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 AND
THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF
THE CITY OF WESTMORLAND
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026
6:00 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- 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 at 6:13 PM Police Department, Sargent Valdez - Present Anna Beltran, Member – Absent Christine Pisch- City Clerk -Present Mitchel Driskill- City Attorney- Present at 6:24
PM Via Phone
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.
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, Mr. Cruz reported there was 1 Major Incident, 4 mutual aid calls, 10 Medical calls, and 2 lift assistance calls.
Police Department- Interim Chief Valdez: Mr. Valdez reported that 3 officers will be sent to free training, Pablico training with CHP, Rodriguez Gang Training in September from Wednesday to Friday, and Officer Hamby for weapon training in November. Unit 823 is back and operating; the cost was $1,000.00 to fix.
City Hall Supervisor- Tami Castro, nothing to report.
Public Works Director - Ramiro Barajas, Mr. Barajas reported that they had a storm drain meeting for Martin and 8th Street, as well as the IID encroachment, to be done within the next 3 months.
Consent Agenda: Approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-2.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from September 2, 2026
2. Approval of City Warrant List.
Motion to approve only the City Warrant List and Meeting Minutes 3/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Méndez, Beltrán
Regular Business:
1. Update on Forrester Road Corridor Project (I-8 to SR-78/SR-86) - David Aguirre, ICTC
2. Discussion/Action to adopt Resolution Number SA-26-01 Regarding the Dissolution of the Successor Agency for the City of Westmorland Redevelopment Agency. Tami Castro, City Hall Supervisor
Motion to approve Resolution Number SA-26-01.
4/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Gutiérrez, (2) Rivera, Méndez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltrán
3. Discussion/Action IVRM Regional Mobile CRV Collection Program Access Agreement. Tami Castro, City Hall Supervisor
Motion to approve IVRM Regional Mobile CRV Collection Program Agreement. 4/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez, Méndez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltrán
4. Discussion/Action to schedule a special meeting to attend the Westmorland Priority Goal Setting Workshop with the Institute for Local Governance. Laura Bryant, City Consultant – Tabled.
5. Discussion/Action to Adopt Resolution 2026-17 adopting a utility rate assistance program, Laura Bryant, City Consultant
Motion to approve Resolution 2026-17
4/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez, Méndez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltrán
6. Discussion/Action to authorize the mayor to execute a professional service agreement with the city’s current auditing firm, Harshwal & Company LLP in the amount of $28,900 for the FY 2026 citywide audit. Tami Castro, City Hall Supervisor Motion to approve professional service agreement with Harshwal & Company LLP 4/0 with 0 absences.
AYES: (1) Rivera, (2) Gutiérrez, Méndez, and Cruz
NOES: 0
ABSENT: Beltrán
7. Discussion/Action for the Placement of a Veterans Memorial at Westmorland City Hall.
Ana Beltran, Council Member
8. Information Only: Project Updates. Laura Bryant, City Consultant Closed Session: 6:24 pm
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:1 case PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE Section 54957.6 Public Service Employees Job descriptions and salary scales, as well as Appointment, Employment, or evaluation (Gov’t. Code §54957(b)(1)
7:04 PM Mrs. Cruz reported that staff was given direction by council to post job description.
Adjournment: Next regular meeting on October 7, 2026
Council meetings are Open to the Public
If you need further assistance,
Please email the City Clerk
[email protected]