Book 37
REGULAR MEETING
EL CENTRO CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1275 MAIN STREET, EL CENTRO, CA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025, 3:30 P.M.
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 3:34 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: Crankshaw, Camarena, Carter, Ellett
City Clerk Wyles, Acting City Manager Sawyer, City Attorney Martyn Evans ABSENT: Council: (Marroquin)
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION
Moved by Ellett, second by Carter, to adjourn into closed session for:
CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVT. CODE SECTION 54957:
Public Employment – Chief of Police
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR:
City Representative: City Manager
Negotiating with: Acting Police Chief
Under Negotiation: Employment Terms
CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVT. CODE SECTION 54959.9(d)(1):
Navarro v. El Centro Regional Medical Center and City of El Centro CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVT. CODE SECTION 54956.9(d)(2):
Possible litigation against the city – 2 cases
Motion carried.
Closed Session concluded at 5:50 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, November 4, 2025, at 6:01 p.m. in Council Chambers, El Centro City Hall, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California.
PRESENT: Council: Crankshaw, Camarena, Carter, Ellett, Marroquin City Clerk Wyles, Acting City Manager Sawyer, City Attorney Martyn Evans Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was led by Council Member Crankshaw and Invocation was given by Mayor Pro-Tem Ellett.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
No reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comment was received from Sarina Guerra, Justin Orsino, Peter Rodriguez, Diahna Garcia-Ruiz, Bill Caldwell
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 1-5)
Moved by Marroquin, second by Camarena, approving consent items # 1-5.
1. Approval of the minutes of the City Council meeting held on October 21, 2025.
2. 2
nd Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 25-07, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO AMENDING EL CENTRO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 17, SECTION 60, REGARDING COMMERCIAL VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN TWO AXLES, waive reading and adopt by title only.
3. Accepted resignation of Ms. Jesse Villanueva from the Friends of El Centro Board be accepted, effective immediately, with regrets; and that the City Clerk be authorized to advertise the unscheduled vacancy.
4. Adoption of Resolution No. 25-73, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR THE FY 2025 LAW ENFORCEMENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS ACT (LEMHWA) GRANT PROGRAM.
5. Approved filing of Planning Commission Resolution No. 25-13, regarding Zoning Variance for a fence at 2779 W. Main Street.
AYES: Crankshaw, Camarena, Carter, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
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PUBLIC HEARING
6. This was the scheduled date and time for a public hearing for the purpose of establishing Mobile Vendor Permit and Facility Use (Mobile Vendor) Permit Fees. Presentation by Angel Hernandez, Community Development Director. Mayor Carter opened the public hearing and invited anyone wishing to speak to come forward. Mr. Bill Caldwell addressed the Council regarding the proposed ordinance. He inquired how the $100 mobile vendor permit fee was determined and whether it is an annual fee.
Mr. Hernandez responded that city staff met to establish fees based on the amount of staff time required to process permits. He noted that mobile vendors operating in the downtown area are exempt from this fee because they are covered under the special event permit, for which the city does not charge vendors.
Mr. Caldwell also asked about the sale of alcohol from mobile vendors. Mr. Hernandez explained that vendors wishing to sell alcohol must obtain the appropriate operating permit.
Ms. Diahna Garcia-Ruiz asked whether mobile vendors participating in special events, while not charged a permit fee, are still required to hold a business license. She also requested a map showing the approved locations for mobile vending, noting that the current map indicating restricted parking areas is confusing.
Mr. Hernandez stated that a revised map will be prepared and made available when the mobile vendor permits are ready for issuance.
Mayor Carter closed the public hearing and returned the item to the City Council for comments.
Council Member Camarena requested clarification regarding the sample facility use permit and the charges associated with the business license for mobile vendors. He asked what the total fees would be to start a mobile vending business.
Mr. Hernandez explained that if a vendor wishes to operate their food truck on a designated parking lane where vending is permitted, they must first obtain a business license, which includes a $185.00 application fee and an annual renewal fee of $46.00. In addition, vendors must obtain a mobile vendor permit, proposed at $100.00.
Council Member Camarena inquired whether there are any additional fees. Mr. Hernandez stated that there may be other applicable charges, such as capacity fees or facility use permits, depending on the location and type of operation.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ellett asked about events that are free for the vendors and asked Mr. Hernandez to say which events were free. Mr. Hernandez said the city events on 6th and Main which are free or whenever there is an event on Townsquare, Tree Lighting Ceremony all these events are free and managed by Parks & Recreation division. The event is free but the vendors do need to have a health permit, but can sell for free on that day.
Mayor Carter asked whether the city currently offers daily business licenses. Ms. Nava confirmed that the city does not offer daily licenses at this time but stated that the Finance Department is working toward implementing such an option.
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Council Member Camarena then asked how soon the city expects to offer daily licenses. Ms.
Fuchen responded that staff have gathered comparative information from other cities regarding their licensing practices. She noted that the Finance Department has developed a recommendation, which will be brought before the City Council once it is finalized and ready for approval Mayor Pro-Tem Ellett inquired about where City events are advertised. Ms. Nava responded that information about upcoming events can be obtained by contacting the Parks & Recreation Department at (760) 337-4555. She added that events are also advertised on the Parks & Recreation webpage and social media.
Moved by Ellett, second by Marroquin, approval of Resolution No. 25-74, RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA, SETTING MOBILE VENDOR PERMIT FEES.
AYES: Crankshaw, Camarena, Carter, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
NEW BUSINESS
7. Presentation by Ms. Adriana Nava, Community Services Director, ordinance prohibiting the Operation of Electric Bicycles in City-Owned Parks.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ellett commented for clarification that ICTC is working on rules and regulations for ebikes vs. motorcycles and rules on the street. ICTC is covering all Imperial Valley for regulations on e-bikes.
Moved by Ellett, second by Marroquin, approval of Ordinance No. 25-08, ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO ADDING CITY CODE SECTION 19-.42.1 TO
THE EL CENTRO MUNICIPAL CODE PROHIBITING THE USE OPERATION OF ELECTRIC BICYCLES IN CITY-OWNED PARKS, waived reading and approve as first reading and authorize the City Clerk to place on the next agenda for second reading and adoption.
AYES: Crankshaw, Camarena, Carter, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
8. Presentation by Dulce Bedolla, Human Resource Director, appointment of the City of El Centro Police Chief.
Motion by Marroquin, second by Camarena, adopting Resolution No. 25-75, RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO ESTABLISHING THE COMPENSATION AND EMPLOYMENT TERMS FOR THE POSITION OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
AYES: Crankshaw, Camarena, Carter, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
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9. Presentation by Adriana Nava, Community Services Director, award of bid and authorizing a contract for the Eddie White Complex-Frazier Field Parking Lot Project.
Shortfall of $57,391.85 for this project will be covered by Measure P.
Motion by Marroquin, second by Camarena, adoption of Resolution No. 25-76, RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO AWARDING THE BID AND
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR EDDIE WHITE-FRAZIER FIELD PARKING LOT PROJECT.
AYES: Crankshaw, Camarena, Carter, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
10. Presentation by Robert Sawyer, City Manager, amending Resolution No. 21-82, establishing Norms and Procedures and Order of Business for the City Council.
Council Members had various questions regarding the amendment to this resolution. Council Member Camarena commented that it was difficult to add items to the agenda before and this amendment will help by adding items to the agenda.
Motion by Ellett, second by Camarena, adoption of Resolution No. 25-77, RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 21-82 ESTABLISHING NORMS AND PROCEDURES AND ORDER OF BUSINESS FOR
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO AND RELATED FUNCTION AND ACTIVITIES.
AYES: Crankshaw, Camarena, Carter, Ellett
NOES: Marroquin
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
11. Moved by Camarena, second by Ellett, approving the appointment of Sergio Lopez and Armando Munoz to the Planning Commission Board with term ending on October 3, 2029.
AYES: Crankshaw, Camarena, Carter, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
None
TASK FORCE AND MAYOR & COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORTS
Council Members provided updates on their activities since the last City Council meeting and shared information on upcoming events.
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CITY MANAGER REPORT
Reported on recent activities.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:49 pm. __________________________
Norma Wyles, City Clerk
APPROVED BY:
________________________________
Sonia Carter, Mayor