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Home My WebLink AboutCPD BrightSide SEPOCT 2021 webSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 PREPARE NOW TO BE READY FOR EMERGENCIES LATER n GOLF CART “MASQUERADE PARADE” PROMISES HALLOWEEN THRILLS n FREE FALL CONCERTS RETURN TO PALM DESERT n TOP TIPS ON NAVIGATING ROUNDABOUTS n CITY OFFERS FREE E-WASTE DISPOSAL n CITY SEEKS AIRPORT COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE n ANNUAL BUDGET INVESTS IN PALM DESERT’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY A PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT The City’s eagerly anticipated transformation of San Pablo Avenue is complete, with work wrapped up on Phase 2 of the project and the re-envisioned street again open to vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Phase 2 improvements focused on San Pablo between Fred Waring Drive and Magnesia Falls Drive, including the construction of two new roundabouts, one at Magnesia Falls and one at the entrance to the College of the Desert. Additional project features include enhanced pedestrian walkways, new landscaping and sidewalks, improved lighting, on-street parking, raised mid-block pedestrian crosswalks, new bikeways, and traffic signal improvements. These improvements complement the reinvention of San Pablo between Highway 111 and Fred Waring that was accomplished in Phase 1. It also creates a critical connection for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists from Highway 111 to CV Link, the more than 40-mile pathway that will provide a safe and active alternative route across the entire Coachella Valley. Construction work on Palm Desert’s section of CV Link was concurrent with the San Pablo streetscape improvements. A significant section of the bikeway—from the Bump & Grind trailhead on Painters Path across Parkview Avenue and Magnesia Falls Drive—is now complete. Design is underway for Palm Desert’s next section of CV Link, which is slated to run east and west along the Whitewater River Channel past Palm Desert High School and Cook Street to the Indian Wells border. From there, a northbound leg will connect to Hovley Lane East. To celebrate the completion of the San Pablo improvements and the CV Link milestone, the City of Palm Desert will host a San Pablo Grand Opening and Street Party on Saturday, October 9 from 6 – 10 p.m. The event will be held on San Pablo on the newly completed section north of Fred Waring Drive. The street will be closed to vehicles for the event, and, in the spirit of the evening, residents are encouraged to travel to the celebration by foot, bike, or golf cart when possible. Parking is available at Civic Center Park for those who wish to come by car. The evening’s festivities include a ribbon cutting to officially open both the San Pablo Avenue and CV Link projects. The event will also feature live music, food trucks, a beer garden, fresh fruit and vegetable vendors, and local artisans. Desert Recreation District and Family YMCA of the Desert will be on hand with activities for youngsters at their Kids Zone. For more information on the Grand Opening and Street Party, call 760-568-1441. STREET PARTY PLANNED to CELEBRATE OPENING OF San Pablo and CV LINK All City of Palm Desert dog parks will be closed from Monday, October 4 through Friday, November 5 for overseeding and yearly maintenance. All other City parks will be renovated and overseeded during this time as well, but will remain open. Information: 760-776-6450 Save time and the environment by submitting all Building, Planning, and Public Works permit applications and plans online. While the Permit Center staff is available to help customers at the counter, scanning plans and applications can slow down the approval process. Online submittal is accessible to all, and applicants are encouraged to use this efficient service. Information: www.PDPermits.com Events are returning to Palm Desert! The City is proud to sponsor Paint El Paseo Pink, a breast cancer awareness walk held on El Paseo on Saturday, October 9. It’s a special day to honor individuals who have faced cancer while raising funds for the Desert Cancer Foundation. Registration and Information: pepp.desertcancerfoundation.org/ September is National Preparedness Month, held to raise awareness about the importance of getting ready for disasters and emergencies before they occur. In October, Californians prepare for earthquakes by participating in the Great Shakeout. Whether the risk comes in the form of soaring temperatures, rising water, or rumbling earthquakes, now is the time to make a plan and prepare for any likely emergency scenario. RivcoReady.org, a website operated by the County of Riverside Emergency Management Department, offers a convenient starting point with information on how to assemble an emergency kit, create an action plan, stay informed, and get involved. While some guidance suggests creating kits ready with three days’ supplies for all members of the household plus pets, that only holds true for people who are evacuating to a shelter where additional resources will be available. Recent events have demonstrated that it’s smart to prepare for being without assistance for up to two weeks following a natural disaster. Know what disasters and hazards could affect the community, and where to go if evacuations are ordered. All family members should know and practice the emergency plan. RivcoReady makes it easy to stay informed before, during and after an emergency through targeted alerts. Register online for Alert RivCo to receive notifications in the event of emergencies such as wildfires, floods, hazardous materials incidents, severe weather, and certain law enforcement incidents. Traditional landline phones are automatically registered, and cell phones can be registered by using the portal found on the RivcoReady.org website. An easy way to stay informed and gather helpful preparedness tips is to follow RivcoReady on social media. They’re found on Twitter and Facebook. In an emergency, these same channels become important conduits of immediate, direct communication. Those who are ready to take their involvement to the next level might consider enrolling in a first aid, CPR, or Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class. The CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. While temporarily sidelined during the pandemic, the City of Palm Desert will offer CERT classes for its residents when public health guidelines allow. For additional information on emergency preparedness, contact Palm Desert’s Emergency Services Coordinator Michael Ornelas at mornelas@cityofpalmdesert.org, or visit RivcoReady.org. Labor Day September 6 City Hall closed First Day of Autumn September 22 HALLOWEEN October 31 Dates to Remember One of the desert’s most fun and colorful events returns on Sunday, October 31, when scores of decorated carts, floats, and marching bands will head down world famous El Paseo for the 57th annual Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade. Organized by the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce (PDACC), the Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade is a treasured local tradition. Falling on Halloween, the theme for this year’s celebration is Masquerade Parade. Expect lots of Halloween fun for the whole family! The Golf Cart Parade steps off at 12 noon, following a flyover by the Palm Springs Air Museum. Tom Flores, NFL legend and recent Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee, and his wife Barbara will be the 2021 Golf Cart Parade Grand Marshals. While the parade itself starts at noon, come early to enjoy all the day’s activities. The Palm Desert Rotary will hold its popular annual Pancake Breakfast starting at 8 a.m. on the corner of El Paseo and San Luis Rey. Sponsor and vendor booths open at 9 a.m., and be sure to leave time to peruse the classic car show, too. Other attractions include a Kid’s Play Zone, a section for Super Seniors, food and drink vendors, awards and trophy presentations, and more. Free seating can be found at multiple locations along the parade route. VIP seats ($25 each) and Auen Foundation’s free Senior Seating both include a boxed lunch per seat and can be reserved in advance beginning September 1. For more information and to reserve seats, please call the PDACC at 760-346-6111. PROMISES HALLOWEEN THRILLS ON EL PASEO “Masquerade Parade” GOLF CART PREPARE NOW FOR EMERGENCIES SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2021 CSUSB PALM DESERT CAMPUS 37500 Cook Street 760-341-2883 pdc.csusb.edu Educational Programs Offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a doctorate in educational leadership, and teaching credentials and certificates. New programs include Hospitality Management, Entrepreneurship, and Cybersecurity. Information: csusb.edu/pdc/our-programs Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Offers non-credit, university-level courses for adults 50+ along with events, travel program, and discussion groups. Fall classes ranging in length from one to six weeks begin in September and October. Information: csusb.edu/OLLI or 909-537-8270 COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms 760-343-3644 rcdas.org Animals available for adoption, tags, licensing, and more services. CITY OF PALM DESERT Palm Desert Civic Center 73510 Fred Waring Drive 760-346-0611 www.DiscoverPalmDesert.com www.cityofpalmdesert.org Open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Visitor Services 760-568-1441 Short Term Rental Hotline 760-862-6900 Code Compliance Hotline 760-776-6360 Report Graffiti 760-776-6450 Palm Desert Police Department Call 911 for emergencies Non-emergencies: 760-836-1600 Palm Desert In Touch Get information on City meetings, parks, trails and public art, plus identify issues including graffiti and code violations and report them directly to City staff using Palm Desert In Touch, the City of Palm Desert’s mobile app and online service request system. More information: cityofpalmdesert.org/intouch COLLEGE OF THE DESERT 43500 Monterey Avenue 760-346-8041 collegeofthedesert.edu College of the Desert campuses are open for in-person and online learning this fall, with classes beginning August 30. LIR (Learning in Retirement) Information & registration: lirpalmdesert.com Classes designed specifically for those ages 50 and above who want to learn for the pure enjoyment of learning. Fall registration begins October 15. Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts Information: 760-776-7278 Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Additional hours by appointment A nonprofit cultural and educational facility where traditional visual arts media are complemented by contemporary performance and installation arts. COD Veterans Resource Center 760-773-2536 Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Provides critical services for veterans and their dependents in order to support their success, retention, and educational needs. CREATE CENTER FOR THE ARTS 73600 Alessandro Drive 760-834-8318 createcentercv.org Limited size art classes in painting and drawing, printmaking, fiber arts, digital design, and more. DESERT ROSE SOCIETY desertrosesociety.com The Desert Rose Society prunes the Rose Garden at Civic Center Park. Scan the QR code found on the sign in the garden to bring up a map identifying the varieties. The Rose Society’s monthly meetings resume in September at the Portola Community Center. DESERT SANDS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 47950 Dune Palms Road, La Quinta 760-777-4200 dsusd.us All children attending DSUSD schools are eligible for free meals throughout the 2021-2022 school year. Menus are posted at coolschoolmeals.com. DESERT WILLOW GOLF RESORT 38995 Desert Willow Drive 760-346-0015 desertwillow.com Enjoy award-winning championship golf on two unforgettable courses at Desert Willow Golf Resort. Test your skills on the challenging Firecliff Course or play a more relaxing round on the Mountain View Course. Contact the pro shop or go online to book your tee times. Information: 760-346-7060, ext. 1 or desertwillow.com/teetimes The Terrace at Desert Willow Golf Resort Unique, handcrafted cuisine paired with one of the Coachella Valley’s most scenic outdoor dining venues. Available for breakfast and lunch. View hours of operation and menus online. Information: desertwillow.com/TheTerrace 2021-2022 Platinum Club Card Invest in Platinum, save a lot of green! Desert Willow Golf Resort’s 2020-2021 Platinum Club Card is one of the most sought-after frequent player programs in the area. Always pay the lowest available rate at Desert Willow’s two championship courses, and receive discounts on dining, apparel and more. For a complete list of benefits, visit their website. Purchase a 2021-2022 Platinum Card before October 1 and save $100.00: Palm Desert Resident Platinum Club Card – $399.00 (with valid Palm Desert Resident Card) Non-Resident Platinum Club Card – $449.00 Information: desertwillow.com/Platinum EISENHOWER MEMORY CARE CENTER – ADULT DAY CENTER 42201 Beacon Hill, Suite A 760-836-0232 eisenhowerhealth.org Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Adult Day Center offering respite care for families caring for cognitively impaired adults, while providing a safe, engaging environment to those with impairments. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT 43930 San Pablo Avenue 760-341-9622 ymcaofthedesert.org Call for hours of operation Y Rookies Soccer Ages 3 – 5 Location: Palm Desert Soccer Park 74735 Hovley Lane Saturdays, September 25 – October 30 8:30 a.m.; 9:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m. Fee: $100.00 YMCA Basketball Skills Ages 8 – 13 Location: San Pablo Y 74735 Hovley Lane Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting September 7 5 and 6:00 p.m. Fee: $100.00 Here is the way to take your basketball skills to the next level. Maximize your workouts on the court to get the biggest payoff on game day. Work in small groups with other players serious about improving their skills. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Palm Desert Community Center 43900 San Pablo Avenue 760-568-9697 myrecreationdistrict.com Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Closed Sundays Fall classes include: Hula Dance for Fitness and Fun Mondays, 6:00 p.m. $77 for six-week session Disco Dogs Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. $22 for 2 classes Line Dancing Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m. $38 per month or $10 drop-in fee Tai Chi Mondays, 12:00 p.m. $39 for the month or $12 drop-in fee Guitar Wednesdays Beginning Guitar, 6 p.m. Second Level Guitar, 7 p.m. $70 for each session Additional classes and information: myrecreationdistrict.com/calendar/ palm-desert-activity-calendar Palm Desert Resident Cards Palm Desert Resident Cards for use at Desert Willow Golf Resort are issued by Desert Recreation District at the Palm Desert Community Center. City residents who would like to get a new or renewed card may visit the community center during business hours with the necessary documentation (California ID or Driver’s License, plus a utility bill with a Palm Desert address). More information: cityofpalmdesert.org/departments/special- programs/desert-willow-golf-resort Golf Center at Palm Desert Home of the First Tee of the Coachella Valley youth golf program includes 9-hole par three course, driving range with chipping and putting greens, foot golf, and more. 74945 Sheryl Avenue 760-779-1877 golfcenterpd.com Jean Benson Child Development Center 75433 Orange Blossom Lane 760-836-3336 The Center offers high quality day care for children ages 2 – 5 with state preschool and other financial aid options. Enrolling now for fall preschool. Information: ymcaofthedesert.org/jean- benson-child-development-center/ THE GARDENS ON EL PASEO 73545 El Paseo 760-862-1990 thegardensonelpaseo.com Gardens to the Rescue Sunday, October 3, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Enjoy music, vendors, and find adoptable pets, presented by the Bianca Rae Foundation Gather at the Gardens Fall Festival Saturday, October 30, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Enjoy fall treats, trick or treating, games, costume contest, and music from Lisa Lynn & The Broken Hallelujahs benefitting Family YMCA of the Desert. Sunset Sessions Featuring live music on the center lawn from Derek Jordan Gregg. Fridays in October, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PALM DESERT & FIREHOUSE MUSEUM 72861 El Paseo 760-346-6588 hspd.org Friday – Monday, 11:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Historical Society Firehouse Museum reopens for the season with new exhibits on Friday, October 8. JOSLYN CENTER 73750 Catalina Way 760-340-3220 joslyncenter.org Because of the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, safety protocols may be in place. Please call or visit joslyncenter.org for the latest information including hours of operation. Programs and Activities On-Site Programs Your favorite activities are back. Exercise classes, social bingo and bridge, Latin dance, quilting, table tennis, pickleball, meditation, personal protection, and the Wednesday movie matinee are now being held in person at the center. Virtual Programs Virtual programs continue. Private Spanish lessons are now available. The Joslyn Center also has live lectures and interactive programs including tech classes to help you get comfortable online. For fun, sign up for their virtual book club or Zoom chat with them every Thursday. Call Melanie at 760-340-3220, ext. 102 for a complete schedule and to sign up for a program. Joslyn Wellness Center Problem Solving Strategies If you are experiencing stress or worry over changes in your life or isolation, the Joslyn Center’s trained counselors can help you find practical solutions. Learn how to improve your problem-solving skills and move forward efficiently with a sense of well-being and confidence. This free program is personalized and can be developed for individuals, couples, and/or families. Brain Boot Camp This two-session course will teach you how to improve your brain health, boost your memory, and develop good memory habits. Aging Mastery Program A ten-session course held over 2 ½ weeks that encourages developing behaviors that will lead to improved health, stronger financial security, and overall wellbeing. Grief Recovery Method Program New Grief Recovery Method® Outreach Program session forming for September. The program not only makes it possible to move on in your life, but provides partnerships and guidance to ensure that it happens. Information: For all Wellness Center programs, contact Veronica at 760-340-3220, ext. 117 or VeronicaS@joslyncenter.org for more information or to register for the next online session. Nutrition Programs Meals on Wheels Information: 760-340-3220, ext. 110 Joslyn Center continues its Meals on Wheels program delivering nutritious meals to seniors in Palm Desert, Sun City Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Indian Wells who are unable to shop or cook for themselves. Penny’s Pantry Community Food Bank First and third Fridays, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. Providing non- perishable food and fresh produce to low income seniors. MCCALLUM THEATRE 73000 Fred Waring Drive 760-340-ARTS (2787) mccallumtheatre.com Tickets for the upcoming 2021-2022 McCallum Theatre season are on sale online or by phone at 760-340-2787. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER 73751 Magnesia Falls Drive 760-565-7467 pdpool.com Check website for hours of operation Register now for Fall Youth Group Swim Lessons, as well as private and semi-private swim lessons. PALM DESERT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 72559 Highway 111 760-346-6111 pdacc.org The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce will host the State of the City luncheon event on Wednesday, September 8, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort. The event will feature an informational update from the City plus the Chamber’s Business Awards ceremony, and a chance to welcome the Chamber’s incoming Board of Directors. Call or visit the Chamber website for reservations. PALM DESERT PUBLIC LIBRARY 73300 Fred Waring Drive 760-346-6552 rivlib.net Open Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m. Closed Labor Day, September 6 and Columbus Day, October 11 Veterans Resource Center Information and referrals for anyone who has served in the military. Information: 760-346-6552 SANTA ROSA & SAN JACINTO MTNS NAT’L MONUMENT VISITOR CENTER 51500 Highway 74 760-862-9984 DesertMountains.org Check desertmountains.org/calendar for events and updates. FAYE SARKOWSKY SCULPTURE GARDEN 72567 Highway 111 psmuseum.org/visit/palm-desert/ Take a walk and explore the 14 outdoor sculptures and 60 desert plants found in the sculpture garden, open daily from sunrise to sunset. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE PALM DESERT CAMPUS 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive 760-834-0800 palmdesert.ucr.edu WESTFIELD PALM DESERT 72840 Highway 111 760-346-2121 westfield.com/palmdesert THE LIVING DESERT 47900 Portola Avenue 760-346-5694 livingdesert.org Summer hours through September 30: Daily 7 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Last admission at 1 p.m.) Seasonal Hours beginning October 1: Daily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Last admission 4 p.m.) Hiking Trails reopen October 1 Giraffe Feeding Daily 8 a.m. – 12 Noon through September 30 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. beginning October 1 $8 per person; $6 members Private Safari Tours Two-hour guided tours with private shuttle. Advanced reservations required; visit website for pricing and details. Proceeds benefit The Living Desert’s mission of conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation. Australian Adventures Free with paid admission. Experience the world down under at this immersive habitat where wallabies roam freely and budgies fly above. Discover other native Australian species including emu, kookaburras, tawny frog mouth, bettong, echidna, and blue-tongued skink. Volunteer Orientation Wednesday, September 1, 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 6, 9:00 a.m. Learn more at LivingDesert.org/Volunteer Howl-O-Ween Saturday, October 30 and Sunday, October 31 Free for members or with paid park admission; advanced reservations required. The Living Desert’s wildly famous Howl-O-Ween adventure returns. Guests are encouraged to dress up, pick up a special treat goodie bag upon entering, and experience the special activities planned. Traffic roundabouts improve traffic flow, are better for the environment, and are a safer alternative to traffic signals and stop signs. Despite these benefits, it’s not unusual to hear drivers voice concerns when new roundabouts are constructed on local streets. Once drivers become familiar with the new traffic patterns, approval ratings tend to go up. With new roundabouts in place on San Pablo Avenue and throughout neighborhoods in Palm Desert’s north sector, listed are a few safety tips to help drivers navigate them safely. n Slow down as you approach the roundabout and watch for pedestrians in the crosswalk. n Signal your intentions if you are planning to turn right or left, just as you would at a traditional intersection. n Continue toward the roundabout and look to your left for any oncoming traffic. n If there is traffic present, you must yield to vehicles already in the roundabout. Once you see a sufficient gap in traffic, enter the circle. n Maintain a slow and steady speed, and do not follow other vehicles too closely. n Once you’re in the roundabout, you have the right of way over other vehicles. Do not stop or slow to let other drivers in. n Proceed to your exit. Watch for and yield to pedestrians, and signal your intentions by using your right turn signal before and during your exit. n Completely clear the intersection and pull off to the side past the roundabout when necessary to make way for emergency vehicles. For more information and driving tips, visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website: www.iihs.org/topics/roundabouts. Since 1994, Palm Desert’s Concerts in the Park have been a gathering spot for residents and visitors alike. The popular concert series is set to resume on Thursday, October 7 for a series of free shows at Civic Park Amphitheater. Concerts will be held every Thursday evening in October from 6 to 7:30 p.m., unless public health guidelines at that time prevent large gatherings. The shows are timed to make the most of the outdoor surroundings. Concertgoers can enjoy the sun setting behind the mountains as the lights come up on the stage and the stars come out. This year’s concerts will feature a variety of talented acts designed to please music lovers of all ages and tastes. For more information on the upcoming concerts and bands, please follow the City of Palm Desert on social media or sign up for the City’s event newsletter by visiting DiscoverPalmDesert.com. The Fall Concerts kick-off also means the return of food trucks to Civic Center Park. Concertgoers are encouraged to sample the trucks’ mouthwatering mobile culinary creations, or may bring picnic baskets along with their blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the shows. Alcoholic beverages and smoking are prohibited. The City extends its thanks to the Desert Recreation District for its support of this year’s Fall Concert Series. Palm Desert Civic Center Park is located on the northeast corner of San Pablo Avenue and Fred Waring Drive. For more information, call 760-568-1441. Free Fall Concerts RETURN TO CIVIC CENTER PARK Top Tips on Navigating New Traffic Roundabouts CITY SEEKS AIRPORT COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE The City of Palm Desert is seeking applications from City residents with an interest in serving on the Palm Springs Airport Commission. The Commission works with the airport’s executive staff on matters related to acquisition, development, lease arrangements, operation plans, finance, and budget. This is a 19-member committee, with ten of the members coming from the City of Palm Springs, and the balance representing each of the other valley cities plus Riverside County. The term is three years. A newly appointed Palm Desert commissioner will fill a currently vacant seat which is set to expire on June 30, 2024. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Palm Springs Airport terminal building. In addition to attending the monthly meetings, the Palm Desert commissioner will be asked to make periodic informational reports on airport operations to the Palm Desert City Council during its regular meetings. Applications will be accepted until the vacancy is filled. The application can be found directly at arcg.is/191f450 or via the link found on the City’s website at cityofpalmdesert.org/our-city/ committees-and-commissions. CITY OFFERS FREE E-WASTE DISPOSAL The City will hold a free electronic waste collection event on Saturday, September 18, from 7 – 11 a.m. in the parking lot at Palm Desert Civic Center, 73510 Fred Waring Drive. Collected electronic waste will be donated to Desert ARC Recycling. Donation receipts will be available upon request during the event. Acceptable items are almost anything with a plug or circuit board including: n Computers & Accessories n Stereo Equipment & Radios n Printers & Copiers n Microwave ovens n Televisions n Toasters n Cameras n Irons n Phones n Vacuum Cleaners n Small Appliances n Video Game Systems Large appliances such as refrigerators, dryers, and stoves will not be accepted at this event. Businesses with more than 20 items for disposal must call Desert ARC at 760-404-1370 to schedule an appoint- ment. For more information, please call 760-837-1664. ECRWSS Resident and/or Business Palm Desert, CA PRESORTED STANDARD US Postage PAID Palm Desert, CA Permit No. 160 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 Phone 760-346-0611 Email info@cityofpalmdesert.org Websites www.discoverpalmdesert.com www.cityofpalmdesert.org n Watch City Council meetings live online at www.cityofpalmdesert.org on the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month at 4 p.m. n City Council Kathleen Kelly Mayor Jan Harnik Mayor Pro Tem Sabby Jonathan Gina Nestande Karina Quintanilla SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 The City of Palm Desert’s approved 2021/2022 budget addresses economic challenges resulting from the public health crisis while striving to maintain the high levels of service and public amenities for which our community is known. The well-being and safety of Palm Desert’s residents, visitors, and businesses were the City Council’s highest priorities in the budget process. No drastic cuts to the budget or services were made, and instead capital investment objectives based on the City’s 20-year strategic plan were set forth to support Palm Desert’s economic recovery. The Council authorized the use of financial reserves, established over many years, to balance the budget. The City’s daily operations are paid for from the General Fund. The total projected General Fund revenues of $55,506,104 and estimated expenditures of $62,504,545 will result in an estimated shortfall of $6,998,441. Estimated General Fund revenues represent a nearly 14% increase ($6.9 million) from the previous fiscal year’s revenue estimates. The increase is based on estimates from a rise in business activity after the State’s re-opening, an uptick in retail sales, and recent local travel activity. The approved General Fund operating expenditure budget represents an approximate increase of 6.3% ($3.7 million) over last fiscal year. The projected expenditures include increases in the cost of public safety, personnel services and benefits, Aquatic Center operations, and City contracts due to an increase in the statewide minimum wage. The safety of Palm Desert’s residents, businesses, and visitors continues to be a top priority. This year, the public safety budget is approximately $36.7 million, and is paid from both the General Fund and the Fire Tax Fund. The portion being paid from the General Fund amounts to about 39% of the total overall budget. The City continues to partner with OpenGov to enhance transparency and understanding of its budget and finances. OpenGov’s online interactive charts and graphs illustrate where revenues come from and where the money is spent, offering residents and other stakeholders an intuitive, easy-to-use window into how their government works. To access Palm Desert’s budget and other financial information online, please visit www.cityofpalmdesert.org/budget. ANNUAL BUDGET INVESTS IN PALM DESERT’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY Fiscal Year 2021-2022 $55,506,104 Fiscal Year 2021-2022 $62,504,545 SALARIES $11,637,900 TRANSFER FOR FIRE SERVICES $4,000,000 TRANSFER TO AQUATIC CENTER OPERATIONS $1,400,050 TRANSFER TO OTHER FUNDS $2,710,385 BENEFITS $4,771,719 PERS ANNUAL PAYMENT $3,599,540 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $3,668,790 OTHER OPERATIONAL EXPENSES $4,026,804 REPAIRS/MAINT/ UTILITIES $5,234,748 COMMUNITY EVENTS/SERVICES $1,454,250 POLICE SERVICES $20,000,359 TIMESHARE MITIGATION FEE $1,467,905 INTEREST AND OTHER REVENUE $2,284,165 SALES TAX $19,879,000 TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX $10,337,678 LICENSES/PERMITS/ FEES $3,359,173 PROPERTY TAX $7,598,723 STATE PAYMENTS $4,646,960 FRANCHISES $3,000,000 TRANSFERS IN $2,932,500 General Fund Expenditures