MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR
AGENCY/PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY
MEETING AGENDA
September 1, 2022
CALL TO ORDER 6:00PM
Council Members Present: Ramsey, Singleton, Adkisson, Ramirez, Horn Others Present: City Manager Marissa Trejo, City Attorney Mario Zamora, Assistant City Manager Sean Brewer, Chief of Police Jose Garza, City Treasurer Dawn Kahikina, Fire Chief Greg DuPuis, Public Works and Utiities Coordinator Larry Miller, and City Clerk Shannon Jensen
Council Members Absent: None
Others Absent: Financial Services Director Jasmin Bains and Administrative Analyst Mercedes Garcia
Changes to the Agenda: None
Motion by Hor, Second by Adkisson to Approve the Agenda for the meeting of September 1, 2022. Motion Approved by 5/0 Roll-Call Majority Vote.
2. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Employee of the Month for September 2022, Account Clerk III Donna Wright Finance Supervisor Yasmin Gonzalez presented Account Clerk III Donna Wright with an Employee of the Month certificate for September 2022.
2. Certificate of Recognition - Aera Energy's 25 Years of Service in the City of Coalinga Mayor Ramsey announced that Aera representatives were not able to attend the meeting tonight to accept the certificate. Mayor Ramsey read the Certificate of Recognition into the record.
3. CITIZEN COMMENTS
The following individual(s) spoke under Citizen Comments:
Minutes - September 1, 2022
Mrs. Hilda Crawford with the Coalinga-Huron Library District announced that the Library has unfortunately cancelled the Fall Market due to the extreme heat.
Mrs. Crawford suggested the City drain the fountain located outside the front doors of City Hall as it will draw mosquitos.
Mr. Knox Bronson spoke in opposition of removing the Community Garden (Item No. 5.13).
Mr. Michael Gabel spoke in opposition of removing the Community Garden (Item No. 5.13).
Ms. Alma Sanchez spoke in opposition of removing the Community Garden (Item No. 5.13).
Ms. Fern Corey spoke of on-going violence in her neighborhood against herself, her family and stray animals.
Ms. Corey, referencing the water conservation efforts and fines, inquired about the particulars of what is allowed and not allowed.
Mr. Nathan Vosburg spoke against the construction companies watering the ground at the construction sites for the Warthan apartment expansion and the Pacific apartment projects when the residents are not allowed to water their front yards.
Mr. Vosburg spoke in opposition of restricting the installation of turf in front yards for all new development (Item No. 5.5).
Mr. Vosburg spoke in opposition of removing the Community Garden (Item No. 5.13).
Mrs. Mary Jones spoke in opposition of removing the Community Garden (Item No. 5.13).
Mrs. Jones asked the Council to show the same voracity with the City's water issues as they did when they fought against the governor during the pandemic.
Mr. Scott Netherton announced the following upcoming events:
• Monday, September 12, 2022 at 12:00pm
Aera Energy will host the Chamber's Quarterly Luncheon at the Coalinga-Huron Library District • Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 6:00pm
Candidate's Night at the West Hills College Theatre
Mr. Netherton stated he had been contacted by a Mr. Parko from the Washington Post about the City's water issues. Mr. Netherton, along with the City Manager, Mayor Ramsey, Councilman Adkisson, Assistant City Manager Sean Brewer, Fire Chief Greg DuPuis, Aera Energy, CHUSD Superintendent Lori Villanueva, sat down with Mr. Parko. Mr. Netherton is hoping the City will receive national exposure on the water issues we are facing.
Diane spoke in opposition of removing the Community Garden (Item No. 5.13).
The following individual(s) submitted written comments):
Jeremy Yarbrough
Minutes - September 1, 2022
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Continued Public Hearing for the Introduction and Waiving of the First Reading of Ordinance No. 853 - City Initiated Zoning Text Amendment (No. ZTA 22-01) Amending the Planning and Zoning Code Related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Floodplain Regulations and Density Bonus Sean Brewer, Assistant City Manager
Assistant City Manager Sean Brewer gave a brief overview of the item stating this item had been continued from the previous meeting. Changes taken from Council direction at the previous meeting have been highlighted
Mayor Ramsey re-opened the Public Hearing for comments.
Mr. Vosburg spoke in opposition of allowing ADUs.
Mayor Ramsey continued the Public Hearing until the next meeting.
Consensus of the Council is for staff to update the ordinance allowing garage conversions permitted for alley- loaded properties only.
Motion by Horn, Seconded by Ramirez to Continue the Public Hearing to the next Council Meeting scheduled for September 15, 2022. Motion Approved by a 5/0 Roll-Call Majority Vote.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approve MNUTES - August 18, 2022
2. Check Register: 07/01/2022 - 07/31/2022
3. Approve Agreement with GoTo Connect Phone System
4. Approve a One-Year Service Agreement with Hach Company to Provide Service and Calibration of Lab Equipment at the Water Treatment Plant
5. Direct Staff to Draft a Policy Restricting the Installation of Turf in Front Yards for all New Development
Mayor Ramsey pulled Item No. 5.5 for discussion.
City Manager Marissa Trejo gave a brief gave a brief overview of the item stating this is a Future Agenda Item by Councilman Adkisson. There is no current plan in place, this item is asking staff to work on a plan and to bring it back for Council's consideration.
6. Direct Staff to Prepare an Informational Report to Council related to Obtaining an Annual Water Contract from the State as a Primary or Supplemental Water Source
7. Direct Staff to Prepare a Draft Commercial Vacancy Tax Plan to Address Vacant Commercial Buildings in the Downtown Area
Minutes - September 1, 2022
8. Direct Staff to Remove Grass at Lynch Park and Replace with Decorative Rock Mayor Ramsey pulled Item No. 5.8 for discussion.
City Manager Marissa Trejo gave a brief gave a brief overview of the item stating this is a Future Agenda Item by Mayor Pro-Tem Singleton. Savings will be realized overtime with the use of less water at this site.
9. Direct Staff to Prepare an Informational Report to Council on the use of Wells in the City as a Supplemental Water Source
10. Direct Staff to Prepare an Informational Report to Council on Building and Operating a Tertiary Water Treatment Plant
11. Adopt Resolution No. 4115 Affirming the City of Coalinga's Position to Remain the Most Business- Friendly City in California
12. Code Enforcement Monthly Report for August 2022
13. Authorize the City Manager to Order an Appraisal for Surplus Land Located at 180 Pierce Street in Order to Acquire the Successor Housing Agency Property for the City's Cottage Home Program Councilman Adkisson pulled Item No. 5.13 for discussion.
Consensus of the Council is to Table this item for the time being.
14. Adopt Resolution No. 4116 Regarding Certifications and Claims for the Collection of Measure "C" Funds for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and Authorize the City Manager to Sign the Local Transportation Pass Through Revenue Certifications and Claim Forms
Motion by Singleton, Second by Adkisson to Approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 5.1 through 5.12 and 5.14, and to Table Item No. 5.13. Motion Approved by 5/0 Roll-Call Majority Vote.
6. ORDINANCE PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
1. Discussion, Direction and Potential Action regarding Measure J Renewal Marissa Trejo, City Manager
City Manager Marissa Trejo gave a brief overview of the item, stating that this was a Future Agenda Item by Councilman Adkisson.
Councilman Adkisson spoke in support of renewing Measure J for an additional 10-year period. It is too late to put the Measure on this election, but he would like to see it brought back so that it can be added to the next election in 2024.
Consensus of the Council is to Table the item until the City Attorney investigate how early the City Council can approve a resolution for the measure to be placed on the 2024 ballot.
Minutes - September 1, 2022
2. Discussion, Direction and Potential Action related to Adding Stop Signs and Various Safety Improvements at the Intersection of Hayes/Harrison/3rd Street Sean Brewer, Assistant City Manager
Assistant City Manager Sean Brewer gave a brief overview of the item, stating that this was a Future Agenda Item by Councilman Ramirez.
Consensus of the Council is to Approve Option B and to add a few additional safety features as suggested by the City Council.
3. Discussion, Direction and Potential Action related to a Gray Water Rebate Program Sean Brewer, Assistant City Manager
Assistant City Manager Sean Brewer gave a brief overview of the item, stating that this was a Future Agenda Item by Mayor Pro-Tem Singleton.
Consensus of the Council is for staff to draft a Residential Gray Water Rebate Program and a Commercial Gray Water Rebate Program for Council's consideration at a future meeting.
4. Discussion, Direction and Potential Action related to Amending Resolution No. 4112 Reinstating a Moratorium on Swimming Pools and Spas Unless Outside Water can be Provided Sean Brewer, Assistant City Manager
Assistant City Manager Sean Brewer gave a brief overview of the item, stating that this item was being brought back for further discussion.
City Manager Marissa Trejo pointed out that the City did receive one public comment regarding this item from a Mr. Jeremy Yarbrough and a copy has been provided by the City Clerk.
Consensus of the Council is to allow permitting of new pools if the applicant can provide a copy of their signed contract for outside water and a receipt for that water showing the water has been purchased upfront.
5. Discussion, Direction and Potential Action on the League of California Cities 2022 Annual Conference Resolution
Marissa Trejo, City Manager
City Manager Marissa Trejo gave a brief overview of the item.
Consensus of the Council is for the Voting Delegate or the Alternate Voting Delegate to vote YES on the League of California Cities 2022 Annual Conference Resolution.
6. Presentation on Drought Update
Sean Brewer, Assistant City Manager
Assistant City Manager Sean Brewer gave a brief overview of the item, stating that the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) has granted the City's request for additional allocation of Public Health and Safety water. This additional allocation will help bridge the cap and extend us through mid to late November, however we will still need to purchase water in order to get through the remainder of the water year that ends February 28,2022.
Minutes - September 1, 2022
Mr. Brewer commented on the odor and color of the water that residents have been experiencing. He assures all that the water is safe to drink. There are several reasons why this occurs, one of which is related to the decrease in water being used. The water stays in the pipes longer and moves slower through them. Staff recommends moving all resident's one day per week watering of trees and shrubs be moved to Mondays. This flushing is necessary and will help to maintain the water quality.
Consensus of the Council is to move the one day a week watering schedule to Mondays for all residents.
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Manager's Announcements:
City Manager Marissa Trejo announced the monthly Chief's Breakfast scheduled for Tuesday, September 6, 2022, has been cancelled.
Mrs. Trejo announced that Finance Director Jasmin Bains has taken a position with anther municipality and the position to fill the vacancy has been posted.
Mrs. Trejo announced that the City's street sweeper has retired and City streets are not being swept regularly due to lack of staffing. The sweeping will be intermittent until the position can be filled, therefore there will be no street sweeping charge on the August and September bills.
Council Member's Announcements:
Councilman Ramirez apologized for not making the previous meeting, stating he was in the hospital at the time with a broken shoulder. We are all upset about the City's water situation, and we are all trying to make it better. Mr. Ramirez praised City staff for all their hard work.
Mayor Pro-Tem Singleton announced the high school football team will be playing Selma and the game will be in Coalinga. JV will start at 6:30pm and Varsity will be at 8:00pm.
Mayor's Announcements:
None.
8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro-Tem Singleton requested a Future Agenda Item to include businesses with the water of landscapes.
Councilman Ramirez requested a Future Agenda Item to allow residents to water their front turf once per week.
Councilman Horn requested a Future Agenda Item to report on cannabis taxes.
9. CLOSED SESSION
None.
Minutes - September 1, 2022
10. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT 8:01 PM
APPROVED:
Kon Kame
Ron Ramsey, Mayor
ATTEST:
Slumn Kenne
Shannon Jensen, City Clerk
October 6, 2022
Date
Minutes - September 1, 2022
Good evening,
My Name is Jeremy Yarbrough and I have been a resident of Coalinga for approximately 26 years. My wife and I went through the process of designing a pool and securing the financing only to find out that the city imposed a moratorium on pool permits due to the water shortage. After researching when the moratorium was voted on, we discovered we had only missed the opportunity to build our pool by 2 days.
I understand we are in a severe water shortage, and without the assistance of state representatives, Coalinga may run out of water before the end of the year. My family has done everything the city has requested of us to minimize water usage plus some. Our back yard is dirt, many of our faucets have been converted to reduce water, and now we have stopped watering our front yard. This entire process has been depressing as we watch the appearance and value of homes decrease all over town.
As a small compromise, I am requesting that the City Council consider allowing pool permits with the caveat that water to fill the pool is transported from another location. / have researched bulk water delivery and located several companies who will truck water into Coalinga from other sources. Below are a few examples:
Bezak Liquid Transport Blue Iron
Mariposa, CA Sonora, CA
Bubba's Water Tommy's Water truck
Tollhouse, CA Clovis, CA
My wife and I are willing to accept the burden of this additional expense to get our pool built and still help Coalinga conserve water.
Thank you for your time and consideration into this matter.
Respectfully,
2t 111om
Jeremy Yarbrough
CITY OF
Code Enforcement Activity
August 2022 Notices Pending Cited Completed
Broken Fence 2
Broken Window
Dead Trees
Fence +6ft
Furniture
Grafitti
In-Op Vehicles
Junk Trash Debris 13
Mud Spill 1
Over Grown Weeds
Over Hanging Palm Trees
Pool Maintance
Roosters and Chickens
RV on the street
RV on Unimproved Surface
Tires/Junk Alley
Trash Cans in front of yard
Vehicles on Lawn
Vehicles on Unimproved Surface 3
Total 66 26 10 30
72 Hour Parking Warning 11 3 6 5
Vehicle Tows 1
Water Conservation 116 5