January 28, 2026
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council
of the City of Palm Springs
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular Meeting of the Palm Springs City Council was called to order by Mayor Soto on January 28, 2026, at 5:41 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Sherlyn Hernandez Laces, an elementary school student, led the City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein, Councilmember Ron deHarte, Councilmember Grace Garner, Mayor Naomi Soto, Mayor Pro Tem David Ready
Absent: None
City Staff
Present:
Scott Stiles, City Manager; Teresa Gallavan, Assistant City Manager; Flinn Fagg, Deputy City Manager; Jeremy Hammond, Deputy City Manager; Jeff Ballinger, City Attorney; Andrew Mills, Chief of Police; and Brenda Pree, City Clerk, were present at Roll Call. Other staff members presented reports or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes.
PRESENTATIONS:
A. UPDATE ON CITYWIDE TRAFFIC INITIATIVES – PALM SPRINGS
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Mills presented an update on citywide traffic initiatives.
PROCLAMATIONS:
Mayor Soto announced the issuance of the following proclamations:
• On January 17, 2026, Barbara Rogers and Gary Geske were honored with a proclamation.
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• On January 19, 2026, Matteo Lane was recognized for his sold-out shows at the Plaza Theatre.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Motion by Councilmember deHarte, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Accept the agenda with the removal of Consent Calendar Item No s. 1D, 1F, 1H, and 1I for separate discussion.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte, Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION:
The Closed Session of the City Council of January 28, 2026, was called to order by Mayor Soto at 4:13 p.m.
The meeting convened into Closed Session to discuss the following items as listed on the Closed Session Meeting Agenda, with no reportable action:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – INITIATION OF LITIGATION, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
Under existing facts and circumstances, there was one (1) matter.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL— EXISTING LITIGATION, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Southern California Edison v. City of Palm Springs, Riv., Sup. Ct. No CVPS2405378
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property:
City Negotiator:
Negotiating parties:
Under negotiation:
APN 677-530-015, North of Airport Center Drive and East of El Cielo, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Victoria Carpenter, Assistant Airport Director;
Harry Barrett, Executive Director
Michael D. Chesser, Chesser Real Estate Group, Inc.
for PSP Airport, L.P.
Price and Terms of Payment
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CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
City Negotiators:
Employee organizations:
Scott Stiles, City Manager
Stephanie George, Human Resources Director
Peter Brown, Legal Counsel
Palm Springs Firefighters Association
Palm Springs Fire Management Association
Public Employees Association of Palm Springs
Management Association of Palm Springs
PUBLIC TESTIMONY: (Non-Public Hearing Agenda Items Only)
Joy Brown Meredith, Matt Bousquette, Claudia Murphy, Michael Joseph Pitkin, Kevin Murphy, Andrew Raei, Harry Pflueger, Dena Banes, Tim Erkins, Dominic Moonheart, and John Park provided oral testimony.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Approve the Consent Calendar with the removal of Item No s. 1D, 1F, 1H, and 1I for separate discussion.
1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Approve the City Council meeting minutes of January 14, 2026.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1B. STAFF AUTHORIZED AGREEMENTS AND PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2025
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Receive and file the report of Staff Authorized Agreements and Purchase Orders for the period of October 1 through December 31, 2025.
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AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1C. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS,
CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Adopt Resolution No. 25375 entitled, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PAYMENT OF PAYROLL
WARRANTS/DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 12-06-25, 12-20- 25, and 01 -03-26 TOTALING $9,437,100.80 AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS DATED 11 -25-25, 12-04-25, 12-15-25, 12-18-25, 12-29-25 and 12-31-25 TOTALING $21,670,645.08 IN THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $31,107,745.88 DRAWN ON BANK OF AMERICA”.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1D. ACCEPTANCE OF THE 2025 PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT, CITY PROJECT 25-01
Motion by Councilmember Bernstein, Second by Mayor Soto, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Accept the 2025 Pavement Rehabilitation Project, City Project No. 25-01, as completed in accordance with the plans and
specifications; and
2. Authorize the City Engineer to execute and file for recordation with the Riverside County Recorder a Notice of Completion for the 2025 Pavement Rehabilitation Project, City Project No. 25-01.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
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ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1E. APPROVE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT NO. 25C468 WITH QUINN
COMPANY DBA QUINN POWER SYSTEMS FOR THE PURCHASE AND
INSTALLATION OF (1) NEW CATERPILLAR MODEL C9, EPA TIER 3,
STATIONARY EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATOR SET AND
PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF (1) CATERPILLAR, M ODEL CG,
OPEN TRANSITION AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH FOR THE PALM
SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER; IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$248,813.32
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Approve Construction Contract No. 25C468 with Quinn Company dba Quinn Power Systems, in an amount not to exceed $248,813.32 for the purchase and installation of (1) new Caterpillar model C9, EPA Tier 3, Stationary Emergency Diesel Generator Set and Purchase and Installation of (1) Caterpillar, Model CG, Open Transition Automatic Transfer Switch, City Project No. 19-26 ; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1F. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO CONCESSION AGREEMENT NO. 23P069 FOR AIRPORT DISPLAY ADVERTISING WITH FUSE
CONNECT, LLC FOR SPONSORSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF VACANT
TERMINAL BUILDING SPACE AND ADDITIONAL CAPITAL
INVESTMENT AT THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Motion by Councilmember Bernstein, Second by Councilmember Garner, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Approve Amendment No. 2 to Concession Agreement No. 23P069 for Airport Display Advertising with Fuse Connect, LLC for sponsorship and management of vacant terminal building space and capital investment of $50,000 at the Palm Springs International Airport.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents.
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AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1G. APPROVAL OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND ESTIMATE (PS&E)
AND AUTHORIZATION TO BID THE AIRPORT FIVE NEW
MONITORING WELLS, AIRPORT PROJECT PSP 26-043
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Approve the plans, specifications and estimate and authorize staff to advertise and solicit bids for the Airport five New Monitoring Wells, (“the Project”).
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1H. AWARD OF A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO ZECO, INC., A
CALIFORNIA CORPORATION, IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,490,150.31;
APPROVAL OF A TASK ORDER UNDER AN ON -CALL AGREEMENT
FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES
WITH DUDEK & ASSOCIATES, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $399,450;
APPROVAL OF A TASK ORDER UNDER AN ON -CALL AGREEMENT
FOR COMMUNITY WORKFORCE AGREEMENT ADMINISTRATION
WITH TSG ENTERPRISES, INC., DBA THE SOLIS GROUP, IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,200; AND APPROVE A CULTURAL MONITORING
AGREEMENT WITH THE AGUA CALIENTE BA ND OF CAHUILLA
INDIANS FOR A NOT -TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $50,000, FOR THE DEMUTH PARK DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, CITY PROJECT 21-16
Motion by Councilmember deHarte, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Award a construction contract to Zeco, Inc., in the amount of $6,490,150.31 for the Demuth Park Development Project, City Project No. 21-16 (“the Project”);
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2. Delegate authority to the City Manager or designee to approve and execute construction contract change orders up to a total amount of $600,000 with all change orders reported and filed to the City Council;
3. Authorize the City Manager to approve a task order for project management and inspection services with Dudek & Associates, in an amount of $399,450;
4. Authorize the City Manager to approve a task order for Community Workforce Agreement administration services from an on -call CWA firm, TSG Enterprises, Inc., The Solis Group, in an amount of $24,200;
5. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for Cultural Monitoring for a not to exceed amount of $50,000, once the language in the final agreement is approved by the City Attorney; and
6. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1I. APPROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NO. 25Q465
WITH ACCENTURE INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL PROJECTS,
LLC FOR AIRPORT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY
CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE AIRPORT
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 4 – 1, to:
1. Approve Professional Services Agreement No. 25Q465 with Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects, LLC to provide Airport Program Management and Advisory Consulting Services for an amount not to exceed $6,000,000 for an initial three -year term commencing on January 29, 2026, and continuing through January 28, 2029, for an amount not to exceed $6,000,000; with two one - year extension options at the City’s sole discretion.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto
NAYS: Mayor Pro Tem Ready
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
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2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2A. AN APPLICATION BY JOAN AND GARY GAND FOR HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF “THE FALLOWS-CONE RESIDENCE” LOCATED AT
765 VIA VADERA (APN 505-093-005), CASE HSPB #168.
Gary Gand, Joan Gand, Jade Nelson, Susan Secoy Jensen, and Michael Joseph Pitkin provided oral testimony.
Motion by Councilmember Bernstein, Second by Mayor Pro Tem Ready, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Open the public hearing and receive public testimony.
2. Close the public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 25376 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE FALLOWS -CONE
RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 765 VIA VADERA, AS A CLASS 1
(LANDMARK) HISTORIC RESOURCE HSPB #168, SUBJECT TO
CONDITIONS (APN 505-093-005).”
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
3. BUSINESS & LEGISLATIVE:
3A. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL
CODE ARTICLE V OF CHAPTER 8.04 OF TITLE 8 REGARDING
UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES AND CLARIFYING
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS FOR
PRIVATE CONNECTIONS TO UNDERGROUND PUBLIC UTILITIES
Motion by Councilmember deHarte, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, as amended, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Conduct first reading and introduce Ordinance No. 2125, an Ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE ARTICLE V OF CHAPTER 8.04 OF TITLE 8 SECTION
8.04.452 AND ADDING SECTIONS 8.04.453 THROUGH 8.04.456
CLARIFYING RESPONSIBILITIES AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS
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FOR PRIVATE CONNECTIONS TO UNDERGROUND PUBLIC
UTILITIES.”
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
RECESS / RECONVENE:
The City Council recessed at 8:29 p.m. and reconvened at 8:38 p.m.
3B. PROVIDE DIRECTION ON RECOMMENDED PARKING MANAGEMENT
STRATEGIES
The City Council reached a consensus to establish a parking management strategies ad hoc subcommittee consisting of Councilmembers deHarte and Bernstein.
3C. INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 5.27 TO THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RESTRUCTURING THE CITY’S HOTEL
OPERATIONS INCENTIVE PROGRAM (CITYWIDE)
The City Council reached consensus to continue the item to the next regular meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT: (Non-Agenda Items)
Priscilla Careg, Matt Bousquette, Claudia Murphy, Michael Joseph Pitkin, Kevin Murphy, John Park, and Dominic Moonheart provided oral testimony.
CITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER COMMENTS, REPORTS, & AGENDA DEVELOPMENT:
A. TENTATIVE UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE
City Manager Stiles and the City Council discussed the tentative meeting schedule and agenda items for upcoming meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
The City Council adjourned the Regular Meeting of January 28, 2026, at 10:43 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA
City Clerk
(EB)