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REGULAR MEETING
EL CENTRO CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1275 MAIN STREET, EL CENTRO, CA
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2026, 3:30 P.M.
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 3:33 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: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin City Clerk Wyles, City Manager Sawyer, City Attorney Hoff ABSENT: None
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION
Moved by Marroquin, second by Ellett, to adjourn into closed session for:
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: Patrick Clark
Employee Organization: Firefighters Association, General Employees Unit and Supervisor, Professional, and Technical Employees Unit.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: Robert Sawyer
Unrepresented Employees: Human Resource Staff Assistant Management Assistant
Human Resources Analyst (2)
City Clerk Staff Assistant
Staff Assistant
Human Resource Analyst II
Public Information Officer
Multimedia Content Creator
Battalion Chief (3)
Police Lieutenant (3)
Police Commander I
Economic Development Manager
Project Manager Civil
Principal Engineer
Information Technology Administrator
City Clerk
Chief of Fire
Director of Public Works
Assistant Director of Community Development
Director of Finance
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Director of Human Resource
Director of Community Services
Director of Community Development
Chief of Police
Director of Library
Motion carried unanimously.
Closed Session concluded at 6:04 p.m. (All present)
City Council recessed to 6:05 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 6:09 p.m. in Council Chambers, El Centro City Hall, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California.
PRESENT: Council: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin City Clerk Wyles, City Manager Sawyer, City Attorney Hoff ABSENT: None
Invocation was given by Mayor Pro-Tem Camarena and Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was led by Council Member Ellett.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
No reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comment was received from Aaron Green, Froilan Medina, and Peter Rodriguez. *Presentation was moved and became the last item on the agenda.
PRESENATIONS:
1. Proclamation – Autism Acceptance Month April 2026, World Autism Acceptance Day April 2, 2026.
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 2-7)
Moved by Marroquin, second by Carter, approving consent item #2-7.
2. Approval of the Warrant Registers for the month of February 2026.
3. Approval of the Payroll Registers for the month of February 2026.
4. Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the month of February 2026.
5. Approval of the City Council minutes of March 3, 2026.
6. Adoption of Resolution No. 26-20, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO APPROVING A DESIGN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TYPSA, INC. FOR ON-CALL CIVIL ENGINEERING GENERAL SERVICES.
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7. Approval of proposal for Outreach & Communications Support Services with Tripepi Smith & Associates, Inc.,
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
PUBLIC HEARING:
8. This was the scheduled date and time for a public hearing to consider the recommendation of the Planning Commission regarding an update to the multi-family residential zone permitted uses.
Presentation by Angel Hernandez, Community Development Director.
Mayor Crankshaw opened the public hearing and invited anyone wishing to speak to come forward.
Comment was received by Shashiba. Seeing no one else come forward to make a comment. Motion to continue the public hearing was made by Council Member Ellett and second by Mayor Pro-Tem Camarena.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
NEW BUSINESS
9. Presentation by Andy Heath, Financial Consultant, presented the Fiscal Year 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review. Mr. Heath gave an update and discussed the General Fund Budget, General Fund Multi-Year Forecast, Measure P Fund, Water Fund(s), Wastewater Funds(s), Special Revenue Funds – Transportation, Special Fire Fund, Capital Projects Funds-Bonds Projects, and Internal Service Funds.
Comment was received by Peter Rodriguez.
Motion by Marroquin, second by Carter, approval of the Mid-Year Budget update for major operating funds for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
10. Presentation by Abraham Campos, Public Works Director/City Engineer and John Wright, Financial Advisor for Water and Wastewater Utilities, authorization to initiate Proposition 218 Proceedings for Proposed Adjustments to Water and Wastewater Rates.
Comments were received by Armando Munoz and Peter Rodriguez.
Council members commended Mr. Campos on being pro-active for the future of El Centro.
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Motion by Marroquin, second by Camarena, adoption of Resolution No. 26-21, RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO INITIATING PROCEEDINGS FOR
PROPOSED WATER AND WASTEWATER RATE ADJUSTMENTS AND SETTING A PUBLIC
HEARING PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE XIII D (PROPOSITION 218).
1. Authorize staff to initiate the Proposition 218 process for proposed adjustments to the City’s water and wastewater service rates.
2. Direct staff to prepare and mail the required Proposition 218 public hearing notices to affected property owners and customers.
3. Schedule a public protest hearing to consider proposed water and wastewater rate adjustments in accordance with California Constitution Article XIII D (Proposition 218).
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
11. Presentation by Angel Hernandez, Community Development Director, discussion and any necessary action regarding the acceptance of the 2025 General Plan Annual Report.
Council members offered a range of comments on the General Plan Annual Report and voiced concern about the limited number of grocery stores and markets available to adequately serve all areas of the community.
Motion by Camarena, second by Ellett, accepting the City’s General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct that it be submitted to the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
*Out of Order - Moved to the end of the agenda.
PRESENATIONS:
1. Proclamation – Autism Acceptance Month April 2026, World Autism Acceptance Day, April 2, 2026.
ADDED ITEMS
Motion by Marroquin, second by Carter, to add agenda item for the cancellation of the April 7, 2026, City Council meeting.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
Motion by Marroquin, second by Carter, to cancel the City Council meeting of April 7, 2026.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
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LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
None
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
12. Update Emergency Declaration – WWTP Bar Screen Failure
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 9:21 p.m. __________________________
Norma Wyles, City Clerk
APPROVED BY:
________________________________
Michael Crankshaw, Mayor