On Monday, June 27th, CVAG held its annual General Assembly at the Mission Lakes Country Club in Desert Hot Springs. Guests enjoyed smooth jazzy tunes played by members of the Desert Hot Springs High School Jazz Ensemble; an informative address by guest speaker and newly appointed Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent Mark Butler; and friendly conversation and networking among all of the guests.  Elected officials from each of CVAG's jurisdictions attended the meeting, while the staff of Mission Lakes Country Club diligently worked to provide a delicious dinner to all who attended.

Items approved at the General Assembly included the FY2011/2012 CVAG Annual Budget and the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of CVAG.  Members unanimously elected Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor John J. Benoit as the FY2011/2012 CVAG Chair and the City of Blythe Mayor Joseph DeConinck as Vice Chair.

CVAG staff presented the FY2010/2011 year in accomplishments which visually displayed the many projects CVAG and its member jurisdictions completed, began, and continue to work on for the betterment of the Coachella Valley, its residents, and visitors.  For more information on viewing that presentation, please click here. 

 

THIS JUST IN!

 

The Executive Committee has approved a new calendar of meetings creating a schedule of seven meetings per year. CVAG will be "dark" during the months of July, August, October, December, and March.  Special meetings may be called during those months; however, members will be given notice on those occasions.  The new calendar can be found on CVAG's website, or click here for a direct link to that printable calendar.


The 2011 Coachella Valley Energy Summit on May 12 attracted nearly 300 attendees who gathered to discuss the region's efforts to be at the forefront of renewable energy and local energy policy. Valley mayors demonstrated our region's commitment to move proactively towards conservation, sustainability, and energy efficiency as they updated attendees on recent accomplishments. CVAG and Southern California Edison representatives announced CVAG's green government initiative to promote more energy efficient buildings and ways to reduce greenhouse gases. California Energy (CEC) Commissioner Carla Peterman touted renewable energy as key to the state's energy plans and emphasized the significance of rooftop distributed generation. She also described the state's focus on net-zero energy buildings, high efficiency retrofits to existing buildings, and promoting energy efficient appliances. CEC Commissioner James Boyd focused on the need to transition to clean fuels and alternative vehicles as solutions to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Afternoon keynote speaker, actor Ed Begley, Jr. described his personal efforts to prove that "what is good for the environment is also good for the pocketbook" with cheap and easy energy efficiency measures. Other speakers described the options for a green economy based on energy efficiency and sustainability.  On May 13, the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership hosted a renewable energy bus tour and workshop to promote clean and green businesses.

CVAG and our member jurisdictions anticipate great strides in energy efficiency in the coming year.

Thanks are due to our major sponsors including Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, and the Desert Sun as well as Imperial Irrigation District, South Coast Air Quality Management District and many others. 

 

 

CVAG's balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2011/2012 was adopted by the General Assembly at the June 27, 2011 meeting.  Some of the budget highlights are as follows:

 

CVAG's general fund operating cost decreased by nearly $200,000. CVAG has reduced its staffing from 18 to 14 by leaving 2 positions vacant and laying-off 2 employees. There is also no cost of living increase and no salary increases for staff.

 

The Transportation Program continues to be the dominant program of CVAG with total projected revenue of $80M. CVAG is the Regional Transportation Planning Authority for the Coachella Valley, charged with all transportation planning and administration of a multi-million dollar regional arterial construction program designed to keep traffic flowing smoothly.

 

The Community Resources Program will generate $2.9M in revenues which has mainly been budgeted for the operation of Roy's Desert Resource Center and for the Regional Street Sweeping program.

 

The Energy and Environmental Resources Program will provide $4.2M in revenues where most of the funding will be used for the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and for promoting valley-wide energy conservation and efficiency efforts.

 

To view the entire budget click here.