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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 02 11 CC Minutes Sp Mtg Com WorkshopCITY COUNCIL MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2026 CALL TO ORDER A special meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 5:10 p.m. by Mayor Evans to conduct the City's 2026 Annual Community Workshop at the La Quinta Wellness Center, located at 78450 Avenida La Fonda, La Quinta, CA 92253. PRESENT: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, McGarrey, Pena, Sanchez, and Mayor Evans ABSENT: None COMMUNITY MEMBERS SIGNED IN: 38 CITY STAFF PRESENT: 28 CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA — Confirmed PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Evans led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance STUDY SESSION 1. ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP: "LA QUINTA FORWARD: MOMENTUM AND MILESTONES" Mayor Evans welcomed all participants to the annual community workshop; explained the purpose of the workshop; and inquired about the length of time participants have resided in La Quinta. Past Community Workshops — Completed and In -Progress Items (Voted Top 5 Items) 2025 Community Workshop • Address IID Needs and Equipment Lease • Continue to Address Affordable Housing — in -progress • Underground Utilities • Preserve La Quinta's History — Historical Plaque Program — completed 2024 Community Workshop • Address IID Needs and Equipment Lease • Highway 111 Corridor Plan — in -progress • Expansion of La Quinta's Southern Boundaries — in -progress 2023 Community Workshop CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 4 FEBRUARY 11, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP • Fritz Burns Park / Pool Improvements — in -progress • Road Diet to Reduce / Improve Speeding in the Cove — not supported by residents' survey • Better Roads — in -progress 2022 Community Workshop • Underground Utilities • Park Improvements - completed • Public Safety Cameras Phase II — in -progress • Concerts in the Park Additions - completed 2018 Community Workshop • Highway 111 Corridor Plan — in -progress • Cultural Campus — in -progress • SilverRock Park Event Area - completed • Restroom at the Top of the Cove — completed • X-Park — completed • Corporate Yard Improvements — in -progress Current Projects • Fritz Burns Park / Pool Improvements • Cultural Campus • Mobile Library Van • Art Mural at City Hall • Slurry Seal Improvements — citywide Finance Update Finance Director Martinez noted the City of La Quinta is ranked No. 7 out of 410 total cities in California based on the criteria listed below; and it is the only city in the Coachella Valley ranked in the top 10. (1) Overall Financial Health and Stability — demonstrates the City's strong financial foundation and ability to weather economic changes: • Overall Fiscal Strength — 97 out of 100 • Net Worth — 15.8 out of 15 • General Fund Reserves — 15.8 out of 15 (2) Cash Flow, Debt, and Revenue Management — demonstrates the City's capacity to pay its bills, manage debt responsibly, and sustain revenues: • Liquidity — 10.5 out of 10 • Debt Burden — 15.8 out of 15 • Revenue Trends — 3.7 out of 5 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 2 of 4 FEBRUARY 11, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP (3) Long -Term Obligations and Retirement Readiness — demonstrates proactive planning for pensions and retiree health benefits without burdening future taxpayers: • Pension Costs — 4.9 out of 5 • Pension Funding — 4 out of 5 • Pension Obligations — 10.3 out of 10 • Other Post -Employment Benefits (OPEB) Obligations — 10.5 out of 10 • OPEB Funding — 5.3 out of 5 Housing Development Mayor Evans provided a brief update on the City's ongoing affordable housing development efforts, including the City's purchases of various vacant land along the Highway 111 Corridor for such projects: • South of Highway 111, west of Costco Drive • North of Highway 111, east of Dune Palms Road • North of Highway 111, east of La Quinta Drive Future Projects Mayor Evans and City Manager McMillen provided a status update on the following projects: • Art and Music Line (Avenue 48) • Washington Street Pavement Rehabilitation — from Eisenhower Drive to the City limits near Hidden River Road • Public Safety Camera System Phase II • Avenue 50 Bridge • Bridge Preventative Maintenance Program Improvements • Drainage Improvements ✓ Eisenhower Drive — Avenue 50 ✓ Calle Tampico — Desert Club Drive ✓ Calle Tampico — Avenida Bermudas • Maintenance and Operations Yard • Imperial Irrigation District (IID) ✓ Power supply availability ✓ Utilities undergrounding in the Cove — study completed SilverRock Project Update City Manager McMillen said the sale of the SilverRock (formerly Talus) project to a new developer, TBE RE ACQUISITION CO II LLC, a Turnbridge Equities subsidiary (TBE) closed in December 2025, in accordance with the bankruptcy proceedings of the former developer, SilverRock Development Company; and provided a brief update of TBE's efforts to evaluate the current conditions of the site and step forward for completing the development of the project. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 4 FEBRUARY 11, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP Upcoming Events Mayor Evans noted the following upcoming events: • Household Hazardous Waste — February 14, 2026 • Concerts in the Park at SilverRock Park — February 28, March 4 and 28, 2026 • Firebirds Hockey Game — March 29, 2026 • Easter Eggstravaganza — April 4, 2026 • Fly Over LQ — a Kite Experience — April 11, 2026 • La Quinta's 43rd Birthday Celebration — April 25, 2026 • Public Safety Community Events ✓ Neighborhood Wacht Meetings — March 26, May 28, September 24, and October 23, 2026 ✓ Emergency Preparedness Fair — April 9, 2026 ✓ Spay and Neuter Clinics — 3 clinics, 2026 dates will be announced soon ✓ CERT Class — 2 classes in May and November 206 PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA City Clerk Radeva said WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS were received from La Quinta resident Alena Callimanis about a newly published report regarding the lowest snowfall in years in the mountains that feed the Colorado river, and the importance of prudent water use when approving development projects and amenities to ensure sufficient supply of water resources for the future, which were distributed to Council, published on the City's website, and included in the public record of this meeting PUBLIC SPEAKER: Philip Bettencourt, La Quinta — inquired about the timeline for the Arts and Music Line (Avenue 48) and Washington Street Connector projects. Mayor Evans, on behalf of the Council, thanked participants for their time and commitment to La Quinta; and noted community input and engagement are vital for "La Quinta Forward: Momentum and Milestones." MAYOR'S AND COUNCILMEMBERS' ITEMS — None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers McGarrey/Pena to adjourn at 6:41 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 4 of 4 FEBRUARY 11, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP