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 20, 2024 6:00 PM
MINUTES
Call to Order – Mayor Judith Rivera
Pledge of Allegiance – Mayor Rivera
Roll Call:
Mayor, Judith Rivera
Council Member, Justina Cruz
Council Member, Ray Gutierrez
Council Member, Ana Beltran
Absent:
Mayor Pre- tem, Xavier Mendez
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. - IID Corrective action plan concerning power outages presentation - Alex Cardenas, IID Board Chairman & Paul Rodriguez, Assistant Manager.
Mr. Cardenas & Mr. Rodriguez presented to city council a brief presentation on the recent wind storm we faced in the Imperial County, causing the to lose power for a few hours. The cost to fix the second power source will be ½ million dollars as well as the breaker that seems to be failing will cost $300,000.00. they will be returning with quarterly reports to the city on the progress to restoring these electrical issues we locally face.
- Virgina Dickerson- 255 N Center Street. Ms. Dickerson brought to councils’ attention of the police cars making the in front of the city hall looking very dirty and out of use.
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
As well as the police department in question if we are being ran by the local sherif department, Ms. Rivera reassured Ms. Dickerson we do have our police department we are in the works of hire two (2) new officers in training as well looking into an additional two (2) officers later down the road. As we as mentioning the sheriff department patrolling on the weekends and after the officer’s shift.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
• Fire Department - Sergio Cruz. Mr. Cruz Reported Fire Engine is almost complete, that the medical truck is still down.
• Police Department- Perry Monita. Reported to council he met with the Shirreff Department in discussion of having contract between the city and Shirreff Department. • Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas. Nothing to report other than written report provided. • City Manager- Laura Fischer -Part-time Manager. -Nothing to report other than written report provided.
• City Hall Supervisor/City Treasurer– Tami Castro. - Nothing to report other than written report provided.
• City Clerk – Christine Pisch. -Nothing to report other than written report provided.
Old Business:
Consent Agenda:
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from March 6, 2024
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2), Gutierrez, Cruz, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
3. Authorize payment to Aggregate Products Inc. in the amount of $13,537.53, which is the final payment of the 5% project retention – Laura Fischer, Manager, Ms. Fischer mentioned to council this payment was approved the past meeting this item being presented is the final cost to be paid for the street project on Center Street
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Gutierrez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
4. Authorize payment to Dudek in the amount of $40,344.75 for the water treatment plant filter replacement project – Laura Fischer, Manager, Ms. Fischer mentioned to council this payment was approved the past meeting this item being presented is for the upcoming filter project being paid out of the Small Droughts Grant.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Beltran, Gutierrez, Cruz, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
5. Authorize payment to Primo Construction in the amount of $20,339.00 for the hydrant replacement on Boarts Road. – Ramiro Barajas, Public Works Director, Mr. Barajas mentioned to council this payment was approved the past meeting this item being presented the final cost for the hydrant replacement.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
6. Approval the Draft Independent Auditor’s Reports for the City of Westmorland Measure D Sales Tax Fund Year Ended June 30, 2023 and authorize to file as appropriate. – Laura Fischer, Manager, Mrs. Fischer reported to council in recommending to approve the draft as is this draft is the total revenue and expenditures the city had in the ending year of June 30, 2023 made out of the Measure D Account.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Gutierrez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
7. Approval the Redevelopment Agency Annual Disclosure Statement and authorize the City Treasure to file as appropriate. – Laura Fischer, Manager, Mrs. Fischer reported to council in recommending to allow the City Treasure Ms. Castro to submit the report to the State.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Gutierrez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
Regular Business: 6:25pm
1.Proclamation to dedicate the month of April 2024 as Autism Awareness Month - Gloria Brambila. Mrs. Brambila wanted to thank the city for once again allowing her to bring this Proclamation to the city for another year, she as well mentioned this proclamation is more then just dedicating this month to Autism Awareness and more then just a blue light being outside, its close to her and her family. Mrs. Brambila wanted to introduce James Gonzalez from the Autism Support of Imperial County. Mr. Gonzalez gave a brief statement that he is here in support in educating other on Autism Awareness as well to educate those who have children with autism. Mrs. Rivera announced the acceptance of the Proclamation in declaring the month of April 2024 as Autism Awareness Month.
2.Information and Discussion Westmorland Strategic Plan – Laura Fischer, Manager- Tabled for further discussion.
3.Discussion/Action to authorize Teri Nava to perform the FY 2024 Annual monitoring for HOME- Assisted Rental Project- Laura Fischer, Manager- Ms. Rivera directed for staff to do HOME monitoring by being trained by Ms. Nava for free.
4.Information/ Discussion to amend Ordinance NO. 16-05 regarding Marijuana Facilities within the city - Ana Beltran Council Member- Tabled till next meeting.
5.Discussion/Action to review the lease with United Families Property located at 193 E 3rd Street – Laura Fischer, Manager. Ms. Fischer recommended to council to have our fire department to be located in this city owned building perimetry as the new fire safety building.
Ms. Rivera gave direction to the City Attorney to create a cancellation notice to the United Families, as well directed for Public Works Director to contact CR&R to remove the dumpster so the fire department to park their fire equipment in the yard.
6.Discussion/Action Approval to purchase a Hot Tapping machine for Public Works not to exceed $3,400 – Ramiro Barajas, Public Works Director. Mr. Barajas precented to council that the water plant is in need of a new Hot Tapping Machine. This equipment is urgently needed at the water plant, he recommends to council to give him a budget of $3,400.00.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Gutierrez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
7.Discussion/Action Approval to replace fire hydrant at the 200 block of North Center Street – Ramiro Barajas, Public Works Director. Mr. Barajas reminded council the last council meeting he had mentioned that he was in the works of getting quotes for hydrant repair on the 200 Block of North Center Street, he’s recommending to council to approve his not to exceed of $6,500.00 that he and his department will be doing the labor themselves. The funds being used will be out of the Capital Improvement Funds.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Gutierrez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
8.Discussion/ Informational Draft Housing Element - Laura Fischer, Manager. Ms. Fischer reported to council that the LEAP Grant had expired as well as the city received a no compliance notice for not submitting th4 Housing Element to the state.
Closed Session:
- 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).) Legal Counsel Pending Litigation Claim – 100 S H Street (Gov’t. Code §54956.9(d)(1).) Adjournment into closed session: 7:00PM
End of closed session: 7:33PM
To reportable action was taken.
Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting April 3, 2024.
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35PM
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz, Rivera
NONES: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
Submitted for Approval: April 1, 2024.
Audio Transcription: Christine Pisch, City Clerk
Transcript Record: Christine Pisch, City Clerk