HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/1/2008 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.F. To: Palm Springs City Council
Mayor, Pougnet; Councilmember's Foat,Hutcheson, Mills, Weigel
Subject: Update on Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
General Operations:
Due to the high number of foreclosures and abandoned properties the District requested
and has just received judicial approval to enter vacant properties to treat green pools as
needed. As foreclosures have sigivficantly increased it has become extremely difficult
and in some cases impossible to identify and notify owners as required. This blanket
warrant provides us with the capability to bypass this timely process and will be in
effect for the next three months across the entire valley.
In anticipation of future problems and the need to react quickly, the board has approved
a new GIS Tracking system that will allow us to obtain pool information faster and to
track treatment not only of green pools but treatments of all vectors more efficiently.
Additionally, our attorney is drafting a model ordinance to treat green pools as a public
nuisance. We will be presenting this draft ordinance to the cities in the very near future.
Red Imported Fire Ant requests and treatments continue. Activity is high during the
warmer weather conditions. Palm Springs service requests have declined since April
which may indicate that we are making headways in controlling colony increases.
Board
No doubt you have been reading the Desert Sun with all the "happenings" at the
District. I believe the Board acted in the best interest of the employees and the taxpayers
by settling with Gomsi. The settlement did not exceed the amount of pay he would have
received had he requested a hearing with a mediator which was a clause in his contract.
It also protects our employees from having to testify in open court if he decided to
pursue legal action. The board has been very receptive to changes that are vitally
needed i1 our District.
The Grand Jury has made a request for our 2008-2009 budget, capital improvement
plans, District Representative information and various other documents. I would
imagine that we may be called to testify in the future. Timing was not included in the
information request.
Item No. 2 • F •
We are beginning the process to hire a new general manager. We are anticipating a
rather lengthy time period as several other Vector Districts are also seeking new General
Managers. We will strive to fill the position as soon as possible as we have other upper
management positions vacant as well. We have instructed the interim GM to propose a
new organization based on findings from other Vector Districts. Be assured that the
General Manager's employment contract, salary and benefits will be a top priority to
review.
If you have any suggestions regarding recruitment or outside companies, please call me_
Personal
I thought it would be timely to make a brief report to you, if you are confronted with
questions regarding the various newspaper articles. The operations report shows that
we are attending to vector business in addition to the "other" issues.
1 would like to thank you for the support you and the staff have given me during the 2-
1/2 years that I have served on this board. It was extremely frustrating for me to deal
with our previous board that ignored fiscal responsibility and personnel issues. Again,
thank you. If you have any questions, please give me a call (202-6645).
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