Legislative Affairs
Legislative Forum Group:
Marvin Roos, 2013 Chair
Meet: 1st Thursday Each Month – 7:30 am to 9:00 am
Rancho Mirage City Hall
Coachella Valley Housing Trust Foundation – 2013 Moving Forward Conference:
Economic Forecast for the Coachella Valley presented by Dr. Mark Schniepp, California Economic Forecast
Schniepp_presentation (a) Use Link to download the Forecast!
SCHOOL Fees Update by District/City – May 3, 2013
Website Update – School Fees May 2013 (Use link to see the latest school fee costs by district/city)
Legislative Updates (Eastern Riverside County)
May 2013
City of Cathedral City - City approved the next step towards Annexation of Thousand Palms into Cathedral City sphere. Continuing process with input from major stakeholders and land owners within the area of annexation. Interstate 10 completion of Date Palm Interchange is progressing to completion.
City Manager Andy Hall to speak at DVBA Public Officials May 9th Luncheon.
City of Coachella - Updating Ordinance for Waste Discharge and Sewer use (short-term); then adopt related fees (study yet to be produced). Extending Term for the Reduction of certain DIF Fees until July 1st, 2013.
City of Desert Hot Springs -
City of Indio – User & Regulatory Fees – just concluded a 6 month process of reviews and commentary with the City adopting an average of 75% of the maximum justifiable rate. Council then decided to phase in (over next 18 months) the increase into January 2014.
City Mayor Elaine Holmes to speak at DVBA July 11th Public Officials Luncheon
City of Indian Wells – Expansion of Indian Wells Tennis Garden has begun following completion of the 2013 Paribus Tournament.
Rolf Hoehn, Director of Marketing for IWTG spoke at DVBA April 11th, General Membership Dinner event.
City of La Quinta – Developer Impact Fee Study was created to update the City’s needs and provided for our review in November 2012. After review of drafts & supporting documentation, the final draft and study were adopted. Implementation to be April 6th, 2013.
The City is the only city in the Coachella Valley which has not been a participant in the Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) Program. City has petitioned Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) to enter the joint powers authority. In the long term, this will save the City a great deal of funds which can be used for transportation improvements. The DIF reflects the savings to identified facility projects. However, it will add $1837.44 to each single family residential unit and will vary on increase costs on commercial & industrial projects. Fee becomes effective April 20, 2013.
User/Services/Regulatory Fee Study was conducted, reviewed, commented on, requested changes made and adopted. The fee results in an approximately 81% cost recovery for most fees. To encourage complete applications a $0 fee was proposed for pre-application meetings. Effective March 20, 2013.
City of Palm Desert – City Council recently adopted another extension to the weekend directional (bootleg) signage program. This Program began in the summer of 2012 and was set to expire March 31st, 2013. The Extension now authorizes weekend directional signs (Friday night thru Sunday night only) until September 1st, 2013.
City of Palm Springs
City of Rancho Mirage – Ritz Carlton has met current deadlines for loan financing. Work begun with current TOT deadlines to be meet by October 31st, 2013. City has also adopted its Mid-Year Budget.
Unincorporated Regions of Eastern Riverside County:
Other Agencies in Eastern Riverside County:
County of Riverside: Development Impact Fee Study. DVBA has presented comments & questions regarding the documentation provided to date. A public hearing is expected no later than April 30, 2013 with an effective date of July 1, 2013. The fees for the Coachella Valley & Eastern Riverside County have been reduced by an overall average of 29%.
Indio Water Authority (IWA): – Supplemental Water Supply Program: As the result of a prior legal settlement between IWA & Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), IWA has completed and now adopted a fee study for a Supplemental Water Supply. After 5 months of review by DVBA and meetings with IWA, the governing board adopted the $12,120/acre (residential rate) fee which went into effect March 1, 2013.
A Comprehensive Service Fee Study has been completely reviewed and adopted as of March 19, 2013. Will go into effect July 1st, 2013. The fee schedule averages 81% of the maximum recoverable rate.
Coachella Valley Water District-
All items referenced below reviewed & filed comment letters by DVBA. Also held meetings with regards to Special Charges & Storm Water Policy items prior to CVWD Board adoptions.
Special Charges for Miscellaneous Service- reviewed by DVBA and discussed in January 2013. Awaiting adoption by CVWD Board of Directors.
Draft 2012 Storm Water Policy; Draft Ordinance 1234. Ordinance codifies existing national and locally recognized practices for storm water flows and safety assurances. CVWD approved Policy & Ordinance on 3/26/13 and effective same date.
2012 Water System Backup Facilities Charge (Sept 2012). Approved by CVWD Board on 3/12/2013. Effective April 1, 2013. New rate sheets available on CVWD Website.
Joint Water Policy Advisory Committee – Supporting Staff recommendations in using Groundwater Replenishment Tax to reduce some costs of Oasis Area Irrigation Expansion Project – potentially eliminates the need to recharge in the Martinez Canyon alluvial fan zone.
2012 Sanitation Capacity Charge – Review was completed by DVBA and remarks provided. Board of Directors determined to defer adoption until June 2013.
Proposed Domestic Water Meter and Service Installation Fees – In review process by DVBA. Comments submitted to CVWD February 12, 2013.
Mission Springs Water District;
Reports that the CV Integrated Regional Water Management group has submitted for a $5.4M grant and is awaiting response if approved.
MSWD has gathered data related to I-10 & Indian Canyon to determine if the formation of either an assessment or facility district is warranted to spur growth activity in this corridor and deal with future infrastructure needs.
Legislative Updates (Imperial County)
May 2013
City of Brawley – Development Impact Fees continue to be discussed and DVBA has provided input to discussion.
Annexation Fees – The City contends it charges $500 per acre which predates the Mitigation Fee Act. However, the current fee schedule shows an additional charge which increased from $4,753 to $6,630 effective 6/1/2012. This charge is being questioned and awaiting response from City.
City of Calipatria
City of El Centro
City of Holtville – City has adopted, with input from DVBA, a reduced number of fees in efforts to attract business & residential development to community. Contact City Manager Alexander Meyeroff for specific information, or review fee schedule on city website: http://www.holtville.ca.gov/
City of Imperial
County of Imperial – Increase in builder activity with inspection permits up more than 200% for February 2013 over February 2012; with an increase in total valuation from $1.4 million to $85.1 million.
Other Agencies in Imperial County:
California League of Cities – Legislative Bills
California League Cities – Update May 3 2013 Use link to review Bills Supported & Watch List
Programs Offered:
Energy Efficient Programs Available
Enhanced Lighting Incentive: Custom Energy Solutions Program
- For a limited time IID is offering an enhanced rebate of $o.11 per kWh to non residential customers who upgrade to energy efficient lighting.
Contact: Darrin Marquez at 760-482-3679, or visit www. iid.com/cesp
New Construction Energy Efficiency Program
What is NCEEP?
- IID’s New Construction Energy Efficiency Program (NCEEP) is an incentive program that offers incentives to non-residential customers for energy-efficient new construction and renovation projects. This program is designed to incentivize both the owner and design team.
The program objectives are to:
- achieve at least 10 percent energy savings over the current Title 24 requirements; and
- financially reward energy-efficient design and construction projects.
Contact: Darrin Marquez at 760-482-3679, or visit www. iid.com/cesp
Custom Energy Solutions Program
What is CESP?
- IID’s Custom Energy Solutions Program (CESP) provides non-residential customers financial incentives for the installation of energy-efficient equipment.
The program is designed to:
- encourage the installation of energy-efficient equipment, which reduces operating expenses, increases net operating income and provides quicker return on investment; and
- allow for simple payback to the facility owner through energy savings within a short period of time. In some cases helps finance other equipment upgrade projects at little or no out-of-pocket cost.
Who is eligible for the program?
- All IID non-residential accounts qualify for the program.
Contact: Darrin Marquez at 760-482-3679, or visit www. iid.com/cesp
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