Palm Desert City Hall. (File photo)
The Palm Desert City Council meets Thursday to consider a series of policy, funding and infrastructure decisions, including final approval of a citywide wayfinding plan, allocation of federal community development funds and a long-term agreement to install a major public artwork at Civic Center Park.
The meeting begins at 4 p.m. at City Hall and will be held in a hybrid format, allowing residents to participate in person or remotely.
Citywide wayfinding plan moves toward final approval
One of the most significant items on the agenda is a proposed Citywide Wayfinding Master Plan, which would standardize directional signage and entry monuments across Palm Desert.
According to the staff report, the plan is the culmination of a multi-year effort to improve how residents and visitors navigate to key destinations, reduce visual clutter along major corridors such as El Paseo, and reinforce the city’s visual identity. The council is being asked to approve the master plan and provide direction on the preferred naming convention for the Palm Desert Civic Center campus.
If approved, the plan would guide future sign placement and design citywide, serving as the framework for phased implementation rather than authorizing immediate construction.
Council to hold public hearing on CDBG funding allocations
The council will also conduct a public hearing on the city’s Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan for the 2026–27 program year.
Staff is recommending approval of Outside Agency Funding Committee allocations and the reallocation of unused federal funds from prior years. Specifically, the proposal would shift $50,000 from the 2023 program year and $80,000 from the 2024 program year to fund public infrastructure improvements for Desert ARC in 2026.
The item also authorizes submission of the city’s annual action plan to Riverside County and HUD. CDBG funds support projects serving low- and moderate-income residents, making the allocations particularly relevant to housing, accessibility and nonprofit service providers.
Ten-year agreement proposed for Civic Center Park artwork
Councilmembers will also consider approving a 10-year loan agreement with Goldenvoice for the installation of “Taffy,” an artwork by artist Stephanie Lin, at Civic Center Park.
The agreement includes up to $180,070 in city funding for the artwork and installation. If approved, the piece would become a long-term feature of the park, adding to the city’s public art portfolio and shaping how residents and visitors experience the Civic Center campus.
Housing, parks and infrastructure items on consent calendar
Several notable infrastructure and housing items appear on the consent calendar, including a construction contract for site improvements at the Taos Palms Apartments and the acquisition of a small parcel of land to provide access to the future Dave Erwin Park.
Consent calendar items are typically approved in a single vote unless pulled by a councilmember for separate discussion.
Meeting details
The Council meets Thursday at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 73-510 Fred Waring Drive. Public comment is allowed in person, by email or via Zoom, with instructions included in the meeting agenda.