Calipatria mayor marks progress during address
CALIPATRIA — Despite its fiscal challenges, which are estimated to date back half a century, the city of Calipatria has continued to provide a commendable level of services for its residents.
That much was made clear by Mayor Maria Nava-Froelich on Friday during her State of the City address at the city’s Community Center.
The city’s “can-do approach,” Nava-Froelich said, is owed largely to its citywide personnel and the relationships they have established with a growing multitude of stakeholders.
“This community has always risen to the challenge as we continually seek options, partners and volunteers to help with general fund expenses and the quality of life for our beautiful community of Calipatria,” Nava-Froelich said.
This year, the city had a significant number of noteworthy developments, including its centennial celebration in March, that Nava-Froelich highlighted in her 10-minute speech.
Among those accomplishments is the $700,000 spent on phase 1 of its street maintenance program, and restroom improvements at Rademacher Park, which along with Caldwell Park also had seen some sidewalk improvements.
New air conditioners kept things cool inside the Community Center, thanks to $200,000 made available with the assistance of the county of Imperial, Imperial Irrigation District and Imperial County Transportation Commission, Nava-Froelich said.
The Calipatria Police Department obtained two new patrol units with $80,000 the city acquired through U.S. Department of Agriculture public safety funds, while an $85,000 state Department of Transportation grant is going toward the completion of the city’s Railroad Corridor MultiUse Bikeway Master Plan.
The expenditures reflect “responsible spending strategies” that have allowed the city to come back from a prior $1.3 million deficit that stood at $100,000 at the end of the last fiscal year, Nava-Froelich told those gathered.
“I want to acknowledge our city personnel and departments, because without dedicated people using limited resources, our city could not operate,” she said.
During her address, Nava-Froelich also spoke of more good things to come. Residents here can soon expect significant wastewater treatment plant, manhole and sewer line improvement projects, totaling about $2.1 million.
Additional roadway and sidewalk projects totaling about $1.75 million will target North Brown Avenue as well as Highway 115 north to Hernandez Park.
About $1.5 million will also go toward the rehabilitation of North and South Centro Avenue, Mesa Verde Road, Laurel Lane, Fan Palm Court, West Delta Street, and the 300 block of East Barbara and California Streets.
Those funds will come from the Local Transportation Authority and Measure D sales tax proceeds, Nava-Froelich said.
The mayor on Friday was joined by her colleagues on the council as well as City Manager Rom Medina, police Chief Anthony Mara and newly hired fire Chief Jesse Llanas.
The annual event attracted a respectable number of local dignitaries, including Brawley City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore, County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ryan Kelley, El Centro City Councilman Tomás Oliva and Margaret Sauza, executive director of Sure Helpline Crisis Center, which maintains a satellite office in the city.
Nava-Froelich also took the time to acknowledge members of the newly reorganized Community Service Partners, Calipatria Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce.
Following her address, attendees gathered for a mixer hosted by the Chamber of Commerce that included food, beverages, music and a raffle.
During his remarks, chamber President George Prieto thanked all those present for their attendance and spoke of the ongoing collaboration the organization has established with the Calipatria Unified School District, city officials and volunteers for the betterment of the city.
The chamber is also in the process of establishing a Junior Chamber in order to help promote civic engagement and pride among local youth.
“The youth are the future of our city and we need to mentor, empower and prepare them for the undertaking of the future of our city,” Prieto said.
Calipatria FFA Treasurer Michael Fallavollita said his familiarity and comfort with the majority of the chamber officers and members prompted him to want to join the Junior Chamber.
To formally apply to join, Fallavollita said he has to complete an essay that explains his motivation for doing so. The Junior Chamber would be a natural fit for him as a member of FFA, which already encourages its members to become highly engaged with the community.
“I feel that we can get much accomplished in the city if we can get our youth to help,” Fallavollita said.