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, JUNE 3, 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 – Present Sergio Cruz, Fire Chief - Present Xavier Mendez, Member- Absent Anthony Lyn Mara, Police Chief- Present Anna Beltran, Member – Present 6:00 PM Christine Pisch- City Clerk - Present Mitchel Driskill- City Attorney- Present
5:30 pm Special Council Working Session:
Discussion: Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Review. Laura Bryant Ms. Bryant presented the draft budget for the General Fund along with the proposed salary schedule. After receiving comments from Council, Ms. Bryant will bring the final Fund budgets to the June 17th meeting. Ms. Rivera requested that the June 17th meeting be rescheduled to June 24th due to missing attendance. Council approved moving the meeting to June 24th.
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) minutes maximum. - San Diego State University (SDSU) of Imperial Valley Spring Update- Frank G.
Salazar. On behalf of the SDSU, the dean, Dr. Guillermina Gina Núñez-Mchiri, presented the Spring update on the SDSU campus grounds in Brawley and Calexico locations. - Stella Mata Resident on S Center Street stated in her opinion, the city is looking worse than ever before, suggesting animal control for the dogs and chickens that are running around since Public Works and the Police Department don’t want to take responsibly on who’s over the animals.
Reports from Council Members on Non-Action Items:
- Justina Cruz, Council Member. Reported that the Memorial Day event was very successful big turnout. She also recommended that no city staff and council members participate in any games that involve prizes due to residents being upset, claiming it to be unfair.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz. Reported that he agrees with the public on the safety of the abated lots or the lots that need to be abated due to the recent fire in town.
Police Department – Chief Lynn Mara. Reported that the Westmorland Police Department is helping with the investigation into the fire, as well as having more traffic control in town.
City Manager- Laura Bryant. Provided a written report reminding council September 2 nd,
the meeting time will be earlier than normal for the city's strategic planning session.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas. Provided a written report.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes of May 20, 2026
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda was approved.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez, Beltrán and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Méndez
Regular Business:
1) Discussion/Action to Hold Second Reading and Approve Final Adoption of Ordinance 2026-02. -Diana Gonzalez, MIG
Motion to approve the Final Adoption of Ordinance 2026-02. 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltrán, (2) Rivera, Gutiérrez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Méndez
2) Discussion/Action to Adopt Resolution 2026-05 to Update the City’s Development Review and Approval Process. -Diana Gonzalez, MIG
Motion to approve the Adopt Resolution 2026-05.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltrán, (2) Rivera, Gutiérrez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Méndez
3) Discussion/Action: to Approve the EDWG Phase II Water Service Meter Design Plans and Specifications. - Juny Marmolejo, The Holt Group
Motion to approve the EDWG Phase II Water Service Meter Design Plans and Specifications.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltrán, (2) Gutiérrez, Rivera, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Méndez
4) Discussion/Action: to Review and Approve an Addendum to the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Westmorland Water Treatment Plant Improvements via Adoption of Resolution 2026-10. - Jeorge Galvan, The Holt Group Motion to approve the Adoption of Resolution 2026-10.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltrán, (2) Gutiérrez, Rivera, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Méndez
5) Discussion/Action to Adopt Resolution 2026-11: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Westmorland Amending Resolution 22-25 Regarding: ICTC Supporting Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Congestion Mitigation And Air Quality (CMAQ) Funding, Project milestone dates, and timely use of funds; to Include Designating the Public Works Director as the City of Westmorland’s Authorized Signatory for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Programs. - Laura Bryant, Manager.
Motion to approve the Adopt Resolution 2026-11 Amending Resolution 22-25. 4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltrán, (2) Gutiérrez, Rivera, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Méndez
6) Discussion/Action: Adopt Resolution 2026-09 accepting the 2024-2025 COPS Funds Grant (AB1584). - Chief Lynn Mara
Motion to approve the Adopt Resolution 2026-09.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltrán, (2) Gutiérrez, Rivera, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Méndez
7) Discussion/ Action to Adopt Resolution 2026-08 ordering an election, requesting Imperial County Registrar of Voters to conduct the Election, and requesting consolidation of the election- Christine Pisch, City Clerk Motion to approve Resolution 2026-08.
4/0 with 1 absence.
AYES: (1) Beltrán, (2) Gutiérrez, Rivera, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Méndez
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 7:52 pm.
Attorney Walker stated there was no reportable action from Closed Session.
Adjournment: Council adjourned the meeting at 7:53 PM.
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