Mayor’s Message
This is a public meeting. You may be heard on an agenda item before the Council takes action on the item upon being recognized by the mayor.
During the oral communications portion of the agenda, you may address the Council on items that do not appear on the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council. Personal attacks on individuals, slanderous comments, or comments, which may invade an individual’s privacy, are prohibited. The mayor reserves the right to limit the speaker’s time. Individuals wishing accessibility accommodations at this meeting, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), may request such accommodations to aid hearing, visual, or mobility impairment by contacting City Hall at (760) 344-3411. Please note that 48 hours advance notice will be necessary to honor your request.
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR
MEETING OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL
AND THE REDEVELOPMENTAGENCY
OF THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND
WEDNSDAY, FEBUARY 21, 2024 6:00 PM
MINUTES
Call to Order – Mayor Judith Rivera
Pledge of Allegiance – Mayor Rivera
Roll Call:
Present:
Mayor, Judith Rivera
Mayor Pre- tem, Xavier Mendez
Council Member, Justina Cruz
Council Member, Ray Gutierrez
Council Member, Ana Beltran
Regular City Council Meeting:
Oral Communication-Public Comment: Now is the time for any member of the public to speak to the Council. Please step to the podium and state your name and address for the record. • Danial Paramo- (District Supervisor), Mr. Paramo introduced himself to council. He is currently running in the upcoming March Election. He as well stated to council if they have any questions to feel free to reach out to him at any time, he is more than welcome to answer any of his questions they may have.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
• Fire Department - Sergio Cruz.
Mr. Cruz and Mrs. Frisher explained to council that the invoice provided is for information use only. The work to be done was approved by council in the Brown Act AB 361:
Location: Westmorland City Hall Council Chambers 355 S Center Street Judith Rivera- Mayor
Xavier Mendez- Mayor Pro-Tem
Ana Beltran- Council Member
Justina Cruz- Council Member
Ray Gutierrez- Council Member
previous meeting this invoice is for the current issues they have found with the fire engine.
• Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas
Mr. Barajas had reported that there is going to be in an addition hydrant replacement the Mallory location which will be presented at the next meeting with quotes. As well mentions the current break in of local teenagers at the waste water plant and the Jake James Park with locals damaging the properties.
He is currently looking into getting cameras for survey the location. • City Manager- Laura Fischer -Part-time Manager (Via Phone) Mrs. Fischer reported she is currently working on the budget amendment to the General Fund.
• City Hall Supervisor/City Treasurer– Tami Castro (Via Phone) Mrs. Castro reported she has nothing further to report other than her report she had provided to council.
• City Clerk – Christine Pisch
Mrs. Pisch reported she has nothing further to report other than her report she had provided to council.
Old Business:
Consent Agenda:
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from November 15, 2023, December 6, 2023, Special Meeting for December 21, 2023 and Regular Meeting Minutes for January 17, 2024.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Gutierrez, Mendez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Gutierrez, Mendez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
3. Approve Payment to Desert Valley Power Systems for Repairs to the Automatic Control Screen on Transfer Switch for Fire Department in The Amount Of $3,160.63.
Mrs. Fischer and Mr. Cruz had recommended to council that the repairs that are needed are necessary for the Fire Department. The total cost of repairs for the backup generator will be in the of amount of $3,160.63.
AYES: (1) Gutierrez, (2) Cruz, Beltran, Mendez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
4. Authorize Payment of Invoice to Dudeck Engineering in The Amount of $30,000 For Shop Drawings and Submittals for the New Water Filter Project.
Mrs. Fischer recommended to council to approve the payment to Dudek Engineering in the total amount of $30,000.00. she had reminded council on the previous meeting on February 7, 2024 they had already approved the expenditure of the project this is now approving the invoice to pa paid through the grant funding we had received back.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Gutierrez, Mendez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
Regular Business:
5. Discussion/Action to Clear the Abatement Notice for Property Located at 396 N. H Street.
Mrs. Castro reported to council that the property at 396 N. H Street had accomplished all the requirements they had been requested by the city except for the trapping on the fencing which was cleared by the Fire Chief who had inspected it. Council requested to keep this abatement open till they remove the tarping giving the property owner an additional 30-day notice to remove the tarping.
6. Discussion/Action to Appoint a Permanent Member to the Local Agency Formation Commission, Imperial County Transportation Commission, Southern California Association of Governments and Imperial Valley Resource Management Association.
Mrs. Fischer reported to council that the following commissions:
LAFCO (once a year): Xavier Mendez Secondary Ana Beltran ICTC (once per month): Judith Rivera
ICTC Management Committee: Laura Fischer
ICTC Technical Advisory Committee: Ramiro Barajas
LEAGUE OF CITIES (coupe times year): Ana Baltran
SCAG (once per year): Ana Beltran Secondary Justina Cruz IVRMA (once per year): Tami Castro
7. Discussion/Action to Authorize Staff to Develop Projects for Submittal to the USDA Grant Programs.
Mrs. Fischer informed council on an upcoming grant from the USDA for $50,000.00 with a 25% match it’s the same grant we had previously applies for all departments.
Council came to agreement on passing on this USDA round of grants for the time being.
8. Discussion/Action to Authorize Staff to Develop Projects for Submittal to the Assistance to Fire Fighters and SAFER grants.
Mrs. Fischer informed council on the SAFER Grants for the Fire Department. The grant is for $1,000,000.00 with a 5% match which will be the maximum match of $50,000.00. she had contacted Fire Chief Cruz to provide her with a list of things the fire department are in need of to have for the grant submission if approved. Council agreed that the SAFER Grant is a better grant to apply for.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz, Mendez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
9. Discussion/Action to Purchase Folding Machine in the Amount of $816.73 for Water/Sewer/Trash Monthly Billing.
Mrs. Fischer reported to council to approve the purchase of the folding machine for the office staff billing. Mrs. Pisch mentioned the two staff members are having to hand fold all 550 billing accounts that have the machine will cut the time folding in half the time the staff takes about 3days folding. Mrs. Beltran and Mrs. Cruz both agreed stating they both support in purchase of the machine.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Cruz, Gutierrez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
10. Discussion/Action to Authorize Primo Construction to Make Necessary Repairs/Replacement of Fire Hydrant, Valve, and Water Line at Boart’s Road in an Amount Not to Exceed $20,409.
Mr. Barajas informed to council that the hydrant out on Boarts Road is in urgent need of repair. He provided two quotes (1) Primo Construction & Services, INC total $20,409.00 (2) D.J Miller, INC total $25,000.00. Mr. Barajas suggested to go with Primo Construction due to the lower price. As well mentioning the funds will be coming from the Capital Improvement funds.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Cruz, Gutierrez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
11. Discussion/Action to Submit a Scoping Letter to County of Imperial Regarding Lithium Valley PIER.
Mrs. Fischer reported to the prior meeting that the city instructed for a scoping letter to be submitted to the County of Imperial in regards of the Lithium Valley PIER. Mrs.
Rivera reviewed and approved for the submission of the letter.
12. Discussion/Action to Adopt Resolution 2024-02 Establishing Bank Signatory Authority at US Bank, Mechanics Bank and Sun Community Federal Credit Union Mrs. Fischer presented the Resolution 2024-02 to be approved by council to submit to the following three banks to have the old city treasure removed and the signers to be updated at the banks.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Cruz, Gutierrez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
13. Review and Discuss Draft Water Master Plan.
TABLED FOR FURTHER REVIEWAL March 6, 2024.
14. Review and Discuss Draft Housing Element.
TABLED FOR FURTHER REVIEWAL March 6, 2024.
15. Set a Special Meeting Date and Time to Develop Westmorland’s Strategic Plan.
Council agreed to March 13, 2024 at 5:00PM to create the Special Meeting.
Closed Session:
o Public Service Employee Performance Evaluation (Gov’t. Code §54957(b)(1).) Adjournment into closed session: 6:45PM
End of closed session: 7:18PM
To reportable action was taken.
Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting March 6, 2024.
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:21PM
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Cruz, Gutierrez, Rivera
NONES: 0
ABSENT: 0
Submitted for Approval: February 28, 2024.
Audio Transcription: Christine Pisch, City Clerk
Congressional Record: Christine Pisch, City Clerk