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REGULAR MEETING
EL CENTRO CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1275 MAIN STREET, EL CENTRO, CA
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026, 3:30 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
The El Centro City Council met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 3:36 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 Carter, second by Ellett, to adjourn into closed session for:
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property:
Properties within El Centro, CA 92243 at the following addresses:
El Centro Regional Medical Center, 1415 Ross Ave.
ECRMC Medical Office Building, 1274 Ross Ave.
El Centro Outpatient Clinic, 385 W. Main St.
1204 Poplar Dr.
1258 Poplar Dr.
1295 Poplar Dr.
1455 Pepper Dr.
1215 Ross Ave.
1225 Ross Ave.
1243 Ross Ave.
1251 Ross Ave.
1271 Ross Ave.
135 S. 4th St.
Agency Negotiators: Sheppard Mullin (Eric Newsom, Megan Rooney, Christina Nguyen) Negotiating Parties: Imperial Valley Healthcare District (IVHD) Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: Patrick Clark
Employee Organizations: Firefighters Association, General Employees Unit and Supervisor, Professional, and Technical Employees Unit
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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
Director of Human Resource
Director of Community Services
Director of Community Development
Chief of Police
Director of Library
LIABILITY CLAIMS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.95
Claimant: Jorge Humberto Gutierrez
Agency claimed against: City of El Centro
Motion carried unanimously.
Closed Session concluded at 5:45 p.m. (All present)
City Council recessed to 6:00 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
The El Centro City Council met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6:11 p.m. in Council Chambers, El Centro City Hall, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California.
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PRESENT: Council: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin City Clerk Wyles, City Manager Sawyer, City Attorney Hoff ABSENT: None
Invocation was given by Council Member Ellett and Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was led by Council Member Marroquin
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
No reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public comment was received by Tony Ramos, Kelly Jordan, Jake Tison, Gina Snow, and Sky Ainsworth.
PRESENTATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MAYOR:
1. Certificate of Recognition – CUHS Migrant Speech and Debate Team.
CONSENT AGENDA (2-4):
Moved by Camarena, second by Carter, approving consent items # 2-4.
2. Approval of City Council meeting minutes for the meetings of April 28, 2026, May 5, 2026, and May 15, 2026.
3. Authorized the City Clerk to send notifications for the 2026 Conflict of Interest Code Biennial Notice.
4. Approved the Abandonment Agreement between Imperial Irrigation District and the City of El Centro.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
5. This was the scheduled date and time for a public hearing to approve the reporting on City of El Centro vacancies, recruitment and Retention Efforts Policy in compliance with AB 2561 Local Public Employees Vacant Positions. Presentation by Dulce Bedolla, Human Resource Director.
Mayor Crankshaw opened the public hearing and invited anyone wishing to speak to come forward. Seeing no one come forward to make a comment, the public hearing was closed.
Mayor Pro-Tem Camarena asked about the implementation of the City's Veterans' Preference policy.
Ms. Bedolla stated that a Legal Services Request (LSR) had been submitted to the Legal Department and that a response is pending.
Mayor Pro-Tem Camarena also asked questions regarding the City's recruitment efforts and the process for filling vacant positions. Staff provided information regarding current recruitment practices and ongoing efforts to fill available positions.
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Council Member Marroquin asked where job openings are posted. Human Resources staff responded that vacancies are advertised on social media platforms and online job boards, including NeoGov, Facebook, Instagram, and the City's website. Staff noted that job openings are no longer published in newspapers because social media platforms reach a larger audience.
Council Member Ellett asked whether there are additional requirements for applicants seeking engineering positions. Mr. Abraham Campos explained that certain specialized positions require a civil engineering license as well as specific skills and certifications. Council Member Ellett also asked whether the city receives applications from engineers who studied in Mexico and how the number of applicants compares to the number of available engineering positions. Mr. Campos responded that the city does receive applications from engineers educated in Mexico and that they typically apply for entrylevel engineering positions.
Mayor Crankshaw commented that he would like to see the hiring process streamlined quicker in order to compete with other cities and agencies.
Mayor Pro-Tem Camarena asked about the process used by Human Resources to determine whether a foreign educational credential is equivalent to the education requirements of the United States. Staff explained the transcripts are checked with Accusource program to evaluate foreign education and verify that applicants meet the minimum qualifications established for the position.
Council member Marroquin commented that it is the applicant’s responsibility to verify their transcripts meet our job description requirements.
Council member asked the how the applicants for engineering are checked and Mr. Campos explained that they accept the degrees that come from the universities.
Motion by Ellett, second by Marroquin, approving the reporting on City of El Centro vacancies, and recruitment and retention efforts policy in compliance with AB 2561 Local Public Employees vacant positions.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
6. This was the scheduled date and time for a public hearing to consider the approval of a rate increase for the collection, transportation, recycling, processing and disposal of solid waste for FY 2026/2027.
Presentation by Abraham Campos, Director of Public Works/City Engineer.
Mayor Crankshaw opened the public hearing and invited anyone wishing to speak to come forward. Seeing no one come forward to make a comment, the public hearing was closed.
Council members agreed that the fees were feasible and agreed to the rate change. Mayor Crankshaw asked how many more years the city would have an increase and asked if the city goes out to bid when this contract expires.
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Moved by Carter, second by Ellett, adoption of Resolution No. 26-49, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 25-42 AND INCREASING RATES FOR THE INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT
SERVICES FOR THE COLLECTION, TRANSPORTATION, RECYCLING, PROCESSING AND DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
NEW BUSINESS:
7. Motion by Camarena, second by Ellett, adoption of Resolution No. 26-50, RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CITY OF EL CENTRO AND FIREFIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION FOR JANUARY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
8. Motion by Marroquin, second by Crankshaw, adoption of Resolution No. 26-51, RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH
FAIR HOUSING FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE FAIR HOUSING SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF EL CENTRO.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
9. Discussion and any necessary action regarding the award of the “Extension of Imperial Avenue from Danenberg Drive to Manuel Ortiz Avenue – Phase III in the City of El Centro”. *Item was pulled by department to return on our next meeting.
10. Motion by Crankshaw, second by Carter, approval of contract funding in the amount of $88,940.00 and authorize the City Manager to approve Amendment No. 12 to the agreement with Arrington Watkins Architects, Inc.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
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LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
None
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
11. Update Emergency Declaration – WWTP Bar Screen Failure
12. Certificate of Mailing Notice of Application to the City, County and Municipal Governmental Agencies.
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 to come before City Council, the regular meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m. ____________________________
Norma Wyles, City Clerk
APPROVED BY:
_________________________
Michael Crankshaw, Mayor