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, MAY 21, 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 led by Mayor Rivera.
Roll Call:
Council Present Staff Present
Judith Rivera, Mayor Laura Fischer, Manager
Justina Cruz, Mayor Pro-Tem Ramiro Barajas, PW Director- Absent Ray Gutierrez, Member- Absent Sergio Cruz, Fire Chief - Absent Xavier Mendez, Member Anthony Lyn Mara, Police Chief
Anna Beltran, Member- 6:22pm arrival time Christine Pisch- City Clerk Mitchel Driskill- City Attorney -Absent
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. Steven Ford, Westmorland Resident: Mr. Ford informed council that he was upset about the meeting for the Nuisance Abatement meeting was posted very last minute not allowing residents to be aware of it. Ms. Fischer informed Mr. Ford that the meeting was unfortunately moved three times to meet everyone’s schedule. The city council agreed to June 4 th from 4:00pm-6:00pm will
be the next public committee meeting.
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, Chief Mara mentions that the new hire of Officer Beltran and as well as the complaints he received from people speeding on 7th street, he’s going to be working with Ramiro on stop sign being put in.
• City Manager- Laura Fischer, prepared a written report that was presented. • Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas, ABSENT
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes of May 7, 2025
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda Items 1 & 2.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Cruz, Beltran, Gutierrez and Rivera NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
Regular Business: 6:19pm
1) Discussion / Action to Accept the Citywide Financial Audit for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and Authorize Staff to File. Laura Fischer, Manager (didn’t get a who 1st and 2nd this item, can’t recall if there was one?)
2) Discussion/Action to Award the Citywide Financial Auditing Services for FY 2025-26 and Authorize the City Treasurer to Execute the Professional Service Agreement. Laura Fischer, Manager. In the amount of $24,000.00 Harshwell & Company for 1 year.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Mendez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
3) Authorize staff to solicit proposals to update the City’s Service Area Plan to meet LAFCO requirements prior to development annexation. Laura Fischer, Manager AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Mendez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
4) Authorize staff to apply for the City’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation for FY 2022-2023 and hire a consultant to perform necessary application, which will be paid for by CDBG housing funds. (I didn’t get a who 1st and 2nd this item, can’t recall if there was one?) 5) Discussion /Action to pay Cora Construction Invoice #5- Joel Hamby.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Mendez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
6) Information and Discussion Only: Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Laura Fischer, Manager.
Closed Session: 7:05 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)) Two Matters: APN #035-393-010 / APN #035-260-016
Motion to come out of Closed Session and Adjourn was made.
AYES: (1) Mendez (2) Cruz, Beltran and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
No Reportable Action was Taken by Council in Closed Session The council Adjourned at 7:14pm.
Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting May 21, 2025.
Council meetings are Open to the Public
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