AGENDA
ITEM
6 CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
DATE: January 18, 2023
Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Gabriela T. Garcia, City Clerk
Approval of City Council/Calexico Community Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency/Calexico Financing Authority Minutes for Meetings of November 7, 2022 and December 29, 2022
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Recommendation:
Approval of City Council/Calexico Community Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency/ Calexico Financing Authority Minutes for Meetings of November 7, 2022 and December 29, 2022.
Background:
In accordance with Municipal Code Section 2.04.070, the City Clerk shall prepare minutes of the proceedings of each City Council Meeting.
Discussion & Analysis:
City Council/Calexico Community Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency/Calexico Financing Authority Minutes for Meetings of November 7, 2022 and December 29, 2022 have been prepared for City Council review and approval.
Fiscal Impact:
None.
Coordinated With:
None. AGENDA
Attachments): ITEM
1. Minutes for City Council/Calexico Community Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency/Calexico Financing Authority for Meetings of November 7, 2022 and December 29, 2022.
THE CITY COUNCIL/CALEXICO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SUCCESSOR AGENCY/CALEXICO FINANCING AUTHORITY MET IN SPECIAL SESSION ON THE 7TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE FERNANDO "NENE" TORRES COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 608 HEBER AVENUE, CALEXICO,
CALIFORNIA, THE DATE, HOUR AND PLACE DULY ESTABLISHED FOR THE HOLDING OF SAID MEETING PURSUANT TO AB 361 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2021.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Ureña called the special meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
Mayor Pro Tem: Raul Ureña
Council Member: Camilo Garcia
Council Member: Gloria Romo
Council Member: Gilberto Manzanarez
ABSENT:
Mayor: Javier Moreno
Mayor Moreno joined the meeting via Zoom at 6:13 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Fire Chief Favila led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PUBLIC APPEARANCES - No Public Comments.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ureña to approve the agenda with rearrangement of agenda items to hear Item No. 2 - Approve the Calexico Police Department to Implement Traffic Mitigation Plan for Second Street first on the agenda. Motion was seconded by Council Member Garcia. Motion passed by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Ureña, Garcia, Romo, Arreola-Fernandez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Moreno
City Council Minutes Page 2 November 7, 2022
APPROVE THE CALEXICO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT TRAFFIC
MITIGATION PLAN FOR SECOND STREET
Interim Chief Serrano provided a detailed explanation regarding the traffic situation and the development of a plan to alleviate the heavy traffic issues in the area southbound Imperial Avenue and Cesar Chavez Boulevard and the closure of access from Second Street.
Mayor Moreno joined the meeting via Zoom at 6:13 p.m.
Interim Chief Serrano explained the issue with the closure of the southbound access from Second Street west and advised he made the decision to close the access due to drivers not obeying laws, making illegal U-turns, and cutting people off by forcing themselves into the line. He further stated he cannot dedicate an officer just to deal with traffic on Imperial Avenue. His intention is to mitigate this problem, therefore he put in place the following plan: closed eastbound traffic coming from Gran Plaza to make a right to go into Mexico, and the eastbound traffic to continue eastbound onto Second Street.
Morris Reisin spoke in opposition to the closure of Second Street access southbound to Mexico.
He stated the closure is affecting the Gran Plaza Outlets and revenue loss for the city. He stated Interim Chief Serrano had enough staff to handle the situation. He suggested that we use funds from the Stone Garden Grant to hire more personnel.
Council Members requested solutions regarding long lines, traffic issues and a plan to solve the issues affecting the southbound traffic. Chief Serrano answered questions regarding grant funding, traffic issues and a plan for safety and the lack of traffic controllers and funding to handle southbound traffic.
Alex Perrone commented on border crossing issues, he agreed with Interim Chief Serrano and also with comments regarding the effects on local merchants. He requested a way to keep the city safe and assist the local merchants.
Mayor Prò-Tem Ureña stated the Stone Garden grant funds do not apply, this grant is meant only for cross border crime, and nothing to do with traffic control.
Mayor Moreno stated ICTC will be working on Highway 98, that will help mitigate with some of the traffic.
Motion by Council Member Romo to Approve the Calexico Police Department to Implement Traffic Mitigation Plan for Second Street. Motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Urena and passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Moreno (via Zoom), Ureña, Garcia, Romo, Arreola-Fernandez NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Council Minutes Page 3 November 7, 2022
2022-23 IST QUARTER BUDGET STATUS REPORT, FINDINGS RELATING TO
FUNDING CERTAIN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, AND PROPOSED BUDGET
AMENDMENT RESOLUTION
Interim Finance Director Fonseca provided the 2022-23 1s* Quarter Budget Status Report, she emphasized on the 2021-22 Year-End and General Fund Actuals, updating the public with the 1st Quarter General Fund Projections and opportunities to invest in the City's needs. She proposed a Resolution to amend the 2022-23 Budget with the goal of abiding the audit and state regulations.
She proposed a resolution which updates General Fund revenues based upon trends and approves new spending while maintaining a 60-day operating reserve. The proposed expenditures are for revenues of $219,000 for 4 full-time workers in the Parks Department, adjust the Police Chief's salary, and funding the cannabis application process. The Finance department is preparing for a year-end close between November and January and a target completion of audited financials by March 2023.
City Manager Colio Warren provided a detailed financial presentation on the challenges faced by the City on various projects including the Fire Station Headquarters Project and the much-needed improvements to bring the City facilities and programs into compliance. She reviewed in detail the need for funding said projects from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies. She presented approximate estimates of the amounts necessary to repair City buildings and the amount of money needed to balance the City's Budget, this all following the State audit. She expressed her concern for the City's lack of resources and the high demand to update the city's fees. She brought upon the City Council the request to move bond proceeds from the Successor Agency to aid the City in completing the Fire Station Headquarters Project and partially utilizing funds for City building repairs along with allocating ARPA funds.
Alex Perrone expressed his disappointment on the numbers presented. He asked how the City could have come to this situation. He asked the City not to spend so much on consultants and stated the need to monitor expenses. He spoke on the need for assistance to the City Manager and Finance Departments.
Daniela Flores expressed her concerns with the presentation and thanked City Manager Colio Warren for the transparency. She recommended that the future budget be participatory to ensure the community is informed and able to provide input to understand the decisions to be made.
Blanca Morales asked that the Council learn from the report and stressed checks and balances.
Gilberto Manzanarez thanked City Manager Colio Warren for providing the presentation in Spanish. He spoke regarding the ARPA expenditures for vehicles and employees. He stated his disappointment with the issue and asked that people consider their votes.
Belinda Alvarado thanked City Manager Colio Warren for her transparency and solutions and asked how this can be avoided in the future.
Council Member Romo asked City Manager Colio Warren if she received a financial status report from the prior city manager. She asked how long Susan Mayer has been with the city and how much she has been City Council Minutes Page 4 November 7, 2022
paid. She requested information to study before making any decisions on the data presented and will abstain from any vote.
Council Member Arreola-Fernandez expressed her concerns on the numbers presented and stated her support for the recommendations made by City Manager Colio Warren.
Council Member Garcia spoke on his concerns with regards to change orders and stated before he makes a decision, the city needs to hire persons who are experts and consultants are not the answer. Wants to see real numbers and a sustainable plan for continuity and staff who will stay with the city. He stated he will not approve any changes before he received a clear timeline on the matter.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ureña to table the item to the next meeting. Motion was seconded by Council Member Romo. Motion passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Moreno (via Zoom), Ureña, Garcia, Romo, Arreola-Fernandez NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on a motion by Council Member Romo, seconded by Council Member Garcia, the meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Motion passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Moreno (via Zoom), Ureña, Garcia, Romo, Arreola-Fernandez NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Raul Ureña, Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST:
Gabriela T. Garcia, City Clerk
THE CITY COUNCIL/CALEXICO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SUCCESSOR AGENCY/CALEXICO FINANCING AUTHORITY MET IN SPECIAL SESSION ON THE 29" DAY OF DECEMBER, 2022 AT 5:30 P.M. AT THE FERNANDO "NENE" TORRES COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 608 HEBER AVENUE, CALEXICO,
CALIFORNIA, THE DATE, HOUR AND PLACE DULY ESTABLISHED FOR THE HOLDING OF SAID MEETING PURSUANT TO AB 361 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2021.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Moreno called the special meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
Mayor: Javier Moreno
Mayor Pro Tem: Raul Ureña
Council Member: Camilo Garcia
Council Member: Gloria Romo
Council Member: Gilberto Manzanarez
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Moreno led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Alexis Castro - Spoke in support of the local emergency. She expressed her concern on immigrants being released and scrambling with no sense of direction. She stated one of the individuals was a child that was ill, and his mother with Covid. This is not even the beginning; this situation is going to get worse. She thanked the City Manager for her rapid response.
Fernanda Vega - Read letter submitted via email on behalf of Comite Civico del Valle. The letter was from Luis Olmedo, Executive Director in support of the state of emergency. He expresses this is a humanitarian crisis, not a political one. His hope is that this declaration of emergency will have its intended effect and that the City obtains the support is need of from the state and the feds.
Daniela Flores - Spoke in favor of local emergency. She stated the city of Calexico had pretended for many years that immigrants seeking asylum is not a problem. The immigrants' ultimate goal is another destination within the United States. She recommended becoming part of the San Diego Rapid Response Network.
Supervisor Jesus Escobar gave a hats off to staff for taking this bold step. He stated the Department of Public Social Services of Imperial County is going above and beyond to help immigrants. He further stated the problem is not going to get better, it is going to get a lot worse. He stated the need to be very humane in the treatment of the immigrants and expressed his concerns and his full support. He offered to write a letter under Board Action and encouraged the City to join the county in opening the lines of communication concerning migrant issues.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 2 DECEMBER 29, 2022
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion was made by Council Member Garcia to approve the agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Council Member Romo. Motion passed by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Moreno, Ureña, Garcia, Romo, Manzanarez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CALEXICO
PROCLAIMING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ureña to Adopt Resolution of the City Council Proclaiming the Existence of a Local Emergency. Motion was seconded by Council Member Romo and passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Moreno, Ureña, Garcia, Romo, Manzanarez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on a motion by Council Member Garcia, seconded by Council Member Romo, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Motion passed by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Moreno, Ureña, Garcia, Romo, Manzanarez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Javier Moreno, Mayor
ATTEST:
Gabriela T. Garcia, City Clerk