City of Indio
City Council / Indio Water Authority Minutes
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Mayor Holmes called to order the closed session for the City of Indio at 4:00 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 ~ Arrived late
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 LABOR NEGOTIATORS; Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6; Agency designated representatives: City Manager; Employee organization: Professional and Supervisory Unit (SEIU Local 721) REGULAR SESSION - 5 PM
Mayor 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.
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,
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Dir. of City Clerk Services.
2. INVOCATION
Pastor Tony Williams ~ Love of Christ Community Church
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
led by Emalyn Cansino ~ 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. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Certificate of Appreciation for Mr. Joseph Hamersly, Branch Manager for the Indio Public Library
Mayor Holmes, along with Councilmembers, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Joseph Hamersly, for his time as Branch Manager of the Indio Public Library.
5.2 Presentation by Valley Sanitary District, General Manager Jason Dafforn Mr. Jason Dafforn, General Manager of Valley Sanitary District provided a PowerPoint Presentation on updates and Proposed Wastewater Rate Adjustments.
5.3 Proclamation Honoring Government Finance Professionals Week Mayor Holmes, along with Councilmembers, presented the City of Indio Finance Department staff with a proclamation honoring Government Finance Professionals Week.
6. APPOINTMENTS
6.1 Appointment of Sam Salinas to the Community Services Commission, nominated by Councilmember Oscar Ortiz.
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Miller to accept the nomination of Councilmember Ortiz and ratify the appointment of Sam Salinas to the Community Services Commission to fill one (1) vacancy consisting of an unexpired term through December 2026.
Carried unanimously.
7. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (YAC)
Ari Orantes reported on the participation of two YAC members in the Rotary Youth Leadership Camp. The team is currently working on creating summer care packages for seniors in the local community. Additionally, one YAC member was
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recently awarded an Ophelia Scholarship, and several members will be attending an upcoming Friday Night Live conference.
8. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
City Manager Montgomery had no report.
9. CITY COUNCIL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE None.
10. CITY COUNCIL REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3(D)
Councilmember Ortiz had no report on committees.
Councilmember Miller reported on CVAG Executive Committee Meeting.
Councilmember Guitron had no report on committees.
Mayor Pro Tem Fermon reported on Coachella Valley Power Agency Committee meeting.
Mayor Holmes had no report on committees.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
11.1 Minutes for the City Council, Indio Water Authority regular joint meeting of March 4, 2026
11.2 City Warrants from 02-21-2026 to 03-06-2026
11.3 IWA Warrants from 02-21-2026 to 03-06-2026
11.4 Approve Additional Appropriations in the amount of $29,135 from the General Fund and $2,565 from Available Fund Balances to fund budget shortfalls in nine Landscape and Lighting Districts (LLDs) that are already at the maximum allowable assessment and cannot generate additional revenue
11.5 Resolution No. 10553 authorizing the City Manager to execute a Rightof-Way Contract between the City of Indio and Patricia A. Diaz, for the acquisition of 1,500 square feet of permanent roadway and utility easement, and 1,178 square feet of temporary construction easement of a parcel identified as APN 612-280-010, located at 83090 Avenue 50, to facilitate the construction of the Jackson Street Improvement Project Phase 2, City Project No. PW-TS1901
11.6 Resolution No. 10554 authorizing the City Manager to execute a Rightof-Way Contract between the City of Indio; and Placido Martinez Zaldivar and Christina Diaz, for the acquisition of 1,400 square feet of permanent roadway and utility easement, and 2,020 square feet of temporary construction easement of a parcel identified as APN 779-070-018, located at 82955 Avenue 50, to facilitate the construction of the Jackson Street Improvement Project Phase 2, City Project No. PW-TS1901
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11.7 Receive and accept the 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report for submittal to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Action (LCI) prior to April 1, 2026
11.8 Receive and accept the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report for submittal to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) prior to April 1, 2026
11.9 Approval of the water improvement agreement with bonds from AutoZone Parts, Inc.
11.10 Approve a License Agreement with the Coachella Valley Youth Golf Foundation (First Tee – Coachella Valley) for the placement and operation of a prefabricated office unit at The Lights at Indio Golf Course (83040 Avenue 42)
11.11 Recognize Non-General Fund Budget Adjustment in Special Revenue Fund 225 for Fiscal Year 2026
Councilmember Ortiz pulled items 11.7 and 11.8 for further clarification to which Brian Halvorson, Dir. of Community Development and Davi Razo, Sr. Management provided further information.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Guitron to approve consent calendar items 11.1 through 11.11. Carried unanimously.
12. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
12.1 Independent auditor's report and the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal year 2024-25
Ruby D. Walla, Dir. of Finance, presented the Staff Report and introduced Frances Kuo with The Pun Group who presented the PowerPoint Presentation.
Receive and file item. No action required.
12.2 Award two contracts to the individual contractors listed in each bid category for the amounts set forth in the Bid Summary Letter on file with the City Clerk and attached to agenda report for the first construction phase of Police Headquarters Building in the total aggregate amount of $3,139,000
Jonathan Nicks, Asst. City Manager, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Guitron to award two contracts to the individual contractors listed in each
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bid category for the amounts listed therein as set forth in the Bid Summary Letter on file with the City Clerk and attached to this agenda report for the Police Headquarters Building in the total aggregate amount of $3,139,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contracts, including any necessary amendments thereto, not to exceed the total aggregate amount in a form approved by the City Attorney; and authorize the Finance Department to process the necessary budget adjustment. Carried unanimously.
13. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
1. Pastor Carl McPeters – Rental Space Downtown Area
14. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Holmes adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
SABDI SANCHEZ, MMC
DIRECTOR OF CITY CLERK SERVICES
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