Coachella Council selects new mayor pro tem as Hernandez makes appearance

COACHELLA, Calif. - The Coachella City Council unanimously selected Councilmember Dr. Frank Figueroa as the city’s new mayor pro tem during Wednesday night’s meeting, filling a leadership role that had been delayed earlier.

Mayor Steven Hernandez appeared before the council entered closed session, allowing the vote to proceed. Hernandez has made fewer public appearances after being arraigned in October on perjury and conflict‑of‑interest charges.

Tonight, Hernandez stayed for the entire meeting.

His absence at a prior meeting prevented the council from taking up the mayor pro tem selection and several other appointments.

This comes after the City of Coachella canceled its last regularly scheduled City Council meeting set for January 14, citing a lack of agenda items following the city’s holiday closure.

According to a statement from the city’s public information officer, there were no actionable staff items ready to present, prompting the decision to cancel the meeting. City officials emphasized the move was logistical, not political.