Calimesa Insider

Who is actually responsible for fixing traffic on I-10, I-15, SR-91, and other major corridors in Riverside County? In this episode of Calimesa Insider, Will Kolbow sits down with Aaron Hake, Executive Director of the Riverside County Transportation Commission, to talk about what RCTC does, how transportation projects are funded, why local dollars matter, and why freeway projects can take so long....

What’s being built in Calimesa—and what’s coming next? In this episode of the Calimesa Insider Podcast, we walk through the City’s newest tool: an interactive ArcGIS Story Map designed to give real-time updates on development and capital projects across the community. Using this new map, we break down:• Key development projects like Summerwind Commons, Oak Valley Town Center, and Sandalwood Travel...

Ever read your local Facebook community group and think… “there’s no way this is real”? In this episode of the Calimesa Insider Podcast, City Manager Will Kolbow takes a lighthearted—but honest—look at real posts and comments from local community groups. From roundabout confusion… to water quality concerns… to development and housing debates… we break down: What people are saying What they’re gett...

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...

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 in...

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 t...

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 discr...

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...

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...

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 approva...

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...

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 K...

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 ren...

Join City Manager Will Kolbow in this episode of the Calimesa Insider Podcast as he unpacks the complexities of economic development in Calimesa. Addressing common questions from residents about the city's infrastructure and planning decisions, Will explains the factors influencing retail and industrial growth. Topics include funding challenges, the impact of consumer behavior on development,...

Join City Manager Will Kolbow for a special edition of the Calimesa Insider Podcast, where we discuss the 2025 State of the City. Learn about exciting new projects, modernized permits, public safety, and future plans. Discover the details behind our latest pavement work, the new Calimesa Library, and enhancements in energy efficiency. We’ll also cover updates on the Cherry Valley Boulevard interch...

Welcome to the Calimesa Insider Podcast! In this episode, City Manager Will Kolbow hosts an engaging discussion with Calimesa’s Public Works Director, Mari Shakir, and Public Works Superintendent, Kyle Coney. They delve into their professional backgrounds, career journeys, and the vital role of the Public Works department in maintaining city infrastructure. The conversation covers various challeng...

In this episode, we cover a wide range of updates onthe City's capital and development projects. Key capital projects discussed include the Cherry Valley Boulevard Interchange and Singleton Road Interchange, and updates on major development projects like Summerwind Commons, Mesa Verde, and Oak Valley Town Center. Additionally, don't miss critical announcements about the upcoming City Counc...

In this episode of Calimesa Insider, host and City Manager Will Kolbow explores the complex history and current state of highway funding, with a focus on California. From the golden age of gas taxes to the rise of toll roads, this episode delves into the evolution of road funding mechanisms and the factors driving the resurgence of tolls. Learn about the fiscal challenges, political decisions, and...

Join us on the Calimesa Insider Podcast as we sit down with Deputy City Manager and City Clerk Darlene Gerdes. Darlene shares her nearly two decades of experience guiding Calimesa through significant growth, her pivotal role in the creation of the new library, and the importance of mobile home rent stabilization in the community. Gain insight into the inner workings of the city government and hear...

Join host and City Manager Will Kolbow on the Calimesa Insider Podcast for an exciting update on the major expansion happening at Fourth Street Park, soon to be renamed Mountainview Park. Discover the details of this extensive project, including construction updates, new amenities like pickleball courts, and a brief history of the park. Additionally, learn all about pickleball—the fastest growing...

Join us for a packed episode of the Calimesa Insider Podcast! In this episode, we cover the latest in the saga of the new signals at the County Line Road interchange, provide a sneak peek of two major public hearing items for the next City Council meeting, and take you behind the scenes of our recent advocacy trip to Washington D.C. We also discuss upcoming community events including the Friday Fo...

In this episode of the Calimesa Insider Podcast, City Manager Will Kolbow delves into the responsibilities and challenges of the City Manager role. The episode explores the unique structure and fiscal health of Calimesa, highlighting its balanced budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026, infrastructure investments, and public safety allocations. Will also shares personal anecdotes and addresses the im...

Join us for the 50th episode of the Calimesa Insider Podcast. Host and City Manager Will Kolbow takes us on a historical journey, exploring Calimesa's evolution from indigenous roots through incorporation, the rise of master-planned communities, and how the modern economy has sparked a warehouse boom. Learn about the intricate history, key developments, and future plans for the city. We also provi...

Join City Manager Will Kolbow on Episode 49 of the Calimesa Insider Podcast as we unveil the intricate process behind major interchange projects like the I-10/Cherry Valley Boulevard Interchange upgrade. Discover why these projects take years, from planning and environmental reviews to detailed design, right of way acquisition, and construction. Learn about Caltrans QMAP and the key phases that en...

In Episode 48 of Calimesa Insider, City Manager Will Kolbow dives into the intricacies of how sales tax and gas tax work in the state and their impact on the local economy. Before diving into the main topic, Will shares his personal experiences from a recent bowling tournament in Louisiana and emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness. Finance Director Celeste Reid invites the community...