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, May 21, 2026, 1:00 PM
MINUTES
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.
Mayor Mallotto acknowledged the recent devastating attacks at the Islamic Center of San Diego and extended her condolences to the impacted families.
2. PRESENTATIONS
2.A. Acknowledgement of Rancho Mirage High School 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein introduced Rancho Mirage High School (RMHS) Principal Brain Hendra, recognized outgoing Associated Student Body (ASB) President Olivia Aparicio, and welcomed incoming ASB President Kaedence Castillo.
Ms. Aparicio and Ms. Castillo commented on their roles as outgoing and incoming ASB Presidents.
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein recognized RMHS Class of 2026 Valedictorian Malachi Davis, and Salutatorian Carlos Garcia, and presented them with Certificates of Recognition.
2.B. Coachella Valley Community Association Institute Presentation
Executive Director Holly Smith and President Bruce Latta provided an overview of the Coachella Valley Community Association Institute.
2.C. CAL FIRE / Riverside County Fire Department Update
CAL FIRE Chief Cody Wright presented 2026 quarterly statistics and shared a related video.
3. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
Council Member Fromberg Edelstein her attendance at a recent Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) Public Safety Committee meeting regarding emerging community risks associated with the drug kratom. She noted the meeting was held at the Palm Springs Police Department and included a demonstration of drones and Flock technology used to support crime prevention efforts.
Council Member Weill reported his attendance at a recent Do the Right Thing (DTRT) award ceremony and recognized Rancho Mirage High School award recipient Diego Serna. He also reported attending the second Signature Speaker Series event hosted by the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce.
Council Member Downs read a letter from a Rancho Mirage resident commending the Farmers Market. He aslo spoke in support of the Do the Right Thing (DTRT) program.
Mayor Pro Tem O'Keefe commented on the quality of life in Rancho Mirage, the City’s history, and commended the efforts of the Historic Preservation Commission.
Mayor Mallotto spoke regarding the SunLine Transit Agency “Rides Reimagined” community survey, HOA community updates conducted alongside Council Member Fromberg Edelstein, and her attendance at the celebration of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians 150th anniversary.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS/REPORTS
None.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR (A-C)
Ryan Stendell, Assistant City Manager, presented the Consent Calendar items.
The following individual provided public comments: Brad Anderson.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/WEILL TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
5.A. May 7, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the May 7, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
5.B. Contracts
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the terms of the contracts as presented and authorize the City Manager to execute the subject contracts.
5.C. Demands
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the demands as presented.
6. ACTION CALENDAR
6.A. Rancho Mirage Amphitheater Master Plan
— RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Adopt the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater Master Plan establishing the framework for the future operation, programming, and strategic evolution of the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater; 2) Identify the Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory Foundation as the City’s preferred nonprofit implementation partner for future operating model transition planning; and 3) Direct staff to return to City Council with phased implementation recommendations consistent with the adopted Master Plan.
Gabe Codding, Director of Marketing, presented the staff report.
The following individuals provided public comments: Michael Harrington and Brad Anderson.
A discussion ensued.
MOVED/SECONDED BY DOWNS/O’KEEFE TO: 1) ADOPT THE RANCHO MIRAGE AMPHITHEATER MASTER PLAN ESTABLISHING THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE FUTURE OPERATION, PROGRAMMING, AND STRATEGIC EVOLUTION OF THE RANCHO MIRAGE AMPHITHEATER; 2) IDENTIFY THE RANCHO MIRAGE LIBRARY & OBSERVATORY FOUNDATION AS THE CITY’S PREFERRED NONPROFIT IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER FOR FUTURE OPERATING MODEL TRANSITION PLANNING; AND 3) DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN TO CITY COUNCIL WITH PHASED IMPLEMENTATION RECOMMENDATIONS CONSISTENT WITH THE ADOPTED MASTER PLAN. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
7. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals provided non-agenda public comments: Donald Zavodnik, Patrick Lowry, Wally Melendez, Brad Anderson, Susan Ragsdale, Wayne Avrashow, Steve Shuey, and Michael Harrington.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Mallotto adjourned the meeting at 2:38 P.M.
Date Approved by City Council: 06/04/2026