MEETING MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING
COMMISSION
BOARDS OF THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND
March 1, 2023
6:00 PM
The City Council of the City of Westmorland met in City Hall Council Chambers on Wednesday, March 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, Councilwoman Justina Cruz, Councilman Xavier Mendez, Christine Pisch City Clerk, City Treasurer Teri Nava, and City Attorney Mitch Driskill.
Absent: Mayor Pro-Tem Ana Beltran & Councilman Julian Villalon.
Oral Communication
1. Governor Newsom announcing the COVID 19 pandemic state of emergency to end February 28, 2023- Christine Pisch City Clerk. Mrs. Pisch announced to city council the California Governor Newsome signed his Proclamation to the end of COVID 19 in the State of California. This proclamation came to effect February 28, 2023 at 11:59 pm.
Consent Agenda:
1. Approval/Action: Approval on allowing council to attend and vote via phone in Regular Schedule Meetings. Mrs. Pisch reminded council on the Brown Act AB 361 that came into effect and some of the concerns as in make public councils location on agendas.
Mrs. Rivera asked city attorney Mr. Driskill about wanting more information on the Brown Act AB 361. Item was Tabled for March 15th.
Council, Staff & Consultants – Discussion/Action:
1. Discussion/Action: Approval on Resolution No. 23-01 Declaring that the state of local emergency declared by the city council on March 18, 2020 is over- Christine Pisch City Clerk. Mrs. Pisch presented to council the Resolution 23-01 regarding the city of Westmorland adopting along with state that Westmorland is as well out of the Emergency Pandemic COVID 19. Council motioned to approve by Mrs. Cruz second Mr. Mendez. 3/0 Approved.
2. Discussion/Action: Approval on submittal of a grant application for the update of the Circulation Element under the Sustainable Communities grant program and authorize the mayor to sign- Joel Hamby Streets Director. Mr. Hamby reported to city council o the grant application for the Circulation Element under the Sustainable Communities grant program, the matching funds will be drawn from Measure D ½ cent sales tax. He as well requested council to add his Resolution 23-02 to his item. This grant requires the resolution to be passed to proceed on with the grant he is applying to. The deadline will be March 9th 2023. City council motioned to pass the submittal of a grant application and Resolution 23-02. Motioned by Mrs. Cruz second by Mr. Mendez. 3/0 Approved.
3. Discussion/Action: Approval on Public Works Ford F-150 Transmission Repair quote- Ramiro Barajas Public Works Supervisor. Mr. Barajas informed last meeting he had mentioned that the Ford F-150 Transmition is going down. He had received three (3) quotes. Out of the three (3) quotes the most cost efficient was Tioos Transmition for $2,044.33. the funds will be coming out of Capital Improvement from Water Waste Department and Public Works Department split. City council motioned to pass the approval of Tioos Transmition for $2,044.33. Motioned by Mrs.
Cruz second by Mr. Mendez. 3/0 Approved.
4. Discussion/Action: Approval on Filer/ Clarifier inspection quote at Water Treatment FacilityRamiro Barajas Public Works Supervisor. Mr. Barajas reminded council he reposed as well last meeting March 1st he been mentioning the filters being damaged that he was working on quotes.
He submitted to city council two (2) quotes. Mr. Barajas recommended Arc Performance for $24,200.00. The purchase will be made through the ARPA Funding. City council motioned to pass the quote Arc Performance Welding & Fabrication for $24,200.00. Motioned by Mr.
Mendez second Mrs. Cruz. 3/0 Approved.
5. Discussion/Action: Approval on utilizing BSCC Officer Wellness Grant in the amount of $15,000.00 on the following
a. Cost offered through Lexipol—Police One Academy in house training for $930.00 b. Cordico Mental Health and Stress services for $990.00 -Police Chief Monita
Chief Monita mentioned to council his last staff report he had reported stating that he was in process of receiving a grant from the State of California for the police department. He’s been in communication with Lexipol an organization that provides training and mental health programs for police departments. He had mentioned to council that he had giving an wrong amount for the Cordico Mental Health and Stress services for $999.00. City council motioned to pass the utilizing BSCC Officer Wellness Grant in the amount of $15,000.00 on Lexipol Police One Academy in house training & Cordico Mental Health and Stress services. Motioned passed Mrs. Cruz second Mr. Mendez. 3/0 Approved.
6. Discussion: Discussion of Prop 68 Funding- Teri Nava City Treasurer. Mrs. Nava reported to city council that she had been in contact with the State going back and forth. Came to conclusion on the Prop 68 funding was originally submitted for the pool shading. City council discussed that best solution is to find a way to change the pool shading to park projects to improve the Parks & Recreation. City council tabled item for March 15th.
7. Discussion/Action: Discussion on Youth Hall Agreement Renewal- Judith Rivera Mayor. Moved to After Closed Session.
Old Business:
1. Discussion/ Action: Budget 2022/2023 Update. - City Treasurer Teri Nava. Mrs. Nava reported to council if they had any questions as well as we are currently waiting on the USDA Grant renversement and the Housing Element Grant is still pending currently. Tabled to March 15th.
2. Discussion/Action: Approval to hire part-time operator/ maintenance worker. – Ramiro Barajas Public Works Supervisor. Mr. Barajas stressed to city council the need for the part time worker for his department. He had reminded council in his budget there was enough for his part time worker due to an old employee leaving and bumping his part time to full time. So, it leaves him with his part time to be filled in. City council tabled item for March 15th.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
o Police Department Perry Monita Police Chief – N/A
o Fire Department Sergio Cruz Fire Chief –. Absent
o Public Works Ramiro Barajas- reported to city council the SoCal bill for desal will be high due to the 10-hour power outage having to generate the backup machines. o City Hall Supervisor Tami Castro- Absent
o City Treasurer Terri Nava – Nothing to Report.
o City Clerk Christine Pisch – Reports March 18th CR&R Clean up Day.
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. Mrs. Rivera Reported back to table Youth Hall Agreement and to add Water Shut-off Resolution to March 15th meeting.
Adjournment:
Adjourned Meeting Motioned by Council member Mr. Mendez second by Mrs., Cruz 4-0 Approved.
Time ending at 7:25PM.
Next Regular Meeting: March 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: March 6, 2023.