1. GENERAL
1.A. Call to Order
Mayor Mallotto called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M.
1.B. Flag Salute
Mayor Mallotto led the flag salute.
1.C. Roll Call: Downs, Fromberg Edelstein, Weill, O'Keefe, Mallotto
All City Council Members were present.
2. PRESENTATIONS
2.A. SunLine Transit Agency Comprehensive Operational Analysis Overview
Mona Babauta, SunLine CEO/General Manager, provided an overview of SunLine Transit Agency's Comprehensive Operational Analysis.
The following individuals provided public comments: Michael Harrington and Alex Cruz.
Mayor Mallotto noted SunLine Transit Agency's multidisciplinary approach to delivering services.
3. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Council Member Weill spoke of the successful 2026 Rancho Mirage Writers Festival and presented related photos. He also provided an overview of the City's Shop Local electronic gift card program.
Council Member Downs noted the importance of the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival. He reported that the Rancho Mirage High School boys' soccer team won the Desert Empire League (DEL) title and would participate in the CIF Southern Section playoffs. He provided an update on the Riverside County Transportation Commission's (RCTC) Coachella Valley Rail project. He also spoke regarding the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) Transportation Committee's report on funding concerns and a possible option to generate revenue.
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein spoke about her experience at the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival, as well as the importance of emergency preparedness, specifically for earthquakes.
Mayor Pro Tem O'Keefe spoke of the City's commitment to public safety and noted traffic enforcement efforts carried out by law enforcement over the past two years. He thanked law enforcement personnel and the Citizens on Patrol Services (COPS) for their service. He also announced that another animal rescue rally event was tentatively scheduled for March 2026, as well as the upcoming grand opening of the Rancho Mirage Animal Emergency facility.
Mayor Mallotto commended the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival organizers and staff. She provided an update on the Via Vail affordable housing project and spoke about the importance of affordable housing.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS/REPORTS
None.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR (A-F)
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the Consent Calendar items.
The following individuals provided public comments: Michael Harrington and Brad Anderson.
Mr. Hagerman clarified costs related to the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM 5E, CONTRACT NO. 3 FOR VISIT GREATER PALM SPRINGS (TABLED). MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
5.A. January 15, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the January 15, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
5.B. Shared Emergency Management Services Agreement and Cove CERT
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize the City Manager to enter into Memorandum(s) of Understanding with the cities of Palm Desert and Indian Wells for (a) the sharing of emergency management services, and (b) the creation of a combined Community Emergency Response Team training program.
5.C. Adoption of Required Documents for the Submittal of Application(s) for All CalRecycle Grants
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-(Next-in-Order), Authorizing the Submittal of Individual Grant Applications and Related Authorizations for All CalRecycle Grants for which the City of Rancho Mirage is Eligible.
(Adopted Resolution No. 2026-07)
5.D. Quarterly Treasurer’s Report for the Quarter Ending December 31, 2025
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and File the December 31, 2025, Quarterly Treasurer’s Report.
5.E. Contracts
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the terms of the contracts as presented and authorize the City Manager to execute the subject contracts.
5.F. Demands
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the demands as presented.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.A. Annexation No. 203 to Community Facilities District No. 1 in Connection with Tentative Tract Map No. 38447 (Location: Southwest Corner of Via Florencia and Via Josefina)
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-(Next-in-Order), Calling an Election on Levying a Special Tax within the Area Proposed to be Annexed to Community Facilities District No. 1 (Annexation No. 203), Declaring the Election Results, Approving the Annexation of the Territory and Directing the Recordation of the Amendment of the Notice of Special Tax Lien.
Jacob De La Cruz, Financial Analyst, presented the staff report.
No public testimony was provided.
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk, declared the election results as follows: the ballot for the six (6) eligible votes was received on February 5, 2026, and was in favor; therefore, votes cast in favor equal 100% of total votes cast.
MOVED/SECONDED BY FROMBERG EDELSTEIN/O'KEEFE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-08, CALLING AN ELECTION ON LEVYING A SPECIAL TAX WITHIN THE AREA PROPOSED TO BE ANNEXED TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 1 (ANNEXATION NO. 203), DECLARING THE ELECTION RESULTS, APPROVING THE ANNEXATION OF THE TERRITORY AND DIRECTING THE RECORDATION OF THE AMENDMENT OF THE NOTICE OF SPECIAL TAX LIEN. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7. ACTION CALENDAR
7.A. Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding By and Between the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the City of Rancho Mirage
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the Amendment to the Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding By and Between the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the City of Rancho Mirage.
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the staff report.
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/FROMBERG EDELSTEIN TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BY AND BETWEEN THE AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS AND THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7.B. Adoption of the City of Rancho Mirage Legislative Platform
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt the City of Rancho Mirage Legislative Platform to establish City Council approved guiding principles and policy priorities for legislative and regulatory advocacy at the regional, state, and federal levels.
Tyler Fowlkes, Senior Management Analyst, presented the staff report.
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY FROMBERG EDELSTEIN/DOWNS TO ADOPT THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM TO ESTABLISH CITY COUNCIL APPROVED GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND POLICY PRIORITIES FOR LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ADVOCACY AT THE REGIONAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
8. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals provided non-agenda public comments: Carrie Isen (representing Desert Rodeo), Chris Christensen (representing Desert Healthcare District Foundation), Patrick Lowry, Wally Melendez, Alex Cruz, Brad Anderson, and Michael Harrington.
9. CLOSED SESSION
9.A. Closed Session Agenda
— 1) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - POTENTIAL INITIATION OF LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4). One Potential Case.
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, announced that the City Council would recess to Closed Session to confer with legal counsel regarding one potential initiation of litigation item, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4).
9.B. Recess to Closed Session
Mayor Mallotto recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 2:43 P.M.
9.C. Reconvene Open Session
Mayor Mallotto reconvened the meeting 3:42 P.M., with all City Council Members present.
9.D. Closed Session Announcements
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, announced that no reportable action was taken during Closed Session.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Mallotto adjourned the meeting at 3:42 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council: 02/19/2026