CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: JUNE 10, 2026 BUSINESS & LEGISLATIVE
SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION OF TWO ORDINANCES TO EXPAND THE HISTORIC
SITE PRESERVATION BOARD AND AIRPORT COMMISSION
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Brenda Pree, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
The proposed ordinance seeks to amend Section 8.05.040 and Section 8.05.040 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code by expanding the Historic Site Preservation Board, adding one alternate member. The proposed ordinance seeks to amend Section 2.16.020 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code by expanding the Airport Commission from nineteen to twenty members – nineteen voting members and one non-voting member representing Visit Greater Palm Springs.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Introduce and conduct a first reading of, by title only, an Ordinance entitled, “AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTIONS 8.05.040 AND 8.05.050 OF THE PALM
SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE TO EXPAND THE HISTORIC SITE
PRESERVATION BOARD TO EIGHT MEMBERS, ADDING ONE ALTERNATE MEMBER.”
2. Introduce and conduct a first reading of, by title only, an Ordinance entitled, “AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 2.16.020 OF THE PALM SPRINGS
MUNICIPAL CODE TO EXPAND THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT COMMISSION TO TWENTY MEMBERS, NINETEEN VOTING
MEMBERS AND ONE NON-VOTING MEMBER REPRESENTING VISIT
GREATER PALM SPRINGS.”
BACKGROUND:
During the Special City Council meeting on May 19, 2026, the City Council discussed the importance of diversifying boards and commissions. The Council acknowledged the need to provide opportunities for applicants interested in joining the Historic Site Preservation
City Council Staff Report
June 10, 2026 -- Page 2
Ordinances to Expand the Historic Site Preservation Board and the Airport Commission Board, and recommended an ordinance amendment to add an alternate member to the board
The City Council Boards and Commissions Ad Hoc Subcommittee, consisting of Mayor Soto and Mayor Pro Tem Ready, recommended an ordinance amendment to add a non- voting member to the Airport Commission that would represent Visit Greater Palm Springs.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Historic Site Preservation Board Proposed Ordinance:
8.05.040 Historic Site Preservation Board – Membership and Qualifications. “The HSPB shall consist of seven members and one alternate member, who shall be appointed by the City Council. Each member must have a demonstrated interest in or knowledge of the cultural, socioeconomic, architectural or archaeological history of the area, either through experience, training, education, or occupation.” Section 8.05.050 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
8.05.050. Historic Site Preservation Board – Organization and Meetings. [Add section subsection G”.]
“G. Alternates of the board shall not be eligible to vote on matters before the board except that an alternate is eligible to vote on matters before the board if one or more of the members are absent.”
Airport Commission Proposed Ordinance:
2.16.20 Membership—Creation.
“(a) There is created in the city an international airport commission, which shall consist of nineteen twenty members. The nineteen twenty members shall be appointed in the following manner: ten members, appointed in accordance with Section 2.04.060 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code; one member to represent Visit Greater Palm Springs nominated by the City Council Boards and Commissions Ad Hoc Subcommittee; and nine members, each appointed by the Palm Springs City Council from candidates nominated by each of the city councils of Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage, and the board of supervisors of Riverside County. The twentieth non-voting member shall not be counted toward quorum requirements, nor toward required vote counts, nor does their term count towards City term limits prescribed in Title 2 of this code.” City Council Staff Report
June 10, 2026 -- Page 3
Ordinances to Expand the Historic Site Preservation Board and the Airport Commission FISCAL IMPACT:
This proposed Ordinance is not expected to have significant financial impacts. There may be some additional costs associated with supporting and administering a larger commission, including preparation of materials for meetings, additional documentation, and potentially increased staff time for coordination and communication.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Brenda Pree
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Proposed Ordinance to Expand the Historic Site Preservation Board B. Proposed Ordinance to Expand the Airport Commission