MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS – 117 FOURTH STREET
GONZALES, CA 93926
MONDAY, MAY 20, 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 Excused
Liz Silva Council/Agency Member Present
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency Member Excused
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 Kinson Brown, Finance Director Mike Howard, 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 (via zoom). * 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. Certificates of Recognition - Gonzales High School Tennis, Baseball, and Track & Field Council Member Silva read the certificates and Mayor Rios presented them to the athletes and coaches.
The coaches thanked the Council and elaborated on their sports season.
3. Consider Approval of, and Present Proclamation No. 2024-02 Proclaiming May 19 - 25, 2024 as National Public Works Week
Council Member Silva read the proclamation.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Maria Orozco
EXCUSED: Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
4. 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.
Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, commented about two loose pitbulls on Sunday morning and calling 911, and reminded the community to put a lock on their gates and to take care of their dogs. She also expressed her happiness about the sports recognition.
CONSENT AGENDA
5. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - May 6, 2024 Minutes
6. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #50219-50283
7. City Manager’s Report
8. Community Development Department Activity Report
9. Community Engagement & Recreation Departments Activity Report *
10. Fire Department Activity Report
11. Police Department Activity Report
12. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report
13. Consider Adjusting Monthly Fee for Large Fire Water Meters (Resolution No. 2024-26 distributed at meeting)
City Attorney Rodriquez informed the Council staff wished to add Resolution No. 2024-26, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Decreasing the Monthly Fee for Fire Flow Meters Larger Than Two Inches.
City Attorney Rodriquez indicated this resolution memorialized the action that was referenced in the staff report, and this resolution was distributed to the Council this evening.
RESULT: APPROVED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS] – Item 13, Resolution No. 2024-26
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Maria Orozco
EXCUSED: Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy
14. Consider Approval of a Reimbursement Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and TAP Agricultural Partners, LLC; and Authorize the City Manager to Sign it City Attorney Rodriquez announced this item will be moved to the next meeting.
RESULT: TABLED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Maria Orozco
EXCUSED: Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy
15. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-16, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing Execution of a Construction Installment Sale Agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board for the Industrial Wastewater System RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 5-12, and 15 MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Maria Orozco
EXCUSED: Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy
Mayor Rios pulled item 13 for further clarification. He mentioned this was for the fire sprinklers system and hopefully it can never be used but we have to have capacity to serve that system in various businesses, and it was brought up by a concerned business since their bill was higher than before. He asked how many commercial businesses this would affect and hoped this amount was not going to affect the borrowing capacity needed for future financing.
Public Works Director Dobbins explained there were ten fire flow meters larger than two inches, it was a small impact to the water enterprise fund, and it won’t affect financing for water projects.
Council Member Silva mentioned that it was her understanding that they were going to consider something lower than what's here because they were not going to use any water, she and went over the numbers.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded there were different methodologies to charge for large meters and when staff went through the rate study, it included the most conservative, which is the American Water Works Association, and the basic was how much water could pass through a large meter as compared to a two inch meter, and we have to build the water system to provide that fire flow pressure. He added for years, we were under charging for the large meters and as part of the rate study that came before the Council, it was to charge what the City is able to serve these businesses based on what their need and size of their meter is. He said this was the monthly fixed fee.
City Manager Gil further clarified that for the six-inch meters, you still see that rate, but we'll charge them at the two inch rate instead.
Council Member Silva mentioned the reason she was asking was because the table didn't show that. She asked if the businesses will be reimbursed if they paid the higher amounts City Manager Gil indicated that it wasn't part of the table but it was under staff's recommendation. She mentioned that if there was anyone who wanted a refund, we can work with them, but folks we talked to said it was ok as long as going forward they wouldn't be charged a higher amount.
Council Member Silva thanked staff for the clarification.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Maria Orozco
EXCUSED: Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy
REGULAR AGENDA
16. Vista Lucia Specific Plan Update
Staff Report: Consultant Brent Slama presented the staff report via powerpoint presentation explaining the Vista Lucia Specific Plan, the primary actions since the last update, and remaining actions.
Public Comment: Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, expressed her excitement about the Vista Lucia project since there was a need for housing; and commented about the need for better parks, Police and Fire Substations, and more shopping amenities.
The Council received the report.
17. Consider Adoption, 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: Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, supported the sign and elaborated on the needs for it.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Maria Orozco
EXCUSED: Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy
18. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption, 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.
Mayor Rios opened the public hearing at 7:08pm.
Public Hearing: Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, suggested having more patrol that day, and wanted more clarification on what number to call; and hoped this was done as part of the educational part. She elaborated on past calls she had made and past incidents regarding illegal fireworks.
Ruben Zurita thanked staff, especially the City Attorney, for all the work that was put into this ordinance and hoped we all can make a community a bit safer and avoid future accidents.
Larry Rodriguez agreed with Mr. Zurita, and said that as he was part of the committee as well, the members were always willing to compromise and thought what was best for the community of Gonzales. He mentioned they worked hard and came to an agreement and saw a lot of positive things out of this, and hoped everyone was safe.
Mayor Rios thanked them for being part of the committee.
Mayor Rios closed the public hearing at 7:13pm.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Maria Orozco
EXCUSED: Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy
19. Consider Possible Funding Sources to Fund Unfunded Priorities Staff Report: City Manager Gil presented the staff report via powerpoint presentation explaining the unfunded City priorities such as a fully equipped Fire Department along with personnel, roads and streets improvements, robust programming for people of all ages, parks and neighborhood maintenance and beautification, and other general fund needs; current tax rate and proposed tax rate; other Cities sales tax rates; local impact; and timeline.
Public Comment: Rosa Rodriguez, 307 Ayrshire Way, commented she would be happy to vote yes but suggested wording it differently because as soon as the people see sales tax, they would probably say no. She also commented about the water bill mailers not being read by many and
thought the reason why people voted was because the election candidates knock door to door like Mayor Rios and Council Member Orozco since they took their time to go out to the community and share what they have done for the community. She expects members from the Council to educate the community regarding the measure.
Mayor Rios agreed with Mrs. Rodriguez but mentioned that the Council Members were prohibited from doing that. He asked the City Attorney to clarify.
City Attorney Rodriquez clarified that they could not use City funds or equipment to try and advocate for a measure, and didn't recommend doing that. He said the City can educate people on the benefits of the measure and the consequences if it doesn’t pass.
The Council concurred with staff's recommendation.
It was the Council's consensus to direct staff to proceed with the plan for the sales tax measure to be placed on the November 2024 ballot.
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
20. Oral Communication
Youth Commissioner Castillo reported on the Mental Health project survey in English and Spanish; the Tenants Rights Project; and Youth Summit with the South County Cities working closely together.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
21. 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
No report.
22. Oral Communications
Council Member Silva announced the High School Awards this Wednesday at 6:00pm; and Gonzales Cemetery Ceremony at 9:00am on May 27th to honor all the departed veterans, followed by a Chicken Barbecue at the Legion Hall from 11:00am - 3:00pm. She asked when the pool would be open.
City Manager Gil responded staff was getting ready to have all the Health Department permits and are planning on opening it the first week of June.
Council Member Orozco congratulated all the students who received certificates today and all the students who graduated from CSUMB, Hartnell, and other Universities. She announced the plans currently underway for the 4th of July festivities at the park starting with a parade; and the Reverse Draw Dinner on June 14th at St. Theodore's Church.
Mayor Rios thanked Fire Chief Muscio and Officer Macias for presenting at the Senior Luncheon last week. He also mentioned about Mr. Martinez noticing an Officer who was playing soccer with the kids on the street, and he sent him a picture of the Officer. He thought that was awesome that people notice what they do for the community especially the children. Mayor Rios appreciated Officer Perez for his commitment to the kids and being community minded.
Council Member Orozco added that Officer Perez also sang with the Mariachi at the Cinco de Mayo event.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
23. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil reminded the public the office will be closed for Memorial Day. She announced the parade, 5K run, and other festivities for 4
th of July event; summer camp registration being
open, as well as the summer programming, and Tiny Tots Program; pool will be open first week of June; and the Reuse, Recycle and Clean up Day would be on June 29th at Fairview Middle School from 8:00am - 1:00pm. She informed that the Wine Festival had been rescheduled since June 1st was too quick for staff to turnaround and set everything up, but there's more to come on that.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Maria Orozco
EXCUSED: Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy
The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk