Dec. 5 Daily Briefing: Council steps in on street issue, police perform parole sweep, swim center meeting planned, and more

Welcome to Tuesday, everyone. With temperatures starting to drop, the city wants to remind you that if you’re cold there are places you can go (at least during the day). Three warming centers are open in Palm Springs: Monday through Friday at Demuth Community Center and the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, and Monday through Saturday at the city’s main library. More details on exact hours are available here. The centers are part of a network operated throughout Riverside County. Find a complete map of them here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “My Love Mine All Mine” by Mitski

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LEADING OFF

Process begins to permanently close part of road that contains ‘Marilyn’ statue

In a 4-1 vote, the Palm Springs City Council elected Monday to begin the process of permanently closing the portion of Museum Way on which the “Forever Marilyn” statue currently stands.

Driving the news: After two hours of public comment and deliberation, councilmembers decided to amend the Downtown Specific Plan, adopted in 2016, to allow for the street’s closure. 

• The action was not a vote in favor or against the statue itself but about whether the street should be permanently closed and whether city officials or voters should make that decision.  

At issue: A lawsuit making its way through the courts, filed by the Committee to Relocate Marilyn (CReMa), maintains the city acted illegally when authorizing a three-year temporary closure that expires in 2024.  

• However, a group of business leaders that brought the statue back to the city in 2021 successfully qualified a ballot measure that would force a public vote on permanently closing the street that houses the statue.

Why it matters: Monday’s decision makes the ballot measure unnecessary, possibly saving the city between $35,000 and $100,000, depending on when it was put before voters. It also might lead to the end of the lawsuit, which is estimated to have cost the city and plaintiffs $500,000 to date.

• Mayor Grace Garner was the lone no vote, expressing her desire to let voters decide the issue instead of the Council.

Bigger picture: The street closure is not the only issue involving the statue. Opponents of its location maintain it blocks views of the Palm Springs Art Museum, designated as a Class 1 city building. Others claim the statue is both crass and misogynistic.

• “To be clear, we do not object to Marilyn herself,” said Peter Moruzzi, a local historian and preservationist. “… Overall, the Palm Springs Art Museum is too important historically, architecturally, and culturally to be concealed by an enormous statue.”

Yes but: Backers of the statue in its current location say it needs to be visible from Palm Canyon Drive to attract visitors toward the museum.

• “She is the catalyst,” said Hilton Palm Springs General Manager Aftab Dada of the 26-foot-tall likeness of actress Marilyn Monroe. “She is the draw.”

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

BRIEFLY

🚨 PSPD operation nets several arrests and drug confiscation

The Palm Springs Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) and K-9 officers recently conducted a parole sweep in Palm Springs and Cathedral City, leading to several arrests and the recovery of drugs and ammunition.

• The operation, conducted last week, lead to five felony arrests and the recovery of 10 grams of suspected fentanyl powder, over 100 fentanyl pills, and ammunition.
  
  
• Bottom line: “We are proud of the SEU team’s hard work and dedication,” PSPD staff wrote online. “Their efforts not only make our cities safer but also demonstrate our department’s commitment to Exemplary Service.”

🏆 Colman Domingo to receive Spotlight Award

Actor Colman Domingo will be awarded the Spotlight Award in the Actor category for his portrayal of civil rights pioneer Bayard Rustin in the film “Rustin,” it was announced Monday.

• The film captures the life of the activist who played a pivotal role in the 1963 March on Washington. The cast also includes Jeffrey Wright and Chris Rock.
  
• Over Domingo’s 30-year career, the actor has won an Emmy Award for “Euphoria,” and appeared in “If Beale Street Could Talk” and “Selma.” He will also be appearing in the upcoming movie musical, “The Color Purple.”
  
• Details: The film festival runs Jan. 4 through Jan. 15. Complete details, including ticket options, can be found here.

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FEATURED EVENTS

Cribbage
1 p.m. | Play Lounge PS
Bring friends and family to play cribbage at the Play Lounge & Cafe. 

The Roundtable: HIV/AIDS survivors
4 p.m. | Zoom
A weekly discussion group for long-term HIV/AIDS survivors in the Coachella Valley. 

Swim Center Community Meeting
5 p.m. | Sunrise Park Leisure Center
The design team invites the public to learn more about the improvements coming to the Palm Springs Swim Center.

Historic Site Preservation Board
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
According to the agenda, the board will decide whether or not a building on Arenas Road should be designated a Class 2 Historic Resource and discuss an ADU addition to a home in the Twin Palms Estate neighborhood. 

Author Talk: Wade Rouse
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
Author Wade Rouse will discuss his latest Viola Shipman book, “The Wishing Bridge.”

A Holiday Evening with John Lloyd Young
7 p.m. | Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs
Broadway leading man John Lloyd Young presents an intimate concert featuring classics “Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” as well as holiday favorites. ($40)

SAVE THE DATE

• Meet Charles Phoenix at the First Wednesday Art Walk on Wednesday.
  
  
• Rock the Park: Chicago Experience on Wednesday at Downtown Park.
  
  
• American Legion toy giveaway starting on Thursday.
  
  
• Friends of the Palm Springs Library Holiday Bazaar on Saturday.
  
  
• Palm Springs Animal Shelter Tail-A-Thon on Dec. 14.
  
  
• Ed Begley, Jr. book signing (rescheduled) on Dec. 17.

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AND FINALLY …

All year, frustrated swimmers have been raising concerns about the state of the Palm Springs Swim Center. Now, residents are invited to a community meeting to learn more about the ongoing project to improve the facility.

Driving the news: As a part of the Parks and Recreation Commission’s effort to hear from residents, its members are hosting a meeting tonight where the community can visit with the project design team and provide input on its work so far.

Looking back: At the most recent Commission meeting, Parks Director Yvonne Wise gave a small update on the improvements. 

• According to Wise,  the city has hired two new lifeguards and is in the recruitment process for more. She added that maintenance is working on servicing the pool heaters and has replaced showerheads.

Details: The meeting starts at 5 p.m. this evening at the Sunrise Park Leisure Center, 401 South Pavilion Way, in the dance studio.