[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6557172,"mediaKeyId","3311265-868de95efa85379d53c0b704ce86abd3","parentId",3311265,"title","Cathedral City council adopts biennial budget, extends engineering contracts and approves Measure W spending for a fourth ambulance","audioSeconds",1508,"startMs",1852000,"endMs",3360000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3311265-868de95efa85379d53c0b704ce86abd3&start=1852&end=3360","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3311265-868de95efa85379d53c0b704ce86abd3/thumbnail_1852000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6557172/Cathedral-City/Riverside-County/California/Cathedral-City-council-adopts-biennial-budget-extends-engineering-contracts-and-approves-Measure-W-spending-for-a-fourth-ambulance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557172-8dd49c7b3efb90e0fd023cfd024109e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188380&Signature=f8R~5ane7wQhu~r~5WEo-veQoBhPSA78d0X5G1Dqp79Lq4k9r95UyEwEbmkfNP-3kndTyAVGdI9p~gebGPThec0p4exT53SfjYqFIj9PegYySbEllfikNaNd-Yw45bvQ0CC8t7Cmv1S4YHb-SNyRfi3zA4JWOhJbcZSm6YTs8so9KgsdpStP2E41NsZAXsp6enAFWfjBigIXeq8ow-cudOaoVMn~nCYKdBU-jRUiQIF-bZTosY6Tfusn1EVhb-dYayMQB7kkNypC5JO4XjsK7prFWN0QmSeDyQ4HEsKB4LZ2vwUCwgAcQUKK0EH8sdK1SgVw~axOv1Jd-IkzyvV2Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cathedral, CA","date","2025-05-14T21:04:44Z","article","The Cathedral City City Council voted unanimously on May 14 to adopt the city's proposed biannual budget for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 and approved a set of related operational and capital items, including multiple professional service agreements for on-call engineering support and the allocation of Measure W funds to outfit a fourth paramedic unit.

Key approvals included:
- Award of multiple on-call engineering professional service agreements covering city-funded projects, state and federal projects, construction engineering and NPDES (stormwater) consulting; staff recommended a multi-firm roster to maintain project flexibility and comply with state and federal grant requirements. The council approved contracts for firms ranked by staff and set not-to-exceed amounts in the agreements.

- Authorization of Measure W funding to equip a fourth ambulance (a 60/2 deploy medic unit) and to cover early May/June recreation costs associated with the Desert Recreation District (DRD) and swim program operations. Staff said the fourth ambulance accessory/outfitting quotes total about $160,000 and earlier approvals for the vehicle itself and limited early hiring had been incorporated into the Measure W plan. The city projected Measure W receipts of up to $1.25 million to accrue in the current fiscal year; staff said any unused Measure W receipts would be set aside for future priorities such as a community center.

- Renewal and adoption of the annual Lighting and Landscape District (LLD) budget for fiscal year 2025-26, a routine engineers' report-backed levy procedure under the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972 that sets assessments for benefit zones and funds maintenance and operations. Staff reported no zones are in deficit this year and that two park zones would see a reduction in levy because park maintenance will be provided by the Desert Recreation District.

- An annual update to the city's investment policy, including authorization to consider a California Asset Management Program (CAMP) account as an investment vehicle beginning in the next fiscal year, and modest changes to per-issuer limits for certain short-term instruments. City Treasurer Greg Jackson participated in the presentation.

- Adoption of the proposed biennial budget itself, which staff presented as a structurally cautious plan that uses some one-time fund-balance resources for facility and equipment projects while preserving a multi-month fund balance. Staff forecast a general fund balance target near the city's policy minimum if one-time expenditures are carried, and pledged regular monitoring and periodic updates to council if revenue trends change.

All motions passed on roll-call votes with Councilmembers Rita Lam, Ernesto Gutierrez, Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and Mayor Nancy Ross voting \"yes\"; Councilmember Mark Carnivale was absent for roll call and had been excused.

Councilmembers and staff emphasized that several of the budgeted items are one-time uses of fund balance and may be reconsidered if revenue trends change. City staff said they will return with updates and task-order approvals to council when project-level expenditures exceed public-works purchasing thresholds.

The meeting included no ordinance adoptions associated with these votes; votes approved contract awards, budget resolutions and spending authorizations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - Regular Meeting - May 14, 2025 5:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved the proposed biannual budget for fiscal years 2025-27, awarded multiple on-call engineering contracts, and authorized Measure W funds to equip a fourth paramedic unit and support early recreation services; all motions passed by roll-call vote.","taxTitle","Cathedral City, Riverside County, California","taxId",5539,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6557177,"Residents press council on resort odor, neighborhood service gaps and allegations about a councilmember",153,1503000,1656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3311265-868de95efa85379d53c0b704ce86abd3&start=1503&end=1656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3311265-868de95efa85379d53c0b704ce86abd3/thumbnail_1503000.jpg","/articles/6557177/Cathedral-City/Riverside-County/California/Residents-press-council-on-resort-odor-neighborhood-service-gaps-and-allegations-about-a-councilmember","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557177-57fbb3186b5b64b1bfe2051a217d79a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188380&Signature=RRP3ykcBABXc~n4-h8lGlzwomZIsDq0wn6rjf0RJCwDL9YJkknzVvYogLHGJspyXq~CPyChTBL7yykdsLlvtfcQiXgK-s-506pdCa4HTOVQKrTqPFML380~s39JEdiKQwqI3p0-f2XquKM4~8ATy1X48R00V02mLi~Ve93oObXx7JxO6e-Bcbt19Dy~tKRqOo5LVmoKK5e65WLjJGdGSDPVoIUCYWyWKplE6qWk99lGFoBduK3DzQM1ZELsq1xXBGIs4-LkSkae0puMAJIaoZbEYGSM5-oubbvk2sUJSBumDdMCyxnnG4yBCXq4ANQyp2GzioiS4HXeZu-EcAfdA8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents used public comment at the Cathedral City council meeting on May 14 to press the council on a mix of neighborhood concerns and allegations about elected officials.

A speaker identified as a neighbor near the resort on Ramon Road said most seasonal visitors had left but \"the odor is still there,\" and urged the council to keep the moratorium and continue measurements the city previously used. The speaker asked the council to \"continue to do this and have the moratorium in place until you do take steps forward to eliminate any of the odor.\" (Public comment segment.)

Several speakers from Verano and Rio Vista Village said residents pay the same property taxes as others in Cathedral City but receive fewer services. Eric Segal (announced as Eric Segal, self-identified as a Verano resident) said streets in Verano are technically owned by the city though a 1997 developer agreement placed maintenance responsibilities on the homeowners association. Segal said that arrangement leaves residents paying for landscaping and parks the city owns and asked the council to address what he called an equity issue.

Other speakers raised allegations about Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez's conduct. Alan Carvallo accused Gutierrez of multiple improprieties including statements about repaving an alley costing the city $124,000 and questions about whether city resources were used to research a political opponent. Carvallo asked whether the council would hold officials accountable and suggested firing the city attorney in connection with litigation and a $30,000 fine referenced by the speaker. Terry Applegate also urged an investigation related to reporting about a demoted police sergeant and asked whether councilmembers would face consequences.

Speakers also asked the council to ensure that evidence in alleged hate-crime incidents be transmitted to the district attorney's office. One speaker described a reported incident and asked the mayor to make sure videos and reports were forwarded to prosecutors for possible action.

Council members did not take immediate formal action in response to the allegations during the public-comment period, though the mayor later announced that staff and counsel had briefed closed-session items on anticipated and existing litigation; the closed-session report at the end of the meeting said counsel gave direction and \"there's no other reportable action.\" The council did not vote on any of the specific requests mentioned during public comment.","Several residents used public comment to raise odor complaints near a resort, dispute responsibility for public-street maintenance in Verano, and allege misconduct by a councilmember; speakers asked for further investigation and enforcement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6557181,"Cathedral City honored for risk management; city unveils new cadet class and earns regional transportation mention",1102,273000,1375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3311265-868de95efa85379d53c0b704ce86abd3&start=273&end=1375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3311265-868de95efa85379d53c0b704ce86abd3/thumbnail_273000.jpg","/articles/6557181/Cathedral-City/Riverside-County/California/Cathedral-City-honored-for-risk-management-city-unveils-new-cadet-class-and-earns-regional-transportation-mention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557181-f9ea4fb8492483e66d71bc33c0ec6bf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188380&Signature=nRRQgD5QHsX0HY2APyfar6ZuscJcWOby~NzFaXfDUJnZBj7coXjCRORkEr7sWR~KGFGRVAcu7-rccrWYgRCvcDermmeow~kccg-cpdG96sSBS3Y8wjjpNeK3GPnOhpaXMPCakbpY6GgpN6SAnMgStz2dJzHkKI8RVonwVN9wOE9tQEg8OnOW7xIMFwpak85tFx8CRkFXWTGNd8AwnBewS6b-Axj~IOnzuZcKZ5w2LevQyGi8e6hyjbgOay~a90gmi8I2-vdRv~WifLjt--0GtMMG4-VMrQvKNt27Ej6ecJjhW-6YqBI6O~eCkSvSYKWba~GlYLz~ip6pZjCau00dBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cathedral City officials accepted an outstanding achievement award from the Public Entity Risk Management Authority (PERMA) on May 14, recognizing the city's work to reduce its cost of risk through stronger contractual insurance requirements and staff training.

The award presentation came as the council also recognized a new cohort of 10 fire cadets and a donation to the cadet program, and as staff accepted an honorable mention from the Southern California Association of Governments for the downtown active-transportation \"Cathedral City connectors\" project.

City risk management analyst Gabrielle Amita said Cathedral City joined the PERMA pool for liability and workers-compensation coverage and has used PERMA training to move the city toward a more proactive risk-management approach. PERMA Executive Director Beth Lyons told the council the award acknowledges agencies that demonstrate \"an ongoing and proactive commitment to risk control and risk management,\" and singled out the city's use of insurance requirements in its encroachment-permit process as an example of contractual risk transfer that limited exposure to pool members.

Fire Chief Michael Contreras introduced the department's newly launched cadet program, saying the six-month recruitment resulted in 10 local students joining the program. The cadets described early training and ride-along experiences as exposing them to life-skills and career paths in public safety. Contreras and other staff noted post advisors and school staff played a key role getting the program started.

Andrew Lee, assistant engineer, announced Cathedral City received an honorable mention from SCAG in the Active, Healthy, and Safe category for its Active Transportation Program Cycle 5 downtown connectors project. Lee said the project delivered \"more than 3.5 miles of bike lanes, 1.5 miles of sidewalks and multi-use trail, and a high-intensity activated crosswalk,\" and credited the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, Riverside Transportation Commission, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, residents and stakeholders for their partnership.

Scott Robinson, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City, used the public-comment portion of the meeting to update the council on the club's membership and summer program figures and to thank city sponsors and volunteers.

City officials said the award presentations, the cadet announcement and the regional recognition illustrate several of the administration's stated priorities: improving public safety training pipelines, investing in active-transportation infrastructure, and strengthening municipal risk-management practices.

The council did not take formal action on the presentations; no votes were required.","City staff accepted a PERMA award for reducing liability costs, the fire department introduced a 10-member cadet program supported by a local foundation donation, and the city received a SCAG honorable mention for its downtown active-transportation projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cathedral City council adopts biennial budget, extends engineering contracts and approves Measure W spending for a fourth ambulance

Residents press council on resort odor, neighborhood service gaps and allegations about a councilmember

Cathedral City honored for risk management; city unveils new cadet class and earns regional transportation mention