Aug. 20 Daily Briefing: Vacation rental rule changes, LGBTQ+ film fest, The Center honors, and more

Welcome to Wednesday, where we’re sending congratulations to one of Palm Springs City Hall’s favorite folks — Jasmine Sullivan-Waits — who stepped down as the city’s special events director (think parades, VillageFest, etc.) earlier this month and yesterday was appointed the new executive director at Palm Springs Pride. We had been meaning to catch up with her since hearing about her departure last month, and we still plan to (stay tuned for that), but time got the best of us. For now, we didn’t want the news to go by without noting it and offering our congrats!  

🎶 Setting the mood: “Cool for the Summer” by Demi Lovato (Plastic Plates Remix)

LEADING OFF

Board set to advance vacation rental ordinance changes to City Council

Palm Springs city staff outlined progress on strengthening vacation rental regulations during an Administrative Appeals Board meeting, addressing enforcement gaps that may allow violations to go undetected. The recommendations will advance to City Council this fall as part of proposed ordinance amendments.

Driving the news: Staff revealed that required disclosure documents for vacation rental regulations may not be reaching all real estate transactions as intended, despite a June 2022 administrative regulation directing their inclusion in residential closing documents.

• Officials acknowledged uncertainty about whether realtors are consistently following the disclosure requirements, particularly those from outside the Palm Springs area.

The challenge: Current outreach efforts include quarterly Zoom stakeholder meetings that typically draw around 30 attendees; however, board members have noted the need to expand beyond the current email list to reach a broader audience of real estate professionals.

What’s coming: Senate Bill 346, currently moving its way through the state legislature, is expected to give local agencies more authority to require online platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to provide specific property information, including addresses and registration status.

Also worth noting: The city is considering requiring business licenses for vacation rental property management companies as part of the application process, though they currently don’t verify whether property managers hold required licenses.

• “I think that’s good direction as far as how we can kind of help us enforce more towards an agency compared to just all on to the individual owner themselves,” said Patrick Clifford, a city compliance official.

What’s next: The recommendations will be included in a staff report to City Council this fall, with the next Administrative Appeals Board meeting scheduled for Sept. 17.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🎬 Cinema Diverse LGBTQ+ film festival returns for 18th year

Cinema Diverse, the city’s annual LGBTQ+ film festival, will return for its 18th edition with screenings scheduled for Sept. 18 through 21 and Sept. 25 through 28.

• The festival opens Thursday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. with “Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day,” a historical drama set in 1950s communist Yugoslavia that was Croatia’s entry for Best International Feature Film at this year’s Academy Awards.
  
• “LGBTQ+ filmmakers have been quite prolific recently, which is no surprise, given the political climate,” said Michael Green, Cinema Diverse festival director and executive director of the Palm Springs Cultural Center. There’s a lot going on and a lot of stories to be told.”
  
• Need to know: Individual tickets for the opening night film cost $14, while all access passes are $179 and six-pack passes are $79, with tickets and passes now available for purchase online.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Sunshine Sisters Breakfast
8 a.m. | Rick’s Restaurant
Start the day with other Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters with breakfast and conversation.

Parent Support Group
10 a.m. | Leisure Center
This is a group for parents of all stages, designed to foster relationships. Join us for a drop in visit or ongoing sessions.

Morning Coffee Book Club
10:30 a.m. | Welwood Murray Memorial Library
Members will discuss “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” by Erika L. Sánchez, next month they’re reading “The Vaster Wilds” by Lauren Groff. Join the book club by signing up here.

Johnny Marfa and The Lights
7 p.m. | Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
With storytelling at its core and hooks that hit like a desert storm, this band channels the spirit of old highway ballads and neon-lit dreams, blending heartland grit with cinematic flair. Whether you’re chasing ghosts, chasing love, or just chasing that next great night out, Johnny Marfa and the Lights will meet you in the glow. ($22)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Rise & Shine Clean Up Palm Springs at Downtown Park on Saturday 
  
• Fix-it Clinic at Mizell Center on Saturday
  
• Desert Film Society Screening on Saturday at Camelot Theatres
  
• Desert Highland Park Playground Replacement Meeting on Aug. 26
  
• Musical Matinees: Hair at Palm Springs Cultural Center on Aug. 31
  
• CV Lip Sync Battle on Sept. 6
  
• Junior Ranger Expo at Indian Canyons on Oct. 11

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert has announced the local honorees who will be recognized at the upcoming Center Stage gala.

Driving the news: The Oct. 17 event at the Palm Springs Air Museum will honor Jeff Weyant and Marty Massiello with the Legacy Award, recognizing their significant contributions to building The Center’s presence in the Eastern Coachella Valley.

What they’re saying: “[Weyant and Massiello] generously helped us secure a physical space in downtown Coachella, underwrote our internship program to develop young, new leaders, and are supporting the continued expansion of The Center’s Eastern Coachella Valley programs,” said The Center’s CEO Mike Thompson.

Why it matters: The Center Coachella has more than doubled its community interactions in the past year, providing crucial support and programming for LGBTQ+ youth and families in the Eastern Coachella Valley.

What else: Palm Springs Chief of Police Andy Mills and his wife, Cathy Mills, will serve as honorary co-chairs. James Lindquist, The Center’s chief development officer, said the pair are committed to fostering a safer, more inclusive community.

Details: Learn more about the event on The Center’s website.