(DRAFT MEETING MINUTES)
February 11, 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 February 11, 2026, at 5:31 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Sofia Murray, 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:
Flinn Fagg, Assistant City Manager; Jeremy Hammond, Deputy City Manager; Cindy Cairns, 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:
PRESCOTT PRESERVE FIRE
Fire Chief Alvarado and Director of Special Program Compliance Goedhart presented an update on the Prescott Preserve fire.
Lynne Samson and Laurie Keith Bradley provided oral testimony.
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3 A SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS UPDATE
Sunline Transit Agency CEO/General Manager Babauta, presented an operational update.
PROCLAMATIONS:
February was proclaimed as Black History Month.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Motion by Councilmember Bernstein, Second by Councilmember Garner, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Accept the agenda with the removal of Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1F and 1H for separate discussion; with Consent Calendar Item No. 1C tabled.
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 February 11, 2026, was called to order by Mayor Soto at 4:30 PM.
The meeting convened into Closed Session to discuss the following items as listed on the Closed Session Meeting Agenda, with no reportable action:
CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S):
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
One (1) matter
Palm Springs Promenade, LLC v City of Palm Springs, American Arbitration Association, Case No. 01-23-0002-5716
Councilmember Bernstein recused from the Palm Springs Promenade item above, LLC v City of Palm Springs, American Arbitration Association, Case No. 01-23-0002-5716
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3 PUBLIC TESTIMONY (Non-Public Hearing Agenda Items Only):
Michael Joseph Pitkin provided oral testimony.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Approve the Consent Calendar with removal of Item Nos. 1F and 1H for separate discussion; and tabling Consent Calendar Item No. 1C. 1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2026.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1B. TREASURER’S INVESTMENT REPORT AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2025 Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Receive and File.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1C. AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF SANITARY SEWER AND STORM
DRAIN MAINTENANCE VEHICLES FOR USE BY VEOLIA WATER, FOR A TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $1,513,418.19
The City Council tabled this item.
1D. AUTHORIZE A TASK ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,419.30 FOR VEOLIA WATER WEST OPERATING SERVICES, INC. TO PROVIDE
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3 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR A WASTEWATER TOTAL NITROGEN
EFFLUENT LIMIT COMPLIANCE REPORT
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to approve a task order for professional services related to the Total Nitrogen Effluent Limit Compliance Technical Report to Veolia Water West Operating, in an amount not to exceed $29,419.30.
2. 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
1E. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 4 IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,124.24 TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NO. A6597 WITH
DOKKEN ENGINEERING FOR THE EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE
BRIDGE, CITY PROJECT NO. 12-04, FEDERAL AID PROJECT NO.
BRLS 5282(041)
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Approve Amendment No. 4 in the amount of $27,124.24 to Professional Services Agreement No. A6597 with Dokken
Engineering, for a new not to exceed amount of $1,407,428.52, for the East Palm Canyon Drive Bridge, City Project No. 12-04, Federal Aid Project No. BRLS 5282(041); 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. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALM SPRINGS TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
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3 GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT FOR CANNABIS EQUITY GRANT FUNDING
Motion by Councilmember Bernstein, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 25377 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF BUSINESS
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR CANNABIS EQUITY GRANT
FUNDING.”
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents consistent with this Resolution.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1G. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2125,
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 Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Waive the second reading of text in its entirety, read by title only, and adopt Ordinance No. 2125, “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 8.04.457
CLARIFYING RESPONSIBILITIES AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS
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
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3 1H. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2124 ADDING CHAPTER 3.29 TO THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE,
PROVIDING FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
TOURISM IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT LAW
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ready, Second by Councilmember
Garner, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Waive the second reading of text in its entirety, read by title only, and adopt Ordinance No. 2124 (Attachment A) entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 3.29 TO THE PALM
SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, PROVIDING FOR THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
TOURISM IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT LAW INCLUDING GENERAL
PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS, POWERS AND PROCEDURES TO ISSUE
BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FINANCING FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES, AND CERTAIN OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS.”
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
3. BUSINESS & LEGISLATIVE:
3A. RE-INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 5.27 TO
THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RESTRUCTURING THE
CITY’S HOTEL OPERATIONS INCENTIVE PROGRAM (CITYWIDE)
Motion by Councilmember Bernstein, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Waive the reading of the ordinance text in its entirety and read by title only; and introduce for first reading Ordinance No. 2126 entitled, “AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 5.27 TO THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO A RESTRUCTURED HOTEL OPERATIONS INCENTIVE PROGRAM,”
and approve the ordinance. (The new Chapter 5.27 will replace the current Chapter 5.26 program for future agreements.)
2. Authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to make minor non-substantive changes to the ordinance and execute all necessary documents to implement the program.
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3 AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte, Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
PUBLIC COMMENT (Non-Agenda Items):
Matthew Bousquette, Claudia Murphy, Michael Joseph Pitkin, Yolanda Sandor, and Rosario Avila provided oral testimony.
CITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER COMMENTS, REPORTS, & AGENDA DEVELOPMENT:
A. TENTATIVE UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE
Assistant City Manager Fagg and the City Council discussed the tentative meeting schedule and agenda items for upcoming meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
The City Council adjourned the Regular Meeting of February 11, 2026, at 7:22 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA
City Clerk