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 20, 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 – Absent Christine Pisch- City Clerk - Present Steve Walker- Legal Partner for Mr. Driskill
5:30 pm Special Council Working Session:
Discussion: Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Review. Laura Bryant Ms. Bryant presented the draft budget for General Fund along with the proposed salary schedule.
After receiving comments from Council, Ms. Bryant will bring other Fund budgets at the June 3rd meeting.
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
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. - Virginia Dikerson, resident on C Street. Wanted to inform the council and the city about Presbyterian Church fire that may have started on the abandoned lot next door. Asked the city council to take the time to drive around the city and see any homes and lots that could be hazardous and report it to the city staff to prevent this from happening again. - Jose Juminez, owner of J & J Tire Shop. Wanted to update the city council on the group of residents coming together to improve the soccer James Field located on the north of the city. There will be another meeting in the fall for phased improvement, and they hope to clean up the field for resident’s use.
Reports from Council Members Non-Action Items:
- Justina Cruz, Council Member. Reported that there will be a canned food drive accepting donations in support of the local Community Food Distribution. The food distribution will be located at Westmorland Elementary School due to the fire at the Church.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz. Reported his contact with the fire chief in Holtville helped him apply for reimbursement for mutual aid calls.
Police Department – Chief Lynn Mara. Reported that Westmorland Police Department is helping with the investigation into the fire that started next to the Church on C Street currently interviewing the local community for any leads.
City Manager- Laura Bryant. Provided a written report.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas. Reported on the EDWG project and meter installation project.
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 Consent Agenda was approved.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Gutiérrez, (2) Méndez, Rivera and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
Regular Business:
PUBLIC HEARING: To Consider Resolution 2026-02 Adopting Ordinance 2026-02 Downtown Overlay Zone and Related Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, and Resolution 2026-06 Adopting the Downtown Objective Design Standards. • Open the Public Hearing to Gather Information and Comments from the Public. • After Hearing All Comments Regarding Resolution 2026-02 Adopting Ordinance 2026- 02 Downtown Overlay Zone and Related Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, and Resolution 2026-06 Adopting the Downtown Objective Design Standards, Close the Public Hearing.
Ms. Gonzalez began the public hearing with a brief overview of the Downtown Overlay Project and Object Design Standards.
Public Comment: Jose Juminez, the owner of the local J & J Tire shop, asked whether the current business on Main Street would need to start making changes to comply with the new guidelines. Ms. Bryant explained that existing businesses are not required to make changes.
Mrs. Cruz closed the Public Hearing at 6:28 pm.
1. Discussion/Action to Adopt Resolution 2026-02, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Westmorland adopting Ordinance 2026-02 establishing the Downtown Overlay Zone and Related Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. - Laura Bryant, Manager
Motion to approve the Resolution 2026-02 adopting Ordinance 2026-02. 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Gutiérrez, (2) Rivera, Méndez and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
2. Discussion/Action to Adopt Resolution 2026-06 adopting the Downtown Objective Design Standards. -Laura Bryant, Manager
Motion to approve the Resolution 2026-06.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Gutiérrez, (2) Rivera, Méndez and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
3. Discussion/Action to Approve and Accept the Westmorland Street System Evaluation and Report. Jack Holt, The Holt Group
Motion to approve the Westmorland Street System Evaluation and Report. 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Méndez, (2) Gutiérrez, Rivera and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
4. Discussion/Action to Authorize The Holt Group to Prepare the Engineering Design, Bidding, Construction Management/Resident Engineering for the Citywide Street Improvement Project in an Amount Not to Exceed $208,341. Laura Bryant.
Motion to approve the Holt Group to prepare the Engineering Design, Bidding, and construction management/Resident Engineering.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez, Méndez and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
5. Discussion/Action to approve additional change to the Boundary Map, to include a section of 1st Street into the city boundary, as requested by the County of Imperial. - Laura Bryant, Manager
Motion to approve the change to the Boundary Map.
34/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez, Méndez and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
6. Discussion/Action to Authorize the Institute of Local Governance and City Staff to Begin the Development of a Strategic Plan for the City of Westmorland. Laura Bryant Motion to approve the ILG to begin the Development of a Strategic Plan. 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Méndez, (2) Rivera, Gutiérrez and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltran
Closed Session:
o Public Service Employees Job descriptions and salary scales, as well as Appointment, Employment, or evaluation (Gov’t. Code §54957(b)(1) Council returned to Open Session at 8:03 pm.
Attorney Walker stated there was no reportable action from Closed Session.
Adjournment: Council adjourned the meeting at 8:04 PM.
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