1. GENERAL
1.A. Call to Order
Mayor Weill called the meeting to order at 1:01 P.M.
1.B. Flag Salute
Mayor Weill led the flag salute.
1.C. Roll Call: Downs, Fromberg Edelstein, O'Keefe, Mallotto, Weill
All members were present.
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein reported her attendance at a recent Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) Public Safety Committee Meeting and provided an update regarding 911 systems.
Council Member Downs presented the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy (CVMC) Annual Report and spoke of how it related to the Cotino project.
Mayor Pro Tem Mallotto congratulated Cotino developers on the first home sales.
Mayor Weill commended Eisenhower Health on its celebration of National Nurses Week and presented a related video.
3. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS/REPORTS
None.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR (A-F)
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the Consent Calendar items.
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/DOWNS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
4.A. Waive Full Reading of Any Ordinance Introduced or Adopted Pursuant to this Agenda
4.B. May 1, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the May 1, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
4.C. General Plan Annual Progress Report for 2024
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and File the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report.
4.D. Compliance with Senate Bill 1 (SB1) Eligibility Requirements by Approving the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account Project List
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Approving the Project List to be Funded by the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program, in Accordance with Senate Bill 1, the “Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.”
4.E. Contracts
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the terms of the contracts as presented and authorize the City Manager to execute the subject contracts.
4.F. Demands
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the demands as presented.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5.A. Zoning Text Amendment Case No. ZTA25-0001 – Applicant: City of Rancho Mirage. Consideration of an Omnibus Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.68 (Special Elections) – Section 2.68.040 (City Parks Maintenance); Adding Chapter 5.45 (Shopping Cart Management) to Title 5 (Business Taxes, Licenses, and Regulations); Amending Chapter 8.25 (Landing Of Aircraft) – Section 8.25.020 (Landing of Aircraft); Amending Chapter 8.26 (City Parks and Recreation Facility Regulations) – Section 8.26.030 (Group Use of Parks); Amending Chapter 8.63 (Camping Regulations) – Section 8.63.060 (Enforcement); Amending Chapter 14.20 (Definitions) – Section 14.20.100 (Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code Definitions); Amending Chapter 17.20 (General Property and Use Standards) – Section 17.20.140 (Screening and Buffering); Repealing and Replacing Chapter 17.32 (Wireless Communication Facilities); Amending Chapter 17.34 (Introduction) of Division IV (Permits and Review) – Section 17.34.010 (Introduction); and Amending Chapter 17.48 (Conditional Use Permits) – Section 17.48.045 (Minor Conditional Use Permits) of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code. Location: City-Wide
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Find that the adoption of the Omnibus Ordinance has been reviewed in compliance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and CEQA Guidelines, and that adoption of the Ordinance is categorically exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378 because it is not a “project”, and 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment because the amendments involve general policy and procedure making; and 2) Introduce Ordinance No. (Next-in-Order), 1st Reading, Amending Chapter 2.68 (Special Elections) – Section 2.68.040 (City Parks Maintenance); Adding Chapter 5.45 (Shopping Cart Management) to Title 5 (Business Taxes, Licenses, and Regulations); Amending Chapter 8.25 (Landing Of Aircraft) – Section 8.25.020 (Landing of Aircraft); Amending Chapter 8.26 (City Parks and Recreation Facility Regulations) – Section 8.26.030 (Group Use of Parks); Amending Chapter 8.63 (Camping Regulations) – Section 8.63.060 (Enforcement); Amending Chapter 14.20 (Definitions) – Section 14.20.100 (Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code Definitions); Amending Chapter 17.20 (General Property and Use Standards) – Section 17.20.140 (Screening and Buffering); Repealing and Replacing Chapter 17.32 (Wireless Communication Facilities); Amending Chapter 17.34 (Introduction) of Division IV (Permits and Review) – Section 17.34.010 (Introduction); and Amending Chapter 17.48 (Conditional Use Permits) – Section 17.48.045 (Minor Conditional Use Permits) of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code.
Ben Torres, Planning Manager, presented the staff report.
The following individuals provided public testimony: Brad Anderson, Bill Riesen.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/MALLOTTO TO: 1) FIND THAT THE ADOPTION OF THE OMNIBUS ORDINANCE HAS BEEN REVIEWED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND CEQA GUIDELINES, AND THAT ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15378 BECAUSE IT IS NOT A “PROJECT”, AND 15061(B)(3) BECAUSE IT CAN BE SEEN WITH CERTAINTY THAT THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY THAT THE ACTIVITY IN QUESTION MAY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE THE AMENDMENTS INVOLVE GENERAL POLICY AND PROCEDURE MAKING; AND 2) INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 1223, 1ST READING, AMENDING CHAPTER 2.68 (SPECIAL ELECTIONS) – SECTION 2.68.040 (CITY PARKS MAINTENANCE); ADDING CHAPTER 5.45 (SHOPPING CART MANAGEMENT) TO TITLE 5 (BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES, AND REGULATIONS); AMENDING CHAPTER 8.25 (LANDING OF AIRCRAFT) – SECTION 8.25.020 (LANDING OF AIRCRAFT); AMENDING CHAPTER 8.26 (CITY PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITY REGULATIONS) – SECTION 8.26.030 (GROUP USE OF PARKS); AMENDING CHAPTER 8.63 (CAMPING REGULATIONS) – SECTION 8.63.060 (ENFORCEMENT); AMENDING CHAPTER 14.20 (DEFINITIONS) – SECTION 14.20.100 (UNIFORM SWIMMING POOL, SPA AND HOT TUB CODE DEFINITIONS); AMENDING CHAPTER 17.20 (GENERAL PROPERTY AND USE STANDARDS) – SECTION 17.20.140 (SCREENING AND BUFFERING); REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 17.32 (WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITIES); AMENDING CHAPTER 17.34 (INTRODUCTION) OF DIVISION IV (PERMITS AND REVIEW) – SECTION 17.34.010 (INTRODUCTION); AND AMENDING CHAPTER 17.48 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS) – SECTION 17.48.045 (MINOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS) OF THE RANCHO MIRAGE MUNICIPAL CODE. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
5.B. Extension of Time Case No. ET25-0001 for a Two-Year Extension of Time for Tentative Tract Map Case No. TTM22-0003 (TTM 38224). Applicant: Phillip Fomotor of Fomotor Engineering on Behalf of La Paloma Homes, Inc. Consideration of the First Time Extension for Tentative Tract Map 38224 (Tentative Tract Map Case No. TTM22-0003), a 9-Lot Residential Subdivision on 4.77 Acres, Located in Section 30 at the Northeast Corner of Via Josefina and Ginger Rogers Road (APN: 685-080-014)
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Approve the filing of a Notice of Exemption pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15162 (Subsequent EIRs and Negative Declarations); and 2) Approve a two-year Extension of Time (ET25-0001) for Tentative Tract Map Case No. TTM22-0003 (TTM 38224), subject to the Conditions of Approval, and based on the content and Findings in the attached staff report.
Joy Tsai, Senior Planner, presented the staff report, including a revision to Condition of Approval No. 3 to reflect the new expiration date and the addition of Condition of Approval No. 11, stating that the grading permits shall not be issued prior to vertical development entitlements unless approved by the Public Works or Development Services Director.
There was no public testimony provided.
MOVED/SECONDED BY FROMBERG EDELSTEIN/MALLOTTO TO: 1) APPROVE THE FILING OF A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) GUIDELINES SECTION 15162 (SUBSEQUENT EIRS AND NEGATIVE DECLARATIONS); AND 2) APPROVE A TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF TIME (ET25-0001) FOR TENTATIVE TRACT MAP CASE NO. TTM22-0003 (TTM 38224), SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL, AND BASED ON THE CONTENT AND FINDINGS IN THE ATTACHED STAFF REPORT. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
5.C. Environmental Assessment Case No. EA24-0011 and General Plan Text Amendment Case No. GPTA24-0001– Assembly Bill 2140 Safety Element Update. Applicant: City of Rancho Mirage. Location: City-Wide
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Finding that the Adoption of the Safety Element of the City’s General Plan is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(B)(3) and Approving General Plan Text Amendment Case No. GPTA24-0001, Incorporating by Reference the 2023 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan into the Safety Element in the City’s General Plan in Accordance with Assembly Bill 2140.
Joy Tsai, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
There was no public testimony provided.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/DOWNS TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-12, FINDING THAT THE ADOPTION OF THE UPDATED GENERAL PLAN SAFETY ELEMENT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA), PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3) (GENERAL RULE “COMMON SENSE” EXEMPTION) AND APPROVING GENERAL PLAN TEXT AMENDMENT CASE NO. GPTA24-0001, INCORPORATING BY REFERENCE THE 2023 LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN INTO THE SAFETY ELEMENT IN THE CITY’S GENERAL PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL 2140. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
5.D. Updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Introduce Ordinance No. (Next-in-Order), 1st Reading, Adopting the Fire Hazard Severity Zones as Recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Pursuant to Government Code Section 51178.
Tyler Fowlkes, Senior Management Analyst, presented the staff report.
The following individual provided public testimony: Brad Anderson.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY FROMBERG EDELSTEIN/MALLOTTO TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 1224, 1ST READING, ADOPTING THE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
6. ACTION CALENDAR
6.A. Solid Waste and Recycling Collection and Disposal Rates
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Establishing Solid Waste and Recycling Collection and Disposal Rates for All Classes of Customers within the Jurisdiction of the City of Rancho Mirage, Effective July 1, 2025.
Jessica Pulliam, Deputy of Sustainability, presented the staff report.
Clara Vera, Burrtec Municipal Marketing Manager, provided a Burrtec 2024 Year in Review.
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/MALLOTTO TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-13, ESTABLISHING SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL RATES FOR ALL CLASSES OF CUSTOMERS WITHIN THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
6.B. Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Levy of Assessments for Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No. 87-01
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Initiating Proceedings for the Annual Levy of Assessments for the Rancho Mirage Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District No. 87-01, for Fiscal Year 2025/2026; 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Declaring its Intention to Levy Annual Assessments for the Rancho Mirage Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District No. 87-01, for Fiscal Year 2025/2026; and 3) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), for Preliminary Approval of the Engineer’s Annual Levy Report for the Rancho Mirage Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District No. 87-01, for Fiscal Year 2025/2026.
Ian Lasley, Assistant Director of Public Works, presented the staff report.
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/FROMBERG EDELSTEIN TO: 1) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-14, INITIATING PROCEEDINGS FOR THE ANNUAL LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE RANCHO MIRAGE CONSOLIDATED LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 87-01, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026; 2) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-15, DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE RANCHO MIRAGE CONSOLIDATED LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 87-01, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026; AND 3) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-16, FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE ENGINEER’S ANNUAL LEVY REPORT FOR THE RANCHO MIRAGE CONSOLIDATED LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 87-01, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals provided non-agenda public comments: Brad Anderson and Wally Melendez.
8. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
8.A. Closed Session Agenda
— 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957. Public Employee: City Manager/Executive Director.
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, summarized the Closed Session Agenda, reporting that the City Council would meeting in closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding one public employee performance evaluation item, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957, related to the City Manager/Executive Director.
8.B. Recess to Closed Session
Mayor Weill recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 2:22 P.M.
8.C. Closed Session Announcements
Mayor Weill reconvened the meeting at 3:23 P.M., with all members present.
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, announced there was no reportable action taken during Closed Session.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Weill adjourned the meeting at 3:23 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council: 06/05/2025