MEETING MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING
COMMISSION
BOARDS OF THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND
September 20, 2023
6:00 PM
The City Council of the City of Westmorland met in City Hall Council Chambers on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM. Mayor Judith Rivera, called the meeting in order at 6:00 PM.
Audio Transcription & Congressional Record: Christine Pisch, City Clerk Present at time of Roll Call, Mayor Judith Rivera, Councilwoman Justina Cruz, Councilman Xavier Mendez, City Clerk Christine Pisch & City Attorney Mitch Driskill.
Absent: Councilman Julian Villalon, Mayor Pro-Tem Ana Beltran & City Treasurer Teri Nava
Regular City Council Meeting:
Oral Communication – Public
1. Cari Augusta – Westmorland Community Food Pantry- in request for Street Closure for Community Resource Fair November Tuesday 21st, 2023 from 4:00pm- 7:00pm. Mrs.
Augusta presented to council that the community food pantry is celebrating its 5 years and want to give to the public a free resource fair to the city residents in request for council’s approval on the road closure from main street – 3
rd street. City council granted for the
permission to verify with both fire department. Police department and public works department for best safest routes.
2. Alex Cardenas – IID Board Director Division 1 – Introducing New General Manager Jamie Asbury & New Energy Manager Matther Smelser and provide IID service update.
Mr. Cardenas stated his apologies to council on not attending as many meetings as he once did, he wanted to thank Ramiro Barajas and Joel Hamby for the support and help they have provided to him. He reported that he and the boys are working on covering the unused drainages though out the city. And he and his new team are currently trying to figure out the loss of power the city has been having with the most recent storms. He proceeded to introduce his new General manager Jamie Asbury and Energy Manager Matthew Smelser. He requested for the mayor’s approval to continue the 2 on 2 group meetings he was previously having Mrs. Rivera approved to continue the meetings. he lastly stated that the new REP Project has recently updated the age discount of 30% to 60 and up.
3. Stella Mata- City Resident Public Comment- wanted to express her thanks to the Public Works Department for all the help they provided to the city.
4. Ryan Kelley- Imperial County Board of Supervisors Pubic Comment- Mr. Kelley wanted to express to council that AB617 will be affecting the City of Westmorland in a good environmental way with the air pollution and beatification of the city. As well as updating on the me Imperial County fire chief. As well as the AB918 United Healthcare District recommending to vote for the better of the Imperial County.
Old Business:
1. – Discussion & Action: Approval of RESOLUTION NO. 23-11 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND RELATING TO SELLING OF APN 035-272- 005-000 & 035-272-006-000 LOT 6 & 7 – Tami Castro City Hall Supervisor. City Attorney Mr.
Driskill stated he did read all the escrow paperwork and stated everything was good to be approved. M- Justina Cruz S- Xavier Mendez M/C 3-0.
2. Discussion/Action: Discussion on the CR&R Trash Increase – Tami Castro City Hall Supervisor.
Mrs. Castro presented to council the yearly CR&R increase. Matt Gray CR&R Representee was present to the meeting and reminded the city council that the increase is just the yearly increase as every year. Mrs. Rivera question Mr. Gray on her knowledge of the contract being up this coming year, Mr. Gray stated back in 2019/2020 the city approved for the contract to be extended for another 5years. Mrs. Rivera motioned to table item till she and the city attorney can do further research on the contract table till October 4th.
3. Discussion/Action: Discussion/ Review and approve CDBG hardship policy and procedures - Teri Nava City Treasurer & Judith Rivera Mayor. Mr. Driskill City Attorney requested to table till October 4th meeting.
4. Discussion/Action: Reviewal and update of ORDINANCE 13-01 An Ordinance of the City of Westmorland Zoning Ordinance Section 4.07 “Fences, Walls and Hedges” – Xavier Mendez Council member. Mr. Mendez reported to council about his concerns about the fence height Mrs.
Rivera stated she has spoken to Mr. Hamby he reminded her they should have stated in the plans of a higher fence to the side of the home of the standard 6’ or to submit and encroachment permit into the city to be approved. Item dropped.
Council, Staff & Consultants – Discussion/Action:
1. Discussion/ Action: Approval of RESOLUTION NO. 23-13 RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND RELATING TO ACCEPTING FUNDS FROM THE 2021-2022 COPS FUNDS GRANT (AB 1584) – Perry Monita Police Chief. Chief Monita reported this resolution 23-13 will be paying for officer Garza and Salazars pay as well as the cost of the back ground check on Reserve Espinoza and Garza leaving the funding at $59,000.00. M- Justina Cruz motioned to approve resolution 23-13 S- Xavier Mendez. M/C 3-0.
2. Discussion/ Action: Approval of RESOLUTION NO. 23-12 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND RELATING TO THE FERP20L (019) SOUTH CENTER STREET PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – Joel Hamby Streets Director. Mr. Hamby stated resolution 23-12 is mandatory to accepting the funds for the FERP20L (019) leaving the Measure D Fund with 1.75 million. M- Justina Cruz motioned to approve the resolution 23-12 S- Xavier Mendez. M/C 3-0.
3. Discussion/Action: Awarding of the contract for the LPPSB1L-5 5278(021) Pedestrian Drainage Improvement project – Joel Hamby Streets Director. Mr. Hamby reported his recommendation to award the Drainage Improvement Project to Universal Concrete in the amount of $78,000.00. M- Justina Cruz motioned to award the Drainage Improvement project to Universal Concrete. S- Xavier Mendez. M/C 3-0.
4. Discussion/Action: Discussion to reconsider the Water and Sewer Master Plan Update project by Jose Carlos Romero/Pro Terra – Joel Hamby Streets Director. Mr. Hamby recommended to council to reconsider the master plan for the water and sewer it’ll be in the amount of $25,428.00 it’ll take about 60-week days from approval. M- Justina Cruz motioned to update the Water and Sewer Master Plan. S- Xavier Mendez. M/C 3-0.
5. Discussion/Action: On more patrolling by WPD (Police Department) down Main Street to prevent traffic hazards – Xavier Mendez Councilmember. Mr. Mendez brought to councils’ attention that the number of times he has traveled down the Main Street there are cars no following the speed. Chief Monita stated he’ll make sure that the other officers know to patrol more during high hours of traffic.
6. Emergency Item: Discussion/Action: Approval for Purchase component sampler – Ramiro Barajas Public Works Director. Mr. Barajas stated that they are in an emergency need for as new sampler requesting that the funding for it will be from the CIP Funds or the ARPA funds not to exceed $7,000.00. M- Justina Cruz motioned to allow the purchase not to exceed $7,000.00. S- Xavier Mendez. M/C 3-0.
Consent Agenda:
1. Approval/Action: Approval on Meeting Minutes for September 6, 2023 & City Warrants.
M – Ana Beltran S- Justina Cruz M/C 3-0.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
o Police Department Perry Monita Police Chief- Chief Monita reported that 3/5 showed up and out of the 3 there are 2 he’s in consideration of hire. o Fire Department Sergio Cruz Fire Chief – Chief Cruz reported that the second line Engen is still down in the meantime going to get the county’s approval to use the county fire Engen.
o Public Works Ramiro Barajas- Mr. Barajas reported he lost a worker he wants to hire within for the position then hire for maintenance worker, as well there was a fire in the dump but the was a natural cause due to a mirror being within in bump. o City Hall Supervisor Tami Castro- Absent
o City Treasurer Terri Nava – Absent.
o City Clerk Christine Pisch – requested to speak in closed session.
Closed Session:
City Council into Close session: 7:00pm
Came back from closed session at 7:16pm nothing to report.
Adjournment:
Adjourned Meeting Motioned by Council member M- Xavier Mendez S- Justina Cruz M/C 3-0 Time ending at 7:17pm.
Next Regular Meeting: October 4, 2023 at 6:00 PM.
/s/ Christine C. Pisch
Christine C. Pisch
Christine C. Pisch, City Clerk
/s/ Judith Rivera
Judith C. Rivera
Judith C. Rivera, Mayor
Submitted for Approval: September 29, 2023.