MEETING MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING
COMMISSION
BOARDS OF THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND
February 1, 2023
6:00 PM
The City Council of the City of Westmorland met in City Hall Council Chambers on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 6:00 PM. Mayor Judith Rivera, called the meeting in order at 6:00 PM and City Treasurer Teri Nava led the invocation during meeting.
Present at time of Roll Call: Mayor Judith Rivera, Mayor Pro-Tem Ana Beltran, Councilwoman Justina Cruz, Christine Pisch City Clerk, City Treasurer Teri Nava, Councilman Julian Villalon and City Attorney Mitch Driskill.
Via Phone: Councilman Xavior Mendez
Council, Staff & Consultants – Discussion/Action:
1. Discussion/Action: Review Reimbursement claim. - Ana Beltran Mayor Pro-Tem & Chief Perry Monita. Chief Monita and Mrs. Beltran informed council about the recent incident where a citizen’s car being towed by a Westmorland Police Officer. Chief Monita mentioned as well that due to a mistake from said officer towing out of Westmorland jurisdiction. That this reimbursement to the citizen for fees paid to receive back vehicle. Mr. Villalon asked Chief Monita if there was any dispensary action done to said officer. Chief Montia replied back stating he has received a temporary suspension.
City council motioned to approve Reimbursement Claim by Mrs. Beltran second by Mr.
Villalon. 4-0 Approved.
2. Discussion/Action: Approval to hire part-time operator/ maintenance worker. – Ramiro Barajas Public Works Supervisor. Mrs. Nava approached council and recommended Mr.
Barajas not to hire on part-time worker due to finalizing the Budget 2022/2023 Update recommending to be tabled till next meeting. Council agreed to Table item till February 15th meeting.
Old Business:
1. Discussion/ Action: Approval of Annual Rate Adjustment for Solid Waste Services 2022- City Hall Office Supervisor Tami Castro. Mrs. Castro attended meeting via-phone explains she has previously brought this item to council months past. City attorney Mr.
Driskill reminded council the past reason of not approving the 4% increase due to poor service. Now that the service has currently been on time that we can consider the approval of the 4% increase. Mrs. Beltran asked the CR&R representative Mat Gray about the street sweeper owned by the city as to when the repairs will be done. Mr. Gray stated due to another problem occurring they hope to have the street sweeper back up to
running and back to the city very soon. City council motioned to approve the increase by Mrs. Cruz second by Mrs. Beltran. Mr. Mendez motioned not to approve. 3-1 Approved.
2. Discussion/Action: Discussion of ARPA Funding. - City Treasurer Teri Nava. Mrs.
Nava approached council and began to state to council that currently Fire Department had gone over $95,000.00 of the budget. That she needs to have the current item tabled to figure out the best way to benefit both Fire and Public Works Departments with the distribution of the ARPA Funding. City council agreed to Table item till February 15th meeting.
3. Discussion/ Action: Cost of Living Raise for Employees. - Public Works Supervisor Ramiro Barajas. Mrs. Nava mentioned to council that back in June of 2022 when the Budget was approved that within the budget there was an 3% increase for employees to start in January of 2023. She proceeds to say that for the Fire Department hourly increase will be coming from the ARPA Funding increasing form current $55.00 with an increase of $20.00 making their hourly rate to $75.00 an hour. City council motioned to approve the 3% cost of living raise increase by Mr. Villalon second by Mrs. Beltran. 4-0 Approved.
4. Discussion/ Action: Budget 2022/2023 Update. - City Treasurer Teri Nava. Mrs. Nava requesting to have item tabled due to needing more time to complete budget update.
Council agreed to table item till February 15th meeting.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
o Police Department Perry Monita Police Chief – Chief Montia reported to city council the previous citizen complain we received from a citizen in regards of their neighbors yard and animals. He proceed to state that currently from what he ahs seen in the yard is that there hasn’t been any changes of yard clean up that it looks to be she’s just moving things from one end to the next. He informed council that this neighbor has already received two (2) notices of nuisance of their yard. Mrs. Rivera asked City attorney Driskill what are legal actions we can take to enforce the cleanup. He mentioned stating that there are legal actions and steps to take on enforcing it. Chief Montia told council he’ll continue to monitor the local residence.
o Fire Department Sergio Cruz Fire Chief – N/A
o Public Works Ramiro Barajas- Absent
o City Hall Supervisor Tami Castro – N/A
o City Treasurer Terri Nava – Mrs. Nava reported to council stating she’s still currently working on the Assistant Grant for the Fire Department, as well as to mentioning the USDA grant still hasn’t been fully spent for the City hall. Also mentioning that she still needs an invoice to process the payment for the Police Department Chief Monita informed her that he’s still waiting on the vehicle to be in stock at the dealership to receive the Invoice. Mrs. Nava finally mentioned she’s currently looking in to the “Hero Pay” the city was granted. She’ll bring up next meeting.
o City Clerk Christine Pisch – N/A
Closed Session: Pending Litigation (Government Code § 54956.9) – City Attorney 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. Start closed session at 6:36pm. Ended closed session at 7:20pm. Nothing to report back.
Consent Agenda:
1. Approval/Action: Approval of January 18th 2023 Meeting Minutes, and City Warrants.
Motion to Approve only Warrant list by Mrs. Beltran Second Mrs. Cruz. 4-0 approved.
Adjournment:
Adjourned Meeting Motioned by Council man Mrs. Beltran second by Mrs. Cruz. 4-0 Approved.
Time ending at 7:23PM.
Next Regular Meeting: February 15, 2023 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: February 3, 2023.