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, APRIL 17, 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. - Jose Salazar, IVC Rep.: Mr. Salazar presented to the city council of a potential Movie night in the city. He mentioned he just previously just had a collaboration with the City of Brawley he was interested in doing the same with the City of Westmorland within the next week or so. City council directed him to contact Mrs. Pisch with further details of the event. - Informational Presentation on Future Westmorland Bypass- David Aguirre, Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC). Mr. Aguirre mentioned to council of the long-term and short-term Forrester Road improvements such as the Westmorland Bypass and upcoming road improvements on the Forrester Road.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
• Fire Department - Sergio Cruz. Mr. Cruz reported to council he did receive the FEMA Trailers from the County he’s currently waiting on time for Public Works to take them over to his yard. The Fire Engen that David & Sons been working on has finally find the issue and is currently working on fishing it up to bring back to the city. On the following Sunday his six (6) Fire Fighters had training.
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
• Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas. Mr. Barajas informed the council on his most recent State Water Board Visit. The Board had informed him they will be giving him their recommendation. He mentioned he will bring back the additional information to the City Council. • City Manager- Laura Fischer -Part-time Manager. Mrs. Fischer mentioned the following from her written Staff report:
o The county safety seal tax pitch
o Having a meeting with the Padilla Office
o Will be bringing back the accounting software sometime in May
o Housing and Leap grants first payments
o The CDBG housing monitoring will be this coming Friday o Potential meeting with Teri Nava
Consent Agenda:
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from April 3, 2024
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Mendez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
Regular Business:
1. Discussion/Action Approve new CR&R Contract- Laura Fischer, Manager. Mrs. Fischer brought to council that her recommendation is to update the CR&R contract to make the city complaint with what the state is requesting from Mrs. Castro she’s unable to provide. Mrs.
Rivera stated the only way they will even consider is to keep the same year of 2025. They are wanting less years with the contract, year to year contracting.
2. Discussion/Action Purchase of procured mulch for compliance of Cal Recycle- Tami Castro, City Hall Supervisor. Mrs. Castro brought to council that due to the SBA requirements that the city had to purchase mulch from a local holler. With CR&R it will be an amount of $4,480.00, if and when the contract is updated the price per ton will be slightly less then what the city will be paying now.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Beltran, Mendez, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
3. Discussion/Action Approval to close Bank Account and Transfer Funds to Local Agency Investment Fund- Laura Fischer, Manager. Mrs. Fischer requested to Table till the following meeting in May.
4. Discussion/Action Approval of AC Repair on Engine 6121 not to exceed &2,000.00- Sergio Cruz, Fire Chief. Mr. Cruz mentioned to council the AC has been out since the winter and found no need have the AC replaced till this spring with the heat already coming and the Fire fighters needing it in the engine. His quote provided is a worst-case scenario of the estimated fix. Council motioned not to exceed $2,100.00 from the general fund.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Cruz, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
5. Information/ Discussion: Regarding the 3rd Quarter Budget Review- Laura Fischer, Manager.
Mrs. Fischer mentioned to council her recommendation is to have a budget workshop for all council and supervisors to attend. Council agreed to holding a special meeting on May 1st a 5pm before the regular scheduled meeting.
6. Information/ Discussion: State Water Board Compliance Order- Laura Fischer, Manager. Mrs.
Fischer mentioned to council that Mr. Barajas had responded back to the State Water Board in a timely matter they are currently doing all testing required from 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: 6:46 PM
End of closed session: 7:01 PM
To reportable action was taken.
Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting May 1, 2024.
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:50PM
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Cruz, Rivera
NONES: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
Submitted for Approval: April 29, 2024.
Audio Transcription: Christine Pisch, City Clerk
Transcript Record: Christine Pisch, City Clerk