG COACHELLA VALLEY CONSERVATION COMMISSION
• VISIT GREATER PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION AND VISITORS' BUREAU
• IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT — COACHELLA VALLEY ENERGY
COMMISSION (IID CVEC)
• COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT JOINT POLICY COMMITTEE —
(scheduled for April 3, 2024, but was cancelled due to conflicting meeting schedule
with the IID CVEC)
La Quinta's representative for 2024, Councilmember Fitzpatrick reported on her
participation in the following organization's meeting:
• CVAG TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
La Quinta's representative for 2024, Councilmember McGarrey reported on her
participation in the following organizations' meetings:
• LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES — ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY POLICY
COMMITTEE
• GREATER COACHELLA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMECE INFORMATION
EXCHANGE COMMITTEE
La Quinta's representative for 2024, Councilmember Sanchez reported on his
participation in the following organization's meeting:
• LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES — PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Council discussed their concerns related to the League of California Cities position on
policies and culture; and reached a consensus to schedule a Study Session item at a
future Council meeting to discuss the value of the City's membership and return on
investment and hear from the local representative.
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Council reached a consensus and requested to receive a legislative update at a future
Council meeting by the City's lobbyist, Gonsalves & Son.
Council reached a consensus to schedule a Study Session item at a future Council
meeting to discuss the City's agreement with Riverside County Department of Animal
Services; possible municipal code amendments to Title 10 — Animals; and CVAC
operations.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA — Continued
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Philip Bettencourt, La Quinta — mentioned the City's regular
participation in the Bermuda Dunes Community Council; his and Councilmember
Fitzpatrick's attendance at the Vista Santa Rosa District 4 Community Council meeting;
and suggested adding, in addition to City staff, an official liaison from La Quinta City
Council to attend the meetings and report out during "Reports and Informational Items"
on the agenda.
CLOSED SESSION — Continued
3. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (QUARTERLY REVIEW)
PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957, COUNCIL
APPOINTED POSITION — CITY MANAGER
COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING AND
MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 5:35 P.M.
MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL MEETING AT 6:19 P.M. WITH COUNCILMEMBERS FITZPATRICK,
McGARREY, AND SANCHEZ PRESENT
CITY ATTORNEY IHRKE NOTED MAYOR PRO TEM PENA LEFT CLOSED
SESSION AT 6:06 P.M.
REPORT ON ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Ihrke reported the following pursuant to Government Code section 54957.1
(Brown Act):
• CLOSED SESSION ITEM NO. 3 — Council completed the City Manager's quarterly
performance evaluation and reaffirmed his appointment.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Sanchez/McGarrey to adjourn at 6:20 p.m. Motion passed: ayes — 4, noes — 0, abstain —
0, absent — 1 (Pena).
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Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
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