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City Council approves $35,000 sponsorship for DesertX; accessibility concerns raised
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Summary
The council approved a $35,000 DesertX sponsorship from the Art in Public Places restricted fund. A speaker, Buchanan, urged the council to require improved access for people with disabilities; council members said they would work with DesertX to address accessibility.
The Desert Hot Springs City Council voted unanimously on March 4 to approve a $35,000 sponsorship for the 2025 DesertX exhibition, with the funds to come from the city’s Art in Public Places restricted fund.
Interim city manager Doria Wilmes described three installations located in and near city limits and said DesertX historically boosts tourism and brings youth education programs to the city. Wilmes told council the requested sponsorship would be $25,000 from the restricted fund for installations and an additional $10,000 for closing-ceremony activities.
At the podium, Buchanan — who said he represents the southern part of Desert Hot Springs on the successor-agency board but was speaking in a personal capacity — praised DesertX but urged the city to condition the sponsorship on improved accessibility. Buchanan described difficulty his disabled friends experienced accessing installations on Pearson Boulevard, saying some exhibits were beyond a safe walking distance and that ad-hoc volunteer solutions offered in previous years were inadequate. "Give them the money, but attach some strings," Buchanan said, urging the city to require closer handicap access for installations.
Council members acknowledged the accessibility concern. Mayor Mattis said staff would work with DesertX organizers to improve access, and a council motion to approve the sponsorship passed unanimously.
The sponsorship was approved by vote; Wilmes and staff said they will coordinate with DesertX on access and outreach to ensure the exhibits accommodate people with disabilities.
