MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024
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
Mayor Pro Tem Funk led the flag salute.
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
Absent.
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 Esthela Palmerin, 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]
City Attorney Rodriquez announced that staff needed to add another item to the closed session that was needed for immediate action and came up after the agenda was posted. The second item to the closed session is regarding Madera v. City of Gonzales.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] to add Another Closed Session Item after Item 2 regarding Madera v. City of Gonzales
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
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 no public comment.
2. The City Council will recess to closed session to confer with legal counsel 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 staff and legal counsel and provided direction. No other reportable action taken.
2.A 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: Madera v. City of Gonzales.
The Council conferred with staff and legal counsel and provided direction. No other reportable action taken.
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.
Roman Barba talked about problems with front yard fences around town and suggested having an ordinance on fencing.
Denise Velasquez, Sun Street Centers, announced the Narcan training and drive through distribution February 25th from 12pm-4pm at the Spartan Alley, and elaborated this was a collaboration with the four South County Cities who will also have their distribution on the same day.
CONSENT AGENDA
4. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - February 5, 2024 Minutes
5. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #49772-49850
6. City Manager’s Report
7. Community Development Department Activity Report
8. Community Engagement & Recreation Departments Activity Report
9. Fire Department Activity Report
10. Police Department Activity Report
11. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report
12. Authorize Execution of an Agreement between the City of Gonzales and Atlas Organics to Procure Organic Materials to the City in Compliance with SB 1383
13. Authorize the Purchase of a John Deere Skid Steer with Implements from RDO Equipment Company for $85,283, and Approve the Surplus Sale of the Existing John Deere Tractor City Attorney Rodriquez notified the Council that staff distributed Resolution No. 2024-06, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving the Purchase of a John Deere Skid Steer with Implements from RDO Equipment Company in the Amount of $85,283, and Approve the Surplus Sale of the Existing 1980 John Deere Tractor. He said this was for Item 13 and was before them this evening. Staff wanted to memorialize the findings in the code regarding this purchase via resolution.
14. Authorize Execution of a Non-Exclusive Master Services Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and NV5 Consultants; and Approve Execution of Task #1 for Grant Management and Electric Vehicle Charging Station Design Services for a Not-to-Exceed Fee of $205,000
15. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-05, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Ratifying a Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency Due to Winter Storms/Atmospheric River
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 4-15
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
16. Consider Appointment to the Planning Commission
Mayor Rios invited Alex Ramirez and Jose Chavez, who submitted letters of interest for consideration, to the podium. They both answered questions from Council Member Silva and Mayor Rios.
Mayor Rios made a recommendation to appoint Alex Ramirez.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] to Appoint Alex Ramirez to the Planning Commission
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco City Attorney Rodriquez suggested keeping the application from Jose Chavez on an eligibility list in the event there is a vacancy, so we don't have to go back out.
The Council concurred.
17. Consider the Creation of a Fireworks Committee
Mayor Rios asked the Council if they had any candidates.
Council Member Worthy recommended Ruben Zurita.
Council Member Silva recommended Larry Rodriguez.
Mayor Rios recommended Eddie Ramirez.
Council Member Orozco recommended James Perry.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk mentioned he didn't have anyone at the moment but will come back with a recommendation.
City Attorney Rodriquez asked the Council for clarification on what the purpose was of forming this committee.
Mayor Rios responded so we can better serve the community, and get ideas on how to get rid of illegal fireworks, and for the members to work with both Police Chief and Fire Chief on coming up with ideas and solutions.
Council Member Orozco suggested doing something similar to the City of Seaside who had an illegal fireworks policy in place.
Mayor Rios recommended that staff meet with the committee members first and then have in mind that Council Members Worthy and Orozco can join the committee after. He said it would be nice to complete everything before July for implementation this year.
City Attorney Rodriquez hoped to have something in place by the end of May or sooner since it takes a couple of Council meetings to adopt ordinances if needed.
REGULAR AGENDA
18. Progress Report on the Emergency Repairs at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
The Council received the report. No action required.
19. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-04, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing Execution of a Lease Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and Pisoni Farms for a City-Owned Parcel Adjacent to Canyon Creek Park Mayor Pro Tem Funk recused himself from Item 19.
Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Roman Barba said if the $3,855 was per year, it was still too low and it should be more than that.
Alex Ramirez asked if a real estate company looked at it, because they normally compare properties. He thought an appraisal company would be accurate because the rent is too low.
Public Works Director Dobbins elaborated on what the appraisal consisted of which included the discounted amount because there's no water on the site, and it's landlocked so they had to adjust the market rate.
Council Discussion: Council Member Silva asked about the water and if they were farming and Council Member Worthy asked if there was a way we could get the rental money from the past since it hasn't been addressed in a lot of years. Council Member Orozco mentioned again that she was interested to see other City-owned properties and what the lease terms were, and what the proposed increases would be.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded that Pisoni farmed it and they brought their own water.
He added this was part of staff's efforts to look at leases of City property.
City Attorney Rodriquez replied no to Council Member Worthy’s question since the lease expired many years ago and elaborated on the process.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco ABSTAIN: Scott Funk
20. Authorize the Execution of a Consulting Services Agreement between the City of Gonzales and Harris & Associates to Provide Assessment Engineering Services for the California Breeze Benefit Assessment District and the California Breeze Parks and Open Spaces Assessment District, for a Not-to-Exceed Fee of $42,000, which Includes a Contingency Budget of $3,350 Mayor Pro Tem Funk recused himself from Item 20.
Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Roman Barba commented about the sidewalks not being fixed and the problems with trees.
Council Discussion: Council Member Worthy asked if folks were aware of this when staff had that informational meeting with the people that live in that subdivision.
City Manager Gil responded that the folks that attended that meeting seemed to understand since their concerns were related to this, and knew the City was supplementing that. She said the group was very supportive and they would help getting the word out.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco ABSTAIN: Scott Funk
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
21. Oral Communication
No updates. Both Commissioners were absent.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
22. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. League of California Cities Monterey Bay Division
No report.
b. Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
No report.
c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy reported on the goal of having Narcan in all MST buses; SURF Project design about 95% done; and addition of 20 new bus drivers.
23. Oral Communications
Council Member Silva encouraged everyone to stay safe during the atmospheric river and to slow down. She also encouraged everyone to drop their ballots in the drop box in front of City Hall.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk thanked Public Works staff for all their efforts especially during the wet season, and they were always doing an amazing job.
Council Member Orozco announced the Lenten dinners on Fridays from 5:00pm - 7:00pm. She also thanked staff for always doing a great job and it’s an honor for the City to be recognized and receive an award by the Monterey County Business Council on the housing work. She also pointed out a policy that was in place many years ago regarding ice cream vendors and peddlers to obtain a business license and background check, and there seems to be an increase. She asked if staff could look into this.
Mayor Rios elaborated on the meeting he had with TAMC Executive Director Todd Mock regarding pothole work at Alta Street and maybe on Fourth Street too since we use it regularly for our festivities.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
24. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil reported on the success of the Chair Yoga event; the Community Garden coming along; announced the Car Show on April 20th; the City being awarded the Monterey County Business Council Community Builders Award for our work on housing, which event will take place on April 26th at Spanish Bay; the Community Center Complex Groundbreaking Ceremony on April 27th at 1:00pm; and the Wine Festival on June 1st.
Police Chief Wise elaborated on the peddler’s permit process, requirements and enforcement.
Council Member Worthy asked if the Legion could cover the no parking sign posts when they have a funeral since they don't have parking and people complain.
Police Chief Wise said no because that's a school zone, especially when the school is in session.
CLOSED SESSION
City Manager Gil announced staff did not need to go into 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.
25. The City Council will recess to closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2) and is hereby of the opinion that a significant exposure to litigation exists.
There was no need for this item.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk