City of Indio
City Council Minutes
Wednesday, July 15, 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 - 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 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
3.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Section 54956.9(d)(2) Number of Items (1)
REGULAR SESSION - 5 PM
Mayor Holmes called to order the regular session meeting of the City Council for the City of Indio at 5:06 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
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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 Aaron Rodriguez ~ Third Grader at Madison Elementary
4. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Steven G. Pacifico reported that the Council met in Closed Session to discuss the items listed therein and the Council gave direction by consensus on closed session item 3.2.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Presentation of 2026 Summer Interns
Andrew Ansoorian, Dir. of HR provided a PowerPoint presentation to introduce the City of Indio Summer Interns for 2026.
1. Ashley Alejo (Present)
2. Kamila Cantu-Felix (Present)
3. Jennifer Escobar Garcia (Present)
4. Jennifer Salinas (Present)
5. Angel Flores (Present)
6. Emiliano Hernandez (Not present)
7. Taylor Leon (Not Present)
8. Ruben Rodriguez (Present)
9. Vianca Terriquez (Present)
10. Gonzalo Marcelo Zacarias (Present)
11. Yulissa Lopez-Ramirez (Present)
6. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
City Manager Nicks reported on registration for the upcoming Veterans Day 5K/10K benefiting the Hunter Lopez Foundation, which will be held at the Polo Grounds. He also announced that, in conjunction with the Community Services Commission, the City will be making a community survey available to gather input for Phase 2 of the Indio Sports Park. Additionally, he reported on the upcoming Movie Night on August 6 and a wellness event that will be held this fall
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at Center Stage.
7. CITY COUNCIL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE
Mayor Holmes disclosed recusal on items 9.5, 9.20, and 10.1 (Resolution No. 10593 Terra Lago)
8. CITY COUNCIL REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3(D)
Councilmember Miller reported on the Sunline Transit Agency Committee meeting.
Councilmember Guitron had no report on Committees.
Councilmember Ortiz had no report on Committees.
Mayor Pro Tem Fermon reported on the Visit Greater Palm Springs Committee meeting.
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 June 17, 2026
9.3 City of Indio Warrants from 05-30-2026 to 07-03-2026
9.4 Indio Water Warrants from 05-30-2026 to 07-03-2026
9.5 Approve a Reimbursement to I Ten Monroe, LLC for Electrical Infrastructure Improvements at the Palms Shopping Center
9.6 Second Reading 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
9.7 Resolution No. 10584, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Land Exchange Agreement with GTY-Pacific Leasing, LLC for the Conveyance and Acquisition of Certain Real Property Interests Associated with APN 600- 200-014, Located at 80980 Highway 111, in Connection with the Madison Street Widening Project, City Project No. PW-ST503C, and Authorizing Acceptance and Recordation of Related Documents
9.8 Resolution No. 10585, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Rightof-Way Contract with Barton Brian Norris and Elise Michele Norris, Trustees of the Barton Brian Norris and Elise Michele Norris Living Trust, for the Acquisition of a Permanent Road and Utility Easement and Temporary Construction Easement Over a Portion of APN 779-070-002, Located at 82891 Avenue 50, for the Jackson Street Improvement Project Phase 2, City Project No. PW-TS1901
9.9 Resolution No. 10586, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Rightof-Way Contract with James H. Clark for the Acquisition of Temporary Construction Easements Over Portions of APNs 612-280-001 and 612-280-
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002 for the Jackson Street Improvement Project Phase 2, City Project No.
PW-TS1901, and Authorizing Acceptance and Recordation of Related Easement Documents
9.10 Resolution No. 10587, Approving a Right-of-Way Acquisition Agreement with the County of Riverside for the Conveyance of Public Road, Utility, Drainage, Slope, and Construction Easements Over Portions of City-Owned APN 610-230-002 in Connection with the Jackson Street and Interstate 10 Interchange Widening Project, and Authorizing Execution and Recordation of Related Documents
9.11 Resolution No. 10588, Approving a Cooperative Agreement with the City of La Quinta and County of Riverside for the Avenue 52 and Monroe Street Traffic Signal and Intersection Improvements, City Project No. PW-TS2401, and Approving a Related Measure A Budget Adjustment
9.12 Approve the Notice of Completion and final budget authority for the Indio Broadband Fiber Optic Project (Project No. ST2414) in the total amount of $825,626.02 and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents, including final payment processing, retention release, and filing of the Notice of Completion in a form approved by the City Attorney
9.13 Approve a Maintenance Services Agreement with Active Air Control, Inc. for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement Services for City of Indio and Indio Water Authority Facilities in an Amount Not to Exceed $321,407 for Fiscal Year 2026-27, with Up to Three Optional One-Year Extensions
9.14 Approve a $1,000,000 fuel purchase from SC Commercial LLC for the City's bulk fuel needs for Fiscal Year 2026/27
9.15 Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Landscape and Maintenance Services Agreement with Mariposa Landscapes, Inc. for Indio Water Authority Facilities, Exercising the First Optional One-Year Extension for Fiscal Year 2026/27, Authorizing a CPI Adjustment and Contingency, and Authorizing Future Optional Extensions Subject to Budget and Contract Requirements
9.16 Purchase from Ferguson Waterworks, Core & Main, Inc. and Western Waterworks for as-needed waterworks parts and supplies for a combined not-to-exceed amount of $360,000 in accordance with the approved budget for FY 2026/27
9.17 Goods and Services Agreement with Ferguson Enterprises, LLC for asneeded water meters and meter parts FY 2026-2027
9.18 Purchase of Microsoft Windows Server 2025 and Client Access Licenses from SHI, International utilizing the County of Riverside Contract in the amount of $99,430.40
9.19 Purchase of internet, cable, and voice services from Charter Communications, DBA Spectrum, for three years not to exceed $130,000 per year
9.20 Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Commercial Lease Agreement with Downtowne Bookstore, Inc. for City-Owned Property Located at 82713 and 82719 Miles Avenue and Approving a Tenant Improvement Allowance in an Amount Not to Exceed $120,000
9.21 Professional Services Agreement between the City of Indio and Rhythm Tech Productions, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $265,000, to provide all
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audio/visual technician services for future City-hosted events
9.22 Resolution No. 10589, adopting the City of Indio 2026-2028 Legislative Platform
9.23 Resolution No. 10590, Accepting Fiscal Year 2026-2027 California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program Funds in the Amount of $306,915.56, Authorizing Execution of the Grant Agreement and Related Documents, and Approving Related Budget Adjustments
9.24 Resolution No. 10591, Accepting Fiscal Year 2026-2027 California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program Education Grant Funds in the Amount of $164,736.00, Authorizing Execution of the Grant Agreement and Related Documents, and Approving Related Budget Adjustments
9.25 Approve Agreements with Readiness Network, Inc. for Leadership Development Training, MAGNUS|One Platform Subscription Services, Executive Coaching, and Organizational Performance Consulting for the Indio Police Department in a Total Amount Not to Exceed $80,000; Approving a Sole-Source Procurement Determination; and Authorizing Execution of Related Documents
9.26 Approve the Sole-Source Purchase of a 2026 Lenco BearCat G3 Armored Rescue Vehicle from Lenco Armored Vehicles in an Amount Not to Exceed $422,934.18, Authorizing Execution of Purchase Documents, and Approving a Related Budget Adjustment
9.27 Professional Services Agreement with the law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for Special Legal Counsel Services in an amount not to exceed $285,000 each fiscal year
Councilmember Guitron pulled item 9.6 for clarification to which Steven G.
Pacifico, City Attorney, provided further information.
Councilmember Ortiz pulled items 9.25 and 9.26 for clarification to which Chief Tully and Lieutenant Longoria provided further information.
Councilmember Guitron pulled item 9.27 for clarification to which Andrew Ansoorian, Dir. of HR provided further information.
Motion made by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve consent calendar items 9.1 through 9.27 with recusal on items
9.5 and 9.20 by Mayor Holmes. Carried unanimously except for 9.5 and
9.20 which were carried 4-0-1.
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.1 Resolution No. 10592 authorizing the levy of a special tax for City of Indio Community Facilities District No. 2004-1 (Law Enforcement, Fire and Paramedic Services) and annexation areas thereto; the City of Indio Community Facilities District No. 2004-2 (Law Enforcement, Fire and Paramedic Services); Resolution No. 10593 Community Facilities District No. 2004 -3 (Terra Lago Area No. 1); Resolution No. 10594 Community Facilities District No. 2005-1 (Talavera Area No. 1 and No. 2); and
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Resolution No. 10595 Community Facilities District No. 2006-1 (Sonora Wells) for fiscal year 2026-2027
Ruby D. Walla, Dir. of Finance, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Holmes opened and closed the public hearing at 6:29 p.m. with no public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Guitron, to authorize the levy of a special tax for fiscal year 2026-27 through the adoption of Resolution No. 10592 for City of Indio Community Facilities District No. 2004-1 (Law Enforcement, Fire and Paramedic Services) and annexation areas thereto; Resolution No. 10593 for Community Facilities District No. 2004-3 (Terra Lago Area No. 1); Resolution No. 10594 for Community Facilities District No. 2005-1 (Talavera Area No. 1 and No. 2); and Resolution No. 10595 for Community Facilities District No. 2006-1 (Sonora Wells). Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution No. 10593 was approved by a 4-0-1 vote, with Mayor Holmes recusing from the discussion and vote.
10.2 Resolution No. 10596 approving the Engineer’s Annual Levy Report and Resolution No. 10597 ordering the levy and collection of assessments for the Fifty-Two Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Districts Numbers 01- 22, 24-29, and 31-54 proceedings relative to levying annual assessments for Fiscal Year 2026/27
Miguel Peña, Dir. of Water Utility and Maintenance, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Holmes opened and closed the public hearing at 6:41 p.m. with no public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Miller to Adopt (1) Resolution No. 10596 approving the Engineer’s Annual Levy Report for the fifty-two (52) Indio Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Districts (No. 01-22, 24-29, and 31-54) for FY 2026/27; and (2) Resolution No. 10597 ordering the levy and collection of assessments within the fiftytwo (52) Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Districts (No. 01-22, 24- 29, and 31-54) for Fiscal Year 2026/27; and authorize the Finance Department to make the necessary budget adjustment. Carried unanimously.
10.3 Resolution No. 10598, Approving Solid Waste Service Rate Adjustments Effective July 15, 2026, and Authorizing Future Rate Adjustments Sara Toyoda, Environmental Programs Coordinator, presented the staff report.
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 6:47 p.m. with public
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comment(s) from:
1. Rafael Barbosa
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 6:48 p.m.
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon to adopt Resolution No. 10598 approving the solid waste service rate adjustments set forth in Exhibit A to the Resolution, effective July 15, 2026; authorizing future automatic adjustments; finding that the rates comply with Article XIII D, section 6 of the California Constitution; and declaring that no majority protest exists. Carried unanimously.
10.4 Adoption of Resolution No. 10599 ordering the vacation of a Portion of Madison Street at the Northwest Corner of Madison Street and Highway 111
Juan Raya, City Engineer presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Holmes opened and closed the public hearing at 6:50 p.m. with no public comment.
Motion made by Councilmember Guitron, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon adopt Resolution No. 10599, ordering the vacation of a Portion of Madison Street at the northwest corner of Madison Street and Highway 111. Carried unanimously.
10.5 Resolution Nos. 10600, 10601, and 10602, 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 111 and Madison Street within the Highway 111 Corridor Specific Plan Gustavo Gomez, Principal Planner, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among the Council.
The following individuals provided clarification in response to Councilmembers' questions:
1. Paul DePalatis, MSA Consulting
2. Jim Fitzpatrick, Applicant Representative
3. Nathan McDonnell, L3 Energy
4. Davion Morgan, L3 Energy
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5. Bryan White, Fire Chief
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. with public comment(s) from:
1. Jim Fitzpatrick
2. Jonathan Becerra
3. Cherie Cabral
4. Jack Stocky
5. Chrissy Glassner
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 7:19 p.m.
Bryan White, Fire Chief and David Meyers, Fire Safety Engineer provided response to comments.
Motion made by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve Resolution Nos. 10600, 10601, and 10602 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) with the conditions of approval as noted into the record.
Carried unanimously.
10.6 Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 1842 Approving a Second Amendment to the Citrus Ranch Specific Plan Development and Pre-Annexation Agreement (DA-06-10-22) to Amend the Term and TermExtension Provisions for the Citrus Ranch Development, Generally Located North of the City and West of Dillon Road
Brian Halvorson, Dir. of Community Development, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 7:34 p.m. with public comment(s): from:
1. Rob Bernheimer, Developer Representative
2. Trevor Barter
3. Allyson Jeffredo
4. Alex Zuchenberg
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 7:47 p.m.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Miller to introduce Ordinance No. 1842, waive full reading, read by title
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only, and approve first reading of an ordinance approving a Second Amendment to the Citrus Ranch Specific Plan Development and PreAnnexation Agreement (DA-06-10-22) to amend the term and termextension provisions for the Citrus Ranch development; making findings under the California Environmental Quality Act, Government Code sections 65864 et seq., and Indio Unified Development Code section 6.05.02; authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Second Amendment subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney; and directing the City Clerk to return the ordinance for second reading and adoption at the next regular City Council meeting. Carried unanimously.
10.7 Extension to Ordinance 1838, Receive and file a presentation and Planning Commission Recommendation on Data Centers, and Provide direction on the preparation of amendments to the Geneal Plan and Unified Development Code banning data centers or consider an alternative regulatory approach
Brian Halvorson, Dir. of Community Development provided a PowerPoint Presentation.
Discussion ensued between Council and staff.
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 8:06 p.m. with public comment(s) from:
1. Elizabeth Humphreys
2. Allyson Jeffredo
3. Jonathan Becerra
4. Jamie Madden
5. Savannah Rogers
6. Pastor Tony Williams
7. Cherie Cabral
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 8:27 p.m.
Motion made by Councilmember Ortiz, Mayor Pro Tem Fermon to approve 1) an extension to urgency Ordinance 1838 regarding a moratorium on the establishment, expansion, or intensification of Data Centers and other similar high-intensity computing uses; 2) receive and file a staff presentation and Planning Commission recommendation regarding data centers; and 3) provide direction to staff regarding preparing a permanent Unified Development Code amendment banning data centers or an alternative regulatory approach. Carried unanimously.
11. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
1. Rafael Barbosa, Beautification Fees
2. Barry Fischer, Oasis Project
3. Jerry Conrad, Oasis at Indio/Sun City Shadow Hills
4. Al Meza, Fire Dept. Services
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12. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Holmes adjourned at 8:45 p.m. in memory of Richard “Dick” Oliphant.
SABDI SANCHEZ, MMC
DIRECTOR OF CITY CLERK SERVICES
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