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Friday, Aug. 21 | ☀️ 108°/86°
Happy Friday, Palm Desert! Recently we reported on who was lining up to run for two open seats on the Palm Desert City Council this fall, and today we know the final roster: The City Clerk’s Office has listed four candidates who qualified for the ballot: In District 4, current Mayor Evan Trubee will face Jonathon Polly, and in District 5, John Greenwood and Ralph Perry are vying for the seat. Of course, that doesn’t prevent anyone from being a write-in candidate. Complete rules on how to do that are available here. Next up: A candidate forum organized by the Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 22 at Family YMCA of the Desert, starting at 5 p.m.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Summer Breeze" by Seals & Crofts
Leading Off
Early preliminary design options from different firms the city is considering for the library redesign project.
Council backs cost-saving redesign for new library
Palm Desert City Council members signaled support Thursday for reworking the design of the city's planned new library after a cost estimate came in at roughly $60 million — double the project's approved $30 million budget.
Driving the news: The council reviewed the cost overrun during a study session on the library's Progressive Design-Build procurement process. No contract award or budget action was taken.
The city approved a $30 million budget in February 2025 based on a schematic design from Richärd Kennedy Architects. It awarded a design-build contract to Tilden-Coil Constructors in November 2025 but ended the firm's design scope in March after its validation report put construction costs at $50 million, growing to about $60 million with other project costs included.
What's next: Staff will explore reducing costs by scaling back glass curtain walls, building height and other high-end features, while preserving the multi-purpose/community room, veteran services space, natural light and flexible interior space.
Switching contractors alone could save about $5 million even with the existing design, while broader value engineering could save $10 million or more, staff said. Staff plan to return next month with a contract recommendation, updated budget and financing options. The city is targeting a fiscal year 2028-29 opening.
Why it matters: Demand at the current library is climbing. Card holders grew 61% to 20,849 in fiscal year 2025-26, and circulation rose 19% to 239,401 items, according to the library's annual report.
Digital holds jumped 1,512% to 14,247, pushing average wait times to 24 days and outpacing the materials budget. The library ran on a $2,468,469 budget last fiscal year, plus $29,552 in grants and $38,000 from the Friends of the Library.
Briefly
Implementation of a new commercial compliance program in Palm Desert will proceed in phases, beginning with the El Paseo and Highway 111 corridor.
📋 Palm Desert weighs business license compliance plan
Palm Desert City Council members voiced support Thursday for a new commercial compliance program after staff said roughly 800 of the city's approximately 4,600 businesses lack a required business license.
City compliance officers told councilmembers most of those businesses are already in the city's system but haven't followed through on fees or documentation. The program is built around education, partnership and compliance, starting with the El Paseo and Highway 111 corridor.
Details: Councilmembers asked staff to look into addressing interior illuminated signage, which isn't currently covered under the program. Staff said updates to the lighting ordinance are being folded into the city's Unified Development Code. There is no added cost to implement the program with current staffing.
📅 Featured Events
MULTIPLE DAYS
Observatory Public Exploration Night at the Rancho Mirage Observatory at 9 p.m. Saturday and Thursday
TODAY
Tortoise Chat at Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument at 8:30 a.m.
Indoor Pickleball Open Play at Civic Center Park at 9 a.m.
Coachella Valley Writers Group at Palm Desert Library at 10 a.m.
The Desert Modernist Art Showcase at El Paseo at 4 p.m.
SATURDAY
Friends of the COD Library Puzzle Palooza Sale & Contest at COD Library at 9 a.m.
Self Defense for Women at Civic Center Park at 10 a.m. ($40–$50)
Rat Pack Duo at Hotel Paseo at 6 p.m.
MONDAY
Tai Chi For Your Health at Civic Center Park at 12 p.m. ($57–$67)
TUESDAY
Palm Desert Area Chamber at 8 a.m.
Career Coach at Palm Desert Library at 10 a.m.
Disco Dogs & ‘Pawlroom’ Dancing at Civic Center Park at 10 a.m. ($25–$35)
Life Stream Blood Drive at Palm Desert Library at 10 a.m.
Lunch & Learn Summer Series - Scam & Fraud Awareness & Prevention for Businesses at Shadow Ridge at 11 a.m.
Palm Desert Architectural Review Commission at City Hall at 12:30 p.m.
Chinese Mahjong at Palm Desert Library at 1 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Palm Desert Historic Preservation Committee at City Hall at 9 a.m.
QiGong for Active Adults at Civic Center Park at 11 a.m. ($55–$65)
Line Dancing at Civic Center Park at 6:30 p.m. ($17–$68)
THURSDAY
Storytimes - Preschool (Ages 3-5) at Palm Desert Library at 10 a.m.
Profit Connection Lunch at Palm Desert Chamber at 11:30 a.m. ($30–$35)
Palm Desert Reads Book Club at Palm Desert Library at 1 p.m.
Board Game Night at The Dragon Den at 5 p.m. ($10–$20)
August Girl Scout Social at 75180 Mediterranean Ave. at 5:30 p.m.
✨ And Finally …
Palm Desert is asking residents to help pinpoint the views that make the city special, launching an online tool to gather feedback as part of its new View Study.
Driving the news: The study aims to identify, evaluate, and protect the scenic views that define the community's character, from mountain backdrops framing daily commutes to desert vistas along favorite trails.
What's being evaluated: The city is weighing two categories of views: City Identified Corridor Views, roadways flagged in the General Plan for their scenic value, and Open Space Views, found in parks, trails, and washes that showcase the surrounding mountains and desert.
How it works: Residents can zoom into an interactive map, drop a pin on a location they know well, and tag it as a "Favorite View" worth conserving or a "Threatened View" facing concerns, with an option to attach a photo explaining why.
Those who'd rather skip the map can click "Take Survey" to share their thoughts directly.
Why it matters: The feedback will guide where the city focuses preservation and enhancement efforts as Palm Desert continues to grow.
How to participate: The interactive map is available at this link. Look for the “Add comment” and “Take survey” buttons inside the map.
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