Minutes Regular Palm Desert City Council Meeting May 25, 2017
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MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER 73510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER - 3:00 P.M. Mayor Harnik convened the meeting at 3:05 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Pro Tem Sabby Jonathan Councilmember Kathleen Kelly Councilmember Gina Nestande Councilmember Susan Marie Weber Mayor Jan C. Harnik Also Present: Lauri Aylaian, City Manager Robert W. Hargreaves, City Attorney Grace L. Rocha, Acting City Clerk Lori Carney, Director of Administrative Services Russell Grance, Director of Building & Safety Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic Development J. Luis Espinoza, Assistant Finance Director Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works Frankie Riddle, Director of Special Programs Sgt. Michael Gaunt, Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriff’s Department M. Gloria Sanchez, Acting Deputy City Clerk III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - A (CLOSED SESSION ITEMS) None IV. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Request for Closed Session: A. Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 25, 2017 1) Property: Lease Property - Parkview Professional Office Complex, 73710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite No. 118, Palm Desert Negotiating Parties: Agency: Lauri Aylaian/Janet M. Moore/City of Palm Desert Property Owner: City of Palm Desert Other Parties: ACT for MS Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment B. Conference with Legal Counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): Number of potential cases: 2 With City Council concurrence, Mayor Harnik adjourned the meeting to Closed Session of the City Council at 3:05 p.m. She reconvened the meeting at 4:01 p.m. V. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M. A. REPORT ON ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION. Mr. Hargreaves reported that direction was given, but no reportable action was taken. VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Palm Desert Youth Committee Member Tazz Ross VII. INVOCATION - Mayor Jan C. Harnik VIII. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS A. PRESENTATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF AN UPDATE ON PALM DESERT YOUTH COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES BY MEMBER TAZZ ROSS. Mr. Ross reported that the Committee’s last meeting before breaking for the summer will be held the first week of June. They will start planning for next year’s events such as the Anti-Bullying and No-Idling campaigns, and the Senior Tech Days at the Joslyn Center. He thanked the City Council for the opportunity to report on behalf of the Youth Committee. Mayor Harnik stated the Youth Committee did many great things for the community and they have made a difference. 2 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 25, 2017 Councilmember Weber added that the work of the Youth Committee at the Joslyn Center has been well received, and they are grateful. She looked forward to seeing them again next year. B1. PRESENTATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION BEST COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR SMALL JURISDICTION AWARD. Mr. Stendell announced the City recently received the Inland Empire American Planning Associations (APA) Award for Best Comprehensive Plan for Small Jurisdiction category winner. The local Inland Empire APA also encouraged staff to apply at the State level, because they believe the City’s General Plan implementation tools are good enough to win there as well. B2. PRESENTATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE DRIEHAUS FORM- BASED CODES AWARD FOR THE UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD PARK SPECIFIC PLAN. Mr. Stendell went on to announce the second award received by the City Council from the Form-Based Codes Institute in conjunction with the Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust for the University Neighborhood Park Specific Plan. It was based on the fact that it was providing a kit of parts for creating the fundamental urban form addressing both the public realm and private development, achieving the ideal balance between predictability and flexibility. They believe the University Neighborhood Park Specific Plan is a tool to create the University area that the City really desires. He said it was interesting to receive this award along with other neat companies from Nashville, Miami, Brooklyn, and many others that Palm Desert is never associated with, and it was an honor receiving the award by Congressman Raul Ruiz who was handing them out a couple of weeks ago. Mayor Harnik stated it started with the Strategic Plan and community involvement in that entire process, which then culminated in the General Plan. She said the whole process took years, so it was wonderful to see all that hard work being recognized. IX. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - B MS. MEGAN GOEHRING, Palm Springs, CA, thanked the City for its sponsorship of the Certified Farmers’ Market, specifically for their new one that will begin on June 4 inside the Westfield Shopping Mall. It’s a location they have long sought and everything came together perfectly this year to make it possible. They’re excited to better serve east Valley customers that have been driving all the way to Palm Springs in order to buy their fresh produce. They are hoping that customers at the Westfield Mall will stumble upon the Farmers’ Market and find a new source for fresh produce all 3 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 25, 2017 summer long. They will be located in the lower level adjacent to Macy’s Home and World Gym every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from June 4 through September 17. She provided a goodie bag for each Councilmember, which also included more information about their summer schedule. MR. WALLY MELENDEZ, Palm Desert, CA, stated he drives a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle and he hasn’t paid one penny for gasoline, adding that a full charge gives him 85 miles. He came to City Hall to speak in defense of planet earth, which was in distress. He said the government, local, and federal agencies should take the issue seriously, and that every town should conduct a test by designating one day out of the year where no gas or diesel vehicles are allowed in their jurisdiction, just to see what the impacts would be. X. MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY 1. California JPIA 2017 Newly-Elected Officials Conference Councilmember Nestande reported she attended the two-day seminar and learned a lot of good little nuggets to hopefully better serve the community. 2. Pet Adoption Event at the Animal Campus Councilmember Kelly announced the Animal Campus is holding a pet adoption event on Saturday, June 3. The fee is reduced and half of the reduced amount helps to support veterans. Additionally, the whole adoption fee is reimbursable to City of Palm Desert residents. 3. Joslyn Center - Meals on Wheels Councilmember Kelly stated the Joslyn Center continues to have some additional capacity for its Meals on Wheels Program. She said some people erroneously assume there are specific income criteria, but there isn’t, because the sliding scale allows the Center to serve anyone who is a resident of Palm Desert that is 50+ years and has some limitations that make getting out to shop or prepare food a problem. She asked everyone to spread the word and anyone interested can simply call the Joslyn Center. 4 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 25, 2017 4. National Red Nose Day Mayor Pro Tem Jonathan wished everyone a happy Red Nose Day. He said it was all about ending child poverty. If this was a subject of interest, you can go to the website rednoseday.com and learn all about it and perhaps contribute to the cause. 5. Foot Golf at Desert Willow Mayor Pro Tem Jonathan noted he was Council Liaison to the Desert Willow’s President’s Committee, stating people think of Desert Willow as a golf course, and it is, but it’s also a foot golf course. He said Desert Willow was prominently featured positively on the front page of the sports section in The Desert Sun, because there is an International Tournament that just finished at Desert Willow. He said Desert Willow is also the home to the National Foot Golf Association, adding it was a fast-growing sport. He congratulated General Manager Derek White and crew of Kemper Sports Management, including Information Officer David Hermann who is largely responsible for the excellent press. He said it’s always nice to have the City of Palm Desert in the news for good things. 6. Fiscal Year 2017/2018 Budget Study Session Mayor Harnik reported the City Council went through the Budget Study Session where there was great and spirited discussions. She said the City has come a long way with making some decisions and once again Palm Desert will have a balanced budget. 7. Optimist Club of Palm Desert - Senior of the Year Awards Mayor Harnik said she attended the luncheon where Grant Swajian and Emily Andrade received the award. She noted that Grant Swajian had a perfect attendance record from kindergarten through 12th grade, which was unbelievable to her. 8. International Conference of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Mayor Harnik reported she and Director of Economic Development Martin Alvarez attended the conference and learned a lot about Geo-fencing, big data, parking issues, and redefining retail, stating it was a great and informative conference. 5 MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 25, 2017 XI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular City Council Meeting of May 11, 2017. Rec: Approve as presented. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY TREASURY - Warrants Dated 4/28/2017, 5/5/2017 - 2, and 5/12/2017.