HTCNO Incorporated

Annual Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday February 28th, 2024

Location: The O’Donnell Golf Club

Time: 4:30 PM

·       The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ron Iamele at 4:37 PM

·       Raymond Manci gave a recap of last year’s expenditures and money raised by the Modernism Home Tours.

·       Mark Fichandler gave a recap of this year’s modernism tour.  We had 7 homes on tour.  

·       Chief Mills: Palm Springs Police Dept. talked first about homelessness.  He reminded us that patrol officers are doing what PhD’s can’t.  He explained that every other year the state mandates a point in time count, to identify the homeless.  His team also counts on a continual basis. 

a.    There were 500 homeless in town as of last year. Some are transients.  Transients are unique and are offered resources: plane or bus tickets to go home, etc.  Our real count is based on the same people being counted 3 times, then they become part of our city. 

b.    1/3rd are here to party with fentanyl,  meth, etc.  Police getting tough and arresting them.  They can find another city to party in. Over 600 have been arrested.  Some arrested multiple time for theft and other crimes.

c.     The Chief will not allow pup tents in the city.

d.    40 sent home across the nation and Canada.

e.    90 were housed

f.      90% have mental health or drug problems.

There are now 150 homeless in the city.  Phase 1 of the Navigation center opens Monday (March 4th).  The police can ask them to go to the Navigation center but they can’t be forced. 

g.    Gun Violence: The Dept has confiscated numerous guns.  PS had 5 murders in 2022.  0 murders in 2023.  16 total assaults in 2022.  There were 7 in 2023.

h.    Staffing:  We had 22 officers out on injury and we are now down to 7 or 8.   There were 12 openings and we are down to 5 open positions.  Recruitment is easy here because officers like to work here because the City is so supportive.

i.       Graffiti downtown has been on the upswing.  It is known as “bombing”.  The police do not know who it is.  They are investing in graffiti tracker – they will charge all cases.

j.      New Navigation Center: Police and Fire Dept. can take people to the center if they are in a tent.  If they don’t comply they will be ticketed.  After a certain number of tickets a warrant will be put out and they will be arrested.  Each time they get arrested they spend the night in jail and get dope sick.  They will eventually leave town.  The chief detailed four areas where they have focused.  80% of these party people have moved on. 

k.    The Chief expressed his frustration with convicted felons being put in jail but the courts are letting them out.  The Chief is working on an Oped piece to discuss this more fully.

l.       Palm Springs has a new helicopter

m. The Chief was awarded a check for $2000 for the department member out on IOD 9 (injured on duty).

·       Chief Alvarado from the Palm Springs Fire Dept. has been in place for 10 months.  His wife Kitty told him how loving this community is.  He has noticed that the City is close knit and doing big City things. His is an all risk Dept. 

a.    What are we looking for in this Dept.? “Serve above myself”

b.    He was able to promote his Captains

c.     He stressed the importance of putting the community first.

d.     His department can respond to a call within 5 minutes 90% of the time.

e.    He is working on a strategic plan on how to improve the Dept.

f.      The Chief was awarded a check for $2000 for the Dept. to use at his discretion

·       Flinn Fagg from the City Manager’s office answered our questions:

a.    Orchid Tree: The City wants everything to come to fruition.  The Developer (August LY) modified the site plan.

The original bids had come back double from 2021.  Therefore there were amendments and revised plans submitted.  They were submitted to the planning Department and are available for public review.  The spa that was scheduled for the church has been relocated to the center of the site.  Once the plan is approved, they will need to pull permits.  There will be a timetable to complete.  Additional studies needed.  This will take 4-5 months through planning, 10 months to get construction permits and 15-18 months to see work in the ground.  They currently have the property scheduled to be a part of Auberge Resorts.  The hotel property will include 70 hotel units, a restaurant in the church and a spa.  The question was asked, “What if they don’t meet the City’s schedule?”.  The City can revoke the entitlement if they feel it necessary.

b.    SOHO house: they have purchased properties in the area including Colony 29.  They withdrew their plans for the swim club due to neighborhood reaction.  They met with the planning staff within the last two months.  They are investigating if they can meet the needs of the neighborhood.  They had requested bonds for off site improvements, i.e. sidewalks.  Nothing in place but Council looking at it.

c.     Another question was asked about the vacancy ordinance in relation to boarded up buildings: specifically the green building on Belardo that has a few business.  A know camp for drug related homeless to congregate.  Flynn told the group that buildings need to be maintained.  Notify the City and inspectors if they see anything they are concerned about.

d.    City Traffic: The question was asked about the intersection, and new traffic lanes on Ramon between Indian Canyon and Belardo. 

e.    A member of the audience that skateboards regularly said that the intersection of Arenas and S. Cahuilla roads were a particular problem.  There is a process of getting information regarding accidents to see if there is a need for any signage changes to this intersection.

f.      Flinn told us that there is a new section of the City’s website called “Engage Palm Springs”.  On it we will find information on: traffic, construction projects, Plaza theatre (permits issued), a second phase of low income housing (80 units), low income housing units in work with rents that people can afford, redevelopment of the library, expansion of Parks and Convention Center.

g.    When asked about parking in relation to the new theatre, Flinn informed the group that a parking study is being done.

·       Community Outreach:

a.    Plaza Theatre: JR Roberts was awarded a check for $2000.  He told us they were breaking ground next week.  They still need to raise an additional 10 million dollars.  The background will be state of the art while the visual will be classic 1930’s.  It will once again be the living room of downtown.

b.    Find Food bank: Kelly Mui-Chesterton was awarded a check for $2000.  She explained that they provide food for working families, seniors and youth programs.  Their outreach programs teach people how to be self sustaining.

c.     The Boys and Girls Clubs: Ken Kuperstein was awarded a check for $2000.  Ken has been the director for three months.  The organization is 75 years old.  The center consists of a children’s center, teen center and a cannabis education center.  Their motto is “what can we do for our youth”.  They serve 1700 children a year.  Their clients come from mostly low income single family homes.  By attending activities at the club they have tracked the achievements: 97% will graduated from high school, 76% will be on the honor roll. The club is 100% donor funded.  Their budget is 2.1 million dollars a year. Through their programs they are able to inspire youth to reach their full potential and lead productive lives, and thus good citizens.  These funds will go towards E-sports and culture club activities.  The Club works with First Tee and also has a gymnasium, indoor pool, pickleball and tennis.

d.    Oswit Land Trust: David Paisley was awarded a check for $2000.  He has been a part of the program for three years.  He works with volunteers that do land maintenance.  The Trust started as a result of a movement by the community against the proposed development of Oswit Canyon. They raised funds ($8.1 million) to purchase the Oswit Canyon land that had been identified for development.  It was an all volunteer group.  Other neighborhoods wanted other things saved.  They have purchased five other properties.  They have 2 in escrow.  There are 500 volunteers.

·       Community Clean up – Kirk Ballard donned a bright safety vest to show what we are willing to provide for volunteers to help with clean up.  He is sending out an email to recruit people.

·       HTCNO Inc. Board vote – Ron Iamele ran a vote for the 4 positions that were open and for which the incumbents were running unopposed.  No questions were asked and the vote was on the complete slate.  The vote was 100% in favor of all the candidates: re-election of Kirk Ballard, Raymond Manci and Cristina Van Dyck and the election of Jim Kisel.

·       The meeting was adjourned at 5:37PM

There was a social Hour following the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Tempe Essell

HTCNO Inc. Secretary