>> OKAY, GOOD EVENING. I WILL CALL TO ORDER, THE CITY OF INDIO JOINT MEETING WITH INDIO
[1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL]
[00:00:07]
WATER AUTHORITY. TODAY IS WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 5, 2022.THE TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 5:00 I AM MAYOR FERMON.
>> FOR THE RECORD, COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES AND RAMOS AMITH ARE NOT HERE.
>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOMEONE HERE DOING THE VOCATION.
IF I COULD ASK EVERYONE TO PLEASE
STAND. >> LORD, WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY.
I AM SO THANKFUL FOR EACH OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, FOR OUR MAYOR, CITY EMPLOYEES, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ALL THAT THEY DO TO KEEP OUR CITY SAFE, AND BLESS US.
[3. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER:]
A PRAY YOU BLESS THEM AND GIVE THEM GREAT WISDOM AS THEY CONSIDER THE THINGS ON THE AGENDA TODAY.MAY YOU GUIDE THEM IN MAY LEAD THEM AND PROTECT THEM AND BLESS THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES.
[1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL]
WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD OVERSEE THIS MEETING.>> PLEASE REMAIN STANDING OUR REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE.
>> 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 WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
ALRIGHTY. NEXT ITEM, ON OUR AGENDA IS CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON ANY CLOSED SESSION ITEMS.
I DON'T 3.1 THE CITY COUNCIL GIVE NEGOTIATION DIRECTION BY
CONSENSUS. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, SIR.
YOU MOVE ONTO THE NEXT ITEM, PRESENTATIONS.
WE DO HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FOR IMPERIAL IRRIGATION WHO WILL DOING A PRESENTATION FOR US.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR FERMON AND STAFF.
I'M HERE TO GIVE A PRESENTATION BUT BEFORE THAT WANTED ACKNOWLEDGE COUNCILMEMBER MILLER AS HE SERVES IN OUR COMMITTEE FOR IRRIGATION AND ALSO MR. --, THANK YOU FOR SERVING ON THE COMMITTEE.
THEN WE RECENTLY HIRED A PUBLIC AFFAIRS PERSON SO I WILL GO AHEAD AND INVITE HIM TO COME UP AND INTRODUCE HIMSELF.
THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR FERMON MEMBERS OF THE CITY
[4. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION]
COUNCIL. MY NAME IS LEO HERNANDEZ, NEW PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST AT IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT HERE.[5.1 Presentation by Imperial Irrigation District (IID)]
BE HERE AND BASICALLY, I WAS HIRED AND THEN TASKED TO REPRESENT THE AREA OF LA QUINTA, INDIO, COACHELLA AND INCORPORATED AREAS. ONE OF THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ME IS TO PROMOTE AND INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT OUR ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. WHICH I WILL BE DISCUSSING LATER IN THE PRESENTATION.>> THANK YOU. >> A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IID WE ARE IN IRRIGATION DISTRICT AND PUBLIC POWER PROVIDER.
WE PROVIDE, WHERE ONE OF EIGHT BALANCE IN THE 30S IN CALIFORNIA.
ELECTRICAL SERVICE AREA IS ABOUT 6800 SQUARE MILES.
WE SERVE A POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 450,000.
ABOUT 156,000 CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS AND THE LOWEST ENERGY RATES IN CALIFORNIA.
OUR SERVICE AREAS ARE IN IMPERIAL COUNTY.
PART OF THE GREATER COACHELLA VALLEY, WHICH IS RIVERSIDE COUNTY.
AND A PORTION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
HERE, I WANTED TO TOUCH ON A COUPLE OF OUR GREEN ENERGY PROGRAMS. WE HAVE CUSTOMER CHOICE AND WE HAVE ROOFTOP SOLAR, NET ENERGY BILLING WHERE CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE ROOFTOP SOLAR CAN PROCURE THE GENERATION AT 6.98 CENTS PER KILOWATT.
[00:05:06]
WITH PARTICIPATION. I'LL SKIP OVER THAT ONE. OUR SOLAR IS SOMETHING WHATEVER AND SNOW.OUR DISTRICT HAS A GREEN SOLAR PROGRAMMER WOULD PROCURE 30 MEGAWATTS TO SERVE 15,000 LOW INCOME RESIDENTS.
IF RESIDENTS ARE ON A RESIDENTIAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, THEY QUALIFY FOR AN ADDITIONAL PERCENTAGE OFF THEIR BILL.
THIS IS WHY WE ARE OUT HERE SHARING THIS INFORMATION.
AND THEN NOW, I WILL LET MY COLLEAGUE TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PROGRAMS WE OFFER.
>> BASICALLY, WE OFFER SEVERAL INCOME QUALIFIED ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. DESIGNED TO HELP CUSTOMERS MEET THEIR ENERGY NEEDS.
THE MOST POPULAR THAT WE HAVE AND PRIMARY PROGRAM HAVE IS THE RESIDENTIAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
IT BASICALLY PROVIDES INCOME QUALIFIED CUSTOMERS WITH A 20 PERCENT DISCOUNT AND INCOME QUALIFIED BASICALLY CUSTOMERS.
IT ALSO PROVIDES A 30 PERCENT DISCOUNT INCOME FOR QUALIFIED SENIORS. IN OTHER WORDS, BASICALLY, IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM ITSELF, YOU GET A 20 PERCENT BUT IF YOU ARE A SENIOR TO GET ADDITIONAL 10 PERCENT.
WHICH IS A GREAT PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE.
ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT WE OFFER IS THE EMERGENCY ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
IT COMES HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE RESIDENTIAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
THIS PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO THE CUSTOMERS FACING THIS CONNECTION FOR NONPAYMENT.
THE PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM LIKE I SAID IS PARTIALLY CONNECTED TO THE REAP PROGRAM WHAT IT DOES FOR QUALIFYING CUSTOMERS, IT PROVIDES UP TO $75 OR $125 PER QUARTER UNDER ELECTRICAL BILLS.
THAT'S THE TYPE OF ASSISTANCE THEY GET IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO PAY, MAKE PAYMENTS ON THEIR MONTHLY BILL.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT PROGRAM WE HAVE IS THE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ENERGY USAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ALSO KNOWN AS THE MEEUP.
IT PROVIDES DISCOUNTS TO CUSTOMERS WHO USE PRESCRIBED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO SUSTAIN LIFE OR PREVENT DETERIORATION OF MEDICAL CONDITION.
TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT THAT QUALIFIES UNDER THIS PROGRAM, IT WOULD CPAP MACHINES, ELECTROSTATIC NEGLIGENCE, MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIRS AND OXYGEN TANKS.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE EXAMPLES THAT SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT QUALIFIES UNDER THE MEEUP PROGRAM.
AND THEN AMONG RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESPONSIBLE TO OFFER PRESENTATIONS AND CLINICS TO THE COMMUNITY.
I'M CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE COACHELLA VALLEY HOUSING COLLISION IN THE INDIO CENTER, SENIOR CENTER PUTTING TOGETHER PRESENTATIONS AND POSSIBLY CLINICS IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS TO COME. NUMBER MAY 2 HAVE A SCHEDULED PRESENTATION AT THE INDIO SENIOR CENTER.
AND WE ARE GOING TO HOST A CLINIC IN THE FUTURE.
THE REASON I BRING IT UP IS BECAUSE CLINICS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE CAN ROLL CUSTOMERS ON THE SPOT.
WE PUT TOGETHER THE EVENTS WE PROMOTE ADVANCE THE TYPE OF DOCUMENTATION THEY NEED TO BRING THE DAY OF THE CLINICS SO THEY CAN PROCESS THEIR APPLICATION, THEN RIGHT THERE THEY WILL LET THEM KNOW IF THEY QUALIFY OR NOT FOR THE PROGRAM. SO, BASICALLY, THE REASON WE ARE HERE IS BECAUSE THEIR GOAL
[00:10:01]
IS TO INCREASE OUR IN THE AREA.WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR ANY CONCERNS YOU WANT TO BRING TO US, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT US.
BASICALLY THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION.
AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PROVIDE AN ANSWER.
>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT INFORMATION WITH US ON THE PROGRAMS. I WAS GOING TO ASK IF MAYBE WE COULD GET SOME FLYERS THAT WE COULD SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SO WE CAN GET THE INFORMATION OUT ON OUR END AS WELL.
TO OUR RESIDENTS. >> WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PROVIDE THAT.
>> AND I SAW THAT THERE WAS, THEY WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE HELP WITH INSTALLATION LIKE ON THE DOORS, SEALING THE DOORS AND SMART THERMOSTATS AND I THINK IT WAS SERVICING AIR CONDITIONERS. I SHARED THAT WILL BEFORE SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THAT.
OUR RESIDENTS ARE VERY HAPPY WITH SOME OF THE SERVICES.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS ASKED TO ME BY ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS RECENTLY.
THE QUESTION WAS YOU KNOW SEEING THE SHORTAGE OF THE SUBSTATIONS IN THE CITY AND LACK OF FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, NEW DEVELOPMENT. THE QUESTION I HAD WAS, IF WE ARE PAYING OUR BILLS AND BUSINESSES ARE PAYING THEIR DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES, THEN HOW ARE WE SO FAR BEHIND ON FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE? AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T GET INTO THOSE ISSUES IN THE
FUTURE? >> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, THANK YOU FOR ASKING.
I THINK LIKE ANY OTHER UTILITY, DEVELOPMENT PAYS FOR GROWTH.
SO THAT IS THE STRUGGLE WE ARE IN.
WE ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY AND WE HAVE A STANDING MEETING WITH CITY MANAGERS TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE OF WHAT YOU SPEAK TO, WHICH ARE SUBSTATIONS.
OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE POWER AS WE DO FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OUR PLANS IN CONJUNCTION WITH WORKING WITH THE CITIES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROVIDING POWER.
THAT IS OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THE LIGHTS
STAY ON. >> TO PIGGY BACK OFF, OUR GOAL IS TO COME UP WITH TO DEVELOP FUNDING SO WE CAN HAVE A RELIABLE POWER INFRASTRUCTURE AND ALSO FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE ARE WORKING HAND-IN-HAND WITH NEIGHBORING CITIES AND IID TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS.
AND AS FAR AS THE PROGRAM, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, DISABILITY INFORMATION.
A LOT OF SENIORS ON FIXED INCOMES AND THESE ARE VERY GENEROUS SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
I WANT TO KNOW HOW OUR FOLKS, WHAT IS THE MECHANISM TO SIGN UP FOR THE PROGRAMS?
>> RESIDENTS CAN GO TO THE OFFICE, SIGN UP ON THE SPOT.
WE HAVEN'T WINDOW FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE. FROM 8:00 TO 5:00 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
RESIDENTS, THERE IS A WINDOW ALTHOUGH ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE AND IF THAT IS NOT OPEN, PRETTY MUCH ANY WINDOW THEY CAN HELP YOU. BUT WE ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO REACH OUT TO US AND SIGN UP FOR THESE PROGRAMS. JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE INSIGHT, THE 30 MEGAWATTS THAT WE PROCURE, ANY RESIDENT THAT IS SIGNED UP FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, GIVEN AN ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT BECAUSE IID PROCURES SOLAR.
THAT IS ON TOP OF 30, OR 20, YOU CAN SEE ADDITIONAL 5 TO 7 PERCENT.
>> FOR THE RECORD, I WANT TO ANNOUNCE THAT COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES IS JOINING US VIA ZOOM.
SO, SHE IS HERE. SHE DOES HAVE HER HAND RAISED.
[00:15:01]
BEING ABLE TO GO TO FACILITIES IN LA QUINTA IS NICE BUT CAN WE APPLY ONLINE? SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS MAY NOT HAVE THE TRANSPORTATION OR ABILITY TO GO DOWN TO LA QUINTA IF THEY ARE APPLYING FOR THESE EFFORTS.
THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE DOWN THERE.
CAN WE SEND THEM ONLINE TO MAKE THESE APPLICATIONS?
>> THE INFORMATION IS ONLINE BUT THE DOCUMENTS WILL HAVE TO BE SENT TO OUR OFFICE.
I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SPEAKING TO HIS MAYBE US HOSTING A CLINIC DIRECTLY WITH THE CITY, HAVING RESIDENTS COME DOWN AND SENATOR BRADLEY WITH --
>> I THINK MAYBE IN THE FUTURE THERE MIGHT BE A POSSIBILITY FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.
I THINK WITH THE CITY AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
YOU KNOW BECAUSE SOME FOLKS LIKE I TALK ABOUT THE SENIOR COMMUNITY AND OF THE FOLKS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT THERE.
I THINK MAYBE WORKING WITH IID WE CAN COME UP WITH INFRASTRUCTURE WITH FOLKS CAN DO THAT.
WE HAVE FAIRS AND RESOURCE FAIRS AND THINGS LIKE THAT WHERE WE CAN DO POP UPS OR EVEN HERE AT CITY HALL.
WE CAN WORK WITH FOLKS IF THEY NEED ASSISTANCE GETTING THERE.
MAYBE WE CAN WORK WITH HER CITY AND SEE HOW WE CAN COLLABORATE ON THAT.
WERE MORE THAN WELCOME TO COLLABORATE AND POST SOMETHING HERE AT CITY HALL OR MAYBE THE SENIOR CENTER ESPECIALLY, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THEY CONGREGATE.
WE ARE ALSO WILLING TO HELP WITH THAT ASPECT.
>> AND WE DEFINITELY WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE YOU THAT SUPPORT.
I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE A COUPLE OF MONTHS BUT WE ALREADY BASICALLY CONNECTED WITH A LOT OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN COACHELLA VALLEY.
WE CAN CREATE PARTNERSHIPS ACTUALLY CONNECT WITH OUR CUSTOMERS, A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS ALREADY HAVE BASICALLY, THEY ARE BASICALLY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE PARTNERSHIPS BECAUSE THEY ALREADY KNOW HOW TO REACH THEM AND WHERE THEY'RE AT. WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER AND MAKE SOME TYPE OF CLINIC SO WE CAN HAVE CUSTOMERS COME OVER SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO SPECIFICALLY TO LA QUINTA.
BUT LIKE YOU SAID IT COULD BE AT THE INDIO SENIOR CENTER.
WHICH IS SOMETHING WE ARE ALREADY WORKING ON. BUT INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON SENIORS, WE CAN FOCUS ON THE COMMUNITY AS
>> WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT POSSIBLY GOING TO THE GOLF COURSE AND SOME OTHER PLACES BECAUSE THEY LIVE -- DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE MOBILE.
OR THE SAME TIME, HAVE THE FINANCIAL MEANS.
THEY COULD BE ON A FIXED INCOME.
SOME PLACES LIKE SHADOW HILLS, SOME OLDER COMMUNITIES, THE OLD TOWN MAYBE WE COULD DO ONE AT CITY HALL AND HAVE THE COME IN AND BRING PAPERWORK AND PHOTOCOPIES.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ISSUES WITH ABILITY TO WORK WITH TECHNOLOGY.
AND AT THE SAME TIME, NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO COPY STUFF.
A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS KEEP EVERYTHING IN A FOLDER.
THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEIR COPIES OUT.
PUSH THE FORWARD AND AT THE SAME TIME, BRING PROGRAMS THAT ARE THERE ABLE TO REPLACE ITEMS LIKE AIR CONDITIONING AND OTHER STUFF.
IT MIGHT BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY TO PARTNER WITH THEM AND DO SOME HOUSING MONEY OR OTHER MONEY TO SUPPORT MAYBE LIKE WE DO WITH TURF REBATES AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
I HATE TO KEEP YOU IN THE HOT SEAT.
YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS?
>> AT THIS POINT, VETERANS, HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU WITH THAT INFORMATION.
BUT I DO WANT TO PUT THE PRESENTATION BACK UP BECAUSE WE HAVE OUR CONTACT INFORMATION ON THERE.
WE DO HAVE THE WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM AND THAT CAN BE FOUND ON IID.COM.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM, ONE MORE QUESTION.
>> I DID SEE THE SOLAR POWER, YOU ARE PAYING 6.8 CENTS PER KILOWATT.
PROGRAM? >> NO, THAT REPLACE THE METERING PROGRAM.
ANYBODY THAT CONNECTS, INTERCONNECTS TODAY WERE GOING FORWARD, IT WAS BEFORE TODAY BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
IF YOU HAVE SOLAR, CURRENTLY, THEN YOU GET REIMBURSED AT 6.98.
THOSE THAT WERE GRANDFATHERED IN, THOSE ARE 1 TO 1.
OUR ENERGY RATES, KILOWATT CELLS CURRENTLY IS $0.11 A KILOWATT. THEY GET REIMBURSED A LITTLE HIGHER RATE.
[00:20:03]
>> ANOTHER THING, THANK YOU TO YOUR TEAM.
YOU WILL HAVE A BIG STORM RECENTLY, WE HAD POWER OUTAGES AND I KNOW YOU GUYS GOT ON IT PRETTY QUICKLY.
MR. ARREDONDO WAS HERE SO THANK YOU FOR FIGURING THAT OUT QUICKLY FOR RESIDENTS TO GET POWER BACK.
>> THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT.
I WANT 20 MORMON THING ON THE PRESENTATION.
OUR 1-800 NUMBER WAS THERE. WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE ANY TIME SOMETHING HAPPENS YOU HAVE A QUESTION, THE BEST WAY TO CALL THAT NUMBER.
AND BECAUSE YOU GET A FILE NUMBER HAND THAT NUMBER WILL FOLLOW YOUR ISSUE.
IT CREATES A TRACKING MECHANISM FIRST.
IF YOU HAVE A POWER OUTAGE WE NEED TO REPLACE YOUR PANEL, YOU NEED US TO TURN OFF POWER TEMPORARILY, YOU CALL THE NUMBER AND IT'S A -- YOU CAN CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE 24/7.
I WILL ALSO ADD YOUR PERSONAL NUMBER TO THAT.
[LAUGHTER] SOMETIMES YOU WOULD GIVE ME A CALL OR TEXT AND I WOULD ANOTHER'S POWER OUTAGE.
SO WE ARE NOTIFIED AND IT'S ALREADY RECTIFIED SO I APPRECIATE YOU.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU MARY AND COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR BEING SO SUPPORTIVE
ALL THE TIME AS WELL. >> THANK YOU.
[5.2 Proclamation - Fire Prevention Week, October 9 - 15, 2022]
THE NEXT ITEM IS 5.2, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR FIRE PREVENTION WEEK.THERE IS ONLY THREE OF US HERE SO ONE WILL COME DOWN AND PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION.
>> A MAN WITH A REAL HANDSHAKE, THERE IT IS! [LAUGHTER] CHIEF, WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL MEETING.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. I NOTICED FIRE PREVENTION WEEK. HOWEVER, I WANT TO SHOW APPRECIATION.
I ALWAYS CITIZEN OUR MEETINGS, THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR FIREFIGHTERS DO.
THEY JUST DID NOT SHOW UP ON A CALL AND PUT OUT FIRES. IT IS A LOT OF BOOTS ON THE GROUND WORK AND DEALING WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT INCIDENTS AND REALLY, ENCOUNTERING FOLK SOMETIMES AT THE WORST TIME OF THEIR LIVES. AND YOU ARE ALL -- AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE REST.
I APPRECIATE THAT AND I WILL READ A COUPLE OF WHEREAS FOR YOU BUT I WANT TO SHOW MY APPRECIATION FOR YOU, YOUR STAFF AND LIKE A LOT OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE ARE SHORT ON STAFF AND WE NEED -- TO GO THERE AND TALK TO PARTNERS AND REALLY, START THINKING ABOUT JOINING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.
AND REALLY WEARING A DIFFERENT HAT OF SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE CAN USE THAT FOR RECRUITING BECAUSE WE DO NEED YOUR SERVICES AS WELL.
WE COULD USE THE HELP BECAUSE WE NEVER CAN HAVE TOO MANY FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS.
WHERE AS THE CITY OF INDIO IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF ALL THOSE LIVING IN AND VISITING IN THE CITY OF INDIO.
RESIDENTS OF PLANT AND PRACTICE A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN ARE MORE PREPARED AND WILL THEREFORE BE MORE LIKELY TO SURVIVE A FIRE.
WORKING SMOKE ALARMS CUT THE RISK OF DYING AND REPORTED HOME FIRES IN HALF.
WHEREAS INDIO FIRST RESPONDERS ARE DEDICATED TO REDUCING THE OCCURRENCE OF HOME FIRES, ALL FIRE INJURIES TO PREVENTION AND PREVENTION NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED I, MAYOR FERMON THE CITY OF INDIO WITH CITY COUNCIL PROCLAIM OCTOBER 9-15 2022
[00:25:03]
AS FIRE PREVENTION WEEK AND EXTEND OUR APPRECIATION TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO RISK THEIR LIVES TO PROTECT ALL IN THE CITY OF INDIO.>> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
I THINK THE MAYOR SAID IT RIGHT.
YOU GUYS JUST AREN'T THERE TO FIGHT FIRES.
I THINK 80+ CALLS ARE FOR MEDICAL AND THE OTHER PART IS GETTING OTHER STUFF.
YOU'RE THE FIRST ONE THAT COMES ON THOSE THINGS, THE FIRST WHEN THE PEOPLE SEE. IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE A FIREFIGHTER, NOT A POLICE OFFICER.
EVERYBODY LOVES A FIREFIGHTER.
I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALIZE HOW LONG YOU ARE AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY.
WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS AMAZING.
I WAS DOWNTOWN YESTERDAY AND THERE WAS STATION 80 THERE AND THEY HAD THE HOSE AND A GROUP OF YOUNG TODDLERS FROM ONE OF THE DAYCARE CENTERS USING THE HOSE.
THANK YOU NOT JUST WHAT YOU DO TO PROTECT US, BUT ALSO WHAT YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.
>> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AS WELL TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
AND TO ALL OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
WE KNOW IT'S A REALLY TOUGH TIME WITH ALL THE INCREASING DANGERS OUT THERE.
REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK.
APPRECIATE THE EDUCATION YOU GIVE TO THE COMMUNITY.
NOT ONLY TO FIGHT FIRES BUT PREVENT THEM FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WE RECOGNIZE ALL THE WORK YOU DO FIRST AND THANK YOU TO YOUR FAMILIES AS WELL.
THE FILM IS THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO PUT UP WITH SO MUCH TO SUPPORT YOU ALL AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITIES AS WELL.
THANK YOU. >> A COUPLE OF WORDS ON FIRE PREVENTION WEEK.
YOU KNOW, IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT AND MEET WITH THE COMMUNITY.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE SUPPORT AND WE WANT OUR CITIZENS TO BE SAFE. THIS IS THE 100 ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION REPEATED STARTED AND COMMEMORATED A GREAT FIRE IN CHICAGO.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF KEY BUZZWORDS LIKE TO SAY THIS YOUR SLIMMEST FIRE WON'T WAIT, PLAN YOUR ESCAPE.
A COUPLE OF THINGS WILL RESIDENTS AND ESPECIALLY YOUNG ONES TO DO AT HOME.
IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY PASTOR FIRE, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET OUT? MORE PROBABLY, WE TYPICALLY USE THE FRONT DOOR. WHAT IS YOUR BACKUP PLAN? WITH THE SECOND WAY TO GET OUT? WILL YOU BE USING A WINDOW OR BACK DOOR? AND HAVE A MEETING SPOT.
ONCE OUR FAMILY SAFELY BACK TO THE HOME, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO MEET? A COUPLE OF THE KEY POINTS I REALLY WANT TO STRESS, WE WANT YOU TO HEAR THE BEEP WHERE YOU SLEEP.
HIS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A WORKING SMOKE DETECTOR IN YOUR BEDROOM AND HALLWAY.
SMOKE DETECTORS REQUIRE TYPICALLY A NINE VOLT BATTERY. WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO CHANGE THE BATTERIES WE CHANGE THE CLOCKS WHICH IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW SMOKE DETECTORS ONLY GOOD FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS.
PULL THE SMOKE DETECTOR DOWN EVERY NOW AND AGAIN TEST IT.
LOOK AT THE MANUFACTURER REPLACEMENT STICKER. IF IT'S OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, REPLACE IT.
SOMETHING ANNOYING AS AN ANNOYING BEEPING SOUND IS ENOUGH TO WAKE YOU UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
THE LAST PIECE OF LIKELY WITH, ESPECIALLY PARENTS WITH LITTLE ONES AT HOME. I KNOW THIS WILL BE TOUGH I HAVE LITTLE ONES MYSELF.
WE WANT YOU TO REALLY START FOCUSING ON GETTING KIDS SLEEP WITH THE DOORS CLOSED.
FIRE IS AN INCREDIBLE LAZY ANIMAL AND IT TAKES THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE.
WHEN WE LEAVE OUR BEDROOM DOORS OPEN SO THE KIDS CAN SEE THE LIGHT IN THE HALLWAY, THERE'S A FIRE FROM UNATTENDED FOOD AT NIGHT OR SOMETHING IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM, IS INCREDIBLY EASY AND IT MOVES FAST! IT WILL MONITOR THE KITCHEN AND LAUNDRY ROOM, MODERN FIRE ENVIRONMENT THAT WE CALL ALL MATERIALS THAT ARE ALL MADE OUT OF SYNTHETICS AND OIL.
THERE IS A 400 PERCENT MORE INCREASE. YOU HAVE LITTLE AS TWO MINUTES TO SAFELY MAKE IT OUT OF THE HOME.
SOMETHING SIMPLY IS CLOSING A ONE HOUR RATED FIBER CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SURVIVING A FIRE OR NOT. WE ARE FIVE MINUTES OR LESS.
WHICH MEANS YOU GIVE US FIVE MINUTES TO BE THERE.
A COUPLE OF MINUTES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND KEEP YOU ALL SAFE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT AND APPRECIATE IT.
[APPLAUSE] >> COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES, ANY COMMENTS FOR
THE FIRE CHIEF? >> THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH.
THE JOB OF THE FIRE DIPLOMA GOES BEYOND INSPECTIONS.
INSPECTIONS OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
EVERY DAY, EVERYTHING YOU DO REVOLVES AROUND KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE AND WE APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, CHIEF AND THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I REMEMBER FIRE PREVENTION WEEK AS A CHILD.
WHEN YOU WOULD COMMIT OUR SCHOOLS AND HELPLESS CHILDREN UNDERSTAND. FRANKLY, WE HAVEN'T HAD TOO MANY FIRES THAT HAVE ENGULFED FAMILIES.
[00:30:03]
BUT I DO APPRECIATE THAT YOU CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD.SO THAT OUR FAMILIES CAN BE SAFE AND HAVE A PLAN. AND SO THAT WE CAN MINIMIZE THE IMPACTS OF THESE FIRES AND HOUSEHOLDS.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OFFICES AND EMPLOYEES UNDERSTAND THE EXIT PLAN. MOST OF THEM ARE POSTED ON THE WALLS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
BUT THAT IS ALL BECAUSE OF YOUR EFFORTS.
AND THE CONTINUED EFFORTS OF THE PROGRAM.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU, NOT ONLY FOR YOUR SERVICE BUT FOR CONTINUING TO RAISE AWARENESS.
AMONGST OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
THANK YOU! >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PROTECTING OUR CITY AND FOR CURATING A HEALTHY AND SAFE COMMUNITY. AND IT WAS NOT VERY EASY TO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING OR LATE AT NIGHT, TO MAKE EVERYONE STAY SAFE AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
[APPLAUSE] >> DO WE NEED A PHOTO? [INAUDIBLE]
[5.3 Proclamation - Indigenous Peoples' Day, October 10, 2022]
WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE PROCLAMATIONS.WE HAVE ALSO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE STAY. OCTOBER 10, 2022.
OR PRESENTING THIS TO ANYONE? OR WILL THIS BE ON DISPLAY IN THE CITY? I WILL READ SOME WERE AS.
IF WE DO NOT HAVE ANYONE TO TAKE THE PROCLAMATIONS, THEY WILL BE DISPLAYED AT CITY HALL.
WHERE IS IT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE STAYS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPOTLIGHT CURRENT INJUSTICES AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE HAVE OFTEN BEEN FORGOTTEN. THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR COUNTRY.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF INDIO RECOGNIZES INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN THE CITY AND IN THE UNITED STATES AS WE PAY RESPECT TO THE CULTURES AND POPULATIONS THAT EXIST LONG BEFORE EUROPEAN CONTACT WITH THIS LAND.
WE CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THROUGH THE CULTURE AND DIVERSITY INNOVATION AND RESILIENCE HAS HAD AN INTANGIBLE IMPACT ON THE COACHELLA VALLEY.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, MAYOR FERMON FOR THE CITY OF INDIO ALONG WITH INDIO CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 10, 2022 AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY AND ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS, BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HISTORIC SACRIFICES OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND RECOGNIZE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE POPULATION TO THE COACHELLA VALLEY. [APPLAUSE] WE DO HAVE THE PROCLAMATION, LET'S GET A PHOTO. OUR STAR OF THE DAY -- BEFORE WE LEAVE, I DO HAVE SOME PUBLIC COMMENTS.
YOU CAN GRAB THEM FOR ME? WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE? OKAY, PUBLIC COMMENT BY ERIC FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
>> THANK YOU CANCEL MINIMUS ERIC I LIKE TO THANK THE CITY, THIS IS BEEN AN ONGOING PROCESS THAT OUR GRASSROOTS COMMUNITIES ARE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES ARE DIFFERENT DIVERSE COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CITY OF INDIO HAVE LONG SEEN THE STREAM TO COME.
IT IS NOT JUST AN HONOR FOR ME, BUT IT IS NOT FOR MY FAMILY, MY WIFE AND HER FAMILY WHO CONTINUE THE WRITTEN TRADITIONS HERE IN THE CITY.
YOU HAVE MADE A VERY CULTURAL EXPANSE FOR EVERYONE.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, IS WAY BEYOND OUR ROOTS, WAY BEYOND OUR CALLING.
IT IS REALLY OUR PURPOSE HERE IN THE CITY TO KEEP CULTURE ALIVE AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE CONVERSATIONS BEING HELD, I KNOW IT WASN'T EASY.
WITH HAD PUSHBACK FROM OUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS BUT HERE WE ARE TODAY.
SO, THANK YOU! >> NEXT PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLAUDIA
[00:35:02]
-- >> GOOD EVENING COUNSEL, MY NAME IS CLAUDIA.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE STAY. I WANT TO FIRST THANK THE COUNCIL FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
I KNOW THAT IT HAS BEEN A FIGHT IN THE PAST AND UNFORTUNATELY, COMMENTS WERE SAID BY COUNCILMEMBERS ON THE PUSHBACK.
I WANT TO THANK THE CITY FOR DOING THIS RECLAMATION AND CONTINUE PUSHING ON THE EFFORTS OF RECOGNIZING WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST AND CONTINUE TO EDUCATE ON THE TRUE HISTORY AND ON THIS INDIGENOUS LAND.
COMMENTS SUCH AS THAT WAS BACK IN THE DAY OR SADLY, TIMES ARE DIFFERENT WHERE HE DISCOVERED OR FOUND A NEW WORLD IS LIKE SAYING THAT WE DID NOT HAVE GENOCIDE, LANDS WERE NOT TAKEN AWAY, WE DIDN'T HAVE BOARDING SCHOOLS, THEY ARE NOT MISSING INDIGENOUS AND MURDERED WOMAN, AND GENERATION OF TRAUMA.
I THINK THE CITY FOR TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION, THIS PROCLAMATION AND WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH EFFORTS AND TO CHANGING COLUMBUS DAY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.
THANK YOU. >> OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENT, GABRIELLA --
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE AS AN INDIGENOUS WOMAN OF COLOR, WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF INDIO FOR MANY YEARS.
IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO WORK AND LIVE IN A CITY THAT I CALL HOME, WHEN MY LOCAL GOVERNMENT PUSHES BACK A LOT ON ISSUES I FIGHT FOR.
THE COMMENTS THAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW ARE IN REGARDS TO ALL THE PUSHBACK THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED, THERE IS LACK OF EDUCATION FOR SOME FOLKS AND HOW OUR COUNTRY OR THIS COUNTRY STARTED AND IT IS VERY UPSETTING TO SEE THAT FROM SOME OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS.
COLUMBUS DAY IS A REMINDER TO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES THAT WHEN EUROPEAN SETTLERS ARRIVED IN THE LANDS, THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO MANY FORMS OF VIOLENCE, AND TO DESTROY THE COMMUNITIES AND WAY OF LIFE.
I HAVE MANY EXAMPLES THAT I CAN SHARE WITH YOU FROM EUROPEAN SETTLERS PAYING OTHER FOLKS TO KILL NATIVE PEOPLE.
THE 4000 CHEROKEE PEOPLE WHO DIED IN 1837 IN THE TRAIL OF TEARS.
THERE'S A LOT OF DISCRIMINATION THAT CONTINUES TO THIS DAY.
AND IT IS VERY SAD TO SEE THAT. I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO CONTINUE PUSHING FORWARD, TO CHANGE THE DAY FROM COLUMBUS DAY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.
AS A DATA ADVOCATES AND HELPS CORRECT A WHITEWASHED AMERICAN HISTORY THAT HAS GLORIFIED EUROPEANS, LIKE EXPLORER, CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, WHO HAVE COMMITTED VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE LONG CRITICIZED THE INACCURACIES AND HARMFUL NARRATIVES OF COLUMBUS LEGACY THAT CREDITED HIM WITH HIS DISCOVERY OF AMERICA, WHEN INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WERE ALREADY HERE.
IT IS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT CHANGING ONE DATE TO ANOTHER.
IT IS ABOUT -- IS NOT ABOUT IMPOSING A HOLIDAY OR CELEBRATION ON ANYONE EITHER.
IT IS ABOUT AN OPEN CALL TO CHANGE THAT MUST BE BACKED UP BY ACTION AND ACTIVE RECOGNITION OF THE CONTINUED SURVIVAL AND RESILIENCE OF ALL NATIVE PEOPLE. THEREFORE, I'M STILL ASKING THE CITY OF INDIO, TO CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION AND CHANGING COLUMBUS DAY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE STAY.
LIKE YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
>> I WANT TO RECOGNIZE WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY AND YOU KNOW KEEPING THE EDUCATION GOING, KEEPING THEIR TRADITIONS ALIVE AND CULTURE ALIVE.
AND SHARING THIS TRADITIONS WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
[00:40:02]
I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT'S BEEN GOING ON WITH A LOT OF LOCAL FAMILIES AS WELL TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND I ALSO AM THANKFUL FOR THE PROCLAMATION AS WELL.I REALLY DO THINK WE SHOULD CHANGE THE HOLIDAY AND I'LL MAKE THE REQUEST IN MY COMMENTS LATER TODAY.
TO SEE IF WE CAN GET CONSENSUS ON CHANGING HOLIDAY FROM COLUMBUS DAY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.
THINK IT IS IMPORTANT AND IT IS IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY IT IS PART OF A MUCH BIGGER PUSH, RIGHT? NOT JUST FOR THE HOLIDAY, BUT FOR THE RECOGNITION THAT WE NEED TO TEACH OUR TRUE HISTORY AND EXPAND OUR ETHNIC STUDIES AND CULTURAL EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY.
I THINK -- AS PART OF THE BIGGER PUSH WE WILL PUSH THAT AS WELL.
>> THINK THE COMMENTS IN THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND I LOOK FORWARD TO
DISCUSSION. >> BEFORE WE CONTINUE HAVE MORE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
WE WILL GIVE THOSE FOLKS A OPPORTUNITY
TO SPEAK. >> WE HAVE JONATHAN.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
MY COMMENT IS IN SOLIDARITY WITH COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTED REPLACING, STAY WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE STAY. NOT JUST THIS YEAR BUT FUTURE YEARS AS WELL.
THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY CHOICE.
IT IS CITY NAME AND MISSION MADE THIS OBVIOUS DECISION WHEN IT CAME TO COUNSEL YEARS AGO.
MORE PROBABLY, WHICH ARE SPACES WITH MULTIPLE TRIBES.
IT IS COMING UPON US TO TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE RESPECT AND UNDERSTANDING FOR THE COMMUNITY IT INCLUDES OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TRIBES.
I BELIEVE THE CITY SHOULD REPLACE COLUMBUS DAY WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY, AND NOT LET THIS DRAG ON.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT.
I WANT TO STRESS, AS COUNCILMEMBERS AND ELECTIVES, WE ARE ABLE TO RESPOND TO PUBLIC COMMENTS, BUT THIS ITEM IS FOR THE PROCLAMATION AND IF WE NEED TO HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THE HOLIDAY, WE CAN DO SO BUT THIS IS FOR THE PROCLAMATION AND RECOGNIZING THE GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS THAT OUR INDIGENOUS FOLKS HAVE MADE TO OUR COUNTRY AND HELP GET US HERE TODAY.
AND RECOGNIZE THAT WE DO NEED MORE EDUCATION.
I WANT TO PUT THAT OUT BECAUSE THERE COMMENTS BEING MADE THAT AS A COUNSEL WE CANNOT RESPOND TO AT THIS MOMENT. WE HAVE TWO MORE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. >> HI EVERYBODY, MY NAME IS PAULINA ANGEL.
A CITIZEN HERE IN THE CITY OF INDIO.
BORN AND RAISED HERE IN THE CITY OF INDIO.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR THE PROCLAMATION FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.
AND IT SUPPORTS CHANGE FROM THE, WHAT USED TO BE, WHICH I DO NOT -- I WON'T MENTION MAN'S NAME SINCE HE WAS NOTHING BUT A SCOUNDREL, MURDERER AND RAPIST.
I FEEL LIKE WE ARE AT A TURNING POINT, ESPECIALLY NO CITY, TO SHOW THAT WE ARE HERE TO MAKE CHANGE, TO PROGRESS FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE AND TO RIGHT THE WRONGS OF THE PAST.
WE HAVE SEEN IN PALM SPRINGS WHEN THEY FINALLY MADE THEIR APOLOGIES ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN SECTION 14.
NOW IT IS TIME FOR INDIO TO GO FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE, BY RECOGNIZING OUR NATIVE AMERICANS THAT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE, LONG BEFORE CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. I SAID HIS NAME, SORRY! BEFORE HE EVER STEP FOOT ON OUR LAND.
IT SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE BEEN INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.
WE SHOULD NO LONGER RECOGNIZE THE OTHER GUY. SO I SUPPORT THIS PROCLAMATION AND I REALLY HOPE WITHIN THE HEART OF THE CITY COUNCIL, TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH AND HAVE A GREAT
ONE MORE COMMENT. >> I HAVE KAREN.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. >> GOOD EVENING COUNSEL AND RESIDENTS OF INDIO.
SIMILAR TO A COMMITMENT BEFORE, THIS MAKES SENSE TO HAVE A PROCLAMATION.
ALSO BE ON THAT, AS A RESIDENT, I LIKE TO REQUEST THE COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF RECEIVE IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING SINCE BEFORE THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS.
THERE ARE MANY WHO SHOW VERY CLEAR SIGNS AND INDICATIONS AND HAVE SHARED VERY DISTURBING COMMENTS OF YOUR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING, LACK
[00:45:06]
OF KNOWLEDGE, AND LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE DIVERSITY OF THE RESIDENCE THAT YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN, SURE THAT YOU REPRESENT.BEYOND JUST THE PROCLAMATION, I REALLY BELIEVE THAT IT IS TIME FOR YOU ALL TO HIRE SOMEONE TO COME IN, AN EXPERT OUTSIDE OF THE CITY STAFF, TO GIVE YOU ALL SOME IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING.
>> LAST IS YASMINE, YOUR THREE MINISTER.
I'M SORRY AND THEN THE EQUITY PARTNERSHIP AND THE DIGNITY COALITION.
THE REASON WHY I DECIDED TO MAKE A PUBLIC STATEMENT TODAY IS, THE REASON FOR MY PUBLIC COMMENTS IS TO REQUEST THAT INDIO TO COUNSEL TO STOP CELEBRATING COLUMBUS DAY.
CAN YOU PLEASE VOTE YES, CHANGE THE DATE TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING CAN GET RESOLVED PEACEFULLY. HAVE A GREAT DAY.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES OR RAMOS AMITH?
I APPRECIATE THE PROCLAMATION.
I THINK THAT RECOGNITION FOR OUR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IS IMPORTANT.
I THOUGHT THE WORDS ON THE PROCLAMATION HIT HOME.
AND WE WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS LATER BUT, I'M VERY HAPPY THAT YOU BROUGHT THE PROCLAMATION FORWARD. INDIO IS A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY AND WE DO NEED TO CELEBRATE ALL OF THE DIVERSITY IN THIS COMMUNITY.
I AGREE. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.
COUNCILMEMBER RAMOS AMITH ANY COMMENTS?
ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND HELPING US RECOGNIZE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY. CITY MANAGER IS LISTENING.
IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO ON THE AGENDA WILL FOLLOW UP.
LIKE US AND WE CANNOT COMMENT RIGHT NOW.
BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND THEY ARE NOTED.
[5.4 Proclamation - Community Planning Month]
WE WILL MOVE ON TO COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH.AND SO, IN OTHER PROCLAMATION.
ACTUALLY, WE NEED A PHOTO, I'M SORRY.
DID YOU GET THIS ONE? OKAY, I'M SORRY. I HAVE EVERYONE STANDING FOR 15 MINUTES.
[LAUGHTER] THERE HE IS! COMMUNITY PLANNER, HE'S READY TO GO.
MR. KEVIN SNYDER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH OCTOBER 2022 SAYS, WHERE IS COMMUNITY PLANNING AND PLANS CAN HELP MANAGE THIS CHANGE IN A WAY THAT PROVIDES BETTER CHOICES, FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK, LIVE AND ALSO PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO BE MEANINGFUL AND INVOLVED IN MAKING CHOICES, THAT DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF THEIR COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS, THE CELEBRATION NATIONAL COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE PARTICIPATION AND DEDICATION OF THE MEMBERS OF PLANNING COMMISSIONS AND OTHER CITIZENS PLANNERS. WHO CONTRIBUTED THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CITY OF INDIO. NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED I, MAYOR FERMON FOR THE CITY OF INDIO AND CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2022, AS COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH IN THE CITY OF INDIO IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] BEFORE THEY GO WE WILL PUT YOU IN THE HOT SEAT.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND DEDICATION TO THE CITY.
SINCE YOU ARRIVED HERE, YOU HAVE BEEN GOING 100 MILES AN HOUR AND HAVEN'T STOPPED. OKAY, 95.
YOU KNOW WHAT? DRIVE AROUND THE CITY. THE PROOF IS THERE.
IT SHOWS THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE BEEN DOING.
NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF AND THE COUNCIL BUT OUR CONSTITUENTS AND FOLKS WERE NATIVE TO THE CITY OF INDIO, WE APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK GOING ON INTEL COMMUNITY AND THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT THINGS FOR GOING ON BUT THERE'S A LOT OF WORK GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES AND A LOT OF WHAT YOU DO WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
THE GENERAL PLAN, ZONING, IT GOES ON AND ON, THE WORK YOU PUT INTO IT.
I THINK PEOPLE REALIZE WITH YOU AND TIM GETTING ON NUTS AND BOLTS IS
[00:50:02]
WHAT THE CITY AND THE REST OF US A HER SUPPORT YOU.THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR CONTINUAL SUPPORT.
YOU'VE DONE THINGS WE HAVEN'T DONE IN OVER 30 YEARS SO YOU SHOULD BE WELL COMMENDED. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.
>> THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM AS WELL.
WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF REQUIREMENTS.
WE KNOW THAT YOU ALSO HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH HOUSING REQUIREMENTS AND THE CONNECT ABILITY REQUIREMENTS FROM THE STATE WITH YOU KNOW, WITH WATER ISSUES NOW THAT WE WILL BE HAVING.
KEVIN AND HIS TEAM ARE HERE HELPING US OUT EVERY WEEK.
THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS EVERY TWO WEEKS.
[LAUGHTER] BUT THEY'RE EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND EXTREMELY, JUST A GREAT SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE APPRECIATE YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO PLANNING IN THE CITY AND FOR ALL THE PROJECTS YOU'VE BEEN DOING. OUR YOUTH APPRECIATED BECAUSE THIS IS OUR CITY AND WE REALLY WANT TO VALUE ALL THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO OFFER US.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE PROJECTS.
>> SORRY, TO COMMIT TO UN-MUTE.
KEVIN, WITHOUT YOU, THIS CITY WOULD NOT FUNCTION OR MOVE FORWARD. YES, I'LL GO BACK TO 100 MILES AN HOUR.
THAT'S FOR SURE! YOU HELPED US ACCOMPLISH, YOU HAVE TAKEN HER VISION AND MOVE FORWARD AS COUNCILMEMBER MILLER SAID.
THE SPECIFIC PLAN AND THE GENERAL PLAN AND THE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT IS MANAGED SO WELL BY YOU, IT ALLOWS US TO EXPLORE AND REALLY BE EVERYTHING INDIO CAN AND WANTS TO BE.
>> THANK YOU TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
WE HAVE CERTAINLY COME A LONG WAY. JUST SEEING WHERE WE WERE WHEN I FIRST CAME ON COUNCIL, THAT WAS 20 YEARS AGO.
WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND HOW THE CITY IS JUST HELPING THE CITY GROW IS JUST, AN INCREDIBLE FEAT. AND I KNOW THAT IT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO MANY PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AS WELL.
BUT, I FEEL THAT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT THAT WE HAVE BUILT TODAY, IS REALLY THE TEAM THAT WILL SEE THIS ALL COME TO FRUITION.
I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS. AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU BROUGHT FORWARD IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THANK
YOU. >> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THIS RECOGNITION AND GET TO THE CITY MANAGER MONTGOMERY. COUNCILMEMBER MILLER STOLE MY THUNDER A LITTLE BIT.
IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS THE CITY HAS STARTED AND COMPLETED EIGHT PLANS.
EVERY ONE OF THOSE PLANS HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON IMPROVING COMMUNITY WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPER, QUALITY OF LIFE, IMPROVING ACCESS, OR GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE GOAL BEHIND ALL THIS IS COMMUNITY.
BUT AS IS BEEN POINTED OUT SEVERAL TIME BY THE COUNCILMEMBERS, THIS IS NOT DONE IN A VACUUM.
WHILE THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS GETTING UP TODAY WITH ME REPRESENTING IT, THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED.
THEY ARE REALLY KEY PLAYERS INCLUDING OUR ENGINEERING TEAM, THE BUILDING TEAM, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM, AND ALL THE OTHER PARTIES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO HELPING IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY.
WHILE THIS IS A RECOGNITION FOR PLANNING, IS REALLY A RECOGNITION OF ALL THE WONDERFUL WORK THAT IS DONE BY THE CITY.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON BEHALF OF CITY COUNCIL, THERE WERE COURSES.
THEY PUT COUNTLESS HOURS IN A REMOTE.
AND THEY'RE THE ONES WITH THE GREAT RECOMMENDATIONS AND GREAT PLANNING.
SO THAT YOU AND WAS THE COUNCIL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING FORWARD THESE NEW IDEAS.
HOPEFULLY IMPROVE INDIO TO BE A BETTER PLACE EVERY SINGLE TIME. WE HAVE EFFORTS IN FRONT OF YOU.
AND WE HAVE ONE MORE! I'LL TAKE CENTER STAGE IF YOU DON'T MIND.
[5.5 Proclamation - Breast Cancer Awareness Month]
THIS ONE IS VERY PERSONAL BUT ALSO IMPORTANT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT OUR FIRE CHIEF AS WELL AS WE TALK ABOUT THIS ONE.I TALKED ABOUT MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH BREAST CANCER. OCTOBER IS ALSO NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
AS YOU CAN SEE I HAVE MY PINK ON AND I LIKE TO THINK COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER, ATTORNEY, POLICE CHIEF, STAFF, FALL REARING RIBBONS.
IT HAS A MOTHERS PICTURE ON IT.
MY MOTHER PASSED FROM BREAST CANCER TWO YEARS AGO.
[00:55:01]
IN HER FINAL MOMENTS I WAS TOLD MY MOTHER THAT I WOULD ALWAYS ADVOCATE FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AND EDUCATION IN OUR COMMUNITY.SO THIS IS IMPORTANT TO US AND IMPORTANT TO OUR CITY.
AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT MANY OF THE SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE.
MY MOTHER BECAME GOOD FRIENDS WITH OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS 86, 87, 80.
IT DOESN'T MATTER, IF I CALLED THEY SHOWED UP EARLY HELPED HER AND TRANSPORTED HER, THEY TALK TO HER, THEY LAUGHED AND AFTER THEY WOULD GET HER WHERE SHE NEEDED TO GO, THEY WOULD ALSO CALL ME AND CHECK TO SEE IF MY MOTHER WAS OKAY OR HER STATUS.
AND ACTUALLY, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS BECAUSE THIS IS IMPORTANT. SOME DIDN'T KNOW AT THE TIME THAT I WAS A COUNCILMEMBER.
THEY WERE JUST CHECKING ON MS. FERMAN TO SEE IF SHE WAS OKAY.
WHERE IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IS AN WORLDWIDE CAMP IN OCTOBER INVOLVING THOUSANDS OF ORGANIZATIONS TYLER THE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS EDUCATION RESEARCH, WHEREAS BREAST CANCER IS THE MOST COMMON CANCER IN AMERICAN WOMEN, EXCEPT FOR SKIN CANCER AND OTHER EARLY DETECTION INCLUDES MONTHLY BREAST EXAMS, SCHEDULING REGULAR CLINICAL BREAST EXAMS AND MAMMOGRAMS. WHEREAS INCREASING THE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DETECTION, BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT CAN SAVE LIVES.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT I, MAYOR FERMON ALONG WITH CITY COUNCIL PROCLAIMED OCTOBER 2022 AS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. -- WORKING TO FIND A CURE AND URGE EVERYONE TO INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BREAST CANCER AND JOIN US TO CELEBRATE THE SUCCESSES AND MEMORIALIZE THE LOST BATTLES.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] AND ACTUALLY IF I CAN, CAN I GET ALL OF THE STAFF APPEAR THAT HAVE THEIR RIBBONS ON? WE HAVE MORE RIBBONS HERE.
I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT. COME ON UP, KEVIN. MIKE, COME ON UP.
DID I GET ENOUGH OVER THERE? NO? OKAY. [INAUDIBLE] ARE WE OUT OF RIBBONS? COME
>> ALL RIGHT, I JUST WANT TO SHARE YOU KNOW WE HAVE OUR RIBBON WITH MY MOTHER'S PICTURE ON IT. SHE WAS A TEACHER IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR 30 YEARS AND ONE OF HER FORMER STUDENTS IS SITTING SHE WORKS FOR THE CITY SO THAT WAS WHEN MY MOTHER STUDENTS.
WE WILL MOVE ON NOW, TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
ACTUALLY, I'M SORRY, WE HAVE OUR YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
[6. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (YAC)]
YOU HAVE REPORT FOR US?>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I AM FRIDA ARRIAGA, AND ALSO MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE COUNCIL.
I LIKE TO SHARE THE EVENTS THAT YAC HAS PARTICIPATED IN THIS MONTH.
WE CELEBRATED AND ATTENDED ZERO -- RUN WALK RAISED AWARENESS AND MONEY FOR LOCAL AWARENESS PATIENTS AND CELEBRATED SURVIVORS.
WE ALSO ATTENDED AN EVENT AT THE HIGH SCHOOL MANAGING TRAFFIC OF THE CARS COMING TO THE HIGH SCHOOL AND DISTRIBUTE FOOD PRODUCTS TO THE CARS.
LAST WEDNESDAY WE ALSO CLEANED THE STREET OF THE INDIO TEEN CENTER.
LAST NIGHT WE ALSO ATTENDED THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
[01:00:02]
IT WAS LOVELY MEETING THE POLICE OFFICERS AND FIRE STATION DEPARTMENT AND WE GOT FREE -- WHICH IS NICE AS WELL.ONE TOPIC THAT CAME INTO DISCUSSION FOR YAC CREATING A RACE OF IN THE CITY OF INDIO. IT WOULD BE A NEW YEAR'S RACE IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF JANUARY BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS OF GETTING MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLE.
AND HAVING HEALTHIER, CREATING MORE HEALTHIER LIFE CHOICES.
JUST LIKE OCHOA HAS RUNS IN NOVEMBER AND PALM SPRINGS HAS ONE IN DECEMBER.
WE BELIEVE A RACE IN INDIA WILL HELP INCREASE ACTIVITY WITHIN THE CITY. VARIOUS FAMILIES AND STUDENTS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS WILL JOIN TOGETHER IN THE WONDERFUL CITY, TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RACE AND WILL HAVE A FUN TIME.
WE CAN CREATE THE 5K MILE RACE COURSE AROUND THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE CITIES THOUGHTS ON THIS PROJECT.
THAT IS ALL THE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL HAS REPORTED THIS MONTH.
>> A GREAT REPORT! I WILL OPEN UP TO OUR COUNCIL ON YOUR THOUGHTS OF HAVING A WELLNESS RUN AT THE TURN OF THE YEAR.
>> ENDING IS GREAT. I THINK WHERE WE HAVE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE COMMUNITY.
NOT ONLY TO GET HEALTHY BUT ALSO MAYBE AT THE FAMILIES OUT FOR A GOOD CAUSE.
AB BREAST CANCER SOMETHING IS MAYBE FOR A CHARITY OR SOMETHING.
BE ABLE TO KEEP AWARENESS GOING.
AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK IT'S GREAT.
[INAUDIBLE] >> YOUR COMING IN TERRIBLE.
[LAUGHTER] >> SHE SUPPORTS IT!
>> THANK YOU. >> SHE IS SMILING! THAT'S GOOD.
>> I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT IT AS WELL.
WE NEED TO WRAP IT AROUND SOMETHING.
AN EVENT, THE TIME OF YEAR, A NONPROFIT AS COUNCILMEMBER MILLER SAID.
SOMETHING. I THINK IT'S TERRIFIC! WE HAD SOMETHING YEARS AGO, AND FOR WHATEVER REASON, IT KIND OF DID NOT CONTINUE BUT I THINK ESPECIALLY WITH YAC LEADING THE CHARGE THINK IT'S OUTSTANDING!
>> I TALKED WITH FREDA AT THE EVENT THIS WEEKEND AND WE HAD CONVERSATION ABOUT THE WALK AND TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT DAYS BUT I THINK IT SOUNDS GOOD.
SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL COMING OUT OF VACATION AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
AND THEN EVERYONE HAS NEW YEAR'S GOALS FOR FITNESS SO I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.
AND ONCE YOU FIGURE OUT WHERE YOU WANT THE FUNDS TO GO, OR HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE LET US KNOW AND WE WILL SUPPORT YOU.
WE'VE DONE SOME HIKES AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND REALLY HAVE A COUPLE OF MONTHS IF WE WANT TO GET THIS DONE.
SO, YOU KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF IDEAS.
ONE IDEA IS KIND OF PUT TOGETHER A RESOURCE FAIR AT THE MILES PARK AND WE COULD DO SOMETHING THERE. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA.
WE COULD ALSO HAVE THE FAIRGROUNDS BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THE FAIRGROUNDS OF ANYTHING PLANNED AT THAT TIME.
WE COULD REACH OUT TO THEM AND WE ALSO HAVE PARTNERS AT EMPIRE -- I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE ANYTHING GOING OR YOU KNOW, AT THE TIME OR IF THEY'RE DOING ANY PLANNING.
HOWEVER, OUR STAFF IS LISTENING AND SHAKING THEIR HEADS.
BUT IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO PUT THIS ON A TICKET WILL BE A GREAT EVENT FOR ALL OF US TO COME OUT AND WALK OR RUN AND GET RESOURCES.
I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF NONPROFITS AND WE HAD TALKED ABOUT PROGRAMS EARLIER THE CITY HAS LOTS OF PROGRAMS THAT WE CAN GET OUR WATER OUT AND MORE STAFF OUT.
WE CAN DEFINITELY TALK ABOUT DOING SOMETHING AND ALSO HAVING THIS IN THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU FOR THE SUGGESTION AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
>> YOU ARE STILL COMING IN -- YOU MIGHT HAVE TO LOG OUT AND LOG BACK IN.
>> THERE WAS A HEALTHCARE, AN ANNUAL EVENT.
IF THEY COULD BRING THE GENERATIONS TOGETHER, I THINK THAT WILL BE A GREAT EVENT.
AND AS FAR AS THE FAIR, WE COULD JUST DO THE EVENT AROUND THE FAIR, DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ON THE FAIR.
BUT YEAH, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
>> I KNOW WE'VE WORKED WITH RESOURCE FAIRS AND WE JUST HAD EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EVENT
[01:05:06]
THAT WAS EXCELLENT.THIS IS JUST ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE OUR PARTNERS AND FOLKS A MECHANISM TO COME OUT AND LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW WHAT WE HAVE.
WE WILL DEFINITELY WORK ON THAT BUT WE APPRECIATE THE SUGGESTION.
AND I PROMISE I WILL RUN ONE LAP!
>> IS THAT BEFORE OR AFTER THOSE AMAZING CINNAMON ROLLS AT THE FAIR?
>> YEAH -- >> IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE AFTER!
[7. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL EXTERNAL/INTERNAL BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND REPORT ON MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3(d)]
CITY COUNCIL EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL BOARDS.WE WILL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO START US OFF? >> I LOVE TO BUT IT SEEMS LIKE HAD SIX DIFFERENT MEETINGS OF THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING AND AT THIS POINT, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY COMMISSIONS.
THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DARK THEY'RE JUST NOT FALLING INTO LINE WITH THIS PARTICULAR FIRST WEEK.
SO I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT AT THIS POINT IN TIME. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
IS RAMOS AMITH BACK ON YET? NO. IS SHE THERE? OKAY. IN THE MEANTIME, COUNCILMEMBER MILLER, GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU. TWO OF MY COMMITTEES WERE ACTIVE.
TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET AND GOING OF ITEMS THAT WOULD RECOMMEND TO THE FULL BOARD OF IID.
WAS A LITTLE WEAK ON INFRASTRUCTURE.
SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT, THE INVESTMENT BACK INTO THE COACHELLA VALLEY, THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES. IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE DEVELOPERS AND ON THE COVER OF US WERE THINK INFRASTRUCTURE SHOULD BE PAID PARTIALLY BY THEM.
THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT NOT ONLY WE DISCUSSED WITH THE CITY OF LA QUINTA AND COACHELLA STAFF THERE ON THERE.
WE JUST FEEL THEY'RE NOT INVESTING BACK THEY SHOULD BE.
WE ARE WORKING ON OPPORTUNITIES BUT WE ARE NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF POWER AND THEY ARE.
THE GOAL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE SHOULD COME FROM THEM AND THEY GET REIMBURSED AS THEY GO ALONG.
THE BUDGET IS LITTLE OVER $1 BILLION.
WHEN YOU ADD IN THE WATER IS NOT LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING AND THEY ALSO HAVE A A- RATING. WE WILL GET MORE NUMBERS OF THE BUDGET AND BRING IT FORWARD.
WITH ALL KINDS OF THINGS COMING FORWARD BUT UNLESS WE HAVE THAT COMPONENT, NEW HOUSING TRACTS AND OTHER STUFF JUST WON'T BE ABLE TO GO FORWARD.
WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND KEEP ON IID.
NONE OF THE CITY MANAGER AND THE MAYOR ARE WORKING ON THAT.
THE TRANSIT AGENCY, WE HAD A MEETING AND SOME BUSES WE HAVE ARE OLDER.
WE WILL REFURBISH 14 BUSES, THEY NATURAL GAS WERE LOOKING TO GO TOWARDS HYDROGEN CELL WHICH WE HAVE, THE BUSES AREN'T AVAILABLE SO WE WILL TAKE 14 BUSES DOWN AND WILL BE ABOUT ONE HALF MILLION DOLLARS, EACH BUS IS ABOUT $1 MILLION SO WE WILL SAVE ABOUT $10 MILLION.
WHEN THE MIDDLE OF LABOR NEGOTIATIONS.
STILL WORKING ON THAT SO HOPEFULLY WILL GET RESOLVED SHORTLY.
SO THAT WE CAN GET OUR BUS LINE BACK IN ORDER HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO GET FULL RATE.
NOTE WE ONLY BRING PARTIAL RATES BECAUSE YOU HAVE DRIVERS.
ANYONE LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR THIS THEY HAVE A LOT OF OPENINGS.
IF THERE'S ANYONE YOU KNOW THAT WOULD LIKE TO WORK FOR SOME LINE THEY'VE A LOT OF JOB OPENINGS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO FILL AND THEN ALSO AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAD THE MAYORS AND TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING THAT WAS THERE THANK YOU, MAYOR FERMON, FOR YOUR DILIGENT REPORT ON THE CITY AND YOUR ENTHUSIASM.
YOU DID A GREAT JOB REPRESENTING THE CITY AND IT IS GOOD TO HEAR THE OTHER MAYORS AND TRIBAL COUNCILS THAT WORK TOGETHER. WE ARE THE CITY OF INDIO AND WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OUR CITY BUT WE DON'T WORK ON THIS WILL ALL WORK TOGETHER.
THIS VALLEY IS SO CLOSE, SO TIGHTKNIT FROM PUBLIC SAFETY TO TRANSPORTATION AND EMPLOYMENT, ECONOMICS, WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE CITY BUT AT THE SAME TIME, NOT EVERYBODY LIVES IN THE CITY, WORKS THERE.
SO LIKE THE BETTER THAT WE ALL DO, THE BETTER THE CITY WILL BE.
WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT.
IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR ALL THE THINGS HEARING FROM THE CITIES.
WE HAD THE 27TH ANNUAL VALLEY WIDE BUSINESS EXPO AT FANTASY SPRINGS, WHERE PARTNERS OF THE -- TRIBE WAS AGAIN WITH KATHY RIVERSIDE OVER 100 VENDORS OUT LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES AND 3000 PEOPLE CAME TO
[01:10:01]
LOOK AT NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND EMPLOYMENT SO THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE AVAILABLE.WE APPRECIATE THAT YOU WERE THERE TO TALK AND WE ALSO HAD A LOT OF LOCAL BUSINESSES THEY'RE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES.
GREAT TO SEE. ONE THING I LIKE TO BRING UP AND THIS IS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ME. THE CITY JUST ISN'T CLEAN TO ME.
AND A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE I-10 FREEWAY, WE DON'T HAVE OPPORTUNITIES THERE.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT CLEANING THE NEIGHBORHOODS, WHICH WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO COMMUNITY CLEANUPS.
BUT THERE IS SMALL STUFF ALL OVER THE PLACE AND I LIKE TO RECOMMEND TWO THINGS.
SOMETHING MAYBE STUFF TO LOOK INTO. FIRST OFF, WE HAVE -- IT IS A SWEEPING.
THE MAIN ROADS AND THEN THE CITY DOES IN 1/2. INDIO BOULEVARD IS JUST NOT CLEAN, THERE IS DIRT AND DUST INTO THE CITY SHOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND HOW, TO SEE IF WE NEED TO COME UP WITH OTHER IDEAS AND OTHER SOLUTIONS.
IT JUST DOES NOT SEEM LIKE IT'S CLEAN.
THE OTHER THING, WE HAVE CHURCHES, WE HAVE SCHOOLS, INSTEAD OF GOING OUT AND DOING IT RIGHT, I LIKE TO SEE IF WE COULD GO TO THE CITY AND PICK UP TRASH AND DEBRIS, IN A SAFE MANNER AND CLEAN THIS UP, THROW THE BAG ASIDE AND PICK THINGS UP. THERE ARE TIRES AND PLACES, THERE IS CATCHES AND STUFF.
DOING ONE NEIGHBOR IS ONE THING BUT GETTING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY INVOLVED AND CLEANING UP THE CITY, HOPEFULLY THIS BUILD OTHER PEOPLE, TO CONTINUE TO CLEAN.
WHEN THEY SEE TIRE SOMETHING OTHER PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU SEE YOUR TIRES, IF YOU CALL THE CITY BILL GO OUT AND PICK IT UP FOR FREE. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING AT YOUR HOUSE IS HUGE CALL AND THEY WILL COME PICK IT UP.
THERE IS NO NEED FOR US NOT TO DO IT AND IF THEY CAN HELP THE CITY TO BE CLEANER AND WERE BRIGHT PLACE AND GET THE COMMUNITY BACK OUT INTO THE STREETS, AND TALKING TO THE NEIGHBORS. HOPEFULLY, WE CAN COME FORWARD AND DO MORE CLEANUP.
MAKE OUR CITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.
>> THANK YOU. IS COUNCILMEMBER RAMOS AMITH BACK ON?
I DON'T HAVE A CITY COUNCIL REPORT THIS EVENING.
THANK YOU. >> OKAY, THANK YOU.
WE CAN HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR NOW!
YESTERDAY I ATTENDED NATIONAL NIGHT OUT WITH A LOT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS AND STAFF. I WANT TO THANK THEM ALL FOR PARTICIPATING.
IT MEANS A LOT TO THE COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS.
AND THE KIDS REALLY ENJOYED THEMSELVES BEING ABLE TO MEET ALL OF YOU.
SO THANK YOU AGAIN. I ALSO ATTENDED THE SWEARING SERMON FOR THREE NEW OFFICES IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
OFFICER CHAVEZ, OFFICER MORAN AND OFFICER -- I WANT TO THANK THEM AGAIN FOR THE SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO OUR CITY.
AND ALSO, A BIG THANK YOU TO THOSE FAMILIES FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING OUR OFFICERS AND ALL THEY DO TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.
I FILLED IN FOR MAYOR FERMON AT THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WHILE HE WAS OUT EARLIER THIS MONTH.
WE APPROVED THE CONTRACT TO HELP SOME OF THE LEADING ISSUES THAT WE SEE IN THE WESTERN COACHELLA VALLEY. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, DURING SANDSTORMS AND RAIN STORMS, WE OFTEN, CLOSE DOWN SOME OF THE MAIN ROADS COMING FROM THE FREEWAY.
MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE BUSINESS AND ALSO, HAVE ACCESS TO EMERGENCY VEHICLES DURING THE SEVERE STORMS. STAFF FOUND SOME PREFABRICATED OPTIONS FOR SOME SMALLER BRIDGES NEEDED.
THAT BROUGHT THE COST DOWN FROM 600 MILLION TO JUST OVER 100 MILLION.
WE ALSO APPROVED AN AGREEMENT IN THE MEETING TO IMPROVE THE ROAD BETWEEN COACHELLA AND INDIO ON AVENUE 48 FROM VAN BUREN TO DYLAN. WHICH IS A MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENT FOR BOTH CITIES.
I SPOKE WITH OUR YOUTH MAYOR PRO TEM THIS WEEKEND AT AN EVENT, WE TALKED ABOUT THE RACE THEY WANT TO DO IN THE CITY AND I WAS PLEASED TO HEAR SHE'S LOOKING TO ATTEND STANFORD UNIVERSITY, MY ALMA MATER.
-- SHE WANTS TO STUDY SCIENCE SHE'S ALSO THE CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM AND TRYING OUT FOR WATER POLO AS WELL. I WANTED TO SHARE GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GREAT AMBITIONS.
WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK ON HER JUNIOR YEAR AT SHADOW HILLS AND BEST OF LUCK.
[APPLAUSE] >> ALSO INTO ANOTHER PETITION WE RECEIVED TODAY TO ELIMINATE COLUMBUS DAY FROM THE CITY.
AND REPLACE THE CITY HOLIDAY WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.
I THINK THE PROCLAMATION WAS VISTA FORWARD WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES ASKING US TO GO A STEP FURTHER HERE.
IT IS SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE AND I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO BROUGHT THE ISSUE UP.
THAT THIS WAS, COLUMBUS WAS A MAN WHO LED THE ENSLAVEMENT OF MANY NATIVE
[01:15:04]
COMMUNITIES. THE MASSACRE MANY COMMUNITIES AND A LOT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST NATIVE WOMEN. IT IS JUST A LOT OF TRAUMA IN THE COMMUNITIES.I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE THAT STEP FORWARD AND ELIMINATE THAT HOLIDAY.
YOU KNOW, I THINK IT ALSO, BECAUSE IT'S ALL COMMUNITY VALUES AND IMPROVING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR NATIVE COMMUNITY.
IN OTHER NATIVE COMMUNITIES IN OUR REGION.
AS I SAID EARLIER, IT'S ONE SMALL PART OF A MUCH BIGGER FIGHT IN THE COMMUNITY. TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR TRUE HISTORY QUESTION FOR THINGS LIKE INCLUSION OF THE NATIVE PERSPECTIVE IN OUR HISTORY CLASSES, AND EXPANDING ETHNIC STUDIES IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS. AND SUPPORTING OUR NATIVE COMMUNITY IN EFFORT TO KEEP THEIR TRADITIONS ALIVE AND SHARE THEIR TRADITIONS AND KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT COMMUNITY.
I WANTED TO SEE IF WE CAN GET CONSENSUS BRINGS BACK AS AN ACTION ITEM FOR THE NEXT MEETING TO REMOVE COLUMBUS DAY FROM THE CITY HOLIDAYS AND REPLACE IT WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE, THANK YOU. >> I LIKE TO ASK COUNSEL IF THAT IS SOMETHING WE WANT TO BRING BACK.
WE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE BUT IF THE MAYOR PRO TEM IS REQUESTING THAT, --
>> I JUST WANTED TO ADD ON THAT TOPIC, IT IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
IT IS BY LAW, A FEDERAL HOLIDAY AND BY STATE LAW, A STATE HOLIDAY.
AS A HABIT EMBEDDED WITHIN OUR MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH ALL OF OUR LABOR UNITS TO BE THAT DAY.
SO I THINK THERE IS A CAUSE AND FIGHT AN ARGUMENT, BUT IT MAY BE BEST AT THE STATE LEVEL RATHER THAN JUST THE CITY OF INDIO.
WE WON'T BE ABLE TO CHANGE STATE LAW, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO CHANGE FEDERAL LAW.
WE RENEGOTIATE THESE LABOR AGREEMENTS EVERY FEW YEARS.
BUT AS IT SITS RIGHT NOW I THINK IT VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH AND PERHAPS THE CAUSE SHOULD BE AT A HIGHER LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT.
>> JUST ON THAT NOTE, WE HAVE SEEN IT DONE AT THE CITY OF COACHELLA SO MAYBE LOOKING AT THE PROCESS OF HOW THEY ACCOMPLISH THAT.
WE HAVE SEEN IT DONE LOCALLY HERE.
>> JUST DID NOT CHANGE THE HOLIDAY.
YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE STATE OR FEDERAL HOLIDAY.
THAT IS THE POINT. >> I THINK IT WOULDN'T HURT TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION.
THE CITY MANAGER BROUGHT UP A POINT THAT IT IS RECOGNIZED, I THINK WHAT THE REQUEST IS TO REMOVE COLUMBUS DAY FROM THE CITY.
AND SO, I WOULDN'T MIND HAVING THAT DISCUSSION AND LET THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS WORK ITS WAY THROUGH. AND I WILL RESPECT WHAT ARE COUNCIL COMES UP WITH.
>> I DO NOT SUPPORT HAVING A CONVERSATION ON THIS TOPIC AS A CITY MANAGER SO ELOQUENTLY STATED, THIS IS A STATE AND FEDERAL HOLIDAY.
WE CAN DO NOTHING TO CHANGE IT.
OF THE CITY OF COACHELLA DID, IS UNOFFICIAL.
I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH CONSIDERING AN ADDITIONAL DAY, TO BE MEMORIALIZED AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.
IF WE WERE TO CONSIDER THAT, I WOULD CONSIDER THE SAME DAY AS THE TRIBAL POWWOWS, WHICH IS THE FIRST FRIDAY OR THE FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. BUT TO ELIMINATE HISTORY JUST BECAUSE WE DO NOT LIKE WHAT IT STATES, IS CONTRARY TO WHAT HISTORY IS ABOUT.
HISTORY IS ABOUT THE GOOD AND BAD AND HOW WE BECAME WHO WE ARE TODAY AS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
I DO NOT APPROVE OR AGREE WITH US ELIMINATING A FEDERAL OR STATE HOLIDAY.
I THINK WE SHOULD MAINTAIN THAT HOLIDAY.
WHETHER WE AGREE WITH IT OR NOT.
JUST AS ARE MANY OTHER HOLIDAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT SOME OF US MAY NOT AGREE WITH.
BUT I AM NOT OPPOSED TO CONSIDERING AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.
IT WOULD JUST HAVE TO BE ANOTHER DAY THAT IS MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF WHAT THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ARE CELEBRATING.
WHICH THE ONLY CELEBRATION WE HAVE FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AT THIS TIME, IS THE POWWOW.
THANK YOU. >> I APPRECIATE YOUR ALTERNATIVE AS WELL.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES? >> I COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY AGREE.
AND THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR DOING THE PROCLAMATION.
TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE THIS WORLD AND THIS COUNTRY STARTED WITH OUR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, TO CELEBRATE THAT. I THINK THINGS ENDED UP IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION THAN I INTENDED IN PREVIOUS COMMENTS.
WE NEED TO CELEBRATE ALL THAT THEY'VE DONE AND BROUGHT.
MY CONCERN IS WITH ELIMINATING COLUMBUS DAY, I WOULD SUPPORT A SEPARATE DAY FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.
HOWEVER WE DO THAT, OUR MODERN TIME TRIBES, MAKING US LOOK AT WHAT THEY DO, HOW CELEBRATE
[01:20:05]
THEM, WHAT THEY BRING TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.IT IS OUTSTANDING AND APPRECIATED AND VALUED. WHAT COLUMBUS DID, THE ATROCITIES THAT OCCURRED, NEED TO BE REMEMBERED.
THAT'S HISTORY. BEYOND THAT, HE DID COME HE ESTABLISHED TRADE, I REALLY THOUGHT A LOT ABOUT THIS AND I LOOK BACK BUT BECAUSE OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, BECAUSE HE ESTABLISHED TRADE BETWEEN EUROPE AND AMERICA, BECAUSE HE BROUGHT FRUIT AND COFFEE AND COWS AND CHICKENS, HE CREATED THE AMERICAS. AND SO TO OBLITERATE THAT TO ME, DOESN'T PRESENT HISTORY, THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY, TO FUTURE GENERATIONS.
IT ALSO DOESN'T MEMORIALIZE OUR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, WHICH I BELIEVE, AGREE, EXCEPT WHOLEHEARTEDLY, IN A SEPARATE, ON A SEPARATE DAY AND A SEPARATE ENVIRONMENT, WITHOUT THE CLOUD IS SAYING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY SO WE NEED CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS TO GO WITH.
I WILL HAVE ITS OWN SEPARATE THING.
I DON'T BELIEVE HE NEEDS TO GO AWAY.
I DO BELIEVE WE NEED TO CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.
>> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.
>> MR. MAYOR, I THINK WE GET THE CITY MANAGER TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND WHAT IS AVAILABLE, THE IDEAS BEHIND IT, MAYBE HAVE SOME OF THE LOCAL TRIBES -- COME BACK WITH SOME OF THEIR IDEAS AND THOUGHTS. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM LOOKING AT BOTH.
BUT I LIKE TO GET MORE INFORMATION FROM THE CITY MANAGER AND I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT COACHELLA DID TOO.
IS IT CEREMONY WHERE THEY WENT FORWARD AND JUST CHANGE THE DAY? NO IT WOULDN'T -- [INAUDIBLE] I DO AGREE WITH INDIGENOUS DAY THAT IS TO BE CELEBRATED IN SOME WAY.
BUT THERE IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY WITH THE POWWOW OF MAYBE SUPPORTING AND WORKING WITH -- ON SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES I HAVE.
I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LOOK AT IT.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SUGGESTION.
HOW ABOUT WE DO TALK TO LOCAL TRIBAL COUNCILS AND GET A PERSPECTIVE AND HOW WE CAN FURTHER CELEBRATE ON THE HOLIDAY.
THE STATE HAS DESIGNATED THE SAFETY FOURTH FRIDAY OF SEPTEMBER AS NATIVE AMERICAN DAY.
SO THERE IS A DESIGNATION BUT WITH THE LOCAL TRIBES ON A MEANINGFUL DAY FOR THEM CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED.
>> I WANT TO MENTION THE CONCEPT THAT WE ARE RAISING HISTORY, I THINK THAT IS INACCURATE.
JUST BECAUSE IT HISTORY DOESN'T MEAN WE CELEBRATE IT, RIGHT? WE DON'T GET A DAY OFF FOR THE THINGS THAT HITLER ACCOMPLISHED, RIGHT? IT'S HISTORY BUT WE DON'T CELEBRATE THAT.
AND SO, I WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT BECAUSE IT IS OUR CHOICE HERE TO CELEBRATE COLUMBUS DAY.
AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I SEE SHOULD BE CELEBRATED.
>> I THINK THE CITY MANAGER, THAT WILL BE THE NEXT APPEAR LESS TALK TO LOCAL PARTNERS AND TRIBES AND GIVE PERSPECTIVE.
IT MAY NOT BE AN ACTION ITEM BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE A CONSENSUS OF REALLY, ELIMINATING COLUMBUS DAY.
YOU KNOW, IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS KIND OF A TIE. HOWEVER, THERE WERE SOME GOOD ALTERNATIVES OF HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE OUR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF OUR COUNTRY.
MAYBE THAT IS SOMETHING THE CITY MANAGER CAN BRING BACK IN A PRESENTATION OR JUST IN COMMENTS AT A FURTHER MEETING.
>> AND I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION.
I APPRECIATE THE COUNCILMEMBERS WEIGHING-IN.
FIVE BRAINS ARE BETTER THAN ONE.
I HEARD SOME REALLY GOOD STUFF AND SO I WOULD LIKE ANY OTHER THING, WE WILL WORK OUR WAY THROUGH IT.
THANK YOU. SO, I WAS GONE THE LAST MINUTE SO I HAVE NOT TO SHARE.
COUNCILMEMBER MILLER MADE THE COMMENT THAT -- DOES GET SUPERTIGHT ABOUT THE CITY AND I'LL SHARE SOME OF THE EXCITEMENT.
HOWEVER, I WANT TO START WITH KIND OF THE BIG BROTHER CONVERSATION.
ESPECIALLY WHEN HAVE MY YAC HERE, I WILL NEED SOME HELP.
YOU KNOW, I'M A VERY EMOTIONAL PERSON AND I GET SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THINGS AND I COULD LISTEN TO A SONG AND BE IN TEARS, AND JUST, THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS I'VE BEEN A LITTLE UPSET. AND I HAD TO EXPLAIN WHY.
THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AS COUNSEL AND CITY, WE HAVE
[01:25:05]
ASKED OUR RESIDENTS TO TRUST US WITH THEIR TAX DOLLARS.WE PASSED MEASURE X AND EXTENDED.
IT WAS MEASURE E, WE EXTENDED IT.
OUR TAXPAYERS AND CONSTITUENTS ALLOWING US TO THAT, WE WORKED A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
MR. -- CAN GET UP AND TALK ABOUT THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WE HAVE PUT IN OUR CITY AND FOLKS SEE IT.
YOU DRIVE AROUND THE CITY THERE IS CONSTRUCTION EVERYWHERE, ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.
SOME ROADS HAVE NOT BEEN TOUCHED IN YEARS AND I APPLAUD THAT.
I GOT THERE AND I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT WHAT I SEE.
WE ARE WORKING ON BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT AND THESE ARE HAPPENING REAL TIME THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY AND WE WILL SEE IT IN FIVE YEARS.
THE CITY MANAGER AND I HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT OUR AREA ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE JOHN NOBLE PROPERTY.
AND WITHIN WEEKS, A MONTH, WE HAD IDENTIFIED THE AREA.
AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED AND HAVE FOLKS REACH OUT TO ME AND THINK US AND SAY YOU KNOW WHAT? NOW HAVE IDENTITY, WE ARE DESERT GARDENS AND WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
WE APPRECIATE THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. ON THE -- PROJECT AND SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
AND THE STREETLIGHTS AND SIDEWALKS. AND MANY BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS WE HAVE GOING ON.
WHAT I'M UPSET ABOUT, IS I SEE THESE BEAUTIFUL ROADS AND THEN I SEE TIRE MARKS AND DRAGRACING MARKS IN INTERSECTIONS.
INTERNET SINGER IF YOU BELIEVE GRAFFITI IS ART WORK IF IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
BUT IF I SEE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTIES BEING DESTROYED, AROUND THE CITY.
AND I LIVED IN A FEW DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CITY.
AND WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY! THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE MADE SOME BIG STRIDES.
SOME OF THESE PROJECTS, WE HAVE AN ACCOUNTANT CALENDAR SOME THINGS WE'VE GONE AFTER, OUR CITY HAS REALLY MADE SOME BIG IMPROVEMENTS.
AND IT HAS BEEN A TEAM EFFORT, OUR CONSTITUENTS, OUR STAFF, WORKING WITH LOCAL AND FEDERAL PARTNERS.
WE REALLY HAVE TO START TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN CITY.
WHAT I WANT TO DO, I WANT TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SOME OF THAT.
BECAUSE I WANT TO WORK WITH OUR CITY MANAGER AND THE ARTS COMMISSION. I WANT TO PROVIDE A SPACE WHERE IF FOLKS WANT TO DISPLAY THEIR ARTWORK, WE WILL HAVE A SPACE FOR YOU TO COME AND DO IT.
BUT ON THE NEW BRIDGES AND THE PROJECT WE ARE WORKING ON, THE 111 CORRIDOR, MONROE ROBERT BUSINESSES, WE JUST CANNOT HAVE THAT.
WE HAVE COME SO FAR TO TAKE STEPS BACK.
SO, I WANT TO WORK WITH OUR CITY MANAGER PROVIDING A SPACE WHERE WE CAN WORK WITH SOME OF OUR LOCAL URBAN ARTISTS, I LIKE TO CALL THEM.
TO GIVE THEM A SPACE TO DISPLAY THEIR WORK.
AND AS FAR AS OUR ROADS AND STREET RACING, SO DANGEROUS! VERY DANGEROUS! WE LOST PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES BECAUSE OF PEOPLE DOING BURNOUTS OR PEOPLE RACING IN THE STREETS.
INITIALLY, I HAVE TO SAY, I WANTED TO PUT MORE ORDINANCE IN PLACE AND I WANTED TO TAKE PEOPLES VEHICLES.
BUT I TALKED TO THE CITY MANAGER AND WE ARE TRYING TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO MITIGATE SOME OF THOSE DANGERS WE HAVE IN THE COMMUNITIES.
I AM REACHING OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY, OUR FOLKS, WE HAVE TO DO BETTER. OUR CITY HAS COME A LONG WAY AND SEEING SOME OF THE STUFF OUT THERE WAS UPSETTING TO ME. I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC.
WE HAVE A GREAT CITY, A GREAT COMMUNITY AND I THINK THAT IS JUST SOMETHING WE WILL TURN AROUND BUT I HATE, CANNOT SIT UP HERE IS THE MAYOR OR AS A COUNCILMEMBER AND BE A STEWARD OF OUR RESIDENTS AND NOT PROTECT THEIR INVESTMENT IN OUR CITY. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.
WE ARE PROTECTING OUR CONSTITUENTS CITY.
SO, PLEASE, JUST WORK WITH US ON THE BEAUTIFICATION AS COUNCILMEMBER MILLER STATED EARLIER.
WE HAVE TO DO BETTER AND I WILL HOLD MYSELF ACCOUNTABLE NOW, THIS IS WHAT I WILL DO.
I'LL WORK ON IT NOW BUT NEXT YEAR, THERE MIGHT BE SOME OTHER THINGS IN PLACE WHERE WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE ENFORCEMENT INVOLVED.
THE SECOND THING IS, WE HAVE A CRISIS IN OUR WORLD.
AND IT IS NOT UNIQUE TO INDIO. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.
[01:30:03]
I'M GOING TO BE VERY BLUNT AND FRANK ABOUT THIS.I'M NOT GOING TO RUN WILL BE PART OF ANY KIND OF CITY COUNCIL THAT HAS A LAWLESS CITY.
I WILL NOT TOLERATE OPEN DRUG SALES OR DRUG USE.
SO PLEASE, TO THE FOLKS OUT THERE, IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND YOU KNOW OF THEM, OUR CITY, COUNTY, STATE HAS A PLETHORA OF RESOURCES.
WE NEED TO TRY TO GET FOLKS HELP.
TODAY I WAS GETTING GAS, NEXT TO IN AND OUT.
THERE WAS A GERMAN SITTING OUTSIDE OF THE DRIVE-THROUGH ASKING FOR MONEY.
AND I WENT OVER AND I WALKED TO HIM AND ASKED HIS NAME. AND IF HE NEEDED ANY ASSISTANCE.
I HAVE WORKED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT SO I'M COMFORTABLE DOING IT. I DON'T ADVOCATE FOR ANYBODY DOING THAT.
BUT I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD A HABIT AND HE SAYS YES, FENTANYL.
AND I BEGGED TO HIM, I BEGGED TO HIM, PLEASE, TAKE THIS OLIVE BRANCH AND GET HELP.
BECAUSE FENTANYL IS KILLING OUR KIDS, IT'S KILLING OUR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND KELLY FOLKS WHO LIVE IN OUR CITY.
AND I HAVE TO SAY, OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS PURSUING MURDER CHARGES AGAINST DRUG DEALERS WHO ARE SELLING FENTANYL THAT RESULT IN THE DEATH OF SOMEONE.
AND AS A MAYOR OF THE CITY, I'M GOING TO SUPPORT HIS EFFORTS. I WORKED IN A INSTITUTION AND UNDERSTAND CONSEQUENCES BUT WE KNOW BETTER AND CAN DO BETTER. FENTANYL IS VERY DANGEROUS.
I CANNOT TURN ON THE NEWS ANOTHER DAY, OR OPEN UP THE PAPER AND SEE THAT I'VE LOST TWO MORE PEOPLE IN OUR CITY, OR ANOTHER PERSON IN OUR CITY BECAUSE OF FENTANYL USE.
SO, I HAD TO REALLY PUT THAT OUT THERE BECAUSE THOSE ARE SERIOUS ISSUES THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH.
WE TALK ABOUT THE GREAT THINGS AND I HAVE SOME GREAT THINGS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT BUT WHILE THE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ARE FOCUSED ON HAVING FUN AND THRIVING ON THOSE GOOD THINGS, THOSE ARE THE THINGS I'M WORKING ON.
I'M FOCUSING ON THAT. AND SO, CITY MANAGER, CAN YOU INJECT SOME OXYGEN IN THE ROOM SO FOLKS CAN BREATHE? I AM DONE WITH THAT PART.
LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME FUN STUFF.
SOME GOOD STUFF. LIKE I SAID, I'VE BEEN GONE THE LAST MEETING, I WAS OUT.
I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT BUT I MISSED OUR HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE MEETING I THINK COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES, THANK YOU FOR STEPPING IN FOR ME IN ADVOCATING FOR ME TO BE CHAIR.
HOWEVER, I WILL BE VICE CHAIR OF THE HOMELESSNESS COMMUNITY. IT IS A PASSION OF MINE.
I WANT TO BRING A VISION OF HOW THE COMMITTEE CAN WORK AND I ALSO HAVE TO ADD THAT I'VE BEEN ELECTED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW TO BE THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE CHAIR.
BEING THAT I HAVE THOSE TWO POSITIONS I REALLY WANT TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THOSE COMMITTEES BECAUSE I BELIEVE PUBLIC SAFETY IS PART OF SOME OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE WITH HOMELESSNESS AND THE SHELTERED COMMUNITY.
I ALSO ATTENDED A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY FOR REFUGE PREGNANCY CENTER LOCATED ON DOCTOR CARREON, GREAT ORGANIZATION, FREE OF CHARGE NONPROFIT.
THEY WORK UP DONATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.
THEY PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THE MOTHER AND FATHER BEFORE AND AFTER PREGNANCY.
IF YOU NEED TO GET CHECKED, IF YOU NEED CLOTHING OR FORMULA, THIS ORGANIZATION HAS IT FREE OF CHARGE AND IT IS RIGHT AT 81557 SUITE B5.
GREAT RIBBON-CUTTING GREAT CEREMONY, THEY ARE DOING EXCELLENT WORK AND I LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.
AS MENTIONED EARLIER, I DID ATTEND THE SWEARING SERMON FOR THE NEW THREE POLICE OFFICERS.
THANK YOU, CHIEF AND THINK YOUR TEAM FOR RECRUITING ALL OVER THE STATE AND COUNTRY.
OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB OF RECRUITING.
AND I YOU WITNESSED DURING COVID.
HOW THEY PIVOTED AND TO STILL BE ABLE TO TEST AND HAD PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST FOR CANDIDATES.
I HAVE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR RECRUITING.
AND INDIO IS SUCH A GREAT PLACE TO WORK AND LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A POLICE OFFICER, NOT A COUNCILMEMBER.
BUT I MADE IT HERE INSTEAD SO THANK YOU CHIEF AND THINK YOU TWO MEN WOMEN WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY IN THAT CAPACITY.
[01:35:01]
ALSO ATTENDED THE VALLEY WIDE EMPLOYMENT EXPO AT FANTASY SPRINGS CASINO WITH COUNCILMEMBER MILLER.ANOTHER GREAT EVENT THAT GOES ON IN THE CITY.
WE REALLY NEED TO GET THE NEW WORKFORCE READY TO TAKE ON THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAD ABOUT 100 DIFFERENT POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS THERE FROM HOSPITALITY, TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MEDICAL.
OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THERE.
IT WAS A GREAT EVENT AND ALSO, YOU CAN STILL GO ON IF YOU'RE STILL LOOKING FOR JOB.
IF YOU GO TO THE WEBSITE, I DON'T KNOW IT OFFHAND BUT IF YOU JUST TYPE IN GOOGLE, IT WILL COME UP BECAUSE FOLKS ARE STILL LOOKING FOR WORKERS.
HIS LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE'VE HAD A LOT OF FOLKS RETIRE.
NOW WE HAVE A NEW GENERATION THAT NEEDS TO BE NURTURED INTO THESE POSITIONS AND ARE COACHELLA VALLEY IS ON THE WAY UP SO THERE'S A LOT OF WORK HERE.
AND I ALSO ATTENDED THE ALL VALLEY MAYOR AND TRIBAL CHAIR AND COUNTY SUPERVISOR LUNCHEON.
A GREAT EVENT! I LOVE TO READ ABOUT WHAT OUR STAFF AND COUNSEL IN THE COMMUNITY ARE DOING IN THE CITY.
LIKE AS MENTIONED EARLIER WE HAVE A LOT OF ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, WE ARE REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN, WE HAVE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW COLLEGE EXPANSION.
WE HAVE GREAT HISTORICAL MUSEUM AT THE MILE SPARK.
WE ARE WORKING ON THE INDIO MARKETPLACE, WHICH IS BEEN TO ALL OF US FOR THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING I WATCHED IT FROM 5000 FEET IN THE AIR.
I GOT TO WATCH US OPERATE AND IT WAS GOOD TO SEE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT AND WORKING WITH HAGAN GROUP TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AFTER 30+ YEARS.
THAT IS A BIG MILESTONE FOR OUR CITY AND COMMUNITY. I THINK OUR COUNSEL AND STAFF WORKING THROUGH SOME OF THESE CHALLENGES.
THAT WE'VE HAD THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS BUT WE ARE ALMOST THERE.
WE'RE ALMOST THERE TO SOME GROUNDBREAKING.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
GREAT EVENT! EVERYONE WHO HAD A HAND IN THAT, HATS OFF TO YOU! I LOVE COMING TO THIS EVENT TO GET UP AND CLOSE, PERSONAL WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE, SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY. THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT WE ARE CALLING WHEN WE NEED ASSISTANCE.
I MENTIONED EARLIER, SOMETIMES IT IS THE WORST TIME OF OUR LIFE THAT I MIGHT NEED TO SEE A FIREFIGHTER OR CALL A POLICE OFFICER WHEN THERE SOMETHING GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO THANK YOU. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT I TOOK A PHOTO WITH THE BORDER PATROL, POLICE, ABC, WHO ELSE WAS THERE IN THE PHOTO WE TOOK WE HAD A REPRESENTATIVE FROM -- OFFICE WE HAD THE COLLABORATION IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SHOWED, EVERYONE WHO GOT THE PHOTO.
AND THAT'S HOW WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD, IT'S ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS AND SHAKING HANDS.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PLAY NICE ALL THE TIME IN THE SANDBOX BUT GET IN THE SANDBOX AND SEE WHAT IT'S ABOUT AND WE WILL MOVE FORWARD. I THINK THAT SOMETHING WE -- WE ARE DOING GOOD WITH.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND EVERYONE WHO HAD A HAND IN THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I AM SORRY TO BE LONG-WINDED, FOLKS.
BUT SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT, I MISSED THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING BECAUSE I WAS IN WASHINGTON D.C..
I SIT ON THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AND ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROJECT IS A RAIL.
YOU MAY HAVE HURT US TALK ABOUT IT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
BEFORE I WAS ON COUNCIL THIS IS A ONGOING EFFORT FOR ANALYSIS SECOND TIER.
THIS WILL GIVE US FEASIBILITY STUDIES, WHERE THE STOPS WILL BE AT AND IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND SO, MYSELF, AND THE MAYOR, DIRECTOR OF RCTC, THE COUNTY SUPERVISOR, KAREN SPIEGEL AND SOME STAFF AND LOBBYISTS WERE IN DC FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. WE MET WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM SENATOR PADILLA 'S OFFICE PEEWEE MET WITH SENATOR FEINSTEIN.
WE MET WITH CONGRESSMAN -- WE MET WITH CONGRESSMAN CALVERT, WE MET WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OFFICE.
WE MET WITH CONGRESSMAN -- AND WE ALSO MET WITH HER OWN CONGRESSMAN RUIZ.
I HAVE TO SAY, IT WAS A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE TO GO TO WASHINGTON D.C..
NOT ONLY TO REPRESENT RCTC, BUT REPRESENT THE COACHELLA VALLEY AND REPRESENT THE CITY OF INDIO FOR THIS RAIL PROJECT.
[01:40:04]
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COMMUNITY AND EVERYONE HERE, OUR CITY IS WORKING ON THIS.TO GO ON RCTC.ORG\ CVR AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT THAT WILL COME FROM LOS ANGELES THROUGH THE INLAND EMPIRE ALL THE WAY INTO INDIO.
WE WENT TO ADVOCATE FOR MORE DOLLARS.
WE ARE APPLYING FOR MORE GRANTS AND WE ARE TIER 2.
LIKE I SAID, THIS IS BEEN AN ONGOING EFFORT. THERE BEEN FOLKS THAT SAT IN MY SEAT, FOLKS HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT SUPERVISORS, WHO HAVE WORKED ON THIS EFFORT, NOW THE BATON IS IN HER HAND.
IN TIER 2, WE STILL NEED TO RAISE ABOUT 20 MILLION PER TIER 2 ACOSTA 60.
WE REALLY HAVE 40 SO WE WORKING ON THAT.
IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE MEETING WITH ALL OF OUR ELECTIVES.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE CITY AND THE COUNCIL, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED A CONSENSUS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IN THE FUTURE BUT I WANT TO RECOMMEND THAT OUR COUNSEL IF POSSIBLE, TAKES A TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C.
TO MEET WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVES.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA TO SHOW THEM HOW AND WHY WE NEED FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. HOW AND WHY WE NEED FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.
I WENT FOR THE RAIL PROJECT BUT HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION WITH CONGRESSMAN RUIZ ABOUT OUR MONROE BRIDGE PROJECT AND HOW WE ALSO NEED TO SIT IN FRONT OF OUR SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG ABOUT THIS.
WE ALSO TOOK AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT OTHER THINGS.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE REALLY WORK WITH OUR LOCAL REGIONAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES ON OUR PROJECTS, SO THEY KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING. NOT JUST A MEMO WHEN THE PROJECT IS IN FRONT OF US.
SO, THAT WILL CONCLUDE MY LONG REPORT.
AND SO, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, I'M VERY EXCITED.
WE ARE DOING SOME GREAT THINGS AND WE JUST GOT TO KEEP THE BALL ROLLING.
WE'LL MOVE ONTO THE NEXT ITEM.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND INFORMATION.
>> JUST THAT WE HAVE THE SECOND SATURDAY FREE CONCERT DOWNTOWN.
THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 AT 7 O'CLOCK. THANK YOU.
>> GREAT! I STILL HAVE, IF YOU LIKE TO BE EXCUSED I'M SORRY TO BE SO LONG.
>> THEY WERE ALL WONDERFUL REPORTS THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU ON THE RACE.
WE HAVE THE SECOND SATURDAY, CITY MANAGER IF YOU COULD REPEAT THE DATE?
>> THIS SATURDAY THE EIGHTH AT 7 O'CLOCK DOWNTOWN.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
[9. CONSENT CALENDAR]
BEFORE I EVEN ASK FOR A MOTION WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE ITEM WE HAVE ON HERE.LET ME GET TO IT. I AM SUPER SORRY. ITEM 9.13, A RESOLUTION APPROVING DONATION OF AUGUST 26, HUNTER LOPEZ DAY IN THE CITY OF INDIO. HONORING THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE CORPORAL LOPEZ MADE AUGUST 26, 2021 IN AFGHANISTAN AS A US MARINE CORPORAL WHERE HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY. AND I THINK THE CITY MANAGER FOR BRINGING THIS, IT IS SOMETHING THAT I ASKED FOR AND WHEN I WAS IN WASHINGTON D.C., IT BECAME VERY REAL.
WALKING THROUGH SOME OF THE HALLWAYS BECAUSE I SAW HUNTER'S PICTURE ALL THROUGHOUT SOME OF THE HALLWAYS.
IT DIDN'T MATTER WHAT REPRESENTATIVE IT WAS CALIFORNIA OR FLORIDA.
IF IT WAS UTAH. I SAW HUNTER AND HIS COMRADES THAT LOST THEIR LIVES, THEIR PHOTOS UP ON THE WALL.
AND IT REALLY CEMENTED THE FACT AND IT EXPLAINED WHAT OUR DEMOCRACY IS ABOUT BEING IN WASHINGTON D.C..
SEEING THE CAPITOL AND THE WHITE HOUSE, IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE BUT IT BECAME REALLY EMOTIONAL WHEN I HAD SEEN HIS PICTURE UP THERE.
I THINK OUR CITY MANAGER FOR WORKING WITH ME ON THIS. AND I DON'T THINK IT WOULDN'T PASS BUT I THINK THE COUNCIL BECAUSE HE IS A LOCAL HERO. HE IS A HERO TO US AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR VETERANS. WHO ARE PRESENT AND VETERANS WHO HAVE PASSED.
FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WITHOUT YOU, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.
WE SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD. IF YOUR GUARD IS DOWN, EVIL WALKS IN AND TAKES OVER.
AND OUR VETERANS ARE THE ONES WHO PROTECT US.
[01:45:01]
THANK YOU. IF NO ONE WOULD LIKE TO PULL ANYTHING OR HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.>> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED.
I THINK IT IS VERY APPROPRIATE, HUNTER LOPEZ A RESIDENT OF INDIO. HIS FAMILY IS FROM HERE AND HE GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.
I THINK IT IS A TRIBUTE TO OUR RESPECT NOT ONLY FOR HIM BUT THE MILITARY THAT SERVE.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MILLER AND SECOND, ROLL PLEASE?
THANK YOU. THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 10, ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS.
[10.1 Ordinance No. 1784, adoption of 2022 California Building Standards (Ke...]
10.1 IS ORDINANCE NUMBER 1784, ADOPTION OF 2022 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS.THIS WILL BE HANDLED BY THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
MR. SNYDER. >> THANK YOU MAYOR.
KEVIN STATED DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOP.
EVERY THREE YEARS WE COME BEFORE YOU NSU CONSIDER ADOPTION OF NEW BUILDING CODES FOR THE CITY.
EVERY THREE YEARS I GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVITE OUR SUPERVISOR UP TO SPEAK TO YOU.
LUIS IS DOING THE CITY OVER 17 YEARS AND THROUGHOUT THOSE YEARS HE'S BEEN HELPING TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF RESIDENTS IN THE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN THE CITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE LUIS COME UP AND GIVE YOUR PRESENTATION AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR MY NERVOUSNESS.
I AM NOT USED TO SPEAKING PUBLICLY.
I ONLY GET A CHANCE TO COME APPEAR EVERY THREE YEARS. [LAUGHTER] [INAUDIBLE] I AM HERE TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF INDIO BUILDING DIVISION.
TO BASICALLY ASK FOR THE ADOPTION OF THESE NEW CODES.
IN REALITY, THEY DIDN'T CHANGE VERY MUCH FROM THE LAST CYCLE.
BUT NONETHELESS, THE STATE REQUIRES US TO ADOPT THESE CODES. THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH & SAFETY CODE MANDATES THAT THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARD COMMISSION ADOPTED PUBLISHED CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE EVERY THREE YEARS. I REVIEWED THEM CAREFULLY.
I COULDN'T FIND MUCH ON ANY DRASTIC CHANGES.
THE ONLY THING THAT DID CHANGE IS THE ENERGY CODE.
WE ALL KNOW THE STATE IS TRYING TO PUSH EVERYBODY TO BE GOING TO ELECTRIC USE.
LAST CYCLE, THE STATE REQUIRED ALL NEW HOUSES TO HAVE PV SYSTEMS AND SO THAT'S HAPPENED.
EVER SINCE THEN, EVERY PERMIT WE ISSUE IS, HAS A SYSTEM LIKE THAT.
NOW WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, THEY WANT TO HAVE THESE HOMES ALSO WITH THESE NEW ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS. WHICH ARE BASICALLY BATTERY BACKUPS, VERY EXPENSIVE SYSTEMS. THEY DON'T WANT TO REQUIRE THEM YET, BUT THEY EVENTUALLY WILL GO TO. THEY WANT US TO HAVE THEM READY.
THESE NEW HOUSES TO BE READY FOR THE SYSTEM TO BE INSTALLED. AND BY DOING THAT, THEY WILL REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND 225 AMPS, WITH THE SHORTAGE OF ELECTRICAL POWER HERE IN THE CITY, IT'S GOING TO BE FAIRLY DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE THAT.
JUST BECAUSE RIGHT NOW FOR EXAMPLE, THERE ARE A LOT OF SHORTAGE OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND PANELING AND SO, WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF CONTRACTORS REALLY HAVING A HARD TIME DOING THAT.
WITH THIS REQUIREMENT, FOR THE FUTURE I SUSPECT MAYBE IN THE NEXT CYCLE, THEY WILL PROBABLY START MANDATING THE SYSTEMS. WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES BUT IT WILL BE MORE EXPENSIVE FOR THE INITIAL BUYER.
IN THE LONG RUN, I'M SURE IT SAVES YOU SOME MONEY WITH THE BILL BUT IT IS STILL VERY EXPENSIVE.
I THINK I'VE ISSUED A COUPLE OF THESE AND THE VALUATION STATED ON THE SYSTEMS ARE OVER $40,000 FOR THE BATTERIES, THEY ARE REALLY PRICEY.
WE WILL SEE HOW MANY WE HAVE IN THE NEXT FEW.
ALSO THE OTHER THING THEY ARE DOING, THEY WANT NEW ELECTRIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SPACE HEATING, COOKING AND DRYERS BRING EQUIPMENT IS INSTALLED.
BASICALLY, TRYING TO PUSH EVERYONE TO BUY THESE, GET AWAY FROM GAS BURNING FUEL.
[01:50:03]
THAT IS ANOTHER BIG ONE THAT WE SEE COMING DOWN. OTHER THAN THAT, OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE OTHER LITTLE ITEMS HERE AND THERE BUT NOT ANYTHING MAJOR ON THE ACTUAL BUILDING CODE, ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL CODE.IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WOULD BE GLAD TO TRY AND ANSWER THEM.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE BATTERY STORAGE.
I GUESS THINKING OF HYDROGEN POWER, IF THAT COMES INTO PLAY A LOT STRONGER, WILL HE REALLY MAKE SENSE TO HAVE BATTERY STORAGE IF WE CAN HAVE POWER THROUGH HYDROGEN TANKS? RIGHT? JUST A THOUGHT, I DON'T KNOW.
>> THE THING ABOUT THAT, IT'S VERY FLAMMABLE GAS.
AND SO, I THINK THE ISSUE, AND AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.
THOSE KIND OF SYSTEMS WITH THAT KIND OF, IT DEPENDS ON THE SIZE AND HOW MUCH YOU NEED BUT I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING HERE YET.
I AM SURPRISED EVERY THREE YEARS WHAT THEY COME UP WITH.
AND SO, IT'S JUST AMAZING HOW WHEN I GOT HERE IT WAS NOTHING LIKE THIS BUT IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY THREE YEARS THEY TRY TO WANT TO PUSH THE DEVELOPERS IN A CERTAIN WAY.
>> JUST SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON.
I KNOW IT GENERATORS, YOU KNOW PEOPLE -- SOME CONFERENCES I GO TO AND CONVENTIONS, THERE ARE TALKS OF HYDROGEN STORAGE OR HYDROGEN POWER IN THE SITUATIONS BUT ALSO KNOW THERE WAS A PROJECT FROM SOCAL GAS MIXING HYDROGEN WITH NATURAL GAS. AND USING THAT IN THE HOMES.
[INAUDIBLE] JUST SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND FOR ALL OF US.
>> RECENTLY, BACKUP GENERATORS ARE POWERED BY NATURAL GAS.
AND PROPANE. I HAVE SEEN THAT IN THE SUN CITY -- THEY HAVE INSTALLED A FEW OF THOSE WHICH ARE REALLY EXPENSIVE BUT IF EVER AN EARTHQUAKE HAPPENS, THEY WILL BE OKAY.
AS LONG AS THE GAS LINE ISN'T RUPTURED, RIGHT? THAT IS THE ADVANTAGE BUT WE'VE SEEN VERY FEW.
THEY ARE EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT TOO.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES OR RAMOS AMITH, ANY QUESTIONS?
HOUSES ARE NOT AFFORDABLE AS IS AND ADD $40,000.
AND BATTERIES ARE NOT VERY STABLE.
I MEAN YOU KNOW, IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE TO ME.
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO FORCE THINGS.
WHEN YOU START FORCING TO PUT OTHER STUFF INSIDE OF THE HOME AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IT JUST DOESN'T ADD UP.
>> AND TO CLARIFY THIS IS IN PREPARATION.
THEY'RE NOT REQUIRING IT YET FOR THIS CYCLE BUT I SUSPECT FOR THE NEXT ONE THEY WILL.
>> IT'S COMING! LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE LIKE WE ADDED CERTAIN THINGS IT JUST ADDS UP TO THE PRICE. THEY WILL FORCE YOU TO GO FORWARD IF THEY COULD'VE GUESSED AND YOU HAVE TO BUY THE BATTERY SET UP.
I'M SURE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN TELL YOU BATTERIES ARE NOT VERY STABLE.
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GET THEM HOT AND PUT WATER ON THEM CHANGE YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THEN WE ARE NOT PREPARED.
THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS, WHENEVER THERE'S SOMETHING THERE IS SOMETHING ALSO HAPPENS.
I UNDERSTAND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE COST IS NOT THERE IS THE SAME THING WITH COMPUTERS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
COMPUTERS WITH THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THIS HUGE THING AND NOW IT IS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR SOMETHING SMALL. WHEN WE GET THERE IT'LL BE A DIFFERENT STORY BUT IN THE MEANTIME IT'LL BE A LOT OF PAIN FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY PEOPLE BUYING THEIR FIRST HOMES.
IT IS A REALLY TOUGH ENOUGH TO HANDLE AS IT IS.
BUT IT'S A STATE LAW! I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THIS BY REFERENCE 2022 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS INTRODUCED THE ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY REQUEST CITY CLERK TO READ THE TITLE.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND.
>> CITY MANAGER, MADE TO ADD SACRAMENTO TO THE TRIP.
NOW CITY CLERK WITH THE TITLE PLEASE.
>> ORDINANCE 1784 ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDIO.
CALIFORNIA ADOPTED BY REFERENCE THE 2022 EDITIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORICAL BUILDING EXISTING BUILDING, ENERGY, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY
[01:55:01]
MAINTENANCE, RESIDENTIAL AND GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODES TOGETHER CERTAIN APPENDIXES AND AMENDMENTS THEREFORE, AMENDING CHAPTER 151 OF THE INDIO MUNICIPAL CODE.THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION, SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.
[10.2 Ordinance No. 1785 adopting by reference the 2022 edition of the Calif...]
ORDINANCE 1785 ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2022 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE WITH AMENDMENTS AND MAKING FINDINGS THAT MODIFICATIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE ARE REASONABLY NECESSARY BECAUSE OF LOCAL CONDITIONS.THIS WILL BE HANDLED BY THE FIRE CHIEF.
CHRIS GOOD EVENING HONORABLE MAYOR CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF.
FIRE CHIEF FOR THE CITY OF INDIA SIMILAR TO THE BUILDING FOR THE FIRE CODE AS REQUIRED BY STATE D UPDATED EVERY THREE YEARS.
THIS IS OUR THIRD YEAR OR SO TONIGHT, A BRIEF PRESENTATION TO ANSWER QUESTIONS YOUR FIRE MARSHAL, MATTHEW GRIFFITH.
>> GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS MY NAME IS MATTHEW GRIFFITH.
I WOULD START OFF WITH BY THANKING THE CITY MANAGERS OFFICE STAFF.
AND THE CITY ATTORNEYS OFFICE FOR ALL THE HELP AND GUIDANCE BRINGING THIS TOGETHER.
WE ONLY HAVE A LITTLE BIT TO ADOPT.
NOTHING WITH THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
AS FAR AS THE FIRE CODE IS CONCERNED, THERE WERE NOT VERY MANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES AT ALL OTHER THAN THE CODE SECTIONS ITSELF. I REALLY DON'T HAVE MUCH TO REPORT TO YOU OTHER THAN SOME NUMBERS CHANGING THE ACTUAL CODEBOOK.
>> YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND IF ANYONE NEEDS FURTHER INFORMATION, IT IS IN THE PACKET.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, IF NO ONE HAS QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I LIKE TO ALSO RECOGNIZE OUR FIRE MARSHAL.
I WILL MAKE A MOTION THE CITY COUNCIL INTRODUCED ORDINANCE 1785 WITH FULL READING MAKING EXPRESS KINDNESS THAT MODIFICATION TO CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE.
AND FULL READING TEXT AND INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE NUMBER 1785 BY REFERENCE THE 2022 EDITION OF THE FIRE CODE AS AMENDED AND REQUEST CITY CLERK TO READ THE ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY.
>> ORDINANCE 1785 ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF INDIO ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN APPENDIXES AND AMENDMENTS AND PENALTIES AND AMENDING CHAPTER 93 OF THE INDIO MUNICIPAL CODE.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.
ALL RIGHT, LET ME GET MY -- NEXT ITEM IS PUBLIC
[11. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA]
ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.ANYONE ONLINE? I DO HAVE ONE PRESENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, YOU THREE MINUTES THE
FLOOR IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU MINORS RICK WISE.
I LIVED IN INDIO 4 YEARS I BELIEVE.
I MOVED HERE FROM SEATTLE AND I BELIEVE CHIEF, YOU ARE FROM SEATTLE ALSO.
I LIVE AT TERRA LAGO AND I'M REPRESENTING -- COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES HAS BEEN MY YOUTUBE SHOW, ANY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO COME JOIN US ON THE SHOW.
IN THREE YEARS THE LAST THREE YEARS OF BEEN COMING TO CITY COUNCIL ON AND OFF.
I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE ENERGY AND HOW YOU GUYS WORK TOGETHER AND GET STUFF DONE I'VE NOTICED IMPROVEMENT FROM THREE YEARS UNTIL TODAY.
I DO TAKE EXCEPTION TO THE VOTE OF LAST MEETING I BELIEVE IT WAS, CHANGING THE NAME OF AVENUE 51, TWO HAGAN WAY.
NOTHING GETS MR. HAGAN, SHE'S A NICE GUY AND PROBABLY DESERVES A HIGHWAY NAMED AFTER HIM.
BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT SOMEBODY WOULD ASK TO HAVE A STREET NAMED AFTER HIMSELF.
I REALLY DOUBT DOCTOR CARREON CAME TO ANSWER HAVE A GREAT IDEA! I THINK IT WILL BE DIFFERENT IF THERE WAS A CITIZENS PETITION THAT SAYS YOU KNOW
[02:00:01]
WHAT? WE THINK THAT MR. HAGAN SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED.NOW IT IS JUST A STREET, I REALLY DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT. AND I BELIEVE THE VOTE WAS THREE – ONE.
MAYOR, I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE OUT OF TOWN I DON'T HOW YOU WERE GOING TO VOTE BUT IT WAS 31.
SO IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW YOU WOULD HAVE VOTED ANYWAY.
AS CITIZENS, WE ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR $600 TO CHANGE THE SIGNAGE. I WOULD THINK MR. HAGAN SHOULD STEP UP AND DONATE $600 OR WHATEVER THE VALUE WILL TAKE TO CHANGE THOSE STREET SIGNS.
BUT MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE MONEY, $600 OR EVEN THE NAME CHANGE, THE TRANSPARENCY IN THE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY GOVERNMENT.
I WOULD HOPE THAT THE THREE PEOPLE THAT VOTED FOR THIS, HAVE NEVER AND WILL NEVER TAKE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MR. HAGAN. FROM HIS FAMILY OR HIS BUSINESS.
CITY COUNCIL. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
>> I WANT TO FOR THE RECORD, MR. HAGAN DID NOT REQUEST THIS ROAD TO BE NAMED AFTER HIM.
THE RECORD SHOULD BE CLEAR HE NEVER MADE THE REQUEST.
IN FACT I THINK HE IS EMBARRASSED
BY IT. >> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT.
I DO NOT HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS.
THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING JOINT MEETING WITH IWA IS OCTOBER 19, 2022.
ALSO HAVE SECOND SATURDAY THIS WEEKEND PLEASE JOIN US THE WEATHER IS GREAT IT WILL BE ANOTHER GREAT EVENT.
IT IS PART OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
I ALSO WANT TO REMIND FOLKS, PLEASE GO TO RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION WEBSITE AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE TRAIN PROJECT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR YEARS. THIS IS MONUMENTAL TO OUR COMMUNITY, IS THE COLLECTIBILITY WITH THE INLAND EMPIRE AND LOS ANGELES.
IT WILL OPEN UP MANY OPPORTUNITIES.
NOT ONLY FOR US BUT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
AND TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 170,000 VEHICLES THAT TRAVEL THIS CORRIDOR ON A DAILY BASIS AND TO TAKE SOME OF THOSE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD, IS GOING TO BE SUCH A BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY, TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND IT IS JUST ONE OF THE BULLET POINTS.
THERE ARE A LOT OF BENEFITS THAT THIS WILL OPEN UP FOR US AND THE POSSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES WITH EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND FESTIVALS, GETTING FOLKS HERE TO THE COACHELLA VALLEY.
PLEASE, GO ON TO RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AND SHOW SUPPORT FOR THAT.
COUNCILMEMBER MILLER, IF YOU HAVE --
>>.[INAUDIBLE] STARTED BACK ON SUNDAYS DOWNTOWN AND FOR THE CELEBRATING YOM KIPPUR, OUR THOUGHTS FOR THEM ALSO.
>> YES, ABSOLUTELY! A LOT GOING ON IN INDIO.
WE ARE EXCITED, I'M SUPER EXCITED AND SO, WE WILL SEE YOU AT THE NEXT MEETING, OCTOBER 19, 2022.
THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.