City Council Minutes
January 13, 2023
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
ADJOURNED MEETING OF JANUARY 10, 2023 (JANUARY 13, 2023)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor White, Councilmembers Martinez, Untalon and Ortiz ABSENT: None
STAFF: City Manager Wood, Public Works Director Tugel, Captain Mixer, IT Director Espinosa, City Attorney Thompson, City Clerk Rathbun
GUESTS: Laura Tugel, Bea Diaz, Ms. Serrato, Jessica Bautista, Avelina Torres, John Huerta, Jr., Stephanie Garcia
INVOCATION
There was a moment of silent prayer.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA REVIEW
No changes were made.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Captain Mixer gave a brief update regarding the storms. He thanked the Public Works, Fire and Police Departments for all their work.
Jamie Tugel gave a brief update regarding the storms and the areas related to 12th/Elm-Oak; El Camino Real/Apple Avenue and Wilson Circle. She stated that staff was looking into solutions for those areas.
She thanked the Public Works employees for working day and night.
Laura Mireles stated that something needed to be done about 12th Street. She said the City had enough revenues to fix 12th Street and other streets. She also stated that the cannabis company on Cherry doesn’t have to comply with the parking requirements and the City was showing favoritism to the cannabis companies.
Bea Diaz thanked Fabiola Lopez, City Manager Wood, Chief Langborg and Captain Mixer for their response to her email regarding this bad weather. She asked why couldn’t the selection of Mayor Pro-tem be on the agenda as it was in 2018. She asked about the cannabis businesses in Greenfield and wanted to know where the revenues were going and would like an update. She stated that residents would like to know about the revenues and where they were being spent. 28 City Council Minutes
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Ms. Serrato stated that she was at the meeting representing her mom and wanted to inform the Council that Councilmember Martinez would be having court on March 2nd where the judge would be deciding the truth and that the investigation would be completed by next week.
Jessica Bautista stated that in October 2021 she addressed the Planning Commission about concerns in her area, District 1, and she stated that she believed that her concerns were being addressed and hopefully solutions would be coming forward. She stated that she believed that the Planning Commission was the foundation of the machine of City Hall and stated that after hours of work the Planning Commission sends the projects to the City Council for their review or approval. She stated that after reviewing the past meetings it seemed like some Councilmembers were not being team players. She stated that she was not confident that Councilmember Martinez or Councilmember Untalon would meet her concerns professionally on her behalf. She addressed Councilmember Untalon regarding the investigation from the FPPC and stated that she lost confidence in her. She also submitted the FPPC findings for the record.
Avelina Torres congratulated Councilmember Untalon on the recent election and stated that both Councilmember Untalon and Martinez were doing a great job.
John Huerta, Jr. stated that a group of 178 people submitted a public request and did receive a response. He stated that they were reviewing the response and would be coming back to Council to make a recommendation regarding independent contractors and other issues. He stated that out of the 178 people on the request, 80% of them were citizens and voters. He stated that the group was a noncombative and non-violent group. He stated that there had been a lack of oversight from the City on the contractors and firms.
Stephanie Garcia wished everyone a Happy New Year. She stated that she would like to thank Mayor White for letting everyone know that personal attacks would not be tolerated during the meetings. She stated that everyone here were all adults and stated that this place had become a very hostile environment and asked everyone to please stop and just take care of business.
COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Martinez reported on the senior social and stated that there were over 24 people in attendance. She stated that she was on Council and not her family and she would like the people verbally attacking her family to stop and stated that she would not be allowing it anymore. She stated that there were over 15 people that were unhoused and the City needed to do something about providing shelter for them. She also stated that the Nava family had lost a loved one and if anyone wanted to donate to please let her know and she would be able to provide them with the information.
She stated that she would be attending a hearing in Sacramento regarding pesticides on January 18th.
She also stated that she had been asking for an update regarding the cannabis revenue and asked for a report regarding the red tags that have been issued and if the businesses were up to date on their annual inspections. She also asked about the City Manager’s house. She suggested to Ms. Mireles that if she could not get the answers she needed from the City that she could contact Supervisor Lopez, Senator Caballero or Assemblyman Rivas.
Councilmember Ortiz thanked all the city workers for their work during the storms, especially the Public Works Department. She stated that she was not only looking at her district but the whole City. She stated that with the recent rains there were a lot of potholes. She also informed the public and Council regarding the MST service that could provide rides to the elderly for free. She stated that one of her employers was involved with a homeless program and they would be receiving funding and suggested that a presentation be done at a future city council meeting. She stated that at the last meeting people were not nice and were offensive and asked that the Council and community work together. 29 City Council Minutes
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Councilmember Untalon stated that she wanted to remind everyone to be safe and not go out if they didn’t need to and to follow the social media pages on the County for information regarding the storms. She stated that the homeless population was increasing and stated that it was time for the City to ask the faith based organizations to open their doors to these people and help. She stated that she met with Avila Boxing and stated that the program was great and asked that the Council support them in some way in order for them to be successful for the kids of our community.
Mayor White stated that he attended the Planning Commission on January 3rd and asked that staff send the City Council the Planning Commission agendas and a list of the meeting dates. He stated that he attended the Mayors’ meeting on January 6th in Salinas. He stated that the City had budgeted over $1 million dollars for street repairs and stated he would like for these projects to move forward. He thanked the Fire, Public Works, City and Police Departments for all their work and stated that she appreciated them. He announced that the Monterey Bay Aquarium was free to all Monterey County residents from January 21 – 29, 2023. He also announced that the Senior Fitness Program would be starting on January 17th at the community center.
CONSENT ITEMS
A MOTION by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve Warrants #317007 through #317071 and Bank Drafts #5164 through #5182 in the amount of $1322,699.74. AYES:
Councilmembers Martinez, Untalon and Ortiz. ABSTAIN: Mayor White. Motion carried.
A MOTION by Councilmember Untalon, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve the consent items Including to approve Minutes of the December 13, 2022 City Council Meeting, and adopt Resolution #2023-01, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield to Authorize the Establishment of the Position of Recreation Department – Grants & Special Projects Assistant and to Affirm the Salary Schedule for the Position”. All in favor. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GREENFIELD ADOPTING A MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY
Staff report was given by Captain Mixer.
Mayor White opened the public hearing at 7:00 p.m.
No comments were received.
Mayor White closed the public hearing at 7:01 p.m.
A MOTION by Councilmember Untalon, seconded by Councilmember Martinez to introduce and read by title only, first reading, of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Adopting a Military Equipment Policy. All in favor. Motion carried.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $56,155 AND AUTHORIZE FUTURE AMENDMENTS, IF
NEEDED, FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM RESOLUTION #2023-02
Staff report was given by Captain Mixer.
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A MOTION by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Untalon to adopt Resolution #2023-02, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Accepting Grant Funds in the Amount of $56,155 and Authorize Future Amendments, if Needed, from the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD MAKING
APPOINTMENTS TO THE TRANSPIRATION AGENCY FOR MONTEREY COUNTY (TAMC),
ASSOCIATION OF MONTEREY BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS (AMBAG), SALINAS VALLEY SOLID
WASTE AUTHORITY (SVSWA), MONTEREY-SALINAS TRANSIT (MST) AND THE SOUTH SALINAS
VALLEY BROADBAND AUTHORITY
RESOLUTION #2023-03
Staff report was given by City Clerk Rathbun.
Stephanie Garcia stated that the member that would be sitting on the Broadband Authority should bring up that more providers for the internet should be provided.
The following were appointed to the Boards:
TAMC – Councilmember Ortiz (member) – Mayor White (alternate) AMBAG – Mayor White (member) – Councilmember Untalon (alternate) SVSWA – Councilmember Untalon (member) – Councilmember Ortiz (alternate) MST – Councilmember Martinez (member) – Councilmember Untalon (alternate) SSVBA – Councilmember Untalon (member) – Mayor White (alternate) A MOTION by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Untalon to adopt Resolution #2023-03, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Making Appointments to the Transpiration Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG), Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority (SVSWA), Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) and the South Salinas Valley Broadband Authority”. All in favor. Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION OF FILLING VACANT CITY COUNCIL SEAT
Staff report was given by City Attorney Thompson.
Mayor White stated that he wanted to make it clear that he was not against district elections; he just wanted to follow the ordinance that was adopted by the Council.
John Huerta, Jr. stated that he did not agree with the appointment of an Ad Hoc committee and suggested that the City Council accept applications and then appoint a member to the City Council.
Beatriz Diaz stated that there were three districts represented and one at large and stated that she would like to have the Council accept applications for the vacant seat.
Stephanie Garcia asked that the Council appoint someone and not have a special election. She stated that the ordinance clearly stated that District 1 & 3 elections would take place November 2022 and District 2 & 4 would take place November 2024. She stated that it should be an at-large appointment and opened to all residents.
Ariana Rodriguez asked what happened if the Council couldn’t decide. City Attorney Thompson stated that it would default to a special election if a decision couldn’t be made. 31 City Council Minutes
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Mayor White suggested that an Ad Hoc committee be established for this item and suggested that Councilmember Untalon and he be on that committee.
Councilmember Untalon stated that at the last meeting all of the Council were not willing to bend and that did not show much leadership. She stated that everyone on the Council were leaders of the community and needed to work together. She stated that she did not want to have a special election and she was willing to have the applications available to all residents of the community.
Councilmember Martinez stated that she did not agree with having the applications be at-large but it was a majority of the Council that would decide.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that the last meeting was not good and stated that the Council needed to work together. She stated that there were a lot of good people that wanted to serve on the Council and invited them to apply,
Mayor White agreed to have the application available to community at large.
There was discussion among the Council regarding the application and it was determined that each member of the Council would submit a question for the application and it be submitted to the City Clerk by Tuesday and that the deadline for submitting the application was January 31st.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
No report was given.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
No report was given.
EMERGENCY MEETING BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER/DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES’ PROCLAMATION OF
EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY
RESOLUTION #2023-04
CONSIDER REQUEST FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES TO PROCLAIM THE
EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY
Staff report was given by City Manager Wood.
A MOTION by Councilmember Untalon, seconded by Councilmember Martinez to adopt Resolution #2023-04, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Confirming the City Manager/Director of Emergency Services’ Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency” and approve the Request from the Director of Emergency Services to Proclaim the Existence of a Local Emergency. All in favor. Motion carried.
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ADJOURNMENT
Mayor White adjourned in memory of Ms. Nava.
Meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
_________________________
Mayor of the City of Greenfield
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City Clerk of the City of Greenfield
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