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

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.