June 26 Weekly Briefing: Historic first for new agency, update on new bike path, drone show coming, and more

Welcome to Thursday! The Indio International Tamale Festival is less than six months away, and organizers are searching for vendors to line the streets of the festival with tasty tamales of all kinds. Vendor space runs from about $500 to $5,000 and organizers are offering a $100 discount to residents and businesses that reside in Indio. This year’s festival is set for the weekend of Dec. 6 and 7. Apply online here, the deadline to apply is August 15. And check out this blast from the past look at the festival from a 1997 episode of “Visiting” with the iconic Huell Howser.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Hell N Back” by Bakar

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LEADING OFF

New power agency elects leadership, approves budget in historic first meeting

The Coachella Valley Power Agency held its inaugural meeting earlier this month, with the newly formed power authority electing leadership and approving an operational budget. The agency was formed to give local officials direct authority over electrical service decisions historically made by Imperial County representatives.

Driving the news: Though 65% of Imperial Irrigation District’s rate-paying customers live in the Coachella Valley, Riverside County residents are ineligible to serve on IID’s board, which is made up of members from Imperial County.

• Indio Councilmember Waymond Fermon was elected chair and La Quinta Mayor Linda Evans as vice chair of the joint powers authority.

By the numbers: The agency approved a scaled-down $500,000 operational budget for the next 100 days, with staff directed to return with a more comprehensive long-term budget proposal.

• IID has identified $1.5 billion in infrastructure improvements needed across its entire service territory to maintain and improve generation and transmission capability.

Looking back: The agency’s establishment followed nearly four years of collaboration that began when IID established the Coachella Valley Energy Commission in 2021 to study regional energy needs beyond 2032 when a 99-year agreement between IID and the Coachella Valley Water District is set to expire.

What’s next: The agency will coordinate future agreements with IID to define responsibilities and develop regional solutions for electrical infrastructure needs.

• The next meeting is scheduled for July 28, where IID officials will provide a presentation on the current distribution system and future needs.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🚴 Revised cost, timeline revealed for Arts and Music Line bike path

A regional commission voted to approve more money toward an innovative bike path planned for Indio along Avenue 48 and Dillon Road.

• The Arts and Music Line is a nine-mile bike route planned for Avenue 48 between Washington Street and Dillon Road out to the Whitewater River. The route will feature local art, and light columns that play music while connecting residents and visitors to schools, shopping, jobs, housing, festivals, and the CV Link in La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella.
  
• At this month’s Coachella Valley Association of Governments Transportation Commission meeting, members of the commission voted to approve another $1 million for the project to study alternate routes along the north side of Dillon Road at the request of one of the local tribes.
  
• By the numbers: The cost has ballooned from the original estimation of about $46 million to $65 million, CVAG has secured more than $36 million in grant money from the state and is applying for another $20 million. Construction is expected to begin in Q1 of 2027 and is estimated to take about two years.

🌱 Sustainability Commission approves 2025 plan emphasizing outreach

The Indio Sustainability Commission voted Monday to recommend its 2025 sustainability plan to the City Council for adoption, with commissioners unanimously approving a plan that emphasizes community outreach and resident engagement.

• The plan outlines seven primary goals including clean energy, low greenhouse gas environment, zero waste, water resources, sustainable environment and land use and transportation, outreach, and resiliency and mitigation. 
  
• Commissioners wanted this year’s plan to include a stronger focus on resident input and more fully integrate community perspectives into future work plans.
  
• The plan notes, “Without structured mechanisms to incorporate community perspectives, sustainability efforts risk overlooking key priorities…”
  
• What’s next: The plan is headed to the City Council for consideration, though timing for the review has not been announced.

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WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

What to do in and around Indio this weekend.

El Mandarin Music Bar Takeover
Today | 4 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
The folks from the Mandarin Music Bar from Mexicali are in town to create custom Agave wine and Vermouth cocktails while taking over the turntables at Rosemary HiFi.

Comedy Night: Edgar Rivera & Christian Zaragoza
Friday | 8 p.m. | Spotlight 29 Casino
Join the Natural Bald Killers duo for Comedy Night on Friday. Christian Zaragoza is a Mexican American stand-up comedian from Southern California who chronicles the transition into family life and being a proud GirlDad. Edgar Rivera, a Puerto Rican-born, Bronx-raised comedic powerhouse, captivates crowds with storytelling and crowd work while performing in English and Spanish. ($10)

Candle-Making Experience with Mijo Candle Co.
Saturday | 5 p.m. | Sloan’s
Mijo Candle Co. will guide you through a two-hour candle-making process. Choose from over 30 scents to create a custom 8oz Amber jar candle. ($50)

Giselle Woo & The Night Owls
Saturday | 5 p.m. | Little Street Music Hall
Kickass Booking presents local favorites Giselle Woo & The Night Owls and The Kosmics, Pantsuitguy, Pretty Cheeky, Girls At Large, and Caña. ($15)

Afternoon Listening: “OK Computer”
Sunday | 2 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
Experience a record like never before. Join friends and fellow music lovers for an Afternoon Listening session of Radio Head’s 1997 album “OK Computer.” Hosts will introduce the album, and invite the group to listen to it in its entirety in silence, followed by a lively discussion. ($12) 

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AND FINALLY …

This Independence Day, the only fireworks you’ll see in the night sky in Indio will be those sketchy illegal ones bought on the side of the road. Unlike other valley cities, the city opted to celebrate the patriotic holiday with a high-tech drone show instead of fireworks. 

Driving the news: The City of Indio’s free Independence Day Bash at the Empire Polo Grounds will feature a drone show in addition to live entertainment, food and drinks, and a kids zone.

What to expect: The city promises entertainment for all ages from kids stuff to a craft bar. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to fully enjoy the evening. The drone show is expected to be a little easier on the ears of our pets. 

Details: The event will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the parking lot will open at 5:30 p.m.Dr. Carreon’s vision, which was to help people “be the greatest Americans possible.” and Riverside County.