MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2022
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor Jose L. Rios.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The flag salute was recited by all present.
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Jose L. Rios Mayor/Chair Present
Scott Funk Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Present
Liz Silva Council/Agency Member Present
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency Member Present
Paul Miller Council/Agency Member Present
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Sherlyn Flores (via zoom).
Absent: Autumn Escobedo.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager René L. Mendez, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriguez (via zoom), Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Carmen Gil, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Mary Villegas, Administrative Assistant II Anabel Almanza, Administrative Assistant I Noemi Gregorio, Deputy City Manager/Special Projects Director Mark Hartunian, Fire Chief Jason Muscio, and Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins.
* Successor Agency Item
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING COVID-19
Based on guidance from the California Department of Public Health and the California Governor’s Office, in order to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus, please do the following:
• You are strongly encouraged to observe the live stream of the City Council meetings at http://cityofgonzales.granicus.com/viewpublisher.php?view%20id=2 or join the meeting via zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84627926901 or enter the Zoom ID: 846 2792 6901. • If you choose not to attend the City Council meeting but wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item, please submit your comment via email by 12:00p.m. on Monday, February 7th prior to the Council meeting. Please submit your comment to the City Clerk at [email protected].
Your comment will be placed into the record at the Council meeting. • If you attend the City Council meeting in person and are not vaccinated, you will be required to maintain appropriate social distancing, ie, maintain a 6-foot distance between yourself and other individuals, and wear a face covering.
• If you are watching the live stream of the Council meeting online and wish to make either a general public comment or to comment on a specific agenda item as it is being heard, please submit your comment, limited to 250 words or less, to the City Clerk at [email protected]. Every effort will be made to read your comment into the record, but some comments may not be read due to time limitations. Comments received after an agenda item will be made part of the record if received prior to the end of the meeting.
• If you are watching via zoom, please use the Raise Hand function. You will be allowed three minutes for your comments.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Certificates of Recognition to the Gonzales High School Cross Country and Volleyball PCAL Santa Lucia Division League Champions, and Girls Tennis PCAL Cypress Division Single League Champion
This item was rescheduled to the February 22, 2022 meeting.
3. Certificates of Recognition to the Gonzales High School Students Maintaining a 4.0 (A’s) GPA This item was rescheduled to the February 22, 2022 meeting.
4. Award Presentation to Jimmy Eitoku
This item was presented after the consent agenda items to allow for the arrival of Mr. Eitoku.
Mayor Rios presented a plaque and a canvass print by a local artist to Gonzales Pharmacist Jimmy Eitoku as an appreciation for his support from his pharmacy leading the forefront on vaccines, testing, and overall COVID-19 relief services throughout the last two years, and for helping make the City's efforts possible. He thanked him for everything he and his staff have done to help get us to where we are today.
Pharmacist Jimmy Eitoku thanked the City for this recognition and said Gonzales is home to him and can't run a successful business unless he takes care of people close to him. He enjoys taking care of this community because Gonzales has been home to him more than 28 years, and it is a privilege to be here.
Monica Rico, Community Health Worker, thanked Mr. Eitoku for opening the doors not only to the Community Health Workers, but the whole community and people can just walk in without appointments to get the services they need. She said the workers have learned a lot from him and they are thankful he opened the doors to them.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
5. Business from the Public not on the Agenda; any member of the Public may address the Council for a period not to exceed three minutes on any subject not on the Agenda. The Council will listen to all communications, but may take no action.
Viry Valdez said she was here to present a petition of signatures they have gathered up. She read a complaint letter from Gonzales residents and natives of Tateposco, Jalisco, who felt offended by the comments made by Roman Barba, employee of the Gonzales Cemetery, during the Council meeting of December 6, 2021, referencing the problems at the cemetery and blamed the people of Tateposco for all the vandalism that has taken place, and his accusations were offensive, defamed their character, and were made without merit. She handed out the letter with signatures to the Deputy City Clerk.
CONSENT AGENDA
6. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - January 18, 2022 Minutes
7. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #46292-46403
8. Approve Successor Agency Warrants #1594-1597
9. Review and Accept the FY 2020-2021 AB 1600 Annual Impact Fee Report
10. Consider Approval of an Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and the Community Foundation for Monterey County for the HotSpot Loan Program
11. Consider Appointment of Jonathan Bohorquez to the Measure K Committee
12. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-11, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Extending the Expiration Date for the Tentative Parcel Map for the RC Farms Minor Subdivision by One Year
13. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-12, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales awarding the “City Hall & Police Department Generator Replacement Project” to Alltech Services, Rejecting All Other Bids, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with Alltech Services in the Amount of $175,000 Which Includes a Contingency Budget of $17,775 for Unanticipated Field Changes
14. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-13, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing Execution of a $45,000 Agreement with EMC Planning Group for the Preparation of CEQA/NEPA Documents for the Community Center Complex Project and Amend the FY 2021/2022 City Budget by increasing the General Fund (Fund 100), Department 850 Measure X, Contractual Services - General (Object Code 624) by $45,000
15. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-14, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing Execution of a $205,000 Amendment with CSG Consulting to include Building Official duties under their Agreement for Building Plan Review and Inspection Services and extend the term of their consulting services agreement to December 31, 2024 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Paul Miller, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Paul Miller
REGULAR AGENDA
16. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-15, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving the Shortlist of Prequalified Design-Build Entities for the Community Center Complex Project and Authorize Staff to Issue the Request for Proposal to the shortlisted Design-Build Entities After Council Approves the Design Criteria *
*
Staff Report: Public Works Director/City Engineer Dobbins presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Kevin McIintosh (via zoom), along with a partner Katia McClain representing one of the design build entities, Blach/Steinberg Hart, introduced himself and thanked the City for such a thorough process and consideration of desgin-build method.
Council Discussion: General discussion took place.
Greg Armendariz, Swinerton Consulting (via zoom), addressed some of the questions and clarified some points on the request for qualifications that were prepared under the guidance of the State statute that directs how the mandatory questions are dictated.
RESULT: TABLED [UNANIMOUS] The Council directed staff to go back and reevaluate or re-assess this item regarding the local participation and stipend, to discuss at the next meeting.
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Paul Miller
17. Consider Updates to the Organizational Chart, Classification Plan, and Job Descriptions Staff Report: City Manager Mendez presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: General discussion took place.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Paul Miller
18. Presentation on the City’s Wastewater System on Efforts to Rehabilitate, Upgrade and Increase the Capacity to Serve the City’s Current Needs and Expected Residential and Industrial Development
Staff Report: Public Works Director/City Engineer Dobbins presented the staff report via powerpoint presentation explaining the 2021 Wastewater Work Plan, the WWTP Lift Station Rehabilitation Contract, NANO2 Pilot Testing, and the EIR.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: General discussion took place.
The Council received the presentation. No action required.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
19. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios reported on the election of new officers and recognition of several employees, and Excellence Awards.
b. Mayor Selection Committee
Mayor Rios couldn't attend the meeting.
c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva announced the next meeting February 17th at 6pm and Strategic Planning meeting coming up in March. She hoped everyone was taking advantage of recycling the food waste and anyone needing a container can go to City Hall. d. Measure K Oversight Committee
No meeting.
e. Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability
Public Works Director/City Engineer Dobbins announced a special Technical Advisory Committee meeting next Thursday.
f. City's 75th Anniversary Committee
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil provided a save the dates flyer with information to the Council on upcoming events to celebrate the 75th Anniversary, and they have shirts and jackets for sale at City Hall.
20. Oral Communications
Commissioner Flores reported on the meeting with the GYC and Blue Zones.
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil added the Blue Zones representatives were very impressed and inspired by the GYC.
Council Member Miller elaborated on the passing of a former Police Officer Chuck Gerhart, today and asked for a moment of silence in his honor.
A moment of silence was observed by all present.
Mayor Rios said he was a real gentleman who was dedicated to his community.
Council Member Silva asked when the bridge at the river was going to be fixed.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Dobbins mentioned this was the County’s Public Works Project and the City commented on the draft study, and they were told by County staff that it will be three years from now.
Council Member Silva noticed people taking advantage of the testing and the CHWs have done an amazing job with this. She hoped the small line is a good sign. She wasn’t sure how people testing at home were reporting the results.
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil mentioned they have gotten the same questions and yes, the numbers are skewed because of the home testing. She added they were seeing less people getting tested but the positivity rate is still high.
Council Member Worthy asked about the online services.
Deputy City Manager/Special Projects Director Hartunian responded that staff is in communications with the software company and they will go over the logistics this week.
Council Member Worthy thanked community members who have come to them regarding American flags since they have noticed flags not being in good shape. She mentioned the lights on Fourth Street look beautiful.
Mayor Rios commented about the meeting with the new Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, who comes straight from the heart, and discussed many topics.
Mayor Rios mentioned about a tripping hazard on Jersey Way that was brought up by Mr.
Ramirez, and asked staff to look at it. He noticed along Herold Parkway asphalt is starting to raise.
He elaborated on a plant he uses which doesn’t lift the roots.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
21. Oral Communications
City Manager Mendez thanked the Council for attending the opening of the boxing place this weekend. On another note, he informed the Planning Commission approved the certified EIR for the microgrid, which is a significant milestone. He mentioned the Council will start seeing some items on this. He added the two-story mixed-use project also approved by the Planning Commission on the vacant lot on Fourth Street by the taqueria, which would be hotel on top and retail on the bottom.
He also mentioned he will be asking the Council to set up a Downtown Revitalization Committee because there have been some changes with the mixed of businesses.
Mayor Rios asked about the Laundromat being demolished.
City Manager Mendez responded it’s being upgraded.
CLOSED SESSION
Any member of the public may address the Council on a closed session item appearing on the agenda.
Speakers shall have a limited time of three (3) minutes. Please be brief and to the point.
No comments came forward.
22. The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) and (d)(2) to confer with its attorney regarding litigation and is hereby of the opinion that a significant exposure to litigation exists.
The Council conferred with its legal Counsel and provided direction. No other reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk