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Home My WebLink AboutCity Manager Meeting Summaries - November 3, 2011 - January 3, 2012CITY 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: January 12, 2012 Subject: INFORMATIONAL ITEM — CITY MANAGER MEETING SUMMARIES Following are meetings held with groups, residents, and/or businesses, for the period November 30 — January 3, 2012: November 30 Meeting with Mayor Pro Tem Bob Spiegel and Harry Incs, American Cab Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel asked me to attend a meeting with him and American Cab. Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel is on the Sunline Board of Directors, and Sunline, as the Taxi Regulator for the Coachella Valley, has been attempting to address issues related to American Cab performance. Meeting with Peter Rittenhouse, Joslyn Center Met with Peter Rittenhouse of the Joslyn Center to discuss a problem the Center has with its domestic water line. It appears that the Center's Building 2 is served by an irrigation line. Public Works is analyzing the situation and will make a recommendation and provide a cost estimate to solve the problem. Meeting with David Fletcher Met with David Fletcher to discuss the "no parking, no stopping" signs on El Paseo next to Ocotillo Drive, fronting the Daily Grill. Mr. Fletcher wanted to have his architect design more appealing signs. Mr. Fletcher was asked to provide a design to Public Works for consideration. Meeting with John Shull, JPIA and Stephen Aryan Met with John Shull to discuss risk management issues. The purpose of the meeting was also to introduce Stephen Aryan, Palm Desert's Risk Manager, to CJPIA after the retirement of Gary Rosenblum. MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council DATE: January 12, 2012 SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries PAGE 2OF6 December 1 Staff Meeting Weekly staff meeting to review City Council agenda. Meeting with Rob Bernheimer and Lauri Avlaian Meeting to discuss the Berger Foundation's interest in the City's consideration of annexing north of the 1-10. Traffic Signal Turn On — Portola/Frank Sinatra I attended the ceremony to turn on the traffic signal at Portola and Frank Sinatra. December 2 Meeting with Councilmember Harnik and Chancellor White Met with Councilmember Harnik and Chancellor White to discuss future UCR commitment to Palm Desert's Graduate Center and future plans for the UCR Medical School "Clinic" on the campus. Meeting with Mayor Jean Benson and Chancellor White Met with Mayor Benson and Chancellor White to discuss future UCR commitment to Palm Desert's Graduate Center and future plans for the UCR Medical School "Clinic" on the campus. Wreath Lighting Ceremony I attended the City's annual wreath lighting ceremony at the Amphitheater. December 5 Executive Management Meetinq Weekly meeting with the executive management team. Coordination of Development Services Monthly meeting to discuss coordination of services between Building and Safety, Planning, and Public Works. CVAG Executive Committee Meetinq and Tribute to Jean Benson CVAG held the Executive Committee where the Executive Committee disbanded the Human and Community Resources Committee and acknowledged Mayor Jean Benson for her extensive work on the HCR Committee. December 6 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Discussed the Cahuilla Hills Park improvements and updated Dog Park rules. MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council DATE: January 12, 2012 SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries PAGE 3OF6 Monthly Energy Committee Meeting Topics of discussion included updates on the Energy Independence Program (EIP), EIP marketing, Energy Independence America, FHFA lawsuit, Ygrene Commercial EIP proposal, Samas Capital, and Palm Desert Energy Partnership. Palm Desert Under -grounding Program Staff received a letter requesting the City complete or accelerate the undergrounding plan for Palm Desert. A letter was prepared by ACM Justin McCarthy addressing the concerns and explaining the City's policies/limited funding. Palm Desert Country Club/Colorado Timing System Met with Public Works staff, Ryan Stendell, and YMCA pool manager Karen Creasey, to discuss a timing and video system for the Palm Desert Aquatic Center. Sam Oberman -Joslyn Center Met with Sam Oberman, former Chair of the Joslyn Center/current Interim Executive Director, regarding the recruitment of a new Executive Director. Planning Commission Meeting attended the Planning Commission meeting. December 7 Meeting with Tim Miller and Vincent Yzaguirre, Riverside County Economic Development Office Meeting to discuss the lease of office space to Supervisor John Benoit. Meeting with Toby Davis Toby Davis retired from KemperSports and wanted to offer any assistance and expressed gratitude for the last fifteen years. December 8 Conference Call with Pam Newcomb Topics of discussion were unrated tax allocation bonds. Met with Justin McCarthy and Paul Gibson to determine rate and advantage to City. Meeting with Rich Mogensen, Steve Skinner, Mark Hoesing Met to discuss extension of Kemper contract. City Council Meeting MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council DATE: January 12, 2012 SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries PAGE 4 OF 6 December 9 Meeting with Mark Greenwood Met to discuss Public Works issues. Meeting with Mayor Spiegel and Ken Schwartz (Marriott) Met to discuss improvements to the JW Marriott Resort and Spa, including new water park conceptual funding. December 10 Employee Holiday Party Attended the employee holiday party at Desert Willow. December 12 Executive Management Meeting Weekly meeting with the executive management team. Hotel Subcommittee Meeting Met with the Hotel Subcommittee to discuss a proposal for the Larkspur Hotel site. The proposal was made by Wyndham Hotel Group and Hampshire Hotel for a new product called Dream Hotel. December 13 Desert Willow President's Meeting Topics of discussion were the November financials, golf course conditions, scheduling a marketing presentation to the City Council and a review of projects. Meeting with Dave Erwin, Rich Mogensen, and Kemper Attorney Meeting to discuss a class action lawsuit against Kemper. Meeting with Mark Greenwood Met to discuss the 2012 capital improvement project list. December 14 Meeting with City Attorney PACE and Open Marketing Financing I participated in a conference call to discuss the program. The video conference discussed how the private sector is funding and participating in PACE financing with little to no public funds; simply the tax lien process. Child Care Impact Fee Mitigation The YMCA childcare concept is not moving forward to a facility at Freedom Park at this time. Staff discussed childcare facility options utilizing the childcare mitigation fees. MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council DATE: January 12, 2012 SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries PAGE 5OF6 Public Safety Commission attended the Public Safety Commission meeting. December 15 Visit to Desert Willow Went to Desert Willow with Martin Alvarez to review several ongoing capital projects, including clubhouse drainage, Westin construction access, and well pump improvements. Meeting with Rob Bernheimer I met with Rob Bernheimer to discuss issues moving forward concerning LAFCO and the fiscal analysis at Sun City and the Berger Foundation land. December 16 Meeting with Tony Bagato Meeting was held to discuss short term rentals enforcement. Met with a potential consultant to track short term rentals and ideas to gain enforcement. Meeting with Mayor Spiegel, Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen and City Attorney Weekly meeting to discuss follow-up items and address citizen concerns. December 21 Meeting with City Attorney Weekly meeting with City Attorney. Meeting Re: Benoit Office Space Met with County EDA to discuss Supervisor Benoit's office space and requested improvements. December 23 Meeting with Mayor Spiegel and Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen Weekly meeting to discuss follow-up items and address citizen concerns. December 30 Meeting with Mayor Pro Tem and City Attorney MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council DATE: January 12, 2012 SUBJECT: Informational Item — City Manager Meeting Summaries PAGE 6 OF 6 January 3 Meeting with Chinese Delegation I was contacted by Suelynn Wu-Gerbl, Program Director for the US - China Business Training Center in the City of Industry. She wanted to schedule a meeting with City staff and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, who were interested in learning about renewable resources management in the US. Staff met with the delegation to discuss sustainability issues, with the focus on energy, recycling, green building, and reuse. Executive Management Meeting - Weekly meeting with the executive management team. N M. WOHLMUTH Manager CITY COUNCIL ACTION APPROVED _...DENIED RECEIVED OTHER MEETING DATE �011 — AYES: NOES: A13SENT: JMW:kp AIISTAIN: VERIFIED BY: Original on File with City Cie 's Office