MEETING MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING
COMMISSION
BOARDS OF THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND
November 16, 2022
6:00 PM
The City Council of the City of Westmorland met in City Hall Council Chambers on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 6:00 PM. Mayor Xavior Mendez, called the meeting in order at 6:00 PM and led the invocation during meeting.
Present at time of Roll Call: Mayor Xavior Mendez, Councilwoman Justina Cruz, and Councilwoman Judy Rivera and City Attorney Mitch Driskill.
Present Via- Phone: Mayor Pro-Tem Ana Beltran
Absent: Councilman Ray Gutierrez.
Oral Communication:
• Justina Cruz- Mrs. Cruz wanted to announce to council that this Saturday November 19th will be the 17th Annual Honey Festival, and is excite for this year’s festival.
Council, Staff & Consultants – Discussion/Action:
1. Discussion & Action: Request for city ordinance for adopting a military equipment use policy, as required per California State Assembly Bill 481. By Chief Monita Police Department. Chief Monita shared that he had contacted the City Attorney about the ordinance. Attorney Mitch Driskill stated that he and his team are still currently looking into the ordinance. Item was TABLED to the Next Regular Scheduled Meeting December 7, 2022.
2. Discussion & Action: Arranging for the purchase and installation for four (4) LPR (license plate reading) Flock cameras at the Intersection of Highway 86 (Main Street) and Center Street for a two-year contact in the amount of $23,200.00 with the money to be provided thru HIDTA. By Chief Monita Police Department. Chief Monita presented his item to purchase the license plate reader and how beneficial it’ll be to him and the officers for any reports or cases. He proceeded to state examples such as kidnappings and vehicle reports as well has the passing of the young lady just a block away from the main street lights.
Council came to agreement and motioned to pass. Mrs. Rivera motioned to approve the payment of the Flock cameras at the Intersection of Highway 86 (Main Street) and Center Street for a two-year contact in the amount of $23,200.00. Seconded by Council member Justina Cruz. 4-0 Approved.
3. Discussion & Action: Resolution No. 22-24 Authorizing the Application and Adopting the PLHA Plan for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program. By Teri Nava City
Treasure. Mrs. Nava presented Resolution 22-24 to council and stated that the PLHA Plan is grant to help provide house and it’s the city decision to have these fundings as a grant to the citizens or a loan through the city. She as well informed council that they are “loans” for citizens to apply for building small Granny Flats, Back Houses or small Studios in the residents property. Council came to decision to motion the passing of Resolution 22-24.
Motioned by Council member Mrs., Cruz, seconded by Council Member Mrs. Rivera. 4-0 Approved.
4. Discussion & Action: Resolution No. 22-26 Authorizing Support for the IID Program to Build a New Reservoir. By Christine Pisch City Clerk & Antonio Ortega. Mrs. Pisch introduced Mrs. Ortegas coworker Robert Schettler who would be presenting the Resolution 22-26. Mr. Schettler started to explain to council that the IID is requesting this Resolution in support from the City of Westmorland. He continued to tell council that this would be the biggest reservoir in the Imperial County area holding 4.9 billion gallons of water. He proceeded to inform council how important this support Resolution will be showing the Bureau of Reclamation Small Surface and Groundwater Storage Grants that our community supports this project. Council was all in favor to motion approval on the Resolution 22-26 IID Support letter in building of new reservoir. Motioned by Council woman Mrs. Rivera seconded by Council woman Mrs. Cruz. 4-0 Approval.
5. Discussion & Action: Discussion/Action: Approval on Blue Sheild Renewal Rate Increase. By Christine Pisch City Clerk & David H. West and Jose Landeros. Mrs. Pisch reminded council of the renewal rate increase needing to be approved. Mrs. Beltron via phone mentioned to council that the staff should not have to pay more for less benefits that she came to the conclusion that we should agree to the 10% increase and keeping the same plan we have currently, due to it being best for our employees. Mr. West and Mr.
Landeros as well mentioned to council that they can’t predict the that next renewal rate will be but they hope that by next renewal the rate stays the same. Council motioned to pass the renewal plan of 10% increase. Motioned by Council woman Mrs. Cruz seconded by Council woman Mrs. Rivera. 4-0 Approved.
6. Discussion/Action: Approval on RDO Repairs on Public Works Lawnmower. By Ramiro Barajas Public Supervisor. Mr. Barajas presented to council the invoice for the Public Works Lawn mower the estimated to be $3,000.00 in repairs. Council all in favor to approve the Lawnmower repairs. Motioned by Council woman Mrs. Rivera seconded by Council woman Mrs. Cruz. 4-0 Approved.
7. Discussion/ Action: Approval on all Items Purchased along with Pending Purchases with USDA Grant. By City Hall Office Staff. Mrs. Castro informed to council that the following Quill invoice was purchase made through the USDA Grant for the City Hall and Council Chambers coming roughly to $6,000.00 in office supplies. Council was in favor to approve and motion the purchase. Motioned by Council woman Mrs. Cruz seconded by Council woman Mrs. Rivera. 4-0 Approved.
8. Discussion/ Action: Discussion on Clarification on USDA Grant(s). By City Council Mrs. Nava gave a short explanation to council of the amounts of the grants given to the different departments. The proceeded to add that if there was additional fundings left in the city hall grant the other departments can receive produces through the grant.
Old Business:
1. Discussion on Annual Rate Adjustment for Solid Waste Services – 2022. By, Tami Castro City Hall Office Supervisor. Mrs. Castro represented to council the CR&R Rate increase in need of an answer to approve or not. Mrs. Beltran Via Phone informed to council that the City Attorney should submit an official letter to CR&R Corrupt Office stating we will not be doing the increase due to not being compliant to City and CR& R Contract. City Council all Agreed to proceed with Attorney Driskill to be submitting an official letter.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
o Police Department Perry Monita Police Chief- Chief Monita informed to City Council that the Westmorland Police Department had performed a home search leading to the Calipatria Shooting involving two young juveniles. He as well stated that they did have to arrest the juveniles involved this this shooting. He’s hoping that due to this arrest the shooting in Westmorland and Calipatria decreases.
o Fire Department Sergio Cruz Fire Chief – Absent.
o Public Works Ramiro Barajas – Requests to be in Closed Session. o City Hall Supervisor Tami Castro – Nothing to report. o City Treasurer Terri Nava – Nothing to report.
o City Clerk Christine Pisch – Mrs. Pisch explained to City Council that we currently have lots of surplus items in the City Hall office and requesting what to do with them due to not having enough room within the storage units currently. Council proceeded to say that the surplus can be distributed within the city departments but if being donated or recycled it has to be brought back to council to receive approval in order to keep track of all of City Property. She then brought to councils attention that the City Dumps cameras are currently offline. If the city can close the dump till the cameras are fixed due to the citizens aren’t listening to city hall staff on where to dump and mixing trash and when city hall staff does make it aware to the citizens they get upset and talk to council members. Mr. Barajas suggested to have one of his workers go and monitor the customers going in and out the dump.
Closed Session: Public Employee Compensation (Government Code 54957.6) - Public Service Employees Job descriptions and salary scales, as well as Appointment, Employment, or evaluation and possible management position (Gov’t. Code §54957(b)(1).) - City Council
Council reported back all to all in favor to hire Part time worker for Waste Water Plant.
Consent Agenda:
− Approval/Action: Approval of November 4, 2022 Meeting Minutes, and City Warrants.
Motion to Approve by Mrs. Rivera second by Mrs. Cruz. 4-0 Approval Adjournment:
Adjourned Meeting Motioned by Council man Mrs. Rivera second by Mrs. Cruz. 3-0 Approved.
Time ending at 7:20PM.
Next Regular Meeting: December 7, 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: December 18, 2022.