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, SEPTEMBER 3, 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- Present Laura Fischer, Manager- Present Justina Cruz, Mayor Pro-Tem- Present Ramiro Barajas, PW Director- Present Ray Gutierrez, Member - Present Sergio Cruz, Fire Chief - Present Xavier Mendez, Member- Present Anthony Lyn Mara, Police Chief- Present Anna Beltran, Member - Absent Christine Pisch- City Clerk - Present Mitchel Driskill- City Attorney - Present
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.
• Robert Amparano, Imperial Valley 9/11 Representative- Presentation on Imperial Valley 9/11 Stair Climb on September 6, 2025. Mr. Amparano could not attend this council meeting, Ms.
Rivera reported the 9/11 Stair Climb will be hosted at the IV Fairgrounds on September 6, 2025, at 6:00pm.
Public Hearing: 6:01pm
1. Open the Public Hearing: To consider Approval of the Zone Change Application to Change APN # 035- 342-005 & # 035-342-006 from Industrial Zone to Residential Zone - Laura Fischer, Manager.
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
The Mayor opened the Public Hearing and asked for comments either for or against the requested action.
Ms. Fischer presented the Zone Change application and report recommending approval of the zone change application requested by Ms. Mallory. Ms. Adrienne Estrada presented information on the current zoning designation according to the County maps, which indicate the property is zoned residential. Ms. Estrada supported the approval of the zone change application.
The Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 6:10 pm.
Motion to Continue the Approval Process of the Zone Change Application to Change APN # 035-342- 005 & # 035-342-006 from Industrial Zone to Residential Zone.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Cruz, Gutierrez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
Reports from Council Members Non-Action Items: 6:10pm
• Justina Cruz, Mayor Pro-tem- Reported to council and the residents about the upcoming Honey Festival to be held on November 15th. The committee is holding meetings at the Senior Center every Tuesday at 5:00pm.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz. Mr. Cruz Reported that the fire truck has been repaired and is ready to be picked up.
Police Department – Chief Lynn Mara. Chief Mara provided a report to Council with information about ICSO fees and a request by Dickerson Towing for an exclusive towing service.
City Manager- Laura Fischer. Ms. Fischer gave a brief statement reflecting on the report she provided.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas. Mr. Barajas reported during the storm we had there was very minimal damage to the city infrastructure during the recent storm. His department left a load of sand at the Fire Department for the residents to fill sandbags. He also reported he hired two new employees that started August 25th and that he has additional helper from IVROP. He stated that the water filter project SCADA system integration is still in process. He reported that the swimming season ending August 16th, and that the swimming season was successful.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes of July 16, 2025
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes of July 16th and Warrant List.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Mendez, Gutierrez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
Regular Business:
1. Discussion/Action to Hear First Reading of Ordinance 2025-02 to Change Zone for APN # 035-342-005 and # 035-342-006 from Industrial Zone to Residential Zone and Amend Official Zoning Map – Laura Fischer, Manager.
Ms. Fischer gave a brief reading of the Ordnance 2025-02. Ms. Fischer informed that there will be one additional reading at the next meeting at which time the Ordinance can be adopted via Resolution.
2. Information Only: Status of Small Communities Drought Relief Grant Projects including the Filter Replacement and Underground Pipeline. – Joel Hamby, Interim Director of Development Services.
Ms. Fischer gave a summary stating the construction of the filter and pipe project has been completed, pipe project was completed July 16, 2025. The filter project construction is completed however the computer system programming is 95% completed.
3. Ratify Change Orders totaling $96,376.24 to the Small Communities Drought Relief Grant Projects as follows:
a. Rove Engineering Change Order #1 in the amount of $41,802.00 b. Rove Engineering Change Order #2 in the amount of $22,012.10 c. Cora Change Order #2 in the amount of $4,503.46
d. Cora Change Order #3 in the amount of $8,243.40
e. Cora Change Order #4 in the amount of $19,815.28
Motion to Approve the Change Orders totaling $96,376.24.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
4. Authorize Submittal for Reimbursement and Payment of Invoices totaling $154,538.76 for the Small Communities Drought Relief Grant Projects as follows:
a. Cora Payment Request #8 in the amount of $34,512.25
b. Cora Payment Request #9 in the amount of $93,272.76
c. Dudek May Invoice in the amount of $1,343.75
d. Dedek June Invoice in the amount of $25,410.00
Motion to Approve Reimbursement and Payment of Invoices totaling $154,538.76.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Mendez, Gutierrez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
5. Accept the Notice of Completion for the Underground Pipeline Project under the Small Communities Drought Relief Grant and Request Final Reimbursement and Retention Payment. Laura Fischer, Manager
Motion to Accept the Notice of Completion for the Underground Pipeline Project.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
6. Accept the Notice of Completion for the Filter Replacement Project under the Small Communities Drought Relief Grant and Request Final Reimbursement and Retention Payment. The city will not release the retention for this project until the SCADA system is fully integrated and completed to City’s satisfaction. Laura Fischer, Manager
Motion to Accept the Notice of Completion for the Filter Replacement Project.
AYES: (1) Cruz, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
7. Information Only: Annual Rate Increase for Waste Hauling Services according to Agreement with CR&R which amounts to 2.9% for all customers. Laura Fischer, Manager.
Ms. Fischer informed council that the annual increase from CR&R will be 2.9% which will equals .69cents for residential customers.
8. Discussion/ Action to approve a budget modification to increase the Police Department Equipment Budget 110-21-6311 by $14,000 to authorize the purchase and installation of five (5) new computers. - Lynn Mara, Police Chief
Motion to Approve the budget modification to increase the Police Department Equipment of $14,000.00.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
Closed Session: 6:40pm –
o Public Service Employees Job descriptions and salary scales, as well as Appointment, Employment, or evaluation (Gov’t. Code §54957(b)(1).)
o Accounting Specialist
Council came out of closed session at 7:10pm. Reportable Action Stated: Council gave authorization to hire the Accounting Specialist at $23.00 per hour.
Motion to Adjourn
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Gutierrez, Cruz and Rivera
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
The council Adjourned at 7:11pm.
Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting September 17, 2025.
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