Book 37
REGULAR MEETING
EL CENTRO CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1275 MAIN STREET, EL CENTRO, CA
TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2024, 11:30 A.M.
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. in Conference Room A, El Centro City Hall, 1275 W. Main Street, El Centro, California for the purpose of closed session.
PRESENT: Council: Oliva, Marroquin, Garcia, Carter
City Clerk Wyles, City Manager Ceseña, City Attorney Martyn Evans ABSENT: Council: Cardenas-Singh arrived at 11:37 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION
Moved by Garcia, second by Oliva, to adjourn into closed session for:
CLOSED CONFERENCE WITH NEGOTIATORS:
Closed Session pursuant to Govt. Code Section 54956.6 - Conference with Real Property Negotiators Property: APN 0540310-037 - Industry Way City Negotiators: City Manager Cedric Ceseña and Community Services Director Adriana Nava Negotiating with: Rove Engineering Under negotiation: Price and terms.
EXISITING LITIGATION:
Closed Session pursuant to Govt. Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Aaron Reel v. City of El Centro.
TRADE SECRETS:
The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to Govt. Code Section 37606.1 for the purpose of discussion and/or deliberation of reports involving hospital trade secret(s) as defined therein which it would, if prematurely disclosed create a substantial probability of depriving the hospital of a substantial economic benefit including hospital facilities.
Motion carried.
Closed Session concluded at 1:45 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 7, 2024 at 6:11 p.m. in Council Chambers, El Centro City Hall, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California.
PRESENT: Council: Cardenas-Singh, Oliva, Marroquin, Garcia, Carter 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 Cardenas-Singh and Invocation was given by Council Member Carter.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
No reportable action from closed session.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments were made by Joe Luis Gonzales, Sabrina Barber, Adriana Ramirez, and Tony Ramos.
PRESENTATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MAYOR
1. National Water Safety Month – May 2024, proclamation received by Rebecca Corfman, Aquatics Supervisor.
2. Economic Development Week, May 6-10, 2024, proclamation received by Adriana Nava, Community Services Director.
3. National Police Week – May 12-18, 2024, proclamation received by Police Chief Sawyer and Police Deputy Chief Brown.
4. Proclamation – International Firefighter’s Day – received by Fire Chief Bernal.
5. Proclamation – EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Week of May 19-25, 2024 received by Fire Chief Bernal.
6. Professional Municipal Clerk’s Week – May 5-11, 2024, received by Norma Wyles, City Clerk.
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 7-19)
Moved by Cardenas-Singh, second by Garcia, approving consent items # 7-19.
7. Approval of City Council minutes of April 16, 2024.
8. Approval of the Southern Pump Station Project Plans and Specifications and direct staff to release project for public bidding.
9. Approval of Resolution No. 24-25, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO AUTHORIZING THE EL CENTRO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH FLOCK GROUP INC., FOR THE INSTALLATION AND USE OF INTERSECTION CAMARAS.
10. Adoption of Resolution No. 24-26, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO AUTHORIZING THE EL CENTRO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH FLOCK GROUP INC., FOR THE INSTALLATION AND USE OF INTERSECTION CAMERAS.
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11. Adoption of Resolution No. 24-27, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO INITIATING PROCEEDINGS FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF
ASSESSMENTS FOR THE EL CENTRO BUENA VISTA LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 AND ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF AN ENGINEER’S REPORT IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
12. Adoption of Resolution No. 24-28, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE ENGINEER’S ANNUAL LEVY REPORT REGARDING THE EL CENTRO BUENA VISTA LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT;
AND THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS RELATEDD THERETO FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025.
13. Adoption of Resolution No. 24-29, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS
RELATED TO THE EL CENTRO BUENA VISTA LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT FOR FISCAL UEAR 2024-2025.
14. Adoption of Resolution No. 24-30, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF TRHE CITY OF
EL CENTRO INTIATING PROCEEDINGS FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF
ASSESSMENTS FOR THE EL CENTRO LEGACY RANCH LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025; AND ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF AN ENGINEER’S REPORT IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
15. Adoption of Resolution No. 24-31, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE ENGINEER’S ANNUAL LEVY REPORT
REGARDING THE EL CENTRO LEGACY RANCH LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT; AND THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS RELATED THERETO FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025.
16. Adoption of Resolution No. 24-32, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ANNUAL
ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO THE EL CENTRO LEGACY RANCH LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025.
17. Adoption of Resolution No. 24-33, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO INITIATING PROCEEDINGS FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF
ASSESSMENTS FOR THE EL CENTRO TOWN CENTER LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 AND ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF AN ENGINEER’S REPORT IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
18. Adoption of Resolution No. 24-34, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO, FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE ENGINEER’S ANNUAL LEVY REPORT REGARDING THE EL CENTRO TOWN CENTER LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT;
AND THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS RELATED THERETO FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025.
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19. Adoption of Resolution No. 24-35, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS
RELATED TO THE EL CENTRO TOWN CENTER LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025.
AYES: Cardenas-Singh, Oliva, Marroquin, Garcia, Carter
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
NEW BUSINESS
20. Budget Update Presentation – Fiscal Year 2024, presentation by Karla Chaparro, Director of Finance. For discussion only.
*Item # 22 Moved Up by Mayor Marroquin
22. Presentation by Cedric Ceseña, City Manager, request from Imperial Irrigation District (IID) for a letter of support and request for partnership pertaining to their application for a federal grant through the Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovative Partnership Program.
Moved by Oliva, second by Carter, approval of the request for a letter of support for IID’s ADMS project.
AYES: Cardenas-Singh, Oliva, Marroquin, Garcia, Carter
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
21. Moved by Cardenas-Singh, second by Garcia, adoption of Resolution No. 24-36, RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO AUTHORIZING THE EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO ELECTRICAL FACILITIES AT THE OLD CITY LIBRARY.
AYES: Cardenas-Singh, Oliva, Marroquin, Garcia, Carter
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
22. *Item was moved up by Mayor Marroquin.
23. Presentation by Angel Hernandez, Director of Community Development, discussion and any necessary action regarding the acceptance of 2023 General Plan Annual Report and the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Moved by Cardenas-Singh, second by Carter, acceptance of the City’s General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct that the reports be submitted to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
AYES: Cardenas-Singh, Oliva, Marroquin, Garcia, Carter
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
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LEGISLATIVE
None
INFORMATION ITEM
24. Received and referred to Community Development Department, Application for Alcoholic Beverage License – Play Zone LLC, 950 N. Imperial Ave., El Centro, CA 92243-1736.
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.
ADDED ITEM TO AGENDA
Motion by Oliva, second by Marroquin to add item No. 25, Requested Commencement of Censure of City Councilmember. Item was presented by the City Attorney Martyn and Mayor Marroquin. Comments were made Council Member Cardenas-Singh and Council Member Oliva.
AYES: Cardenas-Singh, Oliva, Marroquin, Carter
NOES: Garcia
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED:None
Per our City Attorney, discussion and a vote on whether or not there should be formation of an Ad-Hoc Committee, which at the same time is an authorization of the investigation. Investigation will be done by an outside investigator that any and all information that Council Member/MPT Garcia has provided and will be given to the investigator along with the complaint along and any other information that came up. We do not know how long the investigation will take, but the result is an independent report which will be scrutinized by the Ad-Hoc Committee.
To summarize, the steps for the formation of the Ad-Hoc Committee is that Council votes by majority vote, for the mayor to form an Ad-Hoc Committee with one other Councilmember. That Ad-Hoc Committee staffed by the city manager and the city attorney assist in the investigation along with the independent investigator. The Ad-Hoc Committee has the power to interview witnesses and information on completion of the review of the complaint and the investigation. The committee prepares a written report for the City Council. The report could be to proceed or the censure is not warranted or they could be other comments that are made.
Motion by Oliva, second by Carter, approval to form the Ad-Hoc Committee which will consist of Mayor Sylvia Marroquin and Council Member Sonia Carter.
AYES: Cardenas-Singh, Oliva, Marroquin, Carter
NOES: Garcia
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED:None
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Statement by Mayor Marroquin -
So, depending upon the recommendation, the City Council will proceed with a public hearing or determine to take no further action. In any hearing the City Council member who is the subject of the complaint must be provided time to provide a defense. Any action taken will be by resolution making finding supported by substantial evidence. In the interim, during the investigation I request the Mayor Pro-Tem Garcia step down from his internal and external committee assignments and from his role as Mayor Pro-Tem.
At this point, in order to preserve the integrity of the process, I am directing the City Council to make no further comments on this matter and to cooperate fully with the process. The city will make no comment.
Please direct any questions to the city manager or the city attorney until this matter returns for Council consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m. __________________________
Norma Wyles, City Clerk
APPROVED BY:
________________________________
Sylvia Marroquin, Mayor