(DRAFT MEETING MINUTES)
August 20, 2026
Minutes of the Special Meeting of the City Council
of the City of Palm Springs
CALL TO ORDER:
A Special Meeting of the Palm Springs City Council was called to order by Mayor Soto on August 20, 2026, at 9:03 AM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Soto led the City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein, Councilmember Ron deHarte, Councilmember Grace Garner, Mayor Naomi Soto, Mayor Pro Tem David Ready
Absent: None
City Staff
Present:
Scott Stiles, City Manager; Teresa Gallavan, Assistant City Manager; Flinn Fagg, Assistant City Manager; Jeremy Hammond, Deputy City Manager; Jeff Ballinger, City Attorney; Andrew Mills, Chief of Police; Brenda Pree, City Clerk; and Evelyn Beltran, Chief Deputy City Clerk, were present at Roll Call.
Other staff members presented reports or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Mayor Soto, CARRIED 5 – 0, to: Accept the agenda.
AYES: Councilmember Bernstein, Councilmember deHarte, Councilmember Garner, Mayor Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Ready
NAYS: None
City Council Minutes August 20, 2026
City of Palm Springs (DRAFT) Page 2
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: None
PUBLIC TESTIMONY (Non-Public Hearing Agenda Items Only):
Joan Taylor provided oral testimony.
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
Motion by Councilmember Garner, Second by Councilmember deHarte, CARRIED 3 – 1, with 1 abstention, to: Direct the City Clerk to proceed with holding the election for City Council District 2.
AYES: Councilmember deHarte, Councilmember Garner, Mayor Pro Tem Ready
NAYS: Mayor Soto
ABSTAIN: Councilmember Bernstein
RECUSED: None
ADJOURNMENT:
The City Council adjourned the Special Meeting of August 20, 2026, at 9:32 AM Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA
City Clerk
- EB