Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 2.A
Meeting Date: November 12, 2025
From: John A. Corella, Director of Public Works
Title: City Maintenance and Non-City Funded Projects Presentation RECOMMENDATION:
The City Maintenance and Non-City Funded Projects Presentation is presented for information, discussion and direction only.
BACKGROUND:
Public Works Program Updates:
A. Landscaping & Lighting District (LLD), Median, Parkway and Basin Renovation Program.
B. Coachella Valley Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project (CV Sync) A. LLDs, Median, Parkway and Basin Renovation Program.
In 2001, following the dissolution of the Cathedral City Community Services District, the City established multiple LLDs to help offset the costs of maintaining and beautifying public landscapes that benefit specific neighborhoods and properties.
Over the past two decades, the city has faced significant fiscal constraints that impacted landscape maintenance operations:
2001: Creation of LLDs to offset after failed city-wide vote for the Community Services District.
2009–2010: Economic downturn led to revenue declines and declaration of fiscal emergency.
2011–2012: Dissolution of Redevelopment Agencies eliminated a significant funding source.
2013: Reduction of staff positions, impacting Public Works Department, specifically the Maintenance Division.
Despite these challenges, the Public Works Maintenance Division continued maintaining ten (10) LLDs, citywide medians, parkways, and retention basins. However, reduced staffing and funding delayed renovations as the City’s landscape infrastructure continued to age.
By 2014, much of the plant material, irrigation systems, and perimeter improvements within the LLDs were showing significant deterioration due to:
Blow sand accumulation damaging plants and irrigation lines. Rising water costs, particularly in turf areas.
Structural wear to perimeter walls and hardscape.
To address these issues, the City established long-term renovation strategies designed to modernize landscape systems, improve water efficiency, and lower maintenance costs while sustaining community appearance standards.
Program Goals:
Transition to true desert landscaping to reduce water and maintenance needs. Support AB 939 waste reduction and environmental sustainability objectives. Beautifying community entrances and major corridors consistent with City Council strategic objectives.
Build LLD reserves for long-term self-sufficiency.
Reduce ongoing maintenance costs while preserving visual appeal.
B. Coachella Valley Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project (CV Sync) The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) continues to advance its regional Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) initiative through the Coachella Valley Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project (CV Sync). Guided by the CV Sync Master Plan approved by the CVAG Executive Committee in 2018, the project establishes a valley wide ITS network designed to enhance traffic operations, safety, and communication across participating cities.
As part of the master plan, Changeable Message Signs (CMS) were identified as key ITS components to provide real-time information to motorists regarding regional and local traffic conditions, including congestion, events, flooding, and windblown sand. The locations of these CMS boards were included in the project’s construction documents (Plans, Specifications, and Estimate).
DISCUSSION:
A. LLD and Median, Parkway and Basin Renovation Program Program Overview
Beginning in 2016, the Public Works Department performed a comprehensive assessment of all LLDs, medians, parkways and basins. Projects were prioritized and completed in phases based on available funding, material costs, and staffing levels.
Since that time, the following achievements have been realized:
Conversion from turf to desert landscaping utilizing CVWD rebates and City Environmental Funds (LLD Alicante, Landau Homes, and Landau Manor). Significant reduction in irrigation and water consumption, resulting in noticeably lower water bills.
Installation of native, drought-tolerant plants and decorative rock. Strategic shade tree planting and overall aesthetic enhancement. All ten (10) LLDs are now covering the cost of general maintenance, with seven (7) maintaining positive fund balances and building reserves. Staff continue to work with the three (3) remaining districts to strengthen reserve capacity. Complete irrigation system mapping for improved maintenance efficiency.
Staffing and Efficiency
Public Works Maintenance continues to balance contractor support with in-house crews.
With the Desert Recreation District now maintaining City parks, additional City manpower has been redirected to assist with street improvement projects such as asphalt grinding and water renovation projects.
Having Public Works Maintenance crews participate in water renovation projects provides cost savings, hands-on experience for new hires, and valuable cross-training opportunities.
Recently Completed Renovation Projects (2024–2025)
Project Name Location and Project details Amount Spent
Shifting Sands Trial Adjacent to Dinah Shore Drive
Bridge: new desert landscaping
along entire slope.
$77,000
(city council
approved $99,500)
Patriot Park Perimeter Dinah Shore Drive from high school property line to Date Palm Drive
corner.
FY 2025: $21,600
Patriot Park Perimeter Corner monument on Date Palm
Drive to Library (outlet/basin)
property line.
FY 2026: $23,000
Date Palm Drive Medians 3 total: in front of Post Office and Patriot Park.
$15,000
Cypress Basin Perimeter Install shade trees along walking path and add more decorative rock
$20,360
Ramon Road Median From Landau Blvd. to Whispering
Palms Trail: add large angular rock
around new fence.
$10,500
Cimarron LLD 20 30th and Santoro: add decorative
rock, remove plants and irrigation
damaging walls, repair walls, install
new plants and trees along sidewalk.
$21,000
Landau Homes Remove and replace dead plants,
add more decorative rock and refresh
decompose granite (DG).
$22,507.57
Landau Manor Remove and replace dead plants add
more decorative rock and refresh
DG.
$21,332.67
Landau Homes and Landau Manor Improvement Summary
Background:
Landau Homes and Landau Manor were among the earliest LLDs identified for significant renovation under the 2016 Waterwise Landscape Enhancement Program.
Projects Completed Since 2016:
Removal of approximately 40,000 square feet of turf.
Installation of new irrigation systems.
Drought-tolerant plantings and decorative rock.
Planting shade trees.
Perimeter wall repairs and repainting.
Setbacks:
In February 2019, the Valentine’s Day storm caused significant erosion and washout of DG along the perimeter slopes, delaying project completion and requiring extensive restoration efforts. Recovery and landscape reconstruction took approximately three years to fully complete.
2023–2025 Improvements:
Ongoing efforts include adding additional plant material and trees, expanding decorative rock along the perimeter.
2025–2026 Planned Improvements:
Installation of four (4) community entrance monuments, two for Landau Manor and two for Landau Homes and new lighting along the perimeter to improve safety and nighttime visibility.
Budget:
Landau Manor: $9,440.80 for two entrance monuments
Landau Homes: $9,440.80 for two entrance monuments
Landau Manor: $5,136.20 for perimeter lighting
Landau Homes: $5,978.70 for perimeter lighting
2026–2027 Future Considerations:
Evaluate the DG condition and consider replacing it with colored gravel, similar to the landscape upgrades completed by Desert Princess on Landau Blvd. Gravel has proven to be more durable and longer lasting than DG, reducing long-term maintenance needs.
Future Projects (As Funding and Staffing Allow)
Staff annually reviews remaining funds for all landscape-related areas including the LLDs, medians, parkways, and retention basins to identify opportunities to complete additional renovation maintenance projects within the fiscal year. Toward the end of the budget cycle, staff will assess available balances to determine whether remaining funds can be leveraged to complete additional projects identified in the department’s renovation maintenance project list. This proactive budget review process allows the city to maximize resources and advance priority improvements as funding and staffing allow.
Attached to this staff report, the Renovation Schedule Log provides a comprehensive summary of projects completed from 2016 through 2025 as well as those identified for future completion. The log includes all LLD, median, parkway, and retention basin projects to provide a full picture of ongoing and planned landscape renovation efforts citywide.
Planned Future Projects:
This is not a comprehensive list of all pending maintenance projects. The items below represent current priority projects; however, priorities may shift based on funding availability, staffing levels, or site conditions.
Location Planned Work
LLD La Paloma (30th Ave & DaVall Drive) Tree relocation/replacement, wall patching, decorative rock replenishment
LLD Century Park Perimeter (30th Ave) Wall repairs, plant replacement, and rock enhancement
Cypress Retention Basin Gate replacement and drainage outlet upgrade
Date Palm Medians (Vista Chino to
McCallum Way)
Soil evaluation, irrigation repairs, DG/rock
refresh
Sungate Parkway Installation of boulders and colored gravel for low-maintenance landscaping
B. CV Sync – Changeable Message Signs (CMS) Implementation Approved by CVAG’s Transportation Committee and Executive Committee in February 2021, Phase I improvements included the East Palm Canyon Drive and Ramon Road corridors.
Approved by the Transportation Committee in November 2022 and the Executive Committee in December 2022, Phase II expanded the program to include Date Palm Drive, Dinah Shore Drive, Vista Chino, and the intersection of Varner Road and Bob Hope Drive.
Within Cathedral City’s Phase !, one (1) CMS board was constructed along East Palm Canyon Drive, west of Canyon Plaza, serving eastbound traffic. Phase II includes two (2) additional CMS boards, one west of Carmela Drive for westbound traffic entering Palm Springs, and another near Date Palm Drive and Adelina Road for southbound traffic. Once operational, CVAG’s Regional Traffic Management Center will monitor and control the CMS boards to provide real-time regional and local travel information. The CMS boards are anticipated to become active when Phase II is placed complete in the first quarter of 2026.
City staff would like to note that the CV Sync Project is fully funded, managed, and maintained by CVAG to include the construction, installation, and operation of the Changeable Message Signs.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITMENT
The Public Works Department remains committed to:
Maintaining transparency through annual City Council updates on LLD, median, and parkway improvements.
Collaborating with regional partners such as CVAG to enhance transportation safety and communication.
Prioritizing sustainability, water conservation, and cost efficiency. Leveraging both partnerships and internal resources to maximize value for Cathedral City residents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Renovation Schedule Log