Ron deHarte

Friend,

We are already on day 16 of 2026 and off to a good start. Isn't this a beautiful time to be in Palm Springs? Please watch out for your friends and neighbors, and take time to enjoy our beautiful city.

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12/11 -

- City Manager Scott Stiles and I attended the State of the County program with an audience of over 1,000. The event highlighted the County's five districts, programs, and projects, but V. Manuel Perez, our Riverside County Supervisor in District 4, hit it out of the ballpark.

12/12 -

- Today, Kaiser Permanente held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Palm Springs expansion suites at 1100 N. Palm Canyon Drive. Three physicians will be stationed in this new facility. City Manager Scott Stiles and I were on hand to celebrate the opening and tour the office. I'm happy to have them in the neighborhood.

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12/13 -

- Wreaths Across America Day was an opportunity to honor fallen veterans. During a special ceremony at the historic Welwood Murray Cemetery, community members gathered to ensure that no veteran's grave was left without a commemorative wreath.

- Each wreath symbolizes the collective gratitude of a grateful nation. It represents the freedom we enjoy because of the courage they displayed. My commitment this year was to ensure that every single one of the 139 veterans buried at the historic Welwood Murray Cemetery had a wreath placed upon their grave. Not one will be left behind. From the Civil War medic, Welwood Murray, to the most recent hero, every life was remembered and honored.

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12/16 -

- I presented representatives from The Friends of L. Ron Hubbard Foundation a certificate of recognition on the 75th anniversary of his residence in Palm Springs.

- In celebration of Chanukah, Mayor Soto and I joined city staff along with Rabbi Yankel Kreiman and Rabbi Mendy Kreiman from Bikur Cholim of Palm Springs at the Menorah lighting ceremony in the lobby of City Hall. Each year, Rabbi Kreiman brings a joyful energy and inspiration to this event.

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12/22-

- Participated in a meeting with Soli Cayetano and other owners of Terra Palm Springs to hear about their newest project at the former Canyon Club at 660 N Palm Canyon Dr. I was pleased to learn the team behind Terra would be developing a new boutique wellness experience hotel. Very happy to hear this new product will offer travelers authentic, immersive, and unique experiences. I encouraged them to engage with the surrounding neighborhoods through the development process and after opening. Welcome to the neighborhood.

-Councilmember Bernstein and the Palm Springs Hospitality Association organized a meeting with a few dozen hospitality business owners and managers to share information on an idea to place a .05% fee on gross sales for up to 40 years to fund the Palm Springs Convention Center modernization. I attended the meeting to observe.

- In an era of high inflation, customers are hyper-aware of total costs. An additional fee, on top of sales tax and rising menu prices, may push many diners past their "value threshold," leading to fewer visits and lower sales volume. This assessment forces local restaurants to act as tax collectors, risking alienating locals who sustain these businesses during the off-season.

- A direct victim of this assessment will be the frontline worker. Most customers calculate tips based on the "bottom line" of the check. Research shows that when customers see an assessment, they often subconsciously or intentionally adjust their tip downward. At a time when the industry is struggling to retain quality staff, a city-mandated fee that "cannibalizes" server tips is a direct threat to employee take-home pay.

- After hearing from restaurants over the last six months, and attending the meeting, I urged the Tourism Infrastructure District (TID) Working Group to remove food and beverage businesses from the proposed Palm Springs TID assessment and protect our reputation as a tourism destination. In a meeting on December 30, the working group agreed and removed the F&B assessment.

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12/30 -

- Tourism Infrastructure District (TID) Working Group executive committee met to discuss removing the F&B assessment. For background, the Tourism Infrastructure District’s primary goal is to drive "room nights" through convention center business. For hotels, this benefit is direct and quantifiable. For restaurants, the benefit of a business from convention attendees is entirely speculative. There is no guarantee attendees will visit neighborhood bistros over convention center or hotel-based dining. The TID can't demonstrate that citywide F&B businesses will receive a "specific benefit" from increased convention patronage; for most, the benefit is indirect and inconsistent.

- Unlike hotels and vacation rentals, which serve nearly a 100% transient population, Palm Springs restaurants rely on a loyal local customer base. While tourists may expect "resort fees" on a hotel bill, local residents are highly sensitive to surcharges on their daily meals.

- After a discussion and a review of the financial impact of removing F&B, the working group approved to remove food and beverage businesses from the proposed Palm Springs TID assessment.

1/2/2026 -

- The Palm Springs International Film Festival Opening Night was supported by the full council. The opening night film was Calle Malaga. It wasn’t nominated at the Golden Globes but who knows, it might be an Oscar contender.

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1/3 -

- The Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards drew over 2,000 attendees. Hats off to the organizers of the Awards gala and the entire festival. The festival brings worldwide attention to Palm Springs. Congratulations, Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi.

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1/5 -

- The entire Tourism Infrastructure District Working Group met to review steps forward and provide everyone with background on why F&B was pulled from any assessment plan.
- The Desert Business Association is very smart to hold their New Years eve event on the 5th day of the New Year. Always well attended, and folks seem genuinely relaxed and ready for what the year will bring.

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1/8 -

- Palm Springs Hospitality Association January Board of Directors meeting was held at Las Casuelas. The organization continues to stabilize financially and enjoy membership renewals. Liz Ostoich provided the legislative update, including important details about SB294, which requires that Notice of All Rights be provided as a standalone document to all employees by February 1, 2026. SB 648 enhances California’s protections around tips (gratuities) by:

• Adding a private right of action: Employees can now sue directly for violations of California’s gratuity laws under Labor Code § 351.

• Allowing recovery of penalties: The new law authorizes civil penalties of $250 per violation and $1,000 for willful violations.

• Clarifying tip ownership: It reaffirms that tips are the sole property of the employee(s) for whom they are left.

• Expanding enforcement: Employees can bring claims individually or on behalf of others, similar to a representative action.

 

- Pasadena-based tech and real estate investor, Dale Okuno, and I met to catch up on development plans for the Festival Theatre. Improvements include adding a coffee lounge and marquee so passersby can see what movies are playing. Dale and I celebrated the agreement signed between the city and Festival Theatres, as well as a sublease to the film festival. This agreement enabled Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) films to be screened at the Festival Theatres. The PSIFF is a significant part of who Palm Springs is, and we are grateful to Mr. Okuno for keeping the Festival Theatres at the center of festival activity.

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1/9-

- Former District 3 Councilmember Geoff Kors and I met to catch up and discuss a variety of issues, from the opportunity for public comment on the proposed warehouse, approving the Village Green as an art installation site, voting districts, and pro/con electing a citywide mayor.

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1/10 -

- Coachella Valley Firebirds held the City of Palm Springs and Pride Night, and we brought the team luck. The Birds won 3-2 over the Henderson Silver Knights. Attendance was by far the highest of the three-game series.

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1/11-

- Glenrothan was the PSIFF Closing Night film, and the City Council was well represented by Mayor Soto and Councilmembers Bernstein, deHarte, and Ready. Actor and director Brian Cox, who has participated in the festival on a number of occasions, shared that he thinks the Palm Springs International Film Festival is one of the best festivals , if not the best! He said, " Everyone is friendly, and the city is so welcoming. Cox directed the film and co-starred with Alan Cumming, who was also attending.

 

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1/12 -

- The project team for workforce housing at 305 W San Rafael and I met to review the project. I walked through the issues raised in the appeals. At the Jan 14 council meeting, I was satisfied with the Planning Commission’s recommendation and denied the appeal.

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1/13 -

- I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Lee Morcus, one of the founders of Kaiser Restaurant Group, and discuss the hospitality industry in Palm Springs, the challenging times restaurants are experiencing, and the convention center modernization and urban connectivity plans.

- Council Meeting Agenda Review with Scott Stiles, City Manager, and Teresa Gallavan, Assistant City Manager. Prior to each council meeting, these meetings are an opportunity to ask staff questions on agenda items, review staff reports, and seek additional information. I value these important and informational meetings. The way I see it, the more questions I ask prior to the council meeting allows me time to listen and consider any new details presented at council. Plus, if you’re watching the council meeting, you don’t want to hear multiple councilmembers asking the same questions or making the same statements. I try to get answers to my questions before the council meeting.

- The Convention Center Financial working group met to review new financial modeling. This planning is an important element of the modernization plan. Assessing every option for bonding, timing, capacity, and bond repayment is an art. Mapping out payoff and project funding timelines allows us to plan the next 30-40 years of projects.

- The ADA accessible Ruth Hardy Park Playground, approved by the city council last year, opened and now provides children of all abilities to play and socialize together. This capital improvement project represents a $1.5 million investment supported with Measure J funds. The inclusive playground offers exciting features to inspire imaginative play, including sensory zones, quiet retreats, clear pathways, and sensory-rich equipment.

 

Palm Springs City Council Meeting | January 14, 2026

 

Key Highlights

• Fire Station 1, 3 & 5 Design Update

• Convention Center Modernization

• Building code ordinance

• Appeal of Planning Commission decision RE Affordable Housing Project – 305 W San Rafael

• Loan Commitment for Red Tail Multifamily Land Development Affordable Housing Project – 305 W San Rafael

• Loan Commitment for Pacific West Committee Affordable Housing Project

• Tourism Improvement District (TID)

• External Committee Appointments

Major Presentations and Facility Modernization

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• Fire Department Facility Design Update: Fire Chief Alvarado and lead architect Maria Song presented modernization plans for Fire Stations 1, 3, and 5. Station 1, a historically significant Albert Frey-designed building on Indian Canyon Drive, is nearly 70 years old and requires a complete rebuild that triples the crew quarters and doubles the apparatus bay while remaining operational during construction. Station 3 is a 60-year-old, non-gender-inclusive facility that currently forces all staff to share one bathroom and sleeping area; the new plan proposes a 20% expansion to create six individual sleeping rooms and private restrooms. I specifically requested that staff find a solution to secure firefighter parking at Station 3 to prevent vehicle vandalism. Station 5 on Bolero is 44 years old, is also not gender inclusive, is in poor condition, does not meet modern standards, and lacks drive-through capability, requiring engines to back into the station from the street. This was an informational update, and no formal vote was taken. Next steps include community meetings and open houses, preparing to solicit bids for design and construction, and determining costs.

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Item 1D – Verizon Wireless Lease: While renewing the lease for Verizon equipment on city property, Councilmember Ready pulled this item for comment to address the ongoing issue of spotty cellular service in South Palm Springs. Staff were encouraged to prioritize finding additional tower locations in the south end of the city to improve coverage for our residents

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Item 1J – Convention Center District Modernization: I supported this item to authorize a professional services agreement not to exceed $1.5 million for the "connector" portion of the Convention Center modernization design vision and urban connector implementation strategy to enhance vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle access between the convention center and the surrounding downtown. Design elements include lighting, public art, shade structures, and landscape. Additionally, the scope of work includes a connector branding, signage, and advertising plan. During the discussion, I shared that community outreach is a priority of council and the community. This community outreach includes 20 local meetings and presentations and represents 17.7% of the total budget.

◦ Vote: Passed 4-1

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Item 2A – Appeal of 305 West San Rafael Affordable Housing Project: Residents appealed the Planning Commission’s approval of an 82-unit affordable housing project, citing privacy and design, and building code concerns. Staff clarified that because the project is 100% affordable, State Density Bonus Law overrides local 150-foot setbacks and height limits. To mitigate privacy concerns, the developer has set the third floor back 139 feet and installed clerestory windows 6 feet above the floor to limit direct sightlines. Council denied the appeal and directed the developer to work with the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) on enhanced landscape hedging.

◦ Vote: Appeal Denied 5-0.

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Item 2B – Update Building Codes: This was the second reading and adoption of the newest edition (2025) of the California Building Standards Code. These updates are required by state law to ensure our municipal codes align with the current triennial state standards.

◦ Vote: Passed 5-0.

Item 2C – Urgency Ordinance Regarding ADUs and JADUs: We adopted an urgency ordinance to bring the city into immediate compliance with several new state laws effective January 1, including AB 462, AB 1154, SB 9, and SB 54. Key changes are intended to streamline the process to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs). State law requires compliance. The ordinance also mandates a strict 60-day timeline for final determination of permit applications. This was presented as an urgency ordinance because if we followed the normal review process, this item would have gone to the planning commission first and then to council. Without the benefit of time, the urgency ordinance was needed to meet compliance deadlines. Now that we have time, the ordinance will be introduced again following the city’s established review process.

◦ Vote: Passed 5-0.

Item 3A – Loan Commitment for 305 West San Rafael: Council approved a $3.8 million residual receipts loan for the construction of this 82-unit project. The development serves "working class" households earning between 30% and 70% of the Area Median Income, which translates to roughly $34,000 to $78,000 for a family of four. The city’s 9% contribution is vital to the developer's ability to leverage approximately $48 million in outside state and federal financing.

◦ Vote: Passed 5-0.

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Item 3B – Loan Commitment for McCarthy Road/San Rafael Project: We approved a $2.25 million acquisition loan and a $2.5 million fee loan for a 110-unit affordable housing development. This structure is specifically designed to increase the developer's "tie-breaker" score when competing for state tax credits. If the project is not built, the city retains a "clawback" right to the land.

◦ Vote: Passed 5-0.

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Item 3C – Tourism Improvement District (TID) Law: This ordinance adds a new chapter to the Municipal Code that establishes the framework for future tourism improvement districts. Importantly, it allows the city to issue bonds with terms up to 40 years, an increase from the previous 30-year limit. This action did not create a TID. It updated the city law on how a TID can function.

◦ Vote: Passed 5-0.

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Item 3D – External Committee Appointments: We finalized the 2026 roster for representatives to regional organizations. Key appointments include the Chamber of Commerce (deHarte lead / Bernstein alternate), Visit Greater Palm Springs (deHarte lead / Bernstein alternate), PS Resorts (deHarte lead / Soto alternate), and OnePS (Soto lead / Bernstein alternate).

◦ Vote: Passed 5-0.

 

Upcoming Agendas and Initiatives

January 28:

• Hotel Incentive Program Ordinance Update

• Historic Designation, Fallows-Cone Residence

• Parking Study Implementation Report

February 11:

• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

February 25:

• Mid-Year Financial Update

• On-Street (for sale) Parking Ordinance

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Helpful Links & Contacts:

• 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

3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, 

Palm Springs, CA 92262
United States of America

 

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