City of Indio
City Council / Indio Water Authority Minutes
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Mayor Holmes called to order the closed session for the City of Indio at 4:01 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Indio, California.
CLOSED SESSION - 4 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Elaine Holmes
Mayor Pro Tem Waymond Fermon
Councilmember Oscar Ortiz
Councilmember Benjamin Guitron IV
Councilmember Glenn Miller
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
3. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER:
3.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION - Pursuant to Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (2) of Section 54956.9; Zenda Estate, LLC v. Polo Club Maintenance Association; Riverside Superior Court Case No.
CVPS2407985
3.2 Conference with Legal Counsel, Initiation of Litigation, Government Code Section 54956.9, One (1) case
3.3 Conference with Real Property Negotiators, Government Code Section 54956.8; for 45238 Oasis Street, Indio, City of Indio Negotiator: Bryan H.
Montgomery, City Manager; Negotiating Party: Mi Cultura Cuisine, LLC.; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
[Conflict of Interest: Mayor Holmes]
3.4 Conference with Real Property Negotiators, Government Code Section 54956.8; for 82719 Miles Avenue, Indio, City of Indio Negotiator: Bryan H.
Montgomery, City Manager; Negotiating Party: Shaken Not Stirred Entertainment.; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment [Conflict of Interest: Mayor Holmes]
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REGULAR SESSION - 5 PM
Mayor Holmes 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 100 Civic Center Drive, Indio, California.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Elaine Holmes
Mayor Pro Tem Waymond Fermon
Councilmember Oscar Ortiz
Councilmember Benjamin Guitron IV
Councilmember Glenn Miller
City Staff Present:
Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager, Jonathan Nicks, Asst. City Manager, Steven Graham Pacifico, City Attorney, Brian Tully, Chief of Police, Andrew Ansoorian, Dir. of Human Resources, Ruby Walla, Dir. of Finance, Miguel Ramirez-Cornejo, Dir. of Economic Development, Brian Halvorson, Dir. of Community Development, Ian Cozens, Dir. of IT, Timothy T. Wassil, Dir. of Public Works, Sabdi Sanchez, Dir. of City Clerk Services.
2. INVOCATION
Led by Pastor Tony Williams ~ Love of Christ Community Church
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Sammary Morisco ~ Fifth Grader at Dr. Carreon Academy
4. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Steven Graham Pacifico reported that the Council gave direction by consensus on item 3.1 and Mayor Holmes recused from item 3.2.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Presentation by SunLine Transit Agency - Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Mona Babauta, CEO/General Manager of SunLine Transit Agency provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding updates for SunLine.
5.2 Presentation by County Department of Animal Services - Review of Services in the City of Indio
Kimberly Youngberg, Assistant Director of the County Department of Animal Services provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding updates for Animal Services.
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6. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (YAC)
Javier Martinez reported that the Youth Advisory Commission (YAC) assisted with a holiday toy drive. He expressed appreciation to Councilmember Guitron for attending a YAC meeting. He also reported that YAC members attended a Youth Town Hall speaker series event.
7. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
City Manager Montgomery reminded the community of the importance of having an emergency preparedness plan in light of recent seismic activity in the area. He also provided updates on several projects, including parking at the new City Hall and the Golf Course Clubhouse, both projected for completion in March or April; the Avenue 44 Bridge project, projected for June; and Sports Park Phase I, anticipated in April.
8. CITY COUNCIL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE
Mayor Holmes reported conflict on consent calendar item 11.8
9. CITY COUNCIL REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3(D)
Councilmember Miller reported on the Coachella Indio Waste Transfer Station JPA Meeting and the East Valley Reclamation Authority Meeting.
Councilmember Guitron had no report on Committees.
Councilmember Ortiz reported on the Coachella Indio Waste Transfer Station JPA Meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Fermon had no report on Committees.
Mayor Holmes had no report on Committees.
*Public Comment by Jonathan Becerra, Community Member
10. APPOINTMENTS
10.1 Appointment of Delegate and Alternate for 2026 SCAG Annual General Assembly
Motion made by consensus to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Fermon as the delegate and Councilmember Ortiz as the alternate delegate for the 2026 SCAG Annual General Assembly scheduled for May 7, 2026, in Palm Desert.
Carried unanimously.
10.2 Appointment of Michael Slater to the Planning Commission, nominated by Councilmember Oscar Ortiz
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Miller
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to accept the nomination of Councilmember Oscar Ortiz and ratify the appointment of Michael Slater to the Planning Commission to fill one (1) vacancy consisting of an unexpired term through December 2026. Carried unanimously.
10.3 Nomination of Rick Wise to the Palm Springs International Airport Commission
Motion made by Mayor Holmes, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon to approve the nomination of Rick Wise to serve on the Palm Springs International Airport Commission for a three-year term, beginning in March 2026 and ending March 2029. Carried unanimously.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
11.1 Waive Reading of Title and Text of All Ordinances included in the agenda
11.2 Minutes for the City Council, Indio Water Authority, Successor Agency regular joint meeting of December 17, 2025
11.3 City Warrants from 12-05-2025 to 01-09-2026
11.4 IWA Warrants from 12-05-2025 to 01-09-2026
11.5 Two-Year Professional Services Agreement with Pure Gold Forensics, Inc. for Laboratory Testing in the amount not-to-exceed $529,375
11.6 Acceptance of the California Department of Justice Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Grant in the amount of $529,375, approval of the memorandum of understanding, and budget adjustments
11.7 Resolution No. 10533, declaring certain City-owned property located in various areas within the City as surplus land pursuant to the Surplus Land Act
11.8 Change Order No. 3 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 $560,577.31 [Conflict of Interest: Mayor Holmes]
11.9 Ratify a payment to Imperial Irrigation District in the amount of $484,632.42 for electrical services for the Indio Sports Park
11.10 Approve Interstate 10 Corridor Aesthetics Master Plan
11.11 Amendment Five to the Agency Reimbursement Agreement by and between the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) and the City of Indio for work related to the Arts and Music Line Project (Project No. PL2001) in the amount of $166,133.37; and authorize the City Manager to execute the Amendment
11.12 Purchase of five (5) Toyota Camrys from I-10 Toyota; one (1) Ford Explorer, four (4) Ford F-150s, and two (2) Ford Mavericks from Fiesta Ford, for a total vehicle cost of $516,146.88, with upfitting services by Johnson totaling $146,215.92, for a combined total cost of $662,362.80
11.13 Amendment No. 2 to the Cooperative Agreement between the City of Indio and City of La Quinta requesting an additional $144,937.50 in project funding for the City of La Quinta share of the final design and
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right-of-way activities for the Avenue 50 Improvement Project, between Jefferson Street and Madison Street Project No. ST2004
Councilmember Guitron pulled item 11.9 for further clarification to which City Manager Montgomery provided.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Guitron to approve consent calendar item 11.1 through 11.7 and items
11.9-11.13. Carried unanimously.
Motion made by Ortiz, seconded by Miller to approve 11.8. carried 4-0 with Mayor Holmes recusing.
*Mayor Holmes proceeded to item 14, Public comments for items not on the agenda
12. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
12.1 Presentation on SB 707: Brown Act Modernization
Steven G. Pacifico, City Attorney, presented the PowerPoint presentation.
Receive and File item.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
13.1 Introduction of Ordinance No. 1829, Adding Chapter 125 (“Residential Rental Inspection Program”) To Title 11 (Business Regulations) Of The Indio Municipal Code; Resolution No. 10531, Residential Rental Inspection Program Fee Schedule
Jose Ramirez, Principal Management Analyst, presented the PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 8:05 p.m. with public comment(s) from:
1. Al Meza
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 8:11 p.m.
Discussion ensued.
Motion made by Councilmember Guitron, seconded by Councilmember Miller to
approve the following: 1. Introduce Ordinance No. 1829, adding Chapter 125 (“Residential Rental Inspection Program”) to Title 11 (Business
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Regulations) of the Indio Municipal Code; 2. Adopt Resolution No. 10531, Residential Rental Inspection Program Fee Schedule. Carried unanimously.
14. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
1. Gabriela Armenta, Immigration Raids
2. Claudia Armenta, Immigration Raids
3. Darrell Bellows, Immigration Raids
4. Denise Sahagun, Immigration Raids
5. Roxanne Fernandes, Immigration Raids
6. Yazmin Espinoza, Immigration Raids
7. Kiarybel Lara, Immigration Raids
8. Adam Rodriguez, Immigration Raids
9. Michael Adkins, Immigration Raids
10. Paula Marvin, Immigration Raids
11. Joseph Hamersly, Indio Library Services
12. Joanne Kleveland, Immigration Raids
13. Jonathan G., Immigration Raids
14. Bennie Fredrick, Immigration Raids
15. Vanessa Rivera, CV Invitational
16. Jonathan Becerra, Immigration Raids
17. Al Meza, Immigration Raids
18. Maria, Immigration Raids (Spanish speaker)
19. Ash Vega, Immigration Raids
20. Chris Christensen, Desert Health Care District Strategic Plan *Mayor Holmes called a recess at 7:30 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:39 p.m. returning to Administrative Items.
15. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Holmes adjourned at 8:21 p.m. in memory of Bill Teague and Mary Ellen Hearn.
SABDI SANCHEZ, MMC
DIRECTOR OF CITY CLERK SERVICES
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