![Palm Springs leaders address racism, city's history during council meeting (1) Palm Springs leaders address racism, city's history during council meeting (1)](https://i0.wp.com/bearswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/9b444a186271631fc4dc9dfdc8a3d65e9fd16789/c=0-204-4000-2464/local/-/media/2017/05/19/PalmSprings/PalmSprings/636308080796973719-PS-City-Hall-NIGHTTIME-generic.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Palm Springs leaders on Thursday night reflected on a number of topics including race and the city's controversial history in the wake of George Floyd's death.
During a five-hour meeting, Palm Springs City Council members took turns addressing racism, protests and the importance of listening to the city's residents— especially those in minority communities — to better understand their experiences. They also discussed policing, enacting change and the importance of coming together.
In remarks widely praised by her colleagues, Councilwoman Grace Garner began by sharing her perspective on a Palm Springs protest before talking about the importance of policy changes and self-reflection.
"We must not forget that Palm Springs is not immune to racism," she said."Section 14 — now considered our booming downtown — was once home to black and brown residents."
Section 14, a 1-mile stretch of land east of downtown Palm Springs, is wherefamilies in the middle of the 20th century were asked — then ordered—to leavebefore their houses were ultimately destroyed.
Mayor:Palm Springs mayor proposes steps to address racism in move some say is 'long overdue'
Criticism:Palm Springs police union criticizes council member Christy Holstege for remarks on racism
Budget:Palm Springs releases draft budget that aims to resolve shortfall amid pandemic
Garner also discussedother minority communities and policing.
"Issues of racial justice are inextricably tied to issues of policing, just as race intersects with all issues in our community," she said.
"I have sat in on several community meetings where black residents have shared experiences of police discrimination and harassment with our police officers," Garner later said.
She also discussed the importance of listening to all residents, including going to where they are in the city to hear what they have to say.
"Make no mistake – our community has and continues to be marred in issues of racism, hom*ophobia and sexism," Garner said."It must be acknowledged and addressed. It is vital that we have discussions in an open public forum where we can allow our community to weigh in."
Mayor Pro Tem Christy Holstege called Garner's statements"powerful," and underscored the importance of listening to residents and their experiences.
"People have been calling for an accounting of the racist history of Palm Springs for decades," Holstege said. "They've been demanding and asking for policy changes for decades."
Mayor Geoff Kors, Councilman Dennis Woods and Councilwoman Lisa Middleton also weighed in on the topic.
"It is long past time that people from every corner of our community have conversations with people different than who they have typically had conversations with," Middleton said.
The discussion came in the wake of Floyd's death and in a week in which Kors discussed ways to combat racism and the Palm Springs Police Officers Association criticized Holstege for remarks on racism in a letter she sent to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in advance of their Tuesday meeting.
Following the discussion on issues involving race, council members praised Garner and supported designating her as a council liaison on the topic.
Budget adoption expected June 25
In a draft budget released June 4, city staff outlined how the city could close the $76 million shortfall by using some reserves, layoffs and other cost savings.
To closethe $29.2 million gapin the 2019-20 fiscal yearbudget, the cityfrozenearly $10 million in expenditures and used more than $19 million in unrestricted reservesfrom the city's general fund, according to the city.
For the $47 million expected shortfall in the 2020-21 fiscal year, the city outlined some savings in the following areas.
- One-time non-personnel savings: $8.2 million
- Suspending and deferring capital projects and transfer of Measure J Capital Fund budget: $10.2 million
- Suspending and deferring capital projects and transfer of Capital Fund budget: $4.2 million
- Freezing vacant positions through 2020-21: $4.7 million
- Leaving unfilled positions left empty by employees taking an early retirement: $2.7 million
- Temporary 10% salary reduction (furlough) of exempt employees (City Manager 20%): $500,000
- Cancelling the $3 million budgeted CalPERS set aside in the 2020-21 budget
The final budget is expected to be adopted following a public hearing June 25.
On Thursday, budget remarks were brief although more discussion is anticipated at the next meeting.
City Manager David Ready informed the council that the airport received a CARES Act grant of roughly $11 million.
"The airport fund will not have the deficit, for example, like the General Fund did," Ready said. "Those dollars will allow them to continue on and actually have just about a balanced budget."
Other discussions
Coachella Valley Association of Governments Executive Director Tom Kirk delivered a presentation Thursday night and said about 20 miles more of the popular outdoor pathway, a portion of which will be in Palm Springs,will be under construction in 2020.
The council also approved an urgency ordinance that added regulatory provisions that can allow for business licenses to be revoked if a business is in violation of the municipal code or emergency orders. But the city stressed that steps such as education, fines and notices would likely take place before such an action.
Shane Newell covers breaking news and the western Coachella Valley cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs. He can be reached at shane.newell@desertsun.com, 760-778-4649 or on Twitter at @journoshane.