MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL AND
GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2026
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 PRESENT
Shelby Anderson and Orlando Rodriguez.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Community Development Director Taven Kinison Brown, Finance Director Mike Howard, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Mary Villegas, Administrative Assistant II Yoanna Meza, Public Works Director/City Engineer Octavio Hurtado, 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 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 Proclamation No. 2026-01 Recognizing Mike Howard Deputy City Clerk Villegas read Proclamation No. 2026-01 and a plaque in recognition of his 20 years of service, and Mayor Rios presented both to Finance Director Mike Howard.
Finance Director Howard elaborated on all the challenges and great things we've been through these 21 years. He thanked the Council and staff for the kind words and said it's been an absolute honor and privilege to work with everyone on the Council and enjoyed this incredible journey.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Lorraine Worthy, 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
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.
There was none.
CONSENT AGENDA
4. Approve the Joint City Council, Successor Agency, and Public Financing Authority - Regular Meeting - March 2, 2026 Minutes
5. Approve Accounts Payable Warrants #53491-53557
6. City Manager’s Report
7. Community Development Department Activity Report
8. Community Engagement & Recreation Departments Activity Report
9. Fire Department Activity Report
10. Police Department Activity Report
11. Public Works/City Engineer Department Activity Report
12. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2026-13, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager to Withdraw Funding Donated for the Dennis and Janice Caprara Community Center Complex from the Community Foundation Account RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Items 4-12
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
13. Presentation Update on the Wastewater Treatment Facility Staff Report: Public Works Director Hurtado presented the staff report via powerpoint presentation explaining the wastewater treatment plant operation and wastewater treatment facility, treatment plant issues, influent flow management, effluent management, next steps, water quality, treatment facility construction progress, action plan, and financial update.
He mentioned Megan Panofsky with MNS Engineers was available via zoom to answer any questions.
Public Comment: There was none.
Informational update. No action required.
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
14. Oral Communications
Commissioners Anderson and Rodriguez announced their next meeting on March 19th. They reported on the promotional materials for the South County Youth Summit, community food pantry painting, hosting the Community Garden Day on March 18th; South County Youth Summit on May 2nd at the Community Center from 9:30am - 1:30pm; and reported on the Gonzales High School activities.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
15. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. League of California Cities Monterey Bay Division
No report.
b. Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
No report.
c. Monterey Salinas Transit
Council Member Worthy reported on the disposition of 32 MST vehicles and Chief Wise was interested in obtaining one. She also reported on Measure Q, purchase and sale agreement with Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority for the purchase of real estate located at 139 Sun Street and read an email from the MST CEO about how MST assisted and supported the victims of a structure fire at Casanova Avenue fire. She expressed appreciation for such great organization.
16. Oral Communications
Council Member Orozco, as a member of the Housing Authority Board, thanked Council Member Worthy, MST, and their staff for their efforts in assisting their seniors during that fire. She said the Authority had been able to place some of the residents at certain locations, and they were still asking for donations for the seniors. Anyone interested in donating can contact the Housing Authority Director. She announced the Lenten dinners at St. Theodore's Church every Friday and she has tickets.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva reported on the mural unveiling in Greenfield she attended which was partly funded by the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority. She announced the Senior lunch this Thursday at St. Theodore’s at 11:00am which she won’t attend as she’ll be attending the Trashion Show put on by the Alliance on Aging in King City the same day. She also announced this week is National Agricultural Week and encouraged everyone to thank a farmer, 4-H or FFA member.
Mayor Rios thanked staff for taking care of the issue of the catering truck that has been overstaying on A Street and that he had complaints from several of the neighbors. He announced he won’t be at the April 6th meeting as he’ll be traveling to Hawaii.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
17. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil announced the Community Gardening Day put on by the GYC on March 28th; the Fire Department Open House on April 11th from 11:00am - 3:00pm and invited the public to engage in conversation or ask questions. She also indicated the City is hosting the Coastal Commission on April 15th through April 17th at our Community Center, and said it was an honor to be able to host such an important meeting especially because they usually meet on the coast.
City Manager Gil mentioned the website was under development and asked the Mayor if he wanted to appoint one or two Council Members to a Website Committee which will help staff make decisions such as website accessibility, functions, etc.
Action: Mayor Rios appointed Council Member Orozco and Mayor Pro Tem Silva to the Website Committee.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown reported staff was waiting for a response from LAFCO. Staff will be interviewing interns for the Community Development Department tomorrow. As to the Anytime Fitness status, staff approved the sign and they’re almost out of plan check so they can start their activity at the old library building.
In regards to the Interns, City Manager Gil mentioned they were from Hartnell College. She also mentioned that staff would be interviewing applicants for the Finance Manager position on Friday and Mr. Howard will be assisting with that.
Mayor Rios shared with staff about a call he had with a commercial realtor that was hawking the winery.
Community Development Director Kinison Brown mentioned that as of July 1st, there would only be a janitor and groundskeeper for a while, and the facility is on sale.
Mayor Rios said he was sad to see we were going to lose the Wine Capital title because we won't have a winery.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Lorraine Worthy, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco EXCUSED: Scott Funk
The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 PM.
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk