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, MARCH 6, 2024 6:00 PM
MINUTES
Call to Order – Mayor Judith Rivera
Pledge of Allegiance – Mayor Rivera
Roll Call:
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. • Alex Cardenas Paul Rodriguez- (IID Representatives). Mr. Cardenas reported to council about the recent storm causing a power outage in the city. They had gotten the power back on by 6:00pm. Mr. Cardenas mentioned as well that he will be placed on the next upcoming agenda.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
• Fire Department - Sergio Cruz. Nothing to report.
• Police Department- Perry Monita. Reported to council of a check from the county office not being deposited as well as a recall on one of the units. • Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas. Request to speak in closed session.
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
• City Manager- Laura Fischer -Part-time Manager. Reported the Fire grant was submitted on 3- 6-2024 in a total of 20 hours.
• City Hall Supervisor/City Treasurer– Tami Castro - ABSENT • 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 February 21, 2024
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
3. Approval of Conveyor Group Yearly Renewal- Laura Fischer, Manager AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Gutierrez, Cruz, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
Regular Business:
1. Discussion/Action to approve Resolution 2024-03 Section 125 Premium Only Plan, Plan Year Ending November 30, 2024- Christine Pisch, City Clerk. Ms. Pisch presented Resolution 2024-03 reporting this resolution has to be done every year the city renews the health insurance; it notifies the staff of the plans coverage and the allows to make major changes now or later in the year. Council motioned to approve.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez Cruz, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
2. Discussion/Action to authorize the mayor to execute an agreement with the City of Brawley for dispatching services- Laura Fischer, Manager. Ms. Fischer presented the agreement between the city and Brawley Dispatch. She stated the agreement has to be done to it being out dated and the rates did go up as well she mentioned.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Gutierrez, Cruz, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
3. Discussion/Action to authorize Teri Nava to perform the FY 2024 Annual monitoring for HOME- Assisted Rental Project- Laura Fischer, Manager. Tabled till March 20, 2024.
4. Discussion/Action to reclassify the water service account 510 E. Main as requested by property owner- Laura Fischer, Manager. Ms. Fischer reported to council in consideration it changing the service from commercial to two (2) residentials since the business hasn’t been there since 2014. She recommends to have the shop caped off for a percussion. Council decided to table item till march 20, 2024.
5. Information/ Discussion to amend Ordinance NO. 16-05 regarding Marijuana Facilities within the city- Ana Beltran Council Member. Ms. Beltran broight to the co8uncils attention in considering amending the ordnance to allow dispensary’s being located and sold in the city. As well as mentioning the income the city can be having by allowing them to be in the city. Mr. Cordaro from the Westmorland Elementary School spoke for the school stating it would enable the local children to want to partake in either taking the drugs or bring them to school. Interim Chief of Police Perry Montia as well stated his concerns on having the dispensary in the city stating they will need more officers and they will need more training to handle he cases when the dispensary’s and the delivery dispensary’s getting robed. It cases more crime rate to rise in the city. Council decided on to table till March 20, 2024
6. Informational use to review/ discussion MOU between Westmorland Elementary School and City of Westmorland- Justina Cruz, Council Member. Mr. Barajas began by stating to council about him reporting to the school per direction from the council that we will no longer participate in the MOU. Mr. Cordaro and Mrs. Brambila were there representing the school district. Mrs. Brambila stated there might have been a confusion on the new MOU, mentioning how this new MOU will stating that the time from for the park usage will not be for years its year to year. As well as mentioning that in the MOU that the school will be splitting the costs or paying the full amount of any cost. Ms. Rivera recommended to the school that they should be including in the Little League since they are the ones in use of the park. Council decided to hold off on the MOU till further discussion.
7. Informational use only updates on AFG Grant- Laura Fischer, Manager. Ms. Fischer reported that the grant team has been getting together and gathering information on the fire department. As well as mentioning that they are still working on submitting the grant.
Closed Session:
o Conference with Legal Counsel Pending Litigation (Gov’t. Code §54956.9(d)(1).) Adjournment into closed session: 6:51PM
End of closed session: 7:45PM
To reportable action was taken.
Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting March 20, 2024.
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:48PM
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Cruz, Gutierrez, Rivera
NONES: 0
ABSENT: 0
Submitted for Approval: March 14, 2024.
Audio Transcription: Christine Pisch, City Clerk
Transcript Record: Christine Pisch, City Clerk