CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: JULY 8, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 20378, AND
DECLARING ALL CITY VOLUNTEERS AND CITY BOARDS AND
COMMISSIONERS TO BE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS FOR THE PURPOSES OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION
INSURANCE
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Jeremy Hammond, Deputy City Manager
SUMMARY:
This action will approve a resolution to provide workers’ compensation insurance benefits to volunteers, including appointed board and commission members.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 20378, AND
DECLARING ALL CITY VOLUNTEERS AND CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONERS
TO BE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR THE PURPOSES OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE.”
BACKGROUND:
Traditionally, workers’ compensation insurance is statutorily provided to all eligible workers in the state of California. A provision of the labor code allows an employer to pass a resolution to treat volunteers as employees for the strict purpose of the provision of workers’ compensation insurance benefits. In 2002, the City Council adopted a resolution that provided workers’ compensation insurance benefits to various categories of Fire Department and Police Department volunteers.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Over the last two decades, the workforce has changed dramatically in terms of both composition and complexity. In addition to the City’s full-time and part-time compensated workforce, there is a complement of volunteers and members of boards and commissions
City Council Staff Report
July 8, 2026 -- Page 2
Resolution to Provide Worker’s Compensation Benefits to Volunteers providing services to the City. Previously, the City made the determination to provide workers’ compensation insurance benefits to the Reserve Police, Fire, Mounted Police and Aero Squadron, Citizens on Patrol, and Fire Reserve volunteer groups. Today, there are volunteers across the organization in many different departments including Parks and Recreation and the Palm Springs International Airport.
Our volunteers today are exposed to many of the same industrial hazards as our compensated workforce. Under the Labor Code, a municipality may pass a resolution identifying volunteers as employees, solely for the purpose of workers’ compensation benefits. By approving the resolution presented as Attachment A, all volunteers including members of the City’s boards and commissions would be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in the event of an industrial injury.
Providing these benefits to volunteers will not increase the cost of the City’s workers’ compensation insurance. Any financial impact would occur if a volunteer was injured during the course and scope of their approved volunteer activities as the City is responsible for the first dollar of medical benefits until the self-insured retention is met.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The requested City Council action is not a "Project" as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a "Project" means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either 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 City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal of Financial and Organizational Well-Being.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in the workers’ compensation insurance policy premium. Fiscal impacts are realized if volunteer injuries occur as the city will pay first dollar coverage until the self-insured retention is met.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Jeremy Hammond
City Manager: Teresa Gallavan for Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Proposed Resolution