Issues Facing Palm Desert

By Jim Ferguson

Desert Sun Questionnaire

1. How to develop land around the new California State University campus has been the subject of much debate, with some suggesting more golf courses and others wanting a "village" atmosphere for the students. How do you think the city should develop the area around the campus?

Palm Desert's success is based on balanced growth. We have diverse needs. Housing, economic, environmental and growth issues, all of which must be carefully considered. The Council appointed a General Plan Advisory Committee to evaluate, in part, the university area. When they make their report back to us, it will be considered with great importance before we adopt a final plan. I'm confident the outcome will meet Palm Desert's standards for quality development.

2. Should the city take an active role in providing more affordable housing within its borders?

Palm Desert already takes an active role in providing affordable housing. We have provided the highest quality affordable housing with the Desert Rose development; taken control of 725 apartment units to improve management; and reached an excellent agreement with housing advocacy groups which spells out the number and type of additional housing units we will provide through the year 2006. Currently, we are building 162 new multi-family apartments and soon an additional 32 unit complex.

3. A new golf course development has been proposed for the hillsides just outside of the city limits in an area that could be annexed by the city. How do you feel about the delicate balance of preserving open spaces while accommodating growth?

The new golf course represents the best proposal the City has received to date for this hillside area. The previous development had 137 homes where the current proposal has none. The area to be disturbed by the golf course is minimal compared to residential development and has no light pollution normally associated with these subdivisions # especially a hillside. If the developer receives consensus from environmental agencies, we should consider it an asset for Palm Desert.

4. Retail and resort taxes make up more than half the city ' s annual general operations budget. Does the city need to diversify its economy? If so, how can that be accomplished?

Palm Desert made a commitment 5 years ago toward regional economic development through the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership. We have been looking at expanding trade opportunities with Mexico and aggressively recruiting "clean" technologies to the Coachella valley. Not all of this has to occur within our City limits. It may take some time, but I firmly believe we are well on our way to securing a third leg to our economic base.

5. Would you support raising taxes to pay for providing services to the city ' s growing population?

Absolutely not. Palm Desert has never had an unbalanced budget, we have large financial reserves and we are proud of the fact that our residents only pay a $48 per year fire tax which gives them free fire and paramedic services. Our fiscal conservatism paid rich dividends as we finished a difficult year and still had a budget surplus. To raise taxes would serve no useful purpose.

6. What do you think will be the most challenging issue for the city in the next decade, and how should the council prepare to face that challenge?

Growth. Population in the Coachella doubled over the last ten years to 318,000 full time residents. If we double again, we risk losing valuable farm land (and with it the agricultural economy), having traffic congestion, water shortages, PM10 and other emissions to the environment, and potential harm to threatened and endangered species. The Multi-Species Habitat Plan draft is an excellent attempt to address this problem, but it is going to take plenty of work.

7. Should the cities in the valley served by Southern California Edison continue to examine a possible government-run power company? Why or why not?

Reducing utility rates through government action should be a priority. The costs of forcibly purchasing our local utility are too great. Instead, our goal should be to aggregate power purchases in order to obtain the lowest rates available. This can be done in conjunction with the private utility company, which would remain responsible for power distribution. By doing this, governments can become involved in the process and gain expertise without incurring tremendous financial risk.

8. What distinguishes you from your opponents?

We all have things that are priorities for us. For me, it has been public safety, economic development and revitalizing older neighborhoods in Palm Desert. We have a diverse but extremely cooperative Council and I believe we have achieved significant success with the creation of our Public Safety Commission, establishment of our University campuses, and our home improvement and residential utility under grounding program. I believe our success speaks for itself.

9. For challengers: Have you attended council meetings? What are you doing to familiarize yourself with issues important to the city?

[not applicable]

For incumbents: What one accomplishment from your current term in office are you most proud of?

The City of Palm Desert, for the first time in the history of the State, has brought the California State University and University of California together on the same campus within our City. Both universities have committed substantial resources, along with generous private sector support, toward the construction of this facility. I am proud that all of our children will be able to get a college and graduate education right here in Palm Desert.