CITY COUNCIL
Meeting Agenda

Thursday, October 16, 2025

1:30 P.m. - 3:30 P.m.

City Hall Council Chamber

44950 Eldorado Drive, Indian Wells, CA 92210

 

Welcome to a meeting of the Indian Wells City Council.

 

 

Live Stream: Regular meetings held in the City Hall Council Chamber are streamed live. You can watch the meeting on any device or computer. Members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may access the livestream during the regular meetings. LIVE STREAM CLICK HERE.

 

Public Comments: Members of the Public who wish to speak should fill out a blue slip and submit it to the City Clerk, comments are limited to three (3) minutes. In accordance with State Law, remarks during public comment are to be limited to subjects within the City's jurisdiction. If you are unable to provide comments during meeting, written comments on agenda or non-agenda items or both, may be submitted at an hour prior to the start of the meeting.

Notification: If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable modification or accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) please contact the City Clerk at 760-346-2489, 48 hours prior to the meeting.

 

 

Please turn off all communication devices (phones) or put them on non-audible mode (vibrate) during Council proceedings. All documents for public review are available for public inspection at City Hall reception, 44-950 Eldorado Drive, Indian Wells during normal business hours. 

---

A.

CONVENE THE INDIAN WELLS CITY COUNCIL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL

MAYOR BRUCE WHITMAN
MAYOR PRO TEM DANA REED
COUNCIL MEMBER TOPER TAYLOR
COUNCIL MEMBER BRIAN PENNA
COUNCIL MEMBER GREG SANDERS

B.

APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA

C.

PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

C.1

Presentation of Proclamation Honoring Shree Goradia Merchant and the Rotary Club of Namaste Nexus

C.2

Riverside County Fire Department Quarterly Update by Division Chief Mike Beverlin

C.3

Introduction of Special Enforcement Deputy Austin Travis Cook and Riverside County Sheriff Quarterly Update by Special Enforcement Team Deputy Peter Prajin

C.4

Department of Animal Services Presentation by Director Mary Martin

C.5

Hidden Harvest Presentation by Executive Director Francisco Linares

D.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Members of the public who wish to speak on Consent Calendar items or items not listed on the agenda may do so at this time. Public comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. Speakers will be alerted when their time is up and are asked to promptly return to their seats. No further comments will be permitted after the allotted time.

Please note that while the City Council values public input, it cannot take action or engage in discussion on items not listed on the agenda. However, the Council may refer matters raised during public comment to staff for review, follow-up, as appropriate.

E.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS

The City Manager or Department Heads may make brief announcements, informal comments, or brief the Council on items of interest.

F.

CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS AND COMMENTS

G.

CONSENT CALENDAR

All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and will be approved by one motion.  Reading of text of Ordinances is waived and Ordinances are adopted as second reading, by title only.  There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of the Council request specific items be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and action.

G.1

Cost-Sharing Agreement between the City of Indian Wells and the City of Palm Desert for the Fred Waring Drive Rehabilitation Project

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES and AUTHORIZES staff to develop and execute a cost-sharing agreement between the City of Indian Wells and the City of Palm Desert for the rehabilitation of Fred Waring; and
  
  FINDS the action to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3).

G.2

Supplemental Appropriation to Kimley-Horn for Surveying and Preparation of Final Maps

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES supplemental appropriation with Kimley-Horn in the amount of $44,750 for the cost to complete Final Map services; and
  
  FINDS the action to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3).

G.3

Supplemental Appropriation for the Purchase and Installation of an ADA Compliant Bench and Table Along an Accessible Route at Fairway Park

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES supplemental appropriation in the amount of $30,000 in Public Art Funds to add a seating area that is fully ADA compliant at Fairway Park; and 
  
  FINDS the action to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3).

G.4

Supplemental Appropriation for Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and Martha’s Village & Kitchen

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES Supplemental Appropriation in the amount of $130,000 to support the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and Martha’s Village & Kitchen; and
  
  AUTHORIZES the allocation of $120,000 from the Homelessness Grant Funding program with each organization receiving a total of $125,000 comprised of $60,000 from Homelessness Grant Program and $65,000 from the Supplemental Appropriation; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).

G.5

Governance Ad Hoc Committee Update

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council RECEIVES and FILES informational Governance Ad Hoc Committee Update; and
  
  FINDS the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15060. 

G.6

Resolution Amending the City Council Policy Manual Section 2.11.010 Budget Expenditures and Reimbursement and Section 3.01.030 Placing Items on the Agenda

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council ADOPTS Resolution amending Sections of the City Council Policy Manual relating to Council Member Budget Expenditures and Reimbursements and Placing Items on the Agenda; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

G.7

Golf Advisory Committee Project Requests

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES the Golf Advisory Committee Project Requests; and
  
  FINDS the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15060. 

G.8

Implementation of a Virtual Option (1) for Resident Benefit Card Program

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES the Implementation of a Virtual Option (1) for Resident Benefit Cards (RBCs), while continuing to provide Residents with the option of a physical card consistent with existing practices; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).

G.9

Introduction of an Ordinance to Adopt by Reference the2025 California Building Standards and Fire Codes with Local Amendments

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council INTRODUCES and WAIVES the first reading of the ordinance repealing and recasting Title 16 of the Indian Wells Municipal Code; adopting by reference the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24) and related uniform codes; and
  
  APPROVES the ordinance to be brought back for second reading, public hearing, and adoption on November 6, 2025; and
  
  FINDS the action to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3).

G.10

City Treasurer’s Report for June 2025

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council RECEIVES and FILES the City Treasurer’s Report for June 2025; and
  
  FINDS the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15060. 

H.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

For each item listed under Public Hearing Items, the public will have an opportunity to speak. Following the staff report, the Mayor will open the hearing. The applicant may present their case in up to five (5) minutes. Members of the public may speak for three (3) minutes each; if many wish to speak, the Mayor may reduce the time to two (2) minutes to accommodate more participants.

Council Members may ask questions during public testimony, which will not count against the speaker’s time. After all public comments, the applicant will have three (3) minutes to respond or provide rebuttal. The Mayor will then close the hearing, and the Council will deliberate and may take action.

H.1

Resolution Amending the Amount of the DUI Driver and Vehicle Impound Cost Recovery Fee Pursuant to Chapter 10.25 of the Indian Wells Municipal Code

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council OPENS the public hearing, takes any public testimony, CLOSES the public hearing; and 
  
  ADOPTS Resolution amending the amount of the DUI Driver and Vehicle Impound Cost Recovery Fee pursuant to Chapter 10.25 of the Indian Wells Municipal Code; and
  
  FINDS the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15060.

H.2

Commercial Kitchen Fire Compliance Assessment Program

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council OPENS the public hearing, takes any public testimony, CLOSES the public hearing; and
  
  APPROVES the implementation of a new commercial kitchen fire compliance assessment program; and
  
  FINDS this action to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3).

I.

GENERAL BUSINESS

The Mayor will call upon the members of the public to address the Council regarding the agenda item being considered. After the public has provided comment, the item is closed to further comment and brought to the Council for discussion and action.

I.1

Amendment to Employment Agreement for City Manager

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES Seventh Amendment to the Employment Agreement for City Manager Dr. Christopher Freeland; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

I.2

Funding Request from Eisenhower Health for Trauma Center Upgrade

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council CONSIDERS the $1.0 million funding request from Eisenhower Health to support the hospital’s effort to elevate its trauma center designation; and
  
  FINDS the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15060.

I.3

Summary of Actions related to the 2025 City Council Strategic Plan

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council DISCUSSES the actions taken to effectuate the 2025 City Council Strategic Plan; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).

I.4

Branding Ad Hoc Recommendations – City Seal, Color Palette, Mission and Vision Statement

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council REVIEWS and APPROVES the various recommendations of the Branding Ad Hoc Committee; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).

I.5

Consideration of a Reimbursement Program for Local Businesses to become Autism Certified through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council provides DIRECTION on the Indian Wells Autism Certification Reimbursement Program (IW-ACRP); and
  
  AUTHORIZE the City Manager to execute all documents required to effectuate the program; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

J.

COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS AND COMMENTS

On their own initiative, Council Members may make a brief
announcement or a brief report on their own activities. Council Members may ask a question for clarification, make a referral to staff, or take action to have staff place a matter of business on a future agenda. The Council may take action on items listed on the Agenda.

J.1

COUNCIL MEMBER SANDERS

Coachella Valley Animal Campus
Coachella Valley Clean Air Ad Hoc Committee
Cove Communities Service Commission
Desert Sands Unified School District
Desert Recreation District 
Indian Wells Marketing Committee
Indian Wells Finance & Legal Oversight Committee
Indian Wells Public Safety

J.2

COUNCIL MEMBER PENNA

Coachella Valley Mountain Conservancy
Coachella Valley Clean Air Ad Hoc Committee
Indian Wells Preservation Foundation
Visit Greater Palm Springs
Indian Wells Community Activities Committee
Indian Wells Grants In Aid Committee
Indian Wells Public Safety Committee

J.3

COUNCIL MEMBER TAYLOR

Branding Ad Hoc Committee
CVAG Homelessness Committee
CVAG Public Safety Committee
CVAG Transportation Committee
Governance Ad Hoc Committee
Indian Wells Golf Resort Advisory Committee
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Southern California Association of Governments

J.4

MAYOR PRO TEM REED

CVAG Conservation Commission
CVAG Energy & Sustainability Committee
Desert Recreation District 
Governance Ad Hoc Committee
Indian Wells Marketing Committee
Indian Wells Finance & Legal Oversight Committee
Indian Wells Personnel Committee
Indian Wells Tee Committee

J.5

MAYOR WHITMAN

Branding Ad Hoc Committee
California Joint Power Insurance Authority (JPIA)
Coachella Valley Children's Museum
CVAG Executive Committee
Cove Communities Services Commission
Desert Sands Unified School District
Indian Wells Golf Advisory Committee
Indian Wells Personnel Committee
Indian Wells Tee Committee
Sunline Transit Agency

K.

ADJOURNMENT

To a regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held at 1:30 p.m. on November 6, 2025 in the City Hall Council Chamber.

 

 

Affidavit of Posting,

I, Angelica Avila, certify that on October 10, 2025  I caused to be posted a notice of a City Council Meeting to be held on October 16, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber.

 

Notices were posted at Indian Wells Civic Center and City's Website [https://www.cityofindianwells.org]