City of Cathedral City, CA

Mayor John Aguilar Recognized for His Six Years of Service on the City Council At last night’s city council meeting, Mayor John Aguilar stepped down from his position on the city council as he did not seek re-election in the November 2020 General Election. Each of the councilmembers who served with him offered their praise and well wishes for his next chapter in life. They provided him with an engraved ceremonial gavel similar to the one used during the council meetings. M...ayor Aguilar has served as a councilmember since being appointed in 2014 and later elected at-large by the voters in 2016 to a full four-year term. Just recently, he was appointed to serve on the Coachella Valley Water District Board of Directors. Cathedral City has gone through tremendous changes and renewal since Mayor Aguilar joined the city council in 2014. The following video narrated by CCTV Host Conrad Angel Corral highlights the many changes in our great city over the past six years. We can thank Mayor Aguilar for playing a significant role in making all of it happen. There are also several humorous dance segments by each of the councilmembers that were to be played at the 2020 State of the City in March that was unfortunately canceled due to the pandemic. Enjoy!

637 Active COVID-19 Cases in Cathedral City Now is definitely not the time to let your guard down when it comes to protecting your family from contracting the Coronavirus. Yesterday, Cathedral City had its highest record number of a one day total since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Cathedral City had an increase of 222 confirmed cases. There is speculation, though, that a backlog of other day totals was included in yesterday’s numbers. Even if that is true, Cathedral City ...has had a 15.5% increase in total number of COVID-19 cases since December 1st. As of the first of the month, Cathedral City had a cumulative combined total of 2,405 confirmed cases since the pandemic began. As of yesterday, that number soared to 2,772 with 2,135 recovered patients, leaving 637 active COVID-19 cases in our city according to data from Riverside University Health Systems. And unfortunately, two Cathedral City residents lost their battle with COVID-19 since December 1st. Our city is not an anomaly to this crisis. Other Valley cities are reporting similar results. Riverside County as a whole has seen a 21.7% increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases since December 1st. Riverside County went from 84,824 confirmed cases on December 1st to 103, 221 confirmed cases as of yesterday, leaving a total of 33,887 active cases. Hospitalization rates have soared since December 1st as well. Riverside County hospitals have seen a 22% increase in the number of people being hospitalized since the beginning of December going from 600 patients to 733 patients. The number of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU have increased as well by 13.3%, going from 127 patients on December 1st to 144 as of yesterday. To protect your family from the Coronavirus, practice these current best tools available: Wear a face mask when around others outside of your immediate household, even around extended family members If meeting others outside of your immediate household, try to meet outdoors. Social distance at least 6 feet away from others outside of your immediate household Limit your shopping in person to as few times each week as possible and avoid extended time inside a retail store, such as a grocery store. Wash your hands often throughout the day and especially before eating and drinking Disinfect often touched items like a smartphone that also touches your face Following these important steps can significantly mitigate your chances of acquiring the coronavirus and protect you from spreading it to others.

Voting Schedule through November 3rd at City Hall of Cathedral City We are one week away from your last chance to vote in the 2020 General Election. City Hall of Cathedral City serves as a Ballot Drop-off Location now and as a Voter Assistance Center beginning on Saturday, October 31st through Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The following are the dates and times these two services are offered at City Hall, 68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, Cathedral City, CA 92262: Tuesday, October... 27, 2020 - Ballot Drop-off Location, Main Lobby (ring doorbell), 7:30 am 5:30 pm Wednesday, October 28, 2020 - Ballot Drop-off Location, Main Lobby (ring doorbell), 7:30 am 5:30 pm Thursday, October 29, 2020 - Ballot Drop-off Location, Main Lobby (ring doorbell), 7:30 am 5:30 pm Friday, October 30, 2020 CLOSED Saturday, October 31, 2020 Ballot Drop-off Location and Voter Assistance Center, Study Session Room, 1st Floor, 9:00 am 5:00 pm Sunday, November 1, 2020 - Ballot Drop-off Location and Voter Assistance Center, Study Session Room, 1st Floor, 9:00 am 5:00 pm Monday, November 2, 2020 - Ballot Drop-off Location and Voter Assistance Center, Study Session Room, 1st Floor, 9:00 am 5:00 pm Tuesday, November 3, 2020 - Ballot Drop-off Location and Voter Assistance Center, Study Session Room, 1st Floor, 7:00 am 8:00 pm Voter Assistance Centers allows for those who want to vote in person. Please know that you must bring your mailed ballot to the Voter Assistance Center or you will receive a provisional ballot that will be counted only after the Registrar of Voters can verify that you have not already turned in a mailed ballot. Remember, it is a felony to attempt to vote more than once. The following are two additional Voter Assistance Centers in Cathedral City that will be open for Voters to vote or drop off their ballots starting on October 31, 2020 through November 2, 2020 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on November 3, 2020 from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City Gymnasium 32141 Whispering Palms Trail Cathedral City, CA 92234 Northgate Community Church Classroom 1 30010 Date Palm Drive Cathedral City, CA 92234 For more information, go to www.VoteInfo.net

New City Council Sworn-In and Ready to Proceed Today Last night, the two councilmembers who won their district elections were sworn into office to serve a four-year term on the city council. In District 1, Councilmember Rita Lamb, who won in a special election last November to fill the seat vacated by the late Mayor Greg Pettis, was sworn into office to serve a full-term of four years. Additionally, Nancy Ross became the first councilmember to officially represent District ...2 as part of the new City Charter. Councilmember Ross was elected to serve a full-term of four years. Moments after, the new council voted to confirm that Councilmember Raymond Gregory (District 5) will serve as Mayor for a one-year term and Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez (District 4) will serve as Mayor Pro Tem for a one-year term. Due to the pandemic, the swearing-in ceremonies were conducted online and available on cable channel 17. Pictured is the new city council following COVID-19 protocols briefly together for a quick photo. From to left to right are Councilmember Nancy Ross, Councilmember Mark Carnevale, Mayor Raymond Gregory, Councilmember Rita Lamb and Mayor Pro Tem Ernesto Gutierrez. Today, the new council will have its first meeting starting at 2:30 pm. It will be the first completely virtual meeting with no staff or councilmembers in the council chamber. You watch the meeting on cable channel 17, www.CathedralCity.gov or DiscoverCathedralCity.com and click on CCTV.

Road Resurfacing Project Delayed for East Palm Canyon Drive and Cathedral Canyon Drive in Cathedral City CATHEDRAL CITY (December 8, 2020) The City of Cathedral City has been notified that the road resurfacing project for Cathedral Canyon Drive from the intersection of East Palm Canyon Drive to Perez Road has been delayed due to weather and rescheduling conflicts. The contractor will return after the 1st of the year, January 2021, to complete the project. More information will be provided at a future date. In the meantime, motorists should expect normal driving conditions in the area.

New Fire Station 411 Dedicated Today in Downtown Cathedral City The City Council, Cathedral City Fire Department and the City Urban Revitalization Corporation (C.U.R.C.) officially dedicated the new downtown Fire Station 411 among a small gathering of key stakeholders who adhered to the latest COVID-19 pandemic protocols. The $8.2 million state-of-the-art fire station replaced the former fire station located across the road, on the southwest corner of Buddy Rogers Avenue and... Date Palm Drive, that had outlived its intended usage. The new Fire Station 411 has been designed for the next 50 years of service providing space for a 10-person emergency response crew. It will garage a ladder truck, fire engine, and ambulance. The new station also offers new dorm facilities, kitchen, office space, and fitness center for firefighters to remain prepared for emergency responses. This building symbolizes the community coming together to offer a modern structure that recognizes our appreciation for Cathedral City’s dedicated firefighter/paramedics and firefighter/EMTs, stated Mayor John Aguilar. We know that with just a single 9-1-1 call, these brave and highly trained professionals will immediately put aside whatever they were doing before and rush to our aid. They will rush to a car accident, rush to extinguish a house fire, or rush to put out a raging wildfire. Repeatedly, they do this day in and day out even if it puts their own lives at risk. Funding for the fire station came from land sale receipts in the downtown area with a large portion provided by Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ purchase of nearly 13 acres of land at the northwest corner of Date Palm Drive and East Palm Canyon Drive (HWY 111). The tribe is currently building a mixed-use gaming and entertainment center that will include restaurants and retail uses with plans to open later this fall. Mayor John Aguilar presented Tribal Vice Chair Reid Milanovich with a ceremonial key symbolizing the transition of the land where the former Fire Station 411 resided. Additionally, the small gathering of people was able to see the new $700,000 plus fire engine that went into service earlier this month and will be assigned to the new fire station. The firefighters held a traditional ceremony of pushing the new fire engine into the fire station for its first call of service. The City plans to host a Grand Opening for the fire station that will allow the community to share in the celebration once the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us and restrictions are lifted. The entire dedication has been filmed and will be released later this week on the City's media and social media channels.

STVRs Must Cease Operations Except for Critical Infrastructure Support The State of California Department of Public Health has issued a Regional Stay At Home Order which shall be in place for a minimum of three weeks as of December 6, 2020 at 11:59 pm. Under this Order, and because adult ICU bed capacity in our Region is less than 15%, hotels and lodging operations (including vacation rentals) must cease, except for critical infrastructure support. ... Critical Infrastructure Support: https://covid19.ca.gov/essential-workforce/ Further, except as otherwise required by law, no hotel or lodging entity in California shall accept or honor out of state reservations for non-essential travel, unless the reservation is for at least the minimum time period required for quarantine and the persons identified in the reservation will quarantine in the hotel or lodging entity until after that time period has expired. Therefore, the City advises owners, operators and managers to cease operations in accordance with the Order. Violations of the Order may result in fines, criminal violations and/or revocation of City permits or licenses. If you have any questions, please contact the City at [email protected].

Cathedral City’s Weekly Newsletter Click on the following link to read this week’s newsletter: https://bit.ly/issue263

State Officials to Send Cell Phone Alerts to Areas with Increasing COVID-19 Danger & Areas Impacted State Stay at Home Order With COVID-19 spreading at a dangerous rate throughout the state, and multiple regions of the state now under a mandatory stay-at-home order, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will issue region-wide emergency alerts at noon today, asking residents to stay home except for essential activities. The alert comes as the most recent statistics on C...OVID-19, including data on intensive care unit (ICU) capacity shows that, two regions - San Joaquin Valley and Southern California, have dropped below 15% capacity triggering regional stay-at-home orders in those areas. Read the full Regional Stay at Home Order: https://www.cdph.ca.gov//COVID-19/Regional-Stay-at-Home-Or

Traffic Signals at the East Palm Canyon Drive and Date Palm Drive Intersection Will Temporarily Flash Red on Monday Traffic delays expected at this very busy intersection CATHEDRAL CITY, CA [October 22, 2020] The City of Cathedral City has been notified that crews will be working on the traffic signals at the intersection of East Palm Canyon Drive (HWY111) and Date Palm Drive on Monday, October 26, 2020 from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. The traffic signals will be in Red Flash Mode or stationed with stop signs causing all three directions of traffic to stop before proceeding. This will create significant traffic delays in all directions. Motorists should use an alternative route such as Dinah Shore Drive.

Do Your Part, So We Can Restart Get Tested As we revert to the most restrictive tier today with regards to COVID-19 business reopening, it is important for all of us to do our part, so we can restart opening once again. Remember to: 1. Wear a facial covering when around others outside of your immediate household... 2. Social distance at least six feet away from others outside of your immediate household 3. Wash your hands often throughout the day 4. Disinfect touched items often, such as a smartphone as we place smartphones against our faces 5. Get tested! Testing helps public health officials find where cases are and where they are not in order to contain the virus. You can get a no-cost COVID-19 test by calling (800) 945-6171 or visit http://gettested.ruhealth.org. Those without symptoms should test too as many people can be asymptomatic and be a carrier of the virus. Schedule your appointment today.

Battalion Fire Chief John Muhr Chosen as Cathedral City’s Next Fire Chief With more than 30 years of firefighting experience including 10 years with the Cathedral City Fire Department, Battalion Fire Chief John Muhr has been selected as Cathedral City’s newest fire chief. Chief Muhr was one of a six finalists selected to interview for the position through a national search conducted by Bob Murray and Associates. We were fortunate to have an outstanding candidate for the fir...e chief position in our very own department, stated City Manager Charles P. McClendon. Chief Muhr is well-known and respected throughout the community as a thoughtful and compassionate leader who puts public safety first. Chief Muhr started his firefighting career in 1988 with the Orange County Fire Authority. He served eighteen years (1991-2009) with the Hemet Fire Department while advancing in his career from firefighter to Battalion Chief before joining the Cathedral City Fire Department in 2009 as a Battalion Chief. His experience includes Emergency Preparedness, Operations, and Training. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Administration from Santa Ana College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Grand Canyon University. From 2013 to 2015, he also taught fire safety as an Adjunct Professor for Columbia Southern University. Locally, he has been active in Cathedral City’s community outreach programs and festivals, the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City, and a mentor for the Cathedral City High School Mentor Program.

Parks and Community Events Commission at Your Corner Happens Thursday on Zoom Register now for a new opportunity to speak to several of your Parks and Community Events Commissioners at this month’s virtual Parks & Community Events Commission at Your Corner as Commissioners Fergus Currie and Danny Lee along with Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory will host an informal discussion of issues related to our public parks and community events in Cathedral City. This virtual event wil...l take place on Thursday, October 22, 2020 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Zoom.us. You must register for the event in advance at https://bit.ly/3iJUtd8. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting on the day of the event. If you are planning to use a smartphone or tablet, it may be beneficial to download the Zoom app in advance and sign-up for an account. Remember to lower the volume of your audio speakers if you ask a question to the commissioners to avoid audio feedback. This is your opportunity to share your ideas, let the commissioners know your concerns, and hear the latest news. Best of all, the discussion is free!

Animal Control Available to Help When the Neighborhood Goes to the Dogs In June, the City Council adopted an ordinance to amend our municipal codes related to animals so that they mirror those of Riverside County (https://library.municode.com//ri/codes/code_of_ordinances) with some local exceptions (http://qcode.us/codes/cathedralcity/view.php). This was necessary to effectively help residents handle a nuisance situation when it comes to animals in their neighborhood. ... If your neighborhood has gone to the dogs, here are some helpful tips to better address the situations: Situation 1: If you have a dangerous or mean dog roaming free in the neighborhood or imminently capable of getting free from their confined area, call 9-1-1 to have police and animal control respond right away. Situation 2: If you have a friendly dog roaming free in the neighborhood and you cannot locate the owner to place the dog back into a confined area, then call Riverside County Animal Control at (760) 343-3644 and report it. Situation 3: If you have a dog that chronically barks to a point of creating a public nuisance, you can contact Riverside County Animal Control at (760) 343-3644 to report it. They will have you fill-out a public nuisance form to start an investigation, notify the owner, and then determine the best method to help resolve the situation. The form in English https://bit.ly/2Tc2DRm and in Spanish https://bit.ly/3kjo2nv For more information about these and other situations, go to: https://www.rcdas.org/index.php

Cathedral City Drag Race Winner Angelique VaGorgeous Highlighted in Palm Springs Life Last October, Angelique VaGorgeous won the Cathedral City Drag Race, a six-week competition that brought out the best drag performances in the Coachella Valley. If the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions for LIVE entertainment were not currently in effect, the Cathedral City Gay Business Association would be hosting the second annual competition and looking for this year’s winner. Due t...o the pandemic, Angelique VaGorgeous continues as the reigning Queen of the Cathedral City Drag Race. In the meantime, she hopes to take last year’s win and land on the RuPaul Drag Race television show. Released yesterday on Palm Springs Life website, Angelique discusses the competition, the LGBTQI life in Cathedral City, bars and restaurants, and how she keeps busy during these COVID-19 months. Check-out the story and the very VaGorgeous photos at: https://www.palmspringslife.com/angelique-vagorgeous/. Photo credit: Nate Abbott

Councilmember Rita Lamb Reads Stellaluna for Coronavirus Storytime In collaboration with S.C.R.A.P. Gallery’s That’s Bat-Tastic Art Contest (www.scrapgallery.org) for Halloween, Councilmember Rita Lamb reads, Stellaluna for Coronavirus Storytime. Councilmember Lamb previously served as a teacher and principal and understands the importance of reading to children as it builds their vocabulary. Children who are read to develop language and thinking skills. In fact, acc...ording to Early Childhood Alliance, the development of a child’s vocabulary is one of the best predictors for how your child will do with reading comprehension. Reading encourages a child’s imagination and empathy, as it allows them to put themselves into the characters’ position. Reading also brings families together. At the next bedtime, naptime, or any time, use this video as a tool for reading to your child. Stellaluna pulls on the emotional batwings as it shows that family and friendship can be found in unexpected ways. Enjoy!

Riverside County Must Return to the Most Restrictive Tier for COVID-19 Reopening The state announced today that Riverside County must return to the most restrictive Purple Widespread tier for the next three weeks as the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the Coachella Valley and county. Each of us plays a role in slowing the spread by wearing a facial covering and social distancing when around others outside of our immediate households. Unfortunately, this rev...ersal will cause the following changes to businesses operating in the county within the next 72 hours. In the Purple Tier, the following applies: Bars that serve food can open outdoors only Bars that do not serve food must remain closed Bookstores open with 25% capacity Clothing and shoe stores open with 25% capacity Concert venues closed Convention Centers closed Cultural ceremonies, Churches can open outdoors only Dance studios open outdoors only Family Entertainment Centers (Kart racing, batting cages, mini-golf) open outdoors only Farmers markets open Festivals closed Grocery stores open with 50% capacity Gyms and fitness centers can open outdoors only Hair salons, barbershops and nail salons open with modifications Home and furnishing stores open with 25% capacity Hospitals and urgent care open with modifications Hotels and lodging open with modifications Indoor playgrounds closed Libraries open with 25% capacity Live theater closed Massage therapy can open outdoors only Movie theaters can open outdoors only Museums can open outdoors only Nightclubs closed Offices (non-essential businesses) work remotely Pet groomers open with modifications Professional Sports open without live audiences Restaurants can open outdoors only Retailers open with 25% capacity Saunas and steam rooms closed Shopping malls open with 25% capacity, close food courts, close common areas Swimming pools open outdoors with modifications Theme parks closed Weddings only outdoor services with modifications Zoos can open outdoor exhibits only To find the latest information and/or other categories not listed, go to the Governor’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy at https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy

Virtual Halloween Costume Contest by S.C.R.A.P. Gallery Calling all ghoulish and goofy Halloween costume makers to enter the Go Green for Halloween costume contest for kids and adults. This is a virtual costume contest asking those who enter to reuse, recycle, and recreate their costumes. Send S.C.R.A.P. Gallery your picture and you can win prizes in a variety of green, scary, and fun categories. Be sure to list how and what you reused to make your costume. Your photo may be published on social media for the entire world to see. Email your photo to [email protected]. Deadline is Saturday, October 31, 2020.

California to independently review any COVID-19 vaccine approved by the F.D.A....

Virtual City Hall at Your Corner Happens Tomorrow, October 20th Register now for October’s virtual City Hall at Your Corner as Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory and Councilmember Mark Carnevale host the event for an informal discussion of issues in Cathedral City. This virtual event will take place on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Zoom.us. You must register for the event in advance at https://bit.ly/33fsfT4. After registering, you will receive a confir...mation email containing information about joining the meeting on the day of the event. If you are planning to use a smartphone or tablet, it may be beneficial to download the Zoom app in advance and sign-up for an account. Remember to lower the volume of your audio speakers if you ask a question to the councilmembers to avoid audio feedback. City Hall at Your Corner is scheduled once a month and at different times of the day to make it accessible to a variety of schedules. It is your opportunity to share your ideas, let the council know your concerns, and hear the latest news. Best of all, the discussion is free!