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
RESCHEDULED MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WESTMORLAND
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2026
City Council Chambers
355 South Center Street
Westmorland, CA 92281
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm 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- Absent Ramiro Barajas, PW Director - Present Judith Rivera, Member – Present Sergio Cruz, Fire Chief - Present Xavier Mendez, Member- Absent Police Department- Present Anna Beltran, Member – Present Christine Pisch- City Clerk - Present Mitchel Driskill- City Attorney- Present
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. - Presentation on funding and grants for the Water plant and Fire Department- Eliseo Gonzalez, Elevate Grants and Development Group. Mr. Gonzalez provided the city council with a brief presentation on the funding and grants available to help maintain the water plant.
Reports from Council Members Non-Action Items:
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
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz, nothing to report.
Police Department- Lieutenant Lara provided City Council with recommendations on how they need to improve the police department.
City Manager- Laura Bryant provided a written report.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas, nothing to report.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from June 3, June 10, and June 15, 2026
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to approve the Meeting Minutes from June 3, June 10, and June 15, 2026, and the City Warrant List.
3/0 with 2 absences.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Rivera and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Méndez, Gutiérrez
Regular Business:
1) Discussion/Action to Adopt the Budget FY 2026-2027 Via Resolution 2026-11. Laura Bryant, Manager
Motion to approve the Budget FY 2026-2027 Via Resolution 2026-11. 3/0 with 2 absences.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Rivera and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Méndez, Gutiérrez
2) Discussion/Action to Adopt the Salary Schedule for FY 2026-27 Via Resolution 2026-
12. Laura Bryant, Manager
This item was moved to after closed session. After closed session, council decides to table till next meeting.
3) Discussion/Action to authorize the mayor to sign a letter of support proposed by Imperial County in opposition to SB 675- Laura Bryant, Manager Motion to instruct the mayor to not sign a letter of support as proposed by Imperial County in opposition to SB 675.
3/0 with 2 absences.
AYES: (1) Beltran, (2) Rivera and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Méndez, Gutiérrez
Closed Session:
Public Service Employees’ Job descriptions and salary scales, as well as Appointment, Employment, or evaluation (Gov’t. Code §54957(b)(1)
Public Employee Appointment/Discipline/Dismissal Release ( Gov Code § 54957) 1 MATTER
City Council came out of closed session at 7:49 pm, reporting to move item 2 to the next council meeting and moving the meeting in July from the 1st and the 15th to July 8th and July 22nd.
Adjournment: Next regular scheduled meeting on July 8, 2026 Council meetings are Open to the Public
If you need further assistance,
Please email the City Clerk
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