Fillmore City Council and Successor Agency Council Chambers Regular Meeting City Hall
October 10, 2023 6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mark Austin called the meeting to order.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Chris Gurrola led the pledge.
3. ROLL CALL
All members present: Councilmember Chris Gurrola, Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor, Mayor Mark Austin, Councilmember Albert Mendez, and Councilmember Carrie Broggie.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Carrie Broggie motioned, seconded by Councilmember Albert Mendez to approve the agenda. Motioned carried by the following voice vote:
AYES: Councilmember Chris Gurrola, Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor, Mayor Mark Austin, Councilmember Carrie Broggie, and Councilmember Albert Mendez.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.A SEARCH AND RESCUE, PRESENTATION BY CLIFF ZONE, SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM CAPTAIN.
Search and Rescue Team Captain, Cliff Zone presented a
“Challenge Coin” as a token of appreciation to the City Manager and to each of the City Council Members.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
7. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor gave an update on a meeting she attended regarding the issue of fentanyl in our community. She provided important facts and shared data points from the meeting.
Councilmember Chris Gurrola asked for an update on the park closures that occurred in the last week of September. He asked about the process that takes place when closing parks for anticipated storms and other events that may impact the safety of our parks. He stated using the fields when it rains can potentially damage the fields. Chris thanked the Public Works Department for making the decision to close the parks. David Rowlands, City Manager, addressed his concern and provided guidance for future closures.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR - Recommendation for Item 8.A through 8.B is to Approve by voice vote.
9. NEW BUSINESS
9.A CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO TRANSITION FROM
AT-LARGE TO DISTRICT-BASED ELECTIONS
SR - 2023 DISTRICT ELECTION RESOLUTION
City Attorney, Tiffany Israel presented this item. Councilmember Carrie Broggie asked for clarification on the item. Tiffany provided clarification. Councilmember Chris Gurrola asked a few questions regarding the item. Tiffany answered his questions. Mayor Mark Austin asked a question. Tiffany answered the Mayor’s question.
Councilmember Albert asked a question, Tiffany answered.
Councilmember Chris Gurrola had additional questions. Tiffany answered them.
Mayor Mark Austin opened the public hearing for this item.
Dawn Marone was called to speak in opposition to switching from the at-large elections system to district-based elections system.
Rhonda Taylor was called to speak in opposition to switching from the at-large elections system to district-based elections system.
Diane Sutton was called to speak in opposition to switching from the at-large elections system to district-based elections system.
Steve Sutton was called to speak in opposition to switching from the at-large elections system to district-based elections system.
8.A WARRANT REGISTER – OCTOBER 10, 2023
WARRANT REGISTER - OCTOBER 10, 2023
Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor motioned, seconded by Councilmember Albert Mendez to approve the consent calendar with amendment to remove the item 8.B, Meeting Minutes – September 26, 2023. Motioned carried by the following voice vote: AYES: Councilmember Chris Gurrola, Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor, Mayor Mark Austin, Councilmember Carrie Broggie, and Councilmember Albert Mendez.
Annette Sula was called to speak in opposition to switching from the at-large elections system to district-based elections system.
Mary Bennett was called to speak in opposition to switching from the at-large elections system to district-based elections system.
Mayor Mark Austin closed the public hearing for this item.
The City Council discussed. Councilmember Carrie Broggie gave additional comments on the item. Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor had one more question. Tiffany answered her question.
Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor motioned, seconded by Councilmember Albert Mendez to approve item 9.A, that the City Council approve Resolution 23- 3964, a resolution of intent to transition from at-large to district-based elections pursuant to Elections Code Section 10010 and authorizing the appropriation of $42,000 from general fund reserves to account number 101-4103-0021-245 – City Clerk- Contract Services. Motioned carried by the following voice vote: AYES:
Councilmember Chris Gurrola, Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor, Councilmember Carrie Broggie, and Councilmember Albert Mendez. NOES:
Mayor Mark Austin. ABSENT: None.
9.B CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH NATIONAL
DEMOGRAPHICS CORPORATION FOR PROFESSIONAL
DEMOGRAPHER SERVICES TO ASSIST WITH THE CITY’S TRANSITION TO BY-DISTRICT CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TOEXCEED $42,000.
SR - 2023 NDC CONTRACT FOR DEMOGRAPHER SERVICES
City Attorney, Tiffany Israel presented this item. Councilmember Carrie Broggie asked for further clarification from Tiffany. Tiffany provided further clarification to Carrie. Councilmember Chris Gurrola gave further comments on this item.
Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor motioned, seconded by Councilmember Chris Gurrola to approve item 9.B, to approve a contract with National Demographics Corporation (NDC), in a form approved by the City Attorney, for professional demographer services to assist with the City’s transition to by-district City Council elections, in an amount not to exceed $42,000; and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract. Motioned carried by the following voice vote: AYES:
Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor, Mayor Mark Austin, Councilmember Carrie Broggie, Councilmember Chris Gurrola, and Councilmember Albert Mendez.
ABSENT: None.
9.C APPROVAL OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE EQUESTRIAN CENTER PROPERTY.
(308 CHAMBERSBURG)
SR- FIRST AMENDMENT TO PSA OF FEC.pdf
City Attorney, Tiffany Israel presented this item.
Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor motioned, seconded by Councilmember Carrie Broggie to approve item 9.C. that the City Council approve the First Amendment to the Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Real Property and Joint Escrow Instructions (“First Amendment”) between the City as seller and Mario Robledo and Vanessa Garcia (jointly as “Buyers”). Motioned carried by the following voice vote: AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor, Mayor Mark Austin, Councilmember Carrie Broggie, Councilmember Chris Gurrola and Councilmember Albert Mendez. ABSENT: None.
9.D CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR A THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE PROPERTY REMEDIATION AGREEMENT FOR 461 CENTRAL AVENUE
(DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 21-02 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 21-02) SR - 3RD AMENDMENT - 461 CENTRAL AVE
Assistant Planning and Community Development Director, Brian McCarthy presented this item. Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor asked a question, Brian answered her question. Mayor Mark Austin asked a question, Brian answered his questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor motioned, seconded by Councilmember Albert Mendez to approve item 9.D, to approve the Third Amendment to Property Remediation Agreement with 461 Central, LLC to extend the Conditions of Approval completion deadline to October 20, 2024. Motioned carried by the following voice vote: AYES: Councilmember Chris Gurrola, Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor, Mayor Mark Austin, Councilmember Carrie Broggie, and Councilmember Albert Mendez. ABSENT: None.
10. COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, AND BOARD REPORTS
Councilmember Carrie Broggie gave an update on a VCTC meeting she recently attended. She expressed how thrilled she was to see many Fillmore participants at the meeting voicing their opinions.
Mayor Pro Tem Christina Villaseñor gave an update on a utility meeting she and Councilmember Carrie Broggie attended, regarding a new automated water metering program potentially coming to Fillmore.
11. CITY MANAGER - CITY MANAGER VERBAL REPORT
City Manager, David W. Rowlands gave an update on the recent trains moving in town. Sierra Northern Railway are currently moving their trains. Per Federal Regulations, they will be blowing their horns. The City has no control over what time the horns are blown or on the duration of the horns being blown. If there are any issues with this, please reach out to VCTC regarding these issues.
12. ADJOURNMENT - MAYOR MARK AUSTIN ADJOURNS TO THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING AT 6:30 P.M. ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2023, CITY HALL, 250 CENTRAL AVENUE, FILLMORE, CA 93015.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 P.M.
Prepared by:________________________
Georgie Gerardo, Executive Assistant