Erica Felci

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.

• "12. Oppose the alternative CV Link route alignment along Gerald Ford Drive within the City of Rancho Mirage.
• "Public Comment
• "Erica Felci, CVAG Governmental Program Analyst, submitted and read into the record a letter from CVAG Executive Director Tom Kirk, which addressed CVAG' s intent to continue working with Rancho Mirage leaders to find an acceptable route.
• "Mayor Hobart said that the Executive Committee voted 7- 2 to designate Gerald Ford Drive as a perspective route, adding that he voted against this option. He explained that the " one dozen alternative routes considered," mentioned in Mr. Kirk' s letter, occurred due to the City of Rancho Mirage being the most uniquely situated of the nine Coachella Valley cities. This makes finding a route difficult. The CV Link idea began with the premise that it would traverse the Whitewater Channel, which poses an issue for residential communities in Rancho Mirage. Using Highway 111 would create chaos. No city in the Valley has approved using Highway 111. Many residential communities enter off of Gerald Ford Drive, from DaVall Road to Monterey Avenue, with the exception of one square mile of undeveloped land across from the Annenberg property. This is probably the most cherished and expensive square mile of empty land in the Valley and the CV Link would impede the development and design of this vacant
  land.
• "MOVED/ SECONDED BY HOBART/ WEILL TO PROHIBIT THE PROPOSED CV LINK ALIGNMENT ALONG DATE PALM DRIVE, GERALD FORD DRIVE, AND MONTEREY AVENUE, PURSUANT TO THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. MOTION CARRIED 5/ 0.
• "Councilmember Kite asked how the Executive Committee reacted to the two alternative route options suggested by Mayor Hobart.
• "Mayor Hobart responded that the Executive Committee passed them both, but has not taken any formal action."
  

COMMMENTARY

15 October 2015

The City Council met in regular session.

• "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
3. 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:
4. "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;
5. "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
6. "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.

• "Mayor Hobart noted slight language modifications made to the proposed ordinance and resolutions following agenda distribution.
• "Public Comment
• "Erica Felci, CVAG, said CVAG staff spent years working with Rancho Mirage and other members on the CV Link plan and appreciated the City's support along the way. CVAG staff is aware of Council' s concerns regarding proposed routes and long term costs. They tried to provide answers through public meetings, correspondence, and responses to public records requests. They also attempted to find compromises that worked for Council. On October 13, 2015, CVAG' s Executive Director sent a letter to City Manager Bynder pledging CVAG's full support if the Mayor and Council reconsidered an option proposed in June to create a modified version of CV Link in Rancho Mirage which did not allow for NEVs. She requested that Council reconsider the ballot measures and continue to work through the regional planning process. She further requested that, if Council decides to move forward with the proposed ballot measures, that they do so in a way that does not mislead the public.
• "Mayor Hobart suggested revising the list of prohibited streets included in Items A and B by striking Ramon Road and adding Magnesia Falls Drive and Joshua Road.
• "A discussion ensued regarding the use of Ramon Road.
• "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."
  

COMMMENTARY

Ted Weill

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
• "City Manager Randal Bynder stated that the City of Rancho Mirage, led by Mayor Hobart and Councilmember Kite ( CV Link Subcommittee), with the support of key staff members including Finance Director Isaiah Hagerman and Public Works Director Bruce Harry, have raised significant questions regarding the operation and maintenance ( 0&M) scheme of the CV Link project. Mr. Bynder added that the 0&M issue was addressed in detail in Mayor Hobart' s memo to the CVAG Executive Committee on April 27, 2015. The questions of long- term 0&M and how it will be funded and who will pay for it are ongoing and have not been resolved as far as the City of Rancho Mirage is concerned. Mr. Bynder noted that, if not for the important objections raised by Mayor Pro Tem Ted Weill at his CVAG Transportation Subcommittee on May 4, 2015, the Master Plan and the maintenance scheme may have been approved and potentially forced upon the City. Mr. Bynder further commented that 0&M is one important issue that must be resolved as part of the CV Link; however, the other issue is the physical location of the CV Link. 
• Public Comment
• "Mayor Hobart quoted CVAG` s projected 0&M expense of 1. 6 million dollars in the first year of full operation. He noted that the recommended method of funding 0&M was presented at a CVAG Transportation Committee meeting chaired by Mayor Pro Tem Weill, for final approval without it ever having been discussed except on March 30th when the Executive Director of CVAG met with the Rancho Mirage CV Link Subcommittee. Mayor Hobart stated that using the CVAG proposed formula, the City of Rancho Mirage Finance Director calculated that in year nine, Rancho Mirage would pay $ 313, 000 of TOT revenue. Further, it would fall upon five Coachella Valley cities - La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs - to pay the majority of the 0&M expense into the future.
• "Mayor Pro Tem Weill commented that during the CVAG meetings he has attended, tranquil terms such as " path" and " trail" are frequently used; however, what is being proposed is not peaceful but a concrete, 30 foot wide street to accommodate electric vehicles, golf carts, runners, joggers, bikers, etc. He noted that this is secondary to how the CV Link would be paid for and pledged that the City Council cannot, and will not, obligate Rancho Mirage residents to a cost that is unknown now and into the future.
• "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."
  

COMMMENTARY

4 June 2015

The City Council met in regular session.

• "Mayor Hobart provided an update regarding the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (" CVAG") Executive Committee meeting held on June 1, 2015.
• "Mayor Hobart stated that he will continue to provide CV Link updates to the City Council and assured residents that Rancho Mirage will not sign -off on any route or funding proposals that are not acceptable to the City.
• "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."

COMMMENTARY

3 September 2015

The City Council met in regular session.

• "8. CV Link Update.
• "Mayor Pro Tem Weill commented that it would be  inappropriate to start construction at this point. This appears to be an attempt to demonstration that the project is far along and, therefore, should move forward. 
• "Mayor Hobart stated that the  position of Rancho Mirage remains that nothing should be built until the final 0&M cost for the next 100 years is known. 
• "Public Comment - None."
  

COMMMENTARY

15 October 2015

The City Council met in regular session.

• "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
3. 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:
4. "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;
5. "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
6. "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.

• "Mayor Hobart noted slight language modifications made to the proposed ordinance and resolutions following agenda distribution.
• "Mayor Hobart suggested revising the list of prohibited streets included in Items A and B by striking Ramon Road and adding Magnesia Falls Drive and Joshua Road.
• "A discussion ensued regarding the use of Ramon Road.
• "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."
  

COMMMENTARY

Charles Townsend

Official Biography

Charles Townsend Vinci was elected to the Rancho Mirage City Council in 2014.  He has been the proprietor of the Charles Townsend Collection in Rancho Mirage since 1996; a company he started 30 years ago in Pasadena, California.  Charles has served on the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 12 years, rising to Vice Chair in 2011 and elected Chairman in 2012.  In 2013, he was appointed interim President/CEO Chairman of the Board of the Chamber and served until his election to the City Council.   In 2014, Charles was voted Citizen and Business Man of the Year by Rancho Mirage Chamber members.

Councilmember Townsend serves on the Board of Directors of the Mission Pointe Home Owners Association: he was elected Vice Chairman of the HOA in 2012.   In 2013, he was Appointed to the City’s Emergency Preparedness Commission.  He is a member of the College of the Desert Circle, and funded the Moller/Vinci scholarship endowment at the College of the Desert.  He was a founding member of the Desert Aids Project.  He also supports the AARP Foundation, the Eisenhower Associates Annual Fund, the McCallum Theatre Foundation, the Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre, the Children’s Discovery Museum, the Stroke Recovery Center and Equality California.

Charles enjoyed a distinguished three decade career as an advertising executive with Southern California newspapers culminating in 1996 after 22 years with the Los Angeles Times.  Charles served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1964.

Charles Townsend was Councilmember Gordon Moller’s domestic partner for 42 years until Gordon’s passing in 2012.  Charles and Gordon were married in Vancouver, Canada in 2002.

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
• "Councilmember Townsend expressed his appreciation for Mayor Hobart' s dedication to this City and leadership role in this matter.
• "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."
  

COMMMENTARY

15 October 2015

The City Council met in regular session.

• "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
3. 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:
4. "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;
5. "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
6. "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.

• "Mayor Hobart noted slight language modifications made to the proposed ordinance and resolutions following agenda distribution.
• "A discussion ensued regarding the use of Ramon Road.
• "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."
  

COMMMENTARY

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.