President Lane Sarasohn call the group to order, with a salute to the flag with a Pledge of Allegience and a morning prayer by City Councilman Hank Hohenstein. Sarasohn then allowed the many in attendance to introduce themselves or their businesses. Upon finalizing the intros, President Lane introduced the newly elected mayor, Alex Bias.

As Mayor Alex Bias  took the lectern, he graciously greeted the crowd to a reception of warm applause. Behind him was a video presentation highlighting the more pertinent issues facing the City of Desert Hot Springs.

His first order of business was the mentioning of John Furbee, who was selected to receive the Senior Inspiration Award, a highly recognized honor for outstanding service to city, community and humankind. John Furbee is a perfect selection for this coveted award.

Mayor Bias began with talk of his trip to northern California, where he was briefed on city politics. He says, "You have to give up your own opinions in order to do the people's business." There is in this state, the California Strategic Growth Plan. We need to develop

the same. That will be our General Plan update.

Complimenting Deputy City Manager, John Soulliere and staff for putting together the presentation he said, "We are here to find out "Where is our City?"

He began with Community Safety, the most important issue before the city. Police are undergoing a metamorphosis. The department is on its way to adopting the Police Plan 2010. Police computers will be upgraded to mobile terminals in vehicles. Instantaneous photos can be transmitted from Police Station to vehicle.

Fire: A long range master plan which includes squad vehicles, made possible by a Homeland Security grant. Fire protection and Medical Emergency Response. An agreement with D. R. Horton and the City to build a Fire station west of town near Karen Road.

Code Enforcement: Our officers must be pro-active and prepared to do the job.

Neighborhood Clean Up: The ongoing clean up will continue to address the blight in the city and surrounding area. The city will continue this program with no burden to citizens.

Public Service: Needs of seniors will be and have been addressed, with medicines, legal assistance, exercise programs and many more.

Park & Recreaton: In 2005 we had a classic car show at which the attendance reached over 100,000 people. Our 4th of July Fireworks Show was an outstanding success. Already this year Ali Baba has contributed $5,000.00 toward the 2006 Fireworks Show. To make the show more interesting said Bias, "this year they get to Dunk the Mayor!"

Growth: Growth in Desert Hot Springs is phenomenal, and we must continually evaluate our needs. We now have 4100 new family homes.

Improvement Projects: We must hold our reserves but allow almost $9 million out of our $39 million budget, for Capital improvements to finish upgrading Pierson Blvd. and increasing size and span of the I-10 overpass at the southern end of Palm Drive, which during working hours becomes a terrible bottleneck.

Annexation: This is needed as LAFCO encourages us to move forward with this. We are developing a Master Annexation Plan. The I-10 corridor is a must in securing our area. 

Graffiti: We are constantly working to suppress it but we need more resources.

Commercial Developers are anxious to come to town and soon will.

Human Resources: Needs are strong - we must increase personal growth opportunities and career adjustments.

City Staff: Facilities are nearly complete in creating more space for Police Department in the City Hall building.

Colleen Peters thanked Mayor Bias for a very informative meeting and asked that the city take a hard look at Cacuts Drive which is in dire need of upgrades. Assistant City Engineer Dan Patinaude assured her that the city has the street on its docket to be upgraded from 8th St. to Hacienda, then on to Kmart area.

Entertainer Audi Kaye asked that the city not forget safety, a priority not mentioned.

Frank Persina asked that in the search for a permanent city manager that  John Soulliere not be overlooked, with all the hard work he is and has been doing in the absence of a full time city manager.

Upon Closing, Mayor Bias intoduced the city staff and asked them to all stand and be recognized.

The meeting was dismissed at 8:45 am.