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Community Workshop

Join the City Council and City Staff for the 2024 Community Workshop on Thursday, February 22, from 5 - 7 p.m., at the La Quinta Wellness Center. The Community Workshop is an opportunity for residents to get involved and find out what's happening in the Gem of the Desert.

This is a FREE event and includes food and refreshments. For more information, please visit www.laquintaca.gov/CommunityWorkshop.

La Quinta Car Show

Come out to the 17th Annual La Quinta Hot Rod and Custom Car Show on Saturday, February 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brought to you by the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of La Quinta, this event will be held at the La Quinta Community Park (near the La Quinta Museum), located at 77-865 Avenida Montezuma. Entertainment, food, drinks and a beer garden will be available at this family friendly event.

Admission and parking are FREE! For more information, please visit www.playinlaquinta.com.

La Quinta Art Celebration

The La Quinta Art Celebration returns to La Quinta's Civic Center Campus February 29 - March 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enthusiasts can browse a unique selection of world class art from over 200 artists. Enjoy food, live music, and plenty of art at the #1 fine art and fine craft event in the nation!

Tickets are on sale now. For more information, please visit www.laquintaartcelebration.org.

City Website Links:

Report a Maintenance Issue

Community Services Grant Program

Council Meeting Videos

Upcoming Events:

Certified Farmers Market

The Certified Farmers Market will be held on Sunday, February 25, 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.

Free Tennis Clinics

Love & Love Tennis Foundation will be offering Free Tennis Clinics at Fritz Burns Park every Saturday through February 24, from 9:00 to 10:15 A.M. Ages 6 – 15 years old. Register by calling 760-772-9411 or email sportswomn@aol.com.

Love & Love Tennis Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For more information, please visit www.lovelovetennisfoundation.com.

Art in Public Places:

Portal of Poppies

Art Piece: Portal of Poppies (2010)

Artist: Cush Art Studio

Location: Desert Club Dr. & Calle Tampico (Calle Tampico Center)

Larry and Nancy Cush are the artist team behind Cush Art Studio, which provides artistic services to interior designers, architects, and private clients. They work in a variety of mediums including ceramic tile murals, welded steel, etched glass, and painted finishes. Portal of Poppies is made of poly chromed welded steel. It is a motif of California Poppies and covers an arched entry into a pedestrian area with a water feature. It was inspired by the desert’s famous California Poppies and was intended to celebrate the La Quinta lifestyle and to provide an uplifting visual statement. When the Developers of the Calle Tampico Center wanted to enhance awareness of their commercial location, Cush Art Studio came up with the poppy concept. The artists made several visits to the Wild Poppies in the spring and produced a final design which was approved by the Community Services Commission. Cush Art Studio plans to create a series of large-scale flowers for future art shows.

Recreation:

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

For any questions, please call the Wellness Center at (760) 564-0096.

Upcoming Wellness Center Closures

The La Quinta Wellness Center gym will be closed for maintenance beginning Tuesday, February 20 through Saturday, February 24, 2024. Fitness classes will continue as scheduled while the gym is closed during this week.

The Wellness Center will fully close to the public due to the La Quinta Art Celebration on Monday, February 26 through Monday, March 4, 2024. During these closures, Wellness Center fitness members will have access to Desert Recreation District’s La Quinta Community Fitness Center located at: 77865 Avenida Montezuma; (760) 564-9921. Please remember to bring your fitness card with you to access their facility. *Please note: Peak times at this facility are mornings between 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. The hours of operation at this site are Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The Wellness Center gym will re-open for regular business hours beginning Tuesday, March 5, 2024; 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact the Wellness Center at: (760) 564-0096.

The La Quinta Wellness Center offers a variety of fitness and leisure classes. Yoga Flow, Gentle Yoga, Mat Pilates, Tai Chi Yang, Essential Fitness, Mental Muscle Relaxation, Deep Stretch, and Beginning Ballroom Dance are available for online registration now! Please call the Wellness Center for more details (760) 564-0096.

Click the image below to view the weekly classes for March 2024.

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.  Call (760) 564-0096 Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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).

Horizon High School, 43330 Palm Royale Dr., La Quinta, CA 92253

• 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.

Fritz Burns Pool

Fritz Burns Pool in La Quinta has plenty to offer visitors of all ages. Available programs include Arthritis Water Therapy, Aqua Fit, Adult Water Aerobic, and open/lap swim. The pool is located on the corner of Avenida Bermudas and Avenue 52 in La Quinta. For more information please call (760) 771-4347.

Click the images below to view the January - April 2024 schedule!

X Park

The X Park is open seven days a week! The hours of operation are Monday - 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: Community Cookbook

Library: Gem Emporium

Join us for The GEM EMPORIUM on Friday, February 23, from 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Earn one LIBRARY GEM for each book you check out! Visit the Library on the day the Gem Emporium is open to exchange your Gem’s for school supplies like pencils, pens, water bottles, and more!

Library: Level Up LQ

Level Up LQ. Join us on Saturday, February 24, from 12:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. Calling all teen gamers! Join us to play a variety of games on a variety of consoles including the PS4, Nintendo Switch and more!

Library: Chess Club

Chess Club on Thursday, February 29, at 4:00 P.M. Players of all levels welcome! Hosted by the Coachella Chess Club.

Creation Station: Fiber Arts Bootcamp

Embroidery 101 will be held on Sunday, February 25, from 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. Learn some common stitches used in embroidery projects on a custom sampler provided by the Makerspace. You are welcome to bring your own embroidery floss, embroidery hoops or embroidery needles, but the Makerspace will have supplies available to use for the program if you need them. No RSVP required, first come craft.

Creation Station: Maker Craft

Maker Craft: Kung Fu Panda Mini Pillows on Saturday, March 9, from 10:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Join us for an easy, FREE hand-sewing craft and make some felt pillows based on Kung Fu Panda characters! No RSVP required, first come craft. All ages welcome, while supplies last. Patrons will choose from the following characters: Master Po Ping (Giant Panda), Grand Master Oogway (Galápagos Tortoise), Master Monkey (Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey) Master Tigress (South China Tiger), Master Crane (Black-Necked Crane) While this is a program for all ages, we do recommend parental help with the use of sewing needles.

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.

Program: Fridays with Frank

Fridays with Frank: Join us for screenings of Frank Capra’s classic films! This month, we’ll watch Arsenic and Old Lace on Friday, February 23, at 11:30 A.M.

Program: Creative Conversations

New Exhibit: From the Archives

From the Archives: Enjoy seldom-seen artwork from the archives of the La Quinta Historical Society from February 6 through March 30.

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.

FREE Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

Not sure what to do with your Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) like used batteries, medical sharps, electronics, oil and gasoline, light bulbs, aerosol cans, and more? The City is hosting a Free HHW collection event on Saturday, February 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the City Hall South Parking Lot. For more information and what materials will be accepted, please visit www.laquintaca.gov.

The GEM Magazine - February 2024

The February 2024 GEM Magazine is available online! In this issue:

• Falling in Love with La Quinta: How One Family Left L.A. for the Gem of the Desert
• Two La Quinta Women Share Important Insights About Black History Month
• City Hosts 'Mapping Our Tomorrow' Community Workshop on February 22
• 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.

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

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

Upcoming City Meetings:

City Council Meeting

• Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 4:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers

Planning Commission Meeting

• Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 5:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers

Housing Commission Meeting

• Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 5:00 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 March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election is almost upon us. Residents can drop off their vote-by-mail ballots or cast their vote in-person at any of the locations listed below.

Vote-By-Mail locations – February 5 – March 2, 2024

• La Quinta City Hall – 78495 Calle Tampico
• Trilogy at La Quinta – 60750 Trilogy Parkway

Vote Center locations – March 2-5, 2024

• La Quinta City Hall – 78495 Calle Tampico
• The Palms at La Quinta Assisted Living and Memory Care – 45160 Seeley Drive
• Trilogy at La Quinta – 60750 Trilogy Parkway

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.

For your convenience, The HUB Online Portal is available 24/7 for permits, request inspections, search plans, and licenses, as well as pay fees. To access the City of La Quinta Online Portal, please visit: 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 62 business licenses and collected $12,623.20 for the week of February 11^th  through February 18^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 84 permit applications and issued 93 permits for the week of February 11^th  through February 18^th.

Permits include building construction, land use and special events, garage sales, public works encroachment, fire system installations and code compliance inspections.

Building:

Completed 91 Plan Reviews and performed 367 Inspections for the week of February 11^th through February 18^th.

Building permits were issued for two single family dwellings within the communities of Andalusia and the Hideaway.

New Development Updates:

A special event permit was approved for the La Quinta Car Show to take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on February 24, 2024, at the La Quinta Community Park.

A special event permit was approved for the Dupont Estate at 46485 Cameo Palms. The permit is approved for 1-3 events between Feb 16, 2024, and Feb 15, 2025. The first event takes place on March 1, 6 pm to 9 pm.

The regular Planning Commission meeting of February 27, 2024, has been cancelled.  The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Dune Palms Bridge Update:

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

Work continues on the northbound bridge sidewalk with plans to place concrete later this week, weather permitting.

Crews continue construction on the southbound bridge support system with concrete placements planned throughout the week, weather permitting. This photo shows crews placing column casings near the southern bridge abutment in preparation for concrete placement.

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:

PMP Slurry Seal Project – Contractor is placing slurry seal on Washington Street and La Fonda. They are also filling cracks on Avenida Mendoza and Avenida Martinez. The bike lane on Monroe Street is being paved along with striping removal.

Cactus Flower Project – Demolition is completed in the neighborhood. The contractor is grading slopes along Dune Palms and Fred Waring as well as installing keystone block walls.

Avenue 52 Landscape Restoration – Staff is installing decomposed granite and hardscape. This project is anticipated to be completed next week based on availability of materials.

Road Work Alert for February 22-24:

Code Compliance:

• Code Compliance has inspected 68 properties, opened 24 cases, closed 26 cases, issued 12 courtesy notices, 8 notices of violation, 10 final notices of violation, 4 administrative citations, and 244 other actions, and handled 32 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.

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.