MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WESTMORLAND
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 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, Cruz
Absent: Council Member Beltran 6:09pm City Clerk Christine Pisch 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. Blanca Ortiz, Resident- Mrs. Ortiz came back to the city council in request of having her reimbursement to be paid back to her, Mr. Barajas stated that Mrs. Ortiz didn’t make him aware of the other purchase that was made. Ms. Rivera informed Mrs. Ortiz City Hall will be in touch with her.
1. Alex Cardenas, IID Vision 1 Director- Performance update regarding electrical service to the City of Westmorland. Mr. Cardenas presented to city council from the months of April – July there was 6 outages only.
2. Miguel Hernandez, Salton Sea Management Program- Salton Sea Management Program detailing current conditions at the Salton Sea and Revitalization efforts. Mr. Hernandez presented to city council of the future funding the city will be coming into possession with over the new few years with the lithium starts to be extracted. Mr. Hernandez provided the audience and council with handouts.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Sergio Cruz- NOTHING TO REPORT
Police Department – Chief Lynn Mara- Mr. Lynn Mara reported he had to officers in background and 2 reserves in background. Officer Hamby should be done with training in October.
City Manager- Laura Fischer – REFER TO STAFF REPORT IN AGENDA Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas- Mr. Barajas reported that there are electrical issues on the pumps going on at the water treatment plant, believes its under warranty. There was a water leak about a month ago.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from July 17, 2024
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Rivera, Gutierrez, Mendez
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
Regular Business: 6:14pm
1. Discussion and Action: Approve the FY 2020, 2021, 2022 Independent Auditor’s Report on the City’s Transportation Development Act Financial Statements and direct staff to submit to appropriate government agencies - Laura Fischer, City Manager
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Rivera, Gutierrez, Mendez
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
2. Discussion and Action: Approve prior work to repair emergency water leak at Water Treatment Plant- Ramiro Barajas, Public Works Director
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Rivera, Gutierrez, Mendez
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
3. Discussion and Action: Approve payment of two invoices for the Water Treatment Plant Improvement Filter Project from Account # 510-00-6001 CIP Reserves to: BJ Engineering in the amount of $1,115.00, and AWC in the amount of $45,000.00 - Joel Hamby, Streets Director.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Rivera, Gutierrez, Mendez
NOS: 0
ABSENT: 0
Closed Session: 6:38PM
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 council reported back that to give direction to make a check out to Mrs. Ortiz in the amount of $241.44 Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting September 18, 2024.
ADJOURNMENT AT 7:13PM
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Rivera, Cruz
NOS: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez (left during closed session)
Council meetings are Open to the Public
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