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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Manager Meeting Summaries - July 6 - August 16, 2011CITY OF PALM DESERT OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER STAFF REPORT To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council From: John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager Date: August 25, 2011 Subject: INFORMATIONAL ITEM — CITY MANAGER MEETING SUMMARIES Following are meetings held with groups, residents, and/or businesses, for the period July 6 — August 16, 2011. July 6 Arbitration Hearing —San Bernardino Attended the Arbitration Hearing with Dave Erwin, City Attorney, in Ontario, California. The Hearing related to Renau/Renau/Clarke vs. the City of Palm Desert. The arbitration was successful in that we were able to settle the case. July 7 Staff Meeting Bi-monthly meeting with staff to discuss Council agenda. Interview at Desert Sun Participated in the Desert Sun Monday Newsmakers with James Folmer, Desert Sun. Among topics discussed were Aquatic Center, the future of the UCR Graduate Center, outlook for the Palm Desert economy, and the future of the city and staff. Meeting with David Hermann and Donna Gomez Meeting to discuss utilizing a National League of Cities contract to place video on our website to market Palm Desert. Meeting with Mark Greenwood Discussed the City's capital improvement project list and priorities. July 8 Meeting with Tom Kirk and Katie Barrows re: PACE Met to discuss possibility of CVAG leading a Valley wide AB 811 or PACE program. Discussed the benefits and challenges. MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council DATE: August 25, 2011 SUBJECT: Informational Item - City Manager Meeting Summaries PAGE 2 OF 5 Meeting with Jim Ferguson Met with Jim Ferguson to discuss the status of Energy Independence America and requesting funding from Boulder, Colorado, Sonoma County, and Brooklyn, New York. July 11 Executive Management Meeting Weekly meeting with department heads. July 12 Desert Willow President's Meeting Among discussion items was the increasing cost of water at Desert Willow, the financials for the month and year-to-date, future capital planning, security lighting, and the golf course maintenance report. CRA Video Conference The California Redevelopment Association (CRA) held a webinar to inform RDA's of the status of the lawsuit and offer guidance for implementing AB 27X. July 13 All Employee Meeting First of two meetings to inform employees about the impacts of AB 26X and AB27X Budget Bills. Meeting concerning Dick Kelly Tournament For several years, Desert Willow has hosted a Dick Kelly Junior/Senior Golf Tournament to benefit the First Tee. First Tee is planning to maintain this tradition and handle the event organization. July 14 Meeting with Tom Kirk CVAG on next st(ps on PAC Martin Alvarez and I met with CVAG staff and Ted Flanigan of EcoMotion to continue the discussion on how CVAG could initiate a valley -wide AB 811/PACE program and whether Palm Desert could support such a program with staff. I indiciated that the City could share its "lessons learned" and provide some administrative guidance, but we did not have application or inspection staff to provide. All Employee Meeting - The second employee meeting explaining the impacts of elimination by the State of RDA or paying ransom might have on City operations. Meeting concerning the Rock'N Roll Half Marathon Continuing meeting on the traffic control plan proposed by the Competitor's Group and specifically identifying means to reduce "land -locked" communities. Worked with Public Works, Special Programs, Police and Fire to modify plan to allow access during race. MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council DATE: August 25, 2011 SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries PAGE 3OF5 City Council Meeting July 15 Meeting with Mayor Pro Tem and City Attorney July 18 Executive Management Meeting Weekly meeting with department heads. Tour of Aquatic Center with Joseph Gonzales, District Representative for Senator Bill Emmerson Took Joseph Gonzales on a tour of the Aquatic Center. Aquatic Center Committee Meeting Monthly meeting with YMCA and Aquatic Center Manager to work on issues related to facility and operation. The purpose of the meetings is to continually improve the Aquatic Center operation and cost recovery. Meeting with Brian Harnik Met to discuss the Stone Eagle water line going through and around the road to Stonehaven in the County unincorporated area. July 19 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Held the Parks and Recreation meeting in the new Community Room at the Aquatic Center. Special Energy Committee Meeting Moved the monthly Energy meeting up to approvethe Articles of Incorporation and submit to Secretary of State prior to the deadline to preserve the Energy Independence America name. Meeting with CVWD A meeting was scheduled with Steve Robbins, Justin McCarthy, Mark Greenwood, Lauri Aylaian, Paul Gibson, Russell Grance, and Ruth Ann Moore. Topics of discussion included Richie's Diner (grease trap sizing), water charges at Desert Willow Golf Resort, Certificate of Occupancy at CVWD's Hovley Offices (landscape requirements), and valve adjustment and sewer manhole adjustment costs to the City. July 20 Incident Commander System Training I attended a class held at the Ontario Fire Department. Among the course topics were leadership and management, delegation of authority, functional areas and positions, emergency management and incident response operations for disaster preparedness. MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council DATE: August 25, 2011 SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries PAGE 4 OF 5 July 21 Meeting with Gary Michaels, Time Warner Cable Mr. Michaels, Senior Enterprise Account Executive, stopped by to introduce himself and discuss how TWC could provide products and services necessary for the City to meet its current and future technology needs. July 22 Meeting with Mavor Pro Tem Spiegel and City Attorney Erwin Meeting with Dave Erwin, Sophie Akins of BB&K (solar lawex ert Justin McCarthy, and Lauri Avlaian Discussed State law that eliminates land use decisions by cities in determining location, design, and impacts of solar systems. July 27 Meetina with Mark Greenwood July 28 Meeting with Mary Stoltzman, Willow Vista Plaza Ms. Stoltzman wanted to know if I had any ideas of potential tenants at Willow Vista Plaza (Portola and Country Club). The Villas at Desert Willow (Stanwood) is moving effective January 1, 2012. Meeting with Dan Wilham and Andy Shouse Discussed the responsibility of the City pertaining to damage to City equipment by Sheriff Department employees July 29 Meeting with Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel and City Attorney Erwin Meetina with Clay Von Helf, David Hermann, Paul Gibson Meeting held to discuss televising City Council meetings. August 1 Executive Management Meetina Coordination of Development Services Meetinq Monthly meeting to discuss coordination of services between Building and Safety, Planning, and Public Works. August 3 Meeting Concerning City Budget Impacts Due to AB 27X Began the process of interpreting AB 27X, identified impacts to the General Fund, and prioritized RDA projects and timeline. MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council DATE: August 25, 2011 SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries PAGE 5OF5 August 4 Meeting with CVWD Representatives I met with Steve Robbins and Mark Johnson, CVWD, along with City staff, to discuss CVWD's administration facility issues (art in public places, progress on landscaping, and temporary certificate of occupancy). UCR School of Medicine Meeting Dr. Olds, Dean of UCR medicine, discussed the status of the UCR Medical School and future planning with the community leaders of Desert Hospital. Rock and Roll Half Marathon A meeting was held to discuss the traffic control plan. August 5 Vacation Dav August 8 Vacation Dav August 9 Desert Willow President's Meeting The monthly meeting was held. Revenues were up slightly for the month of July. Golf course conditions continue to be good. The overseeding of Mountain View begins on September 26. August 10 Meeting with Dean Jandt I met with Dean Jandtat his request to discuss street issues, lighting reimbursement, and the Development Disposition Agreement timing. August 11 Meeting with Rob Ballew and Karen Creasey Discussed special event and facility use by outside entities. Developed a form to approve events and uses when it is financially advantageous. August 12 Meetinq at Corporation Yard Discussed Corporation Yard morale and management issues with employees. Cffy 00UNC1L#e"0N August 15 Executive Management APPROVED DENT Weekly meeting with departme � D , - r N M. WOHLMUTH Manager MEETING DATE 1 s - f A-7 - (--XL) c AYES: NOES: ABSEN1i ABSTAIN: VERIFIED BY: Original on File with City rk's Of#ice