CITY COUNCIL
Meeting Agenda

Thursday, September 04, 2025

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

Indian Wells Golf Resort

44500 Indian Wells Lane, CA 92210

 

Welcome to a meeting of the Indian Wells City Council.

 

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 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. 

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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

Introduction of New Executive Assistant to the City Manager Irene Morales

C.2

Emergency Preparedness Month Proclamation Presented by Emergency Services Coordinator Linda Soto

C.3

Hunger Action Month Presentation by Chief Executive Officer Debbie Espinosa

C.4

Coachella Valley Mosquito & Vector Control Presentation by General Manager Jeremy Wittie

D.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Members of the Public who wish to speak on consent items OR items not listed on the agenda may do so at this time.  Public Comments are limited to 3 minutes. Speakers will be alerted when their time is up and are then to return to their seats and no further comments will be permitted.

Please note that while the City Council values your comments, the Council cannot respond nor take action on matters not listed on the agenda until the matter may appear on the forthcoming agenda.

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

Animal Services Agreement with County of Riverside and Supplemental Appropriation for Increased Costs Associated with Service Improvements and Annual Clinic Requirements

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES the new three-year Animal Services Agreement with the County of Riverside; and
  
  APPROVES Supplemental Appropriation of $3,500 to cover the additional costs associated with the new clinic requirement for the current Fiscal Year; and
  
  DIRECTS City Manager or their designee to execute any agreement for the same; 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

Adoption of the 2025 Emergency Operations Plan

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council ADOPTS the 2025 Emergency Operations Plan for the City of Indian Wells; and
  
  AUTHORIZES the City Manager to execute a Letter of Promulgation for same; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

G.3

Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Palm Desert for Sharing of Emergency Management Resources

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Palm Desert for sharing of emergency management resources; and
  
  AUTHORIZES the City Manager to execute an MOU for the same; and
  
  FINDS the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3).

G.4

Evaluation of City of Indian Wells Partnerships with Regional Economic Development Partners

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES maintaining existing relationships with the Indian Wells Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce at amounts not to exceed the adopted budget; and
  |
  FINDS the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15060.

G.5

Desert Health Care District Environmental Health Summit Sponsorship Request

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES an event sponsorship in the amount of $2,500 for the 2025 Desert Healthcare District’s Environmental Health Summit; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

G.6

Resolution Revising the Purpose and Function of the Golf Resort Advisory Committee

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council ADOPTS Resolution providing revisions to the purpose and function of the Indian Wells Golf Resort Advisory Committee; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

G.7

Planning Commission Annual Recruitment and Interview Schedule

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES the recruitment schedule and DESIGNATES Mayor Bruce Whitman and Council Member Brian Penna to serve as the Ad-Hoc Interview Committee for the Planning Commission; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under CEQA guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

G.8

Resolution Amending Section 2.04.020 of the City Council Policy Manual

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council ADOPTS Resolution amending Section 2.04.020 adding required Brown Act training for Council Members; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

G.9

Annual League of California Cities Conference Voting Delegate Appointments

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council DESIGNATES Mayor Bruce Whitman as the Voting Delegate and Council Member Dr. Toper Taylor as the Alternate Delegate for the City of Indian Wells at the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference held on October 8-10, 2025, in Long Beach; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under CEQA guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

G.10

Indian Wells Preservation Foundation Event Calendar Fiscal Year 2025-26

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES the Indian Wells Preservation Foundation event calendar for Fiscal Year 2025-26 as recommended by the Community Activities; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

G.11

Community Activities Committee Event Calendar

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES the Community Activities Committee event calendar recommendation for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Event Calendar; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

G.12

Citywide Holiday Decorations Recommendation

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES the Community Activities and the Finance Committee recommendation for the citywide holiday decorations; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

G.13

Communication Plan Progress Report

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council RECEIVES and FILES the Communication Plan Progress Report; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

G.14

Approval of Variance for Encroachment into the Front Yard Setback on Existing Residential Property Located at 47655 Vintage Drive East (APN: 623-430-004)

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council ADOPTS Resolution approving Variance No. 2025-0001, to allow a 20-foot encroachment into the front yard setback to construct a new 342 square foot custom-built shade structure on existing residential property located at 47655 Vintage Drive East (APN: 623-430-004); and
  
  FINDS the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines §15303(e), New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures.

G.15

Supplemental Appropriation for Median Sweeping

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES supplemental appropriation with SCA of CA, LLC in the amount of $3,901 per year for a three-year term and as part of their city-wide street sweeping contract for the cost to sweep all the medians on Indian Wells Lane, Eldorado Drive South, Osage Trail, Rancho Palmeras, and Cook Street South; and
  
  FINDS the action to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3).

G.16

Amendment to the Sponsorship and Community Assistance Policy

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council APPROVES the Finance Committee’s recommendations to amend the Sponsorship and Community Assistance Funding Policy; and
  
  FINDS the project to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provision pursuant to Section 15060.

G.17

Resolution to Acknowledge Receipt of Riverside County Fire Department Annual Inspection Report Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4 for Fiscal Year 2024-25

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council ADOPTS Resolution acknowledging receipt of the Riverside County Fire Department’s Annual Inspection Report pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4; and
  
  FINDS this action does not qualify as a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and, in the alternative, is exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines sections 15060(c)(2)-(3) and 15061(b)(3).

G.18

City Treasurer’s Report for May 2025

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council RECEIVES and FILES the City Treasurer’s Report for May 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

No Public Hearings.

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

Indian Wells Golf Resort Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council REVIEWS and RECEIVES a briefing on the Annual Indian Wells Golf Resort Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2024-25; and
  
  FINDS the project to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provision pursuant to Section 15060.

I.2

Consideration of a Historic Neighborhood Recognition Program in Partnership with the Indian Wells Preservation Foundation

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council DISCUSSES and provides DIRECTION on development of a Historic Neighborhood Recognition Program for the City of Indian Wells; and
  
  FINDS the action exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

I.3

Coachella Valley Association of Government (CVAG) Multi-Year CV Housing First Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Funding Request Discussion

• RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

  Council DISCUSSES and provides DIRECTION on CVAG’s multi-year CV Housing First MOU funding request; and
  
  FINDS the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 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 October 16, 2025 in the City Hall Council Chamber.

 

 

Affidavit of Posting,

I, Angelica Avila, certify that on August 28, 2025, I caused to be posted a notice of a City Council Meeting to be held on September 4, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. in the Indian Wells Golf Resort, Celebrity Ballroom.

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