City of Indio
City Council / Indio Water Authority Minutes
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Mayor Lupe Ramos Amith called to order the closed session meeting of the City Council for the City of Indio and the Indio Water Authority, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 150 Civic Center Mall, Indio, California.
CLOSED SESSION - 4 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Lupe Ramos Amith
Mayor Pro Tem Glenn Miller
Councilmember Elaine Holmes
Councilmember Waymond Fermon
Councilmember Oscar Ortiz
2. PUBLIC COMMENT None.
3. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER:
3.1 Conference with Labor Negotiator, Government Code Section 54957.6; City Negotiator: Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager; Employee Organizations:
ICEA, SEIU and IWAEA
3.2 Conference with Real Property Negotiators, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8; Property: APN 611-152-007; Negotiating Parties: City of Indio; Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager and East Valley Properties, Inc; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
**Councilmember Holmes recused herself from Closed Session at 4:05pm for Item 3.2, as she owns property within 900ft.
REGULAR SESSION - 5 PM
Mayor Lupe Ramos Amith called to order the regular joint meeting of the City Council for the City of Indio, Indio Water Authority at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 150 Civic Center Mall, Indio, California.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Lupe Ramos Amith
Mayor Pro Tem Glenn Miller
Councilmember Elaine Holmes
Councilmember Waymond Fermon
Councilmember Oscar Ortiz
City Staff Present:
Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager, Rob Rockwell, Assistant City Manager, Kevin H.
Snyder, Dir. Of Community Development, Carl S. Morgan, Dir. Of Economic Development, Ruby D. Walla, Dir. of Finance, Vanessa Castillo, City Clerk Specialist,
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Ian Cozens, Director of Information Technology, Brian Tully, Chief of Police, Reymundo Trejo, P.E., IWA General Manager, Miguel Ramirez-Cornejo, ED Manager, Jessica Mediano, PIO and Steven Graham, City Attorney
2. INVOCATION led by Pastor Robert Chapman ~ Garden Fellowship Church
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Emily R. Ramirez ~ Third Grader at Amelia Earhart Elementary
4. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Steven Graham reported Council met in Closed Session to discuss the items listed therein and there was no reportable action.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Introduction of New Employees
City Manager Bryan Montgomery, along with Mayor Ramos Amith & Councilmembers introduced New Employees.
New Employees
Luis Uribe - Plans Examiner
Adrian Beck - Code Enforcement Officer I
Ashkan Azarnia - Assistant Engineer
Ruby D. Walla - Director of Finance
Jose Cuevas - IWA Asset Management Specialist
Christian Torres - IPD Police Trainee
Jacob Adams - IPD Police Trainee
Giovanny Villa - IPD Police Trainee
Promotion
Brian Tully - 19th Chief of Police for the City of Indio
6. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (YAC)
YAC member Vianca Terriquez reported on YAC's participation in the Valley's First VIP Prom hosted in honor of those individuals with special needs, Desert Town Hall meeting with special guest speaker, Karl Rove, and honorable mention for Rachel Sanchez, Frida Arriaga and Xitlali Natividad as the recipients of the Riverside County Office of Education ~ Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Months for January - March. Reminder for the upcoming events to include the MobiasMobius Conference to take place on April 17th, and the 2nd Annual Mental Health Hike taking place at Badlands Trails on May 5th at 7am.
7. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
City Manager Montgomery announced the Ribbon Cutting of Indio's New Center Stage to be held on April 17th at 5pm, with a free public concert "Sonidos" to celebrate the grand opening of Center Stage, happening right in the middle of the two Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival weekends.
8. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL EXTERNAL/INTERNAL BOARDS, COMMISSIONS
AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER
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GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3(D)
Councilmember Fermon had no report on committees.
Councilmember Ortiz had no report on committees.
Councilmember Holmes reported on Coachella Valley Association of Governments Transportation Commission.
Mayor Pro Tem Miller reported on SunLine Transit Agency.
Mayor Ramos Amith had no report on committees.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
9.1 Minutes for City Council meeting of March 20, 2024
9.2 City Warrants from 03.15.24 thru 03.28.24
9.3 IWA Warrants from 03.06.24 thru 03.19.24
9.4 Approval of the water improvement agreement and acceptance of the performance and payment bonds from D.R. Horton, Los Angeles Holding Company, Inc. for Tract Map Nos. 38072-1 and 38072-2 for the Dolfina Project
9.5 Accept Water Improvement Agreement and Bonds from I Ten Monroe LLC for The Palms at Indio Phase IV Sitework Parcel Map No. 38417
9.6 Authorize a Grant of Easement to the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) for the installation of Electrical Distribution infrastructure in the Indio Water Authority (IWA)’s property located along Monroe Street, northeast of Monroe Street and Dr. Carreon Blvd. Assessor Parcel Number: 614-130-036
9.7 Approval of a Commercial Lease Agreement with Palm Springs Recording Studio, DBA Sunny Sounds, LLC
9.8 Approval of a proposal with Pearson Architects, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $110,000 for Architectural and Engineering Services for the Indio Arts Center, a city-owned building, located at 45140 Towne Street
9.9 Approval of Project Agreement for Tourism Activation with Revolution Marketing in the amount of $150,000
Councilmember Elaine Holmes abstained from Items 9.7 & 9.8 as she owns property within 900ft.
Councilmember Oscar Ortiz and Mayor Pro Tem Glenn Miller pulled Consent Calendar Item 9.9
Carl Morgan, Director of Community Development introduced the Staff Report.
Jessica Mediano, Marketing and Public Information Officer presented the PowerPoint Presentation.
Discussion ensued.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Glenn Miller, seconded by Councilmember Waymond Fermon to approve the Consent Calendar Items 9.1 thru 9.9.
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Carried Unanimously. Councilmember Oscar Ortiz opposed Item 9.9 and Councilmember Elaine Holmes abstained from Items 9.7 & 9.8.
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.1 Operating Covenant Agreement between the City of Indio and Unicars, Inc., a California corporation for the operation of a new automobile dealership Carl Morgan, Director of Community Development introduced the Staff Report.
Miguel Ramirez-Cornejo, Economic Development Manager presented the PowerpointPowerPoint Presentation.
Mayor Ramos Amith opened and closed the Public Hearing at 5:55 p.m. with no comments.
Discussion ensued.
Motion made by Councilmember Elaine Holmes, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Glenn Miller to approve Item 10.1, Operating Covenant Agreement between the City of Indio and Unicars, Inc. Carried 4-1. Councilmember Oscar Ortiz opposed.
11. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comments provided by the following:
1. Tony Psarras (Building Permit Process)
2. Richard Zizian (TUP ~ Zenda)
3. Joe Ganem (TUP ~ Zenda)
4. Michael Crandall (TUP ~ Zenda)
5. Katie Gilbertson (Victim Right's Week ~ 4/21 - 4/27)
6. Al Meza (Lights Out/Holes on Madison)
7. David Isen (Zenda)
8. Chris Shannon (PCU ~ Professional Negotiations testament to Leadership)
12. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss Mayor Ramos Amith adjourned the regular joint meeting at 6:25 p.m.
SABDI SANCHEZ, CMC,
CITY CLERK ADMINISTRATOR
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