AGENDA
CITY OF EL CENTRO
CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025
City Hall Special Meeting 3:30 PM
CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1275 MAIN STREET
EL CENTRO, CA 92243
Notice is hereby given that the Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of El Centro has called a Special Meeting of the El Centro City Council to consider the item(s) on this agenda.
The public may attend in person. Any member of the public attending in person and wishing to make a comment is asked to complete a speaker slip and follow the instructions below regarding “Notice to the Public”. Any member of the public is invited to submit public comments in advance of the meeting to be answered at the meeting. Please email your questions to [email protected] or call 760-337-4515 by April 8, 2025.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, STAFF AND THE PUBLIC MAY ATTEND VIA ZOOM.
To participate and make a public comment in person, via Zoom or telephone, please raise your hand, speak up and introduce yourself.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4180375132?pwd=Rmo5UjZ1cWdyV1VoWUhSZWp6R0tVZz09&omn=89650040996 Optional dial-in number: (669) 444-9171
Meeting ID: 418 037 5132 Passcode: 5iHJYM
Public comments via Zoom are subject to the same time limits as those in person.
Mayor and Council Members may be reached at (760) 336-8989 Mayor:
Mayor Pro-Tem:
Council Members:
Sonia Carter
Sylvia Marroquin
Claudia Camarena
Marty Ellett
Interim City Manager: Daniel Paramo
City Attorney: Elizabeth Martyn Evans
City Clerk: Norma Wyles
3:30 PM CLOSED SESSION - CONFERENCE ROOM "A":
ROLL CALL:
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT:
Any member of the public wishing to address the City Council on any matter appearing on this agenda is asked to complete a "Speaker Slip" and submit it to the City Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. No comments on non-agenda items will be heard at this special meeting.
CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNS INTO CLOSED SESSION:
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION:
Closed session regarding public employee appointment pursuant to Govt. Code Section 54957 Title of position: City Manager
Closed session with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Govt. Code Section 54956.8 Property: 1415 Ross and associated residential property Agency negotiators: Eric Newsom and Megan Rooney, Sheppard Mullin Negotiating with: Imperial Valley Healthcare Agency
Under negotiation: Price and Terms
Closed Session regarding possible initiation of litigation by the City pursuant to Govt. Code Section 54957.9 (d)(4) - 2 cases
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
This is a public meeting. If there is an item on the agenda on which you wish to be heard, you are asked to complete a blue speaker slip and submit it to the City Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Persons wishing to address the Council are not required to identify themselves (Gov’t Code § 54953.3); however, this information assists the Mayor by ensuring that all persons wishing to address the Council are recognized and also assists the City Clerk in preparing the City Council meeting minutes. When the item is announced and your name is called by the Mayor, please step to the podium and state your name for the record. Unless the Mayor extends the time, there is a three (3) minute time limit for each public presentation. If you wish to address the Council concerning any other matter not appearing on the agenda, you may do so during the public comment portion of the agenda. However, you may not show a visual presentation without review of that material. If you do so, you will be considered out of order. * Any information provided on the “Speaker Slip” is voluntary and will be public record 5:30 OPEN SESSION:
ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE AND MAY VARY:
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL BY CITY CLERK:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
INVOCATION:
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION:
(TIME MAY VARY) PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Any person wishing to address the City Council on any matter on this agenda is asked to complete a "Speaker Slip" and submit it to the City Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. No comments on non-agenda items will be heard at this Special Meeting.
PRESENTATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MAYOR:
1. Presentation by Ryan Lundergan, Senior Development Manager, Chelsea Investment Inc. regarding Palo Fierro Apartments.
NEW BUSINESS:
2. Discussion and any necessary action regarding an urgency ordinance of the City Council of the City of El Centro, California, adopting an interim measure imposing a citywide moratorium on the establishment of new and relocation or physical expansion of existing tobacco retail shops, and renewal or issuance of new business licenses for tobacco retail shops within the City.
Presentation: Elizabeth Martyn, City Attorney, Angel Hernandez, Community Development Director
Recommendation:
Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 25- , ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY 45-DAY
MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXPANSION, REESTABLISHMENT, OR
RELOCATION OF TOBACCO RETAIL SHOPS AND THE ISSUANCE OR RENEWAL OF
BUSINESS LICENSES FOR SUCH BUSINESSES WITHIN THE CITY, PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65858(a).
3. Appointment process to fill a City Council vacancy.
Presentation: Daniel Paramo, Interim City Manager
Recommendation:
The candidate chosen must be available to be sworn in and to attend the subsequent reorganizational meeting starting at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 21. At the time of his/her appointment, the proposed appointee becomes subject to the Brown Act.
ADJOURNMENT:
Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet will be available for public inspection at the Office of the City Clerk, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California 92243, Monday-Friday during normal business hours.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, you should contact the office of the City Clerk at (760) 337-4515. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangement to assure accessibility to this meeting.
City Council of the City of El Centro
1275 W. Main Street
El Centro, CA 92243
SUBMITTED
ACTION ITEM (ID # 2025-105)
Item: 1.
Meeting: 4/8/2025 3:30 PM
Department: Community Services
Category: Presentation
Prepared by: Norma Wyles, City Clerk
Department Head: Adriana Nava
DOC ID: 2025-105
Presentation by Ryan Lundergan, Senior Development Manager, Chelsea Investment Inc. regarding Palo Fierro Apartments.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION:
FISCAL IMPACT:
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROGRAM 2022-2027 RELATION:
DUE DILIGENCE CHECK FOR CONTRACTORS/CONSULTANTS: DID THE
DEPARTMENT VERIFY CURRENT EL CENTRO BUSINESS LICENSE,
CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE, REFERENCE CHECKS, INSURANCE, ETC.:
BACKGROUND:
DISCUSSION:
CONCLUSION:
ATTACHMENTS:
None
City Council of the City of El Centro
1275 W. Main Street
El Centro, CA 92243
SUBMITTED
ACTION ITEM (ID # 2025-96)
Item: 2.
Meeting: 4/8/2025 3:30 PM
Department: Community Development
Category: Ordinance
Prepared by: Angel Hernandez,
Community Development Director
Department Head: Elizabeth Martyn,
Angel Hernandez
DOC ID: 2025-96
Discussion and any necessary action regarding an urgency ordinance of the City Council of the City of El Centro, California, adopting an interim measure imposing a citywide moratorium on the establishment of new and relocation or physical expansion of existing tobacco retail shops, and renewal or issuance of new business licenses for tobacco retail shops within the City.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 25- , ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY 45-DAY
MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXPANSION, REESTABLISHMENT, OR
RELOCATION OF TOBACCO RETAIL SHOPS AND THE ISSUANCE OR RENEWAL OF
BUSINESS LICENSES FOR SUCH BUSINESSES WITHIN THE CITY, PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65858(a).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this Ordinance. Indirectly, a moratorium may prevent additional strain on code enforcement, police resources, and neighborhood services by halting new or expanded uses linked to frequent enforcement needs and could reduce minimal business license tax revenue.
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROGRAM 2022-2027 RELATION:
Community Health, Safety & Welfare
DUE DILIGENCE CHECK FOR CONTRACTORS/CONSULTANTS: DID THE
DEPARTMENT VERIFY CURRENT EL CENTRO BUSINESS LICENSE,
CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE, REFERENCE CHECKS, INSURANCE, ETC.:
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND:
In recent years, the City has experienced a proliferation in tobacco retail shops, including near residential neighborhoods, parks, and the Downtown area. Many of these businesses sell tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and related paraphernalia. As shown on Exhibit A - Site Photographs, these businesses have become a source of growing concern among residents and business owners due to their apparent connection to criminal activity, public nuisance conditions, and the deterioration of neighborhood quality.
City staff and law enforcement have documented recurring calls for service to several of these locations, including incidents involving theft, loitering, vandalism, and drug-related offenses (see Exhibit B - PD Call Logs). Additionally, many of these businesses have become informal gathering spots for transient individuals, further contributing to safety concerns and visible signs of blight (see Exhibit A - Site Photographs).
The City’s current zoning and licensing regulations are not equipped to effectively regulate the siting, density, or operational impacts of tobacco retail shops. Without interim restrictions, there is a significant risk that more of these businesses will open, relocate, or expand, compounding existing problems and undermining the City’s ability to develop a comprehensive and effective policy response. Tobacco retails shops are a permitted use by right in the CD-Downtown Commercial Zone, CG-General Commercial Zone, and CHHeavy Commercial Zone. This allows them to operate without special review or approval, such as a conditional use permit, as long as they comply with the zoning ordinance and other applicable regulations.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed urgency ordinance, adopted pursuant to Government Code § 65858, would impose a temporary, citywide moratorium on the establishment, expansion, reestablishment, or relocation of tobacco retail shops and on the issuance or renewal of business licenses for such uses. The moratorium would apply across all zoning districts and would remain in effect for 45 calendar days unless extended. At the end of the initial 45-day period, the ordinance may be extended by the City Council for an additional 10 months and 15 days, and subsequently for one more year, provided that each extension is preceded by public notice, a public hearing, and adopted by a four-fifths vote.
Alternatively, the Council may adopt a single extension of up to 22 months and 15 days following the initial 45-day period, also requiring public notice, a hearing, and a four-fifths vote.
The Ordinance contains the following key components:
• Prohibits new applications, approvals, or the issuance of business licenses for tobacco retail shops.
• Freezes any expansion or relocation of existing tobacco retail shops not lawfully operating as of the date of adoption.
• Exempts tobacco retail shops that are currently and lawfully operating with an active City business license or that have made tenant improvements or made substantial financial commitments.
• Directs staff to conduct a study analyzing the land use and public safety impacts of tobacco retailers and to consider zoning amendments, development standards, or business license regulations to address the negative impacts of such businesses, including potential zoning changes.
This urgency ordinance is necessary to preserve the status quo while the City evaluates appropriate long-term land use and regulatory responses to community concerns. Absent this temporary moratorium, an unchecked increase in tobacco retail shops could worsen the already observed impacts.
CONCLUSION:
Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 25- , establishing a temporary 45-day moratorium on the establishment, expansion, reestablishment, or relocation of tobacco retail shops and the issuance or renewal of business licenses for such businesses within the City, pursuant to California Government Code Section 65858(a).
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit A - Photographs
2. Exhibit B - Call Logs
3. Exhibit C - Ordinance 25- 02 Urgency Ordinance Moratorium on Tobacco Retail Shops Final
541 W Main St.—Piecekeeker Glass Shop
Site Photographs
690 W Main St. - Deluxe Vapes
201 S 5th St. - Good Times Smoke Shop
Site Photographs
425 W Main St.— Main St. Smoke
04/2025/cdz/Ordinance/CityWideMoratoriumTobacco
RetailShops 1
ORDINANCE NO. 25-___
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AN INTERIM
MEASURE IMPOSING A CITYWIDE MORATORIUM ON THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW AND RELOCATION OR PHYSICAL
EXPANSION OF EXISTING TOBACCO RETAIL SHOPS, AND
RENEWAL OR ISSUANCE OF NEW BUSINESS LICENSES FOR
TOBACCO RETAIL SHOPS WITHIN THE CITY
WHEREAS, the City of El Centro (“City”) is a municipal corporation and charter city, duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the City’s police power, the City Council of the City of El Centro (“City Council”) has the authority to enact and enforce ordinances and regulations to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community; and WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 65858 authorizes the City Council to adopt, as an urgency measure, an interim ordinance that prohibits uses which may conflict with a contemplated general plan, specific plan, or zoning proposals that is being considered by the City Council, Planning Commission, or planning staff; and
WHEREAS, the City has received increasing community complaints regarding the proliferation of tobacco retail shops throughout the City and their negative impacts, including the attraction of transient activity, increased criminal incidents in and around such establishments, and deteriorating neighborhood character; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the current overconcentration of tobacco retail shops within the City may contribute to public nuisances and quality-of-life issues that disproportionately impact vulnerable neighborhoods and burden law enforcement and code enforcement resources; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is further concerned that new tobacco retail establishments, expanding existing establishments and those seeking to reestablish operations after a lapse in business activity or to obtain business license renewals, may exacerbate these issues, absent a thorough policy review and regulatory framework; and
WHEREAS, in light of these concerns, the City Council finds it necessary to conduct a study on the impacts of tobacco retail shops and consider comprehensive zoning and regulatory measures to address their potential effects on the community; and WHEREAS, to preserve the public peace, health, safety, and welfare during this study period, the City Council desires to adopt a temporary, citywide moratorium on the establishment of new and relocation or physical expansion of existing tobacco retail shops, and renewal or issuance of new business licenses for tobacco retail shops within the City;
04/2025/cdz/Ordinance/CityWideMoratoriumTobacco
RetailShops 2
WHEREAS, during the moratorium period, as that may be extended by law, City staff will conduct a study on the impacts of tobacco retail shops and consider comprehensive zoning and regulatory measures to address their potential effects on the community; WHEREAS, if necessary, this moratorium may be extended as provided by law; WHEREAS, this Ordinance is an interim urgency ordinance adopted pursuant to the authority granted to the City by Government Code Section 65858 and is for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare. The facts constituting the urgency are:
1. The City is concerned with the public nuisance and negative secondary impacts caused by the overconcentration and continued proliferation of tobacco retail shops within City, involving the following:
a. Over the past several years, the City has experienced a noticeable increase in applications for new tobacco retail establishments, as well as efforts to reopen previously closed or non-operational tobacco retail shops or to in accurate recharacterize such tobacco retail shops as other uses; b. City staff and law enforcement have observed that certain tobacco retail shops are frequently associated with increased calls for service related to theft, loitering, vandalism, and other criminal activity;
c. Several tobacco retail establishments have become gathering places for transient individuals, contributing to blight, public nuisance conditions, and negative impacts on surrounding neighborhoods and businesses;
d. The concentration of tobacco retail shops in certain areas of the City has raised significant concerns from community members, particularly regarding the potential sale of illegal paraphernalia, and the general decline in community character; e. The City currently lacks comprehensive zoning or regulatory mechanisms specifically tailored to address the siting, density, and operation of tobacco retail businesses, which impedes the City’s ability to proactively manage the associated impacts.
2. The City Council desires to investigate and study the land use and public safety impacts of tobacco retail shops and to develop potential zoning, business licensing, or other regulatory tools to address community concerns; and
3. Absent the adoption of this Ordinance, the establishment of new and relocation or physical expansion of existing tobacco retail shops, and renewal or issuance of new business licenses for tobacco retail shops within the city, may pose a serious threat to the public health, safety, and welfare; and
4. As a result, it is necessary to establish a temporary, forty-five (45) calendar day moratorium on the establishment of new and relocation or physical expansion of existing tobacco retail
04/2025/cdz/Ordinance/CityWideMoratoriumTobacco
RetailShops 3
shops, and renewal or issuance of new business licenses for tobacco retail shops within the City, pending the completion of the City’s study; and
5. In addition, it is necessary to prohibit, as a public nuisance, the establishment of new and relocation or physical expansion of existing tobacco retail shops, and renewal or issuance of new business licenses for tobacco retail shops for the duration of this Ordinance, or any extension thereof; and
WHEREAS, the City Council determines, by a four-fifths (4/5) vote, that this urgency ordinance is a matter of citywide importance, is a reasonable and necessary measure designed for the immediate preservation and protection of the public health, safety, or welfare of the community, and is in accord with the public purposes and provisions of applicable State and local laws and requirements.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Incorporation.
The recitals and statements of fact set forth in the preamble to this Ordinance are true and correct, constitute a substantive part of this Ordinance, and are incorporated herein by this reference. Based on those facts, the City Council finds, determines and declares that this Ordinance is necessary as an emergency measure for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety pursuant to, and as authorized by, Section 65858(a) of the California Government Code.
Accordingly, this Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
Section 2. CEQA.
The City Council finds that this Ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and it prevents changes in the environment pending the completion of the contemplated municipal code review.
Section 3. Direction; Definition.
It is necessary to establish a temporary, forty-five (45) calendar day moratorium on the establishment of new and relocation or physical expansion of existing tobacco retail shops, and renewal or issuance of new business licenses for tobacco retail shops within the City, pending completion of the City’s study of the potential impacts and regulation of such uses, and possible amendments to the City’s zoning ordinance and related provisions of the City Municipal Code to ensure that adequate land use controls and business regulations are in place prior to permitting additional tobacco retail shops within the City. To that end, the City Manager is directed to analyze the appropriateness of allowing new or reestablished tobacco retail shops in the City, including but
04/2025/cdz/Ordinance/CityWideMoratoriumTobacco
RetailShops 4
not limited to, the desirability, concentration, proximity to sensitive land uses, and effectiveness of potential development standards and regulatory controls.
For purposes of this Ordinance:
Tobacco Retail Shop shall mean any retail establishment that sells, offers for sale, or distributes tobacco, tobacco products, electronic cigarettes or vaping products, smoking paraphernalia, or any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, rolling papers, pipes, hookahs, e-cigarettes, vape pens, or cartridges.
This moratorium shall not be interpreted as affecting the operation of any:
1. Legally established and currently operating tobacco retail shops that maintain a valid and active business license with the City; or
2. Tobacco retail shops for which a business license has already been issued, and in good faith reliance on such issuance, substantial preparations toward opening have occurred, including but not limited to tenant improvements or substantial financial commitments.
Section 4. Moratorium Established.
In accordance with the authority granted to the City by California Government Code Section 65858, and for the reasons set forth hereinabove, commencing as of the effective date of this Ordinance and continuing thereafter for a period of forty-five (45) calendar days, no approvals may be made or issued by the City, its officers, or employees for any applications for the establishment, expansion or reestablishment of tobacco retail shops, or the issuance or renewal of any business license permits within City limits. For the duration of this Ordinance, or any extension thereof, tobacco retail shops as defined herein shall be considered a prohibited use in all zoning districts of the City, and neither the City Council nor City staff shall approve any related zoning, licensing, or permitting requests for such uses.
Section 5. Prohibition.
No person shall commence the establishment, expansion, relocation or reestablishment of a tobacco retail shop, or apply for or obtain the issuance or renewal of a business license for a tobacco retail shop, within the City limits during the period this Ordinance is in effect, unless otherwise expressly exempted by this Ordinance.
Section 6. Violation as a Public Nuisance.
The establishment, expansion, relocation or reestablishment of a tobacco retail shop, or the issuance or renewal of a business license for such use, within the City during the period this Ordinance is in effect is declared to be a public nuisance and poses a current and immediate threat to the public health, safety, and welfare. A violation of this Ordinance shall be and is hereby declared to be contrary to the public interest and shall, at the discretion of the City, create a cause of action for injunctive relief, as well as any other available civil remedies. Additionally, any
04/2025/cdz/Ordinance/CityWideMoratoriumTobacco
RetailShops 5
person that violates this Ordinance may be subject to the City’s applicable general penalties and administrative remedies.
Section 7. Severability.
The City Council hereby declares that should any section, paragraph, sentence, phrase, term, or word of this Ordinance be declared for any reason to be invalid; it is the intent of the City Council that it would have adopted all other portions of this Ordinance independent of the elimination of any such portion as may be declared invalid. If any section, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance, and each section, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections or provisions had been declared invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 8. Report.
The City Manager is authorized and directed to prepare the report required by paragraph (d) of California Government Code Section 65858, describing the measures taken to alleviate the condition which led to adoption of this Ordinance, for presentation to the City Council no later than ten (10) days prior to the expiration of this Ordinance.
Section 9. Effective Date; Four-Fifths Vote Required.
This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption if adopted by at least a four-fifths (4/5) vote of the total membership of the City Council and shall remain in effect for forty-five (45) days from the date of adoption, unless extended by the City Council as provided in California Government Code Section 65858.
Section 10. Publication.
The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause this Ordinance or a summary thereof to be printed once within fifteen (15) days after its adoption in a newspaper of general circulation, published and circulated in the City.
INTRODUCED , PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council as an urgency ordinance at a special meeting of the City Council of the City of El Centro, California, held on the 8th day of April, 2025.
By______________________________
Sonia Carter, Mayor Pro-Tem
04/2025/cdz/Ordinance/CityWideMoratoriumTobacco
RetailShops 6
ATTEST:
By _________________________
Norma Wyles, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Office of the City Attorney
By ___________________________
Elizabeth Martyn, City Attorney
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF IMPERIAL ) ss
CITY OF EL CENTRO )
I, Norma Wyles, City Clerk of the City of El Centro, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Urgency Ordinance No. 25- was duly and regularly adopted at a special meeting of the City Council of the City of El Centro, California, held on the 8th day of April, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINED:
By
Norma Wyles, City Clerk
City Council of the City of El Centro
1275 W. Main Street
El Centro, CA 92243
SUBMITTED
ACTION ITEM (ID # 2025-107)
Item: 3.
Meeting: 4/8/2025 3:30 PM
Department: City Manager
Category: Action Item
Prepared by: Norma Wyles, City Clerk
Department Head: Daniel Paramo
DOC ID: 2025-107
Appointment process to fill a City Council vacancy.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION:
The candidate chosen must be available to be sworn in and to attend the subsequent reorganizational meeting starting at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 21. At the time of his/her appointment, the proposed appointee becomes subject to the Brown Act.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROGRAM 2022-2027 RELATION:
DUE DILIGENCE CHECK FOR CONTRACTORS/CONSULTANTS: DID THE
DEPARTMENT VERIFY CURRENT EL CENTRO BUSINESS LICENSE,
CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE, REFERENCE CHECKS, INSURANCE, ETC.:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
As discussed at the March 18, 2025, meeting, the City has gone forward with the appointment process to fill the vacancy on the Council created by Tomas Oliva’s resignation on March 4, 2025. An application was posted on various City websites and the vacancy has been noticed and posted as required by law, and more.
The period for applications closed at midnight on Sunday, April 6. As of the date of this staff report, sixteen applications have been received. All have been reviewed to meet the basic legal criteria of residency in El Centro and registration to vote there, as well as being 18 years of age or older.
DISCUSSION:
At the March 18, 2025, meeting, the Council provided guidance regarding the appointment process and indicated that the applications would be ranked to identify the top five (5) applicants to be interviewed.
In order to provide that ranking, the applications have been provided to you confidentially because of the confidential personal information contained in them. A list of applicants is included with this staff report. The Council is asked to rank the top five (5) based upon the information provided in the application, including but not limited to: prior council experience, other service to the community, availability for meetings, April 16, 2025, at 5:30 pm and April 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
Those chosen to be interviewed will be provided the schedule and process for the April 16, 2025, interviews. To be considered, each person to be interviewed must be at City Hall, Conference Room A by 5:15 on Wednesday, April 16. The order to be interviewed will be determined by lot. No phones or electronic devices will be allowed in Conference Room A to avoid hearing other candidates' answers. Those who have been interviewed may
remain in the audience.
The Council members have been provided a list of possible questions and may also choose their own questions. Each Council member will ask each applicant one question; the question asked will be the same for each applicant. The applicant will also be allowed three minutes to make his/her own statement.
CONCLUSION:
At the conclusion of the April 16 meeting, the Council will rank the candidates for appointment. The top-ranked candidate will be offered the appointment. If he/she declines, then the next-rank candidate will be notified. Choose a candidate for appointment and notify that candidate.
The candidate chosen must be available to be sworn in and to attend the subsequent reorganizational meeting starting at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 21. At the time of his/her appointment, the proposed appointee becomes subject to the Brown Act.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. List of Applicants
CITY COUNCIL VACANCY
List of Applicants
1. Carlos Ramirez
2. Cheryl Viegas-Walker
3. David Dhillon
4. Edgard Garcia
5. George Grijalva
6. Jason Jackson
7. Luis Minor
8. Michael Antonio Morales
9. Michael Crankshaw
10. Peter Rodriguez
11. Raymond Loera
12. Richard Lopez
13. Richard Ram
14. Scott Blackwall
15. Verna Wow-Wright