MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 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
Mayor Rios 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
Aliyah Castillo.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez (via zoom), Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Mary Villegas, Administrative Assistant II Marisol Gomez, Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins, and Fire Chief Muscio. * 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]
PRESENTATION
2. Gonzales Community Garden
Recreation Coordinator Jessica Olmedo provided an update on the Community Garden since the Community Gardening Day was approaching. She acknowledged the partners who couldn't be there like Wings of Knowledge, Save the Whales, Workforce Development, CADRE, and RCD of Monterey County.
Kendra Howell, Blue Zones Project, said they were excited about this project and the collaboration with the City. She explained how this project meets the work that the City is doing towards its certification as a Blue Zone Community in the food and environment policies with creating a space for people to gather and grow healthy food.
Dalila Alvarado, Blue Zones Project, explained the role of the Blue Zones Project who was contributing to this Community Garden, the Monterey County Garden Network's main goals, and the mission of the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County.
Recreation Coordinator Jessica Olmedo provided pictures of the project via powerpoint presentation, elaborated on the Save the Whales contribution under a NOAA B-WET Grant, and the timeline of the Community Garden. She invited everyone to the Community Gardening Day Saturday, March 9th from 11:00am - 2:00pm. She mentioned they were going to have tools for anyone who was new to gardening, but those who were familiar with it could bring their own tools.
The Council thanked everyone for their contribution.
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 wondered if they were going to put containers at the garden and all the parks for dog poop. He complained about a fence on Belden Street which he had asked Taven about and who told the owners about a stop order, but this Saturday they put a high gate. He elaborated on the measurements of the fence and gate, and the notices he has received from the City regarding fences violations. He wondered if the City sent a letter to that owner.
Henry Martinez Sr. commented about crime around his neighborhood; cops doing a good job but he blamed the administrator in that department. He asked the Council to look into the future when building the big development. He commended the Officers for doing what they do, but we need more Policemen, and we need to get rid of the Captain.
CONSENT AGENDA
4. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - February 20, 2024 Minutes
5. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #49851-49932
6. Authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and Hilltop Securities to Provide Broker-Dealer Services Related to the Community Center Complex Project for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $49,125
7. Authorize the Execution of a Consulting Services Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and Harris & Associates to Prepare the FY 2024-2025 Engineer Reports for Six Assessment Districts for a Not-to-Exceed Fee of $12,566
8. Progress Report on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Emergency Repair Work
9. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-07, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Opposing State Initiative 21-0042A1 Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act; and Support Cal Cities’ Efforts to Oppose it by Providing a Letter of Support RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 4-9
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
10. Oral Communications
Commissioner Castillo reported on the work they have been doing with the Greenfield and Soledad's Youth Councils to create a Youth Summit on May 11th; Friday Night Live event with Sun Street Centers and City Chiefs; and the Mental Health Project Manuscript which was officially published.
City Manager Gil acknowledged the Youth Council for all their work. She informed that this was the second time their work had been published in a professional journal, which is an honor because it is a long and rigorous process. She wanted to make sure the public acknowledged the hard work the GYC and its partners continue to do for the community.
Mayor Rios appreciated our youth and said it reflected good on the City, and that's the reason we are an All American City. He thanked them for all their work.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
11. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios mentioned he couldn't attend due to an accident he had, but reported on the City of Gonzales being awarded $200,000 for the Safe Routes to School Program but he thought it was supposed to be $250,000. City Manager Gil said staff will look into that. b. Mayor Selection Committee
Mayor Rios reported on a presentation they received from Fred Meurer regarding the importance of military forces and what it means to the local economy. He also talked about the letter the League of California Cities was requesting on the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act.
c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva announced the next meeting on March 21st at 6pm in the Council Chambers, and the April 6th Salinas Valley Recycles Environmental Fair at the Gonzales Landfill Education Center at 10:00am.
d. Central Coast Community Energy
Mayor Rios reported on the last meeting regarding resource adequacy.
12. Oral Communications
Council Member Orozco reminded everyone about the lenten dinners every Friday, from 5:00pm7:00pm at St. Theodore's Church. She expressed her condolences to the family of Salvador Bañuelos who passed away. Mr. Bañuelos was a Maintenance Worker for the City of Gonzales for 26 years, he was always proud to work for the City, and according to his Wife Marta, it was hard for him to retire.
Mayor Rios asked for a moment of silence to honor Mr. Bañuelos and his many years of service to our community.
A moment of silence was observed by all present.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk thanked the Mayor for observing a moment of silence for Mr. Bañuelos. He also expressed his condolences to the families of King City and its community members for the horrific events that happened. He hoped the many agencies who were working together on that incident find a resolution soon.
Council Member Silva said the Chair Yoga has been a huge success and thanked the presenters.
She mentioned it will go through the end of this month, but hopes they find a place to continue it because she and everyone else have had a good time attending. She announced the Salinas Valley Fair in King City from May 16th- May 19th. She also extended her condolences to King City for yesterday’s tragedy. She congratulated the King City High School Soccer Team for winning the NorCal Championship on Saturday. She announced the Little League Opening Day on March 16th at 10:00am at the Brusa Field. She reminded everyone to get out and vote at tomorrow’s primary.
Council Member Worthy thanked staff for the Chair Yoga program, which she really enjoys. She thanked Public Works Director Dobbins and Public Works Supervisor Twisselmann for helping her with an incident last week with a streetlamp that helped many community members. She brought up the issue of dog poop and asked people to start paying attention to that. She also thanked Fire Chief Muscio and Denise Velasquez for the Narcan distribution, as well as all the volunteers.
Mayor Rios informed about a tree on the south end of Belden Street before C Street that fell over during the storm and pulled wires of telephone and cable, and it also lifted the sidewalk. He asked staff to send a letter to the owners to repair the sidewalk.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
13. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil reported she and Public Works Director Dobbins met with a Caltrans’ Investigator last Wednesday at the bridge area where they were investigating the traffic and issues on the bridge, and they also got to witness the traffic backup issue and other hazardous conditions there. She mentioned Caltrans was supportive of a follow up Project Improvement Plan for that area. She announced the Community Gardening Day on March 9th from 11:00am - 2:00pm; Car Show on April 20th from 1:00pm - 4:00pm; Community Center Groundbreaking Ceremony on April 27th at 1:00pm and the GHS Band will join the event. She added that people will not be able to use the parking area after April 29th.
Fire Chief Muscio thanked all the partners who participated at the Narcan distribution event, the Police Department, Sun Street Centers, School District, Martin and Trini, Julie, Grupos Unidos, and the Youth Council, and said they were able to distribute 96 kits. He mentioned that Narcan will be available starting tomorrow to the public free of charge at City Hall and Fire House and there will be training available.
Public Works Director Dobbins reported on the construction documents submittal for the Community Center for building code review, which was a big milestone.
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 6:45 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk