THE CITY COUNCIL/ CALEXICO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUCCESSOR AGENCY/ CALEXICO FINANCING AUTHORITY MET IN REGULAR SESSION ON THE 18TH DAY OF DECEMBER 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 Nuricumbo called the closed session portion of the meeting to order at 5: 37 p. m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Mayor: Diana Nuricumbo
Mayor Pro Tern: Victor Legaspi
Council Member: Lisa Tylenda
Council Member: Adriana Marquez
Council Member: Lorenzo Calderon
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No public comments.
ADJOURN TO CLOSE SESSION
City Council adjourned to closed session at 5: 38 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. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL— EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956. 9( d)( 1)
Pyramid Construction and Aggregates, Inc. v. City of Calexico Imperial County Superior Court, Case No. ECI00341
3. CONFERRENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL— EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956. 9( d)( 1)
Cal. Public Employment Relations Board( PERB) Case No. LA- CE- 1714- M Service Employees International Union Local 221 v. City of Calexico
4. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Manager
The City Council reconvened from close session at 7: 00 p. m.
CALEXICO CITY COUNCIL/ CALEXICO REDEVELOPMENT
SUCCESOR AGENCY/ CALEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 2 DECEMBER 18, 2024
OPEN SESSION— 6: 30 P. M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Nuricumbo called the open session portion of the meeting to order at 7: 02 p. m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Mayor: Diana Nuricumbo
Mayor Pro Tem: Victor Legaspi
Council Member: Lisa Tylenda
Council Member: Adriana Marquez
Council Member: Lorenzo Calderon
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Legaspi led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
MISSION STATEMENT
Council Member Tylenda led those present in the Mission Statement.
INVOCATION
Pastor Frank Zazueta led those present in prayer.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Attorney Carlos Campos reported council met in closed session, direction was received, no reportable action.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion was made by Council Member Tylenda, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Legaspi to approve the agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
5. Red Zones in Calexico: California Laws, City Ordinances, and Solutions to Improve Traffic for Emergency Vehicles, Street Sweepers and Trash Trucks.
Chief Orozco provided a brief presentation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PUBLIC APPEARANCES
The following persons provided public comments to the Council: Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez, Griselda Gonzalez, Yolanda Cunningham, Alejandra Guerrero, Lewis Pacheco, Jesus Solano, Miguel Solano, Jesse Garcia, Julio Rocha, Arturo Medina, Carmen Estrada, Blanca Morales, and Oscar Canizales.
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
Acting City Manager Contreras reported on the following items: congratulated the new council on their first meeting; thanked staff for putting together the Employee Appreciation Luncheon; thanked the volunteer groups for their continuous work; met with community members regarding the basketball court and soccer field at Cordova Park; met with GSA regarding an encroachment permit for the Port of Entry Modular, to be located on First Street and Heffernan CITY COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 13 DECEMBER 18, 2024
Avenue; provided update on the old Tortas and Beer building, estimated completion date is January 10, 2025; possible reallocation of funds from Nosotros Park to Rodriguez Park in the amount of$ 490, 000. 00; met with Recreation Manager, Public Works Manager, community members and volunteer groups regarding work on Rodriguez Field and the allocation of$ 150, 000. 00; welcomed new city employee Police Officer Juan Fonseca; stated El Jumping Bean Taqueria will be opening soon; will be meeting with Chick-Fil-A; update on repairments being made on City sidewalks; new Wing Stop establishment will be opening in the city.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS
City of Calexico has no active commissioners at this time.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Mayor Pro Tern Legaspi reported on the following items: attended several meetings regarding Cordova Park issues and would like a Townhall for the community; attended the Kids and Badges Event and the First Annual Teens and Badges Event; attended Police Officer Juan Fonseca' s swear in ceremony; stated Las Palmas provided over a thousand toys.
Council Member Tylenda reported on the following items: continuous meetings with community members; stated there is a need to find ways to better downtown and beautify it; met with Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez to discuss priorities for the City.
Council Member Marquez reported on the following items: had conversations with community members regarding City parks, specially Rodriguez Park project and agrees with community members that funds from Nosotros Park should be reallocated to Rodriguez Park in order to at least have one completed park; attended the reorganization of City of El Centro; has been speaking with community members regarding the homeless population in downtown Calexico and wants to clean up downtown to provide a healthy environment.
Council Member Calderon reported on the following items: thanked everyone for attending the meeting; stated the City is in the process of filling important positions; requested a council retreat to set priorities along short and long term goals for the City.
Mayor Nuricumbo reported on the following items: contacted Supervisor Escobar to set up a meeting to discuss a plan for the homeless population in Calexico and the County level; attended a townhall meeting regarding parking meter fees and requested Chief Orozco to schedule another townhall meeting so more people can attend; reported on NHI a non- profit organization that is going to open a Detox Center located at Hwy 111 and Heber Road that will offer free detox programs and will be working with the Calexico Police Department; mentioned the new sitting arrangement for the Department Heads during council meetings; requested the Police Chief contact the new IID Supervisor to see what can be done regarding the homeless encampments next to the canal which is IID property; met with Police Chief and Acting City Manager regarding graffiti abatement and the stray cat problem; contacted Sheriff Marquez to initiate a community service program involving inmates to help clean the City.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following person provided public comments to Council: Yolanda Cunningham.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Legaspi, seconded by Council Member Tylenda to 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 November 1, 2023, February 21, 2024, March 13, 2024, March 20, 2024 and December 4, 2024; Warrants from October 19, 2024 to November 1, 2024 and City Salaries from October 19, 2024 to November 1, 2024; Warrants from November 2, 2024 to November 15, 2024 and City Salaries from November 2, 2024 to November 15, 2024; Warrants from November 16, 2024 to November 29, 2024 and City Salaries from November 16, 2024 to November 29, 2024; Approval of the Employment Agreement Between the City of Calexico and Michael Coyne as Planning & Building Director of the City of Calexico for a Two- Year Term Beginning January 06, 2025; Approval of the Employment Agreement Between the City of Calexico and Karla Chaparro as Finance Director Of the City of Calexico for a Three- Year Term beginning January 06, 2025. Motion passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 14 DECEMBER 18, 2024
ITEM NO. 12 RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING AN AMENDED CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE PURSUANT TO THE POLITICAL REFORM ACT OF 1974.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Legaspi, seconded by Council Member Tylenda to approve Item No. 12. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 13 ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CALEXICO TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH NICHOLS CONSULTNG SERVICES.
Motion was made by Council Member Tylenda, seconded by Council Member Calderon to approve Item No. 13.
Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 14 AUTHORIZE THE ACTING CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE SERVICE AGREEMENT
FOR ADMINISTRATION OF CLAIMS WITH SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT CLAIM SERVICES, INC. AND THE CITY OF CALEXICO.
Motion was made by Council Member Calderon, seconded by Council Member Marquez to approve the Service Agreement with a Two-Year Contract instead of 4 years. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 15 SELECTION OF ART PROPOSALS FOR MURAL CYCLE 8.
Mayor Nuricumbo requested a five- minute break at 8: 33 p. m. to look at the art.
Council reconvened at 8: 38 p.m.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Legaspi, seconded by Council Member Tylenda to approve Item No. 15 as recommended. Motion passed with the following vote to wit:
AYES: Nuricumbo, Legaspi, Tylenda
NOES: Marquez, Calderon
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ITEM NO. 16 ADOPT BUDGET AMENDMENT RESOLUTION FOR FUND NO. 255 — ARPA FOR REALLOCATION OF$ 100,000. 00 FROM FIRE UTILITY VEHICLES TO PURCHASE SECOND SET OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT( PPE) TO MEET NFPA STANDARTS.
The following person provided public comments to Council: Griselda Gonzalez.
Motion was made by Council Member Calderon, seconded by Council Member Tylenda to approve Item No. 16.
Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 17 APPOINTMENT OF PRIMARY REPRESENTATIVE AND AN ALTERNATE TO THE IMPERIAL COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION( ICTC) BOARD.
The following person provided public comments to Council: David Aguirre.
Motion was made by Mayor Nuricumbo, seconded by Council Member Marquez to appoint Council Member Tylenda as Primary Representative. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion was made by Council Member Tylenda, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Legaspi to appoint Council Member Calderon as an Alternate. Motion passed unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 15 DECEMBER 18, 2024
ITEM NO. 18 APPOINTMENT OF DELEGATE MEMBER AND ALTERNATE MEMBER TO THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS ( SCAG) 2025 REGIONAL CONFERENCE AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY 1- 2, 2024 IN PALM DESERT, CA.
The following person provided public comments to Council: David Salgado.
Motion was made by Council Member Calderon, seconded by Council Member Marquez to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Legaspi as Delegate Member. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion was made by Council Member Calderon, seconded by Council Member Tylenda to appoint Council Member Marquez as Alternate Member. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 19 RECOMMENDED THE APPROVAL TO PURCHASE A JOHNSON CONTROLS FIRE PROTECTION ( JCFP) FIRE ALARM PANEL TO REPLACE THE NONFUNCTIONING SIMPLEX 4020 FIRE ALARM CONTROL PANEL.
Motion was made by Council Member Calderon, seconded by Council Member Tylenda to approve Item No. 19.
Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 20 APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE CITY COUNCIL ROTATION POLICY.
Motion was made by Council Member Tylenda, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Legaspi to approve Item No. 20. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 21 DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL DIRECTION REGARDING COMMISSION POLICIES/ PROCEDURES/ PRACTICES.
The following persons provided public comments to Council: Jose Hinojosa, Patricia Urena, and Carmen Estrada.
Mayor Nuricumbo proposed to add a CFD Commission and if there is a park within a CFD then that park is part of the discussion within that commission. Mayor Nuricumbo also stated that there was another option provided by the new Planning and Building Director with the possibility of removing the Planning Commission.
Council Member Tylenda stated she would like to see the Police Commission take on more and include traffic, maybe rename the commission and also include code enforcement. She would also like to see monthly meetings and potentially eliminate the stipend.
Mayor Pro Tern Legaspi agreed with Council Member Tylenda and would like to add an interview process for the applicants.
Council Member Marquez agreed with everything that was stated and that commissions do need to meet more often.
Council Member Calderon commented that a lot of these meetings were cancelled without justification and his recommendation is that we hold accountable those that are responsible.
Mayor Nuricumbo provided direction to Acting City Manager and City Attorney to update the Municode to reflect that Commissions meet monthly, remove immediately any commissioners that fail to attend the meetings, eliminate the stipend, and have an interview process for the applicants.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
ITEM NO. 22 RECEIVE AND FILE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2024.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE 16 DECEMBER 18, 2024
Item No. 22 was acknowledged by Council.
Motion was made by Council Member Calderon, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Member Legaspi to extend the meeting past 9: 30 p. m. Motion passed unanimously.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tern Legaspi requested the following items: citations for those who are throwing trash in the alleys or in front of businesses; park facility inventory- need to see what is broken and needs to be fixed; invited the community to the Camarena Memorial Library Christmas Festivities; stated that volunteers are needed to paint at Rockwood Park this coming Saturday.
Council Member Tylenda requested the following items: a Forensic Audit which has been previously requested and bring the RFP to council for review; a workshop regarding building and impact fees to be held in February or March with the community, local developers and investors.
Council Member Marquez requested the following items: the alleys in the downtown area be cleaned and make sure the gates in the alleys are closed; have clean trash can bins emptied out regularly in the downtown area; and would like to make sure that the request submitted regarding the funding for Rodriguez Park gets done.
Council Member Calderon requested the following items: removal of dead trees and dead palm trees; status update regarding the paving of the library, community center, police/ fire station parking lots.
Mayor Nuricumbo requested the following items: update the City' s website to show new Mayor and Council Member' s information; update the City' s social media pages and have more communication with citizens; an app for the Public Works Depailment so citizens can report directly to that department; requested the downtown area be cleaned daily; requested that the Recreation Depai anent start working on a calendar of events for 2025 and bring back the previous events that were not done in 2024; update on the stray cat plan; update on graffiti enforcement; removal of graffiti at the Community Center; continue working on the Detox Center MOU; requested to appoint a hearing officer.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Mayor Nuricumbo, seconded by Council Member Legaspi to adjourn meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 9: 52 p. m.
Diana ri mbo, Mayor
ATTEST:
Veronica L. Alvarado, City Clerk