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Council Update | February 15, 2026

 

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A Milestone for Our City: Councilmember Grace Garner Takes Decisive Action on Elected Mayor Discussion

For over a year, a vital question has been at the heart of Palm Springs governance: Who should choose our Mayor?

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Since 2019, Palm Springs has operated under a district-based model with a rotating Mayor, a system designed to ensure every neighborhood has its turn at the helm. However, as our city faces increasingly complex challenges, many residents have begun to ask if a one-year "baton pass" provides the stability, influence, advocacy, and representation our community deserves.

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This week, the conversation took a monumental step forward. Councilmember Grace Garner has officially requested that a formal discussion be placed on the agenda regarding a citywide elected Mayor. I proudly supported this decisive action.

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Momentum for Reform

This is a turning point for our city. Throughout 2025, I have been a vocal advocate for this reform, noting that a one-year tenure fundamentally constrains effective governance. At a Special City Council Meeting on November 24, I requested that the topic of an at-large mayor be placed on the agenda, and I’m grateful for Mayor Pro Tem Ready’s support. While the request fell just one councilmember short of the majority needed to move forward, Mayor Pro Tem Ready and I remain committed to this goal and to building consensus on the council.

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Councilmember Garner’s bold intervention to add this topic to the agenda changes the landscape.

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As a former member of the 2018 California Voting Rights Act Working Group, Councilmember Garner brings a deep understanding of our transition to districts. Her leadership ensures discussions will be handled with precision, care, and a commitment to maintaining our established district representation. Rest assured, adding an elected mayor won't change our district boundaries; it simply adds one more person to the council to represent you.

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Why Now?

The desire for a direct, unified voice is clear: Palm Springs wants to elect its Mayor. This change focuses solely on the mayoral seat; our established districts and their boundaries will not be altered. We are committed to protecting minority-majority representation while finally giving every resident a direct vote for our city's leader.

Councilmember Garner acknowledged this shift in sentiment during her remarks Wednesday night:

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"In the recent months... we've heard a lot more discussion about the role of the mayor. There are many views on this issue and many things to consider... I am curious if my colleagues are interested in agendizing the item to allow for a full briefing."

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What Happens Next?

By agendizing this item, the Council is opening the door to a comprehensive public briefing. We will examine the logistics of transition to an At-Large Mayor while fully embracing the current five established districts, focusing on the mayor’s role as the city’s presiding officer, its "face," and the champion of the Council’s strategic vision. The mayor would have an equal vote among the council members.

I expect key areas of council and public discussion will include:

• Ensuring an at-large seat does not dilute the voting power of protected classes or existing districts.

• Holding sessions to discuss how neighborhood representation will be maintained.

• Assess the financial impact of an additional council stipend, the ability for current administrative staff to support the mayor, and any facility costs for renovating or building out a dedicated mayoral office.

• Municipal code updates that may be required.

• Under the general law for city councils with 6 members, a majority vote is required to pass ordinances or resolutions, meaning at least 4 affirmative votes are needed. A 3-3 tie vote results in the motion failing.

• The Ballot: If the Council moves forward following public input, the measure to transition to a citywide elected mayor will be placed before you—the voters—during a statewide general election.

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This is more than just a procedural update; it is a sign that your leadership is listening. Palm Springs is a city that prides itself on being heard, and thanks to this significant action, we are one step closer to ensuring your vote defines our city's future.

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The last two weeks have been a journey of both progress and recovery. After undergoing a total reverse shoulder replacement under the care of Dr. Todd Swenning, I’ve had to step back momentarily to focus on healing. It isn’t always easy to slow down when there is work to be done, but I’m committed to recovering the right way so I can continue to give my best to our City.

1/29 - Global Film Festival Expansion: Plans are advancing strategic conversations with industry leaders to launch a new, niche global film festival in Palm Springs; dates are nearing finalization to complement the city’s existing festival lineup. This festival is poised to strengthen the city’s reputation as a premier film destination.

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- Convention Center District Connectivity: Partnered with Councilmember Bernstein and the urban planning and branding consultants to provide input on the "connectivity component," ensuring the district’s design reflects our long-term goals. Shared strategic priorities for enhancing district connectivity and reinforcing the Palm Springs brand.

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- Convention Center Modernization: This week marked the one-year anniversary of the City Council’s "lightning speed" directive; the project remains on track for 2030 completion with funding, design, and contracting phases currently underway

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- Neighbors interested in exercising their right to vote for mayor: I was invited to join residents from several neighborhoods and discuss returning to an elected mayor in Palm Springs. The feedback wasn't just positive, it was overwhelmingly passionate. There is a powerful, collective desire for direct representation, and hearing your personal stories only reinforces why we must advance the right to vote. I’m not just hearing you; I’m standing with you.

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1/30 - Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) Board: Attended the first 2026 session as City Council Liaison, representing Palm Springs in regional discussions on tourism marketing, TBID modifications, and PSP airport enhancements.

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1/31 - El Mirador Neighborhood Meeting: Discussed the ongoing rezoning process and reassured residents that I do not support 5-story developments in our local neighborhoods. I provided updates on citywide initiatives, including drone-assisted public safety, airport gate expansion, and the status of stalled local projects.

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- Black History Month Flag Raising: The Black History Committee hosted a ceremony today at City Hall to honor the African American legacy and invite community engagement with local history. The 2:00 p.m. ceremony today, celebrating the contributions of Palm Springs’ African American community and launching a month of public reflection and local history events.

 

2/5 - Zoning Update: MPT Ready, and I met with City Attorneys and Leadership. We raised concerns about releasing maps before we had firm State directives. The goal is to ensure our housing guidelines are legally grounded and defensible and that we provide residents the most accurate information possible. We flagged the critical gap regarding definitive State requirements and our desire to keep residents informed.

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2/7 - Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Gala: I attended to support the Palm Springs Air Museum’s tribute to veteran courage and character. Highlights included honoring nine distinguished service members, featuring Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Lee Davis and Lifetime Achievement Award winner Dan Lauria (Capt. USMC).

 

2/10 - Pre-Council Agenda Briefings: City Leadership and occasionally Department Heads meet to clarify agenda items. While these meetings are essential for legislative readiness, the 24-hour lead time creates a narrow window to gather additional data or conduct complex follow-ups before the formal vote.

 

Palm Springs City Council Meeting | February 11, 2026

Key Highlights

• Prescott Preserve Fire Presentation

• Sunline Transit

• Cannabis Equity Program Update

• Ordinance Amendment Regarding Private Utility Penalties

• Restructured Hotel Operations Incentive Program

 

Proclamations

Mayor Soto recognized February as Black History Month. The proclamation emphasized the importance of honoring the history, culture, and substantial contributions of African Americans to society. The community was encouraged to participate in local events, including the Black History parade and weekly activities at the Palm Springs Art Museum on Thursdays throughout the month.

 

Presentations

Prescott Preserve Fire After-Action Report - Fire Chief Paul Alvarado and Code Compliance Director Veronica Goodheart provided a review of the brush fire that occurred on February 1, 2026, at the Prescott Preserve.

• Incident Summary: The fire broke out at 2:17 p.m. near Ferrell Drive and Compadre Road, involving 120 acres of the former Mesquite Golf Course. It required 36 firefighters and mutual aid from Cal Fire and Cathedral City to extinguish. While the cause remains undetermined, human origin has not been ruled out.

• Mitigation & Challenges: Code Compliance has been working since 2024 to establish a 30-foot defensible space buffer along the preserve's perimeter. Firefighters faced challenges due to dense natural fuels and trees exceeding 50 feet in height, leading to "ember casting" and long-range spotting.

• Community Concerns: Residents expressed fear regarding future prevention, specifically requesting thorough inspections of a nearby dilapidated clubhouse and dead trees near residential phases. The city confirmed a follow-up meeting with Mesquite Country Club members to discuss ongoing safety and mitigation.

I requested that this topic be returned to the agenda so the public can be aware and can participate in the conversation.

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Sunline Rides Reimagined: Operational Update -

Mona Babauta, CEO of Sunline Transit Agency, presented an update on "Sunline Rides Reimagined," a comprehensive operational analysis launched last fall to modernize the Coachella Valley’s transit system. Sunline operates as the public transit provider for a 1,100-square-mile area—roughly the size of Rhode Island—carrying approximately 3 million riders annually, the majority of whom are students. The agency is a significant governmental operation with 350 employees working 24 hours a day. Its primary cost drivers are its capital-intensive nature: it maintains an annual operating budget of $50 million and a capital budget exceeding $100 million, with individual buses costing roughly $2 million each.

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Beyond its standard fixed-route "SunBus" service, Sunline manages a variety of support services, including complimentary door-to-door paratransit for residents with physical or cognitive disabilities, the "SunRide" on-demand app-based service ($3 per ride) to fill geographic gaps, and a subsidized taxi program for seniors and those with disabilities. Notably, Sunline also serves as the regional taxi regulator, ensuring safety and meter accuracy for the valley’s taxi fleet. Under the oversight of its board, the agency is currently gathering public feedback to decide between two service scenarios: a ridership-focused model for dense housing and retail areas, or a coverage-based model that reaches further into the county. Residents are encouraged to complete the agency's survey by the end of February to influence the final growth scenario.

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Major Items and Outcomes

Item F: Cannabis Equity Program Grant Acceptance

The City Council unanimously approved (5-0) a resolution to accept $650,000 in grant funds from the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. This program, established as a pilot in 2019, provides direct financial assistance to equity permittees (business owners disproportionately affected by past cannabis laws) for costs such as capital improvements, rent, and equipment. Beyond financial aid, the program partners with the College of the Desert’s Pace program to offer workforce training in project management and marketing, as well as expungement clinics to help individuals clear their records. Currently, there are four equity permittees in the city, including Holland Farms, with three additional businesses expected to open in 2026. I requested that specific funding amounts and designated recipients be made available to the public. Public pride in these initiatives depends on verifiable evidence that funds are making a difference. Our financial stewardship does not end at disbursement. I requested the implementation of a structured Return on Investment (ROI) framework to be executed at 2- and 4-year intervals.

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Item H: Ordinance Amendment Regarding Penalties

The Council moved to adopt an ordinance adding Chapter 5.27 to the Municipal Code concerning private utility connections. The discussion centered on ensuring the enforcement mechanisms were administrative rather than criminal. Following Council direction, a provision allowing up to six months' imprisonment for violations was stricken from the final version. The City Attorney clarified that while the city retains the right to perform "self-help" remedies if owners fail to provide necessary connections, the Council explicitly chose to decriminalize these code violations by removing the threat of jail time. The motion passed to adopt this amended, "clean" version of the ordinance.

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Item 3A: Restructured Hotel Operations Incentive Program

The Council approved the reintroduction of an ordinance to streamline the city’s Hotel Operations Incentive Program, designed to spur development and major renovations. To prevent projects from stalling, the new rules set strict deadlines: construction must commence within 12 months and be completed within 30 months of the agreement. A major point of debate involved penalizing hotels that fail to pay their Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). The Council directed staff to significantly shorten the delinquency window; instead of a five-month process, the city now has the right to terminate the incentive agreement after just 60 days of non-payment. This change ensures that the city does not continue to incentivize "bad behavior" by operators who are not meeting their tax obligations. The motion passed following these adjustments.

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Upcoming Agendas and Initiatives

February 25

• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

• Mid-Year Financial and Capital Projects Update

• On-Street (For Sale/Commercial) Parking Ordinance

• Update on Economic Development Activity

March 11

• Leadership Coachella Valley Program Update

• Visit Greater Palm Springs Annual Update

• CDBG Annual Action Plan, Hearing #1

• Hotel Incentive Agreement