MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL
GONZALES SUCESSOR AGENCY,
GONZALES SUCCESSOR HOUSING AGENCY,
GONZALES ELECTRIC AUTHORITY BOARD,
GONZALES MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILTY BOARD
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
(Adjourned from January 9, 2023)
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/President Present
Scott Funk Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/Vice President Present Liz Silva Council/Agency/Board Member Present
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency/Board Member Present
Maria Orozco Council/Agency/Board Member Present
Mayor Rios apologized to the public for his posture. He said he had his sixth retina surgery, and didn’t want to seem like he’s being disrespectful to anyone.
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS
Luke Naegle.
Excused absence: Sherlyn Flores.
STAFF PRESENT
Interim City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez (via zoom), Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Mary Villegas, Administrative Assistant II Miranda Uribe, Administrative Assistant II Marisol Gomez, and Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins.
* Successor Agency Item
Successor Housing Agency/Electric Authority/Municipal Electric Utility 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/85183524483 or call 1-1669-900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 851 8352 4483. 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, January 9th to the City Clerk at [email protected]
PRESENTATIONS
2. Certificates of Recognition – Gonzales High School Volleyball Team This presentation was moved to the following meeting due to the team not being able to make it.
Interim City Manager Gil noted that Fire Chief Muscio was on the Office of Emergency Services call and he'll be joining us shortly, and give an update as to the status of the flooding.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
3. 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., 112 Tenth Street, commented about his civil liberties being violated when he was asked to leave the council room; problems with an officer seven years ago; and showed Mary a picture on his phone while talking about the officer.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk asked, through the Mayor, for Mr. Martinez to present the information to the Council, not to staff.
Mr. Martinez Sr. continued talking about the time he dealt with that officer.
Bob Krauth, 703 Colombard Circle, commented about being grateful to have a fantastic Council and was happy to see so many people attending the meeting.
Roman Barba told the Mayor he was doing a good job considering having problems with his eyes; talked about the community center donations; and hoped the new City Manager works on the housing development soon.
Luz Garcia, Gonzales Medical Center Physician Assistant, extended an invitation to the ribbon cutting ceremony next door this Saturday; and talked about collaborations with the school district, and internships opportunities for students.
Cesar Ayon, Gonzales Medical Center, thanked the Council for being a big supporter of the community, and staff for helping them this last year to finally get in there to serve the public; and talked about partnerships with the school district and colleges to give folks an introduction to healthcare.
City Attorney Rodriquez asked the Council that before moving forward to consent or regular business, staff needed to add an item to the agenda. He explained the legal requirements for the approval and need for immediate action. The item in question has to do with the declaration of a local emergency due to statewide winter storms and the atmospheric river. The necessity to adopt such a resolution came up at a meeting that was held with the City Managers, Supervisor Lopez and representatives from OES this morning, and there was a request from the County that each one of the Cities in Monterey County adopt a declaration proclamation of a local emergency. He added that Resolution No. 2023-04 was passed out to the Council this afternoon. He suggested adding it after Item 9 for discussion and action.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] to add Resolution No. 2023-04 to tonight’s agenda after Regular Agenda Item 9
MOVER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
CONSENT AGENDA
4. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - December 5, 2022 Minutes
5. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #47957-48095
6. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-01, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing Execution of a Non-Exclusive Master Services Agreement and Task Order No. 1 with Brent Slama Consulting for Contract Planning Services
7. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-02, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the SB 2 19-PGP-13234 Amendment to the Agreement with the Department of Housing and Community Development to Extend the End Date of the SB 2 Planning Grants Program Funds in the amount of $160,000 to June 30, 2024 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
REGULAR AGENDA
8. Reorganization of City Council – Election of Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/Vice President Mayor Rios asked Mayor Pro Tem Funk if he was still willing to serve as the Mayor Pro Tem.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk responded yes.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] to appoint Scott Funk as Mayor Pro Tem MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
9. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-03, A Joint Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales/City Council as Board to the Successor Agency to the Gonzales Redevelopment Agency/Gonzales Successor Housing Agency Board/Board of the Gonzales Electric Authority/Board of the Gonzales Municipal Electric Utility Approving an Employment Agreement
for City Manager/Successor Agency Director/Successor Housing Agency Executive Director/Electric Authority Executive Director/Electric Utility Executive Director Services with Trevin W. Barber
Staff Report: City Attorney Rodriquez presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: Council Member Silva ask Mr. Barber who was present via zoom, to take off the video option so people can see him since he was not in the Chambers. She welcomed him.
Council Member Worthy said they were all looking forward to working with him.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy ABSTAIN: Maria Orozco
Council Member Orozco said she was abstaining due to the fact that she was not involved in the hiring process and was not afforded an opportunity to listen to any answers to the questions that were asked, so she did not feel comfortable voting on this item.
Mayor Rios said that was fine and the reason was that she was not in the Council. He welcomed Mr. Barber and told him they had all those hats waiting in his office.
City Attorney Rodriquez congratulated Mr. Barber. He stated that it was also mentioned in the staff report the gratitude to Carmen and Patrick for getting us through this period as Acting and Interim City Manager, especially in the last month of December and up to today's date which has been very challenging with respect to all of the storm related problems. He thanked them again on behalf of the Council, for their assistance.
Mayor Rios and Council Member Orozco thanked Carmen and Patrick.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-04, ITEM ADDED TO THE AGENDA THE DAY OF MEETING DUE
TO LOCAL EMERGENCY ON THE WINTER STORMS
Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-04, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Making a Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency Due to Statewide Winter Storms/Atmospheric River.
Staff Report: City Attorney Rodriquez presented the staff report.
Fire Chief Muscio gave an update on the current situation with the storm.
Public Comment: There was none.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Resolution No. 2023-04
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
10. Consider Council Appointments to Boards & Committees Mayor Rios mentioned everyone is okay with what they've been working with in the past so he would like to keep it the same. He asked Ms. Orozco if she would like to pick up Paul's assignment which was the Monterey County Housing Authority.
Council Member Orozco believed the Housing Authority was an appointment by Supervisor Lopez, and believed there was a process for that where they advertise it and it’s not based on the City. It is open to any South County.
The following appointments were made.
BOARD/COMMITTEE APPOINTEE ALTERNATE
League of CA Cities Monterey Bay Division
Meet 2nd Monday of every other month at 6:00pm
Maria Orozco Liz Silva
Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
(AMBAG)
Meet 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm
Scott Funk Lorraine Worthy
Transportation Agency for Monterey County
(TAMC)
Meet 4th Wednesday of each month at 9:00am
Jose Rios Lorraine Worthy
Mayors Selection Committee/Mayors Association
Meet 1st Friday of each month at 12:00pm
Jose Rios None Permitted
Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District
(MBUAPCD)
As needed
Appointed by Mayors Association
Association of California Cities Allied with Public
Safety (ACCAPS)
As needed
Jose Rios Scott Funk
Salinas Valley Recycles
Meet 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:00pm
Liz Silva Scott Funk
Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST)
Meet 2nd Monday of each month at 10:00am
Lorraine Worthy Maria Orozco
*ABAG Power Pool
As needed
Trevin Barber Patrick Dobbins
City & School Joint Steering Committee
As needed
Jose Rios & Scott Funk
Measure K Oversight Committee
Meet 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm
Lorraine Worthy & Scott Funk
Economic Development Committee
Meet 2nd Tuesday of each month at 4:00pm
Liz Silva & Lorraine Worthy, and
Community Business Rep.
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) Policy
Board
Meet 1st Wednesday (Quarterly) at 9:00am
Jose Rios
SV Basin Groundwater Sustainability Board
Meet 2nd Thursday of each month at 3:00pm
Soledad Gonzales
S.O.S. US 101 Traffic Safety Alliance
As needed
Liz Silva & Maria Orozco
11. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios reported on the retirement of the Caltrans Director and 101 corridor discussion. b. Mayor Selection Committee
Mayor Rios thanked Council Member Silva for attending this meeting and reported he was selected to represent 3CE, the Central Coast Community Energy; and Kimbley Craig is the new LAFCO representative.
c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy reported on the shortage of drivers and mechanics, conversion to electric or hydrogen, discussion of MST circulators, ridership and equity information to residents. Public Works Director Dobbins elaborated on staff’s meeting with MST. d. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva announced the next meeting on January 19th at 6pm via zoom and hoped to meet in person in March.
e. Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability
Public Works Director Dobbins announced Soledad was the primary representative and he was the alternate. He announced the board meeting on January 12th.
12. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioners Updates
Commissioner Naegle announced their first meeting on January 19th and leadership training on January 28th in the Council Chambers; and meeting with the Superintendent on future projects.
Council Member Orozco informed she presented the certificate of appreciation to the President of Cocula, Mexico on her visit to our Sister City Town of Tateposco, and he extended his greetings to the Mayor and the Council Members and hoped to continue our collaborative efforts of working on projects of mutual interest.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk thanked Public Works and Public Safety Departments for everything they're doing. He said it's great to see the City continue to function and staff is doing an amazing job with a high level of professionalism. He thanked Interim City Manager Gil for leading staff the last several months and now especially with the winter storms.
Council Member Silva wished everyone a Happy New Year. She gave a shout out to Public Works staff who have done a great job with the recent events and challenges. She also reminded our residents to remain prepared at all times. She asked staff how a resident or anyone who's interested make their pledges to the Community Center.
Interim City Manager Gil responded that the Community Foundation for Monterey County was holding all of our funds that are designated for the Community Center, and anyone interested in making any donation should go to their web page, and which link is our website, and explained how it works.
Mayor Rios mentioned staff made some copies of flyers with the picture of community center that have really helped.
Council Member Worthy thanked staff for all their hard work with the rain. She also thanked MST for helping with their busses to evacuate people. She also informed about community grant program put on by Jean Salcido to educate kids by the senior citizens and making blankets for the elderly population. She said these are the kinds of things we need to start thinking about for these grants, things that benefit our youth, our seniors and community. She gave a shout out to Jean for her constant work.
Mayor Rios thanked staff for the two different shifts Public Works has due to the storms and for going far and beyond the call of duty, as well as the Fire Department and Police Departments for watching out for the flooding in town. He also hoped Mr. Barber makes the Community Center a priority since there is a timeframe on the funding from Senator Caballero and it would be a shame to lose it. He would like to see some plans in the near future. He would like to get an update from D.R. Horton and timeframe. He thanked staff for working with the new consultant Mr. Slama to hopefully push that project to fruition and at least get it to LAFCO. He hoped to plan another workshop on a Saturday where all the departments get together and discuss what they see in the future.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
13. Oral Communications
Interim City Manager Gil thanked staff for all they're doing to make sure everyone has what they need during the storms. She said staff is continuously monitoring the communications and have a plan B in place if anything gets to a point where we need to evacuate or an emergency, and will keep updating the Council as things unfold. She assured them staff is working behind the scenes and are communicating as much as they know when it truly impacts our community.
Public Works Director Dobbins thanked his Public Works staff for all they're doing and gave an update on the Salinas River and bridge; and reported that the Skate Park Phase II the material will be delivered next week.
Interim City Manager Gil thanked the Blue Zones Project for a grant for two park benches that will be installed at Meyer Park.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk