Friend,

This week, I’m writing to you about the council actions at the May 14th meeting and my work since our last update.

To enhance transparency and accessibility, in addition to this update, I've made it a priority to represent our city in diverse settings beyond formal meetings.

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Interviews and Media Outreach

LA Times covered Canadian tourism and a second article covered the impact of the Administration’s attacks on the Transgender community.

Inside Edition interview to provide background on Canadian tourism in Palm Springs.

Media event covering Jim Isermann’s civil rights sculpture to be installed in Francis Stevens Park.

KESQ discussion about economic development survey. The people of Palm Springs—every resident, business, and innovator— is invited to define the future of our local economy. Tomorrow's Palm Springs economy isn't something that will simply happen; it's something we will create together. We will be the architects of our success. I urge you to take the survey and contribute your energy and ideas. Together, we will build the thriving Palm Springs we know is possible.Click Here for the Survey

Updated comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan - Our leadership in Palm Springs is defined by a clear vision: a future where every member of our community is safe and secure. To achieve this, we are taking bold steps in our emergency planning and response, embedding inclusion, preparedness, and compassion into every aspect. This proactive approach ensures that no one is left behind, including our beloved pets. Click Here to Read the Plan

Love Local Palm Springs Restaurant Week digital gift card promotion returns. Starting Monday, May 19, with the purchase a $100 Love Local Palm Springs digital gift card, customers will receive a $50 bonus card. This year, we're making it even more enticing for residents and visitors to explore the vibrant and diverse culinary scene in Palm Springs while also supporting local businesses. We encourage you to dine at your favorite eatery, treat yourself and explore new flavors. Click Here to learn more and get the most for your money with Love Local.

Community Outreach 

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Visited the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and participated in the Airport Navigators Luncheon. Airport Navigators provide visitors arriving through the Palm Springs International Airport with general assistance and information about the airport and the city. I was honored to present 5- and 10-year pins and certificates to airport volunteers in recognition of their service.

Celebrated Earth Day and Arbor Day at Victoria Park by planting a tree and presenting an Arbor Day proclamation and an Earth Day proclamation.

Welcomed attendees to the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board Preservation Matters Symposium 2025. It was the 10th year for the free public event that focused on the history and development of Palm Springs architecture during the mid-20th century.

Attended the Old Las Palmas Spring Party hosted by Old Las Palmas Neighborhood Organization and met many neighbors who are actively engaged in civic programs.

Participated in the La Plaza Theater free community event that highlighted the theatre's history and celebrated the future opening date of December 1.

I was invited to acknowledge the 25th Anniversary of the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus. I presented a proclamation recognizing the Chorus for providing highly entertaining and culturally enriching performances for Palm Springs citizens, their families, and guests for 25 years.

I joined residents of Coyote Run l & ll for Tacos, ice cream making and DJ music at a 2nd annual community event. The city provided a $5,000 sponsorship for the event which was organized by the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition. I loved seeing so many residents come together for pure neighborhood fun. The bonus was enjoying the resident’s delicious homemade desserts.

Eileen Stern was actively involved with the inaugural Saving Nature Film Festival on May 1 which celebrated the city’s rich cinematic history and deep commitment to environmental preservation and advocacy. She asked me to help celebrate and present a proclamation for Saving Nature Film Festival Day. The film festival served as a platform to educate, inspire, and bring awareness to the importance of conservation through the power of storytelling and film.

I celebrated the opening of downtown’s first comedy club with a ribbon cutting at the Rock Gallery Comedy Club, 333 N Palm Canyon.

I was honored to introduce small business and civic leader Bob Smiland at the Desert Business Association Impact Awards. Bob owns the Desert Hand Car Wash and was recognized as the Businessperson of the Year. The car wash was established in 1947 and holds the third longest business license in the city.

The 3rd Annual Palm Springs Police Officers Association Community Appreciation Day was held at the Flannery Exchange and POA members recognized included: Patrol Officer of the Year: Rachel Davis; Detective of the Year: Gilberto Alcaraz; Sergeant of the Year: Mike Torres; Professional Employee of the Year: Eric Byrns; Volunteer of the Year: COP Kathy Herbert, and Business/Community Member of the Year: Bar Cecil.

Presented a proclamation for the 478th star on the Walk of the Stars honoring Elinor Harriet. She was a pioneering actress whose voice helped define the golden age of radio and captured the hearts of listeners across America. She relocated to California, continuing her radio career while living in Palm Springs during our heyday as a hub for entertainment and broadcasting.

Meetings 

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The Tech Working Group of the Mayor’s Council on Economic Development was briefed on the draft Palm Springs Economic Development Strategic Plan.

I presided over the City Council Finance Standing Subcommittee meeting to review the City’s investment issuer list and review the 24/25 Investment Policy prior to recommending city council’s approval.

I held a citywide Mayors Community Meeting at the Palm Springs Convention Center on April 26 and provided residents with a First 135 days in office update. This interactive forum gives community members a direct channel to address their concerns, ask questions about neighborhood-specific issues, and contribute ideas for the city's future. The mayor will outline recent achievements, current challenges facing Palm Springs, and his vision for continued growth and improvement.

Community Meeting at City Hall re: Low Water Emergency Access Bridge. I appreciated the opportunity to hear concerns directly from residents living in and around Andreas Palms, Bogert Trail, Estancias, Alta, Goldenrod and Andreas Hills. The feedback from residents and firsthand accounts of medical emergency access is powerful testimony supporting the need of the improvements.

Coachella Valley Association of Governments Executive Committee meeting Received an update on proposed amendments to South Coast Air Quality Management District’s rules to phasing out gas water heaters & furnaces and $21M Go Zero Pilot Program to support residents & small businesses transitioning to zero-NOx appliances. The proposal still requires major modifications. The PR pitch that the program offers a choice is poppycock. We have significant concerns about adding additional electric demand to the region’s power grid. The cost to upgrade residential electrical capacity, increased electric cost to low-income homeowners, and the burden of paying higher appliance costs will negatively impact the most marginalized. The committee authorize the CVAG Chair and Energy & Sustainability Chair to issue letters of significant concern to South Coast Air Quality Management District on the proposed amendments.

Convention Center and Tourism Stakeholder Meeting

We are continuing to hold stakeholder meetings for the Convention Center Modernization and Connectivity Project, and we are making excellent progress. I’m proud of the leadership coming to the table. We’re entering an exciting phase with significant decisions, recommendations, and public engagement rollouts planned. Each workgroup presented on:

● Capital Improvements & Construction – Octavio Fernandez (Chair)

○ Peer-review findings (Conventional Wisdom)

○ Draft capital improvements implementation schedule

● Urban Planning & Connectivity – Lauri Kibby (Chair)

○ TKD will conduct an initial district survey and report back by 5/29

○ Planned community engagement sessions
● Tourism Improvement District (TID) – Peggy Trott (Chair)

○ Status of TID study/formation process (Civitas)

● Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) - Chair TBD

○ Will convene in late May; Volunteers needed

Other

Attended the Well in the Desert Town Hall.

Attended and spoke at the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast.

Met with Antonio Villaraigosa and discussed city challenges, needs and future.

Participated in the Tourism General Manager meeting

 

Now, these are the highlights from the last city council meeting.

 

​Key Highlights

• Temporary Pickleball Courts

• 2025 Emergency Operations Plan

• Library Renovation HVAC System

• Commissions and Boards Appointment Policy

• Community Facilities Districts (CFD) Annexations

• Delinquent waste disposal charges

• Lucille Palm Springs, dba the Andalusian Court

• Appeal of Planning Commission

 

The Pledge of Allegiance. I invited Oswaldo Sandoval from Palm Springs High School to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

MAJOR DECISIONS & UPDATES

Temporary Pickleball Courts: A staff update was provided on the temporary pickleball courts. Discussion centered on the proposed lease agreement of the existing COD tennis courts.
 

Key Facts:

• Proposed approximate annual rent: $20,000.

• Approximate cost to get courts ready: $75,000.

• The courts were previously leased by a third-party contractor for tournaments.

• The courts will be available during daylight hours.

2025 Emergency Operations Plan Adoption: The Fire Chief provided a report, which evolved into a discussion about emergency preparedness, particularly in the event of a large earthquake.

Key Facts:

The Fire Chief agreed to provide an outline plan for emergency preparedness, including automatic aid agreements.

The Palm Springs airport is considered a potential lifeline, and ensuring quick repair of runways to receive resources was discussed.

Library Renovation HVAC System: Discussion centered on the proposed expense to relocate HVAC units for the library renovation project – either on the roof or on the ground behind the building.

My concern was spending additional funds in an RFP process which I anticipate will result in significantly higher construction costs than we have planned. With budget shortfalls, I am against spending and adding to a deficit. I did not support the motion; however, the motion passed.

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Key Issues:

• Placing HVAC on the roof is in the current bid document.

• Placing units on the ground was suggested to potentially avoid conflicts with future historic designation of the building, as the current roof units are larger than older units and might be seen as a "major alteration" by the Historic Preservation Officer (HPO).

• Moving units to the ground could require design changes and potentially delay the bid process (currently due by the end of the month).

• There was a concern about vandalism if units are on the ground.

• The council discussed the implications of delaying the bid and potentially increasing costs for a change based on a potential future historic designation that may not even occur or apply.

Change to the Human Rights Commission Appointment Procedures:

Currently no commissioner is appointed without being voted on by the full council.

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The longstanding practice followed by city council is for the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem to conduct interviews and make recommendations to the full city council.

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The existing 20-year-old resolution for commission appointments requires the full council to interview all candidates. For many years, only the Planning Commission, Historic Site Preservation Board and Measure J Commission have been interviewed by the full city council. 

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For over fifteen years, the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem interviewed candidates and made a recommendation for appointment to the full city council to review and vote on.

Debate: Council members debated whether the Human Rights Commission should require full council interviews due to the importance of the commission. The argument presented was that the Human Rights Commission does important work for the city council and therefore the council should be more involved in the appointments.
I do not understand the logic that the commission does important work. All commissions do valuable work for the city, so why isn’t the council interviewing candidates for all commissions?

All current commissioners were appointed by the last two mayors. But now, the current mayor and mayor pro tem should not be tasked with the same duties. As the current Mayor, I don’t understand why a change is needed now.

Outcome: A motion was made by Councilmember Bernstein to have the full city council interview all candidates for the Human Rights Commission. This motion passed 3 to 2 with Councilmember Ready and me dissenting.
 

Community Facilities Districts (CFD) Annexations: Public hearings and council action were taken on annexing three properties into existing Community Facilities Districts (CFD) 2005-1 and 2007-1. These CFDs levy special taxes (Mello-Roos) primarily for public safety services.

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Key Facts:

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The properties being annexed are Latitude 61 (61 residential units), a single-family home at 2740 Sienna, and Serena Park. CFD 2005-1 was established in 2005; CFD 2007-1 in 2007.

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These districts collect Mello-Roos taxes for public safety services (police and fire) within the boundaries of the CFD. Properties outside the CFD do not pay this specific tax.

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The Mello-Roos tax is typically approved when the property is owned by the developer, and subsequent buyers are notified as part of the disclosure process. Individual homeowners cannot oppose it after the initial approval.

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CFD 2005-1 currently brings in approximately $1.5 million annually. CFD 2007-1 brings in a much smaller amount.

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The annexations were approved via resolutions. The process involved an “election" where authorized representatives of the landowners voted for annexation

Delinquent Waste Disposal Charges: A public hearing was held. Council approved the annual process to place delinquent waste disposal charges onto the property tax roll.

Key Facts:

Approximately 5% of accounts go into delinquency annually.

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Palm Springs Disposal works with customers on payment arrangements and can waive fees if a property is truly vacant (6-month requirement).

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Notices are sent in English and Spanish to property owners.

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Palm Springs Disposal works with customers on payment arrangements and can waive fees if a property is truly vacant (6-month requirement).

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Delinquent charges are assigned to the property, meaning they appear on the property tax roll, which affects the property owner even if a renter was responsible for the bill.

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Lucille Palm Springs, dba. the Andalusian Court: 

The agenda item was a public hearing to consider approving a hotel operations covenant agreement between the City of Palm Springs and Lucille Palm Springs, doing business as the Andalusian Court. 

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The Hotel Lucille is a nine-room hotel located at 458 West Arenas Road. It was built in 1921 in the Spanish Revival style and was historically frequented by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

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The hotel owner invested $402,000 in improvements to both the exterior and interior, including the pool and modifications to rooms to add kitchens/kitchenettes.

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This investment amount ($44,705 per key) qualifies them for the city's hotel incentive program. Under the program, the city will split the transient occupancy tax (TOT) increment above a base amount 50/50 with the owner for 10 years or until the investment is reimbursed.

Appeal to Planning Commission: An appeal was heard regarding the Planning Commission's denial of a development permit for a proposed Sherwin-Williams paint store in the Uptown district. The use is permitted by right in the zoning, but the Planning Commission denied the application based on concerns about the project's design and appropriateness for the Uptown "vibe."

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Key Issues:

The site is a decades-vacant lot in the Uptown district, zoned C1 (retail business), where paint stores are permitted by right.

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The Planning Commission initially unanimously approved the project but reconsidered and denied it due to concerns about the design not fitting the Uptown character and vibe.

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The applicant made significant changes to the design after the initial review to address Planning Commission and public feedback, including adding architectural elements, windows, and enhancing landscaping.

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The property owner indicated they had been trying to develop the small, difficult-to-fit lot for eight years, and this was the first serious proposal. The intent of the project is to be a public-serving store, engage pedestrians, and become part of the community.

I made the motion to overturn the Planning Commission's denial and approve the project, with an amendment requiring the applicant to revise the elevations to reflect Palm Springs mid-century architecture, to be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Review Committee. The motion passed unanimously.

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Upcoming Items -

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May 22 –

Joint Meeting with Measure J and Budget Study Session

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May 28 -

• Library Bond (Public Hearing)

• Appeal of Approval for Commercial Expansion at 1100 S Palm Canyon (Public Hearing)

• Discussion of Community Land Trust

• Convention Center RFP (Request for Proposal)

 

Helpful Links & Contacts:

• Mayors Website – Read past updates on the Mayors 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.

• ONE-PS - is a network of Palm Springs neighborhoods that gives voice to the issues and concerns of our community.

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

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

Send this link to invite others to join our Newsletter list - Join Mayor's Newsletter list.

 

 

Best regards,

Ron deHarte - Mayor of Palm Springs