City of Indio
City Council / Indio Water Authority Minutes
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Mayor Glenn Miller called to order the study session for the City of Indio at 2:33 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 150 Civic Center Drive, Indio, California.
STUDY SESSION - 2:30 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Glenn Miller
Mayor Pro Tem Elaine Holmes
Councilmember Waymond Fermon
Councilmember Benjamin Guitron IV
Absent:
Councilmember Oscar Ortiz
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Pro Tem Elaine Homes
3. PUBLIC COMMENT None.
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
4.1 Study Session on Proposed City Council Protocols
Steven Graham Pacifico, City Attorney, presented the Staff Report It is respectfully recommended that the City Council: (1) Conduct a study session on the proposed City Council Protocols; (2) Provide direction on any desired edits or clarifications; (3) Direct the City Attorney to finalize the City Council Protocols based on Council direction; and (4) Direct that the City Clerk place the City Council Protocols on the consent calendar of the next regular City Council meeting for formal adoption.
5. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Miller adjourned the study session and called to order the closed session at 3:31 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION - 3:30 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Glenn Miller
Mayor Pro Tem Elaine Holmes
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Councilmember Waymond Fermon
Councilmember Oscar Ortiz (joined closed session at 3:32 p.m.) Councilmember Benjamin Guitron IV
2. PUBLIC COMMENT None.
3. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER:
Mayor Pro Tem Holmes disclosed a conflict for item 3.4 due to financial interest.
3.1 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR; Government Code Section § 54957.6; Number of Items: One; City Negotiator: Jonathan Nicks, Assistant City Manager; Unrepresented Employee: City Manager
3.2 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - Pursuant to Gov. Code § 54957; Title: City Attorney
3.3 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS - Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8; Property a 4.22 acre portion of APN 606- 130-065 located on Avenue 43 east of Burr Street; Negotiating Parties:
City of Indio, Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager and Indio Northgate, LLC; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
3.4 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS - Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8; 82707 Miles Ave APN 611-172-001; Negotiating Parties: City of Indio, Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager, and Desert Rat, LLC; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment REGULAR 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, 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.
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2. INVOCATION
led by Pastor Juan Lopez ~ Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
led by Belina Zamora Rodarte ~ Fifth Grader at Van Buren 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 would be returning to closed session after the conclusion of the regular meeting.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Proclamation for US Army Veteran Sgt. Richard Gauthier, in Honor of Hunter Lopez Day
Mayor Miller along with the City Council presented a proclamation to US Army Veteran Sgt. Richard Gauthier and City of Indio Employees who have also served in the Military in honor of Hunter Lopez Day.
City Staff honored:
Lt. Andrew Leyva, United States Army
Lt. Erik Longoria, United States Army
Sgt. Abe Plata, United States, Marine Corps, Reserves
Sgt. Ryan Kitchens, West Point Cadet / Army Reserve
Detective Juan Fuentes, United States Marine Corps
Officer Russell Peddycord, United States Navy
Officer Salvador Cardenas, United States Coast Guard
Community Services Officer Edgardo Figueroa, United States Marine Corps Officer Jesus Correa, United States Marine Corps
Steven La Barbera, IT Network Systems Engineer, United States Army
6. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
City Manager Montgomery provided a brief report on the Second Saturday event on September 13, the recent Movie Night, and the upcoming 9/11 Memorial event scheduled for September 11.
6.1 Final designation of Veterans Memorial and 9-11 Memorial within Miles Avenue Park.
City Manager Montgomery provided a PowerPoint Presentation on the final designation of the Veterans and 9/11 Memorial within Miles Avenue Park as recommended by the Arts and Community Services Commissions.
7. CITY COUNCIL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE
Mayor Pro Tem Holmes disclosed a conflict for items 9.8, 9.10, and 9.19 due to financial interest.
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8. CITY COUNCIL REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3(D)
Councilmember Guitron had no report on Committees.
Councilmember Ortiz reported on the CVUSD 2x2 meeting.
Councilmember Fermon reported on Coachella Valley Power Agency JPA (CVAG) and the Riverside County Transportation Commission meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Holmes had no report on Committees.
Mayor Miller reported on Sunline Transit Agency Committee Meeting.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
9.1 Waive Reading of Title and Text of All Ordinances included in the agenda
9.2 Minutes for the City Council and Indio Water Authority regular meeting of July 16, 2025
9.3 City Warrants from 07-04-2025 to 08-08-2025
9.4 IWA Warrants from 07-04-2025 to 08-08-2025
9.5 Report of investments for the quarter ending June 30, 2025
9.6 Resolution No. 10512, adopting the updated City Investment Policy and annual delegation of investment authority to the City Treasurer and the Treasurer of the Component Municipal Entities pursuant to Government Code Section 53607
9.7 Payment of $166,667 to the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) for services related to the Coachella Valley Power Agency
9.8 Commercial Lease Agreement with Porc Hospitality, LLC located at 45130 Oasis St
9.9 Professional Services Agreement with Sierra Controls, LLC. in a Not-toExceed Amount of $150,000 per Fiscal Year for On-Call SCADA Integration, Support, and Programming Services for Fiscal Years 2025-2026, 2026- 2027, and 2027-2028, with Two Optional One-Year Extensions
9.10 Professional Services Agreement with Serna & Associates Inc. in the amount not to exceed $100,000 for the Downtown Ambassador Program
9.11 IWA Resolution No. 2025-83, authorizing IWA’s Executive Director to execute contract Amendment No. 1 between the Indio Water Authority and the United States Department of the Interior for a license to construct, own, operate and maintain an 18-inch domestic pipeline crossing the Coachella Canal at Avenue 50th and Madison Street
9.12 Memorandum of Understanding with Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) for the CV Housing First Program Multi-Year Partnership beginning Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and ending Fiscal Year 2027- 2028
9.13 Professional Services Agreement with Dudek for Planning and Consulting Services for Phase II of the East Indio Employment Corridor Annexation
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Study
9.14 Professional Services Agreement with the law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for Special Legal Counsel Services in an amount not to exceed $285,000 each fiscal year
9.15 Purchase Order with Burrtec Waste for the Disposal of Street Sweeping Materials in the amount of $170,000 for Fiscal Year 2025/26
9.16 Construction contract with Resource Environmental, Inc., in the amount of $184,000 for the Armory Building Demolition Project, City Project No.
BD2415
9.17 Change Order No. 9 with Ortiz Enterprises Inc, for the slope pavement settlement and associated bid item increases for the Avenue 44 Bridge Project, City Project No. BR1101, Federal Aid No. BRLKS-5275(024), in the amount of $1,163,959
9.18 Change Order No. 3 with Three Peaks Corp. for additional work for the Indio Sports Park Project, City Project No. PK2203; in the amount of $497,768
9.19 Change Order No. 2 with Riverside Construction Company for the unforeseen conditions and scope revisions for the Civic Center Storm Drain and Oasis Street Beautification Projects, City Project Nos. SD2201 and ST2303, in the amount of $469,751.07
9.20 Amendment 1 to the Cooperative Agreement by and between the City of Indio and County of Riverside for the design and construction of the Jackson Street and Avenue 50 Improvement Project, City Project No.
TS1901
9.21 Budget Adjustment Request for Fleet Maintenance (Fund 605) in the amount of $455,000 and Vehicle Replacement (Fund 603) in the amount of $930,700 to close FY 2024/25 Obligations
9.22 Professional Services Agreement with Dokken Engineering to prepare the Plans, Specification, and Engineer’s Estimate for the Bridge Preventative Maintenance Program Project, City Project No. BR1701 in the amount of $999,322.68
9.23 Professional Services Agreement with TY Lin International to prepare the Plans, Specification, and Engineer’s Estimate for the Bridge Preventative Maintenance Program Project, City Project No. BR2401, in the amount of $384,375.23
9.24 Professional Services Agreement with TY Lin International to prepare a Project Study Report for the Rehabilitation of the Jackson Street Bridge over Union Pacific Railroad, City Project No. BR2402, in the amount of $537,035.79
9.25 Professional services agreement with Fieldman, Rolapp & Associates for Municipal Financial Advisory Services for 2025 series Lease Revenue Bonds and Community Facility District Bonds in a not to exceed amount of $110,000
9.26 Recognize Non-General Fund Budget Adjustment in Special Revenue Fund 245 for Fiscal Year 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Holmes pulled item 9.7 for clarification.
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City Manager Montgomery provided clarification to the Council on item 9.7.
Councilmember Guitron pulled item 9.6 for further clarification.
Ruby Walla, Dir. Of Finance, provided clarification to the Council.
Councilmember Guitron pulled item 9.18 for further clarification.
Donn Uyeno, Principal Civil Engineer, provided clarification to the Council.
Motion made by Councilmember Guitron, seconded by Councilmember Fermon to approve Consent Calendar items 9.1 through 9.7, 9.9, 9.11 through 9.18, and 9.20 through 9.26. Carried unanimously.
Mayor Pro Tem Holmes recused herself from the dais due to conflict on items 9.8, 9.10, and 9.19.
Councilmember Guitron pulled item 9.10 for further clarification.
Miguel Ramirez-Cornejo, Dir. Of Economic Development provided clarification to the Council.
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Fermon to approve Consent Calendar items 9.8, 9.10, and 9.19, as presented by Roll Call Vote. Carried 4-0-1.
Mayor Miller called a recess at 6:32 p.m. and reconvened at 6:44 p.m.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
10.1 Staff and the City's municipal financial advisors will provide an overview of Community Facilities Districts and Assessment Districts Jonathan Nicks, Assistant City Manager, introduced Brian Forbath (Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth LLP) and James Fabian (Fieldman, Rolapp, & Associates) who presented the PowerPoint Presentation.
This is a receive and file item. No action required.
10.2 Resolution No. 10513, authorizing the Mayor to execute the Third Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement
Steven Graham Pacifico, City Attorney, presented the Staff Report.
As mandated by the Government Code Section 54953, the City Attorney is required by the Brown Act to read the following statement into the record before the Council considers final action:
The City Council is considering final action on the proposed third amendment to the employment agreement for the City Manager for the
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following:
The term of the existing employment agreement is extended to May 12, 2027, and the compensation of the City Manager, last updated in 2023, shall be adjusted by 9.83% to an annual base salary of $335,000 retroactively effective May 13, 2025.
Discussion ensued.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Holmes, seconded by Councilmember Fermon to approve the Third Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement. Carried 3-2. Councilmember Ortiz and Councilmember Guitron opposed.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.1 Introduction of Ordinance No. 1821, to approve a Development Agreement for the Pulte Desert Retreat housing development encompassing up to 1,500 homes.
Jonathan Nicks, Assistant City Manager, presented the PowerPoint Presentation.
Mayor Miller opened the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. with public comments from:
1. David Dewegeli, Manager of Land Planning & Entitlements for Pulte Group
Mayor Miller closed the public hearing at 7:36 p.m.
Motion made by Councilmember Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Guitron to introduce first reading of Ordinance No. 1821, approving the Development Agreement for the Pulte Desert Retreat project. Carried unanimously.
11.2 City Resolution No. 10514 and IPFA Resolution No. 2025-14, each authorizing the issuance and sale of Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2025A to finance the Police Headquarters
Jonathan Nicks, Assistant City Manager, presented the PowerPoint Presentation.
Mayor Miller opened and closed the public hearing with no public comments at 7:52 p.m.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Holmes, seconded by Councilmember Guitron to adopt Resolution No. 10514 authorizing the execution and delivery of a First Amendment to Lease Agreement in connection with the
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issuance of not to exceed $35,000,000 in Lease Revenue Bonds and approving related documents and actions therewith. 3. Indio Public Finance Authority Board of Directors Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-14 authorizing the issuance of Lease Revenue Bonds in an amount not to exceed $35,000,000 and approving related documents and actions therewith. Carried unanimously.
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
1. Maribel Nunez, Rising housing costs
2. Virginia Armendariz, Mobile home tenant issues
3. Citlali Armenta, Rising housing costs/Mobile home tenant issues
4. Bill Sullivan, STR/TUP issues
5. April Sanders, STR/TUP issues
6. Jay Dougherty, STR/TUP issues
7. Richard Zizian, STR/TUP issues
13. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Miller adjourned back to closed session at 8:19 p.m. with a moment of silence in honor of local business owner Ivana Gomez.
The City Council reconvened at 9:54 p.m. to which Mayor Miller announced no reportable action during closed session and adjourned at 9:54 p.m.
SABDI SANCHEZ, MMC
DIR. OF CITY CLERK SERVICES
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