CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Special Meeting Agenda
AUGUST 20, 2026
9:00 AM Open Session
Council Chamber
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Palmspringsca.gov
CITY COUNCIL
AND AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Naomi Soto, Mayor
David Ready, Mayor Pro Tem
Jeffrey Bernstein, Councilmember
Grace Elena Garner, Councilmember
Ron deHarte, Councilmember
Scott Stiles, City Manager
A
To view, listen to, or participate in the meeting live, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at [email protected] or at the telephone number (760) 323- 8204 to register for participation in the Zoom meeting. An email containing the Zoom credentials will be sent upon completion of registration in order to facilitate access to the meeting and enable public comment. Individuals wishing to provide public testimony regarding an item on the agenda are requested to file a speaker card before the Public Testimony portion of the meeting closes.
You may submit your public comment to the City Council electronically.
Materials may be emailed to [email protected]. Transmittal prior to the start of the meeting will help ensure that your correspondence is fully considered. Any correspondence received during or after the meeting will be distributed to the City Council and retained for the official record. View the City Council meeting live at the City’s website http://palmspringsca.gov/psctv, YouTube, or Channel 17 (Spectrum).
Please note any agenda item which has not been initiated by 11:00 p.m. may be continued to a subsequent meeting.
At approximately 10:00 p.m., the City Council will determine the number of speakers who wish to address the City Council during Public Comment for non-Agenda Items and determine which agenda items will be considered before the 11:00 p.m. adjournment time.
9:00 AM SPECIAL MEETING:
CALL TO ORDER:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
ROLL CALL:
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PROCLAMATIONS: None.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
The City Council will discuss the order of the agenda, may amend the order, add urgency items, note abstentions or "no" votes on Consent Calendar items, and request Consent Calendar items be removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion. The City Council may also remove items from the Consent Calendar prior to that portion of the Agenda.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY (Special Agenda Items Only): The City Council welcomes public input. Members of the public may address the City Council on agenda items only by contacting the City Clerk's Office at 760-323-8204 or [email protected]. Pursuant to State Law, the City Council may not discuss or take action on issues not on the meeting agenda (Government Code Section 54954.2). If you are compensated to communicate with City officials, you may be required to register and/or make certain disclosures as a lobbyist.
Please see the City Clerk for additional information.
1. BUSINESS & LEGISLATIVE:
1A. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPOINTING
CANDIDATE FOR DISTRICT 2 CITY COUNCIL SEAT AND
CANCELING THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR
DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 3, 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA,
PROVIDING FOR APPOINTMENT OF JEFFREY BERNSTEIN TO
THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL FOR DISTRICT 2, THAT WAS
TO BE ELECTED ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026; AND CANCELING
THE ELECTION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.”
2. Direct the City Clerk to present the “Certificate of Appointment In Lieu of Election” to Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein; and,
3. Direct the City Clerk to swear the appointee into office, with term officially beginning after the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election;
OR
4. Direct the City Clerk to proceed with holding the election for City Council District 2.
ADJOURNMENT:
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
State of California )
County of Riverside ) ss.
City of Palm Springs )
I, Brenda Pree, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, hereby certify this Agenda was delivered to each member of the City Council, provided to all parties who have requested such notice, posted at City Hall before 6:00 PM, August 18, 2026, and posted on the City’s website as required by established policies and procedures.
Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA
City Clerk
PUBLIC NOTICE
Pursuant to G.C. Section 54957.5(b)(2) the designated office for inspection of records in connection with the meeting is the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. Complete Agenda Packets are available for public inspection at: City Hall Office of the City Clerk. Agenda and staff reports are available on the City’s website www.palmspringsca.gov. If you would like additional information on any item appearing on this agenda, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (760) 323-8204
Pursuant to G.C. Section 65009(b)(2) if you challenge any action taken concerning a public hearing item in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing.
It is the intention of the City of Palm Springs to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an attendee or a participant at this meeting, or in meetings on a regular basis, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the Office of the City Clerk, (760) 323-8204, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your particular needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible.
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: AUGUST 20, 2026 BUSINESS & LEGISLATIVE
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPOINTING CANDIDATE FOR DISTRICT 2 CITY COUNCIL SEAT AND CANCELING THE GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULED FOR
NOVEMBER 3, 2026
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Brenda Pree, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
As of the close of the nomination period on Friday, August 7, 2026, only one person filed nomination papers to fill the City Council Office for Electoral District 2 that is up for election at the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election. Therefore, there are not more candidates than offices to be elected for in Council District 2.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR APPOINTMENT OF JEFFREY BERNSTEIN TO THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL FOR DISTRICT 2, THAT WAS TO BE ELECTED ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026; AND CANCELING THE ELECTION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.”
2) Direct the City Clerk to present the “Certificate of Appointment In Lieu of Election” to Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein; and,
3) Direct the City Clerk to swear the appointee into office, with term officially beginning after the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election; OR
4) Direct the City Clerk to proceed with holding the election for City Council District 2.
BACKGROUND:
Resolution No. 25398 was adopted by the City Council on May 27, 2026, calling a General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026, to elect Councilmembers for Districts 1, 2, and 3. The nomination period opened on July 13 and closed on August 7, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. During the nomination period, only one resident for District 2 was officially
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City Council Staff Report
August 20, 2026 -- Page 2
Consideration of Resolution Appointing Candidate for District 2 City Council Seat and Canceling the General Municipal Election for District 2 Scheduled for November 3, 2026 1 1
5 6
nominated, meeting the requirement of the nomination papers signed by at least 80 qualified registered voters. The qualified candidate for this office is Jeffrey Bernstein.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
On August 10, 2026, pursuant to California Elections Code § 10229, a “Certification That There Are Not More Candidates Than Offices To Be Elected” was forwarded to the members of the City Council by the City Clerk. In accordance with the Elections Code, a notice of these facts was published in the City’s newspaper of general circulation on August 14, 2026, for at least five days prior to this meeting.
Under these circumstances, the City Council may either appoint the nominated candidate(s) and cancel the election for District 2 or direct that the election nonetheless be held. If the election is not canceled, the Office of the City Clerk will accept write-in candidates during the period of September 7 through October 20, 2026.
If the City Council chooses to appoint the nominee and cancel the election for Council District 2, it is appropriate to direct the City Clerk to present the appointee with a ‘Certificate of Appointment’ and swear him into office, with the official term beginning after the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election.
For reference, the City Council encountered this scenario during the Election of November 3, 2020. On August 20, 2020, the City Council elected to proceed with the election rather than appoint the sole nominee. Further details can be referenced in Attachments C and D. In the 2024 Election, Council District 5 remained uncontested; however, the city was precluded from canceling the District 5 election due to a citywide ballot measure (Measure “J”).
Since this is the second time the City Council has considered the possible cancellation of an election and appointment, it may be useful to know what other agencies are doing.
According to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters, two other cities in Riverside County, Temecula and Calimesa, are currently faced with a situation where there is only one candidate for certain elective offices.
The City of Temecula is scheduled to conduct a special meeting on August 20, 2026, at 9:00 AM, to consider canceling the election for two City Council seats. The City of Calimesa canceled the election for two City Council seats at its City Council meeting of August 17, 2026. For other local agencies, such as school districts, healthcare districts and community college districts, State law does not give the local governing body the option to cancel the election, but instead the election is canceled automatically by the County.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Not applicable.
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City Council Staff Report
August 20, 2026 -- Page 3
Consideration of Resolution Appointing Candidate for District 2 City Council Seat and Canceling the General Municipal Election for District 2 Scheduled for November 3, 2026 1 1
5 6
FISCAL IMPACT:
General Municipal Election costs for District 2 are estimated at approximately $22,000.
Canceling the District 2 election would result in these savings.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Brenda Pree
Deputy City Manager: Jeremy Hammond
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Certification That There Are Not More Candidates Than Offices To Be Elected B. Resolution
C. August 20, 2020 Staff Report and Meeting Minutes
D. August 20, 2020 Meeting Video Link:
https://palmspringsca.new.swagit.com/videos/74959?ts=1860
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Attachment A
CITY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION THAT THERE ARE NOT MORE
CANDIDATES THAN OFFICES TO BE ELECTED FOR
ELECTORAL DISTRICT NO. 2
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CITY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION THAT THERE ARE NOT MORE
CANDIDATES THAN OFFICES TO BE ELECTED FOR ELECTORAL
DISTRICT NO. 2
I, Brenda Pree, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, do hereby certify pursuant to Section 10229, Elections Code of the State of California, to the following facts relating to the General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026:
As of the close of the nomination period on Friday, August 7, 2026, only one person has filed nomination papers to fill the City Council Office for Electoral District 2 that is up for election at the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election. Therefore, there are not more candidates than offices to be elected for Electoral District 2.
The person so nominated is:
Jeffrey Bernstein for Council District 2
That Section 10229 of the Elections Code of the State or California allows one of the following courses of action to be taken by the City Council at a regular or special meeting held before the General Municipal Election:
1. Appoint to the office the person who has been nominated.
2. Appoint to the office any eligible elector if no one has been nominated.
3. Hold the election if either no one or only one person has been nominated.
A notice of these facts will be published on August 14, 2026, in a newspaper of general circulation in the City pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code. After the fifth day following the date of publication, the City Council will meet to either make the appointments and cancel the election for that office or direct an election to be held. The person appointed, if any, shall qualify and take office and serve exactly as if elected at a municipal election for the office.
If, by the 75th day (August 20, 2026) before the General Municipal Election, no person has been appointed to the offices pursuant to (1) or (2) above, the election for Electoral District 2 shall be held along with all other elective offices on the ballot. If an appointment is made to the office, the General Municipal Election for Electoral District 2 will be cancelled, but will be held for all other City elective offices on the ballot.
If the City Council makes an appointment pursuant to Section 10229, Elections Code, the City Clerk shall not accept for filing any statement of write-in candidacy for City Councilmember from Electoral District 2 which is submitted after the appointment is made. /S/ Brenda Pree
Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA
City Clerk
Dated: August 10, 2026
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Attachment B
RESOLUTION
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RESOLUTION NO. _____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR
APPOINTMENT OF JEFFREY BERNSTEIN TO THE
OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL FOR DISTRICT 2, THAT WAS
TO BE ELECTED ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026; AND
CANCELING THE ELECTION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 2
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Springs has called a General Municipal Election to be held in the City on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the purpose of electing City Council Members to terms of four years, representing Districts 1, 2, and 3; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 10229 of the Elections Code of the State of California, as of the close of the nomination period on August 7, 2026, there are not more candidates than offices to be elected for Councilmember for District 2, and that Section 10229 of the Elections Code allows one of the following courses of action to be taken by the City Council:
1. Appoint to the office that person who has been nominated.
2. Appoint to the office any eligible voter if no one has been nominated.
3. Hold the election if either no one or only one person has been nominated; and,
WHEREAS, a notice was published on August 14, 2026, in a newspaper of general circulation pursuant to law, which is at least five days prior to this action being taken by the City Council.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That pursuant to Section 10229 of the Elections Code of the State of California, the following action is being taken:
The following person is appointed to the office of Councilmember for Council District 2, to which he was nominated:
(a) Jeffrey Bernstein is appointed to the office of City Council Member of the City of Palm Springs (District 2) for a term of four years.
SECTION 2. The General Municipal Election scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for Council District 2, is now canceled.
The General Municipal Election shall still be held to elect candidates for City Council Member for Districts 1 and 3.
SECTION 3. The person appointed shall qualify and take office and serve exactly
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Resolution No. _____
1 1
1 0
1 as if elected at the General Municipal Election for the office.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall not accept for filing any statement of write-in candidacy for Council District 2, which is submitted after the appointment is made.
ADOPTED THIS 20TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026.
SCOTT C. STILES
CITY MANAGER
ATTEST:
BRENDA PREE
CITY CLERK
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, BRENDA PREE, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. ____ is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on August 20, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Palm Springs, California, this _____ day of August, 2026.
Brenda Pree, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California
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Attachment C
8/20/2020 City Council Staff Report and Minutes
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CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: AUGUST 20, 2020 DISCUSSION ITEM
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTING LISA MIDDLETON TO THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 5, AND CANCELLING THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 3, 2020, FOR DISTRICT 5
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF LISA MIDDLETON TO THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 5, THAT WAS TO BE ELECTED ON NOVEMBER 3, 2020 AND CANCELING THE ELECTION FOR DISTRICT 5, IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10229."
OR
Direct the City Clerk to proceed with holding the election for City Council, District 5.
BACKGROUND:
On June 25, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24769 calling a General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2020, for the Office of City Council, Districts 4 and 5. The nomination period opened on July 6, 2020, and closed on August 7, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. During the nomination period, only one resident was officially nominated from District 5, by meeting the requirement of the nomination papers signed by at least 80 registered voters. The qualified candidate for this office is Lisa Middleton.
Under California's Elections Code, if only one person is nominated to be elected from a particular district, the City Clerk is required to inform the City Council of this fact. (Elec.
Code, § 10229(a).) State law further provides that the City Council, after being informed that only one person has been nominated to be elected from a particular district, may take one of the following actions:
• Cancel the election for that particular district and appoint the person who has been nominated to the office; or
• Hold the election. (Elec. Code,§ 10229(a).)
In the event the City Council chooses the first action, the election to fill the Council seat i ITEM NO. ___ _
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City Council Staff Report
August 2020 --Page 2
General Municipal Election, November 3, 2020
for District 4 will still go forward. Only the election to fill the District 5 seat would be cancelled. And, those voters within District 5, as well as voters throughout the City, would still vote on other federal, state and county candidates and ballot measures.
On August 7, 2020, pursuant to California Elections Code Section 10229, a "Certification That There Are No More Candidates Than Offices To Be Elected" was forwarded to the members of the City Council by the City Clerk. As required by the above-referenced Elections Code, a notice of these facts was posted on August 7, 2020, and published in the Desert Sun, a newspaper of general circulation on August 12, 2020.
Therefore, the City Council may either appoint the nominated candidate and cancel the election for District 5 or direct that the election be held for District 5. If the election is not canceled, the Office of the City Clerk will accept write-in candidates for District 5 during the period of September 7 through October 20, 2020.
If no appointment is made by the City Council by August 20, 2020, the election for District 5 will automatically proceed as scheduled.
Since this is the first time that the City Council has considered the possible cancellation of an election and appointment, it may be useful to know what other local agencies are doing. According to the Riverside County Registrar's office, two other cities in Riverside County, Indio and Wildomar, are currently faced with a situation where there is only one candidate for certain elective offices. In Indio, there is only one candidate for each of the elective offices of City Clerk and Treasurer. The Indio City Council is scheduled to consider cancelling the election for those offices on August 19, 2020. The City of Wildomar will also be conducting a special meeting on August 19, 2020 to consider cancelling the election for a Council seat. For other local agencies, such as school districts, healthcare districts and community college districts, State law does not give the local governing body the option to cancel the election, but instead the election is cancelled automatically by the County.
If the City Council chooses to appoint the Lisa Middleton and cancel the election for District 5, the City Clerk will present Lisa Middleton with a "Certificate of Appointment in Lieu of Election" and swear her into office; with her official terms beginning December 10, 2020.
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City Council Staff Report
August 2020 --Page 3
General Municipal Election, November 3, 2020
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Riverside County Registrar of Voters (ROV) has provided an estimate of $18,000- $28,000 for the cost of conducting the election for District 5. The low end of the range is based on two candidates appearing on the ballot and incrementally increases with each additional candidate. Given that only one candidate would appear on the ballot for District 5, staff estimates the cost of the District 5 election would be approximately $15,000. In addition, the ROV's estimates typically run high. For instance, the 2019 General Municipal Election was estimated to cost up to $100,000. However, the final cJf: of the election was $55,391.
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_A_n_t-ho_n_y_J ___ M_e_j-ia-, _M_M_C______ David H. Ready:Es~ City Clerk City Manager
Attachment:
Jeffrey S. Ballinger
City Attorney
1. Certification: "Not More Candidates than Offices to be Elected"
2. Resolution
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CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
To: Honorable Mayor Kors and City Council.
CERTIFICATION THAT THERE ARE NOT MORE CANDIDATES
THAN OFFICES TO BE ELECTED
I, Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk of Palm Springs, do hereby certify to the following facts relating to the General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, pursuant to California Elections Code § 10229:
As of the close of the nomination period on August 7, 2020, there are not more candidates than offices to be elected for District 5.
The person nominated for the Office of City Council, District 5, is:
Lisa Middleton
That Elections· Code § 10229 allows one of the following courses of action to be taken by the City Council:
1. Appoint to the office the person who has been nominated.
2. Appoint to the office any eligible voter, if no one has been nominated.
3. Hold the election, if either no one or only one person has been nominated.
A notice of these facts will be published on August 12, 2020, in the Desert Sun Newspaper, a newspaper of general circulation pursuant to §6061 of the California Government Code. After the fifth day following the date of posting or publication, whichever is applicable, the City Council may meet to either make the appointment(s) or direct an election to be held. The person(s) appointed, if any, shall qualify and take office and serve exactly as if elected at a municipal election for the office.
If by the 75th day before the municipal election, no person has been appointed to the office pursuant to (1) or (2) above, the election shall be held.
If the City Council makes an appointment pursuant to Elections Code § 10229 the City Clerk shall not accept for filing any statement of write-in candidacy which is submitted after the appointment is made.
Date: August 7, 2020
Cc: David H. Ready, City Manager
Jeffrey Ballinger, City Attorney
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RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR THE
APPOINTMENT OF LISA MIDDLETON TO THE OFFICE OF
CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 5, THAT WAS TO BE ELECTED
ON NOVEMBER 3, 2020; AND CANCELING THE ELECTION
FOR DISTRICT 5, IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA
ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10229
WHEREAS, on June 25, 2020, the City Council of the City of Palm Springs called a General Municipal Election to be held in the City on November, 3, 2020, for the purpose of electing members to the Office of City Council, Districts 4 and 5, to terms of four years; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 10229 of the Elections Code of the State of California, as of the close of the nomination period on August 7, 2020, there are not more candidates than offices to be elected for District 5 and that Section 10229 of the Elections Code allows one of the following applicable courses of action to be taken by the City Council:
1. Appoint to the office that person who has been nominated.
2. Hold the election if either no one or only one person has been nominated.
WHEREAS, a "NOTICE THAT THERE ARE NOT MORE CANDIDATES THAN OFFICES TO BE ELECTED" was published on August 12, 2020, in the Desert Sun, a newspaper of general circulation pursuant to law.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That pursuant to Section 10229 of the Elections Code of the State of California, the following person is being appointed to the Office of City Council, District 5, to which she was nominated:
a) Lisa Middleton is appointed to the Office of City Council, District 5, for a term of four years.
SECTION 2. The General Municipal Election scheduled to be held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member to the Office of City Council, District 5, is now canceled. The General Municipal Election shall still be held to elect a member to the Office of City Council, District 4.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall not accept for filing any statement of write-in candidacy which is submitted after the appointment is made for the Office of City Council, District 5.
SECTION 4. The person appointed shall qualify and take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general municipal election for the office. 5 A – Page 18 of 23
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Resolution No.
ADOPTED this_ day of __ , 2020.
ATTEST:
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk
David H. Ready, City Manager
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, ANTHONY J. MEJIA, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. __ is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on _________ _ by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk
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Thursday, August 20, 2020
Minutes of the Special Meeting of the City Council
of the City of Palm Springs
Pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20, by Governor Newsom, this meeting was conducted by teleconference and there was no in-person public access to the meeting location.
CALL TO ORDER:
A Special Meeting of the Palm Springs City Council was called to order by Mayor Kors on Thursday, August 20, 2020, at 4:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Kors led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmembers Grace Elena Garner, Lisa Middleton, Dennis Woods; Mayor Pro Tem Christy Holstege; and Mayor Geoff Kors
Absent: None.
City Staff
Present: David H. Ready, City Manager; Jeffrey Ballinger, City Attorney; Marcus Fuller, Assistant City Manager; and Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk, were present at Roll Call. Other staff members presented reports or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes.
PRESENTATIONS:
Emergency Management Coordinator DeSelms presented an update on COVID-19 case data for the City, County, and Coachella Valley region and responded to City Council inquiries.
Denise Goolsby, Neighborhoods Manager, presented an update on response rates to the U.S.
Census.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY:
None.
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City Council Minutes August 20, 2020
City of Palm Springs Page 2
NEW BUSINESS:
1. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTING LISA MIDDLETON TO THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 5, AND CANCELING THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 3, 2020, FOR DISTRICT 5
Councilmember Middleton announced that she will abstain from voting on this matter, as it relates to the election in her District.
City Clerk Mejia presented the staff report and responded to City Council inquiries.
Following discussion, MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GARNER, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM HOLSTEGE , CARRIED 4-0 (WITH COUNCILMEMBER MIDDLETON ABSTAINING) , to d irect the City Clerk to proceed with conducting the election for City Council, District 5.
2. EXPANSION OF OUTDOOR DINING ON PALM C ANYON DRIVE AND OTHER
PUBLIC STREETS TO FACILITATE ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN RESPONSE TO THE LOCAL EMERGENCY RELATED TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Director of Planning Services Fagg narrated a PowerPoint presentation. In response to City Council inquiry, Director Fagg advised that it would be easy to extend the rental period of concrete barriers on a month -to-month basis, if needed ; opined that water barriers are less desirable than concrete barriers due to maintenance issues; stated that the concrete barriers can be decorated and/or painted; expressed concern that parklets may not provide adequate protection to patrons if Palm Canyon Drive is only partially closed.
In response to City Council inquiry, Deputy Fire Chief Loya summarized the emergency access locations for a partial and full street closure.
Mayor Kors summarized comments heard during stakeholder meetings, noting that concerns were expressed that restaurants and businesses north of the proposed closure may not benefit from these actions; pointed out that during the summer months there have been issues with crowded sidewalks and that a full street closure may help elevate overcrowding ; noted that staff should outreach to other business districts in the City that may desire a similar program.
In response to City Council inquiry, City Manager Ready advised that outreach has been primarily focused on businesses; stated that the Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood is most likely to be impacted by the street closure, noting that their con cerns have typically revolved around maintaining vehicular access along Belardo and Baristo, which will not be impacted by the proposed street closure.
Councilmember Woods provided his liaison report, noting that Main Street suggested that a full street closure may be desirable and that the Arenas businesses have expressed a desire for a street closure; noted that design guidelines will need to be developed by staff.
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City Council Minutes August 20, 2020
City of Palm Springs Page 3
Councilmember Middleton expressed a desire to move forward with a 6-month pilot program for the full street closure of Palm Canyon Drive from Tahquitz Canyon Way to Baristo Road, noting that access for public safety vehicles must be maintained ; voiced support for weekend street closures on Arenas Road.
Councilmember Garner voiced support for a 4-6-month pilot program , noting that many patrons may prefer outdoor dining, even if the State allows indoor dining; recommended that the concrete barriers be painted in a consistent color or theme.
Mayor Kors noted that most area businesses support a full closure of Palm Canyon Drive and voiced his support for the pilot program; noted that the City Council may desire to extend the road closure to Alejo Road, if successful.
Mayor Pro Tem Holstege voiced support for the full closure of Palm Canyon Drive and Arenas Road, noting the success of the Pride Festival; noted that staff should closely monitor the program and return to City Council for consideration of expanding the program area.
In response to City Council inquiry, Director Fagg noted that a smaller pilot program area will allow staff to assess the impacts to trash collection, street cleaning maintenance, food delivery, and directing traffic; recommended that staff continue to work with Main Street to establ ish design and operating standards for retail businesses; advised that staff could place the concrete barriers within two weeks.
The City Council agreed to: 1) move forward with a full closure of Palm Canyon Drive from Tahquitz Canyon Way to Baristo Road and to stand ready to adjust to a partial closure or further expansion, if warranted; 2) direct staff to work with the Arenas businesses to determine if they desire a street closure and their preferred options; 3) allow businesses that obtain the necessary permit and invest in building a parklet to retain it for at least a one year period; and 4) allow restaurants to expand in front of another business if they are notified and do not object.
CITY COUNCIL, SUBCOMMITTEE, AND CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND REPORTS:
Mayor Kors reported on the status of the County’s permanent supportive housing project proposed for Palm Springs, noting that the County is working on a public outreach plan.
Mayor Pro Tem Holstege reported on the “PS Keeping You Safe” campaign to raise public awareness about COVID-19 safety precautions.
ADJOURNMENT:
The City Council adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL: 09/24/2020
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Attachment D
Video Link for the 8/20/2020 City Council Meeting
https://palmspringsca.new.swagit.com/videos/74959?ts=1860
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