MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 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 (arrived at 6:15pm).
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, Administrative Assistant II Esthela Palmerin, Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins, 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/83143256747 or call 1 (669) 900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 831 4325 6747. 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]
PRESENTATIONS
2. Certificates of Recognition to the Gonzales High School Girls Soccer Team Mayor Rios and Mayor Pro Tem Funk presented the certificates of recognition to the Girls Soccer Team and Coaches, as well as free pizza vouchers from Luigi’s Restaurant.
Coach Tejeda thanked the Council for recognizing the girls' skills and sportsmanship because they worked really hard this season.
3. Vista Lucia Specific Plan Conceptual Affordable Housing Plan Mayor Rios announced they were waiting for an additional audience member to attend so the presentation will start once that person is here.
This item was presented after Agenda Item 16.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
4. 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.
Bob Krauth, 703 Colombard Circle, congratulated the City for being one of the top 20 cities in the Country particularly in regards to the young people and what we've been doing with our kids.
He’s looking forward to June to see if we make it to the top 10.
Ana Cortez, Gonzales Resident, asked if there was a way she could pay for parking because of the parking issues in town. She wanted to know if there was a possibility that she can pay on a monthly basis for parking in front of her home. She knows it's public, but wanted to know if she could pay parking because of privacy, and she has heard other counties do that.
Mayor Rios thanked her for her comments and mentioned that the Council was not allowed to comment or respond at this time because it's under public comment, and they can comment only on agendized items.
Guadalupe Carrasco, 480 South Alta Street, commented about the Police Department's intentions for stalking, harassing or attempting to intimidate him. He said Bowen and Rivas were constantly finding him somewhere, and he brought it up to the Chief in 2017. He commented about having a witness; filing a complaint; cops being everywhere, and knowing where he's at when he has his phone on; cops at night by the winery; questioned why they're at certain locations; and family members being affected.
Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, commented about having a complaint against Officer Bowen and discrimination not belonging in our community; being one of the ones affected; parking eliminated due to the Safe Routes to School project; leaving messages for City staff and not getting a call back; social media and web pages not being updated like the City of Soledad who are doing a better way of communicating with their residents; and understanding they're understaffed and some people are doing multiple jobs because we had a high turnover at the Police Department and City Hall, and they need to figure out why that's happening.
Jose Torres, via zoom, wanted to comment on the presentation, Item 2.
Mayor Rios told him he can comment when we get to that item.
CONSENT AGENDA
5. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - April 3, 2023 Minutes
6. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #48402-48459
7. Community Development Department Activity Report
8. Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Activity Report
9. Fire Department Activity Report
10. Police Department Activity Report
11. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report
12. Recreation Department Activity Report
13. 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
14. Consider Approval of the Co-Sponsorship of the 2023 Special Events Organized by Various Local Community Groups: 1) Día del Niño, Sponsored by Grupo Unidos on or About April 30th at Central Park; 2) Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Sponsored by the LUDA on or About May 5th at Central Park; and 3) Fourth of July Celebration, Sponsored by the Gonzales Rotary, on or About July 4th at Central Park
15. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-14, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing Staff to Submit a Formal Loan Application to the US Department of Agriculture for Partial Funding of the First Phase of the Community Center Project Mayor Rios announced the City Manager informed him that Item 15 needs to be pulled.
Council Member Worthy pulled Items 11 and 13.
Mayor Rios asked if anyone from the public wanted to pull an item.
Rosa Rodriguez pulled Item 11.
Council Member Silva pulled Item 6.
Council Member Silva asked if the Pilot Program was going to be funded entirely by TAMC or are they reimbursing to the City the $541 that shows on the flyer in the water bills.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded yes. This has been already forwarded to TMC for payment out of the Safe Routes to School Project.
*
In regards to Item 11, Council Member Worthy asked on the timeline for the MST bus shelter installation.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded that staff didn’t have a timeline yet and are waiting on them bringing the consultant on board.
In regards with the Fifth Street Pilot program, she mentioned she has received a lot of phone calls about this project where vehicles can't get through because they are larger vehicles. She was concerned about emergency vehicles and no parking for the American Legion Hall. She asked if it isn't working, if we can pull it sooner than the three-month timeline.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded yes, staff can make some adjustments and can come back to the Council prior to the planned July 17th meeting.
Council Member Worthy preferred to address it sooner than June, but would like to hear how the rest of the Council feels.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk suggested maybe bringing it back at one of the May meetings.
Rosa Rodriguez shared her concerns about ADA compliance and needing to have handicap spots for easier access to the Legion Hall.
Council Member Silva also shared the concerns she has heard as well such as emergency vehicles and not having many cyclists in town. She said she personally doesn’t like it.
It was the Council’s consensus to direct staff to bring it back in May.
In regards to Item 13, Council Member Worthy asked if the City Attorney has reviewed this contract since a lot of the contracts have to be reviewed by the City Attorney, and since this one was $100,000.
City Manager Barber responded that staff used the template that’s on file, so it's the standardized template, and all the insurance requirements indemnification, all of the standard deal points for our standard consulting agreements are in place for this agreement.
City Attorney Rodriquez mentioned that this agreement originally came in their standard form contract and it was suggested that we move it over to our standard template, and the only thing is that the last staff report indicated was that this is going to be a month to month agreement and he didn’t see that referenced in the staff report that accompanied this, but it was his understanding once it had been changed, they might make this a month to month basis, each grant will be assigned by way of a separate task order so that Council and staff have control.
Council Member Worthy asked the City Manager if this was a month-to-month contract.
City Manager Barber responded that the contract’s original form, and what the form that the consultant prefers is a month-to-month retainer basis. Staff under initial consultation, tried that format with a different consultant and didn't find it fruitful or productive for the City. So, for this format for this new consultant, we went through the process of saying let's not do a month a month, let's do it on a grant basis that way we know exactly what the efforts are and how many hours are put into this, and we can track return on investment a lot more easily. He added as Mike had mentioned, it's going to be on a per grant basis and they have a fee schedule described in the agreement and he can go into more details if preferred.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 5-14
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco Mayor Rios said they will move on to the next Item 16 since the person they were waiting for the presentation had not arrived.
City Manager Barber asked for Item 15 to be discussed next since it was pulled from Consent Agenda and it needs to be on Regular Agenda.
Mayor Rios asked if we could do that since it was pulled and it was the case in the past when an item is pulled, we can’t put it back now. He asked the City Attorney if we could do that.
City Attorney Rodriquez also thought it was pulled from the consent calendar all together.
Mayor Rios added because it's not agendized as an action item, then we would have to obviously pull it and then come back and agendize it at a future meeting.
City Manager Barber asked if it would be okay to consult with Patrick who has been in contact with USDA to mention the importance of putting it on the regular versus the consent calendar.
Public Works Director Dobbins mentioned the USDA loan process that we're going through for the Community Center requires a noticed public meeting and staff inadvertently placed this item on Consent Agenda when it should have been on the Regular Agenda, so that’s what staff is trying to slide it over to the Regular Agenda.
City Attorney Rodriquez asked if this was a noticed public hearing.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded this was a noticed public meeting, not a public hearing. They had public noticing requirements for this public meeting that was in the paper on April 5th and it was noticed where we post Council agendas.
City Attorney Rodriquez mentioned it was okay to move it to the Regular Agenda.
Item 15 was moved to Regular Agenda
REGULAR AGENDA
15. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-14, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing Staff to Submit a Formal Loan Application to the US Department of Agriculture for Partial Funding of the First Phase of the Community Center Project Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, commented about the time she was in the Recreation Commission, and they were trying to form a nonprofit group to start seeing money for this Community Center and we still don’t have a Community Center. She talked about supporting applying for loans and grants for the community center and maintenance of the parks; and wanting to see the progress of the project; and wanted to know how much money was being raised.
Council Discussion: Council Member Worthy said the arrows staff put to tell the progress was not working and shared the idea of the thermometer which people can visually see like United Way does.
Mayor Rios agreed and suggested getting this moving.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Item 15
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco Council Member Orozco asked for clarification and point of order under presentation Item 3 for the Vista Lucia Specific Plan. She knew there were folks here in the audience who were waiting to hear the plan presentation and she asked if there was a reason for the delay, if it was one of the presenters.
City Manager Barber responded that the request came from the presenters themselves to wait for Supervisor Lopez to join.
Council Member Orozco asked if he was on his way or if he’ll be joining through zoom.
City Manager Barber responded he was on his way.
Council Member Orozco suggested translating this message to let the folks that are here know about it. She asked if she could translate this to the audience.
Mayor Rios responded yes.
Council Member Orozco translated for the Spanish speaking members in the audience.
16. Consider Adoption of 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: City Manager Barber presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Mike Novo, representing the Ag Land Trust, commented about speaking at the last meeting where he submitted correspondence; they don't think this is the right approach for this Ag mitigation as he pointed out the letter he submitted at the last meeting; and pointed out LAFCO also submitted a letter saying they were not subject to the City ordinance.
Rosa Rodriguez asked if they can explain what Ag mitigation is.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown explained in general there are broad policies and specific policies that try to keep agriculture producing food and fiber and growing, and not just lose it to cities that grow and grow. He said there's a financial disincentive most often for converting that land, and that would be what this ordinance is about, if you're going to cover growing agricultural land with other uses, that you protect agricultural land elsewhere by securing an easement so that place continues in production.
Council Discussion: Council Member Silva asked if this Ordinance gets included with the application to LAFCO when it passes.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown responded it's the context of the City's rules set, so upon incorporation, that would be the rules that apply to agricultural mitigation.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk asked for clarification if there were no changes to the ordinance since the first reading.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown responded there were no changes and no additional correspondence.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Item 16
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco At this point, Mayor Rios asked the presenters to continue with the Vista Lucia Specific Plan presentation without Supervisor Lopez since we got to the end of the agenda items already.
3. Vista Lucia Specific Plan Conceptual Affordable Housing Plan Glenn Pace, Pembrook Development Manager, gave a powerpoint presentation explaining the home ownership rates based on population for different States; housing market summary; jobs and housing balance; employees percentages; affordable housing for Gonzales; project site location map; overall land use plan that includes greenway connections, over seven miles of trails, promenades and bikeways; high density apartment concept; small lot detached homes; and regional housing needs allocations.
The Council appreciated Mr. Pace’s tenacity for staying with us for so long and for his continued support, as well as the generosity of the Fanoe family. They looked forward to seeing this project move forward.
Mayor Rios opened public comment.
Rosa Rodriguez thanked Mr. Pace for the great presentation and would like to see a Fire and a Police Department in the plan. She elaborated on the reasons regarding response time.
Elizabeth Ochoa, Soledad Resident, was happy to hear they were moving forward with this project and her family is hoping to move here since she has taught here for 19 years and had to move to Soledad since they couldn’t find a home here. She was also grateful for the low income homes they're providing as well as more schools.
Bob Krauth, 703 Colombard Circle, commented about his wife's family growing up in Gonzales and he’s lived here for a couple of years. He asked if there were walls around it since it looks like that in the picture.
Mr. Pace responded it would be open to everyone and there were no walls.
Chris Lopez, Monterey County Supervisor, expressed he’s fortunate to represent this area on the Board of Supervisors and this comes at a good time for him. He was in San Lucas this morning honoring a teacher for her work, and he got pulled aside by several kids asking when CHISPA is going to build their house. He said we need more houses. He has had several families asking when there is going to be more housing because they want their kids and grandkids to come home to our Valley. He commended the Council for taking on this challenge, and it's going to be hard moving forward. He said there is not a single person who looks like the majority of the people in
our Valley on the LAFCO Board, there’s not a single latino vote on that board, and he knows who the Council is standing for and who they're speaking for. He mentioned it's the people who need this opportunity, and it's a shame that's true, but he sat there last year, made a tough vote voting for housing, for what the people were asking for and it got him tossed off that board. He told the Council as they make this decision, they have his support and he will always support the local choice. This is what our communities need, they need a place to call their own, and it affects mental health, and general health because we don't live in an environment that is safe for us. He shared story about a mother who shared that she had four daughters and was sharing a house with three other families, but did not sleep for eight months because they had to walk through their living room to go to the bathroom and she was afraid because she didn't know the individuals that well, but it was their only opportunity for housing and it cost her mental health issues. He concluded these were the realities in our community and it's not easy, but projects like these makes sense for our community. He thanked the Council for taking on this challenge and he’ll be at their side every step of the way in this effort because it's what our communities need at this time.
Jose Torres, via zoom, Housing Advocate at LandWatch Monterey County, addressed affordable housing, a pressing concern that affects the future development of the City as well as its residents.
He elaborated on the General Plan warning against the City becoming a bedroom community, and the General Plan requiring planning for housing for local workers, not commuters. He went over the General Plan requirements, state law, mix of housing needs, poverty levels percentage, and affordability. He expressed LandWatch’s urgency to the Council to ensure that the Vista Lucia Specific Plan area provides sites with sufficient densities to meet the General Plan requirement for affordability.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
17. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. League of California Cities Monterey Bay Division
No report. In regards to the Mayors Association, he reported on a discussion, since the meeting was cancelled, about Council Members compensation. b. Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
No report.
c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy reported on the disposal of 13 MST Vehicles; Science on Wheels project; Low Carbon Transit Operations Program; free fare zone in Pajaro; and Gonzales decrease in public transportation.
d. City & School Joint Steering Committee
City Manager Barber reminded about the joint meeting scheduled on May 9th hosted at the school.
18. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioner Naegle reported on the meeting with the other contractor regarding feedback on the Community Center, and meeting this Thursday with the school regarding improvements and served food.
Youth Commissioner Flores reported on heading to CSUMB this Friday to be part of the spring showcase where they'll be presenting the Mental Health Project.
Council Member Orozco reminded about the Children Festival on April 30th from 12pm - 5pm, where several agencies will be attending, and thought it's a good opportunity for us as a City to showcase our services and perhaps have a table on the status of the Community Center, and maybe some flyers to get information out to the community. She also reminded about the Cinco
de Mayo event on May 7th which is another opportunity for some of the non-profit groups to have a booth and information for the community. She said Dr. Zamora mentioned at the Rotary meeting about the April 22nd Community Career Day from 9am - 1pm at the High School, and they also discussed the Fourth of July event.
Mayor Rios asked her if she reached out to Football Coach Ramirez if they need volunteers for the Dia del Niño or Cinco de Mayo events.
Council Member Orozco responded yes and she also reached out to Cesar to get the volunteers.
Council Member Silva asked if the bridge had been reopened since she heard from some people.
Police Chief Wise responded it was off and on and Fire Chief Muscio is working with the County Public Works staff to get more information.
Council Member Silva reminded about Earth Day this Saturday, April 22nd, so she asked everyone to do everything they can to reduce, reuse and recycle. She announced the Salinas Valley Fair May 18th- 21st in King City.
Council Member Worthy reminded about the food pantry this Friday. She said someone asked her if we could end this meeting in remembrance of Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is tomorrow and told them she would ask the Council.
In regards to the bike lanes, Mayor Rios mentioned about knowing we don't have that access for emergency vehicles, but noticed it has definitely slowed traffic. He said we’ll discuss this at the next meeting. He thanked everyone for everything they do as he knows these meetings drag on forever but appreciated the presentation and all the numbers, and was looking forward for this project.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
19. Oral Communications
City Manager Barber mentioned that starting with the next activity reports, staff is going to be providing quarterly financial statements in order to be more financially transparent. Staff is also aiming to bring the comprehensive annual financial review to Council on May 1st for consideration. He reminded everyone about the May 9th joint meeting with the School Board, and Earth Day on April 22nd as Council Member Silva mentioned. He said Salinas Valley Recycles has a lot of events listed on their website if the community wants to participate, and they can also get free recycling vouchers and waste disposal vouchers. He also announced the High School is hosting the College and Career Fair for all ages this Saturday. He informed staff will be working closely with the County to make sure we can get timely updates on when the bridge is open.
A moment of silence was observed by all present in remembrance of Holocaust Day.
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.
20. The City Council will recess to closed session to consider personnel matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(B)(1) - City Manager Evaluation.
The City Council did not discuss or take any action on this matter other than to direct that it be continued to the meeting of May 1, 2022.
21. The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 to give instructions to the City's Negotiators regarding negotiations concerning the purchase/sale/exchange/lease of the properties located adjacent to APN: 020-056-004.
Instructions to the negotiators will concern terms, price, and/or terms of payment.
Staff/City negotiator received direction from the City Council. No other reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jose L. Rios, Mayor
SECONDER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk