Daniels Returns To Work To Tackle Issues

coachella valley city leader returns to work–after a stint in rehab. desert hot springs city manager rick daniels joined the city council for it’s scheduled meeting, tonight. it was his first day on the job since announcing last month that he was seeking treatment for alcoholism. news channel 3’s philippe djegal is here with more on the story. philippe — he was greeted by several members of the community. daniels shook hands with them and returned some hugs. he declined to speak with us camera today… but said he’ll be available next week. there’s a lot on his plate… and his collegues expect that he’ll be taking it slow the next few weeks. “well, we’re thrilled. we’re thrilled.” “we’re real happy to have him back.” daniels initial three year contract has expired. discussions over renewing his deal were put on hold when he checked into rehab in late september. the city extended his contract 90 days while he was gone. it will expire on january 20th. “uh, he’s probably not going to be working full-time. but, yes, i think he’s up to it.” “obviously, he has some challenges – that’s not a secret, and the city has had quite a bit that it’s had to work through in the last 30 days.” city officals acknowledge some disorganization in the city during daniels absence, and miscommunicatio n with the media. “i think the last week, i’ve got about 50 voicemails i’m trying to work through. so, i got back to you today as soon as i could.” phone calls and voice-messages left with several city officials made by news channel three this week were not returned. the city was accused of failing to report salaries and compensation earned by city employees to the state controllers office. the state controller launched a new website monday… listing all salaries of all california city and county employees. it’s an effort to avoid scandals like that in the los angeles county suburb of bell. “it was filed late. i believe they gave the cities, everyone across the state about 5 to 6 weeks to respond in a certain format.” the information was requested by the state in mid-august. the paperwork was due by october first. however, assistant city manager jason simpson did not send the information out until last friday. “primarily because we have a third party payroll provider and we were trying to get the data in their format that they requested.” desert hot springs is the only city the coachella valley to file its paper work with the state late. the requested data is still not on the state’s website. the city could be fined 5- thousand dollars for not filing on time. but simpson doesn’t expect that will happen. “even themselves, they were over 100 days late passing their budget. so, you know, i would have an issue if they did try to access the task.” meanwhile, rick daniels settles back into work — with a lot on his plate. “may be we put too much pressure at once. the city’s gotten a lot done in the last three years. and, when you think back, sometimes you gotta step back, take things a little slower, regroup and then move ahead.” the council had a talk with daniels during closed session. but the city attorney says his contract was not discussed. however, it was announced today that communications and community services director laura green has been released of her duties. the city says that was done to cut costs. she made more than 115- thousand dollars per year. “vote 2010.” the candidates