City Hall Council Chamber
1515 Sixth Street, Coachella, California
(760) 398-3502 • www.coachella.org
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF COACHELLA
THE COUNCIL SITTING AS THE COACHELLA SANITARY DISTRICT,
COACHELLA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, COACHELLA FINANCING AUTHORITY,
COACHELLA EDUCATIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL ACCESS CABLE CHANNEL CORPORATION,
COACHELLA WATER AUTHORITY, SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COACHELLA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
AND COACHELLA PARKS AND RECREATION FOUNDATION
January 14, 2025
10:00 AM
In-Person Meeting If you would like to attend the meeting via Zoom, here is the link:
Location:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88457271898?pwd=REdzU1No0mpVSFhWTDVaZ0VCekYxdz09 Coachella City Hall Or One tap mobile : 1669900683388457271898#,,*606140# Council Chamber Or Telephone:
1515 Sixth Street US: +1 669 900 6833
Coachella, CA Webinar ID: 884 5727 1898
Passcode: 606140
Spanish: El idioma español está disponible en Zoom seleccionado la opción en la parte de abajo de la pantalla
Public comments may be received either in person, via email, telephonically, or via Zoom with a limit of 250 words, or three minutes:
• In Real Time:
If participating in real time via Zoom or phone, during the Public Comment Period, use the "raise hand" function on your computer, or when using a phone, participants can raise their hand by pressing *9 on the keypad.
• In Writing:
Written comments may be submitted to the City Council electronically via email to cityclerk@,coachella.org. Transmittal prior to the start of the meeting is required. All written comments received will be forwarded to the City Council and entered into the record. • If you wish, you may leave a message at (760) 262-6240 before 5:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting. • The live stream of the meeting may be viewed online by accessing the city's website at www.coachella.org, and clicking on the "Watch Council Meetings" tab located on the home page, and then clicking on the "live" button.
Minutes City Council Special Meeting January 14, 2025
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Hernandez called the Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Coachella to order at 10:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmember Perez, Councilmember Dr. Figueroa, Councilmember Virgen, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Hernandez
City Clerk
City Treasurer
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
"At this time the Council/ Board/Corporation/ Authority may announce any items being pulled from the Agenda or continued to another date or request the moving of an item on the agenda" PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The City Clerk led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (CLOSED SESSION ITEMS):
The public may address the City Council/Board/Corporation/ Authority on any item of interest to the public that is not on the agenda but is in the subject matter jurisdiction thereof. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes.
In regards to the public evaluation performance of the City Manager In Opposition:
Request to Speak:
1. Jesus Gonzalez
2. Juan M. Alvarado Jr.
3. Claudia Lua Alvarado
4. Neftali Galarza
5. Victor Garcia
6. Vanessa Aguilar
7. Ruben Gonzalez
Minutes City Council Special Meeting January 14, 2025
8. Yaya Ortiz
9. Anna L. Garcia
10. Jesus Lopez
11. Dr. Frances Esparza
12. Ariana Rodriguez
13. Joe Moto
14. Armen Paronyan
15. Fernando Escalante
16. Nick Meza
17. Freeman Swank (Armtek)
18. Grace Martin
19. Jason Hernandez
20. Joise Gonzalez
21. Jose Comite Latino
22. Rosalio Avila
23. Israel Morales
24. Jaime Barajas
25. Joey Acuna Jr.
26. Martha Arriola - Representing the staff of Coral Mountain Academy
27. Steve Garcia
28. Jennifer Duran
29. Natalia Gonzalez
30. Amalia U. Deaztlan
31. Marnie Navarro
Minutes City Council Special Meeting January 14, 2025
32. Oscar Fonseca
33. Agustin Arreola
34. Vanessa Sanchez-Meza
35. Bethany Aguiar
36. Matthew Rickert
37. Mayra Perez
38. Angela Zepeda
39. Castulo Estrada
40. Gabriel Perez
41. Hope Huerta
42. Risseth Lora
43. Maritza Martinez
44. Celina Jimenez
45. Ruben Ramirez
46. Andrew Simmons
47. Delia Granados
48. John Kearney
49. Beatrice Hernandez
50. Ismael Ortiz
Via Zoom:
1. Adrian Ruiz
2. Mario Ornelas
3. Rosa Cobadilla
Minutes City Council Special Meeting January 14, 2025
4. Steven Hernandez
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado stepped away at 12:08pm. and returned at 12:15pm.
5. Isela Murillo
6. Michelle Salado
7. CLG
8. Craig Smith
9. Chris
10. Estela Acuna
11. Marissa Aceves
12. Mr. Garcia
13. Luisa Erethia
14. Tanya
15. Duane Young
16. Supervisor Manuel Perez
Via Email:
1. Ray Leon
2. Lelia Namvar
3. Esperanza Arce
4. Luz Gallegos
5. Lorena Robles
6. Yavonne Zapata
7. Christopher Martinez
8. Daniel Garcia
Minutes City Council Special Meeting January 14, 2025
9. Diana Gomez
Councilmember Dr. Figueroa stepped away at 12:50 p.m. and returned at 12:51p.m.
10. Lizbeth Navarro
Councilmember Virgen stepped away at 12:52 p.m. and returned at 12:57 p.m.
11. Maria Ortiz
12. Eduardo Ceja
13. Juan Martinez
14. Diana Quesada
15. Juan Guevara
16. Brandon Marley
17. Jasmin Ceja
18. Juan Garcia
Mayor Hernandez stepped away at 1:10 p.m. and returned at 1:11p.m.
19. Eduardo Garcia
20. Rosa Ceja
21. Steven Perez
Councilmember Virgen stepped away at 1:13 p.m. and returned at 11:13 p.m.
22. Francisco Arce
23. Cesar Huazano
24. Yareli Felix
25. Donald Quigley
26. Elena Bonilla
Minutes City Council Special Meeting January 14, 2025
27. Talitha Barcenas
28. Adriana Gonzalez
29. Yesenia Aispuro
30. Margit F. Chiriaco Rusche
31. Mel Williams
32. Marisol Zamora Silva
33. Gretchen Diaz
34. George Tudor
35. Christy Porter
36. Patty Solis
37. Brenda Gaxiola
38. Katia Lopez
39. Berlinda Blackburn
40. Javier Madrigal
41. Veronica Gomez
42. Victor Valdez
43. Ruben Perez
44. Jose Campos
45. Miguel Navarrete
46. Monica Rodriguez
47. Melanie Aguilar
48. Amelia Rodriguez
49. Jocelyn Vargas
50. Emanuel Garcia
Minutes City Council Special Meeting January 14, 2025
51. Leonard St. Sauver
52. Philip Bautista
53. Monica Rodriguez
54. Craig Armstrong
55. Weld-mart
56. Teran Family
57. Maria Ruiz
58. Janell Percy
In Favor:
Via Zoom:
1. Jonathan Baton
2. Carissa Herrea - Teachers Association
3. David
4. Stephanie Ambriz
5. Christian Bautista
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Manager
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Title: Acting City Manager
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)/(e)(1) One (1) Potential Case
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Manager
Minutes City Council Special Meeting January 14, 2025
Motion: To place City Manager on paid administrative leave effective immediately Approved: 3-2:
AYES: Councilmember Perez, Councilmember Dr. Figueroa, and Mayor Pro Tem Delgado NOES: Councilmember Virgen, and Mayor Hernandez
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Title: Acting City Manager
Motion: To appoint Maritza Martinez as acting City Manager immediately Approved: 5-0, Unanimous roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmember Perez, Councilmember Dr. Figueroa, Councilmember Virgen, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Hernandez
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)/(e)(1) One (1) Potential Case
No reportable action taken.
REPORTS AND REQUESTS:
Council Comments/Report of Miscellaneous Committees.
City Manager gives his thanks.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
Angela Zepeda
City Clerk