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2025 03 04 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Mayor Evans. PRESENT: Councilmembers McGarrey, Pena (attending via teleconference), Sanchez, and Mayor Evans ABSENT: Councilmember Fitzpatrick Mayor Evans noted that in accordance with the Brown Act [Gov. Code § 54953 (b)] teleconferencing for Councilmember Pena is in effect, and he is attending this meeting from the Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort and Casino — Lobby, located at 200 Convention Boulevard, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico, which was identified in the published notice and agenda of this meeting, is accessible to the public, and the agenda was posted at the teleconference location. MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers McGarrey/Sanchez to excuse Councilmember Fitzpatrick's absence from tonight's meeting. Motion passed: ayes — 4, noes — 0, abstain — 0, absent — 1 (Fitzpatrick). PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA — None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA — Confirmed CLOSED SESSION 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION; PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (1) OF SUBDIVISION (d) OF GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9; NAME OF CASE: CITY OF LA QUINTA V. SILVERROCK DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, ET AL. (RIVERSIDE COUNTY SUP. CT. CASE NO. CVPS2404750) 2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION; PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (1) OF SUBDIVISION (d) OF GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9; CASES NAMES AND NUMBERS — MULTIPLE (listed below, all in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware) CASE NAME: CASE NUMBER SilverRock Development Company, LLC 24-11647 SilverRock Lifestyle Residences, LLC 24-11648 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 6 MARCH 4, 2025 SilverRock Lodging, LLC 24-11650 SilverRock Luxury Residences, LLC 24-11652 SilverRock Phase I, LLC 24-11654 RGC PA 789, LLC 24-11657 COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING AND MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:02 P.M. MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 4:13 P.M. WITH COUNCILMEMBERS McGARREYAND SANCHEZ 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 reportable action: Council's authorization remains in place for the City Attorney, in coordination with the City Attorney's Office and Special Counsel, to defend and protect the interests of the City in the multiple bankruptcy cases filed by SilverRock Development Company and its responsive affiliates as reported out for Closed Session Item No. 2 from the August 6, 2024, Council meeting. • CLOSED SESSION ITEM NO. 2 — no reportable action. CITY ATTORNEY IHRKE SAID COUNCILMEMBER PENA LEFT THE COUNCIL MEETING AT 4:11 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Sanchez led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Mayor Evans announced the postponement of the City's Concert in the Park at SilverRock Park scheduled for March 5, 2025, due to the potential rainstorm. The next scheduled concert in the park is scheduled for March 19, 2025. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Stephanie Stone -Stinson, La Quinta — expressed concerns regarding traffic and speeding along Avenida Bermudas; requested that the City consider a road diet plan to change Avenida Bermudas to a single lane, or that speed bumps and new stop signs be installed. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 2 of 6 MARCH 4, 2025 ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS 1. SILVERROCK (FORMERLY TALUS) DEVELOPMENT PROJECT — STATUS UPDATE City Attorney Ihrke said on August 5, 2024, SilverRock Development Company LLC and its affiliates (debtors), collectively referred to as "SDC," voluntarily petitioned for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware; and per Council's direction and approval, the City retained Special Counsel who has continuously been working with the City Manager and City Attorney throughout these proceedings. Prior Announcements regarding the bankruptcy case are available on the City's website at www.Iaquintaca.gov/taluslq. Mr. Ihrke noted there were no new updates to be reported tonight on the bankruptcy cases as there have been no hearings held in open court since the last update provided at the February 4, 2025, Council meeting. The next Omnibus Hearing date before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court is set for March 12, 2025, and dependent on the proceedings an informational announcement may be provided at the next Council meeting. 2. IRONMAN 70.3 INDIAN WELLS -LA QUINTA TRIATHLON — DECEMBER 8, 2024, EVENT SUMMARY UPDATE BY REGIONAL DIRECTOR JUDY STOWERS AND RACE DIRECTOR RYAN JARELL Regional Director Stowers and Race Director Jarrell with World Triathlon Corporation provided a recap of the Indian Wells -La Quinta Ironman 70.3 triathlon event, held on December 8, 2024, including economic impact, athlete growth, etc.; and detailed the goals and enhancements to the upcoming 2025 Ironman event, including proposed route changes, outreach program, athlete registration, attendance, etc. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DATED FEBRUARY 18, 2025 2. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO REAFFIRM ADOPTION OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR COUNTY SERVICE AREA 152, AUTHORIZE RIVERSIDE COUNTY TO CONTINUE TO LEVY ASSESSMENTS, AND INDEMNIFY AND HOLD THE COUNTY HARMLESS FOR LEVYING ASSESSMENTS ON CITY PARCELS [RESOLUTION NO. 2025-005] 3. APPROVE AGREEMENTS FOR CONTRACT SERVICES WITH JRC CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, SAVI CONSTRUCTION INC., AND THREE PEAKS COPR. FOR ON -CALL PUBLIC WORKS CONCRETE MAINTENANCE SERVICES CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 6 MARCH 4, 2025 4. APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES WITH LANCE, SOLL & LUNGHARD, LLP FOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTING AND ADVISORY SERVICES 5. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR PRINCIPAL MANAGEMENT ANALYST TO ATTEND THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP ACADEMY IN PHENIX, AZ, MARCH 23-28, 2025 6. DECLARE MODEL YEAR 2000 INTERNATIONAL WATER TRUCK SURPLUS AND APPROVE DISPOSAL METHOD 7. APPROVE DAMAN REGISTERS DATED FEBRUARY 14 AND 21, 2025 MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Sanchez/McGarrey to approve the Consent Calendar as presented, with Item No. 2 adopting Resolutions No. 2025-005. Motion passed: ayes — 3, noes — 0, abstain — 0, absent — 2 (Fitzpatrick and Pena). BUSINESS SESSION 1. APPROVE JUNIOR INSPIRATION AND YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARD NOMINEE Senior Management Analyst Calderon and Administrative Technician Elizalde presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office. Council discussed the accolades and achievements of nominee Maximilian (Max) Radi; expressed appreciation to the Arts and Community Services Commission for their contributions in revamping the City's awards programs. MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Sanchez/McGarrey to award the Junior Inspiration and Youth Achievement Award to Maximilian (Max) Radi. Motion passed: ayes — 3, noes — 0, abstain — 0, absent — 2 (Fitzpatrick and Pena). STUDY SESSION 1. DISCUSS REMOVAL OF AGED PALM TREES LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY RIGHT OF WAY Public Works Director / City Engineer McKinney introduced Maintenance and Operations Superintendent Hansen who presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office. PRESENTER: Oscar Corvera, General Manager with Arbor Pro, Inc. — provided a detailed presentation on the visual, aerial, and sonic tomography inspections conducted on the palm trees identified for removal to evaluate and assess their health. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 4 of 6 MARCH 4, 2025 Council discussed the City's proactive effort to notify property owners and residents of the assessment and proposed removal of trees in the right of way adjacent to residential properties; potential agreements with property owners to indemnify the City if they wish to assume ownership and maintenance responsibility of existing trees; the health condition of the trees; process to identify any active bird nests prior to trees removal, and having to wait until the nest becomes inactive before removing those trees; bird mating season in the Coachella Valley is from March to October, with new nests generally developing from March through May; typically fan palms are not favored for bird nesting; Arbor Pro, Inc. conducts an independent and unbiased assessment of the trees health condition; trees removal will be completed by the City's landscape maintenance contractor PWLC II, Inc.; the removal process will include cutting and grinding the trees below ground level to not leave any stumps, or potentially removing the roots entirely; these palms were planted by Riverside County prior to the City's incorporation, and estimated average palm tree age is between 75 to 100 years old; importance of notifying local historical and environmental conservation stakeholders, such as the La Quinta Historical Society, Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy, etc. to confirm there aren't any potential significance of removing the palms; tree replacement program options; unlikelihood of tree replacements in the right of way due to challenges with improper irrigation as it is maintained by the property owner and not the City, tree maintenance responsibilities, having to remove the existing trees root structure entirely or locating underground utilities lines for any potential tree replacement; importance to remove all unhealthy trees, regardless whether or not property owners express a desire to assume maintenance responsibilities, in order to ensure safety as well as aesthetics; the existing palms, both healthy and unhealthy, are at the end of life cycle; Arbor Pro, Inc. is scheduled to conduct a drone review of the trees a few days prior to removal by PWLC II, Inc., scheduled for March 10, 2025, to determine if there are any active bird nests. Council reached a consensus and directed staff to proceed with the palms removal as scheduled for March 10, 2025; and to reach out to local historical and environmental conservation stakeholders, such as the La Quinta Historical Society for any potential significance of the trees, and the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy to ensure properly addressing any potential active bird nests. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS — All reports are on file in the City Clerk's Office. MAYOR'S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' ITEMS Mayor Evans said the official groundbreaking ceremony and lease renewal signing, between the Coachella Valley Water District and Riverside County, who partnered with The KYA Group on modernizing the park, at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2025 — this milestone ensures the park remains a valued recreational space for the next 30 years, providing new enhancements and long- term benefits to the community. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 5 of 6 MARCH 4, 2025 Mayor Evans noted several events were held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, including the 3rd Annual Coachella Valley Am (CVAM) contest for Street, Best Trick, and Bowl Jam at the La Quinta X-Park, the 2025 La Quinta Hot Rod and Custom Car Show at the La Quinta Community Park, the Trilogy residential community emergency preparedness; and the Spring 2025 La Quinta Art Celebration at the Civic Center Campus held February 27 through March 2, 2025. REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS La Quinta's representative for 2025, Mayor Evans reported on her participation in the following organization's meeting: • CVAG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Councilmember McGarrey spoke about the three art pieces purchased from the Spring 2025 La Quinta Art Celebration event by the Art Purchasing Committee, comprised of Councilmembers McGarrey and Pena and Art and Community Services Commissioners Webb and Chiapperini, and the various locations where it will be displayed; and thanked staff for their assistance. Councilmember Sanchez requested clarification on the palm trees recently removed along Avenue 52; staff said the trees were removed as part of the ongoing Landscape and Lighting Median Island Improvements Project No. 2018-04 as they were aged and deteriorating. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Sanchez/McGarrey to adjourn at 5:29 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, V r MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 6 of 6 MARCH 4, 2025