www.coachellavalleyweekly.com
Isaiah Hagerman
City Manager of Rancho Mirage disagreed as the county rolled back safety precautions. Aguilar is aware that many in his community have underlying conditions, which make them more vulnerable. “I would love to see all the festivals return. We have festivals here that were cancelled,” said Aguilar. “Events should be looked at on a case by case basis. My perspective is: why would I want to put any of our citizens in harm’s way if we don’t have all the answers in place. If you practice good health protocols and can save lives, why wouldn’t you continue to do that until we are over the hump and have a vaccine in place. We will do nothing that might jeopardy the community’s health.” When it comes to local governments making decisions for their communities, city councils have limited authority, but are able to implement their own mandatory orders. Civil liberties versus public health have become an issue for some communities. “They are both important. We shouldn’t have to choose one or the other,” said Aguilar. “The restrictions that we are all operating under now are difficult and they do impede our normal way of life. This pandemic is something we didn’t create so we are just trying to manage it. Managing it as you would a natural disaster, sometimes we have to do things that are uncomfortable. If someone could show me a way – they haven’t yet – that we could lift all the
Glenn Miller Mayor of Indio
restriction and go back to the way of life we were living two months ago, I’d be the first to say sign me up. But we’re not there yet.” As cities weigh the benefits and risks to keep our way of life in the Coachella Valley healthy and functioning, a common analogy is the light switch. It is not just turning the switch on or off, it is like a dimmer that gradually turns up the brightness. RANCHO MIRAGE The city of Rancho Mirage projects it will lose between $4 and $5 million in revenue from March through June 2020 due to the pandemic. The city has 29 cases of Covid-19 and three deaths. City Manager, Isaiah Hagerman submitted financial information and a statement as the mayor’s seat transitioned last week from Iris Smotrich to G. Dana Hobart. Hagerman: “The City of Rancho Mirage, its businesses and citizens are extremely resilient and giving. The City Council have stewarded the City’s financials to weather unforeseen circumstances that may disrupt its economy. We are often referred to as the Heart of the Palm Springs Valley so we are confident we will continue to be a top destination in Southern California. Although this pandemic is having a devastating effect, we are a close-knit community filled with brilliant, innovative and hardworking people. It’s too soon to tell how long the rebound will take, but spirits and optimism will remain
May 14 to May 20, 2020
high.” INDIO Indio’s mayor, Glenn Miller, knows exactly how many days until the October return of the postponed Coachella Music and Arts Festival and Stagecoach. The city has a contractual obligation with Goldenvoice, and Miller is confident the events will take place. “Our number one priority is the safety of everybody in the city,” said Miller. “We are looking at what we can do to move forward hopefully with all the proper procedures in place. We are working toward those goals.” Indio has the largest population of the nine CV cities. They have 163 confirmed cases and five deaths. Miller believes the city is ready to reopen all businesses. “We have a lot of mom and pop businesses,” said Miller. “You can’t treat all businesses the same. Give us the guidelines and we will do what we have to do to make it work to their advantage. If someone is uncomfortable opening, they don’t have to open. They set their future. As long as businesses have the proper procedures in place and are making sure they, their families, guests, and employees are safe, we are here to support them.” HOTELIERS “I have a strong feeling that we will recover faster than other communities,” said Aftab Dada, Vice President, Managing Director, Hilton Palm Springs. “I believe we will see gas and oil prices lower, creating a greater ‘drive market.’ We are a society that likes to move, to get out and around and spend money. We still have 360 days of sunshine with lots of space.” Hilton Palm Springs is one of two hotels allowed to remain open providing housing for essential workers from airline employees to quarantined health workers. Shannon Anderson, Hilton’s General Manger, does her best to focus on the future and consider what hospitality looks like from behind a mask.
“People can’t see us smile, we can’t shake hands,” said Anderson. “We are in the business of hospitality so how do we take this on board and move forward. How will roomservice, breakfast and buffets look? How many guests will be able to enjoy the pool? This is something we have never experienced before. There’s no historical data or a Ted Talk to reference. The landscape is changing, and it’s a constant conversation.” Conservatively, Dada believes the pandemic will set the valley back three to five years with lingering and lasting effects. He is glad the government has infused the economy with so much liquidity, and hopes there will be another round as people and businesses get back on their feet. He sees social distancing, masks, and hand washing as something that may become the norm. Coachella’s Mayor Hernandez, who grew up in the CV, considers what the valley might be like in the future without the festivals. “In the 80s and 90s, the valley didn’t have events with 100,000 plus people coming here during a single weekend,” said Hernandez. “People came for Spring Break, golf, tennis and the sun. It could be that way again.” “This is a resilient destination and we will get through it together,” said CVB’s White. “I’m of the mindset that we are all one city with nine distinct neighborhoods. We can be safe together.” Local governments have had to step up and deal with the public health crisis and the resulting economic disaster. It is a global event. The survival of the Coachella Valley depends on the people who live in our desert communities. It absolutely seems to be the truth when folks say we are all in this together whether they like it or not. “Social distancing is the worst thing that can happen to a tourist-based economy. It is worse than a 7.5 earthquake or a toxic Salton Sea,” said CVEP’s Wallace. “It will not be a death blow, but it will be a life-changing event.”
COVID-19 REOPENING PHASES STAGE 1: SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS Make workplaces safe for our essential workers.
STAGE 2: LOWER-RISK WORKPLACES
Gradually reopen retail (curbside only), manufacturing & logistics. Later, relax retail restrictions, adapt & reopen schools, child care, offices & limited hospitality, personal services.
STAGE 3: HIGHER-RISK WORKPLACES
Adapt and reopen movie theaters, religious services, & more personal & hospitality services.
STAGE 4: END OF STAY HOME ORDER Reopen areas of highest risk: e.g. Concerts, conventions, sports arenas.
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