City Council - Regular Meeting

You ready, Joe? All right. We're going to call to order the regular meeting of the city council. The city council serving as the successor agency to the former redevelopment agency board for Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026. This is our 4:45 p.m. close session. And roll call, please. Council member Gardner, that would be you. Council member Pitts didn't know if you're council member Pi here. Mayor Prom Voss present. And Mayor Matters present. I see nobody in the audience. I don't see anything for public comments. Uh madam city attorney, would you announce close session?

Thank you, Mr. May, members of council. Uh we have one close session item conference with legal counsel anticipated litigation uh potential initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph 4 subdivision D of section 54956.9. It should be uh two matters uh not three. So again we're going in for two matters. Thank you. All right. All right, we're resiling a close session.

I've been there six years and a half years.

Gary Gardner to the dis. Gary Gardner to the dis. I have five kids, so this is what I got to do. Round them up all the time. All right, welcome back everyone. This is our 5:30 presentation period. The funnest part of the city council. Um, with that said, we have two presentations tonight. The first one's going to be an award presentation by the Public Entity Risk Management Authority, also known as PERMA, and I will let you take it from there. Good evening. I'm Beth Lions. I'm the executive director for PERMA, which is the Public Entity Risk Management Authority. Perma is a self-insurance pool of which the city is a member along with 31 other cities and special districts in the state. All of these member agencies pull their money together to help pay for claims. They also pay for training and risk management and try to ensure that the places and communities that they serve are as safe as possible. I'm here tonight to present a law enforcement riskmanagement award to the city. The award includes a $2,500 grant to support the police department's ongoing riskmanagement efforts. The city of Desert Hot Springs under Chief Shaw's leadership was the first Perma member and one of the first agencies within the state to implement benchmarks first solution. First Sign addresses key law enforcement riskmanagement challenges through an evidence-based and proactive approach. First Sign has helped the city move beyond traditional reactive risk management to predictive intervention. Chief Shaw embraced the coaching

philosophy that comes along with First Sign and has approached things with a positive approach to employee development and alignment. and his work has helped all Perma members because of its positive evidence of use. The Perma Executive Committee granted this award in recognition of Desert Hot Springs proactive approach to reducing exposure. This grant will be used or may be used, I should say, to help support the police department's riskmanagement activities such as training, equipment, policy development, or other initiatives that will help reduce exposure. So, I'd like to say congratulations on this welldeserved recognition and thank the city for its continued commitment to risk management practices. And with that, I'd like to have Deputy Chief Hattersley come up and accept the award.

I just got my fingerprints on it, but congratulations. I want to say on behalf of Chief Shaw, thank you very much for this award and we look forward to collaborating with Perma uh now and in the future. Thank you.

While they're taking pictures, I'm going to come down there with our city clerk and we're going to present the next. That's a pretty award.

Thank you. Are you Paul? Yeah.

Say a few words.

Good evening everyone. Um, so each year we host our annual photo contest celebrating the beauty, character, and spirit of our community. This year we received 20 entries across three categories. each one showcasing a unique perspective of what makes our city special. After careful review, our city council selected this year's winner, Super Bloom by Paul Atwell, uh captured on Long Canyon and also displayed up on the screens. Um this stunning image perfectly reflects the natural beauty that surrounds us and reminds us why we are so proud to call Desert Hot Springs home. The winning photo will be featured on a billboard located at Palm and Dylan throughout the month of February. Um, so please join me in congratulating Paul Atwell on being our 2025 photo contest winner. Congratulations. And we'd like to present to you also with this certificate.

And Paul, on behalf of the city council, the mayor of the city council, City Desert Hot Springs, hereby honors you for the 2025 photo contest winner. It's a beautiful photo. Thank you so much. Uh, we have 25 minutes for you to give a speech before our next meeting. Would you like to say anything? You don't have to. Well, first of all, I'd like to show you how I took the picture. Technology these days, yeah. Um, it just it just happened. We were driving up Long Canyon and I looked over and I go, "Oh, got to stop." I jumped out and took the picture. But anyway, thank you for the certificate and

thank you for submitting it. And let's stand back here with the city council. We'll get a picture. Okay. All right.

The billboard's up. If you haven't noticed, I saw it. It looks great, doesn't it? I can't believe my name. The city has a billboard as you're heading out of the city and this is a picture will be up there for I think the next 30 days or so, right? So, everybody can enjoy it. Uh we don't have any other presentations today. Congratulations to our police department. Thank you for taking the time to come out and do that award. That was a beautiful award. And uh we'll be back in 25 minutes for open session. Thank you.

down.

You ready, Joe? All right. Good evening, everyone. We're going to call this meeting to order. This is the regular meeting of the city council. The city council serving as a successor agency to the former redevelopment agency board. This is Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026. This is our 6 p.m. regular session. Roll call, please. Council member Gardner, present. Council member Pittz, present. Council member Pi present. Mayor Prom Voss present and Mayor Mattis

present. Um our invocation tonight and Mark I did not know this about you but you're one of those fancy guys that go by your middle name. John Mark Rogers is the chaplain of the Desert Regional Medical Center and Eisenhower Medical Center and he is going to give us our invocation tonight. Turn that off. Let us take a moment to pause and give thanks. We give thanks for the city of Desert Hot Springs, its people, its resilience, and a shared commitment to community. We are grateful for the opportunity to come together in service guided by integrity, wisdom, and respect for one another. Tonight we offer special gratitude for our police officers and firefighters. We thank them for their courage, their dedication, and their willingness to stand on the front lines to protect life and property. We honor the sacrifices they and their families make each day, often unseen, always deeply felt. May they be granted continued strength, safety, sound judgment, and the support of a community that appreciates their service. We ask for guidance for this council and all who serve. May decisions be made thoughtfully, compassionately, and with the best interest of all residents in mind. May this meeting be marked by cooperation, civility, and shared vision for a safe and thriving Desert Hot Springs. And with gratitude for all who serve and all who call on this city home, we move forward together. Amen.

Thank you, Mark. Can you please rise? And Mr. Pittz, would you lead us in the pledge of allegiance? Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right. Madam city attorney, would you report on close session? Thank you, Mr. Mr. Mayor, members of council, we have no reportable action.

Next, at this time, the city council may amend the order of the agenda, approve the consent calendar, remove items from the consent calendar for separate discussion. Is there anyone that would like to remove any items from the consent calendar? I have items five through nine. Don't see anybody wanting to remove. Is there anybody in the audience that like to speak on items five through nine before the city council possibly approves them? I see nobody coming forth. I will entertain a motion to approve the agenda and the consent calendar. Second.

Wait for it to come up on the screen. Please vote. Motion passes unanimously.

All right. Next is a public comment. This is a time if you are here to speak in public comments on items not on the agenda. If you're here for an agenda item, you'll wait till that item to speak on that. If you haven't already filled out a blue card, you may do so. At this time, pursuant to the Brown Act, any person may comment on matters of general interest within the subject matter jurisdiction of the city council not listed on the agenda. Under the Brown Act, the city council shall not take action on or discuss matters raised during the public comment portion of the agenda that are not listed on the agenda. Comments are limited. Uh speakers will not yield their time. All comments are be directed to the city council and shall be devoid of any personal attacks. Members of the public are expected to maintain a professional courteous decorum during public comments. Our first comment is going to be given by Marilyn. And Marilyn, you're going to have to give me your last name because uh

Hannon.

Hannah, thank you very much. Um, first thing I have to ask is, um, does everyone here know about ICE and immigration in the city? About two weeks ago, they were over what has now been affectionately known as Brownsville and and that was Riverside County Sheriff's over. Um, Chad has been in the area. He's been trying to keep it very quiet, but he actually has been here. Last Saturday, there was a military helicopter flying over my area, which was in Mission Hills area, and they were flying pretty low, and it was a big helicopter. Two reasons why I know it was military or government is because it didn't show up on AIS, and it was black and it didn't have any identifiable marks on it. So, I have questions of do you guys know that these things are happening? Because they're happening. I'm seeing they're happening and starting to concern a lot of people that I know in the area. Second question I have, do you have a interest or consideration in joining a PUD? That's power, that's water and sewage. Um, they have Inland Empire who actually has a PUD. it might be in beneficial to at least consider it. That's it.

Thank you for your comments tonight, Andreas Marquez. And just if I didn't reiterate, there's three minute timers up there for you to see. That's how much time you get.

That's fine. I actually came in support of someone else who just uh been working with him out there cleaning up the deserts. Uh you know, started this a while ago. Um, I do know Christina Newsome and some other people jammed by. Um, whatever happened, it fell off. You know, we were coordinating together at one point and I send you guys messages. They were never answered back. We had some things going. Uh, maybe I came off the wrong foot, but you know that I'm not really a polite type person. I just want to get the job done. Um, that's more what I am. I'm I'm a worker. Um, so I want to see if we can continue that if you want. You know, it's I go out there. I have a nonprofit 501c3 nonprofit organization to go out there clean deserts, illegal dumping, encampments, a lot of drug use specifically by the safe the school zones. There's school zones and I found tons of drugs. I got videos, um, pictures, all that stuff right by DSMS, pals and needles, all that stuff. And, uh, it's a lot of places near our schools and our water supplied, uh, spots, tanks, everything, reservoirs. For some reason, it seems to congregate there. And these are I think um spots in the city that are kind of what was the word I'm looking for? Um affected by certain impacts like that. You know, children walking to school, they see that it's not okay. Whip it bottles everywhere. It's crazy. You know, a lot of it's due to homelessness, you know, and that's a whole other issue. But, um I'm just here to work, get it done. Um any support can be given. Uh that would be appreciated,

you know. Appreciate all your efforts. That's it. Right. Thank you, sir. Hi, Tammy. And Tammy, I You'll have to say your last name. Is there a Tammy? Yeah. Hi. What is your last name? It's Golki. Say it. Gi. Gi. Thank you.

Um I'm here with Andy. My name is Tammy. And um I'm one going out there and I'm picking up uh the unsightly trash that's left from uh the homeless encampments. And I know that the city asked them to leave, but they didn't uh you guys didn't supply them with any way to get rid of all their stuff. So Andy's out there, you know, he's a hardworking man. He pays for his own trash bags. He pays for his own dump fees. He pays for everything. It's one guy. And I saw his post and I had to join his efforts to clean up the desert cuz I've lived in Coachella Valley for my entire life. And I just want to know whose responsibility is it? Should that land on a citizen's responsibility to pick up all that stuff that the city asked the people to leave? I mean, it should it

we we can't have a back and forth. This is your job. No, I understand that. But I'm just saying it shouldn't it shouldn't fall on on on Andy and it shouldn't be something that he has to do solely himself and he has to fund himself. It should be the city taking care of it. Okay. Appreciate your comments. Yeah. Thank you. You're so welcome. All right. Our next speaker is going to be a group. It's Julian, are you are you the leader? Is it Julian or Daniela? Julian. Steve, actually. Steve. Okay. Steve, you're the leader of it. I know there's there's three of you that want to speak on the key club of Des High School. And and who wants? Yes. Hang on a second.

Okay. Well, why don't you come on up so we can give you we can give you three minutes and then if there's more after that, we'll give you a little more time. So, is how many of you are speaking? One, two, three.

Perfect. All right. Okay, my name is um Steven Finch. I am the president of the Kuanas Club of of Palm Springs. Also with me tonight is Robert Puentes who is the vice president of the Kuanas Club of Palm Springs. Kuanas Club of Palm Springs has been serving um this end of the valley basically. Now what it is is the school district all the all the communities within the Palm Springs school district since 1951. Um we are one of two clubs in the Coachella Valley. There's a new club that's opened in on it's called the greater Coachella Valley at the other end. Um both of the Kuanas clubs support youth and community. That's our mission. And and we have members from the this community in in both of our clubs. One of the mo the best things that we do is student leadership. And this year, after a number of years of trying, we chartered we helped charter a key club at Desert Hot Springs under the direction of Kathy Nolan, who's one of the teachers um at that school. So, I want to introduce for their comments and then I'll come back and finish mine. Um two sophomores from the high school, the the vice president, Julian Orana, and the club secretary, Danielle.

Julian, you're going to have to speak closer to the mic. I know you have a great voice, but when you guys speak, just make sure you're there because a lot of people watch on TV. Julian and then Daniela Amazola. Awesome.

Um, hi, my name is Julian Orana and today we want to talk about the Key Club here at Desert Hot Springs High School. Key Club is a studentled organization that gets involved and helps others. It gives us the chance to step outside of school, volunteer in real places, and see impact we can make as students when we work together. This year, our key club has been involved in a lot of meaningful events. One of the first places we volunteered was Kitty's Wildlife and Rescue. While we were there, we helped clean the area, take care of animals, and paint a deck. And we do a lot of hands-on work that helps keep the rescue running. It showed us how even simple tasks can really matter when it comes to protecting wildlife. We also volunteered at Espironza Sanctuary where the focus was in animal care and sustainability. We helped with things like caring for animals and learning about composting and how to be more environmentally responsible. It wasn't just volunteering. It was also learning how to take care of the world around us. Beyond animal care, we also helped our community in other ways. We volunteered at the senior center where we got to give back to the older members of our community who have given so much themselves. We've also participated in fundraisers and toy drives including the Palm Springs High School toy drive and the club de Muer toy drive. Bringing bring help bringing joy to kids and families during the holidays. Key Club is really about service, leadership, and heart. You don't need to experience just a willingness to help. You make friends, earn service hours, and most importantly, you make a real impact. Thank you. Thank you guys. Okay, you guys stay or sit down, whatever you want to do. I'm going to finish up here real quick. So, as you can see, we're very proud of these young people. They are they are learning about

community service. They are learning about leadership. They are learning about their relationship to you by being here today. So, I thank you for uh letting us have the opportunity to do that. And I also want to once again thank Miss Nolan who has stepped up to the plate and done a great job um getting these kids organized. the the Quantis Club of Palm Springs um supports a a baseball clinic. It's our major fundraiser each year that we do and through sponsorships we are able to provide college and post high school scholarships to high school kids in all all four of our high schools. Um the we work with your with Denise Abbril from the little league in Desert Hot Springs. And I just have to tell you that it is the strongest little league program and the most wellsupported little league program baseball program that that we have in this valley. And I know that you as the city council support that financially and I want to commend you for that and and thank you and ask you to keep doing it because it is making a difference. that uh Robert will give the the clerk um our flyers about the 12th annual Tony Lopes baseball clinic which is going to be held on March 7th at Rancho Mirage High School. We rotate around. So folks, next year in 2027, it'll be here in Desert Hot Springs. Um and again, money from that will will allow us to give scholarships to key club kids as they graduate. The last thing I want to tell you is that we in the in the within the Palm Springs Kuanas Club, we recognize that we support four communities. Ranch, Rancher Mirage, Cathedral City, uh Palm Springs, and Desert Hot Springs. And three of those communities are separated by a white line in the middle of the road. and and you are out here with a desert and and mileage between you and we want to support the idea of creating a separate and you know independent um Kuanas club here working with the Coachella Valley club and with some of the new members it's our intent to start a satellite club which will be connected to the Palm Springs club but ultimately

once we reach 15 members we want to sponsor and support a key club to support these kids and all the great work that you guys are doing as a city and as citizens. um in Desert Hot Springs. So, um thank you for the opportunity to talk to you today about this. Thank you for um listening to our our students and just want to once again tell you how proud I was. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for what you're doing. Thank you so much. Ma'am, you just handed in the card there. I'm having a hard time under reading your name, but come on up. What's your first name? Evangelina. Evangelina. Thank you. Hi. Hi.

Today, my name is Evangelina Mesasquez and I'm here to I need I actually I need your support and I need your help today. And today my subject is on the fire department and I would like I would like to um acknowledge them for their time and their efforts. Um at this time I do have a complaint and it's going to cover many subjects in the area. Um, one of the subjects is going to be um the there's been um a misunderstanding or a mislead and I believe that they have taken um justice into their own hands. Um we're going to start with the um the the the notice in in drug the drug in action. And um there there has been um several several complaints on this, right? Um the residents are are some residents are aware of the um unnecessary uh people in in the area and um I don't know if they've been paying very much close attention to that. Um it's been very hard for some of us to um get by or get around. Um and um some things that they're not disclosing to our um our our chief of police. Um and when we're being reached to 911 um we're getting sent um elsewhere to other branches. Um also um there's going to be some um city like permits um um some of the Arabs in here in the in this town um with some of the um Indian um Indian people in this town and um I believe that um they have been um falsely charged with um some of some of the um

information provided and um some some private sectors are coming in and I just I just want them to be very careful because there um some of the dining places have been affected um and um the library has um um been affected um it's being vandalized. So I um at this point that's all I have and um I hope that um um I we can reach a help and support from you all. Thank you. Thank you. Our last blue card tonight, we are honored to have Carol Rogers, who is the Desert Healthcare District Representative here.

Thank you. Thanks for having me here. I I know that Chris Christensen, our CEO, was here last at your last meeting and I wasn't able to join him, which was probably better because I'm the troublemaker and he's tries to get along with everybody. So, uh I'm here for two things. Jan's laughing at me. Uh um one of them is I know he brought up the community listening sessions and I have a flyer here that I'm happy to hand out to other people but it's this Saturday and it's so important that we hear from the community. I know that I've listened to many of you many of the residents here and pro Chris probably didn't say what was on the mind as a people and what I've heard from others. you know, we're separated by a freeway and when the roads are closed, our residents don't get to go to Desert Regional Medical Center for emergencies. Um, we we need to have a freestanding emergency room program here, although there's legislation pending right now in Sacramento to enable it, but there are models that that we can have and to set that up. And let me step back a minute. I don't know if all of you know that the Desert Regional U Desert Healthcare District because of the passage of measure AA was given um we're we're going to receive $und00 million uh this at the end of this year for this planning session that we're looking at right now plus $10 million a year for the next 10 years. So this isn't just a five-year plan. This is a lookout for 30 years down the road which may cover the needs of the community. So we're talking about the things that I've heard so far, but I'm very open to hearing others. We need a freestanding emergency room. We

need improved urgent care in this area. We need more primary and specialty care uh services especially OB and uh gyn and uh physicians so and pediatrics. So, those are the kinds of uh pro services that we that I've heard that we need. But I also want to hear from the community and uh I'm hoping that many of you will turn up. We're um we're going to have complimentary food and refreshments, a $200 drawing for anybody that shows up, plus Spanish and ASL interpretation. So that'll be this Saturday from 9 to 11 at the Health and Wellness Center on Chola Drive. So I'm hoping to hear all of you. You know, you have my vote. There are um six others on the district board. Those are the ones that we have to convince to help us formulate the needs of Desert Hot Springs going forward for healthcare.

Thank you, Carol. Mhm. Last call for any public comments not listed on the item items on the agenda tonight. All right, we're going to move forward to city manager report. Our deputy city manager, Mr. Bores. And actually, I'm going to pass it on to Christina Newsome, our deputy city manager.

Good evening, mayor and city council. Since our last city council meeting, animal care and control has assisted with 10 animals finding new homes and placed an additional seven with rescue partners. Um, great progress towards improving our overall outcomes. We also hosted two community adoption events, one at Indo Tap House and another during the city's Desert Nights on the Boulevard event, uh, which was especially exciting. It marked Animal Control's first time participating, and it paid off with a dog adoption right on the spot. With us tonight is one of our current adoptable allstars, Brownie. Brownie is a sweet, loving male terrier with a big personality packed into a little body. Uh, he's affectionate, people oriented, and always ready to charm anyone who walks by his kennel. We're excited to keep building momentum through events, partnerships, and dogs like Brownie who make adoptions an easy yes. To adopt Brownie or another dog in our care, please contact City Hall directly.

Mr. Duffel, thank you. Did you want to take Brownie home with you? Just took one home. Ah, darn it. Mr. Rogers, need a dog? No, I tried. I tried. I did my best. Sorry. Any other reports? That's it. All right. All right. We're going to move to mayor and council member comments. I'll start with Miss Pi.

Okay. I'll try and make it short. On the 21st, I attended Do the Right Thing and we had Ruby Pio uh from Edward L. Winsloff Education Center and she's in the 12th grade. Uh, Ruby has been doing the right thing all semester. I have watched as Ruby responds in peace and with love to others negativity. Ruby has had her challenges in the past. She told me I could tell you she was fought she has fought and been violent in school previously as that sweat was molded. She was also the victim of bullying. Today, Ruby responds in a positive way to those who spread hate. She writes about spreading peace and love in her poetry journals and stories. Ruby is an authentic soul and not afraid to be herself. She speaks up for herself, others in a non-confrontational way. She has a social justice lens in all she does, always striving for what is just and always through conversations rather than condemnation. I am proud of the growth Ruby has made in her life. Her grades have also improved and she now earns all A's and B's. She is respectful to staff and accepts redirection in a positive way. Ruby deserves to be recognized for her wonderful spirit, her resilience, and the courage she exhibits as she

continues to live in a positive way even when negativity surrounds her. Um I attend most all but one do the right thing and the thing is Desert Hot Springs always has someone up there that does the right thing and that's why I attend. Also on the 21st, um, Seabback Homeless Committee had a tour of Coachella Valley Behavioral Health. Um, and we got to tour it. I'm not going to tell you all about it, but it is a great it's a great thing. And, um, we have referred it to Swag uh, for people who are homeless so that they can go there, too. So I would suggest that you look at their website or you can call them at 8779338905. They see children and they see uh adults and they keep them separate. Even during our tour we did not get to see anyone because it was none of our business. On the 25th, I served as the last I served my term for 4 years. It was supposed to be two, but for four years with the regional access project and it was a good thing and I'm still with them and the new chair is Aurora Wilson and she begged me to be chair of the NPO centric committee. So, I thought I could get away, but it didn't happen. Um, and on the 27th,

uh, that was my last task for it was CV giving day. And for you young people, you should be trying to connect um, what was his name? The people, Julian, I'm talking to you. uh regional access project. You should try and and go there. You can get grants there. Um and that can help you with the things that you are doing. Um I went on the spar tour, but I'll let you do that. Uh I attended on the 30th Desert Valley Builders Association and their installation and that was a good thing because all of them are interested in Desert Hot Springs. So it was good that we had a representative there. I also attended the 30 on the 31st COD stepping out last year. It was big. This is it was huge and they're going to have to try and do it someplace else because it was huge. And uh the kids that were there, I guess you know I'm into kids. um the kids that were there, there was this one person who won um she there was three of them and she was one of those that won an essay award and she was so grateful for what Cood does for her that she she could not overcome what Cood had done for her. And there was another person that came up and all of his schooling with COD on up

was all tax-free because he got grants um or and scholarships. Um, and then I wanted to congratulate the um, police officers again on your award from Perma. And that's it.

Thank you. On the 21st attended our airport commission meeting. um you know, as things ramp up over there with some of the work they're getting to do over there on the airport and plans for it, you know, the long-term goal is they're currently at 3.3 million annual visitors. The goal is to hit uh 6 million annual visitors. And so uh to do that they have to obviously begin accommodating that which is what part of their multi- uh you know billion dollar project is going to be which includes different things they're going to be doing for parking uh car rentals um the tour or um taxis those kind of things um realignment of the of the flight path these kinds of things. So that's going to be important. On the 28th, attended the Desert United lunchon. Um, and this was the first time I had been there and I was the only person from Desert Hot Springs there and it was it was rather interesting. It's mostly professional business groups and nonprofits that attend and kind of a network thing. Uh, however, the the the one thing was is there were a lot of people that were extremely interested in Desert Hot Springs and how they can become more involved in our community. you know, they've they they've heard things, they see things, they read things, and they kind of didn't know how to be connected. And so, you know, I always start with go to our homepage on our city website and read the strategic plan. And then from there, you know, uh any questions you got, uh any number of us can help you out with that, but it is nice to see that a variety of people that do business services and the like want to expand into our area of the valley. uh on the 29th and 30th uh attended the Riverside County Transportation Commission uh annual workshop. Uh that was quite productive. Um that was there. It was in Cathedral City, which was kind of nice. So we didn't have to travel that far uh for that. Um and uh you know, some of you

have obviously read that the CV Rail was approved by the uh by the commission. It's a longunning project um that has been long awaiting. And so hopefully once this study stuff gets done that they'll begin construction and move forward with that. On the 29th attended the spa tour after event party to kind of meet with everybody that attended that because I was at the workshop that day. I couldn't attend the tour. Uh which looked pretty exciting. And then uh today we had the uh Palm Springs airport operations committee and we're just going um just over some basic things there and that was it. Mr. Mr. Gardner.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, as Miss Pi mentioned, we have the spa tour and uh kudos to our staff and congratulations for uh an event that was just it was it was off the charts. They knocked it out of the ballpark. Um, three bus two bus loads of people, a bunch of people doing self-driving tours, visited each bus was supposed to visit 10 spas. I think we each visited eight because we ran out of time and we were all exhausted and uh but the uh afterparty afterwards affirmed that it's something we need to do regularly. Spa owners were ecstatic over the hill and uh so were the people. Uh the words of mouth that uh that tour generated I think are going to pay off uh immensely over the over the next few months and will be really real real great event. We haven't done it in 10 years and uh I know it was a lot of work. So again to the staff and to race who put it all together uh great job. It was fantastic. Uh we had a visit G uh visit Greater Palm Springs board meeting. We reviewed the new strategic plan for there. Uh a couple of exciting developments that will benefit Desert Hot Springs. Uh first one is the destination stewardship plan which will now develop individual components for all nine of the valley cities and provide us with a lot of data on our tourism industry in Desert Hot Springs as well as the region as a whole as we keep track of trends and what's bringing people here and what they want to do and see and and as uh growing our tourism business is one of the key components of the city strategic plan. This will be great. And the second thing that w that came out of that is the economic development platform uh that they've just created called live work GPS and it's expanding even further. Site has drop- down menu showing each city with a lot of data, demographics, makeup of the community as well as links to all of the

available commercial properties and links to zoning maps and other resources which will help us with our economic development efforts uh quite a bit. And finally, on a on a kind of a different note, I wanted to comment. We all love our cannabis industry here. Our cannabis industry in this city has been instrumental in the revival of this city over the last few years and and since uh previous council back as far as 2014 2016, we're the first to come up with with allowing uh largescale cannabis grows here. We're very proud of our industry here and it's a key part of our business and every year we get a report card given to the city from an organization called getting it right from the start. Now sounds like a nice name but uh the organization purports to grade cities on their cannabis policies and restrictions and if they go beyond state law or minimums and the organization has one that would want to restrict and oppose cannabis. Well, I'm very happy to announce that Desert Hot Springs got a score of seven. Top score goes to cities that prohibit or restrict cannabis. They tend to be up in the 60s. The only other city in Riverside County to score lower than DHS was Tmacula with a three. So, while one generally doesn't like to see low scores unless you're playing golf, uh, you know, I think our low score is something we need to crow about, be proud of, show that our community has a thriving cannabis industry and our residents here appreciate it and maybe we should consider how low we can go next year. That's all I got.

Mr. Pittz.

All right. Mine will be brief. Good evening, Mr. Mayor and city council members. This is my city council update for February 3rd, 2026. On January 27th, I attended the Palm Springs Unified School District Committee meeting via Zoom. Um, and uh, school traffic safety was a primary focus of discussion along with brainstorming ways to better provide public safety services for our children and the general public throughout the city. On January 28th, I attended the Sunline Transportation Agency meeting. Many important topics were discussed including re-imagining Sun Rides, Sunline Rides. And this presentation uh took place by a consultant firm called Jared Walker and Associate Associates. Sunline Transportation is well positioned to continue leading the way in innovative regional mobility connecting the Coachella Valley city to city with forwardthinking concepts such as elevated rail including monail travel. Thank you Mr. Mayor. That concludes my update.

I don't have a lot today but just wanted to invite the community out. Uh at Choya and Hosianda, uh there's the animal control center, and that is going to be the new sports park for Desert Hot Springs. It's going to hold our youth football program, a full football field for them, and it's going to hold a new senior baseball field, which is something that we've had to lease or help rent from the high school for so long. So, this uh park will break ground at 10:00 a.m. Is that right? 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. The whole community is invited out. I hope you can be out there. construction is going to take about a year. You are there's a lot of road construction going on in that area right now. So, if you're going to come, show up a little early so you can make sure you can find parking and and and get yourself there. And then I just wanted to say give a shout out to our our staff and everyone that participated in the spa tour. When I became mayor in 2016, uh the spa tour, that was the last year it happened and they wanted to go on hiatus for a little bit and reorganize and uh unfortunately when we tried to revive it, CO hit and obviously everybody knows the story of that. And took us a long time to get back to what the spa tour is about. And I say this all the time, one of the the biggest industry in our community is our spa industry. that that tax that you pay everywhere you go in the United States is here in Desert Hot Springs. And when that tax is paid at Desert Hot Springs, that's that toot tax. It comes back to the community and police officers and road repairs and firefighters and and staff that we essentially need to run the business here of Desert Hot Springs. And so highlighting our spas, it's over 4.3 million. Is that about the right number there? Look at Jeffrey. you'll look through the long ledger of of revenues we get. Uh but uh it is one of our top revenues each and every year and even during co our spa industry grew in revenue. Uh so it to highlight the spas

again was important. There was 13 on the list. My bus got to 10. Um and uh we were able to highlight some of the most beautiful spas. And for those of you out there, you could buy a ticket next year for the VIP or take the self-guided. It's a little less expensive and you can get into some of these spots that you might not ever get into in a normal normal normal day of life, you know, like Two Bunch Palms and some of the other ones and see what these worldrenowned waters are all about and the history. So, I hope you come out next year. I'm planning to make sure we push as hard as we can to make sure we have this event again because it was successful and it only more successful each and every year. So, thank you to everyone that participated.

Yes, ma'am. Andy, I do want to continue conversation, so give me a call. All right, we're going to move to the planning hearing or public hearing. Sorry. This is item number two, appeal a 25-1 and appeal the planning commission's decision to approve conditional use permit number 25-9 for a public conveyance and necessity of a type 21 ABC license. and our assistant planner is going to give uh our uh report tonight.

Good evening everyone. My name is Eve. I'm the associate planner and I will be presenting the following item. So the item before you tonight, Desert Hod Market, is for an appeal number 251 to overturn the planning commission's decision of the approval of the type 21 ABC license. The applicant and owner of Dust Hot Market located at 12285 Palm Drive, Sweet 103, submitted an application for a conditional use permit and a finding of public convenience or necessity to allow the off sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits for off-site consumption, ABC type 21 offsale general license. The current project was considered and approved by the planning commission at the December 9, 2025 meeting, thereby approving the type 21 ABC license with a 4 to1 decision by the commissioners. On December 11, 2025, an appeal was filed by Edner seeking to overturn the planning commission's decision. The basis of the appeal sets forth concerns of overconentration of similar uses in the surrounding area. The project sits at the southwest corner of Palm Drive and Buenav Vista Avenue. It's designated mixeduse corridor which allows for retail uses by rights such as a convenience store and a type 21 APC license is subject to approval by the planning commission. Currently, the applicant operates as a hot market a 3,60 foot convenience store with a type 20 ABC license for the off sale of beer and wine. The business serves the surrounding community as a small retail establishment offering a variety of convenience goods. On October 4th 14th, 2025, the applicant Graciella Green on

behalf of Mr. Singh submitted a conditional use permit application for a finding of public convenience or necessity to allow the off sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits for off-site consumption of an ABC type 21 offsale general license. As part of this proposal, the applicant intends to surrender the existing type 20 ABC license upon approval of the type 21. The project site is located within census track number 0445.07 which is authorized for4 offsell licenses. That's for types 20 and 21. Currently 10 licenses have been issued for the type 20 and 21 licenses of which only eight are active or actively operating and only four of the type 21 APC licenses are currently operating in California. Despite an over concentration of alcoholic licenses, a city or county may authorizing new ABC license by issuing a letter of public convenience or necessity. This discretionary action authorized by state law allows local governments to determine that a specific business serves the public interest overriding standard over concentration limits. before you are the surrounding land uses. Staff has reviewed and determined that no religious institutions, schools, or public parks are located within a 500 ft radius of the convenience store per section 17.12.198. The premises occupy a singlestory suite measuring approximately 360 uh square ft. The display of alcoholic beverages will utilize approximately 205 square ft of wall and and floor space and about 20 square ft of foot of storage floor space

in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. This project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to section number 15301 class number one for existing facilities of the California Environmental Quality Act. The city council may consider the following. One, a resolution of the city council of the city of Desert Hot Springs, California, upholding and affirming the planning commission's decision to approve conditional use permit number 259, thereby approving the project or two, a resolution of the city council of the city of Des Hot Springs, California, overturning the planning commission's decision to approve the conditional use permit number 259, thereby denying the project, or three, provide additional direction as city council deems necessary. Since the posting of the agenda, the city has received comment letters and they have been provided to the city council. So that concludes my presentation. The applicants are in assistance. Staff members are also available to answer any questions. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Laura. Who is appealing the decision of the planning commission? So, not yet, Mr. Duffel. So the the appline is Atnan Greer. Say that again. It's Atan Greer. At Greer. Okay. And um the applicant, are they are they here today? They are. Mhm. Is there any questions of staff before I open the public hearing? Okay. I'm going to open the public hearing and we'll take any testimony from the applicant. Who is the applicant? You can just raise your hand. You don't have to give

the applicant to that. Yes. Who would be the applicant in this situation? In in this situation would be the appellant. So, we would go ahead and take the appellant first and then anybody opposing technically the project and then uh the the flip side.

All right. Mr. Duffel, how are you attached to the appellant? Good evening, Mr. Mayor and members of the city council. My name is Richard Duffel, and I am speaking this evening on behalf of the appellant, Mr. Adnan Greer, who has formally requested the city council overturn the planning commission's approval of conditional use permit 25-9 for a type 21 ABC license at 12285 Palm Drive. This appeal is not directed at the applicant personally, nor is this an opposition to the continued operation of the business. The market already operates with a type 20 license allowing beer and wine sales. The issue before you is whether expanding that license to include distilled spirits at this specific location meets the required legal legal standards of public convenience and necessity. We we respectfully submit it does not. First, the issue of overconentration has not adequately been addressed. This corridor contains a high concentration of alcohol-related issues in close proximity to surrounding businesses and residential neighborhoods. While the planning commission evaluated this project individually, the city council must consider the cumulative impacts of adding another type 21 license to an already saturated area. A type 21 license allows the sales of hard alcohol and carries different and greater secondary impacts than a beer and wine license. Granting an additional type 21 license in this area undermines the intent of requiring a finding of public convenience or necessity under both ABC law and local zoning regulations. Second, the findings incorrectly

conclude that there is no increase in intensity of use. The staff report asserts that the type 21 license does not increase intensity because alcohol is already sold on site. Respectfully, that conclusion is fa flawed. Intensity is not measured solely by building size or parking and demand. Expanding from beer and wine to distilled spirits changes the nature of the use, the customer base, and the potential impacts for the surrounding area. If this were not a material change, type 21 licenses would not be would not be subject to heightened review. This is a substantiative operational change, not a continuation of extending existing conditions. Third, the record demonstrates business convenience, not public necessity. The justification for approval relies heavily on the idea that denial would make would place the applicant at a competitive disadvantage. However, economic competition is not the legal standard. The standard is whether the public would be underserved without this license. There has been no showing that nearby residents or businesses lack reasonable access access to distilled spirits anywhere in the city. Such access already exists. The benefit here acrru primarily to the applicant, not the broader community. In closing, denying this type 21 license does not eliminate alcohol sales. It does not close the business and it does not hinder lawful commerce. It simply maintains reasonable limits consistent with neighborhood compatibility, cumulative impacts, and the intent of the city's alcohol regulations. For these reasons, on behalf of the

applicant, we respectfully request that the city council overturn the planning commission's decision and deny conditional use permit 25-9. I also have some petitions that were given to me tonight from local businesses and residents in the area that is impacted that I'm going to pass over to the city clerk for circulation to you. And if you have any questions, I'm available. Yeah. Before you do that, can you uh articulate to the city council why you're representing the individual? Are you friend, concerned citizen, hire consultant? I'm I'm a I'm a friend. I'm a customer and I also reside in the district where this is taking place. and customer of of of the appellant, Mr. Adnan Greer.

And where is their business? It is uh across the street from the applicant. Across the street, directly across uh the street on Buenav Vista from the applicant. Okay. Thank you very much. You're very welcome. I'll pass these.

Is there anyone else as part of the applicant? Yes, you'll uh you'll have your chance in a minute. Is there anyone else part of the applicant that wants to speak or does Mr. Duffel said everything that needs to be said by the applicant. Yes, sir. Just state your name. Good evening, everybody. My name is Deacon Cory Myers. Uh I'm a former resident on the street of Buenov Vista. Uh man, living on that I lived on Buenav Vista for three years and I just seen all the not just homeless but young people traveling down the street with alcohol containers in their hands. There's already one liquor market within a rock throws of a distance on one corner, King's Liquor Store. Then you got Super Liquor Store right here, and you got Desert Hot Market right here. I just I don't see it being a positive impact on the community to have another Spirit Type 21 license within a football fields range of a distance. That's all I have to say.

Thank you. Anyone else part of the applicant group? Okay, come on. I'll take testimony from the public that is in favor of the appeal. Hold on, ma'am. We've got I got this one and then you'll be up next.

Hi. Um, my name is Cecilia and I'm the owner of DHS Barber Shop and currently I have 15 days that I'm not working on my shop cuz I just get a medical situation. But, um, I just get the situation of u this guy that it's in front of me with the liquor. And when I when he told me the situation he's um having on on his business, I of course I was like, I'll be there cuz um I open u my barber barber shop like two years ago. And since I open, I see that there's a lot of uh barber shops that are opened. And honestly, it's affecting a lot my business and this well my barber shop um was there for like I guess like more than 25 years. So a lot of people usually go there. So um I I'm working good but since I see this situations a lot of um barbers are getting licensed for open new barber shops. I'm checking I don't know um who's the person that give the license but these barber shops are pretty near to my barber shop and they're new like two but they're more in different parts but near me to there are two barber shops and um I don't know if my English was like good.

You did you did well. Okay. I think we understand exactly. here to support because support the application of the appeal and the business are pretty pretty near. All right. Thank you. Thank you so much. Is there anyone else? Ma'am in the back you wanted to speak in the blue

this evening. Are you in favor of opposed or neutral position of this appeal? Neutral.

Thank you. Go ahead. I'd like to say this evening that the um there's several risk factors that can be ran in um with this uh with this um new uh petition, right? The petitioning for in their upgrade. Um, one of them is the um I don't I don't agree in the exception exemption that there was written of um there needs to be um this uh renovation and um you know if they don't have the funds for them there's um loans that they can uh take in order for this um one of the risk factors that I'm um suggesting is the the cooler is a big a big problem and um the the electrical hazard that it can be Right. Um it it can cause a power outage. It could cause a power outage in the area.

Ma'am, this is a public hearing on the license itself, not the business. So, you'll need to you need to focus your comments on the license and the reason you're in neutral position of them having or not having a license. Okay. Not having a license. And that was the reason. Thank you. Thank you so much. Is there anyone else that's imposed opposed or a neutral position before I give the initial applicant time to rebut anything that has been said here today? This is the last opportunity before we close the public hearing after the initial applicant gets their moment. Okay. Have nobody else coming forth. The initial applicant, would you like to come up and and rebut any information you've heard today?

Good evening. My name is Graci Green and I'm represented the owner of um There's a Hot Market. Um, I understand what everybody's concern is. Um, and I completely understand and respect that the cities have the last word and um, approving a new legal license in an area that's already overconentrated and that's what ABC has granted the cities or the county uh, that opportunity. That's that's on your plate. Okay. Um my question is here is uh this is not the first time that this uh liquor license on that particular store has been opposed by the same people. Uh I work at ABC for 10 years and I was I was there when they opposed for the previous owner. But in this case, um, my question is, um, the store already has a beer and wine license, which is fine. Okay. And it was fat before, too. But if we add an additional alcohol license, that license right there is it's going to be transferred. The 20 is going to leave the area. Okay. So what ABC considers is if this license 21 is going to it's going to replace the 20 cuz the 20 is going to go away. It's going to be sold. It's not augmenting the number of licenses. It's not an additional license that the the number of the ones that already exist within the census track. They they go by the census track. So, it's not going to be an additional license once the other license um leaves the area. Also, too, um

my contention is people who already purchase alcohol and any other, you know, his liquor store or any other liquor store or Cardinals or whatever stores they are, um they're already drinking. They don't drink it. they're going to agree regardless if if this store has a 21 or stays with a 20. They're already getting their alcohol. So, it's going to be up to the public to decide what they what they going to choose. Where are they going to go? And one of the things is with this store there, they already it's a market. It's a convenience market. They just don't sell alcohol. They sell all the items that people in the community need. They sell groceries. is the sale laundry items, um oil for the vehicles, milk, cheeses. It it's a store that people can go in and there's so many houses around that they can walk into the store. So if they decide when they go buy milk that they need a small bottle of liquor, that'll be convenience for them. That is the convenience that they are offering. Now uh this market will be offering an additional product to their current customers. Okay. And because people are going to drink regardless, this is more so not so much about the community or the the crimes or homeless. Uh it's a clean store. It's a clean store. It's it's a very nice place, very clean, and they're compliant with ABC. They're complying with with city laws, not having any problems with the police department for what I'm concerned that I haven't heard anything because this the police department did not oppose the approval of the conditional use permit before. That's why it was um

granted. Um now not not permitting Mr. sink to be able to offer additional products to his customers as they're putting him again in a disadvantage against the current uh liquor stores. Um so, uh like I said, I don't I don't know what what else to say here because the city is doing their job. ABC is doing their job and um people uh when we came before uh we submitted several letters from the public from the actual customers that go and take advantage of the products that there's a hot market offers. There were like 67 letters that we provided and I think they're they're in the package. I have another one here which there's copies over there from a person who just who wrote it um few days ago. So

yes, we've received it. Yes. Uh I I I just would like uh uh the city to take a consideration uh mainly on the public mainly on the service that they are providing and then also give Mr. Sink an opportunity to be able to work in the same level as the surrounding liquor stores. again, people are not going to stop drinking. Even if he doesn't sell tequila or whatever, people are going to drink anyway. Okay. Point. Your point's been made. I appreciate it. Anything additional to add?

Well, um when they when they gave um when they approved the last um the condition use permit, there were some conditions that Mr. Sin had to abide by. And one of them was um he is working with the city already about the sign. They already uh the company already approached the city. They got all the regulations. They're doing the drawing. So, that's on the works. Another thing is um they added more um plants on on the sidewalk. So, they it looks very nice. Um and I think that's it. Uh I can't think of anything else. I You guys know the story of this story. I appreciate your testimony.

Thank you. And I thank you very much for Thank you and going through the Robert's rules of order. Technically, Mr. Duffel, you're the appeal. Uh so you get the last rebuttal if you have any.

Again, Richard Duffel. Um the only thing that I have to add is uh the original applicant made it very clear just now herself that there is an oversaturation of this type of business. uh one type 21 literally within 50 ft of of the front door of this applicant. Um the law is very clear. There is no necessity or convenience for another type 21 uh literally across the street from one that already exists. Gives no benefit to the neighborhood or the surrounding areas. Thank you. I've already is is there anything additional or you just going to repeat something you've already said, ma'am? No, it was just the petition. Thank you.

Okay. All right. So, we received the petitions, we received the letters. Is there any new testimony from the public at this time? All right. I'm going to close the public hearing this time and I'm going to open up the city council for discussion. Can I say something? No, ma'am. I'm sorry. I've already closed the public hearing.

Ready? Yeah. All right. So, you know, when we get these, we have a planning commission and we give them the task of doing in-depth research, determination, reviews, these kinds of things. And we have them to make these expertise decisions on their time and energy with what they do in addition to the staff that does this as well. And um you know, I've had a chance to go over to this place. I've been there. Uh I think it's a nice place. I know that they they sell a variety of other items as well. I don't see this as a typical liquor store type of environment. I see this more as as a convenience. It's just another item on the shelf. Um, you know, the if we really want to deal with the concentration of alcohol licenses, we probably should have been dealing with that three or four back, maybe even more back if we wanted to. Um, but when I look at this isn't adding additional. It's simply just, you know, adding one additional item inside a store that already sells alcohol that you know, whatever license type and stuff is more of a technicality thing. But the other factor is is that uh, you know, I want to support our planning commission in all the time and energy that they did. Um, you know, I see there's going to be those rare occasions that something may come to us and it we may consider something different than them, but for the most part, you know, at least for me personally, I have an obligation to me that I believe that we should follow what our planning commission recommends and and suggest that that's what you're there for to do the in-depth review of these things and do this. Um, you know, why have it if if we're not going to have them and and follow up with those things? I don't see a compelling reason on this um appeal here to overturn what the planning commission has done. I don't see anything different, any changes, something that was uh dug up that we all

missed or didn't find and anything of that nature. And I think our staff did a did a great job with what they did with their research. And so I'm inclined to make a motion to uh but I'm sure we got some other Yeah, we have some more city council and I'll come back to you for the motion. Miss Pie, anything?

I I I do want to wait and see what the rest of the council's concerned. But um based on the information that you gave and the other person gave, this is about competition and we're not here to judge your competition on how you market or don't market your products. Uh um and the police do not have a problem unless laws aren't aren't uh abide by. So they don't have a problem at at the moment and as you said it is a different type of of business. Um, I'm not I I can't go with you where I'm going to support anything that the planning commission says. Um, but I see it as competition. Um, and I don't want to get into into that part because what we have to do is legit. what the what the planning commission is is legit. Um, and that's enough for now.

Garner.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I will agree with to it point with with both Miss Pi and, uh, Mayor Prom Voss. I would be much more inclined to look at this a little harder if it weren't coming from a competitor trying to put another competitor out of businesses, which what this feels like to me. And the woman who came up and spoke about barber shops had a good point. But, you know, barber shops are licensed as well, and there's a lot of barber shops, and you got to compete. And if you, not that I have hair to cut, but if you have if you do good haircuts, you're going to do okay. And if you have good customer service at your convenience store and you offer the products that the people want, you're going to be okay. Uh, and if it hurts another barber shop because you do better haircuts than they do, that's competition. That's business. Our job here at the city council is not to pick winners and losers in the game of commerce. Our job is to look out for the residents of Desert Hot Springs and make sure that the businesses that we do have here are abiding by the law. Miss Pi pointed out, police haven't don't have a concern. Our code compliance office doesn't have a concern with it. Um, it meets all of the right tests. Our planning commission looked at it. Our staff looked at it. Uh, and uh, I'm I'm inclined to go along with that as well.

Mr. So, I concur with what all my colleagues have have said and and frame that so well. Um, as a business advocate, I support new business. So, I'm I'm excited to be able to see new businesses coming to the to the city, but I also, like I said, concur with Mayor Pro Tim uh and to support the planning commission's decision. They looked at this. They poured over this. Um, this is what we do. We look at the agendas. they've done some research on it and made their decision based on that. So, I uh concur with the rest of you. I will support the planning commission decision on this.

Yeah, my comments are I mean, Mr. Duffel is a good friend and and someone that's spent some time on the planning commission and you couldn't ask for a better representative to represent your your concerns. So, I appreciate him and appreciate the the wellthoughtout um comments. Um but I I don't agree that's a public health issue. Um, I think it's a competitor issue. That's what it comes across as. And, you know, if it was more about the community and the neighborhood and and people within that, I I I could see that. But this has been on our plate before, and I appreciate it because I've been a business owner, too, and I've had to compete. And those are some of the things you do. You go out and you fight for what you think is right for your business. But I will not be overturning the planning commission's decision tonight. I've watched the meeting. And I've watched the comments now twice um from from the uh appalent and uh I just don't see a need to overturn their decision tonight. Uh any other comments?

Entertain a motion. Mr. Boss's motion. Entertain the Can you state the motion? Yep. Um make a motion that we affirm the planning commission's decision to approve the conditional use permit number 25-9. And it's seconded by Mr. Gardner. Once on the screen, please vote. Mr. Mr. Mayor, members of the commission, just members of the council, forgive me. Uh that would also be um adopting uh the the attached resolution just for the record. Okay. With all the findings that so amended by Mr. Voss, the amendment. Yes. All right. Please vote.

Council member Pi four. It's not working. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. We do have a couple other items on the agenda. You do not have to stick around and listen to the rest of us tonight. Thank you for coming out tonight. We're going to move to the administrative calendar. The first item on the administrative calendar is one future Coachella Valley funding request. Who's going to be taking that item tonight? That'd be me, Mr. Thank you, sir.

Good evening, mayor and council. This item is a request to support one future Coachella Valley and its regional plan for college and career readiness which brings together schools, businesses, and community partners to strengthen the Coachella Valley's talent pipeline and ensure students regardless of background can succeed in college, career, and life. One Futures regional strategy focuses on key outcomes in increasing high school graduation, supporting college access and post-secary completion, enhancing career readiness, and connecting students to higher wage employment. Their work aligns scholarships, mentoring, and academic support to create more equitable pathways for students and families. For 25 202526, One Future is requesting $25,000 in city support to strengthen services specifically benefiting Desert Hot Springs students and families. The funding would be used in three areas: education and career pathways enhancement in the amount of $15,000. This includes college and career pathway programming, financial and guidance, and application support. the Gent Alliance program for young men in collaboration on Kidind. The future is ours event in the amount of $5,000. This provides direct scholarships and student support funding and includes city recognition as a sponsor, including event presence. And number three, education fund enrichment in the amount of $5,000. This supports scholarships for Desert Hotring students and leverages match funding with regional partners to help offset tuition and related expenses. One future has demonstrated measurable impact in our community. Over $2 million in scholarships awarded to 288 Desert Hot Springs students since 2009. For 202526, 45 Desert Hot Springs students received $161,250 in scholarships and nine students are currently participating in one futures RN expansion program. Local engagement also includes kid win STEM competition hosted at Desert Hot Springs High School with 276 students participating and

participation in the regional college and career fair with about 70 Desert Hot Springs students attending using district transportation. The fiscal year 202526 adopted budget already appropriated $25,000 for this purpose. The this sponsorship requ uh supports goal number eight, community services, engagement, and quality life of the city strategic plan. Staff recommends that the council consider approval of a $25,000 sponsorship proposal from One Future to provide educational services to Desert Hotring students and families. And lastly, I believe Lexi Ward with One Future is present to offer a few remarks and answer any questions. That concludes my staff report.

Awesome. Um, do we have any public comments besides Okay, one future. Go ahead. Come on up.

Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Council. I'm actually Kim McNelte. Uh, Lexi Ward is my colleague. Uh, but just wanted to say that we sincerely appreciate the support uh that the city has invested in this over the years and uh, as was shared, we've had some really significant outcomes. An additional one that I will share is uh one of your recent scholars uh is just completing her PA masters program uh and will be returning to the desert this year to do her clinical site rotations with the intention of moving back to the desert to serve. So that's one example of many uh stories that we have of Desert Hot Springs students who are benefiting. Uh and the Kid uh event that we spoke about, this year's event is actually coming up February 21st at Desert Hot Springs High School. Uh, and any of you that would like to come and and see it in action, uh, would be more than welcome. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

Well, first of all, Kid Win so cool. So, if you guys get a chance and you haven't gone, you should go. Um, we appreciate everything you guys have done and I'm in total support of this. I think you've you you've put the money where it needs to go to make sure that the education's done. So, thank you. Any other comments or questions?

I do. um long time ago. Nothing bad. Um went to the schools. The situation was there were people that weren't attending school and the reason why they weren't attending school was because the parents had to work and the little kids weren't in kindergarten yet. And so somebody had to stay home with the kids. Um so you drilled down and found out that is what was happening. The kids were not um skipping school just because it was because of survival and they figured out a way to do that. Superintendent, past Superintendent Lions is still on your board and she does not play. And so I know that if that continued from there and she's still on the board, you're doing okay.

Thank you. Any other comments, questions? All right. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. I'll entertain a motion. Move. Second

someday the computer will catch up to us. Please vote. Got to love technology. Council member P. Is that a yes?

Okay. Motion passes unanimously. The last item on the administrative calendar is discussion item. Consider of a drone-based Fourth of July fireworks show and how this works for the public audience that's watching is when a council member wants to bring an item for discussion. They must get a sponsor on this item. So, Mr. Pittz is bringing this item with sponsored by Mayor Potm for a discussion on whether we want to direct staff to go do work on this and bring back an item for full discussion and vote in the future. Uh, Mr. Pitts, I will give it to you for discussion.

All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and city council members. This evening, Mayor Pro Tim Voss and I will be framing a discussion before this body on why we should reimagine our current holiday fireworks displays and transition to a more communityfriendly holiday drum show. So, here's some background. Historically, the city has hosted a large firework display each year as part of our Independence Day celebration at our local parks. Under this proposed policy, the city's overhead fireworks display would be replaced with a visually stunning drone show. The motivation behind this proposal is centered on community well-being and environmental responsibility. So loud overhead fireworks can cause significant stress and anxiety for pets, especially our fur babies as well as veterans um who you know suffer from PTSD and individuals with sensorary uh sensitivities. These impacts are very real and can be deeply distressing. In addition, fireworks negatively affect air quality and the environment by releasing heavy metals and toxic smoke contributing to pollution and public health concerns. A drone celebration offers an innovative, forwardthinking, inclusive, and environmentally responsible alternative while still allowing our community to come together and to celebrate. Now, since I framed that, I'm going to go ahead and pass it over to Mayor Pro Tim Voss. Fair Voss.

Thank you, Councilman. So, in doing some research on this and one of the things I want to comment is that, you know, this is not in any way intended to um supplement or I should say replace our safe and sane fireworks that are out there. you know, this this is recognizing the fact that they're the safe and sane fireworks that we have out there now. There's a purpose for them. Uh the funds they raise are are there for the nonprofit organizations and and so make this clear that it isn't something to substitute that. It's not something to replace it. It's something to just focus entirely on what the city does and and that is we have a, you know, our loud firework display thing. I live, you know, a a pretty reasonable distance and I can hear our fireworks show from my backyard, you know, which is at least a mile plus away uh when I when I I can see it from my backyard. With that, the the other part is is that, you know, at some point we have some good governance and we have a point of where when do we make some of these changes and and and and if you asked me this question 5 years ago, 7 years ago, or whatever, I'd probably say that drones weren't quite up to where they need to be as far as this avenue. But in doing some of the research I've done like the city of Signal Hill, uh Miami City, I there's others, but Signal Hill was, you know, one that I saw, you know, recently on this is is that the shows are really quite attractive. And the cost of these things is is minimal if if maybe, you know, a few thousand more. um which which in really in the big picture of this to me is a good governance aspect of it because uh one we would probably be the only city in the Coachella Valley which means we'll probably get more people that will come out here to visit us to see this cuz they're going to be like hey what is this? So some of those funds that we may spend on adding additional something is going to one advertise our city as hey you know this is desert hot springs. So consider it almost as a marketing thing. If I'm the desert sun, if I'm Cindy

Yuken and I'm doing some of these other articles out here and KESQ and the like, that's going to be broadcasted. It's going to also be broadcast. So in Google searches and these type of things and then there's going to be desert hot springs, right? And so they're going to do more in that. So then there's the marketing aspect of that. But at some point as as as counselors, we have this obligation to say what at what point here here we have many residents who are dog lovers, many residents who come to the desert because of uh PTSD for whatever reasons they've had. Maybe they've got some health issues regarding noises and what have you. And and I think that's where, you know, the safe and sane aren't noise items unlike some of the uh ones that we get from other outofstate fireworks and what have you. and and that we try to say what can we do to help this along. At some point we have this obligation that we should be looking at this and saying how can we help this along and doing the right thing with that but still providing a good quality show and when uh the different shows that I've that that we researched and saw were quite commendable with what they had and the design is is just pretty amazing with what they have the option for including you know where they had set up citizen volunteer committee that came up with different suggestions for these things. They had, you know, high school kids that came up with suggested designs that they came up with or um, you know, we had the key club, right? So, the key club could would sponsor a design and and would work with them on on this type of thing. Uh, and so it really was very open-ended, but it's different and it's unique. And, you know, we always have a tendency, government has a tendency, and I worked in government for many years, so I can say this is that we had a tendency to just fit into this box. Well, it works. Everything's fine. It's not broken. But in the meanwhile, the foundation is crumbling and it is wrong and it isn't working and things are falling apart. And and and that's when

you have to begin thinking about where do we make some of these changes. And and some of these changes are big changes. How we run a a city department, how we run a roads program, or how we provide services. And we make those dynamic changes. We did that through our strategic plan and we came up with what some of our goals were with that thing. And we have some of these things when you look at the Boulevard Nights, when you look at the um the farmers market thing. Uh and and in in the way that our some of our departments now are working with that and how we've been pro business, we've done things more cutting edge or more modern in a way. And I think that our residents would would actually find this very entertaining to be something different. Many of them are going to typically we don't have this on the 4th. I'm not sure when the 4th is this year or when we were thinking of having this, but um it's usually a different date from what I remembered we did. I think it was usually like a day before or after or usually afterwards. And so the noise factor and all of that, people are kind of done with it, right? They're just done with it. and now they want something and they hear this and then when the city does it the complaint we get is why is the city involved in this two days later after the 4th of July we're kind of tired of this and you know the tribes now have their own that are large and they're out there by the freeways and the and in large areas and so people can see that type if they want to see that but the question I ask you is is where are their drone ones and that's the thing there aren't a lot of them and that's where I think we have an opportunity to take an idea that's already being used. It's being successfully used and and marketed in Desert Hot Springs as this is the new Desert Hot Springs. This is the cutting edge Desert Hot Springs. This is the Desert Hot Springs that is willing to do what may be the right thing or or try the right thing to accommodate our our

residents and our and our um you know, our animals that are out here and to do these things and and come up with something new. that could be a complete it could be an absolute you know fantastic thing and also in addition to the marketing aspect of it. And so the recommendation for us is we would like to see is have this come back as an agenda item and and we can get a little more in depth on cost and stuff but consider doing it for this year and and if for some reason it just flops then we can at least say we gave it a try. But if we don't give it a try, then we just became that same traditional bureaucratic foundation of governing agencies that just says boom, boom, boom, and they don't continue to try and and that doesn't work either. And I'd rather see Desert Hot Springs uh with our very positive image right now, continue that uplifting positive image that we got. I mean, look at these awards. You know, our police department got an award. Our finance department, you're going to have to wrap it up so we can

You know what? I'm just going to keep on going. But I'm not going to let you filibuster. So please wrap up your I know. Uh well landman doesn't come on till 9:00. This is consideration on the agenda item. We all need to have comments on this. I I understand it. So that's what my recommendation be.

Thank you very much. All right. I'm going to take public comments on anyone that would like to make public comments on this item. This is for consideration of the firework display going to a drone show. All right. I have nobody else coming. Um with both your passions, I hear you very much. I will compromise with you and consider this for an agenda item, but not for this year. That's my thought. This year is the 250th anniversary of our nation. This is not a year to take a chance on a show flopping, but I am very open to the fact of doing the research to find out the difference in cost and planning for the following year if it's something that council would want to consider. Mr. Gardner,

uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I appreciate both of my colleagues bringing this forward. I think it's innovative thinking. I think it's a an interesting idea and um as Mr. Voss pointed out, I think we would probably be the first or the only city in the uh in the valley doing it would be a draw over for our tourism stuff and we could maybe actually even actually have it on the fourth. The reason we never get it on the fourth is cuz all of the other cities have signed long-term contracts that have locked in the fourth and there aren't that many people that do display. So, this might actually I think we already locked in our contract for this year, didn't we? Does anybody know from staff? I know here,

but you know, that's one of the reasons we never get it. Um, so I think it's it it it's really good. And for people that really miss fireworks, I have no doubt that we will still have the largest illegal fireworks show in the entire valley over the city, as we always do. But I can support this. I I don't know if it's too soon to do it for this year or not, but it's it's worth bringing back and exploring, checking the cost, if the costs are comparable, and or even a little bit more. and and we can afford it and make it ourselves unique. I I think it's worth exploring. So, I would support bringing this having the staff do some uh some digging and and bring it back to us. Miss Pie,

I'm for it. And then I'll tell you why. Thinking about what you said, forward thinking. Palm Springs, I would ask you to investigate with Palm Springs Unified uh Foundation. It has it it did um a show here uh already um with drones and uh they did it with drones. They did what you're talking about and they want to do it here. And the reason why they want to do it here is because they want to do a campus here because it doesn't run into airflights. So if we thinking ahead, if we do it here, then maybe somebody will say yes, they'll invest in join a campus here as well. I'm done.

And and to Miss P's point, um when they had the drone uh competition in Palm Springs, there was a 300 drone show that had the logos of the sponsors. It was beautiful. City of Desert Hosts was a sponsor and so it was very beautiful and again my disagreement is not in checking this out and seeing if it's something my I would not vote to do it this year but that's my personal that's my personal opinion but we're not even there yet. So what's the unless you guys have more comments to add. Um yeah, go ahead. Yeah. As far as So, it's my understanding um that the contract has not I I hear what you're saying doing it next year,

but the contract has not been signed because this came up. Um I don't want to get into the numbers because I might be off on that, but it was not significantly more. It's something local I guess that was local would be. Um and I also think it's important to to state and I didn't state this when I was framing this. I'm not against fireworks. Oh my goodness. It's like, right, it's like apple pie. We all grew up with it and and we we love fireworks shows

and but as we stated as, you know, forward thinking, it's something that happened years ago and now it's it could be a great time and you articulated it perfectly, laid it out for marketing and and you've all seen them. They're just they can be really cool and really amazing and for being advocates for our pets and veterans for all the reasons we we spoke of. So, I'm glad to hear that there's at least that we're on the same page. I'm again, I gave you my opinion, but I'm just one person. I'm open to the city council. If you guys want to go do the research and bring it back before this this show and make a decision, you'll need to do that very quickly. So, what's the what's the city council's temperature? What would you like to do? We we need to vote on this to bring it forward.

We need to vote on to bring it forward to let staff do the work and bring the item forward for final approval of when and where and if we'll do it. That we bring it forward. When would you like to see that? right away or um okay with you guys I'll say in the next 60 days. Is that too There's a motion on the table. Is there a second? I'll second. There's a second on the table. Uh any other comments? Um I'm going to just let everybody know I'm voting no on this for this because of this year. So my vote isn't against drones. So anyone out there is pro drone. I'm not against drones. Uh my comment my comments are just no to do it this year. So I would bring it back after this event. But that's only my opinion. All right. Who? Mr. Gardner, you moved it. Mr.

Probably check with staff to see if 60 days is good enough time frame for them into this and bring it back within the next 60 days. Within the next 60 days, we can bring the item back. I believe at that time we would be well too far into the planning for this year's show. You can make that you can make those comments when you when you're able to bring it back and then the council can make a decision. Yeah, because uh just as a count the the results of what you and you two do will tell us whether it can be done this year. Period. I'm just again not in favor of she just stated that's not going to happen. So it probably will be a year.

Not that I don't trust our deputy city manager, but I'm still voting no. Please vote. Motion passes with mayor manis the post. All right, we're going to go the consent calendar. There's nothing no items pulled from the consent calendar. Was there anybody at the beginning of the meeting that did not speak in public comments that would like to speak in public comments now? All right, we're going to move to um actually the next the planning commission meets on the 10th, the public safety commission on the 12th, and the city council will return on the 17th. We are journal.