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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2020-12-08 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Cathedral City Special Meeting Tuesday, December 8, 2020 5:30 PM City Council Chambers 68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero Cathedral City, CA 92234 • CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Mayor John Aguilar. • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE • INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION) • ROLL CALL Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Nancy Ross Councilmember-Elect Present 5:30 PM John Aguilar Mayor Present 5:30 PM Raymond Gregory Mayor Pro Tern Present 5:30 PM Mark Carnevale Councilmember Present 5:30 PM Ernesto Gutierrez Councilmember Present 5:30 PM Rita Lamb Councilmember Present 5:30 PM • AGENDA FINALIZATION • STATEMENT OF PARTICIPATION BY THE CITY CLERK 1. PUBLIC COMMENT 2. PRESENTATION TO OUTGOING MAYOR JOHN AGUILAR Mayor Pro Tern Raymond Gregory thanked outgoing Mayor John Aguilar for his service on behalf of the City and presented him with a small gift to commemorate his service on the City Council and as Mayor. He personally thanked him for his leadership and service to the City. Councilmember Mark Carnevale thanked outgoing Mayor John Aguilar for everything that he has done for Cathedral City while serving on the City Council. He expressed his gratitude for providing outstanding leadership during difficult times and wished him well as he retires from the City Council and moves on to other endeavors. Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez thanked outgoing Mayor John Aguilar for everything he has done for the City while on the City Council. He feels his knowledge and guidance has been amazing and he has appreciated him and looked to him as a mentor. He expressed that it has been an honor serving on the Council under his leadership. He feels that he is a genuine person and it is a pleasure knowing him. Councilmember Rita Lamb stated that she is going to miss outgoing Mayor John Aguilar. She feels that he has the character, confidence and compassion that it takes to be a good leader. She thanked him for everything he has done. Outgoing Mayor John Aguilar thanked the Council for their wonderful comments. He stated that none of the accomplishments over this past year could have been done without the work of the entire City Council. He indicated that there has been a tremendous amount of challenges to work through but with the great staff and a wonderful community that have all worked together, things have been accomplished. He truly believes great things are ahead for the City. He stated that he will be working with the water board and will be looking out for the best interest of Cathedral City. Chris Parman, Communications and Events Manager presented a video that was done showing all of the accomplishments of the City while outgoing Mayor John Aguilar has been on the City Council and the impacts those accomplishments have had on the City. Outgoing Mayor John Aguilar thanked Chris Parman for everything he has done and continues to do for the City. He expressed his deepest condolences on behalf of the City, for the loss of Jay Ayers, a 41-year-old construction worker who died Monday while working at the newly opened Agua Caliente Casino in Cathedral City. 3. AGENDA ITEMS A. Declaration of Results for the November 3, 2020 Municipal Election Recommendation: To adopt a Resolution declaring the results of the November 3, 2020 election as certified by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. Resolution 2020-63 Motion by Councilmember Carnevale seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory, to adopt a Resolution declaring the results of the November 3, 2020 election as certified by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. RESULT: APPROVED [5 TO 0] MOVER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember SECONDER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tern AYES: Aguilar, Gregory, Carnevale, Gutierrez, Lamb B. Swear-in Newly Elected Councilmembers Cathedral City Page 2 Printed on 12/29/2020 City Clerk, Tracey Martinez, conducted the Oath of Office to Rita Lamb who was elected to serve as Councilmember for District 1 at the November 3, 2020 Election. City Clerk, Tracey Martinez, conducted the Oath of Office to Nancy Ross, who was elected to serve as Councilmember for District 2 at the November 3, 2020 Election. C. Appointment of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern Recommendation: To appoint, in accordance with Section 2.04.180 of the Municipal Code, Raymond Gregory to serve as Mayor for a one year term through the first Council meeting in December 2021; and to appoint Ernesto Gutierrez to serve as Mayor Pro Tern for the same term. M.O. 2020-175 Motion by Councilmember Carnevale seconded by Councilmember Gutierrez, to appoint, in accordance with Section 2.04.180 of the Municipal Code, Raymond Gregory to serve as Mayor for a one-year term through the first Council meeting in December 2021; and to appoint Ernesto Gutierrez to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the same term. RESULT: APPROVED [5 TO 0] MOVER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember SECONDER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Councilmember AYES: Ross, Gregory, Carnevale, Gutierrez, Lamb D. Swear-in Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem City Clerk, Tracey Martinez, conducted the Oath of Office to Ernesto Gutierrez, who was appointed to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for a period of one-year. City Clerk, Tracey Martinez, conducted the Oath of Office to Raymond Gregory who was appointed to serve as Mayor for a period of one-year. Mayor Raymond Gregory stated that it is a great honor to serve the City as Mayor. He thanked the Council for everything that they have done during difficult times and is looking forward to moving forward. He also thanked the many former Mayors and Councilmembers that have contributed so much to the City. He thanked the City Manager and staff for all the work they do on a daily basis. keeping the City going. He thanked his husband Eric and his son for their support during this time. He thanked his friend Andrew Wancowicz and Antonio Baciu for all of their help with the election and on a continual basis. He thanked all those who work throughout the community volunteering especially the voters in District 5 who have put their trust in him, and it is his hope to make them proud, though he is happy to serve the entire City. He is looking forward to a great 2021 as we celebrate 40 years of cityhood. The City will have to continue to deal with the COVID Pandemic, and the Special Election related to short-term vacation rentals among other important issues. He outlined the following items Cathedral City Page 3 Printed on 12/29/2020 that he would like to continue in the coming year: 1. Healthy Leadership - Maintaining transparency and open communications, developing sound policy, promoting staff accountability to match expectations with action, and maintain our focus on quality of life; 2. Healthy Economy - Remain business friendly and support our small businesses, promote education and employment opportunities, maintain focus on our business corridors in our downtown and along Date Palm, Ramon and Perez Roads, utilize smart development principles ensuring city revenues and fees are balanced so they are fair, yet critical infrastructure and amenities are added and maintained as appropriate; 3. Healthy Neighborhoods - Maintain high quality police, fire and ambulance services at appropriate strength levels, rebuild code enforcement with a focus on programs and problem-solving, maintain quality roads, sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, and public art, promote activities that encourage neighbors helping neighbors, like neighborhood watch, citizen patrols, and neighborhood events; 4. Healthy Living - Add and maintain playgrounds, trails, sports fields, and parks (including dog parks), re-invigorate plans to offer a public swimming option in the summer and explore joining the Desert Recreation District, support and promote our senior center, boys & girls club, theaters, museums, festivals, and performance spaces, and continue implementing green initiatives where appropriate. There are a lot of challenges and with challenges there are many opportunities, he knows that the Council is up for the challenge and he looks forward to serving with each of them. Mayor Pro Tem Ernesto Gutierrez, congratulated Nancy Ross and Rita Lamb for their success on the recent election. He congratulated Raymond Gregory for his appointment as Mayor and indicated that he is looking forward to a great year. He is ready to work and to do great thing for the residents. Councilmember Rita Lamb stated that she could not have summarized the projects and visions for our City better than Mayor Gregory did. She welcomed Nancy Ross to the Council and is looking forward to working with her. She thanked the Council and staff for the work that they do and feels that they are a wonderful support. She thanked her husband, son and daughter-in-law for all of their support. She stated a quote, "Sometimes our light goes out. but it is always blown into flame again by an encounter with another person." She thanked all those who have rekindled her inner spirit and looks forward to the opportunity. Councilmember Mark Carnevale welcomed Councilmember Nancy Ross to the City Council. He admires her energy and is certain that she will hit the ground running and will do great things. He also congratulated Councilmember Lamb on her successful re-election. He congratulated Ernesto Gutierrez for his appointment as Mayor Pro Tem and is looking forward to working with him. He congratulated Raymond Gregory on his appointment as Mayor and feels that he will be a wonderful leader and is looking forward to working with him. He feels re-born again and is looking forward to the coming year. Cathedral City Page 4 Printed on 12/29/2020 Councilmember Nancy Ross expressed her gratitude and humility to all those who stood behind her and supported her during the recent election. She feels that it is the time to earn her place with each of the Councilmembers and is looking forward to each day that she is able to serve with each member of the City Council. ADJOURN Mayor Raymond Gregory adjourned the December 8, 2020 Special City Council Meeting at 6:20 p.m. H I 110aiikelb Et Oyit6u,._r M: • , City • ' :t -dral City City Clerk, Zity o��edral Ci Cathedral City Page 5 Printed on 12/29/2020