MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 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.
1. 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
Luke Naegle.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Finance Director Mike Howard, Administrative Assistant II Esthela Palmerin, Administrative Assistant II Marisol Gomez, Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins, Fire Chief Jason Muscio, 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/87020263943 or call 1 (669) 900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 870 2026 3943. 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. Salinas Valley Health
Salinas Valley Health Representative Joel Hernandez, representing district from Gonzales to Prunedale, gave information of why he got involved. He showed how many residents Salinas Valley Health helps in the community, mapped its locations and how many beds the organization has. He explained the different services offered by the hospital and its clinics together, and mentioned the hospital was recognized with the Magnet Recognition due to the Nurses’ hard work.
He presented all the partnerships throughout the County, the current projects, learning programs, new changes within the hospital, and Interim CEO Dr. Radner. He thanked the participation of City Manager Gil as a Representative of South County within the hiring committee for the new Salinas Valley Health CEO.
Council Member Silva commented on how thankful she was for the agreement with Anthem Blue Cross and Salinas Valley Health, and also expressed her gratitude for the services provided by the hospital.
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 Jr., 116 Tenth Street, expressed his concern about a call he received from family members regarding his daughter and the Police Department. He told the Council about the complaint he submitted with City Hall towards the Police Department.
Mary Martinez explained how she felt about her experience with the Police Department.
April Martinez, 116 Tenth Street, mentioned how mad she was about the situation her family encountered with the Police Department.
Henry Martinez III, 116 Tenth Street, explained how his parents needed his help with the situation his sister was involved with, and how he had to leave school to attend the matter.
Henry Martinez Sr., 112 Tenth Street, expressed how he has taken care of his grandchildren and helped with their traumas and nightmares as kids and as young adults. He also complained about the Police Department and their involvement with the family.
Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, expressed her concerns to the Police Department due to an incident that happened to her last year with one of the Officers and the incident involving the Martinez family. She reminded City Hall about the meeting to be scheduled, and reported about a goat at Meyer Park.
CONSENT AGENDA
4. Approve the Joint City Council, Successor Agency, Public Financing Authority - Regular meeting - November 20, 2023, Minutes
5. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #49463-49542
6. Consider Approval of a Consulting Services Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and Olinga Learning for its Youth Development Wings of Knowledge Program in the Amount of $20,000 funded by Measure K funds; and Authorize the City Manager to Sign it RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco, Scott Funk
REGULAR AGENDA
7. Monterey County Business Council Proposal
Staff Report: Paul Farmer, Monterey County Business Council COO, presented the staff report via PowerPoint presentation consisting of an introduction on the Small Business Development Center and what resources it brings to the community.
Public Comment: Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, thanked Council Member Orozco for helping many small businesses in the community, past Chief Cudio as well for helping business owners.
Council Discussion: Council Member Worthy expressed her concerns regarding budgeting to fund the grant.
Council Member Silva expressed her concern as well and asked where the funds will be coming from, and if there is somewhere else the money can be taken out of, for example Measure K funding.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk responded with reassurance of investing the money in the project for small businesses, and shared his concerns as well on the budget but approved of also helping the business community.
Council Member Orozco agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Funk and expressed how she has helped many small businesses owners with different situations and thinks this would be a good learning opportunity for the small business owners.
Mayor Rios expressed views of small businesses owners and their struggles, agreed with the investment for the community to see the small businesses succeed with learning tools that they need.
Council Member Silva questioned if there are other grants to ask for this project to put more money towards it.
City Manager Gil responded there wasn’t time to apply for grants, the amount requested is for the Small Business Development Center to reach their goal and receive a grant they applied for, and if the goal is not reached, the City will not give the $5,000.
Council Member Worthy asked where the money will be allocated from if the goal is reached.
City Manager Gil responded that the money to be allocated from the Community Development budget.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Maria Orozco, Scott Funk NOES: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
8. PG&E’s Request for Tree Removal at North Alta Street Entry Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report, giving feedback of the meeting he had with PG&E. He explained how he went with PG&E and made a walkthrough Alta Street and reviewed what trees needed to be removed with them. They also renewed the conditions of the pathway and considered what plants to replace with other plants and trees in the area.
Public Comment: Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, reminded the Council of the incident that occurred with outgrown trees and the powerlines in the City. She agreed with the updates and maintenance needed on the trees and also mentioned tips that PG&E has for the public to review and follow up on old trees.
Council Discussion: Council Member Silva asked for clarification about the total of trees that need to be replaced, redwood trees around that area, and replacement with other plants.
Council Member Worthy asked about other plants and cost.
City Manager Gil and Public Works Director Dobbins addressed their questions.
It was the Council’s consensus to direct staff to bring back updates to the Council in the January or February meetings.
9. Progress Report on the Community Center Complex Project Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report with an update from Otto construction, with comments to the construction documents to be reviewed and submitted to the city for the building permit.
Public Comment: Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, expressed her excitement for the Community Center Project to be moving forward and start breaking ground.
Council Discussion: Council Member Orozco questioned where the campaign money was allocated.
City Manager Gil responded the money has its own account and is available for the first phase and breaking ground in 2024.
The Council received the report.
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
10. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioner Naegle reported on the last meeting with GYC on October 27, 2023; meeting with Lisa from Friday Night Live Club; participation of the GYC at the Holiday Lights event; announced the next meeting December 7th with the construction team regarding the Community Center.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
11. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios reported he couldn’t attend.
b. Mayor Selection Committee
Mayor Rios reported he couldn’t attend.
c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva announced the strategic planning meeting on December 15th at the Sun Street building and no regular meeting to be conducted until January of 2024. d. Central Coast Community Energy
No Report.
12. Oral Communications
Council Member Worthy echoed Mrs. Rodriguez comments on the Holiday Lights event and expressed her gratitude for everyone’s participation in the event.
Council Member Silva echoed Mrs. Rodriguez comments on the Holiday Lights event and mentioned meeting people from outside town enjoying the event as well. She shared her reviews of the Auxiliary’s history and what she learned while going through some of its history.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk wished everyone Happy Holidays and thanked staff for their efforts and hard work with the decorations around town.
Council Member Orozco thanked staff for all their hard work in the Holiday Lights ceremony.
She mentioned a meeting with the Health Department to facilitate permitting vendors to be able to sell at future events due to one nonprofit organization being unable to participate in the event.
She reminded everyone about the Christmas parade event.
Mayor Rios thanked everyone involved in the Holiday Lights event, and it was good hearing from others about the great job and how successful it was. He asked to plan the future event on a different day from La Gloria Christmas event.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
13. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil thanked staff for their hard work on the event, and everyone who attended. She reminded everyone about the parade and to register to have an accurate count of the participants.
She wished everyone happy holidays.
Public Works Director Dobbins updated the Council on the completion of the server replacement at City Hall and Police Station.
Mayor Rios asked if the update would help with zoom issues.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded no, that was a different issue.
Fire Chief Muscio reported on the distribution of Narcan during the Holiday Lights event and distribution information about drug overdose. He also notified everyone about the upcoming storms.
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.
14. The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 to confer with and give instructions to its real property negotiator concerning the lease of property located at/on the City’s Water Tower located adjacent to 5th Street and U.S. Highway 101.
The Council conferred with negotiator. No other reportable action taken.
15. The City Council will recess to closed session to confer with its attorney regarding litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) and is hereby of the opinion that a significant exposure to litigation exists.
The Council conferred with its Attorney. No other reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk