MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WESTMORLAND
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2024
6:00 PM
City Council Chambers
355 South Center Street
Westmorland, CA 92281
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.
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
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rivera Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation: The pledge of allegiance was led by Mayor Rivera Roll Call: Council Members Present:
Present: Mayor Rivera, Council Members Mendez, Gutierrez and Cruz.
Absent: Council Member Beltran was excused absent.
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. Three (3) minute maximum time.
1. Christine Q., Petition Representative Prisoners Memorial Hospital- Mr. Christine presented to city council a petition letter in not merging the El Centro Reginal Hospital and PMH asking for council to support the petition opposing to the 8918 Merge.
2. Justina Cruz, Council Member- wanted to let council know that she receives a call thanking the city council for allowing the 8th graders to have their promotional dance in the City’s Youth Hall.
3. Presentation of 911 Stair Climb- Ana Beltran, Council Member & Carlos Pitones Edger Quinones.
Mr. Quinones presented to council the 911 Stair climb he played a short video with his presentation reminding council that every year they make this walk in memory for those he passed from 911. As well mentioning the current project of the fair ground is working on a veteran memorial in the park, they are now accepting donations or payments for the love ones who served in any rank of military to have a plaque with their name on it.
Planning Committee Department:
1. Discussion & Action Approval on larger Chevron Signage at El Sol Market – Tami Castro, City Hall Supervisor. - Dropped till further information.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz- Mr. Cruz reported to council that the fire truck had two tire blowouts, he had contacted his lesion and gave approval to purchase the tires, he had as well mentioned that he met with a representative for a new fire truck giving him a rough idea of a brand-new fir truck would cost him $700,000.00 for a 2023/2024-year truck.
Police Department – Chief Lynn Mara- Mr. Lynn Mara requested to speak in closed session.
City Manager- Laura Fischer – Ms. Fischer reported he had conference calls with the auditors with the current audits being close to being finalized.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas- Mr. Barajas requested to speak in closed session.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from June 18, 2024
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
Regular Business: 6:14pm
1. Discussion & Action to cancel Regular Scheduled Meeting(s) in August to “Go Dark”- Christine Pisch, City Clerk. Mrs. Rivera stated that the yearly black out will be in the month of August, if there is an emergency item to be brought to councils’ attention for approval there will be a special scheduled meeting in the month of August.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
2. Discussion & Action to Approve Out of Class Pay for Police Officer Serving as Field Training Officer- Chief Lynn Mara. Mr. Lynn Mara informed to council that only for the 500 hours of 2 Officers in grand total will be paid with the 5% pay. Ms. Fischer did confirm that the pay is in the budget for the police department.
Council approved not exceed the 500 hours of training.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
Closed Session:
o Public Service Employees Job descriptions and salary scales, as well as Appointment, Employment, or evaluation (Gov’t. Code §54957(b)(1).)
o Conference with legal Counsel Pending Litigation (Gov’t. Code §54956.9 (d) (1)) City Attorney Mitchell Driskill reported back per the audit purposes that the payment for the month of August will proceed and be paid in the month of July 2024.
Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting July 17, 2024.
ADJOURNMENT AT 6:50PM
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz, Rivera
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
Council meetings are Open to the Public
If you need further assistance, please email the City Clerk [email protected]