Staff gave a multi-part director's report on Oct. 27 outlining personnel updates, program highlights and the status of capital and maintenance projects.

Hires and recruitment: Staff announced two recent additions to the Parks and Recreation team: TJ Peterson (described as holding a degree in liberal arts from UC Riverside and joining the swim-center team) and Jose Correa (named as the new special events manager with roughly 13 years of recreation experience). Staff also reported active recruitment for two direct-program-assistant positions (one at the leisure center and one at J OJ), a lifeguard position (selection underway), and a maintenance mechanic position being filled via internal promotion.

Programs and attendance: Staff highlighted recent and upcoming programs: a preschool trip to a farm, a bike-repair workshop and youth participation in the Palm Springs High School homecoming parade. The skate-park program served about 1,900 visitors over the summer. The "floating pumpkin patch" on Oct. 18 drew roughly 150 attendees, and staff previewed upcoming Village Fest Halloween activities, a Halloween carnival and the Nov. 11 Veterans Day parade.

Maintenance and capital projects: Staff reported work on a range of projects:
- Community Park playground: Groundbreaking held Sept. 25; demolition and site fencing are underway and a target certification date of May 2026 was given. Staff said Measure J provided an additional $200,000 for the project and an initial $110,000 appropriation was pending city-council approval to cover change orders.
- Library renovation: Fencing and windscreen installed; asbestos remediation has begun and demolition is pending.
- Splash pad: Commission was told the splash pad is in final commissioning and staff expected it to be operational before Thanksgiving, with a contractor punch list remaining.
- Victoria Park restroom: Plans are slated to go to council Nov. 12 and staff said construction award would be timed so the park would be without a restroom for only a few weeks during replacement.
- Tapas Creek Golf Course: Patio and canopy expansion study in progress (explicitly not a clubhouse remodel).
- Stadium sign: Vendor measurements completed and production expected to begin soon.
- Generators: Staff described an ongoing Measure J project to procure generators for city facilities following recent extended power outages; these are long-lead-time purchases and staff hope to allocate funding this year to begin procurement.

Public-art and other notes: The Bridal Monument installation was completed; Hayes Memorial Downtown Park plans remain under review with artists and permitting coordination ongoing. Staff said the Palm Springs Stadium Improvements, Stoggles Creek Trail Master Plan and other feasibility studies are in various stages and anticipated to advance in the coming months.

What was not decided: The report was informational. No formal policy changes or project awards were adopted during the meeting; several projects remain subject to pending city-council approvals.