Book 37
REGULAR MEETING
EL CENTRO CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1275 MAIN STREET, EL CENTRO, CA
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2025, 3:30 P.M.
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 3:32 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, Marroquin City Clerk Wyles, City Manager Sawyer, City Attorney Martyn Evans
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION
Moved by Ellett, second by Camarena, to adjourn into closed session for:
CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVT. CODE SECTION 54956.9(d)(1) – Carter v. City of El Centro.
CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVT. CODE SECTION 54956.9(b)(4) – Possible litigation by the City -3 cases.
Motion carried unanimously.
City Council recessed to 5:30 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 5:46 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, City Manager Sawyer, City Attorney Martyn Evans Invocation was given by Council Member Camarena and Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was led by Council Member Crankshaw.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
No reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comment was received from Peter Rodriguez and Bill Caldwell.
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REORGANIZATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL:
1. Item was postponed to a future meeting - City Clerk opens nominations for Mayor.
2. Item was postponed to a future meeting - Elected Mayor assumes the chair and opens nominations for Mayor Pro-Tem.
PRESENTATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE MAYOR:
3. Certificates of Recognition – Central Union High School Football Team CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 4-17)
Moved by Marroquin, second by Camarena, approving consent items # 4-17.
4. Approval of Warrant Registers for the month of November 2025.
5. Approval of Payroll Registers for the month of November 2025.
6. Approval of the Treasurer’s Report for the month of November 2025.
7. Approval of City Council minutes of December 1, 2025, December 2, 2025 and December 8, 2025.
8. 2
nd Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 25-11, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO APPROVING THE ANNUAL RENEWAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 22- 06 REGARDING THE CONTINUING USE OF ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO THE POLICY OF THE EL CENTRO POLICE DEPARTMENT, waived reading and adopted by title only.
9. 2
nd Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 25-12, AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF EL CENTRO AMENDING CHAPTER 24 AND CHAPTER 29 OF THE EL CENTRO MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, waived reading and adopted by title only.
10. 2
nd Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 25-13, AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO, CALIFORNIA DEFINING AND RESTRICTING THE USE OF PUBLIC STREETS MEDIANS, waived reading and adopted by title only.
11. Adoption of Resolution No. 25-85, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DYNAMIC CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC. FOR ON-CALL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES.
12. Adoption of Resolution No. 25-86, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTING OF OFF-SITE IMPROVEMENTS FOR LOTUS RANCH SUBDIVISION – UNIT B1 & B2.
13. Approval of Plan & Specifications for Imperial Avenue Traffic Signal Synchronization – CML-5169 (058).
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14. Adoption of Resolution No. 25-87, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO APPROVING A CONSULTING AGREEMENT WITH HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES FOR THE NOISE, OPEN SPACE/RECREATION, AND SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATES.
15. Adoption of Resolution No. 25-88, RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH NICKLAUS ENGINEERING, INC. FOR ON-CALL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES.
16. Adoption of Resolution No. 25-89, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE HOLT GROUP, INC. FOR ON-CALL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES.
17. Adoption of Resolution No. 25-90, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH NV5, INC., FOR ON-CALL CIVIL ENGINEERING WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT SERVICES.
AYES: Crankshaw, Camarena, Carter, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
PUBLIC HEARING
18. This was the scheduled date and time for a public hearing to consider the decision of the Planning Commission denying Zoning Variance No. 25-01 for a six-foot wall at the northwest corner of 2779 W.
Main Street. Presentation by Angel Hernandez, Community Development Director.
Mayor Carter opened the public hearing and invited anyone wishing to speak to come forward.
Comments regarding this item were received by Raul Zamora, Erin Zamora, and Jason Jackson, the applicant. Abraham Campos, City Engineer/Public Works Director, spoke on the item and confirmed that they are no visibility or any other issues and commented that the property is consistent with other properties.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ellett asked several questions regarding this property and Mr. Hernandez responded to all questions.
Council member Crankshaw asked why a request for a variance was needed and Mr. Hernandez confirmed that it was necessary for this property.
Council member Camarena asked regarding the first driveway and asked for a clarification how the applicant entered his home. Mr. Hernandez confirmed that the applicant has a driveway through Santa Rosa but uses the easement area as a driveway.
Council members had several questions regarding the variance in question and explanations were given by Mr. Hernandez.
Mayor Carter closed the public hearing and returned the item to the City Council for comments.
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Council members had several questions regarding the variance in question and explanations were given by Mr. Hernandez.
Moved by Ellett, second by Crankshaw, approval of Resolution No. 25-91, RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO REVERSING PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 25-16 FOR ZONING VARIANCE NO. 25-01 AND APPROVING THE VARIANCE.
AYES: Crankshaw, Carter, Ellett
NOES: Camarena, Marroquin
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
NEW BUSINESS
19. Presentation by Joseph Bernal, Fire Chief, funding authorization for fire engine purchase.
Motion by Camarena, second by Marroquin, approval of Measure P funding for $1,400,000, for the purchase and outfitting of a replacement Type 1 fire engine. This amount includes the purchase of the apparatus and all associated equipment, hose, tools, and communications components necessary to place the engine into frontline services.
AYES: Crankshaw, Camarena, Carter, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
20. Presentation by Elizabeth Fuchen, Finance Director, discussion and any necessary action regarding adding Chapter 16, Article I, Section 16-61 to El Centro City Code to provide a special event business license for certain vendors associated with events.
Motion by Marroquin, second by Carter, introduce and approved Ordinance No. 25-14, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO ADDING CHAPTER 16, ARTICLE I, SECTION 16-61 TO THE EL CENTRO CODE PROVIDING FOR A SPECIAL EVENT
BUSINESS LICENSE FOR CERTAIN VENDORS ASSOCIATED WITH EVENTS WITHIN THE CITY, waive 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
21. Presentation by Adriana Nava, Community Services Director, discussion and related action regarding Change Order #1 for Frazier Field Improvements in the amount of $93,342.69.
Moved by Crankshaw, second by Camarena, approval of Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $93,342.69 for the Frazier Field
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AYES: Crankshaw, Camarena, Carter, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
22. Presentation by Abraham Campos, Public Works Director/City Engineer, bus shelter design update.
Council members asked several questions regarding the designs of the bus stops.
Motion by Carter, second by Camarena to approve Option 1 bus shelter design.
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.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Reported on recent activities.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m. __________________________
Norma Wyles, City Clerk
APPROVED BY:
________________________________
Sonia Carter, Mayor