City of Indio
City Council Minutes
Wednesday, September 16, 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
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 45855 Smurr Street, Indio, City of Indio Negotiator: Jonathan Nicks, City Manager; Negotiating Party: Andres James Carrera and Noemi Selene Carre Vega; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
3.2 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Government Code section 54956.8
Properties: 1. 80700 Avenue 50; APN 602-080-003; 2. 80650 Avenue 50; APNs 602-080-012 and 602-080-013; 3. 80220 Avenue 50; APN 602-090- 002; 4. 80260 Avenue 50; APN 602-090-003; 5. 80496 and 80450 Avenue 50 APNs 602-090-005 and 602-090-013; 6. No situs address; APN 602- 090-014; 7. No situs address; APN 602-580-024; 8. APN 602-090-004 Agency Negotiators: Jonathan Nicks, City Manager; Daniel Burrola, Rightof-Way Agent, Monument.
Negotiating parties: The following property owners, corresponding to the numbered properties above: 1. Wanderlust Montage, LLC; 2. Julio and Alma Preicado; 3. Desert Dreams, LLC; 4. Van Dam Family Trust; 5. Brown Falcon, LLC; 6. Desert River Estates HOA; 7. Ave 50 Indio, LLC; 8.
Margaret R. Roman.
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment.
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3.3 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2)
Number of potential cases: One (1)
3.4 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9
Number of potential cases: Two (2)
3.5 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9, subdivisions (d)(2)
Number of potential cases: One (1)
3.6 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR, Government Code Section 54957.6; City Negotiator: Jonathan Nicks, City Manager; Employee Organizations: IPOA
REGULAR SESSION - 5 PM
Mayor Holmes called to order the regular session meeting of the City Council for the City of Indio at 5:19 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 Drayton Jones ~ Fifth Grader at Madison Elementary
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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. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Presentation of Certificates to the 2026 National Golden Gloves Champions The City Council presented certificates of recognition to the following athletes in recognition of their outstanding achievement at the 2026 National Junior & Youth Golden Gloves Tournament in Allen, Texas.
• Roman Anzaldua — 2026 National Golden Gloves Gold Medalist • Rene Anzaldua — 2026 National Golden Gloves Silver Medalist • Kadri Anzaldua — 2026 National Golden Gloves Silver Medalist
5.2 Presentation by Lorena Marroquin, Interim President of FIND Regional Food Bank.
Ms. Marroquin presented the 2026 FIND Food Bank Impact Report which impacts the City of Indio. FIND served over 223,000 people annually, distributed more than
1.4 million pounds of food through mobile markets, and provided 1.62 million pounds of fresh produce across its Indio sites. About 16.3% of Indio residents face food insecurity. FIND also supported 513 residents with outreach services, provided scholarships to local students, partnered with 24 local agencies, and collected more than 406,000 pounds of food through its Indio programs.
The City Council presented a proclamation to FIND Food Bank in recognition of Hunger Month this September.
5.3 Presentation by Alicia Grantham, Chief Development Officer of Martha's Village
Ms. Grantham’s presentation highlighted Martha’s Village and Kitchen’s ongoing work in Indio to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and poverty.
5.4 HeadTrip Festival Update – Presentation by Jim Curtis, Community Services Manager
Jim Curtis, Community Services Manager, presented an update on the upcoming Head Trip EDM festival which will take place October 10–11, 2026 at the Empire Polo Club, with approximately 8,000 attendees. Camping begins Friday, and organizers expect traffic impacts to be manageable due to expanded parking and multiple entrances. Avenue 50 will be closed between Monroe and Madison from September 29–October 18. Monroe Street between Avenue 50 and Avenue 52 will also close during the festival for safety. The festival will run until 1 a.m. Saturday
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and midnight Sunday. A 24-hour resident hotline, (760) 391-4112, will be available starting the Wednesday before the festival to assist residents and businesses with access or other issues. City staff emphasized that the event is expected to provide a positive economic impact for Indio while efforts are being made to minimize disruptions to nearby neighborhoods.
5.5 Discussion on Flock Cameras - Presentation by Chief Brian Tully Police Chief Brian Tully and Lieutenant Chris Shannon presented an overview and live demonstration of the City’s 72 automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras operated through Flock Safety.
Below is a summary of the information provided during the presentation:
The cameras are used as an investigative tool to help recover stolen vehicles, locate missing people, respond to alerts, and investigate crimes. It was mentioned that the system records license plates, vehicle descriptions, dates, times, and locations, but does not use facial recognition, identify drivers or passengers, or store biometric information. Data is retained for 30 days, encrypted, and access is limited to trained, authorized personnel. Searches require a case number and documented reason and are subject to monthly audits. It was reported that the system receives millions of vehicle reads, but officers conduct a much smaller number of specific searches related to investigations or alerts.
Chief Tully presented several cases in which ALPR information contributed to arrests or helped investigators locate vehicles connected to shootings, homicides, thefts, and other crimes. It was mentioned that the department shares ALPR data with approximately 317 other agencies, while maintaining restrictions on sharing for immigration enforcement.
Lieutenant Shannon provided a live demonstration showing how officers search for vehicles, review camera images, audit searches, and monitor data-sharing relationships. The department also maintains a public transparency portal.
Several community members spoke against the program, raising concerns about privacy, mass surveillance, data security, potential misuse, inaccurate alerts, and the effectiveness and cost of the technology. Some called for the City to cancel its Flock contract and prohibit future ALPR systems.
Mayor Pro Tem Fermon requested that monthly ALPR audit reports also be provided to the sitting Mayor for greater oversight.
Chief Tully emphasized that maintaining public trust, proper oversight, and ongoing evaluation is essential to the program.
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6. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (YAC)
Indio YAC Mayor Ari Orantes introduced the YAC leadership and members for this year and highlighted their involvement at the Viva Indio event and future events in the City.
7. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
City Manager Jonathan Nicks provided the following updates:
• City Water bills can now be paid at City Hall, in addition to the corporate yard and online.
• The Indio Business Connect Center will hold its ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 28 at 3 p.m. and a business resource fair on October 29. • September is National Preparedness Month, with disaster-preparedness resources and emergency alerts available through the city. • The Indio Police Department will host a free car-seat clinic on September 26 from 9–11 a.m., at the I-10 Auto Mall on Varner Road. • IID is giving away eligible residents a free shade tree through the city’s “Tree for All” program.
• The Tamale Festival is planned for the first weekend of December, with vendor applications still open.
• The State of the City event on October 1 at 5:30 p.m. is sold out.
8. CITY COUNCIL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE
9. CITY COUNCIL REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3(D)
Councilmember Miller had no committee reports.
Councilmember Guitron reported on the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission.
Councilmember Ortiz had no committee reports.
Mayor Pro Tem Fermon reported on the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Homelessness Committee.
Mayor Holmes reported on Coachella Valley Association of Governments Transportation Commission
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 August 19, 2026
10.3 City of Indio State of the City
10.4 City of Indio Warrants from 08-08-2026 to 09-04-2026
10.5 Second Reading of Ordinance 1843 Approving a Fourth Amendment to a Development Agreement with Pacific Indio Properties to Extend the Term
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of the Agreement that applies to approximately 241 acres of land, extending north from Interstate 10 to Avenue 42 and east from a boundary between Clinton and Monroe Streets near Jackson Street
10.6 Resolution No. 10604, authorizing an application for a Transformative Climate Communities Development Grant
10.7 Professional Services Agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for the Comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan, City Project No. PL2601
10.8 Final Tract Map No. 38680 for Coachella Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District, generally located west of Monroe Street and north of Oleander Avenue
10.9 Approve the City of Indio’s Cost Share for the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) Task Order to Prepare the Second Five-Year Assessment and Update of the Alternative Plan for the Indio Subbasin in Compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)
10.10 Resolution No. 10605, acknowledging receipts of a report from the Indio Fire Chief of Indio Fire Department's compliance with California Health & Safety Code Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3.
10.11 Approve sole-source purchase of one 2027 Ford F-450 Type I Ambulance from Frazer Ltd. for $408,111.57
10.12 Professional Services Agreement with Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc. for construction management services for the Indio Arts Center renovation in an amount not to exceed amount of $121,816.
10.13 Purchase Agreement with Dekra-Lite for the purchase of holiday decorations, installation, and storage in the amount of $121,088.66
10.14 A three-year software as a service agreement between the City of Indio and Trimble for Trimble Unity Maintain and API in the amount of $214,610.25
Item 10.7 was pulled by Councilmember Guitron for further information by staff.
Principal Engineer, Donn Uyeno provided further information requested by Councilmember Guitron.
Motion made by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve consent calendar items 10.1 through 10.14 with abstention by Mayor Holmes on items 10.12 and 10.13 due to a conflict of interest. Motion carried unanimously except for 10.12 and 10.13 which were carried 4-0-1.
11. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
11.1 Resolution No. 10606, establishing a Citywide Sponsorship Acceptance and Recognition Policy, approving a Short-Form Sponsorship Agreement, and delegating authority to the City Manager to accept and document sponsorships.
Jessica Mediano, Marketing and Public Information Officer, presented the staff report.
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Motion made by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon to approve Resolution No. 10606 establishing a Citywide Sponsorship Acceptance and Recognition Policy, approving a Sponsorship Agreement, and delegating authority to the City Manager, or designee, to accept and execute sponsorship agreements consistent with the Policy.
Motion carried unanimously.
11.2 Receive presentation and obtain City Council direction to regarding the evaluation of the Annual Regulatory Fee for Cost Recovery pursuant to Ordinance No. 1780, Section 123.36.
Ruby D. Walla, Director of Finance, presented the staff report.
Public Comment by Kenneth Churchill, West Coast Cannabis Club.
Motion made by Councilmember Guitron, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to receive the staff presentation on the current fees associated with cannabis activities and provided direction to evaluate the annual regulatory cannabis fee, with a focus on determining whether a fee reduction is appropriate based on updated cost information and the cost-recovery requirements specified in Ordinance No. 1780, Section 123.36. Motion Carried Unanimously.
11.3 Interim Urgency Ordinance Nos. 1848 and 1849, adoption of Two Interim Urgency Ordinances, Each Effective Immediately Upon a Four-Fifths Vote Relating to Accessory Massage and Massage Establishments and Tattoo, Body Art, and Piercing Establishments
Steven G. Pacifico, City Attorney, presented the staff report on both ordinances.
Discussion ensued by the City Council.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt interim Urgency Ordinance Nos. 1848 and 1849, relating to accessory massage and massage establishments and tattoo, body art, and piercing establishments and directed staff to take to the Planning Commission and to the City Council thereafter for final approval. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Mayor Holmes called for a short 10-minute recess at 8:25 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 8:37 p.m. Mayor Holmes acknowledged four public speakers who had submitted speaker cards for this item: Nicole Bench, Ginger Clark, Carrie Chef, and Lynette Ochoa. None of the speakers were present to provide comments.
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12. PUBLIC HEARINGS
12.1 Resolution Nos. 10607, 10608, and 10609, Recommendation from the Planning Commission to the City Council to approve Planning Review Discretionary (PLAN-PRD-26-0025), Conditional Use Permit (PLAN-CUP-26- 0010) to allow three drive-through facilities as three Limited Land Uses, and Tentative Tract Map No. 39527 (PLAN-TPM-26-0015) for the Grand Marketplace Phase II project located at the southwest corner of Highway 111 and Rubidoux Street
Gustavo Gomez, Principal Planner, presented the staff report and a PowerPoint to support his presentation.
Brent McManagel, representative for Haagen Company and applicant for this project, presented a PowerPoint on the project.
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 8:53 p.m.
Public comment provided by Jonathan Becerra and Al Meza.
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 8:59 p.m.
Motion made by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve Resolution Nos. 10607, 10608, and 10609 approving the Grand Marketplace Phase II project, including Planning Review Discretionary Application No. PLAN-PRD-26-0025 with the Master Sign Plan, Conditional Use Permit Application No. PLAN-CUP-26-0010, and Tentative Tract Map No. 39527, and determine that the Project is within the scope of the environmental analysis previously prepared pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183. Motion carried unanimously.
12.2 Public Hearing to Consider Denial or Approval of the Oasis at Indio Project:
Final Environmental Impact Report, General Plan Amendments, Specific Plan and Supersession of Existing Plans, Zone Map Amendment, Development Agreement, and Financing Tentative Parcel Map for Approximately 183 Acres North of Interstate 10, South of Avenue 42, East of the Thousand Palms Stormwater Channel, and West of Monroe Street (Brian Halvorson, Dir. of Community Development) Recommendations for Council consideration: [Deny Project: Adopt Resolution No. 10610], [Proceed with Project Approval Process: Adopt Resolution Nos. 10611, 10612, Introduce Ordinance Nos. 1845, 1846 and 1847, Adopt Resolution No. 10613]
Brian Halvorson, Director of Community Development, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Council discussion ensued.
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Juan Raya, City Engineer, provided clarification.
John Crump, BH Properties Representative, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Holmes called a brief recess at 9:35 p.m. due to live streaming issues and reconvened at 9:48 p.m.
Under SB 707, Mayor called for a recess until livestream was restored. IT Staff acted and restored livestream at 9:46 p.m., and Mayor called the meeting at 9:48 p.m.
Presentation continued by Jeremy Krout with EDP Solutions.
Sean Matsler, Land Use Attorney continued with the PowerPoint Presentation to present a case study on a similar project to Oasis.
Bob Marra GPS Greater Palm Springs Market Intel continued with the PowerPoint presentation to go over White Paper on the project.
John Crump concluded the PowerPoint presentation by reiterating the goals of BH Properties to meet the economic goals of Indio’s General Plan.
Discussion and questions by the Council, Applicant, and Staff.
Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing at 10:34 p.m., with public comment(s) received by:
1. Paul Maslalowski
2. Carmen Quiros
3. Chrissy Glassner
4. Jonathan Becerra
5. Jerry Conrad
6. Jay Wagman
7. Maggie Hamilton
8. Kevin Ford
9. Deborah Gmeiner
Mayor called a brief recess at 11:01 and reconvened at 11:03 p.m. due to technical difficulties with the Council Chamber displays.
Public comment continued with the following members:
10. Jo Anne Marianne
11. Farah Mastau
12. Bill Collins
13. Allyson Jeffredo
14. Kay Shorts (not present)
15. Michael Slater
16. Carly Steele, Lozeau Drury LLP (via zoom)
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17. Megan Scarborough-Eckel
18. Ash
19. Cecilia
20. Speaker’s name was not captured
21. Sid
City Clerk Sanchez stated for the record that the Office of the City Clerk received 105 email comments in opposition to the project and six (6) in support of the project.
The City Council considered the proposed Oasis at Indio project, including the Final Environmental Impact Report, General Plan amendments, Mobility Element amendment, Specific Plan, Zone Map amendment, Development Agreement, and related map and master plan actions for the approximately 183-acre site located at the southwest corner of Avenue 42 and Monroe Street.
The proposed project included residential, commercial, and industrial uses, along with associated infrastructure, parkland, public safety, affordable housing, and other public benefits. Council received a presentation from staff and the applicant and heard public testimony regarding the proposed development, including concerns related to traffic, industrial uses, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, infrastructure, and community impacts.
Following discussion, the City Council determined that additional review and analysis were needed, including consideration of potential reductions to the proposed industrial/lightindustrial land uses and further evaluation of the project's traffic, environmental, fiscal, and other impacts.
There was a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Fermon, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to continue the item to a future meeting to allow additional evaluation and revisions to the proposed project. No final approval or denial of the project was taken. Motion carried unanimously.
13. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
1. Barry Fischer – ALRP Technology
2. Michael Slater – Council Meeting Start Time
14. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Holmes adjourned the meeting at 12:06 a.m. on September 17, 2026, to meet for an adjourned regular meeting on October 1, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., for the State of the City at the Coachella Valley History Museum.
SABDI SANCHEZ, MMC
DIRECTOR OF CITY CLERK SERVICES
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