Good Afternoon Folks,

It was another busy week for DVBA. We reviewed the Annual and Five-Year Reportable Fees Report (AB 1600) for the City of Imperial. These are due within 180 days from the end of the previous fiscal year. So this report is a little late. But, as many cities and agencies are understaffed or experiencing turnover we are both forgiving and appreciative when they accept the responsibility for these annual reports. A response letter has been written looking for further details on expenditures and future uses.


We received a School Fee Justification Study notification from the Brawley Union School District. As of Friday, we are still waitng for a copy of the study they plan on adopting this week. Unfortunately, they have not met the timing requirements of the Mitigation Fee Act. We will do our best to review to meet their schedule.

Last Thursday, we had another well attended Public Officials Luncheon hosting the City of Palm Springs at Escena Golf Resort, with guest speaker City Manager Scott Stiles. The City has so much going on. Planning for the airport improvements is under way. Measure J is funding more projects than they can possibily undertake in the next ouple of years.

This Thursday, May 28th, is our first event in the Imperial Valley in a long time. For the DVBA it is a very special event that will showcase the resources and opportunities of the Imperial Valley. Working with the Imperial Valley Economic Development Commission, and Tim Kelley the President and CEO, we expect to provide an evening with great information and inspiration.


Registration is closed. However, we do have a few seats available. Call Vickie to see if you can get in. (760)776-7001

Please check out our partner’s Greater Palm Springs Business News Report from Friday.


Greater Palm Springs Business News

Best wishes,

James Brownyard

Executive Director

 

Mission Statement The DVBA is an association of building industry professionals, representing all levels of the construction industry and committed to ensuring that building of all types remain vibrant and strong in our region. We are dedicated to providing excellence in community development while protecting the natural beauty of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys.



Vision Statement To be an industry sector leader and collaborative partner in the complex economic and regulatory environments of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys.


Upcoming Events

UPCOMING EVENTS: SAVE THE DATE

Friday, August 21


14th Annual

Bowling Bash


Location:

Fantasy Family Bowling Center

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm


Registration Open!

Click here to register now


Renovate Palm Springs

A Vision Towards the Future of Palm Springs

 

It all started with M.O.R.E. Services.

From co-living to traditional real estate to Renovate Palm Springs, my journey has always been centered around one thing: creating better living experiences while maximizing property value.

In 2014, I began with hands-on projects—refining layouts, systems, and operations across shared living and rental models. Early on, I operated as a fully licensed, structured business—even before local regulations were clearly defined.

When a city inspector arrived to investigate, I was able to demonstrate a fully compliant operation.

That moment defined how I operate today:

Operate ahead of regulation — not behind.

From Sales to Execution

In 2019, I became a licensed real estate professional and launched Desert Premium Properties, representing buyers and sellers with a strong focus on strategy, protection, and results.

By 2023, I identified a clear opportunity in the Greater Palm Springs market: aging housing stock with strong value-add potential. This led to the creation of Renovate Palm Springs (RPS).

My first full renovation project validated the model—overseeing permitting, budgets, timelines, and execution through to resale.

Today, I operate at the intersection of real estate, construction, and market strategy.

 

What I Do

I work with homeowners, buyers, and investors to ensure properties are positioned correctly from day one through final sale.

  • Pre-listing renovation consulting to increase resale value
  • Buyer guidance on value-add opportunities
  • Builder collaboration on design, finishes, and pricing
  • Project oversight to protect timelines, budgets, and quality
  • 

Working With Investors

Most investors don’t have a construction problem—they have a positioning and exit problem.

I work alongside investors to:

  • Align design, layout, and finishes with real buyer demand
  • Provide pricing and resale strategy before construction begins
  • Help avoid overbuilding or misalignment with the market
  • Position projects for stronger, more profitable exits

My role is to act as a bridge between construction and the market—helping ensure what gets built is what actually sells.



Current Focus

A full gut renovation of a South Palm Desert golf course property is nearing completion—demonstrating the full acquisition → execution → resale model.

Looking Ahead

I’m expanding into development and actively building relationships with local investors and partners to bring well-positioned, high-quality projects to market.

Let’s Connect

If you’re:

  • A builder planning your next project
  • A homeowner considering selling
  • A buyer looking for the right opportunity

Let’s connect early and position it correctly from the start.

Renovate Palm Springs

760-292-3612 ▪ RenovatePS@outlook.com

Latest Industry and Legislative News

Homebuilder sentiment moves higher, but barely. NAHB CEO explains.

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Rising mortgage rates cause surge in demand for riskier loans

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House adopts changes to landmark housing bill, sending it back to Senate


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‘We’ve been pretty straightforward’: White House draws a line on housing bill

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Los Angeles Tried to Tax Mansions. Apartment Construction Tanked.


Developers say the levy is making L.A.’s housing shortage worse. The city is considering changes.



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California’s ‘groundbreaking’ fast food council lacks a leader, hasn’t met in over a year

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What are they trying to hide? California lawmakers kill lobbying transparency bills


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California State Legislative Bills 
DVBA is Tracking


 These bills are Job or Housing Killers


AB 1777 Air Pollution: Indirect Sources. (Garcia, D) https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1777

Major Provisions

1) Authorizes ARB, if necessary to carry out its duties under state law to achieve and maintain National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), to adopt regulations to reduce or mitigate emissions from indirect sources of pollution, and finds and declares that this provision is declaratory of, and does not constitute a change in, existing law.

2) Defines "indirect source" by reference to the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) definition, i.e., "a facility, building, structure, installation, real property, road, or highway which attracts, or may attract, mobile sources of pollution…" (42 U.S.C. 7410(a)(5)(C))

 

SB 1359 Gas Transition Responsibility and Electrification Act (Stern, D) Amended

file:///C:/Users/JamesBrownyard/Downloads/202520260SB1359_Senate Floor Analyses.pdf

Makes several findings and declarations regarding the need to manage the transition of the natural gas utility system and to direct the CPUC to prioritize electrification and nonpipelined alternatives and ensure the orderly retirement of portions of the natural gas system.

 

 

These bills are Job or Housing Creators

 

AB 1745 Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Law: Suspension (Jeff Gonzalez, R)

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1745

This bill would suspend the imposition of the tax on motor vehicle fuels for one year.

 

AB 2215 as amended. Water rights: permits: State Water Project.(Calderon, D)

file:///C:/Users/JamesBrownyard/Downloads/202520260AB2215_Assembly Floor Analysis.pdf

Extends the time periods to put water appropriated under six water right permits held by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for the State Water Project (SWP) to beneficial use until December 31, 2046.

 

SB 872, as amended. Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund. (McNerney, D)

file:///C:/Users/JamesBrownyard/Downloads/202520260SB872_Senate Floor Analyses.pdf

This bill establishes the Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund and, upon appropriation, requires the Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency to allocate moneys from the fund to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for supporting capital improvements to restore the original design water conveyance capacity for state water conveyance systems impacted by land subsidence and to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy for projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta or Suisun Marsh to improve existing levees.

 

 

AB 736 AB 736, as amended, Wicks. The Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026.

file:///C:/Users/JamesBrownyard/Downloads/202520260AB736_Senate Floor Analyses.pdf

SB 417 SB 417, as amended, Cabaldon. The Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026.

file:///C:/Users/JamesBrownyard/Downloads/202520260SB417_Assembly Floor Analysis.pdf

This bill would enact the Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, which, if adopted, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $10,000,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law. Proceeds from the sale of these bonds would be used to finance programs to fund affordable rental housing and home ownership programs, including, among others, the Multifamily Housing Program, the CalHome Program, and the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program.



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