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REGULAR MEETING
EL CENTRO CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1275 MAIN STREET, EL CENTRO, CA
TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023, 11:30 A.M.
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 11:31 a.m. in Conference Room “A”, El Centro City Hall, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California for the purpose of closed session.
PRESENT: Council: Carter, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin
City Clerk Wyles, Interim City Manager Ceseña, City Attorney Martyn Evans ABSENT: Oliva (arrived at 11:40 a.m.), Garcia (arrived at 11:32 a.m.)
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION
Moved by Marroquin, second by Carter, to adjourn into closed session for:
POSSIBLE LITIGATION
A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the City Council upon the advice of its legal counsel, and based upon existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant possibility that the City will initiate litigation under Govt Code Section 54956.9(d)(2).
EXISTING LITIGATION
The City Council will recess to closed session to consider existing matters in the case of Alonso v. City of El Centro.
PERSONNEL MATTERS
The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 to consider the appointment to the position of City Manager.
LABOR RELATIONS NEGOTIATIONS
The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to Govt. Code Section 54957.6 to meet with the Interim City Manager and Human Resources Director for the purposes of instructing its representatives regarding matter of salary schedules, compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits or other matters within the scope of representation for the position of Police Lieutenant.
ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the City Council upon the advice of its legal counsel, and based upon existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant possibility of initiation of litigation against the City under Govt. Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) - 1 case Motion carried.
Closed Session concluded at 2:50 p.m.
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City Council recessed to 6:00 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, El Centro City Hall, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California.
PRESENT: Council: Carter, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin, Garcia City Clerk Wyles, City Manager Ceseña, City Attorney Martyn Evans 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 Carter.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
The Council had and extended closed session to receive a variety of information regarding possible litigation against the City. Litigation initiated by the City and to receive an update on the claims and other pending matters.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No comments were received.
CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Oliva, second by Marroquin, approving consent item #1.
1. Approval of City Council minutes of November 15, 2022 (special meeting), November 15, 2022, December 6, 2022 and December 7, 2022.
AYES: Carter, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin, Garcia
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED:None
PUBLIC HEARING
2. This was the date and time set for a public hearing for the purpose of the issuance of multi-family housing revenue bonds for the Jacaranda Gardens Apartments. Presentation by Angel Hernandez, Director of Community Development. This public hearing was conducted under the Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
Mayor Cardenas-Singh declared the public hearing opened and asked if anyone wished to speak in favor or opposition to come forward. Seeing no one wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Moved by Garcia, second by Carter, adoption of Resolution No. 23-17, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF THE CALIFORNIA
MUNICIPAL FINANCE AUTHORITY MULTIFAMILY HOUSING REVENUE BONDS IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO WXVEED $25,000,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF
FINANCING OR REFINANCING THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT AND
EQUIPPING OF JACARANDA GARDENS APARTMENTS AND CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO.
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AYES: Carter, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin, Garcia
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED:None
NEW BUSINESS
3. Presentation by Dulce Bedolla, Director of Human Resource, discussion of Director of Finance Employment Contract.
Moved by Carter, second by Garcia, adoption of Resolution No. 23-18, RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO ESTABLISHING THE COMPENSATION AND EMPLOYMENT TERMS FOR THE POSITION OF DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.
AYES: Carter, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin, Garcia
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ASTAINED: None
4. Presentation by Abraham Campos, PE - Public Works Director, City Engineer, award of Water Treatment Plant Overflow Modification to Raw Water Storage Ponds Project.
Moved by Oliva, second by Marroquin, adoption of Resolution No. 23-19, RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO AWARDING THE BID AND AUTHORIZING
THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT OVERFLOW MODIFICATION TO RAW WATER STORAGE PONDS PROJECT.
AYES: Carter, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin, Garcia
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ASTAINED: None
5. Presentation by Council Member Tomás Oliva, retention of a lobbyist for the City. Council Member Oliva commented that the budget for the lobbyist needs to be increased since the old budget is very low. Council Member Oliva is asking for direction from Council and to take this item to a committee and have this item betted and bring it back to Council for discussion.
City Council was in favor of taking this item to a committee and to come back at a future meeting.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
6. State Ballot Initiative No. 21-0042A1 was presented by Interim City Manager Cedric Ceseña. Interim City Manager Ceseña explained that this is a resolution of the City Council opposing this initiative No. 21-0042A1. He explained how this initiative would impacts several cities. City Attorney MartynEvans commented that the League of California Cities have put together an effort to get out publicity about this initiative as it qualifies for the ballot, it would not affect Measure P. It is a measure that handicaps public agencies, cities, special districts and counties in doing their business. Council Member Garcia gave a background on this initiative. He states that this initiative would be very detrimental to our city. Council Member Garcia is completely opposed to this initiative and asks this Council to take a stand now. Council Member Oliva commented that the State took away the abilities to have Redevelopment agencies from all cities. Some cities did not use their Redevelopment Agencies correctly and the government took them away. Cities are now applying for grants to revitalize their parks. This proposal would eliminate all the taxes and bonds that were recently passed.
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This proposal is not good for public agencies, cities, special districts and counties. Council Member Oliva is asking Council to support the opposition on this proposal. Council Member Carter asked for more time to review this item. Council decided to continue this item to the next Council meeting of March 21, 2023.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
7. Received Imperial Avenue/Euclid Avenue sink hole emergency work update.
8. Received Imperial Avenue /Scott Avenue sink hole emergency work update.
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
Reported on activities.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business the meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m. __________________________
Norma Wyles, City Clerk
APPROVED BY:
________________________________
Martha Cardenas-Singh, Mayor