City Hall ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

Sidewalk vending ordinance passes final reading; critics call the rules hostile toward immigrants, possibly illegal

By Kendall Balchan ● City Hall ● September 14, 2023

Regulations adopted Thursday evening effectively ban street food vendors in the busiest areas of downtown during certain times. Critics say the rules are discriminatory and harm immigrant business owners.

Latest in City Hall

Three city properties recommended for historic recognition following Preservation Board meeting

By Kendall Balchan ● Land Use & Development ● September 6, 2023

Two single-family homes are being considered for Class 1 designation and a 30-unit condominium complex is up for historic district designation. The issue will next go before the Palm Springs City Council.

Councilmember floats idea of downtown ambassador program modeled after those in place in larger cities

By Kendall Balchan ● City Hall ● August 15, 2023

An exploratory committee that would include business representatives, the police department, and various Palm Springs departments with downtown responsibilities could be the next step.

Palm Springs delegation headed to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico for second sister city signing ceremony next week

By Post Staff ● Community ● July 27, 2023

Palm Springs previously had sister city relationships with Victoria, B.C., Canada, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Nikki, Japan, in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Hoping for more public input, City Council pushes out decision on food truck ordinance revisions

By Kendall Balchan ● City Hall ● July 24, 2023

Councilmember Lisa Middleton was the sole vote against continuing to work on the revisions, warning, ‘I think we will pay a price for this.’

Affordable housing development receives additional city funding; on track to open by end of year

By Mark Talkington ● City Hall ● July 24, 2023

The Monarch Apartments are 70% complete, but developers are running into an issue faced by many others both during and after the pandemic: A dramatic increase in the cost of materials.

Sustainability Commission hopes changes to turf rebate program will encourage more participation

By Kendall Balchan ● City Hall ● July 18, 2023

At the end of last month, the City Council approved $1.15 million in matching funds to Desert Water Agency’s turf conversion, or grass removal, program as a part of the new city budget.

Millions more in city taxes will be dedicated to affordable housing efforts following Council vote

By Kendall Balchan ● City Hall ● July 12, 2023

While no specific uses for the funds are currently up for discussion, they could be used for anything from rehabilitating existing affordable housing units to purchasing land for future developments.

Westminster champion adds a new title to his pedigree — honorary mayor of Palm Springs

By Post Staff ● City Hall ● July 10, 2023

As the city’s first ever canine mayor Buddy Holly will serve as an ambassador for the city while also educating residents and visitors about his special breed.

City Council approves another $5 million for homeless navigation center in northern part of Palm Springs

By Kendall Balchan ● Homelessness ● June 29, 2023

Some residents who attended a meeting Thursday evening spoke out against the approval of more money for the project, saying the city was breaking promises.

City budgets approved Thursday evening show continued growth in some, but not all taxes; expect increased spending on parks and recreation

By Mark Talkington ● City Hall ● June 29, 2023

The city continues to see growth in property and utility user taxes, while transient occupancy taxes (TOT) are expected to take a slight dip in the coming year, as are taxes from cannabis sales.

Would city voters back call to make Measure J tax permanent? Officials think question is worth exploring

By Kendall Balchan ● City Hall ● June 20, 2023

Measure J sunsets in 2037, but Councilmember Lisa Middleton thinks voters will eventually support the tax at the ballot box again — this time voting to make it permanent.