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 22, 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 Tami Castro- City Hall Supervisor- 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 6:01 PM 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.
Robert Amparono, 9/11 Stair Climb Representative: Mr. Amparono gave a short presentation to the City Council on the upcoming 9/11 Stair Climb, mentioning the 13 years this event has been held here in the Imperial Valley, stating the event will be held on September 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM.
Hillary Arias, S Center Street Resident: Mrs. Arias informed city council of the community Facebook page being run by Mrs. Cruz is restricting their freedom of speech by blocking and removing people from the page.
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:
Xavier Mendez, Council Member: Mr. Mendez read off the petition provided by the Westmorland Police Department stating that they want Sargent Beltran to be the next Chief of Westmorland.
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz, Mr. Cruz stated he needs an apology from Stella Mata, a resident of Westmorland, making false claims that his fire department workers didn’t make the burgers onsite, as well as the command unit will be up and working as well as attending 16 medical calls.
Police Department- Lieutenant Lara, Mr. Lara provided council with an update on the service calls, stating the calls decreased to 12; they are focusing a bit on the traffic coming in on the Highway, and the assisted calls have increased by 8. Mr. Lara introduced Mr. Valdez as the contracted Interim Chief from the Sheriff's Department.
City Hall Supervisor- Tami Castro, NOTHING TO REPORT.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas, Mr. Barajas reported there was a Community Workshop on July 15th at 6 pm. As well as requesting item 6 to be moved from an informational item to an action item.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from July 8, 2026
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to approve only the City Warrant List, requesting the Meeting Minutes to be revised. Direction was given to the City Clerk.
5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Beltrán, Méndez Gutiérrez, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
Regular Business:
1) Discussion/Action to authorize the payment to Wright and Knight in the amount of $1,136.45 for the Police Ford Explorer Unit. - Freddie Beltran, Sergeant Motion to approve payment to Wright and Knight in the amount of $1,136.45. 5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez, Méndez, Beltrán, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
2) Discussion/Action to give direction to purchase two (2) additional Flock cameras not to exceed $30,000.00- Freddie Beltran, Sergeant
Motion to approve two (2) additional Flock cameras not to exceed $30,000.00 if the funding is available.
5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Méndez, Gutiérrez, Beltrán, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
3) Discussion/Action to appoint Joaquin Salceda as the Westmorland representative for the Data Center Advisory Committee. -Christine Pisch, City Clerk. Ms. Pisch stated to council that Mr. Salceda had withdrawn his application, proceeding to inform them the position doesn’t have to be filled by a council member but by a resident in Westmorland.
Council agreed to leave the position open for the public to submit for. 4) Discussion/Action to start the review and adoption process of the Nuisance Abatement Ordinance 00-04 to be replaced and updated by Ordinance 2026-03- City Council Motion to approve the review and adoption process of the Nuisance Abatement Ordinance 00-04 by Ordinance 2026-03.
5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez, Méndez, Beltrán, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
5) Discussion/ Action to authorize the payment not to exceed $4,200.00 for radio equipment and emergency lighting on the rescue truck 6164-Sergio Cruz, Fire Chief Motion to approve payment not to exceed $4,200.00 for the rescue truck 6164. 5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Beltrán, Méndez, Gutiérrez, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
6) Discussion/ Action Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project update- Junny Marmolejo and Alexis Dial, The Holt Group.
Motion to approve the Holt Group to advertise and go out for bids on the Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project.
5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Beltrán, Méndez, Gutiérrez, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
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 directed staff to process all payments as needed for the month of August.
Adjournment: Next regular rescheduled meeting on July 22, 2026 Council meetings are Open to the Public
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