City Council Role

The City of Calexico was incorporated on April 16, 1908, under the laws of the State of California.  The City is a general law City and draws its authority from the California Constitution and the laws of the State of California enacted by the State Legislature.  The City has a Council-Manager form of government.  Under this municipal form of government, the citizens elect five members of the City Council for four-year overlapping terms.  City Council members choose the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem from among themselves each year.   The Mayor presides at meetings of the City Council, signs documents, executes agreements and acts as the official representative of the City.

Regular meetings of the City Council are held on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. (Closed Session) and 6:30 p.m. (Regular Session) in the Fernando "Nene" Torres Council Chambers, 608 Heber Avenue, Calexico, CA.  All meetings of the City Council are open to the public, except closed sessions as needed and allowed by State law.

The City Council is responsible for strategic planning, City legislation, policy development and legislative oversight over the City Manager.  It provides policy direction for the City Manager and adopts the annual City budget and establishes goals, objectives, and performance measures for the City Manager.  The goal of the City Council is to provide an unified well-informed and effective Council working and governing to produce the best City government, management, quality of life and services to the residents of Calexico.   

The City Council takes the primary lead in intergovernmental relations and sits on regional boards, commissions and committees to advance and protect the interests of the City of Calexico.  They represent the City at community ceremonies, meetings and other functions.  The City Council attempts to be responsive to citizen concerns and enact legislation that reflects the needs, wishes and priorities of the residents of Calexico.

The City Manager is appointed by the five-member City Council by majority vote and serves at the “pleasure” of the governing body.  He acts as the City’s chief executive officer as well as executive director of the Successor Agency to the Former Calexico Community Redevelopment Agency.

The City Manager implements the legislative policies of the City Council, manages the day-to-day operations of the City and is responsible for efficient and effective delivery of municipal services.  In his capacity, he works with the City Council on strategic planning, policy development, ordinance preparation and goals and objectives for the organization.  He implements the decisions of the City Council and is responsible for all aspects of the City’s financial administration and personnel administration.  The City Manager oversees the work of all staff members, consultants and City departments.

City services include administration, police, fire, emergency medical, community development, economic development, code enforcement, housing, water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, storm water management, solid waste collection, street construction and maintenance, transit, airport, building inspection, animal control, library, cultural arts, senior programs, parks and recreation services to the citizens of Calexico.