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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon Agenda ItemFebruary 22, 2024 Palm Springs City Council 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 RE: Request for Yearly Assistance Dear Mayor Bernstein and City Council Members, As you know, Oswit Land Trust (OLT) is a 501C3 land trust based in Palm Springs with almost 5,000 local supporters. The mission of Oswit Land Trust (OLT) is to save and preserve sensitive wildlife habitat while enhancing opportunities for residents and tourists to immerse themselves in nature and take advantage of the recreational and fitness-enhancing activities it offers. Over the past four years, OLT has saved more than 5000 acres of local open space. We currently own five properties, four of them in Palm Springs. Our properties - Oswit Canyon, Palm Hills, Mesquite Ridge/ Lykken trail (we own both entrances to Lykken trail) and Prescott Preserve - are wildly popular with both residents and tourists. In fact, nearly 100,000 people enjoy our Palm Springs properties each year! In addition to these properties, we currently have 8 other properties we are working on acquiring. We are immensely successful at obtaining grants for acquisitions and have been approved for almost 20 million dollars in grants thus far. We have a 7.7-million-dollar restoration grant for Prescott Preserve pending final approval. Compared to acquisition grants, grants to assist with operating expenses for our properties and staff are much harder to come by. Nevertheless, we have been successful in obtaining two grants to help cover the salaries of two staff members. We are proud of our fundraising successes, as they are a testament to the quality of work we do, the confidence the funding agencies have in OLT, and the exceptional staff and volunteers that make up Oswit Land Trust. Needless to say, Oswit Land Trust is not slowing down anytime soon and we are continuing to grow— which is beneficial to all of us and future generations! We pride ourselves on being team players and working with key city, state and federal agencies and organizations to move conservation forward. We have developed partnerships with US Fish and Wildlife, California Fish and Wildlife, UC Master Gardeners, UC CA Climate Stewards, UC California Naturalists, Coachella Valley Mountains Commission (CVMC), Coachella Valley Conservation Commission (CVCC), Desert Compost, Rotary, Sierra Club, Great Outdoors, UC Riverside and more. Our properties and work have been featured in publications and websites all over the country including LA Times, New York Times, Palm Springs Life, Desert Sun, Gay Desert Guide, Visit Palm Springs, All Trails, Tripadvisor, Ebird, iNaturalist, and countless others. 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non-Agenda All our properties are unique, but for the residents and visitors of Palm Springs, we believe that Prescott Preserve is the most important, as it provides the easiest and most equitable access to nature. In a city with an aging population, it is imperative that our residents have a place where they can safely and conveniently exercise and commune with nature, regardless of their age and fitness ability. Therefore, we are reaching out to request carefully targeted forms of financial assistance with managing this property. In the City’s Sustainability Plan adopted in 2016, four priorities were identified: 1. Protect sensitive habitat. 2. Cultivate a flourishing urban forest and desert ecosystem, ensuring habitat protection and access to open space for recreational activities. 3. Build support for the City’s vision of a sustainable future among City residents. 4. Enhance Economic Prosperity. Prescott Preserve is the most uniquely positioned of our properties to advance the City’s priorities identified above. For example, the palm trees around the Preserve ponds provide habitat for the Western Yellow Bat, a relatively rare species designated by the State of California as a Species of Special Concern. As documented on Ebird, the ponds also provide wetland habitat for 40 species of migratory and local aquatic birds. Two of the migratory species, Cinnamon Teal and Green Heron have been identified on various conservation watch lists as species of concern due to declining populations from loss of habitat. Thus, the ponds directly support the City’s goal of protecting ecologically valuable habitat and the species it supports. In addition, in the past, only golfers and residents of adjacent condominiums knew the ponds existed. The pond water was so offensive that no one could stand and admire the ponds for anything longer than the time it took to walk past them. Since OLT acquired Prescott Preserve, we’ve opened walking trails past the ponds to the public, improved the water quality, and added a float for birds and turtles that people love to see. The results have been spectacular. For the past 16 months OLT volunteers have been leading bi-monthly bird sighting expeditions in the Preserve. Approximately 500 people attended these excursions, one third of which are estimated to have been out-of-town visitors. Sighting and documenting the aquatic species in our ponds are an important part of these excursions. Thus, in addition to being ecologically valuable habitat, maintaining the ponds is furthering the City’s goals of growing community support for a sustainable future, growing community participation in healthy recreational pursuits, and enhancing economic prosperity by attracting ecotourists. Looking beyond the ponds, Prescott Preserve is assisting with growing connections between neighbors and adjacent neighborhoods via our walking trails, enhancing individual fitness levels, and creating enthusiasm for sustainable approaches to improving our community and individual well-being. Furthermore, we note that in a recent national survey of potential visitors to the 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non-Agenda City of Palm Springs, outdoor recreational activities were among the top five most frequently desired activities and experiences for their visit. Visiting the ponds and hiking the trails around them are new recreational opportunities that the City can leverage to promote the City’s “brand” as an ecotourism destination. We are hopeful that the City recognizes the contributions Prescott Preserve is making to our community and the benefits the Preserve provides to both residents and tourists. In light of these contributions, we are respectfully asking the City to provide a yearly contribution of $200,800 to assist us in directly maintaining the Preserve’s recreational assets. SUMMARY OF REQUEST Item Yearly Amount Security $60,000 Pond Maintenance (assures the health of the ponds) $16,800 Water Costs $72,000 Irrigation pump, security Cameras, supplies. Etc (half OLT’s cost)$52,000 Total Requested $200,800 DETAILED INFO FOR EACH ITEM: Security: Our rangers and Trail Ambassadors do daily checks of our properties to assure they are safe and free of homeless encampments, debris, etc. In addition, they are available to assist with questions and directions. We also maintain cameras throughout all our properties to monitor wildlife. Pond Maintenance: Maintaining the ponds ranks among Prescott Preserve’s highest annual expenses. Our maintenance costs include our weekly contractor who inspects the ponds, tests the water in the ponds for algae and other contaminants and treats the water as needed. 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non-Agenda Water costs: Maintaining the water levels in the ponds constitutes the bulk of the Preserve’s water needs, which result in approximately $6000 in monthly reclaimed water bills. Infrastructure costs: Maintaining the ponds takes considerable infrastructure, including a decades-old irrigation pump that will have to be replaced this year at a cost of approximately $100,000, plus maintenance and repairs each year going forward. Should the City decide to partner with us to support maintaining Prescott Preserve, the City’s support will be publicized on OLT’s website, email list, Facebook page and Instagram which is followed by thousands of primarily local residents. We are happy to provide any documentation needed to justify our costs and the request we are making. I can be reached directly at Jane@oswitlandtrust.org or 843-343-8887. We hope the City recognizes the contributions Oswit Land Trust has made to our community both now and for future generations! We look forward to your timely decision on this request. Sincerely, Jane Garrison, Executive Director on behalf of Oswit Land Trusts’ Board of Directors 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non-Agenda From:City of Palm Springs To:City Clerk Subject:*NEW SUBMISSION* Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Date:Sunday, February 11, 2024 9:41:46 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. Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Submission #:2996125 IP Address:172.56.241.204 Submission Date:02/11/2024 9:41 Survey Time:7 minutes, 10 seconds You have a new online form submission. Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login. Full Name/Nombre Stacey Parcell City of Residence/Ciudad de residencia Palm Springs, Phone (optional) /Teléfono (opcional) Email (optional/opcional) Your Comments/Sus comentarios As a resident of Palm Springs I am appalled at the behavior of Ron deHarte at the Feb. 8th meeting. His 45 minutes of comment and questions was embarrassing. He obviously does not know or have an understanding of the cannabis industry. It is obvious he allowed someone to provide him speaking points. Additionally, the way he treated staff is unprofessional. City manager should make him apologize to staff! Mr. deHarte you should step down! If you genuinely cared for the residents we would have a cap and strong rules for cannabis. I hope the industry paid you enough to embarrass yourself. You are a disgrace. As a resident of district 3, you have lost my vote and I’m certain others. Thank you, City of Palm Springs This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:City of Palm Springs To:City Clerk Subject:*NEW SUBMISSION* Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Date:Monday, February 12, 2024 7:40:01 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. Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Submission #:2997115 IP Address:76.32.18.4 Submission Date:02/12/2024 7:39 Survey Time:18 minutes, 36 seconds You have a new online form submission. Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login. Full Name/Nombre Amy Gunning City of Residence/Ciudad de residencia Palm Springs, Phone (optional) /Teléfono (opcional) Email (optional/opcional) amygunning77@yahoo.com Your Comments/Sus comentarios Annie Fonsenca assisted me when I received notice to vacate my apartment. I have animals, am a single renter & had lost my job, so I was very concerned. Annie told me exactly what I needed to do to apply & helped me regain some confidence. I would highly recommend going to her in the Palm Springs office before losing all hope. She is very helpful and will work diligently at helping Palm Springs residents remain housed, avoiding homelessness. Thank you, City of Palm Springs This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:Thomas Ledwith To:Jay Virata; Jeffrey Bernstein; Grace Garner; Lisa Middleton; Christy Holstege; Ron deHarte; City Clerk Subject:Brad Prescott- Award Date:Monday, February 12, 2024 6:08:25 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 All , I am extremely insulted . I have owned in Mesquite country club since 2007 . We did not buy into a preserve . Christy ,Lisa,Grace,Ron and Jim have you personally got out of your car and take a hard look at the so called preserve ? By the sound of this award . I would say "NO" ! Thank you , Thomas M Ledwith 2701 E Mesquite Ave Phase 4 ( across the Street from club house ) Sent from my T-Mobile 5G LTE device 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Palm Springs Section 14 Date:Friday, February 23, 2024 7:42:35 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: andrews.mv@gmail.com Date: February 14, 2024 at 8:04:47 PM PST To: Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>, Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>, Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov>, Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Palm Springs Section 14  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 the Honorable Grace Elena Gardner, Mayor of Palm Springs: I stand with the survivors and descendants of Palm Springs Section 14. Please honor the city's findings from its own investigation and advance the reparations effort without further delay 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Saturday"s Parade Date:Friday, February 23, 2024 6:23:41 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Jake Epstine <thisiswhatigive@gmail.com> Date: February 22, 2024 at 12:32:54 PM PST To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Saturday's Parade  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. Dear Ms. Holstege, I am both dismayed and frightened that this Saturday’s Palm Springs Black History Month Parade and Town Fair is welcoming a Free Palestine contingent, apparently sponsored by Coachella for Palestine. A Jew hating group, no matter how small in number, is not only an insult to my family, but a betrayal of Palm Springs’ place on the map as a world class city. Should you be marching in the parade, I ask that you reconsider your participation and speak out forcefully about the Parade’s sponsoring a hate spewing group. As someone who has experienced more antisemitic remarks in the Coachella Valley than anywhere else in our country, I am always open to dialoguing. Maybe it is time Palm Springs takes on a nuanced conversation around issues of antisemitism here in the Valley, with a concerted effort to reach out to our Black and Islamic communities. Can I count on you to opt out of Saturday’s Parade and make a 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda contextual conversation around antisemitism happen? Thank you for your time, Jake Epstine 760.699.3048 thisiswhatigive@gmail.com 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: SAVE Demuth Park trees Date:Friday, February 23, 2024 6:20:03 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Tiffani Lobue <bwtiffani@hotmail.com> Date: February 22, 2024 at 4:23:18 PM PST To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov>, Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, pickleball <pickleball@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: SAVE Demuth Park trees  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, As a Demuth Park neighborhood resident, I walk to the park multiple times a week because it has so much to offer our community - including pickleball - but the mature trees lining the paths and providing much needed shade are the Rockstars of the park. PLEASE don't remove trees to accommodate more pickleball courts. That makes no sense. It is designated a park, not a sports center. Yes, baseball and soccer clubs play at Demuth, but the trees and grass are part of the equation. Thank you,. Tiffani LoBue 4028 E Paseo Luisa Get Outlook for Android 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:Janet R To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Demuth Trees Date:Monday, February 26, 2024 11:50:44 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. Christy Holstege said to forward my concerns to this address. Janet Rothfels ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Janet R <jrothfels@gmail.com> Date: Mon, Feb 26, 2024, 11:34 AM Subject: Demuth Trees To: <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov>, <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, <pickleball@palmspringsca.gov> Please consider the importance of trees to our desert environment and other wildlife, before sacrificing them for pickleball courts, which provide only noise and concentrated heat to all living things around them. Think long-term, not short-term. Thank you, Janet Rothfels 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Demuth Park Trees Date:Monday, February 26, 2024 2:53:26 PM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov City Hall is open Monday –Thursday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and closed on Fridays. Begin forwarded message: From: Janet Bosma <jbosmaster@gmail.com> Subject: Demuth Park Trees Date: February 26, 2024 at 2:45:45 PM PST To: jeffrey.bernstein@palmspringsca.gov 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. Dear Mayor Bernstein, As a year round resident who lives near and frequents Demuth Park, I am writing to plead with you to keep the mature trees near the pickleball courts. Please look to add courts elsewhere in the park and save these 15 trees. The park is very large and so hot in the summer - every established tree presents an advantage for cooling the park and PS visitors. Please do not take the easy route of expanding the existing courts and discounting the importance of established trees (which use less water than new ones) and shade. Thank you Janet Bosma 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda 1939 Grand Bahama Dr E Palm Springs, CA 92264 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Cc:Scott Stiles; Teresa Gallavan Subject:Fwd: Please save the trees! Date:Monday, February 26, 2024 7:00:37 PM Thank you! Jeffrey Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: Tara <taraellison1@gmail.com> Subject: Please save the trees! Date: February 26, 2024 at 6:40:31 PM PST To: jeffrey.bernstein@palmspringsca.gov 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. Dear Mayor Bernstein, Please save the 15 trees you’re planning to destroy for the pickleball courts. Surely there’s a way to make everyone happy here - while keeping the trees alive. Thank you! Tara Wilson. 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Cc:Scott Stiles; Teresa Gallavan Subject:Fwd: Demuth Park Pickleball Courts Date:Monday, February 26, 2024 7:00:54 PM Thank you! Jeffrey Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: Octavio Ochoa <octochoa11@gmail.com> Subject: Demuth Park Pickleball Courts Date: February 26, 2024 at 4:49:05 PM PST To: jeffrey.bernstein@palmspringsca.gov, christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov, pickleball@palmspringsca.gov 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. Dear Mayor and Council Member, I volunteer with several environmental groups in our Palm Springs neighborhood and we are always working hard to keep nature where nature belongs. Every tree matters for our bugs, for our birds, for our air and for our weather! The shade mature trees provide to kids, to our birds, to our plants is so vital and something that often gets overlooked by people. Our mature trees provide so many connections underground to our soil, to other trees and to the micro biodiversity that you don't see with your naked eye. 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda I love tennis and I love pickleball, but this is not the right way and not the right place to expand pickleball courts by sacrificing so much of our natural life, shade and vital space. Find another location to build courts. Pickleball courts get so hot during the summer as they absorb so much heat from our scorching summer sun and then radiate that heat back to us all evening and at night. This is quite the opposite from what our park and trees provide for us for free every day of the year. A Palm Springs Resident that loves Palm Springs with nature not extremely hot concrete slabs instead of trees. -------------------------- Octavio Ochoa octochoa11@gmail.com 213-268-0711 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Cc:Scott Stiles; Teresa Gallavan Subject:Fwd: Opposition to tree removal at Demuth Date:Monday, February 26, 2024 7:01:08 PM Thank you! Jeffrey Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: podro2014@yahoo.com Subject: Opposition to tree removal at Demuth Date: February 26, 2024 at 5:00:31 PM PST To: Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov, Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov, pickleball@palmspringsca.gov 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 am writing to register my opposition to the removal of trees at Demuth for the purposes of extending the available space for Pickleball courts. In a time when we are asking the city to provide more shaded green space, this seems an unreasonable resolution. Thank you for your continued service on the City Council. Sent from my iPhone 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Please save the trees! Date:Wednesday, February 28, 2024 7:28:08 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Tara <taras1stnovel@gmail.com> Date: February 26, 2024 at 6:42:22 PM PST To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Please save the trees! 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. Dear Ms. Holstege, Please save the 15 trees you’re planning to destroy for the pickleball courts. Surely there’s a way to make everyone happy here - while keeping the trees alive. Thank you! Tara Wilson. 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:City of Palm Springs To:City Clerk Subject:*NEW SUBMISSION* Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Date:Wednesday, February 28, 2024 6:47:48 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. Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Submission #:3035802 IP Address:76.33.170.1 Submission Date:02/28/2024 6:47 Survey Time:3 minutes, 56 seconds You have a new online form submission. Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login. Full Name/Nombre Richard Martin City of Residence/Ciudad de residencia Palm Springs, Phone (optional) /Teléfono (opcional) Email (optional/opcional) Your Comments/Sus comentarios As a long time resident of Palm Springs I regularly watch council meetings, read reports and public comment. I have never been inspired to submit public comment until today. I 100% agree with the public comment about Ron Deharte. I am in shock that his behavior during the marijuana discussion was allowed. He made no sense, I honestly thought he was high! He was disrespectful to staff with his “cool” response and by disrespecting everyone’s time. Marijuana is still federally prohibited and needs laws. His behavior reeked of influence from marijuana industry. He should not be allowed to participate in any marijuana discussions if he doesn’t have the knowledge to and if clearly is biased. Thank you, City of Palm Springs This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda From:City of Palm Springs To:City Clerk Subject:*NEW SUBMISSION* Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Date:Thursday, February 29, 2024 11:08:27 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. Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Submission #:3037308 IP Address:47.181.5.217 Submission Date:02/29/2024 11:08 Survey Time:5 minutes, 39 seconds You have a new online form submission. Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login. Full Name/Nombre B. Sciortino City of Residence/Ciudad de residencia Palm Springs, Phone (optional) /Teléfono (opcional) Email (optional/opcional) Your Comments/Sus comentarios Ron Dehart should be ashamed of his behavior at the 2/9 meeting. His discussion and questions made no sense and his rude response of "cool' are not how an elected official should behave. I don't know why he is rallying for marijuana and not the City! We have too many pot shops! We need strict rules! Look out for the people of this City not the pot industry! Thank you, City of Palm Springs This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 02/29/2024 Public Comment Non Agenda