MINUTES
JOINT GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUDGET MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2023
5:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 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 Absent
Liz Silva Council/Agency Member Present
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency Member Present
Maria Orozco Council/Agency Member Present
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Administrative Assistant II Esthela Palmerin, Administrative Assistant Marisol Gomez, Fire Chief Jason Muscio, and Police Chief Keith Wise.
* Successor Agency Item
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.
Henry Martinez announced to be back on the 4th of July parade giving out toys to kids. He requested recognition for the 28 years of toy donation to different agencies.
Roman Barba, 23 Second Street, brought the issue of catering trucks loading in front of stores instead of using the back area to not be in anybody’s way.
CONSENT AGENDA
3. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-37, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Establishing the Appropriations Subject to Limit for the City of Gonzales for the 2023- 2024 Fiscal Year
4. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-38, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Certifying Compliance with State Law with Respect to the Levying of General and Special Taxes, Assessments, and Property Related Fees and Charges
5. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-53, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving the Measure ‘K’ Oversight Committee’s Recommended List of Services and Programs to be Funded with Tax Proceeds Received from the Measure ‘K’ Transition and Use Tax During Fiscal Year 2023-2024, Including Funding Allocations Council Member Silva pulled Item 5. Regarding the Senior and Adult Program, she asked what the intel is or provide and is it separate from the Senior Discount Program.
City Manager Gil explained the program being part of the Measure K funding, providing for the adult program to check in on our senior citizens.
City Manager Gil explained City staff made calls to notify the senior citizens of the program and assessed needs.
City Manager Gil conferment that other senior citizens senior citizen programs would continue.
Council Member Worthy verified that funding needs to be for senior citizens.
City Manager Gil confirmed the funding from Measure K being specific to senior citizens and clarified the program as being part of Measure K.
Council Member Silva asked about Olinga Wings of Knowledge Youth STEM Program, if it is still a needed program and is there a presentation for it involving $20,000 on the budget.
City Manager Gil confirmed the program is still going with our youth members and will ask them to present updates at an upcoming meeting.
Council Member Silva asked what fund is used to pay the facilitator of Gonzales youth council, is it a separate contract?
City Manager Gil explained the fund being part of Measure K.
Council Member Silva inquired about T-Mobile Hotspots; will the program still continue to be covered by the American Rescue plan for another year. If so, do they need to be listed as part of Measure K?
Finance Director Howard notified of the Hotspots not being part of the Measure K. The American Rescue plan funded them last year.
Council Member Silva asked about 3 positions for the fire department to be included in the Measure K matrix instead of the fire department funding? Finance Director Howard explained why the 3 positions for fire were included on the Measure K matrix explaining that there are not sufficient funds in our general account.
City Manager Gil included the use of Measure K in different areas due to it being established by the City voters to support City programing.
Council Member Silva requested for Item 6 on the org chart, to correct her position with Pro Mayor Scott Funk, and correction on PD with some of the missing names, as well as for the Fire Department.
City Manager Gil clarified this item to be a work in progress as well.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: There was none.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco ABSENT: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
REGULAR AGENDA
6. Consider Approval of 1) Resolution No. 2023-39, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Adopting an Operating Budget for the City for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 and providing for the Appropriations and Expenditures of All Sums Set Forth Therein, and 2) Resolution No. SA-2023-02, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Acting as Successor Agency for the Gonzales Redevelopment Agency Approving and Adopting a Successor Agency Budget for the Period Between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 Staff Report: City Manager Gil and Finance Director Howard presented the Budget.
Public Comment: Henry Martinez commented on the non-necessary spendings, gave an example about the Chief of Police to not travel out of State, and the Captain and Chief to also be included on patrol. He said there is not enough patrolling on the north side of town.
Council Discussion: Council Member Worthy had questions on the organizational chart, on the position for Assistant to City Manager and Deputy City Manager positions. If they are not fulfilled, there is no need to have them on the org chart. She also suggested taking a closer look in the Recreation Department and maybe overlap of some of the positions.
City Manager Gil mentioned the org chart will be looked at.
Council Member Silva asked about the tax slowdown.
Finance Director Howard explained why.
Finance Director Howard clarified the for both Measure K and Measure X. He also explained the COLA is already projected in the system.
Mayor Rios suggested planning for future expenses and looking at increasing assessments.
Council Member Worthy had questions about a measure on sales tax to be included in the 2024 Election.
*
Finance Director Howard confirmed of the measure to be added on the 2024 election limiting local jurisdictions to raise taxes.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0] Resolution No. 2023-39
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco, Liz Silva, Council Member ABSENT: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0] Resolution No. SA-2023-02
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Agency Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Agency Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco, Liz Silva, Council Member ABSENT: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:24 PM.
ATTEST:
Carmen Gil, City Manager/City Clerk