MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 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.
Autumn Escobedo (via zoom).
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager René L. Mendez, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Carmen Gil, Administrative Assistant II Anabel Almanza, 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 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82820972514 or call 1 (669) 900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 828 2097 2514. 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, April 18th to the City Clerk at [email protected]
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
2. 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.
Maria Orozco reminded folks about the 15th celebration of the Annual Dia del Niño Festival this Sunday at the park from 1pm to 5pm, free of charge to all families. She extended an invitation to the Council and the public. She also reminded folks that our Sister City will also be celebrating the Cinco de Mayo event that they have each year on May 1st at the park, and extended an invitation as well.
Michael La Pier (via zoom), Monterey Regional Airport Executive Director, provided an updated on the daily nonstop flights and destinations, passenger traffic, mask mandates going away soon, schedule, restaurant, and they are working hard with the congressional delegation to bring customs back. He also offered assistance related to economic development matters to the City.
CONSENT AGENDA
3. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - April 4, 2022 Minutes
4. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #46653-46709
5. Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Activity Report
6. Fire Department Activity Report
7. Police Department Activity Report
8. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report
9. Recreation Department Activity Report
10. Consider Approval of a Reimbursement Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and Rianda Family Limited Partnership
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
11. Introduce, Waive Reading and Read by Title Only Ordinance No. 2022-131, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving Gonzales Police Department Policy Manual Policy 709-Military Equipment
Staff Report: City Attorney Rodriquez presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: General discussion took place.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Paul Miller
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
12. Consider Appointment to the Planning Commission
Assistant City Manager Hartunian reported that Sandy Bravo submitted a letter of intent to the Council and she apologize for not being able to be here tonight, but wished to be considered for the Planning Commission.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] to Appoint Sandy Bravo to the Planning Commission
MOVER: Paul Miller, Council Member
SECONDER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Paul Miller
13. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. League of California Cities Monterey Bay Division
Mayor Pro Tem Funk reported on the Annual Conference in Long Beach in September and will bring back more specific information later.
b. Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
Mayor Pro Tem Funk reported on the meeting last week where they formally accepted the 6 th cycle of the regional housing needs allocation methodology. City Manager Mendez elaborated on the future housing in Gonzales.
c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy reported on the meeting last week approving the 2021-2022 projects; marketing campaign; resolution for low carbon transit operations program for 2021-2023; and fare changes coming around and outreach. She announced the next meeting on May 9th.
d. City & School Joint Steering Committee
City Manager Mendez reported on an invitation to the school to come and talk to the Council about their plans.
e. Economic Development Committee
City Manager Mendez reported that staff is waiting on the strategy for the industrial park.
Mayor Rios asked if staff was working with the new Economic Development Director for the County. City Manager Mendez responded yes.
14. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioners Flores and Escobedo reported on the meeting last week regarding the mental health project and the 2020 survey; meeting with Public Works on the pedestrian safety project; and a commercial representing Gonzales.
Council Member Worthy mentioned that the food pantry received the United Way Award, which is ran by Sara Sarmento and Blanca Sanchez. She will be attending the meeting tomorrow to receive the award since Sara could not attend and she thanked all the volunteers that helped them get there. She also reminded about the food distribution this Friday. She told City Manager Mendez that Mr. Worthy wrote an article in the newspaper this week about him.
Council Member Silva announced the Salinas Valley Fair kick off this Saturday, and the fair will be May 12th - 15th in King City. The Salinas Valley Recycles scheduled for this Thursday is being moved to April 28th here in the Chambers at 6pm.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
15. Oral Communications
City Manager Mendez reported that the recruitment for the Community Development Director being closed, held two oral panels, and a candidate has been selected and the offer is there with the background in progress. He said the plan is to introduce the candidate at the next Council meeting.
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil announced that VNA will be at the Dia del Niño event vaccinating anyone interested and eligible.
Public Works Director Dobbins reported on the Well 7 project coming to an end; and Skatepark phase two improvements.
Fire Chief Muscio reported on a flood fight control training session for staff tomorrow; and the Fire Department will be at the Dia del Niño and Cinco de Mayo events.
Assistant City Manager Hartunian reported on the nexus report publication; wastewater treatment facility expansion state revolving fund documents submission; and EIFD coming to the Council.
Police Chief Wise announced a pedestrian safety presentation put on by the Police Department and the County of Monterey on April 28th from 5pm - 6pm at the Fanoe Road apartments; the Department will also be hosting the National Prescription Drug Take Back on April 30th from 10am - 2pm at the Police Department lobby.
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.
Maria Orozco commented about a couple of parents asking her if the recruitment process would be similar to what the school is doing where community members will have input on what they would like to see in a City Manager. She noted that in six months we'll have elections so we could potentially have four new Council Members in the Council and thought it was important to have the existing Council Members involved in the recruitment process as soon as possible.
16. The City Council will recess to closed session to consider personnel matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)- City Manager -Employment/Recruitment.
The Council provided direction to staff and the City Manager. No other action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Paul Miller, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Paul Miller The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk