June 11 Daily Briefing: Update on corruption case, meeting ends abruptly, heat warning, and more

Happy Tuesday! We’ve received a few inquiries lately asking what’s happening in the court case involving corruption accusations against a former city mayor and developers, especially given that the last report we had said a trial for the mayor (Steve Pougnet) and one of the developers (John Wessman) was starting in May. The trial didn’t happen, but here’s the latest we know: 

• Sentencing for developer Richard Meany, who pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor related to the case, is scheduled for Nov. 11.
  
  
• The next hearing for Pougnet is scheduled for Sept. 23. At that hearing, a judge could decide if the defendants in this case will be tried separately and if certain out-of-court statements can be used as evidence.
  
  
• A jury trial for Wessman is also scheduled to start on Sept. 23, but could always be delayed.

If you are interested in following along, the case number is RIF1700618, and you can look it up by going to this website and clicking on “Search by Case Number.”

LEADING OFF

Facing potential suspension, HRC abruptly adjourns Monday meeting

With a decision over its future looming Thursday, the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission (HRC) met for just 15 minutes Monday evening before quickly and unceremoniously adjourning for what could be the last time.

Zoom in: Vice Chair David Vignolo’s reasoning for making the motion to adjourn was simple: “I don’t see a point in having this meeting given that the council will be taking up a resolution to suspend this commission for an undetermined period of time,” he said. “Quite frankly, what is the point of us doing anything this evening?”

At issue: During the Palm Springs City Council meeting on May 23, Councilmember Christy Holstege asked city staff to put on an upcoming agenda a resolution that would suspend the Human Rights Commission “until we can do a session with the City Council and the Human Rights Commission to provide policy direction.”

• Last week, during a council session to consider appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions, Holstege unsuccessfully tried to place HRC Chair Hugo Loyola’s reappointment on hold until the matter was resolved.

How we got here: When requesting a discussion of the hiatus, Holstege referenced a Feb. 13 story by The Post detailing what allegedly happened behind closed doors when some members of the HRC elected to rescind a Community Service Award that the entire commission had earlier approved awarding.

• Following the report, the HRC agreed to reevaluate how it hands out awards and disband its executive committee.

Dive deeper: Holstege was also concerned with the role and scope of the HRC. Having served on the HRC before being elected to the council, she highlighted a significant mismatch between the commission’s activities and its intended purpose.

What could happen: During the May 23 discussion over the commission’s future, the council considered a “rebrand or rethinking” of the commission, suggesting that it could merge with other task forces or be re-established as a social justice body.

• The hiatus is currently listed on the consent agenda of Thursday’s council meeting.

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IN OTHER NEWS

💥 A man died Sunday night after he lost control of his SUV and it overturned on Highway 111 near Windy Point in Palm Springs. [KESQ]

🏗️ In large warehouse news, approval of a plan to build 1.84 million square feet of warehouse space in Riverside will be on a public agency’s agenda Wednesday night. [Press-Enterprise]

🏘️ Up in Joshua Tree, the real estate market has slowed considerably as property owners are getting off the ‘Airbnb bandwagon’ they climbed aboard during the pandemic. [SF Gate]

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

PSUSD Board of Education Meeting
6 p.m. | PSUSD Headquarters
Check out the agenda online for the topics board members will be discussing during tonight’s regular meeting. 

Movies in the Park: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
This week’s free screening, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” has been moved from the Downtown Park to inside the Palm Springs Cultural Center due to extreme heat.

Palm Springs Power Baseball Game
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Stadium
Tonight is $3 beer night at the Palm Springs stadium and the Palm Springs American Legion Riders will have motorcycles on display throughout the game. Tickets can be purchased at the stadium.

Open Mic Night
7:30 p.m. | Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Comedians, musicians, poets, and artists are all invited to a night of creative expression at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club.

SAVE THE DATE

• Juneteenth Celebration at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center on June 15.
  
  
• Palm Springs International ShortFest from June 18 -24.
  
  
• Rock the City free concert at Downtown Park on June 19.
  
  
• Palm Springs Equality Wine & Food Fest at Margaritaville Resort on June 29.
  
  
• Palm Springs All American 4th of July at Sunrise Park on July 4.
  
  
• ONE-PS Lip-Sync Battle at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on July 7.

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AND FINALLY …

With temperatures set to remain in the triple digits for the foreseeable future, the Palm Springs Animal Shelter is sending out a friendly reminder to keep your pets in mind during these hot months.

Driving the news: The shelter warned pet owners about the dangers of leaving pets in hot cars where the temperature can become dangerous in just minutes. Plus, it’s also illegal to leave pets in cars in the city.

In addition: Also a good reminder, your pets’ paws can be burned and damaged in seconds when the asphalt or sidewalk gets too hot. If the air temperature is in just the high 80s, the sidewalk can get hotter than 143°, and it only gets hotter the more air temperature climbs.

How to help: A good rule of thumb to protect those paws is to test the surface’s temperature with the back of your hand for seven seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog!

Instead: Take your dog for a walk in the early morning, in the shade, or on grass. Or try out some of those dog booties (if your dog can tolerate them). 

Finally: Most dogs aren’t built for our weather, and some can even develop sunburns on their nose or other parts of their bodies. Dogs don’t have sweat glands, and dissipate heat by panting or through their feet, so be sure to always have water handy if you’re out and about with your pup.

• Check out other ideas to keep cool from the American Kennel Club.