THE CITY COUNCIL/CALEXICO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUCCESSOR
AGENCY/CALEXICO FINANCING AUTHORITY/PLANNING COMMISSION MET IN REGULAR SESSION ON THE 15th DAY OF APRIL 2026 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 Legaspi called the closed session portion of the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Mayor: Victor Legaspi
Mayor Pro Tem: Lorenzo Calderon
Council Member: Adriana Marquez
Council Member: Diana Nuricumbo
ABSENT:
Council Member: Lisa Tylenda
PUBLIC COMMENTS: No public comments.
ADJOURN TO CLOSE SESSION
City Council adjourned to closed session at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the following:
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Manager
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATIORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Representatives: Benjamin A. Martinez, City Manager, Best Best & Krieger LLP Employee Organizations: Calexico Municipal Employees Association, Calexico Firefighters Association, Certified Operators Association/SEIU Local 221, Calexico Police Officers Association, Supervisors Association, Calexico Management Association.
The City Council reconvened from close session at 6:41 p.m.
CALEXICO CITY COUNCIL/CALEXICO REDEVELOPMENT
SUCCESOR AGENCY /CALEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY
OPEN SESSION - 6:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Legaspi called the open session portion of the meeting to order at 6:46 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Mayor: Victor Legaspi
Mayor Pro Tem: Lorenzo Calderon
Council Member: Adriana Marquez
Council Member: Diana Nuricumbo
ABSENT:
Council Member: Lisa Tylenda
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE | 2 APRIL 15, 2026
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Calderon led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Pastor Nieto led those present in prayer.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Attorney Mitchell A. Driskill stated city council met in closed session, no reportable action.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
City Manager Martinez requested that Item No. 10 be removed.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Calderon, seconded by Council Member Marquez to approve the agenda with the removal of Item No. 10. Motion passed unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
3. Proclamation Honoring the 118th Anniversary of the City of Calexico.
Mayor Legaspi requested a motion to recess the meeting to facilitate celebrations in the city hall rotunda.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Calderon, seconded by Council Member Nuricumbo to recess the meeting at 6:53 p.m. for a reception in the rotunda. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Mayor Legaspi, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Calderon to reconvene the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
4. Proclamation Declaring April 9-25, 2026 as National Library Week. 4A. Proclamation Declaring April 12-18, 2026, as Dispatch Appreciation Week.
5. Presentation by Police Advisory, Traffic, Code Enforcement Commissioner Rangel Regarding Traffic Control Devices Around Schools.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Legaspi announced that the Binational Baseball Game Finals will take place this coming Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Aguilas de Mexicali Stadium.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PUBLIC APPEARANCES
The following person(s) provided public comments to council: Juan Moran, Jose Carrillo, and Lewis Pacheco.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - provided a brief update on the ICTC paving project around the Intermodal Transportation Station in the downtown area.
COMMISSIONER'S REPORT - Javier Gonzalez, Police Advisory, Traffic and Code Enforcement Commission, reported the following: invited the public to the Calexico Spring Clean Up Event on May 2, 2026; stated that on the next council agenda they will have an item for approval regarding a potential Public Safety Town Hall at the Women's Improvement Club, featuring participation from the Police, Probation, Sheriff's, and District Attorney departments.
Additionally, Mr. Gonzalez requested City support for translation services and reminded the council of a remaining commissioner vacancy awaiting appointment by the City Manager.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE | 3 APRIL 15, 2026
Blanca Morales, Business Improvement District (BID), reported on the following: the April 9, 2026 commission meeting, stating Roberto Neri was absent; highlighting downtown safety concerns, traffic issues on Imperial Avenue, and a proposed trash can beautification project and requested to add to the next council agenda; also discussed plans to revive the Oktoberfest event, an "Adopt an Alley" initiative, and possibly a food truck plaza; submitted evidence of infrastructure hazards to the City Manager.
Patricia Urena, Community Services Commission, reported on the following: congratulated the City of Calexico on its 118th Anniversary and commended Ms. Rangel for her presentation; at the commission's last meeting the following was discussed: the bleachers at Legion and Rivera fields, and thanked Mr. Villegas for executing that; exploring the possibility of a parking lot and dugout as it is starting to deteriorate at Nosotros Softball Park; discussion regarding the redistribution of ARPA park funds from Friendship Park to other facilities; currently reviewing a facility use fee structure and the city's MOU with Vincent Memorial High School, with a presentation expected at the next council meeting; Nostros Park lights arrived but are currently awaiting brackets; discussion regarding the concession stands and the health department requirements; lastly, she highlighted the Recreation Department's Mother's Day Dance on May 2, 2026, and noted that updates regarding the Heber Park project will be brought forward soon.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Council Member Nuricumbo reported on the following items: thanked the city commissioners for their dedicated work and service and advised them that any items brought forward for council discussion and Item Request Form must be Council Member Marquez reported on the following items: attended the swearing-in ceremony for Police Officer Rivera; attended the Library Board of Trustees meeting which covered the Parent-Child workshop, the 3D Printer Workshop and the Dia de los Niño's Family Night on April 30, 2026; attended the opening of the Creative Young Minds Art Exhibit.
Mayor Pro Tem Calderon reported on the following items: Cesar Chavez Traffic: Addressed peak-hour northbound gridlock on blocking west-side residents coming from Mexicali. Mentioned available ICTC traffic control funding and requested a structural solution; Called for immediate enforcement action against semi-trucks parked illegally at Heber Park (citing child safety concerns) and abandoned vehicles blocking street sweepers; Cordova Park Fence Removal: Proposed terminating the $1,400/month Cordova Park fence lease to redirect funds to Nosotros, Rodriguez, and Legion Parks. Public Works Director/City Engineer Villegas noted the fence has cost $79,000 over five years and is structurally ineffective; Announced that paving around the transportation center will begin Tuesday following recent blacktop scraping and the grand opening is set for May 11th.
Mayor Legaspi reported on the following items: thanked Laura Bowen and Michael Coyne for their assistance with the City's 118th celebration; met with City Manager Martinez, Public Works Director/City Engineer Villegas and Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez via Zoom in reference to future projects for the city; attended the swear-in ceremony of the new City Attorney along with Mayor Pro Tem Calderon; attended the first Binational Baseball Game in Calexico with Mayor Pro Tem Calderon; councilmembers attended the swear-in of newly appointed police officer; attended the Women's Improvement Historical Event; visited the downtown area around the new transportation site; attended the Ad-Hoc Police Commissioner's meeting in reference to the upcoming clean up event and the National Night Out; in reference to the vacant residences and businesses that are out there, stated that Planning Director Coyne is working on a plan on how the city is going to be addressing this issue and will be on the next council meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Calderon, seconded by Council Member Nuricumbo to approve the consent agenda consisting of the following items: Approval of City Council/Calexico Community Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency/Calexico Financing Authority/Planning Commission Minutes for Meetings of February 18, 2026, and March 4, 2026; City Warrants Report from March 1, 2026 thru March 31, 2026; City Salaries Report from March 1, 2026 thru March 31, 2026; Authorize City Manager to Sign Partnership Agreement with Imperial County Office of Education (ICOE) Early Care and Education Program. Motion passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
ITEM NO. 11. APPOINTMENTS BY CITY COUNCIL TO THE PERSONNEL COMMISSION.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES PAGE | 4 APRIL 15, 2026
Motion by Council Member Nuricumbo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Calderon to approve Item No. 11 and appoint Liliana Hernandez, Miriam Ortega and Michael Gutierrez to the Personnel Commission. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 12. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING A TEMPORARY FEE SCHEDULE FOR
PLANNING APPLICATIONS, BUILDING PERMITS, AND ENCROACHMENT PERMITS UNTIL JUNE 30, 2029.
The following person(s) provided public comments to council: Deborah McCarrey and Alexis Rangel.
Motion was made by Council Member Nuricumbo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Calderon to approve Item No. 12 with the amendment to scratch landscaping fees. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 13. APPROVAL OF BID DOCUMENTS FOR WEAKLY STREET IMPROVEMENTS FEDERAL PROJECT NO. CML-5168(032) AND AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO SEND THE PROJECT OUT TO BID.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Calderon, seconded by Council Member Nuricumbo to approve Item No. 13.
Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 14. CREATION OF A CITY COUNCIL AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL SALES TAX BALLOT MEASURE RELATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE CITY OF CALEXICO.
The following person(s) provided public comments to council: Jonathan Rangel.
Motion was made by Mayor Legaspi, seconded by Council Member Nuricumbo to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Calderon and Council Member Tylenda to this committee. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 15. ADOPT A BUDGET AMENDMENT RESOLUTION REALLOCATING $76,573 WITHIN FUND 255 (FEMA/ARPA) TO SUPPORT THE COSTS OF EQUIPMENT REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE,
RADIOS, AND FIRE BREATHING APPARATUS AND TURNOUTS FOR THE CALEXICO FIRE
DEPARTMENT AND AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE APPROPRIATION.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Calderon, seconded by Council Member Nuricumbo to approve Item No. 15.
Motion passed unanimously.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
ITEM NO. 16. INFORMATIONAL REPORT IN REFERENCE TO GRANTS ACTIVITIES DURING THE PERIOD OF FY25-26 Q3 JANUARY TO MARCH 2026.
Mayor Legaspi acknowledged receipt of Item No. 16.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m. cres
Victor Legaspi, Mayor
ATTEST:
Veronica Luna-Alvarado, City Clerk