Sept. 27 Daily Briefing: Hopeful news for closed portion of Indian Canyon, decision delayed on license plate readers, and more

Happy hump day, where we have a happy update about the closure of a portion of Indian Canyon Drive that has been shut down for more than a month since Tropical Storm Hilary swept through the region. We had heard rumblings that it could partially reopen much sooner than expected, and last night city staff confirmed that could happen as early as the first week of October. Speaking at the regular Palm Springs City Council meeting, staff made no guarantees, but said crews hope to get at least one lane open in each direction to ensure emergency vehicles could get from Desert Hot Springs to Desert Regional Medical Center. Fingers crossed!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Golden Hour” by Kacey Musgraves

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LEADING OFF

Decision on license plate readers pushed back

An anticipated Palm Springs City Council vote on the use of license plate reading technology in the community was postponed Tuesday evening after council members wanted more public input. 

First things first: The council was slated to vote on a request by the Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) to purchase 15 license plate readers (LPR) that would be permanently mounted at the city’s entrances and exits.

By the numbers: Funding for the cameras, estimated at $50,000, would come from the department’s technology budget, which the council previously approved. 

How it works: The cameras, made by Flock Safety, record more than just license plates but also a vehicle’s color and other features, alerting authorities when vehicles involved in suspected crimes or carrying suspected criminals have entered their community.

Yes, but: About half of the dozen public commenters at Tuesday’s meeting were there to oppose the cameras. Several speakers drove in from nearby area cities that have already installed the cameras, warning about the potential for governmental overreach, data leaks, and invasion of privacy.

What they’re saying: Chief of Police Andy Mills said that he too was concerned with civil liberties, privacy, and government surveillance, “But I believe we have a robust policy that we have taken great pains to make sure it’s as tight as we can possibly make it.”

• Mills said that state law prevents the LPR data from being shared outside of California law enforcement and that the system will only be used by a select few trained users, and it logs who accesses the data and when to prevent misuse of the data.

Driving the news: Councilmember Christy Holstege suggested postponing a vote on the cameras to the next council meeting to allow for more discussion, research, and public input. 

• Holstege said she’s not opposed to the cameras, but she wants to ensure they are thorough in their discussion and consider their use. 

What to watch for: Mayor pro tem Jeffrey Bernstein and Mayor Grace Garner agreed that the camera decision should be postponed until the next city council meeting, scheduled for Oct. 12.

Dive deeper with our full story here.

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BRIEFLY

🌮 Parklets could become more permanent

• Palm Springs City Councilmembers Tuesday evening requested a resolution from city staff that would make outdoor dining parklets more permanent.
  
  
  • Without a resolution to extend the use of the parklets, the current nine parklets would have to cease operation at the end of this year. 
• Restaurant owners who use parklets support the measure, and councilmembers broadly support their continuation. Councilmember Lisa Middleton went a step further, requesting a future study looking into removing a lane of traffic or parking on Palm Canyon Drive.
  
  
  • “The idea would be extending the width of the sidewalks on either side of Palm Canyon very specifically to be able to allow the kind of café dining that is so common in Europe,” she said. 
• Looking ahead: City staff said they would return with a resolution at the Oct. 26 city council meeting.

🖋️ Another contract with Martha’s approved

• At the City Council meeting Tuesday evening, councilmembers voted to approve a new contract with Martha’s Village and Kitchen to incorporate recent changes in the planned homeless navigation center’s design and operations.
  
  
• The agreement would see the nonprofit handling off-site intake operations at the city’s access center and overnight sleeping accommodations at a planned early entry facility at the navigation center off McCarthy Road. The agreement covers 60 staff, including 22 security guards at three locations, kitchen staff, case managers, program staff nurses, and more.
  
  
• Looking ahead: City staff said the navigation center is scheduled to be completed by July of next year, with some parts opening as early as February.

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TODAY’S EVENTS

The Mod Squad Variety Show
5 p.m. | The Palm Springs Cultural Center
Enjoy an evening of live music at the valley’s “Happiest happy hour!” Featuring unique arrangements of midcentury pop music, Rat Pack-era tunes, and classic oldies. ($10)

The Center Social
5:30 p.m. | Reforma Palm Springs
The monthly social event from the Center will foster connection and community all with a tasty happy hour.

Inland Empire Hispanic Small Business Directory & Marketplace
5:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
Visit Greater Palm Springs partnered with Caravanserai Project to support a cohort of Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs from the Coachella Valley with businesses in the tourism and hospitality eco-system. RSVP online before attending.

Palm Springs Planning Commission
5:30 p.m. | In-person and online
During tonight’s regular meeting, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a conditional use permit for cannabis cultivation and manufacturing, among other items. Check out the rest of the agenda online here.

Heartstrings: A Tribute to Tony Bennett
7 p.m. | PS Underground
This special evening will celebrate the career of the legendary Tony Bennet with music and a four-course menu. ($150)

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SAVE THE DATE

• PSUSD Diversity and Racial Equity Conference on Sept. 30 at Palm Springs Convention Center.
  
  
• Boo2Bullying Wellness Festival on Sept. 30 at Sunrise Park
  
  
• Coachella Valley Filipino Festival on Oct. 8 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
  
  
• Evening Under The Stars benefitting AAP – Food Samaritans on Oct. 14 ($200)
  
  
• Center Stage 2023, benefitting The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, on Oct. 20. ($350)
  

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community.

Today we invite you to meet Diesel, a two-year-old male Shepherd mix who’s been at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter since February. Staff say Diesel is good with the other dogs he’s met so far, walks well on a leash, and knows sit. 

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Tuesdays (open for intake and clinic only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here. And get a jump start on adoption by completing the form here.