The Imperial City Council approved a package of infrastructure, labor and administrative measures at its April meeting, voting unanimously on each item.

The council voted 5-0 to reimburse park impact fees of $320,486.59 to the developer of the Monterey Subdivision Park after staff reported the park was inspected and accepted by the city on March 6, 2024. City staff recommended the reimbursement after reviewing the developer’s documentation.

Council members also authorized public bidding for the “Aden tank and shop tank modifications and new ventilation system installation” (Project Bid No. 2025-03). Public works staff described the work as interior sandblasting and repair of corrosion, recoating the interior and exterior (except the roof), and adding forced-air ventilation and vents to reduce trihalomethanes (THMs) and improve water quality. Officials said the rehabilitation is expected to have a 30-year service life if routine inspections and minor corrosion repairs occur as recommended. The motion to adopt plans and specifications and put the work to bid passed 5-0.

On personnel and policy matters the council:
- Adopted a body-worn camera policy for community development staff (5-0). The policy sets activation guidelines, addresses privacy and unauthorized use, and establishes file maintenance and retention rules. The presenter said both management and labor reviewed the draft.
- Approved the third amendment to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City of Imperial and the Imperial Police Officers Association (IPOA) establishing a 12-month probationary period for employees who are promoted, voluntarily demoted, or voluntarily laterally transfer within the police department. The amendment takes effect upon council approval and will remain in effect through the current collective bargaining term ending June 30, 2026; it was adopted 5-0.
- Adopted a citywide Sidewalk Inspection and Maintenance Program (5-0). Staff described a prioritized inspection regime that uses a five-year rotating grid, annual inspections, visual screening of Safe Routes to School, and a two-notice system for property-owner repair obligations. The staff presentation referenced California Government Code “section 8 30” and California Streets and Highway Code “section 5 6 56 10 to 56 18” as discussed in the meeting transcript and reiterated that under the Imperial City Code (Chapter 19, Streets and Sidewalks) abutting property owners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks; the program provides options for compliance including permit-based self-repair, hiring a licensed contractor, or city-conducted repairs at the owner’s expense with potential lien placement for noncompliance.
- Adopted an Outside Employment Disclosure Policy (5-0). Staff said the policy is intended to prevent outside-employment conflicts and referenced California Government Code language as the basis for the policy; police department employees are covered by the department’s separate rules.

All consent and action items called for in the meeting were approved with roll-call results recorded as unanimous (motion carries 5-0).

Votes at a glance
- C1: Appointment of a non-voting primary and alternate city council member to the Friends of Imperial Parks Committee — motion carried 5-0 (nomination process conducted on the record). Specific mover/second not specified in the public transcript.
- C2: Adopt plans/specifications and authorize public bidding for Aden tank and shop tank modifications and new ventilation system (Project Bid No. 2025-03) — approved 5-0.
- C3: Reimbursement of park impact fees for the Monterey Subdivision Park, $320,486.59 — approved 5-0.
- C4: Approval and adoption of a body-worn camera policy for community development staff — approved 5-0.
- C5: Approval of third amendment to IPOA MOU (12-month probationary period for promoted/demoted/transferred employees) — approved 5-0; effective upon approval and incorporated through 06/30/2026.
- C6: Approval and adoption of Sidewalk Inspection and Maintenance Program (references in-meeting legal sources as noted) — approved 5-0.
- C7: Approval and adoption of Outside Employment Disclosure Policy (references in-meeting legal sources as noted) — approved 5-0.

Council members and staff who spoke on these items noted the city’s focus on preventative maintenance, legal compliance and clear notification/appeal procedures for affected property owners and employees. Where the transcript did not name a mover or seconder for a vote, the meeting record shows the item passed by unanimous roll call.