MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 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
Emily Mendez.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins, Community Development Director Taven Kinson Brown, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Administrative Assistant II Esthela Palmerin, Administrative Assistant II Marisol Gomez, 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. Gonzales Rotary
Rob Gularte presented the projects Rotary was working on with the City of Gonzales. One of the projects was to redo the barbecue pits in Central Park. He said Rotary was talking to the school’s FFA Program and AG program, and the conditions of the barbecue pits were not good and that the students could use hands-on skills welding them.
Mayor Rios asked the City Attorney if any safety issues would be affecting the project with the students.
City Attorney Rodriquez responded about creating a document to fulfill this project.
Mr. Gularte clarified the scope of work within the project would not be hard for the students to perform and it would be with the supervision of others.
3. Urban County Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG) by Monterey County Dawn Yonemitsu, Monterey County, presented information on the funds given to the City and explained how they were issued. She showed a five-year plan explaining the consolidated analysis prepared on housing for the 2025 period. She explained the qualification process the City would go through when the grant was issued and how the County came up with the amount provided to the City.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
4. 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.
Mayor Rios reminded the public about commenting and to watch their language towards the Police and Fire Departments. He informed them if they were disruptive or disrespectful, they would be asked to leave the meeting.
Henry Martinez Jr. commented about medical reasons and having to wear a metal brace because of stretched ligaments caused by the conflict between the police and him. He also complained about the officers treatment.
April Martinez commented about Officer Perez, Chief Wise, Officers Castillo, Fierros and Pruneda for the incident that happened not too long ago with her husband and son. She also mentioned about suffering from anxiety due to that incident but was able to control it with the help of Fire Chief Muscio. She mentioned filing a complaint against the Police Department and asked to provide the Fire Department with what they need.
Henry Martinez Sr. mentioned getting along with King City and Greenfield Police Departments; being fed up for over 10 years with the Gonzales Police Department; asked why a shooting on 7th Street was not reported; getting hit for not wanting to give his recording and mentioned someone getting searched at their home for recording. He talked about having freedom of speech and not being able to express himself or record; and how the person involved in the incident was still working and not put on leave.
Henry Martinez III commented about not being able to go out or do much anymore due to the incident between him and the Police Officers; not being able to go into the army as planned even though he worked hard to graduate from High School; expressed his love for the town, and said he was living with his stepdad at the moment. He asked the City to do the right thing.
Patick Hawk, Large Energy Installer, commented about the solar panel system the company provided.
CONSENT AGENDA
5. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - November 18, 2024 Minutes
6. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #51113-51130
7. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-71, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the Execution of Amendment No. 2 under the Executed Master Services Agreement with Professional Service Industries in the Amount of $72,000 for Materials Testing and Special Inspection Services which includes a Contingency of $7,342 During Construction of Phase 1 of the Community Center Complex Project
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 5-7
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
REGULAR AGENDA
8. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2024-70, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing Execution of Task Order No. 4 Under a Master Service Agreement with MNS Engineers to Continue their Program Management Services on the Industrial Wastewater System in the Amount of $194,110
Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
*
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
9. Introduce, Waive Reading, and Read by Title Only Ordinance No. 2024-147, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Amending Chapter 1.20- City Council of Title 1- “Administration” of the Gonzales City Code to Allow Time Allocated to Public Speakers to be Established by Resolution
Staff Report: City Attorney Rodriquez presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco, Liz Silva
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
10. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioner Mendez reported on the holiday events for the GYC starting Thursday December 5th, and the meeting with the Mayor in January, 2025.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
11. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
No Report.
b. Mayor Selection Committee
No Report.
c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Council Member Silva reported on the meeting in November about changes to the representatives of the jurisdictions, and they would meet again in January, 2025.
12. Oral Communications
Council Member Orozco wished Happy Holidays to everyone and hoped everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving. She also notified the public that Sonia Vallejo was collecting coats to donate. She was also concerned about the incidents happening lately and asked the residents to report any suspicious activities. She also notified the residents if there were any questions or concerns to feel free to ask City Hall staff by calling or stopping by.
Mayor Pro Tem Funk thanked Public Works for the holiday lights set up and wished the public Happy Holidays. He also thanked the Fire and Police Departments for all their efforts.
Council Member Silva congratulated Gio Ochoa from the High School for the 4th time on State Cross Country. She also reminded the senior residents not to forget to apply for the Senior Rebate Program at City Hall. She wished everyone Happy Holidays.
Council Member Worthy questioned what would happen to Meyer Park since the assessments did not pass so she can explain to the residents, and notify them maintenance would be limited to the park. She asked for another financial workshop for the community. She said she was notified by the City Manager that there would be a financial workshop in January or February. She also thanked the Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments for all their hard work and wished everyone Happy Holidays.
Mayor Rios asked the public to report suspicious activities in the City. He also mentioned the City received a resolution of appreciation from our local legion. He asked if the issue with the wastewater treatment line was resolved.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded that the contractor was unable to work due to rain last week, and they resumed back replacing the existing 21-inch poles on the existing lines. He said he would update when everything is complete and would contact PG&E as well.
Mayor Rios wished everyone Happy Holidays and asked if there will be a second meeting in the month of December.
City Manager Gil responded there was no second meeting in December due to Council Members being out for the holidays and meetings would resume starting January 13, 2025, following with the second meeting on January 21, 2025.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
13. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil informed the public of the upcoming events, the Holiday Lights on Saturday December 7th, from 4:00pm – 7:00pm, and signups for the Holiday Lights Parade was before December 14th.
Mayor Rios asked where the new route for the parade would take place.
Fire Chief Muscio explained the route and streets.
City Manager Gil added the line up was starting at 7:00pm. She also reminded everyone to stay safe and if there was any emergency to call 911. She wished everyone Happy Holidays.
Mayor Rios reminded the public of the annual event La Gloria Elementary was having on December 7th at 9:00am.
Police Chief Wise reminded the public of the house watch program if anyone needed it for the holidays during their time away, to submit a request to the Police Department.
Council Member Silva asked to adjourn the meeting in memory of Eddie Silva, a long-term resident of Gonzales.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Council Member
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Scott Funk, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco The meeting was adjourned at 7:29 PM.
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk