THE CITY COUNCIL/ CALEXICO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SUCCESSOR AGENCY/ CALEXICO FINANCING AUTHORITY MET IN REGULAR SESSION ON THE 4TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 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 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Garcia called the closed session portion of the meeting to order at 5: 30 p. m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Mayor: Camilo Garcia
Mayor Pro Tern: Javier Moreno
Council Member: Victor Legaspi
Council Member: Lisa Tylenda
VIA TELECONFERENCE:
Council Member: Gloria Romo
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The following persons provided public comments to the City Council: Teri Nava, Maritza Hurtado, Jesus Solano, Joseph Guilin and Raul Urena.
ADJOURN TO CLOSE SESSION
City Council adjourned to closed session at 5: 45 p. m. to discuss the following:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957. 6
Agency Representatives: Juan Contreras, Acting City Manager, Carlos Campos, City Attorney Employee Organizations: Calexico Firefighters Association, Certified Operators Association/ SEIU Local 221
2. CONFERRENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL— EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956. 9( d)( 1)
City of Calexico vs. The Housing Authority of Calexico, et al.
Imperial County Superior Court, Case No. ECU003183
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 12 SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
3. CONFERRENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957. 6
Agency Representatives: Carlos Campos, City Attorney
Unrepresented Employee: Acting City Manager
4. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: Acting City Manager
5. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/ DISMISSAL/ RELEASE
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
6. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Title: City Manager and Acting City Manager
7. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNCIL— ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956. 9( d)( 2)/( e)( 1) The City Council reconvened from close session at 6: 52 p.m.
CALEXICO CITY COUNCIL/CALEXICO REDEVELOPMENT
SUCCESOR AGENCY/ CALEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY
OPEN SESSION— 6: 30 P. M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Garcia called the open session portion of the meeting to order at 6: 57 p. m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Mayor: Camilo Garcia
Mayor Pro Tern: Javier Moren
Council Member: Victor Legaspi
Council Member: Lisa Tylenda
VIA TELECONFERENCE:
Council Member: Gloria Romo
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Calexico Earthquakes soccer team members led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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INVOCATION
Pastor Zazueta 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 action.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Moreno, seconded by Council Member Tylenda to approve the agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
8. Proclamation Memorializing Mr. Tony Tirado.
Mayor Garcia read the proclamation and presented it to the family members.
9. Proclamation for Library Card Sign-Up Month.
Mayor Garcia read the proclamation and presented it to Library Manager Legaspi.
10. Recognition to Calexico Little League 10U, 12U and Junior Divisions.
Mayor Garcia presented the Mayoral recognition and congratulated the teams on becoming Imperial Valley Division Champions.
11. Recognition to CPAA Soccer Team Champions of Copa Alianza.
Mayor Garcia presented the recognition to the Calexico Earthquakes soccer team and congratulated the young athletes.
12. Informational Item: Calexico West Port of Entry: Traffic Circulation Plan dated June 2019.
Acting City Manager Contreras gave a brief update.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following persons provided public comments to the City Council: Luis Casillas, Michael Gonzalez, Jonathan Rangel, Jesus Solano, Norma Aguilar, Jessie Garcia, Victor Rocha, Angela Moreno, Raul Urena, Joong Kim, Jesus Ruvalcaba, Karla Ibarra, Fausto Valenzuela, Gilberto Manzanarez, Patricia Urena, Ismael Arvizu, Daniela Flores, Luis Castro, Astrid Cardenas and Lorenzo Calderon.
The City Clerk read public comments received via email from the following persons: Edgar Ramirez, Christopher Ayala, Frank Valladares, Angel Lopez, Selina Meyer and Eugenio Ramos.
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CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
Acting City Manager Contreras reported on the following items: The Holt Group Inc. - contracts for the last five years; traffic study congestion; BBK- expenditures for the last five years; RFP for legal services; In-house attorney; food truck/ cottage food operations status; cannabis status update; homeless encampments in downtown.
Police Chief Orozco gave a brief status update on the downtown homeless encampments.
Acting City Manager Contreras congratulated the following city personnel: Christian Alvarado, Mayra Barbosa, Joel Rivera, and Wesley Knowlton.
Acting City Manager Contreras reported on the following items: removal of the Fiesta building; met with David Aguirre and Public Works Manager Falomir regarding new transit center and side walk repairs; Public Works Department staff has been power washing the sidewalks in downtown on Tuesdays and Thursdays; installation of A/C unit at Carnegie Hall Library; repairs of the collapsed sewer; and the parking lot at the Kiki Camarena Memorial Library; New River Project is about 75% complete; meeting with Assembly Member Garcia regarding potential involvement in the maintenance after completion ofthe new river project; resubmittal ofthe Fire Station No. 2 Grant to the State with new deadline of March 2025; Fire Station No. 2 update report on drywall, camara systems, paging systems, light fixtures and completion date of early October 2024; and a task force was created between Code Enforcement, Fire Inspector and Fire personnel to work on delinquent business licenses.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Moreno, seconded by Mayor Garcia to extend the meeting to 10: 30 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSIONER' S REPORT
The following Commissioners gave a status report: Joseph Guilin, Business Improvement District BID), reported on a meeting he attended with Chief Orozco and the Raiteros; also on the cancellation of the August 22, 2024 BID meeting. Roxanna Pacheco, Community Services Commission, reported on past events, upcoming events, and provided status report on the Cycle 8 Project. Patricia Urena, Community Services Commission, invited the public to their next meeting on September 11th; Ms. Urena also reported on meetings she attended: Vincent Memorial High School regarding MOU; Mayor Garcia, Councilmember Legaspi and San Diego State University regarding mural program; requested status reports on Heber Park; reported on Rodriguez Park clean up; beautification and cleaning of downtown with BID Committee; status report on Cordova Park sidewalks; provided recommendations for Nosotros Park. Jesus Solano, Community Services Commission, reported on the following: work completed at Alex Rivera Field; trimming of palm trees; future compacting of the field at Nosotros Park.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
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Council Member Moreno requested the water rate increase item be brought back and proposed workshops, if not, he requested to suspend the item until after the elections.
Council Member Tylenda reported that together with Council Member Legaspi and Chief Orozco, they are working on bringing a special unit for downtown; she thanked the volunteers working on the parks; she requested to have the items that are tabled be brought for the next meeting.
Council Member Legaspi reported that he met with Chief Orozco regarding the unhoused population; he requested the following items: have the license plate readers for the next meeting; bring back AB 481; have weekly meetings with Acting City Manager and the Police Chief regarding hiring of more officers; and also, he mentioned the 9/ 11 mass service will be held at the Catholic Church.
Mayor Garcia congratulated staff members for starting the newsletter and requested feedback; he invited the public to the " Grito de Independencia" event hosted by the Calexico Rotary Club, the City of Calexico and Mexican Consulate on Saturday September 14th at Crummett Park; he reported the following: work completed on the third phase ofHighway 98; meeting with Assembly Member Garcia regarding the New River Project and the sustainability of the project; he wants to revisit the Heber Park Project; he announced that he will not be present for the next regular meeting as he will be traveling to Washington D.C. to attend the Annual Hispanic Heritage Month event at the White House, no cost to the city.
Council Member Romo stated she wants to see the water rate increase item on the next meeting; she wants to work on a solution that will not affect the public.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following persons provided public comments to the City Council: Jesus Solano and Victor Rocha.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Moreno, seconded by Council Member Legaspi to pull Item No. 17 for discussion and move to Item No. 19A, and approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the following items: Approval of City Council/ Calexico Community Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency/ Calexico Finance Authority Minutes for Meetings of April 17, 2024, June 5, 2024 and August 21, 2024; Warrants from June 15, 2024 to June 28, 2024 and City Salaries from June 15, 2024 to June 28, 2024 ; Warrants from June 29, 2024 to July 12, 2024 and City Salaries from June 29 , 2024 to July 12, 2024; Warrants from July 13, 2024 to July 26, 2024 and City Salaries from July 13, 2024 to July 26, 2024; Authorize Acting City Manager and/ or His Designee to Sign Training Agreement with Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program ( IVROP) to Place Project Connect and ready for Life Participants at the Camarena Memorial Library for the Period Ending on September 30, 2025. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM PULLED FROM CONSENT FOR DISCUSSION
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ITEM NO. 19A (ITEM NO. 17) APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION NO. 2024-_
AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENT RECORDS AS PER THE CITY' S RECORDS RETENTION AND DESTRUCTION POLICY.
The following persons provided public comments to the council: Jesus Solano, Victor Rocha, Joong Kim, Karla Ibarra, and Alejandro Hernandez.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Moreno, seconded by Council Member Legaspi to table Item No. 19A( Item No. 17). Motion passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION AND POTENCIAL ACTION ITEMS
ITEM NO. 19 AUTHORIZE ACTING CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AMENDMENT NO. 8
TO THE AGREEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF 175, 000. 00 WITH MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL TO PREPARE THE
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL FOR THE NEW RIVER
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT— CALEXICO REACH.
The following persons provided public comments to the council: Joong Kim and Victor Rocha.
Motion was made by Mayor Garcia, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Moreno to approve Item No.
19. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 20 AUTHORIZE ACTING CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AMENDMENT NO. 2 BETWEEN THE CITY OF CALEXICO AND DYNAMIC CONSULTING ENGINEERS IN THE AMOUNT OF$ 264,844.90 FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES,
ENVIROMENTAL AND COUSULTING SERVICES FOR THE NEW RIVER
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT— CALEXICO REACH.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Moreno, seconded by Mayor Garcia to approve Item No.
20. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion to extend the meeting to 11: 00 p.m. was made by Mayor Pro Tern Moreno, seconded by Council Member Tylenda. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 21 APPOINTMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLENDA TO THE FOLLOWING COMMISSIONS, BOARDS OR COMMITTEES:
A. POLICE ADVISORY COMMISSION
B. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
Council Member Tylenda appointed Angela F. Moreno to the Police Advisory Commission and no appointment to the to the Community Services Commission.
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ITEM NO. 22 APPOINTMENT BY CITY COUNCIL TO THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ( BID) COMMISSION.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Moreno, seconded by Council Member Tylenda to appoint Alejandro Hernandez. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 23 ADOPT A BUDGET AMENDMENT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-_ FOR FUND NO.411 — CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ( CIP) FOR THE REALLOCATION OF $ 3,500.00 FROM AIR CONDITIONERS ( COURT HOUSE) TO
EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER ( EOC) FOR THE PURCHASE OF OFFICE EQUIPMENT.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Moreno, seconded by Council Member Tylenda to approve Item No. 23. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 24 RENOVATION TO CALEXICO FIRE STATION NO. 2
A. AUTHORIZE ACTING CITY MANAGER TO SIGN CHANGE ORDER NO. 14 WITH A & N QUALITY BUILDERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $7, 066. 00 FOR RENOVATIONS TO CALEXICO FIRE STATION NO. 2
B. ADOPT BUDGET AMENDMENT RESOLUTION NO. 2024- FOR FUND NO. 255— AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT ( ARPA) IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 7, 066. 00 FOR CALEXICO FIRE STATION NO. 2
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Moreno, seconded by Council Member Tylenda to approve Item No. 24. Motion passed unanimously.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
ITEM NO. 25 RECEIVE AND FILE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES FOR MEETING ON APRIL 9, 2024.
Minutes were received by Council and filed.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Tylenda requested the following for the next meeting: Police Department Special Unit Item; discussion/ action item for the removal of The Holt Group from all projects except for the renovation of Fire Station No. 2; discussion and potential action item for City Attorney job description as a permanent position; and staff to prepare a discussion/ action item for a potential forensic audit for all City departments.
Mayor Pro Tem Moreno requested the following items: update report on Fire Station No. 2, costs, change orders, and grand total so far; update report on new border crossing pedestrian, how it will affect First Street; and bring back item for water rate increase for next agenda.
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Council Member Legaspi requested the following: item for AB 481 militarization of weapons; and for next agenda an item for Adopt a Park.
Mayor Garcia requested the following items: clean up and prepare vacant area at airport, see it as an asset, and make a plan for economic development or a business opportunity, also use for support for emergency services; and see if the travel trailers at the east side of town can be put to use.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Moreno, seconded by Mayor Garcia to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting was adjourned at 10: 50 p.m.
4WA
Camilio Garcia, Mayor
ATTEST:
Veronica L. Alvarado, City Clerk