City Council hopefuls discuss affordable housing, public safety, economic development at forum

Five candidates vying for the Palm Springs City Council District 4 seat, and one running unopposed for the District 5 seat, shared their visions for addressing key issues facing the city during a forum Saturday hosted by Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS).

The District 4 candidates – Joe Jackson, David Rios, Ernest Ceceña, Anna Nevenic, and Naomi Soto – discussed affordable housing, public safety, economic development, and other pressing concerns during the two-hour event held at Demuth Community Center.

Questions were gathered during the past several weeks from members of the community and offered live by some of the roughly six dozen people who attended.

Jackson emphasized the need for improved recreational facilities and workforce housing for middle-income earners.

“It can be better for families who want improved recreational facilities at our parks,” he said in response to one question. “It can be better for school teachers and hospital workers, mid-level earners who are looking for workforce housing.”

Rios highlighted his endorsement from first responders and experience in real estate and small business.

“I have the honor and privilege to announce that I am the only candidate that’s been endorsed by the union of first responders, police department, fire department and city employees, along with 251 small businesses,” Rios said.

Ceceña stressed his financial oversight skills and commitment to preventing losses in grant fund management, saying, “It’s these financial oversight skills that I possess that I feel are crucial on city council at this very moment.”

Nevenic emphasized her healthcare background and volunteer work in the community, noting, “I probably gave 2,000 hours in volunteering over 24 years.”

Soto highlighted her experience on the Measure J Commission and endorsements from labor unions.

“I just finished serving six years,” she told the standing-room only crowd packed into a hot auxiliary room at the community center. “It was an incredible learning experience, during which, in over six years, I oversaw $120 million of infrastructure spending.”

On affordable housing, candidates agreed on the need for creative solutions. Jackson suggested exploring public-private partnerships, while Rios proposed analyzing budgets to find cost savings. Ceceña called for exploring different options and reaching out to experts.

Soto emphasized the importance of making incentives stronger for developers.

“We want developers to come to our city and know that this is a place where, if they’re willing to work with staff, it’s not a hard regulatory and permitting process,” she said.

Public safety was another key topic. Rios stressed the importance of providing tools to citizens and police to keep the community safe.

“My number one goal here is to keep you guys safe,” he said. “You guys moved here for a lifestyle of Palm Springs. I’m going to keep that.”

Candidates also addressed economic development beyond the downtown core. Jackson called for filling empty storefronts in neighborhood centers, while Nevenic suggested attracting tech industry jobs to diversify the economy.

“What I would recommend for those huge buildings that are vacant is to make them attractive for industry from the Silicon Valley to have a small pilot program here,” she said.

The candidates also discussed water conservation, noise issues from events, and the proposed airport expansion. On the airport expansion, concerns were raised about potential impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.

Soto emphasized the need for community input.

“I think it’s absolutely crucial that we listen to community members so that the plans that happen with the city are in line with the neighborhoods that are going to be impacted,” she said.

Prior to the District 4 moderated session, David Ready, a former city manager running alone in District 5, also had a chance to speak to the audience. He will be replacing outgoing Councilmember Lisa Middleton, who is running for the State Senate in District 19.

The District 4 winner will replace outgoing Councilmember Christy Holstege, who is not seeking re-election and is instead running for a seat in Sacramento in Assembly District 47.

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