July 10 Daily Briefing: Encampment regulations, ‘Pacaso’ homes, palm tree trimming, and more

Welcome to Wednesday! Last night’s Palm Springs City Council meeting proved once again that sometimes city leaders save the best for last. During the final moments of an exceptionally busy meeting, a large cockroach caused a stir among councilmembers Garner, Holstege, and Middleton, even crawling on Garner’s leg (yikes!). Moments later, Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein was seen leaping from his chair as the unwelcome visitor entered his space. Showing he truly is a man of action, Bernstein took off one of his dress shoes and — WHAM! — solved the problem. We’re hoping animal activists give the mayor a break on this one.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Make Your Own Kind Of Music” by Cass Elliot

LEADING OFF

Council passes homeless encampment ordinance with conditional enforcement

The Palm Springs City Council approved an ordinance to enforce new rules on homeless encampments, with specific conditions emphasizing the availability of shelter beds. The vote was met with mixed reactions from council members and the public during Tuesday’s meeting.

Driving the news: Council members voted 3-1 — with one abstention — to approve the new ordinance which makes it illegal to set up encampments or sleep on public property in the city. Enforcement of some parts of the ordinance hinges on shelter availability, exempting situations where no beds are available.

Dive deeper: The ordinance will be enforced, regardless of shelter availability, if an unhoused person is in a waterway, within two blocks of a school or shelter, discharging waste, or causing or threatening harm.

Behind the vote: Despite the overarching aim to not criminalize homelessness—stressed by City Attorney Jeffrey Ballinger — the ordinance is designed to help manage public spaces and assist “recalcitrant” individuals refusing available services, according to Police Chief Andy Mills.

• Opposition, led by Councilmember Grace Garner, argues that it sends a negative message to those most in need.

Looking ahead: The enforcement of the newly passed ordinance will commence either 30 days post-second reading or with the operational kickoff of the city’s navigation center’s second phase, pending which event occurs later.

Dive deeper with Kendall Balchan’s complete story here.

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BRIEFLY

💰 Voters to decide on extending sales tax indefinitely

The Palm Springs City Council unanimously voted to place a measure on the November 2024 ballot to remove the sunset clause from the city’s Measure J sales tax. If approved by voters, the 1% sales tax would continue indefinitely instead of expiring in 2037.

• Measure J provides over 10% of the city’s general fund revenue, generating approximately $20 million annually. Since 2011, it has raised over $180 million for major projects including downtown revitalization, street maintenance, and public safety upgrades.
  
  
• City officials plan to issue bonds for upcoming projects, such as the new library and fire station, using future Measure J revenues to pay off the debt. The measure requires majority approval from voters to pass and would take effect April 1, 2025, if approved.
  
  
• During deliberations Tuesday, council members emphasized broad community support for extending Measure J, including from business groups, public safety unions, and neighborhood organizations. An independent commission oversees spending, with expenses subject to annual audits.

Dive deeper with our complete story.

🏡 Council greenlights regulated co-ownership housing model

The Palm Springs City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday to approve a new ordinance regulating co-owned housing units, allowing up to 30 such properties citywide.

• The ordinance establishes strict regulations, mirroring the city’s vacation rental restrictions, for co-owned housing units, including Pacaso properties, which were previously considered illegal timeshares in residential zones. Five existing Picasso properties will be grandfathered in but subject to the new regulations.
  
  
• The decision came after lengthy debate over concerns about affordable housing and neighborhood impacts. Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein and Councilmember Grace Garner voted against the measure, with Bernstein noting that “The only support I’ve heard for this is from 12 owners who sent in letters, and people who work for Pacaso themselves.”
  
  
• The ordinance only allows co-owned units in homes priced at least twice the median home price, aiming to protect affordable housing.

What’s next: The city attorney will now research and provide recommendations on handling multiple violations before the second reading of the ordinance. The council will also consider clarifying language around permit revocations and enforcement measures.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

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

Jazz in the Pines
5 p.m. | Idyllwild Arts Academy
Idyllwild Arts Academy’s annual fundraiser takes place through July 13. For a complete schedule of performances, turn here.

Planning Commission
7 p.m. | City Hall
The Palm Springs Planning Commission meets tonight. According to the agenda, commissioners will consider a request for approval of development plans related to 40 new single-family homes within the Escena Development.

Airport Commission
5:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Airport Conference Room
Commissioners will discuss the airport’s taxiway rehabilitation project, the baggage handling system, and more according to the agenda.

2024 Summer Cabaret Series: Deven Green and Handsome Ned
7 p.m. | CV Rep Theatre
Embark on a musical journey like no other as the award-winning duo, Deven Green and Handsome Ned, take the stage! It’s a world where music meets laughter and the vintage vibes of the past blend seamlessly with voice, guitar and ukulele. ($50)

Palm Springs Power baseball game
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Stadium
Tonight, the Power host Palm Springs Library Night during the game. Library cardholders get free admission to the game and the Friends of the Palm Springs Library will have a book sale table on site as well.

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AND FINALLY …

Palm Springs leaders are weighing changes to the city’s palm tree trimming policy to address safety concerns while preserving the city’s iconic look. The proposed revisions would allow for the removal of large skirts on most California Fan Palms in public areas.

Driving the news: On Tuesday, the City Council postponed a vote on the new policy, opting to seek additional public input before making a decision.

Why it matters: Recent storm events and incidents, including injuries to a 2-month-old child, have highlighted risks posed by palm trees in their natural state.

Zoom in: If adopted, nearly 4,000 trees in the city would be affected by the new policy. 

• Most California Fan Palms and Mexican Fan Palms in public rights-of-way would have dry fronds removed and trunks skinned.
  
  
• 140 trees in Downtown Park would remain untouched to preserve their natural appearance.
  
  
• The city would also avoid trimming during peak nesting season from April 15 to June 30 annually.

What’s next: Implementation would occur in phases over four years, starting with the most populated areas.

Dive deeper with our complete story.