MEETING MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING
COMMISSION
BOARDS OF THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND
May 17, 2023
6:00 PM
The City Council of the City of Westmorland met in City Hall Council Chambers on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 6:00 PM. Mayor Judith Rivera, called the meeting in order at 6:00 PM and Streets Director Joel Hamby led the invocation during meeting.
Present at time of Roll Call: Mayor Judith Rivera, Mayor Pro-Tem Ana Beltran, Councilman Xavier Mendez, Councilwoman Justina Cruz, Councilman Julian Villalon, City Attorney Mitch Driskill, Christine Pisch City Clerk & City Treasurer Teri Nava Regular City Council Meeting:
Oral Communication
1. Julian Villalon “Council member”- Mr. Villalon directed a question to Police Chief about a posting on social media directed to Westmorland Police Department taking long breaks in Brawley Jack in the Box location. Chief Monita requested more information on the social media posting as he was not aware of it till this moment he will speak to his officers.
Old Business:
1. Discussion/Action: Approval on repair clarifier/ filter#1- Ramiro Barajas Public Works Supervisor. Mr. Barajas brought to council non- Providian pay roughing out to $7,000.00 difference. the contractor recommended a coating which will cost around $9,000.00. City council says we continue with the repairs due to the urgence of the repairs. Through the ARPA 130,000 will be going to Public Works 6,000 will be going to Fire Department. M Ana Beltran to use the ARPA Funds in total 130,000 toward the Public Works and $6,000 towards the Fire Department. S- Julian Villalon. M/C 4-0
2. Discussion/Action: Approval on repair 750K tank vent and suction line at south pond- Ramiro Barajas Public Works Supervisor. Mr. Barajas proceeded said to council that he needs the tank repair council instructed him not to exceed $3,500.00 from the ARPA Funds M- Ana Beltran not to exceed $3,500.00 though ARPA Funds. S- Julian Villalon. M/C 4-0
3. Discussion/Action: Discussion and approval of IVRMA Membership plan- Tami Castro City Hall Supervisor. Tabled June 7th Meeting.
4. Discussion/Action: Approval to update City account signees- Judith Rivera City Mayor. Mrs.
Rivera brought to councils’ attention about the signees for the city’s accounts payable and pay roll. She mentioned the best for staff is to add herself as a signer for more efficient process. Mrs.
Rivera asked Mrs. Nava what the limit was for signers. Mrs. Nava responded stating that the
signers are maxed out if anything the city can remove her form the list to add Mrs. Rivera due to being more reliable on signing. M- Ana Beltran to remove Teri Nava “City Treasurer” and add Judith Rivera “Mayor” to signee list. S- Xavier Mendez M/C 4-0.
5. Discussion/Action: Discussion regarding traffic count and signal analysis at Martin/Highway 86- Joel Hamby Streets Director & Judith Rivera City Mayor. Mr. Hamby approached city council in regards to the intersection of Martin Rd and HWY 86 with the concerns that have arise within the few years in concerns with the traffic flow throughout the year having issues with crossing or merging onto HWY 86 off Martin Rd. Mr. Hamby mentions as well that in order to have Caltrans approve the light installation there had to be a study done that can be paid through Measure D Funds as well as an amendment on the Resolution between the City and Loves Travel Store. Mr.
Hamby asks council when will be the best timing for the study to be done it could be done within the next month or later in the year. City council discussed the best alternative and suggested within now to November of this year should be the best timing sot this study to operate. M- Ana Beltran to proceed with the study on the traffic flow of intersection of Martin Rd and HWY 86 by November 2023. S- Justina Cruz. M/C 4-0.
New Business:
1. Imperial County Mental Health- Requesting permission from the city to utilize space in the Westmorland City Park to provide mental health services for the residents of Westmorland – Chief Monita. Chief Monita introduced a representative from the Behavior Health. He proceeds to state to council that the Mobile vehicle will provide help to locals within Westmorland or local around the area who can’t make it to their appointments or don’t have mobile devices that can have their appointment over the internet. The city council gives the Imperial County Mental Health authorization on using the city park. M/C 4-0.
Council, Staff & Consultants – Discussion/Action:
1. Discussion/Action: Approval to utilize remaining balance of USDA Police Department funds to purchase two (2) new AC Units for Police Department and three (3) flash cards for the radios for the police vehicles- Police Chief Monita. Chief Monita brought to council he has remain $12,500.00 the AC Units Costed $1,411.50 to be installed. The flash cards for the police Cars will cost $1,623.00 leaving him with $9,800.00 and states the remainder to purchase dog cages at the Public Works Department due to people jumping the fence and dogs escaping. M- Ana Beltran motioned the approve of the Purchases and the remainder to purchase dog changes. S- Julian Villalon. M/C 4-0.
2. Discussion/Action: Discussion of City Budget Draft FY 2023-24- Teri Nava City Treasurer.
Tabled to June 7th Meeting.
3. Discussion/Action: Discussion and approval on Public Works USDA Grant Application- Teri Nava City Treasurer. Mrs. Nava wanted to discuss both item 3 and 4 together beginning to state to council that our USDA funds are slowly going out and she has spoken to Edger from USDA that we have been in the contact with stated to her that we can start applying for more grants.
Mrs. Nava proceeded to say that public works Department do need a Bob Cat Equipment instead of having to rent the Equipment.
4. Discussion/Action: Discussion and approval on Streets USDA Grant Application- Teri Nava City Treasurer. Mrs. Nava Proceed to say that they are wanting to purchase a new truck due to the vehicle going out City Council discussed if it was able to be purchased though their Measure D Funds Mr. Hamby did confirm that it can. Mr. Barajas suggested that the matching fund can be paid thought the Measure D Funds. M- Ana Beltran motioned to approve the application for the USDA item #3 and #4. S- Julian Villalon. M/C 4-0.
5. Discussion/Action: Discussion of CDBG Loans of 2006- RLA and 99-STBG- 1392 Grant- Teri Nava City Treasurer. Mrs. Nava Brought to council the following CDBG Loans have came to her requesting a loan forgiveness. That the following information provided that will be shredded once meeting is over. One approached her asking why no matter how much she pays makes no difference on her payments down the line. Mrs. Nava is requesting for council to look over those following applications for loan forgiveness. Mrs. Rivera mentioned to Mrs. Nava that there were more accounts like these ones. Mrs. Nava stated that the CDBG once it’s granted to the city the city can do as they please with the Loans. Mrs. Rivera states she wants to see more grants show up that there is more like these loans. City council decided to Table the item for the next Regular scheduled meeting.
6. Discussion/Action: Authorize advertise advertisement of the Request for Proposals for Engineering Design Services for the Westmorland Water Distribution System Improvement SCDR Grant Project- Joel Hamby Streets Director. Mr. Hamby submitted a request to Engineering Design Services to the Drought Relief programming. Mr. Hamby is requesting to Drop the item but wants to discuss the funding of another funding. This grant is not requiring no Audits for this funding. The city has to write the check and submit the contractor’s invoice and submit it will take roughly 60 days. Mr. Hamby suggest to council that it wont hurt to submit for this programing. Mrs. Beltran states we should proceed the with Mr. Hamby’s suggestion.
7. Discussion/Action: Discussion on agreement between Westmorland Elementary School and City of Westmorland usage of community pool for summer school program- Ramiro Barajas Public Works Supervisor. Mr. Cordaro is requesting an agreement between the school and the city. Last year the lifeguards were not paid overtime from the school but this year will be added in their agreement. 2pm-5pm will be for the public and 8am-12pm for the school and 5pm after will be for rentals. The school only needs 2 lifeguards. Zumba will have to be paying the Lifeguard directly. Rentals they will be paying the city hall directly the lifeguard and rental fee. City Council motion to have city hall to amend the application for rentals and to make an invoice to the school.
8. Discussion/Action: to accept bid to purchase APN Parcels 035-272-005-000 & 035-272-006-000- City Council. City council received the bid in total of $40,000 for the two lots. The city attorney suggests to city council that in this clause there is 25day escrow period. With in the next 45days they need to make the payment and handle all the transfer fees. M- Ana Beltran the Bid of $40,000 and the following of in the next 45days they need to make the payment and handle all the transfer fees. S- Julian Villalon. M/C 4-0.
Consent Agenda:
1. Approval/Action: Approval on Meeting Minutes for April 19, 2023 & City Warrants. M – Justina Cruz S- Xavier Mendez M/C 4-0.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
o Police Department Perry Monita Police Chief- Nothing to Report. o Fire Department Sergio Cruz Fire Chief – Chief Cruz reported truck 6131 is currently being examined part by part.
o Public Works Ramiro Barajas- Mr. Barajas reported the cost of a full new basket ball court will roughly cost $140,000.00 that’s only quoted for the new concrete. Adding on the concrete walking path through the park will roughly cost $40,000.00, then the fixing of the sink hole located at the Waste Water Plant was quoted $32,000.00. o City Hall Supervisor Tami Castro- Absent.
o City Treasurer Terri Nava – Nothing to Report.
o City Clerk Christine Pisch – Noting to report.
Closed Session:
City Council into Close session at 7:14
Back from Closed session 7:42 pm nothing to Report.
Adjournment:
Adjourned Meeting Motioned by Council member M- Mrs. Beltran S-Mrs. Cruz M/C 4-0 Time ending at 7:42PM.
Next Regular Meeting: June 7, 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: June 2, 2023.