City Council
Ida Obeso-Martinez - Mayor
Stacy Mendoza - Mayor Pro-Tem
Katherine Burnworth - Council Member
Robert Amparano - Council Member
James Tucker- Council Member
AGENDA
Regular Meeting of the Imperial City Council
City Council Chambers
220 West 9th Street
Imperial, CA 92251
May 6, 2026
Closed Session at 06:00 pm
Open Session at 07:00 pm
The City Council meetings are live-streamed on the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofimperial. By remaining in the room, you are giving permission to be recorded.
Public Comments: Members of the public who wish to speak are encouraged to fill out a Speaker Slip and submit it to the City Clerk before the start of the meeting. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes. Comments may also be submitted by email to [email protected] no later than 5:00 p.m., the day of the meeting.
Americans with Disabilities Act: Requests for special assistance to participate in the meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office by calling (760) 355-5303 or emailing [email protected]. Notification of 48 hours before the meeting will enable the city to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting [28 CFR 35.102-
35.104 ADA title II].
All documents with executive summaries and staff recommendations for open session action items are available on the City’s website 72 hours before the meeting www.https://cityofimperial.org Supplemental writings distributed to the City Council within 72 hours of the meeting will also be posted online. Written materials shared during the meeting will be available there if prepared by the city or afterward if prepared by others. These materials can be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office. 6:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
ROLL CALL
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY: At this time, members of the public may address the City Council on Closed Session items. Pursuant to State Law, the City Council may not discuss or take action on issues not on the meeting agenda (Government Code Section 54954.2). If you are compensated to communicate with City officials, you may be required to register and/or make certain disclosures as a lobbyist. Please see the City Clerk for additional information. There is a time limit of three (3) minutes for anyone wishing to address the City Council on these matters.
CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNS INTO CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL: The City Council finds, based on advice from the City Attorney, that discussion in open session of the following described matter(s) will prejudice the position of the City in existing and anticipated litigation.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation (Gov. Code 54956.9(d)(2)) 1 Potential Case CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION City of Imperial vs.
Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing LLC, et al, Imperial County Superior Court Case No ECU004457, Imperial Valley Manufacturing, LLC vs. City of Imperial, United States District Court for the Southern District of California Case No 26CV128 JLS BJW, and City of Imperial v. Gazette Ranch, Inc., Imperial County Superior Court, ECU00569 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION – GC 54956.7 (b) (1) Title of Position:
City Manager
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
7:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: The City Council may amend the order, add urgency items, note abstentions or “no” votes on consent calendar items, and request consent calendar items be removed from the consent calendar for discussion. The City Council may also remove items from the consent calendar before that portion of the agenda. The City Council may address these issues by entertaining a formal motion.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
PUBLIC COMMENT: If you wish to address the City Council concerning any item within the City Council’s jurisdiction, please raise your hand and be acknowledged by the mayor. At that time, state your name and address for the record. The mayor reserves the right to place a time limit of three (3) minutes on each person’s presentation.
A. PRESENTATIONS:
A.1. Presentation update by Climatec Energy Services on the Infrastructure Modernization & Utility Savings Program.
B. CONSENT AGENDA: All items appearing under the “Consent Agenda” will be acted upon by the City Council with one motion without discussion. Should any Council member or other person request that any item be considered separately, that item will then be taken up at the time as determined by the mayor.
B.1. Approval of Warrants Report.
B.2. Approve City Council Minutes for the meetings of February 18, 2026, and March 18, 2026.
B.3. Approve and adopt the revised job description for Reserve Police Officer and replace the current job description.
B.4. Approve and adopt the revised job descriptions for the Wastewater Operator in Training and the Water Operator in Training classifications, and replace the current job descriptions.
B.5. Authorization to reject claim Athens File Number CJP-3056467 ASV as recommended by Athens.
B.6. Authorization to reject claim Athens File Number CJP-3055620 as recommended by Athens.
B.7. Authorization to Declare Surplus and Approve Sale and Disposal of Wastewater Treatment Plant Equipment
C. PUBLIC HEARING (DISCUSSION/ACTION):
C.1. Annual Public Hearing Regarding City of Imperial Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Efforts (AB 2561).
Presenter: Kristen Smith, Human Resources Director
Recommended Action: Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Conduct a public hearing to present information regarding the status of City vacancies and the City’s recruitment and retention efforts in accordance with Government Code section 3502.3 (AB 2561).
2. Receive presentations from City staff and recognized employee organizations.
3. Accept public comment regarding the City's vacancy status and hiring practices.
4. Receive and file this report for Public Hearing to comply with AB 2561.
D. ACTION ITEMS (DISCUSSION/ACTION):
D.1. Authorize staff to seek proposals (RFP) for the Imperial Regional Park Development Project.
Presenter: Anthony Lopez, Parks & Recreation Director
Recommended Action: It is the department's recommendation for the City Council to authorize staff to seek proposals for the Imperial Regional Park Development Project RFP 2026-02.
D.2. Authorize the purchase of Inclusive Playground Equipment and Seek Construction Bids for Eager Park All Inclusive Playground Project
Presenter: Anthony Lopez, Parks & Recreation Director
Recommended Action: Approve the purchase of all inclusive playground equipment from GameTime in the amount of $362,522.422 and authorize staff to solicit bids for construction and installation of the playground improvements associated with the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) Statewide Training and Funding Initiative.
D.3. Award Construction Contract for Wastewater Treatment Plant Demolition Project (Bid No. 2025-19, CIP 849)
Presenter: Jenell Guerrero, Interim Public Services Director Recommended Action: Award Construction Contract for Wastewater Treatment Plant Demolition Project (Bid No. 2025-19, CIP 849) to Whillock Contracting, Inc., in the amount of $602,977.00 and approve a 15% contingency.
D.4. Authorize the surplus of the Imperial Police Departments' 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and approve its donation to the Imperial Valley College Public Safety Academy.
Presenter: Aaron Reel, Police Chief
Recommended Action: Declare the Imperial Police Department's 2014 Chevrolet Silverado as surplus and authorize the donation to the Imperial Valley College Public Safety Academy.
E. REPORTS:
• Department Reports
• City Manager Report
• Mayor and Councilmember Reports
ADJOURNMENT: The next regular meeting of the Imperial City Council will be held on May 20, 2026.