THE CITY COUNCIL/CALEXICO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SUCCESSOR AGENCY/CALEXICO FINANCING AUTHORITY MET IN REGULAR SESSION ON THE 6'" DAY OF DECEMBER 2023 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.
CLOSED SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Raul Ureña called the closed session portion of the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Mayor: Raul Ureña
Mayor Pro Tem: Gloria Romo
Council Member: Camilo Garcia
Council Member: Gilberto Manzanarez
Council Member: Javier Moreno
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No public comments.
ADJOURN TO CLOSE SESSION
City Council adjourn to closed session at 5:33 p.m. to discuss the following:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Representatives: Esperanza Colio Warren, City Manager, Carlos Campos, City Attorney
Employee Organizations: Calexico Firefighters Association, Certified Operators Association/ SEIU Local 221
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)(e) (1) One (1) Potential Case.
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXITING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
The City of Calexico v. The Housing Authority of the City of Calexico, et al.
Imperial County Superior Court, Case No. ECU003183
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The City Council reconvened from close session at 6:30 p.m.
CALEXICO CITY COUNCIL/CALEXICO REDEVELOPMENT
SUCCESOR AGENCY /CALEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY
OPEN SESSION - 6:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ureña called the open session portion of the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Mayor: Raul Ureña
Mayor Pro Tem: Gloria Romo
Council Member: Camilo Garcia
Council Member: Gilberto Manzanarez
Council Member: Javier Moreno
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ureña led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
MISSION STATEMENT PLEDGE
Council Member Garcia led those present in the Mission Statement Pledge.
INVOCATION
Council Member Moreno led those present in prayer.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Attorney Carlos Campos reported council met in closed session, direction was received, no reportable action and Item No. 1 labor negotiations was not discussed in closed session.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
City Attorney Campos clarified for the record, on consent agenda Item No. 7, reads for the period listed as 11/6/23 to 9/30/23 should be 11/6/23 to 9/30/24.
Motion was made by Council Member Moreno, seconded by Council Member Garcia to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
4. IID Public Benefit Program Presentation by IID Staff.
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Presentation by II.D. staff members Carolina Madera and Darin Marquez regarding the Residential Energy Assistance Program (REAR).
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PUBLIC APPEARANCES
The following persons provided public comments to the City Council: Jordana Selwick, Jessie Garcia, Hortencia Armendariz, Javier Gonzalez, Ali from L.A. Fashion, Jesus Solano, Christine Wong.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Colio Warren had no report and stated that if the public requests financial information, it should be done through a public records request.
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Roxanna Pacheco from the Community Services Commission reported on the following: update on utility box project; stated the community got together at the tree lighting and looks forward to the upcoming Christmas parade.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Council Member Manzanarez stated that the "Recall Group" has made transphobic comments on Facebook.
Council Member Moreno made comments pertaining to the antiquated city ordinance regarding signage and hopes the city can remedy the problem soon; agrees to have a town hall meeting with the City Manager to explain Fire Station No. 2; reported on the opening of Rockwood Avenue between 1st and 2nd Streets and requested the City Manager to inquire about availability of funds to compensate the business owners who lost money while Rockwood Avenue was closed.
Mayor Pro Tem Romo thanked City Manager and city staff who worked on the Christmas Parade and requested a report regarding repairs of sidewalks and streets of Calexico.
Council Member Garcia is grateful for the reopening of Rockwood Avenue and congratulated staff for the Christmas Tree Lighting event; reported on the Farm Workers Appreciation Breakfast that the city hosted and thanked staff.
Mayor Ureña introduced the new City Engineer Guillermo Sillas; he met with the California Department of Transportation and after years of negotiations, DOT finally started a Project Initiation Document for Border Traffic on Imperial Ave. and Cesar Chavez Blvd.
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CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Council Member Moreno, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Romo to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the following items: Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-_ Endorsing the Installation of a Permanent Stop Sign at the Intersection of 5th Street and Mary Avenue; Adoption of a Resolution No. 2023-_ Approving Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Calexico and the Calexico Municipal Employee's Association (CMEA) for the Term Beginning in July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024; Authorize City Manager to Sign Work Site Agreement with the Department of Rehabilitation to Place Career Catalyst Program Participants at the Camarena Memorial Library for the period of 11/6/23 to 9/30/23. Motion passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
ITEM NO. 8 INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING BY TITTLE ONLY OF AN
ORDINANCE ADPOTING A ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT ARTICLE II AND REMOVING ARTICLE III UNDER CHAPTER 17.03 OF THE CALEXICO CODE OF
ORDINANCES RELATED TO ACCESORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESORY DWELLING UNITS.
Motion was made by Council Member Garcia, seconded by Council Member Moreno to approve Item No. 8. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 9 INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING BY TITTLE ONLY OF AN
ORDINANCE ADOPTING A ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT AMENDING SECTIONS 1701.900 AND 17.11.200 AND ADDING CHAPTER 17.21 TO TITLE 17 OF THE
CALEXICO CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATED TO COTTAGE FOODS
OPERATIONS.
Mayor Urena requested that council take a five minute break at 8:32 p.m.
Council returned back to session at 8:37 p.m.
The following persons provided public comments to the City Council: Diana Nuricumbo.
Motion was made by Council Member Garcia, seconded by Council Member Moreno to table Item No. 9 and send it back to Planning Commission to streamline the process and obtain input from the community and bring back to council at a later date. Motion passed with the following vote to wit:
AYES: Romo, Garcia, Moreno
NOES: Urena, Manzanarez
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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ITEM NO. 10 DISCUSSION/ACTION ON THE APPOINTMENT OF A MEMBER TO LAFCO ADVISORY PANEL ON COUNTY WIDE HEALTH.
Council Member Moreno general requirements for applicants:
• Be open minded, have decision making abilities, management experience, strong moral principles and ethics, safeguard public interest, be a professional that brings legal, financial and media skills; and applicants submit to a background check.
Council Member Manzanarez general requirements for applicants:
• Applicants should have at minimum a bachelor's degree and skills in the area related to the panel.
Council Member Garcia general requirements for applicants:
• Applicants should be transparent, can communicate with the Council and with the public, who is committed to the work ahead and has the ability of getting along with people.
Motion was made by Council Member Manzanarez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Romo to table Item No. 10 and bring back to council for review and approval with the option of an application process for candidates. Motion passed unanimously.
At 8:59 p.m. Mayor Ureña and Council Member Manzanarez recuse themselves and leave the council chambers.
ITEM NO. 11 RECEIVE AND FILE CERTIFICATE OF SUFFICIENCY OF LOCAL RECALL PETITIONS SEEKING REMOVAL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS UREÑA AND
MANZANAREZ AND DICUSS SETTING THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION DATE FOR THE RECALL.
City Attorney Campos explained that the petition to remove both Mayor Ureña and Council Member Manzanarez were verified, certified and qualify for the ballot. City Attorney explained the following: the City Clerk had submitted the Certificate of Sufficiency and that the only action required today by the City Council was to set the date for the Special Election for the recall; the City has 14 days to call the election starting on December 6*h and ending on December 20th, in the event that the Council does not make a decision within the 14-day period then by State Law, the decision would be made by the County; if the Council should call the Special Election, the first available date would be March 5'h and it would allow the consolidation of the Special Election with State Primary Elections, making it more cost effective to the City as the cost would spread out with Statewide elections; however, if the Council does not make a decision, then the Special Election would not be able to consolidate with the Statewide election.
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The following persons provided public comments to the City Council: Rebecca Lemon, Maritza Hurtado, Jesus Solano, Liliana Hernandez, Diana Nuricumbo, Jordana Selwick and Josie Felix.
City Manager Colio-Warren had concerns regarding the validation of signatures which reside under the responsibility of the City Clerk, for that matter the City Manager, under the guidance of the City Attorney, asked the County to validate the signatures stating the following three reasons:
• The City of Calexico has a new City Clerk.
• Lack of city staff members.
• Perception of questionable validation by the City Clerk.
Motion was made by Council Member Moreno, seconded by Council Member Garcia to have the Special Recall Election on March 5, 2024. Motion fails with the following vote to wit:
AYES: Moreno, Garcia
NOES: Romo
ABSEBT: None
ABSTAIN: None
City Attorney Campos made clarification stating that Government Code requires to have a minimum of three affirmative votes to pass the resolution because it's a five member council, with two affirmative votes there is no action on the motion.
Council Member Garcia asked Mayor Pro Tem Romo to reconsider her vote and approve the motion and set the date for the Special Election on March 5t and save the City a considerable amount of money.
Lindsy Dale, Imperial County Register of Voters, explained that if the motion did not pass and a resolution to have the Special Election on March 5*h was not provided to her office by Friday the 8th of December by 5:00 p.m., the special recall election would not be consolidated with county and statewide elections. Ms. Dale stated the importance of consolidating the Special Election with county elections, which has an opportunity to save the city some money, and therefore the city would only pay a fraction of the cost.
Mayor Pro Tem Romo stated the citizens of Calexico deserve a Special Election by itself, so they have time to think about their vote, and her decision regarding Item No. 11 was final.
FUTURE AGENDA TEMS
Council Member Garcia urged Mayor Pro Tem Romo to reconsider her vote and have a special council meeting before Friday, December 8, 2024 and sign the resolution.
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Council Member Moreno asked Ms. Linsey Dale how much the special election would cost the city if it does not consolidate with the state and county wide elections on March 5', 2024.
Ms. Lindsy Dale gave an estimate considering the last countywide election that ended up costing about $6 per voter; therefore the city would be looking at a price tag of about $125,000.00.
Council Member Moreno made a motion to have a special meeting on Friday, December 8, 2024, motion fails due to lack of second.
City Manager Colio-Warren stated that in order to have a special meeting on Friday the agenda would need to be posted 24 hours prior to the meeting and suggested having the meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday the 8th, 2024.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Romo, seconded by Council member Moreno to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
- Signed by:
Raul Urena
- 635E23DB90D2431...
Raul Urena, Mayor
ATTEST:
Veronica L. Alvarado, City Clerk