May 15 Weekly Briefing: Expansion talk, new COD president, Día del Niño, and more

Happy Thursday! The city of Indio is getting up there in age and will celebrate its 95th birthday tomorrow, May 16. To honor the anniversary, the city is hosting several days of giveaways on its social media accounts. In 1930, Indio became the first city in the Coachella Valley to be incorporated. The early roots of the city date back to 1876 when it served as a stop along the Southern Pacific Railroad line. If you want to know more, you’re in luck! Indio is home to the Coachella Valley History Museum, filled with knowledgeable folks and informative exhibitions.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Otro Atardecer” by Bad Bunny (ft. The Marias)

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LEADING OFF

Aiming to help boost local jobs, Council considers 3,300-acre eastern city expansion

Indio city officials are exploring a major annexation of land east of the city to address an employment deficit, with 84% of residents currently commuting to other valley cities for work. The plan involves 3,300 acres within Indio’s “sphere of influence” but outside its city limits.

Driving the news: The City Council heard from city staff about a study looking into the possibility of annexing a large piece of land along Dillon Road to be used for industrial use. Only 1.6% of parcels in the city are currently zoned for industrial use.

What that means: This limited industrial zoning restricts growth in manufacturing, logistics, and light industrial sectors that could provide local jobs.

Zoom in: Of the 3,300 acres being examined, about 700 acres between 40th Avenue and Fargo Canyon Road were marked as the easiest place to start developing due to nearby water and power.

Why it matters: The employment imbalance created by so many residents working in other cities may contribute to future economic challenges for the city, including loss of tax revenue and loss of talent.

What they’re saying: “We’re doing pretty good with housing. We’re building some housing, but we need more jobs,” said Brian Halvorson, the city’s community development director.

Yes, but: Councilmember Oscar Ortiz wanted city staff and fellow the rest of the council to consider the benefits of the jobs being offered and whether they were ripe for being taken over by automation in the future.

What’s next: The City Council will receive a final report with conceptual planning scenarios in July, which will help determine whether to proceed with Phase 2 – a formal reorganization request to the Local Agency Formation Commission.

Did you know? At one point Indio had the opportunity to extend all the way to Washington Street.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🏠 Housing prices hold on to pandemic-era gains

Housing prices valley-wide have maintained pandemic-era gains with median single-family home prices rising for a sixth straight month to $725,000. In Indio, prices last month averaged $661,000, up 4% from last year.

• Valley-wide inventory has increased to 3,799, with Indio’s inventory rising to 452 units compared to 331 last year. The Desert Housing report indicates supply is beginning to exceed demand, which could impact prices if selling times extend further.
  
• Homes in Indio now stay on the market an average of 53 days compared to the valley-wide average of 45, and typically sell about 1.8% below asking price. Meanwhile, attached housing prices in Indio decreased 3% to $297,000.
  
• But wait: In the rental market, average Indio rents sit at $1,450 per month, up 2% year-over-year. A household needs an annual income of approximately $58,000 to afford this rate, according to apartments.com.
  
  Dive deeper with our complete story

🎓 COD board names Val Martinez Garcia new college president

The College of the Desert Board of Trustees has selected Val Martinez Garcia as the institution’s ninth superintendent/president following a vote during a special meeting on Wednesday evening. He had been serving in the role on an interim basis since last December.

• The board approved the appointment with a 3-2 vote, with trustees Joel Kinnamon, Rubén AríAztlán Pérez and Mary Jane Sanchez-Fulton voting for the appointment and trustees Ron Oden and Mark Meyer voting against.
  
• Up next: Contract details are expected to be finalized and presented for formal approval at a board meeting Friday.

Dive deeper with our complete story

🚔 Data shows decrease in injury-related traffic collisions

Indio’s “Drive Smart” traffic safety program has shown positive results since its December launch, with a reduction in overall traffic collisions and a decrease in injury-related crashes compared to the same period last year, according to the Indio Police Department.

• There were 11 fatal crashes last year, “So far this year, there has been one fatal traffic collision, and we remain committed to keeping that number as low as possible,” Lt. Andrew Leyva with the Indio Police Department  said. The department is also tracking an increase in citations.
  
• The city is getting officers more training and increasing educational outreach as a part of the program, but also using innovative solutions like working with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to identify risk factors in places like bars to prevent over-service and stop DUIs before they happen. 
  
• Bottom line: “Enforcement is only a part of our goal,” Leyva said. The department is working with Public Works to improve road safety for pedestrians and the city is taking steps to lower speed limits on 70 segments of roads across the city. 

Dive deeper with our complete story

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WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

What to do in and around Indio this weekend.

Food Truck Fridays
Friday | 5 p.m. | Towne St. and Bliss Ave.
It’s Bachata Friday this week at Food Truck Friday, featuring live music by Los Garzas, jumpers for kids, and of course food from vendors including Tacos Arianita, 760 Teppanyaki, Painted Dough, and more!

Desert Run Club Meetup
Saturday | 6 a.m. | Vintage Coffee House
All levels of runners are welcome to this run club meetup at Vintage Coffee House. Bring friends or meet new ones and of course enjoy some coffee after the run. Find more details and RSVP on Strava.

FIND Food Bank’s Community Mobile Market
Saturday | 7 a.m. | First AME Church
FIND Food Bank’s Mobile Markets help them reach food deserts, or underserved communities that lack regular access to affordable food. They distribute free healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables. Call (760) 775-3663 before you go because program hours sometimes change.

Desert Wildlife Center Grand Opening
Saturday | 9 a.m. | 46500 Van Buren St.
Come explore this exciting new facility dedicated to wildlife education, conservation, and care until 11 a.m.

City of Indio Sustainability Collection Event
Saturday | 9 a.m. | Indio Water Authority/Corporate Yard
Bring waste including paper shredding, plastic bags, electronic waste, used oil and oil filters, and tires to the Indio Water Authority for a free community collection event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Ice Cream & Cruise
Saturday | 10:30 a.m. | Indio Community Park
Join a group ride at Indio Community Park and enjoy free ice cream and a chance to win some prizes.

Comedian Alec Flynn
Saturday | 8 p.m. | Little Street Music Hall
Alec Flynn is a stand-up comedian, actor, and digital creator. He co-headlined at the New York Comedy Festival and was named as one of their “Comics to Watch.”  ($20)

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AND FINALLY …

Looking for a tech-free afternoon that brings generations together? Valley Kids PlayFest returns to celebrate Día del Niño on Saturday, creating a space where children can explore, create, and connect through hands-on activities that prove play isn’t just fun, it’s fundamental to learning.

Driving the news: The event returns after a successful turnout last year that welcomed nearly 300 families for a celebration of the International Day of Play. Local nonprofit SteamRocket is partnering with the Indio Library to give the community free activities to test exercise their creativity and play.

Who can participate: The event is designed for children of all ages and their families, with activities that appeal to everyone from toddlers to grandparents.

Why it matters: SteamRocket wrote on their website that the event is especially valuable in our digital world where hands-on, imaginative play opportunities are becoming more scarce.

What they’re saying: “When we watch children fully immersed in play, we’re witnessing learning in its most natural form,” explains Elle Decker, co-founder of SteamRocket, the organization behind the event.

Details: The free community event will be held Saturday from 3:00-5:00pm at Little Street Music Hall