(DRAFT MEETING MINUTES)
April 8, 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 April 8, 2026, at 5:40 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Pro Tem David 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; Jeremy Hammond, Deputy City Manager; Jeff Ballinger, City Attorney; Michael Torres, Acting Police Captain; 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. Plaza Theatre Update
J.R. Roberts, John Bolton, Mark Hamilton, Kathy Weremiuk, Judy Blanchard, and Kevin Corcoran presented an update on the Plaza Theatre.
PROCLAMATIONS:
Mayor Soto announced the issuance of the following proclamations:
March 27, 2026, was proclaimed Karen Devine Day.
April 3, 2026, was proclaimed Kim Waltrip Day.
City Council Minutes April 8, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 2
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Accept the Agenda, with Councilmember deHarte noting a recusal on Consent Calendar Item No. 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 April 8, 2026, was called to order by Mayor Soto at 3:02 PM.
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT: Kathy Weremiuk, Lex Ortega, Geoff Kors, and Tobias Wolff provided oral testimony.
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 ITEMS:
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 – SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) 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)
Under existing facts and circumstances, there were two (2) matters:
Palm Springs Promenade, LLC v City of Palm Springs, American Arbitration Association Case No. 01-23-0002-5716.
Worker’s Compensation Claim # 17-132650, 18-138554, 20-152742, 22-163568, 23-175432 (Alvaro Canchola) (ADJ18511120, ADJ13584513 and ADJ18511119).
City Council Minutes April 8, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 3
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS, Pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.8
Properties: 165 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs (APN: 513-092- 009)
149 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs (APN: 513-092- 003)
146 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs (APN: 513-092-
010)
City Negotiator: Scott Stiles, City Manager and Jeff Ballinger, City Attorney Negotiating parties: Michael Braun, Town & Country Center, LLC Under negotiation: Price and Terms
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 organization: Palm Springs Firefighters Association Palm Springs Fire Management Association
Public Employees Association of Palm Springs
Management Association of Palm Springs
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, Pursuant to
Government Code Section 54957
City Manager.
City Attorney.
Councilmember Bernstein recused from the Palm Springs Promenade closed session item.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY (Non-Public Hearing Agenda Items Only):
David Vignolo, Lex Ortega, Kathy Weremiuk, Geoff Kors, Tobias Wolff, James Williamson, Ed Dube, Melisa Dolores, April Rojas, John Laino, Lisa Middleton, Christopher Brodwell, Lauri Aylaian, Steven Moses, Peggy Trott, Felina Danalis, Michael Hirschbein, Bill Wylie, Jim Gray, Bob Heinbaugh, Paul Hinrichsen, and 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 Councilmember deHarte recusing from Item No. 1C.
City Council Minutes April 8, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 4
1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of March 25, 2026.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1B. ACCEPTANCE OF RESIGNATION FROM THE HISTORIC SITE
PRESERVATION BOARD
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Accept the resignation of Peter Moruzzi from the Historic Site Preservation Board, effective immediately.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1C. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS,
CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 4 – 0, to: Adopt Resolution No. 25388 entitled, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PAYMENT OF PAYROLL
WARRANTS/DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 02-28-26
TOTALING $2,857,848.41 AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS DATED 02-26-26 TOTALING $8,773,342.34, IN THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $11,631,190.75 DRAWN ON BANK OF AMERICA”.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Ready
NAYS: None
City Council Minutes April 8, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 5
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: Councilmember deHarte
1D. AWARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NO. 26P043 WITH
THE RAMSAY GROUP FOR ON-CALL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Approve Professional Services Agreement No. 26P043 with The Ramsay Group to provide on-call Community Development Block Grant program administration services in an amount not to exceed $274,267 for an initial three-year term commencing on July 1, 2026, and continuing through June 30, 2029, 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, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1E. ACCEPTANCE OF SEWER MASTER PLAN UPDATE, CITY PROJECT CP 23-13
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Accept and file the 2026 Sewer Master Plan update.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1F. ACCEPTANCE OF THE GENE AUTRY TRAIL WIND WALL, CITY
PROJECT 18-14
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
City Council Minutes April 8, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 6
1. Accept the public works improvement Project 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 Project.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1G. DEACCESSION AND RETURN OF PUBLIC ART PIECE “PIN WHEEL”
BY ARTIST LARRY LUBOW
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Approve the deaccession of Pin Wheel by artist Larry Lubow from the City’s Public Art Collection.
2. Authorize the return of the artwork to the original donor.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to facilitate the de-installation and transfer of the artwork.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1H. FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 SINGLE AUDIT REPORT OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Receive and file the Single Audit of Federally Assisted Grant Programs Report of the City as of June 30, 2025.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
City Council Minutes April 8, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 7
RECUSED: None
1I. AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE LEASE FOR THE PALM SPRINGS
VISITOR CENTER PREMISES FOR A PORTION OF 2901 NORTH
PALM CANYON DRIVE (PORTION OF APN 504-040-001) BY AND
BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS AND THE AGUA CALIENTE
BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS.
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Approve Amendment No. 5 to the Lease for Visitor Center Premises with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians subject to final City Manager and City Attorney approval as to form.
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
1J. APPROVE NON-EXCLUSIVE OPERATING AND LEASE AGREEMENT NO. 26L047 WITH AIR FAYRE CA INC. FOR THE USE OF APRON
SPACE TO PARK TWO CATERING VEHICLES AT THE PALM SPRINGS
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Approve the Airport Non-Exclusive Operating and Lease Agreement No. 26L047 with Air Fayre permitting the parking of two catering vehicles at the Airport from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, with two one-year options to extend.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents subject to such changes/revisions agreeable to the City Manager and City Attorney.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
City Council Minutes April 8, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 8
1K. ANNUAL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2005-1 (PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES) AND
COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT 2007-1 (TRIBAL LANDS)
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Receive and file the Community Facilities District No. 2005-1 (Public Safety Services) and Community Facilities District No. 2007-1 (Tribal Land) Special Tax and Bond Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1L. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CONSULTING SERVICES
AGREEMENT NO. 25P065 WITH KAPLAN KIRSCH, LLP FOR LEGAL
COUNSEL SERVICES FOR THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Consulting Services Agreement No. 25P065 with Kaplan Kirsch LLP for legal counsel services, to exercise the first of four one-year extension options, April 10, 2025, through April 9, 2027, and include an annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase. The total Agreement amount will remain at an amount not to exceed $900,000, as no additional compensation is required.
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
1M. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2128,
AMENDING SECTIONS 5.27.050(D) AND 5.27.040(D), (E) AND (F) City Council Minutes April 8, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 9
OF THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE CITY’S
HOTEL INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Waive the second reading of the text in its entirety, read by title only, and adopt Ordinance No. 2128 entitled, "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTIONS 5.27.050(D) AND 5.27.040(D), (E),
AND (F) OF THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, REGARDING THE CITY’S HOTEL OPERATIONS INCENTIVE PROGRAM".
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1N. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2129,
AMENDING SECTION 11.82.130(J)(1) OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING LOCATION OF VEHICLE
STORAGE FACILITIES FOR NON-CONSENSUAL TOWS
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Waive the second reading of the text in its entirety, read by title only, and adopt Ordinance No. 2129 entitled, “AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 11.82.130(j)(1) OF THE PALM SPRINGS
MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING VEHICLE STORAGE FACILITIES FOR NON- CONSENSUAL TOWS".
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem
Ready
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
1O. AWARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NO. 26Q022 WITH
DALEY STRATEGIES, LLC FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS FOR
THE PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTER RENOVATION AND
EXPANSION PROJECT
City Council Minutes April 8, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 10
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Approve Professional Services Agreement No. 26Q022 with Daley Strategies, LLC to provide strategic communications services for the Palm Springs Convention Center Renovation and Expansion Project in an amount not to exceed $264,000 for an initial one-year term commencing on April 9, 2026, and continuing through April 8, 2027, with two one-year extension options by mutual consent;
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. RENAMING J.C. FREY BUILDING AND OTHER SPECIFIC AREAS OF
THE PALM SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Motion by Councilmember Bernstein, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Accept the gift of $250,000 from Friends of the Palm Springs Library for naming rights of the J.C. Frey Building and approve the renaming of the J.C. Frey Building to Friends of the Palm Springs Library Building.
2. Accept the multi-year sustaining gift of $125,000 from the Estate of Jane Lykken Hoff and the Inland Empire Community Foundation to name the desert landscaping and approve the naming of the desert landscaping in memory of Jane Lykken Hoff.
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
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
City Council Minutes April 8, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 11
3B. RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO ESTABLISH THE PALM SPRINGS
TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE DISTRICT
Motion by Councilmember deHarte, Second by Councilmember Garner, CARRIED 5 – 0, to:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 25389 entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING
ITS INTENTION TO ESTABLISH THE PALM SPRINGS TOURISM
INFRASTRUCTURE DISTRICT (PSTID) AND FIXING THE TIME AND
PLACE OF A PUBLIC MEETING AND A PUBLIC HEARING THEREON AND GIVING NOTICE THEREOF”.
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
3C. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION REGARDING MAYORAL
POSITION
The City Council reached consensus to establish a mayoral position ad hoc subcommittee, consisting of Councilmembers Garner and deHarte.
PUBLIC COMMENT (Non-Agenda Items):
David Powell and Michael Joseph Pitkin 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 April 8, 2026, at 8:59 PM.
City Council Minutes April 8, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 12
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA
City Clerk