HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-12 CC Meeting Minutes (Signed)City of Palm Springs Page 1
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council
of the City of Palm Springs
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular Meeting of the Palm Springs City Council was called to order by Mayor Bernstein on
Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 5:35 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Bernstein led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmembers Christy Holstege, Grace Elena Garner, and Lisa Middleton;
Mayor Pro Tem Ron deHarte; and Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein.
Absent: None.
City Staff Present: Scott Stiles, City Manager; Teresa Gallavan, Assistant City Manager; Flinn Fagg,
Deputy City Manager; Jeremy Hammond, Deputy City Manager; Jeff Ballinger, City
Attorney; Andrew Mills, Chief of Police; and Brenda Pree, City Clerk were present
at Roll Call. Other staff members presented reports or responded to questions as
indicated in the minutes.
PRESENTATIONS:
City Manager Stiles introduced the City’s new Parks and Recreation Director, Nick Gonzalez.
PROCLAMATIONS:
Mayor Bernstein announced the issuance of the following proclamations:
• Dr. Les Zendle was honored on November 26, 2024, for his eight years of dedicated service in
promoting equitable access to health and wellness services for residents of the eastern Coachella
Valley.
• Dr. Carmina Zavala was honored on November 26, 2024, for her four years of service on the Board
of the Desert Healthcare District and the Foundation Board. Her contributions have been instrumental
in raising awareness and facilitating discussions on behavioral health challenges within the Coachella
Valley.
• Charles Supple Day was officially proclaimed on December 6, 2024. Mr. Supple was awarded the
472nd star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars. This honor acknowledges his steadfast commitment
to accessible, innovative, and compassionate healthcare, as well as his pioneering work in developing
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new healthcare models for Southern California and elevating the Palm Springs Medical Center to a
standard of excellence.
• The 75th Anniversary of the Desert Art Center was commemorated on December 6, 2024. Founded in
1950, the Desert Art Center holds the distinction of being the oldest non-profit, volunteer arts
organization in the Coachella Valley.
• Michele Cirone-Collier was honored on December 9, 2024, for her remarkable 35 years of dedicated
service to the City of Palm Springs. Throughout her tenure, she has been a vital and esteemed member
of the Desert Recreation Division, adeptly supervising and developing a wide range of activities and
programs.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MIDDLETON, SECOND BY MAYOR BERNSTEIN, CARRIED
5-0, to accept the agenda.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY:
Lauren Wolfer, Kathy Weremiuk, Geoff Kors, John Pavelak, Ginny Foat, David Vignolo, and Abraham
Ishaq provided oral testimony.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HOLSTEGE, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM DEHARTE,
CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Consent Calendar.
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HOLSTEGE, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
DEHARTE, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the City Council Closed Session Meeting Minutes of
November 14, 2024, the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of November 14, 2024, and the
City Council Special Meeting Minutes of November 21, 2024.
B. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE NOVEMBER
5, 2024, GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HOLSTEGE, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
DEHARTE, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt Resolution No. 25262 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, RECITING THE
FACT OF THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024,
DECLARING THE RESULT AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS ARE PROVIDED BY
LAW.”
C. ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYSIS AND CONFORMITY REPORT FOR AGUA
CALIENTE FUEL PALM SPRINGS, AN AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION, WHICH
INCLUDES AN 8,600-SF CONVENIENCE STORE WITH A 2,637-SF GAMING AREA,
A 585-SF GAS ATTENDANT BUILDING, A 23-FOOT-HIGH CANOPY, PARKING,
AND NEW LANDSCAPE ON A 3.6-ACRE TRIBAL TRUST PROPERTY LOCATED AT
999 LAWRENCE CROSSLEY ROAD, ZONE M-1, SECTION 20 (CASE CR-2024-0001).
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MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HOLSTEGE, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
DEHARTE, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt Resolution No. 25263 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A
CONFORMITY REPORT FOR AGUA CALIENTE FUEL PALM SPRINGS ON TRIBAL
TRUST LAND LOCATED AT 999 LAWRENCE CROSSLEY ROAD (APN: 680-564-002;
014; 017 & 018); DIRECTING STAFF TO TRANSMIT THE REPORT TO THE TRIBAL
COUNCIL OF THE AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS; AND WAIVING
THE JOINT MEETING BETWEEN THE CITY COUNCIL AND TRIBAL COUNCIL (CASE
CR-2024-0001).”
D. REAL PROPERTY DONATION AND DENSITY TRANSFER AGREEMENT
BETWEEN CITY OF PALM SPRINGS AND WATERMARKE VENTURES LLC, AND
DETERMINING SUCH ACTION TO EXEMPT FROM FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEW PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
(CEQA)
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HOLSTEGE, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
DEHARTE, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the accompanying Real Property Donation and Density
Transfer Agreement.
E. APPROVE MASTER SERVICE AGREEMENT NO. 24S377 WITH FLOCK GROUP
INC, FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE CITYWIDE PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERA
SYSTEM
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HOLSTEGE, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
DEHARTE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1. Approve Master Service Agreement No. 24S377 for $899,982 with Flock Group Inc. for the
replacement of the citywide public safety camera system utilizing the BSCC grant funds for
a term of three years.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents.
F. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HOLSTEGE, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
DEHARTE, CARRIED 5-0, to grant the Human Rights Commission the ability to resume the
consideration of new business effective immediately.
EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
2. OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Holstege and Councilmember Middleton provided outgoing councilmember
remarks.
The City Council meeting was recessed at 6:19 p.m., during which time Councilmembers Holstege and
Middleton vacated their seats. The meeting reconvened at 6:33 p.m.
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3. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIALS
Brendan Steidle administered the Oath of Office to Councilmember-elect Naomi Soto, representing
District 4. Following the swearing-in ceremony, Councilmember Soto assumed her position on the
dais.
Lisa Middleton administered the Oath of Office to Councilmember-elect David H. Ready,
representing District 5. Following the swearing-in ceremony, Councilmember Ready assumed his
position on the dais.
4. INCOMING COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmembers Soto and Ready delivered incoming councilmember remarks.
5. APPOINTMENT OF THE MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BERNSTEIN, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER GARNER,
CARRIED 5-0, to appoint Ron deHarte to the position of Mayor for a one-year term commencing
upon appointment.
Supervisor V. Manuel Perez administered Mayor Ron deHarte’s Oath of Office.
The meeting was presided over by the newly appointed Mayor, Ron deHarte.
MOTION BY MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GARNER, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
BERNSTEIN, CARRIED 5-0, to appoint Naomi Soto to the position of Mayor Pro Tem for a one-
year term commencing upon appointment.
6. OUTGOING AND INCOMING MAYOR COMMENTS
Councilmember Bernstein delivered outgoing Mayor remarks. Mayor deHarte delivered incoming
Mayor remarks.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
David Feltman, John Pavelak, Abraham Ishaq, Michael Pitkin, Dan Gore, and Christy Holstege provided
non-agenda oral testimony.
CITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER COMMENTS, REPORTS, & AGENDA
DEVELOPMENT:
City Manager Stiles and the City Council discussed the tentative upcoming meeting schedule and agenda
items. Councilmembers Bernstein and Ready provided comments.
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ADJOURNMENT:
The City Council adjourned the regular meeting of Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 7:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA
City Clerk
DRAFT MINUTES PRESENTED TO CITY COUNCIL: 1/9/2025