(DRAFT MEETING MINUTES)
May 19, 2026
Minutes of the Special Meeting of the City Council
of the City of Palm Springs
CALL TO ORDER:
A Special Meeting of the Palm Springs City Council was called to order by Mayor Soto on May 19, 2026, at 1:09 PM.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein, Councilmember Ron deHarte, Councilmember Grace Garner, Mayor Naomi Soto
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem David Ready
City Staff
Present:
Brenda Pree, City Clerk, and Evelyn Beltran, Chief Deputy City Clerk, were present at Roll Call.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY (For Agenda Items Only):
Michael Joseph Pitkin provided oral testimony.
1. INTERVIEW AND APPOINT APPLICANTS TO THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD, HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, MEASURE "J"
OVERSIGHT COMMISSION, AND PLANNING COMMISSION
Motion by Councilmember deHarte, Second by Councilmember Garner, CARRIED 4 – 0, to:
1. Interview the applicants for the Historic Site Preservation Board, Human Rights Commission, Measure “J” Oversight Commission, and Planning Commission.
2. Historic Site Preservation Board:
a) Reappoint Jeffrey Herr and Kurt Bachman to the Historic Site Preservation Board for terms ending June 30, 2029.
b) Appoint Larry Yarchever to the Historic Site Preservation Board for a term ending June 30, 2029; and,
City Council Minutes May 19, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 2
9 2
4 c) Continue the appointment of the fourth vacant term (expiring June 30, 2029), to a future meeting in which a tie-breaking decision can be made.
3. Human Rights Commission:
a) Reappoint Beverly Greer, Bobby T. Rimas, and Carlotta Rinke to the Human Rights Commission for terms ending June 30, 2029. b) Appoint Sara Lilly, Frank McAlpin, and Rene Robles to the Human Rights Commission for terms ending June 30, 2029.
4. Measure “J” Oversight Commission:
a) Reappoint Jack Newby and Paul Travis to the Measure “J” Oversight Commission, as voting members, for terms ending June 30, 2029. b) Reappoint La Toya Thigpen and Peter Sipkins to the Measure “J” Oversight Commission for terms ending June 30, 2029.
c) Appoint John Laino and Colin Wright to the Measure “J” Oversight Commission for terms ending June 30, 2029.
d) Appoint Andrew Mellissinos to the Measure “J” Oversight Commission, as an alternate, for a term ending June 30, 2029.
e) Appoint Daniel Seymour to the Measure “J” Oversight Commission, as an alternate, for a term ending June 30, 2027.
5. Planning Commission:
a) Reappoint Carl Baker, David Murphy, and Robert Rotman to the Planning Commission for terms ending June 30, 2029.
The City Council reached consensus to propose an amendment to the existing Historic Site Preservation Board ordinance that would add an alternate member to the Historic Site Preservation Board.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte,
Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
ADJOURNMENT:
The City Council adjourned the Special Meeting of May 19, 2026, at 5:13 PM.
City Council Minutes May 19, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 3
9 2
4 Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA
City Clerk