The Rancho Mirage City Council on May 1 adopted a resolution supporting Eisenhower Medical Center’s legal action challenging the Desert Healthcare District’s validation proceeding related to a tenant lease.

City Attorney Colin Kirkpatrick presented the resolution at the mayor’s request; the resolution expresses the city’s opposition to aspects of the Desert Healthcare District action, specifically concerns raised by council members about a lease provision described in public comment as a restrictive non‑compete clause that could limit grant and service distribution under district authority.

Councilmember Downs explained he had requested the item be placed on the agenda to raise questions about the non‑compete language and the district’s use of taxpayer funds and to give the council an opportunity to formally register concern. He argued the Desert Healthcare District is funded in part by property tax revenues that should not be routed by contractual restriction to a single operator. Several council members expressed similar concerns.

A resident speaker said he supported the city’s position but opposed the use of a resolution; other public comments addressed broader views of the Desert Healthcare District. Councilmember Downs moved adoption of the resolution in support of Eisenhower’s opposition; the council voted 5‑0 to adopt the resolution. The closed‑session legal action later in the meeting was recorded as a potential litigation matter and council returned from closed session with no reportable action.

The resolution is administrative and represents the city’s policy position; it does not itself change the pending court process but was described by the city attorney as an expression of support for Eisenhower’s legal challenge.