Commission asks staff to check CV Link status and potential public-safety costs

Commissioners raised concerns about the potential public-safety and budgetary impacts if the proposed CV Link route were to run along Palm Drive. The commission asked staff to contact the city manager and regional partners to determine project status and whether the item should be agendized for further review.

One commissioner said news reports from other cities showed homeless encampment issues and at least one attempted murder near some CV Link locations, and asked what additional calls for service, biohazard cleanup and staffing demands the city should expect if a CV Link segment runs through Desert Hot Springs.

"If we are gonna do it here, I'd kinda like to look at the budgetary cliff and...what is it going to cost the police department, code compliance and the fire department?" the commissioner said, asking staff to produce projected numbers and to return with recommendations about whether the commission should take a formal position or request council action.

Tyler said he had discussed CV Link with similar cities and that code enforcement teams in those jurisdictions often receive support from CVAG (Coachella Valley Association of Governments). The commission moved to ask staff to check on the CV Link status with the city manager and regional partners; a commissioner seconded the request and staff agreed to pass the concern along to the city manager.

No formal vote was recorded on a policy position; commissioners asked staff for follow-up and possible agendizing at a future meeting.