Study Session of the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, and Board of Library Trustees Minutes
February 12, 2026
Present: Councilmember Jan Harnik, Councilmember Gina Nestande, Mayor Evan Trubee, Councilmember Karina Quintanilla, Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto*
*Mayor Pro Tem Pradetto participated remotely in accordance with SB 707 due to illness.
1. CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION
A Study Session of the Palm Desert City Council was called to order by Mayor Trubee on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber of City Hall, located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
2. STUDY SESSION TOPICS
2.a SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS Mona Babauta, CEO and General Manager of SunLine Transit Agency, presented a PowerPoint on the agency’s comprehensive operational analysis, encouraged public participation throughout the process, and responded to City Council inquiries.
2.b PROVIDE DIRECTION ON FUTURE USES OF THE SHERIFF SUBSTATION Jill Mendoza, Economic Development Manager, narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding potential reuse options for the Sheriff Substation at the Civic Center Campus and responded to City Council inquiries.
Following the discussion, the City Council provided staff direction to proceed with repurposing the site for future City use.
2.c DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING POTENTIAL UPDATES TO
TOBACCO RETAILER LICENSING AND SMOKING REGULATIONS,
INCLUDING COMPLIANCE WITH CALIFORNIA FLAVORED TOBACCO LAWS
AND REGULATION OF KRATOM
Daniel Hurtado, Public Safety Coordinator, presented a PowerPoint and responded to City Council inquiries.
Sergeant Nelson, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, provided first-hand experience regarding an individual under the influence of kratom.
Following the discussion, the City Council directed staff to proceed with Option B, regulating kratom products and prohibiting synthetic kratom products.
2.d POTENTIAL INDOOR SPORTS COMPLEX PARTNERSHIP
Richard Cannone, Assistant City Manager, and Scott White, of Visit Greater Palm Springs, presented a PowerPoint on the potential partnership for an indoor sports complex and responded to City Council inquiries.
The City Council expressed support for continued exploration of a partnership with Visit Greater Palm Springs to develop an indoor sports complex.
City of Palm Desert City Council Study Session Minutes
February 12, 2026
2 3. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the Study Session at 3:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Michelle Nance
Assistant City Clerk/Assistant Secretary
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Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk/Secretary