MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, JUNE 2, 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 Absence
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency Member Present
Maria Orozco Council/Agency Member Present
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS
Emily Mendez and Valeria Cardenas.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Finance Director Mike Howard (Via Zoom), Administrative Assistant II Marisol Gomez, 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. Certificates of Recognition to Gonzales High School Track and Field Athletes Mayor Rios presented the Certificates of Recognition to the High School Track and Field Athletes with the help of Administrative Assistant II Esthela Palmerin.
Mayor Rios asked to move order of items 3 and 4.
3. Central Coast Community Energy Annual Update
This item was presented after item 4.
Community Relations Manager Sophia Schwirzke presented via PowerPoint, giving a little background about Central Coast Community Energy. She explained the Together Power for Good, 2024 Energy Highlights, Our Energy Future, Online Now, Connecting with Customers, Expanding Access, Empowering Customers, 3CE Gives Customers power to, Making a difference, Community Investment, Battery Energy Storage Systems, Decarbonization, Caiso Supply Trend, and Annual Renewal Curtailment.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva thanked Community Relations Manager Schwirzke for the presentation. She asked where the current projects were located.
Community Relations Manager Schwirzke mentioned the locations of the projects, which were Riverside CA, Kern County, and Arizona. She also suggested on providing a map to Council with the locations of the current projects.
Council Member Worthy asked if the battery would help when owning a solar system, and if having a generator would make a difference.
Community Relations Manager Schwirzke responded that was the reason why 3CE was offering the program to be able to use any power saved by the batteries they provide. She also mentioned there was no need to have a solar system to use the batteries, it could be done with or without. She did clarify that she did not know where the use of a generator would apply to this situation.
Council Member Worthy asked if the existing batteries needed to be replaced due to solar prices going up by 2026. She also expressed concerns on the pricing increasing every year by 20-30%.
Mayor Rios asked about 3CE’s incentives, and how it would be available.
Community Relations Manager Schwirzke explained that customers could reach out to anyone at 3CE to learn more about the programs they provide.
Mayor Rios inquired about the lithium batteries, if there were any comments regarding the incident at the Moss Landing Power Plant.
Community Relations Manager Schwirzke answered that 3CE was not being invested in a battery facility like Moss Landing, their projects were set up with safety measurements and the location of the projects were built outdoors to prevent any incidents.
4. Gonzales Youth Council FY 2024-2025 End of Year Presentation; and a) Consider Approval of Proclamation No. 2025-04 Commending Youth Commissioner Valeria Cardenas Pacheco; and b) Proclamation No. 2025-05 Commending Youth Commissioner Emily Mendez This item was presented after item 2.
GYC Advisor Cindy Aguilar, introduced the Youth Commissioners and Youth Members. They presented via PowerPoint and talked about their purpose, projects for Fall and Spring, Education, Housing and Tenants rights, Adulting 101, Community Outings, and the 2nd Annual South County Youth Summit (SCYS).
Mayor Rios presented Proclamation No. 2025-04 and Proclamation No. 2025-05 with the help of Ms. Cindy Aguilar. He also presented the Certificates of Recognition with the help of City Manager Gil.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Proclamation No. 2025-04
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Proclamation No. 2025-05
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
5. 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.
Andrew Brown (via zoom), commented that the City website was not working, and he was unable to reach specific individuals via email. He mentioned submitting a service ticket since January 2025.
City Manager Gil responded about receiving the email and said she responded back with an email confirming receipt of the email.
CONSENT AGENDA
6. Approve the Joint City Council & Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - May 19, 2025 Minutes
7. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #52047-52107
8. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-29, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Recognizing and Congratulating Carl G. Sedoryk on His 25-Year Anniversary with Monterey-Salinas Transit
9. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-30, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Establishing Public Comment Time Limits and Related Procedures
10. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-31, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Appointing Patrick Dobbins to the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board
11. Consider Approval of the Revised Job Description for the Community Development Services Technician/Administrative Analyst Position
12. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-32, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Designating Harris and Associates as Engineer of Work for Assessment Districts, and Directing the Filing of Engineer’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Annual Reports Therefor; Designating Jarvis, Fay, & Gibson, LLP as District Counsel for Assessment Districts; and Authorizing Compensation for All Assessment District Work
13. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-33, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Declaring Intention to Confirm Diagrams and to Levy and Collect Annual Assessments Pursuant to the Benefit Assessment Act of 1982 - California Breeze Benefit Assessment District Nos. 1, 2, and 3
14. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-34, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Providing Preliminary Approval of Engineer’s Report, Stating Intention to Confirm Diagram and to Levy and Collect Annual Assessments Pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 - California Breeze Parks and Open Spaces Maintenance Assessment District
15. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-35, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales of Intention to Confirm Diagram and to Levy and Collect Annual Assessments Pursuant to the Benefit Assessment Act of 1982 - Canyon Creek Benefit Assessment District Nos. 1, 2 & 3
16. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-36, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Providing Preliminary Approval of Engineer’s Report, Stating Intention to Confirm Diagram and to Levy and Collect Annual Assessments Pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 - Canyon Creek Parks and Open Spaces Maintenance Assessment District Nos. 1, 2 and 3
17. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-37, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales of Intention to Confirm Diagram and to Levy and Collect Annual Assessments Pursuant to the Benefit Assessment Act of 1982 - Gonzales Industrial Park Benefit Assessment District
18. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-38, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Providing Preliminary Approval of Engineer’s Report, Stating Intention to Confirm Diagram and to Levy and Collect Annual Assessments Pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 - Gonzales Industrial Park Landscape Maintenance Assessment District
19. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-39, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Declaring Intention to Confirm Diagram and to Levy and Collect Annual Assessments Pursuant to the Benefit Assessment Act of 1982 - Cipriani Estates Benefit Assessment District
20. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-40, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Providing Preliminary Approval of Engineer’s Report, Stating Intention to Confirm Diagram and to Levy and Collect Annual Assessments Pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 - Cipriani Estates Parks and Open Spaces Maintenance Assessment District Council Member Worthy pulled items 7 and 8 for questions. *
Mayor Pro Tem Silva pulled items 13 and 14 for verification.
Council Member Worthy mentioned she wanted more clarification on the descriptions of the receipts for the credit card spending report. She said she would call the City Manager in the next few days to meet for more clarification on item 7.
City Manager Gil agreed to the meeting with Council Member Worthy. She also clarified to the Council that the Credit Card statements were attached in the agenda packet with the copy of the receipts.
Council Member Worthy mentioned she was going to be making some changes to Resolution No. 2025-29 and present it on Monday June 9, 2025.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva asked about items 13 and 14 if the fees would be paid to the County, the assessments for California Breeze due to including a County collection column.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded that it was a fee when the City submits a tax rule for the costs accrued from the assessor.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva inquired if it was normal not to have a fee amount on some of the parcel numbers.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded those parcels were City owned properties.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva asked about the reference of 2017-18 on page 104, if it was a mistake on the agenda.
Public Works Director Dobbins answered there was no mistake. He explained that was the year the fees were identified.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva asked if the current fiscal year assessment fees were not going to be reflected.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded that he would have to ask the Assessment Engineer.
City Manager Gil also added that it reflected the past studies that were made in the assessments.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva asked if the studies to reflect the current year were going to take place in the next 6 months.
City Manager Gil answered that the funds would have to be available to complete a study first.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva suggested including a footnote for the explanation given.
Public Works Director Dobbins contributed to the response to look at page 118 of the agenda packet for more details.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 5-20
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
REGULAR AGENDA
21. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-28, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Establishing the Cost for Services Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Staff Report: Public Work Director Dobbins presented staff report.
Mayor Rios opened the public hearing at 7:15pm.
Public Hearing: No comments came forward.
Mayor Rios closed the public hearing at 7:15pm.
Council Discussion: There was none.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Resolution No. 2025-28
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
22. Introduce, Waive Reading, and Read by Title Only Ordinance No. 2025-150, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Amending Ordinance No. 2019-115 of the Gonzales City Code (Tobacco Retailer License) to Prohibit the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products and to Prohibit Single Use Electronic Smoking Products
Staff Report: Community Development Director Kinson Brown presented the staff report.
Public Comment: Blue Zones Senior Policy Lead Kendra Howell, commented that the update of the Tobacco Ordinance would bring the City closer to being certified by them.
Monterey County Health Department Chronic Disease Prevention Coordinator Gonzalo Coronado, shared that if the City were to update the Tobacco Ordinance, it would be up to date with the State and it would also be stronger than the State’s Tobacco Ordinance.
Council Discussion: There was none.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Introduce & Read by Title only Ordinance No. 2025-150
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
23. Introduce, Waive Reading, and Read by Title Only Ordinance No. 2025-151, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Amending Section 3.16.085- “Bidding Procedures for Public Construction Projects” of Chapter 3.16-Purchasing Procedures, of the Gonzales City Code Staff Report: City Attorney Rodriquez presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: There was none.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Introduce & Read by Title only Ordinance No. 2025-151
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
24. Oral Communications
There was none.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
25. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios gave an update on Civil Rights. He mentioned there was no concerns on road work, but if there were any to reach out to him or any member from TAMC. b. Mayor Selection Committee
No Report.
c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Mayor Pro Tem Silva announced the upcoming scheduled meeting on June 26, 2025.
26. Oral Communications
Council Member Orozco congratulated all graduates. She also mentioned that Rotary was working on their Annual BBQ Scholarship fundraiser, as well as their Annual Golf Tournament.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva shared her experience at the Youth Summit the GYC had recently. She also talked about the AIDS Cycle passing through town, and said this would be the last year they have the bike ride event. She also wished all graduates best wishes and she shared the pool opening on June 10th.
Council Member Worthy shared she had the Corporal Castillo show the drone to them. She also thanked Public Works Supervisor Twisselmann for the tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. She congratulated all graduates.
Mayor Rios asked the City Attorney about the terms of Council Members and how they were set up.
City Attorney Rodriquez suggested preparing a report and bringing it back to the Council.
Mayor Rios agreed. He also congratulated all graduates.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
27. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil congratulated all graduates as well. She also mentioned it was the 10-year Anniversary of the GYC and thanked the Advisor and all Members of the GYC for their hard work
and dedication. She also mentioned the sale of BBQ tickets from Rotary, and to reach her or any member of the Rotary to purchase a ticket.
Police Chief Wise announced the upcoming SPCA Low-Cost Vaccinations Clinic on Saturday June 7 th from 9:30am-1:00pm in front of the Police Department. He also announced the Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run on June 25, 2025, starting at 9:00am.
Fire Chief Muscio announced the burning of the slough on Tuesday, June 3rd and Wednesday, June 4 th early in the morning. He also notified everyone about the new Firefighter who started with the Fire Department on Monday, June 2, 2025.
Public Works Director Dobbins shared information on the road closure from June 9 - 23, 2025, due to paving the road on Fifth Street in front of the Community Center. He also shared the approval of the State Revolving Fund Loan.
ADJOURNMENT
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
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk