City Council Minutes
May 9, 2023
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 9, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor White, Councilmembers Martinez, Ortiz and Rodriguez ABSENT: Mayor Pro-tem Untalon
STAFF: City Manager Wood, Chief Langborg, Public Works Director Tugel, Community Development Director Mugan, Sergeant Gutierrez, Parks & Recreation Coordinator Perez, IT Director Espinosa, City Attorney Thompson, City Clerk Rathbun
GUESTS: Gabby Mireles, Gabby Serrato, Beatriz Diaz, Laura Mireles, Cynthia Zavala A MOTION by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Martinez to excuse Mayor Pro-tem Untalon. All in favor. Motion carried.
INVOCATION BY PASTOR DIANA SALINAS
Invocation was given by Pastor Salinas.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA REVIEW
City Manager Wood asked that item K-1 be heard prior to the public hearings. The City Council concurred.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Jesus Perez announced the Junior Giants program and stated that they still had room for more kids to participate and stated that it was free. He also announced that flag football sign-ups were taking place and that the next community park clean-up was this Friday.
Gabby Mireles stated that the City was awarded the 2020 grant from State Parks and was wondering what was going on with the grant. She stated that she was worried that the grant would expire and the funds would be lost.
Gabby Serrato wished everyone a Happy Mother’s Day and thanked the City Council, City Attorney and City Manager for the investigation and stated that it was time to move forward. 114 23
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Staff report was given by Community Engagement Manager Lopez.
Cynthia Zavala, representing Sober Grad, stated that they had sent letters asking for donations to businesses and very few had responded. She stated that they asked the seniors that would be attending and at this time approximately 80 had signed up. She stated that they were expecting about 150. She stated that they had $2,580 in the bank and the event was less than a month away and that they were asking the Council for a donation.
Beatriz Diaz asked what organization was putting on the event; the Sober Grad Committee or the Greenfield High School. She stated that she was involved prior to this and asked that the Council support the event. Community Engagement Manager Lopez stated that all funds were going through the high school.
There was discussion among the Council regarding Sober Grad, insurance requirements and the amount of donation.
A MOTION by Councilmember Martinez to adopt Resolution #2023-59. “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving a $3,000 Donation for the Greenfield Sober Grad”.
Motion died due to a lack of second.
Councilmember Ortiz suggested that the amount be changed to $5,000.
A MOTION by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to adopt Resolution #2023-59. “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving a $5,000 Donation for the Greenfield Sober Grad”. All in favor. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
FOR AND APPROVING A VESTING TENTATIVE MAP, DESIGN REVIEW, AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENT TO SUBDIVIDE AN APPROXIMATELY 4.6-ACRE PROPERTY AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF APPLE AVENUE AND 3RD STREET (APN: 109-082-013) AND CONSTRUCT 36 DETACHED SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES WITH A 37TH LOT FOR A
DETENTION BASIN AND RELATED SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENTS
Staff report and power point presentation was given by Planning Consultant Mullane.
Mayor White opened the public hearing at 7:07 p.m.
Kuei Villa stated that she lived on Cardona Circle and stated that the circle was very small and asked that the street be restricted so that cars wouldn’t race through. She stated that affordable housing was needed; however, sidewalks needed to be handicapped accessible and the trees needed to be removed because the roots break up the sidewalk.
Beatriz Diaz stated that the houses in this subdivision looked very cluttered and there was no space for parking. She stated that if someone parked on their lawn they would get a ticket; however, there would be very limited parking. She stated that there needed to be room for the fire and ambulance vehicles.
Miguel stated that the street should remain closed and there was too many houses and not enough parking. He also stated that this subdivision would also impact the schools and asked if there had been a study about this.
Mayor White closed the public hearing at 7:14 p.m.
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Sheryl Flores, applicant – People Self-Help Housing, gave a power point presentation regarding the proposed project.
Councilmember Rodriguez asked about ADUs. City Attorney Thompson stated that there were a lot of laws regarding ADUs and the City does not have the discretion to not allow or approve them. Planning Consultant Mullane stated that this was a Planned Unit Development and the City could restrict units in these types of developments and stated that there was a condition of approval that there could not be garage conversions.
Mayor White stated that he had no problem with self-help housing; however, the real problem was the parking. He stated that there was already a parking problem and the alley would not provide additional parking and only allowing parking on one side of the street would create a bigger problem. He asked if the applicant could re-design the project. Ms. Flores stated that they were providing more parking than required and that they would lose 4 units if they changed the design.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that this was a good program; however, was concerned about parking.
Councilmember Martinez thanked the applicant for the presentation and stated that she was in favor of the project and stated home ownership was not a need, but a right.
There was additional discussion among the City Council, staff and the applicant.
Mayor White re-opened the public hearing at 7:52 p.m.
Kuei Villa stated that she was thankful for the affordable housing; however, the parking was very limited and the applicant should consider that as well as the streets being narrow.
Beatriz Diaz asked that the applicant consider less houses and more parking. She stated that it was a safety issue.
Mayor White closed the public hearing at 7:58 p.m.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that she would like to see designs with less homes. Ms. Flores stated that the widening of the alley would remove 4 houses and they were not willing to change the design.
A MOTION by Mayor White to deny the project. Motion died due to lack of second.
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Martinez to continue this item. All in favor. Motion carried.
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE MAKING CERTAIN CHANGES TO CHAPTER 5.04 (BUSINESS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESSES) OF THE CITY’S
MUNICIPAL CODE
Staff report and power point presentation was given by Planning Consultant Mullane.
Mayor White opened the public hearing at 8:13 p.m.
Kuei Villa asked about the zoning and also if this was really needed. She stated that the City should be looking at being ADA compliant.
Mayor White closed the public hearing at 8:15 p.m.
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