March 17, 2005
Happy St. Paddy’s Day
And green it is! Money is now flowing into the City
from impact fees paid at a new waste transfer site north of I-10. The City
just received its first monthly check for $34,500, based on $1 for each ton
of waste deposited there. On an annual basis, the total amount generated is
expected to be about $400,000. Initially, the money must be used to improve
streets north of I-10, including Varner and Edom Hill Road. After
road-improvement commitments are met, the funds can be channeled into the
General Fund.
Just in case you were wondering, Waste Management of
the Desert still hauls trash to Edom Hill, but it is no longer used as a
landfill. The waste is put on concrete slabs, some of it is recycled and
the rest is taken to Lamb’s Canyon Landfill south of Beaumont.
One
more time
Okay, let’s try this again, because there was a mistake
in last week’s briefs. Ballots for the municipal election to fill the
vacancy on the City Council will be mailed out by the Riverside County
Registrar of Voters starting on April 4. The ballots must be filled out,
sent back and received by the County Registrar of Voters by 8 p.m. on May
3. May 3 is “election day.” All balloting will be by mail; there will be
no local polling places.
Cove
voting possible, too
If the Council approves a resolution of intention next
Wednesday night, March 23, ballots will go in the mail the following day on
the proposed Cove Improvement District. The ballots must be filled out and
returned to the City Clerk by the time of the Council’s public hearing on
the district May 25. The vote will decide if sewers, streets, curbs and
gutters will be built in the Cove. Average assessment is about $21,000 per
single-family lot.
Special thanks to Teri McKeating, Donna Velotta, Nancy
Greene, Carma Giron, Wyvette Ganther, Josie Meza, Gloria Cohen, Kevin
Lockwood, Robert Rodriguez, Officer Tom Ferguson and others for helping to
make the Cove property owners’ meeting at the Doral last Monday night a
success.
Front-counter
staff safety
After the recent “intruder” incident at City Hall, the
front-counter staff has requested training for improved security and
safety. Police Chief Stan Henry said he can make such training available
and will schedule it.
Grand
opening
Plans are being made by new businesses in the downtown
for a grand opening April 16. Festivities with balloons, entertainment and
fun will begin at noon. Brian Estenson of Vino 100 is working on the event
with owners of Coldstone Creamery, Sprint Express, and Sausalito. Even
though it will not be open by then, Trilussa Restaurant may also be
involved.
It’s not ‘needle exchange’
At the City Council study session Wednesday, March 23,
Deanna Pressgrove, Environmental Conservation Manager, will talk about a
mail-in needle and syringe-disposal program for Cathedral City residents.
The goal is to keep needles out of landfills. Diabetics, patients who take
B-12 shots and others who use needles and syringes would be able to register
for free Sharps disposal containers at Rite Aid and Walgreen’s in Cathedral
City. After the containers are filled, they are mailed to a central Sharps
site for safe disposal.
Exploring
all options
A meeting will be held next week between reps of
Cathedral City and the Coachella Valley Park and Recreation District to
discuss the possibility of the district’s handling maintenance of Century
and Panorama Parks and providing some recreational programs in the
community. When the two landscape districts were approved for park
maintenance, affected residents requested and the City agreed that such
discussion take place.
Attending the meeting will be Diane Hines and Ted
Barnes from the Parks and Recreation Commission; Fred Bell of Panorama; Ann
Mahon of Century Park; Facilities Manager Dale Bolls; and Contract
Engineering Associate Bob Mohler.
Congratulations
on Promotions
Paramedic firefighter Stephen Tumir and Firefighter
Terry Martin have been promoted to the rank of Fire Engineer. Fire Engineer
Eric Hauser has been promoted to Fire Captain. The promotions were the
result of the recent retirements of Rick Page and John Skinner both to be
honored at a retirement party sometime in the near future.
Everyone’s
okay
A recent brawl in the jail resulted in minor injuries
to two police officers, but they are okay and back to work. A prisoner
involved in the altercation is now in County jail facing felony charges for
assaulting the officers.
Closing
the books early
Finance and Human Resources Director Tami Scott is
giving us an early warning; closing date for the City’s books will be moved
up this fiscal year. All bills and invoices to be charged to the 2004-05 FY
must be paid by July 31, 2005. This is 30 days earlier than in the past.
Please advise your vendors. All invoices received by the Finance Department
after July 31 will be paid from the 2005-06 budget.
Full
story on Target
In past “briefs,” information has been provided on new
shops going into the Target Center. Well, Payless won’t be, but here’s what
you can expect: UPS store, nail salon, cigar shop, high-end barbecues
(cookers, not the food), non-franchise ice cream store (independent),
check-cashing store, Chinese restaurant and World’s Gym.
See for yourself
Step outside and enjoy . . . the new ambulance. The
Fire Department’s new Marque Ambulance will be dedicated next Wednesday,
March 23, in front of the Civic Center. The Council will dedicate it some
time between the study session and closed session, roughly 4 to 5 p.m.
Interested City employees are invited to check out the new vehicle before it
hits the road. Ambulances are never the same after that, according to Fire
Chief Steve Sowles.
Planning Commission
says YES to Sheraton
The Planning Commission on a 4-0 vote last night gave
its final blessing to the site plan and design of the 300-room Sheraton
Hotel and Conference Center. Response to the plans was very positive.
Council, the developers and staff are making headway on resolving several
environmental issues facing the golf course that will give the Sheraton
Hotel “resort” status.
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