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, APRIL2, 2025
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:
The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Mayor Rivera.
Roll Call:
Council Present Staff Present
Judith Rivera, Mayor Laura Fischer, Manager- Via Teleconference Justina Cruz, Mayor Pro-Tem Ramiro Barajas, PW Director Ray Gutierrez, Member Sergio Cruz, Fire Chief
Xavier Mendez, Member- Absent Anthony Lyn Mara, Police Chief Anna Beltran, Member Christine Pisch- City Clerk
Mitchel Driskill- City Attorney
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. Carry Augusta, Westmorland Food Pantry- Informed council on the Substance Abuse Programing the Food Pantry will be providing to the community being paid out of the grant they have received. Day of Program starts April 16, 2025, at 4:00pm
2. Ramon Castro, City Building Inspector & Judith River, City Mayor- Ms. Rivera presented on behalf of Mr. Castro that the city will be working on updating and revising the nuisance abatement ordinance the city will be gathering a committee with the local residence. Local resident David Ford commented that the city has no right to regulate over what they can and can’t have in the backyard, as well that his concern is about having a single chair being in his 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
yard and the city fining him for it. Ms. Rivera reassured him that the purpose for revising of the ordinance is to beautify the community and making it a safer place for residents. The new revision won’t be to that extreme that he is worried about.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz
• Nothing to Report
Police Department – Chief Lynn Mara
• He introduced to the city council the new officer hired, Officer Pablico City Manager- Laura Fischer
• A written report was presented.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas
• Nothing to report.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes of March 5, 2025
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda Items 1 & 2.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
Regular Business:
1. Discussion & Action to authorize the Agreement with Raney & Associates to Prepare and Submit the HOME Monitoring Report for an Amount Not to Exceed $4,865 paid with CDBG/HOME funds - Luara Fischer, Manager
Motion to approve the agreement to prepare the HOME monitoring report in an amount not to exceed $4,865.00 to Raney & Associates.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Gutierrez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
2. Discussion & Action to adopt Resolution 2025-07 to adopt MOU for the REAP program – Laura Fischer, Manager
Motion to approve the Resolution 2025-07.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Gutierrez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
3. Discussion & Action PER CAPITA pay invoice in the amount of $62,853.90 and send reimbursement request – Laura Fischer, Manager
Motion to approve the payment of $62,853.90 and to submit reimbursement request.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
4. Discussion & Action to authorize a budget modification to transfer funds from reserves to Repair and Maintenance of Equipment in the amount of $120,000 to allow for improvements to valves, flow meters, actuators, and screens as required to complete the filter replacement project. Ramiro Barajas Motion to approve the transfer of $120,000.00 from reserves to operating budget for final improvements required to complete the filter replacement project.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
5. Discussion & Action to approve repairs at water Treatment plant for valves, flow meter, actuators not to excess 35,000.00 for parts and labor. - Ramiro Barajas, Public Works Director Motion to approve the repairs at the Water Treatment Plant in the amount of $35,000.00 AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Gutierrez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
6. Discussion & Action to award construction management services for the DWR 4600014541 dist. piping replacement project- Joel Hamby, Ramiro Barajas, Public Works Director Motion to Move to award the construction management to the Holt Group not to exceed $48,000.00 AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
Closed Session: 6:16 pm
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)) Motion to come out of Closed Session and Adjourn was made.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Mendez
No Reportable Action was Taken by Council in Closed Session The council Adjourned at 6:43pm.
Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting April 16, 2025.
Council meetings are Open to the Public
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