City of Indio
City Council / Indio Water Authority Minutes
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Mayor Glenn Miller called to order the closed session meeting for the City of Indio at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 150 Civic Center Drive, Indio, California.
CLOSED SESSION - 4 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
2. PUBLIC COMMENT None.
3. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER:
3.1 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS - Pursuant to California Government Code § 54956.8; Property: APN 616-130-006; Negotiating Parties: City of Indio; Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager and Liberty Star Management, LLC; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of payment.
3.2 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS - Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8; Property: 83090 Avenue 50, 612-280-010; Negotiating Parties: City of Indio; Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager and Patricia A. Diaz; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
3.3 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - Pursuant to Government Code § 54957; Title: City Attorney
3.4 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - Pursuant to Government Code § 54957; Title: City Manager
3.5 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR - Pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6; One (1) Item; City Negotiator: Jonathan Nicks, Assistant City Manager; Unrepresented Employee: City Manager
REGULAR SESSION - 5 PM
Mayor Glenn Miller called to order the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Indio and the Indio Water Authority at 5:06 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 150 Civic Center Drive, Indio, California.
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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, Jonathan Nicks, Asst. City Manager, Brian Tully, Chief of Police, Steven Graham Pacifico, 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.
2. INVOCATION Pastor Steven Sloat ~ Coachella Valley Christian Church
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Luis Rodriguez ~ Third grader at Van Buren Elementary
4. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Steven Graham Pacifico reported Council met in closed session to discuss the items listed therein and would be returning to closed session after the conclusion of the regular meeting.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 PowerPoint Presentation and update from Doug McAllister, Vice President of External Affairs for Frontier Communications.
6. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
City Manager Montgomery commended the Marketing and Economic Development Department for their successful coordination of recent City events, including the time capsule unveiling, Fourth of July celebration, movie night, and Second Saturdays. He reported that the new Indio Library is expected to open in late August or early September, with the new City Hall expected to open in November.
Additionally, the Indio Police Department Headquarters is currently in the design phase, and both the golf course clubhouse and the sports complex are projected to open later this year.
7. CITY COUNCIL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE
Mayor Pro Tem Holmes disclosed a recusal for Consent Calendar items 10.6 and
10.7, and Public Hearing items 12.1, and 12.2.
8. CITY COUNCIL REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT
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CODE SECTION 53232.3(D)
Councilmember Guitron had no report on committees.
Councilmember Ortiz had no report on committees.
Councilmember Fermon had no report on committees.
Mayor Pro Tem Holmes had no report on committees.
Mayor Miller reported on the SunLine Transit Agency Commission, the Waste Transfer Station JPA meeting, the CVAG Executive Committee meeting, and the EVRA JPA meeting.
9. APPOINTMENTS
9.1 Appointment of Allyson Jeffredo to the Citizens' Finance Advisory Commission, nominated by Councilmember Waymond Fermon.
Motion made by Councilmember Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve Council nomination and ratify the appointment of Allyson Jeffredo to the Citizens’ Finance Advisory Commission. Carried unanimously.
9.2 Appointment of Megan Scarborough-Eckel to the Planning Commission, nominated by Councilmember Waymond Fermon.
Motion made by Councilmember Fermon, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holmes to approve Council nomination and ratify the appointment of Megan Scarborough-Eckel to the Planning Commission. Carried unanimously.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
10.1 Minutes for the City Council and Indio Water Authority joint regular meeting of June 18, 2025
10.2 City Warrants from 06-06-2025 to 07-03-2025
10.3 IWA Warrants from 06-06-2025 to 07-03-2025
10.4 Receive and File the Measure X and Measure S Annual Reports for Fiscal Year 2021 thru Fiscal Year 2024 as Recommended by the Citizens' Advisory Finance Commission on June 6, 2025
10.5 Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1820, adopting the Fire Hazard Severity Zones as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Pursuant to Government Code Section 51178
10.6 Amendment No. 1 to the Commercial Lease Agreement between the City of Indio and IORA Hospitality, LLC for an additional Tenant Improvement Allowance of $70,000
10.7 Professional Services Agreement between the City of Indio and Rhythm Tech Productions, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $140,000, to provide all
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audio/visual technician services for future City-hosted events
10.8 Professional services agreement between the City of Indio and Thirdwave Corporation for an IT Master Plan in the amount of $99,990
10.9 Authorize the acceptance of 45,442 square feet of domestic water easement dedicated to the Indio Water Authority/City of Indio by the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (Grantor) at Villa Hermosa Apartments Phase IV parcel map No. 36273
10.10 Amendment No. 2 to the existing professional services agreement with Statewide Services, Inc. for an additional amount of $400,000 for a notto-exceed total amount of $625,000 to provide project management and turf replacement services for the IWA Disadvantaged Community Turf Replacement Program, and allow the City Manager to make substantive edits as needed
10.11 Approval of the water improvement agreement and acceptance of the performance and payment bonds from Can Do, LLC, “The Greens.”
10.12 Report of changes to the Development Services Procedural Guidelines
10.13 Report of Fee Structure changes to the Indio Water Authority Customer Service Policy
10.14 Resolution No. 10508, accepting a Fiscal Year 2026 California Highway Patrol (CHP) grant under the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) in the amount of $186,342 and designating and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute all necessary grant documents on behalf of the City of Indio
10.15 Resolution No. 10509, accepting a Fiscal Year 2026 California Highway Patrol (CHP) grant under the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) in the amount of $127,676 and designating and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute all necessary grant documents on behalf of the City of Indio
10.16 Contract Change Order No. 9 with Granite Construction Company in the amount of $156,172.02 for the Jackson Street Improvements Project – Phase 1, City Project No. TS1901
10.17 Fuel purchase in the amount of $600,000 from SC Commercial LLC, for the City’s bulk fuel needs for Fiscal Year 2025/26
10.18 Resolution No. 10507, approving the application for Land and Water Conservation Funding for the Indio Sports Park Phase II Project
10.19 Resolution No. 10510, approving the updated Interstate 10 Freeway Agreement between the City of Indio and the California Department of Transportation
10.20 Amendment 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with Harris & Associates in an amount not-to-exceed $135,220.61, for the Avenue 44 Bridge Project, City Project No. BR1101
10.21 Approval of Final Parcel Map No. 38805 for The Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (JFM Villas), generally located on the southwest corner of Dr.
Carreon Boulevard and Van Buren Street
10.22 Three-Year Agreement for Animal Control Field and Shelter Services with the County of Riverside from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028
10.23 Professional Services Agreement in a Time and Materials not to exceed
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amount of $147,400.00 with HdL Companies for the provision of Cannabis Management Services
10.24 Professional Services Agreement not to exceed $50,000 with RKA Consulting Group for as-needed Building and Safety Services
10.25 Resolution No. 10511, finding that the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program of the Indio Water Authority is Consistent with the City of Indio General Plan 2040
Mayor Pro Tem Holmes disclosed recusal from items 10.6 and 10.7 due to financial interest.
Guitron pulled items 10.4 and 10.7 for further clarification.
Councilmember Ortiz pulled item 10.10 for further clarification.
Motion made by Councilmember Guitron, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve Consent Calendar items 10.1 through 10.25, except for item 10.7. Carried Unanimously.
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Guitron to approve Consent Calendar item 10.7. Carried 4-0. Mayor Pro Tem Holmes recused from the dais due to a financial interest as her business is in the Downtown area.
11. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
11.1 East Indio Employment Corridor Annexation Study Phase I Final Report Brian Halvorson, Dir. of Community Development introduced Rachel Lindt, Dudek Consultant, who presented the PowerPoint Presentation.
Staff recommends that the City Council receive a presentation and final report for the East Indio Employment Corridor Annexation Study and provide Input on options to Proceed with Phase II. Staff recommends studying the full sphere of influence in this area.
This is a receive and file item.
12. PUBLIC HEARINGS
12.1 Resolution No. 10501, authorizing the levy of a special tax for City of Indio Community Facilities District No. 2004-1 (Law Enforcement, Fire and Paramedic Services) and annexation areas thereto; the City of Indio Community Facilities District No. 2004-2 (Law Enforcement, Fire and Paramedic Services); Resolution No. 10502 Community Facilities District No. 2004 -3 (Terra Lago Area No. 1); Resolution No. 10503 Community Facilities District No. 2005-1 (Talavera Area No. 1 and No. 2); and Resolution No. 10504 Community Facilities District No. 2006-1 (Sonora Wells) for fiscal year 2025-2026
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Mayor Pro Tem Elaine Holmes disclosed a recusal for this item due to financial interest in land within 500ft (Resolution No. 10502), and out of abundance of caution, Councilmember Fermon recused himself from voting on Resolution No. 10504.
Ruby Walla, Director of Finance, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Miller opened and closed the public hearing at 6:46 p.m. with no public comments.
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Guitron to authorize the levy of a special tax for fiscal year 2025-26 through the adoption of Resolution No. 10501 for City of Indio Community Facilities District No. 2004-1 (Law Enforcement, Fire and Paramedic Services) and annexation areas thereto; and City of Indio Community Facilities District No. 2004-2 (Law Enforcement, Fire and Paramedic Services); Resolution No. 10502 for Community Facilities District No. 2004-3 (Terra Lago Area No. 1); Resolution No.10503 for Community Facilities District No. 2005-1 (Talavera Area No. 1 and No. 2); and Resolution No. 10504 for Community Facilities District No. 2006-1 (Sonora Wells). Carried 3-0-2.
12.2 Resolution No. 10505, approving the Engineer’s Annual Levy Report and Resolution No. 10506, ordering the levy and collection of assessments for the Fifty-Two Landscape and Lighting Districts Numbers 01-22, 24-29, and 31-54 proceedings relative to levying annual assessments for Fiscal Year 2025/26
Mayor Pro Tem Holmes disclosed a recusal for this item due to financial interest in land.
Timothy Wassil Dir. Of Public Works, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Miller opened and closed the public hearing at 6:49 p.m.
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Guitron to adopt: (1) Resolution No. 10505 approving the Engineer’s Annual Levy Report for the fifty-two (52) Indio Landscape and Lighting Districts (No. 01-22, 24-29, and 31-54) for FY 2025/26; (2) Resolution No. 10506 ordering the levy and collection of assessments within the fifty-two (52) Landscape and Lighting Districts (No. 01-22, 24-29, and 31-54) for Fiscal Year 2025/26; and (3) Authorize the Finance Director to make the necessary budget adjustments in accordance with the adopted Engineer’s Annual Levy Report. Carried 4-0-1.
13. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
1. Dorie Forbes – IWA Base Rate
2. Viktor Custic – IPOA Backpack Giveaway
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14. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Miller adjourned to closed session at 7 p.m. in honor of Linda Badgin.
The City Council reconvened at 7:50 p.m., and Mayor Miller announced there was no reportable action and adjourned the closed session at 7:51 p.m.
SABDI SANCHEZ, MMC
DIRECTOR OF CITY CLERK SERVICES
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