City of Indio
City Council / Indio Water Authority Minutes
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Mayor Glenn Miller called to order the regular joint meeting and study session of the City Council for the City of Indio, and Indio Water Authority at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 150 Civic Center Drive.
REGULAR SESSION AND STUDY SESSION - 5 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Glenn Miller
Mayor Pro Tem Elaine Holmes
Councilmember Waymond Fermon
Councilmember Oscar Ortiz
Councilmember Benjamin Guitron IV
City Staff Present:
Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager, Jon Nicks, Asst. City Manager, Brian Tully, Chief of Police, Jennifer Mizrahi, Asst. City Attorney, Andrew Ansoorian, Dir. of Human Resources, Ruby Walla, Dir. of Finance, Miguel Ramirez-Cornejo, Dir. of Economic Development, Ian Cozens, Dir. of IT, Timothy T. Wassil, Dir. of Public Works, Rey Trejo, IWA General Manager, Sabdi Sanchez, Dir. of City Clerk Services, Brian Halvorson, Dir. of Community Development.
2. INVOCATION led by Pastor Nate Conant ~ Destiny Church
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Elena Canas ~ Third grader at Jackson Elementary
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.1 Proclamation - Recognizing March as Bleeding Disorders Awareness (BDAM) Month
Mayor Miller presented a proclamation to Ivan Giron and Rigo Manzo in recognition of Bleeding Disorders Awareness (BDAM) Month
4.2 Update by the Coachella Valley History Museum
Gloria Franz provided an update on the acquisition and installation of a 1950’s train car at the museum grounds as well as some of the ongoing partnerships and programs.
4.3 Overview presentation of the Strategic Plan process by BerryDunn, Indio's Strategic Plan consultant
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Jonathan Nicks, Assistant City Manager, introduced BerryDunn partners Maddi Powers and Bailey Dickinson who presented the City’s Strategic Plan process.
STUDY SESSION
Mayor Miller moved into the Study Session at 5:29 p.m.
1. DISCUSSION ITEMS
1.1 Direction to Staff regarding the following two items: 1) Draft Temporary Entertainment Event Ordinance ("TEEP" Ordinance) and 2) Draft Short Term Vacation Rental Ordinance
City Manager Montgomery and Asst. City Attorney Mizrahi provided an overview on the Draft Temporary Entertainment Event Ordinance and Short-Term Vacation Rental Ordinance.
The following highlights on the proposed TEEP and STVR Ordinances were discussed:
Highlights of the Proposed TEEP Ordinance:
General Rule → Any Responsible Person causing or maintaining a Temporary Entertainment Event shall apply for and obtain a Temporary Use Permit (TUP). A TUP shall not be transferrable.
Exceptions → Small private gatherings, neighborhood block parties, nonprofit institution events, small family events, city-sponsored events, and community gatherings.
Application Requirements → The proposed Ordinance has a comprehensive application process including applicant information, event details, site layout, safety and security plan, traffic and parking control, sanitation and waste management, noise control, insurance, etc.
Operational Requirements → The proposed Ordinance has a comprehensive operation requirements section, including, safety, capacity, crowd management, security, fire and police, sanitation, parking, traffic, lighting, noise control.
Frequency and Duration → The proposed TEEP Ordinance proposes a maximum of 12 events per calendar year on any zoned property that is 43,560 square feet or less in size; and 18 events on any zoned property that is greater than 43,560 square feet in size. The duration is proposed at 48 hours including set up and tear down. There is also a carve out during the festival period.
Enforcement and Penalties → the proposed TEEP Ordinance provides enforcement and penalty provisions, including fines, revocations, and summary abatement.
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Highlights of the proposed edits to the STVR Ordinance:
Amendments to Section 37.008 – approval/denial of a permit the proposed changes add more grounds for denial, including non-payment of fees, causing of nuisance, etc.
Amendments to Section 37.012 – operation standards the proposed changes cap the maximum at 20 persons both during the day and at night.
It further requires that the owner shall post the maximum number of occupants, trash pick up, and other notifications. Most notably, the proposed Ordinance increased the number of requirements as they relate to safety and swimming pools.
Amendments to Section 37.014 – hosting platforms and registry the proposed changes make certain requirements on the hosting plants for removal of STVRs that are not in compliance.
Amendments to Section 37.018 – Limitations the proposed changes limit the STVRs, which is intended to promote Council discussion of same.
Public comments provided by the following:
1. Richard Zizian
2. Cliff Chirls
3. Glen Van Dam
4. Joe Ganem
5. Mike Wales
6. Miles Warner
7. Sheryl Harris
Discussion of Council ensued
*At 6:55 p.m., Mayor Miller moved directly to regular session item 5 to allow the Youth Advisory Council to present their report and be dismissed.
At 7pm, Mayor Miller reconvened the study session.
Public comments provided by the following:
1. Dennis Arcuri
2. Leticia Arcuri
3. Drew MacLurg
4. Mike Smith
5. Davis Meyer
6. David Isen
*Written comments were received via email and made part of the administrative record.
At 7:47 p.m., Mayor Miller called for a short recess.
At 8:01 p.m., Mayor Miller reconvened the regular session.
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2. ADJOURN TO REGULAR SESSION
CONTINUATION OF REGULAR SESSION
5. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (YAC)
YAC member Ari Orantes reported on the PSA videos on mental health awareness for the Directing Change Program. A few members attended the Second Annual Adaptive PE Abilities on Feb. 21st at Shadow Hills High School. Additionally, YAC members Ayden Chavez and Savannah Vela were awarded scholarships by the Date Festival Scholarship Program. Member Savanah Vela will be attending a tour of the Capital in Sacramento.
*Youth Advisory Council Report was provided during the study session.
6. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
City Manager Montgomery shared reminders of the City’s weekend events including Food Truck Fridays, the Farmers Market and the Rotary Club of Indio’s Artisan Festival on Saturday morning, the Second Saturday’s concert in the evening, and Movie Night on the following Thursday.
7. CITY COUNCIL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE - None
8. CITY COUNCIL REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3(D)
Councilmember Guitron had no reports on committees.
Councilmember Ortiz had no reports on committees.
Councilmember Fermon reported on the RCTC Meeting in Temecula.
Mayor Pro Tem Holmes had no reports on committees
Mayor Miller reported on the meetings CVAG Executive Committee and SunLine Transit Agency.
9. APPOINTMENTS
9.1 Appointment to the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy Commission Motion made by Councilmember Fermon, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holmes to appoint Councilmember Benjamin Guitron IV as representative and Mayor Pro Tem Elaine Holmes as the alternate to the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy Commission. Carried unanimously
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10. CONSENT CALENDAR
10.1 Minutes for City Council and Indio Water Authority meeting of February 19, 2025
10.2 City Warrants from 02.11.2025 to 02.21.2025
10.3 IWA Warrants 02.11.2025 to 02.21.2025
10.4 Approval of a Change Order with Urban Habitat in the amount of $49,205.53 for the Highway 111 Median Improvements Project (City Project No. ST2305) and ratify previously approved change orders and authorize a budget transfer of $49,205.53 from CIP-PK2101 to CIP-ST2305 Motion made by Councilmember Fermon, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holmes to approve Consent Calendar Items 10.1 through 10.4 Carried unanimously
11. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
11.1 Independent auditor's report and the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal year 2023-24
Ruby Walla, Dir. Of Finance, introduced the Staff Report.
Frances Kuo, Partner from the PUN Group, presented the PowerPoint Presentation.
*No action required.
12. PUBLIC HEARINGS
12.1 Resolution No. 10476, approving the issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) for development of the Avenue 44 Affordable Housing Project David Razo, Senior Management Analyst, presented the PowerPoint Presentation.
Mayor Miller opened and closed the public hearing at 8:34 p.m. with no public comments.
Motion made by Councilmember Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Guitron to adopt Resolution No. 10476 approving the issuance of taxexempt revenue bonds by CMFA for financing of the Avenue 44 Apartments Project. Carried Unanimously.
12.2 Resolution No. 10477, approving the issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) for development of the JFM Villas Senior Apartment Project
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David Razo, Senior Management Analyst, presented the PowerPoint Presentation.
Mayor Miller opened the public hearing at 8:38 p.m. with the following comments:
Pedro Rodriguez, Director of CV Housing Coalition
Mayor Miller closed the public hearing at 8:40 p.m.
Motion made by Councilmember Fermon, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holmes to adopt Resolution No. 10477 approving the issuance of taxexempt revenue bonds by CMFA for financing of the JFM Villas Senior Apartments Project. Carried Unanimously.
12.3 Resolution No. 10478, approving the issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) for development of the JFM Villas Family Apartment Project
David Razo, Senior Management Analyst, presented the PowerPoint Presentation.
Mayor Miller opened the public hearing at 8:43 p.m. with the following comments:
Pedro Rodriguez, Director of CV Housing Coalition and Travis Cooper Mayor Miller closed the public hearing at 8:44 p.m.
Motion made by Councilmember Guitron, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution No. 10478 approving the issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds by CMFA for financing of the JFM Villas Family Apartments Project. Carried Unanimously.
13. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None.
14. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Miller adjourned the regular joint meeting at 8:49 p.m.
SABDI SANCHEZ, MMC
DIRECTOR OF CITY CLERK SERVICES
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