City of Indio
City Council Minutes
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Mayor Holmes called to order the closed session of the City Council 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
Councilmember Oscar Ortiz
Councilmember Benjamin Guitron IV
Councilmember Glenn Miller
2. PUBLIC COMMENT None.
3. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER:
3.1 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - Pursuant to Government Code § 54957; Title: City Attorney
REGULAR SESSION - 5 PM
Mayor Holmes called to order the regular meeting of the City Council 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,
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Ian Cozens, Dir. of IT, Timothy T. Wassil, Dir. of Public Works, Miguel Peña, Dir. of Water Utility & Maintenance, 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 Hannah Arriaga ~ 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. *Mayor Holmes skipped to item 6. Youth Advisory Council
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 New Employee Introductions
Assistant City Manager Jonathan Nicks introduced and welcomed new members of Team Indio:
1. Marion Aviles, Permit Tech I (Not Present)
2. Arturo Leyva, Water Utility Worker
3. Debra Murdock, Senior Code Enforcement Officer (Not Present)
4. Jennifer Salinas, IPD Intern (Not Present)
5.2 Presentation of POST Executive Certificate to Chief Tully by Matthew O'Deane, Senior Law Enforcement Consultant at POST
Chief Brian Tully was presented with a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Executive Certificate by Matthew O’Deane of POST.
5.3 Presentation by Friends of the Children, Coachella Valley Karrie Schaaff, Executive Director and Randy Martin, Board member, presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding updates on the organization
6. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (YAC)
Viviana Terriquez reported on YAC’s participation in Asada Fest, the Sports Park Grand Opening, and other recent activities. She also presented the names of the YAC graduating Class of 2026. Mayor Holmes and the City Council recognized each graduate and presented them with an Indio stole.
1. Juliana Barcenas-Hernandez
2. Joaquin Ruiz
3. Julissa Cornejo
4. Isabella Duarte
5. Viviana Terriquez
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6. Enrique Cazares-Loredo ~ Not present
7. Leila Gonzales ~ Not present
7. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
7.1 Tamale Festival Discussion
City Manager Montgomery yielded his time to Miguel Ramirez-Cornejo who presented a PowerPoint presentation on updates regarding this year’s Tamale Festival
Public comment provided by:
1. Jonathan Becerra
8. CITY COUNCIL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE None.
9. CITY COUNCIL REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3(D)
Councilmember Miller had no report on Committees.
Councilmember Guitron had no report on Committees.
Councilmember Ortiz had no report on Committees.
Mayor Pro Tem Fermon reported on the Public Safety Committee.
Mayor Holmes had no report on Committees.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
10.1 Waive Reading of Title and Text of All Ordinances included in the agenda
10.2 Minutes for the City Council regular meeting of May 6, 2026
10.3 City of Indio Warrants from 04-18-2026 to 05-01-2026
10.4 Indio Water Warrants from 04-18-2026 to 05-01-2026
10.5 Professional Services Agreement with NV5, Inc., in the amount of $1,075,380 to prepare the Plans, Specifications and Engineer's Estimate for the Jefferson Street Widening (Avenue 38 to Varner Road) Project No.
ST2203
10.6 Construction Contract with California Professional Engineering Inc., in the amount of $555,981 for the Madison & Avenue 46, Jackson & Avenue 44, Jackson & Dr Carreon Traffic Signal Modification Project, City Project Nos.
TS2501, TS2502 & TS2503
10.7 Approval of Final Parcel Map No. 38687 for Majestic Indio Gateway, LLC, generally located on the north side of Indio Boulevard, at Jefferson Street
10.8 First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Franchise Agreement with Burrtec Waste & Recycling Services, LLC
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10.9 Resolution No. 10561, Adoption of FY 2026–27 SB 1 projects, including Monroe St (Ave 48–52), Fred Waring Dr, and Miles Ave; $3,494,410
10.10 Approve and authorize the purchase of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) for the Corporate Yard with Arnolds Office Furniture in the amount not-to-exceed $194,879.89
10.11 Award Agreement to Precision Concrete Cutting for Sidewalk Repair Services in an Annual Amount Not-to-Exceed $100,000 for a Three-Year Term with Two One-Year Extension Options
10.12 Purchase of Rugged Laptop Computers and Related Equipment from CDWG in the amount of $453,459.29
10.13 Approval of a Three-Year Subscription for Patch Management Software in the Amount of $131,994 Utilizing the OMNIA Partners Cooperative Purchasing Agreement through SHI International Corp
10.14 Ratify change orders with Matrix Audio Visual, in the amount of $101,200.23 related to the audio-visual equipment and related services for the new City Hall from available PEG Funds
10.15 Approval of a 3rd Amendment to the Golf Course Management Agreement with Landmark Golf Limited Partnership for golf course management and related services at The Lights at Indio Golf Course through June 30, 2028
10.16 Authorization of transfer of $736,225 from the Indio Water Enterprise Fund to the General Fund for a 7.68-acre parcel identified as APN 606- 130-065, located on Avenue 43 east of Burr Street in Indio Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Miller to approve consent calendar items 10.1 through 10.16. Carried unanimously.
11. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
11.1 Introduction of Ordinance No. 1833, Amendment to Indio Municipal Code, Title 5 (Public Works), Chapter 54 (Water), Division 4 (Water Conservation) to Implement State Water Conservation Requirements and Establish a Cross-Connection Control Program
Timothy Wassil, Dir. of Public Works along with Roman Gonzales, Water Project Construction Manager presented the staff report.
Motion made by Councilmember Guitron, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve the introduction for first reading by title only Ordinance No. 1833, amending the Indio Municipal Code to: 1. Implement the potable water irrigation restrictions for non-functional turf required under California Assembly Bill 1572; 2. Replace the Water Superintendent title with the City Manager or its designee; and 3. Establish and codify a Cross-Connection Control Program consistent with regulations adopted by the California State Water Resources Control Board. Carried unanimously.
11.2 Resolution No. 10562, approving a City Council Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy and Establishing a Monthly Automobile Allowance for
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Local Travel
Steven G. Pacifico, City Attorney, presented the staff report.
Motion made by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, to adopt Resolution No. 10562, a City Council Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy, and to defer consideration of establishing a monthly automobile allowance for City Council Members in lieu of local travel mileage reimbursement until after the November election. Carried unanimously.
12. PUBLIC HEARINGS
12.1 Introduction of Ordinance No. 1834, Planning Commission recommendations for the City Council to adopt three ordinances updating the Subdivision regulations of the Indio Unified Development Code (PLANZMA-25-0003), consisting of: (1) an ordinance repealing and replacing article 5 (subdivision regulations and residential condominium conversions); (2) an ordinance repealing and replacing article 6 (administration and procedures); and (3) an ordinance adding chapter 4.28 (two-unit developments)
Brian Halvorson, Dir. of Community Development, introduced the staff report and introduced Simran Malhotra with Raimi & Associates who provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. with comment(s) from:
1. Mike Zamudio, Local Resident
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 6:54 p.m.
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Miller to adopt an Ordinance approving amendments to Title 15 of City’s Subdivision Regulations and Title 17 of Unified Development Code and determine that the amendments are categorically exempt based on CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (General Rule Exemption). Carried unanimously.
12.2 Resolutions Nos. 10563, 10564, and 10565, Review of Planning Commission Recommendations for the Madison Pointe Phase I project to approve the development of three (3) buildings on 3.71-acres consisting of a Starbucks with drive-through, a commercial marketplace with an L3 Energy Ultra-Fast Charging Station with commercial battery storage and, a multi-tenant retail building, including circulation, parking, landscape, and sign program, and a Conditional Use Permit for the approval of one limited land use to allow a drive-through restaurant and a Tentative Tract Map to subdivide 20.20-acres consisting of four (4) existing parcels into eight (8) lots for mixed-use development located at the southwest corner of Highway
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111 and Madison Street within the Highway 111 Corridor Specific Plan Gustavo Gomez, Principal Planner presented the PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 7:06 p.m. with comment(s) from:
1. Paul DePalatis, MSA Consultant
2. Jim Fitzpatrick, Applicant Rep
3. John Salmon, Applicant Rep
4. Jonathan Becerra, Local Resident
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m.
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to table the Planning Commission recommendation for approval of Resolution Nos. 10563, 10564, and 10565 for Planning Review Discretionary, Conditional Use Permit, Tentative Tract Map No. 34804, and a determination that the project is exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15300 (Class 32 – In-Fill Development) and Section 15183 (projects consistent with a community plan or zoning), to a future City Council meeting to allow the applicant additional time to research noise and air quality impacts.
Carried 3/2 with Mayor Pro Tem Fermon and Mayor Holmes opposing.
13. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
1. Bill Young & Neil Navarro, Salvation Army 20th Anniversary
2. Josh Heiz, VGPS/Autism Initiatives for Businesses
3. Darryll Bellows, Immigration Enforcement Activity
4. Jonathan Becerra, Immigration Enforcement Activity
5. Steve Figueroa, Gas Station Moratorium
6. Mike Zamudio, Indio Sports Park/North Indio Signage
14. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Holmes adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
SABDI SANCHEZ, MMC, DIRECTOR OF CITY
CLERK SERVICES
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