Indian Wells Golf Resort
City Strategic Planning Session
Agenda
Thursday, February 17, 2022
9:00 a.m.
Indian Wells Golf Resort, Celebrity Ballroom
44-500 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells
WELCOME TO A CITY STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION OF THE INDIAN WELLS CITY COUNCIL. ALL DOCUMENTS FOR PUBLIC REVIEW ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT CITY HALL, 44-950 ELDORADO DRIVE, INDIAN WELLS DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS: ONCE THE MAYOR HAS
RECOGNIZED YOU, PLEASE COME FORWARD, PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MAY ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ONLY ON ITEMS LISTED ON THE STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION AGENDA. PLEASE TURN
OFF ALL COMMUNICATION DEVICES (PHONES) OR PUT THEM ON NON-AUDIBLE MODE (VIBRATE) SO IT DOES NOT CAUSE DISRUPTION IN THE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. 1 City Strategic Planning Session February 17, 2022
1.CONVENE THE CITY STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION,
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL
MAYOR DANA REED
MAYOR PRO TEM DONNA GRIFFITH
COUNCIL MEMBER GREG SANDERS
COUNCIL MEMBER KIMBERLY MUZIK
COUNCIL MEMBER RICHARD BALOCCO
2.APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
3.PUBLIC COMMENTS
ALLOWED FOR ONLY THE LISTED ITEMS ON THE STRATEGIC PLANNING
SESSION AGENDA
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MAY ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON ITEMS LISTED ON THE STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION AGENDA, BUT ONLY AFTER BEING RECOGNIZED BY THE MAYOR. AT THE
APPROPRIATE TIME, PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES.
4.CITY COUNCIL GOAL SETTING SESSION
A.Annual Financial Update
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Council RECEIVES and FILES the 2022 Ten-Year Fund Forecast.
A ttachments: Updated Forecasts
B.2022 City Council Strategic Planning Session
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Council REVIEWS, DISCUSSES, and provides DIRECTION on the 2022 City Council City Goals.
2 City Strategic Planning Session February 17, 2022
5.ADJOURNMENT
TO A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE INDIAN WELLS HOUSING AUTHORITY TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 17, 2022, AT 1:00 P.M.; AND THEREAFTER TO A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO BE HELD AT 1:30 P.M. IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER. 3 City Strategic Planning Session February 17, 2022
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING, PLEASE CONTACT THE CITY CLERK AT (760) 346-2489. NOTIFICATION 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING WILL ENABLE THE CITY TO MAKE REASONABLE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY TO THIS MEETING. 128 CFR
35.102.35.104 ADA TITLE III
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Angelica Avila, certify that on February 11, 2022, I caused to be posted and served upon all members of the City Council, a notice of a City Strategic Planning Session to be held on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. at the Indian Wells Golf Resort, Celebrity Ballroom.
Notices were posted at Indian Wells Civic Center and City's Website [ www.cityofindianwells.org] .
____________________
Angelica Avila, CMC
City Clerk
4 Updated Financial
Analysis
-Fiscal Year 2022/23-
February 17, 2022
Strategic Planning Presentation
02/17/2022
Updated Financial Analysis
Economic Recovery –Challenges ahead
•New normal
•Recovery period
Return of Tourism
•Tourism resurgence due to pent up demand.
•First six months of the fiscal year:
$1.0+ million increase over FY 2019
About 40% growth over last decade
Indian Wells Financial Analysis
ACCOUNT TYPE 2022B 2023B 2024F 2025F 2026F 2027F 2028F 2029F 2030F 2031F TOTAL General Fund 2,266,508 2,480,779 2,553,269 2,624,171 2,693,145 2,759,819 2,823,786 2,884,604 2,941,788 2,994,813 27,022,683 Golf Resort
IWGR Operations Only 552,492 639,216 679,306 721,595 766,195 813,225 862,807 915,072 970,155 1,028,199 7,948,262 City Only (454,373)(450,600)(463,849)(477,500)(491,565)(506,057)(520,990)(536,377)(552,233)(568,573)(5,022,117) Subtotal (Before Capital)98,119 188,616 215,457 244,095 274,630 307,168 341,817 378,695 417,922 459,626 2,926,145 Capital (2,135,795)(389,375)(567,083)(606,145)(545,536)(567,357)(590,052)(613,654)(638,200)(663,728)(7,316,925) Golf Resort (Includes Capital ) (2,037,676)(200,759)(351,626)(362,050)(270,906)(260,190)(248,235)(234,959)(220,278)(204,102)(4,390,780) Fire Services 357,913 458,347 466,756 475,440 484,415 493,700 503,315 513,282 523,623 534,363 4,811,153 Net change in Fund Balance 586,745 2,738,367 2,668,400 2,737,561 2,906,654 2,993,329 3,078,867 3,162,926 3,245,133 3,325,075 27,443,057 Table 4: 10-year All Funds Surplus/(loss) Forecast
Updated Financial Analysis
INDIAN WELLS
-Strategic Planning Workshop -
2022-2023
GENERAL PLAN
-UPDATE -
General Plan Update
General Plan Update
May 2020 City Council Approved De Novo Planning Group
to prepare General Plan Update and Program EIR.
Developed and maintained General Plan Website and
produced 3 technical Studies:
•Economic Background Report
•Infrastructure Existing Conditions Report
•Mobility Existing Conditions Report
Held 2 community workshops:
•vision & values
•health & wellness
3rd workshop Planned in March:Land Use & Circulation
Update City's Housing Element in compliance with latest State housing legislation and initiatives.
Council Review General Plan Update: June 2022
DEVELOPMENT
-ENCOURAGE & EXPAND EFFORTS -
Economic Development
Monitor Current & Future Development
Kosmont's ICSC Efforts
Miles Lodge
Brixton
Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD)
Business Assistance & Relationship Building
No need for COVID-19 relief funding documented
from the business community
Contracts with Coachella Valley Economic Partnership
(CVEP), Indian Wells Chamber of Commerce, Greater
Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Kosmont
Ongoing collaboration with the Village Center
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ILLUSTRATIVE SITE PLAN
SCALE: 1" = 60'-o" TRAFFIC LIGHT
TOURISM
-UPDATE -
2021 began with uncertainty for the tourism industry with significant unanswered questions surrounding visitor and group demand, restrictions, safety requirements, events, & timeframe for recovery Answers were very much favorable
•Vaccines & easing of restrictions
•High demand for both leisure and group markets
•Record breaking average daily rates
•Increased lead volume
•Increased demand for golf, tennis, and pickleball
•New air service
•Return of the BNP
•Bachelorette!
Project Update 2021
2022 –Looking Ahead
Beginning of 2022 saw another bump in Covid cases
Indian Wells is very well positioned moving forward
•Safe destination
•BNP and regional events back on schedule
•Group lead volume ahead of pace
•Renovations at Indian Wells resort hotels
Full steam ahead for Indian Wells leisure & group marketing •Leisure –social media, newsletter, digital ads, partnerships, holiday experience
•Group –FAMs, site visit workshop, Cvent, newsletter
Labor remains a challenge
GOLF RESORT
Indian Wells Golf Resort
Stone Creek Partners completing Master Plan in March
2022.
Golf Resort Strategic Planning Session will be scheduled for March/April 2022.
HWY 111
LANDSCAPE
Landscape Uniformity
Highway 111 in Indian Wells is unique in the
Coachella Valley
Uniquely Different Landscape
Each Community is Distinctive
City Sections
Desert Horizon
Villaggio (near Carl Bray Monument)
Mountain View Villas
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Landscape Uniformity
The purpose of this effort is to identify an
approved plant pallet
Collaborate with all LLMD's for consistent
landscape maintenance
Maintaining Landscape Uniformity
City Council Directed Landscape
Improvements at vacant lots
Staff lead Clean-up and Landscaping
along Highway 111 near Miles Ave.
Remove existing plants
Install irrigation
Plant shrubs
Project Completion end of February
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
-COST & CONSUMPTION SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES -
Energy Efficiency
Project Investment = $8,700,000
Energy cost savings -$368,000/year (projected)
Efficient HVAC, lighting
Use of Solar Power to offset use during peak
demand times
Provide EV recharging stations
Grant opportunities -$787,000
Program Components
Project Status and Schedule
Lighting Fixture installation –Complete
HVAC Units –Installation March –May
Solar Pannels –
City Hall Installation: June –Sept. 2022
IWGR Installation: June –Oct. 2022
EV Chargers –Installation begins in June
Project Completion –November 2022
ECM -1 SOLAR &BATTERY STORAGE –CLUBHOUSE
CLUBHOUSE RENDERING –Street view SOLAR PANELS
SOLAR &BATTERY STORAGE -CITY HALL CAMPUS
SOLAR &BATTERY STORAGE -IWGR MAINTENANCE
COMMUNITY
EVENTS/ ACTIVITIES
Community Activities Events To Date
Event Attendance/ Participation
Veteran's Day 150 Attendees
Wildlights Tickets 500 Distributed
November Salton Sea Tour 42 Attendees
Ugly Sweater Party 284 Attendees
Pickleball Social 24 Attendees
Back 9 Walks January –23 Participants
February –33 Participants, 22 First Timers!
Community Activities Events to Come
Back 9 Walks for March, April, & May
Possible Tram Tour End of March
Animal Shot Clinic/Safety Expo April
End of the Season Party Early April
Salton Sea Tour Early April
Memorial Day Monday, May 30
Summer Socials
Sister/Friendship City Update
Turin, Italy is ATP Finals Host City until 2025.
Turin is rich in culture and history, known for its
numerous art galleries, restaurants, churches, palaces, opera houses, parks, gardens, theatres, libraries,
museums and other venues.
Turin is home of the Italian automotive industry, with the headquarters of FIAT, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo.
Turin's attractions make it one of the world's top 250 tourist destinations and the tenth most visited city in Italy.
The city was one of the host cities of the 1934 and
1990 FIFA World Cups and was home to the 2006
Winter Olympics.
CITY COUNCIL
POLICY MANUAL
City Council Policy Manual Update
Two -Council Policy Ad Hoc Committee
Recommendations to the Council in April 2022
PARKS
Park Consideration
2021 Strategic Planning Session City Council instructed staff to find new recreational Parks.
Nov. 10, 2021 Council authorized partnership between
Desert Recreation District (DRD) and City to develop a
park on the corner Eldorado Drive & Fairway Drive.
Community Meetings
Desert Recreation District is hosting community meetings on the proposed park development to discuss amenities and alternative uses.
Dates and Times:
Monday, February 28, 6:00 p.m. at the Indian Wells Golf Resort Tuesday, March 1, 4:00 p.m. at the Indian Wells Golf Resort Wednesday, March 2, 4:00 p.m. via Zoom
The City of Indian Wells strongly encourages residents to attend and participate in this process.
PUBLIC SAFETY-RESPONSIVE, INNOVATIVE, EFFICIENT -
Public Safety –2021 Efforts
Frequent redistribution of Public Safety PSA's
Updates to City Public Safety webpages
Emergency Preparedness eNewsletter
Allocation of Overtime for Targeted Enforcement
February Speed Sting
Virtual Coffee with a Cop
Support for Eisenhower's trauma center designation
New COVE Communities Fire Ladder Truck #33
Public Safety –2022 Efforts
Public Safety Outreach Meetings
Installation of License Plate Reader Camera System
Return of CERT Class for Residents
Increased patrol hours via OT for Targeted Enforcement January Speed Sting
Return of In-Person Coffee with a Cop
Assistance with Code Enforcement
HOUSING
UPDATE
Housing Update
Housing Update
SCAG allocates regions housing needs (RHNA) and
determined 382 units for the City:
•117 Very Low Income Units ( 120% AMI)
The State housing authority (HCD) determined need for
over 1.3 million housing units next 8-years.
State Housing Law requires City to provide for its RHNA allocation through its Housing Element
Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) partnering with
Abode Communities to build and operate 100 units
Site location for Abode project procured in 2022.
Capital
Improvement
Projects
2021 Completed Projects
Click to add text
Washington Street Rehabilitation
PavementManagement Assessment
Indian Wells Golf Resort Driving Range
Cholame Way/Indian Well Lane Pavement
Upcoming Projects
Hwy 111 –Road Improvements
Warner Tr –Right turn pocket and road
improvements
Whitewater Channel Redesign Expand
Housing Authority Property
Casa Dorado ADA Upgrade
Indian Wells Lane
Sidewalk Improvements
Club Drive Complete Streets
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Capital Improvement Program
Fiscal Year 2022-2027
C •.5 F1iles
West Drop Structure
$1,539,000
Project Area
INDIAN WELLS
sIALI FORNIA
Miles Avenue Bridge Repair
PARKING LOT
-Review & Discuss-
2022-2023
CELEBRATE!
-A Job Well Done -
Indian Wells City Council
Strategic Planning Financial Update: February 17, 2022 ..title
Annual Financial Update
..recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Council RECEIVES and FILES the 2022 Ten-Year Fund Forecast.
DISCUSSION:
During 2015, City Council made their top strategic goal the creation of a financial strategy to improve the City’s long-term financial position. Staff prepared the Financial Strategy Gap Analysis which included a ten-year forecast. The forecast comprised major City funds, including the General Fund, Indian Wells Golf Resort, Fire Services, and Capital Funds.
Coronavirus Pandemic Impacts
The arrival of COVID-19 has upended lives, caused pain and tragedy, and has required extraordinary efforts of us all to limit the pandemic’s reach. As a result, the necessary shelter-in-place restrictions to slow the virus’ spread has severely impacted day-to-day economic activity. Businesses have shuttered and the unemployment rate spiked and even though suppression efforts have yielded successes and some business activities have resumed, we know that the virus is still present, and that restrictions related to social distancing – in some form – will be necessary for an extended period.
During this time, we have also seen the strength of our community and our City organization. The willingness of our community and City workforce to meet these challenges head-on exemplifies a resiliency that will be needed for the foreseeable future.
We took proactive steps early in the pandemic to understand its economic fallout, address budgetary shortfalls in fiscal year 2019/20, and completely revamped the fiscal year 2020/21 budget development process to ensure early and measured action in response to the loss of tourism.
City Officials have worked hard to adjust our financial strategy to mitigate the impact to the community by pursuing long-term planning and setting adjusted financial goals and timelines.
5 Financial Communication
Financial communication to residents and other stakeholders remains one of the City’s best strengths. Whether at the Council meeting, the Mayor’s letter, fiscal update eblasts, the Financial Primer, IW Check Book, or the Budget at a Glance, keeping residents fiscally informed is a top priority.
To provide greater transparency and understanding of the City’s finances, the City of Indian Wells established a new financial portal on the City’s website to continually release and update fiscal information. This digital portal is kept up to date with the latest City financial information, including any fluctuations related to the pandemic.
Factors Affecting Financial Condition
Healthy economic conditions are the primary drivers for a number of the City’s revenues, with the most significant impacts in the transient occupancy tax, admissions tax, and sales tax categories. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary response to protect community health and safety, economic activity at the global, national, and local levels were severely restricted.
Economic recovery will likely take eighteen to twenty-four months with many areas of the recovery remaining a mystery. Will “six feet and a mask” be replaced by the “vaccine” or will a form of social distancing become the new normal? Responses to these questions could impact attendance levels during the BNP Paribas or occupancy with Hotel Partners.
These issues impact City revenues. During this next budget period, Indian Wells will face many challenges as these issues are resolved.
With the return of tourism, the City will encounter:
• A wave of tourism resurgence due to pent up demand.
• Need to re-establish marketing presence in the Southern California/Scottsdale drive markets which could be quickest to recover.
• Strengthen marketing campaigns with CVB and IWGR partners. • Monitor the return of air-travel markets.
Update to Grants in Aid Funding
The Council has defined Grants in Aid funding as optional expenditures which the Council can disburse annually to aid worthy non-profit organizations located within the Coachella Valley who provide services that may not otherwise be offered by the City.
Grants in Aid funding for each new budget year is established by calculating up to a maximum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the prior year’s General Fund’s Net Surplus (after all capital contributions) using year end estimates. Maximum funding is limited to $160,000 during each budget year. In the event the General Fund’s Net Surplus is not 6 sufficient, the amount of community assistance funding shall be reduced or eliminated until such time as all the criteria have been met.
It is anticipated, Grants in Aid funding will resume during fiscal year 2022-23 at the maximum funding level of $160,000.
Strong Cash Reserves
The City remains fiscally strong. Today, Indian Wells has a capital reserve fund of $25 million, which is part of $42.3 million in cash reserves held by the City.
Indian Wells is conservative by nature and the updated cash flows presented during strategic planning reflect it. Slower revenue growth has led to lower overall expenditures.
Capital improvements are timed concurrent with revenue expectations.
City Bond Issuance
In January 2022, City Council authorized the issuance of $15.5 million Lease Revenue Bonds. The City Council’s consideration of a tax-exempt bond issuance was focused on accomplishing two goals: (1) improving City cash flow given historically low interest rates, and (2) maintaining cash reserves.
Improving City Cash Flows
As originally proposed, the City’s General Fund intended to make a series of interfund loans totaling $8.9 million to fund the Renewable Energy Generation Program. The General Fund was to be eventually reimbursed with other funds as they become available from City developer fees, grants, and other funding sources earmarked for the project long-term. The repayment was expected to take ten or more years.
With bond interest rates at close to historical lows, issuing the Series 2022 Bonds to fund the proposed projects eliminates the need for the General Fund advance and interfund borrowing as the bond debt service was structured to ensure “other” funds revenues would be available to cover Base Rental Payment necessary to cover debt service.
Cash Available to the General Fund (as of 6/30/21)
General Fund $4,756,533
Indian Wells Golf Resort 3,737,506
5-year CIP Advance 8,545,320
All Capital Reserves*25,242,223
Total $42,281,579
7 Maintaining Cash Reserves
In the wake of the pandemic, Indian Wells saw firsthand how maintaining operating and capital reserves served the City well. This proposed financing would preserve City reserves and liquidity while taking advantage of historically low interest rates.
Future Funding Sources Coming to the City
General Fund Loans Update
Beginning in July 2021, the City’s General Fund started collecting on $17.7 million in interfund loans between the City and the former Redevelopment Agency. Annual debt service during fiscal year 2021-22 is $1.3 million. During December 2021, the Successor Agency Board to the former Redevelopment Agency approved $8.4 million in debt service during fiscal year 2022-23. Under the law, the Housing Authority will receive 20% of the interfund loan for operational costs such as administrative costs and funding homelessness organizations.
State Loan Program - California Energy Commission
The City is going through the application process to receive a low interest cost loan with the California Energy Commission (“CEC”). The CEC 1% loan, if approved, would be only for the solar related project in a not to exceed amount of $3 million.
Introduction to Community Facilities Districts
The City is collaborating with potential developers to implement Community Facilities Districts to support city services and maintain infrastructure. This is similar the Community Facilities Districts developed during 2007 in partnership with the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens.
Community Facilities Districts (“CFDs”), also known as Mello-Roos Districts, are special tax districts that were created in 1982 through the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982 as a means of obtaining additional public funding and financing for numerous services and infrastructural improvements in California by imposing special taxes on property.
Any public agency with the authority to provide public services and facilities may form a Community Facilities District. Cities, counties, school districts, and special districts are common users of this avenue. Thousands of CFDs are formed in California to fund billions in public infrastructure. CFDs can be used to support on-going operations or to fund capital acquisition costs.
8 Below is a limited list of potential uses for CFDs.
Services (Funded Annually)
• Police protection services.
• Fire protection and suppression services, and ambulance and paramedic services. • Maintenance and lighting of parks, parkways, streets, roads, and open space. • Flood and storm protection services.
• Maintenance and operation of any real property or other tangible property with an estimated useful life of five or more years that is owned by the local agency.
Capital Projects (Lifespan of Over 5 Years)
• Park, recreation, and open space facilities.
• Infrastructural improvements, such as but not limited to roads, bridges, water systems, and sewage systems.
A CFD may be the most optimal financing structure to meet the construction, services, and maintenance goals in neighborhoods where a prominent level of development is desirable to either improve upon outdated public services and facilities or in newly developing areas that need to secure capital in order to build out the necessary services and infrastructure. The flexibility of a CFD allows for unlimited opportunities in shaping and reshaping neighborhoods through a special tax levied against the property of residents living in a CFD district.
Updated Ten-Year Financial Forecast: January 2022
The ten-year forecast is an essential metric used by Council during the strategic planning process. It supports the decision-making process for continued economic development driving new revenues to the City and is updated for each new strategic planning session.
The ten-year forecast is updated to include fiscal year 2021/22 yearend estimates and fiscal year 2022/23 estimated budgeted amounts. The attached forecast tables (Attachment #1) detail the revised revenue and expenditure gaps.
Application of various citywide cost saving measures are incorporated into the Gap Analysis. Implementation of revenue opportunities and cost saving measures has eliminated the overall funding shortfall from the ten-year Gap Analysis.
Due to the resurgence in tourism during the first half of fiscal year 2021-22, staff has reforecast General Fund revenues to $19.2 million recognizing an increase of $1.1 million compared to the budget. Although, spending has been modest, General Fund expenditures remain as budgeted at $17.0 million. The General Fund’s re-forecasted total surplus is $2.2 million.
9 Indian Wells Golf Resort
Fiscal year 2021-22 Golf Resort operations projects a net operating income (NOI) of $552,492 (Attachment #2). City administration at the Golf Resort are $454,373 (net) and capital expenses are estimated at $2.1 million. After City administrative costs and capital expenses are added to the projected cash flow, the Golf Resort estimated fiscal year 2022-23 deficit is ($2.0) million.
Until the Golf Resort Enterprise Fund becomes self-sustaining after capital, the City’s General Fund will loan the Enterprise Fund funds necessary to properly maintain and construct Golf Resort capital assets with the intention the City’s General Fund will be repaid over time. At June 30, 2021, loans between the City’s General Fund and the Golf Resort Enterprise Fund totaled $8.9 million.
Golf Resort Master Plan
During the February 2020 Strategic Planning Session, Council directed Staff to develop a comprehensive Master Plan of the Indian Wells Golf Resort (IWGR).
The purpose of the Master Plan is to shape the future development and operations of the Indian Wells Golf Resort with support from community stakeholders. The Master Plan will serve as a community roadmap shaping future of the Golf Resort. Through a community engagement process, the City will identify the needs of residents and other stakeholders. The Master Plan will define what projects are important to the Community and establish practical financially responsible timelines consistent with community needs.
As a practical matter, the Master Plan will serve as an audit of existing facilities. The Master Plan will analyze operations of the IWGR and provide recommendations improving customer service, implementing additional efficiencies, and enhancing revenue.
The results of the Golf Resort Master Plan are nearly complete. Stone Creek Partners completed a deep operational dive at the Golf Resort, met with various strategic partners, held one-on-one interviews, and held several community engagement meetings with residents in order to develop a plan presenting the future of the Indian Wells Golf Resort.
Once developed, the plan will come before the City Council for additional public input, Council consideration, discussion, and direction. Council is expected to meet to consider the Golf Resort Master Plan within the next few months.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Updated Forecasts
10 General Fund Forecast
Updated January 2022
The General Fund is the primary fund of the City. The current FY2020/21 estimate anticipates an operating net change of $2,266,508. The forecast incorporates additional tourism revenues received during the first half of fiscal year 2022 and a seven percent (7%) increase for police services beginning in 2022 based upon recent cost allocation discussions with County of Riverside and the Sherriff’s Department.
Table 1 provides an updated forecast of future General Fund revenues and expenditures.
ACCOUNT TYPE 2022E 2023B 2024F 2025F 2026F 2027F 2028F 2029F 2030F 2031F TOTAL General Fund
Revenues 19,237,007 19,814,210 20,429,784 21,066,358 21,724,715 22,405,673 23,110,080 23,838,822 24,592,818 25,373,026 221,592,494 Annual % Change 63.3% 3.0% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% General Fund
Expenditures 16,970,499 17,333,431 17,876,515 18,442,186 19,031,570 19,645,854 20,286,294 20,954,218 21,651,030 22,378,213 194,569,810 Annual % Change 21.4% 2.1% 3.1% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.4% Total
Surplus/(GAP)2,266,508 2,480,779 2,553,269 2,624,171 2,693,145 2,759,819 2,823,786 2,884,604 2,941,788 2,994,813 27,022,683 Table 1: 10-year General Fund Surplus/(Gap) Forecast
ATTACHMENT #1
11 Indian Wells Golf Resort Forecast
Updated January 2022
The City created the Indian Wells Golf Resort enterprise fund to account for all attributable revenues, operating costs, and capital expenditures in one location.
Based on FY 2021/22 budgeted projections, there is a net operating income (NOI) profit of $552,492 from IWGR operations only. After the cost of City operations and Capital Improvements are added, the Golf Resort projects a Net Loss of ($2,037,676).
Until the Golf Resort Enterprise Fund becomes self-sustaining after capital, the City’s General Fund will loan the Enterprise Fund funds necessary to properly maintain and construct Golf Resort Capital assets with the intention the City’s General Fund will be repaid over time. As of June 30, 2021, the outstanding debt between the Golf Resort and the City is $8.9 million.
Table 2 provides an updated forecast of future Golf Resort revenues and expenditures.
ACCOUNT TYPE 2022E 2023B 2024F 2025F 2026F 2027F 2028F 2029F 2030F 2031F TOTAL Golf Resort Expected
Revenues (IWGR Ops Only)14,030,263 14,521,320 15,116,694 15,736,479 16,381,674 17,053,323 17,752,509 18,480,362 19,238,057 20,026,817 168,337,498 Annual % Change 26.7% 3.5% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% Golf Resort Expected
Expenditures (IWGR Ops Only)13,477,771 13,882,104 14,437,388 15,014,884 15,615,479 16,240,098 16,889,702 17,565,290 18,267,902 18,998,618 160,389,236 Annual % Change 25.8% 3.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% Operating
Surplus/(GAP - IWGR Ops Only)552,492 639,216 679,306 721,595 766,195 813,225 862,807 915,072 970,155 1,028,199 7,948,262 Golf Resort Expected
Revenues (City Only)118,500 122,650 125,103 127,605 130,157 132,760 135,416 138,124 140,886 143,704 1,314,905 Annual % Change 14.2% 3.5% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% Golf Resort Expected
Expenditures (City Only)572,873 573,250 588,952 605,105 621,722 638,817 656,405 674,501 693,120 712,277 6,337,022 Annual % Change 19.4% 0.1% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% Operating
Surplus/(GAP -City Only)(454,373) (450,600) (463,849) (477,500) (491,565) (506,057) (520,990) (536,377) (552,233) (568,573) (5,022,117) Golf Resort Capital
Improvements 2,135,795 389,375 567,083 606,145 545,536 567,357 590,052 613,654 638,200 663,728 7,316,925 Total
Surplus/(GAP - Total)(2,037,676) (200,759) (351,626) (362,050) (270,906) (260,190) (248,235) (234,959) (220,278) (204,102) (4,390,780) Table 2: 10-year Golf Resort Surplus/(Gap) Forecast
12 Fire Services Fund Forecast
Updated January 2022
The Fire Services Fund is used exclusively to provide fire and emergency medical related services. The Fund revenues include a special assessment on property tax collections, Riverside County Fire Tax Credit contribution, and a medical insurance billing program. The medical insurance billing program is projected to increase the revenues to $0.6 million based on existing medical call volumes. The trend for the Fire Services Fund has improved with the implementation of the medical insurance billing program.
The forecast incorporates a three percent (3%) increase for fire services in 2022 and a four (4%) increase annual increase moving forward based on discussions with CalFire personal.
Table 3 provides an updated forecast of future Fire services revenues and expenditures.
ACCOUNT TYPE 2022E 2023B 2024F 2025F 2026F 2027F 2028F 2029F 2030F 2031F TOTAL Fire Services Fund
Revenues 5,020,000 5,160,380 5,330,558 5,506,617 5,688,770 5,877,237 6,072,250 6,274,044 6,482,867 6,698,976 58,111,698 Annual % Change 4.2% 2.8% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% Fire Services Fund
Expenditures 4,662,087 4,702,033 4,863,801 5,031,177 5,204,355 5,383,538 5,568,935 5,760,762 5,959,244 6,164,613 53,300,544 Annual % Change 3.1% 0.9% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% Total
Surplus/(GAP)357,913 458,347 466,756 475,440 484,415 493,700 503,315 513,282 523,623 534,363 4,811,153 Table 3: 10-year Fire Services Fund Surplus/(Gap) Forecast 13 10-Year Overall Revenue to Expense Gap Analysis Updated January 2022
Combining all funds provides a point-in-time forecast of the City’s overall fiscal future. Based on the revised forecast, the City has positively impacted all the funds’ long-term cashflow trend. The overall fund shortfall was eliminated from the Ten-year Gap Analysis.
Table 4 combines the net change for the four tables presented.
ACCOUNT TYPE 2022E 2023B 2024F 2025F 2026F 2027F 2028F 2029F 2030F 2031F TOTAL General Fund 2,266,508 2,480,779 2,553,269 2,624,171 2,693,145 2,759,819 2,823,786 2,884,604 2,941,788 2,994,813 27,022,683 Golf Resort
IWGR Operations Only 552,492 639,216 679,306 721,595 766,195 813,225 862,807 915,072 970,155 1,028,199 7,948,262 City Only (454,373) (450,600) (463,849) (477,500) (491,565) (506,057) (520,990) (536,377) (552,233) (568,573) (5,022,117) Subtotal (Before Capital)98,119 188,616 215,457 244,095 274,630 307,168 341,817 378,695 417,922 459,626 2,926,145 Capital (2,135,795) (389,375) (567,083) (606,145) (545,536) (567,357) (590,052) (613,654) (638,200) (663,728) (7,316,925) Golf Resort (Includes Capital ) (2,037,676) (200,759) (351,626) (362,050) (270,906) (260,190) (248,235) (234,959) (220,278) (204,102) (4,390,780) Fire Services 357,913 458,347 466,756 475,440 484,415 493,700 503,315 513,282 523,623 534,363 4,811,153 Net change in Fund Balance 586,745 2,738,367 2,668,400 2,737,561 2,906,654 2,993,329 3,078,867 3,162,926 3,245,133 3,325,075 27,443,057 Table 4: 10-year All Funds Surplus/(Gap) Forecast
10-year Forecast Gap Analysis
14 Indian Wells City Council
Staff Report – City Manager’s Office February 17, 2022
2022 City Council Strategic Planning Session
mendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Council REVIEWS, DISCUSSES, and provides DIRECTION on the 2022 City Council City Goals.
BACKGROUND:
Strategic planning determines where an organization is going over the next year or more, how it's going to get there and how it'll know if it got there or not. This is the City’s “Game Plan.” The focus of a strategic plan is to outline the goals of the City Council for the entire community/organization over a period of time (one, three, or five year are common).
Goals-based planning starts with focus on the organization's vision and/or values, then the selection of projects and programs to meet and achieve the goals, and analysis of the resources needed and available, and finally who will do what and by when. Over the past few months, the City Manager has met individually with Councilmembers to identify potential goals for the coming year, which have been included for discussion.
The goals also need to be realistic and obtainable, does the City have the internal capabilities, or the necessary resources to complete the goals. It is also very important to have a consensus of the goals in order to maximize the use of resources and to streamline the process of approving the individual projects and programs that make up the goals.
Goal setting by the City Council has the following benefits:
• Formally adopted City Council Goals provide staff official direction to plan and organize resources to ensure their completion.
o The strategic plan is used to identify funding priorities for inclusion in the City’s two-year budget;
• A better understanding by citizens and City staff of the City Council’s plans as a single governing body for the future of the City of Indian Wells. • Goals are established to meet the changing needs of the community. • City staff is more focused and effective in addressing City Council priorities. • City staff is more accountable to the City Council for achieving City Council Goals. • Goals should also be linked to the City’s Mission Statement.
15 The City’s Mission Statement is:
Create an unsurpassed quality of life for our residents and guests by providing superior public safety, exceptional service and outstanding amenities that will further enhance our image as a prestigious community and international resort destination.
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Please note that the City Council Policy Manual allows staff to provide the Council and the community an opportunity to discuss the current and future goals of the City Council and provide staff with general direction, no formal action of the City Council may be taken at a study session. Based on the comments during today’s study session, staff intends to bring back a formal approval of the 2022 City Council Goals at your next regular scheduled meeting.
DISCUSSION:
The COVID-19 (COVID) pandemic continues to affect City operations. To say this has been a challenging couples of years would be an underestimate. The City Council and staff have done an excellent job in working with federal, state, and county leaders to position the City of Indian Wells to recover from the pandemic.
On February 3, 2021, the City Council approved several goals as part of its 2021 City Council Strategic Planning Session. Below is the current status of the City Council Goals established in 2021, with updates for 2022.
General Plan Update
Project Summary:
A General Plan is considered the blueprint for the long-term development of the City, and generally has a 10-20-year horizon. On May 21, 2020, the City selected De Novo Planning Group to conduct the Comprehensive General Plan Update.
Project Update 2021:
To date, De Novo has launched a dedicated General Plan website, and produced three technical studies, including; an Economic Background Report; Infrastructure Existing Conditions Report; and a Mobility Existing Conditions Report, all of which can be reviewed via the General Plan Update website (indianwells.generalplan.org). Two (2) community workshops have been held with residents and stakeholders to gather input and solicit suggestions regarding goals and policies related to community vision and values, and health and wellness. De Novo has also completed the Housing Element for the City Council’s consideration at its February 17, 2022 Council Meeting. The Draft Housing Element was first sent to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for their review and comments. It was also 16 circulated for a 30-day public review period which ended on January 6, 2022.
All comments received by HCD have been responded to in the latest draft of the Housing Element for Council’s review and consideration.
Planned 2022 Activities:
City staff and De Novo will be presenting the Draft Housing Element to City Council for review and consideration at the February 17, 2022 City Council meeting. Upon City Council approval, it will be forwarded to HCD for final certification. City staff and De Novo will be hosting the 3rd and final community workshop related to land use in March. This workshop will include discussions on improving pedestrian, bicyclist, and motor vehicle circulation in the community (e.g., Active Transportation Plan and Complete Streets concepts).
This community workshop will ensure the residents and stakeholders have their concerns addressed and included in the land use and circulation elements in the General Plan Update. The Updated General Plan is targeted for City Council review in June 2022.
Encourage and Expand Economic Development Opportunities in the Community
Council’s interest in a newly formed Economic Development Division focused on continued efforts to drive tourism and shape the future of the City through relationship building, research and advocacy of development. These efforts were categorized into three areas: Monitoring Current and Future Development, the evaluation of an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD), and Business Assistance and Relationship Building.
Monitoring Current and Future Development
Project Summary:
Recognizing the City of Indian Wells as a mostly built out community, the City Council authorized Staff to engage in activities which focused on ensuring these final opportunities for development were monitored accordingly.
Prior to COVID closures, Staff worked closely with Kosmont Companies to begin the process of developing Opportunity Site information for distribution to developers and other industry representatives by way of membership and participation in the International Council of Shopping Centers, now known as Innovating Commerce, Serving Communities (ICSC).
Project Update 2021:
Staff continues to work with both property owners of the Miles Lodge and Brixton properties located at the northwest and northeast corners of Miles Avenue and Highway 111, respectively. At the request of the Miles Lodge property owner, the City Council extended the term of the associated 17 Development Agreement, as they continue to market the site to perspective developers.
Planned 2022 Activities:
The existing Indian Wells Crossing Specific Plan currently allows for mixed use commercial development only on the Brixton site. Brixton has presented a new proposed concept plan with a hotel, short-term rental resort village, and commercial area. The inclusion of the short-term rental resort village provides the city with a development that is less invasive than previously approved designs and should create less of a traffic concern due to this more residential structure.
Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD)
Project Summary:
On September 29, 2014, then California Governor Jerry Brown approved Senate Bill 628 authorizing the legislative body of a city or a county to establish an enhanced infrastructure financing district (EIFD), adopt an infrastructure financing plan, and issue bonds.
EIFDs provide broad authority for local agencies to use tax increment to finance a wide variety of projects, including infrastructure, affordable housing, transit and open space. At the January 29, 2020 Indian Wells Strategic Planning Session, as part of a renewed focus on economic development, Council authorized staff to solicit proposals for the completion of an EIFD feasibility study
Project Update 2021:
On May 21, 2020, the City Council selected Kosmont Companies to examine the feasibility of an enhanced infrastructure financing district (EIFD), to determine whether Indian Wells could successfully implement districts designed to leverage tax increment from the City, and potentially the County of Riverside, to encourage development. Projects that could be funded include channel lining improvements for future development along the Whitewater Channel; affordable housing opportunities; repairs to the Indian Wells Golf Resort (IWGR); parking improvements; etc. Kosmont conducted research regarding the identification of potential district boundaries, compiled a funding and financing analysis, worked with city Staff to identify infrastructure needs, and joined Staff in numerous meetings with the County of Riverside to discuss the benefits of collaborating on the implementation of an EIFD in Indian Wells.
Planned 2022 Activities:
Staff worked with Kosmont to present the County of Riverside with what would be the most desirable and financially beneficial outcome. The County expressed 18 concerns on the City project list. Staff addressed the concerns and are awaiting their response regarding the next steps.
Business Assistance and Relationship Building
Project Summary:
The Economic Development Division is focused on growing and sustaining our local economy. During the economic retraction and downturn caused by COVID, it was imperative that the Indian Wells business community strategize for growth and resiliency. For Indian Wells, this included the evaluation of business assistance opportunities, as well as the understanding that building relationships with other key stakeholders in the Valley was necessary to provide much-needed services.
Project Update 2021:
The City has been working closely with our local partners to ensure the prompt distribution of information and resources to the public via eBlasts, the City’s COVID-19 Resources webpage, and a COVID-19 hotline in collaboration with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce. Staff were also able to successfully distribute thousands of pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided by the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP).
As COVID closures continued, businesses, especially those in the Coachella Valley, sought funding to support operations. Numerous funding opportunities were available to Indian Wells businesses, including: Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL); Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans; Non-PPP Small Business Administration (SBA) loans; and other County, State, and Federal assistance programs.
Indian Wells issued numerous No Fee Temporary Use Permits (TUP) to businesses and restaurants that requested modifications enabling their continued operation under COVID restrictions. The Building Department waived fees associated with inspections related to modifications for outdoor use. Staff also assisted interested businesses with the acquisition of barricades for the protection of outdoor dining areas.
Economic development opportunities to expand relationships with regional organizations, including our contract partnerships with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC), the Indian Wells Chamber of Commerce, Kosmont Companies and others, allowed for work to continue during COVID. Staff worked with Visit Greater Palm Springs to promote local resorts and the Indian Wells Golf Resort as a tourism destination for those looking to travel locally during the pandemic. Staff take part in meetings with the County, CVEP, the Coachella Valley Economic Recovery Taskforce, and more, all to stay on top of information on impact and recovery. 19 Additionally, Staff, approved the addition of a Farmer’s Market at the Indian Wells Village for residents and to help draw attention to Indian Wells Village Center businesses. Efforts continue to market and advocate for a new tenant in the former Ralph’s Supermarket. Staff received interest from potential grocery tenants while in attendance at the recent ICSC conference.
Planned 2022 Activities:
Ongoing relationships with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber, Visit Greater Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP), the Indian Wells Chamber, and others continues into 2022 as Staff evaluate opportunities to engage with a provide resources to the business community. Additionally, Staff continue to be in constant communication with Kosmont Companies to ensure we are actively pursuing attraction opportunities.
Tourism Update
Project Summary:
The Tourism program in collaboration with Visit Greater Palm Springs strategically supports the resort partners to influence growth in TOT. The programs developed create demand for the product of Indian Wells by building brand awareness and strategically leveraging Indian Wells to develop and execute marketing strategies to influence both group and leisure markets.
Project Update 2021:
The beginning of 2021 was marked by a significant amount of uncertainty for the tourism industry. Questions related to traveler sentiment and demand for travel, travel restrictions, safety requirements, and in-person versus virtual meetings, were all in need of clarity.
Fortunately, the answers to those questions were decidedly favorable. The desire to travel was evident through multiple industry surveys and reports. While safety remained an important consideration to potential travelers, the availability of vaccinations combined with the region’s variety of outdoor activities, ongoing implementation of safety measures within the community, and easing of restrictions encouraged visitation. In fact, summer occupancy came in just slightly under pre- COVID 2019 levels, and average daily rate was significantly higher at 25.4%. The trend continued through fall with occupancy just a percentage higher and a 31.4% increase in average daily rate over the same period in 2019.
The easing of restrictions related to gatherings provided much needed assistance in the recovery effort. It was a critical turning point given the importance of this key segment of business. Similar to the leisure market, the group meetings market was 20 eager to meet in person. Predictions of meetings transitioning to a virtual format moving forward were largely invalidated as “Zoom fatigue” set in.
Throughout 2021 Greater Palm Springs was one of the top sourced destinations in the country for planners. Options for outdoor events and activities in a safe destination was (and remains) important when considering where to host meetings.
New air service at Palm Springs International Airport was a significant development for local tourism in 2021. Service was significantly enhanced with 13 airlines now providing service to 33 nonstop cities (there were 21 nonstop flights pre-COVID). Over 500 cities now connect to Palm Springs International Airport. This growth is extremely beneficial to both the leisure and group meetings markets. The addition of Southwest was particularly significant given the loyal customer base and key markets it provides direct access to. The additional air service has been very well received with record breaking passenger counts at Palm Springs International Airport for 8 consecutive months as of December.
Planned 2022 Activities:
2022 began with what fortunately proved to be a temporary setback with a spike in COVID cases and a new indoor mask mandate. This resulted in some group cancellations in the first part of January. However, the cancellations subsided just after mid-January, and lead volume has continued on the upward trend. So much so, that Visit Greater Palm Springs future group meetings room nights is significantly out pacing 2022 projections.
Indian Wells is very well positioned for 2022, offering a very safe enviroment (over 90% vaccination rate), outdoor activities, significant hotel renovations including new beautiful outdoor venues, the return of the regularly scheduled BNP Paribas Open in March (as well as other regional events), a significant increase in demand for golf, tennis, and pickleball, and close proximity to all of the regional attractions.
The Indian Wells plan for sales and marketing is now full steam ahead, with the goal of building familiarity with Indian Wells among the leisure and group meetings markets. Leisure marketing will include building on the momentum of social media efforts, continuation of digital ads, the distribution of a visitor newsletter, a focus on golf, tennis, and pickleball, and exploration of a potential Collection holiday experience. Staff is currently working with the Indian Wells partners and vendors on identifying options for lighting, décor, programming, marketing, and associated costs for the holiday event and plan to have an update in February 2022. This event is designed to significantly increase occupancy for our hotel partners during a typically slow timeperiod.
21 Group meetings marketing is planned to include the upcoming BNP FAM and another FAM through a partnership with Smart Meetings that will bring approximately 15 meeting planners to Indian Wells. This partnership also includes a variety of marketing opportunities. The previously scheduled site visit workshop is scheduled for the end of February. A video retargeting campaign through Cvent will be launched in February as well. Staff will also be attending several trade shows and conferences to promote Indian Wells.
One area of concern that has persisted is a lack of labor. This has, and continues to, present a challenge to all Indian Wells tourism partners. While there does not appear to be a quick solution, there are several efforts underway to help address the issue.
Visit Greater Palm Springs is partnering with Tourism Economics to complete a Tourism Workforce Economic Impact Report to highlight the many career opportunities and income levels associated with tourism jobs with the goal of recruiting more local graduates to the tourism industry. The Tourism Foundation is establishing scholarship opportunities to local students. Additionally, in partnership with College of the Desert, TEAM Greater Palm Springs training is being offered to students with courses in banquet service, culinary knife skills, basic COVID safety, and more.
Preservation of the Indian Wells Golf Resort (IWGR) as a Premier Destination for Residents and Visitors
In 2021, the City approved the development of a Master Plan for the IWGR by Stone Creek. Due to the COVID pandemic, the completion of the final report has been delayed until March 2022. A separate Starategic Planning Session will be scheduled for March/April 2022 to go over the results and identify goals for 2022.
Develop Landscaping Uniformity Along Highway 111
Project Summary:
The landscaping along Highway 111 is an iconic characteristic of the City and requires high quality maintenance to preserve the City’s standards. One of the iconic features of this corridor is the uniqueness of the landscaping in different area; landscaping in front of Desert Horizons differs from the landscaping in front of the Golf Resort for example. At times, the maintenance along Highway 111 is inconsistent, due to a lack of attention, limited funding, timing of maintenance, and/or different standards of care between the City and HOAs. Uniformity, for discussion purposes, means consistency with maintenance efforts. The General Plan will assist in this process. In addition, staff is reaching out to HOA’s along Highway 111 to discuss options for more consistent landscaping in HOA owned areas.
22 Project Update 2021:
As a feature of the City’s General Plan Update, the Landscaping Uniformity component will appear as a list of acceptable plant palets for use along the Highway 111 corridor.
Public hearings are anticipated to begin within the month to gather feedback about the community’s vision of acceptable plant types. Staff has also reached out to the five Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Districts (LLMD’s) who currently perform their own landscape maintenance. The outreach intends to open a dialogue with the respective LLMDs about the prospect and process of the City assuming maintenance duties and related assessments for maintaining parkway frontage of Highway 111. No responses have been received to date.
The City Council recently directed Staff to invest in landscaping along the north side of Highway 111, east and west of Miles Avenue. Staff has since removed the dead plants within the public right-of-way and is in the process of installing irrigation, Yellow-Bell shrubs, and a fresh layer of mulch along the frontage of the two vacant lots. The result of the City’s efforts is to have a row of yellow-flowering shrubs to screen the vacant lots and their stockpile of soils from the traveling public. The work is scheduled for completion by the end of February, 2022.
Planned Activity 2022:
To further this goal, Staff will schedule meetings with the LLMD’s to begin discussions to address concerns of the City assuming maintenance duties.Once terms are met, Staff will present a strategy to the Council to assume maintenance of the five privately maintained LLMDs. Staff is researching options for the new maintenance duties to be cost neutral.
Evaluate Energy Efficiency Opportunities
Project Summary:
Energy costs are a significant expense in the City and Golf Resort’s operating budgets. Over the years, the City has made upgrades to City facilities to become more energy efficient. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was conducted over the summer to evaluate cost reduction projects, funding sources, and upgrades to inefficient equipment at City facilities, including the Indian Wells Golf Resort. The City Council will be provided with an analysis of the City’s energy use and proposed work plan at an upcoming City Council meeting.
Project Update 2021:
The project has completed the energy needs evaluation which determins the measure of power currently used. In turn, this measure of power amount is used to size the solar array needed for each facility. Quantifying the power needs determines the number of solar panels required for the system, and finally this information guides the number and location of the solar improvements.
23 The Consultant is currently in the process of installing energy efficient lighting at both the City Hall and Indian Wells Golf Resort locations.
Planned Activity 2022:
The project team is in the process of preliminary construction for the installation of solar panels, high-efficiency air conditioners, and submitting applications for related grants through the State’s Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). The grant applications totaling approximately $775,000 of State funds are: 1) installation of solar panels at City Hall ($145,000); 2) installation of solar panels at the Golf Resort ($388,000); and maintenance of the solar power system ($242,000). The applications are scheduled for submittal by the end of February 2022. Work on this project will continue throughout 2022.
Community Events/Activities
Project Summary:
The Community Activities Committee is comprised of five members and managed by the City Managers Department that provides residents opportunities to engage and build civic pride in the community. The committee has had some challenges during COVID to provide programming but has worked diligently to bring some events for the community to engage in.
Project Update 2021:
The City Council expressed an interest in expanding the lineup of current community events and the committee delivered with summer programming and reinstating programming such as our Welcome Back party, an Ugly Sweater themed event enjoyed by 300 residents. Additional events in 2021 included:
summer mixers with approximately 50 residents, a sellout 100 person Shots in the Night mixer, a rescheduled Salton Sea tour, a Back 9 walk at the IWGR, and a social at the National Pickleball tournament. These events were highly successful in bringing out newer residents that had recently moved to the City.
Planned 2022 Activities:
Currently the Committee is working on Arbor Day Celebration, an Animal Shot Clinic/Public Safety expo, End of Year celebration, Memorial Day, along with Salton Sea Tour and possible Tram tour. The Committee will do a semi-annual survey at the end of this fiscal year to help with planning for Fiscal Year 2022-
23. The Committee continues to partner with Desert Recreation District for additional programming or adding more to an existing program for Salton Sea Tours, Monthly Back 9 Walks, and possible Tram Tour.
A Sister City Ad-Hoc committee of Mayor Dana Reed and Mayor Pro Tem Donna Griffith was formed in 2022 under the City Manager Department and the 24 committee is looking to invite Turin, Italy out to explore a possible Sister/Friendship City for opportunities of cultural exchange. Turin was just awarded ATP Finals for tennis which creates the opportunity to explore an international relationship.
City Council Policy Manual Updates
Annual review and updates to the City Council Policy Manual are recommended to evaluate operations, improve administrative efficiency, or to make changes in how the City conducts its business. The Council formed a two- Councilmember Policy Ad-Hoc Committee of Mayor Pro Tem Griffith and Council Member Sanders to conduct a comprehensive review and recommended revisions to the Council. The Council direction is to recommend revisions before March 1, 2022, or reasonably soon thereafter. Staff will bring back the recommended changes to the scheduled regular meeting in April of 2022.
Identify Potential Park Sites
Project Summary:
At the 2021 Strategic Planning Session, the City Council instructed staff to find new recreational or park sites in the community (i.e. dog parks, picnic areas, pickleball, etc.). Previous discussions included creation of a linear park/fitness route along the Highway 111 sidewalks, acquiring property between the Indian Wells Resort Hotel and Miramonte Resort Hotel for a dog park, and converting the southeast corner of Cook Street and Highway 111 to an active park with parking and benches. Staff can examine these or other potential locations, types of amenities, and limitations (i.e. parking, funding, etc.).
Project Update 2021:
At the November 10, 2021 City Council meeting, the Council authorized the partnership between the Desert Recreation District (DRD) and City to develop a park, potentially a dog park, at the corner of Eldorado Drive and Fairway Drive.
Project Update 2022:
Community input is essential in determining what amenities should be included with the proposed park, proposed hours of operation, and more. Community meetings are scheduled for February 28, March 1, and March 2 in order to receive community input on a proposed dog park or other park uses.
In addition, staff continues to search for additional park sites in the community. 25 Provide responsive, innovative and efficient public safety
Project Summary:
The City continues to emphasize public safety as a major priority, addressing matters in real time as well as at quarterly Public Safety Committee meetings and during the annual State of the City event. Through contract services with the Riverside County Sheriff’s and Fire Departments, the City maintains a safe and low-crime environment for residents and visitors.
Project Update 2021:
2021 saw an ongoing focus on enhanced public safety for the City. Staff frequently redistributed several public safety public service announcements covering various topics such as calling 911, how to subscribe to Nixle alert notifications, and signing up for the Indian Wells Crime Blotter. Thorough updates to City public safety webpages were implemented and a September eNewsletter focused on Emergency Preparedness was distributed to residents.
The City has taken further action to be proactive in preventing criminal behavior through targeted enforcement and high-visibility patrols, as well as community involvement and education. The City allocated budgeted overtime funding to expand traffic enforcement throughout the city, conducting a Speed Sting Operation in February with the support of four motor deputies and one commercial enforcement unit. The operation yielded 38 speeding citations, 1 turn violation citation, and 8 miscellaneous citations. Several overtime opportunities were authorized for targeted burglary suppression efforts throughout the year.
In collaboration with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce, officers were able to engage with residents during a virtual Coffee with a Cop event in April, allowing residents the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns with Indian Wells’ Lieutenant David Wright and our SET Officers.
To further support public safety, the City Council submitted a letter of support to Riverside County Emergency Medical Services Agency (REMSA) in August, urging them to approve Eisenhower Health’s application for trauma center designation. The residents of Indian Wells find Eisenhower to be their hospital of choice, many of whom are wanting and expecting to be transported there for care. The designation with REMSA would ensure that our residents are able 26 to utilize their facility of choice, will likely reduce travel time and result in more expediate patient care for our residents.
This was soon followed by the October unveiling of the new COVE Communities fire ladder truck #33.
Planned 2022 Activities:
As we move into 2022, new services will be added, existing services maintained, and on hold offerings renewed.
Representatives from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department are scheduling public safety outreach meetings throughout the community to provide residents with real-time information on policing efforts in the City and answer any questions residents may have about public safety issues.
Traffic enforcement and burglary suppression efforts continue with the use of budgeted overtime funds. From January 13 to February 2 alone, we provided an additional 53 hours of overtime specifically to address traffic enforcement, with our Special Enforcement Team providing extra patrols to address burglary suppression.
These efforts will be aided by the installation of ten (10) Advanced License Plate Reader cameras placed strategically throughout the city to assist officers with the tracking and apprehension of criminals making their way through the community.
On January 27, 2022, the Palm Desert Station Traffic Bureau conducted a speed enforcement operation in the City of Indian Wells to address high speeds on city streets. Four motor enforcement deputies were utilized and thirty-five (35) citations were issued during the operation. We also conducted the speed sting in the City to address high speeds in on city streets.
Residents have been signing up for our first CERT Class since COVID began.
Scheduled for February 25 – 27, this in-person training will provide thirty (30) Indian Wells residents with emergency preparedness skills.
Coffee with a Cop is also returning to its original in-person format with the first to take place before the end of the month.
The Sheriff’s Department is also assisting with Code Enforcement during the evening hours and on weekends. Deputies monitor for Short Term Rental violations, as well as, a number of other code issues that occur such as Recreational Vehicle storage, noise compliants, etc.
27 Housing Update
Project Summary:
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65584 et seq., the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is responsible for allocating the region’s housing need (“RHNA”) as determined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to all local jurisdictions in the SCAG region. For the 6th Cycle of RHNA, which covers the planning period from 2021 to 2029, HCD has determined Southern California’s regional housing need to be 1,341,827 total units, and all local jurisdictions, including Indian Wells, must provide their “fair share” of the reginal housing needs, as determined by SCAG.
For the past few years, the City has been identifying potential affordable housing locations and approved an Exclusive Negoatiation Agreement with Abode Communities for the future development.
Project Update 2021:
In 2021, the City of Indian Wells was allocated 382 affordable housing units as determined by SCAG for the 6th Cycle of RHNA, consisting of the following income categories based on Average Median Income (AMI):
• 117 Very Low Income Units ( 120% AMI);
Per State law, the City is required to adopt its 6th Cycle Housing Element to address how the City plans to meet the its RHNA requirements. The City Council will have a discussion of the Housing Element at its February 17, 2022 City Council Meeting.
Planned Activities 2022:
The City will continue to partner with Abode Communities to develop and operate a 100-unit affordable housing project within the City. City intends to identify a location for development in 2022.
Capital Improvement Projects
In 2021, the City Council adopted a robust five-year $14.6 million Capital Improvement Projhect budget. City staff will provide an update on these projects during the Strategic Planning Session.
28