MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 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 Present
Scott Funk Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Present
Liz Silva Council/Agency Member Present
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency Member Present
Maria Orozco Council/Agency Member Present
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS
Sherlyn Flores and Luke Naegle.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Trevin W. Barber, 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 II Marisol Gomez, 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/81414768842 or call 1-1669-900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 814 1476 8842. 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 the day of the meeting 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.
There was one.
CONSENT AGENDA
3. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - March 20, 2023 Minutes
Council Member Silva abstained from Item 3 due to being absent at that meeting.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Item 3
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco ABSTAIN: Liz Silva
4. Approve the City Council - Special Meeting - March 23, 2023 Minutes
5. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #48353-48401
6. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Willdan Financial Services Not-to-Exceed $7,500 to Prepare a Single-Focus Impact Fee Study and Determine an In-Lieu Fee Formula for Mitigating the Conversion of Agricultural Lands to NonAgricultural Uses in the Vista Lucia Specific Plan Project Area and City Annexation Areas
7. Consider Awarding a Contract for Financial Feasibility Services to Keyser Marston Associates, Inc., on an Hourly Not-to-Exceed Basis Based on Developer Reimbursement, for a Total Performance Period of up to Three (3) Years; Awarding a Contract for Financial Feasibility Services to Willdan Financial Services, on an Hourly Not-to-Exceed Basis Based on Developer Reimbursement, for a Total Performance Period of up to Three (3) Years; and Awarding a Contract for Financial Feasibility Services to Harris & Associates Inc., on an Hourly Not-toExceed Basis Based on Developer Reimbursement, for a Total Performance Period of up to Three (3) Years
8. Authorize the City Manager to Enter Into an Agreement with California Consulting, LLC. to Provide Grant Writing Services for Various Grants, on an as-Needed Basis (Cost: Per Grant and Not-to-Exceed Basis of $100,000)
RESULT: TABLED [UNANIMOUS] Item 8
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
9. Authorize the City Manager, or his Designees, to Execute an Agreement for Budget and Planning Software with OpenGov for a Total Cost of $69,078 over Three Fiscal Years, and Make Minor Modifications as Appropriate Thereto, on Behalf of the City Council Member Orozco pulled Items 7 and 9. She asked if the proposals are going to be three separate proposals for this item. And if part of this process is going to be something that the Housing Ad Hoc Committee Members will be a part of once the proposals are received.
For Item 7, City Manager Barber responded that staff decided that it might be best to have all three on the shelf in a qualified list of vendors, so that when we know more about DR Horton's proposal, we would be able to pick and choose from those three and which ones best match the needs of the DR Horton site. In regards to the second question, he responded that the DR Horton Affordable Housing Ad Hoc Committee will be able to review those proposals and be a part of meeting the team that is going to assist and figure out an affordable housing plan for that site when DR Horton first submits their reimbursement agreement.
Mayor Rios pulled Item 8 for further discussion.
He asked if there was a track record and if this was the only person that was looked at. He was curious because if they are going to spend this kind of money, he wanted to able to know what the factors were, like number of applications, and would like that information before moving forward.
City Manager Barber responded that he didn’t have the exact numbers but staff received proposals to our request for proposals solicitation, California Consulting, BKF Engineers, and Siegfried. Staff reviewed all of the consultants and checked references, and California Consulting had the winning score. He said he didn’t know the number and he would be happy to come back and provide that.
Mayor Rios asked if it was imperative that we pass it tonight.
City Manager Barber responded he can check with the consultant if they'd be willing to work with staff on the timeline, but he believed there was one of the grants that's in April.
Mayor Rios asked how soon it was due.
City Manager Barber responded he’ll get back to him on that.
In regards to Item 9, Council Member Orozco asked if this was a new software program that's going to enhance what we already have and if staff consulted with Green’s Accounting services to do more research on this new software program, or was it a new software program.
City Manager Barber responded yes, our accounting software system doesn't meet the needs of staff for understanding reporting on budget, and this system will provide staff the ability to quickly and efficiently keep track of budget expenses, and revenues. And yes, staff consulted with Green’s Accounting on the potential acquisition.
Council Member Silva asked if this new software will require an upgraded server.
City Manager Barber responded this software will not require that.
Council Member Orozco asked if we went out to bid for this.
City Manager Barber responded no. He said staff is relying on the procurement form Watsonville who just signed a contract with them a year ago, and other documents provided by other Cities.
Council Member Orozco asked if it was working for other cities.
City Manager Barber responded yes.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
REGULAR AGENDA
10. Introduce, Waive Reading, and Read by Title Only Ordinance No. 2023-136, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Adding New Chapter 12.150 – Agricultural Resource Mitigation to Title 12 – Zoning Regulations, Part 5, Regulations Applying in All Districts Staff Report: Community Development Director Kinison Brown presented the staff report via powerpoint presentation, which consisted on the introduction of the components of the draft ordinance, attention to key issues such as description of five options for compliance, providing for in-lieu fees in keeping with the 2014 MOA with the County of Monterey, and confirming the timing of when mitigation is required in keeping with the General Plan. He elaborated on the public comments received from the Agricultural Land Trust, the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner's Office, Monterey County Housing and Community Development Department, Pembrook Development for the Vista Lucia Specific Plan Project, concerned citizen, and LAFCO.
He added the Council had copies of the letters before them tonight.
Mayor Rios opened the public hearing at 6:54pm.
Public Hearing: Mike Novo mentioned he submitted a letter today, and was also here to represent the Ag Land Trust, and he is one of the Board of Directors. He commented about the ordinance being a good start but didn't think it gets the City where they want to be as a City; it doesn't meet all the City goals; he doesn't think the ordinance will provide clear direction for any development that involves LAFCO actions; he doesn't think it will provide sufficient mitigation under the California Environmental Quality Act; and exemption of a lot of things from the requirements for mitigation.
He thought this ordinance will drive up the cost of housing and there is an issue with property owners when submitting an application to change the zoning or develop their land. He asked the Council to direct staff to work along with the County's effort.
Glenn Pace, Pembrook Development Manager, said they were the developers of the Vista Lucia Project. He talked about recognizing the value of the agricultural industry in this valley and being 100% in support of the efforts that are taking place with this ordinance; appreciating staff working with them and accepting input and comments; without the in-lieu fee, Vista Lucia won't happen; and being generally in support of the ordinance as presented this evening. He said he would like to make a presentation to the Council on their affordability program for Vista Lucia and elaborated on the percentage of the homes of the arena requirements.
Katharine Hardt-Mason, Pembrook Land Use Attorney, echoed Mr. Pace’s comments and appreciated the opportunity and how cooperative everyone was working together with Pembrook on this ordinance, which serves the purposes of development very well.
Mayor Rios closed the public hearing at 7:02pm.
Council Discussion: There was none.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
11. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios reported on the long discussion they had on the future projects. b. Mayor Selection Committee
Mayor Rios announced the next meeting this Friday.
c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva announced the next meeting on April 20th where they will be reviewing the next fiscal year's budget.
d. Measure K Oversight Committee
Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Director Gil reported they met in March and will be meeting again in May.
e. South Salinas Valley Broadband Authority
No report.
12. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioner Naegle reported that the Superintendent asked the GYC to evaluate the food options at the school and give her feedback; and they’ll be meeting with the other construction team regarding the Community Center where they will give them feedback on the Youth Innovation Center.
Council Member Orozco reported on the School Board meeting she and Council Member Worthy attended as members of City's Housing Ad Hoc Committee, and told them they would be working with developers, and they also heard a presentation by DR Horton. She said it was nice to hear the different reports that the administrators and principals are doing on the various activities taking place at the school. She also reported on some farm worker families beginning to receive the $600 USDA grants she mentioned some time ago, and said there's still such a tremendous need for assistance for rent and utilities. She thanked Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Director Gil and the Community Health Workers for all their hard work and continuing the efforts of getting information to the families.
Council Member Silva announced the Hall of Fame event on April 29th at the Amaral Ranch where they will be honoring the 1971 Football Team and 1975 Basketball Team and some other individuals. She also announced the Salinas Valley Fair taking place May 18th- 21st.
Mayor Rios thanked both Council Members Orozco and Worthy for attending that meeting. He brought up a couple of concerns, one was loud music not only at night but during the day and he has received comments from a number of people including seniors. He asked if we can do something about it and maybe changing the ordinance since it continues to happen. He said the other thing is the catering trucks and ice cream trucks parking on the streets and not getting cited.
He wondered if the Council would like to change the ordinance a little bit.
Police Chief Wise elaborated on the loud music ordinance and enforcement.
Council Member Orozco shared the City of Salinas’ experience when she worked there, where they tried everything and anything with catering trucks parking on public streets, which was a big issue, especially when they parked right in front of a restaurant. She said what they did was not working at all, so it because a real issue for the business community. She would like to find out what the other South County cities were doing to deal with these situations.
Mayor Rios liked that idea. He asked staff if they can find out what the other cities were doing.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk suggested staff getting this information and bring it back as an agendized item.
Mayor Rios mentioned that the Football Coach told him about the Football Team's intention to participate in the community in any activities, so if they have ideas they can let the coach know.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
13. Oral Communications
City Manager Barber mentioned he's in his third month with the City and he's starting to introduce himself to the businesses by walking blocks. He met the gentleman from the Fogs End Distillery, and they came out with a new product which will be released to the public next month. He highlighted they are one of the finalists in one of the award categories for the state, so we not just have award winning champagne in Gonzales, but potentially going to be an award-winning gin producer also.
Public Works Director Dobbins reported that the Pilot Bike Lane Project will be implemented this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
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.
14. The City Council will recess to closed session to consider personnel matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(B)(1) - City Manager Evaluation.
The Council engaged in the evaluation process. No other reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk