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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Manager Meeting Summaries - October 19 - November 2, 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: November 10, 2011 Subject: INFORMATIONAL ITEM — CITY MANAGER MEETING SUMMARIES Following are meetings held with groups, residents, and/or businesses, for the period October 19 — November 2, 2011: October 19 Cove Commission Meeting I attended the Cove Commission Meeting held in Rancho Mirage. The Cove Commission reviews Fire Department and Police Department reports and data. The Joslyn Center is also a part of the Cove Commission as the City of Indian Wells, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage all fund parts or all of these services pursuant to a formula. October 20 Staff Meeting Weekly staff meeting to review City Council agenda. Meetina with Rosemary Orteaa and Nancv Jo McIntosh (Sister Cities Foundation) I was provided a copy of the Sister Cities Foundation budget and audit. Ms. Ortega and Ms. McIntosh explained what the Foundation - generated revenues are used for and what the City's charitable contribution funds are used for. Occupy Coachella Valley Meeting Staff learned through indirect communication that a group was planning an "occupy" event in the Civic Center Park on October 24. Staff met with a representative of this group to discuss park rules and ordinances. MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council DATE: November 10, 2011 SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries PAGE 2 OF 4 October 21 CVEP Annual Economic Summit I attended the 2011 CVEP Annual Economic Summit held at the Renaissance Esmeralda. October 24 Meeting with Rich Mogensen and Darrell Souza, Desert Willow, and David Hermann The City has received complaints on the operation of the Desert Willow Champions Club. In order for me to respond to these complaints, I asked Mr. Mogensen and Mr. Souza to provide a history and the current program benefits and costs. A letter was prepared responding to the complaints explaining that the Champions Club is a voluntary program. The Desert Willow resident program is the $45 resident rate. Executive Management Meetinq Aquatic Center Committee Meeting , Held the monthly Aquatic Center meeting with Finance, Public Works, and YMCA staff. Discussed the programs planned at the Center and attendance numbers as well as the research into a timing system and possible bleachers. Occupy Coachella Valley Meetinq Staff met with the group's representative to encourage compliance with park rules. We presented a reasonable accommodation and asked that they comply with a short term TUP and other park rules. The City issued a one day TUP and asked they vacate the area by noon the next day. October 25 Audit, Investment and Finance Committee Meetinq Attended the monthly Finance Committee meeting and discussed the investments and the Rabobank strategy. Occupy Coachella Valley Meeting Met with staff to determine how to proceed or not proceed with the Occupiers' additional TUP request. Conference Call with Mavor Pro Tern Spiegel and Councilman Kroonen Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel, Councilmember Kroonen and I answered questions via a conference call with CSUS6. The survey was regarding the possible construction of dormitories on the Palm Desert Campus site. MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council DATE: November 10, 2011 SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries PAGE 3OF4 Occupy Coachella Valley Meeting with Staff Walk Through of Palm Desert Art Museum Gardens with Steve Nash, Spencer Knight, Deborah Schwartz, Missy Wightman Staff met with Steve Nash to discuss possible sculpture placements and issues involved at the Gardens. October 26-27 Fall 2011 Aspen Accord at Torrev Pines in LaJolla. California attended the Aspen Accord conference. Presentations included a short history of local government -utility partnership successes by Craig Perkins, Executive Director. Also discussed were challenges on how we develop sustainable funding structures for local government - utility partnership projects that included case studies of innovative energy project funding and implementation approaches. Day two presentations included what organizational structures best support effective local government -utility partnerships and what regulatory frameworks best support successful local government -utility partnerships. October 27 City Council Meeting October 28 Meeting at Leeds and Sons At Councilmember Harnik's request, I met with her, the owner of Leeds and Sons, Lt. Lori Marquette, and Ruth Ann Moore regarding the October 26 robbery. Occupy Coachella Valley Meeting Staff met to discuss what measures would be taken over the weekend to progressively get the occupiers out of the park between 11:00 p.m. and dawn. October 31 Executive Management Meeting Employee Halloween Lunch/Costume Contest I participated as a judge with Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel and Spencer Knight at the employee event. Leeds and Sons Meeting with Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel at Leeds and Sons to discuss City law enforcement priorities. MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council DATE: November 10, 2011 SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries PAGE 4 OF 4 Potential New Community Garden Met with staff to discuss a potential new Community Garden at the Hovley Soccer Park. Since no funds are currently budgeted, staff was asked to estimate costs and sources of funds for the FY 2012/2013 budget. November 1 Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin Received an update on the YMCA pool operation and the Desert Recreation District programs. The Commission bylaws were also discussed. The recommendation was to create two ex-officio members (YMCA and DRD) and this will be brought forward to the Council at a future meeting. Monthly Eneray Meeting The agenda included an update on the Energy Independence Program, Energy Independence America, the FHFA lawsuit, Ygrene Commercial, and the CVAG PACE Program. Significant discussion occurred on methods to market the EIP program. November 2 Weekly Meeting with City Attorney Discussed the Local Business Purchase Preference Ordinance and the agreement with Red Lobster. Confirmed the discussion of the Occupy Coachella Valley and relationship with First Amendment rights. Meetina with Representatives of the Riverside Countv Economic Development Aaency Representatives of the Economic Development Agency requested to meet with me to tour all available space for Supervisor Benoit's office The County is looking to either improve or move Supervisor Benoit's office in the Parkview Office Complex. N M. WOHLMUTH Manager JMW:kp CITY COUNCIL ACTION APPROVED _ DENIED RECEIVED —OTHER MEETING DATE AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: VERIFIED BY: Original on File with Cit"rk's Office