CITY HALL

City prepares upgraded Independence Day celebration for nation's 250th, but no drone shows on the horizon

Mar 12, 2026

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3 min read

City prepares upgraded Independence Day celebration for nation's 250th, but no drone shows on the horizon

Extra red, white, and blue lighting, commemorative items, and expanded kids' activities are planned, while heat and cost concerns ground a proposed drone show.

Tyler Maldonado

CITY HALL

Palm Desert development pipeline remains active despite slower entitlements

Mar 10, 2026

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3 min read

Palm Desert development pipeline remains active despite slower entitlements

Planning staff reports most projects now in construction phase rather than early approval stages.

AI Assist, +1

CITY HALL

Committee backs trial shift to unsupervised skate park

Mar 3, 2026

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3 min read

Committee backs trial shift to unsupervised skate park

Parks and Recreation Committee members on Tuesday cited low attendance and nearly $90,000 in annual staffing costs in recommending a monitored trial period without on-site attendants to the City Council .

Mark Talkington

CITY HALL

Joslyn Center board working on bylaws, transparency amid member concerns

Mar 2, 2026

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3 min read

Joslyn Center board working on bylaws, transparency amid member concerns

Council hears update after residents voice concerns; city says the nonprofit operates independently despite receiving public funding.

Post Staff

BUSINESS

Council unanimously passes kratom ordinance, bans synthetic products, tightens tobacco rules

Feb 26, 2026

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4 min read

Council unanimously passes kratom ordinance, bans synthetic products, tightens tobacco rules

New rules restrict natural kratom leaf sales to adults 21 and older and ban synthetic kratom.

Kendall Balchan

CITY HALL

Palm Desert City Council sets priorities ahead of budget planning

Feb 26, 2026

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5 min read

Palm Desert City Council sets priorities ahead of budget planning

From mall redevelopment and charter schools to climate resiliency and a farmer's market, councilmembers each laid out their priorities, hoping to influence the coming budget planning session.

Kendall Balchan

CITY HALL

Palm Desert council to set 2026 priorities, consider new tobacco, kratom rules

Feb 24, 2026

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4 min read

Palm Desert council to set 2026 priorities, consider new tobacco, kratom rules

Goal-setting session will shape city spending and development focus. Public hearing at regular meeting targets flavored tobacco and synthetic kratom.

Post Staff

BUSINESS

Feb 19, 2026

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4 min read

Business owners, others warn officials that new El Paseo bar would worsen existing problems

At meetings and in written comments, opponents of a planned Rock'n Avenue cited sanitation concerns, while the applicant's architect says the venue would complement the street's "refined and elegant" offerings.

Mark Talkington

CITY HALL

City Council enthusiastically backs indoor sports complex exploration

Feb 16, 2026

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3 min read

City Council enthusiastically backs indoor sports complex exploration

Members called the concept a "win, win, win, win, win opportunity" that could address field shortages, attract tourism, and complement nearby university programs on the city's vacant 140-acre property.

Post Staff

CITY HALL

Officials eye Sheriff's facility for future city use, direct staff to explore renovation

Feb 12, 2026

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4 min read

Officials eye Sheriff's facility for future city use, direct staff to explore renovation

Councilmembers said Thursday they favor keeping the 25,393-square-foot Civic Center building over commercial leasing or demolition as the Sheriff's Department prepares to relocate.

Post Staff

CITY HALL

Staff updates Parks Committee on improvement projects across city

Feb 3, 2026

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3 min read

Staff updates Parks Committee on improvement projects across city

Several maintenance items have been completed, including volleyball net installation and playground surfacing, while construction continues at some facilities.

Post Staff

CITY HALL

Palm Desert’s city savings still beating the market, though returns are easing

Jan 27, 2026

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3 min read

Palm Desert’s city savings still beating the market, though returns are easing

Despite falling interest rates, the city's portfolio continues outperforming benchmarks through strategic fund transfers, Finance Committee told.

Post Staff

CITY HALL

Fewer signs, clearer directions: New wayfinding approved

Jan 22, 2026

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2 min read

Fewer signs, clearer directions: New wayfinding approved

A plan adopted by the Palm Desert City Council Thursday evening reduces the number of signs citywide, especially along El Paseo, taking a “less is more” approach.

Erin Rode

CITY HALL

City Council to vote on wayfinding plan, CDBG funding, public art agreement

Jan 20, 2026

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4 min read

City Council to vote on wayfinding plan, CDBG funding, public art agreement

Wayfinding, federal grant allocations and a long-term Civic Center Park artwork are among the key decisions facing councilmembers Thursday.

AI Assist, +1

CITY HALL

Palm Desert Housing Authority approves contract to fix flooding at Taos Palms apartments

Jan 14, 2026

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2 min read

Palm Desert Housing Authority approves contract to fix flooding at Taos Palms apartments

The project, which will cost $240,000, will be fully reimbursed through federal Community Development Block Grant funds from HUD.

Post Staff

ARTS & CULTURE

Committee approves plan to refresh utility cabinet art program, expand to North Palm Desert

Jan 14, 2026

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3 min read

Committee approves plan to refresh utility cabinet art program, expand to North Palm Desert

Refresh plan targets deteriorating vinyl wraps and painted cabinets, prioritizes San Pablo-El Paseo area and expansion to northern neighborhoods.

Post Staff

CITY HALL

Council approves energy substation that would open up new areas for development

Jan 8, 2026

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4 min read

Council approves energy substation that would open up new areas for development

The substation will serve undeveloped parcels in two zones along the city’s northern edge.

Erin Rode

CITY HALL

Committee urges larger regional park as plan advances

Jan 6, 2026

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4 min read

Committee urges larger regional park as plan advances

Palm Desert Parks and Recreation Committee members who met Tuesday said the park needs to be large enough to meet growing demand for sports fields and recreation.

Mark Talkington

CITY HALL

City Council to consider energy substation funding, housing bonds and hillside rules at Thursday meeting

Jan 6, 2026

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3 min read

City Council to consider energy substation funding, housing bonds and hillside rules at Thursday meeting

Energy infrastructure funding, affordable housing bonds and new hillside development standards are among the major items set for discussion at the next regular City Council meeting.

AI Assist, +1

CITY HALL

City leaders elevate Portola Avenue interchange as long-term priority

Dec 31, 2025

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5 min read

City leaders elevate Portola Avenue interchange as long-term priority

A transportation update adopted by the Palm Desert City Council earlier this month lays out road, safety and congestion strategy for the next two decades.

Mark Talkington

CITY HALL

Palm Desert City Council rejects call to roll back recognition of Pride

Dec 16, 2025

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7 min read

Palm Desert City Council rejects call to roll back recognition of Pride

Decision follows four hours of public testimony after Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto's call to rescind diversity resolution.

Kendall Balchan

CITY HALL

Palm Desert City Council to hold special meeting on Pride resolutions after backlash

Dec 15, 2025

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3 min read

Palm Desert City Council to hold special meeting on Pride resolutions after backlash

The Tuesday special session follows backlash to Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto’s request to roll back the city’s formal LGBTQ Pride Month recognition.

Mark Talkington

CITY HALL

Dec 12, 2025

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5 min read

Pradetto proposes ending City Hall banner displays, revisiting diversity

A proposal by Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto would roll back a 2024 policy that includes Pride banner displays, prompting backlash from LGBTQ residents and setting up a broader debate over neutrality and inclusion at Palm Desert City Hall.

Mark Talkington

CITY HALL

Palm Desert to launch expanded voucher program for free pet spay and neuter services

Dec 11, 2025

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3 min read

Palm Desert to launch expanded voucher program for free pet spay and neuter services

The city found that direct vouchers massively increased participation in the free spay and neuter program compared to the old method of paying up front and getting reimbursed later.

Kendall Balchan

CITY HALL

Commission approves 546-unit development on former golf course site

Nov 18, 2025

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3 min read

Commission approves 546-unit development on former golf course site

The Catavina development will be built on the site of the former Santa Rosa Golf Club, which closed in 2015, adding single-family homes on 81 acres south of Frank Sinatra Drive and west of Portola Avenue.

Mark Talkington, +1

CITY HALL

City prepares upgraded Independence Day celebration for nation's 250th, but no drone shows on the horizon

Palm Desert development pipeline remains active despite slower entitlements

Committee backs trial shift to unsupervised skate park

Joslyn Center board working on bylaws, transparency amid member concerns

Council unanimously passes kratom ordinance, bans synthetic products, tightens tobacco rules

Palm Desert City Council sets priorities ahead of budget planning

Palm Desert council to set 2026 priorities, consider new tobacco, kratom rules

Business owners, others warn officials that new El Paseo bar would worsen existing problems

City Council enthusiastically backs indoor sports complex exploration

Officials eye Sheriff's facility for future city use, direct staff to explore renovation

Staff updates Parks Committee on improvement projects across city

Palm Desert’s city savings still beating the market, though returns are easing

Fewer signs, clearer directions: New wayfinding approved

City Council to vote on wayfinding plan, CDBG funding, public art agreement

Palm Desert Housing Authority approves contract to fix flooding at Taos Palms apartments

Committee approves plan to refresh utility cabinet art program, expand to North Palm Desert

Council approves energy substation that would open up new areas for development

Committee urges larger regional park as plan advances

City Council to consider energy substation funding, housing bonds and hillside rules at Thursday meeting

City leaders elevate Portola Avenue interchange as long-term priority

Palm Desert City Council rejects call to roll back recognition of Pride

Palm Desert City Council to hold special meeting on Pride resolutions after backlash

Pradetto proposes ending City Hall banner displays, revisiting diversity

Palm Desert to launch expanded voucher program for free pet spay and neuter services

Commission approves 546-unit development on former golf course site

The Palm Desert Post