List of mayors of Palm Springs, California

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Mayor of Palm Springs
Palm Springs Seal
Palm Springs Flag
Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein
Incumbent
Jeffrey Bernstein
since December 14, 2023
StyleMr. Mayor
Term lengthFour years
Inaugural holderPhilip L. Boyd
Formation1938
Website"Office of the Mayor".


The mayor of Palm Springs, California is a largely ceremonial title, elected at-large, with no executive functions. The mayor is the chairman of the city council meetings. The legislative body is the five-member city council, which is voted into office by public elections. The Council appoints a professional manager to oversee the administrative operations, implement its policies, and advise it. The city of Palm Springs is a council-manager type government.[1]

The office of mayor was created in 1938 when Palm Springs was officially established as a city. Palm Springs residents voted on the issue of incorporation and for the first members of the city council on April 12, 1938. There were 910 registered voters in the city. Voters cast their ballots 442 in favor and 211 opposed.[2] Upon certification of the election results the city's incorporation was finalized on April 20, 1938.

The mayor was not directly elected until 1982. Palm Springs Mayors serve a four-year term. There are no term limits for the mayor or members of the city council.

This is a list of mayors of Palm Springs, California.

# Mayor Picture Term(s) Notes Significant civic events during term(s) of office
1 Philip L. Boyd April 1938 – April 1942 First mayor under the original city charter. The city was 16 square miles and represented by seven wards.[2]
  • Fire Protection District dissolved and Palm Springs Fire Department formed[3]
  • City establishes Palm Springs Public Library, July 5, 1939[3][4]: 47 
  • The Welwood Murray Memorial Library opens February 19, 1941[4]: 53 
  • Palm Springs High School opens; students no longer travel to Banning[3]
2 Frank V. Shannon April 1942 – April 1944
3 Eugene E. Therieau April 1944 – April 1946
  • Thomas A. O'Donnell donates the O'Donnell Golf Course to the city, which names it the Thomas A. O'Donnell Municipal Park (1944–1945)[5]
4 Clarence E. Hyde April 1946 – April 1948
  • Executed Lease Agreement No. 209 between the City of Palm Springs and the O'Donnell Golf Club on July 1, 1947. Lease ends on December 26, 2043[5]
5 Charles Farrell April 1948 – July 1953
  • The Committee of Twenty-Five formed to promote civic activities and sponsor visits of influential and important persons in business[6]
6 Florian Boyd July 1953 – November 1957
  • Boyd joined Governor Goodwin Knight in welcoming President and Mrs. Eisenhower to PS on their way to Smoke Tree Ranch as guests of businessman Paul Helms[7]
  • City rejects the Agua Caliente's land-use strategy plan for Section 14 prepared by Victor Gruen and Associates claiming it would "pull business away from downtown Palm Springs"[8][9]
  • New City Hall, designed by architect Albert Frey,[10] opens[3]
7 Gerald K. Sanborn November 1957 – April 1958 Acting mayor
8 Frank Bogert April 1958 – January 1966
  • City purchases land from Agua Caliente Indians for present day airport[3]
  • New Police Station opens on McCallum Way, October 12, 1959[3]
  • Municipal Golf Course opens with 18 holes on October 28, 1959[3]
  • President John F. Kennedy visits Palm Springs on December 9, 1962[11]
  • City authorizes the demolition and razing of homes and structures on the Agua Caliente Reservation in Section 14 – February 19, 1962
  • Vista del Monte Park (present day Victoria Park) and neighboring Fire Station dedicated on November 15, 1964[3]
9 George Beebe, Jr. January 1966 – April 1966 Acting mayor
10 Edgar L. McCoubrey
Gerald Ford, Anne T. Hill, and Edgar L. McCoubrey.jpg
 April 1966 – April 1967
  • City installs the Pearl McCallum McManus fountain at PS Airport. McCoubrey voted against funding it.[12]
11 Howard Wiefels April 1967 – March 1974
  • Proposition R provided funding for the following projects:
    • Sunrise Park
      • PS Public Library
      • Leisure Center
      • The Pavilion
      • PS Swim Center[13]
    • Desert Highland Park (present day James O. Jessie Park)
      • Community Center
      • Gymnasium
      • Playground and baseball field
12 William Foster April 1974 – March 1977
13 Russ Beirich March 1977 – April 1980
  • PS Police Training Center is dedicated on April 17, 1977[3]
14 John Doyle April 1980 – April 1982
15 Frank Bogert April 1982 – April 1988 First directly elected mayor
  • New Police Department building on South Civic Drive dedicated August 21, 1985[3]
  • PS Convention Center opens on December 31, 1987[3]
16 Sonny Bono April 1988 – April 1992
  • Library reinstated as a full Municipal Department through the efforts of Library Board President Kleindienst on October 3, 1990[4]: 100 
  • Fire destroys the historic El Mirador Tower – July 26, 1989[3]
  • Created Palm Springs International Film Festival.[14]: 198  Debuts on January 10, 1990[3]
  • The downtown redevelopment plan called "Vision Palm Springs" presented on May 16, 1990[15]
  • Grand opening of the restored El Mirador Tower designed by architect Chris Mills – November 10, 1990[3]
  • Vintage Grand Prix returns as the Palm Springs Road Races – November 15–18, 1990[3]
  • Villagefest Street Fair[16] debuts on February 28, 1991[3]
  • Mizell Senior Center opens, designed by architect Chris Mills – March 14, 1991[3]
17 Lloyd Maryanov April 1992 – December 1995

Date for elections moved from April to November to coincide with state and nation election cycles.

  • Mid-Valley Parkway
  • Welwood Murray Memorial Library is closed by Library Board on June 30, 1992[3]
  • Residents vote to abandon status as a General Law city to become a Charter Law city
  • Implemented 5% Utility User Tax (UUT)
  • Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort is completed by the city making it Palm Springs' second publicly owned course – February 4, 1995.
18 William G. Kleindienst December 1995 – December 1999
December 1999 – December 2003 		First two-term directly elected mayor[17]
  • Library creates the Palm Springs Virtual University (PSVU) offering college courses via the internet with video-teleconferencing from UCLA, CSU San Bernardino, Stanford and other universities. Dedicated December 3, 1998.[4]: 110 
  • PS Amtrak Station[18] opens 1999[19]
  • Sonny Bono Concourse[20] at Palm Springs International Airport
  • City acquires Albert Frey designed Tramway Gas Station for new Visitors Center – December 7, 2002[21][22]
  • Citywide playground equipment replacement
  • PS Boxing Club reopens with a $50,000 city funding grant[23]
  • PS Skate Park[24]
  • PS Dog Park[25] is opened. "Desert Reflections", the Dog Park Fence, was funded as a Public Art program and designed by Artist Phill Evans[26]
  • Downtown parking structure
  • Palm Springs Convention Center[27][28] expansion
  • Dinah Shore bridge
  • Created the Council Cabinet
  • Privatized tourism operations with SMG
  • City privatized waste water treatment facility operation with US Filter/Vivendi[29]
  • Privatized PS Tennis Center operations with the Plaza Racquet Club
  • Dedication of "The Nude Bridge"[30]
  • Congressman Sonny Bono dies in skiing accident near Lake Tahoe[31]
  • Sonny Bono Memorial Fountain by sculpture Emmanuil Snitkovsky is dedicated, 2001[32]
  • Community-based parades created:
    • Festival of Lights Parade[33] Kleindienst is the parade founder.[14]: 200 
    • Veterans Day Parade and concert[34]
    • Homecoming Parade
19 Ron Oden December 2003 – December 2007[35] First African-American and openly gay mayor[36]
  • "Cirque Dreams" premiers in a temporary theater downtown – November 18, 2005[37]
  • Oden loses Democratic primary bid for State Assembly to Steve Clute – November 7, 2006[38]
  • "Cirque Dreams" shut down in its second season without repaying the city the $300,000 interest-free loan[39]
  • College of the Desert Board of Trustees voted unanimously to bring future West Valley Campus to Palm Springs – September 22, 2007[40]
  • Airport opens new Regional Air Terminal[41]
20 Steve Pougnet December 2007[42] – December 2015[43] Second openly gay mayor of Palm Springs
  • Pougnet lays out plans for The Hard Rock Hotel and the Mondrian Hotel[44]
  • Pougnet loses bid to unseat Rep. Mary Bono Mack on November 2, 2010 election[45]
  • Pougnet reveals "iHub" (innovation hub) to invest in new green businesses to locate in city[46]
  • Pougnet proposed renaming the "Pearl McManus Fountain" at Palm Springs International Airport after Mayor Frank Bogert.[47]
  • Pougnet proposes an initiative for a 1% sales tax (Measure J) to help city buy and develop downtown Fashion Plaza Mall – December 16, 2010[48]
  • Measure J passes with 58% approval – November 8, 2011[49]
21 Robert Moon[50] December 2015[51] – December 2019[52] Last directly elected mayor of the City of Palm Springs
  • Council saves historic Tahquitz Plaza from demolition. Restored and repurposed complex renamed Kaptur Plaza in honor of its prominent Palm Springs mid-century architect Hugh Kaptur.
  • Palm Springs passes comprehensive City Ordinance to permit and regulate cannabis production, testing, and distribution. Cannabis lounges permitted.
  • Moon leads move of Walk of Stars program to Chamber of Commerce.
  • College of the Desert announces new Palm Springs Campus on site of old Palm Springs Mall
  • New Kimpton Rowan Hotel and retail development completed and opens on site of razed Fashion Plaza Mall
  • Palm Springs residents vote to allow vacation rentals in the City of Palm Springs under strict new legal controls
  • Moon and Councilmember JR Roberts organize "Rebirth of an Icon" project to begin fundraising for restoration of the historic 1936 Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs
  • In a 5-to-0 vote, council votes to change from direct elections of at-large mayor and four councilmembers to five districts, with the title of mayor rotating between councilmembers each year.[53]
22 Geoff Kors[54] December 2019 [55]- December 2020 [56] Fourth openly gay mayor of Palm Springs
23 Christy Holstege[57] December 2020[58]– December 2021[59] First Female, Millennial & Bisexual mayor of Palm Springs
22 Lisa Middleton[60] December 2021[61] – December 2022[62] First transgender mayor of Palm Springs
23 Grace Elena Garner[63] December 2022[64] - December 2023 [65] First Latina mayor of
Palm Springs[66][67][68]
24 Jeffrey Bernstein[69] December 2023[70] - Present

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Form of Government". City of Palm Springs. Archived from the original on 21 May 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Incorporation Wins". The Desert Sun. Vol. XI, no. 36. April 12, 1938.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Robinson, Nancy (1992). Palm Springs History Handbook. Palm Springs: Palm Springs Public Library. p. 11. OCLC 31595834.
  4. ^ a b c d e Weiss, Henry (1999). At Sunrise, The History of the Palm Springs Public Library. Palm Springs: Palm Springs Public Library.
  5. ^ a b Blubaugh, Donald A. (1977). Report on the O'Donnell Golf Course. Palm Springs: City of Palm Springs. Palm Springs Resolution No. 1598, December 27, 1944
  6. ^ Wheeler, Geo. O. (November 1, 1948). "Committee of Twenty-Five". Palm Springs Villager. IV. III: 24.
  7. ^ Bush, Keith (February 2004). "We Still Like Ike". Palm Springs Life. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  8. ^ "City Officials Look Dimly on Section 14 Plan". The Desert Sun. March 13, 1958.
  9. ^ Kray, Ryan M. (January 23, 2004). "The Path to Paradise: Expropriation, Exodus, and Exclusion in the Making of Palm Springs". Pacific Historical Review. No. 1. 73 (2): 105. doi:10.1525/phr.2004.73.1.85. JSTOR 3739560.
  10. ^ Rosa, Joseph (1999). Albert Frey, Architect. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. p. 107. ISBN 1-56898-205-4.
  11. ^ Bogert, Frank (1987). Palm Springs First Hundred Years. Palm Springs: Palm Springs Heritage Association.
  12. ^ "The Birth of a Fountain". Palm Springs Life. December 1966.
  13. ^ "Swim Center". City of Palm Springs. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  14. ^ a b Niemann, Greg (2006). Palm Springs Legends: creation of a desert oasis. San Diego, CA: Sunbelt Publications. p. 286. ISBN 978-0-932653-74-1. OCLC 61211290. (here for Table of Contents)
  15. ^ Mungo, Ray (1993). Palm Springs Babylon: Sizzling Stories From The Desert Playground of the Stars. New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 187. ISBN 0-312-06438-1.
  16. ^ "Palm Springs Villagefest". City of Palm Springs. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  17. ^ Kleindienst's 1995 opponent was Kitty Cole, a former modeling agent. "Cross-dresser runs for mayor of Palm Springs". McCook Daily Gazette. AP. November 6, 1995. p. 15. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  18. ^ "Palm Springs Amtrak Station". City of Palm Springs. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  19. ^ "North Palm Springs, CA (PSN) – History". The Great American Stations. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  20. ^ "Palm Springs International Airport Terminal Concourse". GPA Architects, Inc. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  21. ^ Smith, Darrell (Dec 7, 2002). "City to use Tramway landmark". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  22. ^ Smith, Darrell (May 1, 2003). "Palm Springs gives OK for visitors center plan". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  23. ^ Trone, Kimberly (October 28, 1999). "Boxing center to reopen, is seeking community aid". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  24. ^ "Palm Springs Skate Park". City of Palm Springs. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  25. ^ "Palm Springs Dog Park". City of Palm Springs. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  26. ^ "Dog Park Fence Desert Reflections". City of Palm Springs. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  27. ^ "Palm Springs Convention Center". City of Palm Springs. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  28. ^ "Fentress Architects-Convention Centers-Palm Springs". Fentress Architects. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  29. ^ Liebrum, Jennifer (October 21, 1999). "Study: Privatizing will cut sewer rates". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  30. ^ "View from the Bridge: Span Gives Nudist Access to Resort, But Blocks Prying Eyes".
  31. ^ "Palm Springs expects crowd for Bono funeral".
  32. ^ "Sonny Bono Memorial Fountain". City of Palm Springs, CA. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  33. ^ "The Festival of Lights Parade". The City of Palm Springs, California. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  34. ^ Byars, Wade. "Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade 2011". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  35. ^ "Dec 05, 2007 City Council Meeting - Palm Springs, CA".
  36. ^ Ito, Gail (2008-01-29). "Oden, Ron (1950– )". BlackPast.org. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  37. ^ Gruszecki, Debra (November 19, 2005). "Cirque time draws near". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  38. ^ Brambila, Nicole C. (November 28, 2006). "It's official: Clute to take on Garcia". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  39. ^ Frith, Stefanie (January 19, 2007). "Cirque producer hasn't repaid loan". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  40. ^ Frith, Stefanie (September 22, 2007). "New COD campus site named". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  41. ^ Gruszecki, Debra (September 26, 2007). "Airport takes off with a new wing". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  42. ^ "Dec 05, 2007 City Council Meeting - Palm Springs, CA".
  43. ^ "Dec 02, 2015 City Council Meeting - Palm Springs, CA".
  44. ^ Frith, Stefanie (February 8, 2008). "Pougnet lays out his plans for the city". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  45. ^ Felci, Erica (November 3, 2010). "Rep. Mary Bono Mack declares victory over Democrat Steve Pougnet". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  46. ^ Honore, Marcel (February 10, 2010). "Mayor: Valley cities to form green 'iHub'". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  47. ^ Fessier, Bruce (March 28, 2009). "Frank Bogert 1910–2009: 'Irreplaceable boot mark' left". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  48. ^ Mendoza, Mariecar (Dec 16, 2010). "Mayor unveils plan to buy mall". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  49. ^ Mendoza, Mariecar (November 9, 2011). "Measure J passes with 58 percent of vote". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  50. ^ "Robert Moon" (PDF). City of Palm Springs. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  51. ^ "Dec 02, 2015 City Council Meeting - Palm Springs, CA".
  52. ^ "Dec 04, 2019 City Council Regular Meeting - Palm Springs, CA". palmspringsca.new.swagit.com. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  53. ^ "Apr 17, 2019 City Council Regular Meeting - Palm Springs, CA". palmspringsca.new.swagit.com. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  54. ^ https://www.palmspringsca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/71854/637157375091470000
  55. ^ "Dec 04, 2019 City Council Regular Meeting - Palm Springs, CA".
  56. ^ "Dec 10, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting - Palm Springs, CA".
  57. ^ https://www.palmspringsca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/77222/637436567785870000
  58. ^ "Dec 10, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting - Palm Springs, CA".
  59. ^ "Dec 09, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting - Palm Springs, CA".
  60. ^ https://www.palmspringsca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/80958/637750008752100000
  61. ^ "Dec 09, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting - Palm Springs, CA".
  62. ^ "Dec 15, 2022 City Council Regular Meeting - Palm Springs, CA". palmspringsca.new.swagit.com. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
  63. ^ https://www.palmspringsca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/84155/638103561990770000
  64. ^ "Dec 15, 2022 City Council Regular Meeting - Palm Springs, CA". palmspringsca.new.swagit.com. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
  65. ^ https://palmspringsca.new.swagit.com/videos/291506
  66. ^ "New Palm Springs City Council Includes First Latina Mayor". NBC Palm Springs. 2022-12-17. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
  67. ^ Reyes, Jesus (2022-12-16). "Grace Garner sworn in as Palm Springs first Latina mayor". KESQ. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
  68. ^ Uken, Cindy (2022-12-15). "Grace Garner Preps to become Palm Springs Mayor". Uken Report. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
  69. ^ https://www.palmspringsca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/84955/638174360293970000
  70. ^ https://palmspringsca.new.swagit.com/videos/291506
  71. ^ Palm Springs Walk of Stars: By Date Dedicated Archived 2012-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
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