[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6515107,"mediaKeyId","5019996-f5df98b506c606a14f80b442c0a68fee","parentId",5019996,"title","Votes at a glance: Brawley council adopts interim expenditures authorization and approves procurement items","audioSeconds",588,"startMs",6896000,"endMs",7484000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019996-f5df98b506c606a14f80b442c0a68fee&start=6896&end=7484","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019996-f5df98b506c606a14f80b442c0a68fee/thumbnail_6896000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6515107/Brawley/Imperial-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Brawley-council-adopts-interim-expenditures-authorization-and-approves-procurement-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515107-4c5ccc39abbc65eec6ae34d416ceb776/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158027&Signature=cXp9OEoz4RmS2o7ERbnN9FW-3019zeV2dAD3icf5c5n4KlrbYrIHdqTqSb47LVMLhUP1m8XHbCCuxUZq~hotRAsyD9j4vnfliaSzvQXT4qGKNgki0vF1s2TLywt1HLn8uvqOuL4jqhuXCJIDb42KTms7RVr1Aydauwz0jHXSrn3PHfuxoDoT6mh3GXQoZ08REWJhFlou~V2szZpNn0ztPuhmWIDYbuqAMwfZjo8y5glk9GVbhaStaCkTXKK7BNdn7NfRXXWOY6lok-7yJe3-j6JgDawpxBdeqK9~PlwmotEIa-6aaFbW2zw2cLJZ14DjxDBkmdB4zSqJ3dO8b9UA5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Brawley","date","2025-06-17T17:29:00Z","article","The Brawley City Council approved several routine and time‑sensitive items on June 17. Key formal actions included adoption of an interim expenditures resolution to continue municipal operations pending formal budget adoption and multiple procurement and contract approvals.

- Interim expenditures resolution (action): Council adopted a resolution authorizing interim expenditures at FY 2024–25 budget levels until the FY 2025–26 budget is adopted. Staff said the measure preserves continuity of pay and essential services while the new budget is finalized; the council voted to adopt the resolution and no opposition was recorded.

- Purchase of chemicals (procurement, project #252025): Council awarded the biannual purchase contract for chemicals used by the water and wastewater treatment plants and parks facilities to multiple vendors as recommended by staff. Staff presented bid results and recommended awards by area; council approved the award motion.

- Renewal: Victim Witness operational agreement: Council authorized a two‑year renewal of the operational agreement with the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Assistance Program to continue onsite victim support and referrals; staff said the agreement has no fiscal impact to the city and the council approved it unanimously.

- Clay procurement for ballfields: Council authorized purchase of approximately 350 tons of clay from West Coast Sand & Gravel, Inc. using MLB grant funds to rehabilitate Abe Gonzalez and Hinojosa fields; staff obtained quotes and recommended the low responsive bidder.

- Consent agenda: The consent agenda as presented was approved.

Procedural actions: early in the meeting council amended the agenda to move public comment appearances before closed session; the motion passed. For each recorded vote in the hearing the council voice vote was “aye” with no recorded opposition or abstentions.

Staff indicated the interim expenditures authorization is a stopgap measure; council expects to adopt a full FY 2025–26 budget at an upcoming meeting. Several items approved were routine procurement and contract renewals that staff said were time‑sensitive to maintain operations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Brawley - City Council Regular Meeting - Jun 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the June 17 meeting council approved a resolution authorizing interim expenditures pending the FY 2025–26 budget and approved several procurement items including chemical purchases, a victim‑witness operational agreement renewal and clay purchase for ballfields; consent agenda also passed.","taxTitle","Brawley, Imperial County, California","taxId",53922,"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},6515112,"Brawley council accepts mural honoring Daniel Hernandez; community leaders outline legacy",827,640000,1467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019996-f5df98b506c606a14f80b442c0a68fee&start=640&end=1467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019996-f5df98b506c606a14f80b442c0a68fee/thumbnail_640000.jpg","/articles/6515112/Brawley/Imperial-County/California/Brawley-council-accepts-mural-honoring-Daniel-Hernandez-community-leaders-outline-legacy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515112-3dde1d3e50ec1ec6aa08937c9a222f8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158027&Signature=m2INMHhVIImtMfQC0tJGGA-sPBNSbc6LJY3nv7Lr8jXLJIcFQjWH9bq~PRo1~WkDEhfuUsrnQU53x88EaLok0C6ld8WOPWOlwj7lFoRiFUzjNykJKDyMADFx4ab5H8nxOTa9tA2HbooO6q9N2wa3RBd0yEKwVJ3gDoUGHUeYFjd0K10jFB-XUSTdhsxjZLuyB1Ocnzwo--IiQA5U89dEcA2lWTrPtReBsTZJSkuBMh~H-TqwDliwBgYzJeOhiZ6Ul3zDe1EKVbKgKzSmUFLHZ85W2Kp4UsCPE6S9jIqKv0vR88X-E-QlINlgwDqMC8A~VtU~q0gDQUYg7qZf~ijqSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmembers accepted a donated mural honoring the life and community work of Daniel “Danny” Hernandez and heard from his widow and longtime friends about his local and regional legacy.

Tom DuBose introduced a 36‑by‑36 canvas painted by Roberto Posos and said several copies were already installed in regional locations, including a Chula Vista facility and Imperial Valley College. Leticia Hernandez, Daniel’s widow and co‑founder of a nonprofit, described a QR code included with the mural that links to ivactivism.org and materials about Daniel’s work, including videos and a short biography. She said Daniel helped bring health‑care and legal‑assistance services to Imperial County and remained proud of his Brawley roots.

Friends and former classmates — including Max Reyes and councilmembers who recalled Danny’s high‑school years — described him as outgoing and community‑minded. DuBose said one print would be placed at the city offices and another at a farmworker housing project in Heber; staff noted they would draft a council resolution recognizing Hernandez and return it for ratification.

Councilmembers discussed possible placements (including the Pioneers Museum) and accepted a mural to be displayed in city space; city staff and presenters agreed to coordinate a plaque and potential exchange if the council prefers the larger 48‑by‑48 version. DuBose said an additional scholarship for Brawley students at Imperial Valley College also relates to the initiative.

The council thanked the family and presenters for bringing the memorial and asked staff to prepare a resolution to formally recognize Daniel Hernandez.","Council received a mural and information about a nonprofit created in memory of Daniel (Danny) Hernandez; family and friends described his community work and plans for displays and a QR code linking to ivactivism.org.",{"_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},6515116,"Brawley plans teen center remodel, summer swim trips to El Centro aquatic center",604,1728000,2332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019996-f5df98b506c606a14f80b442c0a68fee&start=1728&end=2332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019996-f5df98b506c606a14f80b442c0a68fee/thumbnail_1728000.jpg","/articles/6515116/Brawley/Imperial-County/California/Brawley-plans-teen-center-remodel-summer-swim-trips-to-El-Centro-aquatic-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515116-80e7ce4f9e909c305d20508f2e49fadd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158027&Signature=dkk2Xu7ZtEaYjiGAUPquSoYcHtpfyQtS0kcBCPVE61CFtEccL-X~uNkBHkREoqTcv-401LByt3s8MnnRn8hAKuXf00m~ZPb0QrD-RIkL5tATFrVojEV0K7qMGXdHowy7LpqDm-CmULR3SDqSob92skbBRN5yNv5FbfKqtonH4q4Td0y0iaNr~vR60zQcYPFtfGsLoON8aVaHmxAr77QPFH0M4jEu5hbZrO6scvAL3RvgO8x2m2KeI2mZMhBgtIGqbItfTwfzKRbp4B85rh2Ywl3NGI5NsHxJQTRnqt3AGqh~3Q3Ei4-99ZPpPoJdV3HK0wsgGA3i2N3AnFPugcMAug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and Recreation staff gave council an update on a phased remodel of the teen center behind the Lyon Center and a summer field‑trip partnership to provide swimming access for city day‑campers.

John Tang, assigned to Parks & Recreation, described plans for an esports lab, arts and music rooms, and a roughly 8,000‑square‑foot multipurpose space that the department hopes to open at least in part by June 30 for summer day camp. Tang said the esports lab would have 10 PC terminals and that the facility currently needs additional fiber/data drops to meet the bandwidth requirements; staff are “shooting for this summer” but called the esports readiness optimistic.

For summer recreation, Tang said the city partnered with the El Centro Aquatic Center and the Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC) to bus campers one day per week starting July 11 through Aug. 15. The bus will pick up campers at 10 a.m. and return them by about 3:30 p.m.; El Centro charges $5 per child and not for chaperones. Tang said the city plans a 5:1 camper‑to‑chaperone ratio and will provide waivers and field‑trip permissions. Staff are pursuing an additional Thursday trip subject to a memorandum of understanding with the high‑school district.

Armando, the city’s IT director, told council the teen center workstations will attach to the city network and be content‑filtered on a segregated network for security, and staff discussed using a web‑filtering appliance (Barracuda or similar). Tang said the department hopes to have on‑site staffing during the week and eventually on weekends as partnerships grow.

Council members praised the partnerships and asked when the public could tour the facility; Tang said construction is ongoing and anyone could visit but that the multipurpose room and reception area are targeted to be usable by June 30. Tang asked for continued council support as the department phases in equipment and data infrastructure.","Parks & Rec outlined a remodeled teen center with esports, arts and a multipurpose room and detailed a weekly bus trip to the El Centro Aquatic Center for summer day‑campers starting July 11.",{"_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},6515119,"Brawley planners propose focused amendments to downtown specific plan to spur development",669,2351000,3020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019996-f5df98b506c606a14f80b442c0a68fee&start=2351&end=3020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019996-f5df98b506c606a14f80b442c0a68fee/thumbnail_2351000.jpg","/articles/6515119/Brawley/Imperial-County/California/Brawley-planners-propose-focused-amendments-to-downtown-specific-plan-to-spur-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515119-792d8def4f132eb733a0a1cf2a7501bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158027&Signature=LA~srK80pghh3X67RR0f8MzkoDrruaevsBaBjk7aej5vEN19RG0hxk3c~NZCtXKaVQ4lDU1tgahQajIanVA67Zazi1FQosPVUWVTkSNv1J-8bz4ysxEXrAf-u~b8oWf1jjruuKKw1xz7pduDdtRhz01qEnCBfvwWtR5rSQabx4VuKcRxE7Yudtdo1u36pknnZwyoeFioTP5pynmsRd8YXnvDqmZGXagHKKC8Z7fxm7ZpWCWi-WgITJmqBYJsGpnEETWPfuErNPNkOT3l2IbsqGVggL8PGOF5b2o0OAqbGphPuknBIy35vpf~BlMtNZOyBF41z~r-ZDQfriTZJPJh4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christian Barajas, Brawley’s development services director, briefed the council on a proposed focused amendment to the city’s downtown specific plan, describing a 6‑to‑8‑month effort intended to modernize the 2012 document and reduce regulatory barriers for small development projects.

Barajas said the downtown specific plan is both a vision and regulatory overlay for the roughly 20‑block downtown boundary. He told the council the plan’s current restrictions often force applicants into discretionary conditional use permit (CUP) reviews that slow or stop development. Barajas gave an example of a developer interested in reopening a historical drive‑through that the current plan prohibits; he said limited allowable-by‑right uses in some blocks make projects unpredictable.

The proposal would be a focused amendment rather than a comprehensive general‑plan update. Barajas said staff expect to pursue administrative amendments where possible and formal amendments (planning commission and council review) for more substantive changes. Planned scope items include expanding allowable by‑right uses, revising signage and façade standards, reworking parking rules, adding pedestrian‑safety strategies and incorporating property‑maintenance policies to deter urban decay.

Barajas proposed completing much of the work in‑house once a city planner hire is on board; he estimated $30,000–$40,000 for limited consultant peer review and technical checks. His schedule foresees research and recruitment in the coming month, community engagement through late summer, an initial draft by late September, and planning commission and council review by November if staffing and consultant reviews proceed on schedule.

Councilmembers asked how the downtown amendments would interrelate with the general plan and about budget needs. Barajas said the specific plan is an overlay that must align with the general plan; he confirmed the general plan was last amended in 2019 and said the focused downtown amendments are intended to reflect current market realities without the 2–5‑year timeline of a full plan update.

Barajas said staff could fast‑track amendments tied to individual catalytic projects and run those on a separate track to remove delays for high‑priority developments. Council instructed staff to include the city planner position in the proposed FY 2025–26 budget and to refine cost estimates before the next budget cycle.

If approved and adequately staffed, the amendment aims to reduce CUPs, broaden by‑right opportunities, and create clearer, more predictable rules for downtown property owners and prospective businesses.","Development Services outlined a 6–8 month, in‑house focused amendment to the 2012 downtown specific plan to expand allowed uses, update design standards and streamline reviews; council discussed staffing and modest consultant support.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6515122,"Brawley staff and unions flag staffing, pay as recruitment, retention challenges ahead",2692,3529000,6221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019996-f5df98b506c606a14f80b442c0a68fee&start=3529&end=6221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019996-f5df98b506c606a14f80b442c0a68fee/thumbnail_3529000.jpg","/articles/6515122/Brawley/Imperial-County/California/Brawley-staff-and-unions-flag-staffing-pay-as-recruitment-retention-challenges-ahead","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515122-f7aaa0ed68690fc6113f82b7f70099d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158027&Signature=IKC8r62TIZOOeYpnXuek2zzPVo3dS8OCwzBxOKhE59ZL7gTleXSZ2W~WRkhVHivmgguiPUauUobAn-nUqnbmw0djq8A5GfmzV4wJR~9MUa~8C~9uNwGCt3hE8hUL9JhRINg587wH9d5a8okVeNnUtu942o9IVvyrSCgcH2aTRVZWT1~pNcmQsd2XymRMpDXIZiYXJXATw6LmVKNybtNrsTkAQsicM1zTVN6TONiybk7Vq2bpC32TAHeCNHJvOJOcTkoa3m~VWkwA75GaQIXXBric1fhjhWiiyOojlwOZ31Om82z0MxMGTu804YyiZHCyithQgg-uV3xfPr8bQVRFTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brawley opened a statutorily required public hearing on June 17 to report workforce vacancy, hiring and retention data under Assembly Bill 2561 and Government Code section 3502.3, with human resources staff and bargaining-unit leaders detailing persistent shortages and pay-related turnover.

The city’s human resources administrator, Shirley Bonillas, told the council the city has 157 full‑time regular positions and 37 vacancies in fiscal year 2024–25 to date, producing an average vacancy rate of about 4% and a peak monthly vacancy of 11%. Bonillas said police sergeants briefly exceeded the 20% threshold that triggers extra reporting, noting “BPSA… 2 out of 6 makes it 33%,” and that overall turnover for the period was roughly 16.56%.

Those figures matter because recruitment and retention decisions affect public safety and day‑to‑day services, union leaders and council members said. Jonathan Sabater, president of the Brawley Firefighters Association, told the council, “Our salary schedule is not enticing enough,” and urged the city to consider adding intermediate ranks and targeted pay adjustments to keep firefighters from leaving for better pay elsewhere. Detective Javier Martinez, president of the Brawley Public Safety Employees Association, said experienced officers are choosing neighboring agencies because of higher wages: “It is difficult to recruit officers because they compare the Brawley Police Department wages to other local cities.”

Bonillas outlined the city’s hiring process and flagged several specific recruitment hurdles: required industry certifications (Class B, D1, water distribution and other technical certificates), relatively low hourly rates compared with nearby cities, and the importance of flexible work schedules. She said the city’s move to an online application system (NEOGOV) has increased qualified applicant volume, and noted steps such as hiring some candidates before they hold required certifications and extending probationary periods while staff complete credentials.

Councilmembers and staff discussed next steps. Several members suggested obtaining comparative compensation data from neighboring jurisdictions and using that information to inform bargaining. Bonillas and others described options ranging from piecemeal changes (longevity pay, sign‑on bonuses, focused salary adjustments) to a formal compensation study; the council asked staff to collect available data (MOUs and any recent comp studies from nearby agencies) and return with options ahead of 2025–26 negotiations. Sabater and Martinez emphasized that officers and firefighters are working extra overtime to cover staffing gaps and said that proposed state changes, including Assembly Bill 1309 (a pending legislative item discussed by union representatives), could widen pay gaps if Cal Fire and other large employers raise pay.

The public hearing closed after the union presentations and council discussion. City staff recorded the AB 2561 presentation in the administrative record and will include the data in budget‑season deliberations and upcoming meet‑and‑confer sessions.

The report supplied countable vacancy figures, promotion and recruitment metrics and highlighted the bargaining units’ immediate concerns; council direction focused on compiling comparative compensation and benefit data to inform contract negotiations and budget decisions.","City HR presented staffing and vacancy data required by AB 2561; firefighters and police unions urged action on pay and career steps and asked council to use comp study data ahead of contract talks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Brawley council adopts interim expenditures authorization and approves procurement items

Brawley council accepts mural honoring Daniel Hernandez; community leaders outline legacy

Brawley plans teen center remodel, summer swim trips to El Centro aquatic center

Brawley planners propose focused amendments to downtown specific plan to spur development

Brawley staff and unions flag staffing, pay as recruitment, retention challenges ahead