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, JULY 2, 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 Ray Gutierrez, Member-Absent Sergio Cruz, Fire Chief
Xavier Mendez, Member 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. Ronda Fox, WESD (Westmorland Elementary School District) Superintendent- Ms. Fox wanted to introduce herself as the new superintendent and is looking forward to working in the City of Westmorland and looking forward to working with the city.
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, reported that the down Fire truck is finally back up and running. • Police Department – Chief Lynn Mara, Chief Mara stated he had nothing to report other than an officer will be out on training the following week.
• City Manager- Laura Fischer, prepared a written report that presented an attached letter as well from United Families she had received.
• Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas, Mr. Barajas reported that the filter project filer #2 will be up in running in two weeks, approximately 1 month they will be up and ready to start using the filters, the 7th street paving project is almost completed.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes of June 18, 2025
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda Items 1 & 2 except for the spelling correction of the month of “June”.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Beltran, Cruz and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
Regular Business: 6:00pm
1. Discussion/Action to adopt Resolution No. 2025-11 Adopting a Salary Schedule Included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget. Laura Fischer, Manager
Motion to approve Resolution No. 2025-11 Adopting a Salary Schedule Included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Mendez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
2. Discussion/Action Authorize staff to submit a reimbursement request to State Water Board for payments to Cora for $77,187.5; The Holt Group $26,690; and Rove $277,755.30 for a total of $381,632.80 and Authorize staff to pay the invoices. -Laura Fischer, Manager Motion to approve of submitting a reimbursement request to the State Water Board.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Cruz, Mendez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
3. Discussion/Action Authorize the State Controller’s Office, Division of Audits to prepare the City’s FY 2024-25 Annual Street Report on a cost-recovery basis not to exceed $3,000. -Laura Fischer, Manager Motion to approve the State Controller’s Office, Division of Audits to prepare the City’s FY 2024-25 Annual Street Report
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Cruz and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
4. Discussion/Action Execute a Professional Service Agreement with The Holt Group to prepare the Service Area Plan, as required by LAFCO, for an amount not to exceed $85,000. Laura Fischer, Manager- Ms. Fischer requested to council to table item so she had more time to review since she was out of the office and unable to review information.
Closed Session: 6:08pm
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 Adjourn.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Cruz and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Gutierrez
The council Adjourned at 7:01pm.
Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting July 2, 2025.
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