MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY, AND
GONZALES PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2024
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor/Chair 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 Excused
Liz Silva Council/Agency Member Present
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency Member Present
Maria Orozco Council/Agency Member Present
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS
Excused Absence: Valeria Cardenas and Emily Mendez.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Community Development Director Taven Kinson Brown, Finance Director Mike Howard (via zoom), 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
Financing Authority 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]
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
2. 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.
Sandra Ramirez expressed her opposition to the proposed park discussed at the last meeting and said she lived closed to the proposed project. She explained the reasons and elaborated on her concerns, and said she also talked about some of the neighbors who were not too happy about it.
Daniel Gutierrez talked about residents of the CHISPA neighborhood who would take their dogs to the toddler park without leashes and not pick up after them. He asked the City if it was possible to communicate with CHISPA about making sure their dogs are on leashes before something happens and to not use the park as a bathroom or at least to clean up after their dogs.
CONSENT AGENDA
3. Approve the Joint City Council, Successor Agency, Successor Housing Agency, Electric Authority, and Municipal Electric Utility Boards - Regular Meeting - September 16, 2024 Minutes
4. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #50808-50911
5. Consider Closure of City Offices for the Winter Holidays
6. Accept the 2024 Annual Public Financing Authority Report
7. Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Sign a Property Access Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County for the Establishment, Access, and Upkeep of a Pollinator Garden at the Community Garden Site
8. Consider Renewal of a Three-Year Lease Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation for the Property Located at 225 Elko Street with an Option to Extend the Lease at a New Monthly Rate for an Additional Two-Year Term, Following Expiration of the Initial Term (October 31, 2027)
9. Consider Approval and Authorize the City Manager to Sign a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Gonzales and Hartnell College Foundation for Support and Engagement in the Youth Ambassador Pilot Program – Student Opportunity and Achievement Rising Across the Salinas Valley (S.O.A.R); and Accept a $10,000 Grant to Offset Participation Costs
10. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-59, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing Task Order #3 Under a Master Service Agreement with MNS Engineers for Environmental Monitoring Services During Construction of the Industrial Wastewater System *
11. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-60, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Agreements and/or Proceed with Services from Various Consultants to Secure an Interim Loan for Construction of the Industrial Wastewater System
12. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-61, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager or Public Works Director to Submit a Financial Assistance Application to the State Water Resources Control Board for the Planning and Design of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project
Council Member Silva pulled warrants for further clarification. Warrants #50846 and 50891 she wasn't sure if they were duplicate payments and if that was the only cost or if there will be more.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded they were not duplications. Those were separate appraisals efforts for the Industrial Wastewater Project, and there would potentially be more, and they were for the preparation of the appraisals and working through the acquisition of the easements.
She also asked about warrant #50877 for $166.60 for Santiago Melgoza for out of pocket lift rides and was wondering what that was.
Police Chief Wise responded that was for the Specialist Drone Training we sent him to down in Riverside, and the venue was not at the hotel he was staying so that was a ride to expense from and to the venues the training was held at and those were all out of pocket expenses he incurred that the City reimbursed him for.
Council Member Silva asked if he wasn't given a stipend.
Police Chief Wise responded yes, for meals only.
Council Member Silva also asked about warrant #50909 to the Monterey Bay Area Self, in the amount of $16,911.55 for a claim under the explanation, and didn't know if there was anything after that.
City Manager Gil responded it was for our self insurance for MBASIA but wanted to confirm that just to be sure.
Council Member Silva also asked about warrant #50903 in the amount of $5,000 to United Way for 211 services, and asked if that was an annual fee.
City Manager Gil responded yes, that was an annual fee that all the cities and entities in the County paid to be part of those services.
Council Member Silva said it would have helped if it had said annual 211 services and she wouldn't ask the question.
Council Member Worthy asked when the new financial system was going to be ready.
Finance Director Howard, via zoom, explained staff went live last Monday on what we called financials, the general ledger went live last week, so this is our second week of going live. He said staff will run payroll and accounts payable starting this week, then next week would be the wrap up. He informed that staff will go live with utility billing and cash receiving in December.
And then with business license and accounts receivable between now until February, and that will complete our suite of the financial system.
City Manage Gil asked Finance Director Howard when the new check run will show the updates.
Finance Director Howard informed it would be at the next meeting. He said staff hadn't ran any checks since the last check run, so the batch they run this week will be going live in the system.
He also confirmed Council Member Silva's question regarding the MBASIA warrant. He explained that one was for multiple claims that the City needed to pay, and it was about 15 different claims that made up the $16,000 amount. He said that was the one thing with this system that didn't break down the information.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 3-12
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council/Agency Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council/Agency Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
REGULAR AGENDA
13. Consider Approval of a 25-Year Lease Agreement with Legacy Sign Company for the Construction and Use of an Offsite Advertising Billboard Sign on a City-Owned 6+acre Parcel Adjacent to Highway 101 on Assessor’s Parcel Number 020-201-022-000 Staff Report: Community Development Director Kinison Brown presented the staff report. He noted that City Attorney Rodriguez suggested the need for a resolution which includes actions relative to the Surplus Land Act, so staff prepared Resolution No. 2024-62, which was distributed to the Council this evening.
The Resolution for consideration under this item was Resolution No. 2024-62, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving a Lease Agreement with Legacy Sign Company for the Construction and Use of an Offsite Advertising Billboard Sign on a City-Owned 6+Acre Parcel Adjacent to Highway 101.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: None.
RESULT: APPROVED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS] Resolution No. 2024-62 MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council/Agency Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council/Agency Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
14. Possible New Regulations Concerning Encampments on Public Property City Attorney Rodriquez recommended that this item be carried over to the next meeting for a couple of reasons. The first being that the staff report referenced a number of attachments which were sample ordinances, and unfortunately, they were not distributed with the agenda so the Council didn't have the ability to review them. Also, Mayor Pro Tem Funk who actually asked that the item be agendized for discussion was absent this evening.
He mentioned that this item was about the issue of encampments, or folks who were camping out on public property and elaborated on the court’s determination, but the full discussion will be continued to the next meeting where the Council would have the opportunity to look at sample ordinances and provide direction to staff.
Public Comment: Daniel Gutierrez asked if the definition of encampment included people living in a trailer on the street. He commented about having one in his neighborhood where several people observed people coming in and out of that trailer in the morning and nighttime, and being parked there for over a year.
City Attorney Rodriquez responded encampment would be whatever the Council decided that could basically be living on private property.
Council Member Orozco elaborated on a family she's currently working with which was a family of 10 including eight children and she said it was so challenging for them to find housing and were currently living in their car. She knew this was a challenge for cities and there was nothing available such as family shelters in South County.
It was the Council’s consensus to move this item to the next meeting.
15. Updated List of Parking Regulations
Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Daniel Gutierrez
Council Discussion: Council Member Worthy informed about a lot of residents offering help to paint the ramps. City Manager Gil elaborated on other cities saying it hard to enforce since that would be taking a lot of parking away. Council Member Silva asked about parking permits like in Salinas. City Manager Gil informed she and the City Attorney were going to do homework on permitted parking and bring it back. Public Works Director Dobbins elaborated on permitted parking by the Vosti apartments on C Street. Council Member Orozco elaborated on many people not being in favor of permitted parking since many households had multiple cars due to grown children and families and friends visiting, and suggested a survey. Mayor Rios liked permitted parking which would be a great thing for traffic safety due to cars parked close to the curbs and making it difficult to see.
It was the Council's consensus to direct staff to bring back a resolution.
16. Street Maintenance Program Status Report
Staff Report: City Manager Gil and Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report via powerpoint presentation explaining the current conditions, unfunded needs, costs, plan, and the next steps.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: Council Member Worthy thanked them for the information which was really helpful. Mayor Rios understood how expensive signage was but he rather spend the money now and save the long run since big trucks come down Fifth Street damaging it.
The Council received the report.
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
17. Oral Communications
No updates since the Commissioners were not present.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
18. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios reported on the Safe Routes to School project where all the south county communities participated very well; and the Assessor's Office update on the County's funds. b. Mayor Selection Committee
Mayor Rios said there was no meeting due to lack of quorum last week. c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva announced the Highlights of the last meeting were distributed to the Council by Deputy City Clerk Villegas, announced the next meeting October 17th at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers, and the Education Center at the Johnson Canyon landfill should be available for classes to take field trips very soon.
d. Measure K Oversight Committee
City Manager Gil reported on the subcommittee meeting last week where they made a recommendation to the full committee as to who would be funded with the Community Action Grants for this fiscal year, which is scheduled for October 14th. Council Member Worthy asked if they lose the funding if they don’t use it. City Manager Gil mentioned they would honor the one that’s currently approved and ask them to use it asap, but we would not continue to do that.
19. Oral Communications
Council Member Orozco said she wanted to give the information to Mr. Gutierrez but he had already left, about CHISPA contacts since three Board Members live in Gonzales. She had contacted them in the past with other issues and they were able to deal with them really quick.
She also thanked the Officer who showed up to the Church Carnival and gave a little pep talk to some of the students early in the morning, and thanked everyone who attended as it was a great success.
Council Member Silva announced the next football games' dates, times, and locations, and Homecoming on Saturday October 19th at San Lorenzo Valley, and Senior Night on November 9th at Salinas High School since they were remodeling the stadium.
Council Member Worthy thanked Council Member Silva, Sandra Castillo, Connie Arellano and Tiffany Twisselmann for helping at the community garden pulling weeds and cleaning up the area. She said it was important for all residents to help when they could. She also mentioned people had been picking up their dog stuff lately and it was nice for all of us to work together and clean up our community.
Mayor Rios thanked staff for all their diligent work and the fine reports.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
20. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil informed she would be at the League of California Cities Conference from Wednesday to Friday representing our town. She announced Salinas Valley Health Fair Day Saturday, October 12th from 11:00am - 2:00pm consisting of flu clinics, produce giveaways, Zumba, etc.; Cleanup Day on October 19th at Fairview Middle School; Halloween Outdoor Movie Night on October 19th which would include a Halloween Costume Contest; and the Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat on October 26th from 4:00pm - 7:00pm. She also informed there was a day scheduled for a community garden cleanup and staff would share it via social media and get the date to everyone. She also mentioned the school finally received the student banners and they will be going up any day now, and the Hometown Hero Program signs are going to be part of a ceremony most likely the Thursday before Veterans Day to honor our fallen Veterans and those who have served.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown announced the free community-wide garage sale this weekend on Saturday and Sunday and staff already received 40 registrations.
Mayor Rios informed he would be meeting with Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren here in Gonzales at 2:45pm, and on Thursday with Senator John Laird at 2:30pm who will be representing our area now instead of Anna Caballero.
Fire Chief Muscio reported on the calls he made to three agencies regarding the smell in Gonzales and they all decided that Monterey County Environmental Health was going to be responsible for the smell. He said they were familiar with the operation where it was coming from and they were planning a site visit to that operation to see if there was anything they could do on site to minimize the odor.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk