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El Centro council approves sidewalk change order, police station budget, new ordinance and several contracts in 5-0 votes
Summary
At its Aug. 19 meeting, the El Centro City Council approved a series of actions — including a CDBG sidewalks change order, a revised police station budget, adoption of an urgency ordinance on unlawful camping/storage, and several contracts and sponsorships — with most measures passing unanimously.
The El Centro City Council on Aug. 19 approved multiple agenda items and formal actions, most by unanimous vote, addressing infrastructure, public-safety policy and city contracts. Highlights include approval of a change order and budget adjustments for the federally funded CDBG sidewalks project, adoption of an urgency ordinance criminalizing certain unlawful storage and camping behaviors, and a budget revision for the new police station.
The council recorded the following formal outcomes: a consent agenda (items 5–12) was adopted; staff-recommended sponsorship for the Imperial Valley 9/11 stair climb was approved; the janitorial contract procurement resulted in an award to the Work Training Center (WTC) after debate and a recorded 4–0/1 vote; Change Order No. 2 for the CDBG sidewalks and improvements project was approved (additional ~$222,000 and 30 days); plans and specs for the Hakaranda Gardens/streets project were authorized for bid; the police station budget revision (using bond interest and a contingency request) was approved; Ordinance No. 2504 (camping/unlawful storage amendments, urgency ordinance) was adopted and declared effective; Frasier Field bid documents were approved; and the League of California Cities delegate and alternate appointments were made.
Council members discussed each item before votes, with staff providing funding breakdowns and technical details. For example, public works said the CDBG project has installed roughly 2,747 linear feet of sidewalk and 41 curb ramps to date and that unanticipated asphalt and transition repairs prompted the change order. Project staff said bond-interest earnings and other local funds would cover shortfalls in the police station budget while preserving funds returned to Measure P.
Where possible, staff noted funding sources: CDBG funds, Measure P, TDA Article 3 (pedestrian/transit funds), and bond-interest earnings. The council also heard public comment on the janitorial procurement (Work Training Center emphasized its long service and employment of developmentally disabled workers) and on public-safety enforcement and community concerns during the public comment period.
Next steps for several items include returning with finalized bid results or change-order details as costs and scopes are refined. The city clerk’s minutes will include formal vote tallies and any notations requested by council members.
