MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL,
SUCCESSOR AGENCY, AND
GONZALES PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
5:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor Pro Tem Scott Funk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The flag salute was recited by all present.
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Jose L. Rios Mayor/Chair Excused
Scott Funk Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Present
Liz Silva Council/Agency/Board Member Present
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency/Board Member Present
Maria Orozco Council/Agency/Board Member Present
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS
Aliyah Castillo.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Community Development Director Taven Kinison Brown, Finance Director Mike Howard, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Mary Villegas, Administrative Assistant II Esthela Palmerin, Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins, Fire Chief Jason Muscio, and Police Chief Keith Wise. * Successor Agency Item
Financing Authority 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/89372412346 or call 1 (669) 900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 893 7241 2346. 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]
GOAL SETTING SESSION
2. Goal Setting Workshop
Deputy City Clerk Villegas opened the workshop at 5:00pm and it was adjourned to 6:00pm.
ADJOURN TO REGULAR COUNCIL-SA-FA MEETING
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
3. 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., 112 Tenth Street, commented about being happy to go district voting next year and hoped someone represents District 4 who has a mindset how to run a City; Police having too many vehicles; stop paying them to attend meetings; recommended ways to save money for a fire truck and to pay bills; and he will audit the Police Department.
Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, suggested people bring jackets to the Holiday events the City is having to donate to needy people, and commented about being tired of people taking credit for things when everything is a team effort.
CONSENT AGENDA
4. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - November 6, 2023 Minutes
5. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #49420-49462
6. Approve Successor Agency Accounts Payable Warrants #1682-1683
7. City Manager’s Report
8. Community Development Department Activity Report
9. Community Engagement & Recreation Departments Activity Report
10. Fire Department Activity Report
11. Police Department Activity Report
12. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report *
*
13. Review and Accept the 2023 Annual Public Financing Authority Report
14. Receive a Technical Memorandum Regarding Replacement of the Heater at the Community Pool and Direct Staff to Seek Bids to Replace the Heater with the Same Make/Model
15. Authorize Execution of a Subrecipient Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and the County of Monterey to Receive $704,857 in Community Development Block Funding for Phase 1 of the Community Center Complex Project
16. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-68, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Establishing an Additional Public Works Lead Worker Position Focused on Utilities, and Adding it to the Organizational Chart
17. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-69, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Establishing the Job Classification of a Police Officer Recruit Position, Adopting a Job Description, Approving the Classification of a Temporary–Short Term Position, Establishing a Salary for it, and Adjusting the Organizational Chart to Reflect it RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Item 17
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Jose L. Rios
18. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-70, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager to Withdraw the Funding Donated for the Dennis and Janice Caprara Community Center Complex from the Community Foundation Account RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Items 4-16, and 18
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Jose L. Rios
Council Member Worthy pulled Item 17 by mistake. She pulled Item 14 for further discussion.
She commented about the timeline and said her concern was that it was a realistic timeline, but what if there was a glitch or some reason we don't have the heater on time. She asked why we couldn't do this sooner because we talked about this months ago and felt like we wasted time.
Public Works Director Dobbins gave a timeline since the August meeting and recommendations from the pool designer regarding solar power, and said staff coordinated this with the designer and Engie representatives. He indicated staff can compress the schedule and went over the process for when a bid is submitted and a contract is executed. He stated staff understands the urgency of getting the heater replaced but staff some cushion in the timeline.
Council Member Worthy wanted to make sure that was looked at to meet the timeline.
REGULAR AGENDA
19. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2023-67, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Establishing New Water and Sewer Rates for Calendar Years 2024 Through 2028 Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Allison Lechowicz, Lechowicz & Tseng, presented via presentation, providing a background, water system costs, current monthly water rates review, proposed water meter fees, proposed water volume rates, water rate survey, FY 2024 sewer cost of service analysis, current sewer rates review, proposed sewer rates, sewer rate survey, average water and sewer utility bill, and Proposition 218 procedures.
Sophia Mills, Lechowicz & Tseng, translated in Spanish.
City Attorney Rodriquez informed the Council we received 275 protests and he took out 6 of those because we had 5 that were not signed and one was a duplicate where it looks like the husband and wife signed, so as we enter the public hearing, we have 269.
Council Member Orozco asked the Attorney if it had to be one signature per parcel.
City Attorney Rodriquez responded yes, and staff didn't have an opportunity to go through those in detail, he was just checking to see if they had been signed.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk opened the public hearing at 6:44pm.
Public Hearing: Gerardo Villegas, 230 Claussen Circle, left more protest letters on the table, and gave a history of ballot Measures X and P. He commented about the set aside amounts and thought it was pathetic since the majority of the residents were in the agriculture industry; City attempting to generate $2 million in funds to transfer the funds from the sewer and water to fund the community center that should have been funded by Measure X; asked if they were trying to fund the H2A building or because of the new cooler being built and asked if those companies should pay for the water and sewer demand costs. He thought the rates were outrageous and went over the percentages and increases, and told Mayor Rios not to get comfortable in the seat because he will make it his mission that he never step foot in the City Hall as a Mayor again.
Henry Martinez Sr., 112 Tenth Street, commented about his water bill issue from many years ago; City having many years to save money for this outcome for rainy days; doing ridiculous projects; new homes should pay for this because this side of town paid their share years ago; and he didn't agree being charged again.
Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, commented about asking for assistance to pay her bills because she can't work after an injury and even though she's broke or asking for help, she agreed we have to make improvements to our water and sewer infrastructure; bills going up with inflation, but didn’t agree with 20%; new developments coming in should be paying for the sewer; she liked the tiered rates; and concluded our infrastructure has to be maintained but at a fair price.
Jose Chavez, 418 Rincon Circle, asked why the last study was conducted in 1989 and if it was bad management or bad decision making that we're still on the low side compared to other cities, and what happens after that five year plan; and concluded change was coming to the Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk closed the public hearing at 6:56pm.
City Attorney Rodriquez informed that staff received an additional 20 protests provided during public comment and two of those were unsigned and one was a duplicate of a protest that we already had, so we have an additional 17 with a total of 286 protests.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk wished to clarify some of the questions raised during public comment. He agreed with the tiered rates but unfortunately that’s no longer an option for the City since the State took that away from us.
City Manager Gil clarified the public comment about the percentage increase overtime, it’s 20% on the sewer, 50% over five years. She also said in year three or four, they’re going to look at the rates and potentially decrease some of them.
Mayo Pro Tem Funk added that as far as future years, it is based on the number of users we have in the system, so if we have new development or industrial or commercial, they all come into the mix and the cost is spread out.
Public Works Director Dobbins added that new development, in addition to paying the rates, they also pay the impact fees for the connections.
Council Discussion: Council Member Orozco commented about the challenges for us cities when we are mandated by the State to make changes, and our treatment plant being at capacity.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk clarified to the public this has nothing to do with the H2A project, nor is paving a way for that.
Council Member Worthy also clarified to the public that Measure X and Measure P had nothing to do with any of this. They were sales tax measures meant to pay for something else.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown commented about a strong component built into the General Plan. He said new proposals were being revenue neutral so that existing residents are not affected by the new stuff.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Resolution No. 2023-67
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Jose L. Rios
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
20. Oral Communication
Commissioner Castillo reported on the last meeting where they discussed the alcohol prevention action project, and Monterey County Weekly article regarding their success of the action projects.
She announced the next meeting on December 7th.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
21. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. League of California Cities Monterey Bay Division
No report.
b. Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
Mayor Pro Tem Funk reported on the State's Regional Growth Forecast moving forward and allocation for the next 20 years, and coming to the City level in 2024. c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy had no report since there was a great presentation at the last meeting. She asked staff if we can go back to listing all the reports every month because she feels we're off due to meeting dates. She also mentioned the Youth Guardians have applied for one of the buses they are releasing through MST.
22. Oral Communications
Council Member Worthy announced the Food Bank distribution tomorrow at 8:30am at St.
Theodore's Church for Thanksgiving. She wished everyone a Blessed Thanksgiving.
Council Member Silva asked if the Council can consider adjourning the meeting in memory of Evelyn Bernard and Josephine Pedevilla who both were very active community members and longtime residents of Gonzales. She wished everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving.
Council Member Orozco announced the Tree Lighting Ceremony/Holiday Lights and La Gloria Bazaar events happening on the same day. She mentioned she received phone calls and visits regarding the rates and people were misinformed. She suggested doing some outreach in the future when we have things of this nature and maybe hosting a community meeting where folks are not limited to just three minutes to speak so we can answer their questions. She said there were a lot of misinformation and people were confused about what was being proposed. She wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. He thanked everyone for coming out tonight. He also talked to a number of residents over the last few weeks, and thanked everyone for their time, efforts, and comments.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
23. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil reminded the Council about the very important LAFCO meeting on November 27th from 2:00pm - 5:00pm where it could potentially have an impact on any future development outside our boundaries. She congratulated the GYC for making the cover of the Monterey County Weekly. She announced the Holiday Lights event on December 2nd from 4:00pm - 7:00pm in the downtown area, and the Parade on December 9th at 6:00pm. Organizers are requesting that participants pre-register since there won’t be onsite registration. She wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and thanked everyone for working with us through this process.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown reported on the progress of the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element.
Public Works Director Dobbins announced the new Maintenance Worker Efrain Nunez who is a Gonzales High graduate and resident, and he starts tomorrow. He'll introduce him at a future Council meeting.
Fire Chief Muscio told everyone to make sure they fry their turkeys outside, not inside due to past fire incidents, and announced Thanksgiving Day is one of the highest days of the year for choking hazards so be careful. He also suggested watering live Christmas trees early and often.
Police Chief Wise encouraged everyone to watch the video of Officer Perez and High School students regarding safety on how to cross streets properly. It is on the Police Department's Facebook page and has been shared several times. He gave kudos to Officer Perez and the students for putting it together.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned in memory of Evelyn Bernard and Josephine Pedevilla.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:16 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk