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Palm Springs staff arrange Westin court use, seek city support as parks close; motion to recommend proclamation moved
Summary
City parks staff said they arranged to use Westin courts to relieve pressure when a city park is closed, outlined hiring and Sloan Center programming ahead of summer, and moved to recommend a May 17 proclamation to the city council; a vote was not recorded in the transcript.
An unidentified staff member told the commission the department has "made arrangements with the Westin and for use of the courts, and we're hoping to alleviate some of the pressure" when a park closes, asking the body to support where players will relocate.
The request matters for residents and seasonal leagues facing a temporary park closure, staff said, and is meant to provide immediate space for recreational activity while longer-term repairs or moves are completed. Staff also described preparations for a large summer season, including recruitment and training at the Sloan Center.
Nisha, who introduced herself as a parks-and-recreation employee, said the department is hiring and helping applicants obtain required certifications ahead of the busy season. Staff described a new upstairs workspace and computer station at the Sloan Center and said they are scheduling team-building and data-policy refresh sessions for staff.
During the update, staff asked the commission to "recommend approval to proclaim this to the city council" for an upcoming May 17 event. A motion to recommend approval was moved and seconded on the floor; the transcript does not record a vote or final disposition of that motion.
Staff also discussed capital and design items tied to Prop 68 funding, giving an initial estimate of approximately $69,000 for design, engineering and landscaping and saying plans are in review. Staff said they hope to start as soon as necessary approvals are in place, with a target to kick off work on May 19 so the project would open before the move/closure.
On parks amenities, staff reviewed scheduling for an artist to install a City Hall dog park and said staff will meet with the architect for further design refinements; they cautioned the design could shift before a finalized plan is released.
The commission and staff also exchanged practical ideas to support vendors and community events, such as offering shared equipment at event sites to reduce lost or scattered vendor property. Staff said they will follow up on logistical options.
The meeting included a public remark from Nisha that she has been unhoused in Palm Springs for five years and described concerns about law enforcement and substance-use issues related to people who might be relocated to the leisure center; that perspective was presented as public-comment input and not as a staff action.
Next steps recorded in the transcript: staff will continue plan review and report back at future meetings; the motion to recommend a proclamation was moved and seconded but no vote or next procedural step appears in the provided transcript.
