THE CITY COUNCIL/CALEXICO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SUCCESSOR AGENCY/CALEXICO FINANCING AUTHORITY MET IN REGULAR SESSION ON THE 17T DAY OF JANUARY 2024 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 5:34 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 5:35 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 COUNSEL - WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIM Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
Shannon Mohamed vs City of Calexico
Claim #4A22041NQWY-0001.
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUSEL - EXITING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
Calexico Unified School District vs The City of Calexico Imperial County Superior Court, Case No. ECU001685
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4. CONFERRENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXITING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
The City of Calexico vs The Housing Authority of The City of Calexico, et al.
Imperial County Superior Court, Case No. ECU003183
5. CONFERRENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2)/(e)(1) One (1) Potential Case
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 6:33 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
Mayor Ureña led those present in the Mission Statement Pledge.
INVOCATION
Father David Sereno led those present in prayer.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Attorney Carlos Campos reported the Council met in closed session, direction was received and no reportable actions were taken.
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APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
City Attorney Carlos Campos requested Item No. 15 be removed from Consent Agenda. Motion was made by Council Member Moreno to approve the Consent Agenda and was seconded by Council Member Garcia. Motion passed unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
6. Proclamation Honoring Arturo Estrada for 42 years of Service to the City of Calexico.
7. Proclamation Honoring Yolanda Auyon for 44 years of Service to the City of Calexico.
8. Proclamation Honoring Armando Marquez for 43 years of Service to the City of Calexico.
Mayor Raul Ureña thanked Arturo Estrada, Yolanda Auyon and Armando Marquez for their years of service and expressed that due to previous engagements, the honorees could not attend.
9. Presentation to the Thunderbats - 2023 Imperial Valley Girls Softball league 16 years and Under Division.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following persons provided public comments to the City Council: Victor Legaspi, Oscar Pesqueira, Joong Kim, Guadalupe Salcedo, Jessie Garcia, Leticia Cota and Christian Martinez.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Patricia Ureña Chair of the Community Services Commission gave an update of their last meeting held on November 2023 and reported that the next meeting will be on February the 14. She emphasized the need for the Commission to meet more than four times a year and made a formal recommendation to change the ordinance to be able to have bi-monthly regular meetings. City Manager Colio requested that Recreation Manager Norma Gerardo revise the rates charged for the use of parks.
Mr. Javier Lopez introduced the Thunderbats Girls Softball Team and team coach Lopez thanked the City Council for the recognition.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Manzanarez wished everyone a Happy New Year, he congratulated Mayor and city staff for a well-executed State of the City, he thanked emergency services for working through the holidays and keeping everybody safe. He also mentioned improvements at Nosotros Park, stating that the park now has lighting.
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Council Member Moreno thanked everyone present and wished them a Happy New Year. He congratulated the Honorees and the Thunderbats on winning the Championship. He also thanked the emergency services personnel who during the holidays kept the city safe and secure, and city staff for picking up trash and cleaning during the holiday season.
Council Member Garcia asked for a moment of silence and solidarity with our neighbors from Brawley in the recent tragedy that happened a few days ago. He stated that he is looking forward to a better new year as a community and for better things to come. He thanked first responders for keeping us safe and mentioned that last week was Law Enforcement Week and wants to make sure it does not go unnoticed and thanked local law enforcement individuals who serve the city and keep us safe. He also congratulated the Lady Bulldogs team for their outstanding accomplishments in flag football.
Mayor Pro Tem Romo wished everyone a Happy New Year in both English and Spanish.
Mayor Ureña started by wishing everyone a Happy New Year and he informed about the State of the City given the week before, mentioning that that City had secured funds for the New River Project, the New Calexico Transit Center will start construction in 2024, funding for the rehabilitation of the Fire Station No. 2, improvements to Imperial Ave. and Cesar Chavez Blvd. due to the expansion of the West Port of Entry. Mayor Ureña stated that the Micro Transit Operation is a success, and that the City has a budget surplus of $500,000.00 ending in 2023. He also stated that it had been an honor to serve as Mayor and whishes the best as we move forward.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Romo and was seconded by Council Member Garcia to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the following items and pull Item No. 15: Warrants from October 21,2023 to November 3, 2023 and City Salaries from October 21, 2023 to November 3, 2023; Warrants from November 4, 2023 to November 17, 2023 and City Salaries from November 4, 2023 to November 17, 2023; Warrants from November 18, 2023 to December 1, 2023 and City Salaries from November 18, 2023 to December 1, 2023; Approval of 2023-2025 CalWORKSs PREP Program Agreement with the County of Imperial and Authorizing City Manager to Sign Agreement; Authorize City Manager to Sign Amendment No. 6 to the Agreement of Professional Services in the Amount of $120,000.00 with Michael Baker International to Provide Construction Support Services to the City, including Review/Evaluation to Specific Submittals to the Construction of the New River Improvement Project-Calexico Reach. Motion passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
CITY REORGANIZATION:
• APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR/CHAIRPERSON OF THE CITY OF
CALEXICO/CALEXICO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
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SUCCESOR AGENCY/CALEXICO FINANCING AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025.
• APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR PRO TEM/VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CITY
OF CALEXICO/CALEXICO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SUCCESOR AGENCY/CALEXICO FINANCING AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025.
The following persons provided public comments to the City Council: Martha Reyes, Silvia Bernal, Leticia Cota, Luis Garcia and Luis Castro.
Motion to appoint Council Member Garcia as Mayor was made by Council Member Moreno and seconded by Council Member Garcia. Motion failed with the following vote to wit:
AYES: Moreno, Garcia
NOES: Ureña, Romo, Manzanarez
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Romo as Mayor was made by Council Member Manzanarez and seconded by Mayor Ureña. Motion passed by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Ureña, Romo, Manzanarez
NOES: Garcia, Moreno
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
A motion to appoint Council Member Manzanarez as Mayor Pro Tem was made by Council Member Ureña and seconded by Mayor Romo. Motion passed by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Ureña, Romo, Manzanarez
NOES: Garcia, Moreno
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ITEM NO. 17 AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AMENDMENT NO. 2, IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,494.09 TO THE AGREEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH THE HOLT GROUP, INC. TOTAL CONTRACT WILL BE $142,494.08.
No public comments were received on item number 17.
Motion was made by Council member Ureña to approve Item No. 17 and was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Manzanarez. Motion passed unanimously.
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ITEM NO. 18 AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AGREEMENT OF
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF CALEXICO AND THE HOLT GROUP, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $112,5000.00 FOR PREPARATION OF BUILDING
ASSESMENT IMPROVEMENT REPORT AND DOCUMENTS AND
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT OF FIRE STATION NO. 2 REHABILITATION PROJECT.
The following persons provided public comments to the City Council: Maritza Hurtado, and Leticia Cota.
Motion was made by Council Member Ureña to approve Item No. 18 and was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Manzanarez. Motion passed unanimously.
FUTURE AGENDA TEMS
City Manager Colio requested a Special Meeting for next Wednesday January 24h at 6:00 p.m. regarding three items that have deadline concerns, and that the city must comply with.
Council Member Ureña wants to collaborate with Interim Police Chief Orozco regarding the New West Port of Entry specifically the right turn on the intersection of Imperial Avenue and Second Street since they are closing in on the deadline and to check on the initiatives for the Parking Meters.
Council Member Moreno requested an update report from ICTC on the Hwy. 98, Hwy. 111, and Rockwood Street projects for the next meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Manzanarez requested an update on a pending presentation by Ms. Falomir regarding ARPA funds that were allocated towards parks expenditures, he mentioned that the last report was back in July 2023.
Mayor Romo also requested the same report regarding ARPA funds.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on a motion by Council Member Ureña, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Manzanarez, and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m. sin 4 dan
Gloria G. Romo, Mayor C
ATTEST:
Veronica L. Alvarado, City Clerk