The Palm Desert City Council will meet Thursday for a study session focused on setting its 2026 goals, followed by a regular meeting that includes a public hearing on new tobacco and kratom regulations.
The afternoon begins at 2 p.m. with the council’s annual goal-setting discussion, where members will review progress on 2025 priorities and debate which initiatives should guide staffing, spending and policy decisions in the year ahead. No formal action is taken during the study session, but the discussion helps shape the city’s budget and work plan.
According to the staff report, councilmembers will consider newly proposed goals and may use straw polling to determine which items advance for formal adoption at a future meeting
Among the likely focus areas are continued infrastructure planning in the North Sphere, long-term mall redevelopment efforts, climate resilience projects and updates to city standards such as lighting and zoning policies. Staff is also presenting a new “Strategic Plan Task Tracker” dashboard intended to give councilmembers a high-level view of progress on existing initiatives.
Tobacco and kratom ordinance
At 4 p.m., the council convenes its regular meeting, where the most consequential item is a public hearing on a proposed ordinance updating Palm Desert’s tobacco retailer licensing and smoking regulations — and establishing new rules for kratom products sold within the city.
The proposal comes after councilmembers earlier this month debated whether to impose a complete ban on kratom sales or adopt a more targeted regulatory approach. Kratom, a plant-based substance derived from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, is sold in smoke shops and convenience stores in forms ranging from leaf products to concentrated extracts, drinks and gummies.
Under the draft ordinance before the council, the city would prohibit synthetic and high-potency kratom products, including those containing 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), while allowing sales of natural kratom leaf to adults 21 and older. The measure would require child-resistant packaging and fold kratom oversight into the city’s existing tobacco retailer licensing and inspection system.
The draft also updates tobacco regulations to align with state law, explicitly prohibiting flavored products not allowed under California law and expanding definitions to include electronic smoking devices, synthetic nicotine and nicotine analogs.
Councilmembers have expressed differing views on how far the city should go.
Mayor Evan Trubee, Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto and Councilmember Jan Harnick have voiced support for a regulated approach that targets high-potency products while maintaining legal adult access. Councilmember Karina Quintanilla has argued for a full ban, citing concerns about inconsistent dosing, youth access and the absence of a reversal agent in cases of overdose.
If introduced Thursday, the ordinance would return for final adoption at a subsequent meeting and would take effect 30 days after approval.
Other regular meeting items
Also on the regular agenda, councilmembers are scheduled to adopt an ordinance extending the development agreement for work at Desert Willow by six months, to Aug. 27.
The council is also being asked to authorize a six-month Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with Marrakesh Country Club for property at the northwest corner of Portola Avenue and Haystack Way.
An exclusive negotiation agreement does not approve a project but grants a developer time to negotiate terms with the city.
Additional consent items include up to $200,000 in repairs to the Tamarisk Row Retention Basin and a $121,003 appropriation tied to a California Department of Justice tobacco enforcement grant.
The study session begins at 2 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 4 p.m., in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 73-510 Fred Waring Dr. The meetings can also be viewed live on the city’s website or YouTube channel. Public comment is accepted in person, by email or via Zoom.