PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING AGENDA

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Closed Session 3:00 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 Sentate Bill 707, 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: 

 

OPTION 1: IN PERSON

Attend in person in the Council Chamber, located at 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260.

 

OPTION 2: 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 3: LIVE VIA ZOOM

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

 

OPTION 4: 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 - 3:00 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 were considered in closed session:

4.a

Closed Session Meeting Minutes: February 12, 2026

4.b

Conference with Real Property Negotiations pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8

Property Description: APN 630-250-052 (Northwest corner of Portola Avenue and Haystack Road)
Agency: City of Palm Desert
City Negotiator: Chris Escobedo/Richard Cannone/Martin Alvarez
Negotiating Parties: Marrakesh Country Club (MCC)
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms

5.

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

6.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto

7.

INSPIRATION

Councilmember Harnik

8.

REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION

City Attorney Shah

9.

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS

9.a

PROCLAMATION - LEADERSHIP COACHELLA VALLEY 25TH ANNIVERSARY

9.b

PRESENTATION - LEADERSHIP COACHELLA VALLEY

9.c

PRESENTATION - RIVERSIDE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM, MATURE ADULT PROGRAM

10.

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

10.a

SHERIFF DEPARTMENT UPDATE

10.b

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE

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 February 12, 2026.

13.b

APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Approve the warrant registers issued for the period 2/5/2026 to 2/12/2026.

13.c

JANUARY 2026 PROCUREMENT REPORT

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Receive and file the monthly Procurement Report for January 2026.

13.d

ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 1442 APPROVING A THIRD AMENDMENT TO DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT 96-1 WITH WVC RANCHO MIRAGE, INC. FOR DESERT WILLOW, EXTENDING THE TERM TO AUGUST 27, 2026, AND FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT UNDER CEQA.

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Adopt Ordinance No. 1442 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT 96-1 BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT AND WVC RANCHO MIRAGE, INC. (FORMERLY STARWOOD) FOR THE DESERT WILLOW, EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY SIX (6) MONTHS TO AUGUST 27, 2026, AND FINDING THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.”

13.e

RATIFICATION OF LETTER SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY BILL 1708 (SOLACHE) – HOMELESS HOUSING, ASSISTANCE, AND PREVENTION (HHAP) PATHWAYS FOR CITIES ACT

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Ratify the issuance of the letter supporting Assembly Bill 1708 (Solache) - Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Pathways for Cities Act.

13.f

RATIFICATION OF LETTER SUPPORTING CITY OF INDIAN WELLS LOW FLOW CHANNEL PROJECT (PROPOSITION 1 GRANT APPLICATION)

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Ratify the issuance of the letter supporting the City of Indian Wells’ Proposition 1 grant application to the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy for the Low Flow Channel Capital Improvement Project.

13.g

RATIFICATION OF LETTER SUPPORTING CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING REQUEST FOR REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL RESOURCE CENTERS

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Ratify the issuance of a letter supporting California State University, San Bernardino’s $2.49 million Community Project Funding request for the Regional Entrepreneurial Resource Centers program.

13.h

AMENDMENT TO THE 2026 CITY COUNCIL LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Approve amendments to the 2026 City Council Liaison and Subcommittee Assignments.

13.i

APPROVE A FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 EL PASEO PARKING AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT MID-YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENT AND AMEND THE FG CREATIVE MARKETING SERVICES CONTRACT.

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Appropriate $50,000 to El Paseo Business Improvement District Account No. 2714491-4321500 as part of the FY 2025-26 Midyear Review.
  2. Approve Amendment No. 7 to Contract No. C43370 with FG Creative to increase the FY 2025-26 not-to-exceed contract amount from $250,000 to $325,000.
  3. Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 7 and make any necessary non-monetary changes to the agreement.

13.j

EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE CLUB MCC (MARRAKESH COUNTRY CLUB) FOR PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE HAYSTACK/PORTOLA SITE

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a six-month Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) between the City and The Club MCC (Marrakesh Country Club) for property located at the northwest corner of Portola Avenue and Haystack Way, and to execute any related documents necessary to effectuate this action.
  2. Authorize the City Attorney to make any necessary non-monetary changes to the ENA.

13.k

AGREEMENT WITH REGENCY ESTATES HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT THE TAMARISK ROW RETENTION BASIN AND ACCEPTANCE OF EMERGENCY ACCESS EASEMENT

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Approve a Right-of-Entry Agreement for Temporary Access and Construction with Palm Desert Regency Estates Homeowners Association for access to repair and restore the Tamarisk Row Retention Basin.
  2. Authorize repair and restoration improvements to the Tamarisk Row Retention Basin in an amount not to exceed $200,000.
  3. Authorize the City Attorney to make necessary non-monetary changes to the agreement.
  4. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any other documents necessary to effectuate the taken herewith.
  5. Approve acceptance of Emergency Access Easement Deed granting emergency access to the Tamarisk Row Retention Basin to perform emergency repair and maintenance.

13.l

APPROPRIATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 FUNDS FOR THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Approve an appropriation of $121,003 in Fiscal Year 2025-26 for the California Department of Justice (DOJ) Tobacco Grant Program and establish the related grant project accounts.
  2. Authorize the Director of Finance to appropriate funds from the General Fund Reserve to the Interfund Transfer Out Account (Account Number 1104199-450100) in the amount of $121,003, and transfer into the Tobacco Grant Fund (Account Number 2210000-3910000).
  3. Appropriate $121,003 to the Tobacco Grant Fund Professional Other No. (Account No. 2214422-4309000).
  4. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any amendments, modifications, or extensions to the executed Memorandum of Understanding.

13.m

COVE COMMUNITIES SERVICES COMMISSION AREAS IDENTIFIED FOR ENHANCED COLLABORATION

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Receive and file report on Cove Communities Services Commission areas identified for enhanced collaboration.

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.

None.

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 ten minutes to make their presentation. If other speakers provide comments, the applicant or appellant will be given an opportunity to offer rebuttal comments for up to three additional minutes. Speakers may utilize one of the three options listed on the first page of this agenda.

15.a

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTERS 8.34 AND 8.36 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO TOBACCO RETAILER LICENSING, SMOKING REGULATIONS AND REGULATION OF KRATOM SALES AND POSSESSION.

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Hold a public hearing and introduce Ordinance No. 1443 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTERS 8.34 AND 8.36 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO TOBACCO RETAILER LICENSING, SMOKING REGULATIONS, AND REGULATION OF KRATOM SALES AND POSSESSION AND MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.”

16.

ADJOURNMENT

17.

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, 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 to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Palm Desert Housing Authority and the Palm Desert Board of Library Trustees, 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 
Assistant City Clerk