MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL,
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY,
AND
PLANNING COMMISSION
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.
1. ROLL CALL - City Council/Successor Agency
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
ROLL CALL - Planning Commission
Attendee Name Title Status
Gloria Velasquez Chair Present
Ernesto Mancera Chair Pro Tem Excused
Myrna Morales Commissioner Present
Adrian Paco Commissioner Absent
Tencia Vargas Commissioner Present
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS
Luke Naegle and Aliyah Castillo.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Community Development Director Taven Kinison Brown, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Mary Villegas, Administrative Assistant II Marisol Gomez, 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/84711350496 or call 1 (669) 900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 847 1135 0496. 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]
JOINT ITEM WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION
2. 2022 Draft General Plan Annual Progress Report to be Submitted to the State of California Housing and Community Development Department.
Staff Report: Community Development Director Kinison Brown presented the staff report via powerpoint presentation explaining the City’s responsibility to make annual reports to the State of California regarding the progress in implementing the City's General Plan.
Public Comment: Henry Martinez Sr. shared his concern about having retail in the middle of the subdivision and suggested having them on the other side of the bridge by the freeway to attract more people.
Rosa Rodriguez commented about shopping in Soledad because things here are pricy; more things to do in Soledad; things not being done in the City; hoped elected officials keep their promises; and hoped developers look at what doesn't work now so when they plan subdivisions things work.
Roman Barba agreed with Mr. Martinez about not having businesses on Fifth Street because of traffic congestion, and suggested the other side of town.
The Council and Commission received the presentation and had a general discussion. No action required.
3. 2023 Housing Element Strategy
Staff Report: Community Development Director Kinison Brown presented the staff report.
Jane Riley, 4LEAF Director of Housing Policy, presented information via powerpoint on the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing new law, sites inventory requirements, rezoning for adequate site, policy options, potential new programs, and next steps.
Marisela Martinez, 4LEAF Associate Planner, went over the community engagement and community opinion survey preliminary results that were provided in English and Spanish.
Public Comment: Rosa Rodriguez commented about being disappointed by the planning as a voter; illegal things around town; more parking issues with ADUs; lacking services; public comments not taken into consideration; and not wanting to vote again because she feels she's not listened to.
Council/Commission Discussion: The Commission and Council Members reassured the public that they do listen to the community, projects keep continuing, and they understand the citizens because they also live in the City and see the issues in the community. They were doing their due diligence on the issues, but there are things that are out of their control and can't happen overnight, but they're trying to do what's best for the community.
Staff was given feedback and direction to work with the consultants on what the best practices are for the different options under staff’s recommendation.
The joint Council and Planning Commission was adjourned at 6:35pm.
ADJOURN TO REGULAR COUNCIL-SA MEETING
The Council reconvened to the regular Council and Successor Agency meeting at 6:40pm.
PRESENTATIONS
4. Wings of Knowledge Update
Vahid Motazedian, Olinga Group, introduced all of the members. They shared a powerpoint presentation and explained the recent accomplishments, partnerships, past and current projects, summer activities, and the opportunities ahead.
The Council congratulated Mr. Motazedian and the youth for a job well done and shared some ideas for future projects.
Mayor Rios moved Item 17 to be discussed at this point.
17. Progress Report on the Community Center Complex Project Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Allison Otto, Otto Construction, gave a brief history of the company, introduced the design-build team, and explained a brief snapshot of the schedule.
Branden Harrell, WRNS Studio, explained the schedule, design development, site plan, and the buildings.
Public Comment: Rosa Rodriguez suggested having a bigger hall and losing the amphitheater, and was happy about the teen center and the rest of the buildings going there because this was something that has been planned for a long time.
Roman Barba talked about the hall being small and suggested cutting something else to make it bigger, and shared his concern about the restrooms.
Gloria Velasquez commented about the rooms looking small and if we’re having this center forever, it should be bigger.
Henry Martinez Sr. didn't agree with an amphitheater due to different weather the whole year and suggested removing it to have more space in the hall.
Council Discussion: There was discussion regarding the size of the hall, suggestion of a bigger hall, butler building, donation for amphitheater portion of the project, construction cost increase, operation and maintenance costs, and looking at the fitness center as a future phase and putting that money in the community hall.
It was the Council's consensus to direct staff to take all the information back and work with the contractor and come back to the Council.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
5. 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. thanked the Mayor and Council Member Silva for treating him like a citizen, and commented about the need to fix Police Officers attitudes and treat people better.
Roman Barba commented about parking issues and never seeing Officers patrol or enforce the two-hour parking; and the park next to the pool being full of weeds.
Rosa Rodriguez requested a meeting she has been asking to be on the agenda regarding Meyer Park which would be a follow-up to a meeting held a year ago to talk about what the City can and can’t do.
CONSENT AGENDA
6. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - August 7, 2023 Minutes
7. Approve Successor Agency Accounts Payable Warrant #1681
8. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #48969-49058
9. City Manager’s Report
10. Community Development Department Activity Report
11. Community Engagement & Recreation Departments Activity Report
12. Fire Department Activity Report
13. Police Department Activity Report
14. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report
15. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Monterey’s Assessor Office for the City to Receive Parcel Records for Use in the City’s GIS Program
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
REGULAR AGENDA
16. Consider Approval of an Encroachment Permit to Allow Valdez Auto Sales to Use a Portion of Alta Street Right-of-Way to Display Additional Vehicles for Sale and Determine the Cost for the Annual Encroachment Permit, and the Cost Sharing for Installation of the Appropriate Traffic Control Measures
This item was pulled from the agenda.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
City Manager Gil asked the Mayor if he could move Oral Communications from the Youth Commissioners so they could go home since it was late and it was school night.
Mayor Rios asked the Commissioners for any updates.
There were no updates from the Youth Commissioners.
18. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. League of California Cities Monterey Bay Division
Mayor Rios announced the Annual League Conference in September and mentioned that Council Member Orozco will be attending.
b. Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
No report.
c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy announced the next meeting on September 11th and reported on information regarding the signage of the buses which will be included in the utility bills next month.
d. City & School Joint Steering Committee
City Manager Gil reported on the meeting held on August 8th.
19. Oral Communications
Council Member Orozco asked everyone to be careful since school was back in session and announced the St. Theodore’s Church Carnival on October 8th. She also asked Council Member Worthy for MST bus flyers so she can pass it out to the apartments. She also asked for an update on the business loans that were issued some time ago and if payments have been made that the City can utilize for business facade programs.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk elaborated on the sign that has been fading and has been in degrade for a few years, and asked if staff can take a look at that. He also mentioned in regards to the Meyer Park item that was brought up, we had a meeting about a year or so ago at Meyer Park and all of those items have been brought up to the Council under staff reports and have been addressed by the Council.
Council Member Silva reminded everyone about the Monterey County Fair Livestock Show starting this Thursday through Saturday and encouraged everyone to cheer the Gonzales Youth.
She announced the Monterey County Fair August 31st- September 4th.
Council Member Worthy reminded everyone about the Food Pantry this Friday at 8am.
Mayor Rios elaborated on the meeting with PG&E and the developers regarding future growth in our community.
City Manager Gil added Mr. Culligan informed her and Mayor Rios that D.R. Horton had pulled out of the purchase of the land, and they were still looking and came back to the City saying if the City could do 3% of affordable housing, they will do it.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
20. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil informed the pool is open Saturdays for rec swim because of the hot weather, and the soccer registration is out as well.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown informed of a grant application submitted to AMBAG.
Public Works Director Dobbins reported on the meeting he had with the arborist regarding the trees; bid openings for Landscape Maintenance and Fifth Street signs; Meyer Park assessment district needs assessment; and $4,000 grant from the American Public Works Association.
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.
21. The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(A) to confer with its Attorney regarding pending litigation which has been initiated formally and to which the City is a party: Claim of Doughty.
The Council conferred with its Attorney, voted to reject the claim, and provided direction. No other reportable action taken.
22. The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(A) to confer with its Attorney regarding pending litigation which has been initiated formally and to which the City is a party: Claim of McCormick.
The Council conferred with its Attorney, voted to reject the claim, and provided direction. No other reportable action taken.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Items 21 and 22
MOVER: Jose L. Rios, Mayor
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco ABSENT: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
ADJOURNMENT
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 The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk