HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2021-02-24 44 CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Cathedral City
Study Session
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
3:00 PM
Pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20, this meeting was conducted by videoconference.
• CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 3:04 PM by Mayor Raymond Gregory.
• ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Raymond Gregory Mayor Remote
Ernesto Gutierrez Mayor Pro Tem Remote
Mark Carnevale Councilmember Remote
Rita Lamb Councilmember Remote
Nancy Ross Councilmember Remote
• AGENDA FINALIZATION
1. CLOSED SESSION
The City Attorney Eric Vail announced that the City Council will meet in Closed
Session to discuss the following items listed on the Agenda.
A. Public Employee Performance Evaluation Per Government Code Section
54957 (B)
Title: City Manager
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 3:05 pm.
The City Council reconvened at 4:41 pm.
City Attorney Eric Vail announced that the City Council met in Closed Session to
discuss item 1A. Public Employee Performance Evaluation for the City Manager.
There was no reportable action taken.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
3. STUDY SESSION
A. 2020 Crime Statistics Update
Recommendation: None
City Manager Charles McClendon introduced Police Chief George Crum.
Police Chief George Crum provided an update on the crime statistics for 2020.
Alan Carvalho thanked Chief Crum and expressed his happiness that he
unretired and has come back to Cathedral City. He thanked the City Council for
supporting the Police Department and urged them not to short cut on public
safety.
ADJOURN
The Study Session meeting was adjourned by Mayor Raymond Gregory at 5:28 pm.
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CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Cathedral City
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
5:30 PM
Pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20, this meeting was conducted by videoconference.
• CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:33 PM by Mayor Raymond Gregory.
• PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Ernesto Gutierrez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
• INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION)
Mayor Raymond Gregory offered the moment of reflection.
• ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Raymond Gregory Mayor Remote
Ernesto Gutierrez Mayor Pro Tern Remote
Mark Carnevale Councilmember Remote
Rita Lamb Councilmember Remote
Nancy Ross Councilmember Remote
• AGENDA FINALIZATION
Item 3C. was pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
Alan Carvalho expressed his concern with Measure B and how the information being
provided to the public by the City.
Maria Scagliotti requested the status of the City Council considering outdoor
cannabis lounges in the City. She also expressed her concern with the current tax
structure for the cannabis industry. She offered suggestions for deadlines and
mathematical errors that sometime occur unintentionally.
David Whichman reported on a recent incident he had with a woman who was in
need of food. He expressed his concern with the cost and the information circulated
by the City regarding Measure B. He also expressed his concern with the script of
the recent videos recorded by Councilmember Rita Lamb.
2. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Nancy Ross reported that she spent some time working with seniors
in the community assisting them with booking vaccine appointments. She met with
many constituents on a variety of issues, which for the most part were easy to solve.
She met with Todd Hooks, Economic Director for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla
Indians, two City Council Members from neighboring Cities, and Valley Builder's
Association President Gretchen Gutierrez. On February 16, 2021, she attended the
Federal COVID vaccine distribution briefing. She announced that the City Council
has begun meeting on alternate Wednesdays, to hold workshops to discuss various
items and she is confident that everyone will see the results of that work. She also
attended a County of Riverside Second District Small Business Development Zoom
meeting where she learned about the next round of stimulus and how to help keep
businesses afloat. She expressed her condolences for the victim of the recent
shooting at the Outpost and urged the public to help solve the crime. COVID
numbers are declining and she acknowledged the efforts of the community. She
feels that everyone must remain vigilant and she encouraged everyone to continue
to do their part.
Councilmember Rita Lamb acknowledged the beautiful moment of reflection that
was offered by Mayor Raymond Gregory. She announced that
discovercathedralcity.com has a wealth of information including information from Fire
Chief John Muhr on how families can prepare for the next emergency. She
announced that CSUSB is offering webinars for Black History more information is
available at palmspringsblackhistory.org. She reported that she was able to meet
I with City Manager Charles McClendon and a representative from Rainbow Pride
Youth Alliance. She also reported that she participated in a City Hall at Your Corner
along with Councilmember Mark Carnevale, which was well attended. She
announced the upcoming Dinner with Patsi fundraiser at Southern Belle Cafe. She
I stated that she was able to find a volunteer to do Corona Virus story time in Spanish.
She read the Spanish version of "Where the Wild Things Are." She attended the
Riverside County Economic Development workshop and the CVAG Desert
Community Energy meeting as an alternate. She met with residents regarding
Measure B and code violations, and also met with a local artist from the CREATE
Center in Palm Desert. She announced that there is an opening on the Architectural
Review Committee and encouraged those interested to apply.
Councilmember Mark Carnevale reported that he participated in the recent City Hall
at Your Corner, which was well attended. He also reported that he attended the
Chamber luncheon at Henry's Restaurant. He along with Councilmember Nancy
Ross met with Stone James, Economic Development Director, for an update on the
13.5 acres. He indicated that he had the opportunity to meet with Tami Scott,
Administrative Services Director, to discuss her staff and workload. He will be
attending a Lift to Rise meeting and a meeting with Deanna Pressgrove,
Environmental Conservation and Public Works Manager, to discuss SB 1383. He
stated that his family has history with the family the owns the Outpost Market and
expressed his sympathy for the recent tragedy of their family member. He is hopeful
that the criminals involved will be brought to justice.
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Mayor Pro Tem Ernesto Gutierrez hopes everyone had a great Valentine's Day and
President's Day Holiday. He attended the CVAG Homeless Committee as an
alternate, and it was great to hear about the wonderful job Councilmember Mark
Carnevale is doing. He gave a brief overview of the Special City Council Workshop
that was held on February 17, 2021. He stated that as a resident he supports
Measure B. He reported that he has filmed videos in Spanish to help educate the
Hispanic Community on the measure. He attended his regularly scheduled meeting
with City Manager McClendon to discuss the agenda and the recent homicide at the
Outpost Market and hopes this crime is solved quickly. He stated that the City of La
Quinta is in the process of installing many cameras around their city, and he hopes
Cathedral City can follow their lead and do the same.
IRaymond Gregory stated that is has been a busy couple of weeks. He met with
several residents, City Staff and vendors. He stated on February 16, 2021 he filmed
videos with the help of Chris Parman, Communications and Events Manager, and
thanked him for doing an excellent job. He announced that those videos are now
available on the City's website. He attended the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency
I Board of Directors meeting, the Palm Springs Regional Association of Realtors
meeting, the California of Cities all Mayor's round table, and the Riverside County
Transportation Committee Budget and Implementation meeting. He also attended
the CVAG Executive Committee where they approved a contract to begin the signal
synchronization project and they also received an update on homelessness. He
thanked Councilmember Mark Carnevale for all his hard work with homelessness.
He reported that he represented the City at the SunLine Transit Agency meeting
where they discussed the 5 million dollar grant they are receiving for their liquid
hydrogen program. He provided an overview of the February 17, 2021 Special City
Council Meeting/Workshop and encouraged those interested to participate in the
upcoming scheduled workshops.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember Carnevale and seconded by Councilwoman
Lamb to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Gregory, Gutierrez, Carnevale, Lamb, Ross
A. Minutes Approval
M.O. 2021-17
1. City Council - Special Meeting - Jan 30, 2021 8:00 AM
2. City Council - Study Session - Feb 10, 2021 3:00 PM
3. City Council - Regular Meeting - Feb 10, 2021 5:30 PM
B. Receive and file Payment of Claims and Demands for January 2021
Recommendation: The City Council acting in its capacity for the City, the
Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency,
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the Housing Successor Agency, and the Cathedral City
Public Finance Authority Board receive and file payment of
claims and demands in the aggregate sum of$7,094,910 for
the month of January 2021.
M.O. 2021-18
C. This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda
D. Resolution Adopting Council Goals for 2021
Recommendation: To approve a resolution adopting the City Council goals for
2021.
Reso 2021-04
4. ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
A. Approval of Resolution to Summarily Vacate an Unused Five-foot wide
Public Utility Easement on Lot 202 of Palm Springs Outpost No. 5,
located at the Northwest corner of Sarah Street and Agua Caliente Trail
(Vacation No. 2020-01)
Recommendation: To approve a Resolution summarily vacating all City and
public interests in a five-foot wide Public Utility Easement on
Lot 202 of Palm Springs Outpost No. 5, located at the
northwest corner of Sarah Street and Agua Caliente Trail.
Mayor Raymond Gregory and Councilmember Rita Lamb recused themselves
from the discussion and consideration of this item.
Reso 2021-03
A motion was made by Councilmember Carnevale and seconded by
Councilwoman Ross to approve the a Resolution summarily vacating all City and
public interests in a five-foot wide Public Utility Easement on Lot 202 of Palm
Springs Outpost No. 5, located at the northwest corner of Sarah Street and Agua
Caliente Trail.
RESULT: APPROVED [3 TO 0]
MOVER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
SECONDER: Nancy Ross, Councilmember
AYES: Ernesto Gutierrez, Mark Carnevale, Nancy Ross
RECUSED: Raymond Gregory, Rita Lamb
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
A. Mary Pickford Theater Drive-In Special Use Permit Extension Request
Recommendation: To approve the extension of a previously approved Special
Use Permit for D'Place Entertainment's Drive-In movie
theater located on the former Housing Successor Agency
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site and to forgive and suspend the collection of site rent
through May 31, 2021.
Alan Carvalho expressed his support for the drive-in theater and praised Mary
Pickford General Manager Ted Hane for always being a team player and
generous to the Community. He also thanked Stone James, Economic
Development Director, for all his work to keep the economy moving forward in
the City.
M.O. 2021-19
A motion was made by Councilwoman Lamb and seconded by Mayor Pro Tern
Gutierrez to approve the extension of a previously approved Special Use Permit
for D'Place Entertainment's Drive-In movie theater located on the former Housing
Successor Agency site and to forgive and suspend the collection of site rent
through May 31, 2021.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
SECONDER: Ernesto Gutierrez, Mayor Pro Tern
AYES: Gregory, Gutierrez, Carnevale, Lamb, Ross
B. NAI Task Order 04 Amendment for Cathedral Canyon Bridge Project
Support
Recommendation: To authorize an amendment of$18,360.00 to the current
$51,420.00 Task Order 04 to NAI Consulting, Inc., making
the total encumbrance of$69,780.00 for continuous
engineering and project management support on the
Cathedral Canyon Drive Bridge project.
M.O. 2021-20
A motion was made by Councilmember Carnevale and seconded by
Councilwoman Lamb to authorize an amendment of $18,360.00 to the current
$51,420.00 Task Order 04 to NAI Consulting, Inc., making the total encumbrance
of $69,780.00 for continuous engineering and project management support on
the Cathedral Canyon Drive Bridge project.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember
SECONDER: Rita Lamb, Councilmember
AYES: Gregory, Gutierrez, Carnevale, Lamb, Ross
C. Update on Emergency Actions Related to COVID-19
Recommendation: Update on Status of Emergency Proclamation. Possible
action to continue or rescind Resolution 2020-06.
Update on Emergency Actions taken by City, County, State
of Federal Agencies.
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Possible consideration of additional measures to be taken.
Council may add items not listed on the agenda pursuant to
Government Code section 54954.2 by majority vote.
City Manager Charles McClendon provided an update on Emergency Actions
Related to COVID-19. He stated that we continue to manage internally as an
organization and as a community through the COVID-19 pandemic. He is happy
to report that there are currently no employees out due to sickness or exposure
of COVID-19. He also reported that cases of COVID-19 in the City are declining
and the 7-day average is the lowest it has been since October, which seems to
mirror the County and State levels. He indicated that there is hope that the
County may be able to return to the Red Tier soon, which allows for more
openings, and urged everyone to continue wearing their masks and social
distance. He noted that if the new Federal COVID-19 relief package that is up for
consideration is passed, it will be provide direct vaccine distribution to Cities as
well as revenue replacement, which would be a tremendous help to at the local
level. He urged everyone to contact Congressman Ruiz and our Senators to
support the package. He stated that our current emergency order related to face
coverings and social distancing will be expiring in March and he will bring an item
to the City Council in March to consider whether or not to extend the Order.
7. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURN
May.0r, City Sf Cathedral City City Clerk2City of Cathedral it
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