[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6655477,"mediaKeyId","5394546-585eb5f7d8dba506bfa4d6375c0f412a","parentId",5394546,"title","El Centro council approves police MOU, $2 million road change order and emergency sewer repairs; consent items pass 4-0","audioSeconds",39,"startMs",3998000,"endMs",4037000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394546-585eb5f7d8dba506bfa4d6375c0f412a&start=3998&end=4037","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394546-585eb5f7d8dba506bfa4d6375c0f412a/thumbnail_3998000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655477/El-Centro/Imperial-County/California/El-Centro-council-approves-police-MOU-2-million-road-change-order-and-emergency-sewer-repairs-consent-items-pass-4-0","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655477-994e1c928736ebc3b8356c57c2fc05a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775181275&Signature=gloIWUh7MHhJbhBQRLqY0EdYWWX3S0zB1DC0ux~JNS2IJ~IChvZQlBc9g3tTaIPZGuOce2nt-cl3nzLGjHI2WJqum6ZBgOg0T5FB1SNVZGFSblSEa9JXVKseIo9eF3mTv0FikX2oyPg~~SWZOj0oliCpu4THiWEOfhA1~r80h~nitk1mDtrPyaIalm6AsMAN-6RtftE~h3RgalA2cKYzqsZ7d29kgu8r5DpYRrhZJcHYGxKqNBJIpHX2q06upzBgnSlPWIeE9eS721qCMMua~uitR0SewTH2Vv28KOLDHGL2KGHI5dhgmCh1ULFNUxcnAFogNvFFvzlJyzI~3tA52A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-16T03:58:07.017Z","article","El Centro City Council on July 8 approved a two‑year memorandum of understanding with the Police Officers Association, authorized a $2 million change order to repave a section of Danenberg Drive connected to the Southern Pump Station project, and ratified emergency repairs to the Third at Ross Avenue sewer lift station. All votes reported were 4-0.

Why it matters: The actions combine labor, infrastructure and short‑term emergency spending that the city says will protect service levels for residents and preserve long‑term capital investments tied to wastewater system upgrades and street durability.

The council voted to ratify a tentative agreement with the Police Officers Association that covers the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. City staff said the MOU includes a two‑year term with a 6% “equity adjustment” drawn from a compensation study and a 2% cost‑of‑living increase; the city manager recommended funding the increases from the general fund.

Public works staff presented a request to add a scope item to the Southern Pump Station contract that would fully reconstruct roughly one mile of Danenberg Drive to structural-grade specifications instead of making a temporary trench patch. The staff report and presentation said that rebuilding the roadway now — by recycling existing asphalt and constructing a full‑depth pavement section — would cost approximately $2,000,000 but would avoid repeated, shorter repairs later and better support heavy truck traffic. Council approved the change order.

Separately, staff declared a local emergency and sought council ratification to repair the Third at Ross Avenue sewer lift station after a consultant’s inspection found extensive deterioration of the wet well walls. City staff estimated a targeted repair — including bypass pumping to avoid service interruption — at about $150,000 and told the council a full replacement would cost roughly $2 million; council ratified the emergency authorization so work can proceed without the usual multi‑month bid process.

Routine business: Council approved consent agenda items numbered 6–14 together and recorded the action as passing 4-0. Council also approved canceling the regular Aug. 5, 2025 meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda items 6–14: Approved (vote tally: yes 4, no 0). No individual vote names recorded in the meeting minutes.
- Police Officers Association MOU (07/01/2025–06/30/2027): Approved (vote tally: yes 4, no 0). City staff: Dulce Bedoya presented the agreement.
- Change Order 5 — Southern Pump Station / Danenberg Drive roadway reconstruction: Approved (vote tally: yes 4, no 0). Request presented by Abraham Campos, public works staff; amount requested: $2,000,000; staff said funding will come from a mix of RMRA (gas tax) savings and other previously obtained grants.
- Ratification of emergency repairs — Third at Ross Avenue sewer lift station: Approved (vote tally: yes 4, no 0). Staff estimated repair cost ≈ $150,000; full replacement ≈ $2,000,000; action declared a local emergency to allow immediate work.
- Cancellation of Aug. 5, 2025 meeting: Approved (vote tally: yes 4, no 0).

Council members and staff said the combined actions are intended to preserve infrastructure, maintain wastewater service, and implement a previously approved capital program without delaying construction. Council recorded no dissent on the motions and directed staff to carry out the work and return with any follow‑up as required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of El Centro Council Meeting :: July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","El Centro City Council on July 8 approved a two‑year memorandum of understanding with the Police Officers Association, authorized a $2 million change order to reconstruct a portion of Danenberg Drive tied to the Southern Pump Station project and ratified emergency repairs to a failing sewer lift station, with all recorded votes 4‑0.","taxTitle","El Centro, Imperial County, California","taxId",3830,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6655471,"El Centro resident urges more shade, water for fieldworkers; city points to Imperial Valley cooling centers",237,284000,521000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394546-585eb5f7d8dba506bfa4d6375c0f412a&start=284&end=521","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394546-585eb5f7d8dba506bfa4d6375c0f412a/thumbnail_284000.jpg","/articles/6655471/El-Centro/Imperial-County/California/El-Centro-resident-urges-more-shade-water-for-fieldworkers-city-points-to-Imperial-Valley-cooling-centers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655471-a39f5f446c558ef719d73a3d68de97fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775181275&Signature=P3p9fDt4XkE7kqeb3EF2DWwqKCr6wJFyvqUDzdTHr~GbdTx~Lsdpp8gNxU~WNG~bjzmSge9Q89FAxYCxV7~3JBMoiW-84kyjGUOjd8Tc73Lhd2lkaWyt7KV9RQTXOh1YYNXrFVp~60l0ro2hbj8fBvS6HIg7EaGUDnSOQ67cd4CvvR3zvrpB95ZoJdz6YpIMdfbQxTGTdEmdz5YEqLPGjYxUFl03P8ZLhXBP8vVRtCkc6na2WG7MJs4yWMnk50IPELTZNeIpAPrbKN24ca2mY9MUhOYPToAIQ~L74aRTb3llDixp8300jxq6-KEvhEHpiUTAObM75yxtHRJ~VWHY1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eva Velasquez, a master of social work student and El Centro resident, told the City Council on July 8 that farmworkers face brutal heat conditions while working in local fields and urged the city to provide more shaded rest areas and water access for agricultural workers.

\"El Centro, I feel, has a role to play,\" Velasquez said during public comment. \"They can help by organizing with Campesinos Unidos... It's just a way to show that we do care for these farm workers as they are the backbone of our economy here in the county.\"

Adriana Nava, the city’s community services director, answered during the meeting and reported that Imperial County Public Health maintains a map of cooling centers in the valley. Nava said the city of El Centro’s designated cooling locations include the Imperial Valley Mall and the transfer terminal on Seventh and State Street, which staff have equipped as an outdoor cooling area with misters, water stations and security. Nava also said many park facilities and city hall are included in the county mapping.

\"Our misters are on. The restaurants are available. There is security available as well,\" she said, adding that details should be posted on the city website and that a search for \"Imperial County cooling centers\" will return local listings.

What was said about scope and outreach

Velasquez urged the council to coordinate with community groups already active in the valley to identify more shade and water for fieldworkers, noting that many workers are reluctant to complain and that community support is important.

Nava said the county issues formal cooling‑center designations, and the city will coordinate with county public health and continue outreach to make the locations and hours known. Nava told council members that dispatch hours and center specifics vary by city and that phone dispatch would remain available for people who need assistance locating services.

What the record shows

- Public comment: Eva Velasquez, El Centro resident and MSW student, requested city coordination with local worker groups for additional shading and water access.
- City response: Adriana Nava said Imperial Valley Mall and the Seventh/State transfer terminal are designated cooling centers, with park sites and city hall included in county listings; information is posted on the city website (cityofelcentro.org).

The council did not take formal action on the request at this meeting; staff said they will continue outreach and provide information on cooling locations and hours to the public.","An El Centro resident and social‑work student urged the city council on July 8 to do more to protect farmworkers from extreme heat by organizing shading and water access; city staff pointed to county‑designated cooling centers including the Imperial Valley Mall and the Seventh/State transfer terminal.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6655474,"ICTC to open IVT Ride microtransit to public, add mobile app and expanded hours starting Sept. 2, ICTC director says",764,2955000,3719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394546-585eb5f7d8dba506bfa4d6375c0f412a&start=2955&end=3719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394546-585eb5f7d8dba506bfa4d6375c0f412a/thumbnail_2955000.jpg","/articles/6655474/El-Centro/Imperial-County/California/ICTC-to-open-IVT-Ride-microtransit-to-public-add-mobile-app-and-expanded-hours-starting-Sept-2-ICTC-director-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655474-a3503ad399a4dab378085e5c59c467c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775181275&Signature=cwKD6hDWiCaFcDHsPLK22-PSsATgBgVKKeQrXqHu9Wa6CAK-TkJZUdEv3eJbYhEZw3jYlMGdz1TbJpdBvLpSqTUfBgTMlr-SLFg3bn-pIOf~RH6IUgTfP5915yQe3rRV-FbDejFrrXOdn9VNjCGMllvvxD3wGhakanc4F2y1ZE7MtFwxsvBp4fx0T0g5Dae5cyy0Kl9mAmh7b9oM92IxfACw9OMsdmffKkyN2hkxqUS5vPFsgmw0MIMMsGFbgaTbjtHPkEaX6TR~nMe6G5G3XozhcXMsbn1Z6tH6ZTx2Bn399fzjSeTVWW4iDV8w23dgwzLK0D3~6rqIkPWSYvTmJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Imperial County Transportation Commission will expand and rebrand its IVT Ride dial‑a‑ride service as a public microtransit option named IVT Ride Now, and aims to begin operating the new service on Sept. 2, the agency’s executive director told the El Centro City Council on July 8.

David Aguirre, executive director of the Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC), said the service — today reserved for seniors and people with disabilities — will keep its current ADA features while adding a mobile application for trip booking and payment, unified fares across jurisdictions, weekend service and the option for the general public to request rides through the app.

\"The primary objective is to enhance the service levels by ensuring sustainability for the service and the benefit of the community it serves,\" Aguirre said during his presentation. He described IVT Ride Now as an \"Uber‑type\" app that will show available vehicles and estimated pick‑up windows, with a target pick‑up window of roughly 30 minutes and opportunities for shared rides when trip paths overlap.

Current conditions and proposed changes

- Today: IVT Ride operates as a senior/disabled dial‑a‑ride in separate city zones (Brawley, Calexico, West Shores, and an El Centro–Heber–Imperial corridor). Each jurisdiction has different hours and fares; El Centro fares were described in the presentation as $1.25 per trip.
- Proposed: Unified service hours (Mon–Fri 6 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat–Sun 7 a.m.–2 p.m.), a mobile app for booking and in‑app payment, an opening of service to the general public (while retaining lower fares for seniors and persons with disabilities, with an anticipated senior fare of $1), and continued phone dispatch for riders who need help with reservations.

Aguirre said dispatch and customer‑service options will remain for riders who cannot use the app and that outreach will target senior housing, nutrition sites and social service providers. He said IVT Ride Now will keep ADA‑equipped vehicles and allow personal care attendants to ride with customers.

ICTC staff also told council members they plan signage and vehicle decals, installation of onboard tablets for routing, and an advertising and outreach program prior to launch. A public hearing on the transition will be held the week following the presentation, ICTC staff said.

Council response and next steps

Council members expressed support, noting the potential to reduce taxi costs for riders and improve on‑demand service in underserved areas. Aguirre said the service will continue to accept phone reservations for people who need assistance and that ICTC will continue in‑person outreach to educate seniors about the app.

ICTC provided a website reference during the meeting (ivtride.com) and said more outreach and demonstrations will follow ahead of the Sept. 2 start date.","The Imperial County Transportation Commission plans to rebrand and expand IVT Ride into a public microtransit service — IVT Ride Now — adding a mobile app, unified fares and weekend hours and targeting a Sept. 2 launch, ICTC Executive Director David Aguirre told the El Centro City Council on July 8.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6655466,"El Centro honors officers for life‑saving response, marks lifeguard day and retires long‑time city employee",766,499000,1265000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394546-585eb5f7d8dba506bfa4d6375c0f412a&start=499&end=1265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394546-585eb5f7d8dba506bfa4d6375c0f412a/thumbnail_499000.jpg","/articles/6655466/El-Centro/Imperial-County/California/El-Centro-honors-officers-for-lifesaving-response-marks-lifeguard-day-and-retires-longtime-city-employee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655466-f6bbef7d039ea733eb2508aecd3e83c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775181275&Signature=CnurDB9sr8rNMF5MM8cW3W7yheNi~fnpuF3R8Kn8COZSX4eJNSaU44BacJziMECkAVYog2hlwQeJ0bcTCmrGMk9Bdj5jZWVsk8SFJnyMoJcE7lG2esGXZDQ40sKRTpf-zDg7-AjanOSkxsCZKCn-Zle47~pAcA88y8uAvJpTYF9Ti5FTCCJjMCXcGIw0YpmFdi6SrsxpvOLn13n2emKR6YJDy3V3p~BXvovPYXz5JEcJNqx-Nixbk7V1st8GyYfsnRYFmygIFVK0AdavOC4NVKaQ0r6Cze8Z3PADdSxVkeZhMBG-ds2M7KlbhczXUbH7iQUHia7JxXolo7I-X7hd-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Centro officials used the July 8 council meeting to recognize emergency responders and longtime staff. Chief Kelly presented life‑saving awards to Officer Daniel Crankshaw and Officer Carlos Bernal for rendering bleeding control and applying a tourniquet to stabilize a victim of a May assault; the chief said their swift actions \"undoubtedly contributed to the saving of the victim's life.\" Officers Crankshaw and Bernal emphasized the role of public callers and the communications center in enabling the response.

The council also proclaimed July 2025 as International Lifeguard Day and Parks and Recreation Month. Becky, an aquatics staff member, said the El Centro Aquatic Center is staffed by a young lifeguard corps and highlighted their role keeping more than 500 daily visitors safe during the summer season. During the presentation, staff noted the center’s summer revenue and the role of lifeguards in maintaining a safe environment.

Retirement: Susanna Gonzales

Council members and staff presented a retirement plaque to Susanna Gonzales, who the city said has served more than 35 years in multiple departments, including the police department, parks and recreation, and most recently economic development. Council members praised her institutional knowledge and steady assistance to small businesses and community programs; Gonzales told the council she will move to Texas to be with her grandson.

What council recorded

- Life‑Saving Awards: Chief Kelly presented framed certificates to Officer Daniel Crankshaw and Officer Carlos Bernal for emergency response on May 15. Both officers credited the public and dispatchers for the outcome.
- Lifeguards & Parks and Recreation Month: The council read proclamations recognizing lifeguards’ work and Parks and Recreation Month; staff shared a video and noted the division’s programs and summer usage.
- Retirement: A plaque and words of appreciation were presented to Susanna Gonzales for 35 years of service to the city.

Council members used the presentations to thank first responders and parks staff and to highlight the role of government employees in public safety and community programming.","At its July 8 meeting the city presented life‑saving awards to two police officers who rendered bleeding control in a May assault, recognized lifeguards for International Lifeguard Day and Parks and Recreation Month, and presented a retirement plaque to Susanna Gonzales after 35 years of city service.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

El Centro council approves police MOU, $2 million road change order and emergency sewer repairs; consent items pass 4-0

El Centro resident urges more shade, water for fieldworkers; city points to Imperial Valley cooling centers

ICTC to open IVT Ride microtransit to public, add mobile app and expanded hours starting Sept. 2, ICTC director says

El Centro honors officers for life‑saving response, marks lifeguard day and retires long‑time city employee