City Council Minutes
May 14, 2024
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 14, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor White, Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez Councilmember Martinez, Ortiz and Tipton
ABSENT: None
STAFF: City Manager Wood, Chief Mixer, Community Development Director Mugan, Public Works Director Tugel, Community Engagement Manager Lopez, Assistant Planner Meza, IT Director Espinosa, City Attorney Thompson, City Clerk Rathbun GUESTS: Gail Stewart-White, Lourdes Villarreal, Martha Arroyo, Diana Salinas
INVOCATION
Invocation by Pastor Diana Salinas.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA REVIEW
City Manager Wood asked that item J-1, Presentation – Harvest Festival be moved to the first presentation. City Council concurred.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Dr. Lourdes Villarreal addressed the City regarding the lack of permanent or designated areas for their trash cans on pick up day. She stated that she had called the police because she did not want to receive a ticket for placing her trash bins between two vehicles. She stated that the Code Enforcement Officer came and assured her that she would not be cited and made some suggestions regarding the trash bins and placement of the bins. She stated that the suggestions made by the Officer could cause safety issues and damage to property. She suggested that the City implement an ordinance prohibiting the blocking of trans bin spaces in designated areas and if people violated the ordinance they should be cited and fined.
Beatriz Diaz thanked Chief Langborg for sending out the weed abatement letters to the residents and asked what happened if the resident did not fix the issue. She stated that these properties should also include city properties. She asked that water leaks be fixed, street lines be re-painted and potholes be fixed.
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Gabby Serrato stated that she attended the City Council meetings because she had ties to Greenfield and what happened in Greenfield was important to her. She asked what the Council was doing for the victims of sexual assault and what was the City doing to prevent such crimes. She stated that she was confused why a Councilmember would defend a sexual abuser but not the victim.
Laura Mireles stated that she would like to know why it was necessary for Jamie to investigate the call and speak with Chief Langborg about why emergency vehicles were not able to enter her property. She stated that the residents were not getting notified of what was going on and if they were notified it was last minute. She stated that she would like for the City to complete the project as soon as possible.
COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Tipton reminded everyone that stops signs were not optional. He stated that he did notice that the speed trailer was out there and he did appreciate it. He also stated that there had been buses parking in the residential areas as well as commercial vehicles which was not allowed. He asked when sending an email to the City Council that City Manager Wood be included. He suggested that the Council’s email be changed to district1 or mayor instead of the Council’s names. He asked that people watch out for children, the elderly and pets with the hot weather approaching. He also stated that he had been speaking with Supervisor Lopez about getting a veterinarian in south county because the King City veterinarian focuses mainly on large animals. He announced that residents may dispose of their batteries and sharps at any landfill facility because they were hazardous waste. He stated that people have been blocking the driveways with vehicles and asked staff to look into it. He asked what the street sweeping schedule was and asked for staff to work with Tri-Cities regarding this matter.
Councilmember Martinez announced that anything she posted on her social media page was only her opinion and not the opinion of the City Council. She stated that she would like to see the internship program be expanded to give more youth the opportunity and asked that staff also look at the youth that were diamonds-in-the-rough. She stated that she supported all the youth, whether or not they go to college or stay here in Greenfield. She congratulated the Greenfield High School Class of 2024 and stated that they would be graduating on June 1, 2024. She announced that the state budget would be presented on zoom on May 22nd at 9 a.m.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez reminded everyone that the Women’s Empowerment conference was this Saturday. She stated that she had concerns regarding the comments about the lack of response from staff and asked that this be addressed. She congratulated the students from Hartnell College that would be graduating this Friday. She also wanted everyone that had Narcan that they carry it with them because you never know when someone was going to need it. She gave an example of a Hartnell student that used it on the MST bus. She stated that she would be attending the Magnolia II apartments welcome event and was looking forward to it.
Councilmember Ortiz announced that there would be a picnic for all residents of Magnolia I and II apartments on May 25th from 11-2. She stated that they would also be giving away supplies to the residents so that they could start or help with the community garden and thanked Councilmember Martinez and Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez for their willingness to help with the event. She stated that she would like the intern program to be expanded to all young adults. She stated that not all kids meet high academic standards but there were kids that were willing to work and having a job would make a difference in their lives. She suggested that the Rotary Club speak with businesses to encourage them to hire kids. She also suggested that the City provide business classes for people to become entrepreneurs and start their own business. She commended the Police Department for working with other departments and agencies.
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Mayor White thanked everyone for participating in the Team Building. He announced the Women’s Empowerment conference this Saturday and stated that there would be a lot of good speakers. He stated that Chief Mixer and he attended the victims of violent crimes ceremony in Salinas and he attended the Salinas Valley Basin GSA meeting on May 3rd educating people regarding water. He stated that he attended the senior social and thanked Fabiola and her staff as well as the community development department for their presentation regarding development in Greenfield.
Councilmember Martinez announced that the Monterey Waterkeeper was having a free event.
Councilmember Ortiz reported that the Welcome to Greenfield signs were going up. She stated that she did not see the foundation of the sign when she passed by the location; however, she went back and saw it. She stated that she did post it on social media and wanted everyone to know work was getting done.
CONSENT ITEMS
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Martinez to approve the consent items including Warrants #321310 through #321501 and Bank Drafts #5998 through #6024 in the amount of $1,258,085.46, approve Minutes of the April 23, 2024 City Council Meeting and Receive and File Department Report – Finance Department. All in favor. Motion carried.
MAYOR’S PRESENTATION, PROCLAMATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS
PRESENTATION - HARVEST FESTIVAL
Community Engagement Manager Lopez and Victor Garcia gave a presentation regarding the Harvest Festival.
PROCLAMATION – NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK – MAY 19-25, 2024 Mayor White read the proclamation proclaiming National Public Works Week – May 19-25, 2024 and presented it to Public Works Director Tugel.
UPDATE – PUBLIC WORK DEPARTMENT
Public Works Director Tugel gave a power point presentation update regarding the Public Works Department projects.
PROCLAMATION – BUILDING SAFETY MONTH – MAY 2024
Mayor White read the proclamation proclaiming Building Safety Month – May 2024 and presented it to Building Permit Technician Fabian.
PRESENTATION – CODE ENFORCEMENT
Chief Mixer gave a presentation regarding code enforcement.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
RECEIVE AND FILE HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRAM REPORT (2023) Assistant Planner Meza gave a report regarding the Housing Element Annual Program (2023). 18 City Council Minutes
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A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Martinez to receive and file the Housing Element Annual Program Report (2023). All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD TO APPROVE A
NEW FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT POSITION OF UTILITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (USO) FOR THE WASTEWATER DIVISION AND MAKE A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF $9,000 TO THE 2023-2024 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET TO FUND THE USO POSITION
RESOLUTION #2024-57
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Tipton to adopt Resolution #2024-57, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield to Approve a New Full Time Employment Position of Utility System Operator (USO) for the Wastewater Division and Make a Supplemental Appropriation of $9,000 to the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Budget to Fund the USO Position”. All in favor. Motion carried.
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION REGARDING CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL MEDIA AND
MEDIA/PRESS POLICIES TO AMEND THE CITY COUNCIL CODE OF CONDUCT Staff report was given by City Attorney Thompson.
Gabby Serrato asked about being blocked by a Councilmember on their social media page.
City Council discussed the proposed changes and directed staff to bring this item back for final approval.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION – GOVERNMENT CODE SESSION 54956.9(D)(1)
Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
Andrew Sandoval v. City of Greenfield, Case Number 23CV003551 CLOSED SESSION – GOVERNMENT CODE SESSION 54956.9(D)(2)
Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation
Potential number of cases unknown
Meeting adjourned to closed session at 8:51 p.m.
No comments were received.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Meeting reconvened to open session at 9:28 p.m.
There was no reportable action taken.
BRIEF REPORTS ON CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, AND MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Ortiz reported on the TAMC meeting and stated that they discussed the roundabouts. 19 City Council Minutes
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Mayor Whited reported on the AMBAG meeting and stated that they discussed the budget and the regional forecast numbers.
Councilmember Tipton reported on the SVSWA meeting. He stated that they approved the budget and rate increase. He also stated that they discussed the organic waste fees and stated that they were doing very well meeting the State’s requirements. He stated that they were going to re-open the Crazy Horse Landfill as a transfer station and going to be expanding the Jolon Landfill site.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez reported on the MST meeting and reported on the ridership of the buses. She stated that she would be meeting with the general manager at the end of this week.
City Manager Wood reported on the Broadband Authority meeting and stated that they were looking into the fees that were being charged and what the fees would be used for.
Mayor White reported on the Monterey County Mayors’ meeting and stated they received a report from the Monterey County Agricultural Commission. He also stated that they discussed AB 413.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
None.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Wood stated that staff was working on the 2024-2025 proposed budget and stated that it should be on the next agenda as a presentation.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:42 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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