Rancho Mirage City Council Meeting, December 04, 2025

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AI transcript text.

[00:00:11] Good afternoon.
[00:00:13] >> It would help if I had my microphone on.
[00:00:15] How is everybody today? Welcome to the
[00:00:17] Thursday, December 4th regular meeting
[00:00:20] of the Ranch City Council and Community
[00:00:22] Services District, Energy Authority,
[00:00:25] Housing Authority, Joint Powers Finance
[00:00:28] Authority, Library and Observatory, and
[00:00:31] Redevelopment Successor Agency boards.
[00:00:35] Madame Clerk, I'm sorry, I'm going to go
[00:00:38] right to the flag salute. I'm going to
[00:00:40] ask the mayor prom to please
[00:00:43] say the pledge.
[00:00:47] Please join me in saluting the flag
[00:00:50] to the flag of the United States of
[00:00:53] America and to the republic for which it
[00:00:55] stands. One nation under God,
[00:00:58] indivisible with liberty and justice for
[00:01:01] all.
[00:01:06] >> Thank you. Now, madame clerk, would you
[00:01:08] do roll call?
[00:01:09] >> Council member DS,
[00:01:10] >> I'm here.
[00:01:11] >> Council member Framberg Edelstein,
[00:01:12] >> here. Council member Wy while
[00:01:14] >> Mayor Prom O'Keefe
[00:01:16] >> here.
[00:01:16] >> Mayor Molatto
[00:01:18] >> here.
[00:01:20] >> Council member comments and reports.
[00:01:22] I'll start to my left with council
[00:01:24] member uh Eve Froberg Edelstein.
[00:01:27] >> No comments today, Madame Mayor. Thank
[00:01:30] you, Council Member Why.
[00:01:33] >> Thank you, Mayor.
[00:01:34] [clears throat]
[00:01:36] I hope everyone had a safe, restful, and
[00:01:38] joyful Thanksgiving holiday spent with
[00:01:42] friends, family, and loved ones.
[00:01:46] This time of the year naturally
[00:01:47] encourages reflection, gratitude, and
[00:01:51] community.
[00:01:53] And I am continually reminded of how
[00:01:55] fortunate we are to live in such an
[00:01:58] extraordinary city.
[00:02:00] Rancher Mirage is truly a special place.
[00:02:04] Our beautiful weather, breathtaking
[00:02:06] surroundings, and welcoming
[00:02:08] neighborhoods create an environment that
[00:02:11] is both peaceful and inspiring.
[00:02:15] Former council member Alan Seaman,
[00:02:18] who contributed greatly to our heritage,
[00:02:23] often referred to Rancher Mirage as
[00:02:25] Shanganger, a tranquil utopia.
[00:02:30] That description has stayed with many of
[00:02:32] us because it captures the essence of
[00:02:35] what our city represents.
[00:02:38] A serene, well-kept community where
[00:02:42] residents can thrive and enjoy an
[00:02:45] exceptional quality of life.
[00:02:48] This sense of tranquility doesn't happen
[00:02:50] by accident. It is the product of
[00:02:53] thoughtful planning, dedicated
[00:02:56] leadership, and the ongoing engagement
[00:02:59] of our residents.
[00:03:02] We continue to experience meaningful and
[00:03:05] exciting growth, all while maintaining
[00:03:09] strong financial stability.
[00:03:13] Our commitment to responsible
[00:03:15] development ensures that we expand,
[00:03:19] we preserve the character and charm that
[00:03:22] define Rancho Mirage.
[00:03:25] Whether it is new business, enhanced
[00:03:27] services, or improvements to public
[00:03:30] spaces,
[00:03:32] our progress reflects a shared vision
[00:03:36] for a vibrant and sustainable future.
[00:03:40] As we enter the holiday season, I want
[00:03:43] to take a moment to emphasize safety and
[00:03:47] community care.
[00:03:49] The holidays bring civ celebration,
[00:03:53] travel, and gatherings
[00:03:55] and wonderful traditions,
[00:03:57] but safety should always remain a
[00:04:00] priority.
[00:04:02] Please feel please be mindful on the
[00:04:04] roads. Celebrate responsibly
[00:04:08] and look out for friends, neighbors, and
[00:04:11] visitors.
[00:04:13] Our sense of community is one of our
[00:04:15] greatest strengths, and it shines
[00:04:18] brightest when we support one another.
[00:04:22] I hope this season brings each of you
[00:04:24] peace, joy, and meaningful moments with
[00:04:28] those you love.
[00:04:30] Thank you for contributing to the spirit
[00:04:32] of Rancho Mirage
[00:04:35] and for helping make our city the
[00:04:37] remarkable place it is. Wishing everyone
[00:04:41] a warm and happy holiday season. Thank
[00:04:45] you, Mayor.
[00:04:46] >> Thank you, Council Member while Council
[00:04:48] Member DS.
[00:04:52] >> Thank you, Madame Mayor. So, I have
[00:04:53] comments about the holidays as well. The
[00:04:55] uh the holiday season starts in November
[00:04:57] by giving thanks for the bounty that we
[00:04:59] all enjoy. Season continues into
[00:05:01] December with joyous holiday
[00:05:02] celebrations with family and friends.
[00:05:04] And we end the season uh in a few weeks
[00:05:06] with anticipation for the promise of a
[00:05:08] new year. The city of Rancher Mirage
[00:05:10] through our cultural commission presents
[00:05:11] a holiday gift for our residents, the
[00:05:13] home for the holiday concert at our
[00:05:15] amphitheater. There [snorts] is truly no
[00:05:17] place like home for the holidays. And on
[00:05:19] Saturday the 13th, the city and our
[00:05:21] cultural commission invite everyone to
[00:05:24] celebrate the season in festive style at
[00:05:26] our amphitheater. It's a wonderful
[00:05:28] celebration of the season and the
[00:05:30] tickets are free to the public as are
[00:05:32] most tickets to our uh our events at the
[00:05:34] amphitheater. The doors open at 6 p.m.
[00:05:37] The concerts will start at 7:00. And
[00:05:38] while the tickets are free, um they will
[00:05:41] go fast. So it's good to uh to sign up
[00:05:43] for tickets as soon as you can if you
[00:05:44] wish to go. So, uh, happy holidays and
[00:05:47] the best, uh, of, uh, the best for the
[00:05:49] new year to everyone here at city hall,
[00:05:50] to all of you here in the chamber, to
[00:05:52] everyone watching, and to you, Madame
[00:05:54] Mayor, uh, in your second meeting
[00:05:56] chairing our, uh, chairing our our
[00:05:58] council as mayor, the happiest of
[00:06:00] holidays to you and your family, and we
[00:06:02] all look forward to working with you and
[00:06:04] making your year-long season as mayor
[00:06:06] the best it can be. Happy holidays,
[00:06:08] everybody.
[00:06:09] >> Thank you very, very much. I will need
[00:06:12] those good wishes.
[00:06:14] Mayor Prom O'Keefe.
[00:06:17] >> Uh thank you, Madam Mayor. Good
[00:06:18] afternoon, everyone. Uh for most of us,
[00:06:20] this is a great time of year where
[00:06:22] there's activities and family and food
[00:06:24] and a lot to do. Uh but for many others
[00:06:27] in our community, this is a bad time of
[00:06:29] year. Uh some folks are food insecure,
[00:06:33] healthc care insecure, and housing
[00:06:35] insecure.
[00:06:37] And sometimes when we think about
[00:06:39] homeless people, I think we can use we
[00:06:42] sometimes use a broad brush and
[00:06:44] characterize them as people who have
[00:06:46] substance abuse problems or mental
[00:06:48] health problems and sort of dismiss
[00:06:51] them. Um, I represent our city on the
[00:06:54] CEAG homelessness commission and I
[00:06:57] wanted to learn more about the how the
[00:07:01] program works and how authorities help
[00:07:04] these folks. So two weeks ago I went on
[00:07:06] a ride along with a field trip to see
[00:07:10] firsthand how this program actually
[00:07:11] works and I learned quite a bit. It's
[00:07:14] one thing to see data and statistics
[00:07:17] about homeless individuals. It's quite
[00:07:20] another thing to meet them and talk to
[00:07:22] them and hear their stories. Uh just
[00:07:25] like you and me, uh each has an
[00:07:27] individual story to tell and they're not
[00:07:30] all the same. Uh for example, I met a
[00:07:33] 72year-old man who for years had owned
[00:07:36] his own company and then he had a stroke
[00:07:39] and was hospitalized for over a month.
[00:07:43] Uh during that time he lost his ability
[00:07:45] to work, he lost his company, eventually
[00:07:48] lost his income, lost his home and he
[00:07:52] was living in his car when uh the
[00:07:57] housing first uh folks identified him as
[00:08:00] someone who might benefit from the
[00:08:02] program. He's not a drug addict, but had
[00:08:06] a s unfortunate set of circumstances
[00:08:08] that led to his situation.
[00:08:11] There was also a young couple who had
[00:08:13] always struggled to make their ends meet
[00:08:15] and their luck finally ran out. Uh he
[00:08:18] has a learning disability. Uh she had
[00:08:21] developed a problem with substance abuse
[00:08:24] and eventually they became homeless. Uh
[00:08:27] she's now in a rehab facility and he is
[00:08:29] an apartment provided by the housing
[00:08:31] first program that allows him to get job
[00:08:34] training and to work to try to unite
[00:08:37] with his family. So, this outreach team
[00:08:40] works with code enforcement and officers
[00:08:43] and before they go to an encampment, uh
[00:08:46] they meet with everyone that's living in
[00:08:48] that encampment, offer them resources
[00:08:50] and explain what their options are. Uh
[00:08:54] this housing first team uh rents
[00:08:57] apartments and hotel rooms for their
[00:08:58] clients and since 2021, they've
[00:09:01] permanently housed more than 269
[00:09:04] Coachella Valley residents. um each year
[00:09:07] they place approximately
[00:09:09] 25% on the list of their homelessness
[00:09:12] census list. Now in Rancher Mirage we
[00:09:16] have a very low census of unhoused
[00:09:18] people. Uh there were four in 2025 and
[00:09:22] one of them has been permanently housed
[00:09:24] and the other two of others are on
[00:09:27] pending permanent housing status. But
[00:09:30] this is a regional issue that cannot be
[00:09:32] addressed by just one city. So my
[00:09:36] message today is I wish all of you a
[00:09:39] very happy holiday season, but I hope
[00:09:41] that you'll take time to remember these
[00:09:43] folks who are disadvantaged or just fell
[00:09:47] on hard times. Uh many people are only
[00:09:51] one or two paychecks away from food
[00:09:54] insecurity, housing insecurity,
[00:09:56] healthcare insecurity.
[00:09:58] There are many charities in our valley
[00:10:00] that help these folks. I don't want to
[00:10:03] play favorites, so I'm not going to
[00:10:04] mention the charities, but please find
[00:10:06] one and if if you're able, help those
[00:10:09] people during this time of year so that
[00:10:10] we can all have an enjoyable holiday
[00:10:12] season. Thank you, Madame Mayor.
[00:10:14] >> Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Prom
[00:10:17] O'Keeffe. And and you you you bring up
[00:10:19] some very realistic comments and and
[00:10:22] situations with people um that have
[00:10:25] fallen on hard times. And in addition to
[00:10:27] that,
[00:10:29] we're aware of uh working families that
[00:10:34] are homeless. The people didn't lose
[00:10:36] their jobs. It just the cost of rent has
[00:10:39] escalated. So, for instance, Coachella
[00:10:41] Valley Rescue Mission H uh hosts several
[00:10:45] mothers with children. Those mothers are
[00:10:48] working full-time. So, it's not just a
[00:10:51] categorical or stereotypical.
[00:10:55] um the person is a drug addict or has
[00:10:57] mental problems. These are a lot of the
[00:11:00] working poor that need a roof over their
[00:11:02] head. So, thank you very much for those
[00:11:05] comments. Um, one of the outside
[00:11:07] agencies that I sit on is the Sunline uh
[00:11:11] transit and we all know that our valley
[00:11:15] has grown exponentially over u the last
[00:11:18] few years especially during the COVID
[00:11:20] years.
[00:11:22] there the organization does a
[00:11:24] comprehensive oper operational analysis
[00:11:27] every six years and that time has come
[00:11:30] to find and determine uh what gaps are
[00:11:34] existing they are familiar with certain
[00:11:37] gaps that are existing now for instance
[00:11:40] like there's no bus route from date palm
[00:11:42] drive uh down um Gerald Ford that can
[00:11:46] bring people from one city to the next
[00:11:50] there's a there's a few areas here just
[00:11:52] specifically in rancher mirage that
[00:11:54] they've identified
[00:11:56] but this is going to be a regional
[00:11:59] analysis.
[00:12:00] Why is this is why is this important
[00:12:03] especially to rancher mirage as we
[00:12:04] embark in our affordable housing uh
[00:12:08] developments? Sunline will play a
[00:12:10] pivotal role um in helping the working
[00:12:14] people get to their jobs um for seniors
[00:12:18] to get where they need to go. uh our
[00:12:20] veterans, students, so that they Sunline
[00:12:24] will develop a route that will be
[00:12:27] involving those affordable housing
[00:12:29] developments and it helps transport
[00:12:31] people getting back and forth where they
[00:12:33] need to be. This is a process that would
[00:12:35] could take up to 15 months. Why does it
[00:12:38] take so long? because they're going to
[00:12:41] be engaging the public um as soon as we
[00:12:44] have the date certain and they're
[00:12:47] anticipating to begin the process of
[00:12:50] this comprehensive operational analysis
[00:12:53] within the next 12 10 to 12 days.
[00:12:56] Sunline will be promoting this and
[00:12:59] inviting the public to participate to
[00:13:02] help identify those gaps and you can be
[00:13:04] part of the process. As soon as we have
[00:13:07] that information, our marketing
[00:13:09] department will be able to post it not
[00:13:11] only on our website, but we'll bring the
[00:13:13] information to you in the council
[00:13:15] meetings that are coming ahead and also
[00:13:17] it will be posted on Sunline's um
[00:13:20] website.
[00:13:22] With that, um I'll move on to the next
[00:13:24] item. Item number three, city manager
[00:13:27] comments.
[00:13:28] >> Uh none today, Madame Mayor.
[00:13:30] >> Thank you. Uh item number four, consent
[00:13:33] calendar. I'm going to ask our city
[00:13:35] manager, Isaiah Haggererman, to uh
[00:13:37] review the consent calendar.
[00:13:40] >> The city council has seven items on its
[00:13:42] consent calendar for consideration.
[00:13:44] [snorts] Items uh 4 A through 4G. Uh
[00:13:47] item 4 A is to wave the full reading of
[00:13:50] any ordinance introduced or adopted
[00:13:52] pursuant to this agenda. Item 4 B is the
[00:13:55] November 20th, 2025 regular city council
[00:13:58] meeting minutes. Item 4 C is to uh
[00:14:03] receive and file the annual and 5-year
[00:14:06] development impact fee report. Item 4 D
[00:14:09] is to receive and file the annual
[00:14:12] comprehensive financial report for the
[00:14:14] year ended June 30th, 2025 and other
[00:14:18] related audit reports. Item 4E is to
[00:14:21] adopt a resolution uh 2025-SA
[00:14:26] next in order that approves the
[00:14:28] recognized obligation payment schedules
[00:14:31] and the administrative budget for fiscal
[00:14:33] year 2026 2027 pursuant to AB26x1
[00:14:39] and AB1484.
[00:14:41] Item 4F are to approve the contracts and
[00:14:44] 4G is to approve the demands. Before we
[00:14:47] go to uh the city council for any
[00:14:49] comments or questions, I'll ask the city
[00:14:50] clerk to take public comment on the
[00:14:52] consent calendar.
[00:14:53] >> Thank you. I did not receive any speaker
[00:14:54] cards. Is there anyone in the audience
[00:14:56] who would like to speak on something
[00:14:57] that is on the consent calendar?
[00:14:59] >> No speakers.
[00:15:01] >> Thank you. Do any of my council
[00:15:04] colleagues have uh any questions or
[00:15:06] discussion with regards to the consent
[00:15:08] calendar?
[00:15:09] >> I'll move to approve the consent
[00:15:11] calendar. Second.
[00:15:13] >> Please vote.
[00:15:20] Motion carries 5-0.
[00:15:23] Terrific.
[00:15:25] Next item, public hearings
[00:15:27] 5A, continued from 11:20, 2025, city
[00:15:31] council meeting, environmental
[00:15:33] assessment case number EA24-00009,
[00:15:37] minor variance case number VA 24-00005
[00:15:43] and tenative track map case number
[00:15:45] TTM24-00003,
[00:15:51] TTM 38971.
[00:15:53] The applicant is Philip Vomoder and this
[00:15:57] is consideration of a 16 lot residential
[00:16:00] subdivision on 19.81 gross acres. The
[00:16:04] project requests approval of a minor
[00:16:06] variance to the residential estate.
[00:16:09] Minimum required lot size located north
[00:16:12] of intersection Mirage Cove Drive and
[00:16:14] Peterson Road.
[00:16:17] Ben Torres will be reporting on this,
[00:16:19] our planning manager. Uh good afternoon,
[00:16:21] mayor and city council members. Uh we'll
[00:16:23] give it a second for the presentation to
[00:16:25] pull up here. Um the 19.81
[00:16:28] acre project site currently consists of
[00:16:30] eight parcels and is located north from
[00:16:32] the intersection of Mirage Cove Drive
[00:16:34] and Peterson Road as shown here on the
[00:16:36] screen.
[00:16:38] Uh this item was first presented to the
[00:16:40] city council on November 6, 2025. And
[00:16:43] the following are highlights of the
[00:16:44] changes made to the project based on uh
[00:16:47] public comments received. Uh firstly,
[00:16:49] Peterson Road, Neielson Road, and Mirage
[00:16:52] Cove Drive east of Peterson Road will be
[00:16:54] classified from public to private
[00:16:56] streets. Uh the previously proposed 46
[00:16:59] foot wide ride ofway south of lot 7 has
[00:17:02] been reduced to 15 ft for trail purposes
[00:17:04] only. Uh all prior conditions related to
[00:17:08] curb and gutter have been removed for
[00:17:09] the proposed private streets. Uh
[00:17:12] condition of approval number 28 ensures
[00:17:14] that access to the Butler Abrams Trail
[00:17:16] is provided and that uh trails shown on
[00:17:19] the map are maintained by the formed
[00:17:20] association.
[00:17:22] Uh condition of approval number 29 has
[00:17:24] been added for existing public rightway
[00:17:27] and provides a mechanism for additional
[00:17:28] parcels and roadway sections to be
[00:17:30] annexed that are not part of the
[00:17:32] tenative track map. And lastly,
[00:17:34] condition of approval number 53 ensures
[00:17:37] that covenants, conditions, and
[00:17:38] restrictions are established for the
[00:17:40] maintenance of all private streets and
[00:17:41] common areas.
[00:17:43] Um, the existing uh general plan and
[00:17:46] zoning designation of the project site
[00:17:47] is residential estate. Access to the
[00:17:50] proposed parcels will be from Peterson
[00:17:52] Road. The proposed project will
[00:17:54] subdivide the site into 16 single family
[00:17:56] residential lots.
[00:17:59] Um the two um yellow parcels u are part
[00:18:02] of the minor variance request. Uh the
[00:18:04] proposed single family residential
[00:18:06] parcels will range in size from.97 acres
[00:18:08] to 1.55 acres. On screen is the first
[00:18:12] phase of the subdivision. Uh the
[00:18:14] proposed subdivision complies with the
[00:18:15] city's development standards pertaining
[00:18:17] to minimum lot size, density, and
[00:18:19] dimensions for the residential estate
[00:18:21] zone with the proposed minor variance.
[00:18:23] and no single family residence
[00:18:25] architectural plans or landscape plans
[00:18:27] are currently proposed as part of this
[00:18:29] project.
[00:18:31] Uh the second phase of the project which
[00:18:33] is the northern half of the site will
[00:18:35] involve the subdivision and development
[00:18:36] of the remaining parcels shown here.
[00:18:40] A mitigated negative declaration based
[00:18:42] on environmental assessment case number
[00:18:44] EA24-003
[00:18:47] was prepared and mitigation measures
[00:18:49] were recommended for biological
[00:18:50] resources and tribal cultural resources.
[00:18:53] And with that, um, staff recommends that
[00:18:56] the city council one approve the filing
[00:18:58] of a mitigate a negative declaration.
[00:19:01] Um, state clearing house number
[00:19:02] 202570800
[00:19:05] based on environmental assessment case
[00:19:07] number EA24-00009.
[00:19:10] Two, approved minor variance case number
[00:19:13] V um 24-005.
[00:19:17] and three, approved tenative trackmap
[00:19:19] case number TTM24-00003
[00:19:23] subject to the conditions of approval
[00:19:24] and based on the content and findings in
[00:19:26] the staff report. That concludes staff's
[00:19:27] presentation and staff and the applicant
[00:19:30] are available to answer any questions.
[00:19:31] Thank you.
[00:19:39] >> Certainly. First speaker is Marie
[00:19:41] Bryant.
[00:19:51] Vicky Peterson.
[00:20:05] Good afternoon. Welcome to city council
[00:20:07] and all. And boy am I happy today.
[00:20:10] [laughter]
[00:20:11] Thank you so much for listening to us.
[00:20:14] Um,
[00:20:15] we absolutely agree to the proposed
[00:20:18] variance. We absolutely degree agree to
[00:20:21] what Ben just spoke about. And um, I
[00:20:25] just want to reiterate that, you know,
[00:20:27] the main objective that we um, wanted to
[00:20:30] keep with was the quietness of the roads
[00:20:32] less traveled, freedom of horseback
[00:20:34] riding, walking, bicycling throughout
[00:20:36] our neighborhood and through Butler
[00:20:37] Abrams Trail. The atmosphere is that of
[00:20:40] living in the country. We're three
[00:20:41] blocks away to the city. It's a very
[00:20:43] beautiful and unique community and
[00:20:46] thanks to you for listening to us and um
[00:20:51] it's just it's just great to be a part
[00:20:54] of Rancho Mirage. It really is. Um I
[00:20:58] hope we can be a part of the next um
[00:21:00] Ranch of Mirage coffee table book. Um
[00:21:03] stories of the Sinatras, the Butlers,
[00:21:05] the Neielsons, and other pioneer
[00:21:07] families who came before us. Um, we're
[00:21:11] so grateful
[00:21:13] um as long as you vote yes
[00:21:17] [laughter]
[00:21:21] [gasps]
[00:21:22] that um we're not going to have roads
[00:21:23] going through our community because it
[00:21:25] really would have changed the entire
[00:21:26] atmosphere of all of it. And um we just
[00:21:30] we just love it and and um welcome
[00:21:32] everything that was said today. And I
[00:21:35] just want to thank you.
[00:21:37] >> That's it.
[00:21:38] >> Thank you.
[00:21:42] Janine Bar.
[00:21:56] >> Hi. I want to thank you guys very much.
[00:21:59] We are 100% behind this as it's
[00:22:03] presented today. We want to thank Ben
[00:22:06] and Ryan and Mina for um working with us
[00:22:11] and talking to us numerous times. I know
[00:22:14] we were probably a pain and anyway, we
[00:22:17] really appreciate it and I look forward
[00:22:19] to seeing the custom homes that are
[00:22:21] going to go in. I've lived in a
[00:22:23] neighborhood where Mario Gonzalez has
[00:22:25] built and he does beautiful work. So, I
[00:22:27] look forward to that. And um yesterday
[00:22:30] was my 72nd birthday. So, I would like
[00:22:34] to think that a yes vote today would be
[00:22:36] the best birthday present I could have.
[00:22:38] Thank you.
[00:22:39] >> No pressure, [laughter]
[00:22:42] >> Jack Swintson.
[00:22:47] >> That's right. Happy birthday,
[00:22:50] >> Mayor City Council. Um Jack Swson, 38590
[00:22:54] Peterson Road. Uh again, I also agree
[00:22:57] that this is a good plan and my wife and
[00:23:00] I uh approve of what you're doing. Um
[00:23:04] I'll just add one thing and that is I'd
[00:23:07] like to make sure those tamaris trees
[00:23:09] come down and we get a clean um cleanup
[00:23:12] of the general area and uh but the rest
[00:23:15] of it looks good to us and we appreciate
[00:23:18] your time.
[00:23:19] >> Thank you. and Murray Bryant.
[00:23:33] [clears throat]
[00:23:43] George
[00:24:04] Is my time up already?
[00:24:06] >> [laughter]
[00:24:13] >> My name is Murray Bryant. Uh, for public
[00:24:17] disclosure, I am a city of Rancho Mirage
[00:24:20] planning [snorts] commissioner. However,
[00:24:22] I am speaking here today as a private
[00:24:24] citizen and resident of the Peterson
[00:24:28] Road area subdivision. Um in fact uh my
[00:24:33] western property line shares a property
[00:24:35] line with the first five and acre five
[00:24:37] and acre parcel. Um welcome uh Men
[00:24:42] Mulatto as mayor and Michael O'Keefe is
[00:24:47] mayor prom. Uh at the November 20th
[00:24:52] council meeting there was a changing of
[00:24:54] the guard and passing of of the baton.
[00:24:58] Uh so uh in a moment I'm going to make a
[00:25:02] comment about what councilman down said
[00:25:06] about it but first I'm going to jettison
[00:25:08] a lot of things. I was going to say uh
[00:25:12] Mayor Pro Tim O'Keefe I was touched by
[00:25:14] what you said [clears throat] and it's
[00:25:17] true that uh so many people have needs
[00:25:20] and I just want to
[00:25:23] George my helper
[00:25:26] uh he has an extended family of about 30
[00:25:28] people and every Thanksgiving I gave him
[00:25:31] money to his mother and they have about
[00:25:34] 30 of them and they prepare Thanksgiving
[00:25:37] meals. They did about 150 and then they
[00:25:40] go out and find homeless people under
[00:25:42] the uh uh overpasses and everything else
[00:25:47] and take full Thanksgiving meals to
[00:25:49] about 150 people. And so it reminds me
[00:25:52] of uh what Mother Teresa said, if you
[00:25:55] can't feed a hundred, feed one. And that
[00:25:58] means that every person, no matter what
[00:26:00] your circumstances are, you can do
[00:26:03] something for someone. And that is
[00:26:06] really what life is about. Um so thank
[00:26:10] you for saying that. That was very
[00:26:12] touching. Uh and it it's so true. Uh uh
[00:26:16] we have so much uh and we have so much
[00:26:19] to be thankful for, but so many people
[00:26:22] don't and uh everybody needs to do
[00:26:25] something to help others. Uh also at the
[00:26:28] uh November the 20th city council
[00:26:30] meeting uh council member DS gave a
[00:26:33] brief explanation of how the city of
[00:26:35] Rancho Mirage government works uh which
[00:26:38] is relevant to today's agenda and that's
[00:26:40] why I'm bringing it up. Uh and I I went
[00:26:43] back and listened uh to the video and
[00:26:47] one of the points was the city council
[00:26:49] members are elected at large not by
[00:26:51] district. the mayor and mayor pro Tim
[00:26:54] rotate they're not elected and also a
[00:26:57] very articulate explanation of why this
[00:26:59] works well for the city of Rancho Mirage
[00:27:02] not saying it works for every city but I
[00:27:05] do want to quote one of the things that
[00:27:07] uh uh Councilman DS you said I hope I
[00:27:11] got it right we do not have districts in
[00:27:13] the city every one of us on this day is
[00:27:16] is responsible for every square foot of
[00:27:19] the city and my take on that is that the
[00:27:23] shared responsibility
[00:27:25] is why the council decisions are not
[00:27:27] made in a vacuum. They have cumulative
[00:27:30] long-term impacts like this subdivision
[00:27:33] for instance.
[00:27:35] Um, another thing I want to point out is
[00:27:37] the planning department uh I believe
[00:27:41] this so far this year uh they prepared
[00:27:44] something north of 7,000 pages of
[00:27:47] information for the various uh hearings
[00:27:50] and and council meetings. Uh the
[00:27:52] planning department has to juggle
[00:27:54] federal, state, local ordinances,
[00:27:56] regulations as well as have sensitivity
[00:27:59] and common sense. and the city council
[00:28:03] continued this item for two times to
[00:28:06] give the planning department staff the
[00:28:08] time to consider all the many things as
[00:28:11] well as uh the recommendations and and
[00:28:14] uh to hear uh the the u the city. So,
[00:28:19] uh, it has been said enough about all of
[00:28:23] the issues, the recommendations. So, I'm
[00:28:25] going to skip over that and, uh, turn
[00:28:29] to, uh, Councilman While. Uh, something
[00:28:33] that you said about how unique the city
[00:28:37] of Rancho Mirage is and all that and it
[00:28:40] is really true. Uh, there are many
[00:28:42] characteristics that make that what I
[00:28:44] call the soul of the city. Eisenhower,
[00:28:47] Sunnylands Library, Observer Authority,
[00:28:49] Children's Discovery Museum, Porcupine
[00:28:51] Creek, uh, Cotino, and also the Butler
[00:28:55] Aman's equestrian and walking trail. So,
[00:28:59] uh, the neighborhood before you, uh,
[00:29:01] today is a unique place and, uh, the
[00:29:06] city council has the opportunity to
[00:29:08] preserve its history and secure its
[00:29:10] future as a unique place. And the last
[00:29:14] thing point, many times neighbors are at
[00:29:18] odds with a developer and there's a
[00:29:20] fight. They don't want things. This is
[00:29:22] one of those times when the uh the
[00:29:25] neighborhood and the developer, our
[00:29:28] interest and desires are aligned. Um and
[00:29:32] uh so again, we all support it and we
[00:29:35] look forward hopefully to a uh positive
[00:29:38] decision on this. Thank you. How did I
[00:29:41] do? You want to tie?
[00:29:43] >> Fine. [laughter]
[00:29:44] >> You're fine.
[00:29:45] >> Okay. All right. All right.
[00:29:47] >> Should be noted that a couple of the
[00:29:49] residents gave their time to Mr. Bryant.
[00:29:51] They know he's very detailed and
[00:29:53] methodical
[00:29:55] >> and we appreciate that. Is there are
[00:29:57] there any uh council uh comments?
[00:30:00] >> Really quickly, sorry. Is there anyone
[00:30:02] else who would like to speak on this
[00:30:03] item?
[00:30:05] >> Okay. No further speakers. Thank you.
[00:30:06] >> I'm sorry, Madam Clerk. I'm still
[00:30:07] learning my job.
[00:30:10] Now, are there any council comments?
[00:30:13] >> I do.
[00:30:15] >> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, I grew up
[00:30:17] on a farm with horses. Uh, so some of my
[00:30:22] fondest memories are about my father and
[00:30:25] me grooming, feeding, and riding those
[00:30:28] horses. And this was many years ago. But
[00:30:30] I absolutely empathize uh with you who
[00:30:34] want to protect that environment uh that
[00:30:36] you cherish. Um especially considering
[00:30:39] where it is. I mean the days of living
[00:30:42] in a village where Frank Sinatra keeps
[00:30:44] his horses and takes them out that you
[00:30:46] know those those days are vanished. We
[00:30:48] now have a vibrant city that doesn't
[00:30:50] have all that rural charm and yet you do
[00:30:53] in this neighborhood.
[00:30:55] I also realize that we need more housing
[00:30:57] in our community. Uh, so I hope that
[00:31:00] this revised proposal, it sounds like it
[00:31:03] is to everyone, a good compromise that
[00:31:05] will protect the historical nature of
[00:31:07] your neighborhood while also developing
[00:31:10] some prized real estate for much needed
[00:31:12] housing. So I will be voting yes.
[00:31:17] >> Thank you, Madam.
[00:31:18] >> You're welcome.
[00:31:20] >> Yes, madam. Thank you. So, um, this is
[00:31:23] just a remarkable example of local
[00:31:25] government in action. So, uh, as, uh,
[00:31:28] Murray mentioned a few minutes ago, this
[00:31:30] this has been, um, um, continued twice,
[00:31:33] uh, from a couple of previous council
[00:31:35] meetings, and it was clear at the, uh,
[00:31:37] when it originally came to us, and many
[00:31:39] of you spoke, uh, that, uh, we needed to
[00:31:42] address this, uh, a little bit more to
[00:31:44] make sure that, uh, the end result, uh,
[00:31:46] was something that worked for your
[00:31:48] community. um and and something that
[00:31:51] helps you to maintain the lifestyle and
[00:31:54] the quality uh of uh that that you enjoy
[00:31:56] in your community. By the way, Marie, I
[00:31:58] did take a look at some of the
[00:31:59] attachments to the uh staff report. And
[00:32:01] many of those 7,000 pages that you
[00:32:04] referred to are yours for this project.
[00:32:07] Uh and I do think that uh uh to you who
[00:32:10] uh who said that you would like to have
[00:32:12] a 72nd birthday gift from us, I think
[00:32:15] we're going to give it to you. Thank
[00:32:16] you, Madam Mayor.
[00:32:19] E from burglene.
[00:32:20] >> I just wanted to clarify with minina
[00:32:23] that the tamaris tree removal is a
[00:32:25] condition of approval. Correct. And they
[00:32:27] are to be done at a certain amount of
[00:32:28] time. So to answer to that
[00:32:30] neighborhood's concerns, those are being
[00:32:32] removed. Correct.
[00:32:33] >> That's correct. Okay. Thank you.
[00:32:34] Wonderful. Council member while
[00:32:36] >> uh yes, mayor. [clears throat] I lived
[00:32:39] uh in the Clansancy Lane area
[00:32:44] uh many many years ago when houses when
[00:32:48] horses were still very prevalent uh in
[00:32:52] the neighborhood. I mean literally you
[00:32:55] saw horses going down Clansancy Lane
[00:32:58] onto the trails and so forth.
[00:33:01] Again, a very unique area in our city.
[00:33:06] However, that area now has become
[00:33:09] developed and this area off of Peterson
[00:33:12] Road is much more like Clancy Lane was
[00:33:18] many years ago. Uh the the trails add a
[00:33:24] majestic feel and a ruralness that can't
[00:33:28] be replaced. And it's a way of life that
[00:33:32] is so tranquil and so pleasant that it
[00:33:37] would be unfortunate to have that
[00:33:41] destroyed. So I'm very much in favor of
[00:33:43] it. Uh I reminisce about uh my time in
[00:33:48] the Clansancy Lane area and I look
[00:33:51] forward to voting in favor of this
[00:33:55] particular action. Thank you, Mayor.
[00:33:59] You're welcome. Uh when I was a child,
[00:34:02] um my father worked for Home Savings of
[00:34:05] America and they had a duplex off of
[00:34:07] what's now is Mirage Cove and this was
[00:34:11] decades ago. Uh we came out here for
[00:34:14] Christmas to visit my godfather. Um
[00:34:17] there were horses. It was rural. Um I'm
[00:34:20] the oldest of a blended family of nine
[00:34:22] kids. Did we have fun kicking up dust?
[00:34:25] Um, we only had five kids at that time.
[00:34:30] It was at that time that I found an
[00:34:33] affinity with this community and I
[00:34:35] remember telling my father on the way
[00:34:37] home back to LA County when I grow up,
[00:34:40] "This is where I want to live." Now, he
[00:34:42] kind of giggled and uh reminded me of
[00:34:45] that back in 1980 when I moved here.
[00:34:48] Your neighborhood's very special, as
[00:34:50] most of our neighborhoods are here in
[00:34:53] Rancher Mirage, and I'm thrilled and
[00:34:56] thank you for your cooperative work with
[00:34:58] our staff and our staff with the
[00:35:01] residents. And with that, I'm going to
[00:35:03] ask the council for a motion.
[00:35:06] >> Do I hear to make that motion?
[00:35:09] Uh, I would one approve the filing of a
[00:35:12] mit mitigated negative declaration
[00:35:17] number 202507800
[00:35:22] based on environmental assessment case
[00:35:25] number EA24009
[00:35:30] two approve minor variance case number V
[00:35:35] 24-0000
[00:35:38] 05
[00:35:40] and three approve tenative track map
[00:35:44] case number TTM 24-03
[00:35:50] PN TTM 38971
[00:35:57] subject to the conditions of approval
[00:35:59] and based on content and findings in the
[00:36:02] staff report.
[00:36:05] Second. And by the way, all that means
[00:36:08] that you're that means that you're
[00:36:09] getting what you want.
[00:36:11] >> Please vote.
[00:36:13] >> Better wait before you hear
[00:36:16] start clapping. You better wait for the
[00:36:18] vote. [clears throat]
[00:36:22] >> Motion carries. 5-0.
[00:36:23] >> You can now clap.
[00:36:26] [applause]
[00:36:29] >> Thank you very much. Next item on our
[00:36:31] action calendar. This is a 2025 building
[00:36:35] code adoption. We'll have Mike Stit
[00:36:38] from, one of our building officials,
[00:36:39] speak to this matter.
[00:36:45] Good afternoon, mayor and council.
[00:36:47] Today's item concerns the required
[00:36:49] adoption of the California Building
[00:36:51] Standard Code, Title 24. The state
[00:36:54] updates building codes every 3 years,
[00:36:55] and local jurisdictions are mandated to
[00:36:58] adopt each new addition. This cycle
[00:37:00] contains no significant revisions, but
[00:37:02] adoption remains a statutory
[00:37:04] requirement. The new codes would take
[00:37:06] effect January 1st. Staff recommends
[00:37:09] approval of the ordinances presented in
[00:37:11] the staff report to adopt the 2025
[00:37:14] building codes and amend the municipal
[00:37:16] code accordingly. This concludes my
[00:37:18] report. Staff is available for any
[00:37:19] questions council may have.
[00:37:22] >> And I did not receive any speaker cards.
[00:37:25] Is there anyone who would like to speak
[00:37:26] on this item?
[00:37:27] >> No speakers. All right. Are there any
[00:37:30] council comments?
[00:37:31] >> I do have a comment. Mike, you look
[00:37:33] pretty good in a suit and tie.
[00:37:34] >> Thank you. [laughter]
[00:37:36] >> Are there any other comments? Mike
[00:37:39] really loves questions. Nobody has any
[00:37:41] questions [laughter] for Mike.
[00:37:42] >> No, thank you.
[00:37:45] Okay,
[00:37:46] >> I'll make the motion uh that uh
[00:37:51] that we approve action item 6A, the 2025
[00:37:55] building code adoption as stated on the
[00:37:58] agenda and recommended in the staff
[00:38:00] report.
[00:38:00] >> I'll second.
[00:38:07] >> Motion carries 5.
[00:38:12] Next item on the agenda, 6B, IID,
[00:38:15] Imperial Irrigation District, Substation
[00:38:17] Funding and Reservation of Capacity
[00:38:20] Agreement. And I'll defer to our city
[00:38:22] manager, Isaiah Haggererman.
[00:38:23] >> Thank you, Madam Mayor, members of the
[00:38:25] council. Uh it's a good day uh to
[00:38:27] present this. Uh as you know, uh through
[00:38:30] the past uh maybe year and a half, two
[00:38:33] years that this has been in the works.
[00:38:35] The city council has taken several
[00:38:37] actions uh to participate in this
[00:38:40] funding and capacity agreement. And so
[00:38:42] just a brief recap of why and why did we
[00:38:45] get into this and why is it important to
[00:38:47] the city of Ranch Mirage. [snorts] So uh
[00:38:50] within section 30 um the city is
[00:38:52] serviced by IID and due to uh rapid
[00:38:56] growth in the Coachella Valley uh the
[00:38:58] substations are now at capacity and so
[00:39:03] individual developers uh were uh running
[00:39:06] into a lack of capacity where they could
[00:39:09] not get power for their projects. And
[00:39:11] specifically uh what the city of uh
[00:39:14] council was worried about is the three
[00:39:17] affordable housing uh projects that we
[00:39:19] approved uh in the service territory. Uh
[00:39:23] those three projects uh are slated to
[00:39:26] bring about 700 multifamily affordable
[00:39:29] units to Rancho Mirage and without
[00:39:32] capacity uh these projects would not be
[00:39:35] able to develop and the cost uh to do so
[00:39:39] would have also prevented these projects
[00:39:41] from being able to be built. Uh and so
[00:39:45] part of the council's
[00:39:47] um desire and uh support of affordable
[00:39:51] housing within our community, uh we took
[00:39:53] this on as an initiative uh for those
[00:39:56] three projects to uh participate in this
[00:39:58] agreement. And then whatever is left
[00:40:01] over from this capacity, the city will
[00:40:03] use for its purposes for its park uh in
[00:40:07] the same vicinity. And then after that
[00:40:09] if there's any capacity left after uh
[00:40:12] the city purpose for the park for the
[00:40:13] public park then we would uh work with
[00:40:17] individual developers and they would
[00:40:18] reimburse the city for the cost of
[00:40:20] participating in this agreement. Uh so
[00:40:22] this is vitally important to those three
[00:40:24] affordable housing uh projects and the
[00:40:27] planning department is in constant
[00:40:29] communication with them uh on the status
[00:40:32] of this. So uh it's been um a long road
[00:40:35] to get here. Um, we do have
[00:40:37] representatives from IID here in the
[00:40:39] room who have been great through this
[00:40:40] whole process and a big thank you to IID
[00:40:44] for spearheading this and finding a
[00:40:47] creative way to overcome this
[00:40:49] significant challenge. Now, uh without
[00:40:52] their help, we would not be here today.
[00:40:55] Um, since the release of the staff
[00:40:57] report, um, one of the discussion items
[00:41:00] that, uh, was taking place with the
[00:41:03] board of IID was IID contributing
[00:41:07] financially, uh, to this project. And
[00:41:10] so, uh, with, uh, good news, uh, IID uh,
[00:41:15] board has approved a participation rate
[00:41:18] of 18%. So, that's about 7.5 million
[00:41:21] bucks. So, the substation just got $7.5
[00:41:24] million cheaper. Uh, which is fantastic.
[00:41:27] Uh, so thank you to IID and their board
[00:41:30] for, uh, all the effort and work that
[00:41:33] went in behind this. Now, it sounds
[00:41:34] simple, right? Oh, it's not. It's
[00:41:37] extremely complicated. And Gumo, who's
[00:41:39] here from IID, he's done a great job
[00:41:41] trying to explain how all this works to
[00:41:43] us layman's. Uh, part of the reason it's
[00:41:45] taking so long. Uh but it's kind of a
[00:41:48] nice example in my opinion of uh both
[00:41:52] governments and private development
[00:41:54] partners trying to work together to
[00:41:55] solve a very uh important issue within
[00:41:58] our community. And so this funding
[00:42:00] agreement that is attached to the staff
[00:42:02] report uh is the agreement that will
[00:42:04] facilitate uh the development of this
[00:42:07] substation. uh and within it right uh
[00:42:10] within my staff report which now those
[00:42:13] numbers are a little old since IID is
[00:42:15] going to participate at 18%. So uh our
[00:42:18] share drops to about 5.6 6 5.7 million
[00:42:22] somewhere within that range. Just
[00:42:23] quickly, [snorts]
[00:42:25] uh, this agreement governs how the
[00:42:27] relationship works and when we pay and
[00:42:30] at what points do we pay. So, there's
[00:42:32] still some work to be done. Obviously,
[00:42:34] we have to order long lead time
[00:42:35] equipment, but this agreement governs
[00:42:37] that whole process. Now, the other uh
[00:42:39] item uh that staff is requesting is uh
[00:42:43] the ability for a contingency.
[00:42:46] And so um one of the participants may or
[00:42:50] may not participate and in the event
[00:42:51] that they don't that current capacity
[00:42:54] can get reallocated to the current
[00:42:55] members. Now when we started this
[00:42:57] process
[00:42:59] it was a 100 megawatt substation uh for
[00:43:03] various factors but the most important
[00:43:05] being the timing of equipment we reduced
[00:43:08] uh one of the transformers from a 50 to
[00:43:10] a 28 uh megawatt uh capacity. So
[00:43:14] everybody kind of had to take a haircut
[00:43:15] to still make this process work, but it
[00:43:18] was to our benefit because that means
[00:43:20] equipment in the ground faster, which
[00:43:22] means people get capacity faster. So uh
[00:43:25] as part of that process, um the city of
[00:43:28] Ranch Mirage initially, uh was on board
[00:43:31] for about 15 megawws. Now we're down to
[00:43:33] 10 because of that haircut process. So,
[00:43:36] this contingency, if the council wants
[00:43:38] to approve it, would allow me and the
[00:43:40] city attorney, if additional capacity
[00:43:42] becomes available, uh, to modify our
[00:43:45] agreement and get back to our original
[00:43:48] desire of 15 megawws. So, essentially be
[00:43:51] able to add up to 5 megawatts, which is
[00:43:53] estimated at about 3.2 million.
[00:43:57] Um from a development standpoint, um the
[00:44:01] incorporated cities, uh Ranch Mirage,
[00:44:04] Palm Desert, um we have uh quite a bit
[00:44:08] of interest in these service territories
[00:44:10] within each of our jurisdictions. So, uh
[00:44:13] I know Palm the city of Palm Desert is
[00:44:14] also considering some additional
[00:44:16] capacity as well, but this would allow
[00:44:18] staff to get back to where we want to be
[00:44:22] uh and keep this process moving forward
[00:44:25] uh through the holiday season. Uh, with
[00:44:28] that, uh, I'm happy to answer any
[00:44:30] questions before, uh, maybe we go to the
[00:44:32] council. I ask the city clerk to take
[00:44:34] public comment.
[00:44:35] >> Thank you. I did not receive any speaker
[00:44:37] cards for this item. Is there anyone in
[00:44:38] the audience who would like to speak?
[00:44:40] >> No speakers.
[00:44:43] >> Are there any comments from city
[00:44:44] council?
[00:44:48] Eve, I'd like to commend all the staff
[00:44:50] work and time that went into this. This
[00:44:52] is not an easy lift. this is incredibly
[00:44:56] important for that corridor and
[00:45:00] um it is an example of when the best
[00:45:03] work comes together and achieves the
[00:45:05] best outcome. So, thank you to IID for
[00:45:08] their work and especially thank you to
[00:45:10] our city manager for his work on this.
[00:45:12] Uh he made it a priority and this is
[00:45:15] going to change the future of Rancher
[00:45:17] Mirage in a really positive way. So,
[00:45:19] thank you again to our incredible staff
[00:45:21] for everything they do.
[00:45:24] Madame Mayor,
[00:45:25] >> absolutely.
[00:45:26] >> So, um, this is critically important for
[00:45:30] our affordable housing projects in that
[00:45:32] part of our city. As the city manager
[00:45:34] mentioned a few moments ago, no
[00:45:36] substation means no affordable housing.
[00:45:38] No affordable housing would mean we are
[00:45:40] not doing our job economically for this
[00:45:42] city. And as I've said any number of
[00:45:44] times, it's not only important for us
[00:45:46] economically to support our employers in
[00:45:49] this city to provide workforce housing.
[00:45:51] It's also just the right thing to do to
[00:45:53] provide affordable housing for our
[00:45:55] residents. So I'm delighted that this
[00:45:57] this project is moving forward. Thank
[00:45:59] you IID for agreeing to participate
[00:46:01] financially in the project. We very much
[00:46:03] appreciate that. Um and I'm glad we got
[00:46:06] this job done. Thank you Isaiah. Thank
[00:46:08] you to all the staff members who worked
[00:46:09] hard on this. This is a a a a great um
[00:46:13] project for our city. Thanks. Thanks,
[00:46:15] Madame Mayor.
[00:46:16] >> Thank you. Any further comments?
[00:46:18] >> Yes, mayor. Um we were one of the very
[00:46:23] first cities to have our
[00:46:25] >> [clears throat]
[00:46:25] >> uh plan certified by the state. Uh the
[00:46:29] state uh mandates a certain number of
[00:46:33] affordable units to be built within a
[00:46:36] given period of time.
[00:46:39] We submitted our plan and as I say we
[00:46:43] were one of the very first cities to
[00:46:45] have our plan certified.
[00:46:48] The approval today of this capacity
[00:46:53] allows us to meet that particular aspect
[00:46:58] that we're fulfilling our commitment
[00:47:01] uh that we are responding to the need
[00:47:05] and that we can go ahead in what I
[00:47:09] consider one of the most uh critical
[00:47:12] areas of our city which is providing
[00:47:15] affordable housing. So, Madame Mayor,
[00:47:18] I'm very pleased and u thank everyone
[00:47:22] for their hard work. I I for the work
[00:47:25] you did uh for showing the flexibility
[00:47:29] that's necessary to get these things
[00:47:31] done. Uh it's it's a question of
[00:47:35] cooperation
[00:47:36] and as the city manager said it's nice
[00:47:39] when you see that cooperation
[00:47:42] because there was one mutual goal in
[00:47:45] mind and that mutual goal was the
[00:47:48] achieve the achievement of getting this
[00:47:51] project done and again adjusting the
[00:47:55] capacity uh for the delivery of the
[00:47:58] power. So thank you very much madame.
[00:48:01] Thank you. Well, as the city manager had
[00:48:04] mentioned and my colleagues had
[00:48:05] mentioned how imperative it was that we
[00:48:09] had I and a new substation uh for not
[00:48:12] only our affordable housing but our
[00:48:14] workforce housing as well, which is a
[00:48:16] pivotal conduit to it. And why is that?
[00:48:19] Because it'll help maintain the best and
[00:48:22] the brightest as far as our workforce
[00:48:25] cons is concerned. And this will help us
[00:48:28] to expand our economic development plan
[00:48:30] once it's identified and and developed.
[00:48:34] Um
[00:48:36] in government as with anything it's a
[00:48:38] domino effect. You have to take those
[00:48:40] first steps and uh sometimes those first
[00:48:44] steps can be painful. Uh sometimes maybe
[00:48:47] not so painful but um it's it's through
[00:48:50] cooperation.
[00:48:52] um IID, you've been fabulous and and I
[00:48:55] appreciate all the cooperation you've
[00:48:57] you've uh shown towards our city manager
[00:48:59] and because of that relationship, the
[00:49:01] other cities jumped in and and and were
[00:49:04] involved as well. With that, I'd like to
[00:49:06] ask for a motion, please.
[00:49:09] >> I'll do the motion, Madame Mayor. So,
[00:49:11] uh, I'll move that, uh, we approve the
[00:49:13] funding and reservation of capacity
[00:49:15] agreement for Cook Street substation and
[00:49:17] authorize the city manager to designate
[00:49:19] or designate to execute the agreement
[00:49:21] subject to revisions approved by all
[00:49:23] other parties and approved by the city
[00:49:25] manager in consultation with the city
[00:49:27] attorney. Number two, authorize the city
[00:49:29] manager to negotiate and execute an
[00:49:31] amendment to the agreement reserving up
[00:49:33] to an additional 5,000 kilowatts of
[00:49:36] capacity for the city on term
[00:49:39] substantially the same as the agreement
[00:49:41] which is approximately 8% additional
[00:49:43] capacity at $3.2 million.
[00:49:45] >> I'll second.
[00:49:47] >> We have a motion and a second. Please
[00:49:48] vote.
[00:49:52] Motion carries 5.
[00:49:56] Thank you very much gentlemen for being
[00:49:58] here today.
[00:50:00] Next item on the agenda, one of my
[00:50:02] favorite topics, shopping. Shop local
[00:50:05] ranch gift card program proposed for the
[00:50:08] holiday bonus campaign. Gabe Cotting,
[00:50:10] director of marketing will report on
[00:50:12] this item.
[00:50:13] >> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Uh, council
[00:50:15] member, staff, guests, I'm delighted to
[00:50:18] share an opportunity at slightly a less
[00:50:20] cost point than the previous one.
[00:50:22] [laughter]
[00:50:24] I'll be giving a uh brief update on the
[00:50:27] shop local ranch gift card program and
[00:50:30] also introducing our proposed holiday
[00:50:32] bonus uh bonus campaign.
[00:50:39] All right. Shop local program uh
[00:50:42] launched in November of 2024 with a 50%
[00:50:46] bonus incentive approved by the council.
[00:50:49] Since then, the program has grown
[00:50:50] quickly and continues to pro perform
[00:50:52] extremely well. Here's where we stand
[00:50:54] today. Over $280,000 in gift cards have
[00:50:57] been issued in the past 12 months. More
[00:51:00] than 3,200 cards have been redeemed. And
[00:51:03] at uh at this point, we have 69 local
[00:51:06] businesses participating with access to
[00:51:08] dining, retail, wellness, golf, and
[00:51:10] recreation. The digital platform makes
[00:51:13] the program easy for residents,
[00:51:15] visitors, and merchants. And it's become
[00:51:16] a reliable economic development tool for
[00:51:19] the city.
[00:51:21] Most of the spending happens in our
[00:51:23] restaurants, followed by health and
[00:51:25] wellness, and then retail businesses.
[00:51:27] This mirrors national trends and
[00:51:29] highlights how effective this program is
[00:51:32] supporting locallyowned dining
[00:51:33] establishments. Approximately 40 dining
[00:51:36] and dessert locations are currently
[00:51:39] participating.
[00:51:42] A big enhancement rolled out earlier
[00:51:43] this year with the tap to pay function.
[00:51:46] Cards can now be added directly to
[00:51:48] digital wallets via the your Apple or
[00:51:50] your Google uh platforms, giving
[00:51:52] customers a faster, more modern checkout
[00:51:54] experience. This updates this update
[00:51:57] continues to boost ease of use and
[00:51:59] overall participation. The platform is
[00:52:02] also advocating with the Mastercard
[00:52:03] platform for partial authorization,
[00:52:06] which would allow the amount left on a
[00:52:07] shop local card to be subtracted from
[00:52:09] the total and remaining balance be paid
[00:52:11] with a different form of payment. And
[00:52:13] we're we're told that should be coming
[00:52:15] in in in the coming months.
[00:52:20] We've run uh several successful bonus
[00:52:22] programs so far, including uh last year
[00:52:25] when we launched the program, we did a a
[00:52:27] holiday bonus.
[00:52:29] Um, we uh partnered with the visit great
[00:52:32] greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week in
[00:52:34] May of 2025. And then our last bonus was
[00:52:37] the Ranch of Mirage Chamber of Commerce
[00:52:38] Taste of Summer Ranch of Mirage and that
[00:52:41] was in July.
[00:52:43] Each promotion used up its bonus funds
[00:52:45] quickly and drove strong activity into
[00:52:47] local businesses at key business periods
[00:52:50] of um of the market. Today, we're
[00:52:54] proposing uh a new holiday bonus program
[00:52:56] running starting tomorrow that would
[00:52:58] launch tomorrow and run through February
[00:53:01] 17th. The structure is the same as as
[00:53:03] past programs, a 50% bonus on your
[00:53:06] purchase. So, as you see on the top of
[00:53:07] this slide, if you bought a $50 card,
[00:53:10] you're going to get a $25 bonus card.
[00:53:14] That bonus card, the $50 card you buy
[00:53:16] doesn't expire. The bonus card goes
[00:53:19] through February 17th, and you can buy
[00:53:20] all the way up to 500. Uh, this campaign
[00:53:23] would carry us through the holiday
[00:53:25] season, Valentine's Day, and the
[00:53:26] President's Day weekend. Some of the
[00:53:29] busiest shopping and dining periods of
[00:53:30] the year. The program will do a soft
[00:53:33] opening tomorrow, Friday, and a full
[00:53:34] public launch on Monday the 8th.
[00:53:38] This program continues to be one of our
[00:53:40] most flexible and effective tools for
[00:53:42] supporting the local economy. It keeps
[00:53:44] dollars in Rancho Mirage, helps small
[00:53:46] businesses thrives thrive and gives us
[00:53:49] the ability to launch targeted
[00:53:50] incentives throughout the year.
[00:53:53] Shop local program has been has proven
[00:53:55] to be highly successful and the proposed
[00:53:57] holiday bonus campaign builds directly
[00:53:59] on that momentum. Stack staff recommends
[00:54:02] approval as presented and thank you and
[00:54:04] I'm happy to answer any questions.
[00:54:08] >> No speaker cards were received for this
[00:54:09] item. Is there anyone in the audience
[00:54:11] who would like to speak? No speakers.
[00:54:15] >> Do we have any council comments?
[00:54:17] >> I'd like to make one.
[00:54:20] >> I love [snorts] this program for a
[00:54:22] really simple reason. Not only because
[00:54:24] of
[00:54:25] the obviously the economic stimulus, but
[00:54:28] if you looked at those sets of logos,
[00:54:30] that is a lot of momand pop small
[00:54:32] business. And that really is a backbone
[00:54:35] of what is Ranch Mirage Business and
[00:54:37] Economic Development. And if those
[00:54:39] businesses even feel an inch of this at
[00:54:42] the holidays or during these holiday
[00:54:44] weekends, it's done its job. And I think
[00:54:47] when you look at our chamber members and
[00:54:50] talking to Katie and and the staff, this
[00:54:52] is so important to bring people to those
[00:54:55] restaurants. Um, personally, my family
[00:54:58] lives on Pokey from these cards. So,
[00:55:00] thank you uh for that. I don't have to
[00:55:02] cook because of those cards. But, uh, I
[00:55:04] do think that all jokes aside, it is so
[00:55:07] valuable for the small business owners
[00:55:09] that we have in this community and and
[00:55:12] keeping them going, uh, when times are
[00:55:14] harder than ever. So, I I love this
[00:55:16] program for that reason.
[00:55:19] Well, I received three emails from
[00:55:21] residents uh, one of which has called me
[00:55:24] twice to make sure that I voted yes on
[00:55:27] this item. Uh, they want to start
[00:55:29] spending ASAP. So, um,
[00:55:31] >> did my husband call you again? Yeah,
[00:55:35] I didn't answer the phone. [laughter]
[00:55:38] May I May I have a motion, please?
[00:55:40] >> I'll make the motion
[00:55:42] >> uh to approve the implementation of the
[00:55:44] small local ranch mirage gift card
[00:55:46] holiday bonus program running from
[00:55:47] Friday, December 5th through t
[00:55:51] 2025. You guys really think I need a
[00:55:53] microphone? December 5th, 2025 through
[00:55:55] Tuesday, February 17, 2026. with the
[00:55:58] program utilizing a $50,000 bonus fund
[00:56:01] to offer a 50% matching matching
[00:56:03] incentive on gift card purchases.
[00:56:05] >> I'll second.
[00:56:14] >> Council member Wy, could you try yours
[00:56:16] one more time? You may have to tap the
[00:56:18] screen.
[00:56:24] And motion carries 5. Thank you.
[00:56:29] Next item on the agenda is non-aggenda
[00:56:31] public comments. It's an opportunity for
[00:56:33] the public to speak on issues not on the
[00:56:35] agenda for a maximum of three minutes
[00:56:38] per speaker. Madame clerk,
[00:56:40] >> first speaker is Susan Ragsdale.
[00:56:46] [clears throat]
[00:56:56] snuck up on snuck up on me. Happy
[00:56:58] holidays everyone. I'm so happy to see
[00:57:01] you as the mayor. Congratulations. And
[00:57:04] you look gorgeous. It's just a fresh
[00:57:08] fresh thing for me. Seriously, I want to
[00:57:11] share with you. First off, yesterday I I
[00:57:14] got a U-Haul truck and a great guy named
[00:57:16] Eddie the mover who moved me out of my
[00:57:19] DHL place where I was living next door
[00:57:22] to a cocaine dealer, an addict. That was
[00:57:25] really not a very pleasant experience
[00:57:27] since August 1st. And still the housing
[00:57:30] authority has not approved my uh move in
[00:57:34] to um Alo Palm Canyon. So I am currently
[00:57:38] homeless. And I only have one outfit. I
[00:57:41] did bring a toothbrush, thank God. And
[00:57:45] um
[00:57:46] yeah, I'm not too well. But yesterday I
[00:57:49] went to my storage space to put
[00:57:51] everything in there with my Eddie. He
[00:57:53] was delightful. And I wanted to show you
[00:57:56] this is a painting I did in 1991.
[00:58:01] I did it because I had a greeting card
[00:58:03] company. And this is the Christmas card.
[00:58:04] This is actually my last sample. This is
[00:58:07] an oil painting on linen. And um this I
[00:58:14] was 39. This totally reflects my
[00:58:19] consciousness. You know, I'm like a
[00:58:21] child. I like little cute. I have rag
[00:58:24] dolls and things and I set them up.
[00:58:26] Anyway, the ratude here, a rat in my
[00:58:29] storage. This is a very a sad thing. I
[00:58:33] got to leave with this with Christie. I
[00:58:35] want you to just you all look at it. I
[00:58:37] wash the cooties of the rats off,
[00:58:39] please. And I also have two public
[00:58:42] comments. One is innocence and
[00:58:44] incompetence and cruelty, which you
[00:58:47] know, I I feel like I want to like tell
[00:58:50] the world about how I've been very badly
[00:58:52] treated by the city council here. But
[00:58:54] honestly, as an older lady, I've
[00:58:57] realized that you get more with uh honey
[00:59:00] than you do with vinegar. And I'm going
[00:59:02] to try this. I've tried everything. New
[00:59:05] Beginnings and Home Sweet Home, the name
[00:59:07] of this painting by Susan Ragdell. I'm
[00:59:10] here to propose what I believe to be a
[00:59:12] good idea. Based on the fraud cover up,
[00:59:15] it appears city council does not want
[00:59:18] the constituents to know about the
[00:59:20] city's very serious crimes against me.
[00:59:23] With compensation, I'm sure every
[00:59:25] expenditure must be reported to the
[00:59:27] public. This is this constitutes a
[00:59:30] scandal. Because of this, the city
[00:59:32] council continues to stonewall me.
[00:59:35] Meanwhile, I'm being injured more
[00:59:37] deeply, more seriously, and more
[00:59:39] dangerously. I will not recover without
[00:59:42] some kind of justice and must much
[00:59:45] deserved help. I'm running out of time,
[00:59:47] but I made copies for everyone. Anyway,
[00:59:51] my idea is for you to hire me as a
[00:59:54] visual communications promotional and
[00:59:56] marketing specialist for the city. I can
[00:59:59] do it. Outstanding job helping you brand
[01:00:02] to make it an inviting, lovely, natural
[01:00:05] environment that people want to come to.
[01:00:08] So, I'll give you my C and I'm going to
[01:00:09] let Christie I know she can take good
[01:00:11] care of my painting. Thank you very much
[01:00:13] and happy holidays.
[01:00:15] >> Thank you, Susan. Happy holidays.
[01:00:18] >> I'm sorry, Alex Cruz.
[01:00:32] >> [clears throat]
[01:00:34] >> Okay, good afternoon. Hello, my name is
[01:00:37] Alex and today I want to talk about
[01:00:39] traffic safety and public transportation
[01:00:42] because cars are one of the leading
[01:00:43] causes of the heat rising in our valley
[01:00:46] and they cause many preventable deaths
[01:00:48] here in our valley. Over the past 3 to
[01:00:51] four years, I have raised these concerns
[01:00:53] repeatedly, yet I have observed no
[01:00:55] progress. We call ourselves a peaceful
[01:00:58] utopia, but do we really believe that?
[01:01:01] There are a few spots, sure, but most
[01:01:03] places, all I see are highways and
[01:01:05] speeding cars, keeping us from being a
[01:01:07] true paradise. Do utopias have
[01:01:10] high-speed vehicles and parking lots
[01:01:12] everywhere? No. In fact, utopias are
[01:01:14] notoriously known to put public transit
[01:01:16] first, like Montreals and only a few
[01:01:19] small cars. These two-ton metal boxes on
[01:01:22] wheels are ruining the city.
[01:01:25] The locations where fatalities have
[01:01:27] occurred cannot remain in their current
[01:01:29] state. This will not be their final
[01:01:31] designs. The question is, when will we
[01:01:33] implement a final design that fosters a
[01:01:36] safe, welcoming environment, one that
[01:01:38] prioritizes safety above speed? Raone
[01:01:41] Road by Rancho Mirage High School where
[01:01:43] Will Cample got killed. Why have we not
[01:01:46] made changes to the design of that thin
[01:01:48] bike lane? Let's take away one lane from
[01:01:50] here, please, and make it a bus lane.
[01:01:52] Right out here where Christopher Velios
[01:01:54] and John Habri were killed, why won't we
[01:01:57] complete the crosswalks that are missing
[01:01:59] from this intersection? I know engineers
[01:02:01] keep saying something about a left turn
[01:02:03] for cars, but there is no excuse for
[01:02:06] having this intersection incomplete like
[01:02:08] this. Give [snorts] us our 30 seconds to
[01:02:11] cross. Is that so much to ask for? 30
[01:02:13] seconds and some paint. We need to also
[01:02:16] reduce the 111 from three lanes to two
[01:02:18] on each side and make that a bus lane.
[01:02:21] Basically, what we need in the city is a
[01:02:23] ban on three or more lanes unless it's
[01:02:25] going to be a bus lane or something else
[01:02:27] because that third lane is only there to
[01:02:29] promote speeding and this prevents
[01:02:31] death. Also, Dinosaur Drive near Rancho
[01:02:34] 16 Theater.
[01:02:36] We are practically forcing people to
[01:02:38] drive, including the much older
[01:02:39] residents that should not be driving,
[01:02:41] and that is crazy. Also, the fact that
[01:02:43] we are built so car centric is one of
[01:02:45] the reasons why the river shopping mall
[01:02:47] is failing. So, we need a ban on super
[01:02:50] wide lanes. We need a bus stop at the
[01:02:53] high school, and we need the
[01:02:55] intersection out here completed. Those
[01:02:58] three things will make our city much
[01:02:59] safer, and it will save lives. Doing
[01:03:02] nothing to change our designs is not
[01:03:04] going to get us anywhere. We should be
[01:03:06] working with Vision Zero to achieve zero
[01:03:09] traffic fatalities. Please and thank
[01:03:12] you.
[01:03:13] >> Thank you, Patrick Lowry.
[01:03:28] Well, which do you choose, old farts or
[01:03:30] young people? I endorse young people
[01:03:33] 100%. What I don't endorse is, well, I
[01:03:37] should let's start it better this way. I
[01:03:40] absolutely oppose with great passion
[01:03:43] uh a system where we don't get to elect
[01:03:47] our council persons. Four of you are
[01:03:48] unelected originally. Only one here is
[01:03:51] elected.
[01:03:53] I want to see a mayor
[01:03:56] elected as a mayor. And I'll make a
[01:03:58] point to you, Miss Mulatto.
[01:04:02] What should I say? I like you. You're
[01:04:03] great. You're wonderful. Great. Uh, you
[01:04:06] didn't give to us when you were
[01:04:08] appointed. What's your vision?
[01:04:10] >> Wasn't appointed.
[01:04:10] >> Well,
[01:04:11] >> you mean sworn in.
[01:04:13] >> Sworn in.
[01:04:15] Good. Uh, you didn't give your vision
[01:04:18] for your year. What do you want to
[01:04:20] accomplish? What are your goals? What
[01:04:21] would you like to see happen? If we had
[01:04:24] a Mary elected, we'd have that. We'd
[01:04:27] know what we had as a community. Now,
[01:04:29] the other thing I oppose is this $2
[01:04:31] million
[01:04:34] $2 million to Eisenhower. I oppose this
[01:04:36] with great passion.
[01:04:39] Have you had a chance to read the
[01:04:40] Loftess
[01:04:41] uh paper on u you know how that finally
[01:04:46] got settled? Loftess is going to get
[01:04:48] nearly $6 million from Eisenhower for
[01:04:51] the way he was treated.
[01:04:53] It's a terrible, terrible uh writing of
[01:04:57] what took place inside that hospital.
[01:05:00] They have a lot of money. Why did you
[01:05:03] give them $2 million
[01:05:07] for a child care center?
[01:05:09] Let them do that. The court said, and
[01:05:13] this is really the irony of things or
[01:05:14] the funny parts, um that Eisenhower
[01:05:19] argued, if you make us pay this fellow
[01:05:21] nearly $6 million, we won't have good
[01:05:24] patient care. Yet, when you read the
[01:05:27] documents, they got nailed for poor
[01:05:30] patient care.
[01:05:34] And the other part of it was that they
[01:05:36] make $96 million a year between 2020 and
[01:05:40] 2024, I believe, net.
[01:05:43] Why are we giving them $2 million?
[01:05:46] What good could we do with our in our
[01:05:48] community with $2 million? A great deal
[01:05:50] of good. Now, lot of rosecolored glasses
[01:05:54] here. I don't appreciate that. I
[01:05:56] appreciate critical thinking. gentleman
[01:05:59] here on my left who spoke earlier, spoke
[01:06:02] well. He and I would disagree on nearly
[01:06:04] every point he brought up. Okay. And I'm
[01:06:07] a Christopher Hitchens guy. You can have
[01:06:10] your Mother Teresa. That's how blunt I
[01:06:12] can be.
[01:06:13] All right. So, let's do more. Let's get
[01:06:15] the rose colored glasses off. Let's take
[01:06:18] a look at crime in our city. Let's take
[01:06:20] a look at what this young fellow talked
[01:06:21] about in traffic. Let's talk about green
[01:06:23] zones. Let's talk about making this a
[01:06:25] great hospital. Let's talk about how to
[01:06:27] become great. Not keep saying we're
[01:06:28] great. How do we become great? Listen, I
[01:06:31] appreciate your time and you gave me a
[01:06:33] few seconds more. Thanks so much. It's
[01:06:35] always good to see you. Happy holidays.
[01:06:36] I do appreciate city government.
[01:06:40] Wally Melinda's
[01:07:06] good afternoon everybody.
[01:07:16] But what um sticks to my mind after this
[01:07:20] uh [clears throat] meeting is uh the
[01:07:24] term affordable housing.
[01:07:28] That's sort of like an oxymoron.
[01:07:38] When the government, including local
[01:07:43] well, especially local government,
[01:07:47] realizes
[01:07:49] that that that um
[01:07:52] housing that so-called affordable
[01:07:56] housing is built by uh private uh
[01:07:59] contractors.
[01:08:02] that build for
[01:08:05] uh billionaires.
[01:08:08] So the people renting those unit uh
[01:08:11] units end up making the billionaires
[01:08:15] more richer.
[01:08:20] Aside from that, this month, December,
[01:08:23] is a very
[01:08:27] good month
[01:08:29] because the articles of impeach
[01:08:32] impeachment
[01:08:34] are going to be
[01:08:38] presented to the House of
[01:08:39] Representatives.
[01:08:42] So, Mr. Trump is going to get impeached
[01:08:45] and then that impeachment goes to the
[01:08:48] Senate of the Congress and it's going to
[01:08:52] be in the hands of the Senate.
[01:08:57] There's a lot of maggot Republicans
[01:09:00] there.
[01:09:02] The House has the votes, but the Senate
[01:09:06] is up in the air sort of.
[01:09:10] But I believe Trump is going to get
[01:09:13] impeached
[01:09:16] and removed before the year is out.
[01:09:19] Thank God.
[01:09:21] So getting
[01:09:24] back to affordable housing for poor for
[01:09:28] for poor people
[01:09:31] as they say that live on social security
[01:09:34] were never very successful.
[01:09:38] A town like this, the so-called great
[01:09:42] Rancho Mirage,
[01:09:45] needs unions, labor unions.
[01:09:49] That's the only way that poor people are
[01:09:53] going to get ahead.
[01:09:57] We need labor unions in Rancho Mirage.
[01:10:06] >> That was the last speaker card. Is there
[01:10:07] anyone else who would like to speak on
[01:10:09] something that is not on the agenda?
[01:10:11] That was the last speaker.
[01:10:14] >> Thank you, Madame Clerk. Next item is
[01:10:17] close session. I'll defer to our city
[01:10:19] attorney, Colin Kirkpatrick.
[01:10:22] Thank you, mayor.
[01:10:23] [clears throat and cough]
[01:10:24] We'll be convening in a close session
[01:10:25] for the items two items listed before
[01:10:27] you listed as 8A conference with legal
[01:10:30] council existing litigation pursuant to
[01:10:32] government code section 54956.9D1
[01:10:36] case name Ricky Martinez v city of Ranch
[01:10:39] Mirage case number CVPS
[01:10:42] 25503449
[01:10:44] and the second item conference with
[01:10:46] legal council existing litigation
[01:10:48] pursuant to government code section
[01:10:49] 54956.9D1
[01:10:52] case name unspecif ified since
[01:10:54] disclosure may jeopardize existing
[01:10:55] settlement negotiations.
[01:10:57] We will now recess to close session.
[01:11:09] We've reconvened from close session.
[01:11:12] I'll ask uh our city attorney to for
[01:11:15] close session announcements.
[01:11:17] >> Thank you, mayor. No reportable action
[01:11:19] taken today.
[01:11:21] >> With that, we are adjourned.