May 10 Daily Briefing: Commission system reforms, Measure J monies, award for police program, and more

Happy Friday, everyone, and Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all who are celebrating. For those who have a difficult time around this holiday, our thoughts are with you and our hearts go out to you. It’s estimated that almost $32 billion will be spent in the US on moms this weekend. But from our experience, simply acknowledging your mom and spending some time with her — even by making a simple phone call — goes a long way. To all our readers who are moms, we appreciate you! 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Goodthing” by Bette Smith

LEADING OFF

City Council explores reforms to board and commission system

The Palm Springs City Council voted Thursday to clarify the roles and establish a code of conduct for members of its 14 boards and commissions that cover a wide range of topics and have been a source of confusion even among those serving on them.

Driving the news: During Thursday’s regular City Council meeting, councilmembers unanimously directed staff to explore making the city council’s code of conduct applicable to commissioners, assign council points of contact for each commission, and provide enhanced training for commissioners. 

• City staff will bring more specific proposals for implementing the commission system changes at a future council meeting.

Zoom in: With 14 boards and commissions, Palm Springs has more than almost any other valley city. Members that serve on them are appointed, not elected, and they make recommendations to the City Council, which eventually votes on policy matters. 

Yes, but: Over the years, the work of the board members and commissioners has evolved and roles and duties have become muddled. In some cases, the ordinances that spell out the commissions’ roles and responsibilities are outdated, and the commissions in their current state no longer align with the ordinance.

• Councilmember Christy Holstege, who requested the agenda item along with other councilmembers, said the current commission system is not working for commissioners, staff or the council.

Between the lines: The council may be taking a closer look at the many commissions and boards after recent issues reported by The Post, including an alleged violation of state voting rules by members of the Human Rights Commission to rescind a Community Service Award.

Why it matters: Every current councilmember has been a board or commission member, and current board members and commissioners could one day be councilmembers. 

• “When I was appointed as a commissioner … we got no training at all,” Holstege said. “We got no handbook; they just kind of put you up there, and you were a commissioner now.” 

The goal: During Thursday evening’s discussion, councilmembers described a feeling of separation between the boards and commissions and city council, saying they wanted to find a way to unify the city’s goals and better communicate those goals to the commissions. 

BRIEFLY

💰 Council approves reopening community-initiated project applications

The Palm Springs City Council voted Thursday to approve the recommendation from the Measure J Oversight Commission to reopen applications for community-initiated projects using $6 million of available Measure J funds.

• Measure J is a 1% sales tax approved by voters a decade ago and the money raised goes to a wide range of city projects including road repair but also smaller projects suggested by nonprofits, schools, or individuals.
  
  
• To ensure that projects both large and small are considered for funding, councilmembers decided not to limit the per project cost to $500,000.
  
  
• Measure J Commission Chair Naomi Soto told councilmembers that the $500,000 number was decided on to differentiate between smaller and easier community projects from ones that would be better suited for capital projects.

Up next: The application period reopens on June 3 and the deadline for applications will be Sept. 30. After that, commissioners will evaluate the projects and come back to council sometime in January.

---

YOUR WEEKEND

ALL WEEKEND

• Arthur Lyons Film Noir Film Festival at the Palm Springs Cultural Center all weekend.
  
  
• The Lincoln Debate at the Palm Springs Cultural Center all weekend.
  
  
• The Light in the Piazza at the Palm Canyon Theatre all weekend.

TODAY

• Marilyn Maye at the Purple Room at 6 p.m.
  
  
• Stage to Screen Dinner at PS Underground at 7 p.m.
  
  
• Celebrating 25 years of Tammie Brown at Oscar’s at 7 p.m.
  
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch Palm Springs at 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

• Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
  
  
• California Paws Rescue Adoption and Fundraising event at PetSmart Palm Springs at 9 a.m.
  
  
• Not Your Grandma’s Bingo at Chill Bar at 12:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

• Labor Pains Brunch at PS Underground at 11 a.m.
  
  
• Iconic Sundays Drag Brunch with Morgan McMichaels at One Eleven Bar at 12 p.m.
  
  
• Sunday Jams at Melvyn’s at 3:30 p.m.

---

AND FINALLY …

The Palm Springs Police Department’s “Do the Right Thing” program has been honored with the Community Delinquency Prevention Award by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDPC) Awards Committee, recognizing its profound impact on youth behavior and community engagement.

Driving the news: Since its introduction to Greater Palm Springs in April of last year, the “Do the Right Thing” program has nominated over 600 students for making socially responsible choices, with 63 receiving special commendations.

What they’re saying: “Do the Right Thing demonstrates that, given a little support, our kids can achieve the high goals that make Palm Springs an even more fabulous place to live, work, and play,” said Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein. They have demonstrated through their actions how each of us can rise to the challenge of making this a more just society.”

Looking ahead: The program is initiating a “Scholarship & Student Assistance” project on May 15, distributing $27,500 in scholarships to PSUSD graduating seniors and an additional $7,500 to students in financial need for essentials.