City Manager Charles McClendon provided an update on emergency actions related to Tropical Storm Hilary. The following points were presented:
Emergency Declaration Update
Actions by Governor Newsom
Actions by bipartisan delegation of California Leaders Declaration Advocacy Groups
Ongoing City Efforts
Historical FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps(FIRMS) for the Area Sewer Providers
Regional Stormwater
North Cathedral City Regional Stormwater Project by CVWD Rick Saldivar, thanked Councilmember Gregory for advocating for the waiver of permit fees and echoed his moment of reflection. He urged the Council to waive the permit fees for the residents on Horizon Road.
Jerry Meza, Cathedral City resident, stated that he is here to show support to the residents that were affected by Tropical Storm Hilary. He expressed his gratitude for the dialog between the City and the residents and hopes that it will continue. He expressed his concern with security and lighting issues on Horizon Road and requested more nightly patrols from the Police Department.
Beatriz Toledo, Cathedral City resident, expressed her concern related to Horizon Road and feels their street has been forgotten. She inquired about infrastructure, soil testing, and donations raised by the Air Museum. She questioned why Councilmember Gutierrez is the only one showing up, and feels the leadership should be facing the disaster with the residents.
Dawn Figuera, Cathedral City resident, thanked Councilmember Gregory and Councilmember Gutierrez for their advocacy of waiving permit fees. She expressed her concern with infrastructure and the bid process for the removal of the dirt from Tropical Storm Hilary.
Rick Ravenello, Cathedral City resident, expressed his concern with the infrastructure of the City and how it affected Horizon Road during Tropical Storm Hilary. He feels this issue needs to be addressed. He asked the Council to look out for their constituents and move forward together.
Margaret Gutierrez, Thousand Palms resident, expressed her concern with the City's response and communication related to Tropical Storm Hilary. She feels the residents have been neglected.
Andrew Velasquez, Cathedral City resident, explained that those who lived through Tropical Storm Hilary are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He stated that he lost his car and has now been given a 90 day notice to move by his landlord.
He questioned if the City is going to test the dirt in the affected areas due to Tropical Storm Hilary to see if it is toxic. He recommends the City install more street lights, speed humps and do more policing on Horizon Road.
Bas Har Thad (John), Cathedral City resident, feels the City should have acted sooner with regard to Tropical Storm Hilary. He stated that the future is very important and we need to understand how to prevent this from happening again. He feels we should support each other.
Terry Applegate, requested that the City hold meetings to discuss what worked and did not work in regard to Tropical Storm Hilary. She feels that we need to think about how to get prepared in the future. She also feels it is time to activate C.E.R.T. training. She discussed a home made air filtration system she made, which has helped with the dirt issue. She requested clarification regarding fee waivers and who would receive them.
It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to agendize a future agenda item to consider a fee wavier for the reconstruction of properties damaged by Tropical Storm Hilary.
This item was for information and discussion only, there was no formal action taken by the City Council.