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, March 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.
1. Stella Mata, City Resident- wanted to make a statement to the City Council. She does not want anyone to accuse her of stealing money or giving false information about her.
2. Review draft Lithium Valley Specific Plan with ways to Provide feedback on the documentShannon Baer Lithium Valley Rep. Ms. Baer gave a brief presentation about the Lithium Valley Roll Call:
Present at the Council Meeting:
Mayor, Judith Rivera
Mayor Pro-Tem, Justina Cruz
Member, Ana Beltran
Absent:
Member, Xavier Mendez
Member, Ray Gutierrez
Staff Present:
City Clerk, Christine Pisch
PW Director, Ramiro Barajas
Police Chief, Lyn Mara
Manager, Laura Fischer
Fire Chief, Sergio Cruz
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
Specific Plan draft as well she provided the council and residence with copies of the draft and comment forms.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz, reported that truck 2831 is currently being worked on as well as the medical truck having issues currently looking into fixing soon.
Police Department – Chief Lynn Mara, Nothing to Report.
City Manager- Laura Fischer, provided a written report to the council, IID having a grant to plant trees, BOOST having a meeting from 9:30am- 4:30pm. on Friday, March 21st at the El Centro Library.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas, reported the valves installed at WTP pond, having a meeting with Caltrans.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes of February 13 & 19, 2025
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion was made to approve the consent agenda as presented.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Mendez, Gutierrez
Public Hearing:6:17pm
1) Information Regarding the City of Westmorland’s Application for Funding a Public Safety Building to be Located at 198 E 3rd Street Through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Disaster Relief Grant. After gathering public input, close the Public Hearing. Laura Fischer, Manager.
Ms. Fischer made a brief statement on the status of public safety Building grant that we were awarded, we are still waiting to hear from Congress Ruiz’ office if we are awarded the $1.2M grant and if we are it could potentially be our matching.
The Mayor opened the Public Hearing to the public to express their concerns or support on this matter.
Mr. Barajas, City Public Works Director spoke on behalf of his department and for others at City Hall that this building has been in the plans for many years and they support the project.
This is the closest they have come to getting this project done, the fire department are in dire need of this building.
Mr. Cruz, Fire Chief, read a written statement from Jackie Loper stating that this is something they have been working and pushing for to improve the safety of the residents of Westmorland that they appreciate Ms. Fischer in working and pushing so hard for this grant to be awarded to the city.
Mrs. Beltran, Council Member, wanted to thank Ms. Fischer and all the staff members that put so much work into this grant application and it’s very much appreciated from everyone in the city as well from the city council.
The Mayor closed the Public Hearing.
Regular Business:
1. Discussion and Action to appoint a SCAG Delegate- Ana Beltran, Councilmember.
City council decided to reelect Mrs. Beltran as the SCAG Delegate as well as keeping Mrs. Cruz as her second on SCAG
2. Discussion and Action to authorize staff to advertise for bids for the DWR/SCDR Distribution Piping Replacement Project. Mr. Hamby
Motion to authorize staff to advertise the Request for Proposal for construction of the DWR/SCDR distribution pipe replacement project.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Mendez, Gutierrez
3. Information Only: Expedited Drinking Water Grant Agreement. Ramiro Barajas, PWD Information was given to Council regarding the status of the project.
Closed Session: 6:31pm
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 staff was given directions during closed session.
Adjournment: 6:42pm
Next regular scheduled meeting February 19, 2024.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Mendez, Gutierrez
Council meetings are Open to the Public
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