Calimesa Insider

City of Calimesa
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  • 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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 11/14/2025

    Decoding Your Property Tax Bill: What Every Calimesa Homeowner Should Know

    In this episode of the Calimesa Insider podcast, we’re breaking down one of the most confusing—and most important—documents every homeowner receives: your annual property tax bill. Whether you pay it directly or through an impound account with your mortgage, the numbers on that bill can vary dramatically from one home to the next, even on the same street. Today, we explain why.City Manager Will Kolbow walks through each section of the Riverside County tax bill, explains how Proposition 13 and Mello-Roos (CFDs) shape what you pay, and uses real Calimesa examples—from long-time homeowners to the newest Summerwind Trails residents—to show how assessed value, voter-approved bonds, and development-specific special taxes all add up. By the end of the episode, you’ll understand why your bill looks the way it does, why your neighbor’s might look completely different, and where every dollar actually goes.We also preview this Monday’s City Council meeting, including:• Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Update (Ordinance 418) – adding an in-lieu fee option to support affordable housing.• County Line Road Corridor Project Close-Out – a formal administrative step after years of delays, frustration, and construction impacts.Finally, Will provides a detailed update on the Oak Valley Town Center bond lawsuit, including the recent federal court order granting an interlocutory appeal and what that means for the timing of the case.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Property Tax Season00:36 Welcome to Calimesa Insider Podcast01:26 City Council Meeting Preview02:43 County Line Road Project Closure04:06 Oak Valley Town Center Bond Lawsuit Update07:13 Understanding Your Property Tax Bill08:15 Proposition 13 and Melrose Act Explained11:37 Reading a Property Tax Bill: Real Examples28:46 Summary and Key Takeaways29:52 Closing Remarks and Upcoming EventsIf you’d like help interpreting your own property tax bill, you’re welcome to send in a redacted copy for a future episode.👉 Watch City Council live or on demand: calimesa.gov/youtube👉 Subscribe to the podcast: calimesa.gov/podcastAvailable on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.Thanks for tuning in, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!#CalimesaInsider #Calimesa #PropertyTax #CaliforniaTaxes #Prop13 #MelloRoos #LocalGovernment

    31 min

  8. 10/31/2025

    Why Calimesa Regulates Mobile Home Rents — and What That Really Means

    In this Halloween edition of the Calimesa Insider, City Manager Will Kolbow breaks down how Calimesa’s Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance actually works: why it exists, what it covers, where the City’s authority begins and ends, and how petitions (like capital improvements or “fair return”) are reviewed by an independent Hearing Officer. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can the City just deny a rent increase?”—this episode explains the legal framework and due-process steps that guide every decision.We also preview Monday night’s City Council meeting (Nov 3, 6 PM) including a presentation from the Blue Zones Project and consideration of a Strategic Plan update with Jacob Green & Associates.00:00 Introduction to Calimesa's Mobile Home Rent Regulation01:27 Upcoming City Council Meeting and Blue Zones Project02:41 Understanding Calimesa's Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance03:32 Historical Context and Evolution of the Ordinance05:36 Key Features and Provisions of the Ordinance09:55 Petition Types and Procedures16:09 Hearing Officer System and Fairness in the Process19:19 Clarifying Misconceptions and Legal Safeguards25:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
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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
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © City of Calimesa
  • Show Website
    Calimesa Insider