Book 36
REGULAR MEETING
EL CENTRO CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1275 MAIN STREET, EL CENTRO, CA
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2022 11:30 A.M.
The El Centro City Council met in an all virtual joint regular session on May 17, 2022 at 11:31 a.m. in the RDA Conference Room, 1249 Main Street, El Centro, California for the purpose of closed session.
PRESENT: Council: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin City Clerk Wyles, City Manager Piedra, City Attorney Martyn Evans Closed Session Public Comment
None
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION
Moved by Viegas-Walker, second Marroquin, to adjourn into closed session for:
LABOR NEGOTIATIONS
The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 to meet with Agency Representatives Marcela Piedra, City Manager, Dulce Bedolla, Human Resources Director and Patrick Clark, consulting negotiator, for the purpose of considering employee compensation in the form of fringe benefits, or, as applicable, other matters dealing with mandatory subjects within the scope of representation pursuant to Government Code 3504; negotiating with all bargaining units within the City.
NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING ACQUISITIONS/DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to Government Code §54956.8 to give instructions to the City’s negotiator, Marcela Piedra, City Manager regarding negotiations with Desert Vista Development, LLC which instructions will concern price, terms of payment or both, including use restriction and other monetary related considerations concerning the lease of the property at Valley Centerpoint Shopping Center, 1002 N. Imperial Ave., El Centro
ADDED ITEM TO CLOSED SESSION:
Moved by Viegas-Walker, second by Garcia, to add Govt. Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) denial of claims filed by Manuel Avendano and Arturo Lucero regarding COVID testing swab.
Motion unanimously carried.
Closed Session concluded at 1:10 p.m.
City Council recessed to 6:00 p.m.
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OPEN SESSION
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, El Centro City Hall, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California.
PRESENT: Council: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin City Clerk Wyles, City Manager Piedra, City Attorney Elizabeth Martyn Evans /Derek Cole ABSENT: None
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was led by Council Member Garcia, and invocation was given by Council Member Marroquin.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
Attorney Derek Cole on behalf of our City Attorney, Mrs. Martin Evans. Labor negotiations with designated employee bargaining units and the City Council gave direction to its negotiators. To conclude the negotiations and move forward that is the reportable action for that item. City Council met and discussed two existing litigation matters as indicated in the agenda. An update was received and direction given to legal counsel on both existing litigation items. No further reportable action was taken.
SCHEDULED PRESENTATION
1. Presentation of Lithium Valley Economics Opportunity Investment Plan and request for a support letter, by Rebecca Terrazas-Baxter, Intergovernmental Relations Director, Imperial County.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Viegas-Walker, second by Garcia, approving consent agenda items #2 – #6.
2. Approval of Warrant Registers for the Month of April 2022.
3. Approval of Payroll Registers for the Month of April 2022.
4. Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the Month of April 2022.
5. Adoption of Resolution No. 22-39, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO CONFIRMING THE CONTINUATION OF THE LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY AND THE STATE OF EMERGENCY PROCLAIMED BY GOVERNOR NEWSOM ON MARCH 4, 2020 AND AUTHORIZING REMOTE TELECONFERENCE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE PERIOD JUNE 2, 2022 THROUGH JUNE 16, 2022.
6. Approval of City Council minutes of April 19, 2022 and May 3, 2022.
AYES: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ASTAINED: None
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. This was the date and time set for a public hearing for the purpose of approving the Engineer’s report regarding Buena Vista Landscaping and Lighting District and authorizing the levy and collection of assessments related thereto commencing in fiscal year 2022/2023. Presentation by Richard Romero, Director of Finance. Mayor Oliva declared the public hearing opened and asked if anyone wished to speak in favor or opposition to come forward. Eric Brisitigam came forward and asked why the rates where being raised to 29% and also asked who will be taking care of the lighting and landscape.
Victor Villa spoke regarding a park that was supposed to be built at Buena Vista and has not been built. Mr. Villa also mentioned they are street lights that flicker at night and the landscaping that is dead and not taken care of. He asked why is he paying more money for the upkeep of the neighborhood when it looks unkept. Adriana Nava, Community Services Director, explained where the park will be built. Abraham Campos, Public Works Director/City Engineer explained what the Landscaping and Lighting District covers in the Buena Vista area. Miguel Arvizu came forward and asked the landscapers timeframe to be in the area to work on the landscape. He also asked about the barcode on the future park site sign that used to be in the location where the park will be built. Ms.
Nava explained what the barcode was used for. Public hearing was closed by Mayor Oliva and brought back to Council.
Motion by Viegas-Walker, second by Garcia, adoption of Resolution No. 22-40, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO APPROVING THE ENGINEER’S
REPORT REGARDING BUENA VISTA LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT AND
AUTHORIZING THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS RELATED THERETO COMMENCING IN FISCAL YEAR 2022/2023.
AYES: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
8. This was date and time set for a public hearing for the purpose of approving the Engineer’s Report regarding Legacy Ranch Landscaping and Lighting District and authorizing the levy and collection of assessments related thereto commencing in fiscal year 2022/2023. Presentation by Richard Romero, Director of Finance. Mayor Oliva opened the public hearing and asked if any public comments were received on this item, none were received and public hearing was closed. Mayor Pro-Tem Cardenas - Singh asked to see the historical rates for Legacy Ranch. Mr. Romero clarified that the fees to upkeep this park was more expensive because there was more equipment to upkeep.
Motion by Marroquin, second by Cardenas-Singh, adoption of Resolution No. 21-41, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO APPROVING THE ENGINEER’S
REPORT REGARDING LEGACY RANCH LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT AND
AUTHORIZING THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS RELATED THERETO COMMENCING IN FISCAL YEAR 2022/2023.
AYES: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
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9. This was the date and time set for a public hearing for the purpose of approving the Engineers Report regarding the El Centro Town Center Landscaping and Lighting District and the levy and collection of assessments related thereto commencing in fiscal year 2022/2023. Mayor Oliva opened the public hearing and asked if there were any public comments, there were none and he closed the public hearing.
Motion by Viegas-Walker, second by Garcia, adoption of Resolution No. 21-42, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO APPROVING THE ENGINEER’S
REPORT REGARDING THE EL CENTRO TOWN CENTER LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING
DISTRICT AND THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS RELATED THERETO COMMENCING IN FISCAL YEAR 2022/2023.
AYES: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
NEW BUSINESS
10. Presentation by Cedric Ceseña, Interim Fire Chief, discussion and related action regarding VEOCI Master Services agreement for the use of EOC software. Cm Viegas-Walker asked several questions regarding the use and accessibility of the program.
Motion by Viegas-Walker, second by Oliva, adoption of Resolution No. 22-43, RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO APPROVING A SOFTWARE SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH VEOCI, INC.
AYES: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ASTAINED: None
11. Presentation by Abraham Campos, PE Public Works Director/City Engineer, discussion and any necessary action regarding the award of the Wastewater and Water Treatment Plant Clarifiers Rehabilitation Project.
Motion by Viegas-Walker, second by Marroquin, adoption of Resolution No. 22-44, RESOLUTION
OF TH CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO AWARDING THE BID AND
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR THE CLARIFIERS REHABILITATION PROJECT, AND APPROPRIATE $2,001,607 IN ENTERPRISE FUNDING AYES: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
12. Presentation by Abraham Campos, PE, Public Works Director/City Engineer, discussion and any necessary action regarding the approval of additional funding of the agreement with Arrington Watkins Architects, Inc. for the Police Station Project Motion by Viegas-Walker, second by Garcia, approval of action 1 - additional funding in the amount of $169,008 and authorize City Manager to approve Amendment No. 5 to the agreement with Arrington Watkins Architects, Inc., in a substantial form to the attached Amendment No. 5, for a revised contract cost of $2,541,160.00.
AYES: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin
NOES: Oliva
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
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13. Presentation by Richard L. Romero, Director of Finance, Budget workshop FY 2023 – Enterprise, Special Revenue and Capital Projects Funds.
For discussion only.
14. Moved by Oliva, second by Cardenas-Singh, approving the initial appointment of Sonia Carter as a Voting-Member with term ending June 30, 2022 and initial appointment of Rosendo Gerardo Garcia as a Non-Voting member with term ending June 30, 2023 to the Library and Community Services Board.
AYES: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
DEPARTMENT REPORT
15. Presentation by Angel Hernandez, Interim Community Development Director, Fireworks Ordinance Update. Steve Bennett from TNT, spoke about illegal fireworks.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
None
TASK FORCE AND MAYOR & COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORTS
Mayor and Council Members reported on their activities since last City Council meeting and upcoming events.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager reported on activities since last City Council meeting and upcoming events.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before City Council, Mayor Oliva adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m. __________________________
Norma Wyles, City Clerk
APPROVED BY:
________________________________
Tomás Oliva, Mayor