CITY OF FAIRFIELD
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR CONCURRENT MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2024; 6:00 PM
HARRY T. PRICE MEMORIAL COUNCIL CHAMBER, 1000
WEBSTER STREET, FAIRFIELD, CA 94633 OR VIA ZOOM
COUNCIL MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Catherine "Cat" Moy called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Mayor Moy stated that Councilmember Rick Vaccaro was home ill and would like to participate via Zoom and asked for permission to do so. Councilmember Scott Tonnesen made a motion to allow Councilmember Vaccaro to participate from home online. Vice Mayor Pam Bertani seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously (7-0). Mayor Moy stated that all votes must be by roll call.
ROLL CALL
On roll call were Councilmembers Doug Carr, Doriss Panduro, Scott Tonnesen, Rick Vaccaro (online via Zoom), K. Patrice Williams, Vice Mayor Pam Bertani, and Mayor Moy.
INVOCATION
Imam Fardibeg Mirza of the Fairfield Muslim Center gave an invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Tonnesen led the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Tonnesen had nothing to report but asked if the Chamber could observe a moment of silence for Vacaville Police Officer Matthew Bowen, who was killed in the line of duty on July 11, 2024, and for Vacaville Fire Department Technician Bryden Nadasdy, who was killed in an accident while off duty a few days ago.
Councilmember Vaccaro thanked the council for allowing him to participate from home. He reported that the July 4 Parade was awesome, as always.
Councilmember Williams reported she was out of town for the past two weeks. She shared that she spent one full day shadowing Assemblymember Lori Wilson in Sacramento. She said Ms. Wilson works diligently for our community and the entire state. Next, on behalf of Mayor Moy, Councilmember Williams presented the Fairfield "Key to the City" to music pioneer Saint Charles Thurman II at a special event in his honor. Saint Charles is a native of Fairfield and a singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, and founder of Solar Music Group.
Vice Mayor Bertani invited the community to attend the first Annual Fire & Life Safety event at Rolling Hills Elementary School on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 11 am to 1 pm. Fire Marshal Steven Conti will be on hand to answer questions from residents. She wished Councilmember Vaccaro a speedy recovery from his illness.
Councilmember Carr reported he enjoyed the Independence Day Parade and that it was a HOT day! He also attended BayNorth Church of Christ's Backpack Giveaway event recently. He thanked Pastor Sam Norris, who partnered with California Forever and other local organizations, to provide backpacks, along with school supplies and $50 grocery gift cards from a locally owned grocery store. to families who attended their event.
Mayor Moy reported that she met with U.S. Congressman John Garamendi and said he was thankful to the community for their support regarding his recent blood cancer diagnosis. The cancer was caught early, and he has an excellent prognosis. Lastly, she extended her condolences to the families of the two first responders from Vacaville who were killed recently, Police Officer Matthew Bowen and Fire Technician Bryden Nadasdy, and said she would adjourn the meeting this evening in their honor and memory. She said to keep the families in your prayers.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager David Gassaway reported there would not be a council meeting on August 6, as that is National Night Out and City Council and City staff will be attending the various neighborhood events going on that evening. He stated he was pulling Item 18 at the request of the applicant and that the public hearing would be re -noticed and brought back at a future meeting.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney David Lim reported out of Closed Session on May 21, 2024, in the matter of James Velasco vs. City of Fairfield, Worker's Compensation Appeals Board Claim No. FFL2200058. The City reached a settlement with Mr. Velasco, and details of the case can be found on the Worker's Compensation Appeals Board website.
CITY CLERK REPORT
City Clerk Karen Rees reported that if anyone is interested in running for a City Council seat (Districts, 2, 4, or 6) or for the City Clerk or Treasurer seats, to call and make an appointment soon to pull papers.
The deadline to file is August 9, 2024.
PRESENTATIONS
4th of July Parade Awards Presented by Parks & Recreation Program Coordinator Juan Segura.
2. Touchstone Golf Operations Update presented by Mark Luthman, President of Touchstone Golf, and Vice President of Operations James Birchall.
3. Supreme Court Ruling Regarding Grants Pass, Oregon Presented by Police Chief Dan Marshall.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dr. Mark Carmody spoke about illegal fireworks in Fairfield.
Ryan Messano spoke about several issues.
Guy Stevenson spoke about fentanyl poisoning and the need for people and organizations to have Narcan on hand.
Convened meeting of the Paradise Valley Maintenance and Monitoring District at 7:25 p.m.
PVMMD NEW BUSINESS
4. Public Works Sr. Management Analyst Chris Lewis opened the discussion and asked the council for direction regarding a Request from Paradise Valley Maintenance and Monitoring District Property Owners for Assessment Rebates and Future Assessment Rates and Reserve Fund Balances.
Option 1: Levy Assessments for Operations and Maintenance Costs only and Maintain the Recommended Reserve Fund Balance of $1,570,000, Adjusted Each Year for Inflation.
Option 2: Temporarily Suspend Assessment Levies and Use Portions of the Reserve Fund Balance to Fund Annual Operations and Maintenance Costs.
Rick Johnson, Theda Peck, and Dr. Mark Carmody spoke on Item 4.
Councilmember Tonnesen made a motion to select Option 1. Councilmember Carr seconded the motion. By a roll call vote, the motion carried (6-1), with Vice Mayor Bertani voting no.
Reconvened meeting of the City Council at 7:54 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
5. Approval of Meeting Minutes from June 2024
6. Resolution 2024-178 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Memorandum(s) of Understanding (MOU) Between the City of Fairfield and the City Council Recommended Provider(s) for the Provision of Temporary Emergency Shelter Operations
7. Resolution 2024-179 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement Between the City of Fairfield and California Wood Recycling, Inc. for Compost Procurement Services
8. Resolution 2024-180 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Accepting the Improvements for the Green Valley II Apartments- Traffic Signal Improvements as Complete
9. Resolution 2024-181 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Increasing Budget Authorization and Change Order Authority for the Grange Middle School Safe Routes to School and Pavement Preservation Project, Federal Aid Project No: CML-5132(049) and Authorizing an Update to the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget; and
Resolution 2024-182 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Accepting the Grange Middle School Safe Routes to School and Pavement Preservation Project, Federal Aid Project No: CML-5132(049) as Complete
10. Resolution 2024-183 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Summarily Vacating Certain Public Service and Planting and Temporary Construction Easements on Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) 0148-540-060
11. Resolution 2024-184 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Approving Conveyance of an Easement to Solano Irrigation District Within Accessor's Parcel Number (APN) 0151-880-140 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Easement Deed
12. Resolution 2024-185 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Vacating a Portion of Certain Public Waterline Easements on Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) 0148-280-520
13. Resolution 2024-186 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Ratifying the Emergency Costs for the Lopes Road Landslide
14. Resolution 2024-187 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Approving the Plans and Specifications and Awarding a Contract to Cratus, Inc. for the West Texas Utility Relocation Project for the Heart of Fairfield
15. Resolution 2024-188 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Suspending Competitive Bidding and Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase Six Replacement Police Vehicles Vice Mayor Bertani made a motion to approve the consent calendar. Councilmember Tonnesen seconded the motion. By a roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously (7-0).
NEW BUSINESS
16. Assistant City Manager Savita Chaudhary requested the council to Approve and Order Submitted to the Voters of the City of Fairfield Ordinance 2024-04 Amending Chapter 1013 Business License Taxes of the Fairfield Municipal Code for Modernization and Simplification of the Business License Tax to be Placed on the November 5, 2024, Ballot and Adopt Resolution 2024-189.
Councilmember Tonnesen made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-04 and Resolution 2024-189.
Councilmember Carr seconded the motion. By a roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously (7-0).
17. Assistant City Manager Chaudhary requested the council to Approve and Order Submitted to the Voters of the City of Fairfield Ordinance 2024-05 Amending Chapter 8, Article III. Transient Occupancy Tax of the Fairfield Municipal Code to Increase the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from 10% to 12%to be Placed on the November 5, 2024, Ballot and Adopt Resolution 2024-190.
Councilmember Tonnesen made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-05 and Resolution 2024-190.
Councilmember Panduro seconded the motion. By a roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously (7- 0).
City Manager Gassaway pulled Item 18 by request of the applicant. The public hearing will be noticed and brought back at a future meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
18. Public Hearing; and Resolution 2024-191 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Annexing Territory (Green Valley III Apartments) to Community Facilities District No. 2012-2 (Public Safety Services, Open Space Operation, and Park Maintenance) as Annexation No. 69, Authorizing the Levy of a Special Tax Within the Annexed Territory, and Submitting the Levy of a Special Tax to the Qualified Electors Thereof; and
Resolution 2024-192 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Declaring the Results of a Special Annexation Election in Territory Annexed to Community Facilities District No. 2012-2 (Public Safety Services, Open Space Operation, and Park Maintenance), Determining the Validity of Prior Proceedings, and Directing Recording of Amended Notice of Special Tax Lien for City of Fairfield Community Facilities District No. 2012-2 (Public Safety Services, Open Space Operation, and Park Maintenance) Annexation No. 69 (Green Valley III Apartments).
19. Human Resources Director Farbod Pirouzmand requested the council to approve the Second Reading of Ordinance 2024-03 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Authorizing an Amendment to the Contract Between the City of Fairfield and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
Mayor Moy opened the public hearing. There were no requests to speak. Mayor Moy closed the public hearing.
Vice Mayor Bertani made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-03. Councilmember Carr seconded the motion. By a roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously (7-0).
20. Public Hearing; and Resolution 2024-193 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield [Approving/Sustaining] [Denying/Overruling] the Appeal of the Revocation of Business License # 24000256 for Field Gift Shop Located at 1312 W. Texas Street, Fairfield, CA 94533 Pursuant to Chapter 10 (Section 10B.33) of the Fairfield Municipal Code.
Police Support Manager Jeremy Profitt stated that Mr. Hamza Ahmed had contacted him on the afternoon of July 15, 2024, stating that he no longer wished to appeal the revocation of his business license. Mr. Profitt had staff follow up with Mr. Hamza Ahmed, and he again stated that he did not wish to appeal.
Therefore, Mayor Moy stated she was dropping the public hearing on the advice of City Attorney Lim.
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 8:15 P.M. IN HONOR OF FALLEN VACAVILLE POLICE OFFICER MATTHEW BOWEN AND VACAVILLE FIRE TECHNICIAN BRYDEN NADASDY TO TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2024, 6:00 P.M., HARRY T. PRICE MEMORIAL COUNCIL CHAMBER.
City Clerk
Mayor (Vice)