[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6209630,"mediaKeyId","3734194-8291d280e6a353664a770d0de9dbefc8","parentId",3734194,"title","City reports 6.7% vacancy rate for calendar‑year 2024; council hears AB 2561 annual staffing report","audioSeconds",1009,"startMs",2471000,"endMs",3480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734194-8291d280e6a353664a770d0de9dbefc8&start=2471&end=3480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734194-8291d280e6a353664a770d0de9dbefc8/thumbnail_2471000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6209630/Imperial-City/Imperial-County/California/City-reports-67-vacancy-rate-for-calendaryear-2024-council-hears-AB-2561-annual-staffing-report","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209630-6eed12765702b789c8855a4350a0ffdc/orig.mp4?Expires=1774954016&Signature=AuTXhaGj-8t4XSEh3vqmlNHLwwOECuDF6n9DIviFKPsRRgkU8angQQpJ0IcmL3vhKzukPCcB72XuU5Gu6Tpwk-u-lf8Ui6wMoUK6daJXzMQtSr4Q-FE4hB1Vx2gVExSyAY4IKoQTLEdbziRtP09zJmodU18BMLUUKd6SwDu9FExw~JcOcnMLWGJWlj7ZTjVNs8l9QO9m-kJiWy9nv5UQX41yqplbaNk3upmk4L8t6BiAsF~8TPw9LiiLo-zvY6wJL~DUhwsVMv5MRvnfwNQdV8tsA19O09jqYv92a3a4YAH5teaKFMb1LhSaM2Stqyd2RfssfxwG6qjPQ8aWBvYS9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Imperial CA","date","2025-06-10T08:31:59.753Z","article","The Imperial City Council held a public hearing Wednesday to satisfy the state’s AB 2561 requirement for an annual presentation on job vacancies, recruitment and retention.

Human Resources Administrator Kristen Smith presented the calendar‑year 2024 data and said the city reviewed positions, recruitment timeframes and retention efforts under Government Code section 3502.3. “AB 2561 declares that job vacancies are a widespread and significant problem for the public sector,” Smith said, describing the law’s intent to increase transparency and public discussion of staffing shortages.

Key figures Smith presented for the 2024 review (January 1–December 31, 2024):
• Budgeted full‑time positions: 124 (staff noted four positions were added in July, bringing the total from 120 to 124 during the year).
• Overall average vacancy rate (year‑end monthly averages): 6.7%; highest monthly average reported 9.7%, lowest 2.5%.
• Bargaining‑unit breakdown (year‑end 12/31/2024): IPOA (Imperial Police Officers Association) 3.6% vacancy; Teamsters 13.6% vacancy; MSPC/unrepresented 9.7%; none met the 20% statutory threshold.
• Recruitment and fill metrics: 24 full‑time positions filled in 2024; average days to fill — 71 days for positions filled from existing eligibility lists, 101 days for new external/internal recruitments, and 39 days for internal‑only recruitments.
• Applicants: 1,485 applications were received for 2024 recruitments (1,351 for full time; 134 for part time/seasonal).

Smith identified salary misalignment for some entry‑level positions (maintenance and IT technicians) as a hiring obstacle and said the city completed a classification and compensation study in December 2024; staff are discussing implementation options with labor groups. She also summarized retention efforts already in place: a multi‑year cost‑of‑living adjustment (15% over three years under labor contracts), merit increases, CalPERS participation, bilingual pay, specialty assignment pay, tuition and gym reimbursements, and employee engagement programs.

Smith provided a date‑of‑presentation staffing snapshot showing 124 budgeted full‑time positions and six current vacancies (a 4.8% vacancy rate as of the meeting). She said several pending hires had start dates in the coming week and that no council action was required at the hearing.

Why it matters: AB 2561 requires a public hearing before budget adoption and invites bargaining‑unit input to ensure transparency around staffing shortages that affect service delivery. Staff will continue recruitment and implementation work informed by the compensation study and bargaining‑unit discussions.

No bargaining‑unit representatives spoke at the hearing; staff reported the meeting satisfied the city’s AB 2561 obligations for the year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 4, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Imperial City Council held a public hearing Wednesday to satisfy the state’s AB 2561 requirement for an annual presentation on job vacancies, recruitment and retention.","taxTitle","Imperial City, Imperial County, California","taxId",71479,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6209636,"Council approves multiple public‑works contracts, tables contested tank‑modification bid for review",436,2012000,2448000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734194-8291d280e6a353664a770d0de9dbefc8&start=2012&end=2448","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734194-8291d280e6a353664a770d0de9dbefc8/thumbnail_2012000.jpg","/articles/6209636/Imperial-City/Imperial-County/California/Council-approves-multiple-publicworks-contracts-tables-contested-tankmodification-bid-for-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209636-de520f4100aedc0e036a605fa0ebd50a/orig.mp4?Expires=1774954016&Signature=X6i3Vd5g~EmRONuGm-7VEPPe46XSOovVMj2~NaMUYm4onb-f38kif-cdgC8K~D-XOkICMrETeNcS~O6zPIEJbdYADXUrYXItQ5J5~MyCD~vji-WtWxhZnWQejz~YO5-EUhYW7PchdLUuXMXe5m8NLAte8dkWv5ohfvd6fXzdi1p9lnKJ-f4B~oLPytxFefq-pMakYgEthRdk1CS4BUa9yCO04tGJ5TQJ89uPR1DvNMfe0v-ntFA0UWJaIH7taWXpOniZ7hCVjlNXtuLwc~b7aUwPb6U6LatPLv-nrmtsxLx0YpsT0dKB8cWF68N-N6uJg6uypT9B2nQBjueUcTFoog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Imperial City Council voted Wednesday to approve several public‑works and wastewater projects and to table a contested tank‑modification bid pending additional staff review.

Council approved contracts and actions on multiple infrastructure items during the D (action) agenda, including parking‑lot improvements, a sidewalk inspection proposal, a manhole and gravity sewer inspection contract for CCTV and inventory, a sewer pipeline replacement project with associated wet‑well replacement, and the purchase and installation of retrofit screen sets for the wastewater treatment plant headworks.

Summary of actions and votes:
• CA Irving parking lot (D1): Council awarded a construction contract after a competitive bid process; staff reported two bids (Pyramid Construction $106,969.17; SLA Paving $122,700) and requested a contingency to allow additional scope and use of available grindings. Motion carried 4‑0 with one abstention.
• Sidewalk survey (D2): Council approved a proposal from Precision Concrete Cutting under a master service agreement with CJPIA for a $10,328.50 inspection that includes GIS deliverables; motion carried 5‑0.
• Manhole and gravity sewer inspection (D3): Council adopted plans and authorized public bidding for a project to inspect roughly 1,700 manholes and about 12 miles of sewer pipeline using CCTV; staff said work would likely start in October and that cleaning lines before inspection will reduce contract costs; motion carried 5‑0.
• 8‑inch sewer line replacement, Phase 2 (D4): Council awarded the construction contract after receiving a single bid that came in substantially below the engineer's estimate; staff also noted a related wet‑well replacement (from a 6‑foot to a 12‑foot diameter wet well) to prevent rapid pump cycling; motion carried 5‑0.
• Wastewater headworks screens (D5): Council approved purchase and installation of two retrofit screen sets for the Huber system to protect membrane filters. Staff explained membranes cost about $2 million to replace and that the previously installed solstice filter had experienced recurring reliability and parts issues; motion carried 5‑0.
• SB1 project list (D6): Council adopted a resolution listing projects for SB1 funds for FY 2025‑26 that staff said will make the city eligible to receive approximately $600,000; motion carried 5‑0.

Separately, on the consent agenda item B4 (shop tank and heat‑tank modifications, bid 2025‑03), staff recommended rejecting all bids and rebidding. Josh Quintero, owner of Total Industries, spoke during public comment to object to rebidding and said his company submitted a local competitive bid and could hold price through October. City staff and the city attorney explained the decision to rebid was driven by three concerns, including possible missing subcontractor documentation that could prompt a bid protest and the possibility of achieving a lower price on rebid. After discussion, a motion to table the B4 action to the next meeting passed 4‑0 with one abstention from Council member Barnworth.

Why it matters: the council approved inspection and rehabilitation work to better document and plan the wastewater collection system (critical for a future collections system master plan), approved a pipeline replacement and new wet well to protect pump equipment, and prioritized measures intended to protect costly membranes at the wastewater plant. The tabled bid decision preserves the city’s options while staff collects documentation and legal review of the protested bid.

Staff said the manhole and CCTV inventory will provide inverts, pipe sizes and conditions needed for a collections system master plan; the headworks screening upgrade was described as a measure to extend membrane life and avoid multi‑million‑dollar replacements.","The council approved construction and service contracts for several public‑works projects, advanced sewer inspection and pipeline replacement work, and approved headworks screening upgrades at the wastewater plant. Councillors tabled a separate disputed bid for shop tank modifications after a local contractor objected and asked for review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6209640,"City finance director outlines $60.9 million five‑year capital plan; council told final budget adoption expected in coming weeks",879,961000,1840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734194-8291d280e6a353664a770d0de9dbefc8&start=961&end=1840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734194-8291d280e6a353664a770d0de9dbefc8/thumbnail_961000.jpg","/articles/6209640/Imperial-City/Imperial-County/California/City-finance-director-outlines-609-million-fiveyear-capital-plan-council-told-final-budget-adoption-expected-in-coming-weeks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209640-87dd85dadfcd07b2fe857fef24154bdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1774954016&Signature=i7kBEEqJKI18wIVXAbPQlNZjNC0mRu~nSG92IW4eT0sVWCizOYtOvFh6~X-5~PZJ5-Dy7qD24IDJcJyLzdzccJDJbyItedBkEjle2B4RKilUJWcawTvJxeAaY1C6wLDk683dnhrmirtGo4-Aq8gEtrXYr4pBuFfruDqGndlRQ5UThaQ3wtaHwgD~uj91E52xQMETjPuzSlh6-wBh5hckxvbptcWnbZ2OJbz7nfZYza5aOzuv0tsQrt9sy5ubvIBapTeu6nkGPTzSept-aRjLHRBRTRh4SU8eMpIXN2is8eWO-b12dVLDPiMDjRPf842~OBfrljPzFDEem4AwHrD6Wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Imperial City Council heard a staff presentation Wednesday on the draft five‑year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that covers projects across city departments and totals roughly $60.9 million.

“Over the next five years, it's a total $60,900,000,” Administrative Services Director Victor Manrique said during the presentation, which staff described as a review rather than a final budget. Manrique said the count of projects is 52 overall (after adjusting for cancelled items), with 6 completed in the current fiscal year, 4 removed, 11 in progress and 14 scheduled in future years.

Manrique told council the original approved budget for the current fiscal year was about $31 million and that the revised working total is $29.9 million, with $12.6 million already paid out. He outlined department‑level projects and funding sources, noting that the five‑year CIP will be funded by a mix of sources that vary by project.

Highlights and specifics presented by staff:
• Project totals: 52 projects listed (staff noted a bookkeeping correction for counts), five‑year total of $60.9 million.
• Current fiscal year: original approved budget roughly $31 million, updated to about $29.9 million; $12.6 million expended to date.
• Near‑term requests presented: $14.6 million for the 2026 fiscal year, $11.6 million for 2027, $2.8 million for 2028 and about $3.0 million for 2029 (figures presented as staff estimates subject to change).
• Department examples: City Hall projects include accounting cleanup and an ERP carryover; Parks and Recreation has planned playground and park improvements; Public Services is planning continued street maintenance and a possible street sweeper acquisition; Fire has received a quote for a new ladder truck above $1 million with an estimated three‑year delivery; water and wastewater projects include manhole and headworks work that will be funded from water/wastewater funds or grant sources where applicable.

Manrique said additional corrections remained — he clarified multiple times that certain projects had been mis‑categorized between water and wastewater funds and said staff would adjust the CIP schedule accordingly.

He told the council those departmental CIP line‑items will be reconciled with year‑end accounting and funding availability and that staff plans to return with a detailed budget workshop and line‑by‑line review before the council considers final adoption. “Once we close out the year … we'll know exactly how much money and how many projects we can afford, which funding sources are available,” Manrique said.

Why it matters: the CIP and budget projections set spending priorities and determine which projects can proceed. Manrique said the council will consider adoption of the budget and the Gann limit in upcoming meetings, and the formal CIP adoption will follow once staff reconciles year‑end accounting and funding sources.

No votes were needed for the presentation; staff requested direction only and scheduled follow‑up workshops and budget adoption steps.","Administrative Services Director Victor Manrique presented the draft five‑year Capital Improvement Program totaling about $60.9 million and an updated current‑year budget. He said about $12.6 million has been spent so far this fiscal year and that staff will return with line‑item reconciliations before council adopts the budget and CIP.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6209646,"Imperial Valley Chamber asks city for sponsorship and public-safety support for July 5 drone show",124,771000,895000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3734194-8291d280e6a353664a770d0de9dbefc8&start=771&end=895","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3734194-8291d280e6a353664a770d0de9dbefc8/thumbnail_771000.jpg","/articles/6209646/Imperial-City/Imperial-County/California/Imperial-Valley-Chamber-asks-city-for-sponsorship-and-public-safety-support-for-July-5-drone-show","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209646-830a47d0dd0dcfcd6394abd66ce328be/orig.mp4?Expires=1774954016&Signature=LdK4UpaI7tEDwDR2e7nzM2gNqg9HuM07qCSWmY~cs4dkwOMxkCEo1vHAqdcCo1QL3-O2DrIkKDLZgnUTsjEMprdhgPs9rCkVi4EdS3Cjuc~i7g-A59eIGt4Y0-05IUP9mjwWe0cyDLL7KkfWdu1EK1o0SL~DcI-8A~9xEhp484NPzjQpLgJGrHEOntRgkTeiqkS0-b2P5v7Z9seIum78IksynoZEE~tF-BDL8lFV6U881QhAqdlilnXAlNZ~67h~FDYEWQBUtuM2qog0EYurHoJgC8WbcDX82gjgpikKFb-MzrAvxnihWXPlOqLgxQtct7U7oDJw8Lqypf6jiui~2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce asked the Imperial City Council on Wednesday to consider sponsorship and operational support for a drone show called “Celebrate America,” planned for July 5 at the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds.

The request came during the public-comment portion of the meeting. “I'm here today to discuss the opportunity for sponsorship from City of Imperial for the drone show,” the chamber representative said, adding that the organization had emailed council members and the city manager earlier in the week with sponsorship levels and event details.

A city staff member said the city is open to discussions but noted logistical concerns that could require overtime for officers or public‑works staff depending on the level of support requested. “We need to have those discussions sooner rather than later because a lot of those aspects might implicate overtime for officers or public services folks,” the staff member said.

The chamber representative said the fairgrounds contract was finalized the same day and that the fairgrounds and event organizers would coordinate on logistics; the city will include the chamber in follow-up planning meetings. “Sheriff Mary Montez is kind of leading the charge as well as far as the logistics for the event,” the chamber representative said. The council did not take formal action during the meeting and moved the item to discussion at a later date.

Why it matters: the city could be asked to provide police and public‑services resources that may carry overtime costs; early coordination will determine potential city expenses and staffing needs ahead of the July 5 event.

No fiscal commitment or formal sponsorship was approved at the meeting; staff said they will continue coordination with the chamber and fairgrounds and report back to council.","The Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce asked the Imperial City Council for sponsorship and additional city support, including police presence, for a July 5 drone show at the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds. City staff said they will meet with the chamber and fairgrounds to determine needs and potential overtime costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City reports 6.7% vacancy rate for calendar‑year 2024; council hears AB 2561 annual staffing report

Council approves multiple public‑works contracts, tables contested tank‑modification bid for review

City finance director outlines $60.9 million five‑year capital plan; council told final budget adoption expected in coming weeks

Imperial Valley Chamber asks city for sponsorship and public-safety support for July 5 drone show