[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6226924,"mediaKeyId","3498377-3ca24e1e266c7d069add697acbfefaf2","parentId",3498377,"title","City manager given discretion to help move reproductive materials after downtown bombing; council seeks more details","audioSeconds",1390,"startMs",9802000,"endMs",11192000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3498377-3ca24e1e266c7d069add697acbfefaf2&start=9802&end=11192","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3498377-3ca24e1e266c7d069add697acbfefaf2/thumbnail_9802000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6226924/Palm-Springs/Riverside-County/California/City-manager-given-discretion-to-help-move-reproductive-materials-after-downtown-bombing-council-seeks-more-details","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226924-077400b3c417f89153f71a67795167c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141209&Signature=jN~J5tPxtSsWJ~O0WAU3ryVv5xlKsVZ252IKp8miPQwDwPMSJZsXZqxWuRyXbF4VBMgCtSNJXkKlJWpEdPq~FxASi1zNH4LCVPXYotC9ZrJvlx9iN6DSUfWpLWffDByf-85QvxjkpBl0Xe1rEEQoy55sdan3JsHWEsIHohbeQR3lHW8T4-cyn~L6HWduFEORC93fPlsC1BoN7wshuqGCjuSg3Jk-pRtjn32jsQ8R2Fe2xbxmyCNtvDZ5fkW-miaiNgPcbWyYTNaBBRrtJxiC2hlO6aXXNH~Uk0hVLzUH8kLGoB7iknFs927ePgyLSwCnoaegfiQfel2npwrLG6YSYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Palm Springs CA","date","2025-05-24T22:19:53.83Z","article","City officials on May 22 directed the city manager to exercise discretion to assist American Reproductive Centers (ARC) in the immediate relocation and safeguarding of reproductive materials after the clinic was impacted by a downtown bombing.

City Manager Scott Stiles told the council staff had learned there might be urgent needs to move embryos and other reproductive material while federal investigators process the crime scene. “We want to make sure that we're able to respond quickly and fast,” Stiles said, asking council members for authority to work with ARC and other agencies if the clinic needs emergency assistance.

Mayor Pro Tem and other council members described the situation as urgent: ARC representatives told the council they had identified temporary clinical space — including a leased area at El Mirador — but required rapid work to make the space suitable for laboratory-grade storage and transfer. Commissioned estimates shared with the council included roughly $39,000 for flooring and approximately $18,000 for painting to prepare the temporary site; ARC said it also requires specialized, certified transport services for reproductive material.

Council members and staff stressed two parallel priorities: ensure the reproductive materials are moved without delay and coordinate closely with FBI investigators and public-safety staff so relocation does not interfere with the active crime‑scene investigation. Police and city staff said they would reach out to federal investigators to confirm schedules and the FBI’s needs for evidence preservation.

The council did not appropriate a specific funding amount during the May 22 session. Instead, members agreed the city manager should have the authority to act immediately to facilitate any urgent, limited actions required to secure and move the materials and to provide logistical support. City Attorney’s office noted that Palm Springs, as a charter city, is not constrained by the state constitution’s gift-of-public-funds language in the same way some non‑charter cities are; councilmembers nonetheless discussed options that might include short-term grants, loans or other supports that preserve equity across impacted businesses.

Stiles said staff would contact ARC in the morning to identify the most urgent needs and report back to the council. The mayor and council members emphasized the need for speed: “We don't want to be caught coming into this weekend and trying to figure out how to respond if there was some response needed from the city,” Stiles said.

What’s next: City staff will coordinate with ARC, the police department and federal investigators to determine whether the clinic’s materials must be relocated before any demolition or further crime‑scene activity. Staff will notify council members of urgent needs and report recommendations and cost estimates for any city assistance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special Joint Meeting with Measure \"J\" Oversight Commission | May 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a May 22 briefing on the bombing that damaged several downtown businesses, council members authorized the city manager to work with American Reproductive Centers to ensure embryonic material can be moved safely; staff will seek details on immediate costs and coordination with investigators.","taxTitle","Palm Springs, Riverside County, California","taxId",55405,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226930,"City manager outlines $492 million biennial draft budget; warns of operating deficits and contingency steps",2983,4322000,7305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3498377-3ca24e1e266c7d069add697acbfefaf2&start=4322&end=7305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3498377-3ca24e1e266c7d069add697acbfefaf2/thumbnail_4322000.jpg","/articles/6226930/Palm-Springs/Riverside-County/California/City-manager-outlines-492-million-biennial-draft-budget-warns-of-operating-deficits-and-contingency-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226930-784c8310624cee13d244c446febf07a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141209&Signature=Iq-wDymLW2y5LwB4m7zriWEJYamdrG2gcH4I7FF6EtQ2eb2oTmAV-wGISbThGv0AN8GbdhDbupjAdTUIODe26mXC40PDUH~Y5JPX6snl1OuBvT1soAy~vQ08EyR~q3Aq9kLUkrtSAmedTbkVUiMuuuy2v~ETt8s4DheqzK0vucmjkIbATE3j8u0HeoGqJ3NcLEP0a2NK0W6XJaCU~i2HdrpfZD~2pQWfdCVQVeQHxkaT-NadukvWG3dkzOTc5xVtquHHcll17gf2kYnER2HjJMPi0myhSRV-QNAOKq2QiZ7E363wYIAUFi6NhRyn5OKGK3emhCfYS4VYwO7ySmvBBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Scott Stiles and Finance Director Chris Mooney presented the City of Palm Springs’ first draft biennial budget for fiscal years 2026–27 at a May 22 study session, showing $492 million in total recommended all-funds spending for FY26 and $472 million for FY27.

Stiles described the budget as “advancing in uncertain times” and said staff would use conservative revenue assumptions while continuing to prioritize public safety, economic development and infrastructure.

The draft general-fund operating budget is $173 million for FY26 and $184 million for FY27. Mooney said the plan uses one-time funding sources to move forward on strategic projects but cautioned that the operating picture requires action: “We’re facing a $1,000,000 deficit in fiscal year ’26 and a nearly $10,000,000 deficit in fiscal year ’27,” he said.

Public-safety investments are a prominent theme. The draft adds three police officer positions in FY26 to support traffic enforcement and special events, and three firefighter-EMT positions to complete a four-person staffing plan for front-line engines. Stiles outlined other public-safety items including funding for a firearms training facility estimated at $3 million and the purchase of two fire pumpers at roughly $1.2 million each.

Major capital and project proposals in the draft budget include design funding for a convention-center renovation and connectors to downtown, continued Measure J–funded street maintenance, and $42.5 million budgeted to advance library renovation work. The budget also shows an anticipated one-time payment to CalPERS of about $28.5 million (subject to timing), a move staff said will reduce the city’s annual pension costs in later years.

Stiles flagged the navigation center as a cost driver: state and county grant funds supporting that operation will expire in May 2026, and the budget as presented assumes the general fund will absorb continuing operations without additional outside funding. “Once our state and county grant funding runs out in May 2026, the city will be responsible for more than $5,000,000 in annual operations and maintenance costs at the navigation center,” Stiles said.

On staffing and vacancies, staff reported roughly 50 funded but vacant positions across departments. Mooney said the budget includes approximately $5 million in vacancy savings and that the administration intends to place a soft hiring freeze on non‑sworn general fund positions while reviewing which vacancies are critical to fill.

The presentation also reviewed capital projects and deferred maintenance across the city, including bridge projects, park improvements at DeMuth Park, and a proposed $7 million Measure J renovation for the Swim Center building to add ADA access and interior upgrades. Councilmembers asked for further specificity on costs and timelines for the swim center, the library renovation, and pavilion repairs.

Airport and enterprise funds received a separate briefing. The airport’s draft budget reflects rising passenger traffic since 2019 and includes several large capital projects, including a baggage-handling system and terminal restroom upgrades funded partly with federal grants and airport passenger facility charges. Airport staff requested six additional positions in FY26 to support operations and maintenance as the facility grows.

Stiles closed the general-fund presentation with a clear warning to the council: if revenue does not grow as staff has conservatively modeled, “a hard hiring freeze and other cost cutting measures may need to be considered” this fall. He also asked the council for direction as staff takes the draft to the June hearings for final appropriation.

Next steps: staff will return with the full 260‑page budget document and additional project detail at the June 11 meeting. Councilmembers asked staff for written follow-up on specific lines of inquiry, including CalPERS calculations, the library funding plan and variance details on parks maintenance and vehicle replacement.","City Manager Scott Stiles and Finance Director Chris Mooney presented a biennial draft budget May 22 that includes $492 million in all-funds spending for FY26, proposes public-safety hires and construction design work but projects a $1 million operating shortfall in FY26 and a larger FY27 gap without corrective action.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226935,"Measure J oversight panel recommends $5.99 million in community projects; council accepts budget recommendation",5976,2233000,8209000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3498377-3ca24e1e266c7d069add697acbfefaf2&start=2233&end=8209","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3498377-3ca24e1e266c7d069add697acbfefaf2/thumbnail_2233000.jpg","/articles/6226935/Palm-Springs/Riverside-County/California/Measure-J-oversight-panel-recommends-599-million-in-community-projects-council-accepts-budget-recommendation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226935-0f3f379826560d78c40135fc8d58ca48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141209&Signature=RjjeB6ot8voPShhLgkxkG9yVnCa2OoNK7V1WYx3GAtf-6CpxL5NPpITWqxT7mPsREc~B879uf9ohRESwh-ZlH-6Fae--xpYoUY-qr-3f2MmT3me1xbdY2sgFm-7X3W~H37XcIypoH37UzLDrojn9w3oIUBklnlTJTzVgiOq4r5Xcb6eWlNxxE932gJOuvohH9oJWXJFF2WcNNHc2ZK1NMkIaiww3BEBwt6gZSDJrimRZ2vJ0CUi44gZJL1nWhdI2jvn~w0oxovbVEcVmPYPBNrD7Qzjh~Pb1xd-cRelzXBrceJL00rVSsQLrGoo56SvS0T9SQOJAoUBlUr1r3h6FIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Measure J Oversight Commission on May 22 recommended a budget for fiscal years 2025–27 and forwarded 21 community-initiated project applications totaling about $5,990,000 to the City Council for final approval.

The recommendation came after nine months of applications and reviews and a commission meeting that lasted more than three hours, chair Peter Sipkins told the joint meeting of the Palm Springs City Council and the Measure J Oversight Commission.

“The commissioners unanimously voted to recommend the Measure J budget for the next two fiscal years as prepared and presented,” Sipkins said. He told the council the commission received 52 applications this cycle seeking about $18.5 million, far exceeding the available funds.

Commission and staff presentations described a two-year Measure J spending plan that aims to maintain street maintenance funding, support design work for major city projects and continue community grants. The commission recommended $8.5 million for street maintenance in FY26 and $9.5 million in FY27; it also recommended design funding for the convention center and Fire Station No. 1 and set aside $1 million for community-initiated projects in FY26 and $2 million in FY27.

Director of Finance Chris Mooney described the Measure J revenue picture as conservative and tied the recommended line items to that outlook. “Measure J is a 1% local tax…$21,800,000 is projection for sales tax fiscal year ’26,” Mooney said during his presentation. He warned the recommended FY26 budget would produce a deficit on paper because of major one-time design and planning expenditures tied to citywide projects and debt service.

The commission also proposed a $50,000 allocation for communications to help the public see Measure J projects at work and to attribute completed projects to the tax revenue.

Several community applicants spoke during public testimony before the joint presentation. Representatives of Desert Performs outlined plans to renovate the midcentury First Church of Christ Scientist, designed in 1957 by Chambers and Frey, into a 131-seat Desert Playhouse and said they were requesting $250,000 in Measure J grant funds for accessibility upgrades, electrical improvements and site work. Michael Shaw, founding artistic director of Desert Performs, said the group purchased the building in December 2024 and that the project would preserve the structure’s midcentury character while converting it to a performance venue.

The commission also recommended funding for a Filipino-American mural at DeMuth (sometimes spelled Demuth) Park and a DeMuth Park dog-park expansion, among other neighborhood and cultural projects. Speakers representing Filipino community groups emphasized the mural’s cultural and historical value to veterans, healthcare workers and long-standing Filipino families in the Veterans Tract neighborhood.

Not every project was recommended. Commissioners said they intentionally selected a mix of grants and city-managed projects, preferring some applications because they required less city staff time to implement or scored higher against the ordinance’s criteria. The commission will forward the recommended projects and the budget to the council for appropriation as part of the city’s June budget hearings.

Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein moved to accept the commission’s report and recommendation; Mayor Pro Tem seconded and the council voted to accept the recommendation.

The oversight commission’s chair and staff repeatedly urged better liaison structures between the council and the Measure J commission to align recommendations with council priorities going forward, noting the commission often had to “guess” council intent.

What’s next: The council will consider Measure J appropriations as part of the city’s overall budget adoption process in June. Staff flagged that several recommended community projects will require additional vetting, agreements and, where applicable, reimbursement-style grant contracts or city-conducted project delivery.","The Measure J Oversight Commission recommended 21 community-initiated projects and a two-year Measure J budget that sets aside $1 million for community projects in FY26 and $2 million in FY27; the City Council accepted the commission’s recommendation during a joint study session May 22.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City manager given discretion to help move reproductive materials after downtown bombing; council seeks more details

City manager outlines $492 million biennial draft budget; warns of operating deficits and contingency steps

Measure J oversight panel recommends $5.99 million in community projects; council accepts budget recommendation