[Type here]
GOAL A - SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH PRIDE AND DEDICATION
Dept Task Status- COMPLETED
CMO/HR We have evaluated key vendors' partnerships to maximize built-in resources
CPS Partnership Implementation:
Successfully launched interview question bank with Department Heads Standardized interview process across departments
Reduced staff time spent on question development
Maintaining quality control through HR oversight
Vendor Resource Assessment | Current vendor evaluation status:
Lincoln (EAP): Reviewing expanded service options
PERMA (Risk): Analyzing available training resources
[Other Vendors]: Evaluating additional support tools
Next Steps:
Continue monitoring CPS interview question effectiveness.
Complete assessment of remaining vendor resources by mid-2025 Identify additional opportunities for resource optimization Schedule vendor meetings to explore untapped services
HR/PW/
CMO
Study the need to reallocate staff resources including the use of contracts.
Completed
CMO/HR Human Resource Staffing We have completed the following milestones in our staffing resources study:
Partnered with GovInvest Salary Survey for comprehensive market analysis
Identified key positions requiring resource evaluation Identified comparable agencies
Analyzing current staffing patterns
CMO/
DEV
SVCS
ACM and Development Services are reviewing the need for possible contract planners to address the volume of work in light of staff vacancies and capacity.
Development Services/Planning contracted with multiple planning and environmental consulting firms for on-call services during a period of staff transition and vacancies. The Planning Division continues to contract with Terra Nova Planning and Research for planning and environmental consulting on large-scale
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL A - SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH PRIDE AND DEDICATION
projects and with MNS Engineers for environmental consulting. Both firms augment current staffing and enable the Division to meet its service commitments and turnaround times.
The Planning Division conducted an RFP for planning services for the upcoming zoning code rewrite, and a contract was awarded to Mintier Harnish. While many City staff will be involved in the rewrite, including Cynthia Shultz as the project manager, the rewriting would not be possible without the contract support.
FIRE/HR The Fire Department has successfully launched its Cadet program and initiated strategic expansion efforts. The department has broadened its outreach activities to encompass additional schools serving Cathedral City residents, enhancing the program's visibility and accessibility within the community. The completion of the first cadet meeting has achieved initial implementation milestones, demonstrating operational success Structured Fire Academy
Engineer academy and task book sign off
Battalion Chief and Fire Captain Academy
Currently active and advancing on schedule. The program has secured its first cohort of cadets and established foundational operations. Growth initiatives are underway, with plans for a second recruitment campaign in spring 2025, targeting an expanded capacity of 20 cadets. This planned expansion represents a concrete commitment to scaling the program's impact and creating more opportunities for youth interested in fire and emergency service careers.
Fire department has provided a two-week academy for all new firefighters. For existing firefighters with less than one year on fire department is providing ventilation, extrication, and fire basics.
For the engineer rank, fire department is providing an engineer academy, consisting of six sessions to provide an overview of the fire engineer rank with task book support to help personnel move into the actor position.
For captains and battalion chiefs, fire department is conducting a battalion, chief, and captain academy that will consist of six sessions that will review tactics and strategy of the position of fire captain, along with leadership, personal
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL A - SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH PRIDE AND DEDICATION
State
development, and mentoring.
The fire department applied for and received an AFG grant of $985,000 to send 24 of departments personnel to Specialty training that includes swift water, rescue, hazmat, technician, and technical rescue. This will not only broden personnel knowledge, skills and abilities, but it will also prepare them to better service the community.
IT Developed IT 311 SharePoint site for self-help information, IT instructions, and other information to help staff utilize the City's technology systems and tools.
IT 311 completed. IT will need to provide instructions that are part of the SharePoint training.
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Code officers are encouraged to obtain certification through CACEO to become Certified Code Enforcement Officers.
Sandra Martinez earned her CCEO status by completing the required.
DEV
SVCS
Encourage planners to join professional memberships, attend training and conferences, and continue their educational experience.
Complete. Ongoing
CMO/HR Establish a certification pathway for the Public Sector Employment Relations Certification Program (LCW certificate) with two tracks:
Current Supervisors: Provide direct access to LCW certification training to enhance leadership capabilities.
Non-Supervisors: Create an alternative route where employees can earn the LCW certificate and apply it as qualifying experience toward future supervisory positions.
Current Programs:
LCW Public Sector Employment Relations Certificate
-August 2024; roll out approved training courses for the 2024-2025 FY. 22 EE currently working towards the certificate
– First employee expected to be finished in March 2025
Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC) available to employees
HR Department Action Plan:
The Human Resources team will continuously evaluate relevant programs and training opportunities. All potential programs will be presented to the Executive Team for review and approval before implementation.
CMO/HR Focus Group Implementation. The initial new hire focus group has been successfully implemented with strong participation and engagement.
Phase 2:
Planned Expansion: (2025)
Survey employees for items employees would like to focus on improving
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL A - SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH PRIDE AND DEDICATION
Phase 1:
Maintaining existing new hire focus group
To discover, clarify, and record themes regarding employee perception of and reaction to hiring and retention.
awareness with core questions such as:
1. What company programs or benefits would you like to understand better?
2. Which workplace processes need more clarity?
3. What information is currently difficult to find or access?
4. Which resources would help you be more effective in your role? What topics should be included in ongoing awareness initiatives? CMO/HR Quarterly Meetings allow recognition and appreciation of employees for achievements, performance, innovation, and efficiencies.
Bi-annual recognition luncheon in honor of employees who reach milestones – 5.10.15.20.25.30.35… years of service.
Completed and Ongoing.
HR 2024 – Calendar of events in the works
Baseball Opening Grill N’ Chill Luncheon
Football Opening Pizza Day
Commissioner’s Appreciation Dinner
Cinco De Mayo Taco Fiesta Truck
Mother’s Day Paint & Lunch
Father’s Day Paint & Lunch
Employee Appreciation
Holiday Party
In 2024, the City's Events Committee and Communications & Events team, in collaboration with HR, successfully organized and executed a series of engaging employee events that fostered workplace community and connection. The well-attended activities received positive feedback from staff across departments, demonstrating their value in building organizational culture and boosting morale. Building on this success, the City plans to continue these popular initiatives in 2025 and beyond, while exploring new opportunities to further enhance employee engagement and strengthen our workplace community.
CMO Bi-annual updates to the City Council Provided City Council update on 8/23/23, 1/27/24 and 2/14/2024 and 8/14/2024 and 1/25/2025.
The Strategic Plan was included in the FY 2023/2024 & FY 2024/2025 Biennial Budget along with the individual Department Goals and Objectives. The Strategic Plan will be included in future biennial budgets.
CMO Community Satisfaction Survey. Completed and presented to the City Council at the 2-7-26 strategic planning workshop.
HR Implement structured exit interview process and tracking system to identify retention improvement opportunities
We have successfully implemented a structured exit interview process. All separated employees are automatically sent an exit interview questionnaire via AdobeSign to provide feedback on their employment experience, reasons for
COMPLETED ACTIONS
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL A - SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH PRIDE AND DEDICATION
departure, and suggestions for organizational improvement. This digital process ensures consistent data collection and secure documentation of responses.
This process includes a mechanism that allows us to analyze trends in departure reasons, identify departmental patterns, and monitor recurring issues that may impact retention.
Fire Awesome Award to Personnel - Ongoing Fire department gives awesome awards consisting of a certificate and a cool water bottle to fire department personnel who make community contributions and receive complements from the community.
All Staff Reports All staff reports identify strategic plan goals/objectives that tie to the agenda item - [Type here]
GOAL B - COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Dept Task Status- COMPLETED
PW The Electric Vehicle Transition Plan will be included as an Element within the Climate Action Plan. The city is working with CVAG and other Coachella Valley Cities during the
development process.
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), in partnership with the Western Riverside Council of Governments and the San Bernardino Council of Governments, is currently working on a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) for the region which is scheduled to be completed in November 2025. The CCAP will feature a dedicated chapter for each city within the Coachella Valley, covering topics such as Greenhouse Gas Inventory, reduction measures and a regional electric vehicle plan. Once the regional CCAP is completed in 2025, staff will begin updating the City’s 2013 local Climate Action Plan (adopted 2013) which will incorporate the regional CCAP and include a substantive Electric Vehicle Transition Plan module. The city is actively participating with CVAG on the regional CCAP.
PW Engineering and Public Works is developing an RFP that will aim to create visually appealing gateway entrances to the city
Mayor Ross and a subcommittee of the Public Arts Commission have developed a proposal for entryway signs that will be presented to the City Council for consideration in September 2024. Public Works is working on getting a rough scope of pricing. Prior to the Mayor’s project, staff had intended to issue an RFP for this project, however due to Tropical Storm Hillary expenditures, the Public Works Maintenance and Engineering proposed General Fund expenditures for this year were reviewed and this item was deferred. Staff will look to restore budget for the project, if needed in the next budget cycle.
Collaborate with PW and Engineering to support their efforts in obtaining funding for the completion of this project. Efforts could include identifying future grants and working with Deanna Pressgrove and/or Amanda Geisendorfer to apply.
Staff presented a duplicate gateway monument option for the Council’s consideration that could be used at specific city entryway locations. The proposal for the unified monument proposal was initiated by Mayor Ross with the support of the Public Arts Commission. The unified model for the monument is based on the current “Mountains Cathedral” art piece displayed at the Date Palm Drive s/o Vista Chino city entryway. The City Council agreed with this option and requested that
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL B - COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
size for each location is to be determined along with budgeting for the project in upcoming and future biennial budgets. Public Works staff are now coordinating the construction of mock block monuments in 75%, 50% and 25% scale to be able to show the City Council sizes that may be utilized at various entryway locations.
All locations, size and costs will be approved by the City Council when ready to proceed.
PW RFP will be initiated by Public Works. (Engineering and Public Works Maintenance jointly).
Public Works will include this item within the next budget cycle. The Parks and Community Events Commission (PACE) is currently looking at potential trail head and signage locations around the city.
The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy has placed a new Trail Rules for Dogs sign at the Cathedral Canyon trailhead at the southeast end of the Cove.
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The City Council supported implementing the August 24,
2023, M.I.G. Consulting Art Walk Conceptual Design-
“Preferred Design Concept” during the October 25th Study Session. Implement elements of the Chuperosa Lane plan
as funding is identified or development occurs.
Chuperosa Lane has been cleared, graded and the Public Works maintenance crews have added the area to the routine maintenance schedule.
Staff and Councilmember Lamb have agreed that additional community engagement should be undertaken before implementing any proposed permanent improvements. Staff will continue to analyze the impact of having foot traffic through Chuperosa Lane and how it will impact the neighboring community.
Economic Development can assist in obtaining community input for the project to ensure there is public support. The data can be used for future grant funding applications.
Explore expanded uses for the library building. Updated Library lease agreement: continue to identify what space needs for the library’s use and what space could be utilized for other purposes. The Public Arts Commission (PAC) has partnered with the library to conduct quarterly art exhibits, starting May 2024. The next scheduled exhibits are scheduled for August 24-25 and November 9-10 and a full quarterly series planned for 2025. The PAC awarded $20,000 in community arts grants for programming that will be completed by the end of FY 2024/24. Several of the awarded programs will be conducting activities at the library, including two shows of Hansel and Gretel on March 26 and 27 2025, and a Senior Art Show at the Library on May 17 – 18. Additionally, the
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL B - COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Senior Center will be hosting an art show at the library during Desert Open Studios Tour week on January 24-26. Coachella Valley Classical Voices two The City, in partnership with Riverside County established a cooling center at the library, starting on June 1, 2024
PW/
ENGIN
Funding for this effort was provided in the recent budget over a five-year period.
Engineering and Public Works Maintenance are initiating field visits and identification of the locations for the new additional crossings. The Engineering Department is working with various council members on updating pedestrian crossings and bike lanes in their districts and continuing to look for additional funds.
The Engineering Department has multiple current projects in progress that support this goal:
SB821 Grant funds a Class III Bike Route on Whispering Palms Trail from Dinah Shore Drive to 30 th Avenue and a Class IV Protected Bike Lane at Perez Road, from Cathedral Canyon Dr to Date Palm Drive. The design phase is underway for both projects.
ATP Cycle 5 funds the Cathedral Canyon Drive Sidewalk and Multiuse Trail Project, which incorporates the new minimum 6-foot-wide bicycle lane along the west side and a multiuse trail on the east side of Cathedral Canyon Drive from Cathedral Canyon Shores Drive to Dinah Shore Drive.
Construction is in progress.
ATP Cycle 5 also funds the Date Palm Drive Expansion Project, which also incorporates a 6-foot-wide bicycle lane along the east side of Date Palm Drive between East Palm Canyon Drive and Perez Road. Construction is in progress.
HSIP Cycle 9A funds traffic signals at twelve intersections within Cathedral City. Bids for construction of this project will be publicly opened on February 6, 2025.
HSIP Cycle 9B funds road safety improvements at Date Palm Drive and Varner Road. The construction started in November 2024. HSIP Cycle 10 funds the intersection at Ramon Road and Candlewood Drive. Construction is in progress.
HSIP Cyle 11A funds citywide pedestrian crosswalk updates and is in the design
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL B - COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
phase.
COMM Stripped the old/washed out banners along Avenida Lalo Guerrero and met with a company who designs wayfinding
signage to improve/refresh the current look and enhance the City's image. Installed new wayfinding signage in the
Community Amphitheater to attract greater attention to
restroom and concession areas and have identified locations for enhanced wayfinding signage throughout Cathedral City to better promote and direct traffic to key destinations.
New colorful banners were installed along Avenida Lalo Guerrero in 2024, and Communications & Events is leading the effort on proposals for new wayfinding signage and refurbishment of current signage at key entry points throughout Cathedral City to be included in the next biennial budget. A presentation was provided to Council on Aug. 14, 2024, and another update will be coming in Spring 2025.
Economic Development is working with Ryan Hunt to obtain new entry signs with Tonya Carney of Motivational Systems Inc. to develop wayfinding signs for the Downtown area. The conceptual plans and their locations are being discussed with department heads and City Management, which will likely be implemented in four phases over the next two biennial budgets.
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PW/PD
An internal Traffic Calming Team has successfully been
assembled with Engineering, Public Works Maintenance
and Police personnel which first identified the equipment needs for the Traffic Calming trailer. Additionally, streets that staff have received complaints on are now accumulated on a spreadsheet in order to proceed with the target areas.
The speed radar and speed feedback signs were placed at five locations thus far on residential streets. These locations were provided by residents advising staff that the speed limits were being exceeded on their fronting roadway. Speed radar data collected had shown that the speeds were over the threshold, and thus speed feedback signs were placed to reduce speeds as the next step in the traffic calming process.
The queue for the next streets to receive the traffic calming trailer equipment has been established with more locations selected for evaluation.
The Traffic Calming Committee is also working with the police department's traffic enforcement division to assist in locations further along in the location queue.
PW/
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PD
Implement Traffic Calming Policy and Guidelines The City's updated Traffic Calming Policy and Guidelines was presented as a Study Session item to the City Council on January 8, 2025. The comments received at this meeting will be incorporated in the Policy in preparation for City Council formally adopting the document.
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL B - COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
The Police Department initiation of motor patrol traffic speed enforcement citywide
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL B - COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
has made a marked impact on speeding within the City.
CMO Consult with DRD to see what they would do to make fields accessible to T-ball
Discuss with DRD.
Note: Available baseball fields can be used for T-Ball, additionally, the Public Works Department is working on a comprehensive renovation plan for Century Park that would include a dedicated field for T-ball. Staff are working with DRD on scope of services for the City’s annexation into the district.
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PW
Secure funding for the construction not covered by the
grant.
The City Council authorized an additional $2,481,211 from the General Fund and $108,000 from the Environmental Conservation Fund, which fully funds this project.
In September 2024, Staff presented a project construction update in a Study Session. Construction is in progress with vertical structures in place. Project completion is still anticipated for March 2025. Public Works staff have completed a walkthrough of the project to confirm timing of completion and park opening.
Staff are working with PACE on future projects for public art and a community celebration after the opening of the park. The City submitted a grant application to the State Art in Parks grant program to plan for a celebration and art event at Esperanza Park after its opening but were unsuccessful in securing the grant. Staff will submit a new request in 2025/26.
Engineering staff have presented the Pavement
Management Program (PMP) to the City Council at a Study Session in June. Staff has received training on the software in late July and is working through internal implementation of the Program.
Staff have completed the training on the PMP software. Staff has worked with the finance department on the budget update to redirect unspent Tropical Storm Hillary funds toward Pavement Management Program (PMP) Projects.
Funding needs are identified in the Resident Study Committee report. Additionally, the PMP will be referenced when identifying future pavement improvement projects and the recently approved Measure W pavement rehabilitation projects.
PW The Fleet Coordinator has completed a Fleet General Management Standard Operating Procedure document that provides procedures for maintaining and managing the city’s fleet. The Fleet Coordinator also added the vehicle
COMPLETED ACTIONS
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL B - COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
replacement section to the above cited document. The document has been reviewed by the Public Works, Financial Services, Risk Management and Human Resources.
PW Complete the design of the Downtown Dog Park and seek funding for construction.
The Fleet Coordinator has completed a Fleet General Management Standard Operating Procedure document that provides procedures for maintaining and managing the city’s fleet. The Fleet Coordinator also added the vehicle replacement section to the above cited document. The document has been reviewed by the Public Works, Financial Services, Risk Management and Human Resources.
PW Public Access Level 2 EV Charging Stations (Downtown parking Structure) Upgrade Project
EV Range has installed four new Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations within the downtown parking structure. The stations are open to the public and available for use at a fee.
PW Esperanza Park wayfinding signage Public Works Maintenance has installed directional signage along Gene Autry Trail and Ramon Road to improve wayfinding to Esperanza Park. [Type here]
GOAL C – FISCAL STABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dept Task Status- COMPLETED
CMO The City Council was provided with a list of suggested district projects.
Individual Council members will work through the City Manager to facilitate the use of district funds. PW staff have prepared a list of potential projects within each Councilmember’s District. PW Director and ACM have started and will continue to contact each Council member to discuss potential projects for their districts.
ECON
DEV
Economic Development researched and identified the new
owner. After speaking to the Economic Development
Department about zoning and potential uses, the owner is open to selling to the City.
Ongoing. Economic Development was working with the property owner’s broker (and real estate developer) to identify financially viable development uses. City acquisition is likely on hold due to the financial impacts of Tropical Storm Hilary.
Economic Development will continue working with the City Manager’s Office to identify best uses for city-owned properties. An RFP will be going out in Q-1 of 2025 soliciting a vendor to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of a new community center. The study will include a review of city owned properties as well as non-city owned
ECON
DEV
Economic Development continues working with CVEP to
identify and fill informational gaps.
In the past. Econ Dev has utilized CVEP Analytics to assist with preparing for ICSC, projects, and other presentations. Currently CVEP appears to no longer be in operation. The CVEP Sponsorship has not been included int FY 25/26. The city is working alongside Team California and Riverside County Office of Economic Development to provide data and analytics. Also, the city has renewed their CoStar subscription to use this tool to better analyze market trends and real estate transactions.
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Regular meetings are held within the Planning Division to track projects under review for land use entitlements and those in plan check. Applications are being updated
including submittal requirements.
Ongoing. The City Council approved an Engineering Development Consultant to assist the Director with the flow of work through the Engineering Division. In conjunction with contract plan checkers, the consulting team’s comment, review and pass back times have been reduced to two weeks maximum, which is the considered the industry standard.
An Engineering development project status list has been developed and implemented.
City development review staff and contract development consultants now have access to the city’s Tyler EnerGov online plan submission portal and are working
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL C – FISCAL STABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
with the Planning Division to increase efficiencies between the departments to streamline the review process. Plan and report submittals are now 100% electronic and online.
DEV
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PLN
The Development Services Committee (DSC) meets
regularly to discuss projects under review and in plan check, and to schedule projects for Architectural Review Committee and Planning Commission.
Several steps towards the creation of a facilitative development review process:
Applications are submitted via the CSS EnerGov portal
Review of project plans are electronic via Bluebeam by Engineering, Fire and Building
The DSC meetings are now held bi-monthly.
New projects are introduced to the DSC for high-level discussion with subsequent transmittal of plans to the DSC members.
DSC members present new topics/issues for the group to discuss/resolve, i.e. Issues that arise during construction, new processes to facilitate plan checking, etc.
Post-entitlement phase permits are coordinated in DSC to ensure consistency with conditions of approval and entitlement documents. DSC agendas and project transmittals are in SharePoint so that DSC members can readily access this information and add topics to agendas. Engineering’s plan check review log is shared via SharePoint providing for a more integrated plan check review across Divisions.
IT has created a new SharePoint access that can be shared with consultants outside of the City’s network.
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SVCS
Internal operations are continually evaluated to create efficiencies.
OTC Thursdays! was implemented. Every Thursday afternoon planning and building staff reviews and permits simple building permits, such as walls, pools, and generators.
To streamline permitting of walls, pools, patios and generators, planning cross trained Building counter staff on zoning review of these simple permits and Building now provides a one stop review and permit issuance of these simple permits.
ENGIN The Engineering Division is working in conjunction with the Development Services Department to make the
See C-5 above. The City Council approved an Engineering Development Consultant to assist the Director with the flow of work through the Engineering
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL C – FISCAL STABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
development process predicable, including actively
participating in the DSC meeting.
Division. Review and pass back times have been reduced significantly. An Engineering development project status list has been developed and implemented.
The Consultant and City Staff are coordinating standard plan submittal formats and standards for developing conditions of approval.
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Based on staff capacity and the need to facilitate
development, several contracts have been entered into.
Development Services/Planning contracted with multiple planning and environmental consulting firms for on-call services during a period of staff transition and vacancies. The Planning Division continues to contract with Terra Nova Planning and Research for planning and environmental consulting on large scale projects and with MNS Engineers for environmental consulting. Both firms augment current staffing and enable the Division to meet its service commitments and turnaround times.
The Planning Division conducted an RFP for planning services for the upcoming zoning code rewrite and a contract was awarded to Mintier Harnish. While many City staff will be involved in the rewrite, including Cynthia Schultz as the project manager, the rewrite would not be possible without the contract support.
The Building Division conducted an RFP for plan check and on-call inspection services and a three-year contract with two one-year extensions was awarded to HR Green.
Ongoing
ECON
DEV
Identifying and engaging individuals interested in
collaboration, best-practice sharing, and community
building. Working with and supporting existing associations (e.g., auto center).
Director of Community and Economic Development and Assistant City Manager have met with numerous developers to identify barriers to development in Cathedral City. Economic Development is to work with staff to create a road map for various processes including business license. Goal C-7 will be used in this process to help remove barriers.
In July 2024 staff met with representatives from CV CAN, a cannabis business advocacy organization to discuss ways to support the cannabis industry. Staff will recommend Membership with CV CAN to better represent the business sector.
COMPLETED ACTIONS
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL C – FISCAL STABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
An agreement executed in August 2024 offers performance driven incentives based on the City’s sales tax sharing ordinance to two existing auto dealerships, an agreement developed to retain those dealerships in Cathedral City.
With the start of a new Economic Development Manager in September 2024, staff have regularly attended meetings of the Cathedral City Auto Center (CCAC).
Economic Development is in the process of identifying Shop Local programs that aim to support the local economy. The city has a current contract with the GCVCC that can be restructured to also support these efforts or reallocate the funding for this program.
Dev
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Fin
EnerGov implementation and maintenance IT and Financial Services worked with all departments to update the fee schedule in EnerGov prior to the start of the new fiscal year.
[Type here]
GOAL D - INNOVATION
Dept Task Status- COMPLETED
CMO/IT IT Master Plan: Contracted with ClientFirst Assessment and documents completed. Presented to Council on July 24, 2024.
IT initiatives consistent with the IT Master Plan have been budgeted in the approved FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 budget.
CMO/IT/
BLDG
Created new implementation team, led by Enterprise
Systems Analyst Matthew Levy and subject matter experts (SME) from planning, building, engineering, fire, and
finance.
City Wide E-Plan Checking (Bluebeam Software integrated with EPL) oAll plans must be submitted online via the customer service portal. City Wide Online Inspection Requests
oIncludes: Building and Fire - Engineering goes completely online on 2-2025
oWorking on Virtual Inspections (No inspector onsite) (Starting in 2025)
Integrated Payment Processing (EPL and Merchant Processor) and City Processing Fees
All permit, plan and license applications are available on the city’s online portal 24/7/365 (Over 140 total)
oIncludes: Business Licensing / Short Term Rental Licensing / Renewable Permits (Licenses)
oIncludes: Building, Public Works/Engineering, Fire, Planning - Permits/Plans
Rapid Permit Issuance for over 10 permit types and Solar Permitting Pre-approved ADUs (City pre-approved plans) available online Public Kiosks available with paper scanning ability (3 total – CH, FD, PD) Integrated Tax Remittance Integration (Work in progress) Staff are working to get our Tax remittance configured, setup and tested within our EPL software
IT/ CITY
CLERK
City Clerk: Committee Management Program (This is part of the Granicus Suite and was approved in the Budget). This platform will automate the management of the
Commissions/Committees and the application process.
Completed.
IT/ CITY
CLERK
City Clerk: Electronic Filing of Fair Political Practices Forms.
Currently the FPPC has a platform for individuals that are 87200 filers (Elected Officials, Planning Commission, City Staff reviewed available applications to see which one would be best suited for the needs of the City and is still evaluating whether it makes financial sense to implement electronic filing.
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL D - INNOVATION
Manager and City Attorney). Staff are reviewing options to implement a platform for the electronic filing of FPPC Forms required to be filed with the City Clerk’s Office including the 700 Form for City Council identified staff.
IT Continue utilizing/training staff on Office 365 to provide cloud storage, cloud email system, online collaboration,
conferencing, instant messaging, and new office versions.
Enhance management and security of Office 365.
Will be working on migrating network shared folders to SharePoint.
ECON
DEV/IT
/PW
Research other broadband solutions to ensure everyone
has equitable access to internet connectivity.
HR Green is currently managing broadband efforts in Palm Springs and Palm Desert and is leading the CVAG regional effort. A meeting was held with City staff and HR Green to discuss these collective efforts and what more Cathedral City can do locally.
Economic Development will work with IT and PW to identify progress and funding for these efforts.
IT CETF Digital Equity Best Practices Grant Award and
workshops
CETF awarded the grant in 2024. IT Dept. Must complete three best practices learning sessions to receive the grant.
FIRE The Fire Department is continuing to expand its
programming for the community. As of the completion of this Strategic Plan update, the Fire Department has a full
schedule for the Spring and Fall in 2025 of community risk reduction classes that will be offered to the public and city staff. These classes include:
CPR
CAR SEAT Safety
STOP THE BLEED
DROWNING PREVENTION
CERT
Teen CERT
FALL PREVENTION
SMOKE ALARM INSTALLATION
Events were rolled out in 2023 and 2025 are scheduled for spring 2025 The fire department has a complete list of Community Risk Reduction programs to assist the community with emergency preparedness and reducing risk to the community, the programs include:
CPR
Stop the bleed
Drowning prevention
CERT
Teen CERT
Car seat safety and installation-new addition
Fall prevention
Smoke alarm installation
Disaster preparedness
Lock box program
COMPLETED ACTIONS
COMPLETED ACTIONS
GOAL D - INNOVATION
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS File for life program
CITY
CLERK/
IT
The City currently uses Laserfiche as a repository for
documents for a limited number of departments. With the upgrade to an Enterprise License, staff have determined that utilizing Laserfiche as the trusted repository for all paper files that need to be converted to digital files is the best document imaging program to use at this time. This will allow the City to implement a City-wide Records Management Program,
which will allow better access to records, save on storage space and offer a trusted electronic searchable format.
In December 2024, the City Clerk began to work with a vendor who will evaluate the documents in each department to provide a free estimate of the costs associated with the conversion of paper documents into digital format so they then can be placed into the Laserfiche repository, which is a trusted electronic searchable format. This estimate will help determine the priority of this project and the amount of time it will take to complete it City-wide. The first department to be evaluated will be Public Works. The file structure will still need to be set up in Laserfiche.
Presented to Historic Preservation Committee The Council strategic plan goal was presented to the Historic Preservation Committee together with the 2017 Historic Resource Context & Historic Resource Program document prepared by Kaplan Chen Kaplan. A historic survey would be a more intensive study of individual historic sites and of neighborhoods or areas and is anticipated to cost between $75,000 and $175,000. There is no budget for this work, and it will need to be considered as part of the next biennial budget.
IT IT Master Plan Initiatives Office 365 security was implemented. Firewalls were upgraded. Deployed Managed Detect and Response. IT Steering Committee was formed, and initial meeting was December 17, 2025
CMO/IT Redesign Cathedralcity.gov Completed. Went live January 22, 2026.
City
Clerk/IT
Fix OneMeeting Templates and integrate videos. Completed.
IT Testing T-Mobile networks as a replacement for Verizon Wireless
Completed testing. Recommendation is to stay with Verizon and recommend upgrading devices to 5G capable devices.
HR Implement electronic personnel file system for all new hires and current year personnel actions
All new hire and current year personnel actions are processed electronically in Tyler Munis. Forms are stored in Tyler Content Management.
HR Automate Leave request and tracking workflow Eliminated forms; employees enter directly into Tyler Munis and approvals are processed electronically.
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GOAL E - SAFETY
Dept Task Status- COMPLETED
PD 4 Flock cameras were added in 2024.
Potential Real-Time Crime Center partnership with PSPD, IPD and DHSPD
Expanded to total of 25 Flock cameras with an additional 4. 4 agencies in discussions to start a regional real-time crime center.
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Code will be participating in the upcoming meeting and
with HR on the upcoming Backpack give away event
hosted by PD.
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PD Police Department personnel attended 38 community
events in 2024 year to date. Events included Neighborhood Watch meetings, city sponsored events, community
fundraisers, and Active Shooter presentations to
community groups, Cathedral City High School
scholarships and awards, Cathedral City Peace Initiative events, Senior Scam awareness event, LGBTQ+ Forum,
Pride Prom, a Back-to-school backpack giveaway event
and Fields of Valor.
COMPLETED
CODE The Code Compliance Division is conducting proactive community outreach on significant code issues.
The code compliance division conducted educational outreach to raise awareness of the risks of eating food from unlicensed vendors and held a licensing event at Panorama Park for sidewalk vendors.
The division has released the first video in a series called “Cracking the Code” to educate and raise awareness on common code issues. A second video on STVRs is in production.
FIRE The Fire Department has conducted two community
preparedness presentation in English and Spanish with
over 120 residents attending.
Two CERT programs are scheduled for the Fall and Spring, one in English and one in Spanish. Additional classes have been scheduled for the Fall of 2024, both for emergency preparedness and CERT. In Fall of 2024, the Fire Department will establish a community-based CERT program that can be accessed in the case of a city emergency. 2025 class has been added to the calendar for November 2025
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Fire department was also awarded a $25,000 grant to update the department’s CERT trailer and purchase new equipment.
FIRE Applied for a grant to update the City's EOC, conduct EOC drills and training, as well as update the City’s Emergency Operations Plan and Local Hazard Mitigation plan.
The fire department has received an OES grant in the amount of $49,877 and a FEMA grant in the amount of $149,631. Through an RFP process, Jacob Greene and Associates was selected to provide the city with emergency operations plan and a local hazard mitigation plan. The fire chief Jacob Greene, and Associates meet on a biweekly. The Chief facilitated a meeting with the executive team on July 24, 2025, to get final input into the draft emergency operations plan.
Estimated completion of January 2026.
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The PD began a series of videos to educate the public on crime and safety. Videos produced include Burglary
Suppression and the 2023 officer involved shooting that was released July 2024. LGBTQ+ forum was held to
discuss hate crimes and investigations.
Both CCFD and CCPD continue to promote public safety programs and educational opportunities, both in-person and via social media. CCFD will be seeking input from the community for updates to the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in January-February 2025.
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PW is always on the lookout for opportunities to enhance the City's ATP.
Engineering staff secured a SB 821 Grant to complete bicycle lane improvements along Whispering Palms Trail (which will include traffic calming features) and segregated bicycle lanes on Perez Road. Both projects are in the design phase with STC Traffic Inc. (Consultant) with the projects slated for construction completion at the end of the calendar year.
The restriping of the East Palm Canyon Bike Lanes with ATP Cycle 5 funding is completed. ATP Cycle 5 Cathedral Canyon multiuse path/bike lanes and Date Palm Drive bike lane and sidewalk projects are completed with punch list items now being addressed.
Coordinating with the Financial Services Grant Analyst to identify and pursue relevant grant opportunities.
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Council study session updates. A comprehensive update was presented to Council in May 2024. Through this presentation, staff outlined operational changes, recent training, and new policies and procedures implemented within the Division while providing an overview of the top complaints/ requests for service and workload. The presentation highlighted
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emerging issues in code compliance that will continue to be monitored and reported in future presentations.
An update was provided in December 2024 where staff correlated reductions in the number of open cases and officer caseload to officer training and new policies and procedures, allowing the Division to be more responsive to the public and creating opportunities for more proactive code enforcement. Staff covered current code issues, including cannabis odor, and referenced emerging and new technology that could serve as a force multiplier for the Division.
Staff will bring forward technology and other solutions in the January goal setting session and will evaluate these further in the upcoming biennial budget.
FIRE Fire Department contact mobile home parks to reinforce state water accessibility requirements
FIRE Measure W medic Placed in service July 1, 2025
FIRE Medic 3 Medic 3 was placed in service March 4, 2023.
ENG 2025 Citywide Speed Survey Completed- The Engineering Division awarded a Task Order to Albert A. Webb Associates, (On-Call Traffic Engineer), to conduct an Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS). Based on the survey's recommendations, an ordinance to implement updated speed limits was adopted on June 25, 2025. The Engineering Division coordinated with Public Works Maintenance staff to replace necessary speed limit signs. Under AB 43, California's “Traffic Safety Bill”, the updated speed limits established through the E&TS will allow the Cathedral City Police Department to issue enforceable speeding tickets.
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GOAL F- EMBRACING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
Dept Task Status- COMPLETED
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Zoning code rewrite kickoff is scheduled for January 2025, and the project is expected to go through September 2026 City Council authorized a contract with Mintier Harnish (MH) for the preparation of the zoning code update. The contract includes several public workshops and steering and technical advisory meetings.
MH was one of five proposers and received the highest rating by a review committee made up of planning staff and two planning commissioners.
The RFP and scope of work (SOW) included input from the Historic Preservation Committee, Architectural Review Committee, Planning Commission, and City Council.
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Educate residents regarding sidewalk horizontal clearance standards to ensure private mailboxes do not violate ADA accessibility requirements.
Public Works - Engineering worked with the Community and Economic Development Department to draft the ordinance to amend Title 9 and 12 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code. Staff updated Title 9 driveway standards and the percentage of front or side yard that can be improved for parking, which would alleviate the demand for street parking. In conjunction, the amendment to Title 12 now prohibits parking in front of mailboxes and implementing civil fines for parking violations. The amendments conformed to the discussion from the September 25, 2024, City Council study session. A Public Hearing was held at the December 11, 2024, City Council Meeting, where City Council approved the first reading of the ordinance. The second reading of the ordinance was approved at the January 8, 2025, City Council Meeting.
PW is continuing to evaluate locations where ADA accessibility is not in compliance and is correcting on a case-by-case basis.
COMM Communication & Events has created a marketing
document that can be sent out to prospective agencies and event companies in the Coachella Valley (and beyond) to showcase all city venues, particularly those in Downtown Cathedral City. Staff are also working to promote the
amphitheater as a destination venue for events and has
seen a steady increase in third-party applications, not just in the amphitheater, but Avenida Lalo Guerrero, Town
This is now finalized as a formal document that was presented to the Council in December 2024. Staff have also made enhancements to the Special Use Permit (SUP) application process and rental costs. This document beefs up the overall awareness of Cathedral City as an events destination, particularly the Community Amphitheater. In recent years, staff have seen third-party events requesting to come back after a successful experience. This includes the Coachella Valley Bully Fest, Autism Awareness Walk/Acceptance event, DAP Health Volunteer Appreciation, Desert BrewFest (Luchador Brewing), Mi Chavela Fest, and has
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GOAL F- EMBRACING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
Square Park, Festival Lawn, and the breezeway area/steps at Civic Center Plaza.
sparked continued interest from potential third-party applicants. The Communications & Events team has seen a 71% increase in events inside the amphitheater from 2022. Staff will continue to do the following as part of the plan:
Continue expanding digital marketing presence
Develop additional community partnerships
Enhance visitor amenities and services
Explore additional revenue streams through corporate events Build on success of multi-week event series
Focus on securing early commitments for 2025 events (have already achieved this) COMM Communications has developed a strategy/ comprehensive plan for social media and digital communications with
CiviSocial that serves as a blueprint for the City’s overall content and storytelling strategy, measuring overall
engagement and diversified methods of outreach to better prioritize where residents get their news/information, which maximizes our ROI.
The City has entered an agreement with FlashVote to conduct scientific surveys in English and Spanish asking residents where they like to receive communication/news from the City. Communications also continues to promote key news and events on KGAY Radio and Gay Desert Guide as outreach to our LGBTQ+ residents. Staff also have an agreement with El Informador, to publish news articles and event posters in one of the most popular Spanish newspapers in the Coachella Valley. The City of Cathedral City also participated in a short-term engagement with CiviSocial, a new firm focused on helping us with our communications strategy on social media. This has resulted in the creation of a new TikTok account and expanded storytelling commitment across several departments. Communications & Events leads a Social Media Ambassadors group that meets each week to discuss content creation and strategies for all platforms.
PD The PD created an informational video on our Homeless Liaison Officer (HLO) program which was shown at our
State of the City event in May. The video was also posted on all city social media sites and websites.
CiviSocial has workshopped with Communications &
Events creative ways the City can tell its story about
homelessness and the ways staff are working to address it.
While the initial communication/outreach video is complete, this is ongoing between PD and Communications. Both PD and Communications & Events are represented on the Homelessness Task Force and there will be more videos released in 2024-2025 related to this topic. This is an issue staff needs to continually communicate about and showcase how the city is addressing it.
Communications & Events will be addressing these topics in a new series called “Cracking the Code” with Code Compliance and will be doing a ride along video with CCPD focusing on the efforts of the Homeless Liaison Team. Communications & Events also participated and coordinated a few media interview opportunities with KESQ and other local media outlets to showcase the work being done in our
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City to combat homelessness and enhance overall beautification throughout the community.
Facilities has coordinated with the 3 rd party vendor and revised the contract to include 7 days/week city-wide facility monitoring nightly at City facilities and parks.
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Zoning code rewrite. Housing is a core element of the zoning code rewrite. Further land use regulation elements pertaining to housing will be evaluated as part of the rewrite. This project launches in January 2025 and will run through September 2026. See F-1.
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Zoning Ordinance Amendment – SB 9 The zoning code was amended in compliance with SB 9 to allow for urban lot splits and 2-unit residential developments, which would allow single family property owners to develop a combination of primary, accessory and junior accessory dwelling units, up to four units, on single family zoned lots.
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Communications & Events continues to collaborate with
third-party agencies and vendors on potential events as well as city marketing and improving the City's wayfinding program. The new Events & Recreation Coordinator should also boost opportunities here.
Ongoing. The City’s annual State of the City event was held to record attendance both in 2023 and 2024. LGBT+ Days is going through some rebranding to increase inclusivity for 2025, and Mi Chavela Fest will take place in the Community Amphitheater celebrating Mexican Independence Day. Taste of Jalisco continues to promote and raise awareness about Cathedral City’s sister-city partnership with Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico.
The Economic Development team will research innovative ways to leverage its relationship with Jalisco to incentivize the utilization of our Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) designation alongside the expansion of the Palm Springs International Airport.
Communication & Events also worked with Economic Development to launch the inaugural Small Business Week celebration, focusing on several different categories of businesses and industries in Cathedral City. This coincided with the first-ever Small Business Week Workshop in the City Council Chambers in December 2024 where several businesses received key resources and assistance from multiple local, regional and state agencies. Economic Development staff personally invited over 180 businesses to the event.
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A new event coming to the city in 2025 is Hops and Honky Tonk, a Country Music event leading up to Coachella and Stagecoach weekends.
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Communications and Economic Development continue to
collaborate on potential events as well as city marketing and improving the City's wayfinding program.
The City’s new social media strategic plan includes increased measures for Spanish language communications and the Communications & Events team did multiple posts for during Hispanic Heritage Month celebrating the diversity of our community. Internally, the City’s Events Committee also hosted a potluck featuring dishes from several Latin American countries. Feedback from staff was incredibly positive and the event was very well attended.
The Economic Development team is working to create impactful media that will be educational and inclusive to various populations in Cathedral City. This includes communication with Kevin Lyons from Flash Vote who will work with the city to survey the community.
CMO The CMO office has established a monthly meeting with employees from all relevant departments. A CVAG
representative (Housing First Program) will be attending the February 2024 Unhoused Committee meeting to provide
updates and progress information.
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• Manage code compliance open caseload with a target of 1,000 open cases to create more opportunities for proactive officer time with a particular emphasis on visual blight along commercial corridors, including shopping cart enforcement, graffiti removal, and property maintenance. Continue to conduct proactive enforcement of unlicensed sidewalk
vendors.
• Increase code compliance participation in the Abandoned Vehicle Authority (AVA) program.
• Develop and deploy pilot programs for the education and enforcement of solid waste container regulations and
street sweeping.
As reported in the December 2024 update to City Council, the open caseload is down to around 850 cases, which has enabled officers to have more proactive time. Roughly 30 percent of the cases opened in 2024 have been opened by Code Compliance staff, a reflection of increased proactive time.
The Code Compliance Division conducted a pilot educational program on solid waste containers in 2024. Public Works Maintenance is utilizing the CodeRed messaging platform to send messages related to street sweeping.
The Code Compliance Division has evaluated technologies that would serve as a force multiplier for the Division and better enable the Division to initiate proactive code compliance campaigns by neighborhood, including the use of generative A.I. technology through CityDetect. These solutions will be presented in more depth in the January 2025 work session.
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GOAL F- EMBRACING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
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A draft abandoned and vacant building ordinance was
presented to City Council in July 2024.
Revisions to the draft abandoned and vacant building ordinance will be made, and the item will be brought back to City Council along with information on residential trespass in 2025. The draft abandoned and vacant building ordinance will focus on commercial properties and will set minimum standards for their maintenance and monitoring. The draft ordinance will be prepared in conjunction with economic development to focus on the most problematic properties in the City.
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Development Services brought an ordinance amendment
to the City Council.
Planning contracted with RRM Architects to prepare ADU construction drawings for use by Cathedral City residential property owners. The City’s Pre-Approved ADU Program offers four sets of building plans for ADUs available for use by residents at no cost other than standard permitting fees. Three ADU plans range from a 468 square foot studio unit to a 1,000 square foot 2-bedroom unit. A garage conversion to a Junior ADU plan is also available
Economic Development will work on promoting the use of the ADU plans through educational videos and on the ED Webpage.
CMO Quarterly meetings with ACBCI continue. A joint meeting has been tentatively scheduled for March 13, 2025.
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Zoning Code Ordinance Completed- In January 2025, an Ordinance was adopted to limit parking in front of mailboxes and implement zoning code updates for the amount of area that can be improved for parking on single-family residential and residential estate properties.
Code Compliance is now enforcing.