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, November 6, 2025, 1:00 PM
MINUTES
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 City Council Members were present.
2. PRESENTATIONS
2.A. Performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Coachella Acappella
Coachella Acappella was introduced by Artistic Director Alan Scott and then performed "The Star-Spangled Banner."
2.B. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing Retired Teachers Week
Bettyann Sherrell, Legislation/GRC Chair of CalRTA Desert Roadrunners Division 43, introduced other retired teachers in attendance and accepted a proclamation from Mayor Weill honoring Retired Teachers Week.
3. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Council Member O'Keefe reflected on the memorial service honoring former Council Member G. Dana Hobart. He noted the return of the Rancho Mirage Certified Farmers Market and announced that the Riverside County Department of Animal Services would be offering free pet adoptions. He also spoke of the ongoing amphitheater programs presented by Desert Theatricals and noted that the City would be represented in the Palm Springs Pride Parade.
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein spoke regarding the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert's successful Halloween Fest.
Mayor Pro Tem Mallotto spoke regarding the Dia De Los Muertos celebration presented by the Rancho Mirage Community Cultural Commission. She commented on potential national cuts, how the City was being proactive, and provided examples of how cuts were already impacting residents. She also reminded the community that the Joslyn Center was an available resource.
Council Member Downs spoke regarding the City's conflict of interest procedures and also provided an update on the I-10 projects discussed at a recent Coachella Valley Association of Governments Transportation Committee meeting.
Mayor Weill commented on the memorial service held for former Council Member G. Dana Hobart. He also congratulated the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce and the City Marketing Department on a wonderful 2025 State of the City event, and highlighted the City's project development process.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS/REPORTS
None.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Isaiah Hagerman, City Manager, presented the Consent Calendar items.
Mayor Weill recessed the meeting for a short break at 1:35 p.m., following the vote on the Consent Calendar, and reconvened the meeting at 1:38 p.m.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/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. October 16, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the October 16, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
5.C. October 28, 2025, Special City Council Meeting Minutes
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the October 28, 2025, Special City Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
5.D. Rancho Mirage Traffic Safety Commission Appointment
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Appoint Mark Jacobs to serve on the Rancho Mirage Traffic Safety Commission for the remainder of the current term.
5.E. City Capital Project CP 14-313 - Congestion Mitigation and Sand Fence Installation
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Reject all bids received on August 28, 2025, related to City Capital Project CP 14-313, and direct staff to readvertise the project.
5.F. Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) Inflation Adjustment
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-(Next-in-Order), Implementing the Coachella Valley Association of Government’s (CVAG) Inflation Adjustment for the Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) Collected by the City of Rancho Mirage as Required by CVAG for Calendar Year 2026.
5.G. Extension of Completion Date for Parcel Map No. 38106 (Via Josefina)
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize an amendment to the Subdivision Improvement Agreement, which provides for the extension of the completion date for Parcel Map No. 38106 until November 6, 2026.
5.H. Quarterly Treasurer’s Report for the Quarter Ending September 30, 2025
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and File the September 30, 2025, Quarterly Treasurer’s Report.
5.I. Demands
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the demands as presented.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.A. Environmental Assessment Case No. EA23-0003, Variance Case No. VAR24-0002, and Tentative Tract Map Case No. TTM23-0001 (TTM 38636) – Applicant: Farhad Zomorodi. Consideration of a 9-Lot Residential Subdivision on 5.04 Gross Acres. The Project Requests Approval of a Variance to the Very Low Density Residential (R-L-2) Minimum Required Lot Size From 18,000 Sq. Ft. to 16,000 Sq. Ft. Located at 72094 Ginger Rogers Road (APN: 685-080-002)
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Approve the filing of a Mitigated Negative Declaration (SCH# 2025051428) based on Environmental Assessment Case No. EA23-0003; 2) Approve Variance Case No. VAR24-0002; and 3) Approve Tentative Tract Map Case No. TTM23-0001 (TTM 38636), subject to the Conditions of Approval, and based on the content and Findings in the staff report.
Joy Tsai, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
No public testimony was provided.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY MALLOTTO/DOWNS TO: 1) APPROVE THE FILING OF A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (SCH# 2025051428) BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CASE NO. EA23-0003; 2) APPROVE VARIANCE CASE NO. VAR24-0002; AND 3) APPROVE TENTATIVE TRACT MAP CASE NO. TTM23-0001 (TTM 38636), SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL, AND BASED ON THE CONTENT AND FINDINGS IN THE STAFF REPORT. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
6.B. Environmental Assessment Case No. EA24-0009, Minor Variance Case No. VAR24-0005, and Tentative Tract Map Case No. TTM24-0003 (TTM 38971) – Applicant: Phillip Fomotor. Consideration of a 16-Lot Residential Subdivision on 19.81 Gross Acres. The Project Requests Approval of a Minor Variance to the Residential Estate (R-E) Minimum Required Lot Size of 1 Acre to .98 Acre for Two Lots. Located North of the Intersection of Mirage Cove Drive and Peterson Road (APN’s: 689-090-003, 689-130-004, -005, -013, -014, -017, -018, & 689-140-022)
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Approve the filing of a Mitigated Negative Declaration (SCH# 2025070800) based on Environmental Assessment Case No. EA24-0009; 2) Approve Minor Variance Case No. VAR24-0005; and 3) Approve Tentative Tract Map Case No. TTM24-0003 (TTM 38971), subject to the Conditions of Approval, and based on the content and Findings in the staff report.
Majna Dukic, Director of Development Services, recommended that Item 6B be continued to the November 20, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, enabling staff to further consider comments received. She recommended that the City Council still hear the staff report and take public testimony.
Ben Torres, Planning Manager, presented the staff report.
Ryan Stendell, Assistant City Manager, spoke regarding streets in the project area.
The following individuals provided public testimony: Janeen Bahr, Vicki Petersen, Jack Swenson, Kay Williams, and Murray Bryant.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/MALLOTTO TO CONTINUE ITEM NO. 6B TO THE NOVEMBER 20, 2025, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7. ACTION CALENDAR
7.A. Revision of the Library & Observatory Collection Development Policy in Compliance with the California Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825)
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Introduce Ordinance No. (Next-in-Order), 1st Reading, Amending Section 9.30.072 (“Collection Development Policy”) of Chapter 9.30 (“Use of Library and Observatory”) of Division III ("Offenses Against Public Peace") of Title 9 ("Public Peace, Morals and Welfare") of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code.
Aaron Espinosa, Library Director, presented the staff report.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY FROMBERG EDELSTEIN/O’KEEFE TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 1226, 1ST READING, AMENDING SECTION 9.30.072 (“COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY”) OF CHAPTER 9.30 (“USE OF LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY”) OF DIVISION III ("OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE") OF TITLE 9 ("PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE") OF THE RANCHO MIRAGE MUNICIPAL CODE. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
8. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals provided non-agenda public comments: Wally Melendez, Kay Williams, and Susan Ragsdale.
9. CLOSED SESSION
9.A. Closed Session Agenda
— 1. 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, 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 2:36 P.M.
9.C. Reconvene Open Session
Mayor Weill reconvened the meeting at 3:38 P.M.
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 3:38 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council: 11/20/2025