Nov. 9 Daily Briefing: Pickleball project discussed, 911 service down, Escena subdivisions approved, and more

Happy Thursday! If you, like us, were startled by the public safety alert that came through on your phone last night, you’re not alone. Just like the last time this happened — during the weekend that we had a tropical storm pass through — 911 service is down throughout the Coachella Valley due to a carrier issue. While you can still make calls to the emergency number from a landline, cell phone users are out of luck. When this happens, Palm Springs police said you should use the backup number to report emergencies: 760-250-6268.

🎶 Setting the mood: “BREAK MY SOUL” by Beyoncé

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LEADING OFF

Pickleball players weigh in on initial designs for improved facilities

With a more extensive discussion about parks in Palm Springs looming in the future, a gathering Wednesday evening was designed to focus on pickleball — specifically, plans to expand and improve the city’s largest facility dedicated to the sport and its players.

Driving the news: Around 50 pickleball enthusiasts attended the first of two community meetings at Demuth Community Center Wednesday evening to discuss the city’s plans.

• Attendees were presented with two initial concepts for the expansion and asked to provide feedback on court layouts, amenities, and player rotation management.

Zoom in: One concept proposes doubling the number of courts from 12 to 24, while the other suggests 20 courts, preserving an existing adjacent tennis court. Both concepts include a larger “flex court” for ADA pickleball, tennis, and tournaments. 

What they’re saying: Attendees expressed a slight preference for the 24-court option and a desire to preserve existing trees and the tennis court. Suggestions for additional features included windscreens, a solid back wall for practice, bike racks, and shade over the courts.

Up next: The consulting firm Kimley-Horn, hired by the city in August, will use the feedback to revise the designs. Updated plans will be presented at a second community meeting in December.

• If all goes as planned, construction on the new courts will begin next summer and be completed by early 2025.

But wait: Parks and Recreation Director Yvonne Wise emphasized that while improving Demuth Park’s pickleball courts is a priority, the public will have opportunities to suggest additional locations for courts and other park improvements during the upcoming parks master plan process.

• That process kicked off recently with the City Council approving funds for a consultant to guide the process.

Dive deeper with our complete story.

BRIEFLY

📊 Council to vote on extending moratorium on new cannabis businesses

The Palm Springs City Council will meet in closed and regular sessions today. According to the agenda, they will vote tonight to extend the temporary moratorium on new cannabis business applications.

• At the last meeting, councilmembers voted to put in place the moratorium while they work with city staff to figure out new policy measures to help struggling cannabis businesses. 
  
  
• Also on the agenda this evening, the council will consider introducing an ordinance that would prohibit the illegal possession of catalytic converters and discuss the creation of commercial districts within the city.  
  
  
• Details: The regular meeting is open to the public in council chambers at City Hall. You can submit comments via an online public comment form, in person, or by calling the city clerk’s office at (760) 323-8204 at any time prior to the end of the public comment period. View the meeting live on the city’s website, YouTube or Spectrum channel 17.

🏠 Planning Commission signs off on Escena subdivisions

During Wednesday evening’s Planning Commission meeting, the four planning commissioners present voted unanimously to approve a tentative tract map to subdivide two separate parcels (discussed here and here) into 119 single-family residential lots.

• Several homeowners in the development spoke at the meeting. They asked for the commission to slow down on the approval and have a study session to look closer at the issue. 
  
  
• Bottom line: Commissioners did not approve the building of 119 new homes. They only approved the subdivision of parcels into single-family home lots.

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FEATURED EVENTS

City Council Meeting
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
On tonight’s agenda for the regular meeting, councilmembers will consider extending a temporary moratorium on new cannabis business applications.

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
The weekly street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. The Palm Springs Art Museum also has free admission tonight starting at 5 p.m.

Michael Orland Open-Mic
6 p.m. | Oscar’s
Join American Idol’s associate musical director, Michael Orland, for an open-mic night in the outdoor courtyard. ($20)

Machine Dreams: “Ghost in the Shell”
7 p.m. | Cultural Center
The Cultural Center continues its cinematic voyage into the world of artificial intelligence with 1995’s “Ghost in the Shell,” a Japanese animation where a cyborg federal agent trails a man who illegally hacks into the computerized minds of cyborg-human hybrids. ($12)

SAVE THE DATE

• Veterans Day Drive-Thru Appreciation Lunch on Friday at 1 p.m.
  
  
• Veterans Day Parade on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
  
  
• ONE-PS Lip Sync Battle on Sunday at 3 p.m.
  
  
• Jews do the Blues benefit concert on Nov. 15.
  
  
• Palm Springs Speaks series with Temple Grandin on Nov. 17.

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AND FINALLY …

The Palm Springs Police Department released details of its activity during last weekend’s Pride event, proclaiming it a “successful and secure” celebration.

Driving the news: Posting on social media, the department reported record attendance of 130,000 people — including an estimated 85,000 at Sunday’s parade — and only one misdemeanor arrest.

What they’re saying: “As an agency, the Palm Springs Police Department remains unwavering in its commitment to serving and safeguarding our diverse community, encompassing residents, employees, and visitors alike,” a department spokesperson wrote. “We understand the significance of maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Bottom line: While expressing “sincere appreciation to the vibrant community,” police gave credit to multiple neighboring law enforcement agencies, as well as the office of Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin.

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