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Zone Code Update

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I am deeply concerned about the release of zoning information before the City has received definitive requirements from the State. The purpose of releasing the draft zoning maps online was to engage the community and encourage input about their vision for our future. The maps identify areas where State Law might allow 5-story buildings. They have been misinterpreted as a plan already endorsed by the Council. While transparency is vital, we have created a vacuum of information that is currently being filled by "angst, frustration, and needless worry" throughout our community.

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At this week’s Council meeting, I requested that the Zoning Plan Update discussion be placed on a future agenda for an open, public discussion. Unfortunately, this request did not receive the necessary support from two additional council members. Similarly, Councilmember Ready’s request for a public study session did not move forward. Now, Councilmembers will have one-on-one briefings with staff. I believe our residents deserve to be part of that conversation, not sidelined by it.

Several months ago, to help correct the message, I asked the City Manager if it was possible to add a prominent disclaimer to the online materials. This information is now online: The zoning code materials and maps that have been released are preliminary and have not been reviewed or approved by the planning commission or city council.

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Link to Zone Palm Springs

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I am a staunch advocate for workforce housing - It's a necessity for our city to thrive. However, I do not believe that progress requires us to disrupt the fundamental character of our established neighborhoods with 5-story developments. We must wait for clear State guidance before we ask our residents to react to hypothetical scenarios. I will fight for a process that prioritizes both sensible growth and the integrity of the places we call home.

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1/16-

Met with key stakeholders from the Arenas Road business district to coordinate marketing and growth strategies. Given the district’s status as a major tourism magnet and a significant contributor to the city's tax base, these collaborative updates are essential for our continued commercial success.

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1/19-

In a moving tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Veterans for Peace Jon Castro Chapter 19 officially dedicated a new Peace Pole this past Martin Luther King Day at Frances Stevens Park. The event was organized by Ton Swan Hernandez, founder Frank Moulton American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 66. Located at the intersection of Granvia Valmonte Street and Palm Canyon Drive, the monument serves as a silent but powerful sentinel for harmony, inscribed with the universal message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Arabic. I was recognized at the ceremony with a special achievement award for outstanding service to AMVETS and our veterans. This is the second Peace Pole in Palm Springs. The original pole is in the Village Green and was dedicated January 18, 2008.

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 1/20-

Update meeting with Jase Nagaia who leads a free, community-based fitness class aimed at promoting health and wellness for all, regardless of background or fitness level. Jase created the program to offer an inclusive and diverse environment for individuals who may not typically have access to traditional fitness opportunities. Councilmember Garner and I have sponsored the free class up to June 2026.

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1/21-

Great session today with Ric Booth from Oak View Group and the finalist for the Convention Center General Manager role! It was a fantastic opportunity to dive into their professional journey and background. Getting an early look at their qualifications is key to ensuring we have the right visionary at the helm to elevate our venue’s impact on the community.

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Do the Right Thing Awards recognized nine Coachella Valley elementary school students this month. The program bolsters self-esteem by rewarding socially desirable behaviors and elevates young individuals as role models for their peers. Jaivin Patrick from Palm Springs High School was recognized. The students. received a plaque, certificates of commendation, a prize package valued at more than $700, and they were featured on KESQ-Channel 3. Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Ready, Councilmember Bernstein and I were on hand as the City of Palm Springs was recognized at this ceremony for support and financial sponsorship of the program. 

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1/23-

George Nickle and his husband purchased a condo in Old Las Palmas, and they finalized their move from West Hollywood this month. As new resident, George reached out for a familiarization meeting. What was intended to be a short meeting turned into an enjoyable long chat on many topics. Welcome to Palm Springs, George.

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Today, I Zoomed with Dominic Moonheart who isn’t just a familiar face at City Council meetings; he is a young man on a mission. Dominic reached out to me last summer after reading I’m an advocate for a four-year, voter-elected mayor. He recognized a jarring disconnect: while our 2019 transition to district elections is functioning well, the mayor’s office remains stuck in a cycle of "musical chairs." Under the current system, the gavel is handed off like a baton every year, bypassing the voters entirely and leaving voters without a direct voice in who leads their city.

We speak regularly, and his quest for a more accountable government only grows more focused. But as Dominic has discovered, you don’t need a spreadsheet to unearth the truth; you only need to talk to your neighbors. For Palm Springs voters, electing a mayor isn’t just a preference, it is an overwhelming mandate to reclaim their voice at the ballot box. Stay tuned.

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1/24-

The day started with the Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indians – Singing the Birds at the Palm Springs High School. I was able to say hello to Tribal Council Member John R. Preckwinkle III and Kate Anderson, Director of Public Relations for the Council and Tribal Government. For me, by participating, I’m acknowledging that Palm Springs' identity isn't just about Mid-Century Modern architecture or tourism, it’s rooted in thousands of years of Indigenous history. It’s important to honor the "soul" of the city.

 

The Vista Las Palmas Neighborhood Organization invited me to provide an update from City Council. One topic I touched on is my support of using technology for enhanced policing. Under Chief Mills leadership, our Police Department launched a police drone program and expanded our tech infrastructure with a new police command center to help keep our community safe and responsive. Our cutting-edge drone program is revolutionizing response. Drones launched from four rooftop sites can arrive on-scene before officers, providing real-time surveillance, thermal imaging, and two-way communication for instant situational awareness.

Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness festival attracted hundreds of health-conscious individuals and families to enjoy several walk, run and bike courses following beautiful routs in and around Ruth Hardy Park. It was a beautiful morning for a walk and see the 80 wellness focused vendors in the park.

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The Palm Springs Art Museum’s recent Art Party wasn't just another glamorous desert gala; it was a high-stakes celebration of the city’s identity. When you mix the "Sultan of Sequins" (Bob Mackie) with the "Queen of Comedy" (Carol Burnett) and a massive injection of public funding, the impact on residents goes far beyond the red carpet. This evening was a celebration of art, a commitment to public accessibility, and a serious investment in the city’s physical future. The city’s $300,000 sponsorship of "Free Thursday" nights at the museum ensure the museum remains a community hub rather than an exclusive enclave. For residents, this means continued free access every Thursday night, making world-class art a regular part of local life regardless of income. Last year, the city allocated $360,000 in Measure J funds to modernize the museum’s elevator ensuring that elderly residents and those with disabilities can navigate all levels of the museum comfortably.

Carol Burnett, Bob Mackie and Dave Karger(Turner Classic Movies)

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1/27-

Agenda Review Meeting with the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager. To ensure my contributions during council meetings are both impactful and efficient, I prioritize my preparation process through Agenda Review Meetings with the City Manager and executive staff. These meetings typically an hour long, occur prior to each council meeting. I view this time as a vital leadership opportunity to dive deep into the technicalities of upcoming items.

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I value the time of city staff who have to attend meetings, the public and my fellow councilmembers. My goal is to arrive at the dais fully informed, having already cleared up administrative or clarifying questions. This is my approach to keep public sessions focused on high-level policy discussion and transparent decision-making, rather than basic information gathering that could have been handled beforehand.

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1/28-

Residents of the neighborhoods surrounding the Dream Hotel development asked to meet with me to discuss the hotel project. The seventy-five-minute conversation provided me an opportunity to update residents on the project. This included requests we made to the developer to demonstrate their commitment to be a good neighbor. We asked for regular community meetings, provide landscaping to clean up the lot, replace the logo fence banners with appealing banners, have timelier repairs made when the banners are damaged, and provide written assurance of financing. Submit questions and concerns online at https://www.selenepalmsprings.com/

 

Palm Springs City Council Meeting | January 28, 2026

 

Key Highlights

• Citywide Traffic Initiatives Update

• 2025 Pavement Rehabilitation Program

• Advertising at the Airport

• Demuth Park Improvements

• Accenture On-Call Airport Consulting Contract

• Historic Site Designation (Fallows-Cohn Residence)

• Undergrounding Utilities Ordinance

• Parking Management Strategies

• Hotel Incentive Program Ordinance Update

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Proclamations

We officially recognized two important dates:

1. Matteo Lane Day (January 17, 2026): Honoring the comedian for his series of sold-out performances at the Plaza Theater.

1. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19, 2026): Recognizing Dr. King’s enduring legacy and leadership in the civil rights movement.

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Presentation

Citywide Traffic Initiatives Update Police Chief Mills provided a sobering update on traffic safety, which has become a top priority for our residents. Between 2023 and 2025, we recorded 4,497 collisions and 27 fatalities. A major point of discussion was our city's unique challenges: we have a high concentration of liquor establishments—32% of all such businesses in the valley—and exceptionally wide streets that encourage high speeds, such as Sunrise and Ramon. Chief Mills noted that the three primary collision factors remain right-of-way violations, speeding, and DUIs.

The Council engaged in a robust conversation regarding "traffic calming" measures versus enforcement. We discussed the potential for European-style traffic circles and narrowed roadways to slow drivers down, though some neighbors expressed concern that these measures might delay fire department response times. We also looked into the feasibility of technology like drones for red-light enforcement and speed cameras, though the Chief noted that certain camera technologies have faced constitutional challenges in court. A particularly poignant moment of the discussion focused on pedestrian safety; the Chief highlighted that all eight pedestrian fatalities in the reported period involved individuals walking in the roadway. No formal vote was taken, but the Chief committed to forming a community leadership group to refine our traffic safety strategy.

Major Items and Outcomes

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Acceptance of the Agenda and Consent Calendar We voted to approve the meeting agenda, though several items were pulled for separate discussion (Items D, F, H, and I) or specific commentary (Items B and H).

• Outcome: The motion to accept the agenda and remaining consent items passed 5-0.

• Recusals: I recused myself from Item B due to my professional associations with several entities receiving payment.

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Item B: Art Museum Payment

I believe we must demonstrate robust internal controls, transparency and diligence to satisfy public trust. Most importantly, we have a responsibility to demonstrate we are living up to the financial standards we set post-Queer Works. After I read the LA Times November 18 article, “Palm Springs Art Museum in crisis after trustees exit amid financial issues,” I asked the City manager if city funds have been paid to the museum. Council previously approved agreement with the Museum for $300,000 to hold twelve months of Free Thursday Night at the Museum events. The City has also approved a Measure J allocation of $360,000 for their elevator. At the time the article came out, no funds had been transferred.

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After raising concern, the city performed due diligence, met with Museum staff and reviewed financial statements. After reviewing the Museum records, the City Finance Department was satisfied that the $300,000 city funds would be used exactly as intended to support the Free Thursday Night events. The comments offered tonight were intended to inform the public no city funds were sent to the museum until after the City Manager and Finance Director reviewed the Museum’s audited financials.

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Item D: 2025 Pavement Rehabilitation Program

This item concerned the expenditure of approximately $7 million in Measure J funds to pave 8.6 centerline miles of city streets. The discussion touched on the rising cost of materials, with oil prices pushing paving costs from $3.57 per square foot in 2023 to $3.76 in 2025.

• Motion Passed 5-0.

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Item F: Fuse Advertising at the Airport This amendment involved Fuse Connect Advertising using currently blank terminal space for ads and infrastructure investment.

• Discussion: The primary concern was maintaining city control. At our request, specific language regarding Fuse's "management" of terminal space was removed to ensure the city maintains its administrative authority. We also discussed our desire to use this space to promote local cultural institutions like the Plaza Theater and various city festivals to visitors as soon as they land. This request was discussion and not part of the amendment.

• Motion Passed 5-0.

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Item H: Demuth Park Improvements We approved an $8.2 million construction contract for major upgrades at Demuth Park, including new restrooms, dog parks, and critical drainage repairs.

• Discussion: The funding comes from specialized sources—$1.4 million in Quimby funds (paid by developers) and a $1.6 million grant specifically for the dog park, meaning these funds could not have been used for other city services.

• Motion Passed 5-0.

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Item I: Accenture On-Call Airport Consulting Contract This was perhaps the most debated item of the evening: a $6 million task-order contract for Accenture to provide oversight for ten major airport projects excluding the future car rental facility.

• Discussion: The "pro" side, argued by airport staff and the Airport Commission, is that this serves as an "insurance policy." With over $2.3 billion in projects planned, the city lacks the in-house expertise to manage everything, and Accenture provides a way to "scale up" or "scale down" resources as needed without permanent hiring.

• Mayor Pro Tem Ready raised a strong concern about "front-loading" $6 million without a defined scope for all projects, arguing it was a lapse in fiduciary responsibility. He suggested a smaller, periodic funding model to maintain better Council oversight. The Council ultimately agreed to require quarterly reports and a real-time "dashboard" to track every penny spent.

• Motion Passed 4-1.

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Item 2A: Historic Site Designation (Fallows-Cohn Residence) A public hearing was held for the home at 765 Via Madera.

• Discussion: This designation is unique because the home was designed by Tom Jakeway when he was only 17 years old. Beyond its "late modernist" architecture, we discussed the "human story" of the home: its second owner, Dr. Loren Cohn, was a pioneer in HIV/AIDS research in the valley during the onset of the epidemic.

• Motion Passed 5-0.

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Item 3A: Undergrounding Utilities Ordinance This ordinance clarified who is responsible for the costs when moving public utilities underground.

• Discussion: Concern was raised regarding the financial burden a homeowner faces when utilities are placed underground. Undergrounding improves public safety by reducing the threat of fire, impacts from earthquakes and high wind events. 51% of the homeowners where the undergrounding is proposed must approve the project. These projects can be financed through City revenue bonds secured by a special assessment on homeowner property taxes. The $3,500 to $7,500 to connect the home to the underground utility is the property owner responsibility and cannot be financed by city bonds.

• The city attorney recommended a penalty paragraph be removed and we clarified that the financial burden for installation falls solely on the property owner.

• Motion Passed 5-0.

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Item 3B: Parking Management Strategies Staff presented findings from a downtown parking study and requested direction from the Council.

• Discussion: We heard significant concern from the public. Business owners worried that losing the 65 spots near the fire station would be "economic suicide". Residents also complained that the Hyatt underground garage (the "catacombs") feels unsafe and confusing to navigate. I agreed with the Council that our top priorities must be standardizing parking times (possibly to a universal 3-hour limit) and improving wayfinding signage. We also discussed the need for dedicated rideshare zones and more ADA-accessible spots.

• Outcome: Direction was given to staff to focus immediately on wayfinding and repairs. An ad hoc subcommittee on wayfinding was formed, consisting of Councilmember Bernstein and me.

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Item 3C: Hotel Operations Incentive Program This was a proposal to update how we offer tax (TOT) rebates to hotels that invest in significant renovations or new builds.

• Discussion: The current program was outdated and didn't account for increased costs and the changing business climate. The new program uses tiers (up to $600,000 investment per room) to attract high-end development. However, the Council insisted on a "firmer hand" regarding enforcement. We requested that any hotel that is chronically late on their TOT payments be automatically removed from the incentive program.

• Outcome: Direction was given to staff to return with a more detailed ordinance for a first reading.

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Upcoming Agendas and Initiatives

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February 11 – Regular Meeting

• SunLine Transit Agency Public Survey Update

• Update on Economic Development Activity

• Hotel Incentive Program Ordinance with additional direction from Council

February 25 – Regular Meeting

• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

• Mid-Year Financial Update

• On-Street (For Sale) Parking Ordinance

March 11 – Regular Meeting

• Leadership Coachella Valley Program Update

March 25 – Regular Meeting

• Visit Greater Palm Springs Annual Update

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Helpful Links & Contacts:

• • Councilman deHarte Website – Read past updates on my website.

  • PSPD App - to report law enforcement and non-emergency issues.

  • MyPalmSprings App - to report issues within City limits, including homelessness, graffiti, and code compliance.

  • Engagepalmsprings.com - This website was created as a space for residents to share ideas, discuss important topics, ask questions, and receive updates about City projects.

  • To submit public comment, contact the City Clerk's office @ CityClerk@PalmSpringsCA.gov.

  • For other City-related issues, please visit our website.

Best regards,

Ron deHarte