Seniors urge city review of Joslyn Center oversight after executive director firing

Several Jocelyn Center members addressed the Palm Desert City Council during non‑agenda public comment on Oct. 23 urging city review of the Cove Community Senior Association’s governance after the board removed the center’s executive director.

Speakers’ concerns: Jana Korchinski told the council members and staff that seniors who attend the Jocelyn Center were told the city manager said the Cove board “had no way no say in how the money allocated to the sender is spent.” She and other speakers described efforts to seek information about the director’s firing and said they were told by the board to leave when they asked questions. Korchinski said rumors that the board had hired security for meetings raised alarm among members. She said center members have lost confidence in the board and planned to circulate a petition of no confidence.

Additional public comments: Suzanne Conner echoed Korchinski’s remarks and asked for greater transparency, including notice of board meetings and the ability for members to speak. Conner urged that two active Joslyn Center members be voting members of the board and that board members be required to reside within the three cities that fund the center. She also asked that, if the board replaces the director, active center members participate in the hiring committee.

What the city said: Council members and staff took public comment but did not take action at the meeting because the item was not agendized. The mayor reminded speakers that Brown Act rules limit responses to non‑agenda items, and that the council cannot respond substantively during public comment.

Next steps requested by speakers: The group asked the council to review the structure and oversight of the Cove Community Senior Association, to confirm rules on allowable uses of city funds (stating city funds should be used for programs, not legal expenses), and to consider including Jocelyn Center members in board governance.