HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/9/2008 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.K. 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:
The District is now conducting air surveillance to determine the location of green pools.
In addition to the air surveillance, we encourage the publlc to report green pools in their
areas. Palm Springs usually has between 70-100 green pools. The number fluctuates by
week as citizens and realtors report in addition to the aerial surveillance. The new GPS
system allows the vector personnel to map out grids to determine if there is a specific
area Thal may be a problem or it is an isolated case. Palm Springs code enforcement
assists them to gain access to pools that are located within a locked area. Green pools
are a priority due to the number of foreclosures. The total number of green pools is
estimated at 600-700 for the valley.
We are implementing a program to treat green pools with mosquito fish_ This treatment
is a bio-control application which eliminates the need for chemical treatment and
reduces the number of follow-up visits by field technicians. New signs arc being created
to indicate that the pools are "in treatment" as people viewing the pool may not
understand that the pool is being treated. We are a major breeder of mosquito fish with
production in May of 26,510. Other districts in Southern California would like to begin
the same type of program and are requesting fish.
Field operations will begin an eye gnat program on the golf courses as there has been a
reported increase of problems.
Board
There has been a significant turnover in Board members. The new members are: Dana
Hobart(Rancho Mirage); Gene Gilbert(Indio) Albert Keck (County). There have been
some questions regarding terms expiring on Dec. 31. We have 6 seats which will expire
in 2008.
The Budget has been finalized and approved. The goal for 2008/2009 was to create a
realistic budget that would be plus or minus 5-10%. Past years have seen revenues
underestimated by 20%with expenditures overestimated by 30-40%. The budget
reflected anticipated revenue changes and increased expenditures due to oil, chemical
and personnel costs. In reviewing our reserves, the operating budget and capital
projects the Finance Committee recommended that the Benefit Assessment be reduced
Item No. 2 . K e
to$10.75. Our current reserve amount is 150% of our operating budget. The reserve
calculation and preparing a capital budget will be addressed this budget year to be
incorporated into the 2009/2010 budget. The process this year was hectic due to the
circumstances and the status of the preliminary budget. the Finance Conunittee met six
times during April and May to review with staff as the top level positions at the District
were"on leave". Iowever, it gave the staff and committee time to meet and create a
realistic budget.
The board has hired Ray Griest as the interim Genera I Manager as well as retaining
Rattin&Tucker for routine legal advice and Liebert, Cassidy and Whitmore to handle
employee investigations and union negotiations. This year we faced extraordinary legal
and investigative costs due to the circumstances at the District. I must report that
employee morale appears better and I would expect that to improve as we move
forward with the Interim GM and addressing several personal issues that should have
been handled some years ago. The investigation into the allegaLions against the District
and the General Manager (Don Gomsi) is on track and should be concluded within the
next 60-90 days.
The accounting fi,rirt of Mooreland and Associates was hired to review our accounting
procedures and compliance with prop 218. They will work in conjunction with the
financial auditors.
The firm Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. wrill be conducting our annual financial audit
and have begun to review our records. They have made presentations to the Finance
Committee on the requirements of SAS No. 114 and No. 104-111.
The new officers are: Dr. Bruce Underwood, President;Terry Henderson,La Quinta,
Vice-President, Sharon Lock, Secretary/Treasurer.
Personal
Last October I was assigned as Committee Chair for Strategic Planning wide members of
Mike Duran and Nick Nigosian. As the events began to unfold at the District,the
Finance Committee Chair and 1 requested that I be re-assigned to the Finance Committee
for Strategic Plaruning purposes. That appointment took place in March which allowed
me to participate in the budgeting process. Tt has been recommended to the new board
that Strategic Planning and Finance be merged until all the reserve and capital issues are
resolved.
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