CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: MAY 27, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS TO ENTER INTO A
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH PEOPLE FOR THE
PARKS PALM SPRINGS FOUNDATION, INC. DBA PALM SPRINGS
PARKS FOUNDATION
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Department of Parks & Recreation
SUMMARY:
The Department of Parks & Recreation seeks to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with People for the Parks Palm Springs Foundation, Inc., dba Palm Springs Parks Foundation to formalize the Foundation’s role as an independent nonprofit philanthropic partner for the City’s parks, recreation facilities, programs, and events. The proposed MOU establishes a framework for coordination, fundraising, donor stewardship, financial reporting, and potential naming rights for parks and recreation elements, subject to City approval. The proposed MOU supports a structured public-private partnership intended to help advance community investment in the Palm Springs parks and recreation system.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with People for the Parks Palm Springs Foundation, Inc., dba Palm Springs Parks Foundation, subject to final City Manager and City Attorney approval, to formalize the partnership between the Foundation and the City of Palm Springs Department of Parks & Recreation.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
According to the Public Integrity Disclosure form (Attachment B), People for the Parks Palm Springs Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit California corporation and registered in the state of California.
City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2026 -- Page 2
Palm Springs Parks Foundation MOU
BACKGROUND:
People for the Parks Palm Springs Foundation, Inc. dba Palm Springs Parks Foundation (“Parks Foundation”) is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation in the state of California, established on August 1, 2023, to advocate for funding related to the planning, development, staffing and enhancements of public parks and recreational facilities in the City of Palm Springs. The Parks Foundation was originally formed as People for Palm Springs Parks in 2023 and has since evolved from a community advocacy effort into an organization focused on long-term philanthropic support for the Palm Springs parks and recreation system.
The Parks Foundation’s vision is to create vibrant public spaces that foster health, joy, and connection. The Foundation has identified three strategic priorities that align closely with the City’s parks and recreation goals: (1) Water; (2) Shade; (3) Activation of the Parks.
Since its formation, the Parks Foundation has engaged in community-centered activities, including park walks, clean-ups, advocacy, community listening sessions, and park activation events. The Parks Foundation has also established regular coordination with the Department of Parks & Recreation leadership to align priorities, share community feedback, and discuss opportunities to support future programmatic and capital investments. The proposed MOU (Attachment A) formalizes this collaboration and provides clear expectations for both parties moving forward.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Under the proposed MOU, the Palm Springs Parks Foundation will remain a legally separate and independently governed nonprofit corporation, with its Board of Directors retaining authority over governance, fundraising, gift acceptance, financial reporting, and the allocation or expenditure of funds. The City of Palm Springs will recognize the Parks Foundation as an independent philanthropic partner working for the benefit of the City’s parks and recreation system.
The proposed MOU defines how restricted and unrestricted funds will be managed.
Restricted funds must be used consistent with donor intent and tracked separately, while unrestricted funds may be used at the discretion of the Foundation’s Board of Directors for charitable purposes consistent with the Foundation’s mission. For unrestricted funds intended to benefit City parks, facilities, or programs, the Foundation may provide written recommendations to the City’s Department of Parks & Recreation, which City staff will consider in good faith.
As part of this proposed MOU, the Department of Parks & Recreation will coordinate with the Foundation, provide staff consulting and technical assistance when possible, assist with the coordination with other agencies, meet regularly with the Foundation, and designate the Director of Parks & Recreation as the primary City contact. The Foundation City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2026 -- Page 3
Palm Springs Parks Foundation MOU
will coordinate plans, programs, projects, and fundraising activities with the Director or designee, and with the Parks & Recreation Commission. Facility use for meetings, programs, fundraising, or events will be subject to an approved facility use agreement and will be provided to the Parks Foundation as an in-kind contribution.
The proposed MOU also includes a naming rights framework for certain parks and recreation elements, subject to City approval. The Director of Parks & Recreation may approve naming rights opportunities up to $25,000; the City Manager may approve opportunities over $25,000 and up to $100,000; and City Council approval is required for opportunities over $100,000.
The initial term of the MOU is one year, followed by a good-faith evaluation, with the option to renew for successive terms of up to ten years. The Parks & Recreation Commission approved this proposed MOU at its regularly scheduled Meeting on April 27, 2026, and recommends that the City Council approve this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The requested City Council action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15375(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action which has a potential for resulting in a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
According to Section 15378(b), A Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the following City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal: Public Safety and Community Services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with approving the MOU. The MOU establishes a framework for coordination, fundraising, donor stewardship, and potential future support for the Palm Springs parks and recreation system. Any future City contribution request, expenditure, capital project, program, or improvement associated with the MOU will be subject to available funding within the Department of Parks & Recreation’s annual operating budget.
City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2026 -- Page 4
Palm Springs Parks Foundation MOU
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Nicholas S. Gonzalez
Assistant City Manager: Teresa Gallavan
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Proposed Palm Springs Parks Foundation MOU
B. Public Integrity Disclosure