City of Indio
City Council Minutes
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Mayor Holmes called to order the closed session meeting 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 - 3:30 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 REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Government Code Section 54956.8; for 45300 Oasis Street, Indio, City of Indio Negotiator: Jonathan Nicks, City Manager;
Negotiating Party: 45151 Oasis LLC; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
[Conflict of Interest: Mayor Holmes]
3.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Zenda Estate, LLC v. Polo Club Maintenance Association; Riverside Superior Court Case No. CVPS2407985
3.3 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
City of Indio, et al. v. State Water Resources Control Board, et al.; Fresno County Superior Court Case No. 24CECG04779
3.4 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code § 54957; Title: City Attorney
Minutes for the City Council regular meeting of June 17, 2026 (Sabdi San... Page 12 of 1638 City Council
June 17, 2026
REGULAR SESSION - 5 PM
Mayor Holmes called to order the regular session meeting of the City Council for the City of Indio at 5:02 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:
Jonathan Nicks, 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, 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 Miranda Rodriguez ~ Fifth Grader at Madison Elementary
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 the Council gave direction by consensus to appeal the following cases: Zenda Estate, LLC v. Polo Maintenance Club Association and City of Indio, et al. v. State Water Resources Control Board, et al.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Presentation by Jean-Guy Dube regarding the Southern Pacific Railroad Mr. Jean-Guy Dube provided a PowerPoint presentation via Teams regarding the history of the Southern Pacific Railroad and its significance to the City of Indio.
6. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
City Manager Nicks delivered his first City Manager Report. He provided an update regarding the proposed Police Headquarters project and noted that a groundbreaking ceremony would be scheduled should the project receive approval. He also announced the City's upcoming Independence Day Celebration
Minutes for the City Council regular meeting of June 17, 2026 (Sabdi San... Page 13 of 1638 City Council
June 17, 2026
at the Empire Polo Grounds and announced that Safe and Sane Fireworks sales would begin soon. Additionally, he reported that the Shop Local campaign will be relaunched in the near future. In response to public comments regarding data centers, City Manager Nicks advised that the topic would be discussed in greater detail at the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for June 24, 2026.
7. CITY COUNCIL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE
Mayor Holmes disclosed a recusal on consent calendar items 9.12, 9.14, and 9.17 due to financial interest in the downtown area.
8. CITY COUNCIL REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3(D)
Councilmember Guitron had no report on Committees.
Councilmember Miller reported on the Riverside County Animal Commission meeting.
Councilmember Ortiz reported on the CVAG Energy & Sustainability Committee meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Fermon reported on Riverside County Transportation Commission meeting and the CVAG Homelessness Committee meeting.
Mayor Holmes reported 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 June 3, 2026
9.3 City of Indio Warrants from 05-16-2026 to 05-29-2026
9.4 Indio Water Warrants from 05-16-2026 to 05-29-2026
9.5 Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1835, Regulating the Sale and Distribution of Kratom Products
9.6 Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1836, Regulating the Sale and Distribution of Nitrous Oxide
9.7 Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1837, Regulating the Sale and Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia
9.8 Resolution No. 10578 of Intent to Vacate a Portion of Madison Street at the Northwest Corner of Madison Street and Highway 111 and to Set a Public Hearing for July 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
9.9 Authorize the Acceptance of Bill of Sale & Warranty Bond from Can Do, LLC for "The Greens"
9.10 Amendment Number 8 to the Reimbursement Agreement by and between the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), the City of Indio, and the County of Riverside in the amount of $75,374,820 for the Monroe Street / Interstate 10 Interchange Project, City Project Number ST0801, Federal project number
Minutes for the City Council regular meeting of June 17, 2026 (Sabdi San... Page 14 of 1638 City Council
June 17, 2026
9.11 Contract Change Order No. 5 with Three Peaks Corp. for the Indio Sports Park, City Project No. PK2203 in the amount of $118,180.25
9.12 Approval of Contract Change Order No. 4 with Riverside Construction Company for the Civic Center Storm Drain and Oasis Street Beautification Project, City Project No. SD2201, in the amount of $1,231,825.36
9.13 Approval of Purchase of 11.56 Acres of Ephemeral/Intermittent Stream Credits from the Mojave Desert Tortoise Conservation Bank for the Avenue 44 Bridge Project, City Project No. BR1101, Federal Aid No. BRLKS 5275(024) in the amount of $867,000
9.14 Adopt Resolution Nos. 10579, 10580, and 10581 (1) initiating proceedings for the Landscape and Lighting Districts Numbers 01-22, 24- 29, and 31-54, (2) approving the Preliminary Engineer’s Report for District Numbers 01-22, 24-29, and 31-54, and (3) declaring the City’s intention to levy and collect assessments and setting Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. as the time a public hearing will be conducted in the City Council Chamber
9.15 Authorization to increase purchasing authority from $600,000 to $750,000 for fuel purchase from SC Commercial LLC, for the City’s bulk fuel needs for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025/26
9.16 Amendment No. 7 to the AB 2766 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) for the Regional PM10 Street Sweeping Program
9.17 Approval of Amendment No. 4 to the existing Professional Services Agreement with Steve Serna dba Serna & Associates, in an amount not to exceed $605,850, and extend the term of the Agreement until June 30, 2027, for Security Services
9.18 Submission of a letter of intent to the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the California Air Resources Board for the Transportation Electrification Advancement for Municipalities (TEAM) Grant, and designate and authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all necessary grant documents on behalf of the City of Indio
9.19 Authorize Addition of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales Enterprise Licenses to the City of Indio’s Microsoft 365 Agreement Through the California Department of Technology in the amount of $22,660.31
9.20 Project Notice of Completion and Final Budget allocations for the City Hall and Library Project
Councilmember Guitron pulled items 9.17 and 9.18 for further clarification.
Lieutenant Chris Shannon provided clarification on item 9.18.
Mayor Holmes recused herself from the dais for discussion on 9.17.
Lieutenant Shannon, along with Brad Taylor with Serna Associates provided clarification on 9.18
Motion made by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve Consent Calendar items 9.12, 9.14, and 9.17. Carried 4/0 with recusal from Mayor Holmes.
Minutes for the City Council regular meeting of June 17, 2026 (Sabdi San... Page 15 of 1638 City Council
June 17, 2026
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Miller to approve Consent Calendar items 9.1 through 9.11, 9.13 through
9.16, and 9.18 through 9.20. Carried unanimously.
*Mayor Pro Tem Fermon requested that Item 12, Public Comment for Items Not on the Agenda, be heard before the Administrative Items. Mayor Holmes accepted the request.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
10.1 Introduction of Ordinance No. 1840, An Ordinance of The City Council of The City of Indio, California, Adding Chapter 95E (Registration and Maintenance of Vacant Non-Residential Properties) to the Indio Municipal Code
Steven G. Pacifico, City Attorney, presented the staff report.
Motion made by Councilmember Guitron, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon to approve the introduction of Ordinance No. 1840, adding Chapter 95E to the Indio Municipal Code to establish a registration and maintenance program for vacant non-residential properties, as presented. Carried unanimously.
10.2 Adoption of Urgency Ordinance No. 1841, Adding Interim Zoning Regulations for Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities and Related Uses Steven G. Pacifico, City Attorney, presented the staff report.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 1841, entitled: An Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Indio, California, Adding Interim Zoning Regulations for Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities and Related Uses; Requiring Discretionary Review and Interim Land Use, Application, and Operational Standards for Such Uses, as presented. Carried unanimously.
10.3 Cooperative Agreement with the County of Riverside to provide fire protection, fire prevention, rescue, and emergency medical services, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031
Bryan White, Division Chief, provided a PowerPoint Presentation.
Discussion ensued.
Diane Sinclair, Deputy Director of Administration and Robert Fish, Fire Chief
provided clarification.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember
Minutes for the City Council regular meeting of June 17, 2026 (Sabdi San... Page 16 of 1638 City Council
June 17, 2026
Miller to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with the County of Riverside to provide fire protection, fire prevention, rescue and emergency medical services, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, as presented.
Carried unanimously.
10.4 Award twenty-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 construction of the Police Headquarters Building in the total aggregate amount of $29,062,300.
10.5 Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Tilden-Coil Constructors for Construction Management for the Police Headquarters Project for an amount not to exceed $3,676,810.
Jonathan Nicks, City Manager, presented items 10.4 and 10.5 as one item and provided a PowerPoint Presentation.
Motion made by Councilmember Guitron, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon to award twenty-two contracts to the individual contractors listed in each bid category for the amounts listed therein as set forth in the Bid Summary Letter on file with the City Clerk and attached to the agenda report for the Police Headquarters Building in the total aggregate amount of $29,062,300; 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 to approve Amendment No. 1 to the professional services agreement with Tilden-Coil Constructors for the Police Headquarters Project and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney, as presented. Carried unanimously.
*Mayor Holmes called a recess at 7:49 p.m. and reconvened at 8 p.m.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.1 Resolution No. 10577, adopting the 2025 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan and the 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
Roman Gonzalez, Water Project Construction Manager, along with Emily McCord, Consultant attending via Microsoft Teams, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 8:13 p.m. with public comment(s) from:
1. Lorraine Salas
2. Al Meza
3. Patrick Lucero
Minutes for the City Council regular meeting of June 17, 2026 (Sabdi San... Page 17 of 1638 City Council
June 17, 2026
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 8:19 p.m.
Discussion ensued.
Motion made by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution No. 10577, adopting the 2025 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan and the Water Shortage Contingency Plan, as presented. Carried unanimously.
11.2 Resolution Nos. 10582 & 10583, regarding the Roadrunner Flats project for the architectural design of 30 detached single-family affordable residential units with ADU's within a gated community, including a leasing office, amenities, landscape, and associated improvements, Tentative Tract Map No. 39405 to subdivide one existing parcel totaling approximately
10.07 gross acres (APN 691-060-005), into 30 residential lots, private streets, stormwater detention basin, and associated improvements located west of Jefferson Street and north of Avenue 39.
Gustavo Gomez, Principal Planner provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 8:31 p.m. with public comment(s) from:
1. Tung Tran, Applicant
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 9:01 p.m.
Discussion ensued.
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon to approve Resolution Nos. 10582 and 10583 of the City Council approving Planning Review Discretionary (PLAN-PRD-25-0023) and Tentative Tract Map No. 39405 (PLAN-TTM-25-0005) and certify the CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 Consistency Determination (PLAN-ER-25-0025) with the City of Indio General Plan 2040 Program Environmental Impact Report (SCH No. 2015081021), with revisions to conditions of approval as spoken into the record. Carried unanimously.
11.3 Introduction of Ordinance No. 1839, City Council review of Planning Commission Recommendations relating to amendments to Title 17 of the Unified Development Code (PLAN-DCA-26-0001), Article 4 (Regulations for Specific Uses), and Chapter 4.05 (Automotive Service and Repair/Fueling Stations) to add supplemental regulations pertaining to fueling stations Brian Halvorson, Director of Community Development, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 9:23 p.m. with public comment(s) from:
Minutes for the City Council regular meeting of June 17, 2026 (Sabdi San... Page 18 of 1638 City Council
June 17, 2026
1. Lorraine Salas
2. Loretta Perez
3. Jackie Lopez
Mayor Holmes closed and reopened the public hearing at 9:31 with an additional public comment from:
1. Chrissy Glassner
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 9:33 p.m.
Discussion ensued.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Miller to Motion to approve the Planning Commission's recommendation to adopt amendments to Title 17 of the Unified Development Code (PLANDCA-26-0001), Article 4 (Regulations for Specific Uses), and Chapter 4.05 (Automotive Service and Repair/Fueling Stations), adding supplemental regulations pertaining to fueling stations; determine that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (General Rule Exemption); and amend Section 3 of the interim urgency ordinance to extend the moratorium to June 3, 2027, unless earlier terminated by the City Council.
Carried unanimously.
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
1. Tania Orozco, AYSO/South Jackson Park
2. Felipe Cano, AYSO/South Jackson Park
3. Jose Serrano, AYSO/South Jackson Park
4. Lorraine Salas, Indio Pride Event
5. Anthony McDermot, AYSO/ South Jackson Park
6. Patrick Lucero, Animal Control Services
7. Jonathan Becerra, Brown Act Violation/Pride Event
13. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Holmes adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
SABDI SANCHEZ, MMC
DIRECTOR OF CITY CLERK SERVICES
Minutes for the City Council regular meeting of June 17, 2026 (Sabdi San... Page 19 of 1638