Dick Kelly is a long time resident of the Coachella Valley. He worked in the Coachella Valley before Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage were developed. He understands the desire of residents who came here for a relaxed family atmosphere and outdoor recreation. He is dedicated to preserve the quality of life the people came here to enjoy. He also believes in the right to own property, the freedom to move and live in a new home. Dick Kelly has the experience and knowledge, with vision for future needs, to make decisions that mitigate growth and retain Palm Desert’s desired quality of life.
"As residents and business owners of Palm Desert for 25 years, we are familiar with the contributions of Dick Kelly to the City of Palm Desert. He is a valued citizen and tireless advocate for the residents of our beautiful city.
He is forward thinking and devoted to improving the quality of life in our city. We are proud to have him represent us in making decisions on our behalf.
We wholeheartedly endorse Dick Kelly for the Palm Desert City Council."
Bob & Marilyn Ford
Home and business owners
Residential Streets, Arterial Roads and Freeway Overpasses
Dick Kelly could see that development brought traffic congestion and the two lane roads in Palm Desert needed improvement. In 1986 he began work to pass a one half cent sales tax and Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) to fund streets, roads and overpasses. He visited every service club and city in the Coachella Valley to obtain support and cooperation to reach this goal.
After adoption of the tax and fee, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, where every city has a representative, managed the fund to prioritize projects. Because of Palm Desert’s financial strength, they were able to add funds to complete the Cook Street overpass and improve both the Monterey and Washington overpasses. Local Palm Desert roads were improved and new ones built. This all happened before growth occurred so that when it came, traffic still moved.
The latest improvement was the Portola Bridge over the Whitewater River channel.
“Dick Kelly had the vision to encourage the cities of the Coachella Valley
to cooperate with a Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee to fund streets, arterial highways and freeway overpasses. He continues to be involved
in the prioritizing of transportation projects for Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley.”
Patricia (Corky) Larson
Member Coachella Valley Water District
Former County Supervisor 4th District
Parks
Dick Kelly gives strong support to the construction and quality maintenance of city parks. Palm Desert has 15 parks. They range from full service parks such as the Civic Center Park (70) acres, to the one acre Community Gardens Park on San Pablo. Palm Desert parks provide for family picnics, sports (baseball, soccer, skate boarding, basketball, and volley ball), concerts, movies, hiking, gardening, dog areas and many special events such as Veterans Day and 4th of July celebrations
Art In Public Places
Dick Kelly has always looked for that something special to take Palm Desert to the next level in providing programs that help improve the quality of life for Palm Desert citizens.
One of those special programs is art in public places. In 1986 when
Dick Kelly was Mayor; he visited cities that had public art programs.
He saw that successful programs were well funded. He made presentations to developers and received their support for a development fee to fund the program. An art in public places program under the Civic Arts Committee was established. Dick Kelly was the first Council Liaison to the Civic Arts Committee.
The Civic Arts Committee also sponsored an essay and art contest for Palm Desert students K through 12th grade.
Palm Desert has one of the few funded art in public places programs. Developers can choose to pay into the fund or install their own art. To date, Palm Desert has more than five million dollars of public art to enhance the quality of life for citizens. The program provides for rotated art displays on El Paseo and at the Visitors Center.
Desert Willow Golf Resort
Dick Kelly was actively involved in the planning and development of Desert Willow Golf Resort. Desert Willow was developed as a public Golf Club where Palm Desert citizens can participate in men’s and women’s clubs and play for reduced rates. Desert Willow also hosts “Fairway Kids” where Palm Desert Youth can learn to play golf. Desert Willow is the home course for the COD and Palm Desert High School men’s and women’s golf teams.
Desert Willow is also a catalyst to attract businesses which contribute to the general fund revenue of Palm Desert.
Desert Willow offers fine dinning and a venue for special events such as anniversary parties, weddings and corporate functions.
Desert Willow is also environmentally sound. It uses drought resistant landscaping and reclaimed water for the greens and fairways. Desert Willow has received many awards for it’s outstanding design and service.
“Dick Kelly was actively involved in the design and development of Desert Willow. Desert Willow is more than a golf course; it is a place for the family to come for lunch or book a time and space for special family occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings or just a family get together.”
Jim Walker
Vice President El Paseo Bank
Citizen Participation
Dick Kelly believes in and supports the City of Palm Desert’s commitment to citizen participation on committees and commissions to make recommendations for projects and activities.
Over 100 citizens participate in this program. Applications can be picked up at the City Hall for the various areas of interest.
“Councilman Dick Kelly actively supports the Palm Desert Youth Committee and their projects,”
Elle Wohlmuth
Palm Desert High School Student
Historical Preservation
Dick Kelly believes that knowing the history of a place or organization helps in planning for the future. The pioneers who founded Palm Desert had a vision of a place to live where nature and development would compliment each other; a place for business to sustain a sound economy; a place where residents and visitors could relax and enjoy outdoor recreation; a place where regardless of a person’s station in life, the quality of their life would be a positive one.
Dick Kelly has worked in the Coachella Valley from the time development began. He has always worked to maintain Palm Desert’s unique life style as planned by its founders while still maintaining a sound economy to provide the amenities Palm Desert citizens enjoy.
“It is my pleasure to know Dick Kelly since the summer of 1985. His sincere dedication and integrity have always impressed me. His support of the Historical Society of Palm Desert has been outstanding. Dick and his wife, Mary Helen, have made Palm Desert the great city it is today.”
Dick Folkers
Past President Historical Society of Palm Desert
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