MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025
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
Liz Silva Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Present
Scott Funk Council/Agency Member Excused
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency Member Present
Maria Orozco Council/Agency Member Present
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS
Absent: 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, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Mary Villegas, Administrative Assistant II Marisol Gomez, 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. Certificates of Recognition to the Gonzales High School Girls Soccer Team Deputy City Clerk Villegas read the certificates and Mayor Rios presented them to the students and coaches.
Coach Tejeda expressed his gratitude to everyone who made this season special and elaborated on their achievement.
3. Introduction of Public Works Intern Jorge Ochoa
Public Works Director/City Engineer Dobbins introduced Public Works Intern Jorge Ochoa.
Intern Jorge Ochoa mentioned he was raised here in Gonzales and thanked the City for this opportunity and was honored to be able to make an impact.
4. Community Center Progress Update
Harris and Associates Construction Manager Luis Flores, Otto Construction Project Manager Kim Siason, and Otto Construction Superintendent Ron Chesshire, presented an update on the construction progress, schedule, project management, construction management, and community engagement. They showed photos and a timelapse video of the construction.
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.
Henry Martinez Sr., 112 Tenth Street, commented about being recognized by the Police Department in court, being part of the reporting for the Gonzales Real News Website, and told the Police Chief his third grandchild was coming back and she was going to sue the City. He also commented about being out there in front of INS with his news vest recording them with his weapon which was his phone. He said he could not get arrested because he was a US citizen, and he was willing to take hits for his neighbors.
CONSENT AGENDA
6. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - February 18, 2025 Minutes
7. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #51523-51673
8. City Manager’s Report
9. Community Development Department Activity Report
10. Community Engagement & Recreation Departments Activity Report
11. Fire Department Activity Report
12. Police Department Activity Report
13. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report
14. Consider Adoption of the Updated Mitigation Rates as Provided in Exhibit A of the Report, and Authorize Staff to Make the Necessary Changes to the City’s Cost for Services Fee Schedule
15. Consider Approval of, and Allow the City Manager to Sign an Agreement with the Monterey County Health Department for Work and Materials Funded through the Office of Traffic Safety for a Total of $40,000
16. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-07, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager to Withdraw the Funding Donated for the Dennis and Janice Caprara Community Center Complex from the Community Foundation Account In regards to Item 7, Council Member Worthy asked if the warrant for Smith & Enright was reflective of the new one.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded it was starting in March.
In regards to Item 10, Council Member Worthy reminded staff of a report from the Recreation Department at Council meeting.
City Manager Gil informed her that was already scheduled and they would be coming before the Council at the second meeting in April (corrected to reflect the fist meeting in May).
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
REGULAR AGENDA
17. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-08, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Stating its Intention and Expectation to Reimburse Expenditures Incurred by the City in the Planning, Design and Construction of the Industrial Wastewater System Prior to Obligations Approved by the State Water Resources Control Board
Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report via powerpoint presentation. He gave an overview of the Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facility, the pipeline contract, the treatment facility bids results, and the State Revolving Fund loan amendment.
Public Comment: Henry Martinez Sr. hoped this was not smoke and mirrors due to the way the economy was going and the federal funding cuts.
*
Council Discussion: Mayor Pro Tem Silva asked about the continuance of submitting more grant requests since we were only getting a portion of the money.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded yes that was staff’s plan and the MNS Engineers’ grant division was helping staff to get it.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
18. Oral Communications
No updates.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
19. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. League of California Cities Monterey Bay Division
No report. He reported on the TAMC meeting that all the left turns from Gonzales to Salinas by next year would be closed.
b. Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
No report.
c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy reported on the Surf Project, date on the circulators, National Transit Employee Appreciation Day tomorrow, and announced the next meeting on April 14th.
20. Oral Communications
Council Member Worthy asked if we could eliminate the plastic water bottles and consider going back to using metal bottles due to micro plastics inside the bottles affecting everyone.
She shared a request from her husband who would be willing to pick up dog excrement if the City would put buckets along Fanoe Road since it was getting worse again. She also asked the Mayor if he knew the people going around claiming to be working with PG&E encouraging people to go solar. She wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Mayor Rios said they were not affiliated with PG&E since he approached one of them and could not show him an ID, so they were not from a legitimate company.
Council Member Silva also mentioned people on her side of town were also approaching residents saying they could save on their gas. She encouraged everyone who was interested in Chair Yoga to join the class this Saturday at 9:00am at the Taylor Farms Wellness Center. She also asked staff to look into the possibility of including this again every Saturday at the Rec Center or Taylor facility. She announced the Seniors monthly luncheon this Thursday at St.
Theodore’s Hall at 11:00am. She wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Council Member Orozco congratulated the girls and boys soccer teams for a great season. She announced an Immigration Workshop sponsored by Catholic Charities at St. Theodore’s Hall on March 26th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm; and the Lenten dinners every Friday from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at St. Theodore's Hall as well.
Mayor Rios mentioned he was happy he attended the Soccer NorCal Championship.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
21. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil announced the parade for the Boys Soccer team on March 20th at 2:00pm starting at the Spartan Alley. She looked forward to see the community supporting the team.
Fire Chief Muscio shared the route would start at the Spartan Alley, turn west on Fifth Street, left onto Elko Street, right on First Street, right on Center Street, back over to Fifth Street, then back down Spartan Alley.
City Manager Gil informed the route was shared on social media.
Mayor Rios mentioned he had been talking to Coach Vidauri this afternoon who was trying to move it up to noon so that Fairview and la Gloria schools could let the kids out at 12:45pm to watch the parade since he remembered as a child it was one of his inspirations to continue playing.
City Manager Gil indicated that staff would connect with him to get the right time and let everyone now. She announced the Car Show on April 5th from 12:00pm - 4:00pm; and the Gardening Day on March 29th from 10:00am - 12:00pm.
Fire Chief Muscio reported on the status of the mass notification system and staff was currently meeting with the vendor.
Public Works Director Dobbins reported on the rehabilitation of the two blocks of Fourth Street and staff was working with the consultant to come up with the scope fee schedule; the Slurry Seal work within Canyon Creek and the Industrial Business Park; and the Safe Routes to School Program's preliminary design of the pedestrian improvements on Fifth Street, from the southbound on and off ramps at the bridge past the Rincon intersection.
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.
22. 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 Painters & Allied Trades District Council 26, International Fire Fighters Local 5388 and Unrepresented Employees.
Direction provided to negotiators. No other reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Jose L. Rios, Mayor
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
The meeting was adjourned at 7:14 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk