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, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026
6:00PM 4:30 PM
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- Absent 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 -Present Mitchel Driskill- City Attorney- Present at 6:50
pm
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.
Daniel Placencia, Representative with the Mobil Opioid Unit. Mr. Placencia provided an information update to City Council on the Opioid Unit that was approved 2 years ago. They will be starting September 21, 2026, from 6 a.m.–1 p.m., Monday–Friday, at the Westmorland Community Park. They will also have a Health Fair on September 5, 2026, from 8 a.m.- 11 a.m.
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:
Staff Reports Non-Action Items:
Fire Department – Chief Sergio Cruz, Absent
Police Department- Interim Chief Valdez: In July, the calls that came in were 310, and in August the calls increased by 4.5%. There are more productivity calls, and due to more patrolling, the traffic disturbances have decreased.
City Hall Supervisor- Tami Castro, Absent.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas, Mr. Barajas reported that the summer pool season was very successful and the pool will reopen as always on Labor Day weekend, and free swimming will be Monday only for the Labor Day holiday. The water plant is going through testing, and the waste plant is looking into electrical work to be done.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from July 8, July 22, and August 7, 2026
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to approve only the City Warrant List and Meeting Minutes 5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez, Méndez, Beltrán, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
Regular Business:
1. Discussion/Action to authorize the mayor to sign a support letter for the New River Safer Water Process Project- Christine Pisch, City Clerk Motion to approve support letter for the New River Safer Water Process Project to be signed by the mayor.
5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Beltrán, (2) Méndez, Gutiérrez, Rivera, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
2. Discussion/Action to give authorization to repair concrete vaults at Water Plant using 510 funds in the amount of $10,220.00. - Ramiro Barajas, Public Works Director Motion to approve the repair of concrete vaults at Water Plant in the amount of $10,220.00
5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Beltrán, Gutiérrez, Méndez, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
3. Discussion/Action to authorize concrete work performed at City Hall monument using 510/520/50 funds at an amount of $8,160.00. Ramiro Barajas, Public Works Director Motion to approve the concrete work performed at the City Hall monument for $8,160.00
5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Méndez, Gutiérrez, Beltrán, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
4. Discussion/Action to authorize the purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 work truck in the amount of $57,562.70. Ramiro Barajas
Motion to approve the purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for $57,562.70 5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Beltrán, Gutiérrez, Méndez, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
5. Discussion/Action Seeking Support and Partnership from the IV Regional Chamber of Commerce for our Trunk-or-Treat and Business Showcase Event. Ana Beltran, Council Member
6. Discussion/Action to Adopt Resolution 2026-17 adopting utility rate assistance program. Laura Bryant, City Consultant. Tabled till corrections are made. To be brought back at the September 16th meeting.
7. Discussion/Action: Resolve the Water Treatment Plant Phase 2 Water Meter Installation Project Bid Protest submitted by Rove Engineering and Ratify the Rejection of Protest and Determine that VGL was the Lowest Most Responsive Bidder. Laura Bryant, City Consultant
Motion to approve the Resolve the Water Treatment Plant Phase 2 Water Meter Installation Project Bid Protest and ratify the Rejection of the protest and determine that VGL was the lowest responsive bidder.
5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez, Méndez, Beltrán, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
8. Discussion/Action Adopt Resolution 2026-16 to Award the Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project Phase 2 Meter Replacement Project Construction Contract to VGL Construction in the amount of $1,225,331.50. Project is funded 100% through the State Water Board Expedited Drinking Water Grant Program. Laura Bryant, City Consultant
Motion to approve the Resolution 2026-16 to Award the Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project Phase 2 Meter Replacement Project to VGL. 5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Beltrán, Gutiérrez, Méndez, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
9. Discussion/Action: Ratify the Letter of Support Prepared by Imperial County to support five census tracks for Federal Opportunity Zones designations, including Westmorland. Laura Bryant, City Consultant
Motion to approve and ratify the Letter of Support Prepared by Imperial County to support five census tracks.
5/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Beltrán, (2) Méndez, Gutiérrez, Rivera, and Cruz NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
Closed Session: 6:46pm
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 Mrs. Cruz reported that staff were given direction by council.
Adjournment: Next regular rescheduled meeting on September 16, 2026 Council meetings are Open to the Public
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