CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY
CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2022
CLOSED SESSION @5:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING @ 6:00 PM
CLOSED SESSION 5:00PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor O' Laughlin called the meeting to order at 5:00PM.
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
All in favor.
Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Don Parris spoke in regards to the open positions.
Al Hutson spoke in regards to the open positions, CS1, CS2 and CS3. • DJ Twohig via email regarding CS1, CS2 and CS3.
CLOSED SESSION
CS 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTINGLITIGATION
(Paragraph(1)of subdivision(d) ofSection54956.9)
CS 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTINGLITIGATION
(Paragraph(1)of subdivision(d) ofSection54956.9)
CS 3. Public Employee Appointment.
Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 Title: City Manager
CS 4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 (One Case)
CS 5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 (One Case)
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Interim City Attorney Ponto - We went into closed session under items CS1 through CS5. Each of the relevant government code sections are reflected in the agenda and are part of the minutes. For each of those items, counsel was given and direction was received. There is no further reportable action at this time. Additionally, one of the items was to have the Interim City Manager, Miss Ambrose stay on to the 27th of April. The council agreed in light of the transition period, to have the new city manager receive some legacy information and that was requested and approved by the council.
REGULAR MEETING 6:00
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor O'Laughlin called the meeting to order at 6:00PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / INVOCATION
Mayor O'Laughlin led the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Ron Smith from Victory Baptist Church will give 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
None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
• Airport
• Building
Mayor O'Laughlin - How many items are waiting for plan check? Interim City Manager Ambrose - I will have to follow up with the department.
• City Clerk
Councilmember Macedonio - I would like the council to be CC'd when the chamber is advised who has new business licenses. Also, what is emailed group participation? And what is the date when the municode will be updated? City Clerk Sutton - I will copy the council when I send out the new business license email. Email participation, that is when I send out the email with the agenda, those are the individuals set up to receive the email. The municode should be updated by mid May. • Fire
: Polan Resources
Police
• Public Works
Councilmember Creighton - what's the status of the Isabelle water line replacement? Do we know what percentage complete? Chief Water Operator Meza - I would say about 97% complete.
• Treasurer
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Al Hutson - Asked for an item to be added to the City Clerk's office. • DJ Twohig - Had comments regarding information on an Economic Developer Position. • Don Parris - Spoke in high regard of Chief Walker.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT
• Kenny, the staff and I are actively working on the budget. We have the December financials ready. It's my target to bring this to the first week of April, probably a special work session. Mayor O'Laughlin - Update on the Audit? And when will we have the financials? Finance Manager Cooper - They're going to complete both of the audits by June. Interim City Manager Ambrose - Finalizing the financials so they are what the council wants to look at.
• We've been in bargaining sessions with the miscellaneous group. • I met this past week with DiamondiT to provide a quarterly update on their services, but also to get us status update on the work that they're doing to update the city's infrastructure. I'll be giving the council a memo on the timelines what they've achieved so far, and what's still outstanding. Mayor Laughlin - think as a council we need to look at maybe creating a couple of positions that we could have full time in house for IT. Interim City Manager Ambrose - I think it depends on the timeline of the core infrastructure projects, you're going to need to look at what is the right staffing that can manage those types of projects that have the right skills and the right certifications. • We've been having some meetings with the new interim city attorney's office just to bring them up to speed on some various projects included, including land use issues, planning and cannabis. • I facilitated a meeting with our developer and Jay's Pacific to walk through corrections and concerns identified with their plan check. And we've been seeing more applicants coming through the plan check process.
• We had a meeting with the Japan Times. They found us and the Mayor and I met with them to talk about opportunities in California City.
• We've have noticed the first group of successor agency properties that were listed on March 17th.
These properties must be given first consideration for development of low-income housing before other offers can be considered
• We had a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce to talk about business licenses and how the chamber can help as they know about new businesses and how they can help support new businesses.
• Working with Public Works staff, we met with CalRecycle, about our compliance regarding SB619 and the waste diversion requirements that the city has to make. Mayor O'Laughlin - On the SB619, the Mayor's Pastoral met and are close to starting the soup kitchen and would like an update in regards to the process from Josh Mann.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Al Hutson - Asked if there was a budget calendar.
CIVIC/COMMUNITY/ORGANIZATIONS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Carolinda Fleming - Tortoise Days is April 23rd and 24th. Anyone that wants to perform on the main stage or on the small stage please get in touch with myself or with Teresa Oaks. We've got a lot of exciting activities planned. So please community, spread the word and come out.
Mayor O'Laughlin - I want to announce that we're having a household hazardous waste collection event Saturday, April 23 at the airport from 9:00am to 1:00pm. This is for batteries, motor oil, lightbulbs, sharps, chemicals, automotive products, cleaning products and more.
PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
• Don Parris - Spoke in regards to council and appointment of a new city manager. • Al Hutson - Commented that the city should get an in-house attorney. • Josh Meister - Stated that there is a need for more dispensaries in town. • DJ Twohig - Spoke in regards to adding an Economic Developer position. • Mary Wady - Asked about the waterfall grant status.
• Patrick Bohannan - Asked about budget items.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC 1. Approve City Check Register dated 03/04/2022 through 03/17/2022.
CC 2. Approve Minutes from the July 13th, 2021 and March 8th, 2022, City Council Meetings.
CC 5. Approve JAS Pacific Contract Extension - Interim City Manager Ambrose CC 6. Chamber of Commerce Budget Expenditures - For informational purposes only
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Al Hutson - Had a few questions on the check register. • DJ Twohig - Commented on the JAS contract.
Council and staff discussed the item.
Motion to approve CC1-CC2, CC5-CC6 pulling CC3 and CC4:
Motion by: Councilmember Creighton
Second by: Councilmember Macedonio
AYES: Councilmember Creighton, Councilmember Kulikoff, Councilmember Macedonio, Mayor Pro Tem Lessenevitch, Mayor O'Laughlin
NOES: None
VOTE: 5 Yes 0 Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent Motion Carried
Approve A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY,
RATIFYING THE PROCLAMATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY BY GOVERNOR NEWSOM AUTHORIZE THE CONDUCT OF REMOTE "TELEPHONIC" MEETINGS DURING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY, FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 22, 2022, THROUGH APRIL 21, 2022 - Interim City Manager Ambrose
Stephanie Arechiga from OMLO gave a brief presentation on AB361 (Telephonic Meetings) Direction
Interim City Attorney Ponto - I will bring back government contact information to pursue the continuation of remote telephonic meetings for the future.
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Don Parris - Commented on the importance of in person meetings. • Shawn Bradley - Commented on the need to keep doing telephonic meetings. • Carolinda Fleming - Reminded us that the city has a cable channel as well we can use.
Council and staff discussed the item.
Motion to approve CC3:
Motion by: Mayor Pro Tem Lessenevitch
Second by: Councilmember Creighton
AYES: Councilmember Creighton, Councilmember Kulikoff, Councilmember Macedonio, Mayor Pro Tem Lessenevitch, Mayor O'Laughlin
NOES: None
VOTE: 5 Yes 0 Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent Motion Carried
CC 4. Approve PURCHASE OF NEW SAFE - Keith Middleton, Treasurer
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Tami Johnson - Feels that its we should purchase the safe.
Council and staff discussed the item.
Motion to approve CC4:
Motion by: Councilmember Creighton
Second by: Councilmember Kulikoff
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
CONTINUED BUSINESS
CB 1. Breach of Contract - 6 Parcels - Councilmember Kulikoff
RECOMMENDATION
City Council to discuss an extension of time for the breach of contract between Meister & Meister Inc., a California Corporation, and California City Successor Agency and give direction as appropriate.
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Don Parris - Inquired about the Meister building permits. • DJ Twohig - Spoke in regards to streamlining permits.
Council and staff discussed the item.
Direction
Interim City Attorney Ponto - I have the direction I need. I'll review the controlling documents for the identified APNs and determine what type of extension it dictates. I'll come back with some form of extension for the council to consider and give formal blessing for our next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
NB 1. Water Main Line Replacements - Chief Water Operator Meza
RECOMMENDATION
The City Council discuss and authorize the City Manager to approve the aforementioned Task Orders from BHT.
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Al Hutson - Concerned about how miles of waterline still need to be replaced.
Council and staff discussed the item.
Motion to approve NB1:
Motion by: Councilmember Creighton
Second by: Councilmember Kulikoff
AYES: Councilmember Creighton, Councilmember Kulikoff, Councilmember Macedonio, Mayor Pro Tem Lessenevitch, Mayor O'Laughlin
NOES: None
VOTE: 5 Yes 0 Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent Motion Carried
NB 2. Presentation on Council Compensation and Process for Increase - Interim City Manager Ambrose
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is prepared to take direction and action as needed.
Stephanie Arechiga from OMLO gave a brief presentation on the current council compensation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
• DJ Twohig - Spoke in favor of a maximum allowable increase. • Al Hutson - Discussed the idea of offering a stipend
Tami Johnson - Spoke in favor of an increase.
• Ron Smith - Feels that there should be no increase at this time.
NB2 will be tabled to gather more information and will be brought back at a later date.
NB 3. Approval of New City Manager Employment Agreement with Doug Dunford - Interim City Attorney Ponto
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council appoint Doug Dunford ("Dunford") as City Manager starting May 2, 2022 and approve a contract between the City of California City ("City") and Dunford for City Manager services.
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Shawn Bradley - Asked about certain aspects of the contract. • DJ Twohig - Spoke in regards to having a strategic plan. • Al Hutson - Curious if the new city manager was going to be moving to California City. • Tami Johnson - Feels we should save this conversation for when he gets here.
Ron Smith -
• Mary Wady - Had some questions regarding his background.
Council and staff discussed the item.
Motion to approve NB3:
Motion by: Councilmember Kulikoff
Second by: Councilmember Creighton
AYES: Councilmember Creighton, Councilmember Kulikoff, Councilmember Macedonio, Mayor Pro Tem Lessenevitch, Mayor O'Laughlin
NOES: None
VOTE: 5Yes 0 Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent Motion Carried
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS, AGENDA REQUESTS, AND AB1234 REPORTS Councilmember Creighton - I put in work request for the lights that are out at Aspen Mall, what's the status? Chief Water Operator Meza - I will look into it. Councilmember Creighton - Still waiting for the balance of the Dial a Ride Money.
Councilmember Kulikoff
Councilmember Macedonio - Interested in obtaining upgrade to the current Granicus software. Attended the East Kern Economic Alliance meeting and spoke with Amira Flores, Director of Starbase Edwards, I highly recommend that you explore their website at Starbase-edwards.org. There's lots of interesting information, and there are online STEM activities for students. What is going on in Eastern Kern County? I want to emphasize that it's imperative that this council focuses on the development of a strategic plan for California city, with a particular focus on economic development, economic diversification, and water.
Mayor Pro Tem Lessenevitch
Mayor O'Laughlin - Realtors are stating that properties are selling at above market and that's good news on may fronts. Regarding plan checking, I know of four projects that gone through plan check and I have heard good things regarding JAS. Also, where are we with the cleanup crew? Interim City Manager Ambrose - We have the positions posted but not getting much response. Regarding Cannabis, would like the city attorney's office to review our cannabis ordinance. We need to move in line with the state since there have been a lot of changes. Reminder that you can still put in an application for the commission seats that are coming open.
Met with the Japan Times and they report on city's in the United States for Japanese investments.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to Adjourn: 1ST Councilmember Creighton 2ND Mayor Pro Tem Lessenevitch. Meeting adjourned at 08:56PM on March 22, 2022.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 12º day of April 2022.
Sedue bany
Jéanie O'Laughlin, Mayor
Laurie Sutton City Clerk