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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeeting Summaries - October 15 - November 2, 2012CITY OF PALM DESERT CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE STAFF REPORT REQUEST: INFORMATIONAL ITEM — CITY MANAGER MEETING SUMMARIES (October 15 — November 2, 2012) SUBMITTED BY: John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager DATE: November 15, 2012 Following are meetings held with groups, residents, and/or businesses for the period October 15 — November 2, 2012: Oct 15 Meeting with City Staff re: Nordstrom's Landscape Discussed the landscape along the Palm Valley Channel behind the 111 Town Center development. The developer is seeking to modify the landscape to allow for signage visible from Highway 111. Conference Call re: Discussion of Settlement Agreement with Countv of Riverside Discussed the settlement agreement with the County of Riverside regarding pass -through owed to the Regional Access Project (RAP). The past due is under calculation from the triple flip legislation. Executive Management Meeting Weekly meeting with the Management Team. Meeting with Citv Staff and Representatives of RBF re: Monterev Avenue and 1-10 RBF is the City's consultant for the design and engineering of the Monterey Avenue on -ramp improvement. Staff received an update on the progress of the improvements and strategized about getting the design through CalTrans. Oct 16 Meeting with Staff re: Kemper Management Agreement City staff and Kemper Sports Management have been negotiating a new agreement as directed by City Council. Training — Preventing Discrimination & Harassment Every two years, State law requires that the City train all employees on preventing discrimination and harassment. I attended the training. Staff Report Informational Item: City Manager Meeting Summaries (October 15 — November 2, 2012) Page 2 November 15, 2012 Oct 17 Official Dedication of DMV Palm Desert Office I attended the dedication of the Palm Desert DMV Office off of Cook Street. Cove Commission Meetina — Indian Wells Attended the Cove Commission meeting in Indian Wells. Meetina with City Staff and General Manager of Shadow Mountain Resort re: TOT Audit The City conducted TOT audits this year. The audit of Shadow Mountain Resort had findings of under -collection. The General Manager appealed the audit findings. The appeal hearing is conducted by the City Manager. I found in favor of the Resort on one under -collection and denied one appeal. Meeting with City Staff re: Citizens on Patrol Proaram Discussed providing COPS volunteers in the office to assist with Code tracking and graffiti reporting. Oct 18 Staff Meeting Bi-weekly meeting to review City Council Agenda. Hotel Committee meetina Discussed the Larkspur Hotel proposal, the Rosewood Hotel status, and potential hotel sites at Desert Willow. The Desert Willow hotel sites will be on hold until staff addresses the RDA dissolution issues, which may be resolved in six months. Oct 19 Meetina with Mayor Spiegel, Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen, and City Attorney Weekly meeting to discuss citizen concerns and address issues brought up during the week. Meetina with City Staff re: Desert Willow Palm Trees The City experienced four palm skirt fires in two -and -a -half weeks at Desert Willow Resort. Staff toured the fire areas to assess the damage and proper cleanup. Meetina with Plannina Staff re: Staffing Issues The Planning Department counter has increased activity as the economy is returning in our community. Planning also has a planner out on maternity leave. With the Housing Element and General Plan Update, staff is researching options to provide the Planning Department assistance. Staff Report Informational Item: City Manager Meeting Summaries (October 15 — November 2, 2012) Page 3 November 15, 2012 Oct 22 Meeting with Mark Greenwood, Pedro Rodriquez, Bob Hargreaves, Dave Erwin, and Rudy Herrera re: Villa Portofino Discussed the processing of Villa Portofino and timing of the secondary/emergency access road with staff and the developer. Executive Management Meeting Weekly meeting with the Management Team. City Manager's Summit — SCAG Executive Director Hasan Ikhrata SCAG Executive Director Hasan Ikhrata held a meeting with Coachella Valley City managers at CVAG to discuss RDA, RHNA, State issues, etc. Meeting with CVWD Representatives and City Staff re: CVWD Booster Pump Station — Monterey and Highway 111 Staff researched the possibility of moving the booster pump station located on the Westfield Palm Desert site to Alessandro Alley. CVWD prepared a cost estimate and elevation analysis. Oct 23 Audit, Investment and Finance Committee Meetina Attended the Audit, Investment and Finance Committee meeting. Meeting with Mayor Spiegel and Gail Christianson of (Casablanca Homeowners Association) re: Villa Portofino Meeting was held between Casablanca HOA members and Mayor Spiegel to discuss the berm and Villa Portofino development. Meeting with Palm Desert Charter Middle School (PDCMS) Principal Sally Fraser re: PDCMS Early Mornina Band Practice on Desert Star Discussed the PDCMS Band practice on Desert Star and the complaint of loud music by one homeowner. Meetina with Jim Jeffords re: Refund of Fees Mr. Jeffords is the homeowner who attempted to develop a casita with a roof deck at his home in Silver Spur HOA. Mr. Jeffords originally desired to get his fees returned, but after the discussion, Mr. Jeffords desires to get the City to pay for architectural fees. I provided Mr. Jeffords with a claim form. Meeting with Councilmember Jan Harnik Met with Councilmember Jan Harnik to discuss the October 25th Agenda. Oct 24 Meeting with Patricia Polo (Resident of Silver Spur Mobile Manor) and City Attorney Dave Erwin re: the October 15, 2012, Kavanau Hearing Ms. Polo wanted information on the Rent Review Commission's Silver Spur hearing. Bob Hargreaves and I answered her questions. Staff Report Informational Item: City Manager Meeting Summaries (October 15 — November 2, 2012) Page 4 November 15, 2012 Oct 25 CVEP Annual Economic Summit at Renaissance Esmeralda Attended the CVEP Annual Economic Summit. City Council Meetina Oct 26 Conference Call with City Staff and Successor Agency Counsel re: RDA Properties Discussed the handling of former RDA land with Counsel. Meetina with City Staff Member re: Personal Matter Meeting with Mayor Spiegel, Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen, and City Attorney Weekly meeting to discuss citizen concerns and address issues brought up during the week. Meetina with Martin Alvarez and Ray Dozier re: Desert Willow Appraisals Mr. Dozier is preparing an appraisal of the Desert Willow Successor Agency vacant parcels. The appraisal will be available within eight weeks. Saturday Oct 27 Make a Difference Day — Tram Road Challenge Participated in the Make a Difference Day representing the City of Palm Desert. Oct 29 Executive Manaaement Meetina Weekly meeting with the Management Team. Meetina with Citv Staff and Jim Stegall re: Kemper Management Agreement Further negotiations with Kemper Sports Management on the Desert Willow operation agreement. Aquatic Center Meetina Discussed the September revenue of the Aquatic Center. Staff Report Informational Item: City Manager Meeting Summaries (October 15 — November 2, 2012) Page 5 November 15, 2012 Oct 30 Meetina with City Staff and Jim Stegall re: Kemper Management Agreement Met again with Jim Stegall of Kemper Sports Management on the Desert Willow operations agreement before Mr. Stegall returned to Chicago. 2x2 Committee Meetina Discussed parking, band practice, and a few other issues between Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern and two School Board members. Staff was also present. Oct 31 Meetina with Henry Heater, Dave Erwin, Bob Harareaves, and Frankie Riddle re: Silver Spur Kavanau Hearing Henry Heater is our rent control attorney. Strategized how to reduce City costs and legal exposure related to Silver Spur mobile home community. Meetina with Mayor Bob Spiegel and Ed Schiller (Western Golf Properties) re: Desert Willow Management Agreement The Mayor and I explained to Mr. Schiller that the City Council already directed staff to negotiate with Kemper and potentially will take Desert Willow to bid in three to five years. Judaina of City Employee Halloween Costume Contest Judged the Halloween Costume Contest. Meetina with UCR Representatives and Citv Staff re: Parcel B Acquisition UCR has an existing option on the 11 acres adjacent to UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center's two buildings. UCR would like to build a clinic/medical school building on the 11 acres. Discussed the process of providing the land to UCR in light of the dissolution of RDA. Meetina with Lauri Avlaian and Rvan Stendell re: Plannina Workload and Assianments Ryan Stendell is assisting Planning with counter coverage while a planner is on maternity leave. Discussed Mr. Stendell's existing workload and the Planning Department's needs. Staff Report Informational Item: City Manager Meeting Summaries (October 15 — November 2, 2012) Page 6 November 15, 2012 Nov 1 Grand Opening of Pueblo Vieio Grill Attended the opening of a Mexican food restaurant in University Village off of Cook Street. Meeting with City Staff re: November 15, 2012, Successor Agency Study Session Presentation on Bond Indebtedness Reviewed the preparation of staff presentation at the November 15 Study Session. Meeting with Martin Alvarez and Ruth Ann Moore re: Commercial Vacancy Space The City has decided to participate in a commercial vacancy database called DACIE. This should save some staff time. Grand Opening of Mastro's Restaurant Attended the opening of Mastro's Restaurant. Nov 2 Meeting with Mayor Spiegel, Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen, and City Attorney Weekly meeting to discuss citizen concerns and address issues brought up during the week. Conference Call with City Staff and Successor Agency Attorney Bill Strausz re: ROPS3 Held a "meet and confer' with State Department of Finance related to ROPS3. Meetina with Indian Wells City Manaaer Rod Wood re: Sheriff's Department Costs and Services Discussed interest in joint police services provided by cities versus contract with the County. Decided that it is not in the City of Palm Desert's interest to get out of the County contract; rather, the City would work with our neighboring cities to keep the cost of the contract rate down. Submitted By: n M. Wohlmuth, City Manager CITY COUNCIL ACTION APPROVED DENTED RECEIVED OTHER MEETING DATE — _ AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: VERIFIED BY: Original on File with City CI 's Office