(DRAFT MEETING MINUTES)
February 25, 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 25, 2026, at 5:45 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Pro Tem Ready 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, Assistant 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. REVIEW OF PUBLIC COMMENT RELATED TO ZONING CODE UPDATE Planning Director Hadwin provided a presentation titled “Review of Public Comment Related to the Zoning Code Update”.
PROCLAMATIONS:
Mayor Soto announced the issuance of the following proclamations:
• February 12, 2026, was proclaimed as Nelda Linsk Day. • February 19 – 23, 2026, was proclaimed as International Bear Weekend.
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ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ready, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Accept the Agenda with the removal of Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1D and 1F for separate discussion; with Councilmember deHarte noting recusals on Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1B and 1C.
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 25, 2026, was called to order by Mayor Soto at 3:31 PM.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ready, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5-0, to add the following late-breaking item to the Closed Session Agenda:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL— REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8:
Town & Country (APN Nos. 513-092-009, 513-092-003, 513-093-010) 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):
Under existing facts and circumstances, there were three (3) matters.
Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility v. City of Palm Springs, et al, Riv. Superior Court No. CVRI2506980
Jennifer Gianerakis v. City of Palm Springs, Riv. Superior Court No. CVPS2406892 Palm Springs Promenade, LLC v City of Palm Springs, American Arbitration Association Case No. 01-23-0002-5716
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CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6:
City Negotiators: Scott Stiles, City Manager
Stephanie George, Human Resources Director
Peter Brown, Legal Counsel
Employee organizations: Palm Springs Firefighters Association Palm Springs Fire Management Association
Public Employees Association of Palm Springs
Management Association of Palm Springs
Palm Springs Police Officers Association (PSPOA)
Palm Springs Police Management Association
(PSPMA)
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS, Pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.8:
Property:
City Negotiator:
Negotiating parties:
Under negotiation:
125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs
Scott Stiles, City Manager,
and Jeff Ballinger, City Attorney
Michael Braun, Grit Development
Price and Terms
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.
LATE BREAKING ITEM:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL— REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8:
Town & Country (APN Nos. 513-092-009, 513-092-003, 513-093-010).
Councilmember Bernstein recused from the Palm Springs Promenade closed session item.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY (Non-Public Hearing Agenda Items Only):
Michael Joseph Pitkin, Paul Hinrichsen, and Matthew Bousquette 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 Nos. 1D City Council Minutes February 25, 2026
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and 1F for separate discussion, with Councilmember deHarte recusing from Item Nos. 1B and 1C.
1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2026.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1B. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS,
CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 4 – 0, to: Adopt Resolution No. 25378 entitled, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PAYMENT OF PAYROLL
WARRANTS/DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 01-17-26
TOTALING $2,679,170.78 AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS DATED 01-15-26 TOTALING $6,530,898.98 IN THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $9,210,069.76 DRAWN ON BANK OF AMERICA”.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: Councilmember deHarte
1C. STAFF AUTHORIZED AGREEMENTS AND PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1 THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2026
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 4 – 0, to: Receive and file the report of Staff Authorized Agreements and Purchase Orders for the period of January 1 through January 31, 2026.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Ready
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NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: Councilmember deHarte
1D. SECOND READING 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 Garner, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Waive the full reading of the ordinance text in its entirety and read by title only; and conduct a second reading of Ordinance No. 2126, “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”
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1E. APPROVE CONTRACT SERVICE AGREEMENTS NO. 26B015 AND
26B016 WITH ADVANTAGE TOTAL PROTECTION, INC. FOR ALARM
MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember Bernstein, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Approve Contract Services Agreement No. 26B015 with Advantage Total Protection, Inc. to provide alarm monitoring and maintenance services for the Public Works Department in an amount not to exceed $525,000, for an initial three-year term from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2029, with two optional one-year extensions at the City’s sole discretion.
2. Approve Contract Services Agreement No. 26B016 with Advantage Total Protection, Inc. to provide alarm monitoring and maintenance services for the Aviation Department in an amount not to exceed $75,000, for an initial three-year term from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2029, with two optional one-year extensions at the City’s sole discretion.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
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NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1F. AWARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NO. 26P020 WITH AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC., FOR COMPREHENSIVE SHADE & HEAT MITIGATION PLAN CONSULTING SERVICES
Motion by Councilmember Bernstein, Second by Councilmember Garner, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Approve Professional Services Agreement No. 26P020 with AECOM Technical Services, Inc., for comprehensive shade & heat mitigation plan consulting services for a term commencing on February 26, 2026, and continuing through February 25, 2028, for an amount not to exceed $445,814;
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
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
3. BUSINESS & LEGISLATIVE:
3A. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE ADDING SECTION 12.28.055 TO
THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE REGULATING VEHICLE
SALES ACTIVITY IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
Motion by Councilmember Bernstein, Second by Councilmember Garner, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Conduct a first reading and introduce Ordinance No. 2127 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ADDING SECTION 12.28.055 TO THE PALM
SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE REGULATING VEHICLE COMMERCIAL
ACTIVITY IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY TO PROMOTE TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND PROTECT RESIDENTIAL PARKING”; and schedule the Ordinance for adoption at a subsequent meeting.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
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ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
RECESS / RECONVENE:
The City Council recessed at 7:56 p.m. and reconvened at 8:07 p.m.
3B. FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORTS OF THE CITY
OF PALM SPRINGS
Motion by Councilmember Bernstein, Second by Mayor Soto, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Receive and file the following Financial Audit Reports for the fiscal year June 30, 2025:
• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)
• Audit Communication Letter to the City Council
• Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Report
• Housing Successor Audit Communication letter to the City Council • Public Financing Authority Financial Statements
• Independent Accountant’s Agreed Upon Procedures to
Appropriations (GANN)
• Measure D Independent Accountant’s Agreed Upon Procedures • Measure A Independent Accountant’s Agreed Upon Procedures (Conrad CPA Firm)
• Measure J Financial Statements and Independent Auditors’ Report
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
3C. GENERAL FUND, AIRPORT, AND CAPITAL MID-YEAR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET UPDATE
The General Fund, Airport, and Capital Mid-Year Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget was received and filed.
3D. UPDATE ON OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC
FRAMEWORK IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING
The City Council reached consensus to continue the item.
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PUBLIC COMMENT (Non-Agenda Items):
Michael Joseph Pitkin, Hilton Whitaker, Connie Holt, Claudia Murphy, and Matthew Bousquette 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 February 25, 2026, at 10:07 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA
City Clerk