Study Session of the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, and Board of Library Trustees

Minutes

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Council Chamber, City Hall
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, California
Present:
  • Mayor Jan Harnik, 
  • Councilmember Gina Nestande, 
  • Mayor Pro Tem Evan Trubee, 
  • Councilmember Karina Quintanilla, 
  • and Councilmember Joe Pradetto 

1.
CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION

 

A Study Session of the Palm Desert City Council was called to order by Mayor Harnik on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber, City Hall, located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.

2.
STUDY SESSION TOPICS

 

2.a
PALM DESERT VISION ZERO STRATEGY

This item has attachments. 
1.Palm Desert Vision Zero Strategy.pdf
2.01 Safe Routes to School Plan.pdf
3.02 Safe Routes for Older Adults.pdf
4.00 2a Presentation Vision Zero.pdf
5.00 2a Public Comment.pdf
6.00 2a Public Comment 2.pdf
7.2025-04-24 Study Session QA Memo 01.pdf

Senior Project Manager Gerry and Les Brown, of Alta Planning + Design, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.

During the deliberations, individual Councilmember(s) offered commentary as follows. The points below do not necessarily reflect the City Council consensus:

  • Discussed the potential benefits and drawbacks of narrowing vehicle lanes on Fred Waring Drive to create a 3-foot buffer for bike lanes;
  • Recommended ongoing discussions concerning George Washington Charter School, highlighting concerns about inadequate sidewalks and parking;
  • Requested a list of prioritized projects for review by the Active Transportation (ATP) Subcommittee and future presentation to the City Council;
  • Recommended that staff identify any prioritized projects that may be low-cost but offer high returns, with consideration for possible Measure G funding; and
  • Suggested exploring strategies to promote walking to school.

2.b
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION START TIMES

This item has attachments. 
1.Property Maintenance Staff Report.pdf
2.00 2b Property Maintenance Start Times Presentation.pdf

Code Compliance Supervisor Rodriguez narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.

During the course of discussion, it was agreed that there is a need to amend the municipal code related to landscape maintenance and construction start times and requested that staff develop potential options for City Council consideration.

2.c
EL PASEO COURTESY CART PROGRAM

This item has attachments. 
1.El Paseo Courtesy Cart Program.pdf
2.1. Circuit Transit Original Contract C43540.pdf
3.2. Circuit Transit Amendment No. 1.pdf
4.3. Circuit Transit Amendment No. 2.pdf
5.4. City Council Presentation Courtesy Cart Program.pdf
6.2025-04-24 Study Session QA Memo 01(1).pdf
7.2025-04-24 Study Session QA Memo 02.pdf

Economic Development Director Alvarez narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.

During the course of discussion, the City Council expressed support for extending the hours of the courtesy cart program and postponing any expansion of the service area.

3.
ADJOURNMENT

 

The City Council adjourned the Study Session at 3:49 p.m.

4.
PUBLIC NOTICES

 
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