Calexico mayor delivers virtual address
CALEXICO – Mayor Bill Hodge was joined by a revolving cast of city officials for a virtual State of the City address on Friday that offered assurances the city is “On Steady Course.”
His and the other’s assurances were bolstered by repeated references to numerous completed, ongoing and pending projects aimed at improving community members’ quality of life.
Though Hodge acknowledged the COVID-19 pandemic was having a negative effect on the city’s finances and overall operations, it has also served to further city officials’ determination to “stay on course.”
“This is not the time for radical change but for measured change,” Hodge said.
Starting in 2017, the city has gradually been able to emerge from its former “dark ages,” characterized by financial deficits, political rancor and low city employee morale, Hodge said.
In its place, the city now finds itself on vastly improved financial footing and is projecting to close out the current fiscal year with more than $900,000 in its general fund reserves.
“This is a substantial success considering four years ago the city had a $4 million financial deficit,” Hodge said.
He noted that the city’s financial turnaround owes much of its success to the leadership of City Manager David Dale, Finance Department Director Karla Lobatos and the sacrifices of city employees.
Dale also made a brief appearance to tout the city’s financial recovery and highlight the fact that his assertions were backed up by the city’s most recent audited financial statements.
The adoption of quarterly financial reports have helped improve financial oversight for both elected officials and the public. Additionally, this year marked the introduction of public workshops to better advise the community about financial matters before the city.
“The main objective of these workshops is to present transparency and bring awareness to financial misconceptions,” Hodge said. “It is to inform the public on how we come up with the numbers.
The Calexico Police Department had good news to deliver as well. Personnel promotions included three officers being elevated to sergeant, and a newly minted public safety dispatcher supervisor.
Future plans call for the potential hiring of up to five officers and one full-time dispatcher by the end of the fiscal year, June 30.
A new fee schedule for the city’s alarm ordinance and a three-fold increase in towing franchise fees are expected to bring in additional revenue. The police are also credited with helping restore a family-friendly atmosphere to Rockwood Plaza, which had been a gathering place for the area’s homeless.
The Calexico Fire Department was able to add six firefighters to its ranks in the past year, and is holding out hopes that an additional four more can be added by year’s end, said Chief Diego Favila.
The department was able to promote an employee to captain and another to an engineer, and had successfully hosted community emergency response team training for residents.
Future plans call for the hiring of up to six more firefighters and the acquisition of two ambulances.
Currently, the city is accepting bids for the renovation of the department’s station on East Fifth Street, a project that was years in the making.
“In the future the Fire Department will have a $7 million to $10 million state-of-the-art fire station,” Hodge said.
Among its recent accomplishments, the Public Works Department can include the overlay of 59 streets at an expense of about $5 million, and can be expected to continue such efforts for the coming fiscal year, said department Manager Liliana Falomir.
The completed $7 million Cesar Chavez Boulevard expansion project was another standout, as was the replacement of about 8,600 square feet of roofing at the Community Center.
Phase 1B of the New River Improvement Project is currently underway, and is undergoing site preparation for a planned bikeway.
Future public works ventures include the Adrian Cordova Park improvement project and the potential use of an additional $28 million to go toward the New River Improvement Project.
The pandemic may have taken a toll on library and recreation services, yet it has produced innovative alternatives to traditional events.
Camarena Memorial Library is now offering virtual Storytime and Baby Storytime as well as virtual library services for its electronic book, music and video inventory.
“They have rolled up their sleeves and are coming up with webbased programming for the community to enjoy from the comfort of their homes,” Hodge said.
Some of its past undertakings have included the donation of 434 books to local kids, five fun-filled family night events, and the acquisition of 370 books through a Zip Books grant.
This summer, the library is expecting to provide lunch and snacks for youngsters with the assistance of the Calexico Neighborhood House.
The Recreation Department was praised for its wellness programs, and especially those targeting seniors and made possible by the sponsorship of the Heffernan Memorial Healthcare District.
The department’s twice-monthly health and wellness classes for seniors were lauded as well, as was the participation of the county Behavioral Health Services.
“These types of programs are proof that Calexico is very productive and successful in building relationships with other key organizations throughout the Imperial Valley,” Hodge said.
Additionally, an $8.5 million state grant that was awarded in February will go toward the renovation of Heber Park, and will include a multipurpose gymnasium, walking trail, and lighted parking lot, basketball courts and soccer field.
A downtown action plan that the council approved Sept. 4 called for the creation of a promenade on Rockwood Avenue between First and Second streets and is now in its preliminary stages.
Part of that effort has included the installation of security gates on alleys adjacent to Rockwood and the relocation of taxis to First Street between Heffernan and Paulin avenues. Ultimately, the promenade will include a pedestrian plaza, bike stations, recreational space and commerce.
“We should see some real movement on this project this year,” Hodge said.
The Los Angeles native closed out his address by stating that in the nearly 30 years he has resided in Calexico, he has come to appreciate and feel welcomed by its “special breed” of highly resilient, compassionate and opinionated citizenry.
“In essence, somos familia,” Hodge said. “Viva Calexico.”