MEETING MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING
COMMISSION
BOARDS OF THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND
December 7, 2022
6:00 PM
REVISED
The City Council of the City of Westmorland met in City Hall Council Chambers on Wednesday, December 7, 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, Mayor Pro- Tem Ana Beltran, Council woman Justina Cruz, and Council woman Judy Rivera and Councilman Ray.
Absent: City Attorney Mitch Driskill and City Clerk Christine Pisch.
Oral Communication:
• Justina Cruz Council Woman: Wanted to remind December 7th was in tribute to the Pearl Harbor and wanted to thank those who served that war. • Stela Mata Westmorland Citizen: Spoke about her concern on the Basketball court.
Proceeded to state to Judith Rivera and wanted more then a ‘We’ll follow up” statement from council. Council member Ray Gutierrez informed Mrs. Mata that he’s over the Parks and Recreation Department. That they just spoke about the park’s improvement. Mr.
Barajas stated that he will get to that project but can’t make any promises due to him having other projects. Then Mrs. Mata proceeded to state that she fell in the park due to the sprinkler and stated that she did inform the Supervisor Barajas. Mrs. Mata proceed to state that the sprinklers Infront of the Monos Gym are over water for roughly an hour and 15 minutes. Then added about extending the sidewalks at the park to have more perditions to walk together as well as the questioning of the park restroom the hours their supposed to operating. As well as more park equipment for all ages. Questioned when the term is up for council. Mrs. Beltran stated to Mrs. Mata that the Council member terms are all 4 years. Continued that the mayor position is changed every year. But due to the council being the ones who chose the City’s Mayor.
Council, Staff & Consultants – Discussion/Action:
1. Discussion/Action: Approval on Updating City of Westmorland official website for $ 9,927.50.
By Christine Pisch City Clerk. TABLED TILL DECEMBER 21ST.
2. Discussion/Action: Approval on Conex Container for City Hall Office. By Christine Pisch City Clerk. TABLED TILL DECEMBER 21ST.
3. Discussion/Action: Approval on Credit Card System Update. By Tami Castro City Hall Office Supervisor. TABLED TILL DECEMBER 21ST.
4. Discussion/Action: Approval on Renovation on City Hall and City Council Chambers Office. By Tami Castro City Hall Office Supervisor. Mrs. Castro brought to council the Renovation on City Hall and City Council Chambers Office. Stating the following of projects to be done in the City Hall building, Floor change, wall Painting and counter top. Council reviewed the quote and requested for the translation to be made from Spanish to English. Council tabled it for the 21st with the new translation.
5. Discussion/ Action: Approval on Quill Pending Purchases. By Tami Castro City Hall Office Supervisor. Mrs. Castro presented to council Pending Purchases through City Quill account to be bought through the USDA Grant for the City Hall. Council over viewed the Quote provided requesting new printer and four additional filing cabinets to replace previous file cabinets. Council came to agreement to pass the motion to approve Quill Pending Purchases motioned by Mrs.
Rivera second by Mrs. Cruz. 4-0 Approval.
6. Discussion/ Action: Discussion Clarification and Usage of the Youth Hall. By Justina Cruz Council Member. Mrs. Cruz brought to council about clarification on the Youth Hall. Due to her programming with the 4-H Programing she choregraphs requesting to move from senior center to the youth hall building. Mr. Mendez stated that he wont see the problem in doing so as long as they don’t interrupt the ASPIRE programing. Mrs. Cruz stated she spoke to one of the program directors asking what days wont intrude in the ASPIRE programing. Mr. Mendez granted the okay for the 4-H programming to be using the youth hall as long as they days don’t clash with the ASPIRE programming.
7. Discussion/ Action: Discussion of ARPA Funding. By Teri Nava City Treasurer TABLED TILL DECMEBER 21ST.
8. Discussion/ Action: Approval of new hire volunteer fire fighter. By Chief Cruz Fire Department.
Mr. Cruz wanted to informed council about the hiring of a Volunteer Fire Fighter. As well continued to explain the situation he ran into in the process of completion of hiring due to previous employee misplacing employment paper work the previous year.
9. Discussion/ Action: Approval on allowing council to attend and vote via phone or video call in Regular Schedule Meetings. By Ana Beltran Mayor Pro Tem. Mrs. Beltran brought to councils’ attention to approve allowing council to attend and vote via phone or video call in Regular Schedule Meetings. Reminding council more for Via phone more less due to illness and late arrival to stay updated while being on the way to meeting to attend. Mrs. Rivera suggesting to council to best postpone approval till City Attorney is present to see if its state mandatory to have Via Phone due to past COVID restrictions. Mayor Mendez agreed to TABLED TILL DECMEBER 21ST.
10. Westmorland Police Department Presenting Certificate of Appreciation to Reserve Officer Joe Espinoza. By Chief Monita Police Department. Chief Monita presented to city council Joe
Espinoza as well as presented his Certificate of Appreciation for all the work he’s done during the holidays collecting donations to give back to the families in need in the community.
Old Business:
1. Discussion & Action: Requesting to change name on CDBG Account from “Chirp CDBG Account” to “CDBG Account”. By Ana Beltran Mayor Pro-Tem. Mrs. Beltran brought to council in changing the current accounts in to the correct names to prevent anymore confusion.
Council agreed that changing the account will benefit the staff in having less confusion when having deposits. Motion was passed by Beltran Second Rivera. 4-0 Approved.
2. 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. TABLED TILL DECEMBER 21ST.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
o Police Department Perry Monita Police Chief- I already brought to your attention the reserve officer, is trying to bring in bikes by next week, we do have shop with a COP tomorrow hopefully we can get some kids out.
o Fire Department Sergio Cruz Fire Chief – update on 6160 is still down. We’re going to pick up on it tomorrow. We had quite a bit of calls 31 calls this last month. Which is good for us. Reported as well the great turn out the Fire Department had at the Honey Festival. Also, the 15th Santa is going to the school and give out stockings to the kids and go around town and give them out.
o Public Works Ramiro Barajas – all locks at the youth hall have been changed. The boxing and youth hall door. Has all been changed. City hall only got the youth hall ASPIRE got the dens key and kitchen. We didn’t mess with Monos doors the two smaller doors. So, next we well be working on the tagging and the basketball court. Fixing some of the things that’s are ripped. But I want to know that was behind the reasoning of why the hoops are placed so low because its constant vandalism. Mayor Mendez informed Mr.
Barajas that rising them will be best to prevent any more damages to the park. As well informed that they have an inspection at the water plant hoping everything is okay and just cleaning up over there right now.
o City Hall Supervisor Tami Castro – Nothing to report. o City Treasurer Terri Nava – Absent.
o City Clerk Christine Pisch – Absent.
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 in favor to hire Full-time worker for Waste Water Plant.
Consent Agenda:
− Approval/Action: Approval of November 16th, 2022 Meeting Minutes, and City Warrants.
Motion to Approve City Warrants only due to November 16th Minutes not being provided 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 7:38PM.
Next Regular Meeting: December 21, 2022 at 6:00 PM.
/s/ Christine Pisch
Christine C. Pisch
Christine Pisch, City Clerk
/s/ Judith C. Rivera
Judith C. Rivera
Judith C. Rivera, Mayor
Submitted for Approval: December 18, 2022.