City of Indio
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Mayor Oscar Ortiz called to order the City Council Special meeting for the City of Indio at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 150 Civic Center Mall, Indio, California.
REGULAR SESSION - 2 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Oscar Ortiz
Mayor Pro Tem Lupe Ramos Amith
Councilmember Glenn Miller
Councilmember Elaine Holmes*
Councilmember Waymond Fermon
*Councilmember Elaine Holmes attended via zoom per AB 2449 (Just Cause) City Staff Present:
Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager, Rob Rockwell, Asst. City Manager & Dir. Of Finance, Scott Trujillo, Deputy City Manager, Kevin H. Snyder, Dir. Of Community Development, Sabdi Sanchez, City Clerk Administrator, Brian Tully, Assistant Chief of Police, Erika Martinez, Division Chief of Support Services and Steven Graham, City Attorney
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager
3. ACTION ITEMS
3.1 Award and Issuance of City of Indio Cannabis Storefront Retail Business Program Permits
Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager introduced the Staff Report and the following recommended Cannabis Retail Licensees for presentations.
1. Shryne Indio LLC dba STIIIZY - Tak Sato, President & Stephanie Uy, Vice President of Government Relations
2. Culture CC Indio dba Culture Cannabis Club - Devin Julian, CEO & Gopi Sangha, Partner
3. Indio West Coast Retail LLC dba West Coast Cannabis Club - Kenneth Churchill, CEO & Thomas Lopez, COO
4. Indio Responsible & Compliant Retail LLC dba Embarc Indio - Lauren Carpenter, CEO
5. OTC Indio LLC - Sean Maddock, CCO
Public Comments provided by the following:
1. Joseph Jonathan - In support of Embarc
Minutes for City Council meeting of July 19 & July 26, 2023 (Sabdi Sanch... Page 18 of 959 City Council Special Meeting
July 26, 2023
2. Ana Gaeta - In support of STIIIZY & Embarc
3. Joe Duffle - In support of STIIIZY & Embarc
4. Richard Twiss - In support of Embarc
5. Luis Alvarado - In support of STIIIZY
6. Kate Spates - In support of Culture Cannabis Club
7. Leticia DeLara - In support of STIIIZY
8. Alexis Perez - Co-Owner of Embarc
9. Brian Nestande - In support of Embarc
10.Chuck McDaniel - Co-Owner of Embarc
11.Steven Wijatyk - Cannabis Appellant
Discussion ensued.
Councilmember Elaine Holmes recused herself from Cannabis Culture Club vote, as she owns property within 500ft of the proposed location for cannabis retail licensee.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Lupe Ramos Amith, seconded by Councilmember Elaine Holmes to approve the recommended Cannabis Retail License Permits for Shyrne Indio LLC dba STIIIZY, Indio West Coast Retail LLC dba West Coast Cannabis Club, Indio Responsible & Compliant Retail LLC dba Embarc Indio and OTC Indio LLC. Carried 4-1. Mayor Oscar Ortiz opposed.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Lupe Ramos Amith, seconded by Councilmember Glenn Miller to approve the recommended Cannabis Retail License Permit for Culture CC Indio dba Culture Cannabis Club. Carried 3-1-1.
Mayor Oscar Ortiz opposed. Councilmember Elaine Holmes abstained.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
5. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss Mayor Ortiz adjourned the special City Council meeting at 5:14 p.m.
SABDI SANCHEZ, CMC
CITY CLERK ADMINISTRATOR
Minutes for City Council meeting of July 19 & July 26, 2023 (Sabdi Sanch... Page 19 of 959