Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA):
This action has been reviewed per the authority and criteria contained in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State and local CEQA Guidelines, and the City's environmental regulations. The City, acting as the Lead Agency, determined that the ordinance is not subject to CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change to the environment as there is no possibility that the action would result in a significant environmental impact, and because it does not constitute a “project” as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Fire Tax Resolution
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDIAN WELLS,
CALIFORNIA, ORDERING THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF
ASSESSMENTS FOR THE CITY OF INDIAN WELLS FIRE TAX STANDBY AND AVAILABILITY CHARGES PURSUANT TO CITY ORDINANCE NO. 170
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Indian Wells, California (the “City Council”) has prepared the annual assessment against parcels of land within the City of Indian Wells for the Fire Tax Standby and Availability Charges for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, pursuant to City Ordinance No. 170 to pay for the described standby costs; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has retained Willdan Financial (the “Engineer”) for the purpose of assisting the City with the preparation of the annual assessment and collection of the Fire Tax Standby and Availability Charges; and
WHEREAS, the Engineer has prepared the proposed charge and collection upon eligible parcels of land within the City, and the City Council has approved such assessments; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to levy and collect assessments against parcels of land within the District for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, to pay for the Fire Tax Standby and Availability Charges; and WHEREAS, A Public Hearing Notice was published in a newspaper of general circulation once at least fifteen (15) days before the public hearing on annual levies; a copy of the Public Hearing Notice was posted in three (3) public places within the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, DETERMINED, AND ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the Special Fire Tax Standby and Availability charges be paid by the property owners to the City for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, and shall be as follows:
Land Use Assessment
Residential Improved Lot $120.00 per dwelling unit per year Residential Subdivided Vacant Lot $ 60.00 per equivalent dwelling unit per year Vacant Acreage:
Up to and including 1 acre $ 36.00 per year
For sizes over 1 acre up to and
including 50 acres
$ 36.00 for the first acre plus $6.50 per each
additional acre or a prorated portion of an acre per
year
ATTACHMENT #1
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
City of Indian Wells
Resolution No. 2025-__
Land Use Assessment
For sizes over 50 acres up to and
including 100 acres
$ 36.00 for the first acre plus $6.50 per each
additional acre up to & including 50 acres plus
$2.60 per acre or prorated portion of an acre over
50 acres per year
For size over 100 acres $ 36.00 for the first acre plus $6.50 per each additional acre up to & including 50 acres plus
$2.60 per acre over 50 acres up to & including 100
acres plus $0.65 per acre or prorated portion of an
acre over 100 acres, per year
SECTION 2. In accordance with City Ordinance No. 170, non-residential land shall be levied upon the class of improvements to property and the use of property basis utilizing estimated fire flow requirements determined in accordance with the formula contained in the Insurance Services Office guidelines in the Fire Prevention and Control Master Planning Guide distributed by the United States Department of Commerce.
SECTION 3. The document referenced in Section 2 is no longer in production and has been replaced by County of Riverside regulations for fire flow requirements. The City of Indian Wells has adopted those County regulations through Ordinance Nos. 370 and 451. The rates for non-residential land will not exceed the maximum allowable charge.
SECTION 4. The above rates shall be effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Indian Wells, California, at an adjourend regular meeting held on this 6th day of March 2025.
___________________________________
BRUCE WHITMAN
MAYOR
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
City of Indian Wells
Resolution No. 2025-__
CERTIFICATION FOR RESOLUTION NO. 2025-__
I, Angelica Avila, City Clerk of the City Council of the City of Indian Wells, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the whole number of the members of the City Council is five (5); that the above and foregoing resolution was duly and regularly passed and adopted at an adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Indian Wells the 6th day of March 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________________ ______________________________
ANGELICA AVILA TODD LEISHMAN
CITY CLERK CITY ATTORNEY
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
INDIAN WELLS CITY COUNCIL
March 6, 2025
To: City Council
From: City Manager Department
Prepared by: Christopher Freeland, City Manager
Subject: Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert One-Time Funding Request for Fiscal Year 2024-25
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Council DISCUSSES and PROVIDES staff direction on the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert one-time funding request of $10,000 for Fiscal Year 2024-25; and
FINDS the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15060.
BACKGROUND:
The Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert (Children’s Museum) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986. It is a charter member of the Association of Youth Museums, which was established to ensure the highest standards of all aspects of education, discovery, public service, outreach, and operations of youth museums. The Children’s Museum is where youth, families, teachers, and the community collaborate and participate in joint projects and partnerships in learning and celebrating the rich cultural diversity of the Coachella Valley. The Children’s Museum has been a top attraction in the Coachella Valley for 30 years, with approximately 5,000 visitors per year. Indian Wells hotel partners promote the Children’s Museum as one of the amenities here in the Coachella Valley to attract families to stay at their properties.
The City of Indian Wells has been a long time and original supporter of the Children’s Museum. In 1991, the Cove Communities of Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, and Indian Wells established a $1.6 million Building Trust Fund to get the initial building built. Since 1999, the City has awarded the Children’s Museum an additional $448,639 through community assistance and grants to help fund programs at the Children’s Museum. The most recent contribution was in November 2022, when the City provided $25,000 to help fund a remodel of the museum. The City’s contribution was utilized for a new 0–8-year- old exhibit.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
BACKGROUND:
The Children’s Museum is requesting the City of Indian Wells to consider its proposal to fund a new Weekly Science Nights at Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert that will run for six months. According to the Children’s Museum proposal (Attachment No. 1), the Weekly Science Night Program will introduce children and families to the wonders of science through interactive experiments, demonstrations, and activities. Each week will feature a different theme, highlighting exciting areas of science such as chemistry, physics, biology, astronomy, and engineering. The program will be designed to be hands- on, engaging, and suitable for children ages 4-12, encouraging family participation and fostering a love for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
Staff requests Council provide direction on the process the Council wishes to consider the Children’s Museum funding request. Historically, these requests are considered annually through the City’s Grants-In-Aid program beginning in August, or by separate Council action, as was the case in 2022.
This funding request could also qualify under the City’s Community Assistance Funding Policy (Attachment No. 2), which provides the Council with up to $40,000 in annual discretionary funding for local non-profits.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options:
1. Council approves the Children’s Museum funding request;
2. Council denies the Children’s Museum funding request;
3. Council directs staff to forward this matter for consideration to both the City’s Marketing and Finance Committees for review and recommendation.
Recommendations are to be brought back to the Council for consideration at a future meeting;
4. Council recommends the Children’s Museum apply for funding through the City’s Grants-in-Aid program in August;
5. Council directs staff to add the matter for discussion during the upcoming annual City budget discussion; or
6. Council provides an alternative direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Children’s Museum funding request of $10,000 is not included in the adopted Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25. However, if the Council wishes to fund the Children’s Museum request, staff recommend the funds be allocated from the Council’s discretionary Community Assistance Funding account.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA):
The action is not a project within the meaning of Section 15378 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change in the environment, directly or indirectly; and that the action is nonetheless exempt from the requirements of CEQA in that the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. (14 CCR 15061(b)(3).)
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Funding Request Letter
2. City’s Community Assistance Funding Policy
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
1 Angelica Avila
From:Bruce Whitman
Sent:Thursday, March 6, 2025 9:27 AM
To:Angelica Avila
Subject:Agenda item I. 1...Children's Discovery Museum
CAUTION: This email originated outside our organization. Be cautious with any links or attachments.
Angelica
Please let the Chair know that I would like to comment advocating for the Children's Discovery Museum funding request under the Community Assistance Funding Policy, which I understand has a balance of $40,000 available for this request.
It is my understanding that our campus hotels are trying to encourage more families to come to Indian Wells especially in shoulder and summer months. In comments I have seen on Nextdoor and Facebook, one issue is a lack of entertainment choices for children. While, obviously the Living Desert is a primary attraction, the Children's Discovery Museum is often listed as the 2d most popular for children.
We voted a large gift to the Living Desert earlier this year in the amount of $500,000, on the theory that as a family attraction in the desert, this would encourage families to visit and stay in our Indian Wells hotels.
The same argument I believe applies to the Children's Museum, and as the request clearly is targeted for a specific children's educational program, I believe we ought to support it and agree to the request.
Bruce B. Whitman, Esq.
Indian Wells, Ca. 92210
ATTACHMENT #1
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-38
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDIAN WELLS,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FUNDING POLICY
AND RESCINDING PRIOR DISCRETIONARY FUNDING POLICIES
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Indian Wells recognizes the importance of a prudent long-term financial plan, as well as the value in providing financial assistance to organizations whose work benefits the City and the Coachella Valley; and WHEREAS, the City desires and intends to adopt a funding plan for community assistance expenditures consistent with a prudent long-term financial plan; and WHEREAS,the City desires and intends to amend the funding plan to make provisions for pledging monies.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.The City Council hereby RESCINDS prior resolutions amending or approving the Community Assistance Policy, including Resolution No. 2022-40.
SECTION 2.The City Council hereby ADOPTS that specific Community Assistance Funding Policy set forth in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 3.This Resolution shall take effect upon adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Indian Wells, California, at a regular meeting held on this 2nd day of November 2023. _________________________________
DONNA J.H. GRIFFITH
MAYOR
ATTACHMENT #2
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
City of Indian Wells
Resolution No. 2023-38
CERTIFICATION FOR RESOLUTION NO. 2023-38
I, Angelica Avila, City Clerk of the City Council of the City of Indian Wells, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the whole number of the members of the City Council is five (5); that the above and foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Indian Wells on this 2nd day of November 2023, by the following vote:
AYES: Griffith, Peabody, Reed, Sanders, Whitman NOES: None
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________ _________________________________
ANGELICA AVILA TODD LEISHMAN
CITY CLERK CITY ATTORNEY
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
City of Indian Wells
Resolution No. 2023-38
EXHIBIT “A”
CITY OF INDIAN WELLS
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FUNDING POLICY
1. PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY
The Policy's purpose is to establish annual procedures and approvals associated with funding community assistance expenditures during the development of the City budget. In addition, the Policy sets defined processes to ensure the City's financial goals are maintained and opportunities for public input are available.
The City Council defines community assistance funding as optional expenditures that the City Council can disburse annually to financial aid-worthy non-profit organizations within the Coachella Valley that provide services that the City may not otherwise offer.
Budgetary approval is required for all community assistance funding. The City Council will publicly discuss community assistance funding at budgetary study sessions and council meetings during the review and adoption of the City budget. Public input is essential during these meetings.
2. COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FUNDING
Community Assistance Funding for each new budget year shall be established as follows:
A. For each new budget year, the amount of the community assistance funding budget shall be established by calculating twenty-five percent (25%) of the prior year’s General Fund’s Net Change in Fund Balance (after all capital contributions) using year-end estimates established during the last quarter of each fiscal year.
B. Maximum funding shall not exceed $200,000 during each budget year.
C. Annual funding shall be split into two separate pools. The Grants-in-Aid program shall receive 80% of the available funding. The second pool shall operate at the sole discretion of the City Council and will receive the remaining 20% of the available funding.
D. The City has qualified its ability to meet its financial obligations under the current General Fund cash flow plan as approved and amended by the Finance Committee and consistent with the adoption of the City’s Annual Budget.
E. If funds are insufficient, the amount of community assistance funding shall be reduced or eliminated until all criteria have been met.
F. Budget Roll Forwards: Prior to the close of each fiscal year, the Finance Director shall roll forward any unexpended community assistance funds from either pool. For the avoidance of doubt, any unexpended community assistance funds shall “roll forward” into the next year’s budget, shall be available for spending, and shall be separate from the annual calculation establishing the annual Community Assistance Funding Program.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
City of Indian Wells
Resolution No. 2023-38
3. EXTRAORDINARY FUNDING REQUESTS IN EXCESS OF $200,000 Extraordinary funding requests received by the City of more than $200,000 shall be considered separately from the policy requirements set forth above and shall be subject to the following criteria prior to City Council approval:
A. City staff shall request and require documentation in keeping with Community Assistance Grant Program Requirements. The Extraordinary Grants Committee will review the funding proposal as required for all Community Assistance Grants. The Committee shall make a written recommendation to the City Council of their findings.
B. A staff report summarizing the Committee’s recommendations shall be placed on the City Council agenda for consideration.
C. The Applicant shall have the opportunity to present to the Council when the item is scheduled for Council consideration.
D. If the City Council approves by a majority vote to move the item forward, a Community Involvement component will be required. The Applicant will oversee and direct the Community Involvement component at the Applicant’s own expense. This component shall include a program to inform the public about the long-range financial impact, share the funding proposal, and obtain feedback from the community. This will be accomplished through press releases, distributing informational materials pertinent to the proposal, public hearings, meetings, and surveys. The following steps must be taken and reviewed before a final decision by the City Council regarding the potential funding of a proposal exceeding $200,000:
i. The City will hold a minimum of one Public Hearing and Town Hall meeting to discuss the said proposal with the Applicant present. ii. A minimum of one written communication shall be sent via U.S. Postal Service to all Indian Wells residents to include summary information on the funding request, the budgetary impact to the City is funded, and the date, time, and location of Public Hearing and Town Hall meeting to accept community input on proposed funding. Each mailing shall be at the expense of the Applicant.
iii. The Applicant shall cause to be submitted to the media no less than one press release announcing the date, time, and location of the public hearing or meeting held to discuss and take testimony regarding the funding proposal.
iv. A Community-wide mail survey or cloud-based online civic engagement platform/poll shall be used to provide an additional vehicle to inform and provide community feedback as it relates to the funding proposal. Each poll shall be at the expense of the Applicant. A subsequent report on the poll results shall be provided to the City Council.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
City of Indian Wells
Resolution No. 2023-38
v. The City Council shall be responsible for ensuring that legal and financial advice has been obtained and must consider whether the scope of the proposed funding request warrants further legal or financial advice from an independent source.
At such a time that all of the above community input methods have been completed, and considering the information obtained, the City Council shall determine the award of any such funding during a regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
INDIAN WELLS CITY COUNCIL
March 6, 2025
To: City Council
From: City Manager Department
Prepared by: Jennifer Aguilar, Management Assistant
Subject: City’s 2025-2026 Legislative Platform
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Council ADOPTS the City’s 2025-2026 Legislative Platform: and
FINDS the action exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).
BACKGROUND:
The 2025-2026 Legislative Platform for Indian Wells sets forth the City’s legislative positions and provides a framework for participation in the legislative process on a statewide level. It is important for the City to be involved in the Sacramento political field, and to have an influence on the laws passed that affect cities or improve our State. Since the legislative cycle covers a two-year period and many bills roll over into the second year of session, the City, in response to recommendations from our legislative partners, began adopting a two-year Platform in 2021 with much success.
The City’s involvement in both state and federal legislative processes continues to increase year over year through the submission of position letters and participation in legislative tours in Sacramento. This document allows staff to efficiently process letters of support or opposition without going to Council for direction on each legislative issue, ensuring alignment with Council priorities and legislative interests which, new to this Platform, are outlined in their own section with specific ties to our guiding principles for increased transparency and clarity.
Staff reached out to our State legislative offices, the City’s lobbyist, the League of California Cities, the California Contract Cities Association, and the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce for input on the top issues for the 2025 -2026 legislative session. Top issues anticipated to affect the City are local control, housing and land use development, public safety, and homelessness.
The City continues its partnership with the League of California Cities in coordinating efforts and campaigns to protect local government interests. The City supports the
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
League of California Cities’ four strategic priorities for 202 5 outlined below and includes them in the Platform:
1. Protect local revenues and expand economic development tools;
2. Strengthen climate change resiliency and disaster preparedness;
3. Strengthen and modernize critical infrastructure; and
4. Secure investments to prevent and reduce homelessness and increase the supply of affordable housing.
New this year is a list of more specific interest issues to Indian Wells and the region, where staff believes the City can be more proactive in its efforts to shape public policy.
Specifically, staff seeks Council support to advocate for and seek legislation to do the following:
City of Indian Wells Legislative Priorities
1. Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Reforms: City will seek legislation that provides Indian Wells and other cities in the Coachella Valley opportunities to support and receive RHNA credit for the development of student and workforce housing to support local colleges (e.g., College of the Desert and California State University San Bernardino-Palm Desert Campus.)
2. Property Tax Equity: City will seek legislative support to revise the tax equity allocations from the 1980s for no/low property tax cities (e.g., Indian Wells) to get its fair share of property tax revenue.
Other Special Interest Legislative Priorities
1. Senate Bill 1 Transportation Bill Reforms: Provide incentives to cities that exceed the street maintenance goals of SB1 (e.g., high pavement condition index) with the reduction or elimination of the maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement to obtain the City’s share of SB1 funds.
2. Unfunded Mandates: Seek legislation that forces the State of California to meet its legal obligations to fund states for various unfunded mandate programs. Annually, the State of California pushes the financial payments to cities and counties to the next year. Over $900 million is owed to cities, with $209,183 owed to Indian Wells.
3. Regional Infrastructure Improvements: Investment into infrastructure improvements throughout California are necessary, especially in the Coachella Valley. This includes additional passenger rail service, improvements to the 911 System, funding for streets, highways, bridges, flood control, expanded utility capacity to meet the growing needs of the region, and much more.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
4. Redevelopment 2.0: Seek legislation that provides a dedicated revenue source to encourage economic development and housing throughout the State.
The City’s professional legislative representative is the firm of Joe A. Gonsalves & Son.
Staff and Gonsalves communicate frequently as to positions on issues, proposed legislation affecting the City, issues the City has taken a position on, and assistance with various state departments or the Governor’s Office.
February 21, 2025 was the last day for bills to be introduced this cycle. With policy committee hearings being scheduled and well underway this month, staff recommends adoption of the Platform for immediate use in evaluating and participating in the rapidly changing advocacy space in Sacramento.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA):
This action has been assessed in accordance with the authority and criteria contained in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State and local CEQA Guidelines, and the environmental regulations of the City. The City acting as Lead Agency, has determined the 2025-2026 Legislative Platform qualifies as being Categorically Exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change to the environment as there is no possibility that the action would result in a significant environmental impact, and because it does not constitute a “project” as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2025 - 2026 Legislative Platform
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
CITY OF INDIAN WELLS
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
2025-2026
COUNCIL ADOPTED—MARCH 6, 2025
ATTACHMENT #1
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
CITY LEGISLATIVE CONTACTS
Christopher J. Freeland
City Manager
City of Indian Wells
44-950 Eldorado Drive
Indian Wells, CA 92210
(760) 346-2489
[email protected]
Kristen Nelson
Administrative Services Manager
City of Indian Wells
44-950 Eldorado Drive
Indian Wells, CA 92210
(760) 346-2489
[email protected]
Joe A. Gonsalves & Son
Professional State Legislative Representation
925 L Street, Suite 250
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 441-0597
www.gonsalvi.com
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
INDIAN WELLS
UNSURPASSED QUALITY
Located in the heart of Southern California’s Desert Resort communities, the City of Indian Wells is recognized worldwide for its tranquil and luxurious resort environment.
Then and now, astute planning and city leadership have helped Indian Wells achieve status as one of the premier residential resorts and vacation destinations in the United States. Guests and residents alike are continually drawn to the many amenities that Indian Wells offers including four world-class resorts, Indian Wells Golf Resort and Indian Wells Tennis Garden, a variety of cultural programs, impressive resident benefits, and much more. Indian Wells offers a peerless experience that truly elicits a state of overall well-being.
As a contract City, Indian Wells recognizes the need for active legislative engagement at the Local, State, and Federal levels to protect and enhance the interests of its residents and businesses. Accordingly, City officials maintain close relationships with Indian Wells’ State and Federal representatives to advocate, influence, and monitor pertinent legislation.
The 2025 - 2026 Legislative Platform provides a framework for the City of Indian Wells’ core legislative principles for the purpose of advocacy efforts at the regional, state and federal level. The legislative platform sets forth the City’s position on a variety of topics and provides direction for the City’s legislative advocates, City Council, and City staff as they work to secure clear and strategic initiatives in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
The Legislative Platform is developed and updated using the goals and objectives of the City Council, a review of Legislative Platforms from the League of California Cities, League’s Riverside County Division, California Contract Cities Association, input from City Council and Staff, research of current law and pending legislation, as well as discussions with local legislative staff and the City’s legislative advocates.
City of Indian Wells Legislative Priorities
1. Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Reforms: City will seek legislation that provides Indian Wells and other cities in the Coachella Valley opportunities to support and receive RHNA credit for the development of student and workforce housing to support local colleges (e.g., College of the Desert and California State University San Bernardino-Palm Desert Campus.)
2. Property Tax Equity: City will seek legislative support to revise the tax equity allocations from the 1980s for no/low property tax cities (e.g., Indian Wells) to get its fair share of property tax revenue.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
Other Special Interest Legislative Priorities
1. Senate Bill 1 Transportation Bill Reforms: Provide incentives to cities that exceed the street maintenance goals of SB1 (e.g., high pavement condition index) with the reduction or elimination of the maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement to obtain the City’s share of SB1 funds.
2. Unfunded Mandates: Seek legislation that forces the State of California to meet its legal obligations to fund states for various unfunded mandate programs. Annually, the State of California pushes the financial payments to cities and counties to the next year.
3. Regional Infrastructure Improvements: Investment into infrastructure improvements throughout California are necessary, especially in the Coachella Valley. This includes additional passenger rail service, improvements to the 911 System, funding for streets, highways, bridges, flood control, expanded utility capacity to meet the growing needs of the region, and much more.
4. Redevelopment 2.0: Seek legislation that provides a dedicated revenue source to encourage economic development and housing throughout the State.
Approval of the Legislative Platform streamlines the City’s process and allows the City to effectively respond and take immediate action on pressing legislation. For proposed legislation, either consistent with the City’s Legislative Platform or consistent with past City legislative positions; City staff shall be authorized to prepare position letters for signature. Items not addressed in the City’s Legislative Platform may require further Council direction. The Legislative Platform may only address issues directly relevant to or impacting the provision of municipal services.
City departments are encouraged to monitor and be knowledgeable of any legislative issues related to their discipline. However, any requests for the City to take positions on a legislative matter must be directed to the City Manager’s Office.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
I. Local Control
Support legislation to preserve the city’s local authority as a charter city to enact policy pertaining to local affairs. Oppose legislation preempting local control without the concurrence of the City.
II. Fiscal Responsibility
Support legislation promoting fiscal stability, predictability, and financial independence at the local level. Support efforts to preserve and promote the City’s ability to maintain and grow its revenue base. Oppose legislation to diminish the City’s revenue sources required to maintain critical city services.
III. Economic Development
Support legislative efforts designed to provide local governments with the tools necessary to bolster economic development. Support legislation and regulatory streamlining initiatives to enhance the City’s ability to attract and retain businesses as well as encourage business expansion and job retention.
IV. Public Safety
Support legislation for local governments to access resources to provide quality police, fire, emergency management, emergency medical services, violence prevention initiatives, and community efforts.
V. Funding Opportunities
Support legislation allowing the City to compete for its fair share of regional, state, and federal funding. Support efforts promoting dedicated funding streams to cities for critical service areas.
VI. Regional Partnerships
Support opportunities to work collaboratively with local and regional partners on areas of mutual interest. Maintain strong relationships with other municipalities, local transportation agencies, special districts, regional government agencies, local elected officials, college boards, and school districts.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
GENERAL AREA OF REVIEW:
Elections, Ralph M. Brown Act, Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, conflicts of interest, insurance tort reform, and open and transparent government.
WE SUPPORT:
o Efforts consistent with the doctrine of local control especially in the areas of city revenues, police powers, land use planning, housing, community development, telecommunications, public safety, local public meeting procedures, and other municipal activities.
o Applying the Ralph M. Brown Act to the state legislature to the same extent that it applies to local government.
o Preserving the integrity and fundamentals of the Ralph M. Brown Act while opposing legislation constraining communication among staff, local officials and the public.
o Amending rules limiting and restricting local government’s ability to achieve greater transparency of governmental business by improving the platform in which agencies can publish and advertise notices, ordinances, or other matters required by law.
o Measures to lower the voter approval threshold for local special taxes to either 55% (same as school districts) or to a simple majority, especially for the purposes of economic and local development, and public safety needs. o Reducing and providing for recovery of costs, maintaining privacy, and eliminating attorney’s fees for public records laws.
o Efforts to recognize or broaden immunities for public agencies and oppose any attempts to limit or restrict existing immunities.
o Limitations on the joint and separate liability of governmental agencies to a liability equal to their percentage of their wrongdoing. Require plaintiffs to make a good faith showing of liability prior to filing a lawsuit against a public entity. o Reforming California’s tort system to curtail unreasonable liability exposure for public agencies, including tort immunities for public entities for unauthorized use of public property, and restore the ability of public agencies to obtain affordable insurance.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
WE OPPOSE:
o Efforts to prohibit or limit the ability of local government to conduct closed session consistent with the Ralph M. Brown Act.
o Mandated district-based elections without analyzing the specific needs of a community.
o Legislative efforts to impose binding arbitration that would remove local government authority on matters of local interest. Specifically, support all legislative and legal efforts to overturn any legislation that implements binding arbitration on local government.
o Creating or granting powers to sub-regional or regional bodies, which may result in infringement on clearly local concerns, unless all affected local entities agree to do so.
o Efforts to limit local government’s ability to hold contractors accountable for their work product.
o Efforts to retroactively and prospectively hold Joint Powers Authority (JPA) agencies jointly and severally liable for economic damages.
CITY-SPECIFIC POLICY STATEMENTS:
RESOLUTION NO 1990-91 - STATING OPPOSITION TO STATE LEGISLATION
CONCERNING THE CREATION OR EXPANSION OF REGIONAL GOVERNING BODIES
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
GENERAL AREA OF REVIEW:
Labor relations, employee relations, worker’s compensation, retirement system, medical insurance, and risk management.
WE SUPPORT:
o Reforming workers’ compensation formulas to rely on more evidence of work- related causation to determine compensability, to reduce employers’ costs through the reduction of system abuse, while still protecting workers. o Limiting the ability of employees to receive workers’ compensation benefits for occupational injuries/illnesses resulting from stress, disciplinary action, or performance evaluations/consultations.
o Efforts to achieve and/or maintain sustainable California Public Employee’s Retirement System employer rates, lessen the impact of CalPERS investment losses on employer rates, and provide local control flexibility in defining current employee benefits.
o Improving access to and reducing the cost of healthcare, and expands ability to offer health, welfare and wellness services for public employees.
WE OPPOSE:
o Mandates upon local governments for any additional employee benefits as such benefits impose financial costs and administrative burdens on local governments. o Increases to employee benefits without system reforms to offset increased employer costs.
o Unreasonable increases to employer medical costs for workers’ compensation. o Efforts to increase employer liability for unemployment compensation, or reduction of local discretion to manage this risk.
o Federal or state mandates on the collective bargaining process. o Undermining good faith negotiations between employee organizations and local agencies.
o Reducing local control over public employee disputes and/or imposed regulations from an outside agency.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
COMMUNITY & HUMAN SERVICES
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
GENERAL AREA OF REVIEW:
Parks, recreation, cultural arts, senior programs, community and human services programs.
WE SUPPORT:
o Federal and state funding opportunities for senior citizen nutrition programs, prescription drug benefits, transportation, adult care, technology improvements, education, and emergency education for seniors.
o Efforts to protect society against identity theft, senior citizens from criminal exploitation, and juveniles from sexual predators on the internet. o Federal and state funding opportunities that promote the ability to provide public access to technology at community facilities.
o Federal and state funding opportunities for cultural arts programs, parks, and recreation and human services in the community.
o Funding for transportation services, especially for those homebound and elderly. o Funding and resources for local governments to implement Healthy Cities programs and policies aimed at reducing obesity, high rates of diabetes, heart disease, and other health conditions.
o Reinstatement of funding for community-based programs serving seniors. o Increasing opportunities for community‐wide citizen volunteer programs. o Supportive services for special populations such as people with health and mental health conditions, impairments, and/or disabilities. o Efforts to promote and fund programs to combat pet overpopulation, increase pet adoptions and spay/neuter programs and educate citizens on the dangers and nuisance of roaming, uncontrolled animals and other animal control issues that risk public health and safety and quality of life.
CITY-SPECIFIC POLICY STATEMENTS:
RESOLUTION NO 1986-84 - SEEKING THE SUPPORT OF THE LEAGUE OF
CALIFORNIA CITIES FOR LEGISLATION LIMITING LIABILITY EXPOSURE FOR PARK
AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
RESOLUTION NO 1974-09 – ADOPTING OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION
ELEMENTS TO THE GENERAL PLAN
RESOLUTION NO 2009-05 – UPDATING THE CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE
ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
GENERAL AREA OF REVIEW:
Air and water quality, energy and water efficiency, sustainability, CEQA, integrated waste management, hazardous materials.
WE SUPPORT:
o Encouraging legislation and federal and state funding to address the revitalization and restoration of the Salton Sea, including the North Lake and Perimeter Lake concepts.
o Salton Sea Authority requests for more accurate accounting of costs for producing energy eligible for consideration in the state Renewable Energy Portfolio.
o Resources and funding to local governments for the implementation of climate action plan for the reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through coordinated transportation and land use planning with the goal of more sustainable communities.
o Streamlining environmental processing for state and federal regulatory permits issued by various agencies for the purpose of expediting public infrastructure developments.
o Reforming the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to streamline the approval of development and infrastructure projects, reduce the prevalence of frivolous lawsuits resulting from inadequate safeguards written into CEQA regulations while ensuring the environment is adequately protected, and promote affordable housing and job creation.
o Flexibility for local government in determining how best to notify the public of projects requiring CEQA review to take advantage of technology and social media trends.
o Continuation of California Integrated Waste Management Act (AB 939) waste diversion requirement, the state goal of 75% diversion by 2020 (AB 341), organic waste regulations (SB 1383) and programs assisting cities to go beyond the 75% diversion goal. This includes diversion measurement and reporting improvements that do not adversely impact the assessment of compliance efforts made by cities.
o Efforts for the safe and cost-effective disposal of solid, hazardous and medical waste.
o Financial incentives for water reuse and legislation that encourages the treatment of municipal wastewater for non‐potable reuse and promote the development of reasonable regulations to encourage and maximize the responsible use of reclaimed water as an alternative to California’s fresh water supply.
o Encouraging legislation for critical water infrastructure maintenance and construction projects and local financing tools.
o Energy and water efficiency programs such as California’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) which provides incentives including tax deduction for
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
installation of solar systems, equipment such as energy storage systems, and efficiency programs that reduce demand and improve water efficiency. o Funding and resources for retrofitting municipal buildings to increase energy efficiency.
o Resources and funding to expand the use of purple pipe for the distribution and use of recycled water and prevention of cross connection between water and recycled water.
o The use of drought-tolerant plant material and wastewater conservation techniques.
o Maintaining and enhancing local decision-making authority in the development and implementation of air quality attainment strategies. o Local government discretion on adopting a Green Building policy that offers property tax relief for certified green homes or buildings. o Funding and resources for alternative fuel vehicles for replacement of municipal fleet equipment, adequate charging station infrastructure for emerging electric vehicle technology, and retrofitting municipal buildings to increase energy efficiency.
o Requiring Department of Transportation and CALTRANS to increase the use of rubberized asphalt and crumb rubber made from recycled tires. o Resources and funding to local governments for implementation of SB 375 – California’s Sustainable Communities Strategy and Climate Protection Act.
WE OPPOSE:
o Actions to weaken local government’s ability to enforce environmental impact report (EIR) mitigation measures now defined as “takings.” o Imposing of undue hardship on local agencies to implement environmental regulations.
o Air quality and water use legislation that restricts the land use authority of cities. o Efforts to circumvent local government’s ability to regulate, approve and/or deny “green technology” projects.
o Expansion of the state listing of endangered or threatened species without economic impact analyses and valid scientific data.
o Preemption of local planning decisions regarding solid waste facility sites, and local solid waste and AB 939 fee setting authority or imposes taxes or fees on local solid waste programs to fund State programs not directly related to solid waste management.
o Actions by Regional Water Quality Control Boards to impose mandates on local government that exceeds state or federal regulations and/or are outside the Boards jurisdictional authority to impose or enforce.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
GENERAL AREA OF REVIEW:
Economic development, tourism, transient occupancy tax, vacation rentals, business retention and attraction.
WE SUPPORT:
o Protecting cities’ right to levy and collect full share of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from hotels, vacation rentals, including any online hotel intermediaries, short-term housing rental agencies, and home sharing platforms such as Airbnb.
This includes opposing any federal or state legislation providing immunity to online hotel intermediaries and/or prohibiting cities from collecting (retroactively or otherwise) their fair share of TOT.
o Efforts to require online home sharing platforms to provide information to local governments, including property address, length of stay, emergency contact, and other pertinent information regarding properties used as vacation rentals within the cities’ boundaries.
o Preserving funding mechanisms to promote continued economic development, including initiatives to provide financing for infrastructure and affordable housing. o Efforts to implement and expand economic development tools and reduced regulations, including advocating for meaningful and useful tax increment financing, economic finance improvement districts, and other economic development tools (sometimes referred to in aggregate as Redevelopment 2.0). o Efforts to support reductions in burdensome state regulations. o Federal and state efforts to fund economic stimulus programs and jobs. o Enhancing the City’s efforts to retain existing businesses and attract new businesses.
o Extending sales tax to e-commerce as a means of fairness to “main street” retailers.
o Incentives (tax benefits, grants, loans, credits for affordable units) to local government to rehabilitate residential and commercial properties. o Exemptions to the application of Labor Code Section 1720 for economic development projects.
o Restoring “safe harbor” for affordable housing projects exempting them from state prevailing wages.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
WE OPPOSE:
o Legislative or administrative efforts by online travel companies to circumvent remittance of transient occupancy taxes to local government from hotel reservations purchased using the internet or short-term housing rental platforms. o Attempts to eliminate or limit the traditional tax exemption for municipal bonds, and to cap the investor tax deduction on municipal securities investments. o Erosion of the ability of cities to condition and deny projects with inadequately mitigated impacts to the community.
o Imposition of unwarranted restrictions on local businesses.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
GENERAL AREA OF REVIEW:
Land use, development, building standards, affordable housing, medical and recreational marijuana, homelessness, and massage establishments.
WE SUPPORT:
o Housing Element reform providing flexibility for local government to achieve realistic goals and support funding of mandated General Plan Housing Element updates and flexibility in meeting the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) requirements including partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions. o A consistent and objective Housing Element review process. o A smart housing solution consistent with state law.
o Including student housing as qualified affordable housing units for RHNA credit. o New financing tools for local government to support, build and preserve affordable housing, and the creation of a long-term funding source dedicated to financing affordable housing. Tax incentives to promote investment in the production of multi-family rental housing including expansion of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program to create mixed-income developments. o Legislation and grants increasing funding for housing programs within the City, including incentives from private sector investment in housing projects. o Consolidating and streamlining the administration and reporting requirements for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
o Efforts to repeal or modify the Davis-Bacon Wage Act, as it relates to charter cities, that set a prevailing wage scale for public projects, substantially increasing the cost of publicly assisted housing developments.
o Maintaining or strengthening local control over medical marijuana dispensaries and uphold cities’ ability to regulate and ban dispensaries. o Preserving and protecting local regulatory authority over medical and recreational marijuana.
o Strengthening the concept of local control/local home rule for local decision making on land use and zoning matters.
o Preserving municipal authority over the public right‐of‐way including fair and reasonable compensation for use of the right‐of‐way and streamline the acquisition process.
o Local control over the establishment and placement of group, sober living, sex offender, and parolee homes within the city limits.
o Increasing the City’s ability to reasonably oversee the location of community care facilities.
o Funding for the identification, acquisition, maintenance and restoration of historic sites and structures.
o Funding for community-based local efforts to address the homelessness problem.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
WE OPPOSE:
o Restrictions of California cities use of eminent domain for public purpose projects.
o Efforts to erode the ability of local government to condition and deny projects that inadequately mitigate impacts to the community.
o Weakening local government’s ability to regulate massage establishments through zoning code provisions.
o Legislative and regulatory efforts to weaken the authority of cities to zone and plan for the development of telecommunications infrastructure, including the siting of cellular communications towers, antenna or transmission sites. o Mandatory caps on local parking standards in transit intensive areas. o Efforts by any regulatory commission from promulgating rules and regulations that infringe on local land use decisions and management of the public right‐of‐ way.
o Additional affordable housing production mandates without necessary funding to support said housing mandate.
o Efforts that prohibit local government’s ability to prohibit and/or regulate the act of sleeping in an unlawful location (i.e. vehicle).
o Limiting local government’s ability to address homelessness issues.
CITY-SPECIFIC POLICY STATEMENTS:
RESOLUTION NO. 2011-07 - DESIGNATING THE CITY OF INDIAN WELLS AS THE
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE INDIAN WELLS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PURSUANT
TO PROPOSED STATE LEGISLATION TERMINATING REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
PUBLIC SAFETY
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
GENERAL AREA OF REVIEW:
Law enforcement, fire safety, emergency services, disaster preparedness, nuisance abatement.
WE SUPPORT:
o A robust and reliable 9-1-1 System.
o Legislation and funding for the Urban Area Security Initiative and other funding initiatives administered by the Department of Homeland Security to enhance the City’s ability to respond to regional or national threats. o Requiring the transfer of information to local officials regarding threats to local safety as threats occur.
o Efforts to secure Federal funding sources for Dignitary (Presidential) visits o Increased frontline funding for police services associated with the early release of prisoners as a result of state-mandated criminal justice realignment provisions. o Funding and integration of video recording system between police officers (body cameras) and in-vehicle (dash cams), and the development of policies related to public records, discovery, privacy, and storage.
o Efforts to equally allocate State Local Assistance Funding approved by voters with Proposition 30 to all city police departments, including cities that contract for police services.
o Funding support for disaster preparedness, earthquake preparedness, Homeland Security, hazardous material response, State COPS program, booking fee reimbursement and other local law enforcement activities. o Statewide efforts to coordinate disaster preparedness programs in local jurisdictions and support guidelines to identify the strengths and weaknesses of local preparedness efforts.
o Efforts to strengthen local law enforcement’s ability to prevent and reduce crimes, and specifically relating to illicit drugs, burglary, assault, domestic violence, and sobriety.
o Programs that enhance the benefits of mutual aid agreements between local governments.
o Funding for interoperability initiatives to better facilitate coordinated and effective emergency response by police, fire, EMS, and non-public safety departments in cities and across regional jurisdictions. o Increases home rule in adopting Fire and Life Safety Codes. o Efforts which strengthen and provide additional funding for local fire and life safety services. Resource and funding opportunities related to wildfire prevention and wildfire response.
o Reimbursement of local government for overtime costs, training, and equipment, paid to and for fire suppression personnel who are fighting statewide wildland fires, attending regional trainings, and promoting interoperability through the upgrade and replacement of outdated equipment.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
o Legislation that provides local law enforcement agencies authority to recover costs associated with complying with any federal, state or court‐ordered licensing, registration and testing requirements.
WE OPPOSE:
o Limiting or restricting local government’s ability to collect fees for the expense of an emergency response (e.g., non-resident medical aid fee) o Attempts to expand “early release” for low-risk, serious and violent offenders without an increase in sustained funding to ensure responsible supervision by parole agents.
o Legislation that alters distribution of revenues from traffic and parking violations, resulting in lower revenue for local governments.
o Legislation impeding local law enforcement from addressing crime problems and recovering costs resulting from a crime committed by the guilty party. o Legislation that restricts local authority jurisdiction over the enforcement of fire and life safety regulations.
o Legislation or other administrative actions seeking to limit the police departments’ ability to collect and utilize asset forfeiture funds for a wide variety of police services.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
REVENUE & TAXATION
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
GENERAL AREA OF REVIEW:
Finance administration, taxation reform, general and special revenue.
WE SUPPORT:
o Efforts to allow states and cities to require remote sellers to collect state and local sales and use taxes already owned from online sales with sales taxes shared between cities at destination and from location of warehouse. o Efforts to maintain and expand the types of municipal investment-grade revenue bonds.
o Facilitating and enabling the timely collection of delinquent assessments and strengthens or maintains the lien position of those assessments. o Efforts to protect local government revenue sources and the provisions of Proposition 1A.
o Legislation and initiatives that ensure that all local funding sources remain a dedicated revenue source for local governments.
o Full cost reimbursement to the City for all federal, state and county‐mandated programs.
o Legislation supporting property tax equity for no/low cities.
WE OPPOSE:
o Decreasing, restricting or eliminating local government revenue sources, any efforts by the state to retain additional revenues currently dedicated to local government for state purposes, and shifting of revenues from local government to the state for any purpose.
o Any effort by federal or state government to preempt cities’ right to levy and collect taxes, fees, and assessments.
o Change in revenue allocations (current or future) that negatively affect local government, including the redistribution of sales tax, property tax, COPS grants, Proposition 172 funds, gas tax (HUTA), transient occupancy tax (TOT), and vehicle in-lieu fee (VLF).
o Legislation to make local government more dependent on the State for financial stability and policy direction.
o Imposition of State mandated costs for which there is no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefits.
CITY-SPECIFIC POLICY STATEMENTS:
RESOLUTION NO. 1998-19 - SUPPORTING STATE LEGISLATION TO EXPAND
LAWFUL FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
RESOLUTION NO. 1999-61 - IN SUPPORT OF “THE FAIR COMPETITION AND TAXPAYER SAVINGS ACT” INITIATIVE AND LEGISLATION
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
PUBLIC WORKS
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
GENERAL AREA OF REVIEW:
Transportation, construction, and general public works related areas.
WE SUPPORT:
o Funding directly to cities for the preservation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and development of local street and road systems.
o The use of SB1 funds on other projects once cities meet the “maintenance of effort” (MOE) requirement.
o Long-term federal and state transportation authorization providing a stable and reliable funding stream for critical roads, bridges, channel improvements, freight, and transit. Federal, state, and local partnerships to fund regional transportation projects.
o Streamlining environmental processing for federal regulatory permits issued by Caltrans and various other State and Federal agencies for the purpose of expediting public infrastructure development
o Enhancing the ability of local government to finance local transportation and other infrastructure and provide greater flexibility in the use of transportation and other infrastructure-related funds.
o Efforts to lift the minimum requirement of payment of prevailing wages on municipal Public Works projects.
o Funding to local governments for local transportation, water, sewer, and storm sewer system projects.
o Legislation that provides clarification and improvements to Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) Law that will enable local agencies to use this tool for a variety of infrastructure financing needs. o Legislation from the PUC that increases the access and reliability of the service and reduces overall cost to the end users.
o Efforts to provide passenger rail service between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley.
o State involvement in ensuring effective utility infrastructure that supports regional development.
WE OPPOSE:
o Efforts to repeal SB1 (2017) funding for transportation and roadways. o Efforts to redirect, eliminate, or reduce amount of Highway User Tax Account (HUTA) that cities receive for street maintenance and improvements. o Any legislation that diminishes or does not assure local franchise fees for all utilities’ use of City right‐of‐way.
o Efforts to lessen the City’s ability to enforce contractual language agreed to and contained within existing franchise documents.
o Efforts to place the burden and liability of replacing all sidewalks solely on cities. o The forced elimination of natural gas appliances.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
CITY-SPECIFIC POLICY STATEMENTS:
RESOLTION NO. 1977-19 - REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO AMEND LEGISLATION ENACTED UNDER ASSEMBLY BILL 167, MILLER-WARREN ENERGY LIFE-LINE ACT
RESOLUTION NO. 1981-16 - IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION REMOVING THE
RESTRICTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS ON THE ON THE USE OF NATURAL GAS IN
UTILITY POWERPLANTS
RESOLUTION NO 1987-21 - SUPPORTING LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE SMALL CITIES EXEMPTION TO THE ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES REQUIRED BY ARTICLE 3, OF THE
PUBLIC UTILITIES CONTRACT CODE
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
FEDERAL
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
WE SUPPORT:
o Legislation to address the revitalization and restoration of the Salton Sea. o The continued reauthorization of MAP‐21 surface transportation bill in order to provide ongoing critical funding for highways, highway safety and public transportation.
o Funding from Department of Justice for resources critical to enable local law enforcement to adequately provide public safety services, including updating safety equipment, training and education, and fully funding the Byrne/JAG and COPS programs.
o Streamlined environmental processing for federal regulatory permits issued by the US Army Corp of Engineers, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Federal Highway Administration and various other state and federal agencies for the purpose of expediting public infrastructure projects.
o Continued funding for the Energy Efficiency Block Grant Program in order to provide resources directly to local governments for programs that improve energy efficiency, develop and implement energy conservation programs, and promote and develop alternative and renewable energy sources. o Efforts to streamline or eliminate the Medicare Secondary Payer process. o Legislation to include consideration of the economic impacts of proposed species listings, as well as, support the delisting of species no longer threatened or endangered.
o Collecting and remitting state and local sales taxes to the state and city in which the purchaser is residing, (e.g., purchases made over the Internet; by mail order; by catalog, etc.).
o Local/regional control and administration of federal programs and strategic placement of federal personnel to ensure expedited decision‐making. o Legislation to modify inappropriate sections of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as it relates to regulating public sector employment. o Efforts to ensure protection of sufficient radio spectrum to meet public safety’s current and future needs. Public safety needs should have priority over private, or for-profit communication systems.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
WE OPPOSE:
o Efforts to erode local control over installation of telecommunication infrastructure including environmental and design review and the ability to negotiate reasonable leases or public benefits.
o Legislative or administrative actions that prohibit or hinder local government’s ability to implement Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs. o Legislation and the promulgation of rules and regulations that allow any regulatory agency to encroach on, or supersede, local authority, including, but not limited to, the City’s right to franchise for the right to operate in the public right‐of‐way.
o Funding cuts to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME program and Section 8 Housing funds. Advocate for a more streamlined application process and for greater flexibility of local appropriation and use of monies.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
League of California Cities 2025 Advocacy Priorities
1. Protect local revenues and expand economic development tools. Safeguard and modernize revenue streams for local priorities. Pursue new economic development opportunities that bolster local economies and cultivate a strong local workforce, including expanded workforce recruitment and retention tools.
2. Strengthen climate change resiliency and disaster preparedness. Support city efforts to prepare, prevent, and adapt to natural disasters and the impacts of climate change, including wildfires, drought, sea level rise, and other extreme weather events. Increase transparency and access to insurance policies, especially following a natural disaster.
3. Strengthen and modernize critical infrastructure. Dedicate new resources and protect existing funding to maintain and improve essential infrastructure, including bridges, roads, broadband, and the state’s water supply and energy grid.
4. Secure investments to prevent and reduce homelessness and increase the supply of affordable housing. Secure dedicated funding to bolster cities’ long-term planning efforts to support unhoused residents and accelerate the construction of affordable housing. Strengthen state and regional partnerships to expand access to wraparound services and improve the housing element planning process. Ensure cities have the flexibility and decision-making authority to meet their community and state housing goals and reduce homelessness.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
CCCA Legislative Platform
Local Control
• Cities have the ability and authority to fashion policies that best fit the needs of their communities.
• Cities are accountable to their communities, with local representatives acting as direct conduits for addressing constituents’ needs and interests. As a matter of policy, CCCA supports and defends the rights of cities to protect their ability to contract for critical services.
• CCCA advocates on policy issues pertinent to cities, including issues related to housing/land use development, homelessness, economic development, public safety, mental health/addiction, energy/utility, and the environment. • CCCA opposes unfunded state mandates and by-right legislation that limits cities’ discretionary review processes for local development projects.
Housing/Land Use Development
• CCCA supports the restoration of redevelopment and CEQA reform as ways to revitalize existing community infrastructure and fast-track housing development. • CCCA supports legislation that allows cities to exercise local control to best address the needs of their communities while expanding opportunities to build affordable housing and transit-oriented development.
• CCCA supports legislation and other innovative, collaborative solutions that reduce costs and spur development in affordable and workforce housing. • CCCA encourages action that provides relief, funding, and assistance to local governments navigating new state-mandated requirements for housing.
Homelessness
• CCCA supports legislation that creates streamlined protocols, accountability measures, and metrics to be used by homeless service providers and local agencies.
• CCCA supports regional and city-driven solutions to address homelessness through crisis response, mental health evaluation and treatment, housing, homeless outreach teams, and state and regional funding for mental health crisis units.
• CCCA calls for direct, ongoing funding and resources to cities to support local homelessness services and the implementation of CARE Courts.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
• CCCA seeks more accurate statistics of individuals experiencing homelessness, including in-flow and out-flow information, cost-reporting of services rendered, mental and health condition, individuals successfully housed, and follow-up data that measures the effectiveness of homeless services rendered.
Economic Development
• CCCA supports action that aims to increase workforce development and supports new opportunities in budding industries.
• CCCA calls for assistance from the State to standardize sales tax collection requirements for cash-based businesses.
• CCCA encourages the State to address and mitigate rising insurance costs for California residents.
Public Safety
• CCCA supports practical measures to address public safety concerns related to recurring criminal offenses of retail, catalytic converter, or petty theft and street racing.
• CCCA supports balanced state and local criminal reform efforts for non-violent offenders with personal accountability measures that provide for incremental, enhanced supervision or penalties for those who violate the agreed terms and conditions of more lenient case dispositions or treatment. • CCCA opposes efforts to reprioritize public safety funding and programs without proper procedural or stakeholder engagement, as well as measures that would decrease public safety services or increase crime.
• CCCA encourages policies that create incentives for recruitment and retention of peace officers in local law enforcement agencies while also strengthening community relations.
Mental Health & Addiction
• CCCA calls for the enhancement of mental health services and addiction treatments as wrap-around care essential to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable communities.
• CCCA supports the expansion and safeguarding of conservatorship laws allowing for increased guardianship control and health supervision of those with mental illness and recognizes mental illness and addiction as a contributor to chronic homelessness.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
• CCCA opposes legislation that limits local government’s ability to restrict or regulate the sale, manufacture, use and distribution of alcohol and cannabis. • CCCA supports reasonable preventive and punitive measures to combat the fentanyl crisis.
Energy/Utility
• CCCA supports Community Choice Aggregation efforts to purchase renewable energy at competitive rates and create benefits and savings for cities, small businesses, and residents. CCCA also supports equal treatment of bundled and unbundled utility customers.
• CCCA supports ongoing efforts to mitigate wildfire disasters through responsible brush and forestry management, including coordination between local and state governments, fire departments, and utility providers.
• CCCA supports efforts to expand consumer access to reliable renewable energy, such as incentives and grants for solar and storage, particularly for low-income and environmentally burdened communities, reducing reliance on non- renewable sources and improving public health.
• CCCA supports federal, state and regional efforts to ensure the electricity delivery network is secure, reliable and modernized and will be sufficient to support the move to all electric vehicles and homes in the future.
Environment
• CCCA supports local and state policy solutions that restrict the movement of semi-trailer trucks in residential neighborhoods.
• CCCA supports practical and affordable solutions to meet mandatory compliance of water quality and treatment standards, notwithstanding prior agreements that otherwise limit city’s ability to undertake such activities. • CCCA supports funding to address growing statewide concerns of “forever chemicals”, specifically as it relates to PFAS (per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) and microplastics.
• CCCA supports state and regional efforts to increase recycling of water and the associated development or renovation of water treatment facilities. • CCCA supports the establishment of a state program that funds discounted water rates for low income customers of publicly owned retail water suppliers in an effort to make the state’s recognition of a Human Right to Water meaningful.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
UNITED STATES PRESIDENT
Hon. Donald Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
P: (202) 456-1111
Vice President JD Vance
UNITED STATES SENATORS—CALIFORNIA
Hon. Adam Schiff
DC Office
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
P: (202) 224-3841
F: (202) 228-3954
Hon. Alex Padilla
DC Office
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
P: (202) 224 - 3553
F: (202) 224 - 2200
Local Office
11845 West Olympic Blvd.
Suite 1250W
Los Angeles, CA 90064
P: COMING SOON
F: COMING SOON
UNITED STATES CONGRESS—CALIFORNIA
Hon. Ken Calvert—41st District
DC Office
2205 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
P: (202) 225-1986
F: (202) 225-2004
District Office
400 S. Vicentia Street
Suite 125
Corona, CA 92882
P: (951) 227-0042
F: (951) 227-0420
LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
GOVERNOR—STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis
District Office
1758 Orange Tree Lane, #B
Redlands, CA 92374
P: (909) 335-0271
Hon. Gavin Newsom
1303 10th Street, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
P: (916) 445-2841
F: (916) 558-3160
CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR
Hon. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh—19th District
Capitol Office, Room 7220
Sacramento, CA 95814
P: (916) 651-4019
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY
Hon. Greg Wallis —47th District
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249
P: (916) 319-2042
District Office
41608 Indian Trail Road
Suite D-1
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
P: (760) 346-6342
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS—RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Hon. V. Manuel Perez—4th District
County Office
4080 Lemon Street - 5th Floor
Riverside, California 92501
P: (951) 955-1040
District Office
73-710 Fred Waring Drive
Suite 222
Palm Desert, CA 92260
P: (760) 863-8211
LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
@INDIANWELLS @INDIANWELLSCA CITYOFINDIANWELLS
CITY OF INDIAN WELLS | 44-950 ELDORADO DRIVE | INDIAN WELLS, CA 92210 WWW.CITYOFINDIANWELLS.ORG
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
INDIAN WELLS CITY COUNCIL
March 6, 2025
To: City Council
From: City Manager Department
Prepared by: Christopher Freeland, City Manager
Subject: Councilmember Penna Request to Place a Discussion Item on a Future City Council Agenda - Citywide Holiday
Decorations
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Council DISCUSSES and provides DIRECTION on Councilmember Penna’s request to place a discussion item on a future City Council agenda related to funding citywide holiday decorations; and
FINDS the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15060.
BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to Section 2.06.040 of the City Council Policy Manual, Councilmember Brian Penna requests to initiate a discussion by the City Council to fund citywide holiday decorations in December 2025.
The Indian Wells City Council Policy Manual Section 3.01.030 addresses the process for a Council Member to request items for placement on the City Council Agenda.
Section 3.01.030 PLACING ITEMS ON AGENDA. A Council member may request an Item be considered on a future agenda, verbally during a City Council meeting or by informing the City Manager. The request shall be submitted wherever reasonably possible at 14 calendar days in advance of a Council meeting. The item will be agendized at the next regularly scheduled meeting for consideration by the Council under the Council Reports section of the agenda with the initiating Council member’s name. The Council Member may, at their discretion, prepare a written report.
In 2024, the Community Activities Committee recommended approving the purchase of holiday decorations in the amount of $13,661. The purchased décor was placed around the City Hall campus. Councilmember Penna requests the purchase of decorations not be drawn from the Committee’s budget and other options be brought to the Council at a future meeting.
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025
OPTIONS:
Additionally, Councilmember Penna requests the City Council consider the matter for further review and discussion. In accordance with the Council Policy Manual, if the Council expresses interest the City Council has the following options:
1. Council directs staff to bring the matter to a future Council meeting to discuss options for further review.
2. Council directs staff to add this matter for discussion during the upcoming annual City budget discussion.
3. Council provides an alternative direction.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA):
The action is not a project within the meaning of Section 15378 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change in the environment, directly or indirectly; and that the action is nonetheless exempt from the requirements of CEQA in that the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. (14 CCR 15061(b)(3).)
Council Meeting Agenda- March 6, 2025