One PS - October 2023 Meeting

Vista Las Palmas Neighbors Foundation One PS Meeting

ONE-PS October 2023 Meeting

Greetings neighbors,

The ONE-PS meeting was held Tuesday afternoon, October 10th in person at the Palm Springs Police Training Center. Your neighborhood representatives from Vista Las Palmas were present virtually.

ONE-PS Chair Peter Sipkins The ONE-PS Board recently had a mini retreat to discuss changes in management and the organization of ONE-PS. Sock collection for homeless is next month.

Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey Bernstein – Indian Canyon is now open from Vista Chino to I-10. The state will reimburse the City for work done on getting the interim roadway (2 lanes only) open. Next month we expect to hear from the State that funding has been approved to build a bridge over the Indian Trail wash. This will mitigate road closures in the future. They are also working on funding bridges over the Vista Chino and Gene Autry washes.

Airport traffic is expected to double in the next 20 years. The City is working on a revised Master Plan to address the various options to accommodate growth. The historic Wexler building will be kept in some manor. Meanwhile, 80 new charging vehicles are slated for the Airport. Similarly, the Convention Center needs to be upgraded. In order to attract and retain convention attendees. The City is looking into options. Attendees want easily assessable connections to Downtown and its various venues.

A sidewalk vending ordinance takes effect shortly. Stricter controls are in place. Working with street vendors to educate them about the new changes.

A new art project has been approved for Tahquitz Canyon called “The Pillars”. Each of six planned pillars will represent a principle the guide the city: creativity, equality, serenity, diversity, civility and community. No installation date was given.

City recently filed state required housing plan. The 2021 – 2029 plan calls for an additional 2,500 homes to be built within the next six years. Thus far, 500 housing units have been built. The City is looking at options to meet the State’s requirement for the remaining 2,000 housing units.

Martha’s Kitchen granted contract to operate Navigation Center. Early entry access which will have 50 beds expected around June/July 2024. Expected to fully open in November with 90 apartments.

The Parklet agreement ended this year. Many businesses hesitant to make improvements/upgrades due to uncertainty of the ordnance. Presently there are 8 parklets in the City. Expect more information in the future.

City Manager Scott Stiles – Kudos to public works department for getting Indian Trail opened so quickly. City trying to balance funding needs against long term capital project needs like Library remodel, a new Fire Station #1, Airport expansion, Convention Center upgrades, Park and Rec maintenance and improvements. Not only has construction costs increased since the pandemic, but so has the cost of borrowing money. Expect this to be challenging.

Emergency Management – October is Emergency Preparedness Month. Classes are full. 57 people signed up for training right after Tropical Storm Hilary. Working on future classes.

Sustainability & DWA – Desert Water Agency has just started a toilet rebate program. ($150/toilet). They have a tool to show the water efficiency of various toilets by manufacturer and model. Please check it out: https://programs.dwa.org/rebate/residential_toilet/

Special Presentations – The Palm Springs Art Museum gave a presentation. They have over 16,000 items in its collection. Every Thursday from 5pm – 8pm is free, courtesy of the City. Furthermore, the third Sunday of each month has free family activities. The Albert Frey Alluminaire House is expected to be reassembled next to the museum by early 2024. This is a major acquisition for the museum which helps cement Palm Spring’s prominence as a major architectural mecca.

Office of Neighborhoods, Manager Denise Goolsby – To get on Denise’s mailing list, please reach out to her directly at denise.goolsby@palmspringsca.gov .

 Gustav Swanson and Steve Orr