San Bernardino County Children’s Network

Beginning Thursday January 12th, 2012, in collaboration with First 5 San Bernardino, San Bernardino County Children and Family Services, and Children’s Fund, the Children’s Network of San Bernardino County will be hosting The Lisa Project, a fully interactive multistory experience that will take you beyond the headlines and statistics about child abuse. This audio tour and media exhibit will take you on a journey through the lives of children plagued by abuse.

At no other time has anyone had the chance to understand the plight of these children and to experience it through their eyes, their ears and their emotions. The Lisa Project promises to raise awareness through education as you “take a child by the hand” and listen to their story. Everything you thought you knew about child abuse is about to change.

The Lisa Project will be open every Thursday through Sunday in January, February and March in three separate locations throughout San Bernardino County. This unique and powerful exhibit about child abuse prevention will be on display at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (Colton) in January, The Mall of Victor Valley (Victorville) in February, and Victoria Gardens (Rancho Cucamonga) in March 2012. Exhibit entry is free to the public with a suggested parental rating of PG-13: operating hours will vary at each location. Advanced reservations for group tours are available on other days. Please visit www.thelisaproject.org for more information, times, and volunteer opportunities.

California Republican Rep. Jerry Lewis will retire in 2012 rather than seek an 18th term.

“After months of consultation with loved ones and family, my wife Arlene and I have decided to retire from public life,” Lewis said in a statement released Thursday. “We are deeply grateful to so many who have provided their support over the years.”

Read the whole article…

Desert Hot Springs, California (January 12, 2012) – The Planning Commission for the City of Desert Hot Springs, California unanimously approved all land use entitlements for the Aloha Solar Energy project at the Commission’s meeting of January 10, 2012.

The Aloha Solar Energy Project will include two (2) projects that will generate a combined 2.94 MW of solar energy under the California Renewable Energy Small Tariff Program (CREST Program). The CREST Program was designed by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in concert with major investor owned utilities to allow for smaller power
producers to be competitive in the process of providing needed renewable energy within the State of California.

The project will cover approximately 14.4 acres and has a total project cost of about $10 Million. The project developer indicated that it will take a team of about 20 people six (6) months to construct the project and will add another couple of permanent jobs to maintain the facility.

In deliberating the project, Planning Commissioner Steve Sobotta stated, “…This project creates new local jobs, provides new revenue, is privately funded, no noise, no emissions, no impacts on schools, water or sewer facilities, and with changes we made tonight all impacts are mitigated. Bring us more of these.”

City of Desert Hot Springs Mayor Yvonne Parks goes further, “Our community set out four years ago to become a vibrant, diversified economic engine. We are actively seeking investments in renewable energy, industrial, retail and entertainment development. Our community welcomes Aloha Energy and their investment in the City of Desert Hot Springs.”

The City of Desert Hot Springs is nestled against the hills just north of Palm Springs, California. The community boasts over 27,000 residents who enjoy unmatched desert views, world class health spas and healthy breezes. It was named as the State of California’s Fastest Growing City in 2010 and has been recognized by the California Association for Local Economic Development for its Economic Development Strategic Plan and commitment to economic growth.

Desert Hot Springs Web site

City Manager Report January 6, 2012
City Manager’s Office: Rick Daniels /City Manager of Desert Hot Springs
City Manager  Attended the following meetings/events:
o Met with Desert Healthcare District representatives regarding the Community Health & Wellness Center and the medical clinic location in light of the RDA decision.
o Provided testimony at a South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Public Hearing regarding CPV Mitigation Funding.
• Council Goals – Prepared material for the January 7th Council Goal Setting Session.
• Community Health & Wellness Center –
o Masonry work is completed until construction begins on revised portion of project.
o Framing has begun and trusses have been loaded at the Teen Center.
o Framing and rough electrical has begun at the kitchen area.
o Electrical wiring is being pulled in the Activity Center and Teen Center area.
o Roof decking is being installed at the Activity Center and Teen Center.
o Electrical floor boxes have been installed in the Activity Center.
o Pool excavation has begun.
o HVAC and mechanical rough installation have begun.
o Construction progress is shown in the photos below:

City Clerk
• Council Goals – Prepared for the January 7th City Council Goal Setting Session.
Administrative Services Department
Finance
• Purchasing Policy – Conducted a review of all purchase orders and contracts issued during calendar year 2011. Of the nearly $19M spent by the City and the RDA only 7 were spent beyond authorization. Total expenditures over the authorized amounts totaled $181.81, the largest one was $92.82. Contract compliance will be reported on a monthly basis going forward.

The following 21 new Business Licenses were issued for the month of December 2011:
1) JAS Pacific (201 N. Euclid Ave., Upland, CA 91786)
2) Hispano Services of DHS (13313 Palm Dr. #D, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240)
3) Cal Stripe Inc. (2040 Steel Rd., Colton, CA 92324)
4) Prostaff (34635 Via Majorca, Murrieta, CA 92562)
5) The Reading Center (41448 Ave. Conchita, Murrieta, CA 92562)
6) Bruce D. Swauger DBA: C.P.R. Plumbing (68885 Lozano Court, Cathedral City, CA 92234 )
7) Gattuso Pool Corp. (667 Eugene Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92264)
8) Ace Asphalt of Az. Inc. (3030 S. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85040)
9) Bendtsen Electric (295 E. San Rafael Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262)
10) Robert H. Ortega DBA: RHO Jr. Electric (84383 Margarita Ave., Coachella, CA
92236)
11) Robert Half Int’l, Inc. (2613 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, CA 94583)
12) Cockrell Electric, Inc. (590 S. Oleander Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92264)
13) Dave Roofing and Construction (6402 Sunburst, Joshua Tree, CA 92252)
14) Abdul Slam Yunus (5202 Daleview Ave., Temple City, CA 91780)
15) Statewide Plumbing (40244 Catania Ct., Indio, CA 92203)
16) Lavern Beth Labree (455 E. Laurel Cir., Palm Springs, CA 92262)
17) Hot Purple Energy (870 Research Dr. #6, Palm Springs, CA 92262)
18) Progressive Design Playgrounds (2458 S. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA 92084)
19) Easy Solar Corp. DBA: Potere (69930 Hwy. 111 Ste. 100, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270)
20) Advanced Electronics, Inc. (2601 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90278)
21) Fabulous Finds (12527 Palm Dr., Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240)

Economic Development Department Engineering
• Village at Mission Lakes – Awaiting final improvement plans from Amir Engineering.
• Safe Route 2 Schools Federal Cycle 3 – Awaiting Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to approve programming the funds in Amendment 18.
• 8th Street Improvements – Work is progressing without incidents.
• South Coast Air Quality Management District Hearing – Staff is preparing to respond to the upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) in February.
• Essential III Engineering Design RFP – Received five (5) proposals for project design. Interviewed the top three (3) and deemed Omnis most qualified to do the work. Negotiated a fee of $94,500. Item will be scheduled for Council award.
Public Works – Operations & Maintenance
• Repaired bay door at the Skyborne Fire Station.
• Removed and stored the Holiday Tree.
• Delivered in-field dirt to high school baseball fields.
• Continued weed abatement near and around stop signs (City-wide).
• Replaced a 35 MPH sign/pole on Mt. View that was damaged in an auto accident
• Replaced a stop sign on Via Real and Pierson Blvd.
• Filled potholes along Mt. View, Mesquite and Cactus.
• Removed trash that was dumped along Indian Ave. and Mission Lakes Blvd.
• Addressed electrical issues at Cabot’s Pueblo Museum.
• Prepared the Carl May Center for the Council Goal Setting Session.
• Completed work orders for City Hall.
Public Safety Administration
• Participated in the following meetings/events:
o Riverside Grand Jury to discuss AB109 (Parole Realignment)
o Eastern Riverside County Interoperable Communications Authority (ERICA)
o Ministerial Association
• Officer Michael Placencia was sworn-in and took his oath on January 3rd.
• Recorded the monthly 30-minute Police Dept. cable TV show.
Patrol
• Handled 641 incidents (calls for service/officer generated activities), including 21 misdemeanor arrests, 14 felony arrests, 90 traffic stops with 23 citations and 85 patrol checks (includes City parks and businesses).
Code Enforcement
• Combined efforts with Police Officers resulted in the eviction of all tenants (attributed with chronic crime and graffiti) from an apartment building in the 66100 block of 1st Street.
• Code Enforcement, Building & Safety, Fire and County Health met with the new owner of the former Sanctuary Spa regarding significant fire and health/safety concerns. The owner is in the process of resolving these issues prior to opening.
• Responded to multiple sewage and septic violations in the Quinta and Inaja areas. Efforts to track down all responsible parties were successful and repairs were accomplished within 24 hours, without having to displace the many tenants affected.
• Made use of our new Cal Recycle certification by having 30 tires removed from Indian Canyon, just north of the I-10 Freeway. This and any subsequent removals are applied to the 50% recycling diversion required for each City by AB939.