District 1 Council Member· 2024-2028
Karina Quintanilla
Palm Desert
About
Karina Quintanilla's platform centers on fair representation, civic engagement, and equity, notably demonstrated by her legal efforts to establish voting districts in Palm Desert to give underrepresented communities a voice.
Campaign promises (1)
- transparencyKarina Quintanilla advocated for and pursued the creation of voting districts in Palm Desert to ensure fair representation.Related votes
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 27
- Total speaking time
- 2:49:54
- Avg per meeting
- 6:18
- Segments
- 2215
Want every word Quintanilla has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Quintanilla said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Library Relocation and Facility Renewal Review
New build: ~$45M (possibly rising $300K/month with delay). Renovation path: ~$20.5M city share, spendable at the council's own pace.
Municipal Artificial Intelligence Policy
Operational integration managed within existing staffing and administrative budgets.
Dave Erwin Park Project Funding and Scope
Estimated all-in project cost is $35 million for a single-phase build-out, requiring general fund capital allocations and potential debt financing.
Public Safety and Law Enforcement Updates
The city's contract budget for sheriff services reflects an increase to approximately $30.4 million to cover inflation, staffing, and technology.
FY 2026-27 Housing Authority Budget & Capital Improvement Plan
No direct cost; future development partnerships would return to the board separately.
Seasonal Media Plan and Upcoming Photo Shoot
Will be determined based on council direction regarding design contracts and ongoing production costs for a 12-page layout.
Medical Office Building Design at 72700 Fred Waring Drive
Private commercial investment estimated based on building renovations.
Strategic Communications Plan Development
Design costs range from about $3,900 to $31,500, and going to 12 pages adds roughly $10,640 a year in printing.
Phase 2 Historic Context Statement and City-wide Historic Resources Survey
Costs are tied to consulting and reporting for the historic survey as outlined in municipal planning budgets.
Historic Preservation and Entry Monument Design
Work plan implementation relies on existing staff capacity and allocated municipal departmental resources.
FY 2026-27 Proposed Operating Budget and Financial Plan
General fund revenues reached $31.2 million year-to-date, outpacing prior year figures, while capital and administrative expenditures reflect ongoing investments in city facilities and IT systems.
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Transparency and Flock System
ALPR cameras were grant-funded; no new city cost reported.
Civic Center Park Art Installation ('Taffy')
About $1.1 million total, mostly from the public art fund with roughly $900,000 from the general fund; $230,000 already spent on design.
2027 California Desert Plein Air Festival Sponsorship
$25,000 from city funds, matching prior years.
University Park Medical Office Time Extension
No direct fiscal impact on the city budget.
Cal Fire Shade Tree Grant Program
Minimal potential supplemental revenue offset by administrative staff costs.
Southern California Edison Power Outages and Grid Reliability
Palm Desert will advance $5.6 million using former RDA bond funds, which will be fully reimbursed by property owners via a Community Facilities District.
Permanent Outdoor Dining Program and Temporary Deck Extensions
None directly associated with the administrative update, though future district programs could involve lease structures.
Adaptive Reuse of Former Church into Medical Office
Private investment in property renovation and conversion.
Zero Blight Initiative Equipment and Maintenance Upgrades
$585,339.26 plus $25,000 contingency; $500,000 appropriated from fund balance.
Decisions during term (419)
Recorded while Quintanilla was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Recommendation on Library Facility Approach
Consent Calendar (Items 9.a through 9.i)
Relocation of 'Taffy' Artwork to Dave Irwin Park (Item 9.j)
Sponsorship for 2027 California Desert Plein Air Festival (Item 10.a)
Approval of Minutes
Second Twelve-Month Extension of Time for Precise Plan 22-0009 and Tentative Parcel Map 38728
Adjournment
Consent Calendar Approval
Approval of Holiday Mounted Police Deployment
Approval of Minutes
Approval of August 25, 2026 Minutes
Reconsideration of Design Review for 72700 Fred Waring Drive (DIG LLC Medical Office)
Design Review for Palms to Pines Commercial Center Façade Modification (72745 Highway 111)
Precise Plan Amendment PP22-0003 for Palm Villas at Millennium (Dog Park)
Design Review for Ironwood Country Club Spa and Pool
Approval of Minutes
Adjournment
Consent Calendar Approval (Except F, H, M, N)
Resolution Adopting an Artificial Intelligence Policy (Item 13.f)
Ratification of Letters Supporting SunLine Transit Agency FTA Grants (Item 13.h)
Voting record (29)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Approval of Revised Plan and Project Budget for Dave Irwin Park (Item 14.b)
Advocated for retaining the splash pad as a vital quality-of-life amenity for families in the area.
Ratification of Letter Opposing Senate Bill 1379
Expressed concern that the vast majority of Riverside County cities did not oppose the bill and that separation could increase public accountability for in-custody deaths.
Palm Springs Preservation Foundation Funding Offer for Historic Cody Sign
Expressed reservations regarding fiscal priorities given library cost considerations and the integration of the monument relative to existing community wayfinding plans.
Adoption of 2027 City Council Meeting Schedule
Approval of Consent Calendar Except Items L and P
Approval of Street Sweeping Contract Amendment (Item 13.p)
Approval of 10-Year CalPERS UAL Repayment Strategy and ADP
Award of Construction Management Task Order for Fire Stations 33 and 71 and Use of Substation
Approval of Hillside Development Plan for 47780 Calle de Los Campesinos
Designation of Historic Landmark at 73411 Bursera Way
Consent Calendar Approval
Flock Safety Amendment Order Form Approval (Item 9.j)
Establishment of Live Scan Fingerprinting at Palm Desert Library (Item 10.a)
International Surfing Association Para-Surfing Championship Sponsorship (Item 10.b)
Professional Services Agreement with Jewish Family Service of San Diego for Homeless Outreach (Item 10.c)
Extension of Temporary Outdoor Dining Deck Program and Evaluation of Permanent Program (Item 10.d)
Concerned that continuing temporary extensions is unfair to operators and that legal requirements should be enforced rather than continuing uncertainty.