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

Regular Meeting Minutes

Thursday, March 13, 2025, Regular Session 4:00 p.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

73-510 Fred Waring Drive

Palm Desert, California

Present:

• Mayor Jan Harnik, 
• Mayor Pro Tem Evan Trubee, 
• Councilmember Gina Nestande, 
• Councilmember Karina Quintanilla, 
• and Councilmember Joe Pradetto 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M.

A Regular Meeting of the Palm Desert City Council was called to order by Mayor Harnik on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, City Hall, located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.

2.

ROLL CALL

3.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Councilmember Quintanilla led the Pledge of Allegiance.

4.

INSPIRATION

Councilmember Pradetto provided words of inspiration.

5.

REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION

City Attorney Shah stated that direction was given by the City Council; no reportable actions were taken.

6.

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS

Mayor Harnik presented a proclamation to Lois Beckman, Executive Director at American Red Cross Riverside California, in honor Red Cross Month. 

7.

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

None. 

8.

MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION

Councilmembers provided updates on their attendance at various events.

Councilmember Nestande, with the support of Mayor Harnik, requested an update on the Fountainhead Development facing challenges with sewer line capacity.

9.

NON­AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS

Eileen Lynch, representing Parkinson's Resource Organization, spoke on the number of Palm Desert residents impacted by Parkinson's and the resources available to patients and families.

Juan Falcon, a Palm Desert resident, spoke on his experience attending the Coffee with the Mayor event and opined that the City should take action to protect residents against deportation and establish a Youth Commission.

10.

CONSENT CALENDAR

• Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla
  Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto

  To approve the consent calendar as presented.

  Motion Carried (5 to 0)

10.a

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

• Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla
  Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto

  Approve the Minutes of February 27, 2025.

  Motion Carried (5 to 0)

10.b

APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS

• Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla
  Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto

  Approve the warrant registers issued for the period 12/31/2024 to 3/5/2025.

  Motion Carried (5 to 0)

10.c

ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 1427 DISSOLVING THE MARKETING COMMITTEE AND DELETING CHAPTER 2.14 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE

• Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla
  Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto

  Adoption of Ordinance No. 1427 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, DISSOLVING THE MARKETING COMMITTEE AND DELETING CHAPTER 2.14 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE.”

  Motion Carried (5 to 0)

10.d

ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 1428 AMENDING THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE, CLARIFY, AND CODIFY BYLAWS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, AND TASK FORCES

• Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla
  Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto

  Adoption of Ordinance No. 1428 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE, CLARIFY, AND CODIFY BYLAWS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, AND TASK FORCES.”

  Motion Carried (5 to 0)

10.e

ACCEPTANCE OF A RESIGNATION FROM THE HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE

• Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla
  Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto
  1. With regret, accept the resignation of Cindy Burreson from the Homelessness Task Force.
  2. With regret, accept the resignation of Kristen Olson Stone from the Cultural Arts Committee.
  Motion Carried (5 to 0)

10.f

LETTER OPPOSING CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY BUDGET CUTS

• Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla
  Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto

  Ratify a letter of opposition to budget cuts to the California State University system.

  Motion Carried (5 to 0)

10.g

RESOLUTION 2025-016 ESTABLISHING THE 2025 CITY COUNCIL GOALS

• Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla
  Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto

  Adopt Resolution 2025-016 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY COUNCIL GOALS FOR THE 2025 CALENDAR YEAR.”

  Motion Carried (5 to 0)

10.h

RESOLUTION 2025-017 APPROVING FINAL TRACT MAP NO. 38866

• Motion by: Councilmember Quintanilla
  Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto

  Adopt Resolution 2025-017 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE FINAL SUBDIVISION OF FINAL TRACT MAP NO. 38866.”

  Motion Carried (5 to 0)

11.

ACTION CALENDAR

11.a

RESOLUTION 2025-018 APPROVING FINAL TRACT MAP NO. 38434-2

Principal Planner Flores narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Councilmember inquiries.

David Dewegeli, of Pulte Group, spoke on behalf of the applicant and offered to answer any Councilmember questions.

The following individuals expressed their opposition to the approval of the final Tract Map, citing concerns related to drainage, slope heights, and impacts on views:
Linda Candler, Palm Desert resident
Jana Koroczynsky, Palm Desert resident
Charles Cronenweth, Palm Desert resident

• Motion by: Councilmember Nestande
  Seconded by: Councilmember Pradetto

  Adopt Resolution 2025-018 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE FINAL SUBDIVISION OF FINAL TRACT MAP NO. 38434-2.”

  NOES (1)

  Councilmember Quintanilla

  Motion Carried (4 to 1)

12.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

12.a

ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO INCREASE ADMISSION FEES FOR THE PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER

This item has been continued to a date uncertain. 

13.

INFORMATION ITEMS

None. 

14.

ADJOURNMENT

The City Council adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

15.

PUBLIC NOTICES