HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeeting Summaries - June 15 - July 5, 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: July 14, 2011
Subject: INFORMATIONAL ITEM — CITY MANAGER MEETING SUMMARIES
Following are meetings held with groups, residents, and/or businesses, for the period June
15-July 5, 2011.
June 15 Cove Communities Services Commission Meeting/Luncheon
The quarterly meeting was held, followed by an awards luncheon. Chief
Dorian Cooley and Sgt. Misty Reynolds were honored for their leadership
and dedicated service to the cove communities and its citizens.
Neon Window Sign Subcommittee Meeting
Council Members Harnik and Kroonen met with staff to discuss options
for the neon window signage and possibly a modification to the signage
ordinance. This was the first meeting with more to be scheduled.
Photos of different neon signage were provided to the subcommittee.
June 16 Staff Meeting
Bi-monthly meeting with staff to discuss Council agenda.
Meeting with Kevin Kalman
I met with Kevin Kalman to discuss child care funds at the First Tee.
Work improvements are being made to the First Tee facility (at Cook
Street and Sheryl). I discouraged Kevin Kalman, General Manager of
the Desert Recreation District, from considering First Tee as a child care
facility.
MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
DATE: July 14, 2011
SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries
PAGE 2 OF 5
June 21 Executive Management Meeting
Weekly department head meeting.
CRA Online Video Conference
California Redevelopment Association held a video conference regarding
potential impacts of the Governor's proposed budget. AB 26X and 87X
were discussed. CRA also discussed their interpretation of the bills and
the impacts to RDAs.
June 22 RCPDFA Meeting
The Riverside County Palm Desert Finance Authority met to discuss the
audit of Riverside County, Palm Desert RDA pass -through agreements,
as well as the Regional Access Project (RAP) funding agreement. The
audit was continued until the September meeting so that the County
Executive Officer can obtain additional information from the auditor.
Meeting with Ted Giatis concerning McCallum Parking
Lot/Landscaping
Discussed the McCallum Theatre parking lot project with McCallum staff.
The City of Palm Desert agreed to contribute up to $225,000 for parking
lot improvements. It was determined that landscaping improvements will
be undertaken in late summer/early fall with asphalt slurry sealing next
spring. Our City Attorney will draft an agreement.
Meeting Concerning Desert Willow Security
Met with staff to discuss the amount and location of security cameras at
Desert Willow Resort Clubhouse.
June 23 Bookmobile Site visit/Palm Desert Library and City Staff
During the remodel of the Palm Desert Multi Agency Library, the
Bookmobile will park at the Civic Center to provide library service to
Palm Desert residents. The Bookmobile will need power for air
conditioning and computers and will probably be parked by the electric
Charging Station.
June 24 Meeting with Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and City Attorney
MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
DATE: July 14, 2011
SUBJECT: Informational Item —City Manager Meeting Summaries
PAGE 3 OF 5
Meeting with Rob Ballew
Staff met with Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert CEO, at the Aquatic
Center to go over the final touches of the facility and organization of the
Grand Opening event. In staff's opinion, the event was spectacular and
the attendees were very complimentary.
June 25 Aquatic Center Grand Opening
City and YMCA staff did an outstanding job preparing for and handling
the grand opening event.
June 27 Meeting with Bob Roark and Bob Pippin
Discussed the timing of the hearing on Rosewood Hotel. Indicated the
hearing will be held on July 14, 2011, but may be continued if the
Council so desires.
County OES Tabletop Exercise
A training exercise was conducted for earthquake preparedness. This
training was required by the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA,
and was conducted by the County Office of Emergency Services, our
partners in disaster response. The nature of the tabletop was to pretend
that a major earthquake had just occurred, and staff was meeting in the
immediate aftermath to respond appropriately and in compliance with the
City's emergency plan.
CVAG Executive Committee Meeting and General Assembly
The Executive Committee meeting and General Assembly were held at
the Mission Lakes Country Club in Desert Hot Springs. The General
Assembly approved the CVAG budget and appointed Supervisor John
Benoit as the new Chair.
June 28 Legislative Review Committee
Primarily discussed the State budget and impact to Palm Desert RDA.
The Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce provided their legislative
priorities for the 2011 /12 fiscal year.
MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
DATE: July 14, 2011
SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries
PAGE 4 OF 5
Audit, Investment and Finance Committee Meeting
Monthly Finance Committee received a report from the City's Auditors on
the schedule and the work plan for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.
Executive Management Meeting
Weekly department head meeting.
June 29 Meeting with Mark Greenwood/Public Works Issues
Discussed some potential purchases and restoring the employee first aid
room while cleaning and organizing the janitorial closets.
Rock & Roll Half Marathon Meeting
Met with staff, Public Works, Police, and Fire on the half marathon route,
band locations, and the need for a traffic control plan. The City has not
yet received the traffic control plan from the Competitor Group.
June 30 Meeting with Karen Creasey and Staff re: Aquatic Center
After nearly a week of operation, Karen Creasey, YMCA Aquatic Center
Manager, and staff discussed attendance reports, security, and supplies.
UCR Medical School/City Officials Meeting
Meeting with UCR Medical School, UCR Palm Desert Graduate School,
and City of Palm Desert staff to discuss UCR's commitment to the
Coachella Valley and the Palm Desert Graduate Center. Dr. Olds and
Dr. Guze from UCR Medical School discussed the wellness clinic
concept, accreditation and use of UCR land with Mayor Benson and
Council Member Kroonen.
Chamber Installation Dinner and Awards
Attended the Chamber Installation dinner and awards event held at
Palm Valley Country Club. Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works,
received the exemplary service award, much deserved.
July 1 Meeting with Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and City Attorney
MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
DATE: July 14, 2011
SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries
PAGE 5 OF 5
Rock & Roll Half Marathon Meeting/Conference Call
Discussed the City's concerns on the phone with the Competitor Group
as well as timing for the Competitor Group to provide the City with the
traffic control plan.
July 5 Monthly Energy Meeting
Met to discuss adding water conservation and electric vehicle charging
stations to our AB 811 guidelines. Also discussed the FHFA lawsuit and
the Energy Independence America/PACE lobby effort.
Executive Management Meeting
Weekly department head meeting.
Coordination Meeting: Public Works, Development Services,
Planning
Meeting to coordinate development services.
5HN M. WOHLMUTH
ity Manager
JMW:kp