MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 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.
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
Valeria Cardenas and Emily Mendez.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Community Development Director Taven Kinson 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]
PRESENTATIONS
2. Consider Approval of, and Present Proclamation No. 2024-05 Proclaiming September 2024 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco Maria Camacho, Sun Street Centers South County Prevention Program Manager, received the Proclamation and introduced Youth Leaders Angelina Alcala, Jocelyn, and Juanita Chavez who were part of the STEPS Program. She thanked the City for their continued support of their mission and preventative measures to bring awareness to our communities.
The Youth Leaders expressed their appreciation to the City for the support by helping them make a difference in our communities, and expressed their mission was to prevent alcohol and drug addiction by offering education, prevention, treatment and recovery to individuals and families.
They explained that the STEPS (Safe Teens Empowerment Project) program has had the opportunity to support people in recovery by writing letters of encouragement, and they had actively promoted national recovery by engaging activities like the homecoming parade float, and inspiring posters advocating for recovery.
3. GYC Summer Fellowship Capstone
Youth Commissioners Valeria Cardenas and Emily Mendez introduced themselves and presented their capstone presentation. They explained the Gonzales Youth Council purpose, the program overview, the purpose of the fellowship, their experience of their fellowship, an overview of platform projects, next steps in moving forward, future projects, and recommendations. They expressed their gratitude to everyone they had the privilege of meeting and collaborating with, and they shared they had the opportunity to grow as leaders, build valuable connections, and gain a deeper understanding of their city governance and school administration. They aimed to inspire the next generation to be civically engaged and to advocate for the betterment of our community.
4. 3CE Annual Report to the City Council
Judith Young, 3CE Senior Account Manager, presented a powerpoint presentation explaining the different members of the organization, the 2023 year in review, 3CE innovation priority, the key to their procurement strategy, California breaking renewable energy records, 3CE power delivery, growing sustainable agriculture, and investing in the City's energy transition.
Justin Leblanc, Soledad Resident, commented about his background regarding projects all around the State to help municipalities advance the quality of their grid for the electrification, and coming across a new funding source for municipalities that allowed projects to be done at no money down during planning, engineering, procurement, and construction until the project was active.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
5. 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.
Marilyn Gibbons and Douglas McFarland commented their teammates and they live in Monterey County and were volunteers, not spokespersons with the United Sovereign Americans also known as USA. They read an analysis of the 2022 election they said was done by highly qualified teams and a summary of the UDA Resolution with their findings, the laws that applied, and a call to end inaccurate and uncertain elections. They provided a copy of the same to the City Clerk and the Council.
Henry Martinez Sr. apologized for his behavior at the last meeting and elaborated on his emotions and reasons for it. He also elaborated on the complaints he filed against an officer that was there at the meeting, and the incident on the Fourth of July where he felt attacked.
Roman Barba said loud music was an issue and commented about a resident who had his car doors open with pounding music. He asked why the Police Department was not giving tickets for that and felt they were not doing their job. He wanted the loud music ordinance to be brought forward to see if the department was telling the truth.
CONSENT AGENDA
6. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - August 5, 2024 Minutes
7. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #50599-50647
8. City Manager’s Report
9. Community Engagement & Recreation Departments Activity Report
10. Community Development Department Activity Report
11. Fire Department Activity Report
12. Police Department Activity Report
13. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report
14. Consider Renewal of a Three-Year Lease Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and David Ramirez D.D.S. for the Property Located at 421 Center Street with the Option to Extend the Lease at a New Monthly Rate for an Additional Two-Year Term, Following Expiration of the Initial Term (August 31, 2027)
15. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-53, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Amending the Adopted Conflict of Interest Code Council Member Worthy pulled item 7. She asked about the Pacheco Water Store warrant for a small business loan for $81,000.
*
Community Development Director Kinison Brown responded that was a loan approved by the City through the recycling of CDBG monies on July 11, 2023 for $100,000, and in September, the awardee drew down a check of about $18,000, so this one represented the balance. He mentioned that was a pool of money that the City recycled as repayments were made from about ten recipients and collected for other businesses.
City Manager Gil added that was money that could only go to support small businesses and could not be used for anything else. She said that any time the City got the money back from when a business paid their loan off, then someone else could apply.
Council Member Silva shared a comment with regards to item 13, page 43, subtitled parks, where we received the results from the ballots that were sent out. She felt disappointed that only about a third of the property owners took the time to cast the ballots, so the other two thirds, if they had an issue with things not getting done, maybe they should have submitted their ballot. She added there were 333 property owners that were sent ballots, and we only received probably about 130 or so. She added that whenever things go wrong, they need to talk to the property owners that did not take the time to cast their ballot.
With regards to a warrant for fumigation for $10,000, Mayor Rios felt that was an awful lot of money and thought we could have bought the trees versus fumigating them.
Public Works Director Dobbins clarified that $10,000 wasn’t for the treatment, it was like they had heard it before, one of the invoices of several that were processed for Smith and Enright, and less than $2,000 was for treating several trees. But the invoices were paid together in the month.
Mayor Rios thanked him and said that clarification was so much better and now knows that wasn't the amount for that.
Public Works Director Dobbins indicated this was how the old financial system generated them.
City Manager Gil added that was what staff was dealing with the old system where it only takes the first invoice that gets coded in, but the new system will be much better.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 6-15
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
REGULAR AGENDA
16. Vista Lucia Specific Plan Update
Staff Report: Community Development Director Kinison Brown presented the staff report via powerpoint presentation explaining the primary actions since the May 20th update, the public outreach efforts to increase awareness, tentative map, annexation area, and remaining actions.
City Manager Gil translated for the report to the Spanish speaking audience.
Public Comment: Roman Barba asked what the neighborhood green shown on the map was.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown responded it was a gathering spot.
Mr. Barba said he didn’t like the park or that green part next to a school district.
Justin Leblanc commented about his previous comment that the funding source he had mentioned previously was available for all kinds of infrastructure and improvements to land.
Council Discussion: Council Member Silva shared her disappointment at the timing for the LAFCO hearings, but was glad we were moving forward.
Mayor Rios concurred with her and said we now have a very capable City Manager and it was further along than it was before but we were getting there, and had full confidence in staff this time we would get there.
Informational item. No action required.
17. Introduce, Waive Reading and Read by Title Only Ordinance No. 2024-146, Ordinance No. 2024-146, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Amending Chapter 3.16- Purchasing Procedures of Title 3- Revenue and Finance of the Gonzales City Code to Increase the Bidding Requirement Threshold for the Purchase of Supplies and Equipment From $5,000 to $50,000
Staff Report: City Attorney Rodriquz presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: Council Member Silva asked for clarification if this was for all Department Managers or just the City Manager.
City Attorney Rodriquez answered that was all expenditures and the City Manager's spending limit was set at the same $5,000 threshold. He indicated that the City Manager ultimately had the final authority, but all expenditures were still going to be within the established and approved budget that had been approved by the City Council.
Council Member Worthy asked if that should be clarified in the language because she didn’t see where it mentioned the City Manager.
City Attorney Rodriquez responded that the ordinance referred to the funding designation for the title of the person who authorized that, which was the Purchasing Officer, being the City Manager, but he will bring that clarification again at the next meeting.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Scott Funk, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
18. Consider Approval of the Top Two Projects Developed by the Safe Routes to School Steering Committee
Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Roman Barba commented Fifth Street will always be dangerous going over the bridge and talked about Marina's walkways.
Council Discussion: There was discussion about providing education to all schools about informing the students that they can't walk on a crosswalk that's closed since there were a lot of students still walking on the closed crosswalks in front of the construction site. City Manager Gil will reach out to the school to see what they could do collectively to remind everyone and let the parents know that's closed for their own safety.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] top two projects (Pedestrian Safety Improvements at the Fifth Street/Rincon Road Intersection, and at the Fifth Street/US 101 Interchange), and directed staff to add the projects to the City’s Capital Improvement Program and engage a consultant for design services
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
19. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-54, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Adopting a Public Meeting Decorum Policy
Staff Report: City Attorney Rodriquez presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Henry Martinez Sr. thanked the Attorney for the informative report because steps needed to be followed. He commented on a time when he got ejected without warning. He felt the sign waving could be free speech, but he liked this policy.
City Attorney Rodriquez indicated the issue was whether or not it was disruptive and gave him an example.
Mr. Martinez hoped everyone would follow the procedure with proper notifications and he admitted last week he was off his senses.
Roban Barba asked if this applied to the Council Members too since he had seen members like in Salinas getting into it.
City Attorney Rodriquez responded he couldn’t speak to Salinas, but the rules of decorum that were going to be established would be applicable to anybody who was engaged in conduct that was disrupting.
Justin Leblanc commented about freedom of speech needing to be productive and constructive in order to be beneficial and elaborated on students engaging with teachers about free speech. He also mentioned about respective authority being one of the things that was worth reminding as a part of the decorum policy.
Council Discussion: None.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
20. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioners Cardenas and Mendez reported on doing more outreach for the Youth Council this week and presentations in the middle schools, as well as offering application assistance.
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
Mayor Pro Tem Funk reported on a number of informational items that AMBAG staff was working on for long term growth.
c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy reported on the roadblock currently with the Coastal Commission regarding obtaining a development permit since 2019 and the concern with the project if administration changed.
22. Oral Communications
Council Member Orozco thanked staff and the agencies that participated in the National Night Out event, which was a great event. She thanked the Police Chief and Police Officers for putting together a great event since the community was seen enjoying the event. She also thanked those who donated to the Rotary Annual Golf Tournament which was a successful event, and all of the funds would go to scholarships for our students.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk thanked the Police and Fire Departments for the National Night Out that he heard a lot of great things about. He also wanted to bring a no camping ordinance. He said not only in parks but areas like the slough could be dangerous for folks to accumulate. He believed it was important that we re-evaluated how we had our ordinance written and elaborated on the various reasons.
Council Member Silva gave a shout out to Valeria Cardenas for being selected to be the Delegate at the Girls State Leadership Conference this summer by the American Legion Auxiliary. She also said she got to meet with both Commissioners along with Council Member Worthy and they were very nervous at first, but later they felt comfortable. She reported on the Salinas Valley Recycles Annual Employee Appreciation Dinner, and announced the Monterey County Fair August 29th to September 2nd. She also announced field trips that would be available to local school from the Education Center at Johnson Canyon, and information would be provided to some local schools.
Council Member Worthy reminded everyone about the Measure K Community Grants being open currently and September 9th was the deadline. She mentioned talking to the Public Works Supervisor Twisselmann to get a trellis for the tomatoes at the community garden, and encouraged people to go to the Community Garden to get the vegetables, and get involved in the so they could plant something. She echoed Council Member Silva’s comments about the Youth Commissioners who were really excited for the things happening this year.
Mayor Rios mentioned he brought to the City Manager’s attention, but also wanted to let the Chief know about a young man that was doing donuts in the middle of the Fourth and Day Streets intersection, and he even felt the smoke going towards him. He said he had seen and heard about young men taking off from Fifth Street heading down and taking up both lanes speeding and blowing past the stop sign on Fourth Street on weekends, in the evening.
He asked the Chief to inform the Officers that those things were happening. He apologized to both Chiefs for not attending the National Night out because a friend went to his house really upset and complained about waiting from 1pm- 4pm to get a roof inspection and elaborated on the situation.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
23. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil updated that staff had been working on the Blue Zones project, Wings of Knowledge, and Save the Whales, and the County to continue planning and engaging the folks in the Community Garden and ensuring that the space was being maintained. She mentioned that Wings of Knowledge was able to install the irrigation system and the third garden box and were committed to paying an intern that would be able to help with maintenance of the garden on a weekly basis. She informed that Save the Whales had also committed to a one year leadership which entailed helping to engage youth in the community and also the coordination of continuing events, and now that the school had started, they were going to be actively taking classes over to the community garden on a monthly basis. She added that the County's Resource Conservation District were there on August 16th and will be there on August 23rd to do some site preparation and continue working on getting planting dates and would also be purchasing a banner with a site map where things should go. She announced a survey went out regarding our tax measure on the ballot, which is Measure S, asking residents what their priorities were or where they would like to see the funding go if the measure were to pass. She said so far, we had 22 responses. She shared some of the initial things staff was hearing like a new fire engine, clean and decent parks and open spaces, and street repairs, and staff is still gathering data. On another note, she reported talking to Rotary regarding the sales tax as well as providing some educational points.
Public Works Director Dobbins reported on the truck ban on Fifth Street, design consultant, and installation of signs; and sending letters on a quarterly basis to the processing facilities in the business park since they were generating the long-haul trucks.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown reported on the Rianda Cooler agricultural easement that LAFCO would be processing.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk