June 27 Daily Briefing: Cannabis events considered, street closure related to ‘Marilyn’ statue moves forward, and more

Welcome to Thursday! We are less than a week from Independence Day, which brings with it the annual tradition of local TV news shows demonstrating exactly how lighting fireworks can go disturbingly wrong. Hopefully that won’t be an issue in Palm Springs, because they’re not allowed. Seriously — don’t be the neighbor everyone reports to the police and fire departments. Those crews will be busy enough and would rather not deal with you. Instead, head to Palm Springs Stadium, or the resort casino out in Rancho Mirage. We guarantee the shows put on at those places will be far better than your sparklers and M-80s.

🎶 Setting the mood: “HOT TO GO!” by Chappell Roan

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LEADING OFF

Commission considers locations for temporary cannabis events

The Palm Springs Planning Commission has recommended two locations around the city as possible spots for temporary cannabis events, should the City Council approve them.

Driving the news: After considering suggestions from city staff, commissioners voted Wednesday evening to recommend that temporary cannabis events be held at the Amtrak train station or on city-owned vacant lots on Gene Autry Trail near the Palm Springs Surf Club.

• The proposal includes a one-year pilot program to assess impacts.

Context: Officials struggled to find suitable locations for cannabis events due to state and local restrictions. Current state regulations prohibit cannabis consumption at locations with alcohol licenses, limiting potential venues.

• One other location was suggested, the Palm Springs visitor center, but commissioners discarded that option due to traffic and image concerns.

Why it matters: The city has received only two inquiries for cannabis events since 2019, raising questions about demand and economic benefits. Veronica Goedhart, with the city’s Special Program Compliance Department, said she spoke to other cities who have held temporary cannabis events such as conferences or conventions, and that the events were not a large generator of tax income.

The details: Commissioners discussed other possible requirements, including tents for outdoor events, odor control measures, parking and traffic management plans, and security to prevent unauthorized cannabis consumption.

BRIEFLY

🗳️ What to watch for at tonight’s City Council meeting

The Palm Springs City Council will meet in closed and regular sessions tonight to discuss and possibly approve several items.

• According to the agenda, councilmembers will decide whether to create a ballot measure for the upcoming November election that would let voters decide if they want to make Measure J continue past its sunset date of 2036. The 1% sales tax generates a pool of money for major and minor community projects.
  
  
• Also on the agenda is approval of liquor sales permits for a new Sprouts grocery store and a Walmart gas station, a construction agreement for new bleachers at Palm Springs Stadium, and an agreement to pay $100,000 for professional services associated with the pickleball court expansion at Demuth Park.
  
  
• Councilmembers will also vote on a continuation budget for the upcoming financial year and receive an update on the homeless navigation center. 

Details: The regular meeting is open to the public in Council Chambers at City Hall. You can submit comments via an online public comment form, in person, or by calling the city clerk’s office at (760) 323-8204 at any time prior to the end of the public comment period. View the meeting live on YouTube or Spectrum channel 17.

⚖️ Commission: Closure of street featuring Marilyn Monroe statue in line with General Plan

The Palm Springs Planning Commission determined unanimously and without comment Wednesday evening that the vacation of a section of road on which the Marilyn Monroe statue stands is in line with the city’s General Plan, bringing the street’s permanent closure to vehicle traffic one step closer.

• The request to vacate comes from PS Resorts, the owner of the 26-foot-tall “Forever Marilyn” statue that sits on the street. The section of Museum Way between Belardo Road and Museum Drive has been closed to vehicular traffic since the statue’s installation in 2021. 
  
  
• The closure of Museum Way has been a hotly debated issue, sparking a lawsuit and drawing criticism from those who argue it was done without authority and disrupts a key pedestrian and vehicle route through downtown. However, in late 2023, the City Council amended the Downtown Specific Plan, paving the way for PS Resorts’ request.

What happens next: The issue now returns to City Council for final approval, possibly in late July.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Pet Vaccine Clinic
9:30 a.m. | Palm Springs Animal Shelter
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter invites you to bring in your pet for low-cost vaccines, including vaccines for rabies and canine influenza. They are also offering microchip implantation and registration. ($15-$25)

Palm Springs City Council
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
City councilmembers meet for their regularly scheduled meeting this evening.

Cocktail Cinema: “Get Out”
5 p.m. | Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum
This season of Cocktail Cinema, organizers explore four films that shed light on the dark side of suburban living, revealing the hidden struggles and tribulations behind the facade of the perfectly manicured lawns and white picket fences. Arrive early to the Houston Atrium for a movie-inspired cocktail. 

“Sordid Lives” screening
5:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Kick-off a “Sordid Lives” summer with a special summer launch party hosted by creator Del Shores. Join them for a cocktail party at 5:30pm and then head into Theatre 1 for a special introduction followed by the screening. ($12)

2024 Summer Cabaret Series: Ken Page
7 p.m. | CV Rep Theatre
Ken Page, in a career spanning over fifty years, has worked in nearly all areas of the entertainment industry, from animated and live action films, to sitcoms and music specials. ($50)

VillageFest
7 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
A reminder, through the rest of the summer VillageFest, the weekly street fair featuring art, entertainment, shopping, and food, will be starting an hour later at 7 p.m. The Palm Springs Art Museum also has free admission tonight starting at 5 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Equality Wine & Food Fest at Margaritaville Resort on Saturday.
  
  
• Palm Springs All American 4th of July at Sunrise Park on July 4.
  
  
• ONE-PS Lip-Sync Battle at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on July 7.
  
  
• Happy Hour for a Star fundraiser at Wildest Restaurant on July 14.

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AND FINALLY …

Today is National HIV Testing Day, a reminder that despite advances in treatment and prevention, HIV/AIDS continues to be a grave global health issue. This day, spearheaded by the National Association of People with AIDS since 1995, strives to remind the public about the importance of knowing one’s HIV status to manage and prevent the spread of the virus.

Driving the news: National HIV Testing Day highlights the critical need for testing and awareness, especially in light of continued misconceptions around HIV/AIDS being a vanquished threat. DAP Health and other organizations across Southern California ramp up efforts to offer accessible testing and education on this day.

• Health initiatives focus particularly on the empowerment that comes with knowing one’s HIV status and the effective options available like antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Impact: Knowing your HIV status can significantly alter life outcomes. Early detection allows individuals to maintain health, prevent the progression to AIDS, and reduces the likelihood of transmitting the virus to others.

Stigma Reduction: Alongside increasing access to testing, National HIV Testing Day also serves to normalize conversations about HIV and reduce the stigma associated with the virus. DAP Health promotes a stigma-free environment in their wellness clinics, making HIV testing more approachable.

• This year, in an effort to reduce societal stigma, DAP Health is encouraging people who choose to get tested to do so with a platonic friend or sexual partner. This buddy system is a form of support that doubles the impact of National HIV Testing Day.

Get tested: DAP Health provides free HIV testing at their three clinics and via mail-delivered self-tests. Today they are also offering free rapid HIV tests at specific Walgreens locations throughout the region, no appointment needed.

Find testing locations and more information from DAP Health here.