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 6, 2026
City Council Chambers
355 South Center Street
Westmorland, CA 92281
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 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 – Absent Sergio Cruz, Fire Chief - Present Xavier Mendez, Member- Present at 6:00 PM Anthony Lyn Mara, Police Chief- Present Anna Beltran, Member – Present Christine Pisch- City Clerk - Present Steve Walker- Legal Partner, Fill in for Mr.
Driskill
Call to Order:
Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation:
Roll Call:
Special Council Working Session:
Presentation / Discussion: Downtown Overlay Zone and Objective Design Standards.
Presentation by Diana Gonzalez, Senior Project Manager with MIG 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
During the city council meeting, Ms. Gonzalez briefed the council on the previous study session focused on the purpose of the downtown overlay project. This initiative is funded by the grant the city received to revitalize the downtown area and stimulate business activity. Ms. Gonzalez noted that there are many empty lots on Main Street and discussed the potential opportunities for development. The community expressed a desire for more outlets rather than homes on Main Street.
Updating the downtown with mixed-use developments will be beneficial, as it combines residential and commercial spaces. Revising the ordinance will establish higher building standards and simplify the process for lots that are currently out of compliance due to their narrow dimensions.
Ms. Gonzalez asked the city council if she had missed anything from the last meeting, but the council members indicated that all their concerns had been addressed in her report.
Several residents attended and mentioned the need for more street lighting on Main Street for pedestrian crossings. Additionally, a new resident suggested that the city should offer more family activities and programs, such as a soccer field, since many local kids currently travel to neighboring cities for sports that cannot be accommodated in Westmorland. Ms.
Gonzalez took notes on these suggestions to bring up in the next study session.
Discussion / Action: Introduce and Waive First Reading of Ordinance Number 2026-02 Establish the Downtown Overlay Zone and Related Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.
Laura Bryant, Manager
Motion to approve the wave the first reading of the ordinance 2026-02. 3/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltrán, (2), Méndez, Gutiérrez and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Rivera,
6:00 pm 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.
Reports from Council Members Non-Action
Items: Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz. Mr. Cruz reported that 12 of his guys have completed the hazardous wildfire certification.
Police Department – Chief Lynn Mara. Mr. Mara reported there were 2 incidents at the care show. One was a juvenile creating issues; officers asked them to leave, and the juvenile left. One incident was due to medical heat exhaustion.
City Manager- Laura Bryant. Mrs. Bryant provided a written report to the council and read aloud Ms. Castro's report that was provided to the council.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas. Mr. Barajas provided a written report.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2026
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to approve the April 15th meeting minutes and the City Warrants. 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Gutierrez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Rivera
Regular Business:
1) Adopt Resolution 2026-04 to Hold Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 2026-01 to Adopt Five-Year Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments. Laura Bryant, Manager Motion to approve the Resolution 2026-04 holding the Second Reading of the Ordinance 2026-01.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Rivera
2) Discussion/Action to Authorize The Holt Group to prepare the RFP for design/engineering of the Public Safety Building in an amount not to exceed $38,000. Laura Bryant, Manager Motion to approve The Holt Group to prepare the RFP for design/engineering of the Public Safety Building.
3/0 with 2 absences.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Gutierrez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Rivera
3) Discussion/ Action to authorize the mayor to sign the License Agreement with EarthScope for earthquake monitoring equipment placed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Laura Bryant, Manager
Motion to approve the mayor to sign the License Agreement with EarthScope. 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Rivera
4) Discussion/Action to approve repairs to Filtered Water Pump #2 at WTP Not to Exceed $14,000 to be paid from 510-00-6246 fund – Ramiro Barajas, Public Works Director Motion to approve the repairs to Filtered Water Pump #2 at WTP. 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Gutierrez, Mendez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Rivera
5) Discussion/Action to approve fabrication of new safety platform for South Finishing Pond Screen Area at WTP, not to Exceed $7,500 to be paid from 510-00-6246 fund – Ramiro Barajas, Public Works Director
Motion to approve the fabrication of a new safety platform at WTP. 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Gutierrez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Rivera
6) Discussion/ Action to approve Water / Wastewater Operator II to attend the Wastewater Technology Trainers Grade III Operator to renew certifications. Ramiro Barajas, Public Works Director
Motion to approve the Water / Wastewater Operator II to attend the Wastewater Technology Trainers Grade III Operator.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Gutierrez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Rivera
7) Discussion/Action to Approve a Building Code Waiver of the 20’ rear yard setbacks for an Additional Dwelling Unit APN# 035-361-012. Tami Castro, City Hall Supervisor Motion to approve the Building Code Waiver of the 20’ rear yard setbacks APN# 035- 361-012.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Mendez, (2) Beltran, Gutierrez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Rivera
8) Discussion/ Action to approve hosting the Memorial Day event at the Westmorland City Park- Ana Beltran, Council Member
Motion to approve the Memorial Day event at the Westmorland City Park hosted by the city.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Gutierrez, (2) Mendez, Beltran, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Rivera
9) Discussion / Action to approve the celebration plan and budget for the 250th birthday of the U.S.A. Laura Bryant, Manager
Motion to approve the celebration plan and budget for the 250th birthday of the U.S.A. 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Mendez, Gutierrez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Rivera
10) Information Only: Public Safety Building Project Status. Laura Bryant, Manager 11) Information Only: Refund of Wellness Grant. Tami Castro, Office Supervisor Closed Session:
o Public Service Employees Job descriptions and salary scales, as well as Appointment, Employment, or evaluation (Gov’t. Code §54957(b)(1) No closed session was held.
Adjournment: Next Regularly scheduled Meeting May 20, 2026.
Council adjourned the meeting at 7:05 PM with no closed session.
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