Dec. 10 Daily Briefing: New mayor coming, what’s on tap at council meeting, neighborhood awards, and more

Welcome to Wednesday! If you’ve ever found yourself in need of a courthouse law library — which provides specialized legal materials like statutes, case law, and court forms to help people research legal issues and navigate the court system — you’re now in luck: There’s one right here in Palm Springs at the courthouse, located at 3255 E Tahquitz Canyon Way. Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the new Riverside County Law Library branch offers free access to legal databases, public computers, and monthly “Lawyer in the Library” consultations with volunteer attorneys. Call 760-848-7151 for more information, and watch for a grand opening celebration of sorts in January!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Give Me The Night” by George Benson

LEADING OFF

Those who know her say Soto will bring spreadsheets, strategy, community focus to mayor’s role

Palm Springs will swear in Naomi Soto as its second Latina mayor this evening, bringing nearly 20 years of public health expertise and community advocacy experience to the city’s top ceremonial position.

Zoom in: Soto, 40, has served as District 4 councilmember and mayor pro tem since December 2024. She is a daughter of Peruvian immigrants, mother of two young children, and a self-described spreadsheet enthusiast known for her focus on execution and accountability.

• She will replace Ron deHarte, who made history last year when he became the city’s first openly gay Mexican American mayor.

Why it matters: Family and friends say Soto’s leadership style emphasizes transparency, ethical governance and competence over politics — qualities that will shape how the city responds to issues throughout the year and sets the tone for council meetings.

Looking back: After graduating from George Washington University with a degree in English and journalism, Soto moved to the Coachella Valley in 2011 to join the California Health Corps, placing health professionals in schools to enhance health education.

• She later worked at The California Endowment building healthy communities in the eastern valley and served as director of programs for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, leading asthma intervention programs in more than 5,000 schools across the Midwest.
• Most recently, she became executive director of Californians for the Advancement of Midwifery.

Tested in crisis: Soto represented the city at a national press conference the day after the bombing of a local fertility clinic, demonstrating her ability to keep residents calm and reassured during times of crisis.

Her priorities: Soto has shown an interest in upgrading and maintaining parks and libraries to serve diverse populations, strengthening community connections through inclusive public spaces like the farmers market, addressing housing issues across all income levels, and establishing clear standards for crisis communication.

What to expect: According to her sister, Soto is highly organized, goal-oriented and never promises things that aren’t feasible. She ensures all decisions consider young parents, working-class families and residents of all generations and backgrounds.

Dive deeper with Maggie Miles’s complete story and pictures of Soto from the past year

BRIEFLY

📦 Tribe warehouse project, parks projects, golf fees on council agenda tonight

• The Palm Springs City Council will meet in closed and regular sessions tonight, with a warehouse project likely dominating discussion. A special ceremony will seat a new mayor and mayor pro tem before the regular meeting. 
  
• The the Desert Mountain View Business Park includes four buildings and 2.85 million square feet of space on tribal-owned land west of Tipton Road. Though the council has no authority to approve or deny it, they will discuss an analysis and conformity report for the project. Councilmembers will also consider multiple park improvements and discuss what to do about a planned resident golf fee increase at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort.
  
• Details: The regular meeting is open to the public in Council Chambers at City Hall. You can see the agenda here, but note that it’s subject to change. Residents can submit comments via an online form and view the meeting live on YouTube.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

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

Water Aerobics
10 a.m. | Palm Springs Swim Center
Get some low-impact exercise at the swim center every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday with instructor Donna Newton! ($5)

Sustainability Subcommittee on Climate Action
1 p.m. | City Hall
According to the agenda, committee members will discuss a new greenhouse gas emissions report from the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, and updates to the forthcoming heat and shade study.

Chinese Mah Jong Open Play
2 p.m. | Mizell Center
Practice your skills and play with others. This is a free library program, you do not have to be a member of Mizell Center to attend.

Desert Winds Freedom Band Holiday Concert
4 p.m. | Downtown
Come celebrate the holidays with the Desert Winds Freedom Band, a non-profit community ensemble based in Palm Springs. The concert is free and open to the public. 

Palm Springs City Council
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The city council meets this evening in a closed and open session. Check out the agenda here. 

Stewardship: Dedication to Conservation
6 p.m. | Agua Caliente Cultural Museum 
Learn more about the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians conservation efforts, including efforts to protect animals like the Peninsular bighorn sheep and its conservation of wildlands. ($15)

Plaid Tidings
7 p.m. | Revolution Stage Company
A Christmas musical revue featuring a quartet singing holiday favorites and getting into hi-jinx. ($43)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Fundraiser for Shop with a Cop at Palm Springs Tennis Club on Friday.
  
• Psychedelic Society documentary “Last Journey” on Saturday.
  
• Palm Springs Police Department Blood Drive on Dec. 16.
  
• Palm Springs Speaks with Rob Reiner on Dec. 16.
  
• Jews Do The Blues on Dec. 17.
  
• Palm Springs Santa Pub Crawl on Dec. 18.
  
• Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus food drive outside The Plaza Theatre Dec. 19-21

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) held its inaugural Neighborhoods of Distinction Awards on Tuesday, honoring residents and communities making exceptional contributions across the city’s 52 official neighborhoods.

Driving the news: NBC Palm Springs’ Fred Roggin emceed the ceremony at the Police Training Center, where Board Chair Chris Ruetz presented trophies and certificates recognizing achievements ranging from pedestrian safety improvements to gang prevention efforts.

• The event, held during ONE-PS’s December membership meeting, is planned as an annual tradition.

The big winner: The Baristo neighborhood received the Neighborhood of Distinction award for securing pedestrian safety improvements along the El Segundo corridor — including a reduced speed limit, lighted crosswalk, and additional crossing zones — and for reviving National Night Out celebrations that honor first responders.

Individual honorees: Brian Ramos of the Little Beverly Hills neighborhood was recognized for community transformation, including launching “The Enchanted” newsletter and co-organizing a successful Modernism tour fundraiser. 

• Peter Sipkins of Melody Ranch earned honors for decades of civic leadership, including chairing the Measure J commission that awarded approximately $6 million in community projects last fiscal year.
  
• Ken Alexander from Upper West Side received recognition for gang prevention work with middle school youth, while Robert Silberstein of Andreas Hills was honored for comprehensive neighborhood safety improvements and partnerships with law enforcement.

Read about all the winners in our complete story