Imperial City Council
James Tucker - Mayor
Ida Obeso-Martinez - Mayor Pro-Tem
Stacy Mendoza - Council Member
Katherine Burnworth - Council Member
CITY CALIA Robert Amparano - Council Member
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190
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the Imperial City Council
City Council Chambers
220 West 9th Street
Imperial, CA 92251-1637
October 1, 2025
Closed Session at 06:00 pm
Open Session at 07:00 pm
6:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Amparano, Burnworth, Mendoza, Mayor Tucker, City Manager Morita, and Attorney Turner
Mayor Pro Tem Obeso-Martinez arrived at 6:50 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY:
Public comment received by Flavio Grijalva regarding Teamsters 542.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL:
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS- G.C.§ 54956.8 Property Address: Unnumbered parcel of land of approximately 18,730 sq. ft. of vacant land located at the southern tip of South Imperial Avenue where it meets Highway 86 Agency Negotiator: Dennis H. Morita, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: Dr. Tien Vo, Under Negotiation: Price and terms CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS - G.C.§ 54957.6
Agency Representatives: City Manager
Employee Organization: Imperial Police Officers Association, Teamsters Local 542 & Employee Organization Management Supervisory, Professional, Confidential, and Police Captain/Unrepresented CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION G.C §54956.9 (d)(2) Novalk, LLC v. City of Imperial et. al, United States District Court for the Southern District of California, 25CV2307 BAS DDL and City of Imperial v. Gazette Ranch, Inc., Imperial County Superior Court, ECU00569
City of Imperial Council Minutes
October 1, 2025
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant Exposure of Litigation - G.C §54956.9 (d)(2) Number of Potential Cases: 1
7:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Tucker called the meeting to order at 7:17 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Amparano, Burnworth, Mendoza, Mayor Pro Tem Obeso- Martinez and Mayor Tucker.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Steel Adkins.
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
City Manager Dennis H. Morita moved Items B-6, B-7, and B-8 from the Consent Agenda to a future meeting. Mayor Tucker moved Action Item C-6 to the next meeting. Council Member Amparano moved Action Item C-2 to the Consent Agenda.
Moved by Amparano, seconded by Burnworth, to approve the changes on Adjustment to the Agenda.
AYES: Amparano, Burnworth, Mendoza, Obeso-Martinez, and Tucker NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIES: 5-0
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION: The City Attorney, Turner, stated that directions were given to Real Property Negotiators on price and terms, directions were given to Labor Negotiators, an Update was given for Existing Litigations, and directions were given for Anticipated Litigation.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public Comment received by Allister Lopez and Gustavo Peza regarding the Mayor of the day.
Public Comment received by Michelle Hollinger regarding Victoria Homes' grand opening and the IVRCC Honey Festival.
A. PRESENTATIONS:
A-1. Mayor Tucker presented the proclamation for Fire Prevention Week.
B. CONSENT AGENDA:
B-1. Approval of Warrants Report.
Approval of City Council Minutes for Regular Meeting of September 3, 2025.
B-3. Authorize the surplus of various non-operational tools and equipment for the Parks Department.
City of Imperial Council Minutes
October 1, 2025
B-4. Approve Resolution No. 2025-46B, amending the original resolution approving a ten-year finance agreement with PNC Bank to acquire a tire engine.
Approve and adopt the revisions to the City's Vehicle Use Policy.
Moved to a future meeting - Approve and implement the recommendations of the classification study as outlined to include reclassifications, title changes, and new and updated job descriptions for positions with Teamsters, and update the salary schedule. *B-7. Moved to a future meeting - Adopt Resolution No. 2025-50 amending the Employee Benefits for MSPC Unrepresented Employees to incorporate new classification titles from the reclassified Teamsters positions.
Moved to a future meeting - Approve the Side Letter of Agreement with Teamsters Union Local 542, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the city.
B-9. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-51 establishing a ticket policy pursuant to the Fair Political Practices Commission.
B-10. Ratification of Support Letters for SB 346, SB 707, SB 454, AB 339, and AB 650. *C-2. Approve street closure request and special event application submitted by Faith Assembly Church for the Annual Harvest Festival.
Moved by Mendoza, seconded by Obeso-Martinez, to approve the Consent Agenda, removing items B- 6, B-7, B-8, and adding item C-2.
AYES: Amparano, Burnworth, Mendoza, Obeso-Martinez, and Tucker NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIES: 5-0
C. ACTION ITEMS (DISCUSSION/ACTION):
C-1. Selection of a Mayor for the Day.
Presenter: Dennis H. Morita, City Manager
Recommendation: Select a student from the Imperial Unified School District to be the City of Imperial Mayor for the Day.
Mayor Harper Williams and Council Members Allister Lopez, Ian Leal, and Ethan Lara.
Moved Burnworth, seconded by Amparano, to approve adding Allister Lopez's application to selecting a Mayor for the Day.
AYES: Amparano, Burnworth, Mendoza, Obeso-Martinez, and Tucker NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIES: 5-0
*C-2. Moved to Consent Agenda - Approve street closure request and special event application submitted by Faith Assembly Church for the Annual Harvest Festival.
City of Imperial Council Minutes
October 1, 2025
C-3. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-48, approving an application for the Annexation of APN 063-010- 059 located at Neckel Road and La Brucherie Road.
Presenter: Othon Mora, Community Development Director
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-48, INITIATING AN APPLICATION TO THE IMPERIAL COUNTY LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION FOR THE WEST 70 GROUP, LLC, ANNEXATION ON APN 063-010-059 LOCATED AT THE NECKEL ROAD AND LA BRUCHERIE ROAD INTERSECTION.
Moved by Mendoza (I. Leal), seconded by Obeso-Martinez (A. Lopez), to approve Resolution No. 2025-48.
AYES: Amparano, Burnworth, Mendoza, Obeso-Martinez, and Tucker NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIES: 5-0
C-4. Approve an agreement with Turbodata Systems, Inc for citation processing and collections services for the Police Department.
Presenter: Aaron Reel, Police Chief
Recommendation: Approve a five-year agreement with Turbo Data Systems, Inc., for citation processing and collections services for the Police Department.
Moved by Obeso-Martinez (A. Lopez), seconded by Amparano (E. Lara), to approve a five-year agreement with Turbo Data Systems, Inc., for citation processing and collections services for the Police Department.
Amparano, Burnworth, Mendoza, Obeso-Martinez, and Tucker NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIES: 5-0
C-5. Approve a rate adjustment and agreement with HDL Coren & Cone for property tax consulting and audit services.
Presenter: Victor Manriquez, Finance Director
Recommendation: Approve the rate adjustment and a five-year agreement with HDL Coren & Cone for property tax consulting and audit services.
Moved by Amparano (E. Lara), seconded by Mendoza (I. Leal), to approve the rate adjustment and a five-year agreement with HDL Coren & Cone for property tax consulting and audit services.
AYES: Amparano, Burnworth, Mendoza, Obeso-Martinez, and Tucker ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIES: 5-0
City of Imperial Council Minutes
October 1, 2025
*C-6. Discussion regarding City of Imperial Summer Recreation Program Scheduling for 2026.
Presenter: James Tucker, Mayor
Discussion only.
*Mayor Tucker tabled until the next regular scheduled Council Meeting.
D. REPORTS:
D-1. Departments reported on their activities since the last city council meeting.
D-2. City Manager Report: None
D-3. The mayor and council members have reported on their activities since the last city council Meeting and upcoming events.
ADJOURNMENT:
Seeing no further business before the Council, Mayor Tucker (H. Williams) ended this meeting at 8:18 p.m. and adjourned until the next council meeting on October 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
The council went back into closed session until 9:00 p.m.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the city of Imperial, California, this 5th day of November 2025.
Kit Shit
KRISTINA SHIELDS
City Clerk
City of Imperial Council Minutes
October 1, 2025