PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING AGENDA

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Closed Session 3:45 p.m.; Regular Session 4:00 p.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

73-510 Fred Waring Drive

Palm Desert, California

This is a joint meeting of the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Palm Desert Housing Authority and the Palm Desert Board of Library Trustees. Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449, this meeting may be conducted as a hybrid meeting allowing public access via teleconference or in person, and up to two Councilmembers may attend remotely.

WATCH THE MEETING LIVE: Watch the City Council meeting live at the City’s website: www.palmdesert.gov under the “Meeting Agendas” link at the top of the homepage, or on
the City's YouTube Channel.

OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS MEETING: 

If unable to attend the meeting in person, you may choose from the following options:

 

OPTION 1: VIA E­MAIL

Send your comments by email to: .

E­mails received prior to 10:00 a.m. on the day of the City Council meeting will be made part of the record and distributed to the City Council. Emails will not be read aloud at the meeting.

 

OPTION 2: LIVE VIA ZOOM

1. Access via palmdesert.gov/zoom  or zoom.us, click “Join Meeting” and enter Webinar ID 833 6744 9572.

 

OPTION 3: LIVE VIA TELEPHONE

1. (213) 338-­8477 and enter Meeting ID 833 6744 9572 followed by #.
2. Indicate that you are a participant by pressing # to continue.
3. During the meeting, press *9 to add yourself to the queue and wait for the City Clerk to announce your name/phone number. Press *6 to unmute your line and limit your comments to three minutes.

 

 

 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION - 3:45 P.M.

2.

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY

This time has been set aside for members of the public to address the City Council on items contained only on the Closed Session Agenda within the three-minute time limit. Speakers may utilize one of the three options listed on the first page of this agenda.

3.

RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION

4.

CLOSED SESSION AGENDA

The following items will be considered in closed session:

4.a

Closed Session Meeting Minutes: August 28, 2025

4.b

Public Employee Evaluation pursuant to Government Code Section 54957

Title: City Attorney

5.

ROLL CALL - REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M.

6.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Councilmember Quintanilla

7.

INSPIRATION

Mayor Harnik

8.

REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION

City Attorney Shah

9.

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS

9.a

PROCLAMATION: HUNGER ACTION MONTH

9.b

PROCLAMATION: CONSTITUTION WEEK

10.

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

11.

MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION

12.

NON­AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS

This time has been set aside for the public to address the City Council on issues that are not on the agenda for up to three minutes. Speakers may utilize one of the three options listed on the first page of the agenda. Because the Brown Act does not allow the City Council to act on items not listed on the agenda, members may briefly respond or refer the matter to staff for a report and recommendation at a future meeting.

13.

CONSENT CALENDAR

All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and may be approved by one motion. The public may comment on any items on the Consent Agenda within the three-minute time limit. Individual items may be removed by the City Council for a separate discussion.

• RECOMMENDATION:

  To approve the consent calendar as presented.

13.a

APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY, AND HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Approve the Minutes of August 28, 2025.

13.b

APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Approve the warrant registers issued for the period 8/21/2025 to 8/29/2025.

13.c

RECEIVE AND FILE APPLICATIONS FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Receive and file the application for Alcoholic Beverage License for:

  • BOHEMIOS MEXICAN CUISINE, 34460 MONTEREY AVE. PALM DESERT, CA 92211-6008.

13.d

ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1433, AMENDING CHAPTER 29.30 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE TO RENAME THE “CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE” TO THE “HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE”

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Adoption of Ordinance No. 1433 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 29.30 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE TO RENAME THE ‘CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE’ TO THE ‘HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE’.”

13.e

ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 1434, AMENDING CHAPTER 2.66 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE TO RENAME THE “RESOURCE PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE” TO THE “ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE”

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Adoption of Ordinance No. 1434 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2.66 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE TO RENAME THE ‘RESOURCE PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE’ TO THE ‘ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE’.”

13.f

ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 1435, APPROVING A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT TO MODIFY THE CITY CENTER/DOWNTOWN SECTION OF THE GENERAL PLAN TO REMOVE MINIMUM DENSITY REQUIREMENTS AND CLARIFIES ALLOWED LAND USE TYPES AND MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION UNDER CEQA

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Adoption of Ordinance No. 1435 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT TO MODIFY THE CITY CENTER/DOWNTOWN SECTION OF THE GENERAL PLAN TO REMOVE MINIMUM DENSITY REQUIREMENTS AND CLARIFIES ALLOWED LAND USE TYPES AND MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION UNDER CEQA. CASE NOS. GPA25-0001”

13.g

APPOINTMENT TO THE JOSLYN CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS LIAISON

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Appoint Mayor Pro Tem Trubee as the City Council liaison to Joslyn Center Board of Directors, effective immediately.

13.h

AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO CROSSTOWN ELECTRICAL & DATA, INC., FOR THE LOCAL HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 2025 PROJECT (CTS00005) – CEQA DETERMINATION

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Make a finding that the project is categorically exempt from further review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), and authorize the City Engineer to submit a determination of Categorical Exemption
  2. Award a construction contract no. C49890 to Crosstown Electrical & Data, Inc., of Irwindale, California, for the Local Highway Safety Improvement Program 2025 Project in the amount of $719,987.00, plus a $71,998.70 contingency for unforeseen expenses.
  3. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to the agreement.
  4. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, amendments, change orders up to the contingency amount, and any other documents necessary to effectuate the actions taken herewith.
  5. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Notice of Completion (NOC) and the City Clerk to file the NOC upon satisfactory completion of the Project.

13.i

AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR FIRE STATION 102 GERALD FORD DRIVE STREET IMPROVEMENTS (PROJECT NO. CFA00010) – CEQA DETERMINATION

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Make a finding that the project is categorically exempt from further review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), and authorize the City Engineer to submit a Notice of Exemption.
  2. Award a construction contract no. C49900, including Bid Alternative 1, to Granite Construction Company, in the amount of $3,203,261 (Project CFA00010) for Fire Station 102 Gerald Ford Drive Street Improvements Project.
  3. Authorize the Director of Finance to set aside 10% contingency in the amount of $320,326.
  4. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to the agreement.
  5. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any written requests for change orders up to the contingency amount, amendments, and any other documents necessary to effectuate this action, in accordance with Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 3.30.170(B).
  6. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Notice of Completion (NOC) and the City Clerk to file the NOC upon satisfactory completion of the Project.

13.j

INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON ROAD CLOSURES SCHEDULED TO OCCUR ON EL PASEO ASSOCIATED WITH FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 ROUTINE SPECIAL EVENTS

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Receive and file an informational report on road closures scheduled to occur on El Paseo associated with Fiscal Year 2025-26 routine special events.

13.k

INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON ROAD CLOSURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RUN TRAVIS RUN EVENT

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Receive and file an informational report on road closures associated with the Run Travis Run event scheduled for Sunday, October 5, 2025.

13.l

REALLOCATE $30,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Approve the reallocation of $30,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, originally designated for the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, to the Palm Desert Housing Authority.
  2. Authorize staff to notify the County of Riverside of the approved reallocation and submit any required documentation in the County’s CDBG records pursuant to the Joint Recipient Cooperation Agreement.
  3. Authorize City Attorney to review and finalize any required agreements or amendments.
  4. Authorize the City Manager to execute any documents necessary to complete the reallocation.

13.m

TRACT MAP 37506-2 PARKS D AND E, UNIVERSITY PARK - ACCEPT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND RELEASE RELATED BONDS, AND ACCEPT A MAINTENANCE BOND

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Accept public improvements for Park D and Park E of Tract Map 37506-2, University Park.
  2. Release the following bonds:
     1. Faithful Performance Bond in the amount of $815,648.
     2. Labor and Materials Bond in the amount of $815,648.
  3. Accept the Maintenance Bond in the amount of $81,564.80.

13.n

REJECT ALL PROPOSALS FOR CITY FACILITIES JANITORIAL SERVICES AND AUTHORIZE STAFF TO READVERTISE THE REQUEST (PROJECT NO. MFA00023)

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Reject all proposals submitted under Request for Proposal 2024-RFP-149, City Facilities Janitorial Services.
  2. Authorize staff to readvertise the request and award with a more detailed scope of work.

13.o

RATIFY CHANGE ORDER NO. 3 TO CONTRACT NO. C43180 WITH BECK OIL FOR GAS AND DIESEL FUEL (MEQ00007)

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Ratify Change Order No. 3 to Contract No. C43180 with Beck Oil, Inc., for Gas and Diesel Fuel Purchase, in the amount of $20,000, increasing the annual amount to $140,000.

13.p

RATIFY CHANGE ORDER NO. 3 TO CONTRACT NO. C48140 WITH DBX, INC., FOR THE MARKET PLACE DRIVE AND COOK STREET TRAFFIC SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS (CTS00001)

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Ratify Change Order No. 3 to Contract No. C48140 with DBX, Inc., to increase compensation in the amount of $6,329.65 for the Market Place Drive and Cook Street Traffic Signal Improvements.

13.q

APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CONTRACT NO. C32410 WITH DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT FOR PARK AND PORTOLA COMMUNITY CENTER SERVICES

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Approve Amendment No. 4 to Contract No. C32410 with Desert Recreation District to incorporate the updated Pricing Matrix (Exhibit B), reflecting revised labor and material rates for Park and Portola Community Center services.
  2. Authorize the City Attorney to make any necessary non-monetary changes to the amendments.
  3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the amendments and any documents necessary to effectuate the actions taken herewith.

13.r

AWARD MAINTENANCE SERVICES AGREEMENTS TO HORIZON LIGHTING, INC., AND GA TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC., FOR ON-CALL ELECTRICAL SERVICES (PROJECT NO. MPK00009)

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Award a Maintenance Service Agreement No. C49910A to Horizon Lighting, Inc., and C49910B GA Technical Services, Inc., for on-call electrical services in the amount of $150,000 each, for a total not to exceed $300,000 per fiscal year, for a three-year term with the option of two one-year extensions.
  2. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to the agreement.
  3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, change orders, the two one-year extensions, and any other documents necessary to effectuate the actions taken herewith.
  4. Authorize National Community Renaissance of California, to enter on-call contract with Horizon Lighting, Inc., and GA Technical Services, Inc., for on-call electrical services, on behalf of the Palm Desert Housing Authority.

13.s

AWARD A MAINTENANCE SERVICES AGREEMENT TO URBAN WORX CONSTRUCTION, INC., AND PRO-CRAFT CONSTRUCTION, INC., FOR ON-CALL PLUMBING SERVICES (PROJECT NO. MPK00010)

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Award a Maintenance Service Agreement to Urban Worx Construction, Inc. and Pro-Craft Construction, Inc., for on-call plumbing services in the amount of $150,000 each, for a total not to exceed $300,000 per fiscal year for a three-year term with the option of two one-year extensions.
  2. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to the agreement.
  3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, two one-year extensions, change orders, and any other documents necessary to effectuate the actions taken herewith.
  4. Authorize National Community Renaissance of California, to enter into on-call contracts with Urban Worx Construction, Inc. and Pro-Craft Construction, Inc., for on-call plumbing services, on behalf of the Palm Desert Housing Authority.

13.t

AWARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS TO SELBERT PERKINS DESIGN FOR THE DESIGN OF THE EL PASEO PARKWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL IISNS REPLACEMENT

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Award a Professional Services Agreement to Selbert Perkins Design, Inc., of Playa Del Rey, California, in the amount of $75,000 for the design of the El Paseo Parkway Improvements (CST00013).
  2. Award a Professional Services Agreement to Selbert Perkins Design, Inc., of Playa Del Rey, California, in the amount of $65,000 for the design of the Traffic Signal IISNS Replacement (MTS00002).
  3. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to the contracts.
  4. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreements and any written requests for amendments, and any other documents necessary to effectuate this action, in accordance with Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 3.30.170(B).

13.u

AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF PLANTER BOXES FOR CATALINA COMMUNITY GARDEN (PROJECT NO. CLS00002)

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Authorize the purchase of 50 concrete planter boxes from Seawright Custom Precast, Inc., in the amount of $241,533.75, plus a contingency of $24,000 for unforeseen circumstances.
  2. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to the agreement.
  3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any written requests for change orders up to the contingency amount, amendments, and any other documents necessary to effectuate this action, in accordance with Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 3.30.170(B).

14.

ACTION CALENDAR

The public may comment on individual Action Items within the three-minute time limit. Speakers may utilize one of the three options listed on the first page of the agenda.

14.a

CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Approve the City Manager Employment Agreement with Christopher Escobedo, effective September 11, 2025, and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement.

14.b

2026 CALIFORNIA DESERT PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL SPONSORSHIP REQUEST

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Approve sponsorship for the 2026 California Desert Plein Air Festival.

14.c

AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR EL PASEO COURTESY CART PROGRAM

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Award a contract to ACE Parking III, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $295,979 for the operation of the El Paseo Courtesy Cart Program during Fiscal Year 2025-26, with options for two one-year extensions.
  2. Authorize the City Attorney to make non-monetary changes to the contract.
  3. Authorize the City Manager to continue negotiations with the vendor to finalize the contract, transfer necessary budget amounts, and to execute the agreement and any related amendments.

15.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

The public may comment on individual Public Hearing Items within the three-minute time limit. The applicant or appellant will be provided up to five minutes to make their presentation. Speakers may utilize one of the three options listed on the first page of this agenda.

None.

16.

INFORMATION ITEMS

17.

ADJOURNMENT

18.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Agenda Related Materials: Pursuant to Government Code §54957.5(b)(2) the designated office for inspection of records in connection with this meeting is the Office of the City Clerk, Palm Desert Civic Center, 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. Staff reports for all agenda items considered in open session, and documents provided to a majority of the legislative bodies are available for public inspection at City Hall and on the City’s website at www.palmdesert.gov by clicking “Meeting Agendas” at the top of the page.

Americans with Disabilities Act: It is the intention of the City of Palm Desert to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an attendee or a participant at this meeting, or in meetings on a regular basis, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the city will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the Office of the City Clerk, [phone], at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible.

AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING

I, Michelle Nance, Acting Assistant City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing agenda for the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency for the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority, was posted on the City Hall bulletin board and City website www.palmdesert.gov no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting.

 

/S/ Michelle Nance 
Acting Assistant City Clerk