By Staff
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA- The total weekly Development Department cash receipts were $8,070.00, of which $2,867.00 consisted of Business License fees, including renewals.
Twelve abandoned residential properties were registered (including renewals), totaling 995, with total fees collected of $59,700.00 out of 1039 listed.
Nine new business licenses were issued.
After LAFCO approved a proposal for the city of Desert Hot Springs to annex 4,000 acres adjacent to the I-10 freeway, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments is working with Riverside County regarding the transfer of take to the city and how the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission would track the transfer in order to satisfy the US Fish and Wildlife department.
The consultant has completed the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Vortex Specific Plan, which will appear on the February 16th City Council agenda. It was approved by the Planning Commission on January 26th.
Public Works Division staff performed flood control, clean up and storm preparations all week. They also repaired roof leaks at the Senior Center and the Police Department. Plus, they provided sandbags to residents in an effort to prevent flooding of homes. Damages were documented in report for Emergency Operations to submit to California Emergency Operations and FEMA for reimbursement.
City staff is working with the Police Department to finalize the Community Camera Project by mid-February as well as the Red Light Photo Enforcement Cameras. The department is actively recruiting for police officers and so far has interviewed three applicants.
Police responded to 928 incidents, including 13 misdemeanor arrests, 13 felony arrests, 91 traffic stops with 30 citations, 47 parking citations and 166 patrol checks.
Code enforcement did not collect any citation fines, but issued $900.00 in administrative citations and $11,000.00 in foreclosure citations. Plus issued demands for payment in the amount of $8,835.60.
The Walgreens store at the corner of Two Bunch Palms and Palm Drive has finally agreed to comply with the required cart containment system. According to Store Manager John Mullins, the system should be operational within 30 days.
41 properties were cleaned up from graffiti vandalism during the past week.
The City was being sued by a property owner for Code Enforcement activity. However, the city’s issuance of the citation was upheld by the Riverside County Superior Court.