OF COACHEL City Hall Council Chamber
1515 Sixth Street, Coachella, California
(760) 398-3502 • www.coachella.org
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION AND
REGULAR 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
April 22, 2026
5:00 PM - CLOSED SESSION
6:00 PM - REGULAR MEETING
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=REdzU1NoQmpVSFhWTDVaZ0VCekYxdz09 Coachella City Hall Or One tap mobile: 16699006833 88457271898#,,*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, or via Zoom. • In Person:
Anyone wishing to speak in person during the public comment period or on a particular item is required to fill out a Request to Speak Form. In order to be recognized, a Request to Speak Form must be turned in to the City Clerk prior to the start of the public comment period or before the agenda item is taken up by Council on which you wish to provide a comment.
• In Real Time via Zoom:
If participating in real time via Zoom, during the public comment period, participants must be visible on camera and use the "raise hand" function on Zoom.
• In Writing via Email:
If providing a written comment by email, you may submit your public comment to the City Council by emailing [email protected]. To comment by email, submit your comments no later than 12 p.m. on the day of the meeting by emailing your name, agenda item (if applicable), and your comment. Any correspondence received by the deadline will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration before action is taken on the matter, during the meeting and upon request one (1) hard copy of the written Minutes City Council Closed Session and Regular Meeting April 22, 2026
public comments will be available for the public's view, and written comments will be retained for the official records. Written comments will not be read aloud at City Council meetings. • 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.
CALL TO ORDER: - 5:00 P.M.
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Figueroa called the City Council Closed Session and Regular Meeting of the City of Coachella to order at 5:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmember Perez, Councilmember Delgado (arrived at 5:13 p.m.), Councilmember Virgen, and Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Figueroa
City Treasurer
Absent: City Clerk
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 Motion: To approve the agenda
Made by: Councilmember Virgen
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Figueroa
Approved: 3-0
AYES: Councilmember Perez, Councilmember Virgen and Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Figueroa NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Delgado
PUBLIC COMMENTS (CLOSED SESSION ITEMS):
None
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6: City Labor Negotiator: Interim City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez Employee Organization:
Teamsters Local 1932 Representing Miscellaneous/Sanitary Employees Minutes City Council Closed Session and Regular Meeting April 22, 2026
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6: City Labor Negotiator: Interim City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez Employee Organization:
Teamsters Local 1932 Representing Mid-Management Employees
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(d)(1)
Existing Litigation - James Rodriguez v. City of Coachella et al.
Riverside Superior Court, Case No. CVPS 2600804
RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING: - 6:00 P.M.
The City Council reconvened into open session at 6:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Tomas Oliva led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS:
No reportable action taken.
PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/DIRECTION:
4. Fibromyalgia Awareness Month
5. Lupus Awareness Month
6. Recognizing Retiring Employees:
1. Victor Castillo, Public Works Streets Maintenance Worker
2. Marisol Delgado, Customer Service Representative II
3. Julio Hermosiillo, Heavy Equipment Operator
4. Sara Montano, Code Enforcement Officer
Jose Nunez, Street Maintenance Worker
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Al Partida
2. Lesley Figueroa
3. Anahi Navarro
4. Venessa Becerra
5. Vanessa Rivera
6. JoAnne Lamas
7. Julia Lamas
8. Ed Hirtze!
9. Stephanie Ambriz
10. Tim Sterling
11. Loretta Perez
12. Carolina Canseco
Minutes City Council Closed Session and Regular Meeting April 22, 2026
13. Loretta Perez
14. Veronica Bayne
15. Diana Castellanos
16. Adriana Cardenas
17. Andres Lucero
18. Danielle Moeller
19. Yeka Gascon
20. Issaha Nsubuga
21. Sierra Alvarez
22. Zuliema Garcia
23. Daniel Moeller
24. Alma Baustista
25. Estella Juarez
26. Jamilet Felix
27. Rebecca Zaragoza
28. Raul Medel
29. Francisco Carrillo
30. Diana Reza
31. AJ Ajeleasaro
32. Ed Hirtzel
33. Kit Tapata
34. Tonie Moeller
35. Rubyd Olvera
36. Catherine Escudero-Zalewski
37. Jocsan Mandujano
38. Norman Lucero
39. Luz Chavez
40. Nadia Aceves
41. Migdalia Sanchez
42. Jazmin Ibarra
43. Claudia Sanchez
44. Bresly Beltran
45. Luis Villegas
46. Luz Quintanilla
47. Karena Heredia
48. Hannah LeBrun
49. Edgar Zendejas
50. Dana Saks
51. Metzly Valencia
52. Nancy Rosas
53. Osberto Martinez.
54. Leonarda Martinez
55. Ramon Vazquez
56. Sandra Gutierrez
57. Laura Gutierrez
58. Melina Solis
59. Erika Perez
Minutes City Council Closed Session and Regular Meeting April 22, 2026
60. Loretta Perez
61. Ashley Martinez
62. Vanessa Cano
63. Abigail Noriega
64. Anthony Noriega
65. Danielle Amato
66. Dora Lozano
67. Clinton "CJ" White
68. Ivanna Reyes
69. Rebecca Rivas
70. Alejandra Rodriguez
71. Desirae Lopez
72. Reyes Rivera
73. Destiny Alford
74. Celeste Tapia
75. Evan
76. Kaylee De Anda
77. Karina Villalpando
78. Delia Cardenas
79. Mikah Strong
80. Katie Arias
81. Karin Jaffie
82. Elizabeth Lemus
83. Brenda Ortiz
84. Jessica Dominguez
85. Kitty Tapata
86. Edith Cebreros
87. Thomas Smothermon
88. Yenia Padilla
89. Angie Tapia
90. Yolanda Moreno
91. Alena Garcia
92. Liridona Leti
93. Charles Drabkin
94: Cristal Magana
95. Monze Loza
96. Laura Juarez
9.7. Gabriella Gilbert
98. Melanie Del Cid
99. Alma Carrillo
100. CV Transparency
101. Ayleen Ortiz
102. Zach Riv
103. Maria Juncal Ortega
104. Jesus Ortega
Minutes City Council Closed Session and Regular Meeting April 22, 2026
105. Benjamin Salvador
106. Mariana Lopez-Encinas
107. Taylor Brown
108. Yvonne Carrillo
PUBLIC COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA ITEMS) (LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 30 MINUTES, IF ADDITIONAL TIME IS REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, THEY WILL BE HEARD AFTER ITEM NO. 15. PUBLIC HEARING CALENDAR):
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.
1. James Rodriguez
2. Jonathan Becerra
3. Rene Rivera
4. Consuelo Marquez
5. Lorena Robles-Vasquez
6. Beverly Garcia
7. Joanne Lamas
8. Ernesto Lobos
9. Loretta Perez
10. Jocelyn Sanchez
11. Athena Jreij
12. Asri B
13. Tabitha Davis
14. Tomas Oliva
15. Mirella Sixkiller
16. Marcisa Kellery
17. Lerraine Salas
18. Maria Elena Garcia
19. Ignacio Partida
20. Saul Jimenez
21. Ray Auzalda
22. Alejandro Cobos
23. Livan Felix
24. Timothy Sterling
Council took a brief recess at 7:42 p.m. and resumed at 7:47 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
(It is recommended that Consent Items be acted upon simultaneously unless separate discussion and/or action is requested by a Council Member.)
7. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of March 25, 2026, of the City of Coachella, Coachella Sanitary District, Coachella Fire Protection District, Coachella Financing Authority, Coachella Educational and Governmental Access Cable Corporation, Coachella Water Authority, Successor Agency to the Coachella Redevelopment Agency and Coachella Parks and Recreation Minutes City Council Closed Session and Regular Meeting April 22, 2026
8. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2026, of the City of Coachella, Coachella Sanitary District, Coachella Fire Protection District, Coachella Financing Authority, Coachella Educational and Governmental Access Cable Corporation, Coachella Water Authority, Successor Agency to the Coachella Redevelopment Agency and Coachella Parks and Recreation
9. Quarterly Reports - Third Quarter (January - March) FY2025-2026
10. Voucher Listing- EFT's/FY 2025-26 Expenditures as of April 22, 2026, $3,251,978.57
11. Investment Report February 28, 2026
12. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-24 Authorizing the Designated Agents of the City of Coachella to Provide to the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for All Matters Pertaining to Such State Disaster:
Assistance the Assurances and Agreements Required
13. Authorize the Purchase of Shared Mobility Equipment and Services in the Amount of $126,730 for the Car Sharing and Mobility Enhancement Project under the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Coachella Prospera Initiative
14. Receipts, Disbursements, and Net Cash Flows
15. Approve Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the City of Coachella and Imperial Irrigation District (IID) for the Shade Trees for Southern California Deserts Program Motion: To approve the Consent Calendar
Made by: Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Figueroa
Seconded by: Councilmember Virgen
Approved: 4-0
AYES: Councilmember Perez, Councilmember Delgado, Councilmember Virgen and Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Figueroa
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
NEW BUSINESS CALENDAR (LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE):
16: Appointment of Gabriel A. Gonzalez as City Manager, Approving an Employment Agreement with Mr.
Gonzalez and Adopting Resolution No. 2026-25
Motion: To continue this item in Closed Session on the Special Meeting on 4/29/2026 and then continuing this item into open session on the next Council Meeting on 5/13/2026 Made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Perez
Minutes City Council Closed Session and Regular Meeting April 22, 2026
Approved: 4-0
AYES: Councilmember Perez, Councilmember Delgado, Councilmember Virgen and Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Figueroa
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
17. Discussion and Direction Updating the City of Coachella City Council Policies, Rules and Procedures Public Comment:
1. James Rodriguez
Motion: To approve the presented updates to the City of Coachella City Council Policies, Rules and Procedures
Made by: Councilmember Perez
Seconded by: Councilmember Virgen
Approved: 4-0
AYES: Councilmember Perez, Councilmember Delgado, Councilmember Virgen and Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Figueroa
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
18. Process to Fill Mayoral Vacancy
Public Comment:
1. Asri B
2. James Rodriguez
3. Stephanie Ambriz
4. Ginny Feat (via Zoom)
5. Steven Nelson (via Zoom)
6. Lorena Perez
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Figueroa recused himself from this item Motion: To appoint Dr. Frank Figueroa as Mayor
Made by: Councilmember Virgen
Seconded by: Councilmember Perez
Approved: 4-0
Minutes City Council Closed Session and Regular Meeting April 22, 2026
AYES: Councilmember Perez, Councilmember Delgado, and Councilmember Virgen NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Figueroa
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC HEARING CALENDAR (QUASI-JUDICIAL):
19. A Public Hearing to Consider Resolution No.2026-23 of the City Council of the City of Coachella: Request for conditional approval for Entertainment Permit No. 26-03 for the Reset Wellness Camping Event temporary campground event to be held on May 29th through May 31st 2026, located at 83272 51st Avenue on approximately 7.79 acres of land (Assessor's Parcel Number 779-310-012 and 779-310-013), and determining that the proposed project is categorically exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). Applicant: Claudia Lua Alvarado Public Hearing opened at 8:52 p.m.
1. James Rodriguez
2. Claudia Lua Alvarado (via Zoom)
Public Hearing closed at 8:54 p.m.
Motion: To approve Resolution No.2026-23 of the City Council of the City of Coachella: Request for conditional approval for Entertainment Permit No. 26-03 for the Reset Wellness Camping Event temporary campground event to be held on May 29th through May 31st 2026, located at 83272 51st Avenue on approximately 7.79 acres of land (Assessor's Parcel Number 779-310-012 and 779-310-013), and determining that the proposed project is categorically exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
Applicant: Claudia Lua Alvarado
Made by: Councilmember Virgen
Seconded by: Councilmember Perez
Approved: 4-0
AYES: Councilmember Perez, Councilmember Delgado, Councilmember Virgen, and Mayor Dr.
Figueroa
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
REPORTS AND REQUESTS:
Council Comments/Report of Miscellaneous Committees.
City Manager's Comments.
Minutes City Council Closed Session and Regular Meeting April 22, 2026
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Dr. Figueroa adjourned the meeting at 9:14 p.m.
Sli Moratos
Delia Granados
Deputy City Clerk