Indio Council to weigh rental inspection program, I-10 beautification and forensic grants

The Indio City Council meets Wednesday to consider a new proactive rental inspection program, a half-million-dollar forensic testing grant, and a beautification plan for the city’s freeway interchanges.

At the meeting, councilmembers will consider an ordinance that would establish a Residential Rental Inspection Program. The initiative seeks to move the city away from a strictly complaint-based enforcement system to a proactive model intended to ensure the safety and habitability of local rental housing.

“While many [residential rental properties] are well maintained, Code Enforcement continues to see substandard conditions, deferred maintenance, and exterior blight at some properties, which negatively affect tenants, neighboring homes, and the overall appearance of the community,” the staff report notes.

Under the proposed rules, owners of rental properties would be required to register their units annually and those units would be subject to inspections with an initial focus on exterior conditions and areas visible from the public right-of-way.

The council will also vote on a $529,375 two-year contract with a private forensics laboratory to support the forensic testing of the current backlog of evidence related to sexual assault. The money for the contract isfully funded by a California Department of Justice grant.

There are also several items related to infrastructure and city aesthetics. One item up for consideration is the approval for the Interstate 10 Corridor Aesthetics Master Plan, which establishes design themes for the city’s four primary freeway interchanges at Jefferson Street, Monroe Street, Jackson Street, and Golf Center Parkway. The plan uses conceptual themes such as local mountains, music culture, and agricultural history to guide future landscaping and signage.

Related to downtown improvements, the council will consider a $560,577 change order for the Civic Center Storm Drain and Oasis Street Beautification projects. The increase would cover costs related to unforeseen site conditions and the addition of a second decorative raised crosswalk on Miles Avenue.

The staff report notes it will improve pedestrian safety in response to an increase in activity and foot traffic downtown.

Councilmembers will also hear presentations from SunLine Transit Agency and Riverside County Department of Animal Services. The city recently re-upped its contract with the county despite complaints about coverage from animal control officers.

The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 100 Civic Center Drive. Members of the public can attend in person or watch the proceedings via the city’s website, Facebook Live, or YouTube.

Public comments may be submitted in person during the meeting or via email to the city clerk at cityclerk@indio.org. Emailed comments must be received by 2 p.m. Wednesday to be included in the official record.

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