Mayor Weill
Mayor Pro Tem Mallotto
Council Member Downs
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein
Council Member O'Keefe
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, October 16, 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
Mayor Weill led the flag salute.
1.C. Roll Call: Downs, Fromberg Edelstein, O'Keefe, Mallotto, Weill
All members were present.
2. PRESENTATIONS
2.A. Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Business Update
Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Board Members Nicole Kent (Director of Sales & Marketing at The Ritz Carlton - Rancho Mirage) and Ken Chavez (Director of Community & Media Affairs at Sunnylands) provided a Chamber business update.
2.B. FIND Food Bank Update
Debbie Espinosa, FIND Food Bank President & CEO, provided an update on the food bank and answered questions posed by Council Members.
3. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Mayor Weill held a moment of silence in honor of the late G. Dana Hobart, former Rancho Mirage City Council Member. He then spoke of Mr. Hobart's numerous contributions to the City and surrounding community.
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein commented she was certain Mr. Hobart would appreciate such kind words regarding his legacy. She noted her attendance at the League of California Cities Annual Conference and commended Rancho Mirage City staff for being forward-thinking.
Council Member O'Keefe recognized the Public Works/Engineering team for repaving Highway 111, the Marketing team on the successful National Night Out event, Director of Development Services Majna Dukic for being named one of the "40 Under 40" by Palms Springs Life, Library Director Aaron Espinosa for being elected Treasurer of the California Library Association, and Multimedia Specialist Kai Beech for earning multiple accolades at the California Public Information Video Star Awards. Council Member O'Keefe also recognized the legendary G. Dana Hobart.
Council Member Downs recognized the contributions and dedication of G. Dana Hobart.
Mayor Pro Tem Mallotto spoke regarding SunLine Transit Agency's efforts toward service expansion and a change in fuel source. She also reflected on G. Dana Hobart's impact on her life, his concern for his fellow citizens, and his work on their behalf.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS/REPORTS
City Manager, Isaiah Hagerman, reported that he, along with the the following individuals, attended the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference: Assistant City Manager Ryan Stendell, Council Member Downs, Council Member Fromberg Edelstein, Council Member O'Keefe, and Mayor Pro Tem Mallotto. He also expressed his gratitude for the mentorship of G. Dana Hobart and shared related stories.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the Consent Calendar items.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/MALLOTTO TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
5.A. September 18, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the September 18, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
5.B. Final Tract Map No. 38990 - Cotino Town Center
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Final Tract Map No. 38990, subject to final review and approval by the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney.
5.C. Closure of Library and Observatory for the 2026 Rancho Mirage Writers Festival
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve closing the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory from Tuesday, January 20, 2026, through Saturday, February 7, 2026, for the 2026 Rancho Mirage Writers Festival.
5.D. Contracts
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the terms of the contracts as presented and authorize the City Manager to execute the subject contracts.
5.E. Demands
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the demands as presented.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.A. Annexation No. 199 to Community Facilities District No. 1 in Connection with Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 38844. Location: Northeast Corner of the Intersection of Bob Hope Drive and Gerald Ford Drive
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(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. 199), 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 6 eligible votes was received on October 16, 2025, and was in favor; therefore, votes cast in favor equal 100% of total votes cast.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/DOWNS TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-40, CALLING AN ELECTION ON LEVYING A SPECIAL TAX WITHIN THE AREA PROPOSED TO BE ANNEXED TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 1 (ANNEXATION NO. 199), 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.
6.B. Annexation No. 200 to Community Facilities District No. 1 in Connection with Tentative Tract Map No. TTM 38990. Location: Section 31 (Cotino) Approximately 650 Feet South from the Intersection of Monterey Avenue and Gerald Ford Drive, on the West Side of Monterey Avenue
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(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. 200), 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 73 eligible votes was received on October 6, 2025, and was in favor; therefore, votes cast in favor equal 100% of total votes
MOVED/SECONDED BY O’KEEFE/MALLOTTO TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-41, CALLING AN ELECTION ON LEVYING A SPECIAL TAX WITHIN THE AREA PROPOSED TO BE ANNEXED TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 1 (ANNEXATION NO. 200), 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. Annexation No. 202 to Community Facilities District No. 1 in Connection with Preliminary Development Plan Case No. PDP24-0002. Owner: Rancho Mirage Pacific Associates LP. Location: South of Via Vail, West of Monterey Avenue, and East of the Rancho Mirage Dog Park
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Declaring the City’s Intention to Annex Territory to Community Facilities District No. 1 and to Levy a Special Tax Therein for Additional Police and Fire Services, Preliminarily Approve a Map of the Area Proposed to be Annexed, and Schedule a Public Hearing to Consider the Annexation and the Levy of the Special Tax for Annexation No. 202.
Jacob De La Cruz, Financial Analyst, presented the staff report.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY FROMBERG EDELSTEIN/O’KEEFE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-42, DECLARING THE CITY’S INTENTION TO ANNEX TERRITORY TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 1 AND TO LEVY A SPECIAL TAX THEREIN FOR ADDITIONAL POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES, PRELIMINARILY APPROVE A MAP OF THE AREA PROPOSED TO BE ANNEXED, AND SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ANNEXATION AND THE LEVY OF THE SPECIAL TAX FOR ANNEXATION NO. 202. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7.B. Special Event Permit Case No. SE25-0027 – Fireworks Display at the Thunderbird County Club (70737 Country Club Drive) on November 8, 2025
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve a five-minute fireworks display at the Thunderbird Country Club on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 9:15 p.m.
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, announced that Council Member Fromberg Edelstein would recuse herself due to her primary residence being in Thunderbird Country Club. Council Member Fromberg Edelstein left the Council Chamber.
Lezlee Perez, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report.
The following individual provided public comments: Mark Bessman.
A discussion ensued.
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein returned to the Council Chamber following the vote for this item.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/DOWNS TO APPROVE A FIVE-MINUTE FIREWORKS DISPLAY AT THE THUNDERBIRD COUNTRY CLUB ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2025, AT 9:15 P.M. MOTION CARRIED 4/0 (RECUSED: FROMBERG EDELSTEIN).
7.C. Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Financial Summary and Year-End Budget Adjustments
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt the resolutions identified as Resolutions “1” through “4”, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budgets for each respective entity; 1) Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 City Budget; 2) Resolution No. 2025-CSD-(Next-in-Order), Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Community Services District Budget; 3) Resolution No. 2025-HA-(Next-in-Order), Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Housing Authority Budget; and 4) Resolution No. 2025-LB-(Next-in-Order), Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Library and Observatory Budget.
Joseph Carpenter, Assistant Director of Administrative Services, presented the staff report.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/DOWNS TO 1) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-43, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 CITY BUDGET; 2) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-CSD-02, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT BUDGET; 3) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-HA-03, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 HOUSING AUTHORITY BUDGET; AND 4) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-LB-02, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
8. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals provided non-agenda public comments: Susan Ragsdale, Wally Melendez, and Ernie Demba.
9. CLOSED SESSION
9.A. Closed Session Agenda
— CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). Case name unspecified since disclosure may jeopardize existing settlement negotiations.
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, shared a fond memory of G. Dana Hobart. He then announced that the City Council would recess to Closed Session to confer with legal counsel regarding one existing litigation item, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), noting the case name was unspecified since disclosure may jeopardize existing settlement negotiations.
9.B. Recess to Closed Session
Mayor Weill recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 2:48 P.M.
9.C. Reconvene Open Session
Mayor Weill reconvened the meeting at 3:45 P.M., with all members present.
9.D. Closed Session Announcements
Colin Kirkpatrick, City Attorney, reported that no reportable action was taken during Closed Session.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Weill adjourned the meeting at 3:45 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council: 11/06/2025