CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: MAY 27, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LIAISON APPOINTMENTS; SUSPENSION
OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Jeff Ballinger, City Attorney
SUMMARY:
This agenda item provides City Council with an opportunity to appoint Mayor Soto and Councilmember Bernstein as the City Council’s liaisons for economic development issues, and suspend the Council’s previously established Economic Development SubCommittee.
RECOMMENDATION:
Appoint Mayor Soto and Councilmember Bernstein as Economic Development liaisons and to suspend the Economic Development Subcommittee.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council has a longstanding Economic Development Subcommittee, formally known as Business Retention & Economic Development. This City Council subcommittee is a standing committee comprised of two councilmembers. Currently, Mayor Soto and Councilmember Bernstein serve as the subcommittee members and meet on an as- needed basis.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
At its November 24, 2025 City Council meeting, the Council adopted the Palm Springs Economic Development Strategic Framework, a plan that is to serve as the City’s strategic planning policy document. The Economic Development Strategic Framework is a 121 page document with dozens of short term, medium term and long term action items to be accomplished by the City.
The current arrangement, using a City Council subcommittee model, presents practical constraints in accomplishing these goals. In conversations with the City Attorney, in order
City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2026 -- Page 2
Economic Development Liaison Appointments; Suspension of the Economic Development Subcommittee to provide the City Council with maximum flexibility, an alternative model has been proposed, which designates two Councilmembers to serve as liaisons for a specific issue.
In this case, that issue is economic development, including the implementation of the Palm Springs Economic Development Strategic Framework.
It should be noted that the City Council adopted this liaison approach previously, in January of 2020, when the City Council sought to provide more organizational flexibility. (See Attachments 1 and 2)
Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council appoint Mayor Soto and Councilmember Bernstein as City Council liaisons for economic development issues, and suspending the Council’s Economic Development Subcommittee.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This agenda item aligns with the City Council’s Strategic Plan goal of business development initiatives and strategic planning.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action is not expected to result in any significant fiscal impacts.
REVIEWED BY:
City Attorney: Jeffrey S. Ballinger
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
ATTACHMENT 1 – January 30, 2020 City Council Agenda (Subcommittees and Liaisons) ATTACHMENT 2 – January 30, 2020 Council Minutes (Subcommittees and Liaisons)