July 31 Daily Briefing: More scrutiny for those seeking city funds, smoke visible in valley, and more

Welcome to Wednesday, where we’ve got good news if you’d like to honor the librarian in your life. The time is now to nominate them for the “I Love My Librarian Award,” which recognizes the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarians. Each year, up to 10 librarians are honored at a ceremony held in their honor and receive a $5,000 cash award. While it may be difficult for you to decide which librarian in Palm Springs should be nominated, you can do so here through Sept. 30.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire” by Willie Griffin

LEADING OFF

City manager outlines plans to tighten oversight of organizations seeking funds

Two weeks after Palm Springs officials confirmed that a troubled Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilot program was no longer being operated by a non-profit whose CEO is believed to have misappropriated $700,000 in taxpayer funds, city leaders have released details of new measures and more rigorous vetting they hope to implement to prevent similar incidents.

Driving the news: City Manager Scott Stiles said Tuesday he plans to present new policy suggestions to the City Council in September, addressing the fallout from the UBI pilot program operated by Queer Works.

• The program’s CEO, Jacob Rostovsky, is under investigation by the city and Riverside County District Attorney for allegedly misusing the $700,000 allocated for the project.

Why it matters: The incident highlights significant gaps in the city’s oversight of non-profit partnerships and grant funding management.

Zoom in: Stiles said he would recommend eliminating lump sum payments for non-profit organizations seeking larger amounts of program grant funding, requiring organizations to submit an independent audit every other year, enhanced monitoring of financial reports, and stronger vetting of non-profit organizations without a proven track record.

Looking back: The UBI program, intended to provide financial assistance directly to low-income participants, faced scrutiny when Rostovsky reportedly diverted substantial parts of the funding. 

• Initial city support in 2022 included a unanimous decision to provide $200,000, despite a lack of detailed budget plans, followed by a 3-2 vote to allocate an additional $500,000.

The latest: An exchange between City Attorney Jeffrey Ballinger and Rostovsky’s lawyer, viewed by The Post on Tuesday, shows that the parties were engaged in a bit of a cat-and-mouse game over what happened to any remaining program funds.

• In a letter sent April 16, Ballinger recounts a phone call Rostovsky had with Stiles earlier that month where Rostovsky said he “redirected approximately $140,000 of the UBI Project funds to help persons not enrolled in the UBI Project,” a violation of the agreement between the city and Queer Works.

What they’re saying: “The city can appreciate your desire to assist victims of domestic violence or those facing homelessness,” Ballinger wrote. “However, the (agreement with the city) calls for a UBI program; not a general charity program for Queer Works to administer at its choosing.”

What’s next: The City Council will review the new policies at its first meeting in September, aiming to prevent similar incidents in future collaborations with non-profit organizations.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

Driving the news: The Tahquitz River Estates Neighborhood Organization and Oswit Land Trust (OLT) are seeking a yet-to-be-determined amount of Measure J community project funding for their respective initiatives.

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IN OTHER NEWS

🔥 Smoke from the Nixon Fire, burning 45 miles southwest of Palm Springs, is visible throughout the Coachella Valley, triggering an advisory in our city and elsewhere. [Desert Sun]

🍻 There are more questions than answers behind the upcoming closure of Barracks Bar, a staple of the gay community that first opened in 1992. [KESQ]

🛋️ The 10th annual Palm Springs Modernism Fall Show is set to dazzle art enthusiasts and collectors with a diverse array of 20th-century design and contemporary art. [Palm Springs Post]

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Knit Together
1:30 p.m. | The Center
Come enjoy the social and fun space open to all levels of fiber enthusiasts. Do note, the group is a social club and not a class. Register online to participate.

Karaoke & Open Mic Night
6 p.m. | Play Lounge & Cafe
Come sing your heart out with $5 wines and $3 beer all night long! Bring your sheet music for the pianist if you prefer. 

PALS Circle
6 p.m. | Online
Hosted by Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors, this informal drop-in conversation is meant for connection, support, and friendship.

LOOKING AHEAD

• Summer Sunday: Weaving Patterns at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum on Sunday,
  
  
• The Great Catsby Book Club at Frisky Business on Aug. 8.
  
  
• SplashHouse on Aug. 9 to Aug. 11 and Aug. 16 to Aug. 18.
  
  
• PSUSD Diversity & Racial Equity Conferenceat the Palm Springs Convention Center on Sept. 7.
  
  
• Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs at Indian Canyons Golf Resort on Sept. 18.

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today we invite you to meet five-year-old Yadira. A female Dogo Argentino that staff at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter say has impeccable leash manners. 

• Yadira approaches interactions with other dogs selectively but has a friendly and gentle demeanor in interactions with staff and volunteers.

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here. And get a jump start on adoption by completing the form here.