Palm Desert City Council sets priorities ahead of budget planning

The Palm Desert City Council met Thursday in a study session to review the city's accomplishments and establish priorities for the year ahead, with council members presenting 15 goals that staff consolidated into six overarching themes.

Staff explained that the goal-setting study session is designed as a precursor to help with the annual budget process. By hearing councilmembers’ priorities, staff can then prepare a budget in alignment with their goals.

The six consolidated goal areas approved for further development are: North Sphere and University Area Development, Mall Redevelopment and Family-Friendly Activation, Citywide Economic Activation and Events, Community Engagement and Civic Identity, Community Resilience and Climate Strategy, and Clean, Safe and Attractive City Standards.

Mall redevelopment was listed as a top-two priority by both Councilmember Gina Nestande and Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto. Staff gave an update on the project, saying they’ve been in contact with the property’s owner and, "We are having discussions to see if we can … accelerate 10 acres of housing that’s in the back area over by the fire station.”

The city is also working on next steps for the Sears building. They’ve completed appraisal, a survey, and environmental analysis all to set up an eventual sale of the property to secure a new anchor retailer for the site. Other vendors they are looking at include fitness, furniture, and other retail.

Councilmember Jan Harnik said she was in favor of housing at the site, but “It's important to remember and put at the forefront of our thinking … that that is a really important revenue generator for the city,”

“We don’t have property tax, we do have sales tax and TOT (transient occupancy tax,” she said.

Development in the city’s northern end was a priority for both Nestande and Pradetto. Council has already approved a funding agreement for a Cook Street energy substation for the area, which has more than 6,000 housing units projected over the coming years.

"Development in parts of the city's North Sphere has languished due to a lack of sewer and electrical infrastructure," Pradetto noted in his written justification for the goal. "We have a solution for the electrical part of the equation and may now focus more attention on the sewer side."

The goal also incorporates a proposal from Harnik to explore charter school feasibility at the California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert campus.

Harnik argued the rapidly growing university area lacks educational options and that a charter school could bring together Palm Springs Unified School District, Desert Sands Unified School District, and Cal State in a collaborative model. "We all benefit when we have superior education, innovative education, and relevant education," Harnik said.

Councilmember Karina Quintanilla raised concerns about the proposal.

“Studies are showing that charter schools are taking money from the average school that then leads to declining student success at the schools that are not charter schools,” she said. She wanted councilmembers to consider the unintended consequences that could arise if funding is taken from non-charter schools.

In response, staff edited the goal to clarify that it was more exploratory rather than a definite decision to pursue a charter school.

Quintanilla's proposals included extreme heat mitigation, which she linked to available state funding. The governor's proposed 2026-27 budget allocates $241 million statewide for extreme heat programs. Quintanilla said the city should pursue technologies such as reflective coatings and cooling materials for parks, bus stops, and city-owned buildings.

Quintanilla also proposed monthly evening markets on San Pablo Avenue to support small businesses and online entrepreneurs. The markets could serve as revenue generation for the businesses, and also allow the city to interact with business owners and connect them with city services.

Mayor Evan Trubee proposed enhancing support for the Coachella Valley Disaster Preparedness Network, as well as pursuing a welcome archway for El Paseo and soliciting bids for a farmers market.

Trubee also made sure to include his support for a 200,000-square-foot indoor sports facility as a part of his goals.

“VGPS [Visit Greater Palm Springs] has already conducted a feasibility study and a funding study... they are simply looking for a logistically sound location to build it, and I believe Palm Desert is that place,” he noted in his written justification.

Staff said a resolution formally adopting the 2026 goals, along with a preliminary work plan, will be brought to council for approval at an upcoming meeting.