El Centro council votes to send support letter for SB 461 to transfer Imperial CHP facility to City of Imperial

The El Centro City Council voted unanimously to send a letter of support for SB 461, legislation that supporters say would facilitate transfer of a soon-to-be-vacant California Highway Patrol station to the City of Imperial.

Larissa de la Torre, a district representative with Senator Steve Villia's office, told the council the CHP facility at 2331 California (address as given in the presentation) is configured for law-enforcement operations and “will minimize renovation costs compared to converting another non law enforcement property.” She asked El Centro to provide a formal letter backing the bill.

The request framed the transfer as a cost-saving option for Imperial’s police department. De la Torre said the Imperial Police Department currently operates out of a converted juvenile detention facility that also houses City Hall and that the CHP site contains infrastructure such as evidence lockers, fuel storage and detention cells that would reduce retrofit costs.

Council members moved and seconded a motion to send the requested letter. The motion passed 4-0.

The council did not specify which council member made or seconded the motion during the public record; the meeting minutes show only the outcome. No formal amendments to the request were recorded and no additional conditions were placed on the letter.

The council was told the legislative materials and supporting information would be posted to the city website. The council did not take any additional actions that would obligate city funds or transfer property; the action recorded was the endorsement letter only.

Votes at a glance SB 461 support letter — motion to send a letter of strong support: Passed 4-0 (mover: not specified; second: not specified).