MEETING MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING
COMMISSION
BOARDS OF THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND
September 7, 2022
6:00 PM
The City Council of the City of Westmorland met in City Hall Council Chambers on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 6:00 PM. Mayor Xavier Mendez, called the meeting in order at 6:00 PM and led the invocation during meeting.
Present at time of Roll Call: Mayor Xavier Mendez, Mayor Pro-Tem Ana Beltran, Councilwoman Justina Cruz, and Councilwoman Judy Rivera and City Attorney Mitch Driskill.
Absent: Councilman Ray Gutierrez
Public Comments:
1. Mr. Cordero from the Westmorland School Spoke to City Council about the successful New School Year and how excited the Westmorland School is to work with the city this new year.
2. Mrs. Ayala a resident of the City of Westmorland stressed her concerns about the maintenance on the city streets. Mr. Barajas from the Public Works Department reassured Mrs. Ayala that he’s currently short staff and is going to continue his rounds on making sure the city is up to code of cleanliness. In the next coming week he plans to make rounds and make list of things he sees that needs to be done on our local streets.
Council, Staff & Consultants - Discussion/Action:
• Discussion/Action: Requesting Clarification on Paying of Fire Inspector. By, Sergio Cruz Fire Chief, Mayor motioned to bring discussion back after Closed Session.
• Discussion/Action: Discussion on Annual Rate Adjustment for Solid Waste Services 2022. By, Tami Castro Office Supervisor. Mrs. Castro discussed to Council about the 4% increase on the Solid Waste Services. Council requested to see the CR&R Contract with the city first before making a decision. TABLED TILL September 21 Meeting
• Discussion/Action: Discussion on Annual Rate Increase. By, Xavier Mendez Mayor. Mr. Mendez introduced the Rate Increase to council. Explained to everyone that the rate was postponed for the past two years due to COVID 19.
After council deliberated the best fist for the rate increase to start, giving the citizen a 30-day notice to increase the rate starting November 1, 2022 to $139.53.
Motioned was passed by Mrs. Rivera, second by Mrs. Cruz. Approved 3-0.
• Discussion/Action: Approval to fix various street patches NTE $10,000 using Measure D Funds. By Ramiro Barajas Public Works Supervisor. Mr. Barajas spoke to council about street projects that are up to come on the following streets in the city:
▪ 2
nd & D Street
▪ 6
th & C Street
▪ J Street & Sundance Lan.
▪ I Street
He spoke on that the following streets are in need of urgent repair due to past construction work and needing some patch work to be completed. • Discussion/Action: Discussion of the Youth Hall AC Unit. By, Perry Monita Chief and Dan Prince Probation Department. Mr. Monita introduced the team Mr.
Prince had come on his behalf Mrs. Gomez and Mrs. Sais. Mrs. Gomez, first thanked Council for everything they have done to help support the Aspire Program through the Imperial County Probation Department. And wanted to express their concerns on the main room AC Unit about possibly speeding the prosses on the fixing. City Council reassured that the Hall will be fix within the next possible month due to the city in process with the USDA Grant we applied for. Then Mrs. Rivera suggested for the time being the program can use Senior Center, and asked for Mrs. Castro to set up a date for the Probation Department to take a walk through at the center. Mrs. Gomez once again thanked Council for their support and time for having them.
• Discussion/Action: Renewal of IVRMA Imperial Valley Resource Management Agency Agreement. By, Christine Pisch City Clerk and David Aguirre representative from IVRMA. Mrs. Pisch Brought to Council an emergency item to be approved of the Amending Agreement. Mr. Aguirre was present over the phone and gave a brief discerption on what IVRMA provides to the city and how they plan on welcoming new resources for the city. After council looking over the Agreement, they came into agreement to Amend the IVRMA Agreement motioned by Mrs. Beltran second by Mrs. Cruz. Approved 3/0.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
o Police Department Perry Monita Police Chief – Mr. Monita reported to council that the Westmorland Police Department I’ll be doing overtime Hours at the school to reassure the safety to the students and staff. The officers will the on campus throughout the school hours. Mr. Cordero added to chief’s statement stating that the officer who’s on the school campus for the overtime hours will be invoiced by the City of Westmorland.
They have budgeted out the funds as they did the year prior as a test run on the Project and was a success. Mr. Monita continued to state that he was at a previous meeting at the Imperial Valley College discussing their upcoming Measure B the school is trying to provide more training and courses to the local community.
o Fire Department Sergio Cruz Fire Chief – Mrs. Cruz introduced to council jessie (get Last Name) who is currently the Westmorland Fire Inspector. Jessie talked to council about his devotion to the city over the years he’s been at the Fire department. o Public Works Ramiro Barajas – Mr. Barajas reports his current issues on the filters and trying to find quotes for replacement on them. As well as his current project on fixing the streets and drains in the city.
o City Hall Supervisor Tami Castro – Nothing to report. o City Treasurer Terri Nava – Absent
o City Clerk Christine Pisch - Nothing to report.
Consent Agenda:
− Approval/Action: Approval of August 3 & August 9, 2022 Meeting Minutes, and City Warrants. Motion by Mrs. Beltran, second by Mrs. Rivera. Approved 3-0.
ADDED EMERGENCY ITEM of IVRMA Amending of the Agreement. Motion by Mrs.
Rivera, second by Mrs. Cruz. Approved 3-0.
Closed Session:
Public Employee Appointment, Employment or Evaluation Fire Department.
Council reported back to add invoices from fire inspector to city warrant list.
Council adjourned for Closed Session at 7:00 PM adjourned back into regular meeting at 7:50 PM.
Adjournment:
Adjourned Meeting Motioned by Council Woman Mrs. Rivera second by Mrs. Beltran3-0 Approved.
Time ending at 7:53PM.
Next Regular Meeting: September 21, 2022 at 6:00 PM
/s/ Christine Pisch
Christine C. Pisch
Christine Pisch, City Clerk
/s/ Xavier Mendez
Xavier Mendez
Xavier Mendez, Mayor
Submitted for Approval: August 29, 2022