MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 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
Council Member Worthy led the flag salute.
1. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Jose L. Rios Mayor/Chair Present - Left at 6:32pm
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. Introduction of Gonzales Youth Council Members
Youth Council Advisor Olmedo-Albor introduced the Youth Council Members for the 2024-2025 school year. She acknowledged this marked the 10th year of the founding of the Gonzales Youth Council.
Commissioners Cardenas and Mendez reintroduced themselves and mentioned everyone on the Youth Council who were excited and passionate about their big whys, and this was the first year an 8th Grader joined the Council in a while.
The following members introduced themselves and elaborated on what they will be working on this year: Cristina Garcia, Suiry Palomares, Denia Rosales, Orlando Rodriguez Perez, Ricardo Rodriguez Perez, Isabella Camargo, and Leo Asher.
Mayor Rios invited the GYC members to stay as this would be a brief meeting.
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.
Henry Martinez Jr. said he wanted to update the Council on the people that went to court regarding the fireworks with no fines but just years of probation and community service hours.
He also commented on the number of officers picking up his dad from the front of his house and his house camera getting the whole damn thing; incident happening at the Police Station; calling the City Manager regarding his complaint’s status; getting calls from the Police Department about some papers and his dad getting arrested. He said so what and he was here now and dared them to come and pick him up because shit he had nothing better to do and he got his dad out within minutes.
Mayor Rios asked Mr. Martinez to watch his language.
Mr. Martinez Jr. continued talking about expecting things done with his complaint and staff failed on their part. He laughed and said he made a joke of the last Chief and would make a joke of the current one too. He asked the City do something before he started doing things because it was not going to be fun.
April Martinez talked about the time when they arrested Henry Sr. in front of her property and the medication he needed to take; the City saying they didn’t receive her complaint; making another complaint because the City was hiding something. She told them if they messed with her family she was going to go above the Police Chief because something needed to be done about the Officers not doing their job. She added the Firefighters were doing way better than the Police Department and deserved new fire trucks.
Henry Martinez Sr. commented about getting picked up last Saturday and needing his medical bag; being involved in the 4th of July incident as a reporter for Gonzales real news where he was recording the incident to send to them to post on their website; turning off his phone after getting hit by an officer twice and being told he interfered with the investigation; told three Council Members were responsible for the Officers attitudes and promoting them after he filed complaints; elaborated on the times he got tickets; and said he didn’t want officers whom they filed complaints against to respond to their house.
Roman Barba commented about dead trees by the water tank; the City having 10 days to respond under the Brown Act to a person who had a written complaint to the City; and being a violation if the Police Department was not following up on complaint forms.
Henry Martinez III congratulated his friend for helping him during football practice, and talked about dead lifts, what he did when he was living in Paso; witnessing Saturday night and Officers guiding him with weapons and batons and threatening him; the love he had for this place; cleaning up after himself; hanging out with the School’s Principal at the school; roads needing work; bridge needing to be expanded; people driving fast; supporting his family for years; trying to not have high cholesterol; fire department needing new trucks; zones needing to be painted; and life being hard for him but he was trying to go to the army.
Ruben Zurita, Firework Safety Committee, requested to reinstate the committee as soon as possible, and said the City Manager and he haven’t been able to hook up to get the committee going. He talked about having secured funds for additional resources for another drone and another officer being trained.
Mayor Rios asked if there was an issue with the people that were part of that.
Mr. Zurita responded he just needed to get the committee to meet, and it didn’t matter how many members attend even if it was just the Police or Fire Chiefs or City Manager so that his person could come and speak to them and award the money to the City and it would help other Cities as well.
Council Member Worthy asked if the committee members were not available or what was the problem.
City Manager Gil responded there was only three people that were active, and the other two had instructed that they were still interested in being part of the committee, but if the Council wanted to form an official committee, it might be wise to include other people as well so that if one can't attend, we have others. She added as Mr. Zurita mentioned, we have been trying to meet and it was a matter of setting up a date and seeing if there were others who wanted to join the conversation, but staff was setting something up.
City Attorney Rodriquez wanted to note for the record that the City's Police Department did receive complaints from Henry Martinez, Henry Martinez Jr. and April Martinez, and those complaints now have been completed, the investigations have been completed, and notices regarding the same should be sent out this week.
City Attorney Rodriquez also wanted to note that the Brown Act had nothing to do with the timeline for the completion of an investigation on a complaint that we receive.
CONSENT AGENDA
4. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - October 21, 2024 Minutes
5. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #50984-51033
6. Consider Approval of Amendment 1 to Grant Funds and Authorize Execution of the Agreement for the Regional Early Action Planning Grant (REAP 2.0 Program)
7. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-64, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Recognizing Senator Anna M. Caballero’s Dedication and Service to the Community of Gonzales
8. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-65, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing Execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Earth Systems for Soil and Groundwater Sampling and Related Laboratory Analysis for the Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facility in the Amount of $55,000
9. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-66, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving Parking Regulations Dated November 4, 2024, and Rescinding Resolution No. 2018-03
10. Authorize the City Manager to Implement the Newly Revised Utility Assistance Program, and Amend the FY 2024-2025 Budget with a $40,000 Increase to Line Item 300-000-52010 (Water Enterprise Fund) to Accommodate the Program’s Expense
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 4-10
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
REGULAR AGENDA
11. CHISPA Progress Report on the Alta Street Property
City Manager Gil mentioned they were going to table the CHISPA progress report to another date.
At this point, Mayor Rios mentioned that he had another event he needed to be at so he turned things over to Mayor Pro Tem Funk. He wanted to report under the oral communication later on the agenda, regarding the TAMC meeting that there was a closed session item and there was discussion on the Highway 68 corridor proposal on nine intersections with Measure X funds.
Mayor Rios left at 6:32pm.
*
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
12. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioners Cardenas and Mendez reported on the completion of the survey; the Youth Council meeting next Thursday; Red Ribbon Week activities; construction site visit by the GYC; and next meeting where they would be choosing the furniture.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
13. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
This report was given earlier before Mayor Rios left.
b. Mayor Selection Committee
No report.
c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva announced the next meeting November 21st at which time they would probably know of the election’s results which would have an effect on the board. She also reported that they completed the Executive Director’s annual evaluation. d. Measure K Oversight Committee
Council Member Worthy reported on the meeting last week where they approved the Community Action Grants and the item would be coming up at our next Council meeting for approval. Council Member Orozco asked if there was still a vacancy on the committee, and Council Member Worthy responded yes, there were two. City Manager Gil added that we were looking for a youth representative and if anyone was interested, they could let her or Jessica know.
At this point, members of the Martinez Family came into the meeting room screaming and yelling “they’re fighting.”
Mayor Pro Tem Funk asked Mr. Martinez to leave the room as he was being disruptive. He asked for a recess.
14. Oral Communications
The Council meeting resumed.
Council Member Worthy announced they would be honoring our veterans this Wednesday and an Assembly would take place at Fairview Middle School at 1:00pm. and after that, the Veterans, some students and teachers would go over to the American Legion Hall where they would have refreshments.
Council Member Silva forgot to mention under the Salinas Valley Waste Authority reports that on Saturday, November 16th from 11:00am to 2:00pm, the public was invited to Wally's Recycle Festival at the Johnson Canyon landfill Education Center. She reported that they provided 100 goodie bags to trick on Halloween as part of the local American Legion Auxiliary Unit 81, and hoped they could continue this safe event every year. She announced the Gonzales High Football Senior night this Saturday at 5:00pm at the Salinas High Pit due to our stadium not being usable this year. She announced the 14th Annual Veterans Day Parade in Salinas on November 11th at 2:00pm and hoped to see everyone out there in their red, white and blue. She mentioned the Grand Marshal would be John Macias, who grew up here and was a principal at the High School.
Council Member Orozco thanked staff and the community members who participated in the Trunk or Treat event that was well attended and saw a lot of kids in really cute costumes, and adults as well. She knew there was a lot of work that went into putting these events together, so she thanked City Manager Gil and her staff. She also reported she and Council Member Silva attended a meeting that took place in Chualar regarding the improvements that were being proposed on Hihghway 101, and they had a really great presentation where she was able to talk to a representative from Caltrans mentioning the bridge still needed to be improved and worked on, and he did offer to come and speak to us on where they were with certain projects.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
15. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil invited everyone to our first Veterans Day Celebration at 12:00pm at Central Park, where they would be unveiling the banners of our distinguished Veterans. She hoped they would be able to join us, and after that as Council Member Worthy mentioned, the celebration would continue as an assembly at the Fairview Gym, and the refreshments afterwards at the American Legion Hall. She added this would be a day to honor our local Veterans. She also announced staff’s plan to host a joint meeting with the City Council and the Planning Commission on November 12th, which would be a workshop of the Vista Lucia Project; the Holiday Lights Event on December 7th at 4:30pm; and the Parade of Lights on December 14th at 7:00pm.
Police Chief Wise announced the SPCA’s low-cost Vaccination Clinic at the Police Department on November 13th from 9:00am – 2:00pm, and the vaccines were only $25 each for all dogs and puppies; $25 for rabies, $25 for microchips, and no appointment was needed.
Public Works Director Dobbins reported today was the first day of construction of the Industrial Wastewater Pipeline Project and the groundbreaking was set for Friday, November 22nd.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk mentioned we would be observing a moment of silence.
Council Member Orozco asked if we could have a moment of silence in honor of Mr. Roberto Uribe Mata, who was the founder of our Sister City organization, and he passed away last week.
He had been the President for close to 20 years, and they would be having services and a ceremony for him in Mexico. She had asked the Mayor before he left and he agreed. She also said that perhaps we could do a letter of appreciation in his honor.
CLOSED SESSION
Any member of the public may address the Council on a closed session item appearing on the agenda. Speakers shall have a limited time of three (3) minutes. Please be brief and to the point.
There was none.
16. The City Council will recess to Closed Session to meet with its designated representatives regarding labor relations matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. The Employee Groups are GPOA, GSOA, Painters & Allied Trades District Council 26, International Fire Fighters Local 5388 and Unrepresented Employees.
The Council conferred with its designated representatives. No other reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk