REGULAR MEETING OF THE RANCHO MIRAGE CITY COUNCIL
AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, ENERGY AUTHORITY,
HOUSING AUTHORITY, JOINT POWERS FINANCE AUTHORITY, LIBRARY
AND OBSERVATORY, AND REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARDS
69-825 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Thursday, July 17, 2025, 1:00 PM
MINUTES
1. GENERAL
1.A. Call to Order
Mayor Weill called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M.
1.B. Flag Salute
Ryan Stendell, Assistant City Manager, led the flag salute.
1.C. Roll Call: Downs, Fromberg Edelstein, O'Keefe, Mallotto, Weill
All members were present.
2. PRESENTATIONS
2.A. Special Presentation to Rancho Mirage High School Women’s Softball State Finalist Team
Mayor Weill provided highlights of the Rancho Mirage High School Women's Softball team's successful season, presented a related video, and announced a gift of championship rings.
Dr. Marcus Funchess, Palm Springs Unified School District Superintendent, thanked the City and introduced coach Eddie Martinez, who also expressed gratitude and provided additional details regarding the team.
Mayor Weill presented a proclamation honoring the softball team, coaches, and staff.
2.B. Palm Springs International Airport Commission Update
Dr. Keith Young, Palm Springs International Airport Commissioner, provided an update on the Palm Springs International Airport and answered Council questions.
3. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein spoke in favor of the expansion of Palm Springs International Airport and commended the Rancho Mirage Rattler Softball Team. She also noted her attendance at a recent Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Speaker Series event, which highlighted the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and spoke regarding the historical relationship between the City and the Tribe.
Council Member O'Keefe spoke regarding the City's commitment to maintaining safe roadways and highlighted upcoming road projects. He also expressed gratitude to Assemblymember Greg Wallis for hosting a free Senior Scam Awareness Seminar.
Council Member Downs commended the Rattlers Softball Team. He explained why closed session was conducted privately and why action minutes were acceptable. He also addressed the ratio of Sheriff’s Deputies to residents and commented on a former resident who frequently requested to return to City Housing Authority housing after being lawfully evicted.
Mayor Pro Tem Mallotto expressed gratitude for the City's relationship with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, noted her attendance at the 2025 Riverside Sheriffs' Association Awards Banquet, and expressed appreciation of the City's law enforcement personnel.
Mayor Weill expressed appreciation of the City's public safety personnel.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS/REPORTS
None.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR (A-I)
Ryan Stendell, Assistant City Manager, presented the Consent Calendar Items.
The following individual provided non-agenda public comments: Brad Anderson.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/FROMBERG EDELSTEIN TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
5.A. Waive Full Reading of Any Ordinance Introduced or Adopted Pursuant to this Agenda-
5.B. June 18, 2025, Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes-
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the June 18, 2025, Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
5.C. Appointment to the Rancho Mirage Community Parks and Trails Commission-
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Appoint Joshua Oransky to serve as a member of the Rancho Mirage Community Parks and Trails Commission for the remainder of the current term.
5.D. Annual Appointments of City Council Representatives to Various Outside Agency Boards, Committees, and Commissions-
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Confirm the annual appointments of City Council representatives to various outside agency boards, committees, and commissions as presented.
5.E. Final Acceptance of Improvements for Parcel Map No. 38380 (Sanctuary)-
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept the public and private improvements for Parcel Map No. 38380 as completed and authorize the filing of the Notice of Acceptance and the Notice of Completion with the County Recorder’s Office.
5.F. Consideration of Transitioning to Electric Vehicles-
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize the transition of the City fleet to electric vehicles and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take all necessary actions to implement this transition, including but not limited to issuing Requests for Proposals, vendor selection, approving purchases, surplus of old fleet vehicles and executing all associated agreements and documents, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
5.G. Donation of Surplus Automated License Plate Recognition Equipment-
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Authorizing the Donation of Surplus Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Equipment to the City of Riverside Police Department.
5.H. Contracts-
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the terms of the contracts as presented and authorize the City Manager to execute the subject contracts.
5.I. Demands-
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the demands as presented.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.A. Zoning Text Amendment Case No. ZTA25-0002 – Applicant: City of Rancho Mirage. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.30 (Standards for Specific Land Uses) – Section 17.30.270 D. Penalty of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code and Resolution Incorporating a Tier Based Penalty Fee Schedule. Location: City-Wide
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Find that the adoption of the 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; 2) Introduce Ordinance No. (Next-in-Order), 1st Reading, Amending Chapter 17.30 (Standards for Specific Land Uses) – Section 17.30.270 D. Penalty of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code; and 3) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Adopting a Tier-Based Schedule of Fines Regarding Violation of Short-Term Rental Regulations.
Pam Birky, Code Compliance Manager, presented the staff report.
The following individual provided public testimony: Brad Anderson.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/O’KEEFE TO: 1) FIND THAT THE ADOPTION OF THE 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; 2) INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 1225, 1ST READING, AMENDING CHAPTER 17.30 (STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC LAND USES) – SECTION 17.30.270 D. PENALTY OF THE RANCHO MIRAGE MUNICIPAL CODE; AND 3) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-30, ADOPTING A TIER-BASED SCHEDULE OF FINES REGARDING VIOLATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGULATIONS. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
6.B. Environmental Assessment Case No. EA25-0002 and Preliminary Development Plan Case No. PDP25-0002 - Rancho Mirage Affordable Apartments. Applicant: National Community Renaissance. Consideration of an Affordable Housing Development, Rancho Mirage Affordable Apartments, Consisting of 150 Units Distributed Across Seven (7) Two- and Three-Story Walk-up Buildings. Located South of Via Vail and East of Key Largo Avenue (APN: 685-090-016)
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Adopting and Approving the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and Mitigated Negative Declaration (SCH#2025050959) for the Proposed Project Based on Environmental Assessment Case No. EA25-0002; 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Approving Preliminary Development Plan Case No. PDP25-0002 Regarding the Proposed Rancho Mirage Affordable Apartments; and 3) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Approving a Development Impact Fee Deferral Agreement in Support of National Community Renaissance of California’s Development of Affordable Housing in the City of Rancho Mirage on Real Property Having Assessors Parcel Number 685-090-016, and Authorizing the City Manager to Take All Related Actions Necessary to Negotiate, Prepare, and Execute the Necessary Agreements and Other Documents Necessary to Effectuate the Same and Finding the Action Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
Majna Dukic, Director of Development Services, presented the staff report.
Taylor Libolt Varner, National CORE representative, provided an overview of the project and answered Council questions.
The following individuals provided public testimony: Brad Anderson and James Brownyard (Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce representative).
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/DOWNS TO: 1) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-31, ADOPTING AND APPROVING THE MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (SCH#2025050959) FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CASE NO. EA25-0002; 2) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-32, APPROVING PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN CASE NO. PDP25-0002 REGARDING THE PROPOSED RANCHO MIRAGE AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS; AND 3) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-33, APPROVING A DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE DEFERRAL AGREEMENT IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE OF CALIFORNIA’S DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE ON REAL PROPERTY HAVING ASSESSORS PARCEL NUMBER 685-090-016, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ALL RELATED ACTIONS NECESSARY TO NEGOTIATE, PREPARE, AND EXECUTE THE NECESSARY AGREEMENTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE SAME AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7. ACTION CALENDAR
7.A. Construction Agreement for Rancho Mirage Community Park Expansion
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Find the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Guidelines §15061(b)(3), §15304 (Class 4) and §15332 (Class 32); and 2) Approve a Construction Agreement with Asphalt Fabric, in an amount not to exceed $2,852,282.30, for the expansion of the Rancho Mirage Community Park (CP22-378).
Ryan Stendell, Assistant City Manager, presented the staff report.
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
MOVED/SECONDED BY O’KEEFE/MALLOTTO TO: 1) FIND THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO GUIDELINES §15061(B)(3), §15304 (CLASS 4) AND §15332 (CLASS 32); 2) CONSENT TO THE WITHDRAWAL OF BID FROM ASPHALT FABRIC & ENGINEERING, INC. AS COMPLYING WITH PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE SECTION 5103; AND 3) APPROVE A CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT WITH THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER UNIVERSAL CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,430,057.39 FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE RANCHO MIRAGE COMMUNITY PARK (CP22-378). FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN FY 25/26 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7.B. Riverside County Sheriff Services Contract Amendment
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the Third Amendment to the Agreement for Law Enforcement Services Between the City of Rancho Mirage and the County of Riverside.
Tyler Fowlkes, Senior Management Analyst, presented the staff report.
Sheriff's Lieutenant Chris Ternes described law enforcement efforts resulting in a significant decline in crime rates in the City of Rancho Mirage.
The following individuals provided public comments: Brad Anderson and Wally Melendez.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/FROMBERG EDELSTEIN TO APPROVE THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE AND THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7.C. Shop Local Rancho Mirage Gift Card Program Proposed Bonus Campaign for Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve implementation of a Shop Local Rancho Mirage Gift Card Bonus Program to coincide with Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage, July 24–August 17, 2025, utilizing a $25,000 bonus fund to provide a 50% match incentive on gift card purchases.
Gabe Codding, Director of Marketing, presented the staff report.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/FROMBERG EDELSTEIN TO APPROVE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SHOP LOCAL RANCHO MIRAGE GIFT CARD BONUS PROGRAM TO COINCIDE WITH TASTE OF SUMMER RANCHO MIRAGE, JULY 24–AUGUST 17, 2025, UTILIZING A $25,000 BONUS FUND TO PROVIDE A 50% MATCH INCENTIVE ON GIFT CARD PURCHASES. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7.D. Economic Development Shop Local Resort Partnership Program
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the implementation of an Economic Development Shop Local Resort Partnership Program and authorize the allocation of $65,000 to support occupancy incentives at Rancho Mirage resorts during the September–October 2025 shoulder season.
Gabe Codding, Director of Marketing, presented the staff report.
Mayor Weill recessed the meeting at 3:14 P.M. for a short break. He reconvened the meeting at 3:19 P.M.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY FROMBERG EDELSTEIN/O’KEEFE TO APPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SHOP LOCAL RESORT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE THE ALLOCATION OF $65,000 TO SUPPORT OCCUPANCY INCENTIVES AT RANCHO MIRAGE RESORTS DURING THE SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2025 SHOULDER SEASON. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
8. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals provided non-agenda public comments: Deborah Miller, Kimberly McKinny (Guide Dogs of the Desert representative), Brad Anderson, and Wally Melendez.
9. CLOSED SESSION
9.A. Closed Session Agenda
— 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957. Public Employee: City Clerk/Board Secretary.
— 2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR REGARDING UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEE Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957. City Representative: Colin D. Kirkpatrick, City Attorney. Unrepresented Employee: City Clerk/Board Secretary.
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, summarized the Closed Session Agenda, reporting that the City Council would meet 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 Clerk/Board Secretary, and to confer with the labor negotiator regarding one unrepresented employee item, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957, related to the City Clerk/Board Secretary.
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
9.B. Recess to Closed Session
Mayor Weill recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 3:44 P.M.
9.C. Reconvene Open Session
Mayor Weill reconvened the meeting at 5:00 P.M., with all members present.
9.D. Closed Session Announcements
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, announced that no reportable action was taken during Closed Session.
10. ACTION CALENDAR CONTINUED
10.A. Consider Approving Any Proposed Revisions to City Clerk/Board Secretary Employment Agreement
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, reported that before the Council was a proposed amendment to the City Clerk's employment contract, which increased her base salary to $148,500, raised her Health Savings Account to the IRS maximum, and aligned her holiday schedule with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the Rancho Mirage Employees' Association.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/DOWNS TO AMEND THE CITY CLERK’S EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT TO INCREASE HER BASE SALARY TO $148,500, RAISE HER HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT TO THE IRS MAXIMUM, AND ALIGN HER HOLIDAY SCHEDULE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) OF THE RANCHO MIRAGE EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Weill adjourned the meeting at 5:03 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council: 09/04/2025