Denise Roberge

Ms Roberge (or Robergé) was one of several Thunderbird residents who voiced strong opposition to CV Link at a 16 April 2015 council meeting at Rancho Mirage.

Council Statements Regarding CV Link

In citing text from the meeting minutes, others' comment is not often included, and no ellipses are provided.

The council minutes provide a summary of her statement, "13 years ago she built a home in Rancho Mirage on the Butler-Abrams Trail [at 70380 Desert Cove Avenue]. Ms. Roberge displayed an aerial photograph of her home showing that the proposed CV Link roadway would go directly in front of her home and be 10 feet from her kitchen and bedroom windows, in addition to a proposed access road adjacent to the side of her home. Ms. Roberge feels this would make her home unlivable and unsellable as well as affecting other properties for sale around it. She appealed to the City Council to fight this project."

Information Available Online

The Desert Sun reported on 10 May 2014 that she was one of the "gold sponsors" of the seventh annual benefit produced by Michael Childers for Jewish Family Services.

Whitepages.com provides her address as 70380 Desert Cove Avenue, age "65+." The same source cites three other residents at the same address, including Alejandro Gama (age 73), Obeth Gama, and Gomez. They share the phone number, (760) 770-2938.

In addition, Zata reports a phone number of (760) 770-9373 and check-caller reports (760) 321-7385.

Google Maps shows the home location adjacent to the Whitewater River, near the south bank and Butler-Abrams Trail. According to homemetry.com, the two-story, 7,940 sqft home has 5 beds and 6 baths on a 1.47 acre lot. With a pool and attached garage, the home sold for $375,000 in 2000 and was assessed at $2,334,534 in 2014, for property taxes of $29,157.

Ms Roberge retired in 2016 from the proprietorship of Denise Robergé Art Gallery at 73995 El Paseo in Palm Desert, phone number is (760) 340-5045. She has been noted as an honoree, sponsor, and guest at several benefit events, including the Blixseth Bash. She was also owner of the restaurant Augusta.

Sondra Jones

Ms Jones was one of several Thunderbird residents who voiced strong opposition to CV Link at a 16 April 2015 council meeting at Rancho Mirage.

Council Statements Regarding CV Link

In citing text from the meeting minutes, others' comment is not often included, and no ellipses are provided.

The council minutes provide a summary of her statement, "she believes she speaks for all of the homeowners who live in Thunderbird Villas, Thunderbird Heights and Thunderbird Cove and does not see this CV Link proposal as beneficial in any way to the homeowners of these communities, which would be directly in front of all three. This project would be extremely detrimental to the aesthetics and property values of all the homes affected from Paxton Drive to Country Club Drive. She further stated these communities are high-end, secluded, private and well maintained and they want to keep them that way. She said their concerns are that this proposal would create a traffic hazard, an increase in crime and vandalism and they do not support it."

The Desert Sun reported her comment in their online issue of the same day, “We do not see this proposal as beneficial in any way to the homeowners,” and identified her as a Thunderbird Cove homeowners association board member.

Information Available Online

Whitepages.com provides her address as 24 Evening Star Drive, age "65+," and age "71." The same source cites previous residences in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Palmdale CA. Three other persons have the same address, including Earl R. Jones (age 73), an unnamed son (or a person named "Son Jones), and A. Steele. They share the phone numbers (760) 321-7385 and (661) 718-8973. In addition, Zata reports a phone number of (760) 770-9373 and check-caller reports (760) 321-7385.

Google Maps shows the home location in Thunderbird Cove. According to homemetry.com and blockshopper.com, the 4,293 ft² home has 3 beds and 1 bath on a 0.3 acre lot. With a pool and attached garage, the home sold for $1,900,000 in 2006 and was assessed at $1,203,000 in 2014, for property taxes of $15,083 in 2014 and $17,811.28 in 2015. They purchased the home in 2006 from Gloria J and Jerry A Enger, who had purchased the home in 2001 for $262,500.00.

Age: 71

Family relatives include Jerry L Jones, Peggy Lynn Jones, and Patricia A Mason.

Mr. Jones may have been a California state civil litigant in "Earl R. Jones et al v. Ron Bartlett et al," Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC337913.

In 2009, Ms Jones was considering an appeal of her property tax assessment, according to Trulia.com.

According to Bizstanding.com, Mr. Jones has been associated with Tejon Equipment Company LLC since 2005.

Bruce Harry

Official Biography

Bruce Harry retired in July 2015 from his post as Director of Public Works for the City of Rancho Mirage. Any previously posted biographical material is no longer available on the Rancho Mirage website.

Council Statements Regarding CV Link

In citing text from the meeting minutes, others' comment is not often included, and no ellipses are provided.

18 June 2015

The City Council met in regular session, and Bruce Harry's report was included. [Others' comment is not included, and no ellipses are provided.]

• "12. Oppose the alternative CV Link route alignment along Gerald Ford Drive within the City of Rancho Mirage.
• "Public Works Director Bruce Harry presented the staff report. On June 1st, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments ( CVAG) Executive Committee reviewed three alternate CV Link alignments, which were suggested by CVAG staff and intended to address elimination of the use of Highway 111 and Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage. The approved alternate alignments will be made part of the environmental review, along with the alignments proposed in the March 2015 CV Link Master Plan. Option No. 1 is to not have CV Link go through the City of Rancho Mirage, which was approved by the Executive Committee. Option No. 2, which was also approved, is an on -street alignment on Date Palm Drive, Gerald Ford Drive, and Monterey Avenue. Option No. 3, which was not approved, was to prohibit electric vehicles from the Butler - Abrams Trail segment of the CV Link.
• "Mr. Harry reported that staff reviewed all three alternatives and found Option No. 2 to be problematic. The area is mostly developed with adjacent residential communities, lush and efficient landscaping, and a behind -curb meandering bicycle path. Gerald Ford Drive is built to ultimate General Plan standards, with four travel lanes, raised landscape median islands, and a bicycle lane. There are only two different ways to install Option No. 2. One option is to locate the route behind the curb and gutter within the approved landscape parkways of numerous residential developments. This would require the removal of virtually all existing parkway landscaping improvements and would negatively impact vehicle ingress and egress out of residential communities and commercial driveways. The second option is to locate the route in the roadway, thereby eliminating two of four existing vehicle travel lanes, in direct conflict with the City' s General Plan, and impacting the current and future level of service of the roadway. Staff recommends that Council oppose Option No. 2 to align the CV Link along Gerald Ford Drive.

Public Information Online

Palm Springs address

Retirement July 2, 2015

Total pay & benefits in 2013

email bruceh@ci.rancho-mirage.ca.us (Bruce Harry's e-mail)

Contact Information, Total pay and base pay in 2011

Refuses sidewalk to wheelchairs

Recommends location for dog park

Contact info as director of public works

Rejects CV Link on Gerald Ford

Describes Community Park Expansion

Palm Springs contact info

Thinks accidents happen from inattention

• Rancho Mirage traffic officials ranked the city’s intersections with the most crashes and collisions since December 2010.
• 1: Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra drives: 18
• 2: Bob Hope and Dinah Shore drives: 16
• 3: Bob Hope and Country Club drives: 11
• 4: Highway 111 and Frank Sinatra Drive: 10
• 5: Highway 111 and Indian Trail Road: 9
• 6: Dinah Shore Drive and Monterey Avenue: 8
• 7: Frank Sinatra Drive and Monterey Avenue: 8
• 8: Gerald Ford Drive and Monterey Avenue: 8
• 9: Highway 111 and Magnesia Falls Drive: 8
• 10: Country Club Drive and Vista Dunes Road: 7
• 11: Highway 111 and Bob Hope Drive: 7
• 12: Monterey Avenue and Marketplace Way: 7

Large homes have higher electric bills
 
Rancho Mirage City Council adopts budgets, votes down CV Link path recommended by CVAG

Expansion of Whitewater Park at $4.3 million, Ritz-Carlton update on incentive loan up to $20 million 

Dog park as designed would cost about $647,000 to build and $30,000 a year to maintain 

Comment

As a representative of "staff" of the City of Rancho Mirage, Bruce Harry is the point man who effectively advised against all three proposed routings of CV Link through Rancho Mirage.

• Option No. 1 is to not have CV Link go through the City of Rancho Mirage, which was approved by the Executive Committee (a committee of city staff). 
•  Option No. 2 is an on -street alignment on Date Palm Drive, Gerald Ford Drive, and Monterey Avenue, which was also approved by the Executive Committee but recommended to be opposed by the city council.
•  Option No. 3 is to prohibit electric vehicles from the Butler-Abrams Trail segment of the CV Link, which was not approved by the Executive Committee.

The city council took staff advice—as if it were needed—and voted unanimously against Option No. 2. The staff advice became one of the primary reasons for prohibiting CV Link through the city.

Likely Harry's ex-parte advice contributed to the decision to prohibit NEV operation on major streets and arterials in the city.

Allen Worthy

Mr. Worthy is a frequent speaker at city councils in the Coachella Valley. I found the following online about him:

• 2 February 2008 director and actor in "Ginger and Me"
• 30 October 2012 notice of a trustee's sale of 6052 Fairway Circle
• 26 February 2014 in Cathedral City, concerning his inability to perform at the Pickford Theatre, his personal lawsuits, and the homeless
• 4 March 2014 in La Quinta, concerning his mistreatment by Eisenhower Medical Center and the City of Palm Springs and concerning the homeless problem in the Coachella Valley
• 12 June 2014 in Palm Desert, concerning the theater and the homeless
• 12 November 2014 in Cathedral City, congratulating the newly elected officials and asking the end of the continued harassment against him and his family
• 18 November 2014 in La Quinta, to express gratitude to the JFK Hospital staff and to request conversation on his behalf between City Manager Spevacek and Palm Springs City Manager David Ready
• 7 May 2015 in Rancho Mirage, concerning the homeless and the brutality of the Palm Springs Police Department
• 7 January 2016 in Indian Wells, concerning being robbed while at the hospital
• 3 February 2016 in Palm Springs, against historic district designation of the Sandcliff Condominiums and about the Town and Country Center
• 9 April 2016 letter to the Desert Sun about the rainbow flag
• 13 April 2016 in Palm Springs, to argue that both city manager David Ready and city attorney John Holland be forced out of their jobs
• 16 April 2016 listed as subject to a sale of property under lien
• 25 July 2016 at the Palm Springs "Black Lives Matter" gathering.

Council Statements Regarding CV Link

In citing text from the meeting minutes, others' comment is not often included, and no ellipses are provided.

21 May 2015

The City Council met in regular session.

• "STATUS UPDATE REGARDING CV LINK
• "Mayor Hobart commented on the CV Link and stated the City of Rancho Mirage has four motions that it has asked to be placed on the June 1, 2015 agenda of the Executive Committee for the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (- CVAG").  ...
• "NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
• "Allen Worthy, Palm Springs, spoke regarding his personal view of the City of Palm Springs and the alleged brutality of the Palm Springs Police Department."

Worthy's comment is fully unrelated to CV Link, which was then under discussion.

Iris Smotrich

Official Council Biography

The Rancho Mirage council member, Iris Smotrich, has served since her appointment in 2011. In 2012, she ran unopposed to serve a two-year term, and she won a 2014 term as well. The city website provides a full statement of her interests and background. Smotrich serves on the Council’s sub-committees on Marketing, Special Events, and Tourism and Public Safety. During her tenure as Mayor (2014-2015), she served as an Executive Committee member of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) and the Rancho Mirage Public Library Foundation. Smotrich also serves on the Chamber of Commerce Sub-Committee, the Agua Caliente Indian Tribe Sub-Committee, Special Assistance Fund Sub-Committee and Section 31 Land Parcel Sub-Committee.

Ms Smotrich was born in Chicago IL and moved to Los Angeles at the age of three. She and her husband, Thom, have lived in Rancho Mirage since 2001. They have one daughter and two grandchildren. She and her husband have been active in many charitable organizations, for which they serve on boards and host charity events at their home. She was trained in interior and exterior commercial property design, and she managed commercial real estate in Los Angeles and elsewhere.

Council Statements Regarding CV Link

In citing text from the meeting minutes, others' comment is not often included, and no ellipses are provided.

7 May 2015

The City Council met in regular session.

• "12. Consideration of Prohibition of the Route of CV Link Over Any Portion of Highway 111 or Bob Hope Drive, in the City of Rancho Mirage
• "Mayor Hobart indicated that CVAG is proceeding at a quick pace and continues to invest money in this project. He stated that he has a fiduciary responsibility to the residents of Rancho Mirage to fight for what is best for this City. He further stated that he is pushing for a joint meeting of all the cities so they can get the full picture and urged residents to speak out on this issue. 
• "Councilmember Smotrich thanked Mayor Hobart for his leadership on this issue and for bringing the City Council up to date.
• "Councilmember Smotrich commented that far beyond the financial aspects of the CV Link are the safety issues. When motor vehicles are put together with runners, walkers and bicycles, she stated this presents a major safety hazard and is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Councilmember Smotrich will be addressing this issue at her CVAG meeting next week.
• "MOVED/ SECONDED BY HOBART/ KITE TO PROHIBIT THE ROUTE OF THE CV LINK TO EXTEND OVER ANY PORTION OF HIGHWAY 111 OR BOB HOPE DRIVE WITHIN THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE. MOTION CARRIED 5/ 0."
  

4 June 2015

The City Council met in regular session.

• "Mayor Hobart noted there were many people who spoke in both support and opposition to the CV Link at the CVAG meeting; however, the significant and serious issue of the Operations and Maintenance (" O& M") funding once the project is completed is unresolved and, per the March 2015 Draft Master Plan, remains at a projected $ 1. 6 million.
• "Mayor Pro Tem Weill added that the CVAG Executive Committee voted in favor by a 6/ 4 vote to have a collective meeting of city council members, city managers and finance directors to receive input from each city about this issue. He also noted that of the two individuals at the CVAG meeting who represented other similar trails in California, neither project allowed electric vehicles on their trails.
• "Councilmember Smotrich reminded the Council that a few years ago there was an agreement by all Valley cities to fund a homeless shelter and each city pledged $ 103, 000. 00 to the project. As of last year, only three cities, including Rancho Mirage, have fulfilled their pledge and the project will likely not come to fruition. Councilmember Smotrich cited this as an example that just because CVAG agrees to something doesn' t necessarily mean it will actually happen. She stated she fears that if Measure A funds are used for the CV Link, it will likely receive priority over the other projects.

15 October 2015

The City Council met in regular session.

• "CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
• "Councilmember Smotrich commented that a recent Desert Sun editorial was inappropriate, unfairly critical of the City, and harshly criticized Mayor Hobart. She said the article was self-serving to the newspaper and lacked any positive suggestions. She added that taking $ 1 million from Measure A funds to annually finance CV Link is contrary to its intended use.
• "12. Consideration of Resolutions, Ordinance and Ballot Measures to Protect the City of Rancho Mirage's Local Control of its Streets and Traffic and to Allow Rancho Mirage Residents to Voice their Opinions on Substantive Issues Pertaining to CVAG's Proposed CV Link Project and it's Cost to the Taxpayers.

1. "A. Adopt Resolution No. 2015- 107, that: ( a) prohibits neighborhood electric vehicles in certain areas and on certain streets within the jurisdiction of the City of Rancho Mirage; ( b) prohibits a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Plan from including any area within the iurisdiction of the City of Rancho Mirage unless the area is approved first by an ordinance of the City of Rancho Mirage; and ( c) prohibits any portion of CV Link or similar pathway from including any area within the jurisdiction of the City of Rancho Mirage:
2. "B. Introduce Ordinance No. 1099, 1st Reading, that: ( a) prohibits neighborhood electric vehicles in certain areas and on certain streets within the iurisdiction of the City of Rancho Mirage: ( b) prohibits a Neiqhborhood Electric Vehicle Plan from including any area within the jurisdiction of the City of Rancho Mirage unless the area is approved first by an ordinance of the City of Rancho Mirage; and ( c) prohibits any portion of CV Link or similar pathway from including any area within the jurisdiction of the City of Rancho Mirage:
3. "C. Adopt Resolution No. 2015- 108, that calls and notices the holding of an advisory election on the same date of the City's General Municipal Election, set for April 12, 2016, for the purpose of submitting to the City's qualified voters five advisory measures concerning the proposed CV Link proiect, which is a paved pathway proposed by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments ( CVAG) that will be approximately 50 miles long, accommodate pedestrians, bicycles and neighborhood vehicles that can travel up to 25 miles per hour;
4. "D. Adopt Resolution No. 2015- 109, placing a measure on the ballot of the City's General Municipal Election asking the voters: " Shall the voters of Rancho Mirage require that any amendment or repeal of Ordinance No. 1099 that prohibits Neighborhood Electric Vehicles ( NEVs) in certain areas and on certain streets within the iurisdiction of the City of Rancho Mirage require prior voter approval?"; and
5. "E. Designate the Mayor or his designee or designees on the Rancho Mirage City Council to prepare the Arguments in " Favor" of Measure 6 and the Arguments " Against Approval" of Advisory Measures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, on behalf of the Rancho Mirage City Council.

• "MOVED/SECONDED BY HOBART/WEILL TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2015- 107, PROHIBITING LOW -SPEED VEHICLES AND NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN CERTAIN AREAS AND ON CERTAIN STREETS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE, AND REVISING THE LIST OF PROHIBITED STREETS BY STRIKING RAMON ROAD AND ADDING MAGNESIA FALLS DRIVE AND JOSHUA ROAD. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.
• "MOVED/SECONDED BY HOBART/WEILL TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 1099, 1ST READING, PROHIBITING LOW -SPEED VEHICLES AND NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN CERTAIN AREAS AND ON CERTAIN STREETS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE, AND REVISING THE LIST OF PROHIBITED STREETS BY STRIKING RAMON ROAD AND ADDING MAGNESIA FALLS DRIVE AND JOSHUA ROAD. MOTION CARRIED 5/ 0.
• "MOVED/SECONDED BY HOBART/SMOTRICH TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2015- 108, CALLING AND NOTICING THE HOLDING OF AN ADVISORY ELECTION ON THE SAME DATE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING THE VOTERS OF RANCHO MIRAGE TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS ON CERTAIN SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES PERTAINING TO CV LINK, INCLUDING STATED LANGUAGE MODIFICATIONS AND THE ADDITION OF BUTLER ABRAMS TRAIL TO ADVISORY MEASURE 5. MOTION CARRIED 5/ 0.
• "MOVED/SECONDED BY HOBART/TOWNSEND TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2015-109, PLACING A MEASURE ON THE BALLOT OF THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ASKING THE VOTERS: " SHALL THE VOTERS OF RANCHO MIRAGE REQUIRE THAT ANY AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 1099 THAT PROHIBITS NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLES (NEVs) IN CERTAIN AREAS AND ON CERTAIN STREETS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE REQUIRE PRIOR VOTER APPROVAL?" MOTION CARRIED 5/ 0.
• "MOVED/SECONDED BY HOBART/SMOTRICH TO DESIGNATE THE MAYOR OR HIS DESIGNEE OR DESIGNEES ON THE RANCHO MIRAGE CITY COUNCIL TO PREPARE THE ARGUMENTS IN " FAVOR" OF MEASURE 6 AND THE ARGUMENTS " AGAINST APPROVAL" OF ADVISORY MEASURES 1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5, ON BEHALF OF THE RANCHO MIRAGE CITY COUNCIL. MOTION CARRIED 5/ 0."
  

Other Public Information

Rancho Mirage mayor touts city's economic growth, Desert Sun April 9, 2015

Iris Smotrich, age 73; phones (818) 996-9333, (760) 779-1836; previous locations Van Nuys CA, Tarzana CA; residence 57 Calle De Oro Rancho Mirage CA 92270-5615; Whitepages.com

Iris Smotrich total pay and benefits $18,579.00 (2011), $43,416.00 (2012), $43,800.00 (2013), $55,441.00 (2015); transparentcalifornia.com

Iris Smotrich ballot statement, 2014; voteinfo.net

Smotrich suspected of complicity in gay slur against opponent; californiacitynews.org and detail. denial.

Smotrich economic interests statement; fppc.ca.gov

Smotrich search on Twitter; twitter.com

Smotrich wants to get residents involved in community activities; valleywoman.net

Smotrich said she is confident Ritz-Carlton will create breath-taking memories of a special paradise for residents and the valley’s guests. pe.com

Smotrich supports neoconservative Jeff Stone for 2016 36^th U.S. Congressional District; votejeffstone.com

Smotrich supports neoconservative Jeff Stone for 2018 28th California Senate District ; jeffstone2018.com

Smotrich , age 72, resides at 72789 Cats Paw Ct, Rancho Mirage, phone (760) 779-1836; http://radaris.com/p/Iris/Smotrich/

Smotrich supports Gateway project for Section 19 (planned in 2014, a development of more than 3 million sq ft of commercial, retail, office, and restaurant space, wilh close to 2000 residential units 580 hotel rooms); http://junecorrigan.com/image/ranchomirage.pdf

Smotrich supports Benoit for 2013 Riverside Supervisor; http://www.johnbenoit.com/Endorsements

Smotrich contributes under $5000 to 2015 Jewish Federation of the Desert; http://www.jfedps.com/assets/2015-december-jcn.pdf (p 17)

Smotrich supports banning drones in Rancho Mirage; http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/04/rancho-mirage-hobby-drones-ban/2052193/

Desert Sun endorses "Hobart, Smotrich and Hines for the four-year seats" in 2014.

Comment

It appears that Ms Smotrich was undecided about CV Link in May 2015, not having previously voiced an opinion about the CV Link routing, nor about the funding mechanisms for construction and maintenance. It was clear, though, at the 7 May council meeting that she had no understanding the route was a Class I bike path, and by extension a similar path for pedestrians and NEVs. The summary of her comment, "that far beyond the financial aspects of the CV Link are the safety issues. When motor vehicles are put together with runners, walkers and bicycles, she stated this presents a major safety hazard and is a catastrophe waiting to happen." Certainly her understanding might have been clarified at the next CVAG meeting, where she planned to address this issue.

One of her frames of reference must be the equal spread of paying for Valley amenities. When discussing the use of Measure A funds on 4 June 2015,  she warned it seemed likely that Rancho Mirage and only one or two other cities might fork up the funds: "[She] reminded the Council that a few years ago there was an agreement by all Valley cities to fund a homeless shelter and each city pledged $ 103, 000. 00 to the project. As of last year, only three cities, including Rancho Mirage, have fulfilled their pledge and the project will likely not come to fruition. ... Councilmember Smotrich cited this as an example that just because CVAG agrees to something doesn' t necessarily mean it will actually happen. She stated she fears that if Measure A funds are used for the CV Link, it will likely receive priority over the other projects."

When, by 15 October 2015, the Rancho Mirage objections had become fodder for many comments, Ms Smotrich revealed a new side, one similar to a protective parent: "Councilmember Smotrich commented that a recent Desert Sun editorial was inappropriate, unfairly critical of the City, and harshly criticized Mayor Hobart. She said the article was self-serving to the newspaper and lacked any positive suggestions." Her next remark indicated that she had begun to internalize the false assertions from Mayor Hobart: "She added that taking $ 1 million from Measure A funds to annually finance CV Link is contrary to its intended use."

By that date, too, Hobart had assured that the council was of one voice in rejecting CV Link on several aspects. Smotrich seconded the motion to hold an "advisory election" regarding CV Link and to specify that the Butler-Abrams Trail would be withheld as a potential route. (RESOLUTION NO. 2015- 108)

Smotrich also seconded the motion to allow Hobart control of the wording of the arguments for the measure results that the council preferred.


If ever Rancho Mirage is to connect CV Link from Cathedral City to Palm Desert, Iris Smotrich will need to be off the Rancho Mirage city council.

Carol Hochsprung

Council Statements Regarding CV Link

In citing text from the meeting minutes, others' comment is not often included, and no ellipses are provided.

17 October 2013

The City Council meeting on 17 October 2013 had several references to CV Link. [Others' comment is not included, and no ellipses are provided.] Ms Hochsprung was one of several Rancho Mirage residents who voiced opinion about CV Link at a 17 October 2013 council meeting at Rancho Mirage. The council minutes provide a summary of her statement.

• "Carol Hochsprung, Magnesia Falls, ... said she was a member of the Trails Commission and was at the recent CV Link presentation at the Library. She said she had been very impressed by the CV Link and asked where it would be located in relation to the Park. 

Information Online

Ms Hochsprung has a Facebook account and she has been an agent of Bennion Deville Homes. Her business activity provide contact information: cell/direct phone 760-668-9735, email choch@bdhomes.com, agend number 01739973, website carolhochsprung.com, and office Rancho Mirage office at 71691 Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage, (760) 770-6801.

She has accounts with LinkedIn,  GolfMDS, and listings on Whitepages that provide a phone number 760-346-7261 and address 71818 San Gorgonio Rd in Rancho Mirage. Her previous residences include Bakersfield CA, Denver CO, El Paso TX, and Springfield MO. Her partner is Jo B (or Jobeth) Kemp. Her home is in a residential area of Rancho Mirage that is bounded by Highway 111 on the north and Desert Drive, which accesses the hiking trails known as Bump and Grind, on the east.

She has been a member of the LPGA and has coached golf. 

Jack Hoffman

Biography

Hoffman was mayor of Lake Oswego OR and councilman for almost a decade, and he was known as the town's "biking mayor." He left office in 2013, following several reverses in building infrastructure in the city at the tail of the financial collapse that began in 2008.

He won election to the mayoralty in 2006, with a background as an attorney partner at Dunn, Carney, Allen, Higgins, and Tongue of Lake Oswego and a position heading the city parks administration.

Council Statements Regarding CV Link

In citing text from the meeting minutes, others' comment is not often included, and no ellipses are provided.

5 November 2015

The City Council met in regular session. Although no CV Link update was provided, several citizens commented regarding CV Link.

• "Jack Hoffman, Mission Hills Country Club, encouraged homeowners association
  members to attend an upcoming CV Link meeting and suggested that Council invite
  CV Link proponents to participate in meetings regarding the project.
• "Regarding Item No. 3, Jack Hoffman, Mission Hills Country Club ( MHCC), asked if
  LSVs are prohibited from traveling under Dinah Shore Drive between the northern and
  southern portions of MHCC. He also asked if LSVs are prohibited from using any part of
  Gerald Ford Drive, as a number of MHCC residents use LSVs to cross that roadway.
• "City Attorney Quintanilla responded by summarizing the ordinance and explaining the
  attached map. He also clarified that LSVs and NEVs are identically defined and that golf
  carts are not addressed in the ordinance.
• "City Manager Bynder added that golf carts are allowed on all Class I bike paths in the
  City.

Information Online

His basic information is online via two services at least. His residence is 35006 Mission Hills Dr in Rancho Mirage, a condominium in Mission Hills Country Club off Gerald Ford Drive that is bounded by Da Vall Drive, Dinah Shore Drive, and Bob Hope Drive. His age is given as 69 in 2016, and other residences include Lake Oswego OR and Portland OR. Likely relatives include Matthew and Agnes Hoffman as reported by Spokeo.

Amy Singletary

Biography

 Raised on a farm in Hillsboro, Oregon, at 25 Amy Singletary relocated to Los Angeles to work for the founder of B.U.M. Equipment. She met Fred Davis when his firm took over marketing for the apparel giant and he chose her to head the ad department. After B.U.M. she worked as liaison for 26 network affiliates at Fox Sports, creative director for Billboard Entertainment, handled public appearances for some of the NHL's top athletes, and as marketing director for All Star Hockey & Sports. The restless woman finally landed back with Fred at SPI in 1998 and we won't let her leave. She runs company operations and is involved in the creative "unusual thoughts" process that has led to the successes of SPI's political and corporate friends. As long as client bills are paid up, a call from Amy is a joy to behold. She's married to one of Fred's life-long best friends. [Strategic Perceptions]

Council Statements Regarding CV Link

In citing text from the meeting minutes, others' comment is not often included, and no ellipses are provided.

4 February 2016

The City Council met in regular session, and public comment was received as part of item 9, CV Link Update.

• "Amy Singletary, Rancho Mirage, said she recently discovered that CV Link is being rerouted. She asked how to get involved to oppose the project, which she considers an absurd waste of money.
• "Mayor Hobart provided a brief status update on CV Link and suggested that Ms. Singletary contact him via e- mail, so that he may put her in contact with others in opposition of the project.

Other Online Information

Ms. Singletary has written to the Desert Sun editors on 25 March 2016 to urge Rancho Mirage residents to register prior to the 12 April vote and on 17 May 2016 to complain about the use of CV Link as a path for NEVs. She currently is listed as a resident or employee on Mulholland Highway, Los Angeles and is the business manager of Strategic Perceptions. She may be associated with Carbon Canyon Parternes LLC of Las Vegas.

She has a LinkedIn profile.


Her Basic Information is available online in two profiles and on Zoominfo.

Dana Hobart's Boondoggle

 © Thomas Kohn, 2016
Revised 28 August and 6 September, 2016

Here's this month's word from Rancho Mirage occasional mayor Dana Hobart published in his opinion piece for the Desert Sun in their Valley Voice page. Mr. Hobart has harped on the same complaints before, notably in an online article of 14 July 2016. Hobart is not a lone voice on the Rancho Mirage city council. Member Ted Weill also lends his website to Hobart's criticism.

Hobart's many "misrepresentations" include: 

1. That the CV-Link funding is included in the Transportation Prioritization Plan Study (TPPS) as an "under-the-radar scheme." FALSE.

• Actually, the 27 June 2016 Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) meeting and vote to approve the TPPS were public.
• The vote was reported in the Desert Sun the next day.

2. An implied assertion that alternative transportation cannot be funded from Measure A regional budgeting. FALSE.

• The TPPS (pp. s-1 to s-2) of 25 June 2016 addresses the legal standing to use Measure A funds for "all or a portion of the cost of public facilities" [to include] "transportation purposes including … the construction ... maintenance and operation of streets, roads, highways …” [ellipses in the report].
• The TPPS also cites CVAG Executive Committee authorization as of 2000 to use regional transportation funds to reimburse costs associated with locating bicycle lanes in the street and with right of way and construction costs incurred to provide a paved bicycle lane adjacent to the motor vehicle travel way.
• In regard to the Regional Transportation Plan, the TPPS cites state guidelines in preparing the RTP to integrate multimodal transportation network policies into transportation plans and consider accelerating programming for projects that retrofit existing roads to provide safe and convenient travel by all users. The TPPS further cites Assembly Bill 1358 (California Complete Streets Act), Senate Bill 99 (Chapter 359, Statutes of 2013), and Assembly Bill 101 (Chapter 354, Statutes of 2013) to include active modes of transportation, such as biking and walking.

3. An implication that the two negative votes (Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage) regarding the TPPS approval must prevail, while eleven votes in favor must lose. FALSE.

• How is it that 2 out of 13 votes is a majority? I hear echoes of Donald J. Trump, speaking long in advance of his election: "We was robbed!"
• What is it about Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage that positions these cities as the voices that should prevail? I believe thsee two cities exhibit a sense of privilege based on affluence—and I don't mean affluence of culture.
• Let's also examine what the negative votes mean. Since this vote was to approve the entire TPPS, which ranks the priority of more than 500 transportation improvements across the valley, including important improvements in streets of Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells. Were the representatives of Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage truly serving the interests of their communities? For if a majority of representatives had voted not to accept the TPPS, the report would have to be rewritten and priorities reassessed. Would the winning TPPS then have slashed all budgets for transportation projects? Would Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage vote in favor of only the TPPS that sends most construction to their cities?

4. An implication that the Measure A funds are the sole means of funding the CV-Link, and perhaps also the sole funding source for all transportation spending in the region. FALSE.

• The TPPS states clearly, "CVAG has assembled more than $75 million to pay for CV Link, with much of the funding coming from outside of the Coachella Valley. The diverse funding sources reflect the air quality, public health and transportation benefits of the project."
• As an example of the source of funding, the CVAG Transportation Committee identified plans for constructing the initial CV Link segment. "The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) awarded CVAG $17,400,000 in Sentinel Mitigation (AB 1318) funds for construction of CV Link. CVAG’s agreement with SCAQMD identifies $2,495,000 for an 'early action segment.' CVAG proposes to allocate the designated early action segment funds for construction of the Cathedral City Bike Path. This project will be built to CV Link standards and will be incorporated into CV Link if constructed. The City will contribute an additional $405,000 of Caltrans BTA grant funds for construction. ... CVAG presented this proposal to the SCAQMD and received preliminary approval."
• This initial segment of 2.39 miles uses non-Measure A funds that total $2.9M, representing a paid-for cost of $1.21M per mile.

5. A presumption that the current mish-mash of Class II bikeways (a completely separated right of way for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians with crossflow by motorists minimized), Class III bikeways (shared use with pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic), and bike use of unmarked streets, feeders, arterials, and major throughfares is NOT deserving of a ranking "in order of greatest public danger." FALSE.

• The California Office of Traffic Safety lists 637 pedestrians and cyclists killed or injured in Riverside County in 2013. Of these, 165 deaths or injuries occurred in the Coachella Valley.

• 32 in Cathedral City,
• 8 in Coachella,
• 14 in Desert Hot Springs,
• 3 in Indian Wells,
• 33 in Indio,
• 4 in La Quinta,
• 30 in Palm Desert,
• 34 in Palm Springs,
• 7 in Rancho Mirage.

• A cross-valley dedicated (Class I) path for pedestrians, cyclists, and NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles) could vastly improve the odds of surviving a trip using alternative transportation.
• Ameliorating the deaths and injuries of 165 pedestrians and cyclists should be a higher priority than "[the improvement of] dangerous roads and unfilled potholes" that Hobart prefers.
• Apparently the legal system agrees that the cities in the Coachella Valley are responsible for pedestrian and cyclist safety, and one can cite the judgment against Indian Wells for $5.8M in the death of cyclist Dr. Gerald Brett Weiss. Although the judgment may have been paid from a liability pool, in which numerous California cities lump their finances together to protect each other from costly lawsuits, Indian Wells will be responsible for re-paying the pool over time.
• The numbers reveal something in the favor of Indian Wells, La Quinta, and Rancho Mirage, by the way.  Something deserving of study. Either the low numbers in their statistics indicate some positive steps the cities have taken that other cities might emulate, or the numbers are a fluke tied to the relatively affluent lifestyles available to the residents.

6. A citation of two proposed costs for the CV-Link. The first ($99.4 million) is true; the second ($193.6 million) is FALSE.

The actual CV-Link estimated cost is $99.4 million.

• The TPPS estimates $99.4 million for building the 50-mile route from Desert Hot Springs to Mecca and the Salton Sea. This amount is less than 3% of the total budge of $3.433 billion for all transportation improvements planned for the next 5 to 10 years.
• The estimated cost for CV-Link is $1.98 million per mile. Let's compare this estimate to building city streets. Smart Growth America estimates the cost of implementing Complete Streets to be "as little as $6 million per mile or double that" [page 13], while "new arterials can cost the city $5 million per mile or up to twice that amount." Though his figures are presented in cost per foot, Andrew Alexander Price cites an equivalent cost of $5 million per mile. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association agrees with these estimates generally. Their FAQ says that to construct a "new 2-lane undivided road [costs] about $2 million to $3 million per mile in rural areas, about $3 million to $5 million [per mile] in urban areas."
• It's more difficult to find similar information for building mult-iuse paths similar to CV-Link. The largest part of the problem is in the use of the term "multi-use paths," which can cover anything from a cinder path to a highly designed and landscaped system of paths, bridges, and interchanges. The City of Detroit planned to spend a total of about $35.4M to build a 25-mile path ($1.41M per mile). Jefferson County WI planned to spend $5.1M to build 10.76 miles of multiuse trail ($0.47M per mile). Los Angeles plans to develop a 51-mile multiuse path in the Los Angeles River, and is beginning feasibility studies and design (no cost estimate published).

It is the Regional Active Transportation Projects that have an estimated cost is $193.6 million.

• The Regional Active Transportation Projects identified in the TPPS are not part of the CV-Link, except for three Indio projects that total $225,509. (These are a connector along Golf Center Pkwy from Indio Springs Dr to I-10 at $15,840 [PDF p 30]; buffered bike lanes along Monroe St from Ave 40 to I-10 at $150,480 [PDF p 36]; and buffered bike lanes along Monroe St from the Whitewater River to Fred Waring Dr at $59,189 [PDF p 36]. 
• The Active Transportation program was established by the state legislature through the Complete Streets Act. The program "plan for a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways, defined to include motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, children, persons with disabilities, seniors, movers of commercial goods, and users of public transportation, in a manner that is suitable to the rural, suburban, or urban context of the general plan."
• The TPPS lists 384 projects that meet the requirements of the Complete Streets Act. None of these projects are part of the CV-Link route. Instead, the projects are improvements to existing streets that promote pedestrian, NEV, and cyclist safety on the city streets.
• The estimated cost of all the RAT projects is indeed a total of $193.6 million. But these projects do not include CV Link itself.

7. His statement, "there are only 286 of these NEVs/LSEVs registered in the Coachella Valley – and unlike golf carts (which are ineligible on CV Link), these vehicles must have a capacity of 25 MPH, be registered, carry insurance and driven only by licensed drivers." CONFUSED at least, but essentially FALSE.

• California Department of Vehicles defines Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) as vehicles that must be registered to operate on streets at speeds up to 25 mph.
• The DOV does not require registration of golf carts or NEVs that operate at or below 15 mph.
• The CV Link Conceptual Master Plan succinctly defines the link: "CV Link will initially connect eight of the nine cities in the Coachella Valley and three tribal land reservations. Bicycles, pedestrians, and low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs) will use the corridor to access employment, shopping, schools, friends, and recreational opportunities. LSEVs include golf carts and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) that can travel up to 25 mph." 
• The actual number of registered NEVs is immaterial, then, to arguments for or against building CV Link. 
• Truly material is that state and federal law mandate that transportation planning should include alternative transportation, including cyclists and pedestrians.

9. Cherrypicking the opinion of a favored lawyer, city counsel Steve Quintanilla against use of Measure A funds and representing the opinion as a legal certainty. FALSE.

• Hobart quotes Steve Quintanilla, city counsel for Rancho Mirage, Desert Hot Springs, and Moreno Valley, who opines: “…after thoroughly reviewing the plain language of Measure A, the Preamble to Ordinance No. 02-001 … is that the voters who approved Measure A did not intend that the special tax revenue produced by Measure A could be or would be used for any aspect, part, portion or component of CV Link…”
• In point of fact, the preamble refers generally to "transportation" and makes no stipulation to focus funding on motorized traffic. The preamble does, however, cite a need for "improvements to relieve congestion." Providing alternative routing for pedestrians, cyclists, and electric vehicles creates such an improvement.
• Citing a preferred attorney's reading, not a court ruling, has no actionable merit, though. Only rulings by the court system can define the intent and effect of law, if in dispute. 
• Hobart also attempts to set the case as one of normal transportation. To do so, he quotes CVAG attorneys Best, Best and Krieger: “Although CV Link is not a typical regional road improvement, a strong argument can be made that its LSEV Component qualifies as a regional road improvement under Measure A  because the LSEV lane is a roadway that would connect eight cities in the Coachella Valley…”
• In point of fact, CV Link is part of Alternative Transportation Planning, Regional Active Transportation, and Complete Streets programs that are required by state and federal law.

Finally, after raising so many erroneous assertions, Hobart suggests a valley-wide vote as an alternative to accepting the majority (11 of 13) vote, and he threatens legal action in Superior Court.

Perhaps Hobart expects to use a contentious valley-wide vote as a stalling tactic to derail CV Link in endless processes. And yet, a county-wide vote could also favor CV Link, especially if its future is to join the Coachella Valley to Banning Pass and the Riverside superpolis. Of course, costs are involved here as well. Estimates for preparing ballot issues rise to $500,000 for a county, not including persuasion activities on each side of a yes/no proposition.

A judicial decision could, I believe, strengthen the case for CV Link. The question to be answered, then, is whether the citizens of Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells want their city taxes to be spent in litigation that could cost more than building the CV Link through their communities? (Their combined paths amount to about 7.5 miles, with an estimated cost of $15.5 million.) If their residents support such use of funds, perhaps the real issue is that Hobart believes the Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage residents just don't want cyclists or pedestrians or NEVs anywhere near their communities? We could expect lawn placards there reading, "Not In My Back Yard!"

Rebuilding the Heart

Saturday, 13 August 2016

After a week of lazing about, it was time to get some heart pumping. So I took El Cielo Road, the East Palm Canyon bikeway, and streets through the Backstreet Arts district to Ridgecrest Plaza and the entrance to the Goat Trails.

My passage on The Ramp was a bit less than optimal, but I didn't stop until I was on the low part of the second climb. I was really winded on that climb and hike-biked several parts. Just below the top, I took off on a side trail to check out another trail alternative that I hadn't noticed before. (It turned out to be much less used, blocked by several large stones.)

Back on the doubletrack, I took the northwest half of the Merry-Go-Round and headed up Gene Autrey Hook to Lone Heart Overlook. Recent rework of the doubletrack trail by heavy equipment had obliterated this landmark, and I took about half an hour to re-establish the outline of the heart marker. I repositioned it to be a bit more off the trail, so emergency vehicles could still pass easily onto the next stretch of doubletrack.

I headed up the trail again, and took the sixth right-hand singletrack back to the Merry-Go-Round and then down the doubletrack to Ridgecrest Plaza and home.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 111°F at 17:15
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm to 10 mph from the north
Clothing: Two-piece MTB shorts, shortsleeve teeshirt, ankle socks, quilted full-finger gloves
Bike: Trek Fuel/EX mountain bike
Time: 51:55 for 7.96 miles
Heart rate: 128 bpm HRave, 156 bpm HRmax
Other users: no cyclists, 3 pedestrians on the trails
Playback of the ride

Warmup and gym

Tuesday, 9 August 2016

Just a quick ride to warm up before a gym workout. I would like to develop a few 30-minute and 45-minute routes for this purpose.

This route takes Baristo Road west to Avenida Caballeros, then north to Tahquitz Canyon Road and through the airport access roads. Generally a pretty good route that is mostly flat.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 102°F at 16:04
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm 
Clothing: Teeshirt, gym shorts, ankle socks, open-finger gloves
Bike: Serotta Colorado fixed 48x15
Time: 24:24 for 7.24 miles
Heart rate: 103 bpm HRave, 153 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: uncounted
Playback of the ride

Drugs and gym

Friday, 5 August 2016

Not all my route was recorded well by the Garmin. From home, I ran an errand at the Walgreens pharmacy on East Palm Canyon, then headed to the gym for weight training. Afterward, I rode through Little Beverly Hills to check whether some construction work was happening with heavy equipment I saw being trucked in the evening before. (None in evidence.)

Ride conditions
Temperature: 106°F at 14:26
Precipitation: none
Winds: not recorded
Clothing: Teeshirt, ankle socks, double shorts, quilted full-finger gloves
Bike: Trek Fuel/EX mountain bike 
Time: 21:27 for 5.74 miles
Heart rate: 141 bpm HRave, "208" bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: not recorded
Playback of the ride

Up to the Stone Man, now destroyed

Thursday, 4 August 2016

In more temperate locations, I typically rode a "birthday ride" today. That meant a mile for each year of my age. But 65 miles isn't something I'm ready for today, even at 90°F this morning. So I'm expecting that ride to take place six months from now, in February. Today I took a morning ride into the Goat Trails, and I started at 8 a.m. to the trail head through the golf course up to Gene Autrey Trail, then south to Rimrock Plaza.

This ride had a sense of exploration, a chance to see how much additional trail had been attacked by heavy equipment. I hoped that the Lone Heart and Stone Man monuments were unaffected, but my hopes were undone. The grading has obliterated both monuments and smoothed out some of the climbs as well as leaving a dirt layer on most of the trail. I only looked up the doubletrack east and west of the Stone Man, and even those sections may have been graded, though more lightly. It seems to me that the doubletrack is now less fun uphll and more treacherous downhill.

I hope to organize a maintenance group from the regular riders of these trails, and I'll begin to gather their names from the Strava.com statistics of the trails.

My way back on the Goat Trails stayed on the doubletrack until I got to the Merry-Go-Round. From its southeast corner, I took off on a short singletrack that drops to a mid-point of the Second Climb. After reaching the roads, I followed the bikeway that parallels East Palm Canyon to El Cielo Road.


Ride conditions
Temperature: 90°F at 8:28
Precipitation: none
Winds: not recorded
Clothing: Teeshirt, ankle socks, double shorts, quilted full-finger gloves
Bike: Trek Fuel/EX mountain bike 
Time: 1:02:04 for 9.61 miles
Heart rate: 129 bpm HRave, 154 bpm HRmax
Bikeway users: not recorded
Playback of the ride