Building a stronger future for Calipatria; supporting local entrepreneurs, bringing new businesses to our community, and creating sustainable jobs that allow families to thrive.
Position Calipatria for climate adaptation funding.
Create local jobs and strengthen our tax base.
Help businesses upgrade storefronts and improve curb appeal.
Create penalties for long-term property neglect.
Review and modernize city permitting processes so small businesses can open and expand more quickly and with less bureaucracy.
Allow temporary retail spaces, pop-up markets, and food vendors in designated areas to encourage entrepreneurship and activate underused spaces.
Work with regional partners to improve transportation access and connectivity for residents, workers, and visitors.
Prioritizing fiscal responsibility by supporting balanced budgets, improving financial planning, and ensuring our city government operates efficiently while protecting essential services.
Prohibit deficit spending without public notice and council approval.
Set clear revenue and spending targets for the next five years.
Build emergency savings to protect essential services.
Ensure residents have clear and accessible information through Calipatria Connects about how city funds are managed and spent.
Strengthening our community through responsible investment in roads, water systems, public facilities, and essential infrastructure that residents rely on every day.
Expand and modernize street lighting to improve safety, visibility, and quality of life for residents.
Ensure the Public Works Department has the tools, equipment, and resources needed to maintain city infrastructure efficiently.
Aggressively pursue state and federal funding to support infrastructure improvements without placing additional burden on local taxpayers.
Create a phased plan to expand curb, gutter, and sidewalks throughout Calipatria to improve walkability, drainage, and public safety.
Strengthening our community through responsible investment in roads, water systems, public facilities, and essential infrastructure that residents rely on every day.
Ensure the city maintains updated emergency response plans and coordinates with county agencies to protect residents during emergencies.
Invest in traffic safety measures, signage, and pedestrian protections to make streets safer for residents and families.
Purchase updated equipment and tools to ensure first responders and public safety personnel can effectively protect and serve the community.
Add speed signs, crosswalks, and traffic calming devices to improve pedestrian safety and slow traffic in high-risk areas.
Upgrade crosswalks, signage, and traffic safety measures to protect pedestrians and families throughout the community.
Enhancing quality of life by investing in parks, recreational opportunities, and community spaces that bring residents together and provide safe places for families and youth to gather.
Invest in the development of new parks and recreational spaces to provide safe and accessible places for residents to gather and stay active.
Upgrade park equipment, landscaping, lighting, and amenities to ensure parks remain safe, clean, and welcoming for families.
Develop areas for community events, farmers markets, and public gatherings that bring residents together.
Support projects like community gardens and green spaces that promote wellness, outdoor activity, and community pride.
Create a multi-use community space that includes a park, splash pad, recreational pond, community garden, and gathering areas for families and residents.
Strengthening our neighborhoods by addressing blight, encouraging responsible development, and promoting safe, well-maintained communities for residents.
Ensure neglected and unsafe properties are addressed to improve neighborhood safety and appearance.
Promote cleanup efforts, landscaping improvements, and community pride programs that strengthen neighborhoods.
Partner with state and county programs to help residents repair and improve aging homes.
Support homeowners in building ADUs by ensuring city processes are clear, efficient, and aligned with state housing laws.
Promoting a healthier community by supporting access to healthcare, encouraging active lifestyles, and investing in programs that improve the wellbeing of residents.
Protect Calipatria's water, agricultural economy, and quality of life by permanently prohibiting large-scale data centers within the city.
Work with healthcare providers and regional partners to expand access to healthcare services for residents.
Encourage partnerships that bring mobile clinics, preventative care programs, and health screenings into the community.
Promote programs and services that support seniors and vulnerable residents in maintaining healthy and active lives.
Support recreational programs, walking paths, and outdoor activities that promote healthy lifestyles.
Investing in the future of our community by expanding opportunities for young people through education partnerships, leadership programs, and career pathways.
Create a Youth Advisory Council that allows local students and young residents to provide input on city policies, programs, and community initiatives.
Provide internships and mentorship opportunities that allow students to gain hands-on experience in local government and public service.
Partner with schools, colleges, and workforce organizations to connect young people with job training and career opportunities.
Encourage programs that provide safe, positive activities for youth after school and during the summer.
Work collaboratively with local schools and educational institutions to support student success and community engagement.
Where applicable, these initiatives will be implemented in partnership with regional, county, and state agencies.
Please reach us at Michael@VoteLuellen.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
I am running for re-election because Calipatria deserves continued progress, responsible leadership, and a clear vision for the future. Since taking office, I have worked to strengthen our city’s financial stability, expand services, and pursue projects that improve quality of life for our residents.
During my time in office, we have doubled the number of full time city staff to better serve our community. As mayor, I helped lead the effort to pass Calipatria’s first balanced budget in decades, putting our city back on a path toward fiscal stability. Over the past two years, we have also grown the city’s budget by more than 50 percent, allowing us to invest more in infrastructure, services, and long overdue improvements.
While we have made important progress, there is still more work to do. I am running again to continue building on that momentum, strengthen our community, and ensure Calipatria continues moving forward.
No. I do not support the establishment of any-scale data centers in Calipatria.
Our community's most valuable resources are our water, our agricultural economy, and our quality of life. Data centers place significant demands on infrastructure and utilities, regardless of where they are located, and I believe our limited resources should be prioritized for residents, local businesses, and industries that create long term economic opportunities while respecting our agricultural heritage.
Throughout my time in office, I have consistently opposed data center development and have worked to advance policies that would permanently ban data centers within the City of Calipatria. I was also appointed to the Imperial County Data Center Advisory Committee to represent the City of Calipatria, and I look forward to ensuring our community's concerns and priorities are heard throughout the county's planning process.
I remain committed to protecting our community's future by supporting responsible growth that aligns with our values, preserves our natural resources, and benefits the people who call Calipatria home.
I support responsible lithium development in Imperial Valley. The lithium deposits beneath the Salton Sea represent one of the largest resources in the world, potentially enough to supply roughly one third of global demand. The geothermal extraction process being proposed also has the potential to be one of the cleanest and most environmentally responsible lithium production methods anywhere.
Lithium development presents a historic opportunity to bring jobs, investment, and economic growth to our region. However, the communities closest to these projects, such as Calipatria and Niland, must directly benefit from that development.
I believe the current lithium excise tax should be revisited to ensure that the communities whose infrastructure, roads, and services will be most impacted receive a fair share of the revenue. Local communities should have the resources needed to support infrastructure improvements, public services, and community development.
I also believe geothermal and lithium companies should integrate into Calipatria by investing in local partnerships, workforce opportunities, and community infrastructure.
Lithium Valley should not only power the clean energy transition. It should also strengthen the communities that make it possible.
At this time, I do not support raising new taxes at the city or county level. Many families in our community are already facing financial challenges, and government should focus on responsible budgeting, growing our local economy, and pursuing state and federal funding opportunities before asking residents to pay more. My priority is ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly while still delivering the services our community needs.
I believe city government should be open, accessible, and responsive to the people it serves. Residents are always welcome to contact me directly to share their concerns, ideas, or suggestions about issues affecting our community. You can call me at 760-623-3590 or email me at M_Luellen@Calipatria.com / Michael@VoteLuellen.com.
Residents are also encouraged to attend city council meetings or reach out to request a meeting with me directly. If a meeting is requested at least 24 hours in advance and my schedule allows, I am happy to meet with residents to discuss their concerns or ideas in person.
As an elected representative, I believe my role is to serve the people of Calipatria. If a resident brings forward a thoughtful policy idea or proposal that could benefit our community, I am willing to help introduce it for consideration so it can be discussed publicly. The best ideas for our city often come directly from the people who live here, and I want to make sure those voices are heard.
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