Palm Springs City Council to Swear in New Mayor, Discuss Tribal Warehouse Development

The Palm Springs City Council will convene Wednesday evening for a meeting featuring the installation of new mayoral leadership and deliberation over a contentious warehouse development proposal on tribal land.

Councilmember Naomi Soto will be sworn in as the 28th Mayor of Palm Springs during the 5:30 p.m. meeting at City Hall. Soto, who represents District 4 and works as a healthcare executive, was elected to the council in November 2024. She will serve a one-year term in the city's rotating mayoral position.

Councilmember David H. Ready will be appointed Mayor Pro Tem, while outgoing Mayor Ron deHarte will deliver his final remarks before continuing his service as the District 3 councilmember.

The meeting's agenda includes discussion of a conformity report for a proposed warehouse development on Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribal Trust Land. The project, known as the Desert Mountain View Business Park, would encompass up to 2.85 million square feet of warehouse space and 700,000 square feet of cold storage on 217 acres at the city's entrance.

The Agua Caliente Band states the development would generate revenue and support tribal self-governance goals. A tribal environmental impact statement identified potential air quality impacts that may persist despite proposed mitigation measures. The land is currently zoned for open space.

Local conservation group Oswit Land Trust plans to rally outside City Hall at 5 p.m. before the meeting. The organization has raised concerns about air quality standards, water supply risks, potential harm to federally protected wildlife, traffic congestion, and infrastructure costs.

The tribal council has requested that the city council review whether the project conforms to municipal zoning and planning requirements before making a final decision.

Other agenda items include a General Fund budget update, Desert Highland Park playground equipment, Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort rates, and a public hearing on Serena Park facilities.

Residents can attend in person, watch online at palmspringsca.gov or the city's YouTube channel, or view the meeting on Palm Springs Community Television Channel 17.