MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 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
Sherlyn Flores.
Excused absence: Autumn Escobedo.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager René L. Mendez, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriguez, Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Carmen Gil, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Mary Villegas, Finance Director Mike Howard, Administrative Assistant I Noemi Gregorio, Police Chief Keith Wise, Assistant City Manager Mark Hartunian, Fire Chief Jason Muscio, and Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins.
* 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/89145261252 or call 1 (669) 900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 891 4526 1252. 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 21st to the City Clerk at [email protected].
PRESENTATIONS
2. Presentation of Resolution in Commemoration of the City’s 75th Year Anniversary Senator Caballero, via zoom, said it was an honor to recognize the City's 75th Anniversary. She elaborated on the City's history, the City's commitment to improve the quality of life of its residents, and what it has accomplished. She shared her experience has always been totally supportive, not only of the plans, visions and expectations of its citizens, but also the incredible activism of its youth through the Youth Council. She was very proud of the City, its activism, visionary perspective on how to move forward, and the center of economic activity that it has become.
Senator Caballero's Office Representative Marisa Hernandez, and Assemblymember Rivas' Office Representative Isabel Meza, presented the joint resolution prepared by the Senate District 12 and Assembly District 30 to the City.
Mayor Rios thanked them on behalf of the City of Gonzales.
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil invited the ladies to stay afterwards for a small reception.
Supervisor Lopez elaborated on his inspiration on the history of Gonzales, the heritage, and the way this community remembers its past in order to inform its future, as well as the power that Gonzales has built. He congratulated the City and presented a Certificate of Recognition celebrating its 75th Anniversary.
Mayor Rios thanked him on behalf of the City of Gonzales.
3. Quilt Presentation by Anna Mae Gazo
Director of Community and Strategic Partnerships Gil introduced Ms. Anna Mae Gazo, a Quilter and retired Teacher from Gonzales.
Anna Mae Gazo gifted a quilt she handmade to the City representing a sky view of Gonzales.
Mayor Rios thanked her on behalf of the City of Gonzales.
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. commented about a LULAC member who passed away last year and worked with him to find injustice in this town like noticing three white people from the east side on the board, and no one representing the north side; zones controlling the City; number of complaints in the Police Department; his last act was proceeding against the school to redistrict. He told the Council, except for the Mayor, they were the problems because they refused to work with him to file charges against the Police Department and he has now LULAC in the back of him. He said he hoped to have a meeting with the Chief to file charges against the officer who pushed him out the door. He said he wanted to make sure Miller takes the credit for LULAC for coming.
Henry Martinez Jr., 114 Tenth Street, talked about the Gonzales real news and a petition going around for the removal of the current Chief and several accusations against him and Officers; promoting an officer who was accused of rape to Captain; accepting responsibility of those in charge; and nothing being done. He said he will help push this petition. He also talked about no one representing the north side and having district voting.
April Martinez talked about coming for some of the officers and pointed to Council Member Miller saying he should not be on the Council at all; didn’t support Wise anymore; and supporting the Mayor and the Fire Chief.
Monica Rico talked about the Gloria students and their parents enjoying the visit from the Fire Department and thanked them for going. She commented that in appreciation, the parents want to help do fundraisers to help with whatever is needed in the fire house. She asked if someone could direct them where to start because the community is very thankful of what they do.
CONSENT AGENDA
5. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - March 7, 2022 Minutes
6. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #46492-46564
7. Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Activity Report
8. Fire Department Activity Report
9. Police Department Activity Report
10. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report
11. Recreation Department Activity Report
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Paul Miller, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Paul Miller
REGULAR AGENDA
12. Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Audited Financial Statements and Management Report Staff Report: Finance Director Howard 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
13. Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Mid-Year Financial Report
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: Paul Miller, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Paul Miller
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
14. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. League of California Cities Monterey Bay Division
No report.
b. Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
Mayor Pro Tem Funk reported on the last meeting regarding the housing allocations. c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy reported on the electric vehicles by 2030; purchase of 6 hybrid vehicles; and donation of buses.
d. City & School Joint Steering Committee
City Manager Mendez mentioned due to the changes in the district, it will take longer to have a meeting.
e. Economic Development Committee
City Manager Mendez reported that he was waiting for an Economic Development report for the industrial park area and once the draft is out, he will work on scheduling a meeting.
Mayor Rios said he had the information he was going to report at the last Council meeting on the TAMC meeting about approval of four projects, two in Castroville, one in Salinas and one in King City. In regard to the Mayors meeting, he reported on the State budget: $2 billion for homelessness, $1.5 billion for mental health, $2 billion to low income housing.
15. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioner Flores reported on the meeting they had with the Soledad Youth Council where they discussed what projects they're doing and what similar interest Gonzales has; and participation in a summit with Blue Zones and the school to learn about healthy foods.
Council Member Miller said it was great to see the financial reports and good outlook for the City.
He thanked staff for all their work.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk appreciated staff's effort on the financial reports, as well as the Fire and Public Works Departments.
Council Member Worthy reminded everyone about the food distribution this Friday at the Community Church and people should start lining up around 9am since the food truck has been getting there late.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
16. Oral Communications
City Manager Mendez reported on setting up a committee of the Council to meet with staff on the Community Center Complex Project. He said there will be a lot of decisions coming to the Council in the near future and he believes it makes sense to work with the Mayor and a Council Member before presenting them to the whole Council.
Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Gil reminded everyone about the April 2nd Car Show event with entertainment and food to continue the celebration of the 75th Anniversary.
ADJOURNMENT
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 The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk