CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY
CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022
CLOSED SESSION @4:30 PM
REGULAR MEETING @ 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor 'Laughlin called the meeting to order at 4:30PM.
ROLL CALL
City Clerk Sutton called roll:
Present: Councilmember Creighton, Councilmember Kulikoff, Councilmember Macedonio, Mayor Pro Tem Lessenevitch, Mayor O'Laughlin
Absent: None
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion to adopt the agenda:
Motion by: Councilmember Creighton
Second by: Mayor Pro Tem Lessenevitch
Motion carried.
Councilmember Macedonio - Would like to address to the public a discussion of the City Councils compensation. City Attorney Ponto - Since it's not on the agenda we will have to bring it to the next council meeting
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Al Hutson - spoke in regard to CS1, CS, and CS6.
DJ Twohig - spoke in regard to CS5 and CS6.
Kyarra Harris - spoke in regard to CS3 and CS4.
CLOSED SESSION
CS 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION Claim of Jose Barragan
CS 2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Employee Organizations: The Firefighters Association, Miscellaneous Employees Association, California City Police Officer Association
CS 3. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT/RECRUITMENT
Title: City Manager
CS 4. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Title: City Manager
CS 5. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT/EMPLOYMENT
Title: Interim City Attorney
CS 6. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Title: Interim City Attorney
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Ponto reported out of closed session. Regarding CS1, claim was denied 4-1, dissenting vote was Councilmember Kulikoff. Regarding CS2, direction was given. Regarding CS3 and CS4, there was an interview process, and it has been concluded at this time. The city has chosen a candidate and at this point, they are offering a contract to the candidate for potential approval at the March 22nd meeting. Regarding CS5 and CS, these are part of the city attorney's contract that's going to be part of the open session discussion tonight and the deal points have been published in the agenda.
REGULAR MEETING 6:00
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor O'Laughlin called the meeting to order at 6:00PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / INVOCATION
Councilmember Creighton led the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Smith from Victory Baptist Church gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL
City Clerk Sutton called roll:
Present: Councilmember Creighton, Councilmember Kulikoff, Councilmember Macedonio, Mayor Pro Tem Lessenevitch, Mayor O'Laughlin
Absent: None
CITY CLERK REPORTS / LATE COMMUNICATIONS
JM Powers - Part 1 General Fund Revenue Exceeded Expenses by $9.5M Over the Past 9 Years JM Powers - Part 2 Parcel Tax Revenue Exceeded Voter Approved Estimates by $5.536M over Past 9 yrs JM Powers - Part 3 Police and Fire Expenditures were $62.4M over the 9 yrs Public Safety Parcel Taxes, $3.34M above Expense Estimates.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
• Finance
• OHV
Mayor O'Laughlin - What is the significance of the dates? And is there a reason that there isn't a monthly count? OHV Manager Inge Elmes - We haven't done monthly, but that's something that we conclude if that's what you're looking for.
• Parks and Recreation
• Planning
Mayor O'Laughlin - Mr. Ellison is wondering why his zone change hasn't gone back to planning? Interim City Manager Ambrose - Staff is going to reach out to Mr. Ellison. If he wishes to resubmit for the zone change. Mayor O'Laughlin - I was looking for a report from Interwest today on what the timeline would be for them to contact at all 45 of those outstanding, do we know if they're even still active? Interim City Manager Ambrose - Interwest is in that review process and all of the applicants that are still in the queue, and I'll speak with Paul tomorrow to give an update to the Council on the status of that. Mayor O'Laughlin what I wanted to know is when he would be able to tell every person in the queue, what they needed to move forward Interim City Manager Ambrose - We will provide that to you. • DJ Twohig - Stated the tracking reports need to have the percentage of completion. He also spoke in regards to introducing a Fast Track resolution.
• Tammy Johnson - Felt comments were inappropriate and we need to treat our council members better than that.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT
We have been working on the agreement with the Interim City Attorney firm. I have conducted 10 director's hearings to further move things along the planning process. During the last couple of weeks, I've signed off on 10 letters of compliance underway. The letters of compliance underway is a letter that we provide to the cannabis applicants once they've completed their initial review. This is the background check, their business plan, review, etc. and are then ready to proceed to planning for their site plan reviews, CEQA and any other land entitlements. This is the letter that replaces what had previously been called the conditional cannabis permit. This is the step that allows the applicants to have documentation that they're working with a local agency to work through their local process as they're working with the state on their state licensing.
We've had a discussion with staff related to the Tortoise Day Parade and looking at the resources that would be necessary for PD staffing and overtime commitments. It's our recommendation is that there is not a parade this year since they are very expensive, and we currently have staffing shortages. Also, our first group of applicants have all been submitted to JAS for plan check review. Mayor O'Laughlin - I've had several citizens call me stating they feel quite strongly that we need to have a parade. We have volunteer PD and volunteer dirt members who are all interested in helping out and making the parade a reality. I would like to ask if we could take another look at that. I really think our community needs some community building right now. I would like I think there could be enough volunteers that we could still make it happen.
Interim City Manager Ambrose - There are areas of volunteers absolutely can't be used that you need either sworn officers or staffing with proper traffic control training to do that safely. We have discussed it with the police department, but we'll rediscuss it and present to the council what the budget needs would be.
PRESENTATION
Retail Strategies
CIVIC/COMMUNITY/ORGANIZATIONS ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Carolina Fleming - I would like to create a nonprofit coalition this year. If anyone would like more information, please reach out to me.
PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
• Brian Hansen - Spoke tonight on behalf of the Police Association to convey their advocacy of Lieutenant Jesse Hightower for Chief of Police.
• Shawn Bradley - Spoke in regards to the reduction of the cannabis tax. • Al Hutson - Commented on public information that is available to the public. • DJ Twohig - We need to option for an onsite plan checker in addition to the virtual plan checking. • Ron Smith - Feels plan check should come back in house.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC 1. Approve City Check Register dated 02/18/2022 through 03/03/2022.
CC 2. Approve Minutes from the February 22nd, February 23 rd and March 3rd, 2022 City Council Meetings.
CC 3. Adoption of RESOLUTION NO. 03-22-2911, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
RATIFYING THE PROCLAMATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY BY GOVERNOR NEWSOM ON MARCH 4, 2020, AND MAKING THE LEGALLY REQUIRED FINDINGS TO CONTINUE TO AUTHORIZE THE CONDUCT OF REMOTE "TELEPHONIC" MEETINGS DURING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 8, 2022, THROUGH APRIL 7, 2022 - Interim City Manager Ambrose
CC 4. Approve STATE-MANDATED COSTS REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE AND ALLOW INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO SIGN ON
BEHALF OF CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CONTRACT NICHOLS
CONSULTING FOR THE SERVICES OF PREPARING AND SUBMITTING THE REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMS - Chief Walker
CC 5. AVEK VAULT CONFINED SPACE ENTRY EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATION RATIFY PURCHASE - Chief Water Operator
CC 6. CHANGE ORDER - ARPA IT PURCHASE - Interim City Manager Ambrose CC 7. CONSIDERATION OF AN AGREEMENT FOR INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES WITH OLIVAREZ MADRUGA LEMIEUX O'NEILL, LLP - Interim City Manager Ambrose
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
Council and staff discussed the item.
Councilmember Macedonio - City Attorney Ponto, on the continuing resolution, I understand that the govenor is close to signing something else on hybrid meetings or virtual meetings. Do you have any information? City Attorney Ponto - Once there's something that is formally released, I will bring it to your attention.
Motion to approve CC1-CC7:
Motion by: Councilmember Creighton
Second by: Councilmember Kulikor
AYES: Councilmember Creighton, Councilmember Kulikoff, Councilmember Macedonio, Mayor Pro Tem Lessenevitch, Mayor O'Laughlin
NOES: None
VOTE: 5 Yes Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent Motion Carried
NEW BUSINESS
NB 1. Notice of Upcoming Vacancies on the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and the Vicious Dog Review Board - Mayor O'Laughlin
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Shawn Bradley - Had questions regarding the Vicious Dog Review Board appointment process.
Council and staff discussed the item.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS, AGENDA REQUESTS, AND AB1234 REPORTS Councilmember Creighton
• Attend the East Kern Air Pollution Control District meeting. Still waiting on information from them on the solar powered electric vehicle charging station. Also, I need to reach out to Chief Kosick in regard to the contract for the new fire engine.
Councilmember Kulikoff
• Request an item be brought to the next City Council regular meeting agenda to discuss the breach of contract between Meister and Meister and California City Successor Agency for parcels 30251005, 30251006, 30251007, 30251008, 30251009 and 30251010 to include a discussion of an extension of time.
Councilmember Macedonio
• Going to go to the East Kern Economic Alliance meeting in Rosamond on Thursday.
Mayor Pro Tem Lessenevitch
Mayor O Laughlin
• We've done city manager evaluations. Miss Ambrose and I met with a developer from Riverside looking at a potential hotel. And we really need to look at the Cannabis ordinance. There's a lot of ambiguity, we need clarification. And then we also need to be in the conversation about if we want to open up delivery and storefront dispensaries.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to Adjourn: 1ST Councilmember Creighton 2ND Councilmember Macedonio. Meeting adjourned at 7:41PM on March 8, 2022.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 22nd day of March 2022.
Same Oba 8
Jeanie O'Laughlin, Mayo
ATTEST:
Laurie Sutton, City Clerk