Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 02 03 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2026 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 Fitzpatrick, McGarrey, Pena, Sanchez, and Mayor Evans ABSENT: None 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; 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 SilverRock Lodging, LLC 24-11650 SilverRock Luxury Residences, LLC 24-11652 SilverRock Phase I, LLC 24-11654 RGC PA 789, LLC 24-11657 2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION; PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (1) OF SUBDIVISION (d) OF GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9; NAME OF CASE: CONSTRUCTION LOAN SERVICES II, LLC V. SILVERROCK DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, ET AL. (U.S. District Court, District of Delaware, CASE NO. 25-1342-CFC) 3. 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) CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 8 FEBRUARY 3, 2026 4. 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) COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING AND MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:03 P.M. MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 4:00 P.M. WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT REPORT ON ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Ihrke reported the following pursuant to Government Code § 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 LLC and its responsive affiliates as reported out for Closed Session Item No. 2 from the August 6, 2024, Council meeting. Mr. Ihrke noted that a summary of the bankruptcy proceedings status for SilverRock Development Company LLC and its affiliates will be provided under the Announcements, Presentations, and Written Communications section of the agenda, as Presentation Item No. 1. • CLOSED SESSION ITEM NO. 2 — no reportable action. • CLOSED SESSION ITEM NO. 3 — no reportable action. • CLOSED SESSION ITEM NO. 4 — City Attorney Ihrke reported pursuant to Government Code § 54957.1(a)(2), Council took the following action: MOTION: A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/McGarrey to approve joining a coalition comprised of many public agencies in the Coachella Valley and to authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to defend the City of La Quinta in response to allegations that all public agencies (as "Permittees") have purportedly fallen short of compliance under a specific provision in the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, brought by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Ihrke said pursuant to this authorization, the City Manager or authorized designee, and the City Attorney's Office, will respond accordingly and coordinate with the many other public agencies in the coalition. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 2 of 8 FEBRUARY 3, 2026 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember McGarrey led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA PUBLIC SPEAKER: Chris Christensen, CEO with Desert Healthcare District and Foundation — said the District provides financial support and healthcare to District residents; announced that the District is preparing its 5-year strategic plan and will be holding public listening sessions in the 7 zones it services; the session for the La Quinta area will be held on February 19, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the La Quinta Wellness Center and will provide food, $200 prize drawing, and Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL) translation; asked the City to assist in getting the word out about the session; explained that the purpose of the session is to get residents' feedback on the plans that have already been developed to ensure the District is not missing anything in the District's future agenda to enhance the services it provides; and the District will be working on the plan through the end of May. Mayor Evans added that La Quinta residents are welcome to attend any of the sessions in any of the 7 District zones if they are unable to attend the February 19 session held in La Quinta; and explained the funding and purpose of the Desert Healthcare District, including the District's mission to provide affordable access, equitable inclusion of healthcare, and healthcare support resources across the entire region the District serves. PUBLIC SPEAKER: David Dinnel, La Quinta — has a short-term vacation rental property (STVR) in La Quinta; said AirBnB has recently changed its business model and now prevents hosts from seeing the cell phone numbers of guests renting their property forcing hosts/owners to contact AirBnB if a problem with the guests arises — a time consuming process; has explained to AirBnB management, that this change is unacceptable but it has fallen on deaf ears; believes this policy will cause issues, especially during the upcoming Coachella festivals; and asked the City to exert any influence it has on AirBnB or to have Code Enforcement staff contact owners to correct issues before issuing violations. General discussion followed regarding AirBnB's possible reasoning for withholding guests' phone numbers prior to bookings; staff will investigate this new policy of withholding guests' phone contact numbers post -booking; and the City will contact Mr. Dinnel with further information. 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 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 8 FEBRUARY 3, 2026 approval, the City retained Special Counsel who has continuously been working with the City Manager and City Attorney throughout these proceedings. A milestone for the case was accomplished with the December 9, 2025, sale of the debtors' 130+/- acre property, formerly known as the Talus project, to Turnbridge Equities (TBE) pursuant to the bankruptcy court's order authorizing the sale. Prior Announcements regarding the bankruptcy case are available on the City's website at www.laquintaca.gov/talus. Mr. Ihrke said, as previously announced, the debtors' bankruptcy case continues, and the bankruptcy court granted the debtors motion for an Order Authorizing a Mediation, for the purpose of to try and reach an agreement among the key secured creditors as to the allocation and distribution of the net proceeds available from the sale of the debtors' property, and the mediation sessions are continuing. The City Manager, Special Counsel, and City Attorney's office will keep the Council informed as to the progress and the status of the case. 2. SILVERROCK DEVELOPMENT PROJECT — PRESENTATION BY MICHAEL GAZZANO, MANAGING DIRECTOR, INVESTMENTS AT TBE RE ACQUISITION CO II LLC, SUBSIDIARY OF TURNBRIDGE EQUITIES Mr. Gazzano provided a detailed presentation on accomplishments to date regarding assessment of existing conditions and structures at the project site, and the project components that will undergo design this year with construction anticipated to begin in late 2026. Council discussed the timing of designs coming before Council. 3. LEADERSHIP COACHELLA VALLEY — PRESENTATION BY VICE PRESIDENT RYLAND PENTA Vice President Penta and several Board Members explained that the program was founded in 1999 to provide leadership training skills in the community; provided an overview of the program's participants and curriculum; invited Council to attend their 25th Anniversary celebration; and asked Council to encourage applicants to apply for the next class session — applications will be accepted in May 2026. 4. SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY — PRESENTATION BY CEO / GENERAL MANAGER MONA BABUTA ON THE AGENCY'S OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS CEO/General Manager Babuta provided details of the transportation services provided by the Agency, its budget, and service area; and a brief overview of the SunLine Rides Reimagined Initiative, a process the Agency has undertaken to understand where riders need to go and when, in order to structure its services to fulfill riders' needs; encouraged residents to complete the Agency's online or paper survey; listed the multiple methods underway to solicit feedback, such as sending staff to bus stops, senior centers, local business organizations, etc.; and public feedback will be used to generate service CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 4 of 8 FEBRUARY 3, 2026 alternatives which will again be used to solicit public comment before going to the SunLine Board for consideration. Council discussed getting the SunLine survey to Trilogy residents; and the concept of a monorail. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 628 ON SECOND READING ADDING CHAPTER 5.94 TO TITLE 5 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO REGULATING THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF KRATOM PRODUCTS WITHIN THE CITY 2. AUTHORIZE OVERNIGHT TRAVEL FOR THE CITY CLERK AND DEPUTY CITY CLERK TO ATTEND THE CALIFORIA MUNICIPAL CLERK'S ASSOCIATION 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN ANAHEIM, CA, APRIL 29 — MAY 1, 2026 3. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 9 TO AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES WITH GHD, INC FOR THE HIGHWAY 111 CORRIDOR PROJECT NO. 2019-05 4. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED JANUARY 9 AND 16, 2026 MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Sanchez/McGarrey to approve the Consent Calendar as presented, with Item No. 1 adopting Ordinance No. 628. Motion passed unanimously. BUSINESS SESSION 1. APPROVE SECOND ROUND OF COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 Senior Management Analyst Calderon presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office. The following PUBLIC SPEAKERS, listed in the order in which they spoke, provided an overview of the objectives, services, and programs their respective organizations offer to the community: • Coachella Valley Disaster Preparedness Network — President Mitch Brown and Grant Manager Marlene (Mary) Lynn • Society's OutKasts Animal Rescue (SOAR) — Founder and President Belinda Zaparinuk, accompanied by Vice President Sandi Schreiber Council discussed the value of the organizations funded. MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers McGarrey/Fitzpatrick to approve the second round Community Services Grants for fiscal year 2025/26 for the CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 5 of 8 FEBRUARY 3, 2026 organizations detailed below, listed in alphabetical order, for a total not to exceed amount of $15,000: • Assistance League Coachella Valley $5,000 • Coachella Valley Disaster Preparedness Network $5,000 • Lift to Rise $0 • Society's OutKasts Animal Rescue (SOAR) $5,000 Motion passed unanimously. 2. INTRODUCE FOR FIRST READING AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING SPEED LIMITS FOR VARIOUS STREETS [ORDINANCE NO. 629] Public Works Director / City Engineer McKinney presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office. Council discussed coordination with adjacent cities on connecting roads; and the purpose and need to conduct periodic speed surveys. MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers McGarrey/Pena to take up Ordinance No. 629 by title and number only and waive further reading as presented. Motion passed unanimously. City Clerk Radeva read the following title of Ordinance No. 629 into the record: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING SPEED LIMITS MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers McGarrey/Pena to introduce at first reading Ordinance No. 629 designating legal speed limits for various street segments, as recommended in the 2026 Engineering and Traffic Survey, dated January 26, 2026. Motion passed unanimously. MAYOR EVANS CALLED FOR A BRIEF RECESS AT 5:25 P.M. MAYOR EVANS RECONVENED THE COUNCIL MEETING AT 5:31 P.M. WITH ALL MEMBERS PRESENT STUDY SESSION 1. REVIEW AND DISCUSS STRATEGIC PLAN SEMI-ANNUAL UPDATE Marketing and Communications Specialist Barkas presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office. Council discussed how to measure percentage of completion on items to which goals will be continually added — perhaps delete the percentage measurement. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 6 of 8 FEBRUARY 3, 2026 Council reached a consensus and directed staff to simplify the presentation materials for public workshops. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS MAYOR'S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' ITEMS Mayor Evans reported on her attendance at the American Express Golf Tournament. Mayor Pro Tem Fitzpatrick reported on her, and other Councilmembers' attendance at the Mission LQ rocket launch; and Riverside County's Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month awards. Councilmember McGarrrey reported on her attendance at FIND Food Bank breakfast; National Lands Day; and the Desert Valley Builders Association (DVBA) Board Installation Dinner. Councilmember Sanchez reported on his, and other Councilmembers' attendance at the Do The Right Thing event; Firebirds hockey game where he was the recognized veteran; Coachella Valley Veteran Coalition; FIND Food Bank Guardian Breakfast; DVBA Board Installation Dinner; Desert Rodeo Mixer; and Desert Recreation District Veterans' Open House. Mayor Evans suggested the City host a CV Link Day to expose residents to the facility and provide recreation and information similar to a walk -and -talk event. REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS La Quinta's representative for 2026, Mayor Evans reported on her participation in the following organization's meeting: • VISIT GREATER PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU La Quinta's representative for 2026, Mayor Pro Tem Fitzpatrick reported on her participation in the following organizations' meetings: • CVAG TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE • RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (RCTC) La Quinta's representative for 2026, Councilmember McGarrey reported on her participation in the following organization's meeting: • LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES — ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY POLICY COMMITTEE La Quinta's representative for 2026, Councilmember Pena reported on his participation in the following organizations' meetings: CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 7 of 8 FEBRUARY 3, 2026 • CV MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES • CVAG HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE • SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY La Quinta's representative for 2026, Councilmember Sanchez reported on his participation in the following organization's meeting: • LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Evans adjourned this meeting at 6:16 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 8 of 8 FEBRUARY 3, 2026