City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
Page | 1
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 10, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor White, Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez and Councilmembers Martinez, Ortiz and Tipton
ABSENT: None
STAFF: City Manager Wood, Chief Langborg, Chief Mixer, Public Works Director Tugel, IT Director Espinosa, City Attorney Thompson, Community Engagement Coordinator Lopez, Community Engagement Assistant, City Clerk Rathbun GUESTS: Gail Stewart-White, Victor Torres, Audelia Garcia, Natalie Cervantes, Isabella Cervantes, Santiago Torres, Abel Pena, Miguel Cervantes, Noemi Chico, Alexia Rangel, Raul Rodriguez
INVOCATION BY PASTOR INES VERLUGO
Invocation was given by Pastor Ines Verlugo.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA REVIEW
None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Beatriz Diaz stated that she attended the press release with Senator Caballero for the $2 million dollar grant for a radio tower for better communications. She also stated that in an article dated August 15, 2011 Councilmember Ortiz talked about her being displeased with the Indigenous community and her moving to Salinas. She stated that the article stated that Councilmember Ortiz and the newly formed group, Save Greenfield, had complained how the Indigenous people were overcrowding apartments and quickly pushed into city politics. She asked Councilmember Ortiz how she felt now and asked that she be transparent and honest.
Gabby Lone stated that she apologized for wasting the Council’s time; however, this was the only place she was able to speak regarding Councilmember Martinez. She stated that Councilmember Martinez was yet to pay of the $10,000 that she was mandated to pay and would continue to speak until justice was served.
Victor Torres stated that this was not the place or time to bring up personal things and it was not very ethical to bring it up here. He stated that the Council did not have the time to waste and was busy with City business. He also stated that the soccer fields were still in very bad conditions and would like for them to be fixed. He also stated that some police officers were harassing the youth and Indigenous people for no reason and that he had witnessed it at school and out in public and would like it to be addressed. 18 City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
Page | 2
A resident stated that the business at 689 El Camino Real was getting very loud at night, 2 or 3 a.m. and it was very hard to sleep. He stated that he had called in several times; however, it had continued to happen and it was not fair to everyone.
Chief Langborg reminded everyone that the Greenfield Fire Department would be having their open house this Saturday and stated that a schedule of events was posted online. He stated that this would be a great opportunity for the public to see the firehouse and meet the firefighters.
COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Tipton stated that he had people approach him regarding how long Walnut Avenue would be partially blocked off due to the EAH housing project as well as people stating that there was a sewer smell coming from the project site. He stated that he would like staff to look into getting another lane on the highway from Oak to Walnut; getting street lighting on Walnut Avenue because it was very dark, revisiting the “no parking” on trash day, complaints regarding cars blocking the sidewalks and crosswalks; the need for more enforcement regarding drivers not stopping at stop signs; animal control issues and the need for a special page on the website for animal control; and looking into getting more funding for the SNIP project.
He also stated that he was hearing a lot of good comments about the increase of visibility of the police department, especially in the evenings. He stated that people have asked if City Hall could stay open later one day a week or every two weeks so residents could come by and take care of things. He stated that in light of the zoom bombing, he believed it was time to revisit the Council’s policy on zoom meetings and comments and it should be addressed. He stated that he would like an update on the city cameras. He also invited everyone to attend the Harvest Festival and Witch Ride next week. He stated that the digital equity bill was recently passed and it would be a huge boost to the South Salinas Valley Broadband Authority and he looked forward to seeing enhanced low cost broadband to our community. He thanked Senator Caballero for helping obtain the grant for communications. He stated with the increase in water rates, were there any agencies other than 211 or United Way, where residents could get help with their payments. He stated that he would like an update on the Marriott development. He announced the Halloween housing contest. He also stated that he would like staff to look into having a city-wide yard sale like other cities have.
He stated that people were concerned about parking on El Camino Real near Subway because they believe the parking markings were gone and needed to be re-painted. He also stated that the pedestrians were crossing on Walnut Avenue mid-way near Mary Chapa school and there have been people almost hit and something needed to be done about it.
Councilmember Martinez stated that World Mental Health Day was today and if anyone needed help please dial 9888. She stated that she wanted to make sure and everyone knew that it was okay to ask for help.
She stated she didn’t know if any of the Councilmembers were going to participate in the Me Home Project happening at the Salinas City Center regarding the unhoused and suggested that Chief Mixer and City Manager Wood attend. She gave a shout out to our amazing youth - Victor, Miguel, Alexia, Abel, Xitlali, Santiago and an amazing mom, Noemi. She stated that these youth had been meeting for a while now and have been working on climate change issues in Greenfield and they actually were able to make legislation happen. She stated that Governor Newsom signed AB652 today, a bill that started here in Greenfield with folks from Salinas and Watsonville.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that they were going to turn the power off in the area of the Magnolia Apartments and wanted to let everyone know it was only at the Magnolia Apartments and asked if staff was able to go check on the residents. She stated that she was happy to see that the bark was being replaced at the parks and stated that she went to the park at Maple and 5th and it looked very good as well as the other parks. She stated that she met with Mr. Muck and he stated that in April there would be another round of grants for the Safe Routes to Schools. She stated that he would be contacting the City to work on other grants for the overpass on Walnut Avenue. She asked if Council could get a report on where and why there were pedestrians getting hit and why it was happening so much. She asked that the City put out a statement on the $1 million grant that was received from Senator Caballero because there were people that were confused on how that money could be spent. She stated that the city-wide yard sale would be a good 19 City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
Page | 3
idea. She also stated that she put someone in touch with Fabiola regarding mental health services for Greenfield.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez stated that this weekend she participated in the Arts Habitat 2023 Arts Studio Tour and stated that they didn’t get as many participants as they wanted; however, it was an amazing opportunity. She stated that members of the public did come out as well as the organizers and artists and they were able to collaborate with each other. She stated that during the down time they were able to brainstorm on ways to have more targeted strategic outreach to the community and schools. She explained the Arts Habitat organization and that it was an annual event. She also explained that she would like to increase the arts in our community and one way would be murals and asked if anyone was interested in donating a wall or an artist was interested in painting one, to please contact her. She thanked Public Works for replacing the bark chips at the parks. She encouraged the community to go to the open house at the Fire Department. She stated that there had been police incidents involving mental health and wanted to thank the Police Department for keeping our community safe and de-escalating the situations. She thanked Senator Caballero for the grant and appreciated her for keeping our City in mind. She thanked Supervisor Lopez and his staff for holding the community listening session. She announced the Harvest Festival and invited everyone to attend.
Mayor White stated that he attended the League of CA Cities conference in Sacramento on September 20, 21 and 22 and some of the takeaways were: the economic outlook session which stated that the economy was relatively strong and expected a modest increase in sales tax; there was concern on the faster than expected changes to the EV vehicles and the negative affect that it would have on gas tax revenues; a lot was also a lot of discussion regarding the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act which would be on the November 2024 ballot. He stated that if the Act was passed, it would force cuts with fire, police, infrastructures, parks, libraries, affordable housing, etc. He stated that the City needed a new system for water leaks because what was happening now was not working and the City needed to do a better job.
Councilmember Ortiz gave her contact information and asked if Ms. Diaz or anyone else wanted to meet with her she was more than happy to meet with them.
CONSENT ITEMS
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Martinez to approve the consent Items including Warrants #319496 through #319708 and Bank Drafts #5651 through #5672 in the amount of $2029,938.10; Minutes of the September 26, 2023 City Council Meeting, Receive and File Monthly Report – Police Department and adopt Resolution #2023-125, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving a Request to Supplementally Appropriate Public Works Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Budget from Fiscal Year 2022/2023 to Fiscal Year 2023/2024 for a Total Amount of $695,309.69”. All in favor. Motion carried.
MAYOR’S PRESENTATION, PROCLAMATION, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS PROCLAMATION – A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD PROCLAIMING OCTOBER 2023 AS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Mayor White read the proclamation proclaiming October 2023 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
PROCLAMATION – A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD PROCLAIMING CHILDREN’S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (CEH) DAY ON OCTOBER 12, 2023 Mayor White read the proclamation proclaiming Children’s Environmental Health (CEH) Day on October 12, 2023.
20 City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
Page | 4
Mayor White presented the proclamation to the Safe Ag – Safe School Group.
PROCLAMATION – A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD PROCLAIMING OCTOBER 2023 AS CHILDREN’S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH MONTH Mayor White read the proclamation proclaiming October 2023 as Children’s Environmental Health Month.
Mayor White presented the proclamation to the Safe Ag – Safe School Group.
PROCLAMATION – A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD DECLARING OCTOBER 2023 AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH Mayor White read the proclamation declaring October 2023 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Mayor White presented the proclamation to Lideres Campesinas.
Audelia Garcia accepted the proclamation and gave a brief description of the Lideres Campesinas and stated that they had 60 members (42 active) and thanked the Council for the proclamation.
UPDATE –2023 HARVEST FESTIVAL
Community Engagement Coordinator Lopez and Victor Garcia, consultant, gave an update on the upcoming 2023 Harvest Festival.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez requested that a report be given with what vendors were charged this year as opposed to last year and what do other events of this size charge their vendors.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD APPROVING A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,000 FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024
RESOLUTION #2023-126
Staff report was given by Fire Chief Langborg.
A MOTION by Councilmember Tipton, seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez to adopt Resolution #2023- 126, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving a Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $46,000 for the Fire Department for Fiscal Year 2023-2024”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD REJECTING ALL
PROPOSALS RECEIVED BY THE CITIES OF GONZALES, SOLEDAD, GREENFIELD AND KING (CITIES) TO SELECT A QUALIFIED CONTRACTOR TO COLLECT SOLID WASTE, RECYCLABLES,
AND ORGANIC WASTE WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF EACH CITY AS A SINGLE FRANCHISE
COLLECTION ZONE
RESOLUTION #2023-127
Report was given by Elia Zavala, Contracts & Grants Analyst, Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority.
A MOTION by Councilmember Tipton, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2023-127, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Rejecting All Proposals Received by the Cities of Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King (Cities) to Select a Qualified Contractor to Collect Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organic Waste within the Boundaries of Each City as a Single Franchise Collection Zone”. All in favor. Motion carried. 21 City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
Page | 5
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD AWARDING A PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $141,300 TO F. LODUCA CO., TO
CONSTRUCT THE INTERIM DEWATERING UNIT SITE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE THIS CONTRACT; APPROVE A 10% CONSTRUCTION CONTINGENCY OF $14,200 AND APPROVE A CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION AMOUNT OF $2,000
RESOLUTION #2023-128
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Tipton to adopt Resolution #2023- 128, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Awarding a Public Works Construction Contract in the Amount of $141,300 to F. Loduca Co., to Construct the Interim Dewatering Unit Site Improvements Project and Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute this Contract; Approve a 10% Construction Contingency of $14,200 and Approve a Construction Management and Inspection Amount of $2,000”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD APPROVING A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $52,000 FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS PARKS SECURITY & SAFETY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024
RESOLUTION #2023-129
Staff report was given by City Manager Wood.
Raul Rodriguez, member of the Parks & Recreation Committee, stated that the Committee had been talking about safety in our parks, especially at Vintage Park. He stated that he and the Committee were very happy to see this on the agenda.
Councilmember Martinez stated that there had been issues with the cameras and hoping this would help; however, the residents of Greenfield had to take back their parks. She stated that they needed to get involved and start hosting events in the parks. She stated that she didn’t think this was the solution; however, would support it.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez asked if this was phase 1 and how long would it take to complete. City Manager Wood stated that the delivery of the lights would determine how long it would take to complete and that the installation of the lights or cameras would not take long.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that she had talked to people and they were glad that the chips were replaced at the parks and that getting the cameras/lights would help with safety issues. She stated that she agreed that the residents needed to take ownership of the parks and hoped that the cameras/lights would defer or stop the vandalism.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Tipton to adopt Resolution #2023- 129, ”A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving a Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $52,000 for the Public Works Parks Security & Safety for Fiscal Year 2023-2024”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD MAKING
APPOINTMENTS TO THE SOUTH SALINAS VALLEY BROADBAND AUTHORITY RESOLUTION #2023-130
Staff report was given by City Manager Wood.
22 City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
Page | 6
It was the consensus of the Council to appoint Councilmember Tipton as the member of the South Salinas Valley Broadband Authority.
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez to adopt Resolution #2023- 130, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Making Appointments to the South Salinas Valley Broadband Authority”. All in favor. Motion carried.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
None.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
_________________________
Mayor of the City of Greenfield
____________________________
City Clerk of the City of Greenfield
23