MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:06 PM (due to technical issues) 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 Present
Scott Funk Mayor Pro Tem Present
Liz Silva Council Member Present
Lorraine Worthy Council Member Present
Paul Miller Council Member Excused
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS
Sherlyn Flores.
Excused absence: Autumn Escobedo.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager René L. Mendez, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Community Development Director Taven Kinison Brown, 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, 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/83985640285 or call 1-1669-900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 839 8564 0285. 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, May 2nd to the City Clerk at [email protected]
PRESENTATIONS
2. Introduction of New Community Development Director
City Manager Mendez introduced the new Community Development Director, Taven Kinison Brown.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown introduced himself and elaborated on his experience and education.
3. Certificates of Recognition to the Fairview Middle School Rotary Basketball Tournament Winners
Mayor Rios congratulated the team and presented the certificates of recognition to each player and to Coach Fernando Guzman. Mr. Guzman helped distribute the pizza vouchers to each of the players.
Gonzales School Board Trustee Daniels expressed how proud she was of the players and congratulated them and Coaches Rios and Guzman.
4. Consider Approval of, and Present Proclamation No. 2022-02 Proclaiming May 2022 as Poppy Month
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy EXCUSED: Paul Miller
City Manager Mendez read the Proclamation.
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.
There was none.
CONSENT AGENDA
6. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - April 18, 2022 Minutes
7. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #46710-46799
8. Consider Approval of and Allow the City Manager to Accept a New Grant from the Community Foundation for Monterey County in the Amount of $216,054.92 for the Community Health Worker Aspect of the Gonzales Cares Program
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy EXCUSED: Paul Miller
REGULAR AGENDA
9. Consider an Update on the Proposed Use of the Property Located at 498 S. Alta Street, Gonzales, CA (APN 020-041-016) to Inform of the Agreement with CHISPA for the Development of Affordable Senior Housing
Staff Report: City Manager Mendez presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Emily Rios, 231 Third Street, thanked the City Manager for bringing this back to the Council because it is a great thing they are doing.
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 EXCUSED: Paul Miller
10. Shop Small Business Campaign
Mayor Rios moved this item to the beginning of Regular Agenda. It was discussed before Item 9.
Staff Report: Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil presented the staff report.
Emily Rios and Grace Ayon, Measure X Committee Member, introduced the campaign, its efforts and ideas.
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 EXCUSED: Paul Miller
*
11. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-19, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Relating to the Joint Exercise of Powers for and Membership in the Monterey County Regional Housing Trust Fund
Staff Report: City Manager Mendez presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: General discussion took place.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy EXCUSED: Paul Miller
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
12. Appointment of Two Council Members to the EIFD Board Assistant City Manager Hartunian gave a summary on the EIFD.
Council Member Silva and Mayor Pro Tem Funk were appointed to the EIFD Board.
13. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios reported on the walking school bus presentation; Caltrans funding to Salinas and Monterey; and Soledad getting charging stations.
b. Mayor Selection Committee
Mayor Rios announced the meeting this Friday.
c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva reported on the purchase of the administration offices building; and relocation of the transfer station being pushed out.
d. Measure K Oversight Committee
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil announced a joint meeting with the Measure K and Measure X Committees on May 17th. e. Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability
Public Works Director Dobbins reported on the updates of the several aquifers and reports on six water basins.
f. City's 75th Anniversary Committee
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil reported on the future meetings to discuss the activities tied to the 4th of July and October 15th events.
14. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioner Flores reported on the information they received from Public Works regarding pedestrian safety and the ways they are working to improve the safety of both the drivers and pedestrians.
Council Member Worthy thanked everyone who participated at the Cinco de Mayo event which was a great event and she enjoyed everything. She asked if anyone knew why there were several Greenfield patrol cars in town.
City Manager Mendez responded he was unaware of that but can find out.
Council Member Silva said she couldn't attend the Día del Niño event but was able to attend the Cinco de Mayo which was a successful event with all the activities, the parade and the engagement the Fire Department had with the youth. She announced the Salinas Valley Fair May 12th- 15th in King City; and the Memorial Day remembrance on May 30th at 9am at the cemetery.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk thanked staff and all the volunteers for the Dia del Niño and Cinco de Mayo events, which were very successful.
Mayor Rios echoed everyone’s comments on the events and said he missed one event but they were both great events and saw lots of kids in attendance, the parade went well, and it was also good to see the kids engaging with the Fire Department.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
15. Oral Communications
City Manager Mendez mentioned staff was trying to schedule a special meeting on May 31st either at 5pm or 6pm.
Mayor Rios said he has a banquet at the school at 6pm that day.
City Manager Mendez responded if everyone, or at least four members are available at 5pm, we can schedule it then.
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil reported on the covid positive numbers increasing slightly; covid testing still available; Jessica Olmedo accepting the Recreation Coordinator Position and starting on May 16th; pool opening the first week of June; and staff in the process of hiring staff to support the summer camp and pool.
Mayor Rios asked if there was a form online to rent the pool for personal parties.
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil responded that will be set up shortly since the pool is not open yet but will have that done once staff is hired.
Mayor Rios asked about the covid positives if they were at the same function.
Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Gil responded she didn’t get the details of that, but they have been seeing a slight increase in positive numbers. She reiterated that testing is available and there were a lot of home test kits distributed at Dia del Niño event.
Public Works Director Dobbins reported on the Maintenance Worker Position being filled and starting on May 16th; staff looking to replace our Summer Intern; and working on an RFP for the City’s website.
Council Member Worthy asked if the Administrative Assistant positions have been filled.
Assistant City Manager Hartunian gave an update on that and City Manager Mendez clarified that we are advertising for Admin I and Admin II to see what we receive, but we are recruiting for one person only.
Fire Chief Muscio reported on the participation at the two events; and helping with a few incidents in the rural district.
Assistant City Manager Hartunian reported on the wastewater pre-treatment program documents being reviewed.
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.
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.
Council provided direction to staff. No other reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jose L. Rios, Mayor
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy EXCUSED: Paul Miller
The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk