HomeMy WebLinkAboutClosed Session - Section 14 ItemFrom:Jerry Payne
To:City Clerk
Subject:Section 14
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 9:20:26 AM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open
attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
Greetings Palm Springs City Council
My Name is Jerry Payne
I am a survivor of Section 14
I am emailing regarding Topic G .C and 54956.9 (d) (2) or Claim # 22-0903
I have so many fond memories of growing up on Section 14. My grandfather and Father built our homes and it was
great living close to each other.
It has taken us decades to find our voices and to give words to the trauma
we experienced because of the City’s unjustified and illegal destruction
Of our community.
I urge the City to make good on its promises of two years ago to make us whole
but working with our attorneys and making a good faith offer to resolve our claims.
We have waited long enough. The time to do the right thing is now.
Sincerely Jerry Payne
Sent from my iPad
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
From:Patrice
To:City Clerk
Subject:City Council Meeting
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 9:41:49 AM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open
attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
My name is Patrice Key
I am a survivor/ descendant of Section 14.
I am writing regarding Topic G.C & 54956.9 (d) (2) or Claim # 22-0903.
From the memories that have been shared with me of our family growing up on Section 14 they had some good
times.
It has taken us decades to find our voices and to give words to the trauma that was experienced because of the City’s
unjustified and illegal destruction of our community.
I urge the City to make good on its promises of 2 years ago to make us whole by working with our attorneys and
making a good faith offer to resolve our claims.
We have waited long enough. The time to do the right thing is now.
Thank you in advance
Patrice Key
Sent from my iPhone
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
From:Carina Brown
To:City Clerk
Subject:Descendant of section 14
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 9:52:54 AM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments
unless you are sure the content is safe.
My name is Carina Brown,
My grandmother is a survivor and I am a descendant of Section 14.
This email is regarding Topic G.C & 54956.9 (d) (2) or Claim # 22-0903
My grandmother has so many fond memories of her time on Section 14, hearing stories of her
life on Section 14 were always pleasurable memories.
It has taken us decades to find our voices and to give words to the trauma
experienced because of the City’s unjustified and illegal destruction of
that special community.
I urge the City to make good on its promises of 2 years ago to make us
whole by working with our attorneys and making a good faith offer to
resolve our claims.
Sincerely,
Carina Brown
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
From:Irene Sauer
To:Evelyn Beltran
Cc:City Clerk
Subject:Re: Re:
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 10:13:48 AM
Attachments:image001.png
image001.png
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless
you are sure the content is safe.
Yes, I would. My Father had told me How the city started closing all the Business Down on Indian
Ave.and started tearing them down had then all the people living n paying there rent they all had to
move and find other places to live My father also said all the families living in section 14 we're
Good People and it wasn't Right to Run them off.
On Thu, Oct 12, 2023, 9:54 AM Evelyn Beltran <Evelyn.Beltran@palmspringsca.gov> wrote:
Irene,
Thanks for your follow up email. Would you please clarify the item you’re commenting on?
Please advise whether you’d like the Office of the City Clerk to forward your comments to
the City Council ahead of tonight’s meeting.
Thank you,
Evelyn Beltran | Executive Administrative Assistant | Office of the City ClerkEvelyn.Beltran@PalmSpringsCA.gov (760) 323-8204(760) 219-60093200 E. Tahquitz Canyon WayPalm Springs, CA 92262www.PalmSpringsCA.govCONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE - This message is intended only for the addresses shown above. It may contain informationthat is privileged, confidential, or otherwise protected from disclosure. Any review, dissemination, or use of thistransmission or its contents by persons other than the addressee is strictly prohibited. If you have received thismessage in error, please notify the sender immediately at (760) 323-8204.
Palm Springs City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., closed Fridays.
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
NEW Public Counter Hours: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday – Thursday
From: Irene Sauer <irenesauer50@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2023 9:44 AM
To: Evelyn Beltran <Evelyn.Beltran@palmspringsca.gov>
Subject: Re:
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open
attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
I have to work I don't get off until 10:30pm. So I won't be able to make it. But my father is well n
still living he doesn't drive.so he won't be attending. But he would like this matter to come to a
good outcome
Thank you.
On Thu, Oct 12, 2023, 9:29 AM Evelyn Beltran <Evelyn.Beltran@palmspringsca.gov> wrote:
Good morning –
Is your intent to address the City Council at tonight’s meeting? Please advise.
Thank you,
Evelyn Beltran | Executive Administrative Assistant | Office of the City ClerkEvelyn.Beltran@PalmSpringsCA.gov
(760) 323-8204
(760) 219-60093200 E. Tahquitz Canyon WayPalm Springs, CA 92262
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
www.PalmSpringsCA.govCONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE - This message is intended only for the addresses shown above. It may contain informationthat is privileged, confidential, or otherwise protected from disclosure. Any review, dissemination, or use of thistransmission or its contents by persons other than the addressee is strictly prohibited. If you have received thismessage in error, please notify the sender immediately at (760) 323-8204.
Palm Springs City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., closed Fridays.
NEW Public Counter Hours: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday – Thursday
From: Irene Sauer <irenesauer50@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2023 9:27 AM
To: City Clerk <CityClerk@palmspringsca.gov>
Subject:
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open
attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
Yes my Name is Irene sauer
A Desenent of section 14 my father's name is Raymond Marquez.
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
From:La Wanda Roy
To:City Clerk
Cc:pssection14@gmail.com
Subject:Topic G.C & 54956.9 (d) (2) of Claim #22-0903
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 11:02:11 AM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments
unless you are sure the content is safe.
Council Members,
My name is Lawanda Roy a survivor of Section 14.
On behalf of my Mother: Wessie Roy (90 years old) and Father: Arthur Roy, and three Brothers: Arthur
Lee; Kenneth and Ronald and two Sisters: Robin and Lucille Roy (who are now deceased). They are all
survivor of Section 14.
I and sending this email regarding Topic G.C & 54956.9 (d) (2) of Claim #22-0903 on behalf of the Roy
Family (11 children to this union and 3 of our half sibling).
We have so many memories of Section 14. We heard our parents' stories and it was devastating to them.
It has taken a long time to find our voice and speak of the trauma we experienced because of the City's
unjustified and illegal destruction of our community.
I was very young at that time and do not remember a lot of what the City had done to our community.
When it was brought back to my remembrance; I thought, Wow... this is why there was so much racism in
the city of Palm Springs. If they could get away with destroying and entire community; I understand now
why the black and brown people were so passive and tolerated their racist behavior.
Destroying an entire community must have been very troublesome to our parents. They taught us not to
engage in any type of conflict because they (The City; School Authority and Police) may come and
destroy our property. I never new why they had such fear of our City Official until I heard in detail what
really happened back then on the reservation (Section 14).
We urge the City of Palm Springs to make good on its promise of 2 years ago. You all need to make us
whole by working with our attorneys and making good faith to resolve our claim.
We have waited long enough for justice. The time to do the right thing is now!
Respectfully,
LaWanda Roy
and Family
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
From:Cheryl Taylor
To:City Clerk
Subject:SECTION 14
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 12:07:23 PM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments
unless you are sure the content is safe.
My name is Cheryl Taylor, Iam descent of Section 14.I have so many fond memories of
growing up on Section 14 hearing my parents stories of growing up on Section 14. It has
taken us decades to find our voices and to give words to the trauma we experienced because
of the City's unjustified and illegal destruction of our comm.I urge the city to make good on
its promises of 2 years ago to make us whole by working with our attorneys and making a
good faith offer to resolve our claims we have waited long enough. The time to do the right
thing is now.
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
From:kirdaily
To:City Clerk
Subject:Claim # 22-0903 section 14
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 12:14:38 PM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments
unless you are sure the content is safe.
Hello my name is Tina Black.
I am a descendent of section 14.
I am emailing you concerning claim # 22–0903.
I have many memories of listening to my great grandmother, as well as my grandfather and
grandmother stories about what it was like living in section 14. What happened to them and
how they were treated.
It has taken us decades to find our voices And to express the trauma we have experienced. Due
to the cities Illegal and unjustified destruction of our community.
I urge the city to make good on its promise of two years ago. To make us whole by working
with our attorneys and making a good Faith offer to resolve our claims.
The time to do the right thing is now.
We have waited longer enough.
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
From:KARLA PELLUM DOMINO
To:City Clerk
Subject:topic GC & 54956.9 (d) (2) or claim # 22-0903
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 1:30:03 PM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open
attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
Hello,
My name is Karla Pellum Domino, daughter of Albert Pellum and granddaughter of JB and Emma Pellum who
were/are survivors of Section 14. My father and grandfather are no longer here to speak on their own behalf’s but
my grandmother has shared plenty about her time on Section 14.
She and my grandfather lived there with my dad and my uncle, Forrest Pellum, was actually born while they lived
there. She recalls being told she had to move or that their homes would be burned to the grown by city authorities.
To provoke fear into people for the purpose of gaining property is one the most evil things that can be done. To
instill fear, causing people to flee, uprooting their lives, changing their trajectory, and most of all causing pain,
trauma, financial strain, and the unknowing of what was to come is diabolical.
My grandmother shares a lot of stories, she’s seen a lot and been through a lot. I urge the city of Palm Springs to
right their unjust and illegal wrongs. While the trauma cannot be erased, the effort to rectify the past should be
expeditious. Make good on your promise and work with our attorneys to make a good faith offer and resolve our
claims.
Sincerely,
Karla Pellum Domino
Sent from my iPhone
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
From:Milton RoySr
To:City Clerk
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 1:33:44 PM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments
unless you are sure the content is safe.
To whom it may concern my name is Milton Roy I live in Palm Springs from 1947 to 1968
living on section 14 was call the reservation when I live on section 14 was considered El
Segundo Road in Palm Springs and we live there and we also was a member of the Baptist
Church on section 14 my dad was the head deacon at Reverend Riggins Baptist Church he was
going every Sunday to meet the members and open up the church and we used to have to go
with him as kids because we had to clean the church before Services area Sunday morning so
Sunday school will start so so at that one particular Sunday morning we which in church and
my dad was like I said Happy from there we would have to clean up the church make sure that
everything was there was in order you have to make sure the fans so the urges to get to the
fans we had to make sure that the pastor had water for when he come in but it's Sunday
morning service would be ready so at that particular time my dad was a Sunday school teacher
so we have to go to church with him every Sunday in school the Sunday School so one Sunday
morning we came to like I said open up the church and the church was on fire so we end up
everybody showed up for services and the service was canceled because somebody end up I
don't know setting the fire to our church and we have to have service and our passage yard
which was Reverend Riggins was only like a block away from the church so we'd have church
in the daytime and it's front yard at the particular time because our church was unavailable
because of damage from fire so after that particular time we had to have Services only in the
morning because we was unable to have them at night in his yard this is my this is experience
that I Spears a lot of other stuff section 14 wish I lived on three different spots on section 14
first of all number one we stayed next to the Catholic Church which was on Arenas and El
Segundo it was a playground next year the church next to the Catholic Church we live in that
house next to the playground which next to the Catholic Church we was very young at the
time I really don't know what happened cuz at that particular time my parents didn't talk a lot
about what was going on you know they didn't have the youngsters involved in the
conversations so I knew we had to move all the same my mom told us we had to get out in a
hurry and we had to go somewhere and move my aunt was lived on Arenas I mean I El
Segundo sorry El Segundo she had a two house and she lives in the front house and see you in
the back house out so she knew that we had to move what she did and she with the people in
the back house moved out my mom had a large family so she moved in the back house and let
my mom have the front house they had a restaurant in Palm Springs which is where the spa
hotel sits right now today the parking lot that was the first black restaurant in Palm Springs
and he was my uncle and my mom was a cook there she worked there they close that down
and they told him they had to get out and if the ticket time when we was living at my aunt's
house that end up burning down somebody said that on fire remove us third place which was
on Arenas Avenue where my grandmother live which they used to call her mother father she
was here known for barbecuing for everybody in that particular time in Palm Springs on the
reservation with my uncle lived in the back house my mom and my family lived in the front
house and my grandmother lived in the media house middle house so when that happened they
said well we have to leave from there so my uncle's house end up burning down and so we had
to try to they told us we had to move from out of that section and they gave us a short amount
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
of time so at that particular time my mom was very nervous and she said well we got to go so
we end up moving to the north end with Joe Leonard was the contractor and I guess the owner
of the property on the North End at the particular time so we end up moving to the north end
with my grandmother was still there on the reservation at that same property what I'm talking
about only arenas she was like Rosa Parks she said I'm not going anywhere they're not going
to kick me off and make me go to North End and I'm not going to cause the track so my mom
was very nervous my grandmother staying there because they were going to threaten to send
her house on fire so we as kids she would make us go down there and spend the night with her
and in the middle of the night sometime she bought flashlights and we'd have to go out there
and we heard noises we had to go out we checked on the flashlight up in the trees in the
backyard and make sure if they did not set my grandmother's house on fire by her being an
older lady and not being by herself so my grandmother and my Aunt Dolly decided Well let's
go looking Banning which only 30 Mi away from Palm Springs and she liked it then so she
end up moving to Banning and then they end up destroying our house right after she left from
there this is my story for section 14 and I hope you consider it and make sure that things go in
the right direction for our families thank you
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
From:M L
To:City Clerk
Subject:Section 14
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 1:55:42 PM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open
attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
I Marion Landry, Karen Annett Landry, Elizabeth Landry , were all very young I was the oldest of four. And we live
with my grandfather, our only living relative in California when all this to Place we moved to banning California my
grandfather him and my mother continue to work in Palm Springs. My grandfather was a gardener so he would
leave very early in the morning to try to beat the heat from Banning, and my mother didn’t only car at that time so
she had to get to work the best way she could. I had to work with my grandfather on weekends and school breaks,
and we would stop at Sambo’s restaurant early in the morning before work and one morning we rode by our old
house on the reservation and it was a pile of wood and my grandfather started crying. That was the first and last time
I ever seen my grandfather cry. He was a very proud and strong man, when I got older, I open up a barbershop on
Highway 111 near Cathedral Canyon and the city did what is called today in a domain and relocated my Barber
Shop, but we were compensated for that. When we were forced to move off the reservation, there was no
compensation or anything Palm Springs should do the right thing. My preferred email is kjlhacox.net.
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
From:Laurien Towers
To:City Clerk
Subject:Claim No 22-0903 Section 14
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 3:10:42 PM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open
attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
Hello My Name is: Laurien Towers
I am Palm Springs resident, Business Owner and voting constituent. I have an International Professional background
as a Producer of Live Global Events, Film, TV, Real Estate Development
and Project Consulting.
My colleagues, friends and I have been watching and following this case for quite some time now. It is time for the
city of Palm Springs, to work with the Survivors and Descendants. They have suffered at the hands of an unjust
system long enough.
“When harm is done, you do what is necessary to make amends.”
The campaign that has been rolled out, speaks nothing but the facts. The City has an opportunity to add a second
layer to make the campaign shine, by showing our wonderfully diverse visitors that you have stepped up to the plate
to make it right! This would be a
mutually good thing for both sides.
As a concerned resident, I am well aware that the word is getting out around the world and I strongly feel “The Palm
Springs” needs to “show up”, take action and do something positive NOW! to help wipe away the nasty stain that
does linger over our city.
I am urging you to Please do your part and Work with the Section 14 Survivors!
Thank you.
Blessings, Laurien Towers
Sent from my iPhone
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
From:Bob Carroll
To:City Clerk
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 4:08:22 PM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments
unless you are sure the content is safe.
Both if my parents are passed away they rented or sublease because they couldn't afford to
have their own,we were very poor. It is not much I can say I do remember moving quickly one
day. Putting us in the car with just a few suitcases of our clothes,left the little furniture that we
had. All I sense was fear as a child. I wish my parents was alive just to see what's happening
and face what caused them awful fear.
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
From:Diane
To:City Clerk
Subject:E-Public Comment Section 14
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 5:43:13 PM
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments
unless you are sure the content is safe.
Back in 1950, Section 14 had no sewers, no garbage collection, scant
utilities, no police and fire, nor any other city service.
The Section 14 Tribal-owned square mile was MOSTLY shacks
and trailers, with no electricity or plumbing, or even indoor toilets.
Thatched roofs over mud huts and sheetmetal lean-to’s. Cooking over
open flame, burning trash outdoors, in desert windy conditions, posed a
wildfire threat. Stray dogs and rodents roamed rampant over old tires,
pipes, crates, and debris piled up around Section 14 dwellings..
Ultimately, the City of Palm Springs convinced the Tribal Council to
consider US Federal/Bureau of Indian Affairs slum abatement resources
to eradicate blight.
Now the Tribe got enthusiastic. They realized that a makeover would
create a better, longer term, lease-income opportunity for them.
So the Tribal landlords decided to terminate any rental agreements, and
post 30-day Eviction Notices everywhere.
Over a period of many months, announcements were widely publicized
and discussed, and most tenants cooperated and packed up.
Yet some simply refused to heed the notices, holding out to the bitter
end, until bulldozers were literally upon them— hoping somehow they
could force Tribal Owners to relent from taking back possession of their
own land. But the Tribe remained firm, and would not be forced to
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
surrender the rights to their land.
For the tenants, of course it was devastating. Eviction dissolved their
sense of community. They didn’t WANT to vacate their homes, however
humble, they had built them, decorated them, and enjoyed family life
together there…A few HAD built sound structures, paid fair rent, and
even helped construct a church… Despite the lack of city sanitation
services…but it was cheap, and they were happy there.
Leaving was gonna hurt.
But eventually casinos, resorts, and golf courses would mean good jobs
and prosperity.
Here today some descendants-of-tenants, are being egged on by
opportunistic advocates,
complaining about the unfortunate-but-legal eviction of previous
tenants from tribal land to makeway for urban redevelopment
TONIGHT’s discussion is about scapegoating Palm Springs
citizens in an attempt to “shake down” taxpayers because decades
ago, city leaders and tribal elders joined efforts to remake their
OWN land—replacing a shantytown with a resort.
To sum up,
Maybe we need to remember that sometimes life can deal us a lousy
hand. We need to stop blaming others for tough times. It means if we
get evicted from land we don’t own because the owner decides to do
something different, we take our lumps and move on. It was sweet
while it lasted. Low rent or no rent, no regulations, no ordinances, no
building codes, no citations, no penalties and no fines.
Then one day it was over. For Section 14 tenants, life was about to get
more restrictive, and more expensive. The days of cheap rent and no
rules were gone. The city had matured, and reinvented itself, thanks to
the new deal it struck with tribal landOWNERS.
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session
And that’s the way it happened.
Thank you,
Diane McAlpine
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
10/12/2023
Public Comment
Closed Session