New La Quinta City Council members sworn in

Steve Sanchez and Kathleen Fitzpatrick were sworn in at Tuesday night’s La Quinta City Council meeting.

The swearing in was originally at the top of the agenda but had to be delayed because the certified results from the Riverside County Registrar’s office were not ready by the beginning of the meeting.

Sanchez is a Marine veteran and previously served on the Indio and La Quinta Chambers of Commerce.

Fitzpatrick is retired after working for the city of Los Angeles and was a member of the La Quinta Planning Commission.

The two newest council members are excited to get to work especially after the passage of Measure G which is a one-percent increase in sales tax.

“Now that Measure G has passed I am excited to say we are going to be able to work on our infrastructure projects and look at some economic development and facilitate economic development more easily,” said Fitzpatrick.

“What I am passionate about is my city, so things like infrastructure needs and quality of life. These are the things i campaigned on and these are the things I want to commit to providing for my city,” said Sanchez.

Fitzpatrick and Sanchez will be replacing Kristy Franklin who lost her bid for reelection and Lee Osborne who is stepping down after 11 years on city council.

City staff held a ceremony before tonight’s meeting to bid farewell to the council members.