City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. We're going to call the city council meeting for the city of India to authority on November 5 at 5:00. Can we roll call please? Council member Wthron present. Council member Ortiz present. Council member Ferman present. Mayor Pro Tim Holmes present. And Mayor Miller

present. This time if you could rise for invocation. We have Reverend Juan Lopez of Oph or Lady Perpetual Health Church. Father, let us all begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Heavenly Father, bless us as we gather together today for this council meeting. guide the minds and hearts of these city leaders that they may work for the good of the community in the city of India. We come before you and ask for your guidance, wisdom and support as we begin this council meeting. We pray, oh Lord, for our mayor, the the city council and all leaders. Give them grace to bring truth, justice and stability to our city. Give them power to do what is right and to rule in fairness. Let our city of India always prosper from the influence of good men and women leaders. Amen.

Amen. Thank you, Father. And now we have a very special person that's going to do our flag salute. If you could all please stand. Isaiah Herertado from Dr. Kerion Academy. Isaiah is a fifth grader at Dr. Kerion Academy. He was born with a special heart and has undergone several [snorts] surgery surgeries, but that hasn't stopped him from being an active member of the school's flag football and basketball teams. Isaiah loves playing basketball with his friends and dreams of going pro one day. When he goes to college, he plans to study biology.

Would you please please lead us? Put your right hand over your heart. Ready? Begin. I pledge algiance 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. Great job.

Don't go anywhere. We got nice little swag bag for you to make your friends jealous at school. Great job. Very nice job. Thank both of them for their support and then we'll move on to the next item which is the uh city attorney report and close session. Mr. Steven.

Yes. Uh mayor and council, there's no reportable action out of this evening's close session. Thank you very much. Uh and then we'll move on to item number uh five now which is a presentation by the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce. It's a business update and the chamber and it's and talking about its new location. Brandon, would you like to come up to the mic and whoever you'd like to have come with you and that uh I understand you have a power presentation for PowerPoint presentation for us. I certainly do. Thank you uh mayor and members of the city council for having me here tonight. And I'd also like to thank we have a handful of our local and regional board members here tonight. I want to thank for uh them for coming out and showing some support. Thank you.

Um and with that, I guess we'll go ahead and dive in. All right, so um we are I'm Brandon Marlin, president and CEO of the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce. And uh just a little bit of an update on some things we're doing throughout the valley uh and uh specifically in the city of Indo as well and our members and our membership and of all those elements. Uh so side to side I'm immediately bad at this. Is it just the arrows? Let's sub. There you go. There it goes.

Um, our our mission with the GCVCC, we strive to enhance the overall business climate for our membership by being a catalyst for local commerce throughout our business development programs, a convenor of elected officials, business professionals, and thought leaders through our many member and public events, and a champion for local business community through our advocacy work. There we go. Uh, and a little bit about who we are. Uh, and and kind of a recap because I think what we one thing where I think uh, we definitely need to improve on our end is talking a little bit more about where we came from, why we merged our, uh, the chamber in the first place and kind of the work that we're doing going forward. Uh so the greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce was founded back in 2016 uh through the merger of the Coachella Indo and Lita Chamber of Commerce with a shared vision of building a strong uni unified regional voice for the business community. Since then the GCVCC has grown to represent several tribal nations as well as unincorporated areas of Riverside County. The chamber later expanded its reach by merging the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce, reviving the Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, and launching the Indian Wells Business District. Our founding principle remains simple yet powerful to create a regional strength while maintaining each community's local presence all under one organization and one affordable annual membership. And I think that's probably one of the biggest things uh that we really pushed across is uh when we did the merge it was a lot of chambers across the valley a lot of cities and we have some other great ones around the valley as well. Uh but it was really reduce that membership get everything under one thing. We know businesses monies only go so far. So having that regional presence, local presence at the same time reduce some of that cost for for our local businesses. Um so our regional board, I won't read through all these, but I wanted to give you a little bit of an idea. We have a definitely a mixed bag when it comes to our regional board. We have, you know,

some some regional u players in the area as well as some small local businesses, nonprofits. We really want to make sure different types of businesses have have a voice in the room and a seat at the table. Um, and as you look a little further, um, we have our local Indochamber board and, uh, Julie Dill, who's here, she's our our chair for our local Indo board. The way that we make sure that every city and every community kind of has a a space and a voice on our voting board. The local chairs uh, serve uh, on the both the regional and the local board. So, it's a big job on that side. they they have to go to both meetings every month. They try to get involved with council uh to come to these as well as you know a ton of ribbon cutings and those different different elements. So um we we love to work with our local chairs as well as uh we have delegates on our regional board that represent specifically to the city as well. We have a handful uh uh through Indo and one specifically assigned uh our team right now. Um yeah, I I introduced myself, but we also have Barb Chas who's our vice president of sales and operation. Austin Wasserman, which you'll probably recognize the Ros Wasserman name. It's been very involved in India for a long time. His dad worked here. Uh but Austin does uh he's our strategic accounts manager, handles all of our sponsorships and everything like that. Sky Cross is newer to our team. Um she's our events manager. Uh Natalie Santana uh is our membership and operations coordinator. And you see TBD on there. We're currently hiring another membership representative. um that'll be hopefully be starting with us here in the next few weeks. Our membership right now, we have approximately about a thousand members uh valleywide. INDO continues to have our largest um kind of place as far as our membership goes. We have 348 members in India. Um 104 new members in the past year. Uh one thing noted is on here is we have about an 85% retention rate right now. So we've stayed pretty strong as far as the members that we've had uh being able to retain them in the past year. Um, and we continue to assist

non-members with needs throughout the city. We know not every business is ready to invest those dollars. Um, we want to hear from them. We want to continue to work with them and help them where we can, whether we can do it or we can point them in the right direction for what it is that they need. Uh, our weekly newsletter, we have over 6,500 email subscribers. We have over a 50% open rate. Um, I always uh make this joke, it both hurts and I love it. Um, but we allow our members to put out news in our newsletter each week. And generally our members get more clicks than we do. So, uh, we love that. We want to get the clicks on our stuff, but we love spreading the word. And that's a free member perk. There's there's things you can pay for as far as ads and things like that, but just to submit that news, that's a free member perk to all of our members. And then across all of our social media networks, we have about 20 thou 25,000 followers total. Uh, really exciting. We uh just launched a new COD partnership. There's lots of other things going on with it, but um I actually got to walk over here from right across the parking lot. We're over here at the College of the Desert Indo campus. We just moved in. Um there's a lot of other elements coming with that. Uh we we love to work with them. There's a lot of um workforce development things, education things that we want to gear towards leadership elements that we're working on uh right now with their leadership team. Uh but we're excited to invite you all and we're inviting the whole valley to come out to a ribbon cutting and open house that we'll be having on Friday, December 5th. So, we're over building A on the second floor. Um, you can't miss it. You walk in the door, you'll see the signs. So, head on up and you're welcome to come stop by anytime and talk with us, chat with our team, anything you need. Um, events, we have a lot of them, so I I don't think there's any shortage of events with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber. Uh, but some specific ones outside of our all valley mayors, state of the cities, uh, those ones, fun ones like the BMW relay race. Uh, we also have our Southwest Arts Festival. So last year was uh probably our astrous year. We ran into a combination of the

Palisades fires happened the weekend before the event. Um as well as there was intermittent weather that never came, but it was always nervous that it was going to rain and then about an hour after the last day ended, it started raining. So they were packing up while it went. But the good news on that is we still had over 10,000 attendees come out. Uh we sold over $750,000 in art. So, we really got to, you know, push and get some some dollars in some artists pocket and it's a wide variety of artists we have out there. Uh, we'll be celebrating our 39th year uh this year at Empire Polo Club again, January 23rd through 25th. You'll note there's one less day on that. Um, probably the biggest feedback that we got from the artists the last two years was cut off the fourth day. Thursday is just more cost for them to be out there. They don't sell as much art. It's more perusing. So trying to listen to the artist on that side and cutting it down to those those three days for the event. So it'll be Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Uh continue to have ribbon cutings, lunch clubs. Uh we just held a great chamber 101 um yesterday morning. I think we had about 30 people come out, signed up a couple new members. Um so that was a lot of fun. And I I don't know. I think they came for the coffee and the donuts, but they stayed for the information. So we'll take it. Uh we've also been doing our social hours. Those are going to go a little bit quiet. It's more of a summer thing to kind of give a networking opportunity when there's not as many and drive some traffic into local businesses. So, it's it's really encouraged to show up at the local restaurant or bar, coffee shop or shake shop, um, and buy off their happy hour menu or whatever it is and mix and mingle a little bit. Um, and then as far as mixers go, we continue to do those. Um, we started a little bit of a friendly competition. I I say friendly, but sometimes in the board meetings I think it gets a little, you know, taking the gloves off. Uh but currently India is actually our two-time winner of our mixer of the year. So which so that Julia is very proud of that. Um and uh so two-time winner. Um I won't spoil it, but we have some pretty exciting fun elements that we're planning on doing

with the Indomixer this year. So that'll be coming up here in a couple months. Um so excited for th those events to continue going. Uh workforce development, although the program for this portion is getting ready to end at the end of this year, um we've been one of the highest. So, all the uh five districts within Riverside County were awarded to a different agency to work with uh workforce development and housing on this program. We were the one selected for district 4. Um we've had over 80 businesses uh currently participate in it. We've been able to help about help them get about $600,000 back into their bank account. So, it's money that came from ARPA. So, we're pretty excited for the businesses to be able to pull that money back in there. 9600 bucks for a small business can make a big difference. so they get to hire and reduce a little bit of that cost risk off the bat. Uh legislative efforts, we continue to hold monthly legislative committee meetings where we hear from our c county, state, and federal offices on updates as well as uh updates from the chambers side. So we do a lot of work on that side. It's a very informative meeting. Um it's open to our membership. We do have our board members that serve on that subcommittee, but the committee meetings are open to all of our members to come on and hear about bills or anything that the individual offices are working on as well as on our end. Uh we currently have taken about 35 bills so far this year. We've taken position on. Um they're outside of session right now. Uh but as that comes back up, we'll be taking a look again. Uh we do have uh starting our gubernatorial candidate series. So, we're currently working with, I believe, four or five of the uh campaign offices on scheduling some out over the next few months, but we'll be kicking off our first one with guminatorial candidate Chad Biano on November 14th. So, that'll be next week. It'll be a good chance to to hear where he stands and um h how uh he plans to affect the business community in California because it needs some help. So, uh we we love the state. It's a beautiful state, but it can be a

challenge for business sometimes. Um, with that, you know, that's kind of the overview of of where we are, what we're doing, um, as far as the GCVCC and the Indo Chamber of Commerce. And if you all have any questions or anything, I'm happy to answer them. And I appreciate you allowing us to be here today. Thank I'm just uh with something unique in that you're at the College of the Desert campus for India, besides being obviously a tenant, I'm assuming, is that what is there any opportunity that the [clears throat] students will have how that will benefit any of the college students knowing about what services or internships I'm assuming or

we it it's in the works. I don't want to announce anything yet because it's not uh fully fleshed out, but we're working with the college right now as well as some state agencies on some funding and things. Uh we have some internship programs that we have in the works, some volunteer programs. They get some credits for that. You may see some College of the Desert shirts out of some of our events doing some volunteerism in the community. Um, we are bringing in an intern. We just finished with one intern. We're bringing in another one into the chamber. So, they've been great for us to have. Um, but we are working with them to try to create more internship programs to kind of bridge that gap. We we see that in workforce a lot. Businesses are nervous to hire someone right out of school. Understandable. Um, but at the same time, the students were like, well, I got to get hired to get going. So, we want to find some ways to kind of renew remove some of that risk with things like stipens and those sort of things. uh to be able to give them an opportunity to try out that field, the employer, kind of try them out and see if it's something they want to look at long term.

Thank you. Absolutely. Any other comments? Any other questions? Oscar? Yeah. No, I'm glad to see that your membership's growing out here. Really appreciate your your efforts there and helping our small business community. I did want to see I know I've seen you guys at some of our recent ribbon cutings, but if you guys would be open to it, you know, I think I'd be definitely happy to see you guys if you guys would like to present a certificate there with us as well and provide any resources that might be available to our small businesses as they open up. I know, you know, uh that's you guys were doing that in the past, but I think reopening that door um to be able to ease that um access to those resources that you guys have for our small businesses will be great. So, I'm definitely open to to seeing that and thank you again for all your help for our small businesses.

Absolutely. Yeah. And we we'd love to find any way that that we can help and collaborate and get involved. We're happy to. I know we've been at some and staff's been good about sending some of that out, but uh any other way that we can get involved, we'd be happy to.

We appreciate Brandon. Thank you for your presentation and for, you know, looking after 350 of our businesses. So, we do appreciate that. if there's anything that we can do to help you to be successful, especially in your new building and that, you know, obviously it's it's unique to be in a College of the Desert campus or a college campus, you know, on the second floor and that. So, anything we can do to help you be successful, please let us know because we're helping our businesses be successful and that's what we're really here for. So, uh thank you for your presentation. Let us know how we can help. And if uh there's anything we our email justice, please email us a cell, give us a cell uh call and let us know what what it is and we'll make sure we take care of it.

Absolutely. And I do appreciate you call you all coming out. You've been at just at one over at Fantasy Springs as well where they opened their coffee place and I'm a bit of a coffee holic. So I I definitely participated there. But thank you for your presence and your support of those events. We really There's no shortage of ribbon cutings in the city of India. There is not. There is not. It's a very exciting time. Thank you. Thank you. With that, we'll move on to our next item with the youth advisory council. Floor is yours.

Thank you. Um, so for about our the last thing we kind of did was that we had a meeting with Elaine Holmes at one of our Yak meetings and it she talked about um her past goals and her her present ones of course and that the reason why she joined the council was to improve the downtown Indo area. As we can see, it's been the place to be kind of lately with the food trucks. And um earlier on October 21st, we had a state of the city at Fantasy Springs and it was uh talking about the how India's progress throughout the years and uh the future program the future um the future projects for the next five years. And um I couldn't attend the event, but I heard the food was good and that it was exciting to be there. And coming up, we have the barbecue fest this Saturday on November 8th. And uh it's from 4 to 9:00 p.m. Uh Yak will have a booth there and it's like a human casino and we each have like their our own little window that you can go through and earn prizes and merch. And then on November 11th on Veterans Day, there's a 5K at uh the Pols that will be hosted. It's early in the mornings around 6:00 a.m. and we'll be assisting with the registration and guiding runners through the race. And that's what we have so far.

Okay. And who might you be? Um I'm Mia Thompson. I'm the secretary. Okay. Thank you. And uh anything else? Uh that's about it what we have so far and we'll keep you updated. Thank you very much. Thank you for what you do. [laughter] We appreciate that. And if uh you want to leave, just reach over and smack Weman. And uh if you want to leave early, just please let us know. If you want to stay, you're more than welcome to stay. So thank you. With that, we'll move on to the next item, which is our city manager report. Mr. Montgomery,

thank you. As Mia mentioned, uh we have the barbecue festival this Saturday, so please show up here downtown at 400 p.m. through 9. Great food, great entertainment, uh the 5K, uh runwalk. Some of us might walk a little more than run. Uh but that will be out at the Empire uh Polo Grounds uh on Veterans Day. Um, we do have the exciting moment. While there's much yet to do on city hall and the parking and plaza, the city staff is preparing to move into the city hall this coming Friday. It's going to take a two or three days. We're going to have we have the weekend and then we have the holiday on Tuesday. So, uh, business will be operating over there um, beginning on uh, Wednesday the 12th. It is happening. It's exciting. We will have a large grand opening when everything is done and everything is complete. We appreciate everybody's patience uh particularly as we move. We will be closed here on Friday and Monday and then uh Tuesday is the holiday but we will be available with some phone calls and some other um online operations obviously and that only affects the city hall operations not the other locations in the city but it's an exciting time and uh mayor that's my report.

Thank you Mr. Montgomery. when we're moving over, they're uh closed for those days so that we can move. We're not closing for any other reason but the holidays just to make sure we can move from point A to point. Exactly. Yeah. It's it's a it's a huge ordeal as you've all walked through city hall. Boxes are high and staff is scurrying doing the work that they need to do every day as well as packing to to move. So, it's a it's a it's a two-day operation.

Exciting exciting times. All right, we'll move on to item number eight now, which is city council conflict of interest disclosure. Does anyone have anything they need to disclose? Okay, with that, we'll move on to item number nine. Now, it's city council report on meetings attended for the government code section 53232.3D. Mr. Gutron.

Oh, certainly. Um, so on Saturday the 18th, um, I I attended a uh an event that Mayor Pro Tim was there as well at the Cover Track neighborhood. It's uh at the bordering areas of our city at Avenue 48 and Van Beerren, the county of Riverside under the county supervisor's office with Supervisor Perez and uh county staff working with that community. Uh we're obviously assisting with a with a water service in the near future, but it more of an educational about what's going on with that community. Uh it's it's was built in the 50s. It has a lot of history with a lot of longtime residents, but it needed some TLC and I think between the last three county supervisors or four, everybody's done a little bit to improve the quality of life there. It's nice to see um curbs, gutter, drainage, um street repeating. They're still working on the alleyways, but a lot of improvements been done. Um and and then there's more to come. We were able to look at street lights. They're even going to be doing uh there's not one home. It's all connected into the sewer system, no septic tank. So, it was a good education to see the quality of life because it does obviously across from Vambre Elementary and our other um uh areas of the city of India and it also benefits the city of Coachella across the street. So, it was a good visit. And the next was I had the opportunity again with uh the mayor pro Tim Lane Holmes and Wayman Ferman. We had our car wash of K&R car wash is now has the ability to wash your car and give your dog a good bath. So that was really interesting. Um the the the family and the owners there are very entrepreneur and always looking for ways to better a visit and better an opportunity. But as you get your car

wash, you'll get a polish and clean on your dog. But it it was it was really nice. It was a good event and uh it's nice to see something there that will benefit the community. On Monday the the 27th um I uh had the opportunity, it's our annual blue mass um our perpetual health. Uh and thank you father uh Juan for you and father Eloy continuing that tradition. We've been doing it for many years to honoring our police and fire and uh thank you uh both fire chief and police chief. Thank you Chief White. Thank you, Chief Tully, for uh being there and making sure that the staff knows that they're loved and blessed. And uh it was a full house, standing room only. Um the the church's youth program uh was there, the Knights of Columbus and Archbishop Barnes was there and uh it it was a good visit and we had a little get together afterwards. uh council member Ortiz was there as well and the citizen of India that participated that night and showed their support to their police and fire. Um along with that uh I had the next opportunity to go to the College of the Desert State of the City. I wasn't able to sit at the table with the rest of my fellow council members but I was there and uh it was impressive. It was impressive what the College of the Desert is going through and doing and especially the big stamp here in the city of Indo and their drive um and what opportunities of education but it really gives a full picture of what is going to benefit the city of Indo and uh and more to come. So stay focused on that. And then I had the opportunity to be at another new business in our open ribbon cutting ceremony that was MCD by Muan Ferman and there was Oscar Ortiz, our other council member. It was nice. It was nice to see another business, a family-owned

business um with the desert beer, desert or desert beer and pizza and pints. And uh it was nice. It was a good family environment. A lot of families. So I I foresee another place to enjoy yourselves in the city of India, specifically downtown where there's a lot going on. And last but not least, unfortunately, uh one of our former police chiefs passed away um about a week ago. Uh uh Sam Curtis Cross, he was our chief of police for the city of India. Uh but before that, he was hired as our assistant chief in 1972 and and later on in 1980 appointed the chief. uh kind of homegrown um and he he served the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps and he w served with the FBI and then came to back to the valley to serve with the county sheriff's office and then the district attorney and finally ended up in India. But he was really committed to the community and uh thank you uh Chief Tellully and the staff for being there and the kind words you said about what what we've gone through. There's a lot of history u but it was nice. It was nice and I appreciate the mayor reaching out and um I'll let the mayor speak from that point, but thank you so much and the family is very grateful to India and the support. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Mr. Trump. Mr. Ortiz,

thank you, Mayor. Uh I know some of our residents right now are struggling to make ends meet with the government shutdown that has led to some of our federal workers in the region not being paid at the moment as well as some of our folks who depend on SNAP benefits uh getting their benefits reduced these days. So I wanted to encourage folks to reach out to our partners at Fine Food Bank here in Indo. I talked to some of their staff last week and they mentioned that because we're an emergency food bank, we are well prepared for these extended periods of need, but they are still concerned for the long-term effects of the shutdown and the cuts to benefits. Uh we also have our Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and Martha's Village available to help with resources, meals, and shelter space for those in need. Uh I also received a call this morning regarding a community member being taken by ICE on Monroe and 111. I talked to some of our local organizers and they mentioned that this is almost a daily occurrence now. They're getting phone calls on a daily basis and so they uh asked me to remind our vulnerable vulnerable community members to try to stay home if possible and to be v vigilant when they do need to leave the house. They also mentioned that it is extremely important to make a plan of action uh for your family and for your property in case of emergencies. For more resources and legal advice, people can visit toc.com. That's to odc.com or visit their offices on 6th Street in Coachella for help. On the city's end, I think it's important for us to know who is getting taken from our community and the reasons why they are being taken. And so I think it's important uh to document this for awareness, for accountability, and for historical records. I would like to ask our council if we could direct staff to do a Freedom of Information Act request for these records. That should include one, who is being taken and when. uh two what are the char charges these residents have and three if anyone detained turned out to be a legal resident or US citizen. So I would like to request that on behalf of our council.

Council any comments? I I think that's public information. So it should be it should be easily accessible if you know staff has time to do that. I mean I don't see what's you know issue with it but it should be easily accessible. Um I know when we met with Border Patrol. Um, they had gave us some information where you could look it up. So, I think we could work with staff and our local Indo Border Patrol office. Although that's not ICE, they should have those contacts and that information readily available. Anything else?

Okay. Anything else, Mr. Ortiz? Well, I know um Nancy Ross in the city of Cathedral City was having a hard time getting any information back and so that's why I'm kind of suggesting the Freedom of Information Act request to make sure that we're getting that information. So, I guess could we get approval if we're not able to get the information on our own? Could we get the approval to move forward with the request? Um anybody can file a request for public records and it doesn't have to be the city. What What is the city going to do with the information? I mean, what is our goal be behind doing that? Uh, to understand who is being taken from our community, if they have serious charges, and if any of those are actually legal residents or US citizens,

and if we get it, what are we supposed to do with it? I mean, are we going to get engaged in something that's not part of our No, I think that's valuable knowledge for our community members to understand what the actions of our federal government are leading to directly here in our community. I can understand that. I I don't know if the city should engage in in on this itself. Uh I understand your your concerns, but I think that's it should be a nonprofit or someone else looking at it. The city has no jurisdiction over federal agencies even though whatever has to do happens between them and the federal government. So it would be a civil matter more than would be ours. So what's the pleasure of the council?

I So I just want to clarify um because I I your pain. I mean, in the in the concern. So, if we do the Freedom of Information Act, what what is that? So, the city would need to file that and go through that to be able to to then have the information and to to then do what what would the next step be? Well, I think that would depend on what that information shows. And so, the the city would be asked or would consider then taking some level of action. I think it's just valuable information like if people are being taken by masked people in our community which I have the pictures from this just this morning uh should we know you know what are the charges for these people that are being taken

because you know the federal government's kind of saying hey these are very dangerous criminals that we're going after is that true or is that not true and again we don't have to take any action after that I think just the knowledge itself is valuable so that we understand the consequences of what's happening at the federal level here locally.

I I don't feel comfortable engaging in that when it's something that's a civil matter not compared to ours. I'm all in favor of helping our residents if they come out and reach out for help for us where they feel that it's something that our city uh can help them with, but they engage in something and ask for public records on something that we really have no jurisdiction over them to decide if we're going to do some kind of intervention or talk about somewhere in there. I mean, it's just as easy for you to be able to send out a public records request to them and bring that into yourself and then be able to share it with others. I don't know if our city resources should be utilized for something that's the federal government. We don't try and get involved with state agencies. We try not to get involved with federal agencies because we really have no jurisdiction even though it is an issue if it turns out to be that they've done something wrong. You know, I mean, it could go either way an intervention in that. So, I just I don't think the resources for the city should engage in something that we have a jurisdiction over. my personal opinion.

Mr. Secret, you're also quiet. Well, because I'm trying to analyze in and obviously with with my prior experience. I mean, public information act, we are entitled to respond if it pertains to the city of India. My thing is are we going to help facilitate the people who have experienced an incident done at the federal level? I to be honest with you I did not pay attention to what Cathedral City did in the in the schematics of that. So I would like to know more what the process they did so then we can just be sure are we missing something. Why is another city doing it and what are we missing more of an information to educate so we can make a sound decision.

Now if we still decide that it's not in the interest of the of this city government because of what you mentioned I get it. I just it's kind of hard for me to weigh in because I always compare what other cities do, but then I want to know what process you're following, right? That's all I'm saying. I'm not agreeing to I just need facts. But is the city going to engage in something if we feel it's inappropriate? Are we really going to get engaged? Use city resources for some information. But I mean our question is is it better to know or not to know at this point? But but you can go without but you could ask on your own and get the information just like we would. They're not going to give the city of India any special any reference just because we asked for. We're going to get in line just like everyone else. Mayor,

Mr. Graham. Uh yes, sir. Uh so, uh this item is not on our agenda today. Um so I'd recommend, you know, it sounds like placing an item on a future agenda is is how I would frame it. That's up to the prerogative of the mayor or a majority of the council. And so I I think that you know, if you'd like It doesn't sound like you support putting that on a future agenda item for discussion. I just feel that the city of India should stay in its lane. Worry about the issues that we can and if there's something there that's for them to be able to take. There's many organizations that can take this up, but the city of India does not have the jurisdiction to tell the federal government what it wants to do. Yes, we can. We have the jurisdiction to ask for information. So does everyone else. So do you. So does any of us. So

that's the that's the only to answer your question, Mayor. I'm not waving either way because I wasn't expecting. Well, we can talk about it if if the rest of the council wishes. Mr. Montgomery, I see you got

just a suggestion perhaps in line with what you were stating, mayor. Uh, if there's some timeliness to this, uh, any individual council member may want to make that request and perhaps have others sign on. It it wouldn't be in the name on city letterhead per se, but it would be, hey, as a council member and these 10 residents or because I think carrying some weight to council member Ortiz's point may help a response. Um, but anybody can do it. Foyers, any any uh person in the world actually can make a request of federal records unless they're protected in some way. Uh, and it may take months to get them. Uh, the federal government's obligated to provide those records.

And that's my point, mayor. I'm not agreeing because I don't know why would one city do it, not the rest of the cities do it. That's what I don't know. And if there's no justification, because you're right, any member of the public can ask any public That's what the law does. Now, if they go to that agency and ask for it, I just want to know why did Cathedral City do it? But you don't even know if Cathedral City is going to get an answer. Just because they ask doesn't mean they're going to get anything. No, I agree with I I understand's issue with wanting to know if there's something being taken out of our city by federal agencies. Uh I can understand that, but their reasoning behind it is going to be what they put down on the piece of paper. It doesn't mean it's accurate or not. That's the reason they did it. We can go through everything. you know that, right?

So, what what's the pleasure? Would you like to redisuss this, Mr. I taking it into consideration? I'll I'll just share that. Um, you know, I I have met with Border Patrol and I've talked to them and I'm I'm open to speaking to them again and I'm open to collaborating with Council Member Ortiz if that's something we could just bring back as a council report or something we could also share with the city. Um, we we have that, you know, right to do that. And so, but the council wants to bring it back, I'm open to that as well. But that's something I think that um you know, it's one of those things where it's an emotional item. Yes.

Topic and sometimes emotions will take you force you to make a decision that might not be the best decision sometimes. So, we got to think about it. Um nonetheless, um I'm willing to um talk to folks in the federal side. I did make some, you know, contacts over there and um and come back and give a report as well. And I'd be happy to invite Council Member Ortiz and if we need to go further, we could go further with or had that discussion.

I I like that idea. If you two would like to take the roll by the horns and be able to go back and see if there's something there that then the city needs to look at because then it's something that then we can agendaize. If you guys feel that there's something there that the city can actually have some jurisdiction over, I have no problem with that whatsoever. So, if you and Mr. you'd like to do that agree with that. Also, mayor, um I I could just throw this out, too. Um I I do uh I'm the vice chair of the CBA public safety committee and I'm looking to have Border Patrol come and present there as well. So, I think this conversation is still ongoing and I understand these are some hot topics right now. So, we can start the conversation right now, but um I'm looking to have more conversation with them. Anyways,

the other the other thing is I agree with what we're doing because I just my biggest pitf is why in the world is one city doing it when it's an act of law that you're supposed to follow. You're supposed to answer to the public when you get a P. So, if you can figure that one out, help me understand what makes one special and the other. The other is one thing because we're looking at three different departments of Homeland Security. You have ICE, United States Border Patrol, and US Customs. So, they all have to fly by the same rules or what are their policies and procedures. If we just educate ourselves on it, then we can understand the process. It's like us, city, municipalities, and county sheriffs, California everybody down is perhids as I think we're obligated to know all the facts. I I agree with what's been mentioned, but I just want to get down to the black and white issue and that's what we stand on.

And we'll get there. I mean, I I had a very thorough conversation with Border Patrol and they explained that the structure. Um, did I agree with everything? No. Did I agree with some things? Maybe. Um, And I did report out I I had a a private Zoom meeting where I invited the community willing to do it again. Um, nonetheless, I I think uh we'll come back. We'll have a conversation. I'll speak to the council member off record and then we'll come back with something. Okay. Excellent. Is that fine with you, Mr.? Yep. Let's do it. Okay. Thank you. Anything else? Okay, Mr. Ferman, I talked enough already. Oh, yeah. [laughter] All right. town. [clears throat]

Well, I I I didn't have any meetings, but I did attend a lot of ribbon cutings. We've talked about these ribbon cutings in the city of India, and I think it's one of these uh things part of my my regular routine now. Um I use I check my calendar every day or every night before the next day, but I have to check it every day because nonetheless, every other day we're having a ribbon cutting or a groundbreaking or something. So, um I might be at the gym and I got to run out and go get ready. So, uh I don't have to do my hair. So that's a good thing. So I make it to these ribbon cutters. So that's great. So I did uh attend Desert Beer uh Pizza and Pints. Um you know, this is one of those those uh businesses along with another one downtown where they're going into an older structure, city building, and it was a lot of work to get them to where they're at, but they got there and they got the doors open. So, I want to congratulate them on their perseverance and their resiliency of of sticking with their their their vision and getting that open. We did the ribbon cutting. It was great. Um, another uh a great business in downtown India. And and in that same uh spirit uh right across the street, we did another ribbon cutting for uh Everloom Coffee. It's their second location uh in the city of India. And that's another great story. if you get a chance to to meet the owners, those young guys, um they started, you know, on a coffee cart and and they finally uh graduated to a brick and mortar. Now they have two and Everloom is now uh not just a coffee uh place, it's a brand. It's a brand. So uh congratulations uh to those guys at uh at Everloom as well. I also attended uh on Oasis Street uh Culture Cannabis uh Culture Cannabis Club. That's another ribbon cutting we have. Um, very nice place. You know, um, as the community knows, when the city of India adopted our cannabis ordinance, uh, we did it with a fine, uh, comb, no pun intended,

but, uh, we we we really, uh, looked at the pros and cons of the industry and we really wanted to treat the industry like a regular normal business. And um if you are of of age and you happen to go into culture cannabis um it's also a place of art. I mean there's some nice artwork in there. Um one of the big big things that the city of Indo um was really harping on is the communities surrounding communities. The smell the security um their security is going to help secure the rest of that neighborhood along across the street. You know they have college of the desert their public safety. Then we have our our uh um security downtown. So that's adding to that security detail downtown India. So that's one of the great things that we did with our cannabis industry. Also, if you're walking out about or around the place, you will not smell anything. That's always been a challenge with the industry. Um India has strict strict rules when it came to um uh uh really protecting our communities from the smell, right? So, um, congratulations to Culture Cannabis, uh, Gopi Sena and his team over there. They did a great job. Um, like it was mentioned earlier, we did have a ribbon cutting at Canar dog wash. Um, that's great. You know, get your car washed and you can take your puppies at the same time. Uh, so that's just another good addition to their small business. And they they are the car washes. They're local, you know, it's a local business and so we have to continue to support our local business. Correct. And so I also attended the uh Martha's Village and Kitchen uh child development expansion. Another great addition to Martha's Village and Kitchen. You know, this community has a lot of partners and uh it's it's a big operation. you know, whether it's public safety, whether it's our nonprofits, whether it's local government, we all work together for better better quality

of life of our valley. And when we talk about Martha's Village and Kitchen and Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and our partners who especially right now, Fine Food Bank who are taking care of our residents at at a challenging time, not not of their fault, right? Um they're just going through some challenging times and our partners are always there and they show up, you know. So, um, also Martha's Village and Kitchen Child Development Center, you know, they they were there when during the pandemic when our essential workers needed places for their kids to go, they went there. Our police and fire, doctors, nurses, they were able to take their children to Martha's Village and Kitchen to to be watched and and you know, it's not a place where you probably would visit the kids that area. You probably could take a tour. Um, it's fascinating. I mean, they really their nutrition with the kids, the education, they have babies, toddlers all the way up to, you know, uh, uh, elementary school kids, they do an excellent job in their child development center. So, it was great to see their expansion. Congratulations to Martha's Village and Kitchen. And that takes me to our state of the city, you know. Um, congratulations to our mayor. Our mayor did an excellent job of presenting our city and our council also did a great job. and our our partners, you know, all of our partners are there. Um, I don't know how many people I heard over 400. It was a packed house in Fantasy Springs. And so, hats off to the Cindy of Indo. Congratulations. Thank you to our staff for a lot of hard work. Um, I was amazed. You know, there's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes at these events that people don't see. And, uh, I I got there a little late. I had another engagement and when I walked in and seen all the people, you know, the excitement just shot out of the roof. And so, you know, we talk about all these businesses and ribbon cutings and our future public safety utilities. Indo has a lot of great things going on. Our mayor and our council did a great job of presenting it. So, hats off and congratulations to

that. Um, I do have one request and one of the things that has been in discussion a lot are the future of or short future of our gas stations. And so, I've met with a lot of residents. I met with some business owners and I know our planning commission is working on a study, right? And which we're waiting on and that's okay. Um but one of the concerns I have or was brought to my attention was um in that time are folks still able to submit applications for more gas stations? The reason why I bring that up is because we did a I think was it two year or three year on the storage

source right so um why we were having that discussion you know more applications were coming in so what I like to ask the council is until we get that study are we able to do a temporary pause on applications until we get that that study that's what I like to ask the council for support. Is that it, Mr. Ferman? Okay. So, we have a request and and I know that the the planning commission is talking about gas stations and that when they had that last one and obviously the last one we did Maverick, we have some litigation on that, but um you're asking to put a pause on them, a ban on them until we decide

just just a temporary pause on applications until we do the study and we move forward. That study comes to council. So I I know that everyone will probably have a a communication. Mr. Katron, you have your mic first. I'll go ahead.

I just wanted to add to that because I have not heard a formal presentation that I did an inquiry and I think it was presented to the planning commission which should be included. When Kevin Snider was here, he did a report two years ago on the status of gas stations and there was some interesting data that came out at the time. Uh I can only on what I heard. I don't have facts to give you, but it stated that we were at a point that we met we were still within the opportunity of having more gas stations, but that doesn't mean that they move forward. So, I think it's important because my feeling is it wasn't free. we paid for it and I think we need to also get that information and see what that tells us along with what you're asking council member

and see and within that study we will get that information of how many more gas stations we've received since that study how many more applications all I'm asking is a pause on applications until we get the studies I just wanted to jump in mayor that of course you're not debating whether the pause should be approved but should we put on the agenda yes absolutely I'm just letting everybody kind of vet it out because if there isn't a need or a desire to do it then it's on the mayor I just hesitate

I I hesitate to put a pause I I hear some of the concerns I know that there are some areas that can be perceived as oversaturated but I also know back with Kevin Snider and currently as well that that there is still some need some um some leakage as it were on on gas stations and I I really would like to not have gas stations not be considered and then go someplace else. So I um I I I think we probably need to be pertinent and specific and and take a close look, hence the reason for the study, which I completely and totally support. I I'm just not comfortable with putting a pause on while we do the study given the information that we've had first of all from when we had Kevin Snyder, you know, a couple years ago and then currently the information that we've received. That's my position.

Before we get going, Mr. Holverson, you you have the planning commission looking at stuff. I know that they discussed a couple items. Can you shed some light on this so that we can kind of figure if we want to bring this back? So,

absolutely, Mayor. And I apologize. I've uh came up a little bit early. So, the status is is next week we're going to come back to the planning commission. There's two other items that the council wanted us uh the planning commission to look at. That's landscaping and also EV chargers. So, when we brought it to the planning commission, what they decided is they would they did want to give some feedback to the council about a moratorum. They did also want to mention to the council to do a study, but as of right now, staff is not doing a study per se, but we're going to come back to the council um very soon. And then at that time, you would deliberate, kind of discuss if you want to move that direction, but right now it's just um some feedback and comments um from the commission. It wasn't um anything formalized except for here's your comments, here's your feedback, here's some information that was gathered and presented regarding the economics of gas stations, how many we have. Uh Miguel gave a presentation on the status of gas stations, a gap analysis. So, um that's kind of where we're at. I just wanted to clarify that no study is being done right now. Okay.

I go ahead. I was under impression that there was already a study. I know Miguel did economic evaluation of the gas stations we're at, but I I was under impression that there was a study coming. No, no study. But, you know, obviously if the council wants to direct staff to do that, we probably have to hire a consultant. Right now, it's just preliminary research using economic development and community development. And I just wanted to close by there are at least two gas stations that are interested in submitting applications. We don't know when those are going to come, but at least two that I've seen either a preapp or talking to people about it. [laughter] City attorney, are we Yeah. So, we're we're veering a little close towards debating the merits of it.

So, what we need to do then, Brian, is and this is my thought. Let's see what the council says. Why don't we let the planning commission come forward with what it is that we're going to do? We have like a moratorium on auto uses on Highway 11. So, that's been there for a long time, but why don't we look at letting the planning commission come forward with it and and then bring it back to us and then we can decide. I'd like to see the if we may, the study that was done a couple years ago when Kevin Snder was here. I guess I'd like that incorporated into the conversation.

Okay. I think that the risk that I see is that while we're, you know, even considering a study and then doing the study, there's going to be people that take advantage of that and go into places that may may be already overpop populated with gas stations and submit those applications before that action comes in. And so I think it does make sense to do a moratorum while we do a study. there's still going to be opportunities in the future, especially while we decide on which areas still need gas stations and which areas are already overpop populated. And so I think while we get to those uh conclusions of where we don't want to see any more gas stations and where we do want to see more gas stations, we should have a temporary halt on permits coming in so that we can be targeted on where we want to see that kind of business.

So let's let's listen to what we we've got two we've got two, Mr. Ron, I I'm not in favor. I don't feel comfortable right now bringing that back yet till the planning commission actually does. That's my opinion. So, we have a basically a two two Well, we're asking him to planning commission. So, we got to bring it back to agenda to be able to do it right. And so, Mr. Gutron, are you comfortable with bringing it back or you want to let the planning commission go forward with what they're doing? Wait, are we talking about the study or are we talking about the temporary hold on per for a temporary hole, then we can't there's nothing. We're either to decide if we're going to bring it back on the agenda or not. That's all we're talking about. That's correct. Yes. That's are we going to bring it back or not? And right now it's TT.

I want to know more information. That's my deal. I I have a hard time just moving forward when we spend money on stuff and we don't even bother to look at. I have no idea what that said. If I recall, it said we still can do three more gas stations. So, if we were already done two of them, where does that leave us? And then I do agree with Council Ortiz. It also dictates where we should put them if they're oversaturated just like we do liquor stores and everything else. I mean, so I guess I'm at a tossup there. Do we want to bring it back for a stud? Yes or no? I need to bring it back. Sir,

may I ask mayor, members of council, would you like to bring that back? Um, even though the planning commission is going to hear this next week and then just we're going to combine all the information, bring it back or do you want to bring it back before we have all the information from the plan? Roll back once the planning commission brings their stuff because you can bring it back with us at the same time because they're going to be there week before us. So, we can do that. Thank you. Okay, Stephen. That works for me. Okay. Just want to make sure. So, asking. Okay. Mayor Pro Tim.

Boy, some heavy duty conversation happening this evening. Okay. So let's see um it's pursuant to the conversation about report on meetings attended. I had one meeting the CEAG transportation commission with some you know what some positive information um and I'll start with the uh reimbursement agreement. Um uh we approved amendment number two to the reimbursement agreement. The bottom line of that this is for the Jefferson Street widening project uh Avenue 38 to Sun City Boulevard. Uh we increase we voted to increase the regional funding share by $1.9 million. Um and then moving the time period forward to to do the complete the specifications, the engineering documents, the estimate so on and so forth to the end of December of 2027. Uh the next thing that we talked about again it was it was an Indo day at Seabag Transportation Center. It was it was a really positive meeting. The next one had to do with uh the reimbursement agreement on the Avenue 50 widening project. Again, Jefferson Streets of Jackson. And we uh voted to approve an additional again 1.9 million in regional and that's the key word here in regional funding. Um again uh extending the time to the end of December 2027 to allow for um plans, specs, engineering estimates, so on and so forth. Uh that's going to be done in three segments. That seems to be a little bit complicated. um a little bit challenging uh in terms of of working with each segment and getting getting that done, but we're excited to to move forward and take that step with an additional $1.9 million. Um and lastly, we understand that we will be receiving an extra $30 million for the Monroe Street interchange. I Yes, this is like that was absolutely the best news I think I've heard in a long time. Um because we definitely need that for the Monroe Street interchange. We all know that Monroe and Jackson are just so

heavily impacted and uh and with the costs rising and so on and so forth, we can use that um extra $30 million. So, very exciting news um at the Cab Transportation Center. You know what? I attended the same thing everybody else did. We're an engaged, you know, group of council members here. So, it was really exciting. everything from the outside the MASA the ribbon cutting earlier um uh to the Martha's Child Center development center expansion. I mean I think that's really great for us for our community. Uh there's just a tremendous amount of need there. Uh Culture Cannabis I was really impressed with that with that building with that facility with how it was laid out, how it was set up. Um the art just just everything about that uh facility and the security. So I was happy to see that. That was nice. And who doesn't want to take their dog and get get it groomed while you're getting your car washed? I mean, I think that was an interesting um and innovative idea. Everloom, well, I've been waiting for Ever Bloom for forever to open up seven days a week and they are and they have and it's wonderful. Cood at the college was uh really great and great news that they're going to be applying allowing grants just across the board so that they completely eliminate barriers to education at every level. And I think that's the best news for um for anybody and particularly for our our kids are our students here in the East Valley. Um got to I went to the YMCA hoown. That's another thing. Of course, we have the Doris mechanic facility here, preschool, and this was a fundraising. I I didn't get the final number. I was there with the mayor. Um, that's a fun evening, but at the end of the day, the the reason for that is to raise money for programs for kids to go to camp that otherwise might not be able to go to camp, for aquatics programs, for other kinds of sports programs. They are licensed in um uh in child care and after school programs, all of which are are really

needed in the greater Coachella Valley and certainly here in our Indo community. Uh what else? That carver track that day was great. It's great to see, you know, a segment of the community that has here to for been, you know, just really challenged to to to have upgraded to have curbs and gutters and to have sidewalks and to have sewers. Um, just some of the basic things that just really uplifted that community. There's a street party and and there were a lot of people from the community out. So, it was really nice to see. Uh, the teen center, what a fun night and I thank you um at the teen center for asking me to come as well. That was fun. That was a blast. I could have talked to you guys for another couple of hours. Um, I love what you're doing, where you're going, and your enthusiasm and your energy and your excitement for your future. I wish you the best. We are all here as a council to support you in any way that we can. So, that was fun and exciting. Um, I you know what I attended also with the mayor. I was not able to attend the the the pints, the um desert beer because I was at services for someone that we lost who was a hundred years old. Someone that has been a part of my life essentially since I I came into the desert, Mary Helen Kelly, whose life was really dedicated to service, service of her city, the service of others. She was the one that sent you a note of encouragement. She was the one that that kept all of us together. Um she was the one that was always around and available to listen to talk. Um she was just a wonderful supporter, a wonderful person to have in the community. Um faith-based every everything she did was was based in a very strong faith and the services were very beautiful. It was it was wonderful that she lived to be a hundred years old and really loosened. I spoke with her probably about a month ago. Uh and it was just you know really nice at that time. She lived a long life, but

she will also be missed. And today was really fun because I got to go with with Saabdi, our city clerk, and Jose Ramirez to Hoover Elementary School, the third graders, and we had that was fun. That was the most interesting um experience. The the kids were doing uh uh government day, so it was perfect for us to go out and talk about government and city government and what we do at city government. done. I I particularly loved it when I asked someone, you know, well, what does the mayor do? And they said, well, you're the boss of the world. So, I I thought, you know, while while you're mayor, you would want to to know that. I thought that was very pertinent information. Uh, but the kids were were really great and they're really exciting and they came up and they had ideas and police and fire and one little girl said, "Well, why do you keep changing out the water the water features at the park and and you know, just the eyes through third graders." But I think what we all learned is how to keep third graders engaged for an hour. That was the most interesting lesson in a teacher who literally danced and used um u just just engaged them in such a manner I have never seen before. But these kids had short attent attention spans. They were they were just wiggly. They were disruptive a little bit. And boy, she got in there. She did everything short of dance and talk and engage them and and and and sing alongs and what are we doing and how are we doing it and I mean I have never seen anything like it. These kids were totally engaged. Really great to be if I were in a um going to school again, I'd want to be in her third grade class. Thank you uh city clerk and and Jose Ramirez as well for coming with me and uh and working with them and and giving that presentation today. the kids just really had a ball especially with Indolingo and we walked out with you know keep Indo beautiful and you know what that's that's it mayor

it's a good day was had by all

good stuff the only uh activity that I had for a commission was Sunline transit agency and Sunline is continuing to move forward because of the shutdown and the federal government a lot of their funding is federal funding so they're struggling with with finishing up some projects but we did go into an apprenticeship program with ATU which is of of our unions on mechanics and also other kinds of hands-on training to be able to give apprenticeship to not only people that work there, but people that want to get into the industry, especially in mechanics-based. Uh it's hydrogen cell. It's very unique, but we also have still some CNG, some gas um buses, and so they're really short-handed. So, if you're looking for a job or looking for an opportunity, Sunline is hiring. Always are. Kind of like the city of Indo, look on our website. We're always looking for great people. So, that is the only committee I had. And I really want to give a shout out to the staff on the state of the city. Uh Jessica and her team, I mean, they worked all night the night before putting everything up. Then she has to hear me at 10:30 caller so I can change a couple words on a on a script. But it really was the talk of the community. And I've been to many states of the city since then. It was fun. It was energetic. There was giveaways. It was quick, you know, it was an hour. We and all the council members really got into their part of the program and it was really good to see not only uh what was going on in the city but the enthusiasm from not only the audience. There was over 500 people there. There was 20ome plus vendors and uh sponsors that were with us helping big to small. Uh we had painted dough donuts. We had cotton candy. We had you know Buzzbox. We had M&M's and it was just a fun opportunity to highlight all the great thing going on in the city and our logo and and what's coming out. But all of you besides uh Jessica, you know, who did

the bulk of the work with her staff uh really highlighted your areas and it just showed not only the camaraderie between this council and what we're accomplishing, but how we work with staff to get it accomplished. And now that you're seeing and we can go back over the ribbon cutings, there was multiple ones we were there. I mean, that's five or six. We have more coming up with city hall. We have the cantina. Dutch Brothers is almost done. We got the golf course clubhouse coming up. I mean, there's just investment just not only from us, but from the public and from businesses all over who are coming into our city wanting to be a part of the city of India. So, my hats off to all of them. Jessica, thank you for an amazing state of the city and I'm looking forward to next year. So, that I wanted to give a shout out to everyone. I was also very fortunate Jose RmIrez when you're talking about we did the India Leadership Academy. there was over 20 plus uh students residents of the city of India who got to do a course in in city government for the city of Indo and it already filled up as soon as it gets in. It used to take you know a couple days to fill up the 20 plus students. Now, it takes a couple hours, if not an hour, to be able to get in. And you get to talk to all of our uh elected leaders that are part of it, but more importantly, our staff, our city manager, our city clerk, and all them that are able to look at uh what their departments are like, and and explain to individuals who have an invested interest, not only as residents, but as business owners, of how the city actually runs. And I think it opens their eyes to see actually all the nuts and bolts that it goes behind to make the city what it is today. So, my hats off to Jose and everyone else that was a part of it. And then, uh, lastly, uh, I want to, uh, kind of piggyback off what Mayor Pro Tim said. You know, we had four stalwarts. And as we go through and have you been part of this, I've been part of the council for 17 years, but I was on the planning commission for seven besides that. And you meet some unique people. What makes this valley so great is that we are intertwined. You know, we're nine cities in the county. you add

ble into it on some of our stuff. So there's really 10 of us in that. But we work so well together and the more successful the rest of the cities are and the more successful the city of India is, the the better off we are. And we lost a lot of good stalworths in the last few uh weeks. One of them is Mary Helen Kelly. Her husband was Dick Kelly, one of the original council members from the city of Palm Desert. Helped start Sunline Transit Agency and so many other stuff. Her daughter is uh Kathleen Kelly who was a council member for Palm Desert for many years. She lived to be 100 years old. I mean, think about it. She was 20 years old when World War II stopped, when it it ended. And then all the thing in between from planes to TVs to cars that she saw and she was just an amazing woman who was based in her faith and wanted to help everybody, would always give back to everyone. So, it was great to be able to honor her and go to her ceremony. uh Dick uh Don Adolf who was the uh mayor of Lita passed on in the last couple weeks and and he was in Nevada many years that he helped uh take Lita to the next level and set on a bunch of committees with all of us. We had Sam Cross as Ben Gutron, Council Member Gutron said, who was one of our police chiefs in the 70s who hired a lot of the staff and a lot of people that were there. he passed on. And then finally, D G Dana Hobart who was the mayor and council member for many years for the city of Ranch Mirage. And so we're losing a lot of that institutional knowledge. But I wanted to recognize them for the work they did because it makes our valley so much better when we have people like that that are willing to give their time and talents and treasures to the rest of us to make sure we're very successful. Indo is successful because of our residents, our council and our staff, but it's really successful because we need everybody else in this valley to help us to be one. So, um my my prayers to all their uh family and want to thank them for their service and want to let everybody know we recognize them for what they do just not here in India. Uh it takes all

of us to be able to make this valley as good it is. So, my prayers to all of them. So, with that, I will end. And yes, a quick note. I just saw on the news we got notification about the second burglary suspect from our downtown India robberies that was just apprehended. So I just wanted to say thank you to Chief Tully. I know he and his staff who I know they've been extremely focused on that issue down in downtown. And uh yeah, just want to say thank you for that.

And thank you chief and your team for all they do. You know, we we praise you for the work that you not only do to keep us safe, but also our fire department for all that you do. You guys are amazing and thank you for the work you're doing. Please let your team know how appreciative not only this council is but the the residents of our city are.

Mayor, I had one just small item. First of all, a thank you for all of the thank yous regarding staff and the great work they done, including the the police department, the fire department team. The Riverside County Fire Chief, Bill Wiser, is holding a workshop. It's primarily staff focused, but like to have a couple of council members there. Due to the Brown Act, it would only be two. So, Mayor, I don't know if you'd like to assign somebody. Somebody volunteers. It's on November 17th at 4 PM here in Indo. Um, but it would be good to kind of get some direction on that because only two would be able to attend. I know Mr. Gutron had already asked me about it. Would one of the other ones like to be there? Mayor Prom, I'm I'm good stepping back.

You good with that? Either or. One of us. Yeah. I'm happy to do whatever you want to do. We still have a study session to be planned. Yes, we do have a study session coming up with them. So, between the two of you, Oscar Cole. Okay.

I I'll link Mayor Pro 10 will be a part of that. Those will be the two. Also, please remember that we have our barbecue festival downtown this Saturday and we are also looking forward to a couple other items coming up very shortly. And uh I in the desert's going to be I'm going to be talking about it tomorrow. And then we have our Hunter Lopez run. Please come out and support Hunter Lopez Foundation. You know, Hunter lost his life with the service members in Afghanistan, but also we're uh half of the money is going to our American Legion Hall 739. They're going to split it in half. So you're also going to help support our veterans uh here in the city of India. So thank you to all of you. We'll move on now to item 10, which is 10.1 is the appointment of Edith Hernandez to the community service commission nominated by Mayor Pro Tima Holmes. Miss Holmes. So I I met Edith. We've had a couple of extended conversations. I think she she'd be really great for the community services commission. I would normally um invite her up to say a few words. She has really a wonderful um background. She she uh she works with legislative affairs um and oversees the the the uh clerk of the board for and marketing department for Sunline. Um she has a master's uh in public administration, bachelor of arts and human uh services and management and and interestingly enough associate of arts and criminal justice. Um, I just really thought that she would be great for this position and great to she's a tremendous desire to get involved in all things uh having to do with the the city of India and so she was my selection. She would normally be here um to present herself in her background a little bit. Um but she is was at a conference in Long Beach and just couldn't make it back in time with traffic and she would like the opportunity to um introduce herself at a future meeting but that would be my selection. Yeah, she's an an amazing young lady. So, um, anybody like to make a motion?

I'll motion to approve. Make a second. Okay, we got first by Council Ortiz, second by Council Furman, please vote. That's unanimously 5. And would the youth advisory council like to stay or would you like to go on? Okay. Thank you. Just want to make sure. What's that? We did. Yeah. So, we're going to Yeah. We're going to move on to item number 11 now, which is a consent calendar. Item 111 through 1112. Is there anybody that'd like to pull anything? If not, I'll make a motion to approve.

Okay. Anyone else? Second. Okay. We got a first and a second by Mayor Prom. First and a second by Council Member Ferman. Please vote. Pass unanimously. 5-0. With that, we'll move on to item number 12. Now, which is our first of the administrative items. It's resolution number 10524, the introduction of ordinance number 1824, adopting by reference the 2025 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. Chief White, you handle this for us, sir. Uh, your fire marshal, Matthew's actually going to handle it, but I was just coming up to do the introduction. So,

good evening, mayor, mayor prom, uh, council, staff. My name is Brian White, fire chief for the city of India. Uh the item before you tonight is required in state law that the fire code be updated uh every 3 years. Tonight to give you a high level overview and answer any questions um specific to those changes is your fire marshal, Matthew Griffith. Okay. Thank you.

Good afternoon, mayor and council members. Thank you. Um California updates their fire code every all all of the codes title 24 every three years. Um, this affects Title Nine, which is the California Fire Code. Um, every year, Riverside County and partner cities within the county make amendments to this code to better serve our community. Um, the amendments range from anywhere from fire sprinkler requirements to fire alarms, fire access, fire hydrants, all kinds of things. Um, this year we have a couple of minor changes. Uh, for example, building addition requirements. We used to base off of fire flow. Now we base off of square footage. Um we're adopting chapter 4107, meaning that gives us some authority over fire food trucks. Uh firework fallout went from 75 ft to 100 ft. Um and and the list goes on. Most of these have we've been adopting for several years. Um you know, we do this with all of the uh surrounding cities to be consistent within Riverside County. Um, the one that is new to everybody, uh, is the California wildland urban interface codes, uh, the fire hazard severity zones, which we were here last month and adopting those maps. Um, that's it. You know, if you guys have any questions, I'm I'm happy to help answer.

Any questions? Thank you for your service. Yes, absolutely. Sure. So, what what do you do with food trucks? What kind of jurisdiction? Because they have the oil and the propane.

Correct. Yeah. So food trucks that produce grease laden vapors have a hood system that needs to be checked every six months. Um and currently when I condition events that have food trucks, I have to give some authority to the promoter. Um and I will go to them and let them know like, hey, we expected this food truck. It's not up to our standards and then the promoter would have to go and have a conversation with the food truck, let them know. Now I me and my staff can can provide and educate them appropriately to let them know what to do, how to get up to code, the reasons why, and then I can make that decision or my staff can make that decision on whether they're safe for the event or not. Learn something new every day. Yeah. And I'm so sorry. We have so many food trucks. I mean, it's interesting.

It's that's why it's new to the code because they're very popular. They're they're everywhere now. Yeah. I just the fireworks the so if I understood that from the outfall from 75 ft to 100 feet uh that that has to do with the the fallout zone. It depends on the size of the the shell but the the code wants 75 ft. Um as a county and partner cities we've all gotten together and we have expanded that to keep our our people and public safe. you know, when we go on watch shows, we everybody wants to get as close as they can to get a better seat. Uh, it makes, you know, the fallout zone a little challenging. So, we just want to keep everybody safe. I was so I had a different understanding of what that was. So, thank you for that explanation.

Yeah, it has to do with the debris that falls. Yeah. Any other comments, questions? Anybody else want wishing to speak on this item? If not, would somebody like to make a motion? I'll motion to approve resolution number 10524 and introduce the first reading by title ordinance number 1824 adopting the reference by reference the 2025 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 and directing the city clerk to place the ordinance on the consent calendar of the next regular meeting for adoption. First by Council Member Ortiz, we have a second. Second. Council, Councilman Gutron, please vote.

Mayor, I believe uh the poding is not on right now for this item. May I take roll call, please? Yeah. Thank you. Council member Wron, yes. Council member Ortiz, yes. Council member Ferman, yes. Mayor Pro Tim Holmes, yes. And Mayor Miller, I. Thank you. Yes. And it's unanimous. Thank you. Pass unanimously. We'll move on to item number Thank you, Matt. We'll go on to item number 12.2 to is resolution number 10525 an introduction of ordinance number 1825 adopting and reference the 2025 edition of the California building standards Mr. Holerson, you hand on this for us, sir?

Yes, mayor, mayor prom, members of the council, just like the fire codes, we need to every three years update our building codes. And I just want to say that with a growing community, how important it is that these structures that come in for a building are safe and when people occupy it that, you know, they have a a final certificate of occupancy, etc. So, tonight we're also like the fire department are going to do a high level um just overview of some of the updates. And then something that's really important that was just mentioned is this is an opportunity to do local amendments that apply because of our climate topography and things like that. So um I'm going to have our plans examiner Lewis Aribe come up um and do a short presentation like the fire marshal. Um Lewis Aribe is a certified building official. He's also a certified commercial and residential inspector. So he's well qualified to to give the council an update on this item. So, I'm go ahead and let invite him up.

Welcome. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Um, want to apologize first for being nervous. You know, try to get this. Um, as

Brian mentioned, every three years the codes update just like the fire codes. And this gives us an opportunity to review these codes and make sure they reflect the needs of our local community. Um, when conditions such as India's climate, soil, and seismic characteristics require special consideration, we have the authority to adopt amendments to better protect our health and safety of our residents. Um, these are these updates not only keep us aligned with the state, but they also reflect how quickly building technology and energy systems are evolving. Um, each cycle of the state takes another step towards efficiency and long-term sustainability. So, our job is to make sure the Indo community benefits from these advancements. Um I want to start off by sharing some of the local updates. Um first I'll start off with energy efficiency and solar requirements. So the state has expanded the solar requirements for homes requiring them requiring every new home to provide a system that meets the annual usage. Um for commercial buildings it also requires PV systems but also battery storage systems. Uh new homes are not required to have battery systems yet but they are required to have uh battery ready. for example, having a conduit wired just ready to install them for future. Um, we're already seeing the results of these energy changes. So, most homes now are including rooftop solar. Uh, larger commercial developments are planning solar and energy storage systems. So, this update will make these designs a standard rather than an option. Um, the next would be the green building code. Um the rebuilding code has made increases to the electrical vehicle charging requirements uh requiring all new homes also to be electrical vehicle uh charging ready meaning also having a conduit and a wire ready to install these charging systems. Um in multif family and commercial projects uh it's required to have a higher percentage of EV ready uh parking spaces with some of those being fully equipped with chargers. Um this will help prepare the city's infrastructure with the number of

electric vehicles on the road as it's increasing every year. Um a big change that has been done also is the new heat pump systems. Um the code is requiring now that space system air conditioning uh heaters uh water heaters now be heat pump and also pool equipment. Um this is this doesn't mean that if your existing water heater goes out you can't replace it. You can replace it. Um, it's just requiring it also to be electric ready. Um, the benefit I see in this is if you buy a house now and 10 years from now these water heaters aren't available, you don't have to do a complete retrofit of your home. So, it's hundreds of dollars versus thousands of dollars, right? Um, in addition to these codes, we're also introducing a new local amendment requiring all new residential homes to have air conditioning installed at the time of construction and for existing systems to be maintained. Uh the amendment is based on our extreme desert climate uh where our temperatures as you all know is they exceed well over 110 degrees. Uh the state code currently only requires a heating source but not a cooling source. Uh so the lack of of cooling spaces poses a serious health especially for our seniors, children's and vulnerable residents. So, we've amended both the residential code and the property maintenance code to give the city an enforceable standard, ensuring that air conditioning systems and rental properties are repaired and maintain protecting the tenants and improving their livability. Um, the city of Palm Springs has taken a similar approach and we anticipate that the other Coachella Valley cities will follow as future code cycles start to come. Um, this amendment I believe truly benefits our residents here at the city of India. Uh by adopting these updates, Cal uh the updated California codes uh along with our new air conditioning requirement, we're ensuring that the city of India remains aligned with the statewide goals, addressing the realities of our desert, climate, and well-being of our community. So with that, if you guys have any questions, I'd be happy to answer

questions. Mr. Furman, first of all, thank you for your presentation. You did a great job. Yeah. I I want to go back to the um the requirement for the conduit for electric charging vehicles in the house. Is that a local code or is that a state that is a state code? That's a state code. Energy code. I mean I I see the purpose and I'm just speaking out loud. I just think with our affordability issues that we have in housing, I think that might making it a requirement might make it go a little higher, but uh that's above our pay raise. So uh thank you for your presentation. I just wanted to know that. So thank you Mark. So yeah like a few things you're talking about

but Mr. Tiss you want to speak. Oh okay. Um so on the um air conditioning I I can completely understand that but like on the solar net is that a state requirement or is that a that is also a state requirement. The state is trying to get to like a zero net energy by 2030. So each year is implementing a little bit more and more. Yeah, I I understand that, but I won't hook any of us up. So, I hate to see, you know, I understand pre-wiring it, doing all the other stuff, but when I is not going to even give us the the time of day to actually let these people hook it up unless they put a battery system in where they can actually store it.

And a lot of our individuals that live here or coming into our thing are already very stretched on their funding to be able to afford the house they're getting into. To have something they're not going to be able to and a battery system a lot of people can't take care of and maintain just is a big expense. And I understand why the the state does it, but it's like it's like the drought. You know, they always tell us everybody's got to come back and water. We have plenty of water. The problem is is we've always conserved it. We have water. So, but they treat us all the same. LA and that wherece or Pacific Power and Gas want to hook it up, they'll hook it up. ID just says we're not hooking you up. So, you have all the things sitting there and they just don't they don't hook you up and there's nothing we can do about it. So, I can't I understand it, but it's just raising the price. House price. I know there's nothing you can do about it. So, thank you for your presentation. I'm just saying that there's so much that is adding on to the prices of these houses.

I I I couldn't agree more because I think of the conversations that I have with Council Member Ortiz and our our desire to create something that looks so affordable for our first-time home buyers or or whatever. I mean, this just takes it into the next stratosphere. I And so, having that option, having the option available is one thing. putting it in as something we must do as a requirement just seems counterproductive. And just to add to that, if the batteries aren't required yet, like I said, they're just wanting them to be install ready.

Um, as the future as these start getting more popular, I I see them dropping down in price as anything once it's a new product, it's it's high, right, because of demand. But like everything else in the future, everything will just be, you know, second nature. It'll be available. Um, and we're hoping it'll be cheaper, right? me personally too for my own home. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, no. I agree. But out here, unless you have a battery system, you're not going to be able to set up your your solar because I just won't hook it up. It's just the way they work. I mean, we have a lot of houses have panels on top that just can't get it done. So, unless they have the battery system where they can actually store it. Is that an issue for new homes? Yeah. Yeah. New homes aren't getting

No, they won't sign anybody. If I'm mistaken, I'm not. But everybody I've talked to, they just they refuse to do it. So, at least I'm I haven't heard anybody. But you know I want to ask there's there's some new homes um Aquila down the street from me that has every house has solar on. Well they have to but I mean so I mean so none of them I just made some assumption without asking the question. So none of them are activated. I would think it's more the people that are adding them to existing homes but I'm not 100% sure. Well we maybe get some

I'm not I'm not the expert either but I believe it's that they just don't pencil as well. We are very blessed to have very very low rates with IAD and so the math sometimes doesn't work. Uh but people still install them and they feel it's an important um sustainability feature but it's not that the math works in a way that encourages that to happen. So that's probably what you're referring to. Maybe there there are some delays for sure with IID connections in some of the at least from the existing homes that the last three people I know that have put it in that IID refused to

yeah refuse to install it. Well, maybe you can get us, Brian, give us a feedback on what IID is doing and obviously we need to approve it because it's a state issue, but maybe you can let us know where we kind of sit on this thing so people that are coming into it understand where they're at. Yeah, actually I'm sorry, mayor. I don't have like any specific information on IID. If you can check on that. Yeah, I can certainly check and get back to you. Appreciate it. And then I I did have one question which was I know you mentioned some buildings are requiring battery currently. Which buildings were those? Uh, it would be commercial buildings. Okay. So, those are being the code does also say we're feasible. So, there are exceptions to these codes. Got um it's just we have to see which ones do apply for the specific use of the building.

And are they are people that businesses commercial buildings that currently have solar but don't have the battery background. They grandfathered in new commercial. And then I just want to say thank you for also the local uh air conditioning ordinance. I know it's going to be extremely helpful for enforcement out there and making sure that our families are safe and, you know, able to have cool homes. So, really appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you, Brian. Anything else?

No, mayor. And I don't want to take credit for this, but um when we have our staff meetings and I work with our building and safety division, that was brought up at one of our meetings. And so, um, want to give credit to our great building and safety staff that said, "Hey, you know, other valley cities that are doing require air conditioning, um, because there are times where the the land landlord will say, well, it went out. I'm not going to replace." So, we're kind of stepping up and making sure that tenants and people have, you know, the appropriate air conditioning so that they can, you know, live comfortably and and not jeopardy in their their health. So,

that's all I have. Thank you. Any any other questions? Anybody have anything in the audience? Okay, with that, somebody like to make a motion. This is a I'll motion to adopt resolution number 10525 and introduce for first reading by title only ordinance 1825 adopting by reference the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards and the direct and direct the city clerk to place the ordinance on the consent calendar for the next regular meeting for adoption. We have first council member Ortiz. We have a second. I'll

second. Council member Ferman seconds it. Please vote. passes unanimously. 5-0. With that, we'll move on to item number 12.3, which is the introduction of ordinance number 1826, amending to amendment to the Indo Municipal Code, title 15, land usage, chapter 151, buildings, division 18, construction related regulations. Mr. Holerson, you're handling this for us, sir?

Yes, I am. Brian Halverson, director of community development, mayor, mayor prom, members of the council. Um, I wanted to go ahead and present this item, which is a code amendment as mentioned by the mayor. Um, I wanted to just really quickly go over uh what's proposed and then of course I'm sure there'll be questions, but essentially this would be an amendment that would require u construction sites to have security measures. So, as we all probably have heard of, um, when sometimes there's a project under construction, sometimes items can be stolen and there's questions about, well, does the city require, you know, security measures? So, we went ahead and did some research. We drafted um a new amendment to our code. And some of these measures, security measures include uh color cameras that would be installed at all vehicle access points. Um, in addition, a perimeter fencing around the site. Um, and that would be required to be a certain height, six feet tall. Also with a 94% blackout heavy duty plastic screening. So, just moving on to a couple other things. Uh, gates would have to be locked. There's even requirements for the size of the lock as well. Um, lighting, as we know, after the sun goes down and if you have a site that's not secure and it's not well lit, that could invite crime. So, there's lighting requirements. And then um lastly, the contractor would have to post no trespassing signs as part of this code amendment as well. Um now all this being taken into uh consideration, this new code amendment for construction site security, we do understand that never not every site needs this type of this level of security. So there is some wording in the amendment that talks about giving the building official um some discretion on when and when not uh to require these security measures. Um I think building an ADU or even a small addition, it doesn't include additions. It talks about um as proposed it would

be a new building or demolition of a building. Um so that's essentially in a nutshell what's being proposed this evening. Um, I also wanted to note that as it was drafted, and I'll take uh fault for this, is [clears throat] there is a a section in section B that talks about perimeter security fencing shall remain in place until a permanent wall or fencing is installed. I do not recommend that because uh as I've heard and our general plan discourages everything being gated and walled in, I would actually act axe that part, delete that part of the code. Um so if we do go in the direction of approval tonight, um I would ask for that small um part of that sentence being uh deleted. Um other than that, that is the proposed code amendment before you uh this evening. Council, I'm available for any questions. I also worked with the police chief to come up with some of these security measures. I don't work in isolation. I always uh collaborate with others. And so we came up with uh um this proposal for a code amendment to make these construction sites more secure. I think we also remember there's there's been some challenges sometimes with even city projects. So it does kind of um come at a relevant time. That does conclude my presentation for this amendment and I'm available for any questions.

Thank you. Mr. Petron,

my my only thing and I appreciate it. I voiced this when we had city manager Martinez. I voiced it when we had city manager um Scott and I voiced it with the current city manager. And the reason I voiced it was because we've had a lot of theft during our peak with some of our contractors and we're not the only ones experiencing that. And so I went with bringing it to this point, but I'm I'm going to be asking the council to hold off because here's one thing that I learned. The building industry started calling and there was a bunch of misinformation. So I I I told them I would bring it back to the council to give me give us or an opportunity so I can meet with them so they get a better education of it. And the only reason I came across this is because the mayor was approached on it. And then I did what I normally do is follow up on what the concerns are. They all meant well. Um and so I explained that to the city manager this evening. Um and no disrespect to you, Ryan. I know that you and Chief Telly worked on it. I think even the city attorney had some input on it. It's nothing new. Um the cities that I contacted, uh I I had one city that I saw that did it and then I realized that there was a few more. There's a couple small variations, but again, it's also being fair to the contractors because the contractors see it's another layer of checks and balances and the contractors are looking at is it going to delay their process? and and I think that we owe the contractors the opportunity and I I actually picked up the phone and talked to a few that do business right now and have some really big projects in the city and I think it's it's my my way of it's a little PR gets us a long way. We have a lot going on in the city and a lot of building going on and I do apologize for whatever the direction was from the city manager to get this done. I was kind of hoping that we would be able to sit down and kind of I know we

read it and study it, but they felt it's already done. I go, "No, there's a process." So, I think if it waited that long of what I just told you, I think it could wait just a tad more so we can go back to a lot of the builders that you know here because they mentioned all of you because I'm the new guy on the block. But I think we'd be okay in the long run when it comes back. And that's all I'm asking is to give us an opportunity to do some education, a little bit of clarity. So, you're asking to pull this item to have it reviewed by the you and one other council member with the building industry barnyard and DBBA and BIA.

Yes, because I they were the ones that I reached out and they said it's going to do this and it's going to do that. No, I think we're on the wrong page, but I don't have enough time. So, let me get back to the body because this is the body that approves it. And I think uh it helps them because like I said if other cities are doing it and it's and it's worked successfully. Um but I know that we changed a lot of what other cities do and that was probably because of what staff felt was necessary. But at the end of the day it's kind of like we've experienced oursel the damage that was done to the sports department uh the theft that was done to the police department site and it happens. Um, unfortunately it's organized crime and this helps deter that type of opportunity and at the end of the day it's to minimize the opportunity of impacts to our community and the businesses that are building these beautiful buildings and projects and because construction theft is it's it's a big deal. So

So what's the pleasure of the council? Are we okay having it brought back? I know James Barnard came here wanted to be speaking on it. So wanted to you know see if we'd pull it. So it's up to the council. What's your thoughts? I don't mind. I have a question for staff. Um, you you spoke about a part that says it's up to the developer's discretion. Can you go back to that and clarify that? No, that would be the building discretion. The building, not the contractor, not the builder. So, the builder's discretion was needed.

Yeah. For example, if we see a project that really does not need the security measures, um well lit, it's a very small project, you know, maybe a small addition, um then it would not require these security measures. So that'd be up to our discretion. I think we've always gone back to the builders and had weigh in on it before we've ever brought something forward usually. So that's I think what they're asking for is to be able to bring it back to their their u association to have a look at it and you know they want to make sure that it's not going to be too ownorous and they're talking about entry points and they have some ideas and thoughts because some of these like py has multiple entry points you know and going through they would probably do it but some of the other ones maybe an Oscar Lua and that has that they might think that putting two cameras on those points aren't where the people are going to come through it's going to be over the wall in the back or something else so I think it's just letting have their their say, but I'm more than happy to decide whatever the council wishes.

And just for to give you more thought in the process, the cities that I contacted, which was six of them, some are charter cities, some are general law cities, if that makes a difference. But what they did, they actually met with the builders to give input. So they were well educated. Okay. So, so if we we're okay with moving it back a couple weeks. And who would like to work with Mr. Goodron? Any of you?

I'd be happy to work with And the what my, you know, first thought is is potentially maybe this could be a recommendation instead of an enforcement. You know, I definitely think it's something that we should apply to city projects to protect our um assets, but it could be recommended to other construction projects and they could, you know, do what they want. They're going to take their risk there, but open to that conversation with the building uh with the building industry before we move further. I'm always concerned about additional cost. I mean, there's so there's the additional cost of of the theft, but I'm I'm just always concerned about adding another layer that may make a project just not even pencil out.

Well, just so you know, some of the builders are doing it now. There's just no uniform standard and that how you do to like you, most homes right now have a Ring camera, have an alarm, you know, and some of the builders because they're focused on that don't see the vulnerability of their target areas. So, what we're doing is recommending enhancements and it and then it helps them because it also helps on their insurance claims. 30 $40,000. It's a big ticket item. Yeah. So, are we comfortable with having Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Petron work with the building industry? Okay. So, then some might like make a motion to move this to a time in the future.

With respects to the council, I'll make that motion. I'll second that. Okay. Everybody in favor of that? Yes. Okay. So, then we'll move it to another date to be determined later. You're good with that, Stephen? Is that fine? Yeah. So, this isn't a public hearing, so that makes it easy on us. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. With that, we move on to item number 13 now, which public comments for items on the agenda. Do we have anybody wishes to speak? Sabdi, I have no comments cards. Al, you going to leave us hanging? Nothing. Okay. Anybody else wishes to speak? I I do have something else, man. I I got a email and I think we all kind of forgot. I got an email about the 13th annual Dia

de los Merto celebration at the history museum, CV History Museum and also they have the exhibits there as well. So, if uh I I highly recommend folks go out and see the exhibits at the history museum. Uh they're really nice and uh it's good to celebrate the folks who have passed. We had that discussion earlier. So, I think this is a perfect opportunity to celebrate those folks. I just wanted to add that. Thank you. Well, the awesome rail car, the dining car.

Yeah. Yeah. So, okay. Well, with that, remember we have the barbecue festival this Saturday downtown and on Veterans Day, we have the Hunter Lopez Run uh benefiting the Hunter Lopez Foundation and the American Legion 739. With that, we'll say good night. Keep everybody in your thoughts and prayers and we'll see you on November 19th. We're adjourning at uh 6:42. I think that's off.