PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION MEETING
AGENDA
Thursday, March 12, 2026
2:00 p.m.
Council Chamber, City Hall
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, California
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the purpose of the Study Session is to review the items listed on the agenda. No action will be taken.
This is a joint meeting of the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Palm Desert Housing Authority, and Palm Desert Board of Library Trustees.
Pursuant to Senate Bill 707, this meeting may be conducted as a hybrid meeting allowing public access via teleconference or in person, and up to two Councilmembers may attend remotely.
WATCH THE MEETING LIVE: Watch the City Council meeting live at the City’s website:
https://palmdesert.zoom.us/ or on the City's YouTube Channel.
OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS MEETING:
OPTION 1: IN PERSON
Attend in person in the Council Chamber, located at 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260.
OPTION 2: VIA EMAIL
Send your comments by email to: [email protected].
Emails received prior to 10:00 a.m. on the day of the City Council meeting will be made part of the record and distributed to the City Council. Emails will not be read aloud at the meeting.
OPTION 3: LIVE VIA ZOOM
Access via palmdesert.gov/zoom or zoom.us, click “Join Meeting” and enter Webinar ID 833 6744 9572.
1. OPTION 4: LIVE VIA TELEPHONE
1. (213) 338-8477 and enter Meeting ID 833 6744 9572 followed by #.
Pages
1. CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION
2. STUDY SESSION TOPICS
2.a EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT UPDATE AND REQUEST FOR
DIRECTION REGARDING COMMUNITY CONCERNS, GAPS, OR
PRIORITIES TO INCORPORATE INTO ONGOING PREPAREDNESS
WORK
5 RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction to staff regarding any community concerns or preparedness gaps the City Council would like staff to prioritize.
2.b UPDATE ON MEDIAN LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT
(PROJECT NO. CFA00011)
23 RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the master planning document for the City’s medians and parkways.
2.c PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS 27
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a presentation on proposed maintenance service enhancements and provide feedback and direction regarding inclusion of additional Maintenance Worker positions in the upcoming fiscal year budget.
2.d 2026 INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION UPDATE AND DIRECTION FOR 2027 AERIAL DISPLAY
33 RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the presentation on the 2026 Independence Day Celebration.
1. Provide direction to staff on adding a drone light show in addition to the traditional fireworks display for the 2027 Independence Day Celebration.
2. 3. ADJOURNMENT
City Council Study Session
March 12, 2026
2 4. PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTE: Pursuant to Senate Bill 707, this meeting may be conducted by teleconference. Study Session is accessible in person or on the City’s website:
www.palmdesert.gov under the Council Agenda link at the top of the page.
Agenda Related Materials: Pursuant to Government Code §54957.5(b)(2) the designated office for inspection of records in connection with this meeting is the Office of the City Clerk, Palm Desert Civic Center, 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. Staff reports for all agenda items considered in open session, and documents provided to a majority of the legislative bodies are available for public inspection at City Hall and on the City’s website at www.palmdesert.gov by clicking “Meeting Agendas” at the top of the page.
Americans with Disabilities Act: It is the intention of the City of Palm Desert to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an attendee or a participant at this meeting, or in meetings on a regular basis, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the Office of the City Clerk, (760) 346-0611, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible.
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Michelle Nance, Assistant City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing agenda for the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency for the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority, was posted on the City Hall bulletin board and City website www.palmdesert.gov no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting.
/S/ Michelle Nance
Assistant City Clerk
City Council Study Session
March 12, 2026
3 4
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 12, 2026
PREPARED BY: Daniel Hurtado, Public Safety Coordinator
SUBJECT: STUDY SESSION: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT UPDATE AND
REQUEST FOR DIRECTION REGARDING COMMUNITY CONCERNS,
GAPS, OR PRIORITIES TO INCORPORATE INTO ONGOING
PREPAREDNESS WORK
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction to staff regarding any community concerns or preparedness gaps the City Council would like staff to prioritize.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
Emergency preparedness is a year-round priority for the City, and this study session provides a high-level update on current readiness, capabilities, and partnerships. The City uses an allhazards approach that accounts for extreme heat and prolonged outages, severe storms and wind impacts, earthquakes, wildfire and smoke, public health emergencies, incidents requiring mass care, and potential communications disruptions. Readiness is maintained through a coordinated focus on people, plans, supplies, and partnerships to support continuity of government and effective response and recovery operations.
The City’s response capability begins with staffing and continuity. All City employees serve as Disaster Service Workers and may be reassigned during emergencies to support Emergency Operations Center activation, documentation, mass care support, logistics and distribution, and field coordination. This structure allows the City to scale staffing quickly, sustain operations, and maintain accountability during complex incidents. Readiness is reinforced through Emergency Operations Center training and Incident Command System coursework (ICS 100, 200, and 700), as well as practical safety and response training such as First Aid/CPR, fire extinguisher training, active shooter preparedness, and Stop the Bleed.
The City maintains emergency supplies and deployable assets to support mass care and continuity operations. These resources include basic sheltering supplies such as water, cots, blankets, sleeping bags, emergency food, and electrolytes, as well as storm readiness materials including sandbags. Deployable capabilities include a large event tent for mass care or cooling support, portable generators and air conditioners, a water purifier, emergency triage kits, and satellite radios programmed for backup communications. For storm readiness and community support, Public Works stages sand for public access at the Civic Center campus, and the City provides timely public messaging through signage and social media regarding sandbag availability and pickup instructions.
Regional and facility partnerships strengthen the City’s ability to maintain services during major incidents. Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and Rancho Mirage have a formal support agreement to 5 City of Palm Desert
Emergency Management Update
provide continuity and surge capacity if an Emergency Operations Center is disrupted, including designated space support, redundant alert and warning capability, and limited emergency management staffing assistance during activations, subject to availability and impacts. Mass care and cooling options are supported through agreements with Desert Sands Unified School District for Mass Care Center use and with The Joslyn Center for temporary cooling during outages. The City also partners with Southern California Edison to operate Community Resource Centers during power shutoffs or loss-of-power events, with locations at the Palm Desert Community Center and Portola Community Center that may provide charging, water, and snacks, outage information, signage, and supply staging.
Community preparedness remains a key focus of the program. The City supports neighborhood readiness through HOA outreach and guidance on emergency planning, communications and continuity, volunteer roles, and facility use concepts, and through participation in preparedness events and safety fairs. Staff will use Council feedback from this study session to refine priorities, address gaps, and guide future training, outreach, and operational readiness efforts.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact with this informational study session item.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Emergency Management Update Presentation
CONFLICT OF INTEREST AWARENESS CHECKLIST:
☐ Site-Specific Property Interest – Councilmembers should check if they own or lease real property within 1,000 feet of the project site (Gov. Code § 87103(b); FPPC Reg. 18702.2). ☐ SB 1439 Applicability (Campaign Contributions) – Applies to licenses, permits, or other entitlements for use, and to contracts or franchise agreements other than competitively bid, labor, or personal employment contracts.
Applicant(s)/Appellant(s): Not Applicable
Councilmembers should review any campaign contributions received within the last 12 months from parties or participants to the proceeding and must not accept contributions over $500 from those parties for 12 months following the final decision (Gov. Code § 84308).
Note: These indicators are informational and do not constitute a legal determination. Each Councilmember is responsible for identifying and disclosing any disqualifying interests in accordance with the Political Reform Act and FPPC regulations. 6 EMERGENCY
MANAGEMEN
T UPDATE
City of Palm Desert
Council Study Session
March 12, 2026
1 7
2 PREPAREDNESS IS ALWAYS IN MIND
Emergency preparedness is a yearround priority.
Tonight’s update:
• Staff readiness and training
• City emergency supplies and
deployable capabilities
• Mass care, cooling, and community
resource center partnerships
• Regional continuity (Cove Cities
shared support)
• Community outreach and storm
response actions
8 3
WHAT WE PLAN FOR
All-Hazards Readiness
• Extreme heat and prolonged
power outages
• Severe storms, flooding, and
localized wind impacts
• Earthquakes • Wildfires and smoke impacts • Public health emergencies • Large-scale incidents requiring mass care or shelter
• Communications disruptions
9 4
HOW WE STAY READY
People + Plans + Supplies +
Partnerships
People: trained Disaster Service
Workers (DSWs)
Plans: EOC procedures, response
checklists, and partner MOUs
Supplies: mass care, power, cooling,
comms, and basic medical capability
Partnerships: Cove cities, DSUSD,
SCE, Joslyn Center, HOAs, and
community groups 10
5 City Staff as Disaster
Service Workers
All City employees are
Disaster Service
Workers.
During emergencies,
employees may be
reassigned to support:
EOC staffing and
documentation
Shelter / mass care
supportLogistics,
supplies, and distribution
Field support and
coordination
This ensures continuity of
government and essential
services.
CONTINUITY OF
GOVERNMENT
11 STAFF TRAINING AND OPERATIONAL
READINESS
6 Prepared People =
Faster Response
Emergency
Operations Center
training for staff
Incident Command
System training
assignments: ICS
100, 200, 700
Safety and
response training:
First Aid / CPR Fire extinguisher
training
Active shooter
training
Stop the Bleed
training
12 7
CITY EMERGENCY SUPPLIES
Mass Care + Shelter Support (Snapshot)
• 200+ cases of canned water (24 per case)
• 400+ cots
• 250 sleeping bags
• 1,200 blankets
• 4-week emergency food supply cases stored at City Hall • 40 cases of electrolytes
• Glow sticks
• Waste bags
• Sandbags (for storms and localized flooding)
13 Power, Cooling, Water, and Basic Medical Support
• Large event tent (mass care/cooling/triage support)
• 5 portable generators
• 6 portable air conditioners (for tent operations)
• Water purifier machine (potable water support during
disruptions)
• 150 emergency triage kits (rapid triage and immediate care support)
• 25 satellite radios programmed to a Palm Desert channel (backup comms)
8 DEPLOYABLE CAPABILITIES
14 9
STORM
READINESS
ACTIONS
When Severe Weather Hits
Public Works stages sand at the Civic Center campus for public access.
City places signage citywide and uses social media to share:
Sand and sandbag availability
Pickup guidance and instructions
Goal: quick public messaging + access to materials + proactive support. 15 10
REGIONAL CONTINUITY: COVE CITIES
SHARED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
If One EOC Is Disrupted, Operations Can Continue
• Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and Rancho Mirage have a formal agreement to share emergency management support.
• Key capabilities include: Use of designated rooms/space (tables, chairs, restrooms, parking), scheduled and coordinated
• Redundant Alert & Warning capability (ability to send messages on another city’s behalf if requested
• Up to 80 hours of emergency management staffing support per city during EOC activations, subject to availability and whether the supporting city is impacted
• Important note: This supports continuity and surge capacity. It does not create a joint EOC; each city retains independent authority and control 16 11
MASS CARE AND SHELTER PARTNERSHIP:
DESERT SANDS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Pre-Identified Mass Care Facility Option
• The City has an MOU with Desert Sands Unified School District to use a facility as a Mass Care Center during disasters and complex emergencies.
• City has primary responsibility for facility operations and assigns a Site Manager; DSUSD designates a Facility Coordinator.
• Use is activated upon request and continues until the emergency ends or an alternative location is secured.
17 12
EMERGENCY COOLING CENTER:
JOSLYN CENTER
Summer Cooling Option if a Site is Needed
Facility Use Agreement with The Joslyn Center to serve as an emergency cooling center during grid failures or power outages.
Designed as a temporary drop-in site until the emergency ends or another site is secured.
18 13
PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA EDISON
Community Resource Centers (CRCs) for Public
Safety Events
• License Agreement with SCE to operate CRCs
during power shutoffs/loss of power for
public safety events (wildfires, windstorms,
high heat)
• CRC locations in Palm Desert: Palm Desert
Community Center & Portola Community
Center
• CRC services may include: Signage,
smartphone charging kiosk, water/snacks,
outage information, and staging supplies
19 14
COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS AND
HOA OUTREACH
Prepared Neighborhoods Reduce Impacts
HOA outreach to strengthen local readiness
• Guidance for HOA emergency plans,
including:
• Communications, contacts, and continuity
planning
• Resource staging and volunteer roles
• Facility use and community support
concepts
Support and participation in:
• Readiness expos
• Safety fairs
• Community preparedness events
20 15
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: NEXT
STEPS
Preparedness is ongoing. We focus on readiness, partnerships, and continuity of operations.
This update is for transparency and to confirm we’re aligned on priorities.
Council discussion question:
Are there any community concerns or gaps you want staff to keep in mind as we continue strengthening readiness?
21 16
THANK YOU. QUESTIONS?
Daniel Hurtado
Public Safety Coordinator
Phone: 760-776-6414
Email:
[email protected]
22
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 12, 2026
PREPARED BY: Shawn Muir, Community Services Manager
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON MEDIAN LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT (PROJECT NO. CFA00011)
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the master planning document for the City’s medians and parkways.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
As part of the Fiscal Year 2024–25 Annual Budget, the City Council authorized funding to develop a citywide Median Landscape Master Plan (LMP) for the improvement of streetscapes, open spaces, and approximately 300 acres of medians. In addition, the City Council Goals set for Fiscal Year 2025-26 included an assessment of the city’s medians and rights-of-way to improve maintenance efficiency, aesthetics, and functionality. The LMP establishes a more standardized approach to landscaping within public rights-of-way to facilitate easier maintenance and create a cohesive landscape design that enhances Palm Desert’s sense of place.
At the September 25, 2025, City Council Study Session, staff and the project Landscape Architect presented the Draft Median Landscape Master Plan which focused on the landscape design and plant palette. The City Council provided feedback in support of incorporating more colorful plant material, increasing lighting for the column features, and including plant material in the planned overpass medians where feasible.
Since that time, staff have worked with the consultant to update the plan based on this feedback, as well as comments from the Architectural Review Commission (June 2025) and the Active Transportation Subcommittee (December 2025).
During this session, staff will present information on funding for the initial projects under the LMP, including a prioritization snapshot and a proposed approach for full plan implementation. The Public Works Department intends to set aside a $500,000 annual maintenance budget to keep projects moving forward, while requesting capital funds for larger projects at key points in the buildout. This strategy mitigates the need for a large capital contribution to the project. The purpose of the presentation is to request City Council input on these items. This feedback will inform the development of construction documents for three pilot medians (one for each design tier) in Summer 2026, with adoption of the LMP anticipated in Fall 2026.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office. 23 City of Palm Desert
Update on Median Landscape Master Plan
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this presentation, as no formal action is being taken at this time. Funding to complete the Landscape Master Plan and to begin drafting construction documents is included in the Fiscal Year 2025–26 Annual Budget and the Five Year Capital Improvement Project (CIP) List.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Presentation – will be provided as supplemental material prior to the meeting 24 City of Palm Desert
Update on Median Landscape Master Plan
CONFLICT OF INTEREST AWARENESS CHECKLIST:
☐ Site-Specific Property Interest – Councilmembers should check if they own or lease real property within 1,000 feet of the project site (Gov. Code § 87103(b); FPPC Reg. 18702.2). ☐ SB 1439 Applicability (Campaign Contributions) – Applies to licenses, permits, or other entitlements for use, and to contracts or franchise agreements other than competitively bid, labor, or personal employment contracts.
Applicant(s)/Appellant(s): Not Applicable
Councilmembers should review any campaign contributions received within the last 12 months from parties or participants to the proceeding and must not accept contributions over $500 from those parties for 12 months following the final decision (Gov. Code § 84308).
Note: These indicators are informational and do not constitute a legal determination. Each Councilmember is responsible for identifying and disclosing any disqualifying interests in accordance with the Political Reform Act and FPPC regulations. 25 26
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 12, 2026
PREPARED BY: Randy Chavez, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: STUDY SESSION: PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE SERVICE
ENHANCEMENTS
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a presentation on proposed maintenance service enhancements and provide feedback and direction regarding inclusion of additional Maintenance Worker positions in the upcoming fiscal year budget.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
The Public Works Department (Public Works) maintains the City’s infrastructure and public spaces in a manner that supports safety, functionality, and community standards for cleanliness and appearance. As maintenance service demands evolve, Public Works periodically evaluates its service delivery model to ensure operations remain responsive, efficient, and aligned with adopted fiscal policies.
To enhance maintenance services, staff have evaluated transitioning certain contracted services to in-house operations and establishing structured weekend coverage through the addition of two Maintenance Worker I/II positions. The services reviewed include:
Weekend maintenance coverage
Bus shelter maintenance
Routine public art cleaning
Shopping cart retrieval
Several of these functions are currently delivered through separate contracts. While these agreements establish defined service levels, they impose scheduling and scope parameters that limit flexibility and real-time deployment of resources. Staff have identified opportunities to bring certain functions under direct operational oversight to enhance operational flexibility.
This study session provides the City Council with an opportunity to review the service levels associated with these services and provide feedback and direction regarding inclusion of additional Maintenance Worker positions in the upcoming fiscal year budget.
Weekend Maintenance Coverage:
El Paseo and San Pablo Avenue serve as prominent commercial corridors and key economic destinations. These areas experience elevated pedestrian and visitor activity, particularly during evenings and weekends, which increases maintenance demand during non-traditional operating 27 City of Palm Desert
Maintenance Service Enhancements
hours. High-visibility corridors require consistent attention to maintain established community standards for cleanliness and appearance.
Under the current structure, weekend maintenance response is largely reactive and dependent upon overtime authorization. While contracted weekend trash removal services are provided along El Paseo, broader structured weekend coverage across high-visibility corridors and other priority areas is not formally established. As a result, maintenance activities during weekends are addressed based on observed conditions and available staffing rather than through consistent scheduled coverage.
Establishing structured weekend staffing would allow Public Works to incorporate weekend maintenance into regular operational assignments. Scheduled coverage would support proactive monitoring of trash receptacles, sidewalks, hardscape conditions, and other visible maintenance needs during peak activity periods. Although high-visibility corridors are anticipated to receive priority attention, assigned personnel would remain available for deployment citywide based on operational priorities.
Formalizing weekend coverage would enhance service predictability, improve consistency in high-activity areas, and reduce reliance on reactive overtime callouts while maintaining flexibility to respond to emerging conditions.
Bus Shelter Maintenance:
The City contracts with SunLine Transit Agency for maintenance of 45 active bus shelters at an upcoming annual cost of $99,981 in Fiscal Year 2026-27. Services include inspection, cleaning, graffiti abatement, trash removal, and general upkeep.
Maintenance scheduling and response times are governed by contractual parameters rather than direct operational control. As the City begins the design of ADA accessibility improvements at 32 shelters and evaluates additional enhancements such as cool-surface treatments, alignment between capital investment and ongoing maintenance becomes increasingly important. Under the current model, adjustments to service frequency or deployment require vendor coordination and are limited by the scope of the agreement.
Transitioning routine shelter maintenance to in-house staff would provide direct scheduling oversight, increased inspection frequency, enhanced weekend responsiveness, and improved coordination with capital improvements. This approach would allow the City to adjust maintenance priorities in real time based on observed conditions, integrate shelter maintenance into broader corridor coverage strategies, and better protect long-term asset performance.
Public Art Maintenance:
Palm Desert maintains a public art collection consisting of 87 artworks citywide. The current public art maintenance contract is projected to total approximately $309,000 annually, of which $90,720 is allocated to routine cleaning of 54 non-specialty pieces. The remaining portion addresses specialty installations and other service requirements. 28 City of Palm Desert
Maintenance Service Enhancements
Routine maintenance of artwork generally occurs on a scheduled, biannual basis. Recent procurement efforts have demonstrated upward pressure in vendor pricing, limited competition, and scheduling constraints, which reduce flexibility and may delay response to maintenance needs outside established cleaning cycles.
Transitioning routine cleaning of non-specialty public art to in-house staff would allow inspection and cleaning to be incorporated into regular field operations. Increased monitoring frequency would improve response time to observed conditions (e.g., surface deterioration, debris accumulation, vandalism, or minor structural concerns) and support early identification of maintenance needs before they require more extensive repair.
Specialty artwork requiring technical or conservation-specific services would continue to be evaluated separately to ensure appropriate expertise is utilized where necessary. Over time, staff would be trained to develop certain specialized maintenance skills, allowing the City to expand in-house capabilities for portions of the public art maintenance program.
Shopping Cart Retrieval:
The City currently contracts for abandoned shopping cart retrieval services at an annual cost of $30,000. Under the existing agreement, service requests are submitted to the vendor, which has up to 48 hours to respond. The vendor does not remove carts containing materials, and Code Compliance must be engaged in certain situations.
Abandoned carts are frequently located in streets, bike lanes, and other highly visible areas, creating safety concerns and aesthetic impacts. When carts fall outside the contract scope or require more immediate attention, City staff intervene to address the condition.
Transitioning cart retrieval responsibilities to in-house staff would allow improved response times and coordination with routine maintenance activities. Integrating this function into daily field operations would also enhance flexibility and reduce reliance on vendor response schedules.
Operational Efficiency and Overtime Considerations:
Public Works has incurred an estimated $10,000 in Fiscal Year 2025–26 in weekend overtime expenditures associated with reactive callouts and after-hours response activity. The current staffing structure requires overtime when service demands extend beyond traditional weekday schedules, particularly when conditions warrant intervention outside assigned shifts.
Incorporating structured weekend coverage into regular staffing schedules would allow certain maintenance activities to occur as part of planned assignments rather than reactive callouts.
While overtime would not be eliminated, formalizing weekend coverage is expected to reduce after-hours response, improve scheduling predictability, and enhance operational consistency.
In-House Staffing Evaluation:
Staff evaluated staffing configurations for two Maintenance Worker I/II positions to assess operational and fiscal implications. Estimated fully loaded annual costs for two Maintenance 29 City of Palm Desert
Maintenance Service Enhancements
Worker I/II positions range from approximately $204,000 to $226,000, depending on final position mix and benefit assumptions.
For planning purposes, staff have assumed the scenario of two Maintenance Worker II positions at approximately $226,000 annually. When including approximately $10,000 annually for uniforms, boots, and tools, the total estimated annual operating cost is approximately $236,000.
The total projected annual cost of the contracted services and overtime evaluated in this report is approximately $258,361. Based on these projections, transitioning these services to in-house staffing with two Maintenance Worker positions would result in an estimated annual savings of approximately $22,361, while still providing expanded operational flexibility and structured weekend coverage.
In addition to personnel costs, the in-house model would require the following investments:
One-Time Equipment Purchases (Year 1): $40,000
• Power washing and vacuum equipment (estimated at $15,000) • Truck and trailer lighting for bus shelter cleaning operations (estimated at $25,000) Potential Capital Purchases (FY 27/28 or FY 28/29):
• One additional maintenance truck (estimated at $65,000) • One truck bed unit (estimated at $250,000)
While the modeled in-house staffing scenario reflects an estimated annual operating savings, the transition would provide improved operational flexibility, structured weekend coverage, increased inspection frequency, and improved response capability across multiple maintenance programs. In addition, integrating these functions into existing field operations would improve coordination across maintenance programs, strengthen proactive maintenance efforts, and allow more efficient deployment of staff resources citywide.
If supported by the City Council, staff would incorporate funding for up to two Maintenance Worker positions into the upcoming fiscal year budget for formal consideration as part of the City’s annual Financial Plan.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The current projected annual cost of the contracted services and overtime is summarized below:
Account Service Annual Cost
1104310-4332000 Bus Shelter Maintenance $99,981
4364650-4337200 Public Art – Non-Specialty Cleaning * $90,720 1104422-4309000 Shopping Cart Removal $30,000
1104614-4337001 Weekend Trash Removal (El Paseo) $27,660 30 City of Palm Desert
Maintenance Service Enhancements
1104310-4100200 Weekend Overtime (FY 2025-26 estimate) $10,000 Total Contracted Services and Overtime: $258,361
Two Maintenance Workers II Positions: ($236,000)
Net Annual Operating Savings: $22,361
First Year One-Time Purchases: ($40,000)
First Year Net Impact: ($17,639)
* Reflects routine non-specialty public art cleaning only. Specialty services are not included and would be addressed separately, with potential for future in-house expansion as capabilities are developed.
Under the modeled two Maintenance Worker II scenario, the estimated ongoing annual operating cost is approximately $226,000, or approximately $236,000 when including uniforms, tools, and equipment allowances. Over time, the net fiscal impact may decrease as additional maintenance functions are incrementally absorbed by in-house staff and reliance on reactive overtime and contracted services is reduced through structured scheduling.
If supported by the City Council, funding for up to two Maintenance Worker positions would be incorporated into the upcoming fiscal year budget for formal consideration and adoption as part of the City’s annual Financial Plan.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST AWARENESS CHECKLIST:
☐ Site-Specific Property Interest – Councilmembers should check if they own or lease real property within 1,000 feet of the project site (Gov. Code § 87103(b); FPPC Reg. 18702.2). ☐ SB 1439 Applicability (Campaign Contributions) – Applies to licenses, permits, or other entitlements for use, and to contracts or franchise agreements other than competitively bid, labor, or personal employment contracts.
Applicant(s)/Appellant(s): Not Applicable
Councilmembers should review any campaign contributions received within the last 12 months from parties or participants to the proceeding and must not accept contributions over $500 from those parties for 12 months following the final decision (Gov. Code § 84308).
Note: These indicators are informational and do not constitute a legal determination. Each Councilmember is responsible for identifying and disclosing any disqualifying interests in accordance with the Political Reform Act and FPPC regulations. 31 32
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 12, 2026
PREPARED BY: Shelby Goodwin, Special Events Coordinator Amy Lawrence, Deputy Director of Economic Development
SUBJECT: STUDY SESSION: 2026 INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION UPDATE AND DIRECTION FOR 2027 AERIAL DISPLAY
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive and file the presentation on the 2026 Independence Day Celebration.
2. Provide direction to staff on adding a drone light show in addition to the traditional fireworks display for the 2027 Independence Day Celebration.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
For more than 30 years, the City of Palm Desert has hosted its annual Independence Day celebration at Civic Center Park featuring live music, food vendors, family activities, and a professional fireworks display.
In recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary, planned enhancements to this year’s event include:
Red, white, and blue themed lighting in the amphitheater area Expanded patriotic décor and commemorative signage
A centralized food service and seating area
Expanded children’s programming, including water activities 250th anniversary commemorative items
The current fireworks services agreement expires following the 2026 event. Staff plans to release a request for proposals for 2027 and beyond to ensure adequate procurement time. The estimated cost for a 20-minute traditional fireworks display is $55,000–$65,000.
Request for Direction – 2027 Drone Light Show
Staff seeks direction on whether the City Council would like staff to explore incorporating a drone light show as an added feature to complement the traditional fireworks display beginning in 2027.
Estimated Cost Comparison:
20-minute fireworks display: $55,000–$65,000
8-minute drone light show: $75,000–$90,000
33 City of Palm Desert
2026 Independence Day Celebration Update and Direction for 2027 Aerial Display
If directed to proceed, staff would evaluate Civic Center Park as the primary location and coordinate with College of the Desert (COD) regarding potential use of the ball fields as a drone launch site. Considerations for this site include adequate separation from the fireworks dropzone at the COD driving range, as well as other launch and operational needs such as FAA coordination and production requirements.
If the Civic Center Park site proves infeasible for drone operations, staff would evaluate alternative locations within the city. Additional considerations for an alternate location include parking, security, and staffing logistics.
Staff seeks City Council direction on whether to proceed with exploring procurement and logistics for adding a drone light show to the 2027 Independence Day Celebration.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
If the Council directs staff to add a drone show in 2027, additional funding would be required.
Final costs will be determined through procurement and site feasibility analysis. For comparison, the FY 2025–26 fireworks event budget was $130,000 and the FY 2026-27 is estimated to be $170,000, which includes $52,500 for the fireworks display, and $35,300 for the 250th Anniversary enhancements.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Presentation
34 City of Palm Desert
2026 Independence Day Celebration Update and Direction for 2027 Aerial Display
CONFLICT OF INTEREST AWARENESS CHECKLIST:
☐ Site-Specific Property Interest – Councilmembers should check if they own or lease real property within 1,000 feet of the project site (Gov. Code § 87103(b); FPPC Reg. 18702.2). ☐ SB 1439 Applicability (Campaign Contributions) – Applies to licenses, permits, or other entitlements for use, and to contracts or franchise agreements other than competitively bid, labor, or personal employment contracts.
Applicant(s)/Appellant(s): _________________________
Councilmembers should review any campaign contributions received within the last 12 months from parties or participants to the proceeding and must not accept contributions over $500 from those parties for 12 months following the final decision (Gov. Code § 84308).
Note: These indicators are informational and do not constitute a legal determination. Each Councilmember is responsible for identifying and disclosing any disqualifying interests in accordance with the Political Reform Act and FPPC regulations. 35 36
2026 Independence Day
Celebration Update &
2027 Aerial Display
Direction
March 12, 2026
Shelby Goodwin,
Special Events Coordinator
Amy Lawrence,
Deputy Director of Economic
Development
37 Independence
Day Celebration
Overview
• Annual event at Civic Center
Park featuring:
• 20-Minute Fireworks
Display synchronized to
patriotic music
• Live music
• Food vendors
• Family activities
38 2026 Event
Enhancements
• In honor of the nation's 250th anniversary,
planned enhancements include:
• Patriotic lighting in the amphitheater
area
• Expanded decors and commemorative
signage
• Centralized food service and seating
area
• Expanded children's programming,
included water activities
• 250th anniversary commemorative
items
39 Request for
Direction
2027 Aerial Display
• Staff is seeking City Council
direction on incorporating a drone
light show as an added feature to
compliment the traditional
fireworks display beginning in 2027.
• Estimated Cost Comparison
• 20-minute fireworks display:
$55,000-$65,000
• 8-minute drone light show:
$75,000-$90,000
40 Logistics
• Possible incorporation into the City's current
Independence Day Celebration at the Civic
Center Park.
• Will require approval by College of the Desert
(COD) to use ball fields as drone launch site.
• Considerations for this location include:
• Adequate separation from the fireworks
display drop zone at the COD Driving
Range.
• Launch and operational needs such as
FAA coordination and production
requirements.
41 Logistics
• If the Civic Center Park site proves
infeasible, staff can evaluate
alternative launch locations within
the city.
• Considerations for alternate
locations include coordination of:
• Parking
• Security
• Staffing
42 Request for
Direction
2027 Aerial Display
• Staff is seeking City Council
direction on incorporating a
drone light show as an added
feature to compliment
the traditional fireworks display
beginning in 2027.
43