1 Study Session of the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, and Board of Library Trustees Minutes
August 28, 2025, 2:15 p.m.
Present: Mayor Jan Harnik, Councilmember Gina Nestande, Mayor Pro Tem Evan Trubee, Councilmember Karina Quintanilla*,
Councilmember Joe Pradetto*
* Councilmember Quintanilla arrived at 2:25 p.m.
* Councilmember Pradetto arrived at 2:30 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION
A Study Session of the Palm Desert City Council was called to order by Mayor Harnik on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 2:15 p.m., in the Council Chamber, City Hall, located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
2. STUDY SESSION TOPICS
2.a UPDATE ON THE 2025 CALIFORNIA DESERT PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
SPONSORSHIP
Management Analyst Powell and Paulina Larson, of Palm Springs Life, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.
2.b PROVIDE DIRECTION ON CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS PROCESS
FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES
Deputy Director of Development Services Flores narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.
Following discussion, the City Council expressed preference for the following actions:
1. Establish clear criteria to differentiate between major and minor projects, with specific attention to distinguishing:
o Properties with formal historic designations
o Properties with potential for historic designation
2. Authorize staff-level approval for all minor projects.
3. Require City Council approval for all major projects, with prior referral to the Historic Preservation Committee.
Palm Desert City Council Study Session Minutes
August 28, 2025
2 2.c REGULATIONS FOR EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND ILLUMINATION ON
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
Senior Planner Siji Fernandez narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.
During the discussion, Councilmembers provided the following feedback:
String Lighting: Permit the use of white, low-lumen string lights. Window Lighting: Strongly discourage window lighting and work toward the removal of existing installations.
Facade Lighting: Allow low-lumen lighting for signage within the Freeway Commercial Overlay Zone (along the I-10 corridor), subject to Architectural Review Commission (ARC) approval to ensure compliance with aesthetic standards.
Business Outreach: Engage with business owners regarding safety concerns, particularly in relation to potential homeless encampments.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the Study Session at 3:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Monique M. Lomeli, CMC
Senior Deputy Clerk
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Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk/Secretary