City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Welcome to the Brawley City Council and successor agencies of the Brawley Community Redevelopment Agency. Special meeting agenda, August 18, 2026 at 6 p.m., City Council Chambers, 383 Main Street, Brawley, California. Madam Clerk, can we have a roll call?

Yes. Mayor Galvan?

Present.

Mayor Pro Tem Kelly? Council Member Grass? Council Member Monita?

Here.

And Council Member Rebilar? Present.

Okay, we could please stand for the invocation by Mr. Freed and the pledge by Council Member Monita.

Please bow your heads. Lord, as we begin tonight's meeting, may we approach our work with clarity, respect, and a steady commitment to serving our community. May we continue to move forward in unity, guided by our common goal of strengthening the community we are entrusted to serve, and honoring the trust our residents place in us. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Amen. If everyone would look to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag. Thank you so much for that. All right.

Can I get a motion to approve the agenda as presented?

I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. I'll second.

You got a second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposition? Motion carries. Okay, moving on to number two, public appearances and comments. This is a time for the public to address a council on any item not appearing on the agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the city council. The mayor will recognize you, and when you come up to the microphone, please state your name, address for the record. Speakers are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and orderly manner. Disruptive behavior and profanity are not permitted. You're not allowed to make personal attacks on individuals or make comments which are slanderous or which may invade an individual's personal privacy. Please direct your questions and comments to the city council.

Is there anyone who would like to come up?

None? Okay. Seeing none, we're going to move on to number three, regular business. This potential action to approve Resolution No. 2026-45, appointing two qualified electors to the City Council in lieu of an election pursuant to California's Elections Code 10229. That will be presented by Emmett Freed, Assistant to the City Manager.

Thank you, Mayor. The nomination period for the November 3rd, 2026 general municipal election has closed and the city clerk's certificate of facts confirms there are two candidates for two city council seats. Under election code section 10229, council may appoint the nominated candidates in lieu of conducting the election or may direct that the election proceed. The deadline to make an appointment is August 20th, 2026. Regarding fiscal impact, the FY26-27 budget includes $50,000 for election costs. If the council points in lieu of election, the city would incur an estimated $300 fee from the county registrar of voters, leaving approximately $49,700 of the election budget unused. The certificate of facts and proposed resolution are submitted for council consideration. I would also like to note that both nominated candidates, Eric Montoya Reyes and Clyde Richard Edgar Jr. are present at the meeting this evening.

Thank you. Any comments, questions by counsel? Nope. Seeing none, okay. Can I have a motion to approve the... Oh, actually, do they?

Would they like to come up and say a few words?

Sure.

Okay. Anybody like to come up and speak?

I get used to it.

Four minutes, four minutes. All right.

eric montoya reyes i just i think it's a good move um as you know the city needs to pare down some spending and anytime we can do something like that and save almost fifty thousand dollars it's a good move and people were given ample time to apply so i think it's not a question of that and i look forward to working with everyone and thank you to the two gentlemen who are not running again for giving us this opportunity thank you

Thank you. Mr. Edgar? Hello, how are you all?

I feel the same way. I think that this is a wonderful way to save the city some money. I think that the appointment is Is generally accepted by everybody and that there is no need for an election So thank you very much and again to the two gentlemen that are leaving. We hope that we can fill your seats as Thoughtfully as you did. Thank you very much.

Thank you All right Any comments or questions by counsel?

I can't say we didn't save the city money, huh? No Yeah, no. Thank you. I think we have a very good balance of two individuals coming up here and The city, I think, is in a good position moving forward. There's some tough decisions that will be being made, but that are not just isolated to the city of Brawley. I think local government, state government, and federal government are kind of struggling right now in how we move forward. And so I think your experience in business and the private industry, as well as with THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE AND YOUR OWN PERSONAL NETWORKS AND PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS ARE GOING TO BRING A GOOD PERSPECTIVE TO OUR COUNCIL AND TO OUR CITY. AND SO BOTH OF YOU ARE VERY WELL KNOWN WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. SO I THINK THAT ALWAYS THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW WHO'S GOING TO BE REPRESENTING THEM. I think we leave in very good, well, not till December, but I think it's going to be a, it's good to know there's some confidence who's going to be coming in. And I think sometimes with these elections, things can get pretty nasty. So for us to not have that, I think allows us to, during these kind of polarizing times for our community to stay unified and have an understanding. So thank you to you, General, for stepping up. I said doing the paperwork and doing everything needed to qualify for the ballot and being able to now be appointed. Well, until we take action, but be appointed to these seats. And I know how to get a hold of each of you. One, Eric, I see almost every Tuesday. And then Mr. Edgar, I know where you live. And so I'm looking forward to, you know, staying in touch. So thank you guys.

OK. So I'd just like to thank you guys also for not only starting the process but finishing the process. I believe we had about six or seven total that pulled papers and for whatever reason didn't finish. So it takes a lot to run for office. So again, thank you for stepping up, really, because like I said, out of six or seven applicants, you guys were the only two who finished All the requirements. And, you know, just if you get on, be ready for the attacks, good and bad, but it's part of the job. So, anyway, that's all I have to say. So, again, thank you guys for stepping up. I appreciate that. Okay. With that said, can I have a motion to approve resolution number 2026-45? A motion to approve. I have a motion on the floor. Do we have a second? We have a second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposition? Seeing none, motion carries. Thank you. You guys are now future council members, so thank you.

All right.

If I could just say one thing. The city manager called me right before this meeting. She really wanted to be here for this special meeting. Currently, she's getting her daughter settled into college upstate so she could make it. I just want to pass that along to you.

Thank you. One other thing. For the residents of Raleigh, there will be an election. It's just we won't have to pay for it. So the county offices and whatnot, you'll still get your ballots. The city of Raleigh won't be having to pay for it because we're not adding candidates. And then to the new council members, make sure you reach out to staff. If you have any questions before you're sworn in, we'd be happy to answer them.

Okay. Thank you. Any council reports?

No? Party report?

Nope. City manager report?

Oh, I do have a report. I'll go ahead. Cook's Market has been sold and the new owner plans to demolish.

Nice. Good to hear. Okay. With nothing further to report out, this meeting is now adjourned. Thank you.

I'm with it. Heck yeah.