Study Session of the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, and Board of Library Trustees Minutes
March 12, 2026
Present: Councilmember Jan Harnik, Councilmember Gina Nestande, Councilmember Karina Quintanilla, Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto, Mayor Evan Trubee
1. CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION
A Study Session of the Palm Desert City Council was called to order by Mayor Trubee on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, City Hall, located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
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
Daniel Hurtado, Public Safety Coordinator, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.
City Council discussed ongoing emergency preparedness efforts and identified several items for further staff review, including the Palm Desert Greens Homeowners Association Emergency Plan, potential City Council training related to the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program and other emergency management topics, and the role of residential solar and battery storage in emergency preparedness.
2.b UPDATE ON MEDIAN LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT
(PROJECT NO. CFA00011)
Shawn Muir, Community Services Manager, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.
City Council discussed the proposed Median Landscape Master Plan and expressed support for the overall approach, including gabion columns, the updated plant palette, and development of three pilot medians. Council also emphasized standardization and requested review of budget options for additional colorful flora, recognizing the related cost and maintenance needs.
Palm Desert City Council Study Session Minutes
March 12, 2026
2 2.c PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS
Randy Chavez, Director of Public Works, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.
City Council discussed the proposed staffing model and expressed support for bringing certain contracted services in-house, including bus shelter maintenance, public art cleaning, and weekend trash removal. Council also emphasized proactive maintenance, particularly on weekends, and encouraged staff to work with Code Compliance and local grocery stores to address abandoned shopping carts.
2.d 2026 INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION UPDATE AND DIRECTION FOR 2027 AERIAL DISPLAY
Shelby Goodwin, Special Events Coordinator, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.
City Council discussed the 2027 aerial display and expressed support for continuing with a traditional fireworks display rather than a drone show, citing the higher cost of drones, technical challenges in extreme summer heat, and the quality of the existing fireworks display.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the Study Session at 3:12 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