MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY, AND
GONZALES PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
MONDAY, MAY 6, 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 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/Board Member Present
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency/Board Member Present
Maria Orozco Council/Agency/Board Member Present
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Finance Director Mike Howard, Community Development Director Taven Kinson Brown, Administrative Assistant II Esthela Palmerin, Administrative Assistant II Marisol Gomez, Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins, and Fire Chief Jason Muscio.
Successor Agency Item
Financing Authority Item
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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]
Mayor Rios initiated the meeting by thanking everyone who worked at the 5 de Mayo event.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Consider Approval of, and Present Proclamation No. 2024-01, A Proclamation of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Proclaiming May 2024 as Poppy Month Council Member Worthy presented Proclamation No. 2024-01 on behalf of Mayor Rios. She reminded the public that there will be a distribution of poppy flowers and continuing with a Memorial Day event at the cemetery, and BBQ at the Legion Hall for Memorial Day on May 27th.
RESULT: APPROVED PROCLAMATION NO. 2024-01
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
3. Business from the Public not on the Agenda; any member of the Public may address the Council/Agency for a period not to exceed three minutes on any subject not on the Agenda. The Council/Agency will listen to all communications but may take no action.
Henry Martinez Sr. thanked the Mayor for the recognition of his work during the 5 de Mayo event. He questioned Chief Wise’s absence at the meeting. He mentioned having a son-in-law who is a veteran who still enjoys the 4th of July celebrations.
John McPherson from Alliance on Aging announced receiving a grant from the State to create a Local Aging Disability Action Plans working with South and North Monterey County. He notified of an assessment to be completed and sent out to the community. He also notified the Council that he will come back some time in the fall to present the draft action plan.
Roman Barba mentioned the groundbreaking ceremony for the Community Center and not being able to attend; suggested having the kids from Chualar participate in a feeder program or to bring it back to the schools; and asked the City to keep an eye on building properties due to many not following code.
Rosa Rodriguez expressed her gratitude for the planned activities for the seniors in the community; suggested wanting to see the Community Engagement Analyst involved in more
community activities and to do more outreach. She also reminded everyone that the month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
CONSENT AGENDA
4. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - April 15, 2024 Minutes
5. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #50111-50218
6. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-13, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Letter of Intent from Towerpoint Acquisitions, LLC, Related to the Prepayment of Lease Agreements with Verizon, and T-Mobile, and Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate the Lease Prepayment and Term Easement Agreement
7. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-14, 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
8. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-15, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Execute and Submit a Clean Water State Revolving Fund Financial Assistance Application to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for the Planning, Design, and Construction of the 1.0 Million Gallons a Day Industrial Wastewater System, and Execute SRF Financial Assistance Agreement and Any Amendments with the SWRCB
9. Authorize Issuance of a Notice to Proceed with Construction of Phase 1 Community Center Complex Project to Otto Construction at a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $18,869,395 Pending Concurrence from USDA Staff
10. Authorize Execution of a Non-Exclusive Master Services Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and Professional Service Industries and Approve Execution of Task Order 1 in the amount of $135,000 for Materials Testing and Special Inspection services during construction of Phase 1 of the Community Center Complex Project
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 4-10
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
REGULAR AGENDA
11. Public Hearing to Consider Approval of a) Resolution No. 2024-12, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of a Ground Lease, Lease Agreement, Indenture, Bond Purchase Agreement and Continuing Disclosure Certificate in Connection with the Issuance of the Gonzales Public Financing Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2024A, Approving the Issuance of Such Bonds in an Aggregate Principal Amount of not to Exceed $9,825,000, Authorizing the Distribution of an Official Statement in Connection with the Offering and Sale of Such Bonds and Authorizing the Execution of Necessary Documents and Certificates and Related Actions; and
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RESULT: APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 2024-12
MOVER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco b) Resolution No. FA-2024-01, A Resolution of the Gonzales Public Financing Authority Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of a Ground Lease, Lease Agreement, Indenture, Bond Purchase Agreement and Assignment Agreement in Connection with the Issuance of the Gonzales Public Financing Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2024A, Approving the Issuance of Such Bonds in an Aggregate Principal, Amount of Not to Exceed $9,825,000, Authorizing the Distribution of an Official Statement in Connection with the Offering and Sale of Such Bonds and Authorizing the Execution of Necessary Documents and Certificates and Related Actions
Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report with the help of Eric Scriven from NHA Advisors.
Public Hearing: Rosa Rodriguez questioned if this was going to affect any taxes for the residents.
RESULT: APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. FA-2024-01
MOVER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
12. Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Audited Financial Statements and Management Report Staff Report: Finance Director Mike Howard presented the staff report.
Council/Agency Discussion: Council Member Silva questioned if the federal loan will be part of next year’s audit.
Finance Director Howard clarified that it only happens when the City receives federal grants not federal loans.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council/Agency Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council/Agency Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
13. Public Hearing to Introduce, Waive Reading and Read by Title Ordinance No. 2024-143, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales, Amending Chapter 12.116 Signs of Title 12 - Part 5 Regulations Applying in All Districts of the Gonzales City Code Staff Report: Community Development Director Kinison Brown presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Roman Barba suggested visiting the areas before any agreement on placement of the sign. He expressed his concerns regarding the maintenance of the sign and protecting it from graffiti and other damages. He suggested placing a fence around it. *
Rosa Rodriguez agreed with Roman’s comment to place a fence around the sign once built to protect it. She expressed how helpful the sign would be once placed in its location to report any road work within the area.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown clarified that there would be a submission of plans clarifying security, location, and size of sign. He notified that the area is already secured.
Council Discussion: Council Member Worthy questioned the potential placement of the sign.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown answered that the placement of the sign will be shown for approval to the Council and Planning Commission with clarification of only on industrial or commercial areas.
Council Member Silva questioned the approval of the sign by the Planning Department or the Planning Commission.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown confirmed that the plans would be presented to the Planning Commission for approval as a permit, with further approval a Design Committee to be formed for approval as well.
Council Member Silva questioned who would be part of the Design Committee? The public or the City staff?
Community Development Director Kinison Brown answered the committee would be comprised of City staff and others. He clarified any agreement made with the City to lease any City property for income would be presented to Council for approval.
Council Member Worthy questioned any issues of vandalism with City signs.
Scott Smith, Legacy Sign Company, responded that with vandalism being an issue on signs in bigger Cities agreed on placing a protecting barrier around the sign. He informed the Council of maintenance of a digital sign is not a requirement as other traditional signs.
RESULT: APPROVED Introduce, Waive Reading, and Read by Title Only Ordinance No. 2024-143
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
14. Introduce, Waive Reading and Read by Title Ordinance No. 2024-144, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Amending Chapter 5.40 “Fireworks” of Title 5-Public Health and Safety, of the Gonzales City Code
Staff Report: City Attorney Rodriquez presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Rosa Rodriguez asked for the City liaison to give more information about the fireworks. She expressed her concerns with the past experiences the City has had and suggested different ways to celebrate the 4th of July in consideration of other people who suffer from PTSD.
Henry Martinez Sr. suggested to adding a notice on rental agreements from landlord to tenant about fireworks on property. He asked for the public to have an opinion on the fireworks situation and asked for the Police Chief to patrol more often.
Roman Barba expressed his experience with his neighbor troubling with fireworks and him calling the Police Department more than once and having no response from them, and the situation repeating itself every year.
Henry Martinez Jr, (via phone call), mentioned the past comments on fireworks and the dislike of the Police Department. He expressed his rights to celebrate the 4th of July in any way he wants without any issues.
Council Discussion: Council Member Worthy addressed the Fireworks Committee selection and clarified the selection process of the committee involving residents who were against fireworks and residents who were ok with fireworks. She also expressed respect for each other’s choice as a community.
Council Member Silva agreed with Council Member Worthy. She addressed the issue of illegal fireworks to the public and the Council trying to have a better solution for the issue with the help of the committee. She reminded the issue not only affecting the residents but also the nonprofit organizations who use this event to gain some profit. She asked for a citation report on how many people get a citation on the 4th of July for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. She also requested a follow up on the outcome of the burnt house from last year.
Council Member Orozco echoed Council Members Worthy and Silva’s comments. She would like to also get a report on how much profit the nonprofit organization receives from selling fireworks.
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Funk reminded the public of the topic of fireworks being mentioned at past meetings and the plan of creating a Fireworks Committee was decided on previous Council meetings with the participation of the public. He also reminded the residents of our noise ordinance being originally issued with the 10:00pm time.
Mayor Rios agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Funk about the noise ordinance time. He reminded the public that there were also children needing to sleep early and to be considerate with the children’s sleep time. He also replied to the comment Mr. Martinez made about including wording regarding illegal fireworks in the contract with the tenants, as he has done that with his own tenants.
RESULT: APPROVED Introduce, Waive Reading, and Read by Title Only Ordinance No. 2024-144
MOVER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco, Liz Silva
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
16. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios reported about the County planning on adding three roundabouts on Highway 68 and the agency looking for different options to minimize traffic around that area. b. Mayor Selection Committee
Mayor Rios reported that they had a speaker at the committee meeting, informing that Lake Nacimiento is at 90% capacity and Lake San Antonio at 81% capacity. He also informed that the crop report was interesting and strawberry season starting strong, but the lettuce is still
ahead. He informed that the Board of Supervisors was looking to increase the sales taxes and asked the City to review the sales tax ourselves.
c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva reported that the budget for the next fiscal year was approved, and the next meeting will be on Thursday, May 16th.
17. Oral Communications
Council Member Orozco reported on the Dia del Niño and 5 De Mayo events where the GYC had a table out on Dia del Niño to survey residents. She mentioned having encountered an issue with electric bikes on sidewalks and wanted to check with Chief Wise if there was any ordinance on electric bikes.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk expressed his gratitude for the people who participated in the past two events.
Council Member Silva reminded everyone about the monthly senior lunch on May 16th at St.
Theodore’s Church and announced the Salinas Valley Fair would start on May 16th as well; and the Memorial Day ceremony taking place on Monday May 27th at the Cemetery starting at 9:00am with the Junior ROTC from Soledad High School participating as the color guard, following with a BBQ at the Legion Hall. She reminded everyone about the upcoming graduations and kids being out of school soon for the public to be mindful of the kids being out and watch out while driving. She also announced a ceremony for the High School Seniors on May 22nd for the different awards and scholarships.
Council Member Worthy notified the Council that she would not be attending the next Council meeting and echoed Council Member Silva’s announcement for Memorial Day.
Mayor Rios informed the Council of the incident that occurred at Central Park with a young man driving through the park while children were at the park. He asked to see the Chief of Police patrolling more often. He asked for the Police Department to patrol at the Industrial Park due to hearing racing around that area. He also asked about the signs on Fifth Street if they could be placed to prevent semis to pass through there and prevent less traffic.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
18. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil notified the public of the award the City received on April 26th, and thanked everyone who attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Community Center on April 20th.
She informed the public of the upcoming events like the Youth Summit on May 11th. She expressed her gratitude to all who participated in the Dia del Niño and 5 de Mayo events.
Chief Muscio announced the birth of his first granddaughter. He notified the Council of the educational video that the Fire Department had been working on, as well as the flyers and other educational components to the video based on the recommendation given by the Fireworks Committee.
Public Works Director Dobbins informed the Council that the pool heater had been installed, received the permits as well, and is ready to use in the summer. He also reported on receiving the SRF funding agreement which will be presented to the Council at the next meeting.
Mayor Rios wished all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day.
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 7:56 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk