The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2026 03 03 CC MinutesCITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at 3:30 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 5 MARCH 3, 2026 COUNCIL RECESSED THE OPEN SESSION PORTION OF THE MEETING AND MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 3:31 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 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 LLC. 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. • CLOSED SESSION ITEM NO. 3 — no reportable action. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Evans led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA PUBLIC SPEAKER: William Putz, La Quinta — spoke regarding the plants at Adams park across from fire station on Adams Street; appreciates the landscape upgrades but concerned about the planting of bougainvillea shrubs along the back wall of the park which when mature, will produce significant petal debris for surrounding neighbors to clean up from their yards and pools; and asked that the bougainvillea be swapped out for a better -suited plant if possible. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Paula Simons, Chief Executive Office with the Family YMCA of the Desert (YMCA) — said the Eisenhower Drive casita property for childcare approved by Council is open; thanked the City for the team effort to make opening possible; shared positive feedback received from children and their parents; recently hosted the Eric Marsh Foundation (in the line of duty fire deaths) Widow's Retreat in La Quinta, and thanked all for the warm welcome they received; and announced that she is leaving the YMCA for a move to Alzheimer's Coachella Valley effective March 31, 2026. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 2 of 5 MARCH 3, 2026 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. 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.Iaquintaca.gov/talus. City Attorney Ihrke said the bankruptcy case for the debtors is ongoing. As previously announced, the bankruptcy court granted the debtors motion for an Order Authorizing a Mediation 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; the mediation is ongoing; and Council will be kept apprized as to the progress and the status of the case. 2. INTRODUCE NEW RIVERSIDE COUNTY FIRE CHIEF ROBERT FISH La Quinta Division Fire Chief Richard Tovar with the Riverside County Fire Department introduced newly promoted Riverside County Fire Chief Robert Fish. Chief Fish provided a brief background of his experience and qualifications; information on the La Quinta fire team; an update on the acquisition of a new fire ladder truck; and reported on the County's recruitment efforts. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DATED JANUARY 20, 2026 2. APPROVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DATED FEBRUARY 3, 2026 3. APPROVE COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES DATED FEBRUARY 11, 2026 — COMMUNITY WORKSHOP 4. APPROVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DATED FEBRUARY 17, 2026 5. ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 630 ON SECOND READING AMENDING SECTIONS 1.01.003 AND 12.20.020 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO CONFORMING AND CORRECTIVE REVISIONS GOVERNING CONTENTS OF CODE AND SPEED LIMITS REGULATIONS RESPECTIVELY 6. ADOPT RESOLUTION APPROVING SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2026-0001 FOR A FIRST TIME EXTENSION OF SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2022-0007 FOR 125-ROOM HAMPTON INN HOTEL; LOCATION: SOUTHWEST CORNER CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 3 of 5 MARCH 3, 2026 OF AUTO CENTRE DRIVE AND LA QUINTA DRIVE WITHIN THE CENTRE AT LA QUINTA SPECIFIC PLAN AREA; APPLICANT: VERDANT LAQUINTA LLC [RESOLUTION NO. 2026-002] 7. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES WITH PALMS TO PINE PRINTING FOR PROMOTIONAL AND PRINTING SERVICES TO INCREASE COMPENSATION UP TO $135,000 PER FISCAL YEAR 8. APPROVE MILLS ACT AGREEMENT WITH ROBERT LINDEMANN AND ULLA LEMBORN FOR DESIGNATED HISTORIC LANDMARK PROPERTY LOCATED AT 51495 AVENIDA DIAZ; PROJECT NO. MILLS 2025-0002 9. RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT DATED DECEMBER 31, 2025 10. APPROVE DEMAND REGISTERS DATED FEBRUARY 6 AND 13, 2026 MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/McGarrey to approve the Consent Calendar as presented, with Item No. 5 adopting Ordinance No. 630 and Item No. 6 adopting Resolution No. 2026-002. Motion passed unanimously. BUSINESS SESSION — None STUDY SESSION — None PUBLIC HEARINGS — None DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS — All reports are on file in the City Clerk's Office. MAYOR'S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' ITEMS Mayor Evans reported on her, and other Councilmembers' attendance at the Desert Regional Cardiac Center ribbon cutting; funding update meeting with Congressman Calvert; Modernism Week reception in Palm Springs and the welcome reception at La Quinta Country Club; Desert Healthcare District listening session; Eric Marsh Foundation Widows' Retreat; Chamber of Commerce car show; Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation luncheon; ribbon cuttings at 1/2sies Co. and Village Records; Desert Valley Builders' Association luncheon where City Manager McMillen provided an update on La Quinta development; Old Town Artisan Studio moonlight reception; Health and Research for Communities (HARC) survey data release; La Quinta Arts Celebration; and Read Across America school readings. Councilmember McGarrrey reported on her, and other Councilmembers' attendance at the Do The Right Thing ceremony; and the International Horse Park women's networking night. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 4 of 5 MARCH 3, 2026 Councilmember Sanchez reported on his, and other Councilmembers' attendance at the Steve Chase gala; Olive Crest gala; and Tools for Tomorrow gala. Mayor Evans directed City Attorney Ihrke to contact the developer and Riverside County regarding their false advertising which states that the new Summerwell apartment complex at 55150 Monroe Street in Riverside County's unincorporated Thermal area is located in La Quinta. REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS La Quinta's representative for 2026, Mayor Evans reported on her participation in the following organization's meeting: • DESERT SANDS SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMITTEE (Evans & Sanchez) La Quinta's representative for 2026, Mayor Pro Tem Fitzpatrick reported on her participation in the following organization's meeting: • RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (RCTC) La Quinta's representative for 2026, Councilmember McGarrey reported on her participation in the following organization's meeting: • GREATER CV CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INFORMATION EXCHANGE COMMITTEE La Quinta's representative for 2026, Councilmember Pena reported on his participation in the following organizations' meetings: • ART PURCHASE COMMITTEE • SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY La Quinta's representative for 2026, Councilmember Sanchez reported on his participation in the following organizations' meetings: • DESERT SANDS SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMITTEE (Evans & Sanchez) • RIVERSIDE COUNTY AIRPORT LAND USE COMMISSION • RIVERSIDE LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers McGarrey/Sanchez to adjourn at 4:55 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 5 of 5 MARCH 3, 2026