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
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WESTMORLAND
MONDAY, JULY 8, 2026
City Council Chambers
355 South Center Street
Westmorland, CA 92281
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 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, Public Works Director - Present Judith Rivera, Member – Present Sergio Cruz, Fire Chief - Present Xavier Mendez, Member- Present Police Department, Lieutenant Lara - Present Anna Beltran, Member – Present Christine Pisch- City Clerk -Absent 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.
Stella Mata, S Center Street Resident. Her disappointment started with the July 3rd event hosted by the city. Voiced that there were no free things for the residents or activities were done for the kids. As well mentioned that the food there wasn’t made on site; it was made from home, and how the funding could have been used elsewhere in the park. Mrs. Cruz assured Ms. Mata that the food was made on site.
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
Reports from Council Members Non-Action Items:
Judith Rivera, Council Member: Stated that the event was amazing and it was a good turnout and wanted to thank all the City Staff for all the hard work and hours put into this event.
Xavier Mendez, Council Member: Mentioned the snow cones were donated by himself and Ms. Bryant to provide to the kids at the event for free.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz, Mr. Cruz provided council with an update from the 4th of July weekend, stating 4 fires and 1 medical emergency due to the fireworks; the ordinance should be seriously enforced due to the major medical emergency involving the fireworks.
Police Department- Lieutenant Lara, Mr. Lara provided council with an update on the new inventory procedures, as well as having the guys get the two units that require service.
City Manager- Laura Bryant provided a written report.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas, Mr. Barajas reported there is a pre-bid meeting on July 9 th, as well as the men’s home Turning Point came to the city can cleaned up against the main street where there was overgrown grass, the community clean-up day will be Saturday July 11th ending his report with the meeting with IID collection the check for $5,000.00 to provide free swimming lessons to the kids.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from June 24 and June 29, 2026
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to approve the Meeting Minutes of June 24th and June 29th and the City Warrant List.
5/0 with 0 absence.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Beltrán, Méndez Gutiérrez, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
Regular Business:
1) Discussion/Action to Adopt the Salary Schedule for FY 2026-27 Via Resolution 2026-
12. Laura Bryant, Manager. Ms. Bryant provided the council with the updated Resolution 2026-12 salary schedule. After the council discussed and debated the salary schedule, Mr. Mendez stated on the record that he doesn’t agree with the 3% cost of living, wanting staff to receive a 5% increase in pay. The clerk called for a roll call vote, getting a passing vote of 3/2.
Motion to approve the Adoption of the Salary Schedule for FY 2026-27 Via Resolution 2026-12
3/2 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez and Cruz
NOES: 2 Beltrán and Méndez
ABSENT: 0
2) Discussion/Action Approval of a professional service agreement between the City of Westmorland and Laura Bryant for grant administration services in an amount not to exceed $20,000 from city funds that are not reimbursable from grants. - Laura Bryant, Manager. Council voted to discuss after closed session with a motion by Beltran and Mendez.
3) Discussion/Action to Adopt the Capital Improvement Project List; Adopt Resolution 2026-13. Laura Bryant, Manager. The clerk called for a roll call vote, getting a passing vote of 5/0.
Motion to approve the Adoption of the Capital Improvement Project List; Resolution 2026-13
5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Beltrán, Méndez, Gutiérrez and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
1) Discussion/Action to Adopt the SB1 Resolution 2026-07- Tami Castro, City Hall Supervisor. The clerk called for a roll call vote, getting a passing vote of 5/0.
Motion to approve the Adoption of the SB1 Resolution 2026-07 5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Beltrán, Méndez, Gutiérrez and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
2) Discussion/Action to Approve a Potable Water Provider Agreement with Luis Estrada Professional Utility Services - Ramiro Barajas. Mr. Barajas recommended that the council deny the agreement due to LAFCO not approving the agreement.
Motion to deny the Potable Water Provider Agreement with Luis Estrada. 5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Méndez, (2) Beltrán, Rivera, Gutiérrez and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
3) Discussion/ Action Approval of contracting Vector Solutions for training and certification for firefighters not to exceed $1,700.00a year for 30 firefighters- Sergio Cruz, Fire Chief
Motion to approve the contract with Vector Solutions not to exceed $1,700.00 for training and certification for firefighters.
5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez, Beltrán, Méndez, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
4) Information report on Strategic Plan Schedule of events - Laura Bryant, Manager 5) Information Only – Regarding downtown zone and review final working documents - Laura Bryant, Manager
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
Attorney Driskill stated there was nothing to report.
Mrs. Cruz reported on the following item below:
2) Discussion/Action Approval of a professional service agreement between the City of Westmorland and Laura Bryant for grant administration services in an amount not to exceed $20,000 from city funds that are not reimbursable from grants. - Laura Bryant, Manager.
Motion to approve the professional service agreement between the City of Westmorland and Laura Bryant.
5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Beltrán, (2) Gutiérrez, Rivera, Méndez, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
Adjournment: Next regular rescheduled meeting on July 22, 2026 Council meetings are Open to the Public
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