MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 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
Council Member Silva led the flag salute.
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/AgencyMember Present
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS
Excused absence: Luke Naegle and Aliyah Castillo.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez (via zoom), Community Development Director Taven Kinison Brown, Finance Director Mike Howard, 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, Police Chief Keith Wise, and Fire Chief Jason Muscio.
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/82146330729 or call 1 (669) 900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 821 4633 0729. 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.
Roman Barba commented about the fireworks problem in his neighborhood and garage sales with no permits. He suggested charging people for garage sales for revenue generating; elaborated on business parking problems, and catering trucks issues.
Henry Martinez Jr. commented about the talk of the 4th of July incident; he stood by the Fire Chief and expressed his support for him; he talked about being the property owner’s obligation to clean their yards to prevent fires; suggested enforcing this issue around town and to make it mandatory for all residents to avoid blaming the City who are doing their jobs; and said several homes had lots of garbage in their yards regardless of the community clean up days we have.
Henry Martinez Sr. commented about officers not being helpful or polite; issues with the captain; City continuing the hiring of officers; and suggested treating everyone fair.
CONSENT AGENDA
3. Approve the Joint City Council, Successor Agency, and Planning Commission - Regular Meeting - July 17, 2023 Minutes
4. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #48914-48968
5. Consider Approval of an Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County for the Allocation of Funding Approved by the Transportation Agency Board of Directors; and Authorize the City Manager to Sign the Agreement
6. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-55, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving a Contract with Axon Enterprises, Inc for 5 Years Not to Exceed $7,800 Per Year for the Purchase of Taser™ Equipment and Service Contract
7. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-56, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving A Property Tax Transfer for the Proposed Gloria Road Agricultural Cooler Reorganization Involving Annexation of 48.97 Acres to the City of Gonzales and Detachment from the Monterey County Resource Conservation District and Gonzales Rural Fire Protection District
8. Consider Approval of an Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and Kutak Rock, LLP for Bond Counsel Services for the Community Center Complex Project, and Authorize the City Manager to Sign it
*
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 3-8
MOVER: Maria Orozco, 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. 2023-57, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Declaring the Critical Need to Authorize GIS Plumbing, Inc. to Replace the Heater at the Community Pool for a Not-To-Exceed Cost of $81,600
City Manager Gil pulled item 9 for further discussion.
Public Works Director Dobbins elaborated on the pool heater issue.
After discussion, it was the Council's consensus to direct staff to look at other options and bring this item back to the Council at a future meeting.
RESULT: TABLED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Item 9
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
REGULAR AGENDA
10. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-139, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Establishing and Implementing By-District Elections (Government Code Section 34886 and Election Code Section 10010) Staff Report: City Attorney Rodriquez presented the staff report.
Mayor Rios opened the public hearing at 6:27pm.
Public Comment: Henry Martinez Sr. thanked the Council for voting for this, and wanted to make sure people keep their signs in their own district to avoid confusing voters.
Henry Martinez Jr. said he was coming back in 2026 to run for his district.
Roman Barba commented on campaign signs and suggested they are kept in the person's own district.
Mayor Rios closed the public hearing at 6:31pm.
Council Discussion: Council Member Worthy clarified that the ballots will only have the names of the people running for that specific district, not everyone's names. There was also discussion about limiting the number of signs.
City Attorney Rodriquez indicated that he would look into the posting signs issues, and said there was time to make adjustments to any kind of signage requirements before the 2024 election.
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
11. State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Grant Application to Fully Fund the Construction of Certain Improvements to Extend City Water and Sewer Service to Alpine Camp Mayor Pro Tem Funk recused himself from this item due to having a family member living there/ Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: There was general discussion regarding water connection and separate water meters.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco RECUSED: Scott Funk
12. Consider Approval of the Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Programs Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: There was none.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
13. Water and Sewer Rate Study Workshop
Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Alison Lechowicz, Lechowicz and Tseng Municipal Consultants, presented via powerpoint presentation and gave a background, went over Proposition 218, FY 2024 water cost of service analysis, current monthly water rates, proposed water rate adjustments, proposed water meter fees, meter size survey, proposed water volume rates, water rate survey and typical bills, sewer cost of service analysis, review of current sewer rates, sewer rate design, proposed sewer rates, sewer rate survey, average water and sewer utility bill, and rate study schedule.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: There was none.
The Council received the presentation. No action required.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
14. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios reported there was no meeting last month.
b. Mayor Selection Committee
Mayor Rios reported on the meeting that was moved up a week and meeting with Speaker Robert Rivas.
c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva announced the next meeting August 17th at 6:00pm, and the Annual Employee meeting August 18th.
d. Measure K Oversight Committee
Council Member Worthy announced the next meeting this Wednesday at 5:30pm. e. South Salinas Valley Broadband Authority
City Manager Gil reported on the meeting last Thursday where they heard an update on potential funding opportunities.
15. Oral Communications
Council Member Orozco thanked Chiefs Wise and Muscio and their staff for the National Night Out, which was a great event, and announced the Rotary Golf Tournament this Saturday. She said they were looking for donations for silent auction items.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk thanked staff for all they do, which is what makes Gonzales great.
Council Member Worthy talked about how the garbage on the homes, grown weeds, etc. are a bad reflection. She agreed that was the responsibility of the homeowner and said we need to address this issue. She hoped we can find something we can do about this. She thanked the Police and Fire Departments for the great National Night Out event.
Council Member Silva thanked staff for the National Night Out event and she had a great time.
She reminded everyone about the Monterey County Fair coming up on August 24th- 27thand asked people to support Gonzales youth.
Mayor Rios talked about the traffic on Fifth Street and the encroachment permit sign. He also said he spoke to the City Manager about illegal sheds code violations and dead trees. He said the football team would be of great help since they’re looking for things to do.
Mayor Rios thanked Jean Salcido for the trips she puts together for the youth and thanked Public Works staff for painting the crosswalks, and also appreciated the safe routes to school.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
16. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil talked about enjoying the circus this past weekend. She also informed about the letters that went out to businesses regarding the parklets. She informed staff will have an update on Valdez Auto permit at the next meeting. She also informed about staff's proposal to submit a small grant to fund portion of a drone. She also informed Wings of Knowledge will be presenting at the next meeting on what they're working on, and there will also be an update on the 6th Cycle Housing Element at a joint meeting staff is planning to have with the Planning Commission. The proposed start time will be 5:00pm, but Mary will be following up to get everyone's availability.
She reminded the Council about tomorrow's joint meeting with the School Board at 5:30pm at the High School.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown reported on the draft housing strategy presentation planned for August 21st.
Public Works Director Dobbins reported on the bid opening on the truck bans signs on Fifth Street, and landscaping contract. He thanked the front office staff for the payment plans arranged regarding the water bills.
Fire Chief Muscio announced the hiring of a new Firefighter Daniel Escobar and will introduce him at a future meeting.
Mayor Rios asked if there was an update on the fire investigation.
Fire Chief Muscio responded he spoke to CalFire who are putting their information together.
Police Chief Wise reported on the contacts with the businesses regarding parking.
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.
17. The City Council will recess to Closed Session to meet with its designated representative, Mike Howard, regarding labor relations matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 The Employee Group is the International Fire Fighters Local 5388.
Council consulted with and provided direction to its labor negotiator Mike Howard. No other reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jose L. Rios, Mayor
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk