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Administration, Administrative Services 

And Legal

Administration

A five-member Council governs the City. Council members are elected to four-year terms. The five elected officials are from five separate areas of the City, but voting is Citywide with elections occurring every two years. They are the legislative and policy-forming branch of the City. The City Council also acts as the Board of Directors for the Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, Library, Joint Powers Financing Authority, and Community Services District.

The City Council employs and directs the City Manager, City Clerk and City Attorney.

City Manager

The City Manager oversees all activities of the staff which have been divided into several departments:

  • Public Library
  • Administration
  • Administrative Services
  • Community Development
  • Housing Authority
  • Public Works
  • Economic Development
  • Management Services

Within the separate departments, duties include administration of the City budget, processing of annexations, coordination of assessment districts, analysis of housing and population characteristics, coordination of commissions, contract management, redevelopment and housing activities, personnel management, financial operations, computer operations, purchasing, risk management, emergency preparedness, business licensing, and investment of City funds.  The City Manager also administers the City's Tickets & Passes Distribution Policy in accordance with Section 18944.1 of the California Code of Regulations.

General Government

General Government services include: evaluating and completing grant applications; assisting in contract administration and performance reporting; providing support to the City Manager and Department Directors on projects spanning departments; legislative analysis and monitoring; animal control and shelter services; and risk management and insurance benefits coordination.

Special Programs

Includes a number of special activities and programs for the City that include:

  1. The City's participation in the Joslyn Center, a joint effort with the Cities of Indian Wells and Palm Desert; 
  2. The Community Parks and Recreation Commission which plans, organizes and hosts special events such as fine art exhibits and festivals or family events throughout the year.

Mandated Programs

Mandated Programs that are legislatively required by Federal or State government or other agencies having jurisdiction over the City. Such programs are related to the Americans with Disability Act (Federal), air quality (Federal and State), integrated solid waste management (State), water conservation (State), wetlands (Federal), and the Local Agency Formation Commission (State).

Regional Planning & Implementation Programs

Regional Planning and Implementation Programs related to regional activities in which some or all Coachella Valley cities and the County participate or which relate to the Southern California Association of Governments. As local jurisdictions struggle to implement various programs, the "joint effort" approach has become important as a way of achieving cost savings and increasing productivity. Examples include the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Coachella Valley Animal Campus.

Air Pollution Reduction

Includes regulating programs for the City and supporting all regional efforts. AB 2766, dealing with Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction (MSAPR), became effective in 1990. This legislation authorized the imposition of an additional motor vehicle registration fee to fund provisions of the Clean Air Act and other air quality management plans. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) imposed the fee in 1991; this fee is collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles, and then allocated to the SCAQMD. Of this total, SCAQMD must distribute 40% to cities and counties that have enacted ordinances requiring these funds to be expended on Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction. Because the Coachella Valley does not meet Federal standards for PM10, including PM10 which is emitted by mobile sources (motor vehicles driving over sand particles on paved streets and grinding these particles into PM10), 45% of the City's AB 2766 revenues are utilized to support the regional clean streets sweeping program.

Storm Water Quality

Includes The Clean Water Act of 1972 enacted by Congress to control and reduce sources of water pollution. At that time the focus centered on point sources or specific geographic locations. In 1987, revisions to the Clean Water Act required that storm water runoff be cleaned up as well. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB) are responsible for the implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) required by the Clean Water Act revisions. Under guidelines promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Whitewater River Region of Riverside County is required to be covered by an area-wide storm water discharge permit. Rancho Mirage is a part of this region. The permit requires certain activities and programs to be in place in order to ensure compliance with Clean Water Act regulations. Requirements include retrofitting of retention basins with filters and traps, cleanup of hazardous water spills, enforcement of ordinances that prohibit illegal discharge of pollutants, and a higher level of street sweeping. Public education and technical training are also required, as well as preparation of a Drainage Area Master Plan. In December 1993, the City annexed to County Service Area 152, which was established as a mechanism to fund NPDES Programs and more cost-efficiently coordinate certain tasks such as public education. A charge is assigned to a parcel based on the amount of runoff generated by that parcel.

AB 939 Recycling Program

Services funded in this special account include: supporting construction and demolition debris recycling; providing convenient collection of household hazardous waste and sharps from residents; continuing to expand the Restaurant Food Waste Recycling program; and participating in regional recycling efforts, such as those for used oil and telephone book recycling.

69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Phone: (760) 324-4511
Fax: (760) 324-8830
Patrick M. Pratt, City Manager/Executive Director of RDA

Human Resources/Risk Management

Personnel provides the following centralized human resources functions:

  • Recruitment and selection processes;
  • Performs compensation and classification studies;
  • Administers employee benefit programs;
  • Promotes employee relations and performance;
  • Administers employee evaluation program;
  • Manages labor relations, including negotiations and mediation;
  • Directs Safety and OSHA compliance;
  • Administers Workers' Compensation program, and
  • Maintains and ensures compliance with Federal and State mandates such as OSHA, FLSA, CFRA, FEHA, PDLL, ADA, FMLA and EEO.

The Human Resources goal is to attract and retain a highly talented and qualified City of Rancho Mirage workforce with a desire to serve.

69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Phone: (760) 324-4511
Fax: (760) 324-8830
Kim Malcolm-Valente, Human Resources Manager

 

Administrative Services

The Department of Administrative Services consists of three divisions: Administration, Finance and Information Services. This department administers multiple functions including emergency preparedness, finance, treasury, information services, and serves as the liaison between the City and the Fire and Sheriff's Departments.

Administration Division

The Administration Division consists of the Director of Administrative Services/Emergency Services Coordinator position. This position is responsible for the oversight of the Administrative Services Department and its overall work program, as well as serves as the liaison to the Public Entity Risk Management Authority (PERMA) - the City's liability and workers' compensation insurance carrier.  This division/position is also responsible for  Emergency Services which include planning, coordination of response, recovery and mitigation activities related to City-wide emergencies and disasters. This division serves as the primary coordination point for emergency management's communication flow between the Federal, State and local levels. Developing emergency operation plans for the City; conducting training and educational outreach programs related to emergency preparedness; and working with the Community Emergency Preparedness Commission.

The Administration Division also provides executive assistance to the City Council and the City Manager, serves as liaison to several commissions and committees, and coordinates special projects that span several City departments or involve other agencies or organizations. Provides oversight, coordination and project management for several divisions including general government services, community information and public relations, mandated programs, regional planning and implementation activities, and intergovernmental programs and projects.

69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Phone: (760) 324-4511
Fax: (760) 324-8830
Scott Morgan, Director of Administrative Services/Emergency Services Coordinator

Public Information & Community Relations

Public Information and Community Relations is now coordinated under the Administrative Services Department and includes a wide variety of services to inform, engage, involve and respond to the residents and businesses of Rancho Mirage and to ensure consistent and accurate information is available to assist in delivering quality customer services. Community information includes the City's website and preparing publications such as the MirageScape newsletter, news releases, and other special notices and publications.

Finance Division

The Finance Division of the Department of Administrative Services manages the financial affairs of the City including the Library, Housing Authority, Redevelopment Agency and the Joint Powers Financing Authority. Responsibilities include providing financial advice and information to the City Manager and City Council regarding the fiscal affairs of the City, coordinating the development of bond issues, preparing the annual budget, monitoring expenditures for compliance with the budget, preparing financial reports on a timely basis, administering the payroll and accounts payable programs, business license administration and purchasing.

69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Phone: (760) 770-3207
Fax: (760) 324-0528
Virginia Ortega, Interim Accounting Manager
virginiao@ranchomirageca.gov

Information Services Division

The Information Services Division of the Department of Administrative Services manages the data processing and telecommunications resources of the City. Responsibilities include the acquisition and maintenance of computer hardware and software, telephone and radio systems, and office equipment.

69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Phone: (760) 324-4511
Fax: (760) 324-8830
Sarah Steepleton, Information Services Manager

 

Legal

City Attorney

The Rancho Mirage City Attorney manages the legal affairs of the City of Rancho Mirage and its related agencies, the Rancho Mirage Redevelopment Agency and the Rancho Mirage Housing Authority. The City Attorney provides legal advice to the City Council, the City Manager, city staff, and the city's various boards and commissions. The City Attorney represents the city in legal proceedings to enforce city ordinances, and provides, either directly or through special counsel, for the representation of the city in civil matters. The City Attorney drafts and reviews necessary legal documents such as ordinances, contracts, and resolutions. The City Attorney assists the City Council in formulating and implementing programs and policies maintaining and enhancing Rancho Mirage's reputation as a desirable place to live, work, and visit.

 

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