MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 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 and Luke Naegle.
STAFF PRESENT
Interim City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Community Development Director Taven Kinison Brown, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Mary Villegas, Administrative Assistant II Anabel Almanza, Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins, Fire Chief Jason Muscio, and Police Chief Keith Wise.
* 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/85279175385 or call 1-1669-900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 852 7917 5385. 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, December 5th 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.
Roman Barba thanked Council Member Miller there for all his service and told Mayor Rios and Council Members Worthy and Silva that they got their early Christmas present since they won.
He talked about the need for a gym at the community center.
Chris Barrera, President of LULAC Salinas Council 2055, commented about advocating for a young lady who got falsely accused of a crime, and was not allowed to file a police report; said she has been mocked, harassed, and recently lost her job because of this; Police Department not addressing this since three months; never experiencing this kind of bad service anywhere with the Police Department and the Chief; and they have been asking the Chief for a meeting since March of this year. He asked Chief Wise to contact them regarding these issues so they may get some justice for her.
CONSENT AGENDA
3. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - November 21, 2022 Minutes
4. Approve the City Council - Special Meeting - November 30, 2022 Minutes
5. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #47910-47956
6. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-83, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Rescinding Resolution No. 2022-63 that Authorized an Agreement Between Harris and Associates for Initial Work on the City of Gonzales 6th Cycle Housing Element Update for the Period 2023-2031, and Approving and Authorizing a New Agreement Between 4LEAF, Inc. for Planning Services for the City of Gonzales 6th Cycle Housing Element Update for the Period 2023-2031
7. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-84, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Accepting the Tree Removal Contract at the Community Center Project Site as Complete, Authorize Staff to Record a Notice of Completion, and Release Retention Monies to the Contractor
8. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-85, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Accepting the Equip Well 7 Contract as complete, Authorize staff to file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder, and direct staff to release retention monies to the Contractor
9. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-86, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Adopting a Debt Management Policy
10. Consider Approval of Resolution 2022-87, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales authorizing the Interim City Manager or Public Works Director to submit a Financial Assistance Application to the State Water Resources Control Board for the Planning and Design of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project
11. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-88, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the Grant Application, Acceptance, and Execution of the Grant Funds from the State of California Budget Act of 2021 (SB 129)
12. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2020-89, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing Execution of a Consultant Agreement with Schaaf & Wheeler in the notto-exceed Amount of $29,000 Which Includes a Contingency Budget of $2,100 for Updating the City’s Water System Capital Improvement Program
13. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-90, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Adopting the City Council Meetings Schedule for 2023
14. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-91, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving an Amendment to the City of Gonzales Classification Plan for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023
15. Consider Approval of an Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and Sun Street Centers in the Amount of $19,000 for the Road to Success Diversion Program for the Period of January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023; and Authorize the Interim City Manager to Sign it Council Member Silva pulled item 6.
City Attorney Rodriquez indicated that the Council had on the dais a final resolution 2022-83 that indicated the language of the approval of the new contract as well as the rescission of the previous resolution that awarded the contract with Harris and Associates.
Council Member Silva asked for clarification on page 18 of the packet under the title funding.
She thought it needed to be corrected to September of 2022, instead of September of 2020.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown responded that was correct.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Paul Miller, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Paul Miller
REGULAR AGENDA
16. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2022-92, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Declaring Canvass of Returns and Results of the Consolidated General Municipal Election Held on November 8, 2022
Staff Report: Interim City Manager Gil presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: There was none.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Paul Miller, Council Member
SECONDER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Paul Miller
17. Oaths of Allegiance to Jose L Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy and Maria Orozco Mayor Rios asked if the oaths can be given to him, Lorraine, and Liz together.
Interim City Manager Gil responded yes. She administered the Oath of Allegiance to Mayor Jose L. Rios, Council Member Liz Silva, and Council Member Lorraine Worthy.
Hartnell Board President Erika Padilla-Chavez administered the Oath of Allegiance to Council Member Orozco and thanked Council Member Miller for his years of service to the community and congratulated Mayor Rios, and Council Members Silva and Worthy for their re-election.
18. Consider Approval of, and Present Proclamation No. 2022-05 Recognizing Paul Miller RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco Mayor Pro Tem Funk read the Proclamation and presented it to Council Member Miller.
19. Presentation of a Resolution from the Offices of Senator Anna Caballero and Assemblymember Robert Rivas Recognizing Paul Miller
Marisa Hernandez, Office of the Senator Anna Caballero, read the resolution of recognition to Council Member Miller virtually, and staff presented him with the resolution.
Mayor Rios thanked Council Member Miller for being part of this community.
Council Member Miller thanked everyone and said since he was 19, he has served the people of the City of Gonzales in some capacity. He hoped to find some time, after he deals with some family issues with his sister, to find a way to come back and find another way to serve the City because he loves this City. He congratulated his fellow Council Members that were re-elected and newly elected, and told them they got a lot of challenges in front of them, a lot of big things are happening in this City, probably the busiest and most challenging time we've seen in a long time.
He wished them all the very best and he knew that they would take this seriously and do what needs to be done for this City. He wished happy holidays to everybody.
20. Public Hearing to Introduce, Waive Reading, and Read by Title Only Ordinance No. 2022-135, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Amending Portions of Title 11 of the Gonzales City Code, Titled “Building Regulations” By Adoption And Referenced Amendments:
2022 California Administrative Code, Title 24, Part 1; 2022 California Building Code, Title 24, Part 2, Volumes 1and 2; 2022 California Residential Code, Title 24, Part 2.5; 2022 California Electrical Code, Title 24, Part 3; 2022 California Mechanical Code, Title 24, Part 4; 2022 California Plumbing Code, Title 24, Part 5; 2022 California Energy Code, Title 24, Part 6; 2022 California Fire Code, Title 24, Part 9; 2022 California Green Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 11; 2022 California Referenced Standards Code, Title 24, Part 12; 2021 International Property Maintenance Code; Small Residential Rooftop Solar Systems; and deleting Chapter
11.48 of the City of Gonzales Code Titled “Deconstruction, Demolition, and Construction Material Recovery and Diversion from Landfills”
Staff Report: Community Development Director Kinison Brown presented the staff report.
Mayor Rios opened the public hearing at 6:32pm.
Public Hearing: No comments came forward.
Being there no comments from the public, Mayor Rios closed the public hearing at 6:32pm.
Council Discussion: Council Member Silva asked if cooking tops was included in the electric outlets requirement.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown responded yes.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
21. New Brown Act Rules for 2023 Regarding Teleconferencing Staff Report: City Attorney Rodriquez presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: Council Member Worthy asked if they can teleconference if they get sick on a meeting day.
City Attorney Rodriquez responded.
No action required.
22. Vista Lucia Development Progress Report
Staff Report: Community Development Director Kinison Brown presented the staff report via powerpoint presentation.
Public Comment: Roman Barba commented about the school who promised building another school; fighting with the school district to go for bonds; and school board making a bad decision.
Mayor Rios asked Mr. Barba to stick with this item on the Vista Lucia project.
Cesar Ayon, Gonzales Unified School District Board Member, clarified he was here but not to speak on behalf of the school board. He commented on the need for housing here since there are full families with kids living in garages; was glad to hear about affordable housing; and thanked everyone for their patience.
Council Discussion: Mayor Pro Tem Funk asked about what the next steps are and LAFCO application timeline and support needed.
Interim City Manager Gil informed that staff will bring back in January an item for staff augmentation on the LAFCO application, and elaborated on putting together the application and said staff is also working on the ag mitigation ordinance.
Council Member Silva asked if there were going to be workshops for first time homebuyers, and sweat equity homes.
Mayor Rios remembered the first time they talked about this when he was in the Planning Commission, and emphasized the frustration about this still not happening and Mr. Pace being patient with us.
Glenn Pace, Pembrook Development Manager, thanked the Council and staff for this presentation and said it was nice to see Ms. Orozco back after all the interactions they’ve had over the years. He talked about being at this project for 21 years; biweekly meetings with City staff; contract with a builder who has made a commitment to this community; and not having sweat equity homes but there would be a complete array of affordability units. He elaborated on the project and making progress on most of the issues, and thanked Interim City Manager Gil for taking a leadership role and being encouraging and moving things forward.
Mayor Rios thanked him, his group, and Mr. Fanoe for hanging in there.
Mr. Tom Fanoe said everyone involved in this project has the same optimism to get to the finish line.
No action required.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
23. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios said he hasn't received any agendas, neither has Mary, and TAMC saying they had computer issues.
b. Mayor Selection Committee
Meeting was canceled.
c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy announced the meeting next week.
d. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva reported on technical issues she had at the last meeting and couldn’t join.
e. Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability
Public Works Director/City Engineer Dobbins reported that Soledad was the primary representative and they have a meeting this Thursday but the agenda has no issues impacting Gonzales. He announced TAMC was having a meeting this Thursday as well.
24. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioners Naegle and Flores reported on the trash pick up on Belden Street where students participated; thanked Public Works for providing the materials; next meeting on January 14th to finalize what they want to do with the action projects; and helping at the Holiday Lights event.
Mayor Rios thanked Sherlyn for participating at the Gloria School Craft Bazaar, along with her mom.
Council Member Worthy thanked staff for the Holiday Lights event which was a good turnout.
She reminded about the food distribution on December 16th at the Community Church. She wished everyone and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Council Member Silva thanked staff for all their hard work in making our event happen on Saturday, which was a great event seeing all the kids have fun and even Council Member Worthy sang a little bit and was accompanied by an accordion player; and thanked Interim City Manager Gil for being so flexible and getting the tent for the food; and the Fire Department for finding Santa. She wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, be safe out there, and slow down.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk thanked Public Works, Fire Department and Police Department for all their efforts during the holiday season; and said it was great to see all the decorations around town and wished everyone happy holidays.
Council Member Orozco thanked the residents for allowing her another opportunity to serve the community; looked forward to work with staff, the Council and the community on all the great projects before us; thanked staff and all the volunteers for a great event at the gym, which was really well attended; thanked Public Works for the continued support providing the safety route services for parents and grandparents who take children to school. She asked, through the Mayor, if they can possibly do either a proclamation or some sort of recognition for the 15th year anniversary of our Sister City of Tateposco, in Mexico. She said she will be traveling the latter part of December and would like to present them with some sort of recognition for the anniversary. She also said, as Council Member Silva mentioned about the first time homebuyer workshops, they are great workshops and suggested being done by the housing Resource Center in the City of Salinas, which is a nonprofit housing agency and thought it would be very beneficial for many of the residents to learn the home buying process.
Mayor Rios thanked the Gonzales Youth Council for all their work and Interim City Manager Gil for the quick move of the Holiday Lights event to the gym; looked forward to staff doing more of these events since it was great to have the families enjoy the festivities. He said he could not be there due to health issues. He asked for an update on the park permits.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
25. Oral Communications
Interim City Manager Gil informed that there is a process when somebody wants to use the park, they do fill out an actual application and that gets reserved on a calendar in house at the City Hall.
She said she'll follow up on comments or informational items that the Mayor is seeking to understand a little bit more as to what kind of information he would like. The application is pretty lengthy, depending on what the activity is, and it's routed through all the departments to ensure for example, if security is needed or if there's electricity involved, etc.
Mayor Rios mentioned that he was asked if everyone who has a tent at the park is actually applying for the park has a permit and who’s checking to make sure they have a permit, and he didn’t know if it was the Police Department.
Police Chief Wise mentioned that the Police Department gets a copy of the application when is issued and the Officers know about them.
Interim City Manager Gil said if the Mayor wants staff to bring back something in terms of policy direction, staff can do that.
Mayor Rios said he was curious as to how many permits are issued or how many are allowed.
Interim City Manager Gil mentioned she can give him that information after she talks to Jessica.
On another note, she thanked staff in all the departments who helped with this weekend’s event, which it really takes a team to make it work. She added it was a successful event and also encouraged people to come out to the downtown which looks beautiful and festive. She also thanked everyone who supported the event. She updated on the D.R. Horton which staff has been meeting with, and are moving forward with the project, and updated on the next steps. She also said she had been in talks months ago with United Way about doing workshops for first time home buyers and setting up their financials to get a home. She also said she’s asking about the sweat equity homes as well to make sure we are talking about the different approaches to build, so staff is advocating for some of those questions and working with the developers.
Fire Chief Muscio reported on the Narcan training for school staff and securing almost 200 of boxes which will be placed at the school campuses, buses and vans. He announced the parade on December 17th.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Dobbins reported on the contract for water and sewer rates and schedule; capital campaign for the Community Center at 3pm on December 8th at the site; and Administrative Assistant Marisol Gomez who is a UC Davis graduate and is helping the department.
Council Member Silva asked what was the front store at 400 Alta Street.
Fire Chief Muscio responded that was Mechanics Bank.
City Attorney Rodriquez reminded the Council about the Special Joint meeting with the City of Soledad at their Council Chambers on December 14th at 6pm.
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.
There was none.
26. The City Council will recess to closed session to consider personnel matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)- City Manager Recruitment.
Council conferred with City Attorney. No other reportable action taken.
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, Maria Orozco The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk