KESQ investigates new divides in CV Link
$76 million has already been set aside for the CV Link, a 50-mile path for walking, jogging, biking and slow-moving electric vehicles.
The California Transportation Commission may announce a new $5.5 million award for the project when it meets March 15th, bringing the project closer to its $100-million fundraising goal.
But a division is growing between local cities involved in the project originally set to run from Palm Springs all the way to Coachella.
“Never in the history of CVAG’s history have we ever have had this happen,” said Indio Mayor Michael Wilson and CVAG Transportation Committee Chairman. “And quite frankly it’s tearing at the fabric of what we’re all about,” Wilson added.
Wilson– is upset not just that Rancho Mirage has pulled out of the CV Link project, but that city leaders are writing letters trying to kill the latest state grant to help pay for the active transportation path.
Coachella Valley Association of Governments Executive Director, Tom Kirk, was also concerned at a January Riverside County Transportation Committee meeting.
Kirk said, “I gather the letter was stimulated by one of our local city council people in the Coachella Valley who appears to be very opposed to the CV Link project.”
“Why is Rancho Mirage is trying to intercede and be the spoiler in a regional project in bringing money home to our constituents,” said Wilson. “I don’t have the answer to that question,” he added.
Rancho Mirage City Council member Dana Hobart details five CVAG errors he says it committed in its grant application to the California Transportation Commission, set to award the project $5.5 million this month.
Hobart points to the CV Link application’s initial excessive low-income census tracts improperly added, it’s initial exclusion of higher income Census tracts, Hobart cites its failure to disclose the Rancho Mirage gap in the CV Link, the failure to disclose the Indian Wells gap in CV Link and an alleged misrepresentation by Kirk existing over a Rancho Mirage class one, rural path, Kirk contends the city did not want improved.
Hobart says CVAG intentionally misrepresented the CV Link path by failing to mention it won’t run through Rancho Mirage or Indian Wells– 16-percent of it’s proposed length.
He’s also upset CVAG may use Measure A tax funds for it, up to $600,000 a year for its maintenance. It’s money Hobart says should only be used for roads and bridges.
“Mike Wilson is not telling you what I would say is the truth,” said Hobart.
Hobart points to a staff report written by CVAG Executive Director, Tom Kirk, saying CV Link may use Measure A tax dollars.
Measure A is a half-cent sales tax voters approved in 1988 to address Riverside County’s crumbling roads, growing traffic and desperate need for more regional roads and bridges.
Hobart said, “There is absolutely NO way this project, the operation, and maintenance of the CV Link can occur without the use of Measure A funds.”
Coachella Mayor, Steven Hernandez, says he doesn’t want CV Link siphoning Measure A money from his city’s road and bridge needs.
Hernandez said, “We’re the only city in the Coachella Valley that doesn’t have I-10 access. So for us, that’s important that we have that, right?”
Indian Wells City Council Member, Ty Peabody said, “Any money pulled from Measure A for a new project moves these other projects further down.”
Peabody says Riverside County’s infrastructure needs, 250 already identified, are too great for wasting money on what he calls a glorified bike path, built to the specifications of a road.
“They have every intention of using Measure A money,” said Peabody. “Anybody who says that. If you read the documents you’ll see where Measure A comes up over and over again,” Peabody added.
He wants all Coachella Valley residents to have a chance to vote on the path he says has no viable routes through Indian Wells.
Peabody cites a lack of space, high cost for connectors and maintenance, and that it would destroy scenic views.
“Unless the council or another council overrides that vote, it’s a done deal,” Peabody said. When asked if the city is out, Peabody replied, “We’re out.”
At least two other Indian Wells City Council Members, contacted for this story, agreed with Peabody’s assessment. Ted Mertens said, “It’s crazy to say we’re not out, because we are.” Dana Reed said politically, he agreed with Peabody. Council Member Kimberly Muzik offered no comment and Mayor Richard Balocco said he could not offer anything for this story.
The Riverside County Transportation Commission still supports the CV Link project.
Executive Director, Ann Mayer, wrote a letter disagreeing with Hobart’s claims, but Hobart responded with his own letter citing evidence to the contrary.
Wilson said, “It’s not about the project, the project we’re trying to do. It’s become personal. And it’s become personal with council member Dana Hobart.”
“That’s just malarky, hyperbole and someone trying to make an argument,” Hobart replied.
The California Transportation Commission will have the final say on which side it’s on when it approves or denies the grant.
A CVAG spokeswoman says Measure A money would be one of many possible funding options for maintenance.
GoldenVoice says its interested in operating and maintaining CV Link under license with a goal of making money from it and allowing the concert promoter to pay for its maintenance.
No binding contract has yet been struck. CVAG says there’s plenty of time for that later.
CVAG Executive Director Tom Kirk has not yet commented to us on the divide between CVAG member cities and questions of the CV Link use of Measure A money for it.
