Calimesa Insider

City of Calimesa
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  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Join City Manager Will Kolbow for a look behind the scenes at your city at work. From council meetings, to how your tax dollars are collected and used, and everything in between. This is THE place to get the real scoop of what's happening at your city!

  1. MAR 6

    Inside City Hall: What the City Manager Actually Does

    In this episode of the Calimesa Insider Podcast, City Manager Will Kolbow pulls back the curtain on a question many residents ask but few fully understand: What does a City Manager actually do?Instead of describing the role in theory, this episode walks through a real-world breakdown of the first two months of 2026. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the wide range of responsibilities that come with managing a city—from infrastructure planning and regional coordination to budget oversight, development discussions, and public safety collaboration.The episode highlights how city management requires constant problem-solving and coordination across departments, agencies, and community partners. Topics include major infrastructure projects like the Cherry Valley Boulevard interchange, development planning such as Mesa Verde and Oak Valley Town Center, regional transportation coordination, budget management, and the day-to-day realities of leading a municipal organization.Subscribe to the Calimesa Insider Podcast for regular updates on development, infrastructure, city government, and community events in Calimesa.#LocalGovernment#CityManager#Calimesa#MunicipalGovernment#CityPlanning#PublicAdministration#Infrastructure#EconomicDevelopment

    20 min

  2. FEB 20

    What Happens at a City Manager Conference?

    When a City Manager attends a conference, some residents immediately wonder: is it professional development… or a taxpayer-funded junket?In this episode of Calimesa Insider, City Manager Will Kolbow pulls back the curtain on what actually happens inside a statewide City Manager conference. From state budget deficit warnings and housing mandates to artificial intelligence policy discussions and infrastructure funding shifts, this episode explains how those conversations directly impact Calimesa.He walks through:• State fiscal uncertainty and revenue protection• Housing and homelessness funding trends• Infrastructure funding implications• Why Calimesa is ahead on AI policy• Strategic planning implementation and the March 21 public workshop• Leadership resilience and the council-manager form of governmentThis is not a highlight reel. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how local government anticipates risk, protects taxpayer dollars, and strengthens institutional stability.🎙 Calimesa Insider is hosted by the City Manager and designed to bring transparency to how local government actually works.#LocalGovernment #CityManagement #Calimesa #PublicService #MunicipalLeadership #StrategicPlanning #ArtificialIntelligence #PublicSafety #CityCouncil #GovernmentTransparency00:00 Conference ‘Junket’ vs. Reality: What City Managers Actually Do00:43 Podcast Intro + Personal Note (A Proud Dad Moment)01:49 Why Napa, and Why Conferences Matter for Stewardship03:34 Conferences as Early-Warning Systems (Risk, Networks, Realism)10:06 Theme 1: State Fiscal & Policy Uncertainty—What It Means for Calimesa14:21 Housing, Homelessness & Public Safety Funding Pressures17:40 Strategic Alignment as a Budget Tool (Priorities Drive Decisions)19:05 Theme 2: AI in City Hall—Innovation with Guardrails & Transparency23:05 Governing in the Digital/Social Media Era: Trust, Facts, and Discipline27:49 Theme 3: Strategic Planning That ‘Sticks’ + Calimesa’s March 21 Workshop30:46 Leadership Resilience, Culture, and the Council-Manager Model33:29 Wrap-Up: Why This Was Stewardship (Not a Junket) + Subscribe

    37 min

  3. FEB 6

    Councilmember Edgar Garcia: Family, Service, and Why Calimesa Feels Like Home

    In this episode of Calimesa Insider, viewers get to know Edgar Garcia beyond the dais.Councilmember Garcia shares his personal journey as a husband and father of three, including raising a child with Down syndrome, and how those experiences have shaped his perspective on service, leadership, and community. He talks about why he and his family chose to make Calimesa their home, what stood out to them when they first arrived, and how living here influenced his desire to serve.The conversation also explores his professional background in education and family support, lessons learned from working with students and families, and why empathy, listening, and trust are essential in public service.This episode is part of the City’s ongoing effort to help residents better understand the people who serve their community — not in a political or campaign context, but as neighbors, parents, and public servants.📍 Learn more about the podcast: calimesa.gov/podcast

    1h 8m

  4. JAN 23

    How Development Actually Works: From Land Assembly to City Council Decisions

    Most people encounter development at the very end — when a project reaches a public hearing or construction begins. This episode of the Calimesa Insider podcast explains what happens long before that moment. City Manager Will Kolbow walks through how development actually works from a developer’s perspective, including land assembly, financing, entitlement, infrastructure timing, City Council discretion, and the risks faced by both cities and investors. The episode explains why development decisions are rarely simple, why both approvals and denials carry consequences, and why understanding the full process matters. 🎧 Listen now at calimesa.gov/podcast #LocalGovernment #CityPlanning #UrbanPlanning#CivicEducation #PublicPolicy #CommunityDevelopment#Infrastructure #LandUse #MunicipalGovernment

    40 min

  5. JAN 10

    New California Laws in 2026: What Changes for Residents, Businesses, and City Government

    Every January 1, hundreds of new California laws quietly take effect. Some change daily life for residents and businesses. Others reshape how cities are required to operate — even if the public never sees those changes directly. In the first episode of the Calimesa Insider Podcast for 2026, City Manager Will Kolbow breaks down a focused list of new and newly operative state laws that will have the biggest real-world impacts this year. This episode covers: Minimum wage changes and how they ripple through the local economyNew rental housing habitability requirementsConsumer protections affecting food delivery, banking fees, and AI transparencyHousing and CEQA changes that affect how quickly projects move forwardState laws that limit local zoning discretionAnd a deeper dive into SB 707, a major update to the Brown Act that will change how public meetings work across CaliforniaThis is not a political discussion. These laws are already passed. The goal is to explain what actually changes in 2026, what residents may notice, and how cities like Calimesa are required to implement state law. If you have questions about a specific state law not covered in this episode, feel free to reach out via Instagram or email at calimesainsider@gmail.com. Thanks for listening, and thanks for staying informed.

    21 min

  6. 12/26/2025

    2025 Year in Review

    This episode of the Calimesa Insider Podcast is a little different—and intentionally so. Rather than a highlight reel or a list of complaints, this is a candid year-in-review of what really happened in Calimesa in 2025: the moments that brought the community together, the behind-the-scenes work residents don’t always see, the challenges that tested us, and the progress that quietly moved the city forward. In this episode, we reflect on: Community events and why connection mattersThe people behind city services and organizational culturePublic safety milestones, including an ISO Class 2 ratingFiscal responsibility, balanced budgets, and long-term stabilityInfrastructure realities, including County Line RoadModernization efforts like online permittingStatewide advocacy for seniors through AB 1476Development updates and realistic timelinesWhat’s ahead for Calimesa in 2026 and beyondCalimesa is 35 years old—and still growing into the city it wants to become. This episode is about transparency, context, and informed conversation—because good governance starts with shared understanding. Whether you’ve followed the podcast all year or you’re listening for the first time, this episode is a meaningful place to start. 🎧 New episode available now.

    41 min

  7. 12/13/2025

    Cherry Valley Blvd. Interchange Town Hall

    In this special Town Hall edition of the Calimesa Insider Podcast, City Manager Will Kolbow is joined by City Engineer Mike Thornton and Transportation Project Manager Brandon Reyes to explain the long-awaited reconstruction of the Cherry Valley Boulevard Interchange.This episode answers the questions residents ask most:Why the interchange has taken years to reach constructionHow Caltrans approvals and environmental review affect timelinesWhat a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) is and why it was selectedHow construction will be phased to maintain access and emergency responseWhy developers can’t simply build a $70 million interchangeHow the City is pursuing state and federal transportation fundingIf you commute through Cherry Valley Blvd. or want a clear, factual explanation of how major infrastructure projects actually happen in California, this episode provides the full context — without speculation.More information and referenced episodes: Calimesa.gov/podcast00:00 Introduction to the Cherry Valley Boulevard Interchange Project00:42 Welcome to the Calimesa Insider Podcast01:13 Town Hall Meeting Overview04:47 Panelist Introductions and Project History09:07 Challenges and Frustrations with Caltrans13:14 Funding and Financial Overview16:33 Plan Specifications and Estimates (PSE) Phase21:39 Diverging Diamond Interchange Design Explained28:06 Singleton Road Access and Missing Ramps29:21 Calimesa Boulevard Realignment and Singleton Interchange31:04 Roberts Road Connection Issues35:30 Construction Phases and Traffic Management42:01 Funding Challenges and Grant Programs49:36 Q&A and Development Updates58:59 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

    1 hr

  8. 11/28/2025

    Growing Up in Calimesa: Councilmember Eric Cundieff’s Journey from Navy Service to City Hall

    In this special episode of the Calimesa Insider podcast, City Manager Will Kolbow sits down with Councilmember Eric Cundieff for an in-depth, non-political conversation about his life, his service, and his path to the Calimesa City Council.Eric shares stories from growing up in the Yucaipa–Calimesa area, what inspired him to join the U.S. Navy, and a few memorable moments from his time at sea. He also talks about his years as a San Bernardino County Deputy Sheriff, how he became involved in the Calimesa Planning Commission, and what eventually led him to run for City Council.We also explore what he’s learned along the way, the surprises of serving in local government, and his reflections on community, leadership, and public service.Topics in this episode include: • Growing up in the Yucaipa–Calimesa community • Influences and early experiences that shaped his path • Joining the U.S. Navy and stories from his time in service • A career with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department • How he became a Planning Commissioner • What inspired him to run for City Council • Lessons learned about public service and community leadership Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to Calimesa, this episode offers a warm, personal look at one of your Councilmembers and the experiences that shaped him.🎧 Listen to more episodes of the Calimesa Insider: https://calimesa.gov/podcast📅 Watch City Council meetings live or on demand: https://calimesa.gov/youtube00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode01:40 Upcoming Community Events04:01 Interview with Councilmember Eric Cundieff04:47 Eric Cundieff's Early Life and Influences09:55 Joining the US Navy12:08 Life in the Navy14:57 Stories from the White House26:21 Transition to Law Enforcement30:21 Entering Local Politics38:55 Balancing Development and Community Benefits40:15 Lessons from the Planning Commission41:47 Decision to Run for City Council44:10 Campaign Challenges and Surprises44:24 Public Safety and Budget Realities48:17 Running for Office: Experiences and Reflections54:27 Council Dynamics and Responsibilities58:06 Future Plans and Community Engagement01:13:52 Advice for Aspiring Public Servants01:16:12 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

    1h 18m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Join City Manager Will Kolbow for a look behind the scenes at your city at work. From council meetings, to how your tax dollars are collected and used, and everything in between. This is THE place to get the real scoop of what's happening at your city!

Information

  • Creator
    City of Calimesa
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © City of Calimesa
  • Show Website
    Calimesa Insider

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