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Power Trip Traffic Alert

In preparation for the Power Trip Music Festival happening in the City of Indio, please be aware of the road closures that may affect your daily commute if traveling to/from Indio. Avenue 50 began the full closure through October 13. All other street closures will occur October 6 – 8. Please allow extra time for your commute when navigating around these closures.

Should you have any questions or concerns, here are a few numbers you can call:

• Festival Resident Hotline 760.391.4112 for concert logistics, traffic, and noise issues, questions, or problems related to music festival events.

• La Quinta STVR Hotline 760.777.7157 for noise complaints related to Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVRs) in La Quinta.

• La Quinta Police 760.836.3215 ext. 5 (non-emergency issues).

• La Quinta Code Enforcement 760.777.7050 - (Monday - Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM) for issues related to parking, vendors, parties at non-STVR properties, or any other issues. 

For more information, please visit the Music Festival page on the City's website.

Shop La Quinta Local

The GEM Magazine - October 2023

The October 2023 GEM Magazine is out now! In this issue:

• Sandbar Restaurant Sold by Legendary La Quinta Restaurateur, Bob Cunard
• Haunted Hacienda: The Best Spot to Get Spooked in La Quinta
• New Shop Local Program Offers Discounts at Community Businesses
• Plus Much More!

The GEM is a local publication about all the great things happening in La Quinta, California. It is produced by the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) and distributed for free to all residents, Chamber members, and businesses in La Quinta. For previous issues of the GEM, please visit www.playinlaquinta.com/the-gem/.

To advertise in the GEM, please call the GCVCC at (760) 347-0676 or email: info@GCVCC.org.

City Website Links:

City Council Agendas

Quail Mail

The HUB (Permits & Licenses)

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program

Quail Mail E-Notifications

The City of La Quinta has an e-notification system (Quail Mail) that sends emails and text messages with the latest City news, events, alerts, meetings, and more! Subscribers can modify topic choices at any time. Click the image above or visit www.laquintaca.gov/QuailMail to sign-up or modify your preferences.

Business Assistance Links:

• La Quinta Business Licenses
• La Quinta Economic Development
• Small Business Thrive Programs
• Free Zero-to-Entrepreneur Educational Programs
• Riverside County Business Assistance NOW
• Riverside County Financial Assistance and Relief Funds

The Finance Department provides financial management and oversight in support of all city functions while adhering to the principles of leadership, customer service, quality, integrity, and collaboration.

It is our goal to ensure that the City’s priorities and goals remain aligned with citizen input. This input is greatly appreciated and necessary to ensure citizen satisfaction. Most Finance Department information can be found on our City website at: www.laquintaca.gov; however, we continue to encourage phone calls, correspondence, or in-person visits to the Finance Department for any questions or feedback.

Upcoming City Meetings:

Planning Commission Meeting

• Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 5:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers

City Council Meeting

• Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 4:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers

Housing Authority Quarterly Meeting

• Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 4:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers

*Meetings are subject to change. Verify the City Calendar links above for agendas or cancellation messages prior to meeting start time.

Short-Term Vacation Rentals

Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) information and the weekly STVR Active & Suspended Permit List is available on the City’s website at: https://www.laquintaca.gov/STVR.

Active STVR permit holders can access their account 24/7 to complete their monthly TOT reporting online, submit and pay for STVR permit renewals, as well as easily manage their account by using the City’s online STVR portal at: http://laquinta.munirevs.com.

City staff is available to answer any STVR questions by email at vacationlq@laquintaca.gov or by phone at (760) 777-7162.

Voter Registration

The November 5, 2024, General Election is a ways away; however, the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election will sneak up on us in no time. City Hall will be a ballot drop-off location for this election starting Monday, February 5, 2024.

You can register to vote online through the California Secretary of State website or at any of the following locations:

• Post Office
• Library
• City and County Offices
• Department of Motor Vehicles
• Online at voteinfo.net or www.sos.ca.gov/elections

For additional voter registration information, please contact the Riverside County Registrar of Voters at (951) 486-7200 or (800) 773-8683. The City's website also has more information.

Upcoming Events:

Concerts in the Park

Meet your family and friends for Concerts in the Park at SilverRock Park to enjoy FREE live music on Saturday, October 14, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The musical guest this month is All Night Meat Bingo.

This event guarantees a fun, unforgettable musical performance you won't want to miss! There will be food truck vendors on site, however attendees are welcome to bring low back chairs, food, and non-alcoholic beverages.

For more information, please call (760) 777-7093 or visit the City website.

X Park 1-Year Anniversary

Celebrate the one-year anniversary of the X Park on Saturday, October 21, from 5:00 to 10:00 P.M. The event is free for all ages and will feature a best trick contest, pro demos, and more!

Certified Farmers Market

The Certified Farmers Market will be held on Sunday, October 8, from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. in Old Town La Quinta. Bring your reusable grocery bags and your appetite because the Certified Farmers Markets are back, bigger, and better than ever before. You will find fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, fresh farm-raised meats, line-caught seafood, freshly baked bread, pastries, cookies, handmade hummus, chips and dips, salsa, handcrafted teas, gourmet sauces, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. We also have honey, fresh-squeezed juices, handcrafted leather goods, jewelry, natural health products, handmade clothing, cards, skincare, soaps, candles, handcrafted wood bowls, and cutting boards, all brought to you by local vendors. Admission and parking are free!

For more information, please visit www.playinlaquinta.com/eat-shop/certified-farmers-market.

Floating Pumpkin Patch

Hunt for your pumpkin in the pool this year on Friday, October 27, from 4:00 to 5:30 P.M.! Once you pick one out, you can decorate it at our pumpkin decorating station. There will also be games and other activities. Pre-registration is required as there are limited spots. Ages: 5 – 11 Years. $10 per Participant. Guests can register in person at Fritz Burns Pool OR La Quinta Community Center OR Online at MyRecreationDistrict.com.

Art in Public Places:

Eclipse

Art Piece: Eclipse (2017)

Artist: Christine Hausserman

Location: Wellness Center

Christine Hausserman is an abstract mixed media glass artist currently living and working in San Diego, California. She combines the luminescent and vibrant effects of fused dichroic glass with the tactile properties of acrylic paint in earth tones. What characterizes her art is the unique way in which she explores contrasts in color, light, and texture. Christine’s complex process involves adding and removing many layers of paint on the glass using an impasto technique to achieve a myriad of reflective qualities. The viewer’s perspective continuously evolves with the ever-changing quality of light, time of day, and the position of the viewer. Eclipse began with a specialty coated glass that Hausserman cut, shaped, and then fused in her kiln for 12 hours, reaching temperatures around 1500 degrees. When the glass was cooled and cleaned, she placed it directly into wet acrylic paint that she textured onto a frame built with aluminum and wood. Hausserman has received awards in many juried art shows and her art has been featured in the Los Angeles Register, Art Catalogue by the Sea, and About Town Magazine, among others.

Recreation:

Fritz Burns Pool

La Quinta's Fritz Burns Pool has plenty to offer visitors of all ages. Activities include Arthritis Water Therapy, Aqua Fit, Adult Water Aerobic, and Open/Lap Swim just to name a few. The pool is located on the corner of Avenida Bermudas and Avenue 52 in La Quinta, CA. Please contact (760) 771-4347 for more information or visit www.laquintaca.gov/FBpool.

Click the images below to view the new Fall 2023 schedule!

Wellness Center

The La Quinta Wellness Center's hours of operation are:

• Monday - Friday: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed

The Wellness Center is offering a variety of fitness classes including Yoga, Gentle Yoga, and Mat Pilates. Register online at https://laqwebtrac.laquintaca.gov/. For more details or questions, please call (760) 564-0096.

Click the image below to view the weekly classes for October 2023.

Cool Center at the Wellness Center

The Riverside County Community Action Partnership program and the La Quinta Wellness Center have partnered as a Cool Center Monday through Friday through October 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cool Centers provide drop-in sites for vulnerable individuals, seniors, the disabled, and others in need of temporary relief from the heat. For more information, please visit www.laquintaca.gov/coolcenters.

Monday Movie Matinee

All movie Mondays begin at 1 p.m. Movies are FREE and seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. Movies are subject to change without notice. For information about movie titles, please call the Wellness Center at (760) 564-0096.

Food Programs

The Wellness Center is a resource for food distribution and general information. In partnership with FIND Food Bank, the City participates in bi-weekly food distribution (food bag/box for each household) to many of our affordable housing properties including:

• Coral Mountain Apartments
• Hadley Villas
• Vista Dunes
• Washington Street Apartments
• Wolff Waters Place Apartments

Interested parties are encouraged to call (760) 564-0096 for more details.

In collaboration with the City, FIND Food Bank continues to distribute food at the following locations and days:

La Quinta Community Park, 77865 Avenida Montezuma, La Quinta, CA 92253

• 1^st Friday of the month, from 8 - 9 a.m. Seniors age 65+ only (proof of age required).

• 4^th Saturday of the month, from 8 - 9 a.m. All ages welcome.

John Glenn Middle School, 79655 Miles Ave, Indio, CA 92201

• 1^st Wednesday of every month, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. All ages welcome.

Contact FIND Food Bank at (760) 775-3663 or visit www.laquintaca.gov/foodresources for more information.

X Park

The X Park hours of operation are Wednesday - Friday, 12 to 9 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Resident fees are $2 for a daily use pass and $25 for an annual pass. Non-resident fees are $5 for a daily use pass and $50 for an annual pass. Skateboards, bikes, scooters, and rollerblades are welcome! For more information, please call 760-777-7004 or visit www.laquintaxpark.com.

La Quinta Public Library:

The La Quinta Library is committed to encouraging lifelong learning by providing the people of our community with safe, no-cost activities for educational growth and recreational fulfillment. For the full complement of programs and events, check out our Facebook events page.

Library: Closed on Monday, October 9

The La Quinta Library will be closed on Monday, October 9, for Indigenous Peoples Day.

Library: Level Up LQ

Level Up LQ on Saturday, October 7, at 1:30 P.M. Calling all Teen Gamers! Join us as we play a variety of games on different consoles including the PS4, Nintendo Switch and more. Teens 13-17 years old.

Library: Fall Plant Talk & Giveaway

Master Gardeners Presentation & Plant Giveaway on Wednesday, October 11, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. The UCCE Master Gardeners of Riverside County will speak about planting and caring for Fall plants from 2:00 - 3:00 PM followed by a plant giveaway of Fall appropriate plants from 3:00 - 4:00 PM (while supplies last).

Creation Station: Maker Craft

Maker Craft: Viking Wire Weaving. Join the Creation Station on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 10 AM to 5 PM. Ages 7+. FREE while supplies last.

Celebrate Leif Erikson Day early by joining the Creation Station for our Maker Craft on Viking Wire Weaving. In the 8th-10th century, Vikings would weave strands of gold or silver on a wood dowel or stick to create metal rope that was used to decorate leaders or mighty warriors. Viking weaving has been around longer than chainmail.

For this program, Patrons will be given pieces of 26-gauge wire, a wooden dowel and a 3D printed weaving cap to help create either a bracelet or keychain.  This program will take at least an hour to complete so please plan accordingly.

This program is designed for patrons ages 7 and older.  The instructions may be a bit complex for younger patrons and we will be working with metal wire and snips, which can be sharp and challenging to operate. All materials for the project will be provided while supplies last. No RSVPs, first come only.

Creation Station: MakerSpace Craft

Spooky Lantern Projectors on Thursday, October 12, from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Do you like spooky crafts? This month the Creation Station will celebrate spooky season with our Thursday Maker Craft where patrons will learn how to build a lantern projector from laser cut pieces of wood. There are (3) projector options available: Traditional Jack-O-Lantern, Wicked Witch or Scarry Jack-O-Lantern. This craft is Free and designed for all ages while limited supplies last. No RSVP required, first-come craft.

La Quinta Museum:

The La Quinta Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please check our Facebook page or call (760) 777-7170 for current program information and registration links for FREE programs. Please visit www.facebook.com/LaQuintaMuseum/.

**Please note: The Museum will be closed Friday, October 20, for staff development.

Exhibit: Scorpions!

Scorpions! The word “scorpion” often evokes fear. Although scorpions are abundant around the world, and encounters with humans are common, most people know very little about these remarkable creatures. This exhibit will present information about scorpions – their evolution, anatomy, family life, diet, and the truth about their venomous reputation – in addition to addressing scorpions in history and popular culture. Curated by Hi-Desert Nature Museum biologist Stefanie Ritter.

Mini Exhibit: Frank Capra

New mini exhibit in our Local History gallery: La Quinta Legends: Frank Capra. Legendary director Frank Capra’s films made the American dream come alive on the silver screen during the 1930s and 40s—and our own La Quinta may have played a part in his success! This exhibit shines the spotlight on the life of one of our city’s most celebrated residents.

Program: La Sobremesa Cultural

La Sobremesa Cultural Friday, October 27, at 3:00 P.M. La Sobremesa es un programa en español para el disfrute cultural. ¡Acompáñanos el día Viernes 27 de Octubre a las 3:00 P.M. y hablemos sobre El Día de Muertos!

Event: Music at the Museum

Music at the Museum: Thursday, November 2, from 5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Join us for Music at the Museum with the sounds of Las Tias!

The City of La Quinta is excited to announce we have partnered with Tyler Technologies to provide an improved and more efficient customer service experience with an advance online software system. The HUB Online Portal provides the City with tools to reduce the need for redundant data input, reduce staff and customer time when assisting the public with permitting and licensing, allow Geographic Information System (GIS) integration. Here is a link to The HUB Online Portal:  http://www.laquintaca.gov/HUBOnlinePortal

Please contact the HUB at 760-777-7000 if you need assistance with the Hub Online Portal or would like to schedule an in-person appointment.

Business Licenses:

Apply or renew your business license by accessing online services at http://www.laquintaca.gov/HUBOnlinePortal

Staff issued 52 business licenses and collected $5,639.93 for the week of September 25^th through the 29^th.

Permit Center:

The Hub/Permit Services is open to the public Monday thru Friday from 8:00am - 4:00pm. To make an appointment or for any questions call (760) 777-7125 or via email at customercenter@laquintaca.gov.

Staff received 73 permit applications and issued 76 permits for the week of September 25^th through the 29^th. Permits include building construction, planning use and special events, garage sales, public works encroachment, fire system installations and code compliance inspections.

Building:

Completed 62 Plan Reviews and Performed 414 Inspections for the week of September 25^th through the 29^th.

New Development Updates:

The Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, beginning at 5:00 p.m. and will consider the following items:

Changes to architecture, building height, and site plans for the La Quinta Village Apartments, a 252-unit multifamily apartment complex, which includes 74 moderate-income units, as directed by Council. The proposed project site is located at the northeast corner of Washington Street and Avenue 50.

City-wide zoning code language clean up and changes to game court, flagpole, and accessory dwelling unit regulations.

Code Compliance:

• Code Compliance has inspected 115 properties, opened 32 cases, closed 47 cases, issued 17 courtesy notices, 16 notices of violation, 8 final notices of violation, 8 notices of public nuisance, 8 administrative citations, and 217 other actions and handled 49 phone calls.
• Code Compliance has a full-service voicemail system. The mailbox will be monitored regularly. Callers can leave their messages/requests as follows for:
• Report a Code Compliance Issue - leave a detailed message including the property address or, the specific location, the nature of the complaint, and any pertinent details relating to the reported violation. Code Compliance will investigate the concern and address any observed violations. The reporting party may contact Code Compliance at 760-777-7050 and request an update. 
• Inspection requests for a pool drain, home-occupation, or short-term special inspection, please leave a message with the permit number, address, type of inspection, and requested inspection date and time along with a name and call back number.
• For general code compliance related questions or to report a code issue, please email codecompliancemail@laquintaca.gov
• Complaints at permitted Short-Term Vacation Rentals - for an actively occurring report, please contact the STVR hotline at 760-777-7157. A resident may confirm that a specific address has a STVR permit by visiting the City’s website. 
• For animal control services, please contact Riverside County Department of Animal Services at 760-343-3644.
• For questions or to pay an administrative or parking citation, please call the Citation Processing Center at 1-800-989-2058 or visit citationprocessingcenter.com.
• For non-emergency police services, please contact Riverside County Sheriff at 760-836-3215, option 5.
• Code Compliance welcomes walk-ins but encourages to schedule an appointment. Please call 760-777-7050 to schedule.

Dune Palms Bridge Improvement Project

The Dune Palms Road Bridge Improvement Project will construct an all-weather access bridge across the Coachella Valley Storm Water Channel in La Quinta (see map for project area). The new, 480-foot-long bridge will address flooding and excess debris on the existing roadway during storms. The project began on January 30, 2023. For more information or to receive updates, please visit www.laquintaca.gov/DunePalms.

Dune Palms Bridge Update:

** Dune Palms Road remains closed until further notice. **

The Dune Palms Road closure will continue until further notice. Please use Westward Ho Dr. and Jefferson St., or take alternate routes.

For more information, please visit www.laquintaca.gov/DunePalms or call (760) 422-3370.

Other Projects:

City Parks – Overseeding at City Parks is scheduled as follows:

• Civic Center Campus, Eisenhower, Velasco, and the X-Park scalping the week of September 25, overseeding the week of October 2.
• Adams, Desert Pride, Fritz Burns, La Quinta, Monticello, Pioneer Park, and the Bear Creek Trail between Eisenhower and Carranza scalping the week of October 9, overseeding the week of October 16.
• SilverRock Event Park scalping the week of October 16, overseeding October 23.

Attention Dog Owners: The Fritz Burns, Pioneer, and Seasons Dog Parks will be closed for overseeding from October 2 – 31.

Please Note: These dates are subject to change by a day or two based on the contractor’s schedule.

Fritz Burns Park – The contractor has finished the concrete repairs on pickleball courts one through eight and is currently painting the courts. We anticipate the work being completed by the end of next week.

SilverRock Event Park – The bocce ball courts are nearly complete and staff anticipates finalizing the finishing touches next week.

Traffic – Contactor is working on the Public Safety Camera System installation at X-Park. They are installing conduit/fiber network.