MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2024
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.
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
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, 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]
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.
There was none.
CONSENT AGENDA
3. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - December 4, 2023 Minutes
4. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #49543-49693
5. City Manager’s Report
6. Community Development Department Activity Report
7. Community Engagement & Recreation Departments Activity Report
8. Fire Department Activity Report
9. Police Department Activity Report
10. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report
11. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-01, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving Amendment #1 to the City of Gonzales Classification Plan for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024
12. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-02, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving Amendment #2 to the City of Gonzales Classification Plan for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024
13. Consider Approval of an Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and Armanasco Public Relations Inc. through December 31, 2024, for services rendered to support the Community Center Capital Campaign not to exceed $48,000 ($24,000 per fiscal year) out of the Community Cetner Budget Fund
14. Consider Retroactively Approval of an $8,500 Agreement with Kutak Rock, LLP for Bond Counsel Services related to the Revolving Fund Loan Agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board for Construction of the Industrial Wastewater System
15. Consider Awarding the Pool Heater Replacement Contract to GIS Plumbing at a not-to-exceed cost of $80,000, Direct the City Manager to Execute a Contract with GIS Plumbing and Authorize a budget amendment to GL Account 100-515-6530 to increase expenditures by $80,000 *
16. Consider Termination of the Current Contract with T-Mobile for the Hot Spot Program, Saving the City $140,000
17. Consider Approval of Resolution No. SA-2024-01, A Resolution of the Successor Agency to the Former Gonzales Redevelopment Agency Approving the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule 24-25 for the Period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 Council Member Silva pointed out a typo on page 24,under the Vista Lucia Specific Plan, it should be December 28, 2023, instead of 2024.
Mayor Rios asked what Warrant #49621 in the amount of $4,380 was for.
Police Chief Wise responded that the State Wellness Grant is given to every municipality in the State of California for the wellness of the officers, and part of that is a year of membership paid through that grant.
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
18. Electronic Billboard Presentation
Staff Report: Community Development Director Kinison Brown presented the staff report via powerpoint presentation addressing the Council's initial questions regarding the digital board, other Cities' experiences, and what does revenue look like.
Scott Smith, Legacy Signs, answered Council's questions regarding Caltrans restrictions and sign locations.
Public Comment: Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, mentioned it was a good thing to have an electronic billboard to put information for the public since there's a lot of information that needs to be updated, and commented about lack of things to do here in Gonzales.
Council Discussion: The Council Members concurred that this would be a great advantage for Gonzales, an opportunity to showcase some of the things we're doing for, as well as generating revenue.
Mayor Rios shared his concerns about the size, and he concurred with this being a good idea for advertising and a good generation source.
It was the Council's consensus to direct staff to continue to move forward with this.
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
19. Oral Communication
Commissioner Castillo reported on the GYC Ambassador and Commissioner roles; expansion of Youth Councils with Soledad and Greenfield; and the action projects they're working on. *
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
20. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. League of California Cities Monterey Bay Division
Council Member Silva announced she and Council Member Worthy were attending the Council Members Conference in Monterey next week.
b. Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
Mayor Pro Tem Funk reported on their meeting last Wednesday and the main item was the regional forecast which was accepted. He elaborated on next steps. c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy reported on the numbers pre-covid and shared the elements contributing to those numbers; shortage of drivers; circulators for the South County Cities; and elaborated on the Employees of the Year. City Manager Gil reported on the meeting they had regarding a circulator around town.
21. Oral Communications
Council Member Orozco hoped everyone had a great holiday and looked forward to 2024 moving forth with all of our projects and programs. She thanked staff for all the hard work they do to ensure our residents and business owners are receiving the necessary services they need. She also thanked staff for the donation of the coats for the children, as well as the Fire Department and Monica for the diaper distribution. She also thanked Officer Rivera for his assistance to the family whose car was hit on Rincon Road and the family appreciated the Officer's help. She shared her concerns on that narrow street and said we may have to take a look at what can be done. She expressed her condolences to Lizzet De Leon who was our Community Health Worker, for the loss of her younger brother whose parents are from our Sister City of Tateposco. She said he was buried in Mexico but they will have a memorial service on Saturday.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk appreciated staff and all the work they do to keep the City running, and all the preparedness they do for the storms. He thanked the Fire Department for everything they do, and he and his wife personally thanked the Department for helping with his Father-in-law.
Council Member Silva expressed her condolences to the De Leon Family for their loss. She announced she and Council Member Worthy will be attending the League of California Cities Academy next Wednesday thru Friday, and City Manager Gil will also be there. She announced Farm Day next Thursday in King City where third graders from Gonzales will be attending and will learn about agriculture. If anyone wants to volunteer they can let her know. She said she was excited for the new year and new beginnings, and she was looking forward to the groundbreaking ceremony of the Caprara Community Center in April.
Council Member Worthy thanked staff for their help with the American Legion. She wished everyone a Happy New Year. She also expressed her condolences to the De Leon Family. She asked everyone to make it a great year and help each other.
Mayor Rios asked for an update on the sidewalk repairs around town. He shared his concern about those repairs as well as the bad condition of Fourth Street. He asked Public Works to come up with a plan and as part of the plan, which he has asked and never received, a list of priorities of repairing streets as far as which streets, and when they will be repaired. He also thought maybe we can use the Safe Routes to School money to do sidewalk repairs like King City. He congratulated City Attorney Rodriquez and Police Chief Wise, who have been working for the City for over 30 years and thanked them for their long-term tenure here and appreciated their service and dedication to this community.
He hopes 2024 is a great year and he’s excited about the Community Center getting started, and he’s also excited about what the Youth Council is doing to invigorate other communities as we are the leaders. He thanked all staff for all their work.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
22. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil wished everyone a Happy New Year. She clarified that the coats that were donated were from the Nights of Columbus through Madonna del Sasso Church, which is the third year they have done that, and she appreciated their donation of 48 coats to the community. She mentioned last year was busy but this year will be busier and staff is starting to get excited for the events coming up. She announced that the Car Show is taking place on April 13th, Groundbreaking for the Community Center is April 27th, and the Wine Festival will be the first week of June. She thanked staff for leading these events. She elaborated on the various partnerships such as the Blue Zones and Olinga Learning who are working on a Community Garden next to the pool through some grants. She also announced programming such as Chair Yoga, senior dancing, and other program opportunities for our senior community. In regards to the TAMC funds, she mentioned there is a committee that is identifying projects, and that $200,000 will be designated for the specific projects the committee chooses. She hoped once they get to a final list of projects, they come to the Council for approval to ensure we support those projects. She said staff is collaborating with them, but they have an Advisory Committee on what projects to take on. She also informed staff is working on Fourth Street and is looking to identify potential funding that can help us do some work on that, and staff is also constantly looking for grants that can support sidewalk repairs.
Mayor Rios mentioned he was approached by Ruben Zurita about fireworks going on New Year's Eve. He believed maybe we should up the fines and have a Fireworks Committee. He asked the Council to think about it.
Council Member Orozco mentioned she also had a conversation with someone who had the same concern and she thought about forming a committee as well.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown announced the Draft Housing Element was publicly released on Friday in English and Spanish, and it will run through February 12th. He elaborated on the different places it was available.
Council Member Worthy asked about Planning Commission vacancies.
City Manager Gil responded we only received one application and the announcement will be closing soon.
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.
Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, commented about the City Manager position being really big shoes to fill; City Manager Gil showing she has been helping our City and being very accessible; helping her and her family during an emergency with information when they were having tough times; making information accessible to the public when they need assistance to pay their bills; leading the City events; she has been doing a great job and she's happy she's still here. She also wanted to see her and the Council attend those events.
23. The City Council will recess to closed session to consider personnel matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(B)(1) - City Manager Evaluation.
The Council engaged in the City Manager evaluation process. No other reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk