Book 37
REGULAR MEETING
EL CENTRO CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1275 MAIN STREET, EL CENTRO, CA
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026, 3:30 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
The El Centro City Council met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 3:35 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 Crankshaw, second by Carter, 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
PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
Title: Assistant City Manager
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Attorney
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Motion carried.
Closed Session concluded at 5:55 p.m.
City Council recessed to 6:00 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
The El Centro City Council met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 6:08 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 Council Member Carter and Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was led by Mayor Pro-Tem Camarena.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
No reportable action.
MOTION TO ADD 911 PRESENTATION
Motion by Marroquin, second by Camarena, to add 911 Presentation to the agenda as item 1a.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public comment was received by Tony Ramos, Peter Rodriguez, and Jake Tison.
PRESENTATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MAYOR:
1. Small Business Development Center Annual Report by Priscilla Lopez and Alexis Araujo. 1a. 911 Presentation by Matt Garcia.
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 2-8)
2. Approval of Warrant Registers for the Month of June 2026.
3. Approval of Payroll Registers for the month of June 2026.
4. Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the month of June 2026.
5. Approval of the City Council meeting minutes for the meetings of July 15, 2026 (Special Meeting) and July 15, 2026 (Regular Meeting).
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6. Adoption of Resolution No. 26-64, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO, CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION FOR BICYCLE AND/OR
PEDESTRIAN FUNDS UNDER THE TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT AND
APPROVING THE ADOPTION OF ITS BICYCLE AND/OR PEDESTRIAN PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026.
Adoption of Resolution No. 26-65, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE ARTICLE 8 APPLICATION BUS TRANSFER
TERMINAL UNDER THE TRANS
7. Adoption of Resolution No. 26-66, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO ESTABLISHING THE APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR IN
ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE XIII B OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
8. Adoption of Resolution No. 26-67, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 FUNDED BY SB 1:
THE ROAD TO REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
NEW BUSINESS:
9. Presentation by Dulce Bedolla, Human Resource Director, approval of the General Employees Unit Memorandum.
Moved by Camarena, second by Ellett, adoption Resolution No. 26-68, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CITY OF EL CENTRO AND GENERAL EMPLOYEES’ UNIT FOR JANUARY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026, as amended regarding the potential IRS constructive receipt issue 10b
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
10. Presentation by Adriana Nava, Community Services Director, award the bid and authorizing a contract for the contract for the Swarthout and Legacy Parks Basketball Courts Project.
Mayor Pro-Tem Camarena inquired about the contractor's experience with projects of this type. Ms.
Nava confirmed that the contractor possesses the necessary qualifications and experience to perform the work. Public Works Director/City Engineer Abraham Campos also affirmed the contractor's experience and stated that the work was being completed properly.
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Motion by Marroquin, second by Carter, adoption of Resolution No. 26-69, RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO AWARDING THE BID AND AUTHORIZING
THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR THE SWARTHOUT AND LEGACY PARKS BASKETBALL COURT PROJECT.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
11. Presentation by Adriana Nava, Community Services Director, provide direction regarding the use of Measure P or the or the General Fund as the funding source for the $555,240 Gomez Park construction contingency and authorize the corresponding budget adjustment.
Approval of Change Order #1 to Three Peaks Construction related to the Gomez Park Project in the amount of $34,279.75.
Mayor Pro-Tem Camarena asked what changes had been made to the project summary. Ms. Nava explained that the amphitheater had been redesigned, eliminating the fixed seating and replacing it with an open green space. The number of picnic tables was reduced from 12 to 10. She also noted that the monument budget had been increased to provide a monument honoring the memory of David Gomez, recognizing his contributions to the community and displaying his image. In addition, artificial turf and a concrete sidewalk were added to the project. These changes resulted in an increase to the overall project cost.
Council Members expressed their agreement with all of the proposed changes. City Manager Sawyer recommended using Measure P as the funding source for the contingency.
Moved by Ellett, second by Carter, provided direction and approved the use of Measure P funds as the funding source for the $555,240 Gomez Park construction contingency and authorize a change order to Three Peaks Construction related to the Gomez Park Project in the amount of $343,279.75.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
12. Presentation by Adriana Nava, Director of Community Services, discussion and direction regarding the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Owner-Occupied Housing Improvement Program.
Council members asked questions regarding the PLHA program and the prerequisites required to qualify. Ms. Nava provided the requested information and explained the eligibility requirements for participation in the program.
The City Council provided direction to Ms. Nava regarding the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program. The Council recommended that the program prioritize eligible applicants, including veterans, and that assistance be provided in the form of a loan bearing the applicable interest rate in effect at the time of transfer.
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13. Presentation by Adriana Nava, Community Services Director, provide direction or action regarding the proposed construction of an additional Veterans Memorial Wall and related revisions to the Phase II Project Scope.
Mayor Crankshaw explained that several veterans had approached him requesting a separate wall with a symmetrical design so that the names displayed would face forward. He stated that he shared the request with Ms. Nava, and the wall design was subsequently revised to incorporate the requested change.
Motion by Camarena, second by Carter, to approve the change order regarding the construction of the additional Veterans Wall.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
14. Moved by Crankshaw, second by Camarena, appointing Angel Hernandez, Director of Community Development, as the City El Centro representative for the Imperial County Data Center Advisory Committee.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
15. Motion by Marroquin, second by Camarena, approving the cancellation of August 18, 2026, City Council meeting.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED:None
LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
None
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
16. 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.
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ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. ____________________________
Norma Wyles, City Clerk
APPROVED BY:
________________________
Michael Crankshaw, Mayor