For more information on the Dream Homes
Improvement Project call 760-770-0348 or visit
http://www.cathedralcity.gov/DreamHomes
Community Meeting
Scheduled for January 31st
A community meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, January 31st from 6p.m. – 8p.m. in the Cathedral City Library
Community Room (33520 Date Palm Drive). Community meetings are a great
opportunity to learn about what is going on in the City and to give feedback
and have your questions answered.
Estrada Named President of Coachella
Valley Chapter of California Building Officials
Our very own Gil Estrada, Cathedral City
Building Official, was named President of the Coachella Valley chapter of
the California Building Officials (CALBO). CALBO is the California branch of
the International Code Council (ICC), an international association dedicated
to building safety, fire prevention, and developing codes used to safely
construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools.
Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the
International Codes developed by the International Code Council. That means
that Code enforcement officials, architects, engineers, designers and
contractors can work with a consistent set of requirements throughout the
United States. Manufacturers can put their efforts into research and
development rather than designing to different sets of standards, and can
focus on being more competitive in worldwide markets.
The Coachella Valley CALBO chapter
generally has an open meeting once a month that usually include educational
programs on construction and building code compliance. They also provide
four $500 scholarships to the College of the Desert for students taking
courses in construction and technical inspection.
New Noise Ordinance
Goes into Effect in February
Cathedral City’s new Noise Ordinance will
go into effect February 9th. The new ordinance makes it much easier for
residents to report possible noise violations and for police officers to
enforce the ordinance.
In the past, Officers had to use a decibel
reader meter and take the reading from the complainant’s home to meet many
requirements of the ordinance. This could often identify the complainant to
the violator – thus discouraging citizens from making complaints. A signed
complaint was required from the complainant in order to make any meaningful
enforcement.
Under the old ordinance, Police Officers
could not act on or pre-empt noise violations until a citizen called with a
complaint. They couldn’t remedy the situation before it became a problem.
Officers had to defer to the vehicle code,
which provides limited remedy, for vehicles making loud and disturbing
noise.
The new ordinance changes all of that, and
addresses both citizen and law enforcement concerns.
The new amendment allows officers to
intervene in potential noise violations before any citizen complaint has
been made. Officers can now use their own judgment, based on what they hear,
and take action on noise violators. A citizen does not need to submit a
signed complaint. This safeguards their anonymity.
Using linear foot calculations and
property lines to determine a violation, an officer can issue a criminal
citation, impose criminal or civil penalties, and/or confiscate the
equipment making the noise, among other remedies.
Officers may also stop cars making a noise
disturbance and issue a traffic citation and, if necessary, confiscate the
noise source.
To report a noise violation call 770-0303.
Training Burn Scheduled
for January 25th
The Palm Springs Fire Department will be
conducting a training burn at a house on the 36-900 block of Allen Street on
Thursday, January 25th. The training will begin at 0800 and should be
concluded by 1700. PSFD will be providing all the necessary personnel and
equipment to conduct this training. Representatives from the Cathedral City
Fire Department will be present at the training burn. The burn was approved
by the Air Quality Management District.
New Business Licenses
In 2006, the City issued 3283 new and
renewal business licenses. Business is humming in Cathedral City.
E-newsletter Surveys
In the first two editions of Cathedral
City’s E-newsletter
www.thespiritofthedesert.com there were several surveys to which
readers could respond. Although the survey results are not scientific, here
are some of the responses:
How would you like to
receive information about Cathedral City?
