Book 37
REGULAR MEETING
EL CENTRO CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1275 MAIN STREET, EL CENTRO, CA
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025, 4:00 P.M.
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 4:03 p.m. in Conference Room A, El Centro City Hall, 1275 W. Main Street, El Centro, California for the purpose of closed session.
PRESENT: Council: Ellett, Carter, Marroquin, Camarena
City Clerk Wyles, Interim City Manager Paramo, City Attorney Martyn Evans ABSENT: None
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION
Moved by Ellett, second by Camarena, to adjourn into closed session for:
REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO GOVT. CODE SECTION 54956.8:
Property: 1415 Ross and associated residential property Agency Negotiators: Eric Newsom and Megan Rooney
Negotiating with: IVHD
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
INITIATION OF LITIGATION BY THE CITY
Closed session pursuant to Govt. Code Section 54956.9 (d)(4) – initiation of litigation by the City – 1 case Motion carried.
Closed Session concluded at 5:40 p.m.
City Council recessed to 6:00 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, El Centro City Hall, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California.
PRESENT: Council: Ellett, Carter, Marroquin, Camarena
City Clerk Wyles, Interim City Manager Paramo, City Attorney Martyn Evans Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was led by Council Member Marroquin and Invocation was given by Council Member Ellett.
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CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
No reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comment was received by Peter Rodriguez and Sophia Marroquin Hidalgo.
PRESENTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MAYOR
1. Certificate of Recognition – IV Spelling Bee Winner, Madison Gray.
2. Retirement Plaque Presentation – Jose Romero, Parks & Recreation.
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 3-9)
Moved by Marroquin, second by Ellett, approving consent items # 3-9.
3. Approval of Warrant Registers for the Month of March 2025.
4. Approval of Payroll Registers for the Month of March 2025.
5. Approval of the Treasurer’s Report for the Month of March 2025.
6. Approval of City Council meeting minutes of Special Meeting of April 1, 2025, and Regular meeting of April 1, 2025.
7. Acceptance of resignation from Ms. Mayra Soto, from the Building Board of Appeals, effective immediately with regrets, and authorize the City Clerk to advertise the vacancy.
8. Adoption of Resolution No. 25-12, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH AMERINAT TO PROVIDE ESCROW AND LOAN SERVICING SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF EL CENTRO’S HOUSING PROGRAMS.
9. Adoption of Resolution No. 25-13, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO APPROVING A VENDOR AGREEMENT WITH D&H WATER SYSTEMS, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE CITY’S WATER TREATMENT PLANT.
AYES: Ellett, Carter, Marroquin, Camarena
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
PUBLIC HEARING
10. This was the date and time set for a public hearing for the approval of the City of El Centro Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Draft 2025-2026 One-Year Action Plan.
Public comment was received by Peter Rodriguez.
Nora Sarte, from Whole Person Care Clinic, introduced herself and spoke about the programs her program offers. Council member Ellet and Council member Marroquin asked a few questions regarding the program, which Ms. Sarte addressed.
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Moved by Marroquin, second by Camarena, adoption of Resolution No. 25-14, RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO APPROVING THE ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN FOR THE 2025-2026 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
AYES: Ellett, Carter, Marroquin, Camarena
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
NEW BUSINESS
11. Motion by Ellett, second by Marroquin, to ratify a Letter of Support requested from Imperial Valley College (IVC) for a joint appropriations request of $2 million dollars that will be submitted to Senator Alex -Padilla’s office in collaboration with the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association (SDICCCA).
AYES: Ellett, Carter, Marroquin, Camarena
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
12. Presentation by Andy Heath, Interim Finance Director and Elizabeth Fuchen, Interim Finance Director, Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget Update /Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget Workshop. Public comment was received from Pete Rodriguez. Council members had several questions regarding the budget. For discussion only.
13. Presentation by Abraham Campos, Public Works Director/City Engineer, discussion and any necessary action regarding the approval of an extension of the CR&R Franchise Agreement for solid waste handling and disposal. Council member Camarena asked if the trash collection vehicles were going to be electric vehicles aside from being natural gas vehicles. Mr. Campos replied that the vehicles were natural gas was a cleaner gas and were not going to be electric vehicles. Mr. Ruffridge explained that the vehicles were natural gas and also discussed where the new facility will be built. A speaker slip was received by Peter Sternberg, General Manager for Republic Services.
Mr. Campos explained what that with this extension, CR&R would include street sweeping. Council member Ellett asked if the new location was within city limit and Mr. Campos explained that it is within city limits. Council member Marroquin explained that she was not comfortable moving forward with this extension and asked if the city had received other proposals from other agencies.
Mr. Campos explained that changing companies would be a big overhaul. The city attorney explained that this contract was revised in 2022. Changes were made to meet the state requirements to meet state law and to bring the contract up to date. This contract is for five years. Council member Camarena asked about the status of the new facility and where the grant funding was coming from to complete the construction. Mr. Campos explained the CR&R is in the process of accepting bids for the construction of the new building. Mr. Dean Ruffridge explained that there are no grant funds, it is only private institutions investment and his bank has approved the construction project and all permits have been requested from the City of El Centro. Mr. Ruffridge explained the difference between electric trucks versus natural gas.
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Motion by Ellett, second by Camarena, adoption of Resolution No. 25-15, RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO REGARDING AN EXTENSION OF THE CR&R
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT FOR SOLID WASTE HANDLING AND DISPOSAL AND NOTICE TO THE CONTRACTOR THEREOF.
AYES: Ellett, Carter, Camarena
NOES: Marroquin
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
14. Motion by Ellett, second by Camarena, approval of community sponsorship request from Change Makers in the amount of $500.
AYES: Ellett, Marroquin, Camarena
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: Carter
LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
14a. Moved by Ellett, second by Marroquin – To add legislative letter of opposition SB634 (Perez) Homelessness: Civil and Criminal Penalties.
Motion by Ellett, second by Marroquin to Ratify Letter of Opposition – SB 634 (Perez) Homelessness:
Civil and Criminal Penalties
AYES: Ellett, Carter, Marroquin, Camarena
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
14b. Moved by Camarena, second by Carter – To add letter of support for San Diego State University to reject the Governor’s proposed budget cuts of 7.95 percent each to the California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC) system.
Motion by Camarena, second by Carter to Ratify Letter of Support – San Diego State University to reject the Governor’s proposed budget cuts of 7.95 percent each to the California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC) system.
AYES: Carter, Marroquin, Camarena
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: Ellett
INFORMATION ITEMS:
15. Received notice of Application Southern California Gas Company request to increase rates and revenues for the cost of Capital proceeding Application filing A.25-03-11.
TASK FORCE AND MAYOR & COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORTS
Council Members reported on their activities since last City Council meeting and upcoming events.
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CITY MANAGER REPORT
Reported on recent activities.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:22 p.m. __________________________
Norma Wyles, City Clerk
APPROVED BY:
________________________________
Sonia Carter, Mayor