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 & REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY OF THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2026
City Council Chambers
355 South Center Street
Westmorland, CA 92281
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm by Mayor Cruz Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Cruz.
Roll Call:
Council Present Staff Present
Justina Cruz, Mayor- Present Laura Bryant, Manager- Present Ray Gutierrez, Mayor Pro-Tem- Present Ramiro Barajas, PW director - Present Judith Rivera, 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 - Absent
Call to Order:
Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation:
Roll Call:
Oral Communication-Public Comment: Now is the time for any member of the public to speak to the Council regarding any item not on the agenda. Please step to the podium and state your name and address for the record. Three (3) minute maximum time.
Brown Act AB 361:
Location: Westmorland City Hall Council Chambers 355 S Center Street Justina Cruz - Mayor
Ray Gutiérrez- Mayor Pro- Tem
Ana Beltran- Council Member
Xavier Mendez - Council Member
Judith Rivera - Council Member
• Meleny, Resident at E 5th Street, informed the council about her concern about the cars speeding down her street, stating they aren’t cautious of the kids who cross on that street going to school in the mornings. Chief Mara stated he’ll have one of the guys patrolling that area.
Regular Business:
1) Proclamation from the City of Westmorland Declaring April 2026 as Autism Acceptance Month & April 2, 2026, as World Autism Acceptance Day, Gloria Brambilla.
Justina Cruz Motion to Approve the Proclamation declaring the Month of April as Autism Acceptance and April 2, 2026 as World Autism Acceptance Day.
PUBLIC HEARING: 6:00 P.M. Proposed Adjustments to Water and Sewer Rates 6:24 pm
• Open Public Hearing to Hear and Gather Information from the Public Regarding the Proposed Rate Adjustment.
o Presentation on Rate Study and Proposed Water and Sewer Rates by Alison Lechowicz, LT Municipal Consultants.
o Public Comments, in Favor of or in Protest of, the
Proposed Water and Sewer Rate Adjustment. Please step
to the podium and state your name and address for the record.
Three (3) minute maximum time.
o Ask if anyone in the audience wants to submit a protest before the close of the Public Hearing.
o Consultant to collect and count all protest votes presented, either prior to the meeting, or during the public hearing. Consultant will count the protest votes and report to Council the number of votes received and advise if the number of protest votes is less than 50% or greater than 50% of total parcels in the city.
• Close the Public Hearing: After Hearing all Public Comment Regarding the Proposed Rate Adjustment, and After the Consultant has Counted Each Protest Vote and Provided Council with the Final Vote Count.
• Introduction/First Reading: Introduce and Waive the First Reading of Ordinance 2026-01 to Adopt Five Year Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments as Presented.
Laura Bryant, Manager
After the Public Hearing, Ms. Cruz closed the Public Hearing at 7:49 pm and, at 7:55 pm, waived the first reading of Ordinance 2026-01 to approve the five-year water and sewer rate adjustment. With only two protests being submitted during the public hearing.
Motion to close the Public Hearing and waive the first reading of Ordinance 2026-01. 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Gutierrez, Rivera, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Beltran
5 Minute Break
7:58 pm Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes of March 18, 2026
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes of March 18, 2026, and Warrant List. With a motion approved 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Beltran
Continuation of Regular Business:
2) Discussion/Action to authorize the mayor to sign a letter of support for the Imperial Irrigation District’s (IID) upcoming grant application to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Small Storage Program for the proposed Trifolium 11 Reservoir Project. Laura Bryant, Manager
Motion to Approve the signing of the IID support letter for the Reclamation’s Small Storage Program for the proposed Trifolium 11 Reservoir Project. With a motion approved 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Mendez, Gutierrez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Beltran
3) Discussion/Action: To authorize Laurin Associates to prepare and submit the annual HOME Monitoring Report for the amount of $4,955 paid from CDBG funds. Laura Bryant
Motion to Approve Laurin Associates to prepare the annual HOME Monitoring Report. With a motion approved 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Beltran
4) Information Only Regarding Redevelopment Agency Continuing Disclosure Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025. Laura Bryant, Manager 5) Discussion/Action to Direct Staff to Modify the CDBG Program Guidelines and Program Income Use Plan. Tami Castro, City Hall Supervisor Motion to Approve the modification of the CDBG Program Guidelines. With a motion approved 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Mendez, Gutierrez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Beltran
Reports from Council Members Non-Action Items:
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz – Nothing to Report.
Police Department – Chief Lynn Mara – Nothing to Report.
City Manager- Laura Bryant- Ms. Bryant provided the Council with a written report.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas- Mr. Barajas provided the council with a written report.
Closed Session:
o Public Service Employees Job descriptions and salary scales, as well as Appointment, Employment, or evaluation (Gov’t. Code §54957(b)(1) Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting April 15, 2026.
Council adjourned the meeting at 8:08 PM with no closed session due to the city attorney not being present.
Council meetings are Open to the Public
If you need further assistance, please email the City Clerk - [email protected]