City Council Minutes
April 25, 2023
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 25, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor White, Mayor Pro-tem Untalon, Councilmembers Ortiz and Rodriguez ABSENT: Councilmember Martinez
STAFF: City Manager Wood, Chief Langborg, Public Works Director Tugel, Community Development Director Mugan, Senior Planner Powell, Science Workshop Director Sanchez, IT Director Espinosa, City Attorney Thompson, City Clerk Rathbun GUESTS: John Huerta, Jr., Peter Perez, Ellen Martin, Caria Courser, Guillermo, Silka Saavedra, Gabby Serrato, Beatriz Diaz, Laura Mireles
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Untalon, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to excuse Councilmember Martinez. AYES: Mayor White, Mayor Pro-tem Untalon and Councilmember Rodriguez.
NOES: Councilmember Ortiz. Motion carried.
INVOCATION
There was a moment of silence.
.
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 John Huerta, Jr. stated that he had a request from the Advocacy group that he was working with in the community regarding the Prop 68 grant. He asked that the City provide an update and stated that the two groups that helped in getting the grant were anxious to see this process go through. He stated that the grant was awarded in 2021 and now it was 2023 and they didn’t want to see this go by the wayside.
Chief Langborg reminded everyone that all properties were required to have their hazardous vegetation and rubbish removed by May 1st and asked everyone to please take care of their property.
Peter Perez stated that he and some of his teammates went this weekend to the Central California Junior Olympics Boxing Tournament and they were able to bring four medals. 26 City Council Minutes
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Ellen Martin, First Night Monterey, gave some history on how First Night came to Greenfield to provide cultural arts and all the programs provided in Greenfield. She stated that they have been asked to get out of the building by May 1st. She also announced the Cinco de Mayo event. She stated that it had been an honor and privilege to be here in Greenfield. She also announced that they would be providing summer camp this summer.
Caria Courser stated that she started the arts class in 2004 and stated that the whole point of the intergenerational art classes was to build health and strength in the community. She stated those two things made it unique and it was needed.
Guillermo stated that he was here on behalf of the City of Greenfield and the young people. He stated that he has worked with Ellen Martin since 2009 in the summer arts program. He stated that he was very impressed with Ellen and she has done a lot for the community and hoped that it would continue.
Silka Saavedra stated that she had volunteered with the Arts Center since 2009 because she loved the arts. She stated that there was a void in the community in the arts prior to the Arts Center and with the programs in the Arts Center the community was able to participate in different types of arts. She thanked Ellen for all her work and stated that she would like these programs to continue.
Gabby Serrato thanked the Council and stated that she would appreciate it if the Council was transparent with the community and release the report.
Beatriz Diaz stated that she had known Mayor White for many years and he was a great man; however, she stated that she was a little disappointed with him because he did not have her email read aloud. She stated that Mayor White did have emails from others that were recommending Drew Tipton for the vacant seat. She stated that she would like the City to revisit the section of the agenda regarding submitting comments via email because it was confusing.
Laura Mireles invited the Council to the Día de El Nino event tomorrow at Arroyo Seco Academy from 2:15 to 5:30 p.m.
COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Rodriguez stated that she would like to meet with the people from the Arts Center and stated that she was also passionate about the arts center. She congratulated the students for coming forward regarding their success in the boxing tournament. She stated that she met with the MST staff and thanked them for welcoming her and getting her up to speed. She stated her first meeting would be on May 8th. She also requested an update on the El Camino Real street closure and asked when would it be re-opened.
Councilmember Ortiz asked that the community be provided with updates more often on what was going on especially on the streets. She recommended weekly or bi-weekly posts. She also asked for an update on the flags program on El Camino Real.
Mayor Pro-tem Untalon stated that at the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority they had a presentation on SB1383, green organic waste, and she invited the presenter to come do a presentation before our Council. She stated that the presentation was for multi-family properties and this would need to be implemented by January 2024. She congratulated that four boxers for their medals and thanked AVILA Boxing and their coaches for bringing these medals back to Greenfield. She requested that all Departments provide information on Facebook and post updates on what was happening and stated that the Police Department was doing an amazing job at it.
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Mayor Pro-tem Untalon stated that she had been receiving complaints about the traffic at Oak and 12th Street. She stated that the City needed to be proactive and parents needed to also let their children know how to safely cross the street. She asked that staff email Superintendent Galvan and have the City and school work together for the safety of the children and provide assemblies on street safety.
Mayor White stated that the City would be hosting a workforce job fair on May 10th from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers. He also announced that on May 6th there would be a Women’s Empowerment Fair at the King City fairgrounds; the 24th Victims Dedication Ceremony was this Friday at the Salinas Court House; and the community flea market was on May 13th at the Greenfield Memorial Hall sponsored by the Greenfield Rotary. He stated that he had also received a request regarding providing a workshop for multi-family properties regarding the organic waste. He stated last Friday he attended the Student Leadership Forum at Greenfield High School. He stated that Chief Mixer, Fabiola Lopez, Flavio Diaz and he presented to the youth council. He stated approximately 40 students showed up and about 25 applications were given for the youth council.
CONSENT ITEMS
Michael Bloom, Greenfield resident and Veteran, gave a brief history of the POW/MIAFlag and asked that the Council amend the resolution to fly the flag 365 days a year instead of only flying the flag on Memorial and Veterans’ Day.
Mayor Pro-tem Untalon asked that item H-8 be pulled for discussion.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Untalon, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve Warrants #317977 through #318100 and Bank Drafts #5336 through #5364 in the amount of $546,294.18, Minutes of the March 28, 2023 City Council Meeting and Minutes of the April 5, 2023 Special City Council Meeting, Receive and File Monthly Reports – Finance Department / Fire Department / Science Workshop; adopt Resolution #2023-39, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield to Supplementally Appropriate Bank Fees Expense in the Amount of $12,000”; and adopt Resolution #2023-41, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving a Master Funding Agreement for California State Funds Passing Through Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC)”, adopt Resolution #2023-42 “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Authorizing the Surplus of Antiquated Water Meters and Accepting Revenues from the Recycling of the Units”. All in favor. Motion carried.
There was additional discussion regarding the POW/MIA flag.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Untalon, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2023- 40, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving the Flying of the POW/MIA Flag Over the City of Greenfield on Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day”. All in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Pro-tem Untalon stated that she did not have any questions regarding this resolution; however stated that the City had this amazing opportunity to partner with City of San Jose regarding this important matter.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Untalon, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to adopt Resolution #2023-43, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Authorizing the City Manager to Enter in Agreement with the City of San Jose and Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force”. All in favor. Motion carried.
MAYOR’S PRESENTATION, PROCLAMATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS 28 City Council Minutes
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PROCLAMATION – HONORING THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “HOMETOWN HERO” SELECTEE DOROTHY SAKERS-ROCHE, 2022 RECIPIENT OF THE GEOSPACIAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY’S CIVILIAN MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL
Mayor White read and presented the proclamation to Dorothy Sakers-Roche.
Community Development Mugan presented Ms. Sakers-Roche with a framed photograph of the SR-71 Aircraft.
Dorothy Sakers-Roche addressed and thanked the Council for the proclamation.
PRESENTATION – LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BY ROBERT LOMELI, ATTORNEY AT LAW Robert Lomeli, Attorney at Law – Lozano Smith, gave a legislative update.
UPDATE – WELCOME TO GREENFIELD SIGNS
Public Works Director Tugel gave an update on the Welcome to Greenfield Signs.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD TO ACCEPT $3,000 IN GRANT FUNDS ON BEHALF OF THE GREENFIELD COMMUNITY SCIENCE WORKSHOP
FROM YELLOW BRICK ROAD BENEFIT SHOPS
RESOLUTION #2023-44
Staff report was given by Science Workshop Director Sanchez.
John Huerta, Jr., stated that he was a strong supporter of the Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shops.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Untalon, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to adopt Resolution #2023-44, “adopt Resolution #2023-40, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield to Accept $3,000 in Grant Funds on Behalf of the Greenfield Community Science Workshop from Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shops”. All in favor. Motion carried.
RECEIVE REPORT AND ACCEPT THE CITY’S HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
FOR SUBMITTAL TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
Staff report was given by Senior Planner Powell.
A MOTION by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Untalon to Receive and Accept the City’s Housing Element Annual Progress Report for Submittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD TO WAIVE
ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGES REGARDING THE COUNCILMEMBER YANELY MARTINEZ
INVESTIGATION REPORT
RESOLUTION #2023-45
Staff report was given by City Attorney Thompson.
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Gabby Serrato thanked Councilmembers Rodriguez and Ortiz and the Council for this. She stated that she would like the City to share the cost of the investigation and to disclosure the report.
There was discussion among the City Council regarding this matter and it was the consensus of the Council to move forward and put this issue behind them and disclose the report in order for the public to understand why the Council made the decision that they did.
A MOTION by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2023-45, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield to Waive Attorney-Client Privileges Regarding the Councilmember Yanely Martinez Investigation Report”. All in favor.
Motion carried.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION - Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1)
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Case Name Unspecified: Disclosure would jeopardize existing settlement negotiations Meeting adjourned to closed session at 7:44 p.m.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Meeting reconvened to open session at 8:04 p.m.
There was no reportable action.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
No report.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
No report.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
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Mayor of the City of Greenfield
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City Clerk of the City of Greenfield
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