City of Indio
City Council Minutes
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Mayor Holmes called to order the closed session meeting of the City Council for the City of Indio at 3:32 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 ~ Arrived late
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 45145 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 REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Government Code Section 54956.8; for 82921 Indio Boulevard, Indio, City of Indio Negotiator: Jonathan Nicks, City Manager; Negotiating Party: Beer Buds Inc; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
3.3 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
3.4 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2)
Number of potential cases: Three (3).
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3.5 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4) Number of potential cases: One (1).
3.6 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Government Code Section 54956.8; for 45125 Smurr Street, Indio City of Indio Negotiator: Jonathan Nicks City Manager; Negotiating Party:
Everbloom Coffee, Inc Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment REGULAR SESSION - 5 PM
Mayor Holmes called to order the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Indio at 5:23 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 Mayor Elaine Holmes
4. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Steven Graham Pacifico reported that the Council gave direction by consensus on item 3.4.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Presentation of Certificates to ZT CV 11U Baseball for their SlumpBuster Baseball Tournament Championship
Mayor Holmes along with the City Council, presented certificates of recognition to the following athletes:
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1. Johnny Ricciotti
2. Atticus Ramirez
3. Desmond Auen
4. Santiago Ibarra ~ Not present
5. Robert King Hartfield ~ Not present
6. Benjamin Matteo Sanchez
7. Angel Vasquez
8. Gael Gonzalez
9. Garrett Fournier
10.Troy Morin ~ Not present
11.Issac Zamaniego
12.Jonathan Valazco
5.2 Presentation by TODEC
Sandra Reyes, TODEC Program Manager, provided a presentation to the Council and the community
The TODEC presentation focused on expanded immigration enforcement and its impact on immigrant communities, including increased detentions and technology-driven enforcement practices. It emphasized the importance of individualized legal advice to understand immigration options, risks, and next steps. TODEC also highlighted the Family Action Plan and the importance of collaboration and community engagement.
5.3 Proclamation to current or former member of the Armed Forces In Honor of Hunter Lopez Day
Mayor Holmes along with the City Council presented proclamation to the following Military Veteran’s:
1. Edward Robles ~ United States Navy
2. Lucas Alfredo Figueroa Pinon ~ United States Airforce
3. Luis Bernal ~ United States Marine Corps (Not present)
6. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
City Manager Nicks provided an update on the Indio Sports Park Phase 2 survey, which received 554 responses. The City is also applying for a grant to support additional improvements to the Sports Park. Vendor applications are currently being accepted for the Tamale Festival, scheduled for December 5. A public meeting regarding the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan was held at the Indio Business Center and Conference (IBCC) on August 20. The City will host a September 11 remembrance ceremony and dedication of the new 9/11 Memorial on Friday, September 11. The Experience Shop Local app is now available, and upcoming business classes will be offered at the IBCC for current and aspiring business owners.
7. CITY COUNCIL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE
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Mayor Holmes disclosed a conflict of interest on consent calendar items 9.11,
9.12, and 9.13.
8. CITY COUNCIL REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3(D)
Councilmember Guitron reported on the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy Committee meeting.
Councilmember Miller reported on the SunLine Transit Agency Committee meeting and the East Valley Reclamation Authority meeting
Councilmember Ortiz had no report on 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 July 15, 2026 and special meeting of July 29, 2026
9.3 City of Indio Warrants from 07-04-2026 to 08-07-2026
9.4 Resolution No. 10603, adopting the updated City Investment Policy and annual delegation of investment authority to the City Treasurer and the Treasurer of the Component Municipal Entities pursuant to Government Code Section 53607
9.5 Approve Annual Hydraulic Pump and Meter Accuracy Testing Services Agreement with Pump Check, Inc. in the amount to-not-exceed $28,600 for fiscal year 2026-2027, for a one (1) year term with optional four (4) one (1) year extensions, for a total not to exceed $152,307.00
9.6 Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1842, 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, Generally Located North of the City and West of Dillon Road
9.7 Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement between the City of Indio and EN Engineering, LLC, in the amount of $291,968
9.8 Amendment to the Software as a Service Agreement Between the City of Indio and Tyler Technologies in the net amount of $31,320
9.9 Budget Adjustment Appropriation of $100,000 from PEG Fund Balance for Audio/Visual Remodel Projects
9.10 Approval of an Indefeasible Right of Use Agreement between the City of Indio and Inyo Networks Inc, dba Onward for the use of City-owned FiberOptic Infrastructure
9.11 Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Commercial Lease Agreement with Blue Hill Studios for City-Owned Property Located at 45250 Smurr Street Suite 10
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9.12 Amendment No. 2 to the Downtown Building Beautification Program Guidelines to Rename and Consolidate the Downtown and Highway 111 Building Beautification Programs into the Building Beautification Program and Establish the Emergency Storefront Business Grant
9.13 Authorization to Negotiate and Execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement with 45151 Oasis LLC for property located at 45145 Oasis Street (APN 611- 164-006), Adjacent Parking Lot (APN 611-164-017), and Vacant Lot (APN 611-164-007) for a total not-to-exceed $2,008,000
9.14 Professional Services Agreement with Palms to Pines Printing and Promotional Products for branded promotional merchandise, outreach giveaways, apparel, and related services in the amount not to exceed $200,000
9.15 Review and file 2025 Annual Military Equipment Report in compliance with Assembly Bill 481 (Government Code Sections 7070 through 7075)
9.16 Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. for the Officer Safety Plan Package, including Body-Worn Cameras, TASER 10 Upgrade and Digital Evidence Storage for Five Years at a Total Cost of $2,158,881
9.17 Accept a Fiscal Year 2026-2027 State of California - Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant under the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) in the amount of $88,000
9.18 Approval of Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 22-11-003-IC with Desert Recreation District for park reservation services for first-year compensation of $38,392.64
Public comments for item 9.6 provided by:
1. Jonathan Becerra
2. Allyson Jeffredo
3. Frida Escatel
Item 9.6 was pulled by the Council for clarification.
Brian Halvorson, Director of Community Development, Steven G. Pacifico, City Attorney, and Rob Bernheimer (via Zoom), provided further information.
Councilmember Ortiz provided comments on item 9.14
Councilmember Guitron pulled item 9.18 for further clarification to which Jonathan Nicks, City Manager, provided further information.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Miller to approve consent calendar items 9.1 through 9.10 and 9.14 through 9.18. Carried unanimously.
Mayor Holmes recused herself from the dais due to conflict of interest on consent calendar items 9.11, 9.12, and 9.13
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Councilmembers Guitron and Ortiz pulled item 9.12 for further clarification to which Miguel Ramirez-Cornejo, Dir. of Economic Development, provided information.
Motion made by Councilmember Guitron, seconded by Councilmember Miller to approve consent calendar items 9.11, 9.12, and 9.13. Carried 4-0- 1 with a recusal by Mayor Holmes.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
10.1 Report of investments for the quarter ending June 30, 2026 Ruby D. Walla, Dir. of Finance, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
The Quarterly Investment Report provided an overview of the City’s investment portfolio as of June 30, 2026, including a total portfolio of approximately $277.5 million. The portfolio was meeting or exceeding benchmarks, with average interest earnings of approximately $2 million and rates of 3.92% for LAIF and 4.33% for the managed portfolio. Staff also identified opportunities to enhance returns and proposed increasing the managed portfolio by $20 million.
This is a receive and file item. No action required.
10.2 Receive a presentation, project update, and input from the Planning Commission on proposed land use and annexation concepts for the East Indio Employment Corridor Annexation Project
Brian Halvorson, Dir. of Community Development introduced Rachel Lindt with Dudek who provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Staff and the project consultant provided an overview of the East Indio Employment Corridor Annexation Study, including the purpose of evaluating the annexation of approximately 4,609 acres within the City's Eastern Sphere of Influence to expand employment-generating land uses and diversify the local economy. The presentation included a summary of Phase 2 activities, four conceptual land use and annexation alternatives, an overview of the LAFCO annexation process, and the project's anticipated next steps. The City Council, based on input from the Planning Commission, provided direction to staff on the proposed concepts, and no action was required at this time. Gave direction by consensus for item 1A
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.1 Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 1843 Approving a Fourth Amendment to a Development Agreement with Pacific Indio Properties to Extend the Term of the Agreement that applies to approximately 241 acres of land, extending north from Interstate 10 to Avenue 42 and east from a
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boundary between Clinton and Monroe Streets near Jackson Street Brian Halvorson, Dir. of Community Development, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Holmes opened and closed the public hearing at 8:08 p.m. with no public comment(s).
Motion made by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon to approve a Fourth Amendment (PLAN-DA-0004) to a Development Agreement with Pacific Indio Properties extending the term of the Agreement by Five Years. Carried unanimously.
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
1. Tanya Orozco – AYSO
2. Tyler Peterson – Flock cameras
3. Jonathan Becerra – District 4 safety concerns
4. Kenneth Churchill – Cannabis business regulations
5. Michelle Monjaraz – Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice
13. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Holmes adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
SABDI SANCHEZ, MMC
DIRECTOR OF CITY CLERK SERVICES
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