Dec. 13 Daily Briefing: New councilmembers, mayor in place, drive-thru discussion coming, and more

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🎶 Setting the mood: “Default” by Django Django

LEADING OFF

New mayor appointed, councilmembers seated during ceremony

Ron deHarte was sworn in as the new mayor of Palm Springs Thursday evening, reflecting the city’s diversity with a Hispanic majority on the City Council for the first time. 

Driving the news: Joining deHarte on the dais, along with Councilmember Grace Garner and Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein — who deHarte replaced in the mayor’s role — were newly elected councilmembers Naomi Soto and David Ready, replacing outgoing members Christy Holstege and Lisa Middleton.

What they’re saying: During remarks following his swearing in, deHarte called for reassessing the city’s numerous ongoing projects and initiatives, emphasizing priorities of quality of life, economic development, and becoming a “we can” city.

• He stressed focusing on homelessness, crime reduction, and housing issues, and announced plans for a Mayor’s Council for Economic Development and establishing a green energy zone.

Looking back: In their remarks, Holstege and Middleton reflected on the city’s progress during their two terms.

• Holstege highlighted investments in homeless services and affordable housing, while Middleton noted significant increases in the city’s budget, reserves, and public safety funding.

What we’re watching: As the new council takes the helm, all eyes will be on how they prioritize and manage the city’s extensive project list, address pressing social issues, and work towards economic development, all while maintaining the unique character and appeal of Palm Springs.

Dive deeper with our complete story and pictures

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BRIEFLY

🚗 Drive-thru moratorium floated during council meeting

One day after the city’s Planning Commission postponed its decision on a proposed Chick-fil-A restaurant in the city, Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein called for a discussion about implementing a moratorium on new drive-thrus in the city.

• Speaking at the end of a largely ceremonial city council meeting Thursday, Bernstein asked that an urgent agenda item be added to the council’s next meeting, slated for Jan. 9, 2025. The request to discuss the issue was approved by a majority of the council.
  
  
• “I don’t want to necessarily get rid of them,” Bernstein said. “But we’re relying on very old information in terms of traffic, in terms of our climate action plan and our sustainability. “We’ve had three in the last two years, and more coming up, and I think we just need to revisit this.”
  
  
• At issue: Traffic generated by drive-thrus was a primary concern of the Planning Commission as it debated the Chick-fil-A proposal Wednesday evening. Ultimately, it tabled a decision in order to gather more information about its impact on traffic.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS/TIMES

• A Very Merry-lyn Christmas at the Downtown Park all weekend.
  
  
• “The 39 Steps” at CV Repertory all weekend. ($55)
  
  
• Home for the Holidays at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on Saturday and Sunday. ($25)

TODAY

• Small Wonder holiday art exhibition at Janssen Artspace at 5 p.m.
  
  
• TGIF Trivia at Play Lounge & Café at 6:30 p.m.
  
  
• Christmas Movie in the Park at Sunrise Park at 7 p.m.
  
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch Palm Springs at 7:30 p.m. ($5)
  
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at 8 p.m. ($15)

SATURDAY

• Holiday Paw Parade & Pet Costume Contest at Victoria Park at 8 a.m. ($18 to enter)
  
  
• Certified Farmers’ Market at the Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
  
  
• Friends of the Library Holiday Bazaar at the Palm Springs Public Library at 10 a.m.
  
  
• National Wreaths Across America Day at the Desert Memorial Park Cemetery at 12 p.m.
  
  
• CK Dance: The Nutcracker at Annenberg Theater at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. ($30)

SUNDAY

• Family + December at the Palm Springs Art Museum at 12 p.m.
  
  
• Mid Mod Holiday Open House and Toy Drive at Destination PSP at 3 p.m.
  
  
• Tinsel Times Carolers in downtown along Palm Canyon Drive at 5 p.m.

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AND FINALLY …

If you’re wondering why there were thousands of people walking through the streets of Palm Springs early Thursday morning, you weren’t alone.

Driving the news: Every year, thousands of local Catholics take part in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrimage. The walk starts in Palm Springs in the morning, and ends 30 miles at the other end of the valley in Coachella.

Here’s why: Similar pilgrimages take place all over the country and in Mexico to honor the feast day of Mexico’s patron saint, Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

By the numbers: The pilgrimage took about 13 hours and ended at the Valley Missionary Program in Coachella.