MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL, SUCESSOR AGENCY, AND
GONZALES PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 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/Chair Pro Tem Present
Scott Funk Council/Agency Member Present
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency Member Present
Maria Orozco Council/Agency Member Present
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Community Development Director Taven Kinison Brown, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Mary Villegas, Development Services Technician/Administrative Analyst Alejandrina Ponce, Administrative Assistant II Marisol Gomez, Administrative Assistant II Yoanna Meza, Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins, Fire Chief Jason Muscio, and Police Chief 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 two 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. Consider Approval of, and Present, Resolution No. 2025-82, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales In Honor and Recognition of Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick M.
Dobbins for His Dedicated Service to the City and Residents of Gonzales RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Scott Funk, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco Development Services Technician Ponce read Resolution No. 2025-82 and Mayor Rios presented it to Public Works Director Dobbins.
Public Works Director Dobbins said it was terrific working for the City of Gonzales where he enjoyed it as the contracted City Engineer and then as the Public Works Director. He said it was a great teamwork with Public Works staff, community and consultants on very important projects such as water, sewer, roads, buildings, parks, etc. He said he enjoyed his time here but it was time to start another endeavor and he thanked the City for the resolution.
3. PG&E Presentation by Central Coast Government Affairs Representative Jazmine Venegas Jazmine Venegas, PG&E Local Government Relations Representative, and PG&E Distribution Engineering Department Representative Adrianne Thoroddsson-Weathers, provided an update on the electric capacity and reconductoring project along Highway 101, as well as capacity improvements.
There was discussion on the timeline, permits, and projects and issues coming up, and Ms.
Venegas said PG&E welcomed the responsibility and will continue advocating and pushing internally to meet the demands, as well as continue working with and updating the City Manager.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
4. 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, elaborated on an incident that occurred two years ago where he was arrested for filming his attack by an officer and they have now lawyered up. He showed
pictures of his arms, and felt the officer should be charged with a felony, fired and arrested, and the charges dropped.
CONSENT AGENDA
5. Approve the Joint City Council and Successor Agency - Regular Meeting – November 3, 2025 Minutes
6. Approve City Accounts Payable Warrants #52930-52992
7. City Manager’s Report
8. Community Development Department Activity Report
9. Community Engagement & Recreation Departments Activity Report
10. Fire Department Activity Report
11. Police Department Activity Report
12. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report
13. Accept the 2025 Annual Public Financing Authority Report
14. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-80, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Accepting the 2025 Slurry Seal Contract as Complete, Authorizing Staff to File a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder and Direct Staff to Release Retention Monies to the Contractor After the Notice of Completion is Recorded
15. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-81, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving and Authorizing Execution of a Lease Agreement with the County of Monterey for the new Gonzales Branch Library
16. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2025-83, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager to sign a Consultant Services Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and EMC Planning Group for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Puente Del Monte Specific Plan
Mayor Pro Tem Silva pulled Items 6 and 12 for clarification. She asked about Warrant #52984 to the SPCA for $6,370. She compared the activity report from October as to the numbers transported by the City to the SPCA and asked why it was so high and if it included animals that were not transported by the City. She felt it was too bad we couldn’t go back to some of the people to recover something just like we do with first responders.
Police Chief Wise went over the bill from September and the number of animals, locations and cost per animal. He said he would have to look back at that report but according to the SPCA’s bill he had in front of him, that was exactly what occurred. He explained what the department did and what the cost per animal was.
City Manager Gil added that other animals out in the County were also added to Gonzales if they were within a certain vicinity. She informed of a discussion among the City Managers Group as well as the Mayors Group about talking to the SPCA regarding the constant cost increases. She also said there has been talks with the County about them opening a shelter in South County because of the transportation issue, but unfortunately at this point, there was nothing we could do.
Council Member Worthy asked about the warrant for $4,500 for the parcel tax and asked for an update.
City Manager Gil responded that the City was doing a lot of education as to where our department stands for the parcel tax, and the consultant is having conversations with staff as well as doing research and helping us bring a potential tax, and the Council would consider this early next year.
In regards to Item 12, page 30, Mayor Pro Tem Silva asked for a status on the streets.
*
Public Works Director Dobbins responded staff received three alternatives for improvements on Fifth Street from the west side of 101 through the Rincon intersection, but he would follow up with her with an update.
In regards to Item 12, part 5 regarding the Fifth Street Truck Ban, Mayor Pro Tem Silva asked for a status since she continued to see semis up and down Fifth Street during the day.
Public Works Director Dobbins addressed the bid opening, extra funding from TAMC, contract execution, Caltrans encroachment permit, contractor submittals and installation of the signs and posts the first couple of weeks of December.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva asked, under Item 12, if GIS could possibly assist us with mapping the aging sewer lines in town.
Public Works Director Dobbins responded that was staff’s priority, as well as doing a condition assessment of the sewer manholes which went into the contract with Don Chapin to rehab the two manholes on Fifth Street.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Items 5-16
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
REGULAR AGENDA
17. Public Hearing to Adopt, Waive Reading, and Read by Title Only Ordinance No. 2025-153, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Updating Chapter 10.16 Sewer Use of the Gonzales Municipal Code
Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Mayor Rios opened the public hearing at 6:43pm.
Public Hearing: No comments came forward.
Mayor Rios closed the public hearing at 6:43pm
Council Discussion: None.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
18. Updated Sewer Capital Improvement Program
Staff Report: Public Works Director Dobbins presented the staff report.
Megan Panofsky, MNS Engineers Construction Manager, provided an update via powerpoint presentation which included the 21-inch Trunk Main Rehabilitation, Fifth Street Manhole Rehabilitations and Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Projects; and sewer enterprise fund cash flow projection.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: City Manager Gil explained the constant percolation and levee issues changing day by day causing overflow and draining issues of the ponds, the need to monitor, repair levees, and figuring out how to maintain the water where it needs to stay, and the challenges staff faces on a daily basis. She also shared they had to start trucking water to Soledad.
Finance Director Howard addressed the Council’s questions regarding the moving of the funds, yearly capital amounts, replacing some of the projects, budget amendments for future projects, and rate study.
City Manager Gil added that staff would be coming back in the near future with some of the urgent projects to approve the contracts to move forward with the work.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
SECONDER: Scott Funk, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
19. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioners Rodriguez and Anderson reported on the community projects meeting, next meeting on November 21st, football season final game, food drive hosted by the High School ASB, FFA Banquet on November 19th, and Thanksgiving Break next week.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
20. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. League of California Cities Monterey Bay Division
No report.
b. Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
Council Member Funk reported on the draft EIR and MTPS being out for public review, and the workshops that would be held in January and February throughout the region. c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy handed out the highlights from the last meeting and elaborated on the discussion about transit first policy template to encourage all the Cities to bring MST and transportation into their plans. She announced the next meeting on December 8th.
21. Oral Communications
Council Member Worthy announced the pantry on Friday from 8:30am-10:00am at the Community Church and one more in December. She wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva thanked the City for the Hometown Heroes event and picking up the signs due to the storm. She asked if she could get a form for next year now that she could start giving them out to interested people since she was not going to remember next year. She announced the Cross Country Team won their division championship for the PCAL Santa Lucia League, the Seniors Luncheon this Thursday at the Parish Hall at 11:00am. She wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Council Member Funk thanked Public Works Director Dobbins for his years of dedication to the City as the Engineer and Public Works Director.
Council Member Orozco thanked Public Works Director Dobbins as well for his many years of service to the City and wished him the best as he moved on. She wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mayor Rios shared a concern about the community center parking lot and hoped it didn’t become excess parking for the apartments on Fifth Street. He thanked staff for the Veteran’s Day event. He told Public Works Director Dobbins it had been a pleasure working with him and hoped he wasn’t too challenging for him but any comments that were made from the dais was really from the heart for our community, and to enjoy his retirement.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
22. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil announced the Holiday Lights Event on December 6th at 4:30pm, Community Center tours, and Community Action Grants applications deadline on November 21st. She mentioned she received a phone call thanking our Fire Department for their quick action and going above and beyond to a fire they responded to on Thursday night. She mentioned the gentleman was very thankful and happy with the services that our Fire Department provided.
Police Chief Wise announced the Basketball Tournament event hosted by the Police Department tomorrow starting at 5:30pm to raise funds for the Fairview School Uniforms, and the Coffee with a Cop on November 24th at 8:00am at Amor de Café.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown reported on the Anytime Fitness gym that would be moving into the vacated library spot.
Council Member Worthy announced that La Gloria School Kindergarten Teacher Jessica Cleary lost her fight with breast cancer and passed away a couple of weeks ago. She asked for a moment of silence in her memory.
A moment of silence was observed by all present.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Scott Funk, Council Member
SECONDER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk