About Us

Council Update | March 2, 2026

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Friends,

Welcome to our first Mailchimp update. By stepping away from the city’s enabled platform, we’ve traded "official guidelines" for radical transparency. We’re free to continue having the conversations we started last year. From here on out, expect bold, transparent, and unfiltered conversations not limited by the walls of city hall.

Since this is the first Mailchimp send, please "drag this email to your Primary tab" or add ron@rondeharte.com to your contacts so I don't end up in Spam.

Update on Meetings

2/12 - 
PSHA Board

Attending Palm Springs Hospitality Association meetings is vital for staying connected to the city's economic engine. These gatherings provide direct insights into tourism trends, labor needs, and small business concerns. Engaging with industry leaders helps me make better decisions that balance community growth with the sustainable success of the local hospitality sector. 

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2/17 - 
City-wide elected Mayor Update

The last year has been about listening to voters who want the opportunity to elect their mayor. Today, Palm Springs is at a turning point, and your voice is the key to our progress. Following our discussions in my updates on a city-wide elected mayor, it’s time to move from conversation to action. 

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The small planning group that got us this far will now expand to a city-wide movement and put forth a formal action plan in the next few weeks. Today, we are lining up volunteers to help move that plan forward. We need passionate supporters to help enhance democratic accountability, citywide leadership, and voter participation in municipal governance, while preserving district-based representation on the City Council. 

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Get involved today by signing up to volunteer. Let’s give voters the right to vote for mayor! 

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2/18 - 
Do the Right Thing
The monthly program is a community-driven initiative that recognizes and rewards school-aged youth for positive behavior, good deeds, and high character. Nine students from across the Coachella Valley were recognized, including Samantha Henry from Palm Springs High School. By hosting monthly ceremonies at the Palm Springs Police Department, the program fosters trust and partnership between local youth and police officers. The monthly ceremony publicly showcases good students as role models for their peers, reinforcing the idea that socially desirable behavior is noteworthy. 

 

2/19 - 
Palm Springs Chamber Board of Directors meeting 

This month, I began serving as the appointed City Council member on the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce Board. This provides an opportunity to hear about the real-world challenges our local businesses face in real time. It’s also about building a bridge to explain council decisions and, more importantly, seek feedback to make sure policies actually make sense on the ground. When we’re aligned with the Chamber’s mission, we aren't just reacting to problems; we’re proactively building a stronger community together. 

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2026 International Bear Conference 

I was on hand to welcome IBC and to recognize the "Bear" subculture, which emphasizes body positivity and inclusivity and aligns with the city's brand of radical acceptance and its year-round celebration of Pride. For many international visitors, seeing an official city "welcome" reinforces the feeling that Palm Springs is a safe "sanctuary" where they can be their authentic selves. 

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Tour of Polce Department CV-RTIC 

The Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) recently unveiled its high-tech drone command center, known as the Coachella Valley Realtime Intelligence Center (CV-RTIC). This facility marks a major shift toward "Drone as First Responder" (DFR) technology, significantly changing how the city handles emergencies. I was on hand to learn from Lieutenant William Hutchinson how important this centralization is for our residents.

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Traditional police response is limited by traffic and distance. The new command center allows a single pilot to remotely launch drones from multiple points across the city, the moment a 911 call is received. Drones often arrive at a scene minutes before ground officers, providing an immediate overhead view of the situation. Using advanced radar technology, the PSPD can operate drones over a 37-square-mile area without needing a human "spotter" on the ground, making the process much faster and more efficient. 

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By centralizing data from body cameras, traffic cameras, and drone feeds into one hub, dispatchers can provide responding officers with critical "intel" before they even arrive. 

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The command center can identify if a suspect has a weapon, whether there are medical emergencies, and whether a situation can be de-escalated without a physical confrontation. In the rugged terrain surrounding Palm Springs, drones can locate lost hikers or missing children in minutes, tasks that previously took hours and dozens of personnel. 

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Palm Springs is unique because its city center is near an international airport. The command center uses MatrixSpace 360 Radar to track all low-altitude aircraft. This ensures police drones don't interfere with medical helicopters, air tours, or commercial flights. The system can also detect and track unauthorized or "rogue" drones flying illegally near the airport or over private property. 

To address privacy concerns, the PSPD has integrated the system with a public dashboard. 

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Residents can see where drones are flying and for what specific case number. See the dashboard here. 

The department’s policy prohibits random surveillance or targeting individuals based on protected characteristics, such as race or religion. 

Community Leadership Council 

Established in 2018 to unite Palm Springs LGBTQ+ leaders through a collaborative network that synchronizes voices, coordinates efforts, and strengthens community impact. The leadership network meets a few times a year to ensure its collective impact is as strong as possible. 

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2/20 -  

Marilyn 100 Planning Committee 

Palm Springs is turning "platinum" on May 30, 2026, to celebrate what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday. The Marilyn 100 festival features a Guinness World Record attempt to gather 500 look-alikes in the downtown park next to Forever Marilyn. Participants receive an "Icon Kit" with the signature white dress and blonde wig. Proceeds support local LGBTQ+ advocacy, honoring Marilyn’s legacy as a trailblazing ally and symbol of authenticity. Click here to register or for more details.  

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2/21-  

Modernism and the Future of Housing Symposium 

Organized by the Palm Springs Architectural Alliance, the symposium served as a definitive proof of concept: purposeful space that harmonizes art, light, and function is not a pipe dream; it is an achievable standard. My takeaway from the symposium is that moving from vision to reality requires more than just architectural talent; it demands a steadfast commitment from leadership to prioritize design excellence at scale. 

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We must move beyond "adequate" housing and commit to building climate-conscious, high-quality living spaces that residents are proud to call home. Our approach must be relentlessly inventive, ensuring that sustainability and Modernist principles remain at the forefront of new construction, rather than being value-engineered out of the final product. 

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The presentation by Los Angeles architects Brooks + Scarpa was a masterclass in this philosophy. Their work demonstrates that Modernist design doesn't just look better, it functions better, enhancing the quality of life for residents and uplifting the surrounding neighborhoods. 

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Our economic future in Palm Springs is inextricably linked to our housing strategy. I encourage today’s leadership to recognize that delivering dignified, well-designed workforce housing is not an optional aesthetic choice; it is a prerequisite for our region's future success. 

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32nd Annual Steve Chase Awards 

Congratulations to Lisa Middleton for receiving the DAP Health Community Service Award at the 32nd Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards. As a trailblazing leader and former mayor, she has dedicated herself to equity and inclusivity, profoundly shaping Palm Springs. This well-deserved honor celebrated her unwavering commitment to health equity and social justice. 

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2/23 -  

Fire Station 1 Open House 

The open house, hosted by the Palm Springs Fire Department, invited residents and local business owners into the historic station at 277 N. Indian Canyon Drive. The primary goal was to address the growing gap between the needs of modern emergency services and the limitations of the existing facility. Fire Chief Paul Alvarado explained that the current Class 1 Historic building is "antiquated" and no longer meets safety standards or operational needs, such as housing modern apparatus and expanded crew quarters. 

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The department shared conceptual designs for a new facility on adjacent parcels. A significant point of discussion focused on the proposed location. A coalition of local business owners, calling themselves "The Block 200 Club," voiced concerns that building on current surface parking lots could negatively impact downtown commerce.  

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A second Open House will be held for continued public input at Fire Station 1 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on March 30, 2026. 

 

2/24 -

2026 Media Hall of Fame Awards 

Huge congrats to Jimmy Boegle on the well-deserved induction into the 2016 Coachella Valley Media Hall of Fame! His dedication to local journalism and fearless work with the Coachella Valley Independent have truly shaped our community. This honor celebrates his incredible impact. Keep telling the stories that matter, Jimmy! 

 

Agenda Review meeting with City Manager

To my constituents watching our Council Meetings: I believe you deserve a government that is both transparent and efficient. This week, I spent 90 minutes in a deep-dive session with the City Manager and Finance Director to vet the mid-year report. I choose to do this heavy lifting behind the scenes so that our public meetings don’t get bogged down by avoidable delays. While I will always ask questions on-camera when it helps the public's understanding, I believe true oversight happens during the hours of rigorous study that precede the cameras even turning on. My goal is to arrive prepared, so we can focus on results, not just rhetoric.
 

Palm Springs City Council Meeting | February 25, 2026 

Key Highlights  

• Hotel Incentive Program Ordinance 

• Shade and Heat Mitigation Plan 

• On-Street (For Sale) Parking Ordinance 

• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report    

• Mid-Year Financial and Capital Projects Update   

• Update on Economic Development Activity 

 

Proclamations 

The City Council recognized two significant events through proclamations during this session. The first was the Nelda Linsk Day proclamation, issued on February 12, 2026, honoring the Palm Springs socialite famous for appearing in Slim Aarons' iconic 1970 photograph, Poolside Gossip, which serves as a symbol of the city's mid-century glamour.  

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The second proclamation recognized International Bear Weekend (February 19th to the 23rd) for its long-standing role in supporting Palm Springs tourism and fostering an inclusive community. 

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Presentation 

The meeting featured a detailed presentation by Planning Director Christopher Hadwin regarding the ongoing Zoning Code Update. Hadwin emphasized that the current code has not been comprehensively updated since the 1980s and explained that the city must now adapt to a "complicated web of state law," including requirements to rezone commercial corridors for mixed-use housing and to increase residential density. The presentation touched on sensitive community concerns about building heights—specifically proposals for three- to five-story buildings—and the need to balance growth with the city's unique character. Additionally, the Council held a special acknowledgment for Edward Robertson, who is retiring after 21 years of service in the city’s planning department, with the Mayor Pro Tem praising his "calmness and integrity" throughout his tenure. 

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Major Agenda Items and Outcomes 

Item 1D - Hotel Incentive Program Ordinance - The Council conducted the second reading of an ordinance to update and streamline the hotel incentive program. Much of the discussion centered on the enforcement of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) payments; Council members expressed concern that the original language was too lenient for delinquent operators. They ultimately agreed that while the ordinance should move forward to take effect, staff should return with a specific amendment changing the word "may" to "shall" regarding the issuance of 30-day notices for late payments to ensure the clock starts immediately on enforcement.  

Outcome: The motion to approve the second reading carried.  

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Item 1F - Shade and Heat Mitigation Plan - Staff presented a proposal to award a professional services agreement to AECOM for the creation of a comprehensive shade and heat mitigation plan. The project is funded by a $400,000 grant from Caltrans and focuses on supporting multimodal transit by providing shade along sidewalks, bike routes, and transit stops. Council members discussed the importance of "heat equity" for underserved populations and urged staff not to wait until the project's June 2027 completion to implement findings.  

Outcome: The motion to award the agreement carried.  

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Item 3A - Regulating Vehicle Sales and Rentals in Public Rights-of-Way -The Council introduced an ordinance aimed at curbing illegal commercial activity on city streets, specifically targeting the use of residential parking for vehicle sales and rentals (such as Turo). The ordinance creates a presumption of commercial activity if a vehicle is left in the public right-of-way for more than 72 hours, even if it is moved a short distance. Discussion highlighted resident complaints about "commercial warehousing" of rental cars in neighborhoods near the airport.

I'm concerned about the city staff's ability to enforce this ordinance. From determining the length of time the vehicle is parked, to documenting that the vehicle is moved in public right-of-way within a one-thousand (1,000) foot radius for more than seventy-two (72) consecutive hours, to applying the safe harbor when the vehicle is parked within one-tenth (0.1) mile of the vehicle’s registered owner's address and is otherwise lawfully parked. I understand the concerns raised by neighborhoods where this parking abuse is occurring, and ultimately voted to support the ordinance.

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Outcome: The motion to introduce the ordinance carried.  

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Item 3B - Annual Financial Audit - Auditors from Clifton Larson Allen presented the results of the fiscal year 2024-25 audit, reporting that the city received an "unmodified opinion," the highest level of assurance, and a "clean audit." The audit confirmed that the city's financial statements are free of material misstatements, though it did include an "emphasis of matter" regarding new state-mandated reporting for compensated absences.  

Outcome: The item was received, and the audit reports were filed.  

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Item 3C - Mid-Year Budget and Capital Projects Update - Finance Director Christopher Mooney provided a comprehensive update on the city's fiscal health through December 31, 2025. While TOT revenue is currently flat, sales tax is up 5% due to a record-breaking September, and property taxes remain strong. The Council also reviewed the status of major capital projects, including the Indian Canyon Bridge (slated for 2027 completion) and the library renovation, both of which are currently on track.  

Outcome: The item was received, and the budget and project updates were filed.

 

Item 3D - Economic Development Strategic Framework - Staff requested a postponement of the specific implementation plan for the Economic Development Strategic Framework due to a clerical error involving an incorrect attachment in the staff report. The discussion evolved into a broader conversation about prioritizing the framework's 93 action items and the role of the newly formed Economic Development Subcommittee. Council members expressed a desire for more metrics to measure return on investment and cautioned against spending discretionary funds on programs that bypass Council oversight. I was particularly disappointed to see ongoing funding of events with no measurable documentation that the department is attracting AI Tech investment or providing incentives to the tech sector. Despite the framework’s ambitious scope, the discussion underscored a critical accountability gap: a persistent lack of ROI metrics and no verifiable proof that these expenditures are successfully engaging tech executives to invest in Palm Springs or attracting meaningful business growth beyond the traditional tourism industry.

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Outcome: The Council agreed to postpone the item and have the subcommittee provide further vetting.. 

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Upcoming Agendas and Initiatives  

March 11, 2026 

• Leadership Coachella Valley program update. 

• Update on the Orchid Tree development. 

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan. 

• Discussion of a new affordable housing project. 

• Updates to the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) loan program. . 

 

March 25, 2026 

• Annual update from Visit Greater Palm Springs. 

• Public hearing on historic designations. 

• Review of two hotel incentive agreements. 

• State-mandated report on employee vacancies. 

• After-action report regarding the Prescott Fire Preserve. 

 

April 8, 2026 

• Discussion regarding the City Mayoral position elected at large. 

• Additional hotel incentive agreement public hearing. 

 

April 22, 2026 

• Second public hearing on the City Mayoral position. 

 

 

Ron deHarte
Palm Springs City Councilmember, District 3
27th Mayor

ron@rondeharte.com