Councilmember Grace Elena Garner is a second-generation Palm Springs resident who was first elected in November 2019 to represent District 1. In 2022, she was re-elected and became the first Latina Mayor of Palm Springs. A former member of the Palm Springs Planning Commission and the City Council appointed California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) Working Group, Garner is also the first Latina woman elected to serve on the City Council and is passionate about promoting more inclusion and diversity in the City of Palm Springs. Garner serves on the boards of Desert Regional Medical Center and the California State University of California San Bernardino Philanthropy Board.

During her tenure on the City Council Garner has championed increasing affordable housing; improving community facilities; creating more youth focused programming; and addressing neighborhood needs. Garner manages a paid internship program to provide local college aged youth an opportunity to work in city government.

As Mayor, Garner ensured that meetings were focused and timely while still centering the meetings with joy and community involvement. In a nod to her childhood in Palm Springs, Garner invited local students to lead the City Council in the pledge of allegiance at each meeting. When Tropical Storm Hilary struck, Garner made over 20 media appearances on local, national, and international news outlets within 36 hours, ensuring that residents, visitors, and more were aware of the impact in the Coachella Valley. During the relief efforts, Garner met with the Governor and other officials to insist that the necessary funds be granted to the City to complete clean up and infrastructure improvements. These meetings led to over $50 million dollars of funding for the City.

Garner attended Palm Springs public schools and grew up playing in city parks and using local services like the Palm Springs Public Library. She has a B.A. from Pitzer College in Political Studies and Gender/Feminist Studies and a J.D. from California Western School of Law. Garner is also the Senior Policy Advisor for Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. She covers the western portion of the district, air quality, and children’s issues.

Talks

• Session A: Strengthening Environmental Health: Government & City-Led Responses