Book 36
REGULAR MEETING
EL CENTRO CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1275 MAIN STREET, EL CENTRO, CA
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022 11:30 A.M.
The El Centro City Council met in an all virtual regular session on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 11:33 a.m. in Conference Room A, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California for the purpose of closed session.
PRESENT: Council: Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin City Clerk Wyles, City Manager Piedra, City Attorney Martyn Evans ABSENT: Garcia (arrived at 11:35 a.m.)
Closed Session Public Comment
None
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION
Moved by Cardenas-Singh, second by Marroquin, to adjourn into closed session for:
LABOR NEGOTIATIONS
The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to Government Code 54957.6 to meet with Agency Representatives Marcela Piedra, City Manager, Dulce Bedolla, Human Resources Director and Patrick Clark, consulting negotiator, for the purpose of considering employee compensation in the form of fringe benefits, or, as applicable, other matters dealing with mandatory subjects within the scope of representation pursuant to Government Code 3504; negotiating with all bargaining units within the City.
POSSIBLE LITIGATION INITIATED THE CITY
A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the City Council upon the advice of its legal counsel, based upon existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant possibility of litigation initiated by the City regarding 1) unpaid sewer connection capacity charges; 2) uncollected water meter charges; and 2) a public agency's failure to obtain City grading approval.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Upon the advice of legal counsel, the City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to Govt. Code Section 54957(a) regarding matters that pose a threat to essential public services and the public's right of access to such services.
Motion unanimously carried. Garcia absent. (Garcia arrived at 11:35 a.m.) Closed Session concluded at 2:12 p.m. (All present)
City Council recessed to 6:00 p.m.
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OPEN SESSION
The El Centro City Council met in an all virtual regular session on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 6:01 p.m. in Council Chambers, El Centro City Hall, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California.
PRESENT: Council: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin City Clerk Wyles, City Manager Piedra, City Attorney Martyn Evans ABSENT: None
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was led by Council Member Viegas-Walker, and Invocation was given by Mayor Oliva.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Martyn Evans reported that Council discussed bargaining updates and gave instructions to its negotiator and addition there are two items to be reported out and Mr. Abraham Campos and the City Manager will be providing additional information about those during the City Managers report. Those two items involve providing information for a public agenda item on the open session agenda of February 15th meeting concerning two issues. First is payment of water charges incurred but not billed because of water meter malfunctions and the second is collection of capacity fees and related unpaid sewer fees of those who connected illegally or improperly to the city sewer.
SCHEDULED PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation received by Pastor Paul Crieglow, 70th Anniversary Celebration – Central Baptist Church, February 12, 2022.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Viegas-Walker, second by Marroquin, approving consent agenda items #2 – #4.
2. Approval of City Council minutes of December 21, 2021, January 4, 2022 and January 10, 2022.
3. Adoption of Resolution No. 22-05, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO CONFIRMING THE CONTINUATION OF LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY AND THE STATE OF EMERGENCY PROCLAIMED BY GOVERNOR NEWSOM ON MARCH 4, 2020
AND AUTHORIZING REMOTE TELECONFERENCE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 3 THROUGH MARCH 4 PURSUANT TO NEWLY ENACTED BROWN ACT PROVISIONS.
4. Adoption of Resolution No. 22-06, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
CENTRO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE DESTRUCTION OF EL CENTRO POLICE DEPARTMENT RECORDS FROM 2015-2019.
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AYES: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ASTAINED: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. This was the date and time set for a public hearing for the purpose of considering the recommendation of the Planning Commission to adopt an Addendum to the El Centro General Plan Final EIR (SCH #2020070349) for the 2021-2029 Housing Element Update. Presentation by Angel Hernandez, Interim Community Development Director and Alexis Bueno from Veronica Tam and Associates.
Mayor Oliva declared the public hearing opened and asked if anyone wished to speak in favor or opposition to come forward. Seeing no one wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Moved by Viegas-Walker, second by Garcia, adoption of Resolution No. 22-07, RESOLUTON OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN
ADDENDUM TO THE EL CENTRO GENERAL PLAN UPDATE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (SCH # 2020070349) FOR THE 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE.
AYES: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
6. This was the date and time set for a public hearing for the purpose of considering the recommendation of the Planning Commission to adopt the 2021-2029 Housing Element Update. Presentation by Angel Hernandez, Interim Community Development Director and Alexis Bueno from Veronica Tam and Associates.
Mayor Oliva declared the public hearing opened and asked if anyone wished to speak in favor or opposition to come forward. Seeing no one wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Moved by Marroquin, second by Viegas-Walker, adoption of Resolution No. 22-08, RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT UPDATING THE CITY OF EL CENTRO HOUSING
ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN AND DECLARING THIS AMENDMENT TO BE THE FIRST GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2022.
AYES: Garcia, Viegas-Walker, Oliva, Cardenas-Singh, Marroquin NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
NEW BUSINESS
7. Presentation by Adriana Nava, Community Services Director, discussion and necessary action related to the proposals received for Community Development Block. Council discussed the funding for each category and made some modifications to the Catholic Charities – Homeless Day Center and to the Catholic Charities Senior Nutrition Program. Danielle Willenberg, Director of Philanthropy, Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, spoke regarding their programs and expressed how much the funding from the CDBG program has helped to provide services. Antoinette Fallon, Director of Homeless Services, Catholic Charities, also commented on the services they provide to the homeless population.
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Moved by Garcia, second by Marroquin, approval of discussed funding for the CDBG Program year 2022-2023 and direction to Mayor Pro-Tem Cardenas-Singh to come back to the Council when there is an option to augment the funding requested by the Pal Programs.
Fair Housing - $47,250
Catholic Charities House of Hope $11,500
Catholic Charities Senior Nutrition $12,000
Catholic Charities Homeless Day Center $ 8,250
El Centro PAL (PNB) $ 8,143
Total: $87,143
AYES: Cardenas-Singh, Oliva, Viegas-Walker, Marroquin, Garcia NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED:None
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
None
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
8. Received and referred to Community Development Department, Application for Alcoholic Beverage License – Dpoly Taco Grill & Beer, 1573 W. Main St., El Centro, CA 92243
TASK FORCE AND MAYOR & COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORTS
Mayor and Council Members reported on their activities since last City Council meeting and upcoming events.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager reported on activities since last City Council meeting and upcoming events and asked Mr.
Campos to report on the water meters malfunction and water and sewer capacity fees illegal connections.
Report by Abraham Campos, Public Works Director/City Engineer, reported on the 300-400 water meters malfunctioned causing 4 to 6 months on said billings not to be collected. The City will offer payment plan option following City Policy 313, which incorporates the process of SB 998, the Water Shutoff Protection Act. Residents may request a payment plan of 12 months or more, depending on demonstrated need.
Mr. Campos also reported on La Colonia area which includes Pico, El Dorado, Buena Vista and Lincoln.
The City has to collect on water and sewer capacity fees for residents who connected illegally or improperly to the city sewer. Nine (9) properties have been identified. Several payment options will be offered, depending on Council’s approval.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before City Council, Mayor Oliva adjourned the meeting at 8:43 p.m.
__________________________
Norma Wyles, City Clerk
APPROVED BY:
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Tomas Oliva, Mayor