MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, MARCH 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 Excused
Liz Silva Council/Agency Member Present
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency Member Present
Paul Miller Council/Agency Member Present
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS
Excused absence: Sherlyn Flores and 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 I Noemi Gregorio, Administrative Assistant II Anabel Almanza, Police Chief Keith Wise (via zoom), Assistant City Manager Mark Hartunian, and Fire Engineer Kyler Monares.
* Successor Agency Item
*
PUBLIC NOTICE
This meeting is being conducted consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29-20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The public may participate in person or online via zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8316407032 or call 1-669-900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 831 6407 0327. If you wish to make either a general public comment or to comment on a specific agenda item, please use the Raise Hand function. You will be allowed three minutes for your comments.
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 limited to 250 words or less by 12:00p.m. on Monday, March 7th to the City Clerk at [email protected].
PRESENTATIONS
2. Certificates of Recognition to the Fairview Middle School Students Maintaining a 4.0 GPA City Manager Mendez read all the students names into the record.
3. Annual Member Agency Update by Central Coast Community Energy Gabe Ruiz, Central Coast Community Energy Accounts Specialist, presented a powerpoint presentation updating the City on how the Community Choice Aggregation works, Central Coast Community Energy member agencies, governance, accomplishments, pathway to 100% clean and renewable by 2030, tracking new energy development, commitment to renewable procurement, rates and COVID-19 response, goals of service offerings, approach to rate design, energy programs, electrification and innovation grant program, meter distributed energy storage projects, vehicle electrification program, number of enrolled customers in Gonzales, field promotion, and customer resources and tools.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
4. 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.
Henry Martinez Sr. said felt sorry for the officer that was killed in Salinas, and told the Council they were enablers to allow the officers do whatever they want, and steal guns from a rancher. He elaborated on that story and a fight with his grandson. He also said he was here to tell Council Member Miller that he better watch his back.
Council Member Miller told Mr. Martinez Sr. to not threaten him.
Mr. Martinez Sr. said he wasn't threatening him, he was promising that he will have some stranger stand behind him with service papers and he better watch out for a stranger with service papers from the court and wherever he is at, here or home, they are going to sue him so he better watch out for a stranger. He said his grandson is turning 17 in a couple of months, and he can file papers in court and he will come back and sue him.
CONSENT AGENDA
5. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - February 22, 2022 Minutes
6. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #46427-46491
7. Review and Accept the FY 2021-2022 First Two Quarters Interest Earnings Treasurer Report
8. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-10, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing Execution of a Purchase Agreement with the City of Salinas to acquire a
0.3 acre parcel (APN 223-061-002-000) for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Project RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Paul Miller EXCUSED: Scott Funk
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
9. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios said there was no report since he left all his notes at home. He'll bring them back at the next meeting.
b. Mayor Selection Committee
Mayor Rios reported on the state budget for homelessness, mental health, and affordable housing.
c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva announced the next meeting March 17th at 6pm in the Council Chambers.
d. Measure K Oversight Committee
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil said there will be a meeting on March 15th but depending on the items, they may need to reschedule. e. Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability
No report.
f. City's 75th Anniversary Committee
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil reported on the Car Show scheduled on April 2nd from 1:30pm - 5:30pm on Fourth Street, and registrations are online at www.teamsideline.com/gonzales. Council Member Silva announced the reception after the next Council meeting.
10. Oral Communications
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil reported the Youth Commissioners were not present today due to a meeting with the Soledad Youth Council.
Council Member Silva, on behalf of the American Legion Auxiliary, thanked those who celebrated the life of Roger Baez who passed away a couple of weeks ago, and was the local commander of the Legion Post.
Council Member Miller congratulated Juan Mendoza on his promotion to Captain in the Police Department.
Mayor Rios thanked the local Rotary for always stepping forward to help with the annual basketball tournament and elaborated on the exciting 8th grade game. He asked staff about providing certificates to them for winning. On another note, he said he was dismayed on how the gas was shut off so easily. He felt we should send a letter to PG&E. *
Council Member Silva commended all those PG&E employees from all over Northern California for coming and putting those extra hours connecting everyone back.
City Manager Mendez mentioned that staff has reached out to PG&E and have engaged with our Police and Fire Departments.
Council Member Worthy asked about doing something like robocalls.
City Manager Mendez said Carmen is already researching that such as mass messages on specific issues.
Mayor Rios elaborated on an elderly lady needing gas and contacting someone from PG&E who got there right away. He was impressed with their fast response to Gonzales.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
11. Oral Communications
City Manager Mendez reported on a submittal of a list of projects for direct allocation to Senator Caballero's office; a proposal received for a storage facility; and staff working on an electric charging station. He also mentioned that staff will be submitting a letter to the Board of Supervisors regarding the VIDA program tomorrow, for the program that is funding our Community Health Workers, and will provide to the Mayor first for his review.
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.
12. The City Council will recess to closed session to consider personnel matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(B)(1) - City Manager Evaluation.
The Council engaged in the City Manager evaluation process. No other reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk