City Council Minutes
November 14, 2023
Page | 1
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 14, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Walker called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor White, Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, Councilmembers Martinez, Ortiz and Tipton
ABSENT: None
STAFF: City Manager Wood, Community Development Director Mugan, Public Works Director Tugel, Chief Mixer, IT Director Espinosa, Parks & Recreation Coordinator Perez, City Attorney Thompson, Management Analyst de la Torre, City Clerk Rathbun
GUESTS: None
INVOCATION
Invocation by Lalo Valenzuela.
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 No comments were made.
COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Tipton stated that he was glad to see the speed trailer on Thorp Avenue and would like to get the data from it. Chief Mixer stated that there was only 5% of the vehicles that were passing the trailer 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and 15% of the vehicles go 5 miles per hour.
Councilmember Tipton stated that he would like for staff to look into having an ordinance prohibiting cars being parked on the street during the street sweeper days. He also stated that there were several travel trailers parked in residential areas and would like code enforcement to check on that. He stated that he would like for Council to receive engagement reports from Code Enforcement regarding items that they dealt with and would like to schedule a ride-a-long. He stated that he would like to have a discussion regarding the time frame for the new community center. He also would like for staff to look into getting lights at the Patriot Park soccer fields. He suggested that the organizations and the City do a fundraiser to help with the lighting costs. He reminded residents of Greenfield that the parks do close at dusk and residents that were walking at night not to wear dark clothing because it was hard to see them. He announced that the Planning Commission would have vacancies and 26 City Council Minutes
November 14, 2023
Page | 2
encouraged people to apply. He congratulated the Greenfield High School football team for winning the league title. He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. He also stated that Salinas/Monterey County was the 7th most expensive area in the United States.
Councilmember Martinez thanked all the departments for being so active on their social media. She stated that the streets were looking amazing; however, one of the biggest issues that everyone was complaining about was the yard sale signs. She stated that people don’t remove them and asked that Code Enforcement work on that issue. She stated that there would be an article in the Wall Street Journal regarding Greenfield as well as the LA Times. She stated that there were a lot of people dealing with being unhoused and would like to know if the City had any supply or care packages for them and asked if anyone was dealing with that, that they could reach out to her. She stated that as an elected official they should be able to take a stand and call out things that they don’t agree with including what was going on around the world.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that she agreed that the soccer fields needed lights and bleachers and asked that a plan get in motion. She stated that all departments were posting on the social media and that there was a lot of good information from everyone; however, staff needed to develop a better plan on how to engage with the community. She asked that there be an update on the parks and what each park would be getting. She stated that she had concerns regarding code enforcement and their priorities. She asked about 13th Street and when would they be getting that street repaired. She asked if the housing meeting would be getting rescheduled. Management Analyst de la Torre stated that the housing meeting was held at the Greenfield Library; however, there would be another meeting scheduled in the future. She stated that the park clean ups were great and that she would like more adults to volunteer. She stated that at Parkside Park there were a lot of beer cans and a mess after the weekend. She also stated that the City might want to put up No Alcohol signs at the park. She stated that the parks needed new trash cans. She wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez stated that there was an app to report road issues for the County. She congratulated the Bruins on their football victory. She stated that she would like the information requested regarding the Harvest Festival on the next agenda. She encouraged residents to prepare for power outages.
Mayor White announced that there would be a flu vaccine clinic on November 19th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Greenfield High School Library. He stated that he participated in the Blue Zone Walk today at 9 a.m. and they walked about 30 to 40 minutes. He stated that he also attended the Senior Social last week and stated that it was sponsored by the City of Greenfield and Meals on Wheels. He announced that there would be a pozole kit distribution on November 21st. He also stated that he would like to discuss having a team and goal setting session for City Council.
CONSENT ITEMS
A MOTION by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez Tipton to approve the consent items including Warrants #319801 through #319984 and Bank Drafts #5692 through #5733 in the amount of $1,224,361.18 and approve Minutes of the October 24, 2023 City Council Meeting. All in favor. Motion carried.
MAYOR’S PRESENTATION, PROCLAMATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS PROCLAMATION – A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD PROCLAIMING NOVEMBER 2023 AS NATIONAL ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH Mayor White read the proclamation proclaiming November 2023 as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Mayor White presented the proclamation to Councilmember Martinez. 27 City Council Minutes
November 14, 2023
Page | 3
PRESENTATION – HOLIDAY CELEBRATION 2023
Parks & Recreation Coordinator Perez gave a power point presentation regarding the holiday celebration for 2023.
PRESENTATION – PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Public Works Director Tugel gave an update on several public works projects: city park maintenance, CCTV, SCADA, downtown flags, welcome to Greenfield signs, Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge – Dewatering Project, traffic impact fee study, little league fields update and upcoming projects.
PUBLIC HEARING
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD REVISING TITLE 13, CHAPTERS 16 AND 32 OF THE CITY OF
GREENFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE TO AMEND WATER AND SEWER RATES Staff report was given by City Attorney Thompson.
Mayor White opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m.
No comments were received.
Mayor White closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m.
A MOTION by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez to introduce and read by title only, first reading, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Revising Title 13, Chapters 16 and 32 of the City of Greenfield Municipal Code to Amend Water and Sewer Rates”. All in favor. Motion carried.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD TO APPROVE ENTERING INTO AGREEMENTS FOR THE REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PLANNING GRANT 2.0
PROGRAM
RESOLUTION #2023-136
Staff report was given by Community Development Director Mugan.
A MOTION by Councilmember Tipton, seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez to adopt Resolution #2023-136, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield to Approve Entering into Agreements for the Regional Early Action Planning Grant 2.0 Program”. All in favor.
Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD ALLOCATING BUDGETED FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $10,000 FROM THE FY 2023-2024 COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT OPERATING BUDGET TO FUND SPAY/NEUTER AND OTHER ANIMAL SERVICES RESOLUTION #2023-137
Staff report was given by City Manager Wood.
Councilmember Tipton stated that he would like to amend the resolution and give each organization $10,000.
28 City Council Minutes
November 14, 2023
Page | 4
Councilmember Martinez stated that she would like to make sure that there was an education component and would like for there to be a presentation/workshop regarding this so that the public could be informed.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that she agreed to give each organization $10,000.
A MOTION by Councilmember Tipton, seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez to adopt Resolution #2023-137, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Allocating Budgeted Funds in an Amount $10,000 to each Organization From the FY 2023-2024 Community Engagement Operating Budget to Fund Spay/Neuter and Other Animal Services”. All in favor Motion carried.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION - Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of section 54956.9 of the Government Code - 1 Case
Meeting adjourned to closed session at 7:26 p.m.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Meeting reconvened to open session at 7:44 p.m.
There was no reportable action.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
None.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Wood reported that FEMA had approved the grant for the generators and that the purchase agreement for the community center would be on the December 12th agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
_________________________
Mayor of the City of Greenfield
____________________________
City Clerk of the City of Greenfield
29