City of Indio
City Council / Indio Water Authority Minutes
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Mayor Holmes called to order the study session for the City of Indio at 3:10 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Indio, California.
STUDY SESSION - 3 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Elaine Holmes
Mayor Pro Tem Waymond Fermon ~ Arrived at 3:36 p.m.
Councilmember Oscar Ortiz
Councilmember Benjamin Guitron IV
Councilmember Glenn Miller
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Ortiz
3. PUBLIC COMMENT None.
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
4.1 City Council Workshop Regarding Potential Amendments to the Indio Municipal Code (Chapters 37 and 95C) and the Unified Development Code (Chapter 4.28) related to the Regulation of Short-Term Rentals (STRs), Noise Control, and Event Uses in Residential Zones.
Public Comment(s) provided by:
1. David Eisen
2. Miles Warner
3. Richard Zizian
Steven G. Pacifico, City Attorney presented the PowerPoint Presentation Receive a staff presentation, conduct a Council workshop The City Attorney’s Office presented a workshop on proposed updates to City regulations related to Short-Term Rentals (Chapter 37), Noise (Chapter 95C), and Events in Residential Zones (UDC Chapter 4.28). - Proposed Short-Term Rental updates include daytime occupancy limits, maintaining nighttime limits with four additional daytime
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visitors, and prohibiting STRs from being used as party houses in accordance with recent state legislation.
- Proposed Noise Ordinance revisions include housekeeping updates to improve enforcement, expanding landscaping equipment noise regulations, updating vehicle noise standards for compliance with state law, and implementing enhanced enforcement with escalating fines.
- Proposed Residential Event regulations would establish a formal permit process through Administrative Use Permits or Conditional Use Permits depending on event size, with potential public hearings. - Standard event conditions would address hours of operation, parking and traffic management, amplified sound limits, and on-site security or City personnel when necessary.
- Additional accountability measures include suspension or revocation hearings for repeated violations, minute-by-minute noise fines, and event reporting requirements to the City.
CLOSED SESSION - 4 PM
Mayor Holmes called to order the closed session for the City of Indio at 4:14 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
2. PUBLIC COMMENT None.
3. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER:
3.1 Conference with Real Property Negotiators, Government Code Section 54956.8. Property: 81200 Avenue 52, Indio, CA 92201, 779-050-023 and 779-050-024
3.2 Conference with Real Property Negotiators, Government Code Section 54956.8; for 45300 Oasis Street, Indio, City of Indio Negotiator: Bryan H.
Montgomery, City Manager; Negotiating Party: Potter's House Christian Church.; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
REGULAR SESSION - 5 PM
Mayor Pro Tem Holmes called to order the regular session for the City of Indio at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Indio, California.
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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, Jon 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 Victoria Nicolao ~ Fifth Grader at Dr. Carreon Academy
4. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Steven Graham Pacifico reported that the Council met in Closed Session to discuss the items listed therein and there was no reportable action.
5. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (YAC)
Danica Rodriguez, YAC Member, reported that the Youth Advisory Council attended a Youth Town Hall where members heard a presentation from a guest artist. YAC members also attended the Women’s Club of Indio luncheon with Councilmember Guitron. She further reported that YAC will be traveling to Running Springs to attend the Riverside County Friday Night Live Active Youth Conference alongside other high school leadership groups.
6. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
City Manager Montgomery thanked the community for their patience during ongoing roadway improvement projects throughout the City. He also reminded the community about weekly downtown events, including Food Truck Fridays, the Mercado Farmers Market, the upcoming Pickleball Tournament, Movie Night, and Second Saturdays at Center Stage.
7. CITY COUNCIL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE None.
8. CITY COUNCIL REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3(D)
Councilmember Miller reported on the SunLine Transit Agency Committee
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meeting.
Councilmember Guitron had no report on Committees.
Councilmember Ortiz had no report on Committees.
Mayor Pro Tem Fermon had no report on Committees.
Mayor Holmes had no report on Committees.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
9.1 Minutes for the City Council, Indio Water Authority regular joint meeting of February 18, 2026
9.2 City Warrants from 02-07-2026 to 02-20-2026
9.3 IWA Warrants from 02-07-2026 to 02-20-2026
9.4 Approval of the City's Participation in the California Department of Technology Enterprise Agreement for Microsoft 365 G5 subscription in the amount of $911,730
9.5 Resolution No. 10549, Housing Trust Fund for REAP 2.0 Grant through SCAG for the purpose of Gap Financing for income-restricted housing developments and other housing-related activities
9.6 Resolution No. 10550, approving the dedication of a temporary construction easement to the Coachella Valley Association of Governments for 36 months by the City of Indio for the construction of the Arts and Music Line
9.7 Resolution No. 10551, authorizing the City Manager to execute a Right of Way Contract between the City of Indio and Lan Fang Yu, for the acquisition of 10,715 square feet of permanent roadway easement, 355 square feet of permanent utility easements, and 3,327 square feet of temporary construction easement of a parcel identified as APN 612-280- 014, located at 83550 Avenue 50, to facilitate the construction of the Jackson Street Improvement Project Phase 2, Project No. PW-TS1901
9.8 Resolution No. 10552, authorizing the City Manager to execute a Right of Way Contract between the City of Indio and Amparo Lopez, for the acquisition of 4,190 square feet of temporary construction easement of a parcel identified as APN 612-260-011, located at 49486 Jackson Street, to facilitate the construction of the Jackson Street Improvement Project Phase 2 Project No. PW-TS1901
9.9 Approval of a Six-Month Law Enforcement Services Agreement with Coachella Valley Association of Governments for the Provision of a Pilot Program of Drone Monitoring Services
9.10 Professional services agreements with West Yost Associates, TKE Engineering, Inc., Z & K Consultants, Inc., DRP Engineering, Inc. and Stetson Engineers, Inc., for a not-to-exceed annual amount of $400,000 for a three (3) year term and two (2) optional one (1) year extensions Councilmember Guitron reported a conflict of interest on item 9.6
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Motion made by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon to approve consent calendar items 9.1 through 9.10 with the Councilmember Guitron recusing from voting on Item 9.6 due to a conflict of interest. Carried unanimously.
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.1 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan Fiscal Year 2026- 2027, Part 1 of 2, requesting guidance from City Council to Conduct the first of two (2) Public Hearings to solicit City Council and community input necessary for the preparation of the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan, and other Entitlement Documents needed for the City to retain its designation as an entitlement community from the U.S. Department of Housing; Urban Development (HUD).
Brian Halvorson, Dir. of Community Development, presented the PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Holmes opened and closed the public hearing at 5:45 p.m. with no public comment(s).
Receive and file. No action required.
10.2 Review of draft amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) relating to Automotive Service and Repair/Fueling Stations and a 60-day moratorium extension for fueling stations. Recommendation: 1) Review and provide input, 2) Approve Urgency Ordinance 1831 for a 60-day interim moratorium extension
Brian Halvorson, Dir. of Community Development, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 6:08 p.m., with public comment(s) from the following members of the public:
1. Jackie Lopez
2. Jonathan Becerra
3. Steven Figueroa
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 6:15 p.m.
Motion made by Councilmember Guitron, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon to review and provide input on new standards proposed to be added to Title 17, Chapter 4.05 (Automotive Service and Repair/Fueling Stations); and approve Ordinance 1831 for a 60-day interim moratorium extension on the establishment or expansion of fueling stations. Carried unanimously.
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11. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
1. Miguel Navarro, LGBTQ Event
2. Edmundo Salazar, SEIU MOU
3. Ernesto Guerrero, SEIU MOU
4. Daryll Bellows, Immigration Enforcement
5. Paulina Angel, LGBTQ Event
6. Jackie Lopez, LGBTQ Event/School Crosswalk Safety
7. Jonathan Becerra, LGBTQ Event
12. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Holmes adjourned at 6:39 p.m. in memory of John Rios.
SABDI SANCHEZ, MMC
DIRECTOR OF CITY CLERK SERVICES
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