Dec. 20 Daily Briefing: City officials look back on 2023, advice for airport travel, our pet of the week, and more

Welcome to Wednesday, everyone, where, in case you haven’t heard, there’s a weather warning afoot. From late this evening or early Thursday morning until Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service is forecasting rain to hit the area, which has the potential to cause flooding. While we’re not going to have a white Christmas, you can expect temperatures to drop into the 60s in the Coachella Valley and snow to fall at around the 7,500-foot level. 

🎶 Setting the mood:  “It Never Rains in Southern California” by Albert Hammond

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2023 Year In Review

Leaders focused on fixes in 2023 while major storm showed all that’s right

As the year comes to a close, Palm Springs city leaders are reflecting on progress made on issues the community is most concerned with, including homelessness and housing affordability.

Looking back: City Manager Scott Stiles took office in March, becoming the fourth person to serve in the role in the past three years. He immediately set to work hiring a half-dozen senior team members. They tackled everything from the city’s finances to homelessness.

Zoom in: One of the most important hires was Dana MacAllister. As the city’s new building official, MacAllister helped oversee the implementation of a streamlined permit process that makes it easier to both construct new housing and make improvements to existing dwellings.

By the numbers: “When I got here we had 700 building permits backlogged,” Stiles said during a recent interview. “We got a chief building inspector hired, and now we’re down to 60. That backlog should be eliminated by the end of 2023.”

Yes, and: Stiles said the Palm Springs Police Department’s increased efforts to combat homelessness — through a pair of initiatives launched in 2023 — have led to concrete results that residents have noticed. 

Worth noting: Readers who responded to our survey said Tropical Storm Hilary was the biggest story of the year. Many praised city leaders, who jumped into action, filling sandbags and making preparations for flooding.

What to watch for: The year ended on a high note for one of the most pesky problems in the area: To address the frequent closures of North Indian Canyon Drive, the state approved $50 million in funding earlier this month for much-needed bridges and infrastructure to keep the road open during some extreme weather events.

Dive deeper with our full story online.

BRIEFLY

✈️ Airport braces for record holiday traffic

Officials at Palm Springs International Airport anticipate more than 40,000 passengers will travel through the airport from from Dec. 21 to 26. They are urging those passengers to plan ahead for record-breaking travel activity.

• Travelers are advised to arrive two hours before flights with checked luggage, 90 minutes with carry-on, and to expect peak security wait times between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
  
  
• Parking facilities are prepared for high demand, with the overflow lot available starting Tuesday. Passengers should consider alternative options such as taxis, ride-share services, or buses.
  
  
• What to watch for: We have some weather moving in starting today, and the possible rain and thunderstorms could affect holiday travel, so stay informed by using the airport’s website to check on flights.

🍿Over 1,000 students to attend film fest event

The Palm Springs International Film Festival is set to welcome 1,027 high school students from 15 regional schools for its Student Screening Day on Jan. 11 and 12, featuring educational film viewings and filmmaker discussions.

• The program aims to inspire the next generation of film industry professionals, as evidenced by former attendees who have become Youth Jury members, festival interns, staff, and have pursued careers in film and entertainment. 
  
  
• What to watch for: Notable attendees include Gabriel Gaurano and Meryland Gonzalez of “Team Meryland,” as well as key figures from “Going Varsity in Mariachi.”

FEATURED EVENTS

Morning Coffee Book Club
10:30 a.m. | Welwood Murray Library
This month, the book club discusses the Booker Prize-winning novel, “The Remains of the Day,” by Kazuo Ishiguro. To get on the email list and learn about next month’s books, click here. for next month’s meeting.

Chinese Mah Jong Open Play
2 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
Practice your Mah Jong skills against others. There will be one game set provided, but attendees are welcome to bring their own.

Best Bookstore Open House
5 p.m. until 8 p.m. | Best Bookstore in Palm Springs
Come meet Steven Rowley and Byron Lane, get your purchases wrapped, and enjoy weird British treats during this holiday open house at the bookstore!

Public Arts Commission Meeting
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
According to the agenda, commissioners will approve a mural application for a wall on North Palm Springs. They will also select a new mural for the airport, and continue the discussion on artist shade structures at public parks.

Airport Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall 
At this meeting, commissioners can expect to get an update on the ongoing Master Plan, concessions, and capital improvement programs. 

Holiday Oddities 2
7 p.m. | Cultural Center
Join local film archivists Melissa Dollman and Devin Orgeron of Palm Springs’ own Deserted Films for an evening of midcentury holiday-themed film artifacts from decades past. ($10)

SAVE THE DATE

• “Die Hard” at the Cultural Center on Dec. 24.
  
  
• Rock the Park: Tribute to Tina Turner at the Downtown Park on Jan. 3.
  
  
• Palm Springs International Film Festival Jan. 4 through 15.
  
  
• Mini Masterpieces Show at Desert Art Center Jan. 6.
  
  
• Agua Caliente Lecture Series at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum on Jan. 17

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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 Basil, a two-year-old female cat available for adoption at the Frisky Business Cat Cafe.

• Frisky Business owner Claire Rogers says Basil loves to lounge in the sun and cuddle.

If you’re interested: You can visit Frisky Business at Rimrock Plaza (also where Von’s is located) at 4781 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite F. Look for the cafe’s current hours here.

All cats available at Frisky Business come from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. They are spayed or neutered and can be adopted while you sip a delicious beverage or enjoy a tasty treat.