Nov. 20 Weekly Briefing: Debate over immigration, concerns over ‘party houses,’ gas stations to be addressed, and more

Happy Thursday! I hope this doesn’t alarm you … but one week  from today is Thanksgiving. We’re taking Thursday off so don’t expect a Weekly Briefing in your inbox. We’re going to be spending time with family and volunteering at one of many valley organizations organizing food drives and giveaways this time of year. We’ll be in good company: Mayor Glenn Miller said there are 15 National Guard members helping out at FIND Food Bank as it struggles to meet the region’s high demand. The guardsmen will help distribute some 2.5 million pounds a month of food to 150 organizations. FIND Food Bank has a list of volunteer opportunities here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Daft Punk Is Playing At My House” by LCD Soundsystem

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LEADING OFF

Trilogy residents press City Council on large events at neighborhood venue

A dozen Trilogy Polo Club residents confronted the Indio City Council on Wednesday about a commercial event venue operating next to their neighborhood. They detailed noise disturbances, traffic safety hazards, and what they described as inadequate code enforcement.

Driving the news: The primary concern centers on the sprawling nine-acre Zenda Estate, which has hosted events with 200-600 guests and lists for nearly $5,000 per night in December on Airbnb. Trilogy residents have filed a lawsuit against the owner and included the city.

What they’re saying: Richard Zizian told councilmembers the city allows commercial event businesses to proliferate through temporary use permits but hasn’t issued citations that would lead to permit revocations under the city’s three-strike rule.

• “You have laws on the books today that will eliminate these people that are disturbing our lives,” Zizian said. “You’re not allowing that to happen.”

Yes but: Miles Warner, owner of the Zenda Estate, said he has attempted to work with the Trilogy board for 18 months without success. He said a sound study during three events found noise levels were reasonable.

• Warner noted a Riverside County judge recently ruled he has a right to use the roads for commercial purposes and awarded him a $5,100 judgment that the Trilogy board hasn’t paid.

What’s next: Mayor Glenn Miller assured residents their complaints had been noted. “We’ll let staff look at what they can do,” he said.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

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BRIEFLY

🏛️ Indio City Council divided on its role in immigration enforcement, transparency

• The Indio City Council on Wednesday discussed the merits of requesting transparency from federal law enforcement amid ongoing arrests and detainments of Indio residents by federal immigration and law enforcement agencies. The discussion follows a viral video from two weeks ago that appeared to show a woman being taken from the Larson Justice Center by masked, unidentified men.
  
• Councilmember Oscar Ortiz proposed the city file a Freedom of Information Act request to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to obtain data on enforcement activity, arrests and potential wrongful detentions. Mayor Glenn Miller and Mayor Pro Tem Elaine Holmes said the issue should be left to Rep. Raul Ruiz, who represents Indio in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  
• Bottom line: Councilmembers Waymond Fermon and Benjamin Guitron supported a future agenda item that would bring the FOIA request back for a formal vote.

Dive deeper with our complete story.

⛽ Elected officials want more information before deciding on gas station moratorium

• The Indio City Council directed staff on Wednesday to return with options for addressing gas station development, including a potential moratorium, after months of debate over whether the city’s 31 existing or proposed stations constitute oversaturation. The discussion followed a Planning Commission recommendation for a moratorium in September due to concerns about over-concentration and environmental justice issues.
  
• Resident Jackie Lopez criticized the city’s staff report for inadequately addressing environmental justice concerns, noting it mentioned disadvantaged census tracts only once without health analysis or mapping. She said District 2 has the most stations with eight, and predominantly Latino neighborhoods face different vulnerabilities to pollution and traffic exposure.
  
• Details: Staff outlined alternatives including increased landscaping standards, land use buffers, or maintaining the current permit process. Councilmembers supported bringing the issue back after staff gathered more information.

Dive deeper with our complete story.

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YOUR WEEKEND

Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Turkey Giveaway
Today | 7 a.m. | Coachella Valley Rescue Mission
One per family while supplies last.

Coachella Valley Agricultural Tour
Today | 8 a.m. | Shield’s Date Garden
On this immersive educational experience, learn about the valley’s farming industry from the experts. Hosted by College of the Desert Foundation. ($150)

Transgender Day of Remembrance
Today | 6 p.m. | LGBTQ+ Center 
Dinner and drinks provided by College of the Desert Pride Center. 

Pet License, Vaccine, and Microchip Clinic
Friday | 10 a.m. | ABC Recovery
No appointment necessary, clinic runs from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Crimson Crow
Friday | 6 p.m. | The Cantina at El Dorado Polo Club
Dance the night away to the greatest hits of the 60’s,70’s,80’s and 90’s.

5k Run/Walk
Saturday | 6:30 a.m. | Everbloom Coffee Downtown
It’s time for coffee and connection with our community. All are welcome.

Check out more events in our community calendar

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AND FINALLY …

If you’ve ever struggled to find housing, now is the time to make your voice heard.

Driving the news: Riverside County needs residents to fill out its Community and Housing Development Community Survey to help the county gather data about what residents really need.

Why it matters: The county says it has $10 million in grant money and other funding to spend on housing, but it needs to hear from residents about the best and most effective ways to spend that money. 

Dive deeper: The survey asks about  priorities, from first-time home-buying assistance to affordable housing for farm workers. It goes beyond housing too, it asks about infrastructure and priorities for community programs like substance abuse services, senior services, and more.

Details: Fill out the survey here.