Rancho Mirage City Council Meeting, February, 19, 2026

Transcript text

AI transcript text.

[00:00:14] Welcome.
[00:00:16] This is the regular meeting of the
[00:00:17] Rancher Mirage City Council and
[00:00:19] Community Services District, Energy
[00:00:21] Authority, Housing Authority, Joint
[00:00:23] Powers Finance Authority, Library and
[00:00:26] Observatory, and Redevelopment Successor
[00:00:28] Agency boards. It is Thursday, February
[00:00:32] 19th, and it is now 1:00.
[00:00:36] Would all of you please um stand for our
[00:00:40] flag salute? And I'm asking mayor prom
[00:00:43] Michael O'Keefe to lead us in the
[00:00:44] pledge.
[00:00:47] >> Please join me in saluting our flag
[00:00:50] to the flag of the United States of
[00:00:53] America and to the republic for it
[00:00:55] stands one nation under God indivisible
[00:00:59] with liberty and justice for all.
[00:01:06] >> Madame clerk, may we have the roll call,
[00:01:08] please?
[00:01:10] Certainly. Council member DS
[00:01:12] >> I'm here.
[00:01:13] >> Council member Framberg Edelstein
[00:01:14] >> here.
[00:01:15] >> Council member while
[00:01:16] >> here.
[00:01:17] >> Mayor Prom O'Keefe
[00:01:18] >> here.
[00:01:18] >> And Mayor Molatto
[00:01:20] >> here.
[00:01:24] >> The next item on our agenda is
[00:01:26] presentations. And we'd like to welcome
[00:01:28] Ryland Penta, vice president of
[00:01:30] leadership Coachella Valley. He's going
[00:01:31] to provide us an update today.
[00:01:36] And also board member Jerry Neighbors.
[00:01:45] could we have our slide deck possibly?
[00:01:51] Fantastic. All right. Well, mayor,
[00:01:54] members of council, city staff, and
[00:01:57] others. My name is Ryland Penta, and I
[00:01:59] have the honor of being a staff member
[00:02:00] at the city of Palm Desert. So, it's a
[00:02:03] great pleasure to be here today, but I
[00:02:05] also have the pleasure to serve as vice
[00:02:07] president of leadership Coachella Valley
[00:02:09] alongside
[00:02:10] >> my name is Jerry Neighbors and I am a
[00:02:13] self-employed
[00:02:15] uh senior advocate in the valley and uh
[00:02:18] serve as our board member as our
[00:02:20] secretary. Thank you very much for
[00:02:22] having us today.
[00:02:24] Leadership Coachella Valley is now on
[00:02:26] our 25th year. And if you're familiar
[00:02:30] with the program, as I'm sure many of
[00:02:32] you are, um it is a great entrance for
[00:02:35] many different individuals to get an
[00:02:37] experience of the vast nature of our
[00:02:40] region. We uh get a group of
[00:02:42] approximately 45 to 50 people together
[00:02:45] every month. They learn about different
[00:02:47] themes in the valley. They get to
[00:02:49] contribute to a class project. And
[00:02:52] actually we were just speaking our class
[00:02:54] project uh we both graduated in 2023 was
[00:02:57] here in Rancho Mirage at the Children's
[00:02:59] Discovery Museum where we helped rebuild
[00:03:01] their trike path. And uh it incorporates
[00:03:04] the sense of community and uh also
[00:03:07] collaboration.
[00:03:08] And um before I go any further, I also
[00:03:11] have to thank you all so much for
[00:03:12] attending our welcome ceremony uh in
[00:03:15] September. We were the only city council
[00:03:17] to come out all together and that was
[00:03:18] such an honor and uh felt very powerful.
[00:03:22] Um you'll see here that we have various
[00:03:25] sessions each month. Uh they are listed
[00:03:27] there. They range in all different
[00:03:28] fields. So you really get a breadth of
[00:03:31] our valley from the banning bowont side
[00:03:33] all the way down to the salt and sea. uh
[00:03:35] there are so many different topics
[00:03:37] considered that it really opens the eyes
[00:03:39] to the participants and they really
[00:03:40] understand what is needed in this valley
[00:03:43] what is being achieved and how they can
[00:03:45] contribute in other facets.
[00:03:48] So we look at leadership Coachella
[00:03:50] Valley as kind of a five course benefit
[00:03:53] to our area. It develops uh placebased
[00:03:56] leadership for those that participate.
[00:03:58] It brings regional awareness. We really
[00:04:00] want others to see outside of their
[00:04:02] field of professional work, but also
[00:04:04] outside their community what is
[00:04:06] happening, how they can contribute. It
[00:04:08] creates a lasting network. Jerry and I
[00:04:10] had no connection point prior to uh LCV
[00:04:13] and here we are contributing to this
[00:04:15] group and working in other ways. Um it
[00:04:18] is an economic driver. I put that there
[00:04:20] because um while we don't open
[00:04:22] businesses, every session we do a happy
[00:04:25] hour or some type of connect and reflect
[00:04:26] as we call it and we will try to find a
[00:04:28] local business or restaurant, coffee
[00:04:30] shop. Uh tomorrow actually is where
[00:04:32] we're going for that. And that really
[00:04:34] gives that drive to understand new
[00:04:36] spaces, new uh foods, new individuals.
[00:04:40] And of course, all the presenters that
[00:04:42] are in each session, they typically
[00:04:44] represent some type of organization that
[00:04:46] uh needs support or has done some
[00:04:48] incredible work. And lastly, it
[00:04:50] encourages volunteerism. You can see
[00:04:52] this photo from 2015. Um every class
[00:04:54] does a class project like ours and it
[00:04:57] contributes to again that uh that area
[00:05:00] where they need to focus whatever
[00:05:01] organization they pick. Uh ours was the
[00:05:04] children's discovery museum but uh this
[00:05:06] year the group is picked the ABC uh
[00:05:08] recovery center which is in India. So
[00:05:10] great organizations that need the
[00:05:12] support and um we're happy to contribute
[00:05:14] where we can
[00:05:16] and I'll pass it off to Jerry. So we
[00:05:18] have been uh going for 25 strong years
[00:05:22] and we are happy to say that we have
[00:05:25] over 940 people that have participated
[00:05:27] in it and we are are netcastwide
[00:05:31] throughout the valley and deep and we
[00:05:33] really like to support each other where
[00:05:35] we can. Uh we partner a lot with our
[00:05:38] school districts, our cities like
[00:05:39] yourselves, all nine of them uh public
[00:05:42] agencies and then our nonprofits. We're
[00:05:44] very much um in support of all of them
[00:05:46] to really uh all of us have a uh
[00:05:50] something that really resonates with us
[00:05:52] and we want to help share what that is
[00:05:54] so they can pour back into our community
[00:05:56] to help be more of a supporter.
[00:06:00] >> Did I go the wrong way?
[00:06:01] >> Oh, you did right.
[00:06:02] >> Okay. So the re the ways that we
[00:06:10] uh sorry that are strengthening our
[00:06:12] community is learning on what's what's
[00:06:14] going on and stay informed. So we really
[00:06:17] work hard to stay informed with all of
[00:06:18] our our different cities so we can share
[00:06:21] with our class on what what's going on
[00:06:23] with Rancher Mrage. How can they be
[00:06:25] plugged in? Is there something that
[00:06:26] they'd like to participate in, be part
[00:06:28] of? Uh let's have we do a lot of alumni
[00:06:31] gatherings as well because we want to
[00:06:33] make sure that we're staying connected
[00:06:34] with the 900 plus people that we have
[00:06:36] gotten in contact with over the 25 years
[00:06:39] and and make sure that we're still
[00:06:41] staying connected to support each other
[00:06:42] not only in our businesses but also in
[00:06:45] the community and in nonprofit uh
[00:06:48] serving and to help others. So very
[00:06:50] important for us that we just keep
[00:06:52] everything going in a strong positive
[00:06:54] and uplifting way where it's not in a
[00:06:56] competition for each other because a lot
[00:06:58] of us are in the same type of a business
[00:07:00] but we're supporting each other out of
[00:07:02] love and making sure that we are growing
[00:07:04] together in a healthy way within our
[00:07:05] community.
[00:07:09] We also would like to share that uh we'd
[00:07:12] love to have anybody from Rancher Mirage
[00:07:14] open to the public to please encourage
[00:07:16] them to join Leadership Coachella
[00:07:18] Valley. It is uh something where people
[00:07:21] would fill out an application. We get
[00:07:24] about 100 150 applications per year and
[00:07:27] we narrow that down to 45 is we really
[00:07:29] want to make sure the the the classes
[00:07:31] are small enough where we can be get to
[00:07:33] know them, get to know what their love
[00:07:35] is, help them grow, help to share where
[00:07:37] their heart is so that we can help uh
[00:07:41] teach them more about our community, get
[00:07:43] to get more involved. So, we're here to
[00:07:45] share it, to say get the word out, uh,
[00:07:47] let the people know that they're welcome
[00:07:49] to go online and and participate and
[00:07:52] then we would love to to go forward in
[00:07:54] another 25 years to come. And in saying
[00:07:58] that, we uh do have an anniversary
[00:08:01] celebration next week. We'd love to see
[00:08:03] you all at if you can make it. It's at
[00:08:05] the Surf Club in Palm Springs and it's
[00:08:08] from 6:00 to 8:00. And we're celebrating
[00:08:11] our 25 years. We invited all of our
[00:08:12] alumni. Our uh original first president
[00:08:16] will be there and we'll really be
[00:08:18] celebrating the years together. So uh
[00:08:20] and then of course at the end we have a
[00:08:22] graduation again. We it is our pleasure
[00:08:25] when you show up that uh to support that
[00:08:27] that these members that are getting
[00:08:28] involved. It really is meaningful when
[00:08:31] you are there with us too. So we
[00:08:32] appreciate your support. Like Ryland
[00:08:34] said in the beginning when you came to
[00:08:36] our opening ceremony was quite
[00:08:37] impactful. So thank you for that.
[00:08:42] And in parting, we just wanted to thank
[00:08:46] you. This is just anformational update.
[00:08:47] We have not ever presented at council
[00:08:49] meetings. We just want to make sure that
[00:08:51] we continue to uh get the word out. And
[00:08:54] also uh we just are so thankful for
[00:08:56] everything you guys have done. This is
[00:08:58] leadership. Coachell Coachella Valley is
[00:09:00] a nonprofit, but it's a collaboration of
[00:09:02] like minds from chambers of commerce and
[00:09:04] city councils and city staff. and we're
[00:09:07] just so fortunate to be part of this
[00:09:09] whole game. So,
[00:09:11] >> yeah.
[00:09:11] >> Any questions? We're happy to answer
[00:09:13] them.
[00:09:14] >> Are there any questions? No, but I would
[00:09:16] like to congratulate you on your 25th
[00:09:18] anniversary and
[00:09:21] it's it's um very impressive to see the
[00:09:24] collective talent and collaboration that
[00:09:27] has occurred not not only all these
[00:09:30] years, but that you're willing to share.
[00:09:32] And Ryland, you're a test you're a
[00:09:34] testament to the fact that occasionally
[00:09:36] another municipality will let you cross
[00:09:38] into city bound,
[00:09:39] >> right?
[00:09:40] >> We we we all have friendly territory,
[00:09:42] but that also it's a great it's a great
[00:09:44] messaging in in that we do work on a
[00:09:47] collaborative le uh effort throughout
[00:09:50] the nine the nine cities. So, thank you
[00:09:52] for your continued work. We're thrilled
[00:09:55] to be a part of it and thank you for
[00:09:57] coming today uh to present.
[00:10:00] >> Thank you so much. Have a good day.
[00:10:02] >> Perfect.
[00:10:13] Next item on the agenda is council
[00:10:15] member comments.
[00:10:17] Um
[00:10:20] I I want to touch on something if I may
[00:10:22] before we go into council member
[00:10:24] comments and and and it's about council
[00:10:26] member comments but also public
[00:10:28] comments. Uh public comments are
[00:10:31] welcome. We welcome them not only from
[00:10:33] our residents,
[00:10:35] but weekly we have people that come that
[00:10:38] do not live in our city that come to the
[00:10:40] day or come to the podium to address the
[00:10:44] um council and we welcome those
[00:10:46] comments. We ask that they be respectful
[00:10:49] and that they
[00:10:52] remain with the topic matter at hand
[00:10:55] during a an agenda item. And then during
[00:10:58] non-aggenda public comments, you're
[00:11:00] welcome to share your comments. As far
[00:11:02] as our council members are concerned, we
[00:11:05] know our rules and we need to stay with
[00:11:07] them and do not go back and revisit on
[00:11:11] an item that has already been discussed
[00:11:14] and stay with the topic at hand. if we
[00:11:17] will please. And I'm going to ask that
[00:11:20] uh my our city attorney speak to a
[00:11:23] couple of details with regards to public
[00:11:25] comments before we move forward.
[00:11:28] >> Thank you, mayor. uh for the benefit of
[00:11:30] the council as well as the public. Um as
[00:11:34] we all know the public during public
[00:11:35] comments have first amendment rights
[00:11:36] with respect to speaking at open comment
[00:11:38] or during the uh open public comment
[00:11:41] period on matters not on the agenda but
[00:11:44] within the subject matter jurisdiction.
[00:11:46] Um by way of reference as you may recall
[00:11:50] a few years ago the Brown Act was
[00:11:52] revised to allow the council to remove
[00:11:55] individuals who are actually disrupting
[00:11:56] the meeting. Um, so I just wanted to
[00:11:58] make you aware that should a disruption
[00:12:01] occur um by a specific member or members
[00:12:05] of the public, there are available tools
[00:12:09] uh to either remove specific individuals
[00:12:11] upon first a warning that they're actual
[00:12:13] violating or disrupting the meeting and
[00:12:15] then request them to leave andor the the
[00:12:18] city can consider removing everyone from
[00:12:20] the audience um and reconvene once the
[00:12:23] chambers have been cleared. So, I just
[00:12:25] wanted to remind you of the options
[00:12:26] available to you under the Brown Act.
[00:12:30] >> Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. We'll
[00:12:32] start uh council member comments this
[00:12:35] afternoon with Eve uh council member Eve
[00:12:38] uh Framberg Edelstein.
[00:12:40] >> Um I just wanted to make a brief
[00:12:41] comment. It was a uh an interesting week
[00:12:45] when it starts out with the passing of
[00:12:47] two people. Robert Duval, which is just
[00:12:49] pop culture, but more importantly, Jesse
[00:12:52] Jackson and speaking as a child of the
[00:12:55] 80s, uh recognizing I was not alive
[00:12:58] during the civil rights movement, I only
[00:13:00] knew Jesse Jackson as the voice of the
[00:13:01] Democratic Party uh running for
[00:13:03] president two times unsuccessfully, but
[00:13:05] the awareness he brought to that and to
[00:13:08] the shaping of the Democratic Party. And
[00:13:10] I just think that it is remiss to not
[00:13:12] mention the legacy he's left on culture,
[00:13:16] race, politics. Um, you know, it's
[00:13:20] thought that without Jesse Jackson,
[00:13:22] there may never have been a Barack
[00:13:23] Obama. And I just think it's interesting
[00:13:25] to to to make a comment and say I don't
[00:13:28] know what this country would have looked
[00:13:30] like without the involvement of Jesse
[00:13:32] Jackson. And that was all that I wanted
[00:13:35] to say.
[00:13:36] >> Very nice. Council member DS.
[00:13:40] Thank you, Madam Mayor. So, three items
[00:13:42] that I wanted to speak to today. First
[00:13:43] has to do with the uh Omni Hotel and the
[00:13:46] Ranchelos Palmus Homeowners Association.
[00:13:48] So, uh many of you are aware that at a
[00:13:51] recent council meeting, there were a
[00:13:52] number of homeowners from Ranchelos
[00:13:54] Palmus who came to the uh podium here to
[00:13:57] talk about plans that the Omni had to uh
[00:14:01] make some changes to their the golf
[00:14:03] course. And the complaints that they had
[00:14:05] uh that they made to us had to do with
[00:14:07] number one uh that uh they said that the
[00:14:11] Omni had signed agreements with them
[00:14:12] that required the Omni to consult with
[00:14:14] them if the Omni was going to make
[00:14:16] changes to that golf course. Number two
[00:14:18] uh they suggested that the Omni had not
[00:14:21] uh done the job of due diligence and
[00:14:24] seeking permits from the city to begin
[00:14:25] those changes. And number three that the
[00:14:27] Omni had not uh talked to the Coachella
[00:14:30] Valley Water District about the changes
[00:14:31] that they hope to make and a flood
[00:14:33] control channel. Well, it turns out that
[00:14:34] all three of those complaints are
[00:14:36] absolutely correct. The Omni does have
[00:14:38] an obligation to consult with the
[00:14:39] homeowners. The OB omni does have an
[00:14:41] obligation to seek permits from the city
[00:14:42] before they uh they started that work
[00:14:44] and the Omni does have an obligation to
[00:14:47] seek approval from the CVWD to make
[00:14:49] changes in that flood control channel.
[00:14:50] Well, two things have happened in the
[00:14:52] past week. Uh, one is that a senior
[00:14:55] executive officer from Omni's parent
[00:14:57] company late in the day last Friday had
[00:14:59] a conversation with our city manager and
[00:15:01] on Tuesday morning I had a meeting with
[00:15:03] a committee that is comprised of u
[00:15:06] members of the hotel management as well
[00:15:08] as members of the HOA and the Omni has
[00:15:12] allowed as how that they did make some
[00:15:14] mistakes and they apologize for those
[00:15:16] mistakes. They uh have said that they
[00:15:18] will in fact consult with the
[00:15:19] homeowners. They will seek appropriate
[00:15:21] permits from the city and that they will
[00:15:23] seek appropriate approvals from the
[00:15:24] CVWD. They have decided that they will
[00:15:26] delay uh the u the work that they plan
[00:15:29] to do on the golf course for one year to
[00:15:32] make time for those actions to take
[00:15:34] place. And they've also agreed to remove
[00:15:36] all of the equipment that they put on
[00:15:38] that golf course. And they do uh they
[00:15:40] did say at the meeting on Tuesday that
[00:15:41] sometime in the coming weeks as soon as
[00:15:43] the equipment is removed that they do
[00:15:45] plan to reopen that golf course. So good
[00:15:47] news for the homeowners. Thank I thank
[00:15:49] them for coming here to speak to us. Uh
[00:15:51] and I think that's a good outcome from
[00:15:52] for the Omni and the homeowners. Now a
[00:15:54] lot of work needs to be done and we'll
[00:15:55] see how this shakes out over the next
[00:15:57] year. But um from my perspective, I
[00:15:59] think that the Omni is at this point
[00:16:01] moving in the right direction. The uh
[00:16:02] second item that I wanted to talk to
[00:16:04] today is uh has to do with CV Rail. I
[00:16:07] mentioned this uh at a uh council
[00:16:09] meeting a couple of weeks ago uh that um
[00:16:12] the uh Riverside County Transportation
[00:16:14] Commission was attempting to seek some
[00:16:17] SQA relief on the CV rail project. If
[00:16:21] they do get SQA relief, it will result
[00:16:23] in savings of tens of millions of
[00:16:25] dollars and probably years in the
[00:16:27] process of uh finally getting CV rail uh
[00:16:30] to be a re reality. CV rail is important
[00:16:32] to this desert. It's important for
[00:16:33] economic reasons. uh anytime that uh we
[00:16:36] make it easier for transportation and
[00:16:38] travel uh from coastal southern
[00:16:40] California here to the desert, we
[00:16:41] improve the economy. If we improve the
[00:16:43] economy, we we raise the standard of
[00:16:44] living and we raise the quality of life
[00:16:46] in our city. So C CV Rail is important
[00:16:48] for our city. Well, um, a bill was
[00:16:51] introduced on, uh, September 11th, I'm
[00:16:53] sorry, on February 11th with bipartisan
[00:16:56] support, uh, at the state in the state
[00:16:58] legislature and Greg Wallace uh, who
[00:17:00] represents us in this city was one of
[00:17:02] the sponsors of that legislation. It is,
[00:17:04] uh, it does have bipartisan support. So,
[00:17:07] uh, if it is passed uh, during this uh,
[00:17:10] during the session of the legislature,
[00:17:11] it will mean that CV rail will become a
[00:17:13] reality more more quickly here in the
[00:17:15] desert. And the third thing that I
[00:17:17] wanted to speak to today has to do with
[00:17:19] an article that appeared in yesterday's
[00:17:20] Desert Sun. So on the front page of the
[00:17:23] Desert Sun, there was an article about
[00:17:24] the Palm Springs City Council
[00:17:26] considering a switch back to an elected
[00:17:28] mayor. Now there are three cities in the
[00:17:30] Coachella Valley that do have elected
[00:17:32] mayors. Those cities are Desert Hot
[00:17:33] Springs, Lita, and Coachella. All of the
[00:17:35] rest of the cities in the Coachella
[00:17:37] Valley do as we do. Uh we operate with a
[00:17:39] rotational mayor system. Now, the reason
[00:17:41] that I wanted to speak to this today is
[00:17:43] because uh I'm guessing that that
[00:17:45] article on the front page of the paper
[00:17:46] may speak may may may spark some uh some
[00:17:50] questions on the part of residents of
[00:17:51] Rancher Mirage as to uh why we have a
[00:17:54] rotational mayor system. Now, a an
[00:17:57] elected mayor, I think, makes a lot of a
[00:17:59] lot of sense in a large city with
[00:18:01] complex government and complex
[00:18:02] administration, but ours is a small
[00:18:04] city. We don't have big city problems.
[00:18:07] Ours is a very small city and our system
[00:18:09] of marrow rotation has made sense for us
[00:18:12] for decades now. So the ranch mirage
[00:18:14] approach to council service at large to
[00:18:16] no districtricting and to marrow
[00:18:18] rotation has served our city well. Some
[00:18:20] good examples I mentioned this at at a
[00:18:22] recent council meeting has to do with
[00:18:23] our wireless master plan. So the
[00:18:26] wireless master plan allows us to
[00:18:28] identify areas of the city where we need
[00:18:30] to build cell infrastructure to make
[00:18:33] cell phone communication easier for our
[00:18:34] residents and for our businesses. Well,
[00:18:36] I don't want to be in a position where
[00:18:38] I'm I'm trying to get uh sell
[00:18:39] infrastructure in my district at the
[00:18:41] expense of my other council members. I
[00:18:43] don't think that's a good idea. I think
[00:18:44] what's what's best for me and for my my
[00:18:46] council colleagues is if we see seek the
[00:18:48] best place in this entire city to build
[00:18:51] cell phone infrastructure. That's just
[00:18:52] one example. And as far as mayor
[00:18:54] rotation is concerned, what it does is
[00:18:56] it removes strife, political strife on
[00:18:58] this council. It allows us to
[00:19:00] concentrate on issues like that wireless
[00:19:02] master plan that I just mentioned. It
[00:19:04] takes political strife out of the
[00:19:05] equation. It causes me not to be at odds
[00:19:08] with my council colleagues as to who
[00:19:10] will serve as council as pre as mayor of
[00:19:12] this uh this council of this city next
[00:19:14] year. One of the arguments that somebody
[00:19:16] sometimes makes that a person in the
[00:19:18] city sometimes makes is that they want
[00:19:20] one point of accountability. I know who
[00:19:23] the point of accountability is. She's
[00:19:24] sitting right there, the mayor of this
[00:19:26] city. Next year it'll be Michael. I know
[00:19:27] who's going to rotate into mayor next
[00:19:29] year and the year after. I know who I
[00:19:31] need to respect as the mayor of this
[00:19:32] city. And I don't have any problem with
[00:19:34] that. I think it's it's the right thing
[00:19:35] for us to do. I think that our mayor
[00:19:37] rotation system and our system of uh
[00:19:39] council members elected at large has
[00:19:41] served this city well for decades and
[00:19:43] will continue to do so for decades to
[00:19:44] come. Thank you, Madame Mayor.
[00:19:47] >> Thank you, Council Member Ted While.
[00:19:51] >> Thank you, Mayor.
[00:19:53] Um, I'll merily tag on to uh Council
[00:19:58] Member J's last comment regarding the uh
[00:20:02] rotational of the mayor. Uh, to me, and
[00:20:06] I think you did touch on this. Uh, it
[00:20:10] maintains harmony on the city council.
[00:20:14] you find your colleagues
[00:20:17] uh that you are working with for the
[00:20:20] betterment of the entire city. You are
[00:20:23] not campaigning for a particular office.
[00:20:27] You know your time will come. You'll get
[00:20:30] your turn and in the meantime, you'll be
[00:20:33] working for the betterment of the city
[00:20:36] of Rancho Mirage, which is the reason
[00:20:38] that we're here uh in the first place.
[00:20:41] With that, I'll make a couple of
[00:20:43] comments today. The first has to do with
[00:20:46] the Rancher Mirage night with the
[00:20:49] Firebirds.
[00:20:51] I'm excited to invite our community to
[00:20:54] the city series, Rancher Mirage Night
[00:20:57] with the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
[00:21:01] Join us on Sunday, March 8 at 3 p.m. at
[00:21:05] Aushure Arena as the Firebirds take on
[00:21:08] the Calgary Wranglers.
[00:21:11] This evening is about celebrating Ranch
[00:21:14] Mirage Pride, recognizing our residents,
[00:21:18] businesses, and community leaders who
[00:21:21] make our city shine.
[00:21:24] Throughout the game, there will be
[00:21:25] special in-game recognitions,
[00:21:28] surprise moments, and appearances by the
[00:21:31] mayor and city council.
[00:21:34] Families can enjoy photo opportunities
[00:21:37] with our city mascot and fans can
[00:21:40] purchase the limited time Rancho Rita
[00:21:45] specialty cocktail created just for
[00:21:48] Rancho Mirage night.
[00:21:51] The first 100 fans will receive a
[00:21:54] special Rancho Mirage keepsake.
[00:21:57] Residents can access exclusive discounts
[00:22:01] of approximately 15 to 25% off standard
[00:22:05] ticket pricing depending on seating
[00:22:08] availability.
[00:22:10] All tickets are mobile and pe and can be
[00:22:13] accessed through CV Firebirds app. We
[00:22:18] encourage everyone to bring family,
[00:22:20] friends, and neighbors and join us as
[00:22:23] Ranch Mirage Pride takes center ice.
[00:22:29] Again, one more opportunity for the
[00:22:33] residents and public to participate with
[00:22:36] us. Lastly, I'd like to mention someone
[00:22:40] that does an incredible job in our
[00:22:43] community.
[00:22:46] It's my distinct pleasure to once again
[00:22:48] recognize a welldeserved honor as we
[00:22:51] celebrate
[00:22:53] Terry Kdover for her dedicated service
[00:22:56] the children to the children of our
[00:22:59] community.
[00:23:01] On February 6th, 26th, Terry was honored
[00:23:05] at the fifth annual Women of Wonder
[00:23:07] Lunchon as a woman of wonder by Variety
[00:23:11] Children's Charity of the Desert. An
[00:23:14] award that celebrates women whose
[00:23:17] leadership,
[00:23:18] compassion, and commitment have made a
[00:23:21] profound and lasting impact on the lives
[00:23:25] of children throughout the Coachella
[00:23:27] Valley.
[00:23:29] Through her through her unwavering
[00:23:32] dedication,
[00:23:34] Terry has positively touched the lives
[00:23:37] of all children in our community,
[00:23:40] helping them f thrive, develop, and
[00:23:43] achieve their potential.
[00:23:46] She has also been a champion for
[00:23:48] children with special needs, ensuring
[00:23:52] they receive the critical support and
[00:23:55] resources they require. Her work
[00:23:59] reflects generosity, strength, and
[00:24:02] enduring commitment to lifting up others
[00:24:06] and strengthening our community.
[00:24:10] Terry, your service truly embodies the
[00:24:13] very best of who we are. On behalf of
[00:24:17] the entire city council,
[00:24:20] we proudly congratulate you on this
[00:24:22] recognition and sincerely thank you for
[00:24:26] the extraordinary difference you
[00:24:28] continue to make. Congratulations and
[00:24:31] again, thank you for your service. Thank
[00:24:34] you, Mayor.
[00:24:37] >> Thank you, Mayor Prom O'Keefe.
[00:24:40] >> Thank you, Madame Mayor. No comments
[00:24:41] today.
[00:24:45] I have just a couple. Uh, one, I'd like
[00:24:47] to congratulate the Rancher Mirage
[00:24:49] Chamber of Commerce. Uh, they just
[00:24:51] celebrated their RAMY awards. Uh,
[00:24:53] honoring and recognizing uh, outstanding
[00:24:57] businesses and members through our
[00:25:00] community. Uh, we wish them continued
[00:25:03] success and uh, look forward to another
[00:25:06] prosperous year. And then to build on
[00:25:09] Council Member Ted uh Wild's comments
[00:25:12] with regards to uh the fire ranch night
[00:25:15] at the Firebirds, um I had the pleasure
[00:25:17] of throwing out the first pitch at uh
[00:25:21] the Ranch Mirage Day of Power Baseball.
[00:25:23] I want to thank Andrewh Starky and his
[00:25:26] uh team. I was told I threw the ball
[00:25:29] like a boss and I got it across home
[00:25:33] plate little on the inside and uh but it
[00:25:36] was good. The catcher gave me a thumbs
[00:25:37] up. Now, I don't know if he was just
[00:25:39] being nice or if it was it was really
[00:25:41] good throw, but
[00:25:42] >> Can you pull that video up for us, Gabe?
[00:25:45] >> There are pictures and witnesses.
[00:25:48] >> Madame Mayor, I was there. You did a
[00:25:49] great job throwing.
[00:25:50] >> Thank you very much. I used to play left
[00:25:51] field, so I when I was in uh high
[00:25:54] school. At any rate, moving on. Uh,
[00:25:59] next item on the agenda is city manager
[00:26:01] comments and reports.
[00:26:03] >> Uh, none today, Madame Mayor.
[00:26:06] Then we'll move on to the we'll move on
[00:26:08] to the consent uh calendar.
[00:26:11] >> Thank you. Uh the members of the council
[00:26:13] have four items on the consent calendar
[00:26:15] for consideration. Uh items 5A through
[00:26:18] 5D. Item 5A is the February 5th, 2026
[00:26:23] regular city council meeting minutes.
[00:26:26] Item 5B is to adopt a resolution to
[00:26:29] approve the city's statement of
[00:26:32] investment policy. Item 5 C are the
[00:26:35] contracts and 5D are demands. Before we
[00:26:38] go to council comments or questions,
[00:26:40] I'll ask the city clerk to take public
[00:26:42] comment on the consent calendar.
[00:26:44] >> Thank you. Our first speaker is
[00:26:45] Christian Donovan.
[00:26:51] >> Welcome.
[00:26:52] >> Hi there. Thanks for your time. Uh, my
[00:26:54] name is Christian Donovan and I'm here
[00:26:56] to speak in opposition to the 24-month,
[00:26:58] $140,000 amendment for the Flock safety
[00:27:01] automatic license plate recognition
[00:27:03] system. This isn't about uh being pro
[00:27:06] police or anti-technology. It's about
[00:27:08] whether this contract aligns with the
[00:27:10] city's stated values, starting with
[00:27:13] responsible use of public resources. We
[00:27:15] are being asked to spend $140,000 over
[00:27:18] two years on a system that creates a
[00:27:21] mass database of vehicle movements.
[00:27:23] These cameras don't just capture plates
[00:27:25] connected to crimes. They record
[00:27:28] everyone. Parents driving to school,
[00:27:30] residents attending religious services,
[00:27:33] visitors coming to medical appointments,
[00:27:34] journalists meeting sources, law-abiding
[00:27:37] people going about their lives. The
[00:27:39] question is not whether the system can
[00:27:41] occasionally help solve a case. The
[00:27:43] question is whether continuous dragnet
[00:27:45] style surveillance of the entire
[00:27:47] community is a proportional and
[00:27:49] responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
[00:27:52] Secondly, adherence to federal, state,
[00:27:54] and local regulations. Across the
[00:27:56] country, civil liberty groups, including
[00:27:58] the ACLU, have raised concerns about
[00:28:00] ALPR networks enabling long-term
[00:28:03] tracking without a warrant. Public
[00:28:05] reporting has shown that ALPR data can
[00:28:07] be shared across jurisdictions and
[00:28:10] accessed by outside agencies, sometimes
[00:28:12] with minimal oversight. In some cases,
[00:28:15] reporting has shown data being retained
[00:28:16] for extended periods, create creating a
[00:28:19] historical map of people's movements.
[00:28:22] Even when technically legal, this kind
[00:28:24] of persistent location tracking exists
[00:28:26] in a gray area between policy and
[00:28:28] constitutional principle. The Supreme
[00:28:30] Court has already recognized in cases
[00:28:32] like Carpenter v. United States that
[00:28:34] long-term tracking of individuals raises
[00:28:36] serious Fourth Amendment concerns. Are
[00:28:39] we confident our policies are strong
[00:28:41] enough? Are they publicly accessible?
[00:28:43] Are they audited? Is data access logged
[00:28:46] and reviewed?
[00:28:48] Is there a strict retention limit? Or
[00:28:50] are we approving the technology first
[00:28:52] and trusting the safeguards will sort
[00:28:54] themselves out later? Thirdly,
[00:28:56] responsible governance and community
[00:28:58] trust. Flock markets these systems as
[00:29:00] crime fighting tools, but numerous
[00:29:02] investigative reports have shown that
[00:29:04] these camera networks create searchable
[00:29:06] vehicle databases that can be queried by
[00:29:08] plate number, location, and time. That
[00:29:10] power is enormous, and enormous power
[00:29:13] demands enormous oversight. Without
[00:29:15] strict limits, this becomes
[00:29:17] infrastructure for tracking political
[00:29:18] gatherings, protests, immigration
[00:29:20] sensitive communities, or simply anyone
[00:29:23] someone in authority decides to look up.
[00:29:25] Even if no one intends abuse, the system
[00:29:27] normalizes surveillance. It shifts the
[00:29:29] relationship between residents and their
[00:29:31] city from community to modern territory.
[00:29:34] Finally, support and promote cultural,
[00:29:36] historical, educational, and charitable
[00:29:37] events. Ask yourself this. When people
[00:29:39] attend a cultural festival, a school
[00:29:41] fundraiser, historical commemoration, or
[00:29:43] charitable gathering, do we want them
[00:29:44] wondering whether their presence is
[00:29:46] being logged into a law enforcement
[00:29:47] database? Public participation thrives
[00:29:50] in an atmosphere of trust, not
[00:29:51] surveillance. The contract may seem
[00:29:53] routine. It may seem administrative, but
[00:29:55] it represents a choice about the kind of
[00:29:57] city we want to be. If we are serious
[00:29:59] about responsible use of public
[00:30:00] resources, strict adherence to
[00:30:02] conditional constitutional principles,
[00:30:03] and fostering a culture of civic
[00:30:05] engagement, then we should pause this
[00:30:07] contract, demand transparent policies,
[00:30:09] independent audits, strict data
[00:30:11] retention limits, and meaningful public
[00:30:13] oversight before expanding or extending
[00:30:14] the system. Technology should serve the
[00:30:17] people. It should not quietly map them.
[00:30:19] Thank you.
[00:30:21] >> Next speaker is Brad Anderson.
[00:30:30] Good afternoon. Brad Anderson, currently
[00:30:32] live in the city of Ranch Mor. Wanted to
[00:30:34] speak on the consent items today. Uh A,
[00:30:37] C, and D. Uh I'll start with A. This is
[00:30:40] the minutes of the uh last uh city
[00:30:42] council meeting. Uh I did write uh
[00:30:44] comments about everything I'll be
[00:30:46] speaking about today and some additional
[00:30:48] items that was brought up at the last
[00:30:50] meeting. So hopefully you can review
[00:30:52] those. Uh but I'm in I'm opposed to
[00:30:54] everything. Uh the minutes are
[00:30:56] inaccurate and incomplete. So those need
[00:30:59] to be uh uh I guess corrected. And then
[00:31:03] the contracts um as the previous speaker
[00:31:05] spoke about the flock contract. I'm in a
[00:31:08] strong opposition to that. Again, I I
[00:31:10] wrote uh public comments and uh they all
[00:31:14] submitted for the public records more or
[00:31:16] less mirroring what was spoken about
[00:31:18] before. And and I don't think most
[00:31:20] residents know. Everybody I have a lot
[00:31:22] of people ask me what those are. And I
[00:31:24] just want to inform the city again that
[00:31:27] the city neglected to do uh uh the
[00:31:31] correct actions when they through the
[00:31:33] state California state law when they
[00:31:35] installed those uh throughout the city.
[00:31:38] And and I guess back to the comment
[00:31:41] about the people or the trans u those
[00:31:44] are $5,000 in maintenance or lease
[00:31:47] agreement uh for those units per year.
[00:31:49] So when you see one of those they're
[00:31:51] $5,000.
[00:31:53] Um so it's a cost and of course they're
[00:31:56] they're mounted on private property and
[00:31:58] city rights away and they are installed
[00:32:00] in the city to monitor private
[00:32:02] properties at taxes expense. Uh and and
[00:32:07] the other contract I won't mention. Uh I
[00:32:09] did write some uh comments about that.
[00:32:12] And back down to demands was uh I will
[00:32:16] bring up in close session too or the
[00:32:18] close session comments. Uh I'm concerned
[00:32:20] because we had apparently a claim that
[00:32:23] was settled for $50,000 plus the
[00:32:25] attorney fees over $100,000. Uh so
[00:32:30] hopefully the city attorney can address
[00:32:32] that. And that's all I have. Thank you.
[00:32:35] That was the last speaker card. Is there
[00:32:37] anyone else in the audience who would
[00:32:38] like to speak on the consent calendar?
[00:32:41] That was the last speaker.
[00:32:44] >> Thank you. The next item on the agenda
[00:32:46] is I uh public hearings.
[00:32:48] >> Move to approve the consent calendar.
[00:32:49] >> My apologies.
[00:32:51] >> I move to approve.
[00:32:53] >> Thank you.
[00:32:53] >> I'll second that.
[00:32:56] >> Please vote. Give me one second.
[00:33:02] >> Okay, there you go.
[00:33:08] Motion carries 5-0.
[00:33:11] >> Jumping jumping ahead. Item number 6A in
[00:33:15] public hearings. Annexation number 204
[00:33:18] to community facilities district number
[00:33:21] one in connection with preliminary
[00:33:23] development plan case number PDP25-00003
[00:33:30] the global wildlife discovery museum
[00:33:33] located on highway 111 south of the
[00:33:35] atrium shopping center and Jacob de la
[00:33:38] Cruz financial analyst report on this.
[00:33:41] >> Thank you mayor. Good afternoon council.
[00:33:43] This item is to hold a public hearing
[00:33:45] for annexation 204 into community
[00:33:46] facilities district number one. This is
[00:33:48] the second and final step in the city's
[00:33:50] annexation process for developments
[00:33:52] within the city's jurisdiction. The
[00:33:54] first step was considered and approved
[00:33:55] at the January 15th council meeting. The
[00:33:57] territory is comprised of three parcels
[00:33:59] totaling approximately 6.76 acres. It
[00:34:03] should be noted that the three parcels
[00:34:04] all had separate owners when the
[00:34:06] annexation was initially brought to
[00:34:07] council last month. However, two of the
[00:34:09] parcels changed ownership last week on
[00:34:12] Friday, February 13th. The parcels
[00:34:14] ending in 023 and 028 were owned by Grit
[00:34:17] Development and Morris Communication,
[00:34:18] respectively, and were purchased by RSH
[00:34:21] Ralph Properties LLC in preparation for
[00:34:23] this project. A new ballot was sent to
[00:34:26] the new owners uh and has been received
[00:34:29] in time for today's special election. At
[00:34:31] conclusion of today's public hearing,
[00:34:33] provided written protests have not been
[00:34:34] filed and in absence of majority
[00:34:36] protests, the city council may consider
[00:34:38] adoption of the attached resolution
[00:34:40] calling a special election, declaring
[00:34:42] the results of the election, determining
[00:34:44] the validity of prior proceedings,
[00:34:45] approving the annexation of the
[00:34:47] territory, and directing the recording
[00:34:49] of an amendment to the notice of special
[00:34:50] tax lean. Staff recommends approval.
[00:34:52] That concludes my presentation. I'd be
[00:34:54] happy to answer any questions.
[00:35:00] Madame Mayor, uh I did not receive any
[00:35:02] speaker cards. Is there anyone in the
[00:35:03] audience who would like to provide
[00:35:04] public testimony on public hearing item
[00:35:06] 6A?
[00:35:08] Seeing none, would you like me to read
[00:35:10] the election results, please? The ballot
[00:35:13] for seven of the eligible votes was
[00:35:15] received on February 16th, 2026, and was
[00:35:18] in favor. The ballot for the one
[00:35:19] additional eligible vote was also
[00:35:21] received on February 16th, 2026, and was
[00:35:24] also in favor. Therefore, votes cast in
[00:35:26] favor equal 100% of total votes cast.
[00:35:30] Thank you.
[00:35:32] Are there any council comments?
[00:35:36] Seeing none, do I have a motion
[00:35:40] to adopt?
[00:35:45] >> I'll go ahead and make the motion. Um
[00:35:51] that the council adopt resolution number
[00:35:53] 2026 next in order. calling any election
[00:35:55] on levying a special tax within the area
[00:35:58] proposed to be annexed to community
[00:36:01] facilities district number one.
[00:36:03] Declaring the election results,
[00:36:04] approving the annexation of the
[00:36:06] territory and directing the recordation
[00:36:07] of the amendment of the notice of
[00:36:09] special tax lean.
[00:36:11] >> I'll second that.
[00:36:13] >> Please vote.
[00:36:17] >> Motion carries 5.
[00:36:22] Next item on the agenda, campaign
[00:36:24] contribution limits for city council
[00:36:27] candidates and our city clerk Christy
[00:36:29] Ramos will report on this. Madam clerk,
[00:36:32] thank you. Good afternoon, honorable
[00:36:34] mayor and council members. The
[00:36:36] California Political Reform Act was
[00:36:38] enacted by the California voters in 1974
[00:36:41] and includes provisions that regulate
[00:36:42] campaign finance, lobbying activity, and
[00:36:45] conflict of interest. Since 2021, the
[00:36:48] act has required that state established
[00:36:50] campaign contribution limits for state
[00:36:52] candidates be applied to candidates for
[00:36:54] city and county offices unless the city
[00:36:56] or county imposed its own campaign
[00:36:58] contribution limit. The current state
[00:37:00] imposed contrib contribution limit is
[00:37:03] $5,900 per contributor. The city of
[00:37:06] Retro Mirage has not imposed its own
[00:37:08] contribution limit and currently
[00:37:09] defaults to the state limit. The act
[00:37:11] authorizes cities to impose campaign
[00:37:13] contribution limits greater or smaller
[00:37:15] than the limit imposed by the state.
[00:37:17] Staff met with a city council
[00:37:19] subcommittee to review options regarding
[00:37:20] this subject and the subcommittee's
[00:37:22] recommendation was to adopt a resolution
[00:37:24] establishing no campaign contribution
[00:37:26] limits for city council candidates. That
[00:37:29] concludes my report and I could take
[00:37:30] public comment if you'd like.
[00:37:33] Okay, first speaker is Brad Anderson.
[00:37:42] Hello, Brad Anderson. Currently live in
[00:37:45] the city of Ranch Mirage. Um, I wanted
[00:37:47] to speak on this item briefly. I did
[00:37:49] write some comments, so hopefully you
[00:37:51] had a chance to look at those.
[00:37:52] Hopefully, they were submitted or they
[00:37:54] got here in time. Um, I I guess I'm in
[00:37:58] support of this. I see no reason not to
[00:38:00] have this. I am concerned about the
[00:38:02] other part of government. We're talking
[00:38:03] about a subcommittee and maybe maybe in
[00:38:06] the future you can be more transparent
[00:38:08] on these subcommittees and who are on
[00:38:10] them and who assigns them and and the
[00:38:13] topics and how many subcommittees we
[00:38:15] have and and and because that's all dark
[00:38:18] information for the public, the general
[00:38:20] public and I'm more or less involved and
[00:38:22] if I don't know, nobody knows. Thank
[00:38:24] you.
[00:38:24] >> Thank you.
[00:38:26] >> That was the only speaker card. Is there
[00:38:28] anyone else who would like to speak on
[00:38:29] this item?
[00:38:31] >> That was the only speaker.
[00:38:33] I'll now invite council comments.
[00:38:36] >> I do, uh, Madame Mayor, if I may. Um, so
[00:38:40] I think that this is an item that we
[00:38:44] should pass, uh, but with an adjustment.
[00:38:47] Uh the reason that I think that we
[00:38:48] should pass this item, I won't get into
[00:38:50] the weeds and go into the detail, but if
[00:38:54] the city adopts a limit, a campaign
[00:38:56] contribution limit that is different
[00:38:58] from the state's campaign contribution
[00:38:59] limits, it makes it easier
[00:39:02] administratively
[00:39:04] for those who wish to run for council to
[00:39:07] do so. whether we sit on the council now
[00:39:09] or whether it's someone who has run in
[00:39:11] the past who wants to run again in the
[00:39:12] future, the paperwork filings are are
[00:39:15] simply simpler and easier. Now, that
[00:39:17] doesn't mean that there isn't full
[00:39:19] disclosure. So, the campaign uh finance
[00:39:22] filings that we need to make that uh
[00:39:24] that uh that um that candidates for
[00:39:28] council need to make, which shows every
[00:39:30] dollar that goes into your campaign and
[00:39:31] every dollar that goes out, will not
[00:39:33] change at all. All of those still will
[00:39:34] be submitted to the city and to the
[00:39:36] FPPC. that doesn't change one bit. All
[00:39:38] this does is it simply makes it simpler
[00:39:41] and easier for us to uh to file our
[00:39:44] documentation and for the city to track
[00:39:45] that documentation. So, I do think we
[00:39:47] should pass this. However,
[00:39:50] I do believe after hearing some public
[00:39:53] comments and particularly after reading
[00:39:55] uh a letter from uh from uh one of our
[00:39:58] residents who expressed his concerns
[00:40:00] very clearly and very well, I do think
[00:40:02] that it is a good idea to have a limit
[00:40:04] of some sort. I think an unlimited
[00:40:07] number. I'm just uncomfortable with the
[00:40:10] concept of an unlimited number on a
[00:40:11] campaign contribution. Now, I've never
[00:40:14] received a campaign contribution for
[00:40:15] more than about $500 in all the time
[00:40:17] that I've been on the city council. I
[00:40:19] don't know that I think a couple of us
[00:40:20] may have have received something larger
[00:40:22] than that. But I don't think any of us
[00:40:24] have ever received anything as large as
[00:40:26] $5,900 as an example. So, I don't think
[00:40:28] that's a problem. I think the issue is
[00:40:30] simply a matter of public perception. I
[00:40:32] think a an unlimited number just sends
[00:40:34] the wrong message. So, I think we should
[00:40:36] pass this, but I think we should pass it
[00:40:37] with an adjustment. And the adjustment
[00:40:39] is that I think there should be a u a
[00:40:41] campaign contribution limit. And I'd
[00:40:43] suggest I' certainly happy to hear uh
[00:40:46] suggestions from o other council
[00:40:48] members, but I think the number ought to
[00:40:50] be if the state number is $5,900, let's
[00:40:52] make ours $6,000 just so it's different
[00:40:55] enough so that we can make it simpler
[00:40:57] and easier for us to comply um with the
[00:41:00] requirements to file and for city staff
[00:41:03] to uh also uh follow the requirements of
[00:41:05] tracking campaign contributions. My
[00:41:08] opinion, $6,000 should be the number.
[00:41:10] >> Thank you. I'd like to make some
[00:41:12] comments. Um, in looking at this issue,
[00:41:15] I see it from a different perspective,
[00:41:18] uh, based on my other job. So, I'm an at
[00:41:21] a business attorney in town. I do, um, a
[00:41:24] corporate compliance formation. I deal
[00:41:27] with a lot of state agencies doing
[00:41:29] paperwork for people that find the
[00:41:31] amount of paperwork required from the
[00:41:33] state of California to be ownorous,
[00:41:34] confusing, and not clear. Um, I can say
[00:41:39] that in all the time that I've done
[00:41:41] those forms and figured them out, I have
[00:41:43] found um this the campaign reporting um
[00:41:48] statutes and requirements to be the most
[00:41:50] ownorous I have I've encountered in my
[00:41:53] time. Um
[00:41:56] I
[00:41:58] I I'm a lifelong resident of the state
[00:42:00] of California and I love the state of
[00:42:02] California. However, there is possibly
[00:42:03] no state better at creating forms than
[00:42:05] the state of California.
[00:42:07] um and creating fees as the state of
[00:42:09] California um for viable reasons. Some
[00:42:12] are great, some aren't. Some are for
[00:42:14] transparency reasons, some are just to
[00:42:15] be ownorous, some are to support budgets
[00:42:17] and I don't decide which is the purpose.
[00:42:20] I just do them because they are required
[00:42:22] by the law. I further have another level
[00:42:25] because I'm an attorney and the only
[00:42:28] other agency I found that's as ownorous
[00:42:30] is the state of California. uh the bar
[00:42:33] the California bar bar of the state of
[00:42:35] California which is additionally become
[00:42:38] ownorous only more so recently with the
[00:42:40] controversies around trust accounting
[00:42:42] and so now I find the implication to be
[00:42:44] that all attorneys don't manage their
[00:42:46] trust accounts because one didn't and
[00:42:48] that to me is not true uh we have one of
[00:42:51] the most um ethically monitored
[00:42:54] professions in the world and that hasn't
[00:42:57] changed since I've been an attorney for
[00:42:58] almost 30 years my father's been one for
[00:43:01] Nonetheless, I recognize that those
[00:43:05] things are required and necessary and
[00:43:06] they must do them. However, I think that
[00:43:09] there is a point when the amount of the
[00:43:11] paperwork becomes ownorous and forces
[00:43:13] people not to want to participate in the
[00:43:15] process because it is so ownorous to
[00:43:18] report. I found when we looked at this
[00:43:20] issue that the state limit, which is
[00:43:23] just another layer of that, I don't know
[00:43:24] if it necessarily creates more ethical
[00:43:28] work on the part of people running for
[00:43:29] council on the money that they'll
[00:43:31] accept. I also think that what the state
[00:43:34] sees at a larger level of campaigns at a
[00:43:37] state level or a federal level is not
[00:43:38] the same as for those running for city
[00:43:40] office. Nonetheless, it's the same
[00:43:42] standard applied to everybody. But if
[00:43:45] there's ways to make this easier for
[00:43:47] people to run and participate in the
[00:43:48] system, I am all for that. Being that
[00:43:51] most people have to hire me to help them
[00:43:53] participate in state systems on many
[00:43:55] levels in this state, which I think is
[00:43:58] um sometimes um an undue burden to bear.
[00:44:01] So I um agree I that is why I support
[00:44:04] the fact that we lift the limit. I
[00:44:06] prefer the number of 7,500 because I
[00:44:09] think that it makes it a justifiable
[00:44:11] amount where it's still a camp again
[00:44:14] with the idea that of what um council
[00:44:17] member down said, it's all still very
[00:44:19] transparent. It all still must be
[00:44:21] reported, but it's just to what level
[00:44:22] you have to report and how many forms
[00:44:24] you have to complete, which I think will
[00:44:26] make it easier for people to engage in
[00:44:28] the process rather than making it easier
[00:44:31] for people to be corrupted within the
[00:44:32] process. I don't see the two as
[00:44:34] aligning. So, that's my opinion, but I
[00:44:36] will defer to my council members on the
[00:44:38] limit that we're all comfortable with.
[00:44:41] Um, I just feel like a $100 over
[00:44:44] that it feels more symbolic than
[00:44:46] realistic and reasonable for what we
[00:44:48] have to participate in and the process
[00:44:50] that we're trying to make easier. Those
[00:44:52] are my comments.
[00:44:53] >> Madame Mayor, I will defer to the $7,500
[00:44:56] number.
[00:44:58] >> There we go. Are there any other council
[00:45:00] comments?
[00:45:01] >> I have a question. Uh, thank you, Madame
[00:45:03] Mayor. My understanding was is that
[00:45:05] removing the limit of the state
[00:45:09] to have no limit made the process
[00:45:13] simpler and more open to more people. I
[00:45:16] don't understand now the new limit which
[00:45:19] is almost the same as the state limit.
[00:45:22] What maybe city attorney can explain to
[00:45:24] me what is the advantage of having a
[00:45:27] slightly different limit?
[00:45:30] >> Certainly. So, uh, one of the things
[00:45:32] that came by this that law a few years
[00:45:35] ago, which imparted the state limits on
[00:45:37] the city council limits was an
[00:45:40] additional administrative burden, um,
[00:45:42] with respect to um, uh, not necessarily
[00:45:45] filing for elections, but specifically
[00:45:47] with respect to some of the accounting
[00:45:50] um, procedures and forms you have to
[00:45:51] fill out. And so just by virtue of the
[00:45:54] city adopting a limit that differs from
[00:45:56] the state default, it alleviates those
[00:45:59] administrative burdens. So it's not a
[00:46:02] financial I don't want to I'm not
[00:46:03] discussing the sort of financial policy,
[00:46:05] but just by having a different limit
[00:46:07] than the state, you alleviate those sort
[00:46:09] of administrative burdens as I'll call
[00:46:11] them um to to ease um running for
[00:46:13] election and some of the paperwork that
[00:46:15] goes along with refiling for future
[00:46:17] elections as well.
[00:46:21] Mayor, if I may, I just did want to
[00:46:23] clarify that when we're talking about
[00:46:25] the limit, it is per contributor per
[00:46:28] election. So, it's not overall, say it's
[00:46:30] 6,7500, it's not a candidate can only uh
[00:46:34] receive 7500 overall per election. It's
[00:46:37] per single contributor contributor per
[00:46:40] election. Yes, we've had some residents
[00:46:43] who um were of the perception
[00:46:47] or misinformation that this um that we
[00:46:51] were just opening sky's the limit uh for
[00:46:54] campaign donations. And um we're a city
[00:46:59] of less than 22,000 people and to have
[00:47:03] no one's going to give us a donation of
[00:47:05] $75,000 or $50,000. That just doesn't
[00:47:08] happen here. And um I think on the on
[00:47:13] the flip side, there were there were
[00:47:15] residents that were thinking that you
[00:47:17] could only,
[00:47:19] you know, seek donations up to $59,000
[00:47:22] for your in I'm sorry, $5,900 for your
[00:47:25] entire campaign. And with the cost of
[00:47:28] printing and signs and just just all the
[00:47:32] filings and the professional individuals
[00:47:34] such as attorneys or campaign managers
[00:47:37] or what have you a a candidate would
[00:47:40] would request for those services far
[00:47:43] exceeds that 5900.
[00:47:45] So, um I I appreciate what um our
[00:47:49] council members, the subcommittee had um
[00:47:53] sought in trying to make it easier si
[00:47:56] for any of the residents that want to
[00:47:58] come forward and run for city council.
[00:48:01] This alleviates a lot of the burden.
[00:48:04] And with that, did did I did I
[00:48:07] >> um
[00:48:08] >> um Madame Mayor, if I could just
[00:48:09] interject, uh staff is going to request
[00:48:12] uh that um essentially we can take the
[00:48:16] council's feedback. Uh but we will need
[00:48:19] to amend the resolution and bring it
[00:48:21] back. So, um, one of the requirements
[00:48:25] that we're going to have to add to the
[00:48:27] resolution that's not in there now, uh,
[00:48:30] with this new limit of what I was
[00:48:32] hearing of $7,500
[00:48:34] is you need to put in, uh, the rules,
[00:48:38] uh, into the resolution if there's a
[00:48:40] violation. And so, there needs to be an
[00:48:43] enforcement component to enforce the
[00:48:46] rule of $7,500.
[00:48:48] uh the original way this was written
[00:48:50] when it was unlimited, there's nothing
[00:48:52] to enforce. So those enforcement
[00:48:54] procedures are not within the
[00:48:56] resolution, uh staff needs time to go
[00:48:59] back, put in this new limit, and then
[00:49:01] add back in the enforcement provisions
[00:49:03] into the resolution. So, we would
[00:49:06] request if there's a um a direction from
[00:49:09] the council of $7,500, you can take uh
[00:49:12] action on that, but we would like to or
[00:49:15] we need to uh add those enforcement
[00:49:18] provisions back into the resolution and
[00:49:20] bring that back at a future meeting.
[00:49:21] >> I agree. The enforcement provisions need
[00:49:23] to be in there. That just promotes
[00:49:25] transparency.
[00:49:26] >> Can I ask a question to the city manager
[00:49:28] then or the city attorney? So if we are
[00:49:31] to set a new limit and it is now to
[00:49:34] require an enforcement process and a
[00:49:36] penalty, are we now not are we now
[00:49:39] adding back in what we were trying to
[00:49:41] make easier or do we believe that it
[00:49:44] would still be streamlined by by raising
[00:49:46] the limit even if we have to reddraft um
[00:49:49] penalties?
[00:49:50] >> Yeah. So as council member D stated,
[00:49:52] right, it's not about all the
[00:49:54] transparency forms are still there. All
[00:49:56] of that is still there. It's the
[00:49:58] administrative paperwork, that
[00:50:00] administrative burden goes away if you
[00:50:03] adopt separate rules. And so those are
[00:50:06] the hurdles that you were referencing
[00:50:08] that make it difficult for people to run
[00:50:10] for office because it's so complicated.
[00:50:12] You're essentially making it a little
[00:50:14] easier without touching the transparency
[00:50:18] aspect of it. These are administrative
[00:50:20] uh aspects of the campaign. So, you're
[00:50:23] still achieving the goal of making it
[00:50:24] easier uh on any candidate for city
[00:50:27] council. Uh at the same time, preserving
[00:50:30] transparency and then uh yes, we will
[00:50:33] need to add this enforcement language
[00:50:35] into our own resolution.
[00:50:37] >> And just quickly to add to that, and I
[00:50:39] apologize if it was stated earlier, if
[00:50:41] you follow the state default rules, the
[00:50:42] FPPC is the body responsible for
[00:50:44] enforcing that because we'd have our own
[00:50:46] local rule, our own local limits. Now,
[00:50:48] the city takes on that new task of
[00:50:51] actually enforcing it. So, the FPPPC
[00:50:53] wouldn't step in if someone violated
[00:50:55] your limitations ordinance. It would
[00:50:56] actually be the city um which is what
[00:50:58] we'll be crafting and bringing forward
[00:50:59] to you that will actually be instituting
[00:51:01] the action uh for the violation and the
[00:51:04] penalty.
[00:51:04] >> Okay. Thank you.
[00:51:07] >> Uh may I make a motion, Madame Mayor?
[00:51:09] And and by the way, I apologize to city
[00:51:11] staff and to city attorney for giving
[00:51:12] you some additional work here. Uh but uh
[00:51:15] uh the motion would be that uh we adjust
[00:51:17] uh this uh measure to include a $7,500
[00:51:20] campaign contribution limit. Number one,
[00:51:23] and number two, that we delay a final
[00:51:25] decision on this measure uh until the
[00:51:27] next council meeting to give staff time
[00:51:29] to uh develop um enforcement language.
[00:51:34] >> Do I have a second?
[00:51:36] >> I'll second that.
[00:51:41] >> Motion carries. 5. Thank you.
[00:51:48] We now open the next item, non-aggenda
[00:51:51] public comments. Madame clerk,
[00:51:54] >> first speaker is Susan Ragdale.
[00:52:04] >> Hello, Madame Mayor and city council
[00:52:06] members and staff. Happy new year of the
[00:52:09] fire horse in Chinese astrology. It's a
[00:52:13] very exciting transformation that's
[00:52:16] happening in our entire global culture.
[00:52:18] I've been investigating these kinds of
[00:52:21] things lately and it's fascinating. I
[00:52:24] don't know if any of you feel the
[00:52:26] extreme changes we're going through. AI
[00:52:29] is one of the potential very different
[00:52:32] parts of our culture. Um, I'm here
[00:52:36] because I really feel I deserve some
[00:52:40] kind of acknowledgment for what I've
[00:52:43] been through and the way I've been
[00:52:46] mistreated. I don't ne mean to keep
[00:52:48] bringing negative things up. However,
[00:52:50] it's extraordinarily serious because
[00:52:53] it's three federal crimes and elder
[00:52:57] abuse. And I have come here so many
[00:53:00] times to try and show you that I'm
[00:53:03] telling the truth. I've written my
[00:53:04] reports over and over from every angle,
[00:53:08] every style, and I just get completely
[00:53:12] ignored. And this is very much a lack of
[00:53:15] accountability for something
[00:53:17] extraordinarily
[00:53:18] serious, which I believe I have proven.
[00:53:22] And I, you know, I I I don't I can't
[00:53:26] explain. I I have to keep coming back
[00:53:28] because I've been harmed so seriously.
[00:53:30] Look at me. I'm on a walker now. I'm,
[00:53:33] you know, 100 pounds and I I don't know
[00:53:36] if any of you read any of my emails.
[00:53:39] I've been making these slideshows to
[00:53:41] show you that I'm very heart centered.
[00:53:43] I've been ill, you know, creating
[00:53:46] artwork all about love and compassion
[00:53:48] forever, really. And and the LA Times, I
[00:53:53] was discovered by the LA Times when I
[00:53:55] was only 25. This is the home magazine
[00:53:57] cover. I I c this was the first
[00:53:59] illustrated cover they ever had in 1978.
[00:54:03] During the 1984 Olympics, I was chosen
[00:54:06] to be the official creator of the LA the
[00:54:10] buttons that were at all the venues.
[00:54:12] These are collector's items now. That
[00:54:15] was a really exciting project for me.
[00:54:18] And um I know Ted is very much in love
[00:54:22] with UCLA, my alma mater. and I was the
[00:54:26] graphic designer for UCLA and then I
[00:54:29] freelanced for them. But I want to show
[00:54:31] you, you know, I don't know if you read
[00:54:33] my emails, but I'm running out of time.
[00:54:36] You know, my grandfather and
[00:54:37] great-grandfather were tile men and so I
[00:54:41] was really enthusiastic about UCLA's old
[00:54:44] architecture and I used it in my graphic
[00:54:48] designs. You know, they have these
[00:54:51] relief relief sculptures like my
[00:54:54] grandfather used to make. Here's two
[00:54:56] little invitations for you, CLA. Um, I
[00:55:01] also have this is a gift for you,
[00:55:04] Mirror. I I it might not be your cup of
[00:55:08] tea. This is uh Ganesha, the remover of
[00:55:12] obstacles and his two wives. And um I
[00:55:16] created this. So, I want you to have it
[00:55:20] if you could regift it if you'd like to.
[00:55:23] >> Thank you.
[00:55:24] >> I really would appreciate if you would
[00:55:26] please give me the attention that I
[00:55:28] deserve. I really do. You know, I don't
[00:55:31] mean to be negative.
[00:55:34] I really don't. I just need help. Please
[00:55:37] help me. I've offered all kinds
[00:55:40] for help helping me. You know, I can do
[00:55:43] artwork for you. I'm dying to. Okay,
[00:55:47] thanks Wally Melindas.
[00:56:14] A good afternoon to everybody.
[00:56:17] Everyone.
[00:56:21] Somebody said
[00:56:24] local politics is a microcosm of
[00:56:27] national politics.
[00:56:32] National politics
[00:56:34] spills over into world politics or
[00:56:39] geopolitics
[00:56:47] on the internet if it's true.
[00:56:51] Sometimes you don't know if what's on
[00:56:53] the internet is true or not.
[00:56:57] And I believe uh a lot of stuff
[00:57:02] the internet
[00:57:04] a lot of things in the internet get
[00:57:08] hacked.
[00:57:10] So sometimes you don't know if what
[00:57:12] you're seeing and hearing on the
[00:57:13] internet is true or not. So it gives you
[00:57:17] a pause to think if if what's you're
[00:57:21] seeing on the internet is actually
[00:57:24] true or not.
[00:57:28] But what I'm referring to is that right
[00:57:31] now
[00:57:34] there are three
[00:57:36] the three
[00:57:38] most dangerous navies in the world over
[00:57:43] by the Persian uh Gulf
[00:57:48] and all three supposedly are doing
[00:57:52] exercises in that area.
[00:57:56] Why?
[00:57:58] Because of the hormos at the straight
[00:58:03] from where a lot of oil goes through.
[00:58:08] It's not a good thing.
[00:58:12] Convicted felon Donald Trump
[00:58:17] is responsible for this.
[00:58:22] I emphasize that
[00:58:25] we need a rational person
[00:58:28] to be the leader of the United States of
[00:58:33] America.
[00:58:35] Right now, we are losing all respect
[00:58:39] from all over the world on account of
[00:58:44] convicted felon Donald Trump.
[00:58:49] We live in abnormal uh times. We need to
[00:58:55] get rational.
[00:58:58] Another thing before I leave,
[00:59:02] I resent this self-righteousness
[00:59:06] that's spouted from the bully pulpit.
[00:59:13] The next speaker is Brad Anderson.
[00:59:20] Hi again, Brad Anderson, currently in
[00:59:22] the city of Anamarrage living uh uh like
[00:59:27] the previous speaker spoke uh I think he
[00:59:30] was mentioning or referring to the uh
[00:59:33] the rotating mayor's comments earlier
[00:59:36] concerning people coming in from out of
[00:59:38] the city and I welcome it and uh and I
[00:59:42] don't think uh anybody now you got to
[00:59:44] remember we had a speaker here too uh
[00:59:47] that was evicted from Ranch Mirage and
[00:59:50] she has a complaint and so she's not
[00:59:53] currently living in the city but she's
[00:59:55] more than welcome by me to voice her
[00:59:58] complaint to this counselor. So, and at
[01:00:01] the last city council meeting, there was
[01:00:03] some confusion uh from the city manager
[01:00:06] concerning my comments. I did write some
[01:00:09] comments and and submitted them. So, if
[01:00:11] anybody's interested in what really
[01:00:13] happened and and maybe move away from
[01:00:15] this narrative that the city council is
[01:00:17] trying to build uh and and look for the
[01:00:20] truth, you'll find it in my writings and
[01:00:22] you can contact me too. Um I just want
[01:00:25] to go back and emphasize that I'm really
[01:00:28] concerned how the city government's
[01:00:30] governor's governance is working right
[01:00:33] now. meaning the changing of this this
[01:00:36] easy agenda topic non-aggenda comment or
[01:00:39] public comments from the beginning of
[01:00:42] the meeting which is has been from the
[01:00:44] start of the city
[01:00:46] just recently moved to the uh towards
[01:00:50] the end of the meeting and I believe
[01:00:52] that's a a blatant attempt to
[01:00:55] disenfranchise people from coming to
[01:00:57] these meetings where like three three or
[01:00:59] four people in the audience right now so
[01:01:01] uh and and then not recording the
[01:01:04] minutes correctly.
[01:01:05] So, like on public hearing topics, uh
[01:01:08] I'm kind of segueing away, but public
[01:01:10] hearing topics, you as a city are not
[01:01:14] recording public testimony correctly,
[01:01:16] meaning that you don't you will mention
[01:01:18] the person's name if they give it, but
[01:01:20] not the stance, not in favor of the of
[01:01:24] the development or opposed or or no
[01:01:26] stance at all. Um and and then any
[01:01:29] comments made are not even recorded on
[01:01:32] the city official public record which is
[01:01:35] the written meeting written meeting
[01:01:37] minutes and the YouTube's fine but the
[01:01:40] YouTube is not a public resource. It's a
[01:01:44] private sector business and and for you
[01:01:47] to uh assume that that's always going to
[01:01:49] be available I think is is foolish and
[01:01:53] uh and I guess that's it. Uh I will wait
[01:01:56] till the non-aggenda or the uh close
[01:01:58] session topic come up. Thank you.
[01:02:01] >> That was the last speaker card. Is there
[01:02:03] anyone else who would like to speak on
[01:02:04] something that is not on today's agenda?
[01:02:07] >> That was the last speaker.
[01:02:16] >> Thank you, Madame Clerk. We'll now move
[01:02:18] to close session and I'll ask our city
[01:02:21] attorney, Colin Kpatrick, to report.
[01:02:25] Thank you, mayor. We'll be convening
[01:02:28] into close session for the item before
[01:02:29] you, listed as 9A, conference with legal
[01:02:31] counsel, potential initiation of
[01:02:33] litigation pursuant to government code
[01:02:35] section 54956.9D4,
[01:02:39] one potential case.
[01:02:40] >> And we do have one speaker card, Brad
[01:02:43] Anderson.
[01:02:48] >> Thank you again. I'm almost done
[01:02:50] bothering you. Um, I just want to speak
[01:02:52] on this topic. always concerned about
[01:02:54] being served.
[01:02:56] So hopefully you're not going after me.
[01:02:58] Uh maybe somebody else. Uh but I did
[01:03:01] write some comments concerning these
[01:03:02] close session topics since we really
[01:03:04] don't know what this is. Uh we really
[01:03:08] can't comment for it other than to say
[01:03:11] um close session topics should really be
[01:03:13] recorded when they begin and when they
[01:03:14] end
[01:03:16] correctly, not the walking time, you
[01:03:18] know. and then and then any other u
[01:03:22] resources like there's always
[01:03:23] non-reportable actions and when you have
[01:03:25] a claim that recently got bill to the
[01:03:28] city uh that's a reportable action and I
[01:03:31] think uh people have the right to know
[01:03:33] and that's all I have. Thank you.
[01:03:36] >> We will now recess to close session.
[01:03:39] Thank you.
[01:03:49] We are reconvening from close session.
[01:03:52] I'll ask the city attorney to report any
[01:03:54] reportable actions.
[01:03:55] >> Thank you, mayor. No reportable action
[01:03:57] taken today.
[01:03:59] >> We are now adjourned.