City of Indio
City Council Minutes
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Mayor Holmes called to order the closed session meeting of the City Council for the City of Indio at 3 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 late
Councilmember Oscar Ortiz
Councilmember Benjamin Guitron IV
Councilmember Glenn Miller
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mayor Holmes
3. PUBLIC COMMENT None.
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
4.1 Strategic Plan Presentation
Jonathan Nicks, Asst. City Manager, presented an update on the 2025– 2030 Strategic Plan, highlighting progress on more than 220 action items and 64 objectives, with 28% of action items completed. Major accomplishments included infrastructure improvements, public safety initiatives, economic development efforts, community programming, downtown revitalization projects, employee development programs, and quality of life enhancements throughout the City. Updates were also provided on major capital projects, including the completion of the new City Hall, Indio Sports Park, roadway and beautification projects, and ongoing efforts related to housing, tourism, and business development.
4.2 Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Recap and Discussion to include Indio Water Authority and the City's Capital Improvement Plan
Ruby D. Walla, Dir. of Finance, presented the FY 2026–2027 Preliminary Budget Study Session, providing an overview of the General Fund, Water Fund, Internal Service Funds, and the Capital Improvement Program. The presentation highlighted key budget drivers, revenue projections,
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operational needs, staffing changes, and major one-time expenditures.
Staff reported a balanced operational budget with continued investments in public safety, infrastructure, economic development, community programs, and capital projects. Updates were also provided on the five-year Capital Improvement Program, including major street, water, public facility, interchange, and park improvement projects. Staff requested direction from the City Council to proceed with preparing the recommended budget for formal consideration and adoption in June.
CLOSED SESSION - 4 PM
Mayor Holmes called to order the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Indio at 4:26 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Indio, California.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
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 LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54957.6) Agency Designated Representatives: Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem Unrepresented Employee: City Manager
REGULAR SESSION - 5 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
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, Miguel Peña, Director of Water Utility & Maintenance, Sabdi Sanchez, Dir. of City Clerk Services.
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2. INVOCATION
Led by Councilmember Miller
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Itzel Martinez ~ Fourth 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)
YAC Member Juliana Barcenas reported that YAC distributed senior care packages to residents at the Horizon Apartments. She also shared that YAC participated in the Arbor Day celebration and hosted its annual Mental Health Hike, thanking Councilmember Oscar Ortiz for leading the hike.
Additionally, YAC is currently accepting applications for the 2026–2027 term at the Teen Center. Juliana also announced that YAC members will be volunteering at Asada Fest on April 9.
6. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
City Manager Montgomery reminded the community about the Asada Fest event downtown on Saturday, May 9.
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 Indio/Coachella Waste Transfer Station JPA meeting and the Sunline Transit Agency Committee meeting.
Councilmember Guitron had no report on committees.
Councilmember Ortiz had no committees.
Mayor Pro Tem Fermon had no report on committees.
Mayor Holmes had no report on committees.
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 regular meeting of April 15, 2026
9.3 City of Indio Warrants from 04-04-2026 to 04-17-2026
9.4 IWA Warrants from 04-04-2026 to 04-17-2026
9.5 Report of investments for the quarter ending March 31, 2026
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9.6 Receive and File the Measure X and Measure S Annual Reports for Fiscal Year 2025 as Recommended by the Citizens' Advisory Finance Commission on April 30, 2026
9.7 Implementation of terms of a Tentative Agreement Side Letter with the Indio Police Officers' Association (IPOA) bargaining unit and authorization for the City Manager to implement CalPERS-compliant language changes to the existing MOU
Councilmember Guitron pulled item 9.6 for further clarification to which Ruby D. Walla, Dir. of Finance provided.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Guitron to approve consent calendar items 9.1 through 9.6. Carried unanimously.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
10.1 Information Technology Master Plan Findings and Recommendations Ian Cozens, Dir. of IT introduced Roy Hernandez with ThirdWave Corporation who provided a PowerPoint presentation.
This is a receive and file item. No action required.
10.2 Review proposals from three (3) artists recommended by the Public Arts Commission and approved the three (3) murals for three (3) restroom buildings, with a total project budget of $30,000, allocating $10,000 for each mural
Miguel Ramirez-Cornejo, Dir. of Economic Development provided the PowerPoint presentation.
Motion made by Councilmember Guitron, seconded by Councilmember Miller to approve proposals from three (3) artists recommended by the Public Arts Commission and approve the three (3) murals for three (3) restroom buildings, with a total project budget of $30,000, allocating $10,000 for each mural. Carried unanimously.
10.3 Orally Report on a Summary of Compensation and Approval of an Employment Agreement Appointing Jonathan Nicks as City Manager and Setting Compensation and Other Terms of Employment
Steven G. Pacifico, City Attorney, presented the staff report.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to approve the oral report on a summary of compensation and approve an employment agreement with Jonathan Nicks as City Manager setting compensation and other terms of employment. Carried
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unanimously.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.1 Second reading of Ordinance No. 1832 (“City of Indio Electrical Infrastructure Adequacy and Development Standards Ordinance”) as Chapter 164 of the Indio Municipal Code
Bryan H. Montgomery, City Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Holmes opened and closed the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. with no public comments.
Motion made by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Guitron to approve the Second reading of Ordinance No. 1832 (“City of Indio Electrical Infrastructure Adequacy and Development Standards Ordinance”) as Chapter 164 of the Indio Municipal Code. Carried unanimously.
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
1. Jonathan Becerra, Budget Presentation/Music Festival Contracts
13. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Holmes adjourned at 7:42p.m.
SABDI SANCHEZ, MMC, DIRECTOR OF CITY
CLERK SERVICES
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