2024 10 02 FAC Minutes Special MeetingFINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Page 1 of 3 OCTOBER 2, 2024
SPECIAL MEETING – MINUTES
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
A special meeting of the La Quinta Financial Advisory Commission (Commission) was
called to order at 3:30 p.m. by Chair Dorsey.
PRESENT: Commissioners Anderson, Batavick, Kiehl, Lee, Mast, Way, and Chair
Dorsey
ABSENT: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Anderson led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS – None
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
1. APPROVE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES DATED AUGUST 29, 2024
2. RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT DATED JULY
31, 2024
CONSENT CALENDAR – COMMENTS
ITEM NO. 2: In response to Commissioner inquiries, Principal Financial Analyst Hallick
explained the purpose of zoning change mitigation fees and how the timing of City billing
invoices affected the year-over-year comparison of the amounts. Additionally, the
significant increase in interest earnings was discussed, due mostly to the higher interest
rate environment as well as the City’s utilization of a money market sweep account that
earns interest in the operational account.
ITEM NO. 1: Commissioner Lee said the August 29, 2024, Commission minutes should
be amended under Business Session Item No. 1 to read as follows:
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Page 2 of 3 OCTOBER 2, 2024
SPECIAL MEETING – MINUTES
“The Commission discussed effectiveness of adjustments in last year’s audit the internal
control over financial reporting and the audit adjustments that resulted in classification of
a material weakness adjustment in the prior year; implementation of material weakness
corrections; reoccurring material weaknesses, if any; reason for Housing Authority Fund
classification change; and reason for the audit report completion date.”
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Anderson/Lee to
approve the Consent Calendar, amending the August 29, 2024, special Commission
meeting minutes as noted above. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1.APPOINT TWO FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSIONERS TO AUDIT AND
FORMULATE THE ANNUAL MEASURE G SALES TAX OVERSIGHT
COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/24
Finance Director Martinez presented the staff report, which is on file in the Finance
Department.
Commissioners Way and Mast volunteered to serve on this sub-committee.
The Commission discussed the importance of having Commissioners who served on the
subcommittee in the prior year to serve again to provide continuity; and review of the
Measure G Sales Tax Oversight Compliance Report will go hand-in-hand with the City’s
ongoing work on the Strategic Plan, particularly regarding making recommendations on
the long-term use of the current Measure G reserve revenues.
Commissioner Lee noted that if the Commission was to entertain appointing three
members to serve on the subcommittee, he would be interested.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Kiehl/Anderson to
appoint Commissioners Mast, Lee, and Way to serve on the subcommittee to audit the
annual Measure G Sales Tax Oversight Compliance Report for fiscal year 2023/24.
Motion passed unanimously.
2. APPOINT TWO FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSIONERS TO REVIEW THE
CITY’S OUTSTANDING PENSION OBLIGATION
Principal Financial Management Analyst Hallick presented the staff report, which is on file
in the Finance Department.
Commissioners Anderson and Kiehl volunteered to serve on this sub-committee.
The Commission and Staff discussed the CalPERS discount rate and the process for how
that is determined by their Board, the City’s budgeting process for unfunded liability
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Page 3 of 3 OCTOBER 2, 2024
SPECIAL MEETING – MINUTES
payments, how paying unfunded liabilities saves the City over the long term, and the use
of reserves to pay down the unfunded liabilities.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Lee/Way to appoint
Commissioners Kiehl and Anderson to serve on the sub-committed to review the City’s
outstanding pension obligation. Motion passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION – None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1.FINANCE DEPARTMENT CURRENT AND FUTURE INITIATIVES
Finance Director Martinez provided an update on current and upcoming Finance
Department projects and City events, with the report on file in the Finance Department.
The Commission discussed the Travertine development is located south of Avenue 60,
west of Madison Street, and north of Avenue 64; the Highway 111 Re-envisioning project
expenses listed on the revenue and expenditure reports are true expenses related to the
design of the project and feasibility studies related to possible implementation of a Form-
Based code and an uniform Specific Plan for the entire corridor which will combine the
currently 11 existing Specific Plans.
COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
Commissioner Lee provided further commentary on the 2022/23 audit report that was
presented at the August 29, 2024, meeting. Commissioner Lee emphasized that the City
utilizes internal reports to assess its financial position until the ACFR is published. He
clarified that the auditors' role is to test internal controls and agrees with the auditors that
the City’s reporting is reliable, in addition to the City not having significant control
weaknesses and has trust in staff and the accuracy of financial reporting.
Commissioner Way apologized for not being able to attend the August 29, 2024, special
meeting of the Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Anderson/Mast to adjourn this meeting at 5:15 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Claudia Martinez, Interim Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California