Good afternoon. We're going to call the
study session for the city of Indo to
order. Uh, can we have a roll call,
please? Council member Ortiz, present.
Council member
Ferman. Council member um, Watron is
absent. Mayor Pro Tim Holmes present.
And Mayor Miller present. This time, if
you could all please rise, we'll do the
pledge of allegiance. If Oscar, if you
could please lead, please lead us.
Place your right hand over your heart. I
pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, liberty and
justice for all. Amen. Thank
you. Number three is public comment.
Anybody wishing to speak on an item? Uh
is there anybody in the queue? Sabi,
anybody in the audience wishing to speak
at this time? Okay, with that we'll move
on to item number four now which is
discussion for the fiscal year 2526
budget recap and discussion to include
India water authority in the city's
capital improvement plan. Miss Walla are
you handling this for us? I might do
just a very brief intro because first of
all the last meeting when she had a
budget present or a presentation she was
wearing red and I had that in my mind
that we were in the red. She's wearing
green today. We're talking about money.
She probably did that intentionally, but
I wanted to take the time to not only
thank uh Ruby and her team, as I'm sure
the council always does, but a lot of
the work that goes behind the
uh that you see presented uh uh today.
Uh much like I indicated in a memo to
you, council, the um the budget is
pretty much the similar to previous
years. Uh you know, we're continuing to
to move things along. Uh we are seeing
some flattening in revenues that Ruby
will go through. Um and trying to
address some of the needs operationally
and when we get into the capital
projects, you'll see that we're just
focusing on a couple of new projects
that you've already identified and and
approved. Uh but we'll need to seek
additional appropriations. Monroe
Interchange, for example, the PD
headquarters building. So again, just
wanted to give a broad overview that the
budget is balanced. That's great news.
But um there's certainly a lot of work
that that went in to make uh make that
happen. So there is a PowerPoint
presentation and our finance director is
all ready to go. Okay. Please let the
record reflect that council member
Gutron has joined us and Miss Walla,
please. Yes. And thank you for all the
hard work in this and we know how
important the budget is to us and how
much work it does to get it all to put
together when especially when you're
speaking millions of dollars of
investment. Yes. much appreciated and I
echo that even to the staff here and the
department directors in sense of all the
work that they put into it and then
helping me to get it consolidated and
doing the back and forth and review. So
their efforts as well um helped to get
us here today. So for our presentation
today um you have been provided an
electronic copy of a document that um
Brian um gracefully sent out last week
um as a preview. There have been changes
of course um some different changes from
what was presented to what we got what
got us here today this afternoon. So
we'll just kick off the presentation in
terms of what's in that workbook um what
you received and what's in the packet
today. You have the key budget
modifications. So we highlight in
summary of what the changes were amongst
departments as well as providing some
context as to those that were big
changes or significant items and things
that we felt were important to highlight
for the city council in their um review
of the budget. So what you have is the
general fund budget. You'll have the
general fund budget summary um by budget
unit. You'll have the general fund
revenue general fund budget unit detail.
The also included a special revenue
funds in their detail as well. Capital
projects funds, enterprise funds, the
internal service funds that we'll talk
about as well um in general and of
course the India water authority. Um as
you may recall last year it took a
little different shape when as I joined
uh team India and we kind of
consolidated efforts between the city
finance and IWA finance and that
continues to progress. Um, so I'm I'm
happy to present on behalf of IWA as
well. So today's session, um, again, I
would appreciate any conversation, any
questions along the way. Um, yes, I'd
love to go through the presentation, but
anything that comes up, please feel free
to ask. ask if there's any
clarification and highlight. Um again,
myself and Brian are available to answer
questions as well as the staff as
they're equipped to as as far as the
efforts that gone into their um programs
or their divisions. So today we're going
to uh review the 2526 preliminary draft
budget in detail um highlighting
primarily general fund, India water
authority and the capital improvement
plan. Although I did um advise you also
have preview of the special revenue
funds and the internal service funds
which in the key modifications sheet
that you have highlighted some changes
in there as well. And then at the end of
this what we hope to is get some
direction from city council. either you
love what we've done and you want us to
move forward with adoption um and bring
that back to you in June or are there
things on your wish list or things you
want to see different or maybe you want
us to go back to the table and kind of
evaluate our operations happy to do that
as well. Um but hopefully as we take you
through the presentation um you'll see
that um staff has been thoughtful in
their um application of their budgets.
So what went into the budget? Um a lot
of the work again started in the finance
department. As far as what we start
working with are what are the changes
that we know are impacting. We take into
consideration allou changes that we know
of any merits any cost um benefits that
we have coming down the pipeline. Those
known factors we do implement those. So,
anything that has to do with a um
kelpers adjustments, u cafeteria
allowance adjustments, colas that we may
be anticipating or any other bargaining
unit that have a compensation or any
dollar value associated with that. That
goes in there as well. We also work
actively on the revenue projections and
as we go through you'll see and we'll
highlight the revenues as well. Um what
goes into that. Still trying to take a
conservative approach. Um but we will
highlight the as we did before at the
midyear was the what we're experiencing
with sales tax which then is
complemented by measure X dollars as
well which kind of drives that um
additional revenue stream that we need
to fund capital and then debt service as
well as those types of commitments.
There are a few one-time rollover
projects. So you'll see we have about
six million. You'll see that in the
detail as well of um projects that we
funded this year in the current year
that we've recognized need to continue
on into the next year. So, we've
captured that and it'll show as a
beginning fund balance in there to
balance out those expenditures still
rolling into the new year, but we're
accounting for that fund balance coming
in as well. And at the end of this
you'll see the robust and uh aggressive
capital plan um between city manager
myself and public works working with the
team um really diving in getting what
are the needs what do we have um I've
been impressed since I've been here at
what Indo is doing and all the great
things as well as I think everybody else
and the people that that I've talked to
that gravitate towards that. So, we've
spent a lot of time on capital. So,
happy to um present that to you as well.
Um Brian will take the lead on that
primarily. So, here we're going to talk
about revenues to give you an overview
of general fund
revenue and I'll switch to my notes. And
again, if there you have any questions
along the way, please feel free to ask.
Um so these are just by the category of
all the revenue sources that come
through the city. Um in your packet you
do have where the the line item these
roll up too, right? So um the next slide
will show the taxes broken down but each
category is rolled up by several
different types of revenue sources that
we do have throughout the city. And so
what we have here are some actuals just
to provide some historical context as
well as what we experienced in
2324, what we projected into 2425. And
mind you, we didn't make any real
adjustments at mid year. So these are
budgeted what we thought we were going
into the year and then what we're
looking at in
2526. Um so there, as you can see,
there's not a lot of changes amongst
them. Um, you'll see more changes more
in the tax arena in terms of where we
made some of those adjustments as well
as charges for services because of the
experiencing we're seeing with um the
city's applied fee schedule and all the
activity that we have there. Any
questions on this slide before I move
forward? No.
So, I want to talk about general fund
tax revenue. Um these are just the
specific categories that roll into um
the taxes, the line item that we saw on
the previous slide. Um and show where
our tax dollars are associated and how
we're the experience that we have. Um
the biggest significant that might stand
to you is actual versus budget is the
toot. Um that's the one that that's you
know in 23 24 it increased um
significantly and then we kind of came
back down and we're just there taking a
conservative conservative approach and
what went into that last year was the
fact that we weren't going to have power
trip come
back you know again we don't know that's
the uncertainty um you know how it's
going to perform that we don't have
that, you know, crystal ball to
determine that. Um, so we anticipate we
probably will see an upswing above the
15 million, but we'll we'll continue to
see that, but trying to remain
conservative. Um, and that's why you see
the 15.9 just trends just slightly
higher. The one that I want to call your
attention to is the sales tax. the one
that I just um we did come back if you
recall during mid year we did update
that we were seeing a decline in um
actual versus budgeted for 2425
um by about 400,000 on each right
because it's assumed dollar for dollar
although we know that measure X does a
little bit better um but during that
conversation at that quarterly report it
was discussed that they could see 2526
coming back up so with that Being said,
we went with those projections. So,
builtin is us going back up to the 8 18
18.5 18.2 scenario that we had estimated
and a little bit more to adjust for some
growth. However, this morning we did
have we had our quarterly u sales tax
meeting and actually they just showing
some slow progression at this
point in on that meeting. But there what
we're looking And what they're basing it
off is uh quarter 4 2024 which means we
have other things coming into play right
we have tillies we have sketchers we
have you know wings stop um canes um in
and out and all those things and what we
saw you know what the potential
additional revenue growth that that will
be brings. So we anticipate that our
revenue projections are fairly uh
probably still a little on the higher
end but we think fairly well. So, we may
adjust those as we move forward to bring
you the final final budget. Um, but just
wanted to highlight those things. And
what then articulates is this chart
here, right, that shows like how we had
significant growth and now we're just
kind of really flattening out um here
and with slow growth. And so, the hopes
is that we want to see something that
balances that growth in revenues to
complement our growth in
operations. Any questions? Any
questions? Taxes?
Thank you.
This slide is just um really small and
so I I apologize to those that have to
read it. I know it's in the packet. Um
but I just wanted to give you a summary
of what goes into
um the budget development and all the
departments categorized. And I know in
council's packet you have the full scale
report that shows each department and
the DV the variations and the changes.
Um, but on the next slide, we'll
highlight the bottom portion of that.
We'll tell you where our resources are
going.
And if we could go back for a second, of
course. So, imagine you know, you see
the investment that we have in public
safety. We're almost at, you know, 70
million dollars and from the year before
obviously we're at 41. You know, fire
kind of hits me. It's a little bit more
public safety, police, you know, we've
added on, but you know, we do have to
have a long term over the fire uh
situation. We can't continue to take
million million4 dollar hits. We got to
come up with some creative ways to be
able to look at ways to either change
our service, partner with people, but a
million four at a time. You can only put
so many wing stops in. So, we actually
need to have some kind of idea and
thoughts behind that or it's going to
swamp the rest of our budget. So, right
now, we got to do something. But even
with public safety, it is a big issue
with our residents. One of the main
things that we're, you know, tasked to
do. But at the same time, you know, we
have other services we need to provide.
So, if we could start looking at
creative ways, we might even need to
have a study session after this is done
to figure out how to how to corral this
or work a way into it. Maybe it's a
another uh some kind of fee for some
other people utilizing it, the new
houses. Is that going to help us? You
know, what's it going to be? It's a it's
a great point. And I just wanted to draw
attention as you look at this slide, you
see it better on your screens, but an
actual in
2021 of
14.8 and an estimated uh next year's
budget of
23.3. And that's that's to your point,
Mayor, that's insane. I mean, this these
are these are costs that are not
increasing the level of service, only
increasing the cost to our residents.
So, so yes, uh, and another good point,
uh, as you say, you know, it's we can't
change it this coming fiscal year. Some
sort of evolution to a solution could
take a couple of years of
implementation. So, um, why not start
sooner than later? Yeah. And I think we
need to bring in Chief White and his
team and look at it. I know the county
has a, you know, way that they do
things. Do we go I mean, don't want to
go over it all now, but it's telling and
and our residents should know. I mean,
we're investing almost $70 million in
public safety for him. I mean, that is a
massive amount of the the actual income
that we bring in for for everything. So,
it's not for faint heart, but at the
same time, you know, we have to have a
safe city, but we also have to have a
clean city and we also have a lot of
other services we need to provide that
actually bring in some of this tax
dollars. So, absolutely something we got
to look at. Mr.
I just my comments to that and obviously
I've expressed them to the to both the
city manager, assistant city manager and
the chief regarding programs that we
need to look at. The city of Palm Desert
Ranch and Raj Indian Wells have co
communities with their ambulance
services and how that's been done. The
city we looked at it 15 years ago we
glanced at it and we never went back to
it. It's we need to kind of look at
that. the the the community is really
challenged with the ambulance especially
with the big growth from our senior
community. They're counting on those
services and the way the services are
done. We need to look at a different
model and the model's already there. Uh
those three communities have been
together, they've been able to sustain
it. Um and it's been creative, but I
think we need to look at that. The other
thing, the fire department should be
present.
We if I look at this correctly and based
on my mentor Mayor Miller as I've been
on the council and the other council
members that have given input is that
I'm looking at this that at 26 27 we're
looking at almost 24 million at the rate
we're going. So, I think it's imperative
that we really take a breather, but the
fire department needs to be present. And
we also need a breakdown of what they
have
firefighters versus their paramedic
firefighters besides the county support
staff because that's another component
and the administrative fees. We just
invested a lot in that fire department.
And it's not criticizing their efforts
of life saving, protecting property, and
transporting the ill and the injured is
not questioned. It's just it's a big
ticket item. And it's tough, but we're
going to have to talk about it. The
other thing, too, is we have just
gotten, for whatever it's worth, when we
got hit with the recession and those
very tough times, we're just getting
back to where we were at that level.
That's almost 17 years ago. It's taken
us 17 years to even see the light on
where we're going. And that's not just
the bodies, it's also the equipment. So,
that's something that we really need to
look at it closely. And I agree with the
mayor that of the public's trust in
putting some of these measures, the lead
was public safety.
Anyone else? Thank you. I just it's such
a high ticket item. We did we need to
address it. Thank you.
So again, just to on this is the blown
up version of what was on the bottom of
that um previous slide. So overall in
the general fund in summary um we're at
111 million in expenditures with um
105.9 million in revenue
um which is showing at a uh over budget
of 5.7 million. However, as I alluded to
in the beginning of my presentation of
those one-time um resources is basically
we identify here about 6.7 million in
those resources
um that will be uh available fund
balance at at the end of um June 30,
2025. Therefore, coming into the new
year as available and then
reappropriated. Um so with that being
said um we're estimating then a net
surplus if you would call it at 1
million and then with that
recommendation similar to what we
recommended um the previous year is that
we would recommend uh city council give
direction of of reallocating half a
million towards the economic uncertainty
to fund that debt um reserve fund. We
are at the threshold the 15% requirement
of revenues. We do exceed that
currently, but uh best practice is just
to continue if we have that ability and
available resources to put um to uh
reappropriate that at this council's
discretion. Um in addition to just
wanted to highlight we also made the
assumptions and included uh continuing
the contribution similar to last year of
including a $1 million pars contribution
that funds pens of pension for future p
for our current pension liability or
future pension costs as well as an op
contribution to our server trust of 1.5
million and those have been um already
assumed and included in that 10und
million uh 11 million uh expenditure
budget there. And the 500,000 is the the
500,000 that's down below. It's not an
extra 500,000. Correct. Correct. Okay.
Right. Thank you.
Questions?
Balanced. Close. Yeah, it's
balanced. Worked really
hard. So, the next um few slides are in
summary, and I won't go through and read
them all, but it's basically to just
give you um you do have the
within your packets. Um but these are
just high level um again increases or
decreases to the general fund budget
categories. Um some will be higher, some
will be lower of course. Um overall what
I alluded to and I'm happy to go through
um each of the slides or each of the
departments as well as if there's
something you would like something
specific to hear from the department
specifically, they're available as well.
changes, colas, um, uh, KLPERS
adjustments and and any ISF changes that
would drive off of those kind of
expenditures. Um, so that's what you see
here. And this is a result as as when
you talk about ISFs, it's their
proportional share, right? It's the
weighted average and it just funnels
through. So that's why there it varies.
Um
but so these have um so all these
departments don't have anything of great
significant to highlight other than
those those specific items. Um the same
goes through for these departments as
well. There's quite a
few. Um I did want to highlight PD
because I know that that would stand out
at you know 1.6
But that is it's just the proportional
share and they're the most significant
and since we have our annual U payment
does increase. It's just how the the the
breakdown goes on that one. Um but
before we move on on these that I
highlight um the other item I wanted to
add we we as a team went through an
exercise as far as evaluating all our
expenditure budgets and and resources
and they do a good job on the daily but
part of our um budget exercise this year
was
saying could you cut your budget and if
you can where um knowing all things
constant we're building we're growing we
have operational needs. Um, so some of
those decreases that you see there can
be attributed to some of that that
although they had some increases, they
also did some decreases or they
restructured their their organization.
And basically, we're trying to align. So
what you have in your packets, you see
the line item detail. And so our goal is
to get departments to have their budgets
really be in line with what their
operations are. So, we just had some um
balancing adjustments we did within each
department
just to give some extra context as far
as the development. If anybody has any
questions as we go along, just please
engaged. Oscar, I have one question. I
know in the past we talked about the new
sports park that's coming up and how
that could add expenses to our
landscaping and maintenance. Is any are
any of those increases included in this
budget? Yes. How much increase? Um
It's a little over
300,000. We've got increased water
costs. There'll be some electricity
cost. And then an the Excel agreement, I
believe, is almost 25,000 a month
estimated to maintain the the new sports
complex coming online this fall,
September. So, it won't be a full fiscal
year, but maybe 10 of the 12 months. So,
that is included. That is part of that
increase you see embedded here. Okay.
And with uh with that, you done Oscar?
Oh, no. The other thing I was going to
ask is I know there's um a change in
contracts that's in our agenda packet
for later on today. Are those changes
reflected in this budget already? They
are as well. Yes. And is that a savings
or It's about
$175,000 savings uh as well as an
additional facilities maintenance person
that's covered by that savings uh the
additional savings. So, those are
embedded as well. Um if I might just off
those those good questions and something
that Ruby indicated. One of our tasks
too is to make sure that our line items
accurately reflect the expenditure
um put things in the right place. So
actually this slide right here might be
an example of that is we're just merely
moving it from one general fund
department to the other, but this is a
more appropriate to it. Um there are a
couple of those that went on. Um the
assistant city manager position used to
be mostly in finance. Now it's more in
the city manager budget. So you see the
the city manager budget goes up but the
finance budget goes down. So you just
see a little bit of that just trying to
properly align where it's at. Um and I
don't know if you want to touch on this
Ruby but the fact that the
communications and marketing budget um
wasn't necessarily the best place for uh
uh the community or the uh special
events uh or vice versa. Right. So that
was kind of the budget development side
and as we've restructured some of the
organizational responsibilities as well
um was highlighted that the special
events budget you know was better suited
within um communications and marketing
just on the scale of the work that
they're doing. So basically trying to
fit it in where it best makes sense as
far as those that have oversight of
those functions. So this is exactly what
you see on this slide. Um the
significant component is the increase
and decrease. They did have some
balancing acts between um line items,
but overall the most significant was
that 6 it was last year was 691. This
year their budget 694. So that's why
it's it's different. But 691 was what we
pulled out of that budget as the as what
was sitting in community services. And
then that request came in at
694 into um communications and
marketing. And I take it it's broken
down in some of the data in here
actually what it's being spent on. Yes,
it is. We can get to that when we can.
You don't have to do it. I was just
curious if it was broken down completely
into its own separate category. Yes, it
has its own line item and it's actually
outlined as special events and it and it
has all the um events that it's will be
funding. Perfect. And then go ahead, Mr.
Pet. No, I just getting back to the
parks and the conditions that we've been
challenged with. We you see going out to
bid for parks again because of the
maintenance issues or is it because
staff doesn't have enough staff to
maintain the parks? Well, we we contract
almost all of the maintenance and you're
you're right. We we had a contract with
Excel. We went out to an RFP and then we
switched to another company and now we
switched back to Excel. Uh your call on
when you'd like to direct us to do that.
Too much back and forth probably isn't
isn't helpful, but um something we can
evaluate and we talked about this the
other day. you yourself and the mayor,
could we over time hire the staff that
right now we pay Excel to do? It's an
evaluation that we've, you know, got to
to see whether it's more cost-effective,
greater quality, but right now we
contract almost all of that maintenance
to a private third party um including
what's proposed for the sports complex.
So, I know Tim and Jose do their best,
but if they don't have the staff to stay
on top of it because there's so much
going on, then what do we you know, it's
just we it's hard to maintain them.
That's why Councilman Ortiz brought up
the good point with the sports party.
It's another big animal that's part of
our family to be able to maintain them.
And if we can't do it, well, without
respect to Tim, he's trying to build
bridges. He's got to be paved roads.
Paved roads
and everybody in this team wears more
than one hat and I'm just concerned we
just can't keep up. It's a great point
on two points. One is the mayor probably
has been the the largest voice on if
we're going to build it, we're going to
maintain it. So the question of we've
got this beautiful sports park that's
underway. The question is how do we best
maintain it? Right now we utilize a
third party contractor. Um, if we need a
little more, then we usually just add to
that contract. The point though that
could be evaluated over time is should
we bring on city staff, lower the third
party to do some of that maintenance.
It's something we've considered with
janitorial, something we've considered
uh in other areas as well. But right
now, if if we need more maintenance, we
just pay more to the contractor, which
is in the budget right now for the
sports complex. We've also added a
little bit for the additional medians
that we've we've landscaped. So, we've
built those. We need to make sure they
keep looking nice. So, the number I
believe is another 60,000 a year to them
to make sure that those are maintained.
Good. Mr. Yes, sir.
Mr. Montgomery is the uh the lack of
maintenance. Not that they can't do it,
but if they're going to do the same job
that they do on Davis Field to the new
pole park, it's not adequate. So, do we
have a um
new, you know, like template of work
they need to do because now we have
soccer fields, different size soccer
fields, you know, do we move the things?
Do we mow it? Different mowing. Do we
how often do the ball fields do how
often do they rake the DG? Is that all
in there? somebody making sure they do
it because if it ends up being like
Davis Field in the long run, we pay more
money or or we or it just doesn't
happen. So, it's a brand new piece of
property that needs to be maintained
from the start like a like a good golf
course. You know, you put in the extra
you for the weed control. You put the
stuff in before it does it before it
gets to a point where it's out of
control. So, we can't treat it like all
the rest of them. We actually got to
treat it like it's brand new. The same
with our other landscape. You know, we
got to treat it differently so that it
doesn't get like other time will always
kill things off. That's just natural.
But when you start talking weeds and
stuff or you're not raking fields or
you're not, you know, they don't have to
have a set time when they go and drag
the infield like every Monday and
Friday. They need to really go out and
make sure that they have a checklist to
what they're doing. And it's just not
like Davis Field is mow it up and back
and forth and and until somebody says
something, uh, you know, um, we're not
going to do it. Kind of like the Gophers
and that and they're trying hard. I'm
not knocking them, but I'm just saying
we've invested millions into this thing
to invest a little bit more to make sure
it's maintained. It's probably a smart
investment on our on our part. You bet.
And I'm sure the team is is hearing that
uh hearing that loud and clear. Uh you
know, we do have an older facility. It's
a little harder to maintain. Davis
Fields and then will be the new one. Um
but you make a great point. I think it
was President Reagan that said trust but
verify. So the agreements we have do
specify how often it's supposed to mow,
what's the trimming schedule. It's just
that someone has to verify that they're
doing that work and that is the task of
the team and we'll get that done. And
then one other thing I want to go
backwards for a second on the budget and
and we talked to reserve. We're at 15%.
And now we're going over that. We might
need to re-evaluate that and put it into
different categories or up it to a
different amount so that people
understand what we're doing. it it's a
rainy day fund for later on in case we
do have a big downturn and I I don't
want to get into the same situation when
I first got on council where we were
laying people off and cutting people's
10% salary. Last thing we want to do is
do that. But we also got to be smart
with our money because we got to balance
our budget now. If we need to, maybe we
do need to move it to 17% or put it in
different categories so that we can give
that story to not only our union
partners but also the community is why
we're putting it aside and not spending
it now. So if it's at 15% we're over it.
They can always come back and say,
"Well, you said 15%, you're at 17%.
Why?" Well, because we have other things
we need to do or we're going to invest
it in cars or we're going to ne invest
it in more work. So, we might want to
look at that and reset our priorities so
they know. Perhaps you're about to jump
in. When we bring back the for adoption
in June, we want may want to bring that
policy back as the mayor suggesting, let
the council look at it. What should our
reserve be? I've been in cities where
it's been 20%, I've been at 25%. I've
been there where it's 10%. The 15 is
probably a common number, but we could
split the difference. Um, and it better
protects us. That's music to the ears of
the team that you've hired to maintain
all of these things. Is there cushion
when the economy slips and so wise, very
smart. Well, and if we break it into
cars, so when we do have to do it, we
don't take it out of the general fund.
We can take it out of this. If we have a
reserve for like vehicles and we need to
buy 400,000 and we put that money aside,
then we actually dip into the reserves
to pay for those vehicles so it doesn't
stop our general fund and then we
rebuild it back up for the next time we
do it. But, you know, for strategically
placed things, I think it's pertinent
that we do it and then that way nobody
can really come back and say why is it
there? Why are you putting more money
in? So well I think it's it's probably
wise to visit that as our policy is 15%
of revenues operational revenues and
which at this point I mean at a time
when we're
increasing aggressive because our
revenues were growing and growing but
now that we're seeing that trend and
we're flattening out it may be best to
re-evaluate because we know our costs
continue to go up so maybe flipping it
may be an option at looking at
expenditures for the for the long term.
Okay thank you. You're welcome. And then
I just wanted to recap go back as far as
if you wanted to see those breakdowns of
those events. No, as long as it's in
there, we'll we'll look through them at
another time. I appreciate just want to
make sure. Okay,
perfect. So, we're moving on to non-EP
departmental and measure X. Um here
again, uh what we commit to the in the
non-EP departmental fund. Um these are
the things that run through that are the
significant items that run through as
far as other nonop um non-depart
specific expenditures that kind of
funneled through there but primarily we
have a debt service contribution that we
um contribute uh from the general fund.
We do a small portion. We also have this
is where we talked about the OPED
contribution, the PARs contribution, um
property acquisition funding as well as
well as a LLD uh city contribution that
we provide of 210,000
um measure X again being that we're um
estimating a little bit on the higher
end comparing of all the things that
learned new information today, but this
is the breakdown is fully maximizing our
ability of what we are receiving.
receiving for measure X at this time and
recommending as part of the budget. Um 5
million again the ongoing commitment for
streets and roads. We have the 2017 debt
service that's a commitment of um
obligated from measure X's at 1.2
million. We now have increased um debt
service commitment for the 2022 lease
revenue bonds of 6.7 million which also
we're recommending is an additional 5
million of the 5 million we already
committed um for a set aside fund for
the PD admin building and you'll see
that as we walk through as well in the
uh capital improvement plan. But again,
setting aside these extra resources as
we move forward for that. Again, a
recommendation um staff recommendation
for city council's consideration. And
then what remains of that is about
781,000 that can be uh attributed to all
existing uh what we believe for needed
for existing capital funding. Mr. Gron,
the only thing I have which I mentioned
before and I know that you have tried
diligently to get seaxs to look over our
bonds. I know you have. I I I think
you're better off doing a birthday party
at your house than try to get Cax
together. And I just we have to have
them do their job. I don't know. And I
know that from my understanding from the
last one that was canceled is we had
another member resign. And so it's
important the mayor mentioned it why
they were developed and we need them to
look at this and I would like them again
to look at this budget. Um I mentioned
it before when you a presentation for
the midyear review. Um I think it's
important we do that. So we're actively
trying to coordinate them. Um the the
comm the commissioners
Yeah, please. Okay.
our planning budget uh increased 337,000
in here was if I just wanted to draw
your attention back to we have this on
last couple years a 690,000 was
allocated and but that was a partial um
role of about 470 of that. So this is an
ongoing project which is also an item on
your um agenda tonight for regular
session. Um but this is what's also in
there as well as a addition of one
associate planner um increasing the FTA
account for the city public works um
90,000 overall but in there was a
$300,000 increase to plan check services
but we have um offset that by
anticipated salary savings as well um
significantly due just to the uh
inability to recruit staffing.
Mr.
just had a question regarding the
ability to recruit staff. Is it because
it's the opportunity of salary and
benefits? Are we at a place that we can
because I know that I asked how we were
doing with the engineering staff. They
needed help and I'm trying to
understand. I think you've done well in
every other department, but I know that
they're behind. Um, probably Andrew or
Tim can speak to that. As far as I know
that there have been recruitment efforts
as far as the caliber or the quality of
the the pool that's available. I I would
not be able to speak to that. Um, the
the issue here is because we couldn't uh
couldn't recruit the staff that we felt
would be necessary, we're just hiring it
out to a a third party and that's the
plan check services. So, by taking the
money out of the engineering staffing
and put it into a contract, we're
providing the services. It's just
through a different method because we
couldn't find the the staffing. It is
tough to hire engineers to bring them
out here. And I was surprised at one
time it wasn't a challenge, but things
have changed. But I'm looking at it from
the bigger picture. How's Tim's
department moving these big projects if
he doesn't have the people to do it? And
it's with contract engineers and then
we're doing contract for everything
because we can't find it. Which goes
back to you contracting gardeners versus
what we're doing actually. Yeah. And we
may be able depends on the position.
These planners you mentioned the
addition of planner. It's tough to find
planners.
So and this is good for the public to
know. That's what I'm saying that you're
trying or if they're in college right
now go study planning or engineering. We
we need you. Or dispatching. I'm sorry
chief. There's some other code
enforcement. We We have other needs,
too.
And there's um now we're at parks and
parkways. I know we've talked about that
a bit, but these are all the the um
changes that they've submitted um and
requested as part of their operational
budget um to accommodate a lot of the
increases and operational needs that
have been addressed. Um if you want any
specifics on these, I mean you do see
here u most significant is the sports
complex um and additional landscaping
needed throughout the city
there. Now I think uh we talked about it
before city manager, but when we did we
ever get an estimate on the
landscape maintenance through Desert
Wreck? I know they've been doing the
like bathroom maintenance and that
stuff, but actual turf maintenance.
Yeah. Um, they actually like us, I'll
ask the team here in a second. They
contract with others. They do use a
different company. So, if we did use
them, they would just contract with
somebody. But, did we get a number from
them? I forget. It was high.
So, for them to kind of oversee the
contract, I think it was with Vintage,
which is another company, and it was
something like $200,000 to monitor that
for us. So, it was just cheaper to do it
ourselves. Okay.
Just a quick question. What is the
300,000 for fall protection and shade
structures?
We we have the team the team has done a
great job. I apologize for keep
answering the questions. I know the
time's limited. Um the fact that we're
required by our insurer to make sure
that the surfaces are safe and our
playground systems. Also, we have
requirements that shade is provided. So
we have some of our facilities are not
quite up to that standard and the team
is recognizing that and jumping in to
make those safer uh and shaded which is
also that foam padding and stuff to
maintain it and the shade like at
Bertech or Burr Park that's over the top
of the u jungle gym and that so it's not
so hot when the kids are on it. It's
keeping up with that. That's maintenance
exactly what it is. And that sun just
beats it down. It does. Just makes it
deteriorate. It just beats it down.
just breaks up whether it be the only
Yeah, absolutely. The only thing I was
going to add to council may Ortiz and
looking you bring up a good point, city
manager, the vendors that they have with
Desert Recreation District is how
they're able to stay on top of them.
It's because they probably have the
staff. And when this that scenario did
come up of doing a bid, it was
everything and it was too expensive. And
my advice was, should we try one park
and see what they can do. Should it be
the sports park? Should it be South
Jackson Park? I mean,
uh, I think Councilman Miller and I were
in event in the city and they were
maintaining them. We said, "Why can't
the grass be green?" It was during the
water shortage. So, then council member
went back and he said, "I think we need
to give them more water regardless of
the water shortage." And it was green.
But it's because they have the time. Our
people again are tasked having a
designated person to do it. So, do we
take the risk in trying it, testing
them? The only challenge is we have they
have to come and give us updates on how
they're doing. Yeah. And unless the rest
of the council objects, we can ask for a
price from them for the turf, the the
maintenance of the sports complex
because we have not entered into that
expanded agreement with Excel yet. We
have the money in there, but of course,
it isn't ripe yet. It'll be August,
September. So, unless there's an
opposition, we could compare them.
Here's Excel's price and here is uh
DRD's price and we can try it uh and
compare them because we the price we
received Council Ortiz was about a year
and a half ago and it was for everything
other than the sports complex.
I I think there's always a benefit to
comparing um although I don't want staff
in an endless cycle of of of doing that.
But my concern is always and we'll take
a look at the numbers is by the time you
have DRD and their their fees and then
you have additional administrative fees.
I mean it stacks up to some to to to
something to a number that's that's
huge. um where perhaps we can look at uh
other opportunities for us to uh have
the kind of and level of staffing and
oversight that could allow an even an
even better job rather than two or three
levels of additional third party
administrative fees. I'm just looking at
the other cities that they're doing. I
can name five of them and they're I'm
sure they are and I'm sure there's a
cost for that as well. Well,
unfortunately, you and the business that
you do, sometimes you got to spend money
to make money. This say, we got to
invest in order to get quality. That's
the only thing. I completely agree. I
think there's just different avenues of
of looking at that that level of
comparison to see what we can do. We can
bring it bring it back. Uh, you know, we
would need somebody to monitor the DRD
contract and DRD is monitoring their
contract. I'm confident it would be a
little more expensive. The question is
quality. The point you're making, that's
what the residents are asking. And yeah,
and I think if we start on that one and
we make Excel have a different schedule
and and and
and program like preventive maintenance
on that thing, we could we could
probably accomplish the same thing. But
I'm I'm more happy to open to have DRD
look at it what it cost. One of the
questions I have now now is if we just
do the one park, is that going to hike
the price for the comparison because
they're only doing that one park or are
we going to get a good comparison? Good
point. I will ask that question. Another
thought is you just mentioned that it
it's fairly easy to maintain a brand new
facility. If we really want to challenge
them, it would be Davis fields. That
would be the real test. But we can ask
that question say, you know, well,
there's some economies of scale here if
it was more than just one. Maybe it
could be the sports park, Davis, and
Miles and check with those three or they
could give us a menu. They could give us
a menu pricing and if there's some
economies, I can guarantee they'll be
more than Excel. That's just Vintage
does good work. They're very expensive,
but they do very good work. I give them
high kudos for what they do. Should we
try to go straight to Vintage? Well, we
we'd have to go out and bid them. We'd
still have to bid. It'd still have to be
I think they did submit a bid and it was
it was high. So, I mean, I'm not against
that. I I just like I said, Excel I
think if you set their standards of what
you're looking at them to do and make
sure that you keep up on it. I mean, if
we have to spend $200,000 more for them
to oversee our contract, would it be
easier for us to hire our own person and
have them do nothing but parks
themselves and take the
otherundund,000 or 75,000 and put it
back in the parks? But it's good to bid.
I'm not against I'm just thinking we
need to look at our options right now
because we've been going back and forth
over the past couple of years and the
quality I mean it's gotten better,
right?
But some of the other cities where it
does Rex involved really on the
maintenance that you really got to
follow. It's all preventive. It's the
aeropine. It's the fertilization. It's
the weed control. It's it's really doing
exactly what it was because what always
happens like anything else, you look at
it and it looks great. So, oh, we'll
skip that application. Then all of a
sudden the weather changes or that and
the weeds come out or all of a sudden
there's the fertilizer doesn't work
because you didn't put it down right and
you throw out fertilizer and you're
trying to figure out why it didn't turn
green. Well, it's not going to absorb.
It's already gone dormant. So, it's
really making sure you follow the
preventive maintenance practices like
everything else. That's why you always
see golf courses so beautiful and green
and lush because no matter what happens,
they follow that schedule. Yeah, it's
it's a schedule. So, but yeah, we can
look at it. I mean, it's it's a big
investment that we have and that sports
park is going to be a hit with our
community once it opens up. It just is.
So, okay. So, good for that. All right.
Okay. Sorry, we got off on a tangent off
the That's what we're here for, right? I
mean,
So, these are the last two of of these
modifications. Again, highlighting the
PD. Obviously, you I highlight 281,000
versus the 1.6 million. Again, it was
alluded more to, but I wanted to
identify the body warn cameras and what
the onetime purchase and it actually
it's there's grant funding tied to this
um that they're purchasing. And then
again what we talked about is the fire
ambulance going up another million.
Again I I just wanted to remind you that
they do have a high estimate. John and I
had the privy of sitting in on a meeting
with them and trying to go through that
and we are trying to get more detail and
more information. Um but you know we do
budget not at the max end and they do
definitely um provide an estimate at the
higher end right fully burdened but also
at the higher end of what the potential
staff would be be at. But we do adjust
down. But even us adjusting down, we're
still facing a million dollar um impact
there.
Mayor, if I may interject,
um special assignment, he did let me
know that before the council meeting,
but he is um watching online and he's
taking notes and and texting me
information. So, I am sharing with him
the comments about possibly having a
study session after the budget's done to
explore some of these different options
for the firing ambulance contract. Yeah,
this is pertinent that we it's just a
million dollar every year. Like I said,
we can only put in so many wing stops.
So, you know, eventually it'll cut into
the service. I'd rather be ahead of the
curve than behind the curve. Yeah, he's
logged in. He's taking notes on that.
Tom, we appreciate it. Tell him. Thank
you. Definitely.
You lost your mic. It looks like. Sorry
about that. Just a reiteration here on
measure X of what we've talked about the
breakdown just in just in
summary. And here's just our authorized
and amended positions. Overall um you
know for 2425 we started with 349. We've
had some changes and um the we've had a
decrease in one FTE
um and then increasing two in the
proposed budget which will bring us to
350 recommended FTEES um if approved um
with this budget cycle. Okay.
Um any questions regarding that? Open to
the council fire away depending on what
you guys want to talk about. So Okay.
Okay. So, we can Yep. We can't have any
more wing stops, but can we have more
In-N-Outs or handles ice cream or, you
know, there's got to be I'm not not
knocking wings stop. I'm just saying you
can only have so many fast food
restaurants opening up at a time that we
really need to kind of get some kind of
other
catchers to things like that are going
to are make a difference. Family stores,
clothing stores, shops, our mall. Mall.
The mall.
what goes in the mall. No, if I may.
Sure. Absolutely. Um I think the only
thing that again I'm on a concern
because the city manager put it a good
point. We've invested a lot in the
public safety. Um I know that I think
the last time I looked before I retired,
we were we're at e either 81 or 83. I
think we're at 81. And and I think when
the council, if I remember when we're do
doing fin presentations to our budget to
the bodies. We It was a goal that you
would have five every year. So, I think
you're at the fourth or fifth year of
having five every year um from staffing
invested into it. That's one. Second, uh
I know that Tim's team has tried
everything to get our mobile equipment
going. There's been all kinds of
downfalls, but the last we have vehicles
that are pushing 120,000 still. Even
though you put a good dent in it, it's
not as much as it was. But you're still
going to have about at least maybe a
half a dozen to eight that have 108. And
anything over 110, it's no longer safe.
It's it's costing more putting it on the
road. Um your our fleet supervisor has
been doing triage like a mash unit with
our vehicles, taking parts from other
cars, parts that not available. Um, and
some of those vehicles do not have to be
frontline police pursuit vehicles. They
can be support vehicles. Um, some of the
cars, even the unmarked, they can be
done locally. I know it because I dealt
with three or 400 units myself. So, I'm
thinking from experience, but we need to
do something. It's when it's three in
the morning and it's August and
nothing's working on you and everybody's
home, you depend on that vehicle. So,
and that goes for all the public safety
vehicles. That's my comments on that. Do
we have an update, Tim, on where the
vehicles are, the ones that are in doing
right now that we're working on?
If you could just And maybe Tim, as you
think of as you're walking up, uh I I
think the purch 25 PD vehicles we bought
in the last two years. You'll remind 22
23, but that took a big hit. Go ahead.
I'm sorry. Yeah, we we got uh we got the
majority of them almost delivered. Uh we
got probably a couple of them that we're
still working on them, but we've
replaced a lot of them, but we still
have a few more to go and we have a
little bit of of budget. Uh but with the
city manager, what he recommended that
we start from now saving because in 10
years from now, we'll probably need to
replace everything that we replace
today. So, we're trying to set aside
some money for the future for the
replacement as we continue to replace
the current fleet as the prices continue
to go up and availability of vehicles.
It's just a huge challenge and then you
know as soon as we deliver one
unfortunately we lose one for in an
accident or something like it gets
totaled and you know accidents happen.
So, so it's a
continual challenge, but we're working
on it. We're doing the best we can. The
vehicle crisis didn't help us any
because he had to get everything at
once. So, that means everything
literally ends at once. It's the same
thing with staffing. If you hire 20
people at one time, they're going to
retire within that time period. So, no,
I get it. But I'm just saying is that we
can't just stop. We have to kind of
figure it out. There's I know that there
was downsizing of vehicles. That doesn't
always work in the desert either. It's
it's a hazard. Some can can do it. I
know you've done a really good job in
public works. I mean, but that's your
baby and I can understand. I know the uh
the water department's done a really
good job, but both of them are essential
because we need them. I'm just saying
let's not I just didn't see what it was
in the budget for the public safety side
of it. But I I'm just bringing it out
that we need to look at. If we're just
five or six away from what we already
have, it's better than we were at 30.
That's I'm just saying there is a
replacement schedule. The point you're
making and my recollection Ruby is
$750,000 is in fleet now. What's needed
some public safety, some other city
vehicles. So that's what's proposed in
this year's 750 700 annually. Yes. Well,
this coming fiscal year. It's been 500
in the past, but we to Tim's point, we
need to set set aside a little more to
replace all these that are yet to be
done. So, we moved that up from 500 500
to 750. I did see the 750, but when it
was broken down, I didn't see those
other vehicles that were able to be. So,
and I I brought it to the mayor because
I wanted to be sure what we were talking
about. And we kind of did what you
figured maybe about another 400,000,
maybe
420,000 at least. That was a ballpark
because I wanted to be sure before I
said what I said today. I might I know
we're going to be running out of time,
but as Ruby went through the pluses and
the expenditures and revenues in the
general fund, there was about $500,000,
which isn't tons of cushion, but if you
chose and said, you know what, we could
make that u
$319,000. Let's put another
$200,000 into fleet vehicles. this is
the time to kind of give us that
direction and may not be a bad
investment in light of of of the needs.
In addition, Mr. City Manager, we did
not spend all of our 750 from this year.
We still owe some of the money for the
upfitting. So, we may have a little bit
of cushion from this current fiscal
year. We want to clean up whatever we
have remaining and then we will look at
it. But an additional $200,000 will
definitely go a long way. But even the
the manufacturers and the outfitters,
the people that outfit them, they've
been so behind. They're still the Tim's
been waiting. Francisco's been waiting
for those cars. Even when I retired, we
were still waiting. It did everything.
It took us almost two and a half years
to deliver the ones that we the 20 that
we bought a while back uh during co
right after. Yeah. Well, there's people
waiting for cars to be able to go in the
field. is Tim is Tim. Is any of those
pieces of equipment on that? Is it
equipment or it's just vehicles of the
750,000?
Uh, no. The the 750 You mean the one for
next year? Yeah. The 750 is vehicle
replacement. Vehicles only. Well, it
Well, the vehicle replacement usually
includes the upfitting cost. So, the 750
is all what we get, okay, for vehicles
and upfitting of each unit. So mind you,
each each one of the uh police units is
probably in the upward of $100,000
upfitted. So it's the 750 is not a lot
of Yeah. And and what are we looking at
in terms of any kind of equipment? Is
there any big equipment we're buying as
part of this budget too? We're not
planning on it. Not not this next fiscal
year. No. Because the only reason I say
that is if I look at it, I I would think
maybe measure X or E. You know what I'm
saying? And if we had to do a one time,
if we were buying a big piece of
equipment, we could take that off and
say it's 300, say it's a dump truck,
it's 350,000, we could pay it as a
onetime project, take that 350 and put
it into cars, you know, like a onetime
deal if we had to. So I just just
curious we had any big piece of
equipment that is going to last because,
you know, if we get a big skip loader or
a dump truck, they're a good 10, 15 year
vehicle. You know, we don't drive them
that much. They outlive the pickup
truck. Yeah, they out. So I that's all I
was just trying to bring. trying to be
creative without cutting our $500,000
down. We're already cutting it very,
very close. And we know we're going to
have some adjustments on taxes and that.
We will definitely be looking at
possibly a new street sweeper here
pretty soon, too. I mean, the street
sweeper is the one that takes a lot of
hit. The newer one that that we got has
been doing a great job, but I have three
other old ones that we're just limping
on these and eventually we're just going
to have to bite the bulletin and buy
another one. So, our team has a
replacement schedule. we could just send
that to you assuming that you
appropriate the 750. Here's what's on
the schedule to be replaced so you have
an FYI on it. So, and we're lucky we
have the replacement schedule because we
eliminated it one time and it killed us.
We went to leasing and it was horrible.
Yeah. But, you know, at the same time,
we're very blessed in ways that, you
know, we have a balanced budget and a
lot of people can't say that. I've been
here, this is 17 years now, and we've
had a lot of times where we've made
massive cuts and we didn't have the
staff and we didn't have the things. So,
this is really actually a good problem
to have is that we're we're looking at
advancing. We're putting money away in
our in our pars and other retirement
accounts. We're putting money in our in
our, you know, reserves. We're buying
equipment. We're doing other stuff.
We're fixing $5 million worth of
streets. A lot of very good positive
things. So my hats off to all the staff
and and our residents. So well said
maybe the CIP slides real quick. Not
sure if Yeah. Do you have a few? And
there is an ID IWA set, but we'll
probably do at the very end if you want
just because I think we'd like to get
your input or just maybe just to inform
me where it's at. This won't surprise
you. Uh and this is in your packet. So
the the green binder that um Ruby
prepared has a a pull out spread of
those projects. Almost all of those
there you already have approved. Yes,
that's it has orange on it. You've
already approved. And so if you see
money in there, it's not that we um are
asking for new money. Those that's just
rollover for projects that um have not
quite been completed and some of the the
purchases, some of the costs will will
take place next fiscal year. So really
all you see is an additional $8 million
for Monroe, right? and an additional
five million to complete the payo
portion of the uh headquarters building.
So where in the past with my predecessor
Mark Scott, we had the above the blind,
below the line, above the line, and even
my during my tenure, we had quite a bit
of projects to go back and forth on. Y
doesn't mean we can't do a lot of
shuffling, but we know that Monroe is
going to cost much more than we had
thought. Y um and that the PD building,
you've already approved, but we just
needed to make one more allocation to
meet the expectations. So, not much to
say on the CIP other than that, but
certainly as you review that, let us
know if you have any other questions.
And I'm sure there a couple other
slides. Um, well, the slides go through.
What's our current estimate on Monroe?
It's like 170 174. That's insanity.
No, the $40 million increase is
insanity. Well, we're at 117 last time,
right? Yeah. No, they they bid out a job
in TmAcula and increase it by But I'm
glad you asked that question because
this will be bid in about about a year
from now in the spring. Let's pray
literally that it comes in much cheaper
than this $40 million excess. If it does
and we don't need to move all that eight
over to Monroe, we can sit down at mid
year and say, "Hey, there are two or
three million you can allocate to some
other projects." Just right now, we
don't know until it's biz. How much do
we have saved so far? It's 26 million.
We have 26 with this 8 million. It will
be 26. Is that right? Yes. So the 40
million was a high prediction based on
what comes what Mayor Pro Tim said would
happen in Tmacula. That's the high.
We're going the high so we can track
down low. Let's hope it's less. And
Tmacula is a very difficult animal
because of that freeway is so busy and
everything else. I know the interchange
there. It's a difficult interchange to
close and do stuff and they're going to
do stuff at night. So hopefully ours
isn't, but that's insanity. 68 million
for Jefferson, which was a large lot
bigger project. I know it's a few years,
but not that much. That that's like
almost g that's gouging. So we hope
we're wrong and we hope it comes in much
much less. Um so let's go skin through
those just quickly. I know our time's
limited. These these are you can see
these. They're already approved
projects. You know, 44 bridge. Um the
next one, next one, next one. Maybe
there's one that has a summary. So the
streets are in there again. Uh the fiber
one is
a we received a grant for that the 8 8.7
million um but I wanted to draw
attention to just three things quickly.
The next one um take your time
maybe the next right there. Um you will
see that you've approved funding for
Miles Avenue skate park, John Noble's
Park and George Dog Park. You'll see
that in that spreadsheet. We have not
started those yet. And one reason is,
you know, where to exactly put those. We
have applied for the second phase of the
sports complex and we've gone through
the first step and received a positive
nod. Um, it's approximately $7.5 million
grant, but we have to match that with
7.5 million. So, here are a few projects
you can play with. there's a couple
million dollars there, but we're holding
back because we may need to come up with
seven and a half million to finish the
sports
complex or we don't do phase two. Um, so
I just want to let you know those are in
in the budget, but I put the word pause
just to let you know we've been kind of
pausing waiting to is this where you
want it to spend? Um, so something we
can discuss certainly at the June
meeting, you know, do you want those in
or out? Should we hold them in obeyance
until we know if if the sports complex
is coming up or not? Or should you want
us to go build them and we can go build
them? Okay. Uh John Nobles, for example,
is the developer. It's the parcel behind
the mall. The the ideal would be to wait
till there's a developer and work it
into their project. But if you like us
to go build it, we could just plop
a build around that park. So your your
direction, your call,
but I think that's it other than the IWA
portion.
Would you like to proceed with the IWA
or
Yes. Okay. I'll go back few slides.
They did a great job. So, it would take
a a lot of time, but Ray's here and
available to answer questions.
So for IWA for the 20 2526 um
recommended operating and capital budget
um we'll go over the proposed revenues
for 2526 um as you see there's a slight
decrease that's in here 28 24.8 8
million. And what's driving this is
basically as as you also have another
item later today on the regular business
is uh regarding the rate study um and
the rate hearing. And so we're actually
taking those estimates per that study as
far as what our current revenues and how
they've been projected out. So that's
why you see that that change in um
decline
there and it doesn't assume any in
potential increases at
all. And then as we discussed
operational same impact increased um exp
expenditures in terms of operations um
the IWA staff did an excellent job on
providing me all that contact. Um this
is just a breakdown overall of that they
have an expected $36.5 million in in
expenditures and a significant portion
of that is a transfer out of $10 million
to fund capital projects on um for
existing infrastructure. Um what you see
here is nothing is highlighted there as
far as a CIP for Chromium 6. Um and
again that's that ongoing conversation
at this point. The 1.3 million that was
allocated prior year was for the design
for that. And Ray, am I missing
anything? No. Okay. And so that in
summary is for uh IWA and in summary
this is how it breaks down in terms of
our operating revenues and we will have
a allocation of 11.7 million 11 11.7
million from um um unrestricted fund
balance uh to attribute to the
operations um including the capital
needs and the one-time needs of uh
IWA. And in a nutshell, that's IWA and
in terms of operations and these are
diff funds that they actually are um
planning to to use throughout the year.
Um and these are consistent with what
has been provided prior. These are
necess um in essence rollover projects
as well where we're giving a $200,000
annual contribution to ERA as well as
continuing the Avenue um and Madison
Street pipeline project at 3.8 million.
Other than that, that's all we have for
IWA. Happy to answer any questions.
Sure. Uh Ray, could you give us is is
there any big ticket items that are
coming in for that CIP uh budget that
you want us to keep in mind?
Yeah, the major ticket items are
consistent with public works. We're
contributing towards the 44th bridge.
So, we have a pipeline going through
there. Addition to that, as we spoke, we
have a regional project with Coachella
Valley Water District, which is an
additional 1 million plus in terms of uh
real uh relocating a pipeline. Oh,
that's right. Uh we have a Which project
is that? That's a uh the storm water
project uh located about 42nd in
Madison. Okay. Yeah. So, it's a regional
project where one of our pipes is is uh
has to be relocated to to make room for
that storm water which benefits India on
the north side when we have the excess
rains. Uh in addition to that, we just
awarded 1.5 million that'll be spent in
this fiscal year for retrofitting the
three wellhead treatment plants for
chromium 6 and that'll uh bring us into
compliance. We would have to shut down a
few wells until we get additional
funding, but the goal here is to comply
with existing. So those are the major
factors in our uh $10 million CIP 1.5
for retrofitting. What do you mean by
that? That means we have three existing
facilities that were built back in 2015
for wellhead treatment for chromium 6.
What we want to do is bring them back to
par. Meaning that we want to make sure
and replace any of the equipment on
there so that we can fully utilize them
rather than spending about 30 million to
replace them. We want to make the best
use of the existing life cycle of those
plants. In addition to that, we also
want to retrofit them or add components
that allows us to uh bring a vendor to
clean the vessels within the vessel and
not store hazardous waste on site. So,
it is a retrofit to utilize a vendor to
remove the hazardous waste while
regenerating our on-site uh ion exchange
resin. Uh again, for 1.5 million for all
three facilities. Got it. uh at the end
of the day what we're trying to do is uh
make the best use of the existing life
cycle of the investment made back in
2015. Okay. Thank you. Thank you very
much. Any other questions of the IWA or
CIP? No. Thank you. Yeah. Well, with
that concludes um our presentation and
and in terms of the study session. Um
other than that, we are just looking for
council direction on how you would like
us to proceed. if you would look for or
would like us to proceed as presented,
make adjustments and come back with the
recommended budget come the first
meeting in June at the leisure of the
council.
My is the comments that we gave to
incorporate and come back with with
answers with that everything that we
made comments on and you're talking
about with the car vehicles the parks
parks okay the stuff that we pointed out
I think we mentioned fire as well right
fire yeah that's going to be a longterm
discussion but I mean at least give us a
direction where that's the platform
we're working on you good with that me
yes you got what you need thank you
thank All right, with that we will
adjourn our study session at 4:10 and
move into close session. Can I have roll
call, please? Uh, for the record, all
council members are present except for
uh council member Weman Perman. Okay,
and at this time we'll do item number
two, which is public comment. Is there
anybody here wishing to speak or is
anybody in the queue? Sabdi.
Okay, with that we'll go on to item
number three now is adjourn to close
session to consider uh 3.1 which is
conference with legal council potential
litigation pursuant to government code
section
54956.9D and one case and please let the
record reflect that Councilman Wayman
Ferman has joined us for close session
and we'll adjourn to close session.
Thank you. He smells very nice. He does.
I wonder what I said. I didn't
ready something.
Good evening everyone. We're going to
call the regular session of the city
council meeting to order. If we could
have roll call, please. Council member
Gron present. Council member Ortiz
present. Council member Ferman present.
Mayor Prom Holmes present and Mayor
Miller present. This time if you could
all rise if you'd like with us. We have
a invocation by Pastor Tony Williams of
Love of Christ Community Church. And Mr.
Williams, if you could stay after you're
done. We have a very special lady that's
going to do the flag salute. We'd like
to talk to you.
Let's please uh bow our heads, close our
eyes. Father God, we just bless you. We
praise you. We thank you, Lord. We as
the city of India just are gracious,
Lord. We're we're grateful that you've
given us a fine city, that you've given
us a great community, and Lord, you've
given us uh governance and you've given
us stewardship. So, let everyone that
has decision-m ability be wise stewards.
Consult you for wisdom and guidance. And
Lord, let's not forget the least of us
because the least of us matter the most.
And as we endeavor to do your work, let
us do it with a smile. Let us do it with
integrity and let us do it with courage,
Lord, knowing that if we do something
for somebody else, it's done for us. So
Lord, please we turn this meeting over
to you and we just ask you to govern it
and do what you will. In the name of
Jesus, we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you
all. Thank you, Pastor Williams. Now, we
have a special guest going to do our
flag salute. Uh Reagan Hunter from
Amelia Heheart Elementary School. Reagan
is a fifth grader at Amelia Heheart
Elementary School. She's an active
member of ASB, participates in theater,
and proudly earned the title of runner
up in a school spelling bee. In her free
time, Reagan loves hanging out with her
friends, singing along to Taylor Swift,
a Swifty, getting creative with crafts,
and playing soccer. During the summer,
she enjoys going to the lake with her
family where she has fun water skiing,
kneeboarding, and tubing with her
brothers. Side note, Steve Robbins was
her grandfather. and your father was
grandfather was a great man. Please, the
floor is yours.
Ready, begin.
Allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic
for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. All right. Very
nice. We got a little swag bag for you.
Don't go. I want you to be the envy of
your school.
Did an amazing job here. Let's go out
front. We'll get a little picture real
quick and then Mr. Williams, when you're
done, can you come on up?
Oh, Mr. Williams, don't go away. And if
I can bring the the city council down,
we have a little presentation for
you. Come on. Youth Advisory Council.
For those of you that don't uh know Tony
Williams, uh you're going to hear a
little bit about him. Most of you
probably do. He's he's a great man. Not
only is he a good family man, loves his
his community, loves his church, he's
actually the lead pastor along with his
beautiful wife of Love of Christ
Community Church. But he also spent over
30 years working with the Boys and Girls
Club changing people's lives, changing
young people's lives to have a great
opportunity here in the city of India
and has worked many years and has
retired. But we are here to honor you
and we got a a proclamation here. And
I'm just going to read a few words
because you deserve it and we're going
to let you say a few words and bring up
any of your friends and family and
whatever you'd like to do because it's
your day. So, we're honoring Pastor Tony
Williams whereas uh Pastor Tony Williams
has dedicated his life to service,
mentorship, and leadership, positively
impacting the lives of countless youth
here in the Coachella Valley. And
whereas Tony Williams joined the Boys
and then the Boys and Boys Club in 1974
as the young age of seven, beginning a
lifelong affiliation with the Boys and
Girls Club of Coachella Valley that
spanned five decades until his
retirement as director of operations in
December 2024. And whereas a young boy
attending the India club, Tony found
guidance and support from dedicated
mentors such as Dave Eisens, Jim Ducat,
Danielle Gordon, and Grady Gordon who
installed in him the values of
perseverance, self-worth, and courage of
of dream big. And whereas with the
support of a scholarship from the
organization, Tony pursued higher
college education at College of the
Desert and later earned his division one
scholarship to Cal State University
Fullerton, demonstrating his commitment
to excellence both academically and
athletically. And whereas Tony Williams
further showcased his dedication and
talents as a professional athlete
playing a defensive back for Ottawa Ruff
Riders of the Canadian Football League.
Go Rough Riders. Tony further uh
showcased or excuse me uh whereas
following his athletic career Tony
returned to the Boys and Girls Club of
the Coachella Valley where he dedicated
over 30 years of employment steadily
rising through the ranks to serve as
director of operations for over a decade
ensuring that generations of youth
received the same mentorship and
guidance that he had shaped his own
life. And whereas beyond his
professional contribution, Tony Williams
also dedicating himself to spiritual and
community leadership, serving alongside
his wife Melissa, as pastors of Love of
Christ Community Church, continuing to
inspire and uplift those around him. Now
whereas be it resolved that I, Glenn
Miller, mayor of the city of Indo, along
with the great Indo city council, do
hereby recognize and honor Pastor
Williams for his outstanding
contributions to youth, families, and
the greater community of Indo and the
Coachella Valley and extend heartfelt
appreciation for your longtime service
and dedication here on the 7th of 2025,
Tony Williams Day. How you like that?
[Applause]
here. I mean, I have my Is this thing
on?
I usually just speak one way, but you
you made a mistake. Uh, mayor, you gave
a preacher the mic.
Um, I have my wife Melissa. She's pastor
of the church as well. We co-founded
Love of Christ Community Church.
We've been in ministry for now 30 years.
Um, started in 1996 and served under a
few pastors. Then we went out on our own
13 years ago. Uh, still preaching and
teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Man, I can't believe I got a Tony
Williams
day. Mayor said it, so it's got to be
true. I just came back from there with
my my granddaughter.
Um, I I'm just I'm honored. I'm I'm
really uh speechless in a way. Um, I was
telling my wife, I don't know if it's
even a big deal um because I have so
much more work to do. Um, I've been
blessed. I've been fortunate. I've had
great mentors, great guidance. I've had
great opportunities. I've been a fair
child. And I tell people I'm I'm Indo's
boy. I'm Indo's favorite son. And I mean
that with my whole heart. Uh, I've been
nothing but loved here. I've been
nothing but respected here. I've been
nothing but given opportunities since
the time I was very young here. And, uh,
I could never do enough in this
community to repay the people and the
legacy that's been before me. So, I'll
always endeavor to my very best. You
have, uh, a retired person from one
position, but, uh, we're about to do
some stuff uh, with the homeless, drug
addicted. We're about to do some stuff
with the mental health people. We're
about to do something to help people
start changing their lives in impactful
ways. I gave a teaching about ago and I
was teaching on um the different animals
and birds and things from the ground all
the way up and a lot of the different
animals and different insects. They do a
lot of things similar but every last one
of them does something unique. So it's
okay that we do something similar but we
always have to do something unique. So
the Lord has got blessed us with certain
skill sets, certain talents, certain
people in our church that we can do
things that are similar but at the same
time we can make an impact that's
unique. So, we're about to go to work in
a different level. I'm I'm glad I got
you all here with the uh with the with
the a city manager because I'm about to
start knocking on you guys' doors a
little bit. And uh I got Ben. I I raised
Ben, too. I raised Oscar. I raised Way.
I did. I raised these guys. And uh not
so much Ben. Ben and I are more like
Pierce, but I was a couple years older
than him. So, I raised him, too.
But the reason why I don't have his mind
is because of people like you.
But uh that being said, we're we're
we're we're going to go to work in a
more um more focused way, a more
in-depth way, a more way that we partner
more to help more and uh with the
balance of life that the Lord has given
me. I'm going to make some more changes
that that make an impact. I'm not going
to give people things. I'm going to go
listen to see what people need and help
them with the things that they need. and
uh we're going to need to partner
together because because we can't do it
all by ourselves. But do know this, I'm
grateful. I'm beyond, you know, words. I
I I I appreciate everything that the
city has done for me uh personally and
everything that you endeavor to do for
the people that we serve as our clients.
And let's always serve the least of
them. I I would like to bring my wife up
though.
[Applause]
a few words on their behalf.
Yes.
Uh I I just want to say uh Pastor
Melissa, thank you for uh letting us
borrow him sometimes and uh thank you
for your work also because we know it
does take a team and and by the looks of
the folks here that is uh shows that it
also takes a village. So everything you
said we underscore, but specifically to
you pastor, thank you for your
commitment to the city. Thank you to
those folks, including myself, that you
had a hand in nurturing and bringing up,
not just bringing up, but still being
included in their lives today. And I I I
want to be short because I want to give
people time to speak, but I want to
share something that the pastor always
does with us when we go to our men's
group. Um, he leaves us with something
and and and you think about it all week
and then you think about the end of the
month to our next group. And one of
those things is is today is my best day,
right? Today is your best day. Today is
his best day and today is Tony Williams
day. And so that's great.
Congratulations on all your achievement
retirement from one endeavor, but the
work is still there and we have work to
do and you have a partner in all of us.
Thank you.
Excellent. Yes. I mean, first of
all, first of all, I look forward to
what you have coming down the pike. I'm
really looking forward to it. I came
here 20 years ago. I was introduced to
you and boy, the the difference you make
in people's lives. Thank you for
everything you've done for the kids and
the youth. You have saved some. You have
nurtured some. Um you have really taken
the taken this kids in in this community
and helped them build. And I appreciate
that. I'm sure they appreciate that. And
God bless you and everything that you
do.
[Applause]
Well, I I first met Pastor Williams as a
bronze father when I was playing on the
high school basketball team. And uh the
pastor would show up once in a while and
set us straight a little bit, but he
really gave us a really good example of
how to be um just respectful, have a
good vision for our community, how to be
community based in our decisions. So,
really appreciate all that guidance and
even today helping us with guidance as
adults. you're still there for us,
sharing your life with us, sharing your
wisdom with us, um just uh being able to
share all that wisdom that um we need at
this moment in these tough times. So, we
just really appreciate uh Pastor Melissa
as well as sharing your husband with us,
man, and also giving us your guidance
and uh both of you have done so much
work at the Boys and Girls Club and also
at at the church and you just continue
to give and you're a great example for
us um who are looking up to you and
watching all the great things that you
do in our community. So, just want to
say that I appreciate you and thank you
again.
I can't say any more than it's already
been said, but I can tell you one thing.
Your heart is there and your heart
doesn't leave you since the day we met.
You mentioned people like Grady Gordon.
You mentioned people like Jim Dat. Those
are people that I have respect. God
bless. But Jim Dott's still there. What
they put in you, put in all of us, put
in us. We're products of people that we
looked up to. and you're continuing that
cause. The other thing that you did is
me seeing you with this vision. Hey Ben,
I got to find a place to do church. I
got to find a place to do church. And I
always brag about that because you're so
determined. I would find you in places
throughout the city park vision what
that church would look like. So you went
to a part of a city that needed that
love. You went to a part of the city
that needed it was challenged. You've
completely changed that whole
neighborhood. You put life into that
church that is has done well. members of
your congregation all over the city, but
it's because of what your spiritual lead
is what's making a difference and you're
continuing that path. So, thank you.
Listen, none of this would be possible
without you. Uh, please say a few words.
Well, I would say thank you to making a
Tony Williams senior day.
Yes.
Put the senior in there. Yes, I did.
because Junior's right right behind
right there with vision. Um I would just
say that um I'm thankful and grateful to
be in this city. Um I know how much my
husband loves the city of India. And
when I say that he loves the city of
India, there are not too many things
that I'm able to do behind the scenes if
it does not include the city of India.
um because there was so many
opportunities for us to be able to be in
other cities, but he loves the city of
Indo. And so we want to, you know, um
put our stamp here and do what we need
to do for the city of Indo and u for the
people of India. And so um thank you for
this opportunity. And honey, I'm so
proud of you. So proud of you.
And and the city of India loves both of
you. So let's take a
picture. I just want to acknowledge our
church members if you can wave. You guys
can
wave and nothing nothing it might be my
day but nothing that I've done has been
by myself. So I want to acknowledge
that Eden it's my day.
She's saying give him the mic. Give him
the mic.
[Applause]
Yeah. Oh yeah, we got
the next presentations, right? So, next
we have uh our presentations of our new
new employees and the city manager so uh
thoughtfully told me that uh yeah, we
should all stay down here. So, save you
some exercise. Hey, it's my it's my
great honor to introduce the newest
members of our employee team. And as a
fellow Indo resident, I present them to
you. they're listening and specifically
to the mayor and city council as people
that are worthy of the positions they've
been assigned and people that are going
to make a difference uh for us here here
in India. So, as I call your name,
please come forward and uh we do have a
little swag bag for you. I know the
council will want to congratulate and
welcome you. And if you can stay up
here, we'll take a group photo. So, uh,
we we're bringing back because, uh, this
member of our team was here previously
and we brought him back as a principal
planner, uh, Gus Gomez.
[Applause]
The the chief's going to be our swag bag
man.
It's great to have Gus back with
us. Thanks. Hold tight right here.
Thank you, Chief. Um, as an accountant
in our finance team, uh, America
[Applause]
Fuentes. These team members are coming
with a lot of experience, dedication to
the public service. Thank
you. Um, in the city manager's office,
administrative assistant Jackie Sanchez.
[Applause]
She just skipped over you. She knows you
guys.
We're all family now at this point.
Raise your swag back.
Melissa Deler, dispatcher.
[Applause]
We've added some great members to our
dispatch team. Diane
Welcome again. Thank you. Um uh we have
a community program aid that wasn't able
to be with us this evening, Vanessa
Valencia. We certainly welcome her. We
have a uh an interesting and um
progressive program to bring people into
this the team that um are working their
way to a career. We call them fellows.
Some entities call them interns. So I'd
like to introduce our planning fellow,
Jose Tortois.
[Applause]
So, he's gonna greet them all.
He's a planner. He He planned it out.
Welcome again, Jose. Hold tight. The
chief's here.
Um, we Is Victoria here? No. But we have
Victoria Tariqz and Dea Lopez who are
also uh fellows that are working within
the uh city manager and the marketing
department. So we can welcome Victoria
and Dea at another time. We also have a
uh senior planner who is part-time but
retired from another place and he enjoys
the desert and we decided to put him to
work. Uh Scott Albbright, if you want to
come forward.
[Applause]
Scott's in addition to our planning team
brings a lot of experience. Not that the
gray hair shows that.
Sandy gray. Sandy gray. Desert gray.
Oh, that's right. Scott, welcome. We got
a little bag for you. So, again, I want
to want to commend uh these members of
the team for those that going to help
make India even better. Uh using our
tagline, uh they're ready to take uh
center stage. Great. All right. So,
mayor, I know you want to say a few
words. Uh, just quickly, welcome to the
Indial family. You know, we we love our
employees. They are the front line of
everything that makes the city great.
You are the first people that they see.
Council, we're here to help. So,
anything we can do to help, please let
us know. And for all the people out
there in Indo and are watching us, we
are always looking for good people that
want to come work for us. So keep an eye
out for uh our HR and and different
positions here and come volunteer for
commissions or try and be a part of it.
We want you to be a part of the city of
India. It's your city. We work for you.
God bless you and thank all of you for
coming. Let's take a picture. Big round
of
applause. Squeeze in here. So you'll be
better seen.
Give a warm welcome again.
Great
stuff. Thank you again, Mr.
Williams for attending. And with that,
we'll move on to item number six, which
is the uh youth advisory
council. Oh, let me let me do one thing
first. Uh do we have a report out of
close session? City attorney.
I don't know. It was not in close. There
was no reportable action. Then there was
no reportable action. Thank you very
much. With that, we'll move on to item
number six now, which is the youth
advisory council.
Good evening, city council members. My
name is Vianka and I am the current Yak
mayor. As we get closer to the end of
our year, we are trying to get in as
many events and volunteering
opportunities as possible. Since our
last
meeting, the youth council has has
attended several events. First, a couple
of our members attended Chella at center
stage. We were excited to see so much
activity going on downtown and the
amount of people there and we definitely
had a lot of fun enjoying the artists.
Next, Yak volunteered at the Arbor Day
event. We helped some of the council
members, community members, and public
works plant trees at the South Jackson
Park. We had a lot of fun learning about
trees and how to properly plant them so
that they grow healthily. Finally, we
would like to remind everyone that our
annual mental health hike will take
place on May 16th at the Badlands Trail
in India at 7 a.m. Thank you. And that
concludes my report. Thank you. And
would you like to stay or would you like
to be excused? Uh, I can stay. Okay.
Wonderful. Thank you. And uh, city
manager, if we could make sure we get
that hike maybe up on the website, maybe
get a a Facebook post out so people know
that it's available and the
opportunities are out there, that would
be great. And with that, we'll move on
to item number seven now, which is city
manage report and information. Thank
you, mayor. Um, this weekend on
Saturday, we have our Assada Fest. I
know we've well advertised the event.
There'll be great food, great fun, great
music from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. here
downtown. So, please uh join us this
Saturday. And as always, the food truck
Fridays um every Friday night here at
the Citrus or the Cactus Plaza. And uh
of course we have our farmers market
during the summer. That will be there
will be a hiatus but uh this will be um
the last uh uh farmers market until we
hit the summer uh recess. So with that,
mayor, that's my report. Thank you, Mr.
Montgomery. With that, we'll move on to
item number eight, which is a city count
uh council conflict of interest. Do we
have anybody that has a interest that
needs them to be addressed? I I do. I
just want to let everyone know that um I
I I'm conflicted on item 12.2 uh because
within 1,000 ft of my business. So, it
uh turns out to be a financial conflict.
So, I'll be recusing myself. Thank you
very
much, Mayor Prom. And
number nine now, which is city council
reports on meetings attended for
government code section 53232.3D.
Well, the two things that I'll just
bring up that I was able to do. So on
the first of this month, I had the
opportunity invited to the India High
School dance team spring concert. Um
very good team of about approximately 30
kids showed their talents on stage and
coordination, different presentations.
It was beautiful. It was well attended.
They must had about maybe about 300
attendees watched most of them obviously
their parents. But it was an excellent
evening and uh it was really rewarding
to see something different more than
what we see um to have how they
coordinate and do their presentations.
Um and they received some funding from
the community that helped them be able
to compete in certain areas that they
needed some assistance. It was kind of
nice to see all that. Um so we really
appreciated that. Um along with that, I
had the opportunity with the mayor pro
Tim to uh attend the Hispanic uh
American Chamber um their mixer here in
India at Char restaurant on India
Boulevard in Hoover. It was really nice.
Uh it's kind of haven't seen that in a
while. So, it's nice to see the momentum
and the small businesses predominantly
um representing obviously the Latin
communities of not just India but
throughout the valley cities and it was
a really nice event to see how
encouraged and the comments of seeing
the growth of our city and the
investments that the city's doing. Uh
they expressed that that there's a lot
of uh center staging going on in India.
So um but we were we were glad to attend
that and that is be my report at this
time. Thank you Mr. Kramis Ortiz.
Thank you mayor. Last week I attended
the opening of TOED's new farmworker
justice center where our farmworker
community can get help with legal
support and support getting whatever uh
resources they need. Uh they were also
able they are also able to support in
English, Spanish and some of the other
ind indigenous languages that our farm
worker populations uh speak here in the
region. And so I want to congratulate
Toadex workers and thank them for their
support for our farmworker community at
a time when people are going through a
lot of fear and family separation. Uh I
also attended the Chella event sponsored
by Golden Voice here in downtown. We had
a great turnout. So I want to thank our
staff uh for helping out with that
event. Also want to thank our staff for
the movies in the park which had a great
turnout as well. Even though it was a
little windy, our staff was out there
handing out free popcorn and free Indoor
branded lightsabers which the kids and
adults really like too. So, it's really
fun time out there. So, appreciate that.
Uh, last week I was also invited on a
call by Betty Ye. Uh, we talked to a
builder who was making fireproof homes
out of magnesium oxide panels, which was
pretty interesting. Magnesium oxide's
used a lot in China and Russia, but
there seems to be new resources coming
from Canada that they're using to
re California Association of Governments
conference in Palm Desert with council
member Ferman. Uh this conference brings
in elected officials and government
staff from all over the region and we're
able to share experiences and ideas with
each other to learn from each other's
cities. I got some good contacts uh from
some of those conversations for our
potential sustainable homes pilot
project that we discussed in our
strategic plan. And so a request that I
wanted to see if we can get from our
council. I'd like to see I know we have
a plot of land in front of the history
museum. It's about an acre. I'd like to
see if we could direct staff to start
looking for potential partners that
could help us build uh some of those
sustainable homes on that area. Uh and
and some of the things that I want to
see is um how we can build two of the
things that I'm looking at is adobe
construction but also strawhouse
construction. And these are both very
high high energy efficiency and they're
also very fire resistant. So I think you
know those studies that we can do here
in the desert can help us see uh for
look for better solutions for the future
in terms of energy efficiency but also
helping to rebuild some of these um
fireprone areas throughout the state of
California. So, I wanted to see if we
can get direction from staff to start
looking for potential partners on that
project. Thanks, Council. Yes. Yeah. Or
could look at it. Yeah, let's have a
look. Council member, would it be just
one type of house or would you have
staff look at multiple kinds of house
because there might be other ones out
there that they could bring to us to
look at. So, I think it it depends on
what our partners what we look at with
our partners because I'm not sure if one
of the technologies after a little bit
more research is going to stand out
above the other ones, right? But I think
it potentially could be multiple types
of construction also multiple sizes. I
know the side because one of the other
things that we want to look at is
financial feasibility of these things,
right? And so um looking at if different
sizes are going to be more energy
efficient or just a lot more expensive
or different things that um we can study
uh so we can have more information for
later uh that we can later use in in
similar projects. And and will you help
give guidance to staff on this
considering it's a yeah unique Yes. I've
I've shared a couple of um resources
already with our staff that we're
looking at together that have some um
good information that we can potentially
use for this region. Okay.
City managers acknowledges that waste
transfer station. Oh yeah. We also had a
meeting with the waste transfer station
where we approved uh the uh new fees
that are going to be coming in to keep
up with the new cons uh expansion of our
waste transfer station. And uh I'll
leave the rest to you. Thanks. Thank
you,
Mr. Ferman.
Thank you, Mayor. Uh good evening. Um
over the past few weeks, I had the honor
of attending a few ribbon cutings and
some community events. I might attempt
the ribbon cutting and open it for a
Babe Smokehouse Tavern at the C Canopy
here in India. Um, great new concept,
smaller than the other one, but a little
bit more precise. Has indooroutdoor
um, another great location surrounded by
other restaurants. So, um, welcome to
Indo uh, to Bapes. And so, um, we also
celebrated the grand opening of uh,
Wings at Avenue 42 in Monroe. um that's
bringing some more uh food options uh in
that area. As you know, we have a couple
uh few more popular uh restaurants
getting ready to open there soon, but uh
Wings beat them to the punch. So, uh
welcome to Wings. Also, um we also went
down the street of our council members
to ribbon cutting for uh the Desert
Luxury Pools uh which is located at
Showcase and that's another great
business coming to Hendio. So with these
businesses coming to our city, it just
shows the growth and and uh the
commitment to our cities. So it's great
and welcome to those those businesses
who are transforming our city. Um
additionally, I joined uh some of our
council along with the mayor for the um
opening of the Coachella Valley Rescue
Mission uh women and children's shelter.
Um another great uh important facility
that's going to offer some safe housing,
supportive services for women and
children in that area. And that's one of
the challenges that we have. Um it's not
only the housing or trans transformative
housing. It's it's also the wraparound
services that come with it with the
mothers and children. And um I also sit
on that board and there's a lot of great
work uh going on at the rescue mission
along with other uh entities. But um it
it was just special to see all the uh
folks in the community, a lot of
employees, a lot of nonprofits, a lot of
volunteers, and also the elected
officials come together and make this
happen. So um great work to the rescue
mission and all their their support. Um
I also along with the mayor and uh mayor
pro Tim and and u other folks attended
the Arbor Day uh tree planting ceremony
we did at South Jackson Park. Um another
important event. I know we we kind of
skip over Arbor Day sometimes, but um
you know I I remember when the city
manager first first came to India, he
brought something to my attention and
after I know after I speak on it, it
it's more prevalent now. Um if you guys
look across our city, something that's
very very important is our canopy. And
what some of us who don't speak the the
the the lingo, we're talking about our
tree canopy that covers our city,
specifically our palm trees, right? A
lot of our palm trees are leaning
because of the high winds. Um it's dry
here. Um we don't get a a lot of rain
and so uh that that's the issue
especially in places that are very
dense. But where it becomes an issue
with us is most of these trees are on
private property, right? So it it
becomes hard that uh how the city could
help uh replace some of those trees. So,
what I like to ask the city manager is
if we could look for any kind of funding
or grant programs or someone we could
partner with that um maybe in the next
five years or to the general plan we
could do something to start to address
our tree canopy because um you know
every now and then a tree goes down,
smashes into a house or an apartment and
it has happened. and I've responded to
some of those uh just to check on folks.
But now um you know if you look at our
trees a lot of the trees are leaning
because of the wind. So if we could look
for something like that um that would be
appreciated. I also attended uh the
Chella event, you know, another great
event, you know, um thank you to our
staff and appreciation little boys for
bringing that to our downtown area and
that's important because what what's
that doing is bringing these events
downtown and we're having something that
a lot of us didn't have here growing up,
you know, and it was special walking out
of this council meeting and going over
there and seeing almost 3,000 people, if
not more, enjoying a free concert,
enjoying some of the restaurants nearby
and I I I gaze our events off of two
things. One is if if I don't feel like
I'm in India and two if if I don't know
anybody there. If that those two things
happen, it's successful and I felt like
a old guy there. So, I hurry up and got
out of there. I got my little one. I
said, "Okay, it's time to go." But great
event. It was it was fantastic. And you
know, our center stage here, a lot of
great events. So, hats off to everyone
and I'm glad that we had that in our
city. And uh lastly, I I participated in
the SCAG regional conference that you
know uh Council Member Ortiz said. Um I
had the honor of presenting uh some
traffic safety initiatives that the city
is uh uh participating in and also um
our Coachella Valley. And some of the
things I highlighted were the CV link uh
CV Sync and um Indo Drive Safe
initiative which is headed by our police
department. Um you know kudos to the
police department for for uh heading
that program and working with our youth
with that because um we we received a
lot of questions about it. Um and folks
are you know inquiring how how do we get
that going? How how did you do that? How
did you work with the students? And so
um I had some stickers. gave out stakers
and so um thank you chief uh for working
with us for that and also improving
traffic flow, enhancing safety and uh
also how we deployed our license plate
readers and how they actually work. And
so I know a lot of times people they
wonder like what what are we doing about
traffic safety and and I just have to
tell you traffic safety is not just
about having a patrol officer out there
pulling people for tickets. It takes a
lot of different things in there. It
takes community initiatives. uh uh
speaking to your neighbors, uh speaking
to the youth. Um it it also takes
education. There's a lot of education
that goes into it. I know if I get in my
car without my seat belt, my little one,
she'll remind me, "Dad, put your seat
belt on." You know, so that's why we use
the kids for for these vices. And so, um
it's just a great tool and we and of
course we want to combat speeding and
distracted drivers because I believe
that those are our our biggest
challenges in the city, distracted
drivers and speeding. But there's things
that we're doing within the city and
also our transportation commission with
CVAC and RCTC to address that and also
the growth. you know, our city is
growing, but once we grow um there's
more cars and during this presentation,
I explained that um we are also uh uh
tasked with our arenaification
allocation numbers and that's our
regional housing needs that we have to
uh uh have this cycle and uh very uh big
number 7,800 approximately, right? But
if you take 7,800 homes and you put 1.5
cars into that home, it's a lot of cars
that could potentially be on the road.
So that's why uh we are encouraging
public transportation, shared vehicles,
uh bike lanes, uh uh CV link, motorized
uh uh small vehicles. So there's a lot
that goes into traffic, but it all is
for safety to get you from point A to
point B safely. And so, um, it was
great, uh, uh, doing that presentation.
And I have to thank our staff because a
lot of these things that I'm talking
about, staff is is doing the work behind
the scenes to help us get to where we
need to go. And I just have a couple
more requests. city manager. I know that
was longwinded, but um one is
um you know, we talk about our great
things that we're doing and we highlight
those things and we as we should, right?
But I I want the community and the
people to know we're still focusing on
the challenging things and those are not
things that we're going to brag about,
but it's also important that we bring it
to your attention that we still are
watching it. We're still working to fix
them. And one of those things is we we
still have a challenge on Highway 111 in
the road um with transates um on shelter
folks, people who have uh uh uh
substance abuse or mental issues. And so
as a council member, I I can't just
drive by and and look the other way. Um
over the weekend, I stopped and I had to
talk with some folks about some
activities that I I didn't approve of.
And you know, our our police officers
can only do so much. They're out there
once they leave, you know, uh folks come
back and they engage in these
activities. There's already been some
things that the city has done to try to
curb those activities. Um but I think we
we still need to do more. And um maybe
the chief can address this later on if
this is already in place. But we have
folks walking in traffic with signs
asking for for money um for for
homegoing services. I I don't know if
you know if that's true, but what what I
do know is dangerous being in the middle
of Monroe and Highway 111, especially
when we have a lot of vehicle versus
pedestrian fatalities, right? So, I I I
don't know if there's something we could
do about that. The other thing is I I
like to ask the city manager to look at
um a ordinance against uh what we call
oil burners or rose pipes um and to
speak uh English. Those are uh pipes
that are used to consume
methamphetamines. Um they're being sold
in in some of our smoke shops and I like
to look at some ordinances to get those
uh banned in our city. Um, I know San
Francisco has something similar.
Spokane, Washington has something
similar. And not to say that it's going
to stop it, but it will make it a little
tougher and it will show that we are
being assertive in curbing uh that those
activities in our city. And uh that will
complete my report. Thank you, Mr.
Mayor.
Yeah. Yeah, Mr. T. I just want to add
something to that because the the other
thing that I've seen at certain smoke
shops is the nitrous oxide that's being
sold at some of those facilities. And I
know, you know, people are buying them
there. It's for inhalation. And there's
a lot of our young folks that are
getting caught up into some of that.
I've seen it, you know, throughout LA
kind of spreading out. So, we could also
look at uh the sales of nitrous oxide in
smoke shops and see if there's anything
we can um put restrictions on in that
sense.
Mome look into that for us. You bet.
There's some great sample ordinances on
both those that we can bring forward.
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Ferman. Anything
else, Mayor Pro Tim? Thank you. Uh, you
know, one thing that makes me so proud
to be a council member is how involved
each of us as council members are. It
makes me feel very, very proud to be on
this team and and as we go through,
you're going to find that most of us
have attended the same things just
because we are so proud of our city and
we are such a cohesive group. So, let me
just dive in and I know you've heard
some of this before, but you get to hear
it again. cello. What an outstanding
concert that was and and what really uh
many of you know how excited I've been
about downtown over the years and to see
I took pictures yes of the concert but I
took pictures of a packed sidewalk
there on the sidewalk in every
direction. It was just great to see
there was an open market there selling
everything from jeans to jewelry and
everything and and vintage. So that was
really really wonderful to see. um you
know it's it's great to bring our
community back into into India and
clearly it's very exciting they're very
excited because they attend these events
um the movie at the Star Wars movie on
Sunday Star Wars fan had to see the
movie but what I observed were all the
families on blankets even though it was
teeth chattering cold um nobody really
moved uh they were all under blankets u
great kids families moms dads and then
when the movie was over. What was
particularly telling to me is that
people didn't just leave. Uh they were
playing with the sabers. They were
hanging out. They were talking. They
were laughing. Again, a testament to the
community. Thank you staff very, very
much um for your focus on doing things
that bring the community together,
particularly at Center Stage. Uh let's
see, also attended Babes Ribbon Cutting.
It's just a terrific addition um to our
community. It's, you know, it's
unfortunate that they opened, you know,
during summer season, but I'm sure all
of us will be out there supporting Babes
and all the other restaurants that we
have in our city. Arbor Day has always
been something near and dear to my
heart. So, I got to participate in that
as well. Our trees are very, very
important. Um, not just from a
beautifification perspective, uh, but
for the health benefits as well. There
was a period of time um you know when we
had issues with water where many of our
trees uh had to be removed and to see
them replaced replenished and to add
trees to our uh community I think is
just really tremendous again health
benefits and it really beautifies the
city and let's face it we live in the
desert so shade is an important
component there. uh the the Coachella
Valley Rescue Mission. It was so great
to see everybody there. But was
spectacular um is just the amount of
support and the people that gave and
contributed. 60 beds in that facility um
for mothers and their children. And if
you see the rooms, they're just
beautifully outfitted and and the
services in the kitchen, in the living
room. Um, and it's just so conducive to
to helping uh families, mothers, and
their their children really build a
relationship, get the the the tools that
they need, the education, the support um
to lives together and move forward. What
an amazing organization the rescue
mission is. So great to have this uh 60
bed facility in our city. Let's see. Uh,
as uh, Council Member Gutron meant, the
uh, mentioned, the Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce is just really a great
organization. So nice to see our Latino
businesses um, just getting together and
and really trying to market themselves
uh, within our city. So something great
to support and be a part of. Uh, let's
see. I'm a member, as many of you know,
the Women's Club of India. Today was
their lunchon. I think one of the last
lunchons of the season. As you know,
they're very philanthropic. They do a
lot of things, a lot tremendous, many,
many thousands of hours of volunteer
work. We have an annual uh fundraiser
event this year. It uh raised
$60,000. Um almost all of that went to
scholarships and those scholarships go
to um Indo High School, Shadow Hills
High School, um Amastad High School are
local high school graduating kids. they
submit um and there's a a part of that
organization that reviews them and um
and many of those and those certificates
or those dollars by the way will be
handed out on May 31st. We're going to
have a lunchon um for everyone that
received those scholarships. And then
there are uh $25,000 of that um to some
of the local nonprofits like the Rescue
Mission, like the Cancer Society, uh
like Read with Me. Um and so a an
organization that really focuses on
their community on serving others. Proud
to be a part of that. Very excited that
um the fundraiser netted enough dollars
for us to be able to support so many
kids and give them scholarships. Thank
you, Mayor. That ends my my report.
Thank you, Mayor Portim. Before I get
started, I I want to thank staff and
everyone. You know, we just had 125,000
people in our in our city all weekend
long. And you know, people come in to be
entertained, but that doesn't mean our
staff and all our public safety and
everyone else is all working. You know,
it's 125,000 people, but there's also
10,000 people in there supporting them
that are working daily uh while the
concert's going on. And it's a 400 plus
million dollar economic boom to the
Coachella Valley and and to the city of
India as a whole. that we continue to
get the international recognition of
having the world's largest concerts uh
and most acclaimed concerts. Lady Gaga,
Post Balone, you know, Ed Sheeran, I
mean, we can go on and on with people
that you you always talk about. And so,
my hats off to everyone for being able
to do it. And Golden Boys who had a
hiccup at the first day and then
adjusted, you know, just like you would.
And you think about it, 125,000 in one
square mile. the same amount of people
that live in the city of Indo and our
little surrounding area around it set in
one little small area. So, uh my hats
off to everyone that did that and all
the supporting agencies that help us
because the city of Indo can't do it
alone. We have the the sheriff
department, DEA, everyone is out here
working to make sure it happens in all
the other cities. So, thank you very
much for that. Um on uh my committees at
the waste transfer station as uh council
member Ortiz said uh our waste transfer
station is a joint powers agreement for
our trash to be able to take it and
recycle it and utilize it. We are
building a new facility further down to
be able to take the the amount of trash
that is now being developed because of
the city's growth both here and in
Coachella. And all that trash is being
taken down to either be recycled or is
actually going to the dump in the Sultan
Sea towards the Salt Sea area, not being
taken here to the city uh dumps that are
on the other side here in Riverside
County. So, our hats off to everybody
working on that. It is a great
opportunity for us to be able to utilize
a lot of that for recycling and be able
to do it in an efficient manner. So,
we're building a larger facility. As
everyone said, we have a lot of ribbon
cutings. Our staff and everyone around
works hard tirelessly. You heard all the
ones coming, more coming in the next
couple weeks. You're going to see the
In-N-Out Burger. You're going to see uh
raising canes and others come forward.
So, you're just going to continue to see
the city of India grow. And we
appreciate the uh investment in our
city. And with that, you'll see a lot
more come as as we develop and the city
becomes more and more popular, we will
have more and more restaurants and more
and more businesses come. Exactly what
we need. Uh I was very fortunate to be a
part of leadership Coachella Valley. I
spoke on with other uh mayors to the
class. If you don't know what leadership
Coachella Valley, it's a group run by
the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
with all the other chamber of commerces
and it tells you about the Coachella
Valley. It really is a telltale of what
makes this valley run from government to
the Coachella Valley Water District,
IID, the hospitals to the judges. And I
was there with Mayor Linda Evans, uh,
Mayor Scott Madison, Desert Hot Springs,
and Mayor Jan Hornik of, uh, Palm Desert
talking about, uh, local government
along with other individuals from other
governments. So, very fortunate. They
are taking applications. So, if you'd
like to join leadership Coachella
Valley, please look it up. Uh, you will
be excited. I' I've been here for over
40 years, and there was things I didn't
even recognize and know, and it was an
opportunity for me to meet some great
people. So, it's a great opportunity for
all of you if you'd like to join. And
then also uh supervisor Bmanuel Pres had
his state of the fourth district. I was
able to go to that with a few of the
other council members hear about what's
going on throughout the whole fourth
district from Ble all the way down to
the Banning Bulmont area and what's
going on. Very exciting what's happening
here as a region. The city of Indo
prospers by having the other cities be
uh as strong as they can be. So when we
get the arena in and thousand palms palm
desert area it helps the city of India
because like I've always said the city
of Indo not everybody works and lives in
the city of India. So the more the other
cities are the more beneficial this this
whole Coachella Valley is. So very
excited about that and then uh want to
thank the staff for Chella we great
opportunity that center stage is being
done with things to it that we exactly
want to do. You have the movies in the
park. You have the concerts. You have
events there. Exactly what that was
visioned to be doing for our community
is being done. And our staff is a lead
part of that. So, thank you to everybody
that's helping out with that food truck
Fridays. We have the farmers market, but
we also have, you know, second
Saturdays. We have music. So, come on
out, enjoy your your community and meet
some great people. So, with that, I will
get off the soap box and I will move on
to the consent calendar. We have items
101 through 10:15. Does anybody want to
pull anything or do we have a motion?
Uh, I'd like to pull 1012 and 1213.
Okay. Why don't we go Why don't we go on
those first, then we'll approve the
whole thing at one time? Sounds good. Go
ahead. Anybody else?
Okay, cool. Please. Yes. I just wanted
to clarify because I think last time um
we had some residents concerned about
the changes in the park maintenance and
so I wanted to see if we can get uh
staff to present you know what are the
changes that are being proposed and for
what reasons those changes are
happening. Perfect. The assistant city
manager has been leading this very uh
important cause so I'll I'll turn some
time to him. Mr. Nicks, thank you mayor
and council members. Uh yeah, the uh
city staff, our public works department,
we engaged with uh Desert Recreation
District in October of 2023 to uh do two
things. Work as a park ambassador. So
visit the parks, check on any issues,
and if there's any um issues that maybe
need to be escalated to our police
department, act as that ambassador, also
provide information to folks in the
parks, then also to help with some
janitorial services for our park
restrooms. So that's been going on for a
little over a year and a half. We um
myself and Tim Wel, our public works
director, uh met with um Desert
Recreation District a few times. We do
quarterly meetings with them on updates
and u we kind of evaluated that cost
versus using some of our current
contract service providers. So we um um
evaluated it versus using Dynamic who
provides our janitorial services in all
of our facilities and then also using
Cerna who provides security services in
our downtown area quite successfully
especially with all these events that
were mentioned um by the city council.
So we asked those two contract providers
Cerna and Dynamic if they could also
provide us quotes and um and for doing
that similar services. So Cerna doing
that park ambassador program doing the
outreach very similar to how they're
doing those services in the downtown
area and at the center stage and at
miles park and then also dynamic
providing those custodial services which
they specialize in at our park restrooms
and cleaning those areas. So when we got
those u bids from those providers and
compared it to the current costs at uh
DRD is we see a significant amount of
savings. It's around $171,000
uh per year on an ongoing basis. So uh
we talked to Desert Recreation uh
district about this. Um they they are
still a very good partner with the city
of
India these services. We were already
contracting with them for programmatic
aspects of uh programming the parks and
working with the leagues. So we
anticipate to continue with that great
partnership. We're also talking to their
general manager about, you know, other
opportunities like a park master plan,
looking at other developments and
community and partnering with those same
uh scheduling reservation services for
our new big sports park that will be uh
open later this year. So, we're going to
continue that great partnership with
DRD, but for these specialized services
of park ambassador and um janitorial
services, looking to our current service
providers and making that switch. That
that is the recommendation before the
city council and Tim Waso or myself are
available for any questions. And city
manager, you mentioned there was going
to be an additional staff member
provided. Is that Yes. Are we using that
170,000 to hire that new person or No,
we've actually been able to work that
into the overall cost. What happened is
when we decided to contract with DRD a
little over 18 months ago, is that what
it was?
um we didn't fill a position, a staff
position, because we moved some of that
money over to help pay. We knew it was
going to be expensive, but it was worth
a try. Now we'll be able to put that
position back in. Plus, there's a
savings of about
$170,000. So, overall, um it's just a
more cost-effective way of doing it,
continuing with DRD on some services,
but on others, the proposal is a
different approach. Okay. Thank you.
Next is another one, Mr. Satis. No, that
was both of those. Okay. Those are both
uh on one was maintenance, the other one
was the park. Your questions are
answered. Yeah. Okay. Mr. Katron, I just
I had two things. So, one, I know we
talked about it during the agenda
review, but to assure the all the sports
organizations, the soccer and the
baseball and so forth. Were they who is
going to continue to coordinate those
activities and events? because that was
a big ticket item as far as
communication maintenance issues because
the residents, you know, we figure out
like with the soccer team, there's about
3,300 people. That's,00 of the kids that
are there. So, we don't have to
replicate what happened the last time.
So, we just need to assure who would be
managing facilitating those schedulings
working with the our staff because staff
wants to maintain them. And I think
there was comments when we made a site
visit you mentioned that the need to be
treated earlier so it doesn't coincide
with their league schedules. So
yeah, that overseating schedule seems to
always be a struggle. Um, so how we
managed it before we tried this
temporary uh experiment with them. They
were managing the parks uh with regard
to the programs as the assistant city
manager indicated and we would
coordinate with them but they receive
all the fees paid for the for the park.
So they don't continue to do that. So,
we kind of just go back to about 18
months ago of how we did it. Uh, it
doesn't change what DRD's been doing and
that coordination you speak to. We we
don't interface with those leagues. It's
DRD. But who would be that who would
continue to do the interfacing for those
schedulings? Uh, it's DRD.
Yeah, they they handle they the leagues
coordinate directly with DRD and DRD
programs. whatever the practices are,
the leagues are, uh they do notify us
from a maintenance standpoint. That's we
indicating, okay, here are the times
we're going to be on the field. So, this
is when the irrigation schedule should
take place. This is the overseating. We
do coordinate those with our uh
landscape contractor. So, I think we
need to make sure because it didn't work
the last time something failed. I don't
know what it would be, but something
fails. I think it's in the best interest
for us to make sure that we assure that
communication is whether we have
meetings with all those organizations
um and do that. That way there's no
misunderstanding about what was going
on. Absolutely. The second thing is the
notification of termination of service.
I contacted the mayor last night is how
it was delivered. So we have that
misunderstanding and what the contract
dictates on how that notification was
done.
So
yes, uh within the existing contract, we
had to provide a certain number of days.
So while these research and RFPs were
being sent out to make sure that we knew
what the prices were, we notified them.
That was the intent until we presented
this to you tonight. It wouldn't be
final, but that was the intent. We
provided the proper notice pursuant to
the agreement. And that's because of the
comments that the members of the
community came from the last meeting
that they said, "Hey," and and you
mentioned, "Hey, it's a mis
misunderstanding. The facts aren't what
you have." So, obviously with so much
investment we're doing, we don't need to
have that for them. We just have to make
sure that we do our best to that
communication's clear. I'm just
mentioning it. Sure.
Anything else, Mr. Tom? No, that's it.
So, any other comments, questions? Like,
somebody like to make a motion? I just I
I um just want to assure the public that
much isn't changing. There's going to be
security at the parks and park program
is still going without a hitch. It's
just going to be changing hands. That's
what this is. Yep. Going back to what it
was, Cern and also the other
organization that cleans our restrooms.
So, do we have anybody like to make a
motion? I will I will make a motion. Are
we just doing that one or we consent
calendar 101 through 10:15? Uh consent
calendar. I'll make a motion. Yes. I'll
second that. First by council member
Ferman, second by mayor pro Tim Holmes.
Please vote.
Passes unanimously. 50. With that, we'll
move on to the administrative items
which is 111. It's consideration of
membership in and approval of agreement
for the Coachella Valley Power Agency
Joint Powers Authority regarding
electrical power in the Eastern
Coachella Valley. Mr. Montgomery, are
you handling this for us, sir? Uh yes,
but there'll be many that might want to
chime in and answer any questions that
you might have. Uh the city council is
well aware of what a joint powers
authority is. But perhaps for the
benefit of the public and those
listening in, when a group of public
entities see a common issue to address
and know that it has some regional
components, they tend to get together
and form a joint powers authority kind
of a separate entity to coordinate uh
and cooperate towards some solutions. So
that is what's being proposed here. very
similar to what the city of India and
IID did a couple of years ago in forming
the Indo electric finance authority
knowing that there were some electrical
infrastructure needs that needed to be
addressed. IIAD is the service provider
the city anxious and eager to get these
uh infrastructure issues addressed. We
formed a JPA which is the
IEFA. Um, and I only mention that
because it is an example of what's being
proposed here, but on a more regional
basis. So yesterday the board of
supervisors approved this very agreement
that is before you this this evening and
the city of Lita just two or three weeks
ago did the same. This proposal was
vetted by the Coachella Valley Energy
Commission which both the mayor prom and
and council member Ferman sat on after
two years, three years of evaluation.
You've got this
impending termination of the IID
agreement with CVWD. You've got the
issues of this infrastructure. Uh
there's a lack of governance. As we all
know, the IAD board is elected by
Imperial County residents, not by
Coachella Valley residents. So what is
presented to you this evening is a
proposal to form a JPA to address the
issues related to governance electrical
infrastructure and policies and and the
directions of how we would want those
services to be provided. IAD would
continue to serve and provide those
services but this JPA would provide some
regional governance uh over that. And uh
we have with us this evening Emanuel
Martinez uh from CAG who's also been
helping to coordinate and facilitate
this effort. So, it's pretty
self-explanatory in the document in the
staff report of what this would do, but
the summary just quickly, we know
there's an issue and a problem. A group
of entities are getting together,
forming an entity to help address those
issues. This will not, if approved, this
uh will not replace the Indo Electric
Finance Authority. That has to continue
for the life of the of the assets that
we're purchasing. So, that smaller uh
more focused JPA would continue. this
more regional focus would be what's uh
presented to you this evening. So happy
mayor or council to answer any
questions. Again, Emanuel's here. Uh
certainly council member uh Ferman and
the mayor prom knowledge on this matter
as well should you have some questions.
And I see we have ID in the back. Oh,
are they hiding too? Yeah. Oh. Oh,
that's San Antonio's here. Our our India
resident.
Yes. Yes. Sorry. Yes. Uh comments,
questions, Mr. Furman, you're you're
most engaged in this. What's what's your
thoughts? Um I you know I I sit on this
uh commission and um you know I I I got
to give a lot of credit to our city
manager um IID uh CAG um the mayor pro
Tim and the folks who uh been working on
this effort for the last few years. um
the city of India, you know, we we made
some history forming that that JPA with
IID and strengthening our relationship
with with IID and in coming up with, you
know, this concept of uh funding our
infrastructure in our city and um the
city council didn't fund it, our
residents fund it. And so we appreciate
you all trusting us as stewards of of
these dollars. Um and we're putting them
to good use with energizing your city um
your schools, your places of business
and um our homes because we know in this
climate um without a reliable source of
energy um we'll have a lot of
challenging issues with the heat. Um we
have a a big senior uh population. We
have a lot of uh children and so it's
very important that we have a
infrastructure that um could fit the
capacity of what we're trying to do in
here and our improve our quality of life
and also support what we already have
and continue to rebuild what we already
have. Um we gone on circles about how we
got here. Um now it's about solutions
and how we can move forward and um the
city has took the initiative to do that
with the JPA and quite frankly what
we're looking at now is the other cities
the county um um tribal nations are
looking at the blueprint of what Indo
has done and said um that's a good idea
I think we should do that now I say that
uh somberly but what I mean is we looked
at other uh uh ways of doing is uh MUD
um just different uh uh structures
throughout the state and we figured that
what Indo has agreed upon was the way
that our region should go and like the
mayor mentioned earlier if the other
cities win India wins and if India wins
the other cities wins well this is on
broader scope uh of the service area of
IID um if this passes we're winning and
um IID is going to be a component of
this JPA, right? So, it's not like we're
not going to have any more that that
we're not going to have governance. We
will have some some sort of governance
and decision- making of where your
dollars are going. So, um you know, I I
will leave that there because it's still
a lot more that we could talk about
there, but like the city manager
mentioned, the goal is that we all come
together and figure out how we're going
to move uh forward with our future
energizing our um eastern Coachella
Valley and the service providers of
Impro. So that will complete my
comments. Mr. Chair, anyone else? Mayor
Patel, just a a quick comment to to
follow up or additionally to council
member um Ferman. This has been
something we've been working on for a
very long time. The future of our
valley, the future of our city as well
within the Coachella Valley is so
important and electrical infrastructure
is pivotal. Um really the JPA that Indo
put together became the model where
there was a tremendous amount of
analysis and research uh and work with
with the other cities and other entities
and at the end of the day after a few
years of all this research it was really
determined that that our model of a JPA
is what would benefit the community
India and the communities beyond um in
the best possible fashion. And so that
was what we moved on and that is
direction this is taking. So I'm very
happy to see this on the agenda. Thank
you, Mr. Ortiz. Mr. Bonan, anything? I
do have one person wants to speak later.
So say what you have to. We can always
keep going back. You need to go ahead.
No, I was just going to say thanks to
Councilman Layman for a good media
presentation. Okay. It generated people
to ask questions, positive questions.
Obviously, uh, working with you
mentioned the tribes and the two and
twos. They're very interested in what
India's doing. So, um, there's a lot of
opportunity with the groundwork. At
least we're doing our best to secure
what our future would look like.
Before you want, I want to add something
that I skipped over. Um, city manager
mentioned it. Um, it's that this is the
agreement that we're going to join,
right? There's still uh implementation
phase and things that we need to work
on. So, that's why our financing
authority will stay intact, right? So
it's important that we recognize this
too. Yes, if this passes we're green,
but there's still more work to be done.
So um we'll be coming back with with
more s and I think that's what my
question was on in the future. When are
we going to see more details on what
what will we actually be able to dictate
on our own as that JPA compared to what
we see now? It's a great question and it
really will be up to the board. Uh so as
stated in in the bylaws or in the
agreement rather a an entity will be
formed and a representative will be
selected amongst uh the council here to
discuss that very issue. What are our
concerns relating to governance? What
are our concerns uh relating to
infrastructure then at that point as a
board you would be working we would be
working with IID to then address those
issues. And so it's really up to what
the board feels like the highest
priority. For example, rate setting. If
we feel like rate setting ought to be a
local issue, not an Imperial County
issue, uh this board would then
determine that, set the rates, and
contract with IIAD to collect that fee,
which is very similar to what we did in
our our arrangement. other policies
related to development like what should
development pay, what should the entity
pay. If this JPA determined that it was
in the best interest to change that
policy, we would then coordinate with
IID saying this is what this Coachella
Valley wants and coordinate with them to
make that sure that's implemented. There
may be a cost to that. There may be
other adjustments and IID would guide us
on that but it would be dictated from
this JPA board. Okay, that helps. And
then uh for I know one of the issues
we've had in the past is is solar
payback for solar energy. Is that
something that would be it's a perfect
example because the board may want to
use the C the JPA board may want to have
different policies than what currently
exists and one reason that solar has
been so difficult as you are well aware
is IAD's rates have been so low.
uh they're working on their own rate
case study and and with the evolution of
things it's going to make solar more
viable making it more important that
policies are in place to incentivize and
encourage solar uh that's not may not be
something that the ID board is
interested in but this JPA may be and
can therefore dictate those policies.
Thank you. So Mr. manager. Let me let me
ask you. So CVAG would be the
administrator as I read this, right? And
I would be a partner with us in this as
a member or and CBWD. Is that how I read
this? I Yeah, I would probably explain
it. CVAG would be the coordinator kind
of like our other Exactly. They kind of
bring us together and help kind of
monitor it, but the decisions would not
be made by CEAG. They'd be made by the
members of the entity. Important to note
too that the document indicates that
there would be weighted votes. So should
there be a controversy
um the smaller entities uh would not
have the same vote as the larger entity
and the India is the largest entity
within the users. Um but once the board
acts it is true that the board would
then have to coordinate with IID and say
this is what you told us that you would
support this entity ID and we've come up
with these ideas and policies IID we
want to enter into agreement with you to
make sure they're implemented and the
cooperation that the council member
Ferman indicated I think that we started
with our JPA is right uh IAD the board
the staff is anxious to have this
adopted and anxious to have this
cooperative arrangement. They understand
and recognize that there are different
interests in the Coachella Valley
compared to Imperial uh county. So yes,
it's possible that some things that the
JPA board wants, ID would say it's going
to be difficult or we're going to have
to do this and there'll be some
negotiation and hard work to be done,
but at least the decisions be be made
here.
And an example might be uh the city
contracts with Calire and the county for
fire. Um we dictate the level of
service. We dictate how much we're going
to pay. They provide the service. So
this JPA board would dictate the
policies, dictate what we're going to
pay. IID would provide the service.
They're much like a contractor. Excel,
our our landscape contractors may be a
better example. We tell them what we
want them to do. They do give us a price
and we may not always like the price but
at least we would control those
decisions. And can we get out whenever
we want? Yes, there are some provisions.
Uh the one exception would be if we
enter into any debt as this new entity.
Okay, there are some restrictions for
exiting at that scenario. There are also
provisions in the agreement for entry.
So should the tribes want to enter, the
city of Coachella want to enter, the
cove communities want to enter, there
are provisions for them to do so. Yeah.
My my concern is and I'm not as vested
in as as the mayor prom and and and
council Ferman is that we put a lot of
effort into this and a lot of money way
ahead of everyone else. We we asked our
residents to invest in us when everybody
else wasn't so sure. They weren't sure
if IID was going to stay. They weren't
sure where the power is. And the only
way that the city of India could
continue to grow was to go into a joint
powers authority with them. That's the
only way we could do it is because they
control the power. so that we could
build our
substations. So, as long as it benefits
India and if we do it and we have a geo
fence around our substations because I
don't want to be grabbing part of this
thing and I'm not against helping other
cities because it is regional, but I
don't want to make sure that our
substations are powering everybody
else's who didn't put into it unless
they're either paying us for the power
or we agree to do it because when it
comes time to turn on like a new
hospital or the mall or the 4,000 homes
we have going in or the apartments, I
want to make sure our power is coming on
and I don't get something from IID
saying h you guys owe us another $8,000
or 20,000 or
$100,000 because we're investing in
this. We are the ones that are making
the investment. We're the ones that did
the leap of faith with our residents and
I want to make sure we get that credit,
but I don't want to get stuck. I I I do
agree with the regional approach, but
we've got so much more skin in the game
than anybody else. And so I just want to
make sure that if we do this that it's
it's noted that you know we're we're
doing the right thing because we're
jumping in even though we have our own
we still are now a larger group and even
though it's weighted we have to worry
about the ideas and thoughts of IID
CBWD city of Lita the county who
all needs and obligations and so you
know it's just a little jumping into
some of these things. It's like public
safety, you know, you watch the the cost
rise. Uh, and we're stuck in that
agreement. And I want to make sure that
we don't after we've invested this much
money get stuck in something that's not
in the best interest overall of the city
of India because our only obligation
really is to the city of India and then
the region as a whole. Yeah, very well
said. I'm glad that was on the public
record because it's important for
whomever you appoint to be on this
board, assuming this is adopted, keep
that in mind and keep your eye on that
that ball. But you use the word skin in
the game which I think is so critical
that this regional approach approach now
calls on the city of Linta who who's
joined and the county to put skin in the
game. Okay, these electrons don't really
know city limit lines and so it is a
little bit hard to geoence completely.
The four substations that we're building
through the IFA were selected
specifically because they're more core
central to our city, a little easier to
protect. But the next ones we build and
as we move on they they will overlap and
so why not we why not do it regionally
so everyone does what we do and all
residents the city of Lita residents
need to pay just like the city of India
residents are paying which I think is
part of your point. Yeah, and I agree.
And the difference is unlike with us
though too is that these are three or
four years out. The problem is is
there's no way anybody can tell me that
because we have new four substations put
in. We'll have them before anybody else
because we've already
that they're not going to see that as
power that they're able to utilize for
other areas near us too. So, I want to
make sure that when we're doing it that
we're getting our due and if we're
giving electricity to the county or
whoever that we get paid back into our
account so that our residents get their
their due back into it. Just want to
make sure it's fair on the way around
until we all get on equal footing. And
this is the goal is to get on equal
footing, but in the meantime, we are
not. Um, one thing that I has agreed to
since the cit the cities the citizens of
India and the city's formulating and
coordinating these new substations, it
will be the city of Indo that determines
how to allocate that that new capacity.
And they've been sending people with uh
to us already. So when a developer lands
at IAD, they're saying you'll want to
talk to the city of Indo. They're
building some capacity. You'll want to
coordinate with them. So I think we're
on the right track to your to your point
and and our things if we decide one of
the council members it it doesn't matter
to me who it ends up being. So we would
decide that later or we would decide
that tonight assuming that there are at
least three that join. So once you join
then there would be a subsequent meeting
where you would want to appoint somebody
to then begin the the activities of the
JPA much like council member Ortiz and
yourself mayor or on the waste uh JPA be
a similar arrangement whomever you'd
like to select and we would have Ry Tjo
as our lays on on the city side of it to
make sure that we uh are taken care of.
Yeah. Staff on on each entity
power and water guy. He said it's power
and water mix. They do. Yeah. I I feel
comfortable with a good council member
on which could be any of the four. I I
exclude myself from this deal. Uh one of
you are going to end up having to take
this if we agree to go and Ray. As long
as you're willing to help us, I'm I'm
comfortable with it. The can't have a
piece of you, Ray. Yeah. So, anyone
else? We do have Mr. Anderson who would
like to speak and then we can have some
more round table. Mr. Anderson, would
you like to come up?
It's been a while, Mr. Anderson. Yes.
Thank you. Everything's changed. I see
the city attorney. Uh I see she's got a
job again. No, I'm kidding. I'm only
kidding. Uh uh again, my name is Brad
Anderson. I currently in the city of
Answer the once great city of Anarrage.
U I wanted to speak on items 11.1. Um I
I did submit written comments. Hopefully
you got them. Uh and I would encourage
anybody that's really interested in that
to look at that. I was at the board of
supervisors yesterday. I submitted
written comments for that, too. and I've
been actively involved in the Catilla
Valley Energy Commission um since the
beginning. Uh so I'm kind of wellware
well informed to what's going on. I'm
not a not I'm not I'm absolutely opposed
to this. Um has written everything about
it. Um and uh not to give the city a
hard time. The mayor brought up some
very good points that there's going to
be a lot of conflict in this type of
organization. I'll see if the city
doesn't join my calculations that this
this
valley is that public authority power
authority I just abbreviated uh won't
exist we'll continue that's my
calculations I might be wrong on that um
the biggest uh I had I had issues uh
when the city uh did
the is that what it is authority uh
because I missed that meeting. I did
review it later, but I felt that the
city residents, the people in the city
didn't know about it. I mean that the
purpose of that like council member said
was to really it's a financing
authority. So it's collecting search
charges. IID is involved and they're
doing that to everybody. And my point of
that is everybody that has a home or a
business in the city already paid their
fair share. I'm going to put it like
that. As far as infrastructure costs,
it's not up to them
to fund a developer that comes into
town. Yes, the city wants to grow.
That's great. I'm not here to dictate
any anything, but I'm just concerned
that
people were were not aware of that at
the time. I may be wrong now because he
said it's it's been over a year, maybe
two years. U and this whole organization
now, if it's if it continues, and it
will. I have no doubt about it. Uh it's
going to be a taxing mechanism and and I
can guarantee you everybody's fees are
going to go up. Uh and it's going to be
a lot of conflict in that organization.
The three cities, well, the Riverside
County, Indo, and Lita will be running
the show. They will be dictating what's
going on. And so anyway, uh my
information is out there. Please, uh
please look me up. I'm in the book. uh
and I can give you my spiel in a more
complete way than I can in three minutes
or two minutes and that's all I have.
Thank you. Thank you Mr. Anderson for
your comments.
Anyone else wish to speak on this
subject? Okay.
[Laughter]
So where are you going to sleep? Hey
when you get your day you just you got
to use it. And this is on this is on
item 111 sir. Yes sir. Yeah. Okay. Um
what you guys are just talking about
um I um personally for my stance
um like to say politics local. what
matters and what what what matters to me
is this that
um right now I have a an ADU that I'm
building in the back of my house um you
know for my one of my kids and
uh my issue is that I have a company now
who could put
solar on that for me free of
charge really free no money but I have a
church member now who has their whole
solar system built out right now who
cannot get their power turned on. So,
they're going to be forced to sell a
home because they can't
afford not to pay to pay the solar
company and to still pay electricity
bills because IID for whatever reason
will not turn their power on to their
solar. So, for me, it's like I
understand that the rates are lower. I'm
I'm grateful for that. However, there to
to mitigate the the The lack of power
let people have their own infrastructure
of power. We use solar. It lessens the
strain on on on the grids which makes
more sense. Less of a carbon footprint,
the whole thing. So, there needs to be
some type of power that we can wield if
we're going to go into these types of
situations that can make things make
sense for the common folk. Don't just
make me pay more taxes, which I don't
mind. I'll always pay my fair share. I
love my city, but make it make sense.
There's low-inccome people who could get
solar. There's people have uh less
income than I do that can get solar.
There's a company that'll do it for
free. Free is
good, right? So, we need to my my point
is we need to have some power. We don't
just need to have a a a seat. We need to
have some real power that that that goes
and advocates for the things that are
important to us. For me in my house
right now, if we could get the solar put
on, it would make a whole lot of sense
and it make me help help me save some
money. So, I would just say whoever vote
for it, whoever would really take take
stock of what the city wants, not just
what maybe the council might think is
best, but I'm a resident. I'm speaking
in real time. So, I thank you for
allowing me to use time for on my day.
Thank you, Mr. Williams.
Hope I made sense. Okay. So, uh,
comments, thoughts among council. I I
just just to follow up. I'm I'm not
responding. I just want to follow up is
um the comments make perfect sense and
that's that's why uh we have this in
front of us. U prior to this where we
stand right now, we're we're kind of in
an advisory role, right? And what this
would do um ID is not only the power
provider but they become a partner and
so we could kind of work with them what
are are what's going to happen in our
region and that's why it's it's hard for
them to decipher the interests of
Imperial County and Riverside County
Service Area. So that's why we're doing
this and so we will have as the term was
used earlier more skin in the game when
we uh sit on a deas with
if this shall pass. So, I wanted to say
that and as always when we talk about
energy and power in our city for the
folks who um are on fixed income and who
have challenges with their income, there
is also a rate um um assistance program
with IID and it's online. Um IID is
happy to work with people and while
we're happy personally I've done it work
with folks to um have those challenges
if they assistance with their their
energy. There are programs that will
help you. And if there's no further
mayor, um I'll make a motion to approve.
Anybody else have any questions? No, we
have a we have a first. We have a
second. I'll second that. We have a
first by Councilman Ferman, second by
Tim Holmes. Please
vote. Pass
unanimously. Antonio Emanuel, you heard
our comments.
Please help.
Thank you. With that, we'll move on to
item 1112 now, which is the presentation
on the East India employment corridor
annexation study and provide input to
staff regarding phase one of the
project. Mr.
Halister
Halverson, mayor, mayor prom, members of
the council, Brian Halverson, director
of community development. I just want to
quickly introduce uh this item before
our consultant due uh Rachel Lynn will
come up and do the presentation. Um,
back in uh 2019, the city council
amended the general plan to show
different areas of the city where we
would uh grow. Uh, in the case of
tonight, there's an area on the far
northeast part of town called the
eastern Spear. Um, myself and the
assistant city manager have been working
with Due Deck to study that area and to
see opportunities uh to potentially
annex uh land in that area with the
focus on industrial jobs. We're trying
to balance housing and jobs. Um and so
this area would u help the city to try
to balance that um discrepancy that we
have. We're doing pretty good with
housing. We're building some housing,
but we need uh more jobs. And so this
area that we're going to present
tonight, this is phase one of a phase
two project. Um you saw earlier um on
your agenda this item regarding this
annexation study. funding um hopefully
will be set aside also to do phase two,
but we're also looking for input. So, I
want to go ahead and bring uh Rachel
Lynn up uh to do the presentation. And
um Brian, if I could real quick, how
does this go in with our general plan
that we changed and we put the
enterprise or the zones in for different
uh development and that is this
coordinate with it or does this help
change it or does this just put an
overlay on top of some of the areas?
That's a good question. So, it's within
our sphere of influence. So, it's an
area that we're planning to grow. It's
just not within our city limits, right?
So, it's already on the general plan
land use map. Okay. Um but we haven't
annexed it obviously. So, it's in the
county. So, that area is is already been
earmarked for an area that we want to
grow. Okay. Um and it's uh we'll be
presenting it um just east of Dylan
Road. So, we'll go ahead and put some
maps up and show you what our findings
of phase one. Thank you. Welcome. Thank
you so much. Thank you, Brian, for that
introduction. Good evening, mayor, mayor
prom, uh, members of the council. My
name is Rachel Lint, and I am a senior
planner um, at Dudek and I'm also this
um, project manager on this project. Um,
I am joined um, this evening um, by my
colleague Rachel Stullia. She's the
environmental lead for the effort and
also um, a project director with the SQA
NEPA group at Duda. We have a fantastic
consultant team that has been part of
this effort that you see on the screen
here. Um with Dudek being the prime
consultant and um proform adviserss
leading the uh market analysis uh CV
strategies and so happy to have Beatric
here this evening assisting with the
outreach and engagement and lastly
intersecting metrics um focusing on the
transportation component.
So, um, as Brian mentioned, uh, the
purpose of tonight's presentation is
three-fold. Uh, to share a summary of
work to date and to update city council
on findings. Uh, to receive feedback on
some of the constraints that we have
found through our desktop work and to
discuss priorities for the project as we
move forward. And lastly, to share next
steps. We have five parts of the agenda.
And I'll just note um the presentation
I'm going to go through tonight was uh
attached as the staff report and um I'm
going to be giving kind of a truncated
presentation in the interest of going
through the slides and having uh what we
hope is a good discussion. So we we'll
go over um project overview very
briefly, talk about our desktop
opportunities and constraints analysis.
Uh present a little bit about our market
demand and economic development
strategy. um go over some of the
priorities for the conceptual planning
scenarios and then um wrap up with next
steps prior to uh
discussion.
Sorry. Here we go. Okay. So, let's dive
into a brief overview of the project. Uh
so as Brian mentioned, June of last
year, the city committed to exploring
3,300 acres in what's referred to as the
east eastern sphere of influence for
potentially um uh employment generating
uh development. You can see the the map
on the right hand side of the screen is
the area that we are focusing on for
this project. Um, as Brian mentioned,
it's part of the um sphere of influence
established by the general plan and so
it's currently outside of uh the
municipal limits uh within Riverside
County. And it's important to note also
that the area is uh primarily um open
space with some uh commercial use and
resource extraction, but largely kind of
vacant open space. And then a few um key
statistics to kind of paint the picture
around the purpose and need for this
project. So first um about 1.6% 6% of
city uh parcels are zoned for industrial
use in the city of India and so this is
um going to limit growth with regards to
manufacturing
lightly 84% of India residents are
employed outside of the city so they
leave the city for work and this is
based on 2021 data and so with such a
large number of employees leaving the
area. Um, this can cause obviously a lot
of um economic issues, uh, loss of
talent, loss of tax revenue that can
strain public services, infrastructure
maintenance, um, congestion. I know that
was brought up tonight as well. Uh, and
then when looking at um, Indio as as it
compares to the county of Riverside,
there's a few key statistics to share
around um, job makeup. So first um when
looking at India compared to the county,
India has a lower percentage of
industrial and commercial flex jobs um
transversely uh India has a higher
percentage of service jobs and so
there's sort of that mismatch there and
um an opportunity for more workforce
diversification and development.
So thinking about the long-term vision
for this area and this is very much a
long-term planning project. Um we have
understood that the project vision is
really to expand industrial development
opportunities in Indo given the low
percentage of industrial land to support
job creation, diversification, enhance
services and promote investment within
the city. Um as Brian mentioned the work
is divided into two phases. So tonight
I'll be um giving a snapshot of our
phase one work which is the constraints
opportunities and conceptual planning.
Phase two would um would be if if the
city would like to move forward uh would
be the um LAFCO reorganization request
which is an application. It's a very
robust application that requires a lot
of analysis um and that would be part of
phase two.
So taking a look at um the work that
we've been doing within the the context
of our phases. You can see on the the
screen here we have u three phases of
work um generally data gathering,
desktop opportunities and constraints uh
market and economic development strategy
and conceptual scenarios and final
report. This um diagram here just sort
of highlights very at a high level that
throughout the process we've um made
sure to have touch points with
interested parties. So we've met with
LAFCO, we've done um some informal
tribal coordination. We've met with um a
variety of service and utility
providers. We have a technical advisory
committee. Uh we're meeting here tonight
for for council meeting. You can see
there is a star. Um and so all this to
say um that we've been um very diligent
about um speaking with various
perspectives and um interested parties
to influence the
project. Okay. So now I'm going to um
walk us through a highle summary of the
desktop opportunities and constraints
work.
Uh the dude team developed seven topical
reports um related to the opportunities
and constraints work that you see on the
screen here to analyze the project area
and the extent to which constraints may
impact development. And we also
conducted robust interested party
outreach as I mentioned with various
entities. I just want to give you a
sense um of all the different groups
that we spoke to on the right hand side
of the screen um including our technical
advisory committee uh which is made up
of various city of India departments
including planning engineering economic
development police fire India water
authority and the city manager's
office. So in terms of our um our
process we went through a three-step
process um in terms of the opportunities
and constraints work. So, first we
mapped all of our constraints by
technical topic to illustrate key
constraints for development for the
overall project and specific locations
within that 3,300 acres. Next, we joined
all constraints and approximated the
level of constraint. This step helped us
to communicate the level of constraint
and risk for development and to identify
potential opportunity areas for the
project. And then lastly, we joined um
uh constraints and opportunities that
were not geographically
focused. And this slide shows the
outcome of our process. Um in the
presentation that you received in the
staff report and went through each um
topic area, but in the interest of time,
I want to just share this summary. So
this slide um shows um uh portions of
the project area that are shaded in
different colors. And so you can see
those that are red are high um high
constraints um while those that are
green are high opportunity which really
just indicate that there's um
opportunities to sort of lower the cost
or for there to be streamlined um steps
that can be taken for um for
development. But what you can see here
is that um over half of the project area
is um either low or high constraint. And
so I think that's important to note. Uh
the area that you see um outlined in
red, the the polygon sort of in the
center of the 3,300 acres um between
40th Avenue and Fargo Canyon Road has
the lowest level of constraints. And
this approximately equals um 700 acres.
So, of that 3,300 acres, we found that
700 has sort of the the lowest level of
constraint for development. Sorry, uh,
quick question. Yes. In these areas, is
there any difference between which areas
are constrained by power versus water?
Yes. So, great question because um, some
of the Sorry, this seems okay. Some of
the topics were not geographic meaning
power, water service, wastewater and gas
are constraints for constraints um or
opportunities for the project as as a
whole. So it didn't relate to the
northern part being any different than
the southern part. And so we created
this um the this graph that you see on
the screen to help conceptualize those
topics that relate to the project are as
a whole. So we had a great discussion
right before this about the constraints
as it relates to power. So I think we're
all um we have a good understanding of
um issues related to power. I do want to
say that um because of the
EEFA that is actually an opportunity
because that mechanism already exists
but as it relates to connecting to
existing substations um it's definitely
a very costly endeavor. Um with regards
to water service um new water
distribution infrastructure to serve the
project area um would also be high from
a cost perspective due to also the
distance in connecting to existing water
infrastructure. So that's why we place p
power and water on that high constraint.
Wastewater has a similar situation in
that um the uh connection points to
existing facilities is far. However,
there is um a workaround through um uh
investigating on-site treatment. So,
that's something that could be uh
mitigable and developed through through
the project. And the reason I ask as
well is because I think with with power,
you know, there's new technologies where
there's micro grid possibilities and
stuff where we might be able to figure
out some ways to do battery storage and
uh generators or solar, that kind of
stuff. Whereas with water, you know, I
know that's you have to get the lines
there. Yeah. No, absolutely. No, that's
a really good point. And and power could
be something that we can um sort of
design our way out of um as opposed to
water service and connecting
infrastructure, hard
infrastructure. Okay. Um the next
section highlights um key findings from
the market demand and economic
development strategy
work.
Our subconsultant pro for adviserss
completed a market analysis that um uh
developed market us for the project
looking at um a few key factors. So
employment trends looking at uh regional
versus local also looking at specific
industries and growth projections um as
well as trends. They also looked at
commercial real estate. They were market
specific in that they looked at India.
They looked at Coachella Valley and the
Inland Empire and they looked at
specific uses since we're just focused
on industrial and office. And then they
looked at planned and proposed
development within India to get a sense
for the commercial real estate
environment. And lastly, um they were
able to develop an employment um project
demand for employment serving uses. And
this was um influenced by qualitative
input input from stakeholder interviews.
And so we were able to speak with
developers and the real estate community
to help influence the preliminary
demand. What they found from the market
analysis that is that the site's
location within the Coto Valley suggests
that a mixeduse business park could be
targeted in the long term. And in terms
of demand, um they looked at the
long-term job projections and historic
capture of office space over a 20-year
horizon. They found that there's demand
for 20 to 35 acres of office as well as
215 to 640 acres of light
industrial. The bubbles on the right
hand side of the screen show the pre
preliminary land use development
strategy which shows that 40 uh 430
acres would be devoted to light
industrial 70 acres to infrastructure to
serve the development. 60 acres of open
space to create a campuslike setting. 35
acres of office and five acres of
retail. This la last section of the
presentation highlights priorities for
the project to influence the conceptual
planning
scenarios. This slide that you see on
the screen um highlights what we've
heard from the city so far in this
process um as themes and priorities for
the project. Uh, and we're certainly
interested in hearing um your
perspective tonight and see if there's
anything else that you want to add and
I'll just briefly go over them. Um,
importance of revenue generation,
focusing on job growth, increasing
industrial uh, manufacturing presence,
diversifying employment tax base,
compliance with the multiple species
habitat plan, uh, importance of
prioritizing safety and habitat, uh,
minimizing exposure to environmental
hazards such as fault lines. Um and then
the use of flood planes as parks,
trails, and other recreation uses.
And to reiterate, um we're in the
process of the conceptual uh scenarios
and and final report phases. You can see
the the star there in May 2025. And we
have several additional outreach touch
touch points upcoming including uh
meeting with utility and service
providers um and the technical advisory
committee for a second time to influence
the conceptual scenarios. Uh we will
return to council in July to present the
findings from the conceptual scenarios
phase and the final report for the
project.
And with that, um, we can, um, end the
the presentation and open it up for
discussion. Council,
uh, for light industrial, are there some
examples you can share with us of other
light industrial um, businesses that
have been coming to the to the region?
Yeah. So, I think that um some of the um
mix of uh uses when we're talking about
light industrial could be um logistics,
it could be warehousing. Um uh it's
definitely a changing market. Um some of
the um additional uses we're looking at
are commercial flex, which might mean a
little bit of production um but could
also have a sort of office portion of it
that is more sort of like public facing.
And so it's um looking at uh basically
those those three categories in terms of
um the the trends within Coachella
Valley.
I think in that sense I would just want
our council to consider um when we bring
in those businesses are those going to
be job creating businesses or is it
going to be a lot of automation because
those are going to be different impacts
on our community there.
Anyone else? Can I ask? Go ahead, Mr.
Good.
I was just looking what we experienced
when we annexed the west side of it.
From the public safety side, we need to
take in the effect that it's being more
open land. Uh the mayor pro
Tim's there. It's an educational thing.
It's nothing. I think from what we
learned from the last time, there's just
a couple of things we need to do for the
interest of the public because those
areas have been used for all kinds of
rec recreational outdoor activities.
Fargo Canyon Road is a principal avenue
of going further east. So, it brings a
lot of travel activities for that type
of activity. It would be limited to
doing that in the future if we annex
based on our current municipal codes,
illegal dumping, off-roading, sport
shooting, whatever you might call. And
Burdue Canyon Road is the next one
further north, which puts it back in the
county where it should be. But those are
things that we definitely will have an
educational from the public safety side.
So when you're looking at this, there's
3,300 acres. We're talking about
developing 600 of them basically. The
other ones are challenged by other
issues. Is it challenged anything
geographically wise where can't be
utilized because it's uneven mountain
range? What's the other, you know, 2,700
acres? Is it still available for use
with certain grading or is this just the
most prevalent area that we can focus on
right now? Uh, yeah, that's a great
question. So, um I can flip through a
couple of the other um environmental
constraints because it's it's quite a
few. Um just get through you know I mean
the city of India when we had the
opportunity to go all the way to to
Washington Street and we didn't take it
because it just wasn't at that time in
the purview. They didn't feel it was
very important and obviously we've seen
how it grows. So I think anytime we can
build bring in land to be able to
redevelop it to bring in jobs,
infrastructure, and other stuff that's
going to make the city more viable, but
we also got to marginize it by what it's
going to cost us now to maintain it
because now we are going to do the
dumping. We do have the other stuff. We
do have things that go in there. Uh the
part of on the top of uh Sun City uh by
Sun City Shadow Hills and City uh Sun
City Palm Desert. We took that area.
They didn't even have the roads paved.
we paid to have the roads done and
everything else. So there's
opportunities there, but there's also
costs and what's that going to cost us
in the short term to be able to maintain
that too. So, so if we can look at other
areas of restraint in that because we
will have to have our police department
and we will eventually have to put water
and power and other stuff in. So go
ahead. I'd like to see what the rest of
it is. I I'm going to agree with you.
you know, the potential impacts of um
from a public safety perspective as you
mentioned um in terms of cost. I mean,
there's bound to be a lot of potential
impacts because there's only essentially
700 acres at this in the near term that
we can utilize effectively, you know.
So, I I would appreciate seeing that
analysis. Earthquake and flood zones
never good two signs.
You start off bad
there. I do want to highlight. So,
there's a couple different um topics
that you brought up that I think are are
really important, but I'll I'll just go
over the environmental constraints at
first um just to kind of paint a
picture. So, um what you see can see in
um Teal is um part of a special flood
hazard area which is not um not like a
FE FEMA flood hazard area. So it's not
as serious as that, but it is something
that requires um additional hydro
modeling and studying to really look at
over um the years and um through
different flooding events like 10year um
100redyear what really happens in that
land as it as it relates to to flooding.
And so that'll help us sort of
understand um the extent to which
flooding may impact development. But
certainly for our awareness knowing that
the northern half is in the um flood
hazard area, it's something that we're
trying to avoid as a initial step. And
then second um you can see kind of going
diagonally these are fault zones and um
it is best practice to not develop
within the fault areas. You I'm probably
stating the obvious there but there are
um buffers that you can design so that
you are you know away from them, but you
certainly don't want to have any um you
know, housing or anything related to uh
housing people um in those areas. So,
you can see as as these two areas kind
of um consume the the north and the
south, it starts to sort of narrow us
down. And so, this is I think one of the
most um poignant slides to just sort of
show from an environmental perspective.
Um there's uh other ones to highlight,
but I think maybe this one is um
probably the one to to focus on. And I
will note that um the the market
analysis showed that from a historic
standpoint and a um projected standpoint
that there's demand for 600 acres. And
so I think that's worth noting that um
when thinking about creating a
development that would um not be vacant,
that would actually have um you know
development come and uh business owners
come to to the site. We want to make
sure that um within the long term um
we're we're sitting within that market
demand. But the good thing is um that's
you know that's based on historic and
projected and so things can change in
the market and if the city really
creates um a priority to focus on
eastern India that um that dial may
change and so that's really just um take
it with a grain of salt. Uh but I think
the cost benefit analysis that you were
mentioning uh mayor about uh the cost of
services and maintenance and then how
much you would get in terms of um per
you know tax revenue. So, I think that's
a really important uh equation to think
about because that can also help to um
center in on the amount of acreage that
could help to have that costbenefit
analysis come out in the positive. Okay.
Thank you.
Yes, absolutely. First of all, thank you
for your presentation. Um I you know,
I'm interested in looking at some cost
analysis in the the the near and the
future, but um you know, I think that
the mayor hit it on the head. He said
that you know, we we had a loss
opportunity by expanding to Washington
and u when we have opportunity to get a
land that's cost effective um it's it's
a good u idea to look at it right and a
lot of these scenarios and and questions
that we have u will be sorted out and
looked at during the lab process as well
so I think just having the opportunity
to look at it I think that works in our
best interest um this is something that
if this does pass wouldn't be next
It's it will be but what it will do
it'll give us opportunity right and
without looking at it we don't have that
opportunity it sits as it is and um we
may not be here but um our city is
growing and eventually it will be built
out and that's something that Indo has
that a lot of other cities don't have
they don't have room to grow right and
yes it'll be some dollars to expand uh
uh um utilities out there but we still
have opportunity other cities don't. So,
it's I think it's a great opportunity to
look at it and thank you for bringing
it. We're all good. Mr. Halverson, do
you need anything else from us? No, I
just I just want to reemphasize that
we'll be back in July, bring some final
reports to you and then of course that
cost benefit analysis you brought up.
Very good point. But I'm what I'm
hearing is that you do want to move
forward at least go to another meeting
in July to get those final results
results and talk a little more about
what phase two would encompass and how
to move forward on phase two. Is that
kind of what I'm hearing? Yep. Okay.
Thank you. Thank you. All right. With
that, we'll move on to 12.1. Do we need
a break or do we want power through
this? Let's go ahead and move power.
Let's go. Okay. Move on to public
hearing. Number 12.1 is approval of the
annual action plan for 2025 2026 for the
program year 2025 community development
block grant allocated an anticipated
amount of five $750,000
and1 reprogram of unspent prior year
CDBG funds and authorize the finance
director to make any necessary budget
adjustments for receipt and utilization
of the fiscal year 2025 allocation an
unspent prior year for CDBG funds. Mr.
Raza, you handling this for us, sir? I
am, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. That is a uh
mouthful. Yeah, it was mouthful. I was
thinking the same thing.
Uh good evening, honorable mayor, Mayor
Pro Tam, city council members. So, uh
just a moment. There we go. This
evening, I am in fact presenting on the
annual action plan uh for approval to
the Department of Housing Urban
Development.
So, a quick uh recap of the program. The
community development block grant is a
federally funded program. The city of
India receives a direct allocation as an
entitlement community. And so with these
funds provided by HUD, the city is able
to address one or all national
objectives. Uh the priorities are
benefits to low and moderate income
persons, aid to the prevention and or
elimination of slum and blight or
meeting an urgent need. And so with that
in mind, the funds are typically used to
address public services, public
infrastructure or in uh
facilities. Quick couple uh HUD
guidelines. Uh part of this program is
required a consolidated plan which we
came before city council in 2024 for the
2024 through 2029
uh fiscal years. Within that five-year
plan, every year we are required to
renew uh based off our goals and
objectives. And so this evening we are
entering the second year of our
consolidated plan. There are per
requirements. There is a 30-day public
review uh that began April 4th through
May 5th. The draft was um provided on
our city website. And if you recall, I
was here in April presenting on the
annual action plan for solicitation and
feedback both from the city council as
well as the community. So this evening,
I'm here for approval of the annual
action plan. staff has provided a
recommendation of how to utilize the
current fiscal year funds which is in
your staff report as well as exhibit B I
believe and on the presentation. So I
apologize for those in the audience. It
is a little uh difficult to read from
afar. Staff is recommending the proposed
allocation uh anticipated allocation I
should add of
$750,000 and $750,01
and distributed accordingly. There is a
component of public services, a
component of public facilities,
infrastructure, and then the remaining
cap of administration. And so with the
$750,000 of the anticipated allocation,
there is a breakdown of the potential
public service agencies who would
benefit from the funds as well as the
amounts and a very brief description of
the deliverables for those services.
The larger percentage of the allocation
is for public facilities improvements.
In this case, the Indo Sports
Park. Uh there is again an
administration component not to exceed
20% bring in your total annual program
of $750,000
$750 and1.
Uh I will note there are some additional
unspent funds in the rough ballpark of
480,000. Uh staff is also requesting uh
by the city council to use those funds
to reprogram into the current uh public
facilities project assuming it is
approved and bring oh which will bring a
grand total for this current fiscal year
of a little over a little over 1.2
million. So that is again the uh
proposed activities
and request the approval on behalf of
the city for the annual action plan
fiscal year 2025 through 2026 to be uh
submitted to HUD as well as
reprogramming of any unspent funds from
previous years and authorization of the
finance director to make any necessary
budget adjustments for receipt and
utilization. I will note this is an
anticipated amount subject to change. I
believe we should receive our exact
allocation towards the end of this
month. That concludes my presentation.
I'd like to say something. Thank you for
your presentation, Mr. Mayor. If I can,
I need to recuse myself for this item.
Um, some of this funding is going to be
used for emergency and transitional
housing for Coachella Valley Rescue
Mission, and I sit on that board. So,
there's potential conflict for that. So,
I'll step out. Okay. Thank you. We'll
wait for you to leave.
It's on the page.
Third item from the top of the top to
the left.
Yeah, it's right here.
But if he feels comfortable.
All right,
Mr. This is a public com uh public
public hearing, so we'll open up. But do
you have something to say, Mr. I was
just curious is what the future holds
for the same type of funding amounts
besides where we're at right now.
In terms of this program, I am
optimistic.
uh but I can't predict uh what next year
will look like or the future years.
Okay,
I know sometimes u I get confused. I
know there's two different pots of money
that we send uh over to the rescue
mission and Martha's Village. Is there
other funding that we're allocating to
the rescue mission? That isn't the
proposal this year. uh it was to focus
on CBDG. Um at your direction, we could
certainly do so. If you recall, and
maybe it was mentioned, but the fact
that some of these fundings are so small
that there's a lot of paperwork to do
for such a small amount. So, the request
was can we just kind of give it all one
year to one group and then the next year
to the next group? It's just so much
paperwork. Um the other money you speak
to doesn't have the same strings and
paperwork that this one has. Which one?
The if it's a general fund contribution.
So during the pandemic, as you recall
and are mentioning, we provided, I
believe it was a $100,000 to each of
those during the pandemic to kind of
help them through. Um, but I don't
believe that's something that we have
suggested or recommended to continue,
but that's certainly up to you guys if
you'd like. I know with the I believe
with the rescue mission, I don't know,
are we alternating with those at the
moment? Is that what you're saying? Or
remind me, David, where we're at on
that. I will note that uh the rescue
mission which is Coachella Valley rescue
mission which you're referring to did
not apply this year. So I will note that
uh last year fine food bank did receive
CDBG funds a larger portion. Um this
year Martha's applied and Martha's
received a larger portion.
The only thing that I know that there's
really good partnerships that Palm
Springs has done with Martha's Village
dealing with the homeless besides CV
rescue mission and our quality of life
team has those partnership with both
even
ABC. So I don't know what other
opportunities where um CVRM has their
max. Does Martha's Village have anything
else to help us with the homeless?
So just something to think about.
Thank you. So you're talking about the
programs. Yeah. Because if they're
tapped out on what they're doing because
what we're doing is we want that here to
serve us here, not serve the valley. And
so they assure that bed. So if CBRM is
over here where they're at, I'm
assuming, then where is Martha's Village
at? If they're going to help us to
offset Indo only because that's what
they're doing in Palm Springs. Yeah. And
I think that, you know, we did talk
about I think last time we gave it
somehow with a general fund to up
everything to make sure that we did it.
We gave them barely, you know, funds
from our general fund. But like on this,
you know, the difference is is you said
that the the grants a lot of paperwork,
but there's one for $10,000. Are they
willing to do the actual work for the 10
grand? I mean, it's Yeah, remind me the
10 if you have that list. But yes, I can
speak on that. Uh you're referring to
say Family Justice Center. That was
their requested amount. Okay. So, and
they know the paperwork and everything
that goes with it and everything.
Probably $9,000 of paperwork for the
10,000.
You know, the thing that always amazes
me about the CBDG funding is that you
give 15% to charity and 20% nothing
personal, but 20% to the city to
administer it. It doesn't make any sense
to me. The money should be going out to
the community. Yes, we need to have a
fair thing, but they should open that
up. So, if we want to give some of that
funding to nonprofits more, we could. It
should be related should be Yeah. Let's
say the city's 20% but the 80% we should
be able to move it back and forth as we
want for projects to be able to do it
because a lot of these projects might
not be funding for like the sports park
which will help us but there might be a
need for like fine food bank which had
the big issue when we had the pandemic
and other stuff. Yes, there is some
funding sometimes but it should be more
open to be able to be utilized. It just
seems like that funding is very limited.
So, uh, honorable mayor, I will note
that the public service cap has come up,
um, on a national level. Uh, we are not
unique. That has come up multiple times.
Yeah, I know. So, well, we appreciate
that. So, let's open the public hearing.
Uh, would anybody like to speak on this
subject? Is there anybody that asks to
speak on the subject? Anybody here? With
that, we will close the public hearing.
And what's the pleasure of the council?
Any comments, questions? Anybody like to
make a motion? I'll so move the motion.
I'll second.
Do we have to read the motion? Are we
good? Okay. So, we have first by council
member Gatron, a second by council
member Ortiz. Please
vote. Passing nicely 4. Thank you very
much. We can bring in Mr. Ferman and
we'll move on to item 12.2. I know that
council or mayor Tim Holmes has to
recuse herself on it because her
business is within 500 ft of this uh new
business possible
bu license business
license trade one council member for the
next. So uh 12.2 two is now the approval
for a certificate certificate of public
convenience or necessity case file
number
PL-PCN-25-6 for a type 20 off uh sale uh
alcohol license issued by the California
Department of Alcohol Beverage Control
ABC for PS bottle shop a proposed
convenience market located within the
place at 45151 Oasis Street India
California 921 one. Mr. Halperson, you
handling this, sir? Yes, mayor and
members of the council. Um, there's this
rumor going around that the name should
change instead of PS, which is Palm
Springs. Yeah, I
was um but yes, I would like to present
this item on uh the PS bottle shop for
public convenience or
necessity. So, the applicant is Chris
White, as you can see, for uh the sale
of beer and wine um at 451 51 Oasis
Street. So you saw the first slide
showed the location that's going to be
called the place. Um there is an undue
concentration of licenses. Um there's
seven actually. Um the concentration um
they can't go over two. So that's why
we're here this evening is they're over
the concentration. There isn't a
concentration of crime but of course
licenses. Uh this shows just real
quickly a visual of where those licenses
are. You can see the the star is the new
location, the proposed location for a
new ABC license for offsale um beer and
wine. So, as I mentioned, maximum two.
There's seven that are
existing. So, we've done our our
research um and make sure that it's
compliant with the development code as
well as the general plan and the
downtown specific plans. This is in the
heart of of downtown. And I also just
wanted to mention a couple things as
well. Um, under development code
6.0408 under certificate of public
convenience or necessity, it also talks
about the review criteria. Not just the
general plan, but it also talks about
the uses compatible with the nature,
condition, and character of the adjacent
land uses, which it is. It also talks
about uh no adverse effect on adjacent
land uses uh which it would not. Um, and
then lastly is whether or not the
proposed use would result in
excess proximity. Um, going back to that
map, I just wanted to show this real
quickly. You know, most of the other
ones are kind of away from the proposed
one on Oasis Street. So, it meets that
criteria as well for the council. So,
um, we are recommending approval of the
certificate of public convenience or
necessity for this particular business.
the PS bottle shop. Um, and that does
conclude a very short presentation and
I'm available for questions. Thank you.
Any questions? This is a public hearing.
Okay. With that, we open a public
hearing. Is there anyone in wishes to
speak on this subject? Is the applicant
here? Yes, sir. Can you come up and
state your name for us? Uh, yes. Hi. Uh,
thank you for taking this in
consideration. My name is Chris White. I
am one of the four owners of PS Bottle
Shop. We're located in Palm Springs, as
was mentioned. Uh we have two locations
there. Uh we are a queer, black, and
womenowned business. Uh we are not just
a wine shop and beer shop. We're not
just a convenient mark convenience
market. Uh we focus on selling products
that are made by women, people of color,
and LGBTQ plus identified entrepreneurs,
makers, uh producers. Uh over 80 85% of
our products come from those types of
producers and owners uh entrepreneurs.
uh when we were invited uh to join the
place uh we were very excited about the
opportunity to uh be part of a
collective and so we're actually
licensing 500 square feet of a 15,000
foot uh space um and when we were
invited to be part of this collective we
were excited to be part of uh a number
of incredible entrepreneurs makers and
artists from across Coachella Valley um
and also we feel like our concept and
our philosophy and our mission as a
business to lift up and uh promote and
sell products that you don't see in a
mainstream market uh would be a great
addition to uh downtown India and that's
all I wanted to say and thank you so
much. Thank you sir for coming. Is there
anyone else that would uh like to speak
on this item? Anyone in the queue? Okay,
with that we will close the public
hearing. What's the uh pleasure of the
council? Any
conversation?
I'll make a motion to approve the
certificate of public convenience
necessity case file plan
PCN25006. I'll second. All those in
favor, please vote or
vote. Pass unity 4. Thank you, sir.
Welcome to the city of India. And we can
call in Mayor Pro Tim from outback.
Move on to item number 12.3 which is the
acceptance of fiscal year 2024 Edward
Burn Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
JAG in the amount of
27,592 to purchase public safety
supplies and other services and approval
of the JAG grant interlocal agreement
and budget adjustments. Chief Toy, you
handling this for us, sir? Yes, I am,
mayor. Good good evening. Good evening,
Mayor Pro Tim and members of the
council. This grant uh enables us to uh
purchase uh a number of things. It's an
annual grant that we uh seek out to uh
to acquire. Um we utilize it to buy
small equipment such as a true narc uh
electronic uh narcotics detection uh
equipment. It provides additional safety
for our personnel and it allows us to
identify fentanyl, cocaine and other uh
costic um narcotics in a safe manner.
Also, we utilize the remainder of the uh
grant to uh to do um provide officer
wellness counseling services to our
members. So, the staff tonight is uh
seeking approval of this JAG grant uh
for these for these items.
All right. Any questions of the chief?
Mr. Gatron? No, just like to make a
motion. We got to do public hearing. No,
I mean, sorry. Yep. So, with that, we
will open the public hearing. Anybody
like to talk about this grant or
anything else? Thank you, Chief, for
bringing this to us. Anybody in the
queue subject? Thank you. With that, we
will close the public hearing. What's
the pleasure of the council? Just like
to make a motion. Okay.
To basically uh to accept this uh the
Edward Bean Memorial Justice Assistance
Grant, the JAG in the amount of
27592 to purchase public safety supplies
and other services and approval by the
Jag Grant. Okay. We got a first by
council member Petron. We have a second.
Second by council member Ferman. Please
vote.
passes unanimously. 5-0. With that,
we'll move on to item number 12.4, which
is public hearing to consider adoption
of resolution number 10489 of the city
council, the city of India, and the
India water authority board approving
the water rate adjustments and the
amounts as provided in exhibit A to the
resolution and declaring that no
majority protests exist. Mr. Tjo, are
you handling this for us, sir? Welcome.
Uh I am and I'm collaborating with our
city attorney as well, Ray Tjo, general
manager of India water authority and at
this time it's more procedural. So we'll
go ahead and have our city attorney uh
go over the staff report and the
processes. I am standing by for any
technical questions. So is our
consultant in the room. So Okay. Thank
you so much, Mr. Mayor. Members of the
city council, the item that you have
before you uh this evening, we this is a
public hearing and the resolution would
be to um approve the water rates that
are actually low in the resolution and
declare that there's no majority protest
and it's very procedural. Um we've been
going through the process of uh coming
to the council a few times specifically
related to the rates. Um in particular
on March 19th, city adopted a resolution
to of intent to actually go through this
process, the Proposition 218 process.
And at that time, uh we went ahead and
um established the hearing for this
evening. With that, uh notices were sent
out to property owners and um and
customers. There were
28,853 notices. Um they were sent out in
full compliance with Proposition 218,
both in English and Spanish. And then
after that on April 15th, staff had a
community meeting um to further uh talk
about rates if anybody did have any
questions with respect to that. And then
further notice uh was um published in
the newspaper on April 23rd and May 6
specifically with respect to this
hearing. And so this hearing really is
uh to see if there's any further uh
protests. To date, we have received two
protests. So, um, as far as I could
tell, there would be no majority
protest. We would need over half of the
28,853, uh, to protest for this not to
move forward. Um, I would, uh, Miss
Sanchez could go ahead and kind of
attest to that. She's going to need to
do that. It is in the resolution. Um,
but as far as I understand, we've only
had two. We will see tonight also if
there's anybody in the audience or if we
do receive any further protests. And
with that, um, if the council does, uh,
declare that there's no majority
protest, the new rates, uh, would take
effect, I believe, on July 1st. And with
that, I'm available for any questions.
Any questions, city attorney, before we
open the public hearing and mayor, just
for the record, I would like to confirm
that we did receive only two letters of
protest. Thank you, Sabi. U Mr. Ortiz,
just a quick question. How was the
participation at the community meeting?
Uh we only had staff present of which uh
four of the staff members were
residents. Uh we didn't receive any uh
participation from the public. I also
placed my city cell phone on the
notices, all 28,000 of them. Oh wow. And
received received uh five calls and the
calls were directed to how staff or how
the residents could participate in turf
removal programs. And so that's the
quantity of of folks that were involved
in this process. Uh I think it's due to
the communications that was sent out and
the clarity that that was presented by
by the team. While I got you here, how
much money is turf removal program.
So well over well depending on what the
federal side is. We did receive $800,000
on the federal side. A 50% match that's
on hold. Uh but to date we do have
200,000 for disadvantaged communities
that we've exhausted and we are probably
first in line for an additional 300,000
specifically for disadvantaged
communities uh for turf removal. So
300,000 is available for disadvantaged
communities. In addition to that we have
another
300,000 come first serve on turfable.
Okay. And we started with like 900,000
right maybe a year or two ago. That is
correct. So, we do have uh again the 800
pending uh pending the current
administration because that's fedally
funded, but that's new funding, right?
Correct. Okay. Yes. Thank you. And Ray,
what is the uh dollar amount up to you
could do for individuals and businesses?
Yeah. So, for just turf removal without
any trees is $2 per square foot, but uh
IWA also introduced a new program new
new to the valley which is introducing
an additional dollar total of $3 per
square foot if you plant a tree. And we
have a list in the portfolio of trees
that are natural or desert friendly and
desert native. And if you do plant a
tree again supporting the canopy
efforts, it's $3 per square foot. Thank
you. Thank you very much. Anyone any
other questions? Okay, with that we will
open up the public hearing. Is there
anyone here that wishes to speak on the
subject? Sab, do we have anybody in the
queue? None, mayor. Okay, then we will
close the public hearing. And what do
you need from us? just the approval or
do we need to have anything else read in
the record?
So what it would be is a approval of the
resolution and that is all that's left.
Okay. Any other questions, comments
among us? Okay. Somebody like to make a
motion. I'll motion to approve the
resolution. Okay. We have a second.
Second. Okay. We have first by Council
Member Ortiz. Second by Council Member
Ferman. Please vote.
Passes in.
Yep.
for
passing nasty 5-0. We got the rookie.
So with that, we'll move on to item
number 12.5, our last public hearing
item for the evening. It's apply a
compliance with new legal obligations re
public hearing on city vacancies and
recruitment and retention efforts
assembly bill 2561 government code
section
3502.3. Andrew, are you handling this
for us, sir? I am, sir. Good, good
evening, Mr. Mayor, council members,
Andrewan Surriion, director of human
resources and risk management. It's my
pleasure to uh provide a status update
on vacancies and recruitment and
retention efforts uh that the city has
conducted in 2425. This is in compliance
with a new bill called
AB2561. Um quick review of the agenda.
I'm going to skip that because I know
it's getting late, but I I couldn't go
any further in the slide deck without
emphasizing and expressing my
appreciation for my colleagues. Um, the
HR department's mission is extremely
clear and it's something we take very
seriously. It's very simple. We're our
goal and purpose in life is to attract
and retain people who are eager to
improve the lives of our community. Um,
we can't do that alone though. But I
need to give a special thanks to my HR
team. Um, the other recruitment team
over in IPD for all of their intensive
recruitment efforts, department leaders
for taking staffing and and talent uh
search and retention seriously, the city
manager for his support. He is a uh he
is a true leader when it comes to
finding talent and retaining talent.
city council for giving us uh policies
and support through the negotiation
processes and the workforce itself has
transformed over the years and they are
some of our best recruiters because
they're out there marketing and
promoting the city and attracting talent
to our city.
Um
AB2526 was effective January 1, 2025.
And it basically requires all
municipalities to report their vacancies
before they adopt a budget. If there are
vacancies within a bargaining unit that
are over 20% or more, it triggers some
additional reporting. Um fortunately, we
haven't triggered the 20% uh at the
point of pulling the
data. A brief background on our
workforce and how it kind of looks. Um
the authorized FTE says 313 and uh uh
Miss Walla probably is going to say
Andrew that number is wrong. I included
interns and fellows in my number Miss
Walla but because it's an activity and
they are people we attract and try to uh
bring to the bring to the city. Um I
want to point your attention to the
generations at work because when I first
arrived here that generational
distribution was much different. We've
seen a massive changeover in the age of
our workforce which is causing us to
change the way we lead, change the way
we train, consider different ways of
compensating and providing benefits for
staff because this emerging gener
generation of Gen Zers want different
things and actually need different
things. So we are learning that we have
to provide some almost some at times
different levels of training that we
never had to provide to different age
cohorts.
uh vacancies by unit. The left column is
the bargaining units that we have at the
city. I'm sure you're all familiar with
them. The authorized FTEES to the right
in the green column. And then as of
pulling this data on March 12th, 2025,
um those were our vacancies. The column
columns in yellow are the vacancies by
bargaining unit. The ones in orange are
the vacancies that were actively
recruiting for. So you see a little bit
of a differentiation there. Um if you
look at Indo City Employees Association,
it shows that we have eight vacancies.
Um uh eight vacancies. Um Water has zero
vacancies, but we're we're actively
recruiting um for three. Um the one at
position is the assistant chief, which
we're currently recruiting for. So if
you'll notice the percentages, um
nothing has hit the 20% threshold. The
Service Employees International Union
came close. They have a 19%
um vacancy rate right now and that's
primarily our engineers and I believe uh
um council member Gutron referenced that
earlier this evening. That has been a
where's Tim? That has been a very
difficult occupational area along with
planners to recruit and fill. Um I think
we did a recruitment pretty aggressive
recruitment this year for engineers and
it didn't pan out. Um we did experiment
with something in IWA for engineers last
year. We did an internship program for
engineers. It worked out so well that um
Mr. Tjo decided to hire the candidate
and that now we have a junior engineer
in water. And so we're going to look at
creating some unique pipelines to get
some of these hard to fill hard to fill
positions filled.
Uh number of recruitments. So you can
Andrew quick when you go back you said
the service employees inter union uh
there's the vacancies in engineering but
here it shows full-time vacancies with
active recruitments and we show a zero
correct we're not recruiting for them
right now we we tried uh for about 3 4
months we had them all doing a
full-blown search through all the
publications using a variety of
resources we we just had a very weak
talent pool and they weren't the caliber
of candidates. We felt like we're going
to meet the needs of the city. So, we
closed those searches down, but those
are still vacancies that we have and
we're contracting out that work or some
of that work is being contracted down.
Isn't that correct? Isn't that correct,
Tim?
Yeah. Okay. Thanks. Good question. No.
Recruitments over the years, you can see
uh this starting in 1617 all the way to
the current year. You can notice in 2122
we see we saw an ex significant spike in
recruitment activities. a variety of
reasons. We were coming out of COVID, so
there was an increase in staffing needs.
We had turnover. We had a new city
manager setting a new vision um applying
new expectations and there was some
natural attrition, but we also had a lot
of vacancies when I arrived here that we
weren't recruiting for. And department
heads came to me and said, "Look,
Andrew, we need help." And so my team
pulled together. We work collaboratively
with the department heads and we've been
going full steam ahead in recruitment
efforts. Chief and his team have doing
been doing a magnificent jobs
particularly in police officer
recruitment and dispatch recruitment. So
we're busy and we've added no staff. So
I'm very proud of my HR team. They are
very passionate about finding good
people. But let me
um we work very effectively and
efficiently. The average day number of
working days it takes to fill a position
in the city of India was 24 days. That
doesn't include IPD. We're going to talk
about IPD in another slide, but 24
working days to fill a position in a
public sector position uh uh employer is
is a a herculean achievement. Um and
that's because we have department heads
who take staffing very seriously. And
when we find someone, we get them in
here and we vet them
quickly.
Any questions on this slide? Nope. Okay.
Uh, recruitment investments. Um, we take
a very multi-prong approach to finding
talent. And I've tried to make a little
graphic there. I'm not very artistic, so
that's the best I could do. But we use a
multi-prong approach from employee
referrals to job boards, the internet,
uh, social media, word of mouth,
professional organization. But an area
that we've really tapped into is this
intern and fellows um strategy. We pilot
tested it a couple years and now we're
getting six to 10 interns coming into
our organization. And guess what? They
may not be employed right away after an
intern, but they have a positive
experience when they work with us as in
an intern or fellow capacity. They tell
others and sometimes they in fact come
back when we hire them. In fact, I think
we have about three or four that we've
hired in the last three years. So, those
are major successes and we are receiving
calls from other agencies in the
Coachella Valley to copy our program.
And if you don't mind, I don't want to
share how we're doing it.
Can you go back one slide? Yes. Um, when
you have the number for the 54
recruitments, is that people who were
like applied or No, that's actual
searches that we've started. So, let's
say um Ruby has an opening for a
financial analyst. You don't have one,
Ruby, but let's say you did. She would
submit a request to start a search. My
team would start a search that counts as
one recruitment. Gotcha. Yeah. There
might be multiple positions in that
recruitment, though. Okay.
Applications. Here's another great sign
that we've done something right here in
in the city of India with regard to our
reputation out there in the in the labor
market. Look at the applications that we
received in 2223. We were receiving
about 2,300 applications a year. Now
we're up to 3,100 in a year.
Recruitment's all about the same area.
That's because more people are
interested. And what makes this number
even more remarkable is unemployment in
this area is under 5%. You see, you
should see a slope downward. When
unemployment's that low, application
should be lower. We're seeing the
reverse. That's because people see what
we're doing. They see the change. They
see the transformation. They hear good
things about what it's like to work in
this new culture that we have. So,
people want to join the team. I hear
about it all the time. I play pickle
ball throughout this valley and I wear
an Indo hat when I play and people are
always asking me what is going on in
India and uh we're doing something
right. Um going back to the police
officer search I think it's good for um
the public and maybe some of my
colleagues to realize and I know chief
you know
this like the back of your hand but it
is a m and Mr. patrol certainly knows it
is a significant investment that the
city makes to find and employ and put a
police officer on the streets. It just
takes five to six months from the point
we screen their application to get them
in the academy. And by the time we
screen their do the do the paper
screening by the time they actually are
released to go on their own on the
street it could be 18 months
approximately investment a lot of
hurdles and a lot of people candidates
through the process fall out at various
stages. Chief if you want to chime in at
all if I've missed anything important
please do. Okay good. Um but I thought
it was important that everyone
understand it it's not just a difficult
job it's difficult to select people
through the processes we
have obstacles recruiting um these
aren't necessarily uh gerine just to the
city of India but this is this these are
some of the common obstacles pay and
benefits but pay doesn't keep people
culture keeps people and we're keeping
quality people because of the culture
we've created here we've created a
culture where people know they're cared
about. They know the mission of the
organization. They know they're going to
get a good competitive pay. They know
they can develop and work on a variety
of projects that they won't be able to
do in maybe larger agencies. Um so these
are some of the obstacles um that most
organizations experience. Um and we're
trying to address some of these when
they they approach us. There are some
obstacles like higher ed's not producing
enough planners or
engineers. We can't really control that,
but maybe someday we'll get a program
together where we build our own planners
and we build our own engineers. Maybe
that'll be our solution. Retention over
the uh last uh couple years has been
great. The national average for
voluntary turnover, and just so everyone
understands, voluntary turnover are
voluntary resignations or retirements.
Involuntary turnover is when people
leave the organization for po per
performance related reasons. Okay. Uh
the national average for voluntary
turnover right now is 13.5. We're well
below that mark. Last year we were 10.4.
This year we're about 10.37. We'll
probably get to 10.5 when the fiscal
year is over. Um, total turnover is a
combination of voluntary and involuntary
turnover is 15% last year, 13% this
year. The red flag is if you hit 20% in
total turnover in a in a year. And if
you do that for a couple years, then
you've got a problem. Okay, right now
we're in a really good spot with our
retention. Every organization has
turnover, by the way. But the unknown
fact is if you don't have turnover that
means you're not holding high enough
expectations for your
staff retention investments. Um we've
done a lot of improvements in pay and
benefits with your support as a city
council through the negotiations. We've
worked great with some of the labor
organizations. They're not here with the
labor organizations with studying our
salaries across job classifications and
making market. I'm going to come to the
employee survey part, but this is
something that that this this city does
that I don't know many cities do. They
we we survey our employees and I'm going
to give you some results of that. Um we
do a lot of appreciation events. I've
never seen uh I've been never been to an
employer who does as many recognition
and appreciation events and I think our
employees uh really appreciate those.
One program that we started was Future
Leaders of India. This is a in-house
training program that we designed um and
it's for our emerging and aspiring
leaders because we're trying to build
the leaders of the city of
Ind. We're not just hoping leaders will
come to us. We're trying to build them
in house and I think there's a a few
that have been been involved with the
program and Mr. Treyo and Miss Walla are
are presenters in it as long as well as
me.
Um, one another unique thing that I've
never seen happen, but our city manager
meets with every single new
hire. Every single one. They learn what
GSD is. They learn what the three Ps
are, and they understand that we're here
to serve, period. Um, I've never seen
that
before. Now, this is something that I'm
very proud of. We, uh, we partnered with
the Gallup company, an international
company I'm sure most of you familiar
with. They do a lot of employee surveys
for Fortune 500 companies and we
partnered with them in 2022 because when
I first got here, one of the things I
kept hearing was, "Andrew, morale's low.
Morale's low. Morale's low. People
aren't happy. No one
smiles." Um, and but there was no data
to support that. It was just a feeling.
And so we put in some improvements and
practices and we've done training and it
changed expectations, but we needed to
get data to demonstrate where we are now
and where we need to go. So we surveyed
all of our
nonIPD employees because IPD was doing
their own um study at the time, own
survey at the time. And um we used the
Gallup instrument which has been used
over 30 million times
nationwide and we got some results
across every department. We had an
exceptional participation rate. 70% of
our employees participated in the
survey. Gallup took all the data didn't
share one person's identity with any
city official. They just gave us the
aggregate reports and we gave those
reports to every department head. And we
told every department head to put
together a team, pick two areas you want
to improve, put some strategies in
place, and work towards improving
it. When we got the results, we were
58th in the 58th percentile in the
nation. That didn't make Mr. Montgomery
really happy, but I was okay with that
because I knew we could only go up. 58th
percentile in the nation on the Gallup
study wasn't anything to be proud of.
But after our department heads took that
data, put real changes in place to make
people feel like they cared, felt like
they've had a voice, felt like they
could, they were getting good feedback,
felt like they were growing and
developing. We redid the survey in 2024
and now the city of India, I'm proud to
say, is in the 71st percentile in the
nation. And that's because of all of our
good leaders and managers and
supervisors taking this data seriously
and wanting to make change. And that's
how you change culture, things like
that. Um that that concludes this
report. It's a receiving file, isn't
that right, uh Sabi? But I'm happy to
field any questions or comments. Yep.
Well, it's a public hearing, so I do
have to open up public hearing for
anybody, but we will get some comments
for you in a second. Okay. So, with
that, I'll open up the public hearing.
Is there anyone that wishes to speak on
this
subject? With that, I will close the
public hearing.
Andrew, would you come on up? Do you
have any questions of Andrew? Anything
you'd like to say? I mean,
go ahead.
It's is impressive. When we sat down, we
have Chief Washburn, he and I sat down
with Jeremy, we had Andreas there
because we wanted to look at a different
approach looking at what youth coming
up, young adults coming up. We were
going to hit all the colleges and we did
really good especially for the police
department. But I think we can also use
that same concept that you encourage
from your experience in education is to
getting those locals back home. So
they're going out for school, they're
achieving their undergrads, masters, but
they're coming back home or some of them
ended up establishing a relationship.
That's been really successful. The
retention rate, that's what worries me
because a lot of things have been slow
and we did lose. I mean, dispatch was a
big challenge uh no more than what six,
seven months ago. the chief's been able
to recruit that thanks to Sergeant um uh
Rick Cerna and Andreas that was
assisting him. Now that teams is going
to be changing. Those are the things we
have to mentor other teams to continue
that drive. Um the other thing that I've
seen is it's also to know those that are
going on to bigger and better things is
having those exit interviews. I know
that the exit interviews is a form with
an HR person, but I think the director
needs to hear if they're leaving on good
terms. Directors need to hear from them
to gauge where what their relationships
are. What concerns me is you look base
everything on ER evaluation, but it's
that human connection they need to do.
Somebody's leaving in bad terms as you
mentioned not meeting probationary per
issues, challenges with work. That's
that's the environment. But I think it's
a very important value when they're
moving on because maybe they're going to
be a director or they're going to be a
supervisor somewhere. They say, "Hey,
what would you change? What can we do?"
Is hearing those comments. I think those
are important. The last thing
is this law was brought in because
unions felt that spots were not being
filled. They were deliberately being
held back. It is what it is. The law
passed. We have to comply. What concerns
me is we're getting data from this past
year and be able to compute what we're
actually at at the time that we adopt
the budget. Those figures are important
because you're doing so much good work
that we're going to reflect what
happened. It's kind of like crime stats.
People look at crime stats, by the time
we get them nationally, they're already
10 months old. Doesn't do anybody any
good. the actual statistics. I think we
need to look at taking the initiative
and just updating it because all we're
going to do is what we did in the past,
but it's not going to show what we've
accomplished. So, I know that's what it
says and I know there's going to be a
process, but I think every the hard work
that the team has done, I think needs we
that's pretty good bragging rights. So,
thank you, Council Member Katron. As far
as real time data, that's something I'm
tracking now. Yeah. Pro Tim, I just
wanted to thank you for the
presentation. It was just really an
outstanding presentation. Um
particularly, you know, I've noticed
over the last gosh, quite a few several
years even um the change the change in
morale, the change in in productivity,
um the change in energy there at city
hall. So, there's a lot of good things
at city hall and to see it um in in a
statistical format really underscores
that and I appreciate the presentation.
Thank you. And just two quick questions
for me on the recruitments. Like you
said, you're not actively going out
because you didn't get the participation
or the the candidates you thought you
did. When do you decide to go back out
from that to be able to do it? Because
that's where the unions or the other
individuals that are our partners would
say, you know, yeah, you got a fill of
need, but if you're not even recruiting,
when are you going to recruit to bring
these people in? Yeah, there that's
there's a lot of nuance in that. I can't
give you a specific uh indicator that
goes off, but for engineers, for
example, a good time to start recruiting
is after um winter break because those
graduates, for example, out of college,
they're starting to look for jobs. Then
right now to search for engineers is
that that's been picked over. Not a lot
of people want to come to India or the
desert. That's right. July. That's
right. Now, there's other recruitment.
There's That's right. There's other
recruitments. We just keep open
continuously. dispatch, code, police
officer, we keep those continuously
open. And if you had to look at
something that we're not doing now, and
I'm talking about benefit wise, because
it's a it really isn't about pay, it is
about culture. It pay is a part very
much so like amenities, you know, when I
look at something, I would think
something like daycare, you know, how
does the city help with that? maybe at
our teen center or something where we
partner with Cood or some one of these
organizations where or you know we have
the art center here where we bring that
in and some of our partners or somebody
we work with or work with College of the
Desert students that are doing it
because it's so needed in this area. But
if we could get some of these workers to
bring their children here, know that
they're taken care of, they can come
out, go back out from work,
not a little ways and go, it it's
something I think that we we need to
kind of look at to see if there's
something out there that we can do that
puts us above everybody else. All right.
So, this is a brainstorming session
right now, right? No bad answer I'm
going to give you, right? I hope not.
child care and some type of subsidized
for housing would be two differentiators
if we could put something together like
that.
Furman, first of all, thank you for your
your presentation. Um, good like you
said, we need that and this is good.
But, um, you know, if you walk through
city hall, you know, you you could feel
that there has been a change. So, I I
appreciate those efforts. I appreciate
the the Gallup uh study because a lot
it's it's anonymous, right? So, you
know, nobody knows and it doesn't go
through your hands. So, I I appreciate
that as well. Um I I wanted to talk
about some of the subsidies. You know,
we we have uh opportunity possibly to
partner with Call to the Desert with
their child care uh um program here. I
know that as we grow as a city, as we
grow as a city hall, um those challenges
are going to be more prevalent. and some
afford affordability thing too as well.
Proximity as well. So, um there's
opportunity there. The mayor just spoke
on it before I got to it. So, I think
that's something that that we could look
at. But, um I also wanted to speak at
the efforts of the police department. Um
um folks always say, "Hire more police.
Hire more police." Well, if there were a
bigger pool to hire from, every police
department would be hiring because
across the board is it's hard to hire
police officers, especially right now
there's a big turnover with retirements
and things like that. And so, but um I
I've witnessed the the process. I I've
been to the teen center when uh uh when
Jeremy was still here and I I watched,
you know, how they went through some of
the testing and I believe it was, you
know, part of, you know, during the the
pandemic when we had some challenges
there, they were able to to make some
modifications and testing. So, um you
know, just to put it out there, our
police department is always actively
hiring and looking for folks and local
officers. And that takes me to my next
um you know, statement that I really
like is the future leaders you spoke
about of growing people and nurturing
them inhouse, right? And there's more, I
believe, pride and and more um you know
commitment when you have that folks who
are in-house and they want to grow into
different positions or learn different
positions. And so right now with our
growth, we have a perfect opportunity
for interns or folks to come in and
learn from the folks that we have in
this room. So, um, I'm very pleased with
what I see and, uh, our trajectory keeps
going up and so that's that's a good
thing. Thank you. Thank you, Andrew.
Thank you. Detailed.
With that, uh, we'll move on to our
public comments and this is time for
people to speak on something that's not
on an agenda. Uh, we have one, uh,
person, Mr. Zoodio. Come on up.
Mike, if anybody else would like to
speak, please fill out a form and bring
it up to the city clerk.
Okay. Been a long meeting here.
Well, you know what? You're always at
the end. You can always come later.
Yeah, that's exactly what I was
thinking.
You're a taller.
Uh, good evening, uh, mayor, uh, council
members, Mr. Montgomery, Chief, and the
audience. Um, let me start off by
saying, uh, I want to thank whoever took
care of the issue and in reference to
the debris that was over at the, uh,
armory, the piles of trash and so on so
forth. That's been pretty well cleaned
up. I did notice that there I don't know
who it is, but they're still dumping
today. There was something dumped there.
There was piles of rubbish.
Um, one thing
that I mean you were talking about just
just recently in reference to uh
hiring. Um, I want to see if
maybe it's possible to
hire two city employees with a pickup
truck. Um, just going around the city,
keeping the city clean, the the curb and
gutters, the grass that's growing in
between the sidewalks. uh just the signs
that are left on the poles, the yard
sale signs, they're everywhere. They're
they're just it's ridiculous. But I
don't know if it's uh feasible to hire
somebody back in the day, but I don't
know what it's like
now. Um the other thing is uh DG for uh
baseball fields. Our fields have not had
uh DG replacement which is the bin
field 20 years 25 years since I last uh
coached and it's very slippery out there
for those kids. It's a lot of low sand
that's mixed in there. It's really it's
in pretty bad shape. all all the
baseball fields, Davis Field, uh the
fields over at Jackson
Park, they're they're pretty bad
shape.
Um let's see.
It's your
wife. Uh
uh I know that
um you probably have in front of you the
uh petition that I have uh going out uh
that myself u family members uh local
businesses and uh just people in
general. Um, and it talks about the uh
signage that's over
in the the North Indial area, but it's
left our area, our original North India
area
out to recognize the old North India as
who we are, which is North India, the
original North India. Um, we've been
left out. Um, not and I want to stress
that I'm not trying to take away the
name North India from the residential
area on the other side of the I 10 on
the north side of I 10. I'm not trying
to take that away. So, I just want our
our community to be
recognized. I mean, if if there's
they're going to be recognized, why
can't we? That's all. So, uh, with that,
I just want to say thank you for such a
long meeting. You're welcome. Man, I'mma
tell you for everything you learned. I
think I'm watching TV. I think I'm going
to take you up on that.
I'll come. I'll I'll watch
when it's time for public comment. Thank
you. Thank you, Mr. Montgomery. Can you
check into those ball fields just to
make sure they're they're safe? I mean,
I could see it blow sand. Just look at
the infield DG. Yeah. Okay. Exactly. And
maybe we can call it old north.
Sure. Just a little thing on there. So
if you look at it, you can see the
petition. So with that, is there anyone
else wishing to speak? Okay. We're we
are going to adjourn the meeting at at
uh 7:50, but also we have the Assada
Festival this Saturday. Please come. And
you're also going to see a bunch of
opportunities for our birthday. They're
going to come some events. Our birthday,
our 95th uh anniversary for the city of
Indo is on May 16th. So we'll see you at
the Sada Festival this weekend in in
downtown India.
Fire yourself.