[0:00] Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to the La Quinta City Council meeting for Tuesday, August 4th, 2026. We’ll call the meeting to order the roll call, please. Monika. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Council members. Fitzpatrick. Present McGarrey. present. Peña. present. Sanchez. present and Mayor Evans. Present any public comment. On 7 p.m..

[0:22] All right, let’s move to confirmation of agenda. Any changes by council staff? Yes, madam mayor, members of the council staff request to move consent calendar item number 14 to business number three.

[0:46] That’s adopting resolution granting conditional approval of final track map and subdivision improvement agreements associated with track map number, blah blah blah. Um, but at any rate, that. We’ll read it when it gets there. That particular item does need to be moved, because our public works director will be providing a verbal presentation. Great. Okay. And then any changes by council do we want to start with? I’ll start with me.

[1:10] I will be recusing myself from item public hearing number two, which is regarding a property located within 500ft of my primary residence. So I will have Mayor Pro Tem preside over that item, and I’ll step out. And. Madam Mayor, I will recuse myself from consent. Item number 17.

[1:32] Um, with regards to the approval demand registry for Southern California Gas Company, because it is a source of income to me. Madam mayor, I need to recuse myself on consent. Calendar item number 18 and 19. Uh, due to real property within 500ft of the project location. And also on consent. Calendar item number 21.

[1:57] Uh, the reasonable probability of future income and or investment. And business item number two, uh, potential real property within 1000ft of the project location. No, I’m at home early. Let’s move it. Okay. I think that covers our our conflicts and refusals. Very good. We’ll move on to our closed session. We have two items this afternoon.

[2:23] First is a conference with legal counsel for existing litigation pursuant to paragraph one of subdivision D of Government Code, section 5.4956.9 Cases and numbers. Names and numbers are multiple. This is all related to the US Bankruptcy Court. District of Delaware. Regarding civil Rock Development Company, LLC, lifestyle residences, lodging, luxury residences.

[2:45] Phase one and the GC, PA 789, and we will have item number two enclosed as a conference with labor negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. The city designated representative is Carla Triplett, our human Resources deputy Director, and the employee organization is the La Quinta City Employees Association.

[3:06] With that, we will recess to close session and reconvene at 4 p.m.. Thank you.

[0:00] recess to close session and reconvene at 4 p.m.. Thank you. Good afternoon. Welcome back to the council meeting. We just reconvened from closed session. I’ll call upon our attorney for any actions taken during closed. Bryan Gill. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Members of the council.

[0:21] The council finished its two closed session items, and there is no reportable action on either of those items this evening. Thank you very much. All right. At this time, if you would please stand while Council Member McGarry leads us in, the Pledge of Allegiance. It would be my honor. I welcome, them. Please place your hand over your heart. Begin.

[0:41] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, we’ll move to public comment on matters not on the agenda. Uh, this is an opportunity for you to speak to mayor and council on any topic you choose.

[1:04] If there’s an agenda related item, we’ll call you up during that time to be part of the discussion. We do not take action on non-agenda public comments, really on any public comments unless it’s agenda related. But we don’t have any requests to speak today.

[1:18] Do you have anything written that we need to read into the record? None for none for items not on the agenda. We have the handouts for the items on the agenda. Correct. Okay. All right. Then we’ll move on to our announcements, presentations and written communications.

[1:35] We have one this afternoon and it’s a proclamation and recognition of firefighter John Barton for 23 years of dedicated service and including 21 here in our great city of La Quinta, all happening at Fire Station 32. And I know that the team celebrated with you, um, last week, I guess it was, and we missed that.

[1:51] So we want to make sure we had an opportunity to recognize you formally in our council meeting and present a proclamation. So the question o Division. Okay, Bryan. Bryan, chief Brian White and our new battalion chief, John Phillips will be making the presentation. Hi. Good evening, mayor Brian White, former fire chief for the city of La Quinta. It’s great to see you all again. Also with me tonight is a battalion chief, John Phillips.

[2:09] And then the man of the hour. Uh, Mr. John Barton. So again, 20 plus years of service here to the city of La Quinta as a paramedic and just an outstanding individual. Um, we’re sad to see him retire.

[2:25] Uh, do you understand that? There’s a proclamation, and we’d like to, uh, to hear the proclamation and then also get some photos. Okay. Very good. Do you have anything to say? You want to say anything? John, you’re already in casual clothes, are you? Officially. Well, unfortunately, when I turn in my gear, they take half my uniform, so. I’m sorry, I. I’m not dressed in uniform. Uh.

[2:39] You’re good. I want to thank you for this opportunity to stand before you guys, the council members, and you, obviously the mayor, and recognize me. Um, uh, this has been a great city to me. Uh, 20 plus years as a firefighter paramedic.

[2:54] And I got to say, there’s a reason why they call this city the gem of the desert. You guys do a fabulous job. Um, getting what we need as far as the fire department goes. And obviously with the people that we have behind us. Um, I like to thank them for coming up here and, uh, and giving their support as well. I thank you.

[3:10] Thank you. It’s a team effort. So it takes police, fire staff. It takes everybody to make this city special. And we appreciate all of the dedication in the years of service. So let me brag a little bit about John Barton.

[3:26] After dedicating more than 21 years to a career in the fire service to the city of La Quinta with Cal Fire, Riverside County Fire Department firefighter paramedic John Barton is retiring and entering the exciting new chapter in his life.

[3:44] What did somebody call that? Uh, recreational opportunities outside the work environment? Some sought firefighter paramedic Barton began his career in emergency medical services in the city of Compton, and after completing paramedic school, he transferred to Riverside Division, where he proudly served as a paramedic for ten years, providing exceptional medical care to the communities he served.

[4:03] And whereas in the fall of 2003, John called or joined Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department as a firefighter paramedic and was then assigned to Fire Station 49 in Desert Center. While you went from Compton to. Desert? That’s correct. Yes. That’s yes. And whereas in 2005, he transferred to Fire Station 32, in the city of La Quinta, where he faithfully served out the remainder of his career providing life saving emergency medical care.

[4:21] And throughout his tenure at La Quinta, John became known for his professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment to public service. His contributions have had lasting impact on the community and the lives he’s touched during his career will not be forgotten. So on behalf of myself as well as the entire City Council, we want to extend our deep appreciation for the many years of service and dedication.

[4:38] Being ambassador and being life saving professional to our residents and visitors alike. And we wish you great future success in your next chapter of retirement. I appreciate. That round of applause. For. John. And let’s come on down. You guys want to stand up here or do you want. To go there? I can stand up here.

[5:04] Because I’m assuming you have a firefighter. Sure. Yeah. They’re going to want to get up there. Team? I think the team should join, right? Yeah. You want the team up there, right? Behind. Yeah. They’re gonna they’re gonna kind. Of behind them. This way. Okay. Yes. Here you go. Are you you want to join me, please? Okay. Okay.

[5:28] Okay. Are we balanced? Just stand in front of the microphone so that you don’t see the light going in there. There we go. There you go. Form up or something. That good? You’re getting this very technical. Are we doing are we doing it? Yeah. Coming in extremely bright. Oh, okay.

[6:03] I’ll have to adjust and let’s see. Where is, uh. No way. Says hello, by the way. Okay. Anything else? No. Yeah. Um. No, I think. We’re good. Anybody? Anybody else? Is it Ron? His wife in the picture? Yes. Well, you want to get on with your wife? Say, I have to come up. Good call.

[6:23] Yes. Yeah. Get her off there. Excellent. There we go. She served two. Exactly. This is the definitely. Perfect. Do you want to throw your number here? Congratulations. Good wishes. Thank. Oh, okay. He’s trying. To get us to clap again. Thank you for being here. Thank you. Thank you, thank. You. I enjoy. You all 32? No, no.

[7:19] I moved him around. That’s. a little bit. That’s all. I guess. Thank you, captain White. Good to see you. How’s it going? Good, good. Still smiling. He came back. I love it. What are you doing, Steve? I don’t know, it’s. Chilly. Oh, yeah, I’ve got it right here. Sorry. Okay.

[7:57] Excellent. Okay. We will move now to our consent calendar, and we’ve got a a few iterations of our consent calendar. But let’s first talk about why those iterations are occurring. Do you want to start? John. Madam mayor, um, as I stated earlier, I need to recuse myself on consent. Calendar item number 18. In 19.

[8:19] Uh, do the real property within 500ft of the project location. And also on consent calendar item number 21. Um, because of the reasonable, uh, probability of future income or and or investment. And also on business. I’ll wait till business. Okay. And, um. madam Mayor, I need to recuse myself to from consent calendar. Item.

[8:45] Number 17. Um, which is, um, the approved demand register for SoCal gas company data from April 17th, May 22nd and June 12th, 2026. Because it is my source of income. And we also pulled item number 14 on consent and moved it to B3 business item number three. And we’ll announce that when we get there. So we have.

[9:09] Madam Mayor, I’d make a motion to approve the amended consent calendar. Items one through 13, items 15 and 16, and item number 20. I’ll second. All right. And let’s see, I wanted to make a comment. Um. Um.

[9:40] I guess just on the item number 20, which is an amendment to the Third Amendment restatement of the Joint Powers Agreement with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments. We made a small modification to accommodate the tribal members in terms of their alternate, um, assignee, because they’ve some of the tribes have very few electeds on their tribe. And so normally it’s an elected as an alternate.

[10:01] So between the Riverside County and the tribes, we altered that, but nothing substantial. But that’s the reason that’s on there. And that will go through all of the jurisdiction. Member jurisdictions before it’s finally adopted.

[10:23] Um, and I think and item number 15, which is the receive and File Revenue and Expenditure report dated May 31st, 2026, just a notation that that includes a $4 million pension liability payment for CalPERS. And that just extends, you know, our efforts to continue to have that, uh, unfunded pension being funded fully in the city of La Quinta, which allows us to rank high in the top ten in the state of California for fiscal

[10:42] responsibility and fiscal health. So that’s just a little bit of bragging that we’re able to make that type of investment. So with that we have a motion. And second, on the amended consent, please vote. There we go. All right. And that motion passes unanimously.

[11:11] Now let’s take item number 17, which is the demand register for SoCal Gas Company dated April 17th, May 22nd and June 12th, 2026. Is there a motion for that one? Madam mayor, I’d move it, make a motion to approve. Uh, 17 and 18. Just 17 o 2017. Sorry. All right. There was a motion. And second for 17.

[11:32] Am I out of order? Monica? I didn’t see on here. Item 17. There you go. Please vote. Okay. And then that motion passes with four yeses. And Councilmember McGarry abstaining. And then the last. Part for what, 18. 18, 2018. And 21? Madam mayor. Madam mayor, make a motion to approve consent items 28. Uh, yes. There we go. Um. 18, 19. 18, 19 and 21 second.

[12:04] So there’s a motion and second for those consent items. And I do want to just comment on item number 21. And that is the to ratify and approve the funding and reservation of capacity agreement with Imperial Irrigation District. And in Riverside County, and prospective developers for the Avenue 58 substation electrical infrastructure improvements.

[12:20] Again, this advanced payment we had allocated up to $10 million last December. We have expended just over 5 million. We’re getting nearly all of it back as soon as all of the developers sign on and pay their first payment.

[12:38] And this is just another way that we’re trying to move forward to accelerate growth in our communities by having electricity, because without our advance, it would take a lot longer with it to get there. So and you want to share more? Yeah.

[12:56] I would also just like to add this afternoon I did receive just a little while ago, the fully executed version of that agreement from Ayade and all the developers. Excellent. Excellent. Okay. There was a motion. And second for 18, 19 and 21. Please vote. Deserves a round of applause. All right. Motion passes with four yeses. And Councilmember Peña abstaining. All right. Let’s get that. That’s. Yeah, it’s okay. I think we should have part. I mean, come along.

[13:25] If we weren’t. Driving it. Thank you. City manager John McMillan. We were not driving. That we would not be getting there as quickly as we are. Okay, let’s move on to our business session items. We now have three.

[13:41] Since we moved one of the consents over, and our first item is to approve amendment number one to Cooperative Agreement with County of Riverside for fire protection, fire prevention, rescue, fire marshal and medical emergency services and to adopt the municipal staffing model and modify staffing levels at Fire Stations 32 and 70. Hello again. Martha, let me get to that. Good afternoon, Madam Mayor and members of City Council.

[14:13] My name is Martha mendez, public safety deputy director. And with me I have Division Chief Brian White. Um, so a little bit of background, the city contracts with the Riverside County Fire Department, County fire for fire services. They provide fire staffing for all three fire stations in the city.

[14:33] The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which is known as Cal Fire and County Fire, have recommended adopting the municipal staffing model, which is industry standard for fire staffing services. Um, three years ago, almost three years ago, in October 2023, council approved changes to staffing levels at Fire Station 93.

[14:55] A couple of months ago, we received another request from the county fire to modify the staffing levels for the two remaining fire stations, which is Fire Station 32 and 70. The reason why they’re recommending this is because under the municipal staffing model, they um, it increases the safety and productivity of the fires, fire staff, by aligning staffing

[15:14] levels with other cities in the state. Under the current model, the captain is only available 72 hours during a week, and thus leaving staff without supervision of a captain for approximately 96 hours during the week. Uh, under municipal staffing, a captain will be available seven days a week.

[15:37] Uh, during all all week, those providing leadership, guidance and oversight for all staff at the fire station, the fiscal impact, uh, per county fire is estimated on 283,700. However, because the estimated fire service costs are calculated using the top step of the salary range for every single um, um position, um, this changes will not occur gradually, and as positions are filled and personnel complete

[16:06] training, the city staff doesn’t believe that, um, we will be exceeding the current budget of 11,000,300, which was approved last June. And with that, I conclude the presentation and we’re here to answer any questions. Thank you. Thank you very. Much, Martha. Questions for Martha. Or. White. Come on. Up.

[16:28] Yeah, I guess just a couple of ordinary run of the mill budget kind of questions. Uh. What’s the how is our experience been different at the one station as opposed to the other two stations? One having the full time captain and the other two not having full time captains.

[16:50] At this point, do we see a substantial difference in the quality of the work that the people are doing? I seriously doubt it. So what we see is the better oversight. So having that fire captain and the staffing model that is proposed allows each position to focus on their position.

[17:10] So under the what we would call traditional, where you have a fire captain that’s driving the fire engine, that fire captain not only is driving the fire engine, he’s having to pump the fire engine. He’s having to talk on the radio. He’s having to make command and control decisions.

[17:26] Uh, he or she are simultaneously completing a number of, uh, priority tasks that have to be completed in a very short time frame in the staffing model that we’re proposing would put an engineer and a captain so that engineer can focus on driving and pumping the fire apparatus, and that fire captain would then be able to do the command and

[17:43] control side. Um, it extends far more than just what we’re talking about on structure fires or complex incidents. Um, even just the day to day operations in the fire station, having that captain, uh, which would be the most senior member of the crew, provide that leadership and guidance.

[17:59] So in your current station, where it was approved at station 93, we are seeing an improvement. We’re seeing an improvement in our patient care reports and some of our, uh, our paramedic compliance.

[18:19] Um, it is again, a benefit when we do go to those complex incidents, especially structure fires, traffic collisions, where now everybody is focusing on their one job, the paramedic gets to be the paramedic, the driver gets to drive and operate the fire engine, and the captain gets to be the captain. Um, if you’ll notice on the proposal, you’ll see a couple of minuses and a couple of pluses. Will you go back to that.

[18:32] Chart specifically in the paramedic engineer and why? Um, why we are advocating for that change is a is a business decision. When the engineer is also the paramedic that gets away from what I was just talking about, where we’re focusing on what our primary job is.

[18:53] Um, there are times where a critical incident, whether that’s a pediatric drowning, traffic collision, uh, that paramedic engineer, he’s going to be tasked to become the paramedic. Right. And that makes sense. That’s its primary job. Well, because he’s wearing two hats. Who’s focusing on driving the fire engine, spotting it appropriately to protect the staff.

[19:13] So again, that’s why we’re advocating for this staffing model change, which allows everybody to focus on what their job is. To your specific question, we are seeing the benefits at station 93, and we’ve seen it throughout the county as we’ve converted our other fire stations to the staffing model as well.

[19:31] Okay, so one of the other things that I thought was a real positive was it looks to me like there’s a net addition of two EMTs. If we go with this new. So every every shift would have an EMT, every truck would have an EMT. So that’s a positive thing as far as I’m concerned. Um.

[19:55] Not only just an EMT, if I may, ma’am, but a paramedic, you would have a paramedic on every single fire engine across every single shift. So they would have the advanced life support. The cardiac monitors. We already had that. You do. You do. This is so when you’re seeing those plus and minuses. This is us trying to true it up and clean the module up.

[20:11] So again the the the proposed staffing model would be a fire apparatus engineer to drive and pump a fire captain for command and control and be the captain. And then that firefighter paramedic to either be a firefighter or a paramedic, depending on the nature of the call.

[20:32] One of those positions in our staffing model will always be ALS, and a paramedic. Um, and again, this cleans up a lot of modules. It cleans up a lot of relief issues. And it just streamlines the staffing. Um, as we’re looking at those future changes in 2027, 2028.

[20:54] And how many of the other stations across the valley have already converted to the municipal model? Um, so all of the valley stations have adopted it, and we’re in various phases of timing, and that’s just hiring the captains and the staff. We currently are short over 80 fire captains across the fire department, and that’s just due to retirements. Um, the growth of the department.

[21:13] And so this gives us some flexibility to time. That and, um, we can insert this into our staffing model now and add a little bit more forecasting. But again, the specific question across the valley, all of the stations and the county area have adopted this staffing model. Because it’s contractual.

[21:32] They may not have filled all the positions yet. That’s what you’re saying. Correct. It is board policy on the county side of things. Obviously, the city is being their own government. Get to decide. But again, it is the other cities in the valley have adopted it, and we’re just in various phases of implementing it.

[21:47] And then what happens to the six firefighters and how do you how do you get the entry component for firefighters to be able to then just level up to continue to offer promotions, to get to captain, to have 24/7 coverage? I mean, how is that recruitment piece work and where do they begin if

[22:04] they’re not already a paramedic or engineer or a captain, how do they get into the Department for future? So for our firefighters, it’s a it’s a targeted campaign. So we are currently engaged at College of the desert, Moreno Valley College, um, uh, Crafton Hills and pretty much anywhere that has a paramedic academy.

[22:25] Uh, Chief Fish and Chief Weiser were instrumental in changing the Cal HR rules, which allowed us to, um, hire paramedics easier and faster. So we are literally at colleges now, and we’re dropping applications on the desk for students that are going through paramedic school. And that’s just something coming out of Covid.

[22:44] The industry, none of us anticipated those staffing challenges. None of us anticipated a paramedic shortage. And we’re now starting to see the benefits of all the hard work. Our last hire had roughly 70 paramedics. We haven’t seen those numbers, and probably 5 to 10 years they’ve been like fives and sevens. If we were lucky to.

[23:05] So to see those numbers, it’s telling us that we’re hitting all of the right benchmarks. Um, and that things are starting to improve in that hiring pipeline.

[23:24] So the question about who is being displaced and how that works, uh, the the ideal situation is that we can do it through attrition and we can time it similar to what we did for the senior firefighters where they were at station 32. This gives us the flexibility that when there are those movements that we can convert that position to the paramedic, to the captain, without creating a displacement.

[23:42] Worst case scenario is if we did have to go to displacements, we would look by seniority. Those with the least amount of seniority would get bumped to another location. They’re often they’re offered here in the battalion first, so they would get anywhere in La Quinta that’s open.

[23:56] If they didn’t want that, then the circles continue to get larger and they get to pick a new duty location. So it looks like based on the staffing model, there really won’t be a firefighter without a paramedic training or engineer training or captain status. Correct. In the in the staffing model where you see the pluses and minuses, again, it just cleans it up.

[24:16] So we’re trading some positions so that we can get to where everybody’s focusing on what their primary job is. The net result is still 27 funded positions in the proposed municipal staffing model, as well as what you currently have. So there’s no additions to this.

[24:37] And then I didn’t have the actual amendment in my in my packet. I don’t know if it’s was it. Part. Of the staffing. Report? No. We don’t have the amendment. The amendment was not attached. But no, not. When we needed to get it approved by council to request the amendment to the agreement. Okay. Got it. Because I was going to ask the question on timeline.

[24:55] So it looks like the goal is fiscal year 2728 is the implementation conversion of the other two stations. We want the flexibility if we can. Again, we never know what the numbers are going to look like.

[25:12] Um, if if things line up where it works in this fiscal cycle, that would be the ideal situation so that we don’t go into those displacements. Once we put a position in there, they own that position, and then we would have to go to a displacement.

[25:32] But if there’s a retirement, a promotion, a transfer, and the opportunity presents itself, this gives us the flexibility to convert that position without having to go through that displacement process. So. How long has the the least senior person worked in one of our three stations. Like I guess your newest hire. How long is he or she been on board? Nikita I’d have to look so the least senior I’d say just thinking through the through the battalion. Your nine months. Nine months ish.

[25:57] Oh, so there were that that some real newbies. Okay, yes, because I look at all of them as serving our community and and I understand the opportunity for advancement in the captain component and the safety.

[26:15] I just I feel for the displacement probability when hopefully people chose to work in our city and maybe won’t have the opportunity to do that as the conversion occurs. And if I may, ma’am, there were some, um, there was a lot of thought that went into this in some strategy.

[26:30] There were some very senior members in La Quinta, like John Barton, that had 20 plus years of service, and all he ever wanted to do was work in the city of La Quinta. We were intentional in how we picked which stations and when they would go, so that we could protect the John Barton’s, the Seth’s, the noise.

[26:49] There is a group of folks that have, um, really spent their entire career here because it’s such a great place to work and because the council takes such great care of them. We were mindful when we when we picked the stations and kind of the timing to protect those individuals. So I have a nerdy civil service question.

[27:09] So how often like are these exams from a promotion given and does that frequency affect how this might get rolled out. It does. So the exams are currently on an annual basis. And with the exception of the firefighter paramedics, right. We were able to get a continuous hiring. Right. Um, but there are things working for a state agency.

[27:32] I would love to say that the state is efficient, but it is just not right. And I’ll give you a great example. So they just abolish the fire captain’s list. Um, there was a list of folks we had a test, um, the call HR and state personnel board. They just threw the whole thing out.

[27:50] So we’re starting from scratch. So that is another potential right delay that we’re we’re going to have to overcome. So they’re telling us that the new test will roll out in August and that it’s going to be seamless. Having worked for the state for a number of years. We know. There’s going to be some bumps.

[28:08] So but but normally the test would be offered every year. Yes, ma’am. Okay. Other questions comments. I’m ready to make a motion to approve. All right. In other words, quit talking. Yes. No. They’re great questions. I think it’s important because I think everyone needs to know exactly what’s going to happen.

[28:28] So I’ll make a recommendation to approve amendment number one to the cooperative agreement with the County of Riverside for the fire protection, fire prevention, rescue, fire marshal, and emergency medical services to adopt the municipal staffing model and modified staffing levels at Fire Station 32 and 72nd. All right. There is a motion and second. Please vote.

[28:59] Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Thank you. Martha. Okay. Business item number two. That’s your cue. Okay. I like I can read it first, I’ll read it first, and then you can recuse. How’s this? Thank you. Thank you, Madam Mayor. As I stated earlier, I have to recuse myself from business item number two.

[29:22] Uh, because my real property is within 1000ft of the project location. All right. And item number two is to adopt a resolution to approve an agreement for purchase and sale and escrow instructions with Gather Capital, Inc. for the sale of approximately 3.

[29:40] 55 acres of surplus land located on the south side of Tampico, north of Avenida La Fonda, and east of Desert Club Drive, and north and south sides of Main Street. The APN are 77012301177, 0124010 and 770124012.

[30:14] This is for the development of a hotel project from Ceqa standpoint projects consistent with the city’s general Plan Environmental Impact Report, certified February 19th of 2013 and categorically exempt as sale of surplus land pursuant to section 15312 of the Ceqa guidelines. This will be resolution 027 if entertained and oh, Doug and Gil, very good. Good evening, Madam Mayor. Members of the City Council. Thank you, Bill, for the excellent title there.

[30:34] Uh, my name is Doug Kinley, senior management analyst for the city manager’s office. And next to me is Gilbert Villalpando, the director of the business unit and housing development team. Uh, we’re just going to jump right into the presentation. So the city does own about 3.

[30:52] 55 acres of land over there in the La Quinta village area, adjacent to the existing frontier building. As some people drive by it, um, it is covered currently in gravel and it’s adjacent to the library, parking lot and wellness center parking lot, and it is utilized sometimes as event parking space. Uh, pursuant to the surplus Lands Land Act. Uh, noticing requirements, the city, uh, underwent a noticing period.

[31:17] Uh, received no proposals other than those that would qualify for economic development means and once was satisfied, began negotiations with Gather Capital Incorporated, a proposed project that they brought forward would be a full service hotel with several amenities. We’ll show you in just a moment.

[31:38] And once built and fully stabilized, everything rocking and rolling, uh, it would bring in about 1.4 million in total. It is estimated this is a depiction of where the parcels are located. For those who are watching at home.

[31:57] So you can see the wellness center there, uh, to the east and the frontier building and, um, parking for Old Town La Quinta, uh, to the west. Conceptual project details are as follows. About 180 guest rooms, possibly 20 cabanas, full food and beverage services, gym facilities and event space, a ballroom in addition to the event space, a pool, and availability for retail shops.

[32:24] The structure and terms of the purchase and sale agreement are an 18 month closing date, with specific milestones built into this agreement, such as design review for all necessary entitlement and applications development agreement that we anticipate will be bringing forward in front of Planning Commission and City Council near the tail end of this calendar year.

[32:43] Uh, confirmation, of course, that there is power with I-80 and construction drawings and permits submitted. And of course, per the Surplus Lands Act and Affordable Housing Covenant will be recorded against the property. With that, I will note that members of Gather Capital, Inc. are available for questions in the audience. Staff is available for questions.

[33:02] And of course, we have Bill here tonight as well. Thank you very much, Doug. Uh, initially, questions for staff or for Bill. Uh, quick question for staff. Um, it’s kind of at the at the, at the end result. We’re the city of is going to be accepting some money for this property.

[33:25] And I was just curious where this money is going to get used or where it’s going. And number 101000045000. I would certainly like to take that particular item. Uh, one of the thoughts that our team has had with respect to the use of the funds, we’re always looking at the Old Town Village area, as you know, needing infrastructure upgrades and to

[33:57] be able to utilize some of these funds for some of those upgrades. And that could be from power to drainage to parking, you know, so any of those three things and, you know, certainly money is necessary to accomplish any one of those.

[34:14] We’ve got projects that are slated in the future to come up that would address those items. That would be a perfect use of these funds. Great. Thank you.

[34:30] I mean, I just think it’s important that we kind of take the process all the way through and, and people know that we are thinking about, uh, when we sell off property and, and yes, this is, is part of our economic development plan to do this, that we have ideas about how we’re going to actually use the money when we. Get it. Exactly. Other questions? Uh, I got a question for the right side. Um. So the escrow is contingent. upon development agreement. Correct.

[34:56] Development agreement? Um, confirmation of adequate parking, uh, electrical capacity and then buyer obtaining entitlement, building permits and city approved financing within 18 months. So, um, so once all that is satisfied, then we close escrow. Right.

[35:18] But what happens if the developer is like, ah, I’m gonna pause right there and try to sell the project at that point. And nothing’s been built yet. I’ll start with an answer to that. Um, let me bring up council. Uh, Council member, as you had referenced and has built in one of the conditions to closing is having a development agreement that would then be recorded against the property. It would run with the land.

[35:38] That project under that development agreement, which will obviously include what’s presented here with more detail, would still be binding. So whoever ends up owning the property would have the same project as entitled. And with that development agreement, as would be approved by the council, ultimately, as it goes through this process.

[35:57] Yeah, no, I get that. But in theory, somebody can still nothing could be built for a long time. Even though we closed escrow. Well, if it’s not built for a long time, then they may fall into default for not following a schedule that would be built into that development agreement.

[36:13] I should have been more clear on that. There are going to be, as with every development agreement, scheduled performance and timeframes, when things would need to be built. Otherwise there would be a breach. Okay, good. Thank you.

[36:31] Similar to the milestones they’ve got listed here in terms of that two phase process over the 18 months of having to achieve certain things between the deposit and, um, the complete design review package. So at least that’s a lot of investment to. But you’re right, I just want to make sure. People know. Um.

[36:49] Anyone listening and they’re seeing this, that they know that, um, it will get built right and not it’s not going to be, um, land, you know, a landholding type of a. Deal, right? Yeah. Right. And we have experienced this before where we’ve had to terminate the development agreement for failure to perform. Correct? Yeah.

[37:08] Um, and put it back on the market for potential reconsideration by a viable developer who could see it through. And I like the fact that, um, we retain the right during this process until you’re breaking ground to still utilize this for parking, we’ve got the Larkin Art celebration.

[37:30] We’ve got events in Old Town, and that is very much appreciated from a collaboration and cooperation standpoint, because while we finish up the village parking study and look at other options, we do need that area until something happens there. So and people I know we’ll be asking about that. So, um, the team from gather, you want to come. Up? So Tanner and is it JD. JD Sanchez okay. Good afternoon. I’m Tanner Erickson, president.

[37:50] Of Gather Capital. JD Sanchez, our chief legal officer. Um, thank you for having us. Um, and for the 3 or 4 years now of of connection through the Economic Development Committee or attending the annual workshops or having a great education of city tours and really falling in love even further, uh, with this very special destination. No.

[38:16] It’s an exciting project. Yeah. And for transparency, it’s Mayor pro tem and either on the economic, Economic Development subcommittee. So we have been engaged in this for a while before it coming to council and, and get a chance to work things back and forth.

[38:33] And, you know as well as anybody that the ID power component is, is a critical piece. And we recognize that. And always trying to work with whoever’s bringing something to fruition here in La Quinta to partner with that as best we can, knowing the knowing the burden that causes a lot of us.

[38:50] , certainly, um, as as it’s been alluded to in the development agreement, we, um, there needs to be power in order to, to deliver, I think, in an enhanced and accessible and something the city will be proud of. Uh, here in the village. Um, and we’re certainly looking forward to that development agreement.

[39:09] Agreement confirming our participation in the next round of of that cost, um, of upgrading the substation. Um, Doug, if you could go back to there. Yes. Um, if if people are watching on the top part of that near Tampico, there is a little paseo there. They will be redoing Main Street.

[39:34] Um, but the goal will have it be connected to Old Town. So it’s it’s walkable. That goes in line with our complete streets and walkability. And that village, old town area. So it’s a very nice design. And I know that you’ve done a lot of work on that to to make that connection work for engagement.

[39:51] Thank you. I think that that really is as we further our feasibility and our, uh, conceptual ideas and is something that’s actually real and tangible, that Paseo really is a connection we that we believe along with working with, uh, all of you, that really allows us to propose a

[40:12] project that that, uh, is a is a passage that allows everything that happens here at the library or the city hall, uh, with the rest of the village and not being some barrier.

[40:30] And so we see a lot of vision there of where the paseo can extend cars and coffee or farmers markets or holiday new traditions or extended traditions. Um, and I think as, as the, uh, as we go forward, the, the overall rendering and the concept, I think you’ll see there will be even further enhanced to being another really nice, beautiful part of the village. Great. Yeah. Okay. Forward to it. Yes. Other questions or no? No no no okay.

[40:50] I’m excited for this project. Yeah. Thank you. We are two. Anybody ready for a resolution? Uh. Madam Mayor. 700. Already? Oh, yeah. Okay. Uh, Madam Mayor, I make a motion that we adopt a resolution to approve an agreement for purchase and sale and escrow instructions with gather capital for sale.

[41:12] Approximately 3.55 acres of surplus land located on the south side of Tampico, north of Avenida La Fonda, and east of Desert Club Drive and north and south side of Main Street. Various APN for development of a hotel project.

[41:41] Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and all necessary implementing documents substantially in the in the form attached, allowing for minor and non substantive modifications and fine. The proposed agreement is consistent with the city’s General General Plan Environmental Impact Report, certified February 19th, 2013 under the California Environmental Quality Act. Second. All right, there is a motion along motion and a quick second. Yes. please vote. It’s exciting. Another hotel. Let’s do it. Bring that.

[42:14] Tote. All right. Motion. Let’s do it. What’s that? I said, not to mention just that the state of the art. Amazing. Yes. Old town that we’re going to have. Yes. Motion passes with four yeses. And, Councilmember Kenya. Thank you. Very much. Absent. Thank you. Give our best to John as well. Thank you.

[42:31] Okay. All right. Item number three was moved from consent. And that is to adopt a resolution granting conditional approval of final track map and subdivision improvement agreements. Is John coming back for this? Oh, he is coming back. Sorry. Come on back. Subdivision improvement agreements associated with track map number 390581.

[42:55] Located on the southwest corner of Avenue 58 and Madison Street, the project is the Coral Mountain Resort, and I know Bryan has got some revisions to this. We do have a submitted written comment from Mary Mann on this item as well, and we’ll go ahead and turn it over to you, Bryan.

[43:13] Thank you, Madam Mayor. Members of the City Council, um, first of all, I’d like to say I have a lot of ideas about how to use any money the city is getting. You do? Yes, sure. It would be a CIP related. Yes.

[43:29] So, staff recommended pulling this item because we were notified by Mary actually at the end of last week that, um, the tentative track map for Coral Mountain had a note in it that required a blanket easement for that future trail that was going to be alongside the bottom of the mountain. This map did not reflect that note.

[43:49] Um, so we talked to the developer, and we came to the conclusion that the best way to do this was as a separate instrument, rather than trying to revise this map. So what we did is, since this is a conditional approval, we added another condition to the resolution that they draft this blanket easement instrument that will be recorded concurrently with this final

[44:13] map, and that will satisfy that condition of the tentative track map, uh, within the 60 day period. Okay. I mean, I think that’s a great way to resolve this issue. And I think it’s a great thing that we have residents who read our agenda and actually know what’s going on.

[44:36] And I want to thank Miss Mann for making her comments and making sure that the trail easement was included. So we have been distributed. The revised attachment one to incorporate those components. Any other questions? We don’t have any requests to speak other than the written submission. It’s not a public hearing. So the matter is before council. Trying to get back there. Okay.

[45:04] Madam Mayor, I’ll make a motion to adopt a resolution granting the conditional approval of final track map on subdivision improvement agreement and track map number 39058. Dash one for Coral Mountain Resort and as amended by staff and authorize City Manager to execute the site agreements. Second. All right, there’s a motion.

[45:26] And second, keep this project moving as well. Please vote. And the motion passes unanimously. Did we have anybody from Coral Mountain here today? Oh, Josh is here. Okay. Josh, you didn’t want to say anything. It’s here and gone. Oh, okay. Happy to know. I mean, if you want to come to the podium, you can’t.

[45:48] Otherwise, I just want to make sure there was actually somebody. I didn’t see you in the back corner. Where police chief usually hides. You know, I see area residents in the audience. Yes. Very good. Okay. Thank you very much, Brian. Uh, all right. We don’t have any study sessions. We do have public hearings.

[46:05] Two of them, but it’s not 5:00 yet, so we’ll move to our department reports and do some report on some of our mayor and council items before the 5:00 hour. Um, I just wanted to comment on item number four. The Department of Reports is the community services.

[46:19] We always get quarterly reports, and that’s the April through June. But just looking at the pool numbers off the charts for June, um, I did have an interaction with with Gabe from Desert Recreation District last Friday.

[46:37] It was it was a new segment, but nonetheless, he had indicated that the Fritz Burns Park now is like the new model D park, that anything going forward, that is we’re set the standard on what they’re going to need to try to build and adopt to because of the stats and what we’re seeing as far as the response from the communities, not just looking to several people from other area cities as well.

[46:54] And I did have a conversation with Gabe yesterday, and, uh, he shared the same thing with me. And it’s packed because I do go to water aerobics there, and it’s absolutely packed. I mean, I guess we maybe we had some great numbers in here.

[47:11] Maybe if we could have a staff just talk a little bit about what we’re doing as far as the programming goes and the, um, maybe our potential for fees on the pool. Thank you. Maximize usage beyond what’s already happening. Yes. So thank you, Madam Mayor. Members of the council, um, Fritz Burns Park and Pool, of course, is my passion. Um. I thought that was pickleball.

[47:40] Well, it’s all of it. The dogs, the pickleball, the tennis players, all of them. Um, yes. We are closely working with Desert Recreation District to maximize all of our wonderful new amenities, specifically the water activity pool.

[48:03] So recently, uh, they have hired Desert Recreation District, has hired a couple more lifeguards, so they will be putting that in motion. And we will now be activated on Sundays specifically for open swim, lap swim. And the water activity space. So will be open from 9 to 4. And this will start this Sunday and will go through August, September.

[48:22] And then we’ll see where we’re at as far as the participation. And then probably wean off closer until we get to the beginning of October. So, um, that’s exciting news. I know it was a long time in the making, but we needed to make sure that staffing levels were at the optimal level so we could be able to provide that.

[48:42] Um, we are also city of La Quinta is also working on a resident pool pass voucher, which will allow residents to be able to have a certain amount of visits, um, to access the park or the pool specifically for open lab and the water activity section. The programming piece.

[49:04] They would, if they want to participate in that, they do have to pay for those classes because that’s completely different. But the voucher will allow up to, um, ten opportunities to be able to come to the pool. You know, for for those families that are able to come and do that specifically during this time of year.

[49:21] Um, and then we’ll probably see it more active during the beginning, I would say around February, March, April, when we start seeing the activity boost back up. So, um, we are actively working on that.

[49:41] Uh, as soon as I saw my boss this morning and I’m in working with marketing to develop the card, and so we’re hoping to get that to be able to kick off either by the end of August or beginning of September. I mean, I think it’s safe to say that we knew that this amenity was going to be popular.

[49:59] We had no idea that the park, as as it was improved and the amenities that are included in the pool and the park were going to be nearly as popular as they are. And when we contracted, and that’s the key word with Desert Recreation District to provide the pool services for the facility. It was based on kind of the numbers that we’ve routinely had over the past few years.

[50:19] So it took us a while, took and took Desert Recreation District a while under their contract to be able to staff up to meet the new needs that we had. So I think that’s a great thing. And and I think that it’s wonderful that they were resilient enough to be able to get that done actually fairly quickly.

[50:37] Um, and we also recognized very early that, um, the cost of the pool could be an issue. Uh, so just, you know, we’re just working through this first season and, um, making sure that our residents get the best service possible and the safest service possible. And, you know, hopefully be able to provide some free service as well.

[51:01] Yeah. They’re taking note. They took note that very first day when we had all of those wonderful people come through those doors that, um, they were going to need to make some changes.

[51:15] So besides just doing what they’re doing with the Sunday ad, they will be making some adjustments throughout the week. They normally have a two hour period where they close down. They’re not going to have that except for on Wednesdays, because it is mandatory for them to do their training. So every other day they will be opening that up.

[51:31] Now that they have the lifeguards and be able to expand that service for open lap swim in the activity pool. So they are making those adjustments. Good because they. Yeah, if you recall, they indicated they were ready. Yeah. They were ready. Yes. And we thought we were ready to. Yes.

[51:48] I just looked towards hopefully it is also weather related with the kids out of school that when our snowbirds come back and granite, we still have ample pickleball players, but with better, wetter weather they’re going to be all day long and into the evening. That again, it will be my favorite problem of parking and how that will accommodate. Granted, we have the one across the street. We’ve got the lights, the crosswalks.

[52:09] Um, yeah, we’ll have to watch that because that’s still a lot of amenities in a very small area. And even with the redo, it’ll be interesting to see how that’s impacted. Yeah, yeah, we’re taking note of that and monitoring what that looks like as well.

[52:24] So more to come on that because it is a very small space with a lot of activity. Um go ahead. No, I mean I just think it’s an important recreational element in our city. And and we’re finally being able to actually use it. More residents are using it. So I mean, that’s a strong positive. I know that it brings some issues as well.

[52:48] But, um, you guys have been incredibly creative at resolving the issues as they come up. So I think that, you know, we’re we’re ahead of the game. And I’m very pleased with the way it looks, the way it’s operational. Um, I guess just going back to the pool one more time.

[53:06] I just want to emphasize again that those are contract service providers. The Desert Recreation Center. We do not have staff that do that kind of work. So we contract with them to do it for us. That being said, when we have programs, that is why we have to charge fees to offset the cost of the of the contract.

[53:32] So it’s it’s I know it it feels like perhaps every day in every park in every way should be free. But we’re a contract city and we have to provide services through a contract. And and those costs have to be offset. We can absorb all of the costs for everything. Yeah, absolutely.

[53:53] So quick question as I’m glad the mayor brought up the question regarding parking, I was that was my question as well. Um, do you believe that when we start looking at the parking and the snowbirds start coming back and now we’ve made changes to the parking and there’s probably a lot of parking, but I mean, it’s obviously there’s going to

[54:09] be ample. Do you think that might be something we want to include in our marketing so that for those individuals that, you know, are coming in, that we do provide some type of marketing about the various locations where they can park. So for safety.

[54:25] Yes, we were pretty um, I thought we were very forward thinking when we were talking about the park and its development that, um, when we started making changes and we’re working on sections that we did put out information about the we call it the paisley, but it’s the empty parking empty lot that’s across the way from from Fritz.

[54:41] So we did put that notification out to our residents, to our visitors, and that seemed to deter some of that, uh, you know, where am I going to park? Yes. We did have some pushback because they didn’t want to park there.

[54:55] But then when they realized, oh, it’s just the same amount of distance if I was parking in the parking lot. As to the Paisley pickleball or started doing it, of course we have our avid pickleball or, uh, slash public works director that helped in that regard as well. Uh, so. Uh, it made it a lot easier.

[55:10] And I do agree, us being able to get that information out to the public ahead of time was helpful. So I think we mitigated a lot of the negativity. Um, and of course, anything moving forward, we do want to make sure we have more parking than we’ve ever had there now, which is nice.

[55:27] But when we see the peak season come, which it’s coming, um, it may be completely busy and then I know we’ll hear some of that. Oh, I don’t have a swim sticker. How can I can? It becomes that kind of conversation. But as long as we keep talking about we have overflow parking.

[55:44] Of course, when the yard gets developed and we build that. That. That push through through the extended parking at that site, then we will have that as well. So I’m all for letting everyone know. And over advertising what we have. So we will still keep that model in place. And you’re doing that right now. Yes, absolutely.

[56:03] All that great information. Thank you. And the reality is we still have half a paisley. I know we’ve used that to stage all of a lot of construction in the medians and everything else that’s kind of going on around the city.

[56:15] So I mean, until the yard part happens, we do have the opportunity, if need be, to extend that paisley. Absolutely. The other half. Yeah. Brian’s team is they work well with us. We ask them, tell them what we need and they get on top of making things work. Especially because the entrance and exit wasn’t as traditionally nice. And so they made it work.

[56:33] Uh, for the time that we were developing the park. Good. Yeah. It’s exciting. Thank you. Thank you so much. Okay. For 58. Big problem. Those are good problems to have. Exactly. Uh, do we want to go through mayor and council member items briefly? I would say we did.

[56:54] I think we reported quite a bit on the last meeting. I’ll do the right things in DBA events. Uh, we attended the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Adrian Campos, and that was a nice ceremony. And there again, they gave accolades to the collaboration we have with the Scouts.

[57:14] And it’s great to see how many Eagle Scouts are coming out of that group. So it was uh, it was a nice a nice ceremony. And that was a child number two. His older brother Xavier. I think it’s Xavier. Right. Uh, it’s already an Eagle Scout.

[57:28] And then he’s got a sister, Isabelle, who will be coming up the rank. So it’s a three. It’s a it’ll be a three. Eagle Scout family, which is great. Uh, Committee reports. I had a real quick Riverside County Transportation Commission budget and implementation committee. The only reason I’m mentioning this is because we did recommend that someone get the additional funding they need to support their, uh, staff costs.

[57:52] Um, good. Good. Wow. That’s the shortest CTC report you’ve ever had. I love it. Anybody else? Uh, mosquito. Nothing happened much at mosquito. Uh, we’re going to be dark this month, so. Really, nothing to report? Sure. Okay. Uh, I’ve got skag tomorrow, but I also left on your desks.

[58:16] Just information on LA 28. And what skag and everybody’s doing. In that realm. So thank you. Some reading. Material, reading material. Reading material. You like that. And then, um, today I had the Coachella Valley desert and Mountain Recreation and Conservation Authority.

[58:38] It’s a JPA between the rec district and the Coachella Valley Mountain Conservancy, and we approved our budget. Um, we also talked about how, um, we’re going to continue to work with, um, the, the Desert rec district on Shumway Ranch, which is located off of highway 74, um, and a program that they’re actually doing with veterans, which is a great program, um, that will be promoted there.

[59:02] And also deception, deception Hill Trail. Um, and in regards to new hiking trail that’s going to be going up there. Where’s deception? Deception is out past Sky Valley. Oh, okay. Um, it was actually an area that has been or. Is a part of the Coachella Valley Preserve for now, or reserve up there or beyond. It’s beyond that. It sounds.

[59:21] Like it’s beyond that. Yeah, it’s off of it’s so Sky Valley. It’s an area that has been all blocked off. It’s part of Mountains Conservancy. It’s all part of the it is conservation loan.

[59:36] Um, but they had blocked it off because the biggest challenge was, uh, there was a lot of trespassing with people going out there to go shooting. So that was one of the issues. And so now they’re going to continue with some funding that they receive from the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy to be able to use that funding to create a trail. So that’s two of the things we did talk about with regard to the budget.

[59:51] And then a League of Cities is next Monday, and then the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy board meeting will be also Monday. I had my Palm Springs Air Museum executive committee, but, um, just now working on gearing up for the next year’s gala and of course, their July 4th flyover was great.

[1:00:09] And they’ll be participating in our flyover for veterans so that, um, and they will probably also be doing something on August 26th, which will be the five year anniversary of the 13 servicemen and women who were killed in Afghanistan.

[1:00:24] And we will be holding our saber vigil in honor of Corporate Corporal Hunter Lopez here at Civic Center Park on 7 p.m. that evening, August 26th. So, um, all right, we’re going to move on to our public hearings. We’ll start with the first one, and that’s to adopt a resolution to update the city’s user and regulatory master fee schedule. Good evening, Madam Mayor.

[1:00:43] Members of the City council, as usual, this is our annual master fee schedule update, and we’re lucky to have again. Terry Mattson, president with clear Financial to give us the summary of what has been updated. This is not a comprehensive analysis. This is the in-between annual update.

[1:01:04] Now turn it over to Terry who’s going to go over the presentation. Thank you. Person thank. Well good evening, mayor and members of the City Council. Nice to see you this evening. Thank you for allowing me to participate on this topic.

[1:01:21] I have about ten slides that I’d like to walk the council through. This topic will feel familiar to you, but I will reorient you just for the sake of refreshment. And then for any interested members of the the community that may be curious about this topic.

[1:01:46] So, um, each year the city, uh, updates what we would call user and regulatory fees and the common thread amongst user and regulatory fees is the idea that they are fees for specific services provided. So communities throughout California, um, when they think about their tax revenues, they think about use of their tax revenues as much as possible to provide broad community wide services.

[1:02:10] And most frequently we think of like public safety services, public works services, park maintenance type services. And when we see a direct receiver of service or a direct regulatory activity happening, we recover the cost, typically from the receiver of service.

[1:02:30] And so, um, the way we do that is by establishing what we call user and regulatory fees. Most commonly we think of this as like permit processing, specialized license issuance, plan reviews and so forth. Um, but there are a number of activities. As you can see, your schedule’s intended to be comprehensive.

[1:02:52] And the common thread is either your own internal staff or your contract service providers are providing a service that is being sort of required or requested as some discreet activity performed by a resident or business in La Quinta. You, as a city council.

[1:03:16] Uh, think about this topic annually so staff comes to you each year, and as part of their normal course of operations, they examine their fees and they think through sort of any periodic adjustments they might want to bring to your attention any refinements, any changes in legislation that may sort of impact the fee schedule. And then every several years they perform a comprehensive study with help from a firm like ours.

[1:03:39] Um, and so that comprehensive study informs fees. The most recent comprehensive study was performed last year in the in between years, council has directed that you would adjust most fees to align to regional cost inflation. But before actually applying that change, staff brings the adjusted fees to you for review and consideration.

[1:04:03] So the resolution says we as a city council adopt these fees. We would like you to annually update them by regional cost inflation. Staff does that. And this evening’s item is for you to review that proposed adjustment and say, I would like to continue moving in this direction.

[1:04:23] Um, the inflator that is applied, the adjustment factor that is applied is linked to the region. So it says what is the change in the consumer price index for the Riverside County area? And and the most recent change was 3.09%. So if you look through this fee schedule, the vast majority of fees are proposed to adjust by 3%.

[1:04:46] Um, and this is just an image of the inflator. It’s the March to March, uh, inflation factor that you use. And that’s been consistent for the last decade. So you just follow that pattern in addition to the inflationary adjustments each year, staff have the opportunity to say, I know this isn’t a comprehensive study, but I have a few

[1:05:05] refinements I’d like to make to improve fee, schedule clarity, remove antiquated items, add an item linked to changes in legislation or something like that. And so this year, as similar to prior years, there are several just sort of cleanup items.

[1:05:25] They are not in the material in nature in terms of we don’t anticipate a major fiscal impact associated with these cleanups. It’s more just administrative efficiency, fee, schedule clarity and so forth. In terms of fiscal impact, we know that the fiscal impact is always dependent on sort of what comes through the door.

[1:05:46] So in different development cycles, you’ll see different fiscal impacts. But if we assume sort of a historical pattern of development, we would anticipate about 90,000 in additional annual cost recovery. I want to clarify that this is to recover costs that the city is already incurring. This is not intended to fund new positions or service level enhancements.

[1:06:14] We say La Quinta, uh, um, has this, you know, already accounts for these costs. It’s just a matter of whether we’re going to recover all or a portion of them from from fees. Uh, staff also in line with the California Government Code provides notice of this item.

[1:06:34] And, you know, just as a matter of practice reaches out to stakeholder groups that have expressed interest in the community. So that notice has been provided. And this concludes my presentation. If you have any feedback or questions, I’m happy to receive them. Thank you. Thank you Terry. Questions for Terry or for our team. No, we do have a request.

[1:06:51] Let me go ahead and open the public hearing first. Public hearing is now officially open. We do have a request to speak from James Brown Jr with Desert Valley Builders Association.

[1:07:11] So, Madam Mayor, just to clarify, um, I also sit on the Desert Valley Builders Association as a non board member, as a volunteer. So I did want to make sure that I disclosed that for transparency. Welcome, James. She has absolutely. No influence over me. Um, good evening, Madam Mayor. Members of the city council, um, I appreciate that the city has been, um, coming to the DBA events and supporting us in the last six months, especially.

[1:07:35] And, uh, Madam Mayor served iced tea at the last event because we had a terrible. service. Oh. Yeah, it was. Fine. So we put her to. Work. Previous career? Yeah. She didn’t know anything about AV, but that was another issue. But anyway, I couldn’t fix it.

[1:07:54] I also wanted to commend staff, uh, Miss Diva for responding to an email on Friday evening. Uh, presenting me with staff on Saturday and responding to stuff I had on Sunday. So, um, I don’t know if.

[1:08:15] Does she get any time off? This is, um, we believe so and encourage it for both of them, but it seems to be there 24 over seven available. But anyway, my questions I had questions reviewing the fee study. They’ve been responded appropriately. And there’s the Valley Builders Association does not have any issues with the city adopting the fee schedule as is.

[1:08:37] Uh, we appreciate the idea of annual CPI increases as, um, going five years. There’s a huge sticker shock. Everybody’s used to a certain fee, and all of a sudden you get something that’s 20 plus percent increase and they’re like, oh, it was supposed to be this.

[1:08:55] You mean I have to go to the bank and get this much more? So if they’re used to, you know, going up on a CPI schedule where there’s two, whether it’s four, somewhere in there, there’s they can live with it. And yes, there is no good time for a fee increase, but it is life and expect it. So um, I don’t really have anything else to say, but.

[1:09:17] We did receive your letter, so thank you for memorializing the acceptance and review by DBA is we value that input. Thank you. I’ll as far as fees, when you start looking at fees as soon, uh, CCBC has a fee for MSRP, you really want to check into and look through uh, valuations on property.

[1:09:41] Um, I don’t like and neither do I like the anticipation of additional fees for fluvial fans. Thank you. All right. Any other comments? All right. We’ll close the public hearing. And the matter is before the council. Madam mayor, I’d make a motion to adopt a resolution to update the city’s current user and regulatory master fee schedule. Second. All right, there’s a motion.

[1:10:04] And second. Thank you again, Tara, for being here. Please vote. Okay. Motion passes unanimously. All right. Thank you. Have a good evening. All right. We do have a second public hearing item, and I will turn the meeting over to Mayor Pro Tem Fitzpatrick, because I have a conflict.

[1:10:28] This location of this property is within 2500ft of my primary residence. Therefore, I cannot participate in the. That’s the only. Agenda tonight piece of my. You. All right.

[1:11:18] We are at item public hearing number two of the agenda item is adopt a resolution to approve the property located at 54355 Avenue to Bermudas as a qualified and certified large lot pursuant to section 3.25.057 of the La Quinta municipal code. And could we have a staff report, please? Good afternoon, Madam Mayor Pro Tem and members of the City council. Olivia Rodriguez, deputy city clerk. I’ll be presenting the staff report and public hearing.

[1:11:40] Um, item number two, which is to consider the property located at 54355 Avenida Bermudez, as a qualified and certified large lot. Uh, to provide some background. Effective May 20th, 2021. Looking to municipal Code section 3.25.055. Establish the ban on the issuance of new short term vacation rental permits for properties located within non-exempt areas within the city. January 4th, 2024.

[1:12:18] Section 3.25.057 of the La Quinta municipal code provides that large lot properties, which are low or which is a, um, sorry, which is a property located on a single parcel of 25,000ft or more to apply for and be considered by council at a public hearing to be approved as a qualified and certified

[1:12:42] large lot, so long as certain criteria are met and shall be exempted from the ban if certain criteria are met. Um. The owner of the property located at 54355 Avenida Bermudez, is seeking exemption and has met all of the required criteria.

[1:13:06] The property is located in the cove on a lot that is just over half, um, an acre. The property has four bedrooms and a living space of 2717ft. Um per looking to municipal code, they’re required to have three parking spaces for the four bedrooms, and they do meet the parking requirements.

[1:13:39] If approved, a land use covenant will be recorded against the property no later than 60 days after the proposed resolution, providing notice and agreement that the single parcel during its use as a certified and qualified large lot is not or will not be subject to any alteration, such as subdivision lot, line adjustment, lot merger or any

[1:13:59] other alteration of the single parcel. As to date, there are currently four active short term vacation rentals within 500ft of the property, and then on July 17th, uh, the city published a public hearing notice in the Desert Sun.

[1:14:23] And, um, the public hearing notice was also mailed to all property owners within 500ft of the property. Uh, this concludes my presentation of the staff report, and I’m available for any questions on zoom. We have the applicant, Rochelle, and her daughter, Sarah, and in attendance, we also have their property manager, Megan Guerrero, with Sunshine Property Management and the audience also available for any questions.

[1:14:44] Okay. Thank you. Um, for the staff report, I guess, uh, do we have any other public comments or. Wait a second, I need to open the public hearing at this time. I will open the public hearing. And if you wish to ask the applicant to provide any additional information or a your pleasure.

[1:15:08] Okay. Do any of the members of the council have any questions? This. This is the lady on zoom.. And. Okay, I do have a speaker. Uh, Katrina Chevalier. Did I not put you your name? I hope. Okay. This, I guess, goes to a submitted to the La Quinta Design and Development Department.

[1:15:38] This is who has, um, which I find is exempt from environmental review pursuant to California environmental Quality Action section. And this common sense exemption section. So I guess this goes to them. Who has determined that this project is exempt from environmental review? Um, we need another home up there. Like we need more heat here.

[1:16:02] You know, it’s like, why must my question is why? Why must we build on every last piece of available land we have here in La Quinta? That’s one of our last quadrants left of of unbuilt upon land.

[1:16:21] One, it sits in the wash, rush runoff from the days of. When I lived here in the 60s. It was part of the wash which traditions then took over and was able to build in traditions. So we took it over, and that’s left over from the traditions building. So I’m thinking, why are we asking? And then the possible short term vacation rental.

[1:16:40] I thought we had banned excessive rentals in the area. I live right up there with the mayor. I live on that street. We need like four more sets of cars up there. We need more plumbing. We need more dredging. We need more.

[1:16:54] We need all that to be put in for this home. I find that ridiculous. Let’s take a walk down history lane with, I don’t know if the people from the Design and Development department have been in touch with NOAA, NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but we’re in for a huge El Nino this year. It’s already in place. It’s already hit India.

[1:17:18] It’s already affecting Peru. It’s on its way here. It has been predicted we’re going to have a huge El Nino this year. So with that being said, let’s take a look at the history here. This was this is from the Desert Sun, November 11th, 2014. We all remember that, I think.

[1:17:38] Peña, you were here then when downtown La Quinta flooded. And part of the traditions flooded. It was a disaster, right? We didn’t have enough drainage in place. It became a nightmare for for residents halfway up the cove. So it says here in this in this article, we have the as per City Manager Frank Spivak.

[1:18:01] Remember him way back then said we have mobilized public work crews, enlisted the agencies of Bird to assist in removal of all the private resources we need private contractors to expedite recovery of this disaster.

[1:18:25] We also states that they encourage the cities, encourage residents to go provide a detailed information regarding damages to their home and property so that the information will determine what the total destruction and the amount of potential reimbursement from the city.

[1:18:44] I’m like, why are we hurting for the revenue here? I mean, with the success of downtown going on, the taxes we get from all the staves that are in place now, or do we need the the taxes we’re going to earn from this 27 foot, 27 foot, 100 foot home? Are we as the city? I thought we were in the black here. I think the last report I read was we were in the black, so we’re not in the red. We don’t need the taxes from this development.

[1:19:00] The history itself. This is going this is coming. You know, this has been predicted. This is science. This is on its way in. And we’re going to dredge, you know, um, pump, you know, redevelop, redesign this last bit of walking space here.

[1:19:20] I find it, uh, what does it say here, this common sense exemption to be hilarious, to even be put into this, this this thing right here so that I’m like, why, why, why, why must every last piece of people walk their dogs, walk their kites, get flown there? You know, it’s like a useful area to people who are living up there.

[1:19:40] It’s like the last piece of quadrant land that was originally wash intended. Which traditions took over and developed their own facilities. So that’s my my $0.02. Been here a long time and I say no, I vote no. Okay. Thank you. Yes, the applicant. Mayor, mayor Pro Tem Fitzpatrick. Mayor, may I just make a quick comment? Do you mind? Well. I thought maybe.

[1:20:05] I thought perhaps the applicant might address the issue. I just wanted to state for the record that the property is already built out, and I wanted to show the Google Maps that it’s not being developed, that the property does exist, and it’s just the, the, the, the action before the council was

[1:20:23] on whether or not to certify it as a large, qualified and certified right. I did think that she was probably going to address that. Okay. Thank you. Yes. It has. The home already exists and the quadrant, I believe she’s referencing, um, is owned by the owners of the home, so it’s not in use by residents currently.

[1:20:46] All right. Yeah. I think, um, correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the member of the audience believes that that’s the property, that land that we’re referencing, which is not it’s the bottom left. Right. Yeah. We’re not looking to have that, uh. To on the right hand. Side. And the right side developed.

[1:21:09] It’s the bottom where the. The house is existing. Right. We’re looking at the triangle, the swimming pool and the home that exists above that right now. That’s that particular piece of property. That is what we’re talking about. Right? That’s right. Yeah. Yes. Yeah.

[1:21:31] And then also back in 2014 when we had the flood a few years afterwards, we redid our storm drains. And it doesn’t flood like that anymore. And I think the other other cities do. Yeah, we have a. Lot part of our investment. We’re working on our flood control plan as we speak. Um, so did you have any other comments that you’d like to make sure.

[1:21:46] So, um, just hopefully to put her mind at ease and other residents and first of all, thank you for being here. And, um, considering this, um, I have been hosting vacation rentals in the city of La Quinta for over ten years. I’m an SVR owner myself. I’m a La Quinta resident.

[1:22:05] I live here and I love this city, so I think I know better than anyone the importance of operating both responsibly and respectfully. Additionally, I wanted you guys to know I am on the executive team for Varon La Quinta, which I’m sure council is aware that, uh, we’re a group that aims to be

[1:22:24] respectful owners and operators of the vacation rentals. We always try to do all that we can to be respectful of our neighbors and work directly with the city to ensure compliance, do our part to communicate to the guests that there are no parties or events allowed, and remind them about

[1:22:41] city rules and noise violations, etc.. Um, I have been working with the amazing owners, the handy family, and also Sarah Handy’s wife for over six years when they actually used to own another store in La Quinta Cove. We work amazingly well together and we both again understand how to operate responsibly and respectfully.

[1:23:04] Uh, this property before they acquired it was actually a successful SVR. I’m not sure about any noise violations they may have received before the purchase, but we have been renting the property out, um, 30 nights or more. Uh, because we do not have a short term permit currently, but we have never received any noise complaints or violations.

[1:23:26] We’ve always done all we can to make sure we have the highest quality renters, that we keep noise down and remind them of the rules, to be respectful neighbors and be a part of this community. Thank you. You’re welcome.

[1:23:45] So do we have any other comments from council? I just, uh, city attorney confirming the lot line adjustments or the parcel merger has already been completed. Correct? That’s correct. I believe that was referenced in the. It’s already one large part has not been recorded yet. Right? Right, right. But okay. And then, Madam. Mayor pro tem, uh, a question notifications have all been done within that 500ft. Correct.

[1:24:07] To all the residents so that they are aware of this possible determination of the. Mayor got here. So I’m pretty sure we can be safely assume. verifying that she did. Everybody got that. The audience and those that are listening or can be, you know, confirmed that this is done.

[1:24:24] Um, maybe you could talk about a little bit about I asked a question. Um, Council member McGarry and I visited the site. Uh, and I asked a question about the development of that. The third lot that is currently part of the subject, lot ties that are waiting to be recorded.

[1:24:45] And if we’re going to do some development on that lot so that it doesn’t just sit there like a sore thumb. Correct. Uh, we actually have the owners on zoom, and they did do a rendering of, um, it’s up here, uh, of the potential to develop that land. So they might want to speak to that.

[1:25:07] Um, Rochelle or Sarah, do you mind unmuting and turning on you? I apologize for that. My apologies. Good evening. Council members. Um, I’m Sarah. I’m the daughter. Can you hear me? Yes. Thank you. Very good. I’m sorry. Um, I’m the daughter of the owner.

[1:25:29] Um, basically, I’ve been in charge of the property since we acquired it. Um, yeah. So we we know it is an eyesore. We feel the same way and want to firstly put up the same kind of privacy focus that we have going already. The established ficus kind of matched that. And and meld that.

[1:25:49] And then if you can see on the rendering, um, we sort of we want to incorporate more of the outdoor space, um, whether that be a putting green lounging area, just sort of extending what we have already because it’s it’s just so nice to be outside there. Um, we as a family go there a lot.

[1:26:08] We have our, our yearly Christmas and Thanksgiving. My in-laws all live in, in the valley. So, um, I am there a lot. We, we have had a lot of happy memories made there. Um, so. Yes. Okay, great. Thank you.

[1:26:27] Um, then the other concern that I had is just, you know, I know you say that you’re not going to do large events there. Um, even even without a large event, you are allowed to have up to 16 people there a day. Um, just by virtue of your short term vacation rental permit. And I was happy to see your parking plan include so much parking on that side of the street.

[1:26:47] I would just ask that some consideration be given to, um, making sure that people understand that they need to park on that side of the street and not on the other side of the street where it’s dangerous. Of course, we would be more than happy to.

[1:27:06] Um, as stated, we try to really convey all rules and make sure that we’re telling them all the things they need to know before arriving, so we’d be happy to stay, to please not park on the other side of the street. There’s ample parking in the garage, the driveway, and along the street. Right. Okay. No, I was happy to see that. Um, then I guess that addresses my concerns. Any. All right.

[1:27:28] Any other. Rendering? Any other people wish to speak from the public? If not, I’m going to close the public hearing. And the matter is before the council. Uh, Madam Mayor pro tem, um, I’d like to make a recommendation.

[1:27:49] We adopt a resolution to approve the property located at 54355 Avenida Bermudez, as a qualified and certified large lot pursuant. Large law pursuant to section 3.25.057 of the La Quinta municipal code. Second. Please vote. Motion passes with four yeses and the mayor abstaining, and maybe the mayor. Will come back. Thank you guys. Thank you. Thank you. We have. Done our committee.

[1:28:40] reports already, and departmental reports. I will entertain a motion to adjourn so we can move to the Housing. Housing Authority. Move to adjourn. Thank you. And there’s a motion. And second, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Motion passes unanimously. Uh, city Council meeting is adjourned, and I’ll hand it over to authority. Chairman

City Council Meeting - August 4, 2026

Transcript