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 OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WESTMORLAND
WEDNESDAY, February 5, 2024
6:00 PM
City Council Chambers
355 South Center Street
Westmorland, CA 92281
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6pm by Mayor Rivera
Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation:
Was led by 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.
Alex Cardenas -IID Board Member: Mr. Cardenas reported to council that he provided a presentation to the seniors at the Senior Center in Westmorland he is going to be planning a two-on-two meeting with Mrs. Rivera and Mr. Barajas so he’s able to provide more information to the city and its council.
Roll Call:
Present at the Council Meeting:
Mayor, Judith Rivera
Mayor Pro-Tem, Justina Cruz
Member, Xavier Mendez
Absent:
Member, Ray Gutierrez
Member, Ana Beltran
Staff Present:
City Clerk, Christine Pisch
Fire Chief, Sergio Cruz
PW Director, Ramiro Barajas
Police Chief, Lyn Mara
Manager, Laura Fischer
Brown Act AB 361:
Location: Westmorland City Hall Council Chambers 355 S Center Street Judith Rivera- Mayor
Justina Cruz - Mayor Pro- Tem
Ana Beltran- Council Member
Xavier Mendez - Council Member
Ray Gutierrez- Council Member
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz ABSENT.
Police Department – Chief Lynn Mara, nothing to report.
City Manager- Laura Fischer, provided a written report to the council.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas, reported the filter project is moving forward they had just received and installed the customized filter that had came all the way from Canada on Monday morning as well as the sink hole at the wastewater plant was invoice at about $28,000.00 and they are going to start the process to fix the hole.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes of January 22, 2024
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Mendez, Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran, Gutierrez
Regular Business: 6:10pm
1) Discussion and Action to Authorize Staff to Include Improvements to the Drain at Martin and South 8th Street for Repair in an Amount Not to Exceed $60,000 from Measure D Funds. Ramiro Barajas, Public Works Director. Mr. Barajas presented to the council that he’s been working with IID on this project for some time and due to the long overtime due and the number of citizens concerned about the 8th street conditions that IID is more than happy to help and include 8th Street to the as a street improvement. IID Representative Mr. Pacheco IID will be providing Technion Assistance and advice as well they will simplify the encroachment permit process as well as any additional assistance the city may need, they will be at our dispense.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Cruz, Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran, Gutierrez
2) Discussion and Action to Authorize a prepare and submit a request for proposals for manhole repair project with funding from Wastewater Fund. Ramiro Barajas Public Works Director. Mr. Barajas stated that there are other sink holes in the area that he wants to start looking to funding and quotes to repair them he stated that he’s a possible funding from RCAC that can help with the costs.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Cruz, Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran, Gutierrez
3) Discussion and Action to Authorize the use of Various City Funds to Pay an Invoice in the Amount of $712,835.35 to Cora Construction Pending Reimbursement from State Water Board. Laura Fischer Manager. Ms. Fischer stated that to pay the invoice it can be split between the water and sewer funds.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Cruz, Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran, Gutierrez
4) Information Only Regarding: New Accounting Software System. Laura Fischer Manager. Ms. Fischer gave a brief statement on the new live utility billing systems with Frey and Invoice Cloud as well mentioning to council they may receive concerns from residents and may see on their own when they pay online the service fees have increased since the old fee was incorrect and the city was paying the other fees paying thousands of dollars over the years this new system calculated for the city and does it off a percentage of the customers bill. If they are not past due the fee should be roughly $4.94 service fee. She also provided the council with a copy of a bill and the new information we are now implementing on the back of the billing to the residents.
Closed Session: 6:36pm
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)) After reconvening the open session Mayor Rivera stated that nothing was to be reported.
Adjournment: 6:37pm
Next regular scheduled meeting February 19, 2024.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Cruz, Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran, Gutierrez
Council meetings are Open to the Public
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