1. GENERAL
1.A. Call to Order
Mayor Mallotto called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M.
1.B. Flag Salute
Mayor Pro Tem O'Keefe 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. Leadership Coachella Valley Update
Vice President Ryland Penta and Board Secretary Gerry Neighbors provided an overview of the Leadership Coachella Valley organization.
3. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Mayor Mallotto addressed expectations and guidelines for public comments.
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, spoke regarding the process for removing disruptive members of the public pursuant to the Brown Act.
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein spoke on the legacy of the late Reverend Jesse Jackson.
Council Member Downs provided updates on the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa golf course renovation project and the Coachella Valley (CV) Rail project. He also expressed support for mayoral rotation systems as opposed to directly elected mayors.
Council Member Weill echoed Council Member Downs' comments in support of mayoral rotation. He also announced the upcoming Rancho Mirage Night with the Coachella Valley Firebirds and recognized Terri Ketover for being honored with the Women of Wonder Award from Variety Children's Charity of the Desert.
Mayor Mallotto congratulated the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce on its annual Rammys Outstanding Business Awards & Installation Dinner and reported on her attendance at the Rancho Mirage Day Power Baseball event.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS/REPORTS
None.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the Consent Calendar items.
The following individuals provided public comments: Christian Donovan and Brad Anderson.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
5.A. February 5, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the February 5, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
5.B. Annual Review of the Statement of Investment Policy
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-(Next-in-Order), Adopting the City’s Statement of Investment Policy.
(Adopted Resolution No. 2026-09)
5.C. Contracts
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the terms of the contracts as presented and authorize the City Manager to execute the subject contracts.
5.D. Demands
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the demands as presented.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.A. Annexation No. 204 to Community Facilities District No. 1 (in Connection with Preliminary Development Plan Case No. PDP25-0003) - Global Wildlife Discovery Museum. Location: On Highway 111, South of the Atrium Shopping Center
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-(Next-in-Order), (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. 204), 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 seven (7) of the eligible votes was received on February 16, 2026, and was in favor. The ballot for the one (1) additional eligible vote was also received on February 16, 2026, and was also in favor. Therefore, votes cast in favor equal 100% of total votes cast.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-10, CALLING AN ELECTION ON LEVYING A SPECIAL TAX WITHIN THE AREA PROPOSED TO BE ANNEXED TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 1 (ANNEXATION NO. 204), 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. Campaign Contribution Limits for City Council Candidates
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-(Next-in-Order), Establishing No Campaign Contribution Limits for City Council Candidates.
Kristie Ramos, City Clerk, presented the staff report.
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO INCLUDE A $7,500 CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMIT AND DELAY A FINAL DECISION TO THE NEXT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO ALLOW TIME FOR STAFF TO DEVELOP ENFORCEMENT LANGUAGE. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
8. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals provided non-agenda public comments: Susan Ragsdale, Wally Melendez, and Brad Anderson.
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, annouced 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).
The following individual provided public comment: Brad Anderson.
9.B. Recess to Closed Session
Mayor Mallotto recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 2:03 P.M.
9.C. Reconvene Open Session
Mayor Mallotto reconvened the meeting at 3:07 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 3:07 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council: 03/05/2026