HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Manager Meeting Summaries - September 21 - October 4, 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: October 13, 2011
Subject: INFORMATIONAL ITEM — CITY MANAGER MEETING SUMMARIES
Following are meetings held with groups, residents, and/or businesses, for the period September 21-
October 4, 2011:
September 21 ICMA Annual Conference in Milwaukee
I attended this annual conference September 18-21, 2011
September 22 Staff Meeting
Bi-monthly meeting with staff to discuss Council agenda.
Linda Furbee, Links Nursery, Staff
Spencer Knight and I met with Scott Kiner, Linda Furbee, and the
owner of Links Nursery located in Thermal to discuss their nursery
plants and trees. Links Nursery propagates Conary Island Palms for
Coachella Valley landscapes.
Corkv Larson, John Willacker, and Lauri Avlaian
I met with Corky Larson and John Willacker, at their request, to
discuss the sphere of influence/Sun City Palm Desert and
consideration of annexation after an Economic Feasibility Analysis is
complete.
September 23 Meeting with Mayor Pro Tern Bob Spiegel, Councilman Kroonen,
and Bob Hargreaves
FHFA Settlement Teleconference
As a follow-up to the Mandatory Settlement Conference in Oakland,
FHFA considered a Settlement Agreement by the PACE participants
and denied the Settlement Agreement.
MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
DATE: October 13, 2011
SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries
PAGE 2OF4
September 26 Executive Management
Weekly meeting with department heads.
Aquatic Center Committee
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. Discussed the budgeted marketing efforts of the YMCA.
CVAG Executive Committee
Mayor Benson and I attended the CVAG Executive Committee
meeting. The most significant issue was the funding of
Transportation. The Committee voted to take grants for roads and
bridges off of the top, then split the remaining funding per the CVAG
formula.
September 27 Legislative Review Committee
Monthly Legislative Review Committee meeting was held.
Audit, Investment & Finance Committee Meeting
The Audit, Investment, and Finance Committee voted to pull the
majority of the City and RDA investment dollars from the Rabobank
investments until the European market stabilizes.
Widening of Monterey
Met with College of the Desert and their engineer to discuss and
coordinate improvements to Monterey Avenue and the COD entrance
on Monterey. The work on both projects is anticipated to be
underway in the summer of 2012.
Rent Review Commission
Attended the Rent Review Commission meeting to deliberate the
proposed Rent Review Ordinance modification. The Commission
continued the discussion to obtain more input.
Gisborne Mayoral Dinner— Desert Willow
Attended the Mayoral dinner with Council, staff, Sister City
Foundation, and the Gisborne delegation.
September 28 Department Presentation to Gisborne Delegation
Staff made presentations to the Gisborne delegation on RDA,
Recycling, Art, and Budget issues.
MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
DATE: October 13, 2011
SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries
PAGE 3OF4
SCAG Video Conferenced Region -Wide City Managers Meeting
This video conference was held at CVAG to discuss SCAG's
proposals for the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), the
Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), and other SCAG projects.
Television Interviews with KPSP and KESQ
Met with reporters from KPSP and KESQ to discuss road construction
projects underway in Palm Desert.
September 29 Meeting with Chancellor White, Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel, and
Councilman Kroonen
Discussed future development of the UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center
with Chancellor White. Chancellor White indicated that he would
respond to our letter in writing, indicating their plans and what help, if
any, they will need.
Cal State Ring Road Dedication
Held the Cal State Ring Road/Berger Drive road dedication with UCR
and CSUSB. The dedication was well -attended.
Meeting with Justin McCarthy, Lauri Aylaian, and Bryce White re:
Red Lobster
Discussed options for WQMP assistance for future consideration by
the Council.
City Council Meeting
September 30 Gisborne Plaque Dedication
Weekly Meeting with Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel and Bob Hargreaves
Meeting with Bob Hargreaves, Justin McCarthy, Mark
Greenwood, Ruth Ann Moore, Bryce White re: Red Lobster
Meeting to discuss estimated cost of WQMP improvements and
applicability to Fagade Enhancement Program.
Gisborne Delegation Dinner — Farewell
Held at Rosemary Ortega's home, enjoyed a barbecue with Sister
Cities Foundation and Gisborne delegation.
October 3 Executive Management Meeting
MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
DATE: October 13, 2011
SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries
PAGE 4OF4
Coordination of Development Services Meeting
Monthly meeting to discuss coordination of services between Building
and Safety, Planning, and Public Works.
October 4 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Attended the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Updated
the Commission on the Aquatic Center attendance and financials.
Some discussion ensued on the quarterly and annual passes.
Majority of the discussion was related to a perimeter trail from Homme
Adams Park to Painters Path.
Monthly Energy Committee Meeting
Topics of discussion included an update on the Energy Independence
Program, Energy Independence America update, FHFA lawsuit
update, Ygrene Commercial EIP Proposal, CVAG Pace RFP and an
update on the Palm Desert Energy Partnership.
JHN M. WOHLMUTH
ity Manager
JMW:kp