Cathedral City council approves street‑sign toppers honoring Sarah Degrandi and Richard Altman

The Cathedral City City Council voted unanimously May 27 to install two street sign toppers honoring former council member Sarah Degrandi and local business leader Richard Altman.

Deanna Pressgrove, the city’s environmental conservation and public works manager, told the council the toppers do not change street names but recognize people and places that reflect the city’s history and identity. Staff recommended installing Degrandi’s topper above Pickford Street in the town square and Altman’s topper at Gay Resort Drive and Melrose Drive. "The total cost to manufacture and install one sign topper is $758," Pressgrove said, and staff said both toppers will be paid for by private donors.

Public commenters praised both honorees. Sunshine Herrera said the recognitions are "well deserved" and urged a formal policy for preserving municipal history so longtime contributors would not have to rely entirely on private funding. Richard Altman, who funded Degrandi’s topper, and former Council Member Shelly Kaplan, who sponsored Altman’s topper, described decades of local civic work and partnerships with nonprofit groups.

Mayor Gregory moved to approve the toppers with council members seconding; roll call votes were unanimous.

The toppers will be manufactured and installed through the city’s standard sign production procedures, and staff said the council retains final approval on placement and wording.

The council also discussed the sign‑topper policy’s intent and the city’s hope that community members initiate nominations rather than the council doing so routinely.