HomeMy WebLinkAboutMtng Summaries - Jun 30 - Aug 14, 2014 ��� CITY OF PALM DESERT
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STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: INFORMATIONAL ITEM — CITY MANAGER MEETING SUMMARIES
(June 30- August 15, 2014)
SUBMITTED BY: John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
DATE: August 28, 2014
Following are meetings held with groups, residents, and/or businesses for the period
from June 30 —August 15, 2014:
June 30 Leqislative Trip to Sacramento
Attended the Joe A. Gonsalves Annual Appreciation Dinner held in
Sacramento with Mayor Tanner.
July 1 Travel Dav
Returned from Sacramento.
July 2 Meetinq with Councilmember Harnik, Lori Carnev and Lanay
Salzer
Met with Councilmember Harnik, Lori Carney and Lanay Salzer to
discuss careers in local government.
Staff Meetinq
Reviewed the July 10th preliminary City Council agenda.
Patrick Swarthout
Met with Patrick Swarthout to discuss writing a letter of support for
a Bighorn Charity Grant for Habitat for Humanity of the Coachella
Valley and their desire to build home(s) for wounded warriors.
Mitch Blumberq
Met with Mitch Blumberg from Desert ARC and Martin Alvarez to
discuss use of empty housing parcel for temporary parking during
construction.
July 3 No Meetinqs
July 4 Holiday
City Hall closed.
Staff Report
Informational Item: City Manager Meeting Summaries
Page 2
August 28, 2014
July 7 Executive Manaqement
Weekly meeting with the Management Team.
Russ Abevratne & Canadian Developers
Met with Russ Abeyratne and two real estate developers from
Canada, Dick Baxley, Lauri Aylaian, Rudy Acosta, Martin Alvarez
and Councilmember Harnik regarding 11.74 acres located behind
the Lowe's Home Improvement store on Monterey and potential
multi-family project with an affordable component.
Coordination of Development Services
Met with Mark Greenwood, Lauri Aylaian, Russell Grance, Luis
Espinoza and Sonia Cooley to improve coordination of
development services.
July 8 Chamber of Commerce Meetinq
Attended the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce meeting and
spoke to the attendees about the budget for the City of Palm
Desert.
Meetinq with Frank Spevacek, Dan Martinez and David Garcia
Discussed Coachella Valley Economic Partnership and the East
Valley iHUB concept.
Tonv Ba�ato
Met with Tony Bagato regarding a proposed family daycare in a
home on Fairway Drive.
July 9 Rotary
Introduction Meetinq with the new Cal State San Bernardino
Dean, Sharon Brown Welty
Met with Mayor Tanner and Dean Sharon Brown Welty.
Meetinq with Desert Hot S. Citv Manaqer Martin Maqana
Provided some ideas and support for new City Manager
challenges.
July 10 Tom Kirk � CVAG
Met with Tom Kirk to review the agenda for the July 14 CVAG
meeting.
Staff Report
Informational Item: City Manager Meeting Summaries
Page 3
August 28, 2014
Rudv Herrera
Met with Rudy Herrera, Rudy Acosta and Martin Alvarez to discuss
a possible housing development on 15 acres located on Portola
near Desert Willow Golf Resort.
Closed Session
Citv Council Meetinq
July 11 Mark Greenwood
Met with Mark Greenwood to discuss sand removal from
windstorms and median irrigation.
Certified Farmer's Market � Paul and Michael
Met with Donna Gomez, Ryan Stendell, Farmer's Market General
Manager Paul Palodichuk, Marie Giacomina and Michael Green.
Working toward providing a Farmer's Market that can
accommodate the Palm Desert residents.
Weeklv Meetinq with the Mavor, Mavor Pro Tem and Citv
Attornev
Met with Mayor Tanner, Mayor Pro Tem Weber and the City
Attorney.
Leqislative Review Committee Meetinq
Met with Steve Aryan, Luis Espinoza, Mayor Tanner,
Councilmember Weber and a member of the Youth Committee.
July 14 Executive Manactement
Weekly meeting with the management team.
CVAG TAC Meeting
Attended the CVAG TAC meeting.
Lea4ue of California Cities, Citv Manaaers Meetinq
Attended the League of California Cities, City Manager's Meeting in
Murrieta, California.
Riverside Countv Division Meetinp for the Leaque of California
Cities
Attended the League of California Cities Riverside County Division
meeting and dinner with Councilmember Harnik in Murrieta.
Staff Report
Informational Item: City Manager Meeting Summaries
Page 4
August 28, 2014
July 15 Desert Willow President's Meetinq
Attended the Desert Willow President's meeting and discussed the
budget, renovation projects and other golf-related subjects.
Bob Marra — Executive Director/CEO of the Humana Challenae
Met with Bob Marra and discussed the Humana Challenge golf
tournament.
July 16 Citv Attornev
Palm Desert Earlv Childhood Center
Met with Steve Aryan, Paul Gibson, Rudy Acosta and Lauri Aylaian
to discuss the Palm Desert Early Childhood Center and Childcare
Impact Fee. Discussed utilizing impact fee for purchase of a site at
Fred Waring Drive and San Pablo Avenue for future childcare site.
July 17 Oversiqht Board Aqenda Review for Julv 28 Meetinu
Meeting with staff to review the upcoming Oversight Board Agenda.
July 18 Weeklv Meetinq with the Mavor, Mavor Pro Tem and Citv
Attornev
Discussed projects and citizen complaints.
Frank Laulainan
Met with Architect Frank Laulainan to discuss a potential project for
the ex-Office Max site on San Pablo Avenue and EI Paseo.
UCR Chancellor Kim Wilcox, Dean Duffv and Director Hedqes
Met with the new Chancellor and discussed ideas to fully utilize two
existing buildings, as well as timing for UCR School of Medicine
clinic on 11.5 acres.
July 21 Executive Manaqement
Weekly meeting with the management team.
Venus de Fido and Ms. Bictai
Met with Lauri Aylaian, Mark Greenwood, Russell Grance, Sonia
Cooley and Rudy Acosta to discuss issues related to renovation of
a commercial building on Alessandro Drive and San Carlos
Avenue.
July 22 No Meetinqs
Staff Report
Informational Item: City Manager Meeting Summaries
Page 5
August 28, 2014
July 23 Personnel Issues
Met with Lori Carney regarding personnel issues.
Urban Futures
Met with Rudy Acosta, Tony Bagato, Bob Hargreaves and Michael
Busch from Urban Futures to discuss and obtain proposals for the
Affordable Housing Fee Nexus Study.
Dan Martinez, Frank Spavacek, David Garcia and Tom Flavin
Met with City Managers from Indio, La Quinta, Coachella and Tom
Flavin (CVEP) to discuss the East Valley needs from CVEP.
July 24 Mario Gonzalez 8� Tom Tokein
Met with Mario Gonzalez, Tom Tokein, Rudy Acosta and Eric Ceja
to discuss a potential housing project north of Gerald Ford between
Cook Street and Portola.
Mark Greenwood
Met with Mark Greenwood to discuss signal synchronization and
Public Works projects.
July 25 Weeklv Meetina with the Mavor Pro Tem and Citv Attornev
Met with Mayor Pro Tem Weber and the City Attorney.
July 28 Executive Manaqement
Weekly meeting with the management team.
Oversi�ht Board Adiourned Reaular Meetinq
Aquatic Center Committee Meetina
Met with Karen Creasy, Ryan Stendell and Donna Gomez to review
Aquatic Center June expenses and revenues. Determined the
operation lost recovery for 2013/14 is at 59.88%.
CVAG Executive Committee
Attended the CVAG Executive Committee meeting with Chair
Harnik.
July 29 Certified Farmer's Market
Met with Paul Palodichuk and Giacomina to discuss ideas for the
Palm Desert Certified Farmer's Market and changing market days
to provide Palm Desert residents better access to certified fresh
fruits and vegetables.
Staff Report
Informational Item: City Manager Meeting Summaries
Page 6
August 28, 2014
Development Status of Venus de Fido
Met with Eric Ceja, Sonia Cooley, James Bazua (The Altum
Group), John Vuksic, Rudy Acosta, Mark Greenwood and Russell
Grance to discuss issues related to the Venus de Fido project
located on San Carlos Avenue and Alessandro Drive.
July 30 Rotary
Citv Manaqers/CVWD Water Restrictions Meetinq
Met with Mark Greenwood and the City Managers and Public
Works Directors from Cathedral City, Indian Wells, La Quinta and
Rancho Mirage to discuss water restrictions with CVWD officials
Jim Barrett, Robert Cheng, Heather Engel, David Koller and Patti
Reyes.
July 31 Interview � Christopher Peeters
Interviewed Christopher Peeters along with Lori Carney and Rudy
Acosta for a clerical position in Economic Development.
Proposed District 12 (Tamarisk) Utilitv Under_qroundinq Proiect
8� ROM Letter
Met with David Hermann, Ryan Gayler, Mark Greenwood, Jennifer
Cusack and Sam Newby to discuss the possibility of
undergrounding the utilities in District 12, as well as cost and
timing of the project.
August 1 Iniury and Illness Prevention Traininq
Training presented by Human Resources to all employees
explaining the responsibilities of each employee on the Injury and
Illness Prevention Plan.
Review of Special Proqrams Duties
Met with Lori Carney, Frankie Riddle and Amy Lawrence to discuss
moving the Community Gardens to Landscape Management.
Weeklv Meetina with the Mavor, Mavor Pro Tem and Citv
Attornev
Met with Mayor Tanner, Mayor Pro Tem Weber and the City
Attorney to discuss various projects within the City.
August 4 Venus de Fido Proiect
Met with Lauri Aylaian, Lindi Biggi, John Vuksic and David Drake to
discuss issues regarding the construction process for Venus de
Fido located on Alessandro Drive and San Carlos Avenue.
Staff Report
Informational Item: City Manager Meeting Summaries
Page 7
August 28, 2014
Executive Manactement
Weekly meeting with the management team.
Residential Proiect � Encore
Update on Encore and developer Mario Gonzales from City
Surveyor Page Garner related to the Public Utility Easement.
Coordination of Development Services
Met with Lauri Aylaian, Russell Grance, Paul Gibson and Clay von
Helf.
August 5 Cal State San Bernardino Director/Executive Facilities Officer
Hamid U. Azhand, AIA
Met with Martin Alvarez, Rudy Acosta and Mr. Azhand to discuss
the Long Range Property Management Plan, as well as future Cal
State land transfer.
Mark Greenwood
Met with Mark Greenwood and discussed the EI Paseo irrigation
system, NPDES inspections and the deconstruction of the Adobe
Villas.
Proposed Childcare Facilitv on Fairwav Drive
Met with Gayle Clark, Alan Lehman, Councilmember Harnik and
Tony Bagato to discuss the viability of having a childcare facility
located on Fairway Drive.
Fire Damaaed Union Bank Site on EI Paseo
Met with Mike Fedderly, Tony Bagato and Councilmember Harnik
to discuss the future of the Union Bank site that was destroyed by
fire.
August 6 Encore Development
Met with developer Mario Gonzales regarding his current project,
Encore and removal of old sewer, as well as permission to start fine
grading and underground utility work.
Affordable Housinq Impact Fees
Met with Bob Hargreaves, Lauri Aylaian, Tony Bagato, Eric Ceja
and Rudy Acosta to discuss Affordable Housing Impact Fees.
August 7 Conducted Evaluation of an Emplovee
Staff Report
Informational Item: City Manager Meeting Summaries
Page 8
August 28, 2014
August 8 Frank Laulainan
Met with architect Frank Laulainan and discussed his ideas for a
hotel at the ex-Office Max site on San Pablo and EI Paseo.
Meetin� with Developer of Potential Hotel
Met with developers of a potential hotel/retail project at Desert
Willow.
Alex Meverhoff, Resident
Met with Mr. Meyerhoff to discuss his concerns regarding a denied
insurance claim for flood damage to his home located on Yucca
Tree Drive.
August 11 Vacation Dav
August 12 Ground Breakina Ceremonv for Carlos Orte�a Villas
Attended the Carlos Ortega Villas groundbreaking ceremony.
August 13 Citv Attornev
Discussed contract and potential legal challenge.
Palm Desert Phase III Kick-Off Meetinq
Met with Ben Druyon and Katie Barrows from CVAG, and Nicole
Criste.
August 14 Vacation Dav
August 15 Vacation Dav C����'ACTION
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HN M. W HLMUTH VF.RIFIED BY: �
ITY MANAGER Original on File with Ci C erk's Office
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