November 15 Daily Briefing: Section 14 agreement, COD groundbreaking, drone initiative, and more

TGIF, everyone, where we’re ready for some rest! It has been a busy news week, culminating Thursday with an approved settlement for members of the Section 14 Survivors organization and a ground breaking for the College of the Desert campus in Palm Springs that was 20 years in the making. We’re delighted to see two huge stories that we’ve reported on for years now taking steps in the right direction. Still, it’s only a start. City and college officials now must follow through on promises, and we’ll be here to make sure they do.

🎶 Setting the mood: “That’s All” by Ben Webster

LEADING OFF

Council approves roughly $6 million settlement for Section 14 group

The Palm Springs City Council unanimously approved a $5.91 million settlement for former residents and descendants of Section 14 Thursday evening, addressing historical injustices from the 1950s and 1960s. The settlement includes direct financial compensation and support for memorial efforts.

Driving the news: The council’s decision, made after 90 minutes of public testimony from members of the Section 14 Survivors organization, aims to resolve claims filed against the city and avoid potential lengthy and costly litigation.

• The settlement is based on an estimated value of $30,000 per home for 197 non-abandoned residences that city employees reportedly helped raze.

Why it matters: The agreement acknowledges the city’s moral obligation to compensate for the destruction of personal property by city employees during forced evictions.

• Public testimony highlighted generational trauma and economic impact on Section 14 families.

The big picture: The settlement package includes additional initiatives to promote healing and address ongoing disparities in the Palm Springs community.

• $20 million in existing city funds will be allocated over 10 years for affordable housing programs, including first-time homebuyer assistance.
  
  
• A $1 million small business program to support marginalized entrepreneurs will be carried out over five years.

What’s next: The council also agreed to explore a day of remembrance for the events that played out in Section 14. It also agreed to consider a peer review of the historical report that was the basis of its settlement offer after some councilmembers expressed concerns about the settlement process and accuracy of historical data.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🚁 Police department exploring drone first responder program

The Palm Springs Police Department is considering implementing a Drone First Responder (DFR) program that would deploy drones to emergency calls before officers arrive, potentially improving response times to under three minutes.

• The drones would be remotely operated by FAA-certified pilots from a real-time operations center and would cost an estimated $111,000 for three drones and docking stations, including three years of software support.
  
  
• Similar programs in Elk Grove and Chula Vista have shown reduced need for officer dispatches, with Chula Vista avoiding police car dispatch in 2,772 out of 10,970 drone responses.
  
  
• Yes, but: Despite potential benefits, some residents at a public presentation Wednesday evening expressed concerns about privacy implications and potential misuse of drone technology.

Dive deeper with our full story

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YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS/TIMES

• Hillary and Clinton at Palm Springs Woman’s Club ($57- $66)
  
  
• Mid-Century Moderns at Revolution Stage Company ($44- $59)
  
  
• Next to Normal at Coachella Valley Repertory ($90)
  
  
• LOOT at Palm Springs Cultural Center ($40)
  
  
• La Cage Aux Folles at Palm Canyon Theatre ($17-$38)
  
  
• Desert Air at Palm Springs Air Museum ($99- $385)

TODAY

• Friends Book Club at Palm Springs Public Library Learning Center at 2 p.m.
  
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at Hotel Zoso at 8 p.m. ($15)
  
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch Palm Springs at 7:30 p.m. ($5)

SATURDAY

• Tahquitz Creek Cleanupat Tahquitz Creek Foot Bridge at 8 a.m.
  
  
• Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market at Palm Springs Cultural Center from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
  
  
• Palm Springs Pickleball Tournament at Demuth Park Pickleball Courts at 8:30 a.m. ($50- $100)
  
  
• Native Plant Community Celebration at Desert Wildlife Center from 8:30 a.m. until 12 p.m.
  
  
• Kewet Native American Learning Day and Market at PSHS from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
  
  
• Desert Film Society Screenings at Camelot Theatre at 10 a.m. ($15)
  
  
• Tahquitz River Estates Neighborhood Annual Meeting at Villa Royale at 10 a.m.
  
  
• 11 Artists on 111 at Kee Gallery at 5 p.m.
  
  
• “Studio One, Forever” at The Church of St Paul in the Desert at 6:30 p.m. (Free)
  
  
• When the Band Played On: A conversation with Michael G. Lee and Hank Planteat Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($27- $53)

SUNDAY

• Public Unveiling: Artist John Cerney’s “Neighbors” in the Sunny Dunes neighborhood at 11 a.m.
  
  
• Family+ November at Palm Springs Art Museum at 12 p.m.
  
  
• Iced Tea Danceat Toucan’s Tiki Lounge at 1 p.m. (Free)
  
  
• Sunday T-Dance at Oscar’s at 4 p.m. ($10 after the first hour)

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AND FINALLY …

College of the Desert has broken ground on its new Palm Springs campus, set to open in fall 2027. The facility will offer programs in hospitality, culinary arts, digital media, architecture, and healthcare, aiming to boost local education and economy.

Driving the news: Voters first began approving hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for the campus and other COD projects 20 years ago. On Thursday, officials from the college, the city, and elsewhere finally placed ceremonial shovels in the ground, signifying the start of construction.

• Initially slated for construction on 118 acres in the north end of town, the satellite campus will now be built on 29 acres at the intersection of East Tahquitz Canyon Way and South Farrell Drive that formerly contained Palm Springs Mall. 

What they’re saying: “Today, we make Palm Springs a college town,” said Laura Hope, COD’s interim superintendent/president. “Having a campus in Palm Springs will allow us to connect even more students with our courses, our certificates, our degrees.”

Dive deeper with our complete story