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MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WESTMORLAND
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 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 6:01: The meeting was called to order by Mayor pro-tem Mendez.
Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation: The pledge of allegiance was led by Mayor Rivera Roll Call: Council Members Present:
Present: Council Members Mendez, Cruz, and Gutierrez
Absent: Council Member Beltran, Mayor Rivera
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.
• Daycare United Families- Selia Sanchez, Mrs. Sanchez expressed her disappointment in our City Council that they weren’t transparent to her the first time this was brought up to council and wished that council had informed her on the grant they had applied for.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Sergio Cruz, Mr. Cruz reported that the ISO inspected the Fire Department that ranked low. The Fire Department ISO rating is at a 7 and he’s trying to get it back to a 5. One of the units is currently down.
Police Department – NOTHING TO REPORT
City Manager- Laura Fischer, Ms. Fischer reported her staff report provided in the backup. She presented the 1st Quarter Budget Review.
Public Works Director – Absent attending AWWA training
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Consent Agenda 6:24pm: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from October 2, 2024
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda was approved 3-0 with 2 absent AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez
NOS:
ABSENT: 2 Beltran, Rivera
Regular Business: 6:20pm
1. Discussion and action to adopt a Resolution 2024-17 recognizing Public Power Week and to initiate a double incentive energy efficiency rebate promotion- Stella Jimenez Sabrina Barber IID Senior Public Affairs Coordinator Motion to adopt Resolution 2024-17 was passed by a vote of 3-0 with 2 absent.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez
NOS:
ABSENT: 2 Beltran, Rivera
2. Discussion and action to adopt Resolution 2024-19 Resolution Adopting a List Of Projects For Fiscal Year 2024-25 Funded By SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act Of 2017- Laura Fischer, Manager Motion to adopt Resolution 2024-17 was passed by a vote of 3-0 with 2 absent.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez
NOS:
ABSENT: 2 Beltran, Rivera
3. Discussion/Action to Adopt Resolution Number 2024-18 to Approve the Application for Bicycle and/or Pedestrian Funds Under Transportation Development Act for Fiscal Year 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19. – Laura Fischer, Manager Motion to adopt Resolution 2024-18 was passed by a vote of 3-0 with 2 absent.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez
NOS:
ABSENT: 2 Beltran, Rivera
4. Discussion/Action to Authorize the Manager to Prepare and Submit an Application to ICTC for REAP funds Motion to adopt Resolution 2024-17 was passed by a vote of 3-0 with 2 absent.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez
NOS:
ABSENT: 2 Beltran, Rivera
5. Discussion/ Action to approve payments to Dudek listed in:
a. Invoice #3 for a total of $70,239.16
b. Invoice #4 for a total of $24,707.50
c. Invoice #5 for a total of $53,290.00
Grand Total of $148,236.66 – Laura Fischer, Manager
Motion to adopt Resolution 2024-17 was passed by a vote of 3-0 with 2 absent.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez
NOS:
ABSENT: 2 Beltran, Rivera
6. Update on Park Improvement Project PER Capita Grant – Laura Fischer, Manager 3 | P a g e
Ms. Fischer reported that the scope with the changes had been submitted to the State Representative currently waiting on information back, the contract was approved by the attorney and by the contractor and city, the kickoff meeting will be held soon and will not interfere with the Honey Fest.
7. Update on Housing Element and LEAP Grant Reimbursement – Laura Fischer, Manager Ms. Fischer reported that our Housing Element is currently being reviewed by HCD and so far, they haven’t had any major issues with it.
8. Update on Federal Grant Applications for Public Safety Building – Laura Fischer, Manager Ms. Fischer reported that we have two grant opportunities. The first is with Congressman Ruiz’ Office for 1.2 million and the second is with USDA for 2.7 million. We are in the top 15 applicants and are working to gather data so we can enter the approval stage. We will have an architect prepare a draft drawing of the plans to submit with the second review of the application.
Closed Session: 6:53PM
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)) Council Reconvened back to Open Session. No Reportable Action.
Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting November 6, 2024.
ADJOURNMENT AT 7:14PM
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez
NOS:
ABSENT: 2 Beltran, Rivera
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