City Council Minutes
July 9, 2024
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF July 9, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor White, Councilmember Martinez, Ortiz and Tipton
ABSENT: Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez
STAFF: City Manager Wood, Chief Mixer, Captain Paredes, Public Works Director Tugel, City Attorney Thompson, IT Director Espinosa, City Clerk Rathbun GUESTS: Gail Stewart-White, Lourdes Villarreal, Henry Sanchez, Bob Urquides, David Orta, Daniel Orta
EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER ABSENCES
A MOTION by Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Tipton to excuse Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez. All in favor. Motion carried.
INVOCATION
Invocation by Val Garcia.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA REVIEW
None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Henry Sanchez stated that the police were harassing him. He stated that he was stopped and the officers had no reason to stop him. He stated that he had been cleaned for years now. He stated that Officer Lopez told some kids that he was a bad guy and he felt very offended and disrespected.
Dr. Lourdes Villarreal stated that this was the 5th time she was before the City Council requesting the Council create a city ordinance allowing for trash bin placement on the curbside and for the revision of a camper ordinance. She stated that the RV had been parked on the street for 52 days. She stated that it was very unfortunate that this was still not on the agenda. She thanked Jesus Perez and his staff for a very nice event on the 4th of July. She also stated that the City needed a Chamber of Commerce.
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Dan Orta stated that he was glad to be here and wanted to take the opportunity to say thank the Council.
He stated that at the start of covid it looked like he was near homelessness and opportunities were very limited so he made the decision to go back to school. He stated things were looking up and now he was getting ready to graduate. He stated that he just wanted to thank everyone for letting him be part of community and stated that he looked forward to participating in these meetings.
David Orta stated that he was a student at Hartnell College and stated that he had felt so blessed to Have the opportunities he had. He stated that both he and his brother were computer science students and he had served on student council and served as FS director representing 11 colleges across South Monterey County to San Jose and to Fremont. He stated that some of the problems that came up were very similar across the State and they were basic needs and housing protections as well as accessibility to technology. He stated that they were currently working in collaboration with a student lead nonprofit organization that they have started. He stated that they were hoping to open the doors at the Greenfield Cultural Center to address some of the initiatives that they had planned out, largely offering access to computers as well other computer signs and artistic opportunities. He stated that he just wanted to introduce himself to Council.
Beatriz Diaz stated that Councilmember Tipton had spoken about the heavy traffic on the Walnut Avenue overpass but she stated that she didn’t hear any solutions. She thanked Councilmember Tipton for bringing it up but if the Council doesn’t listen to a Councilmember what made her think the Council would listen to a public member. She stated that the street lines in the City were horrible especially the ones on Walnut Avenue near Burger King. She stated that at night people couldn’t see the lines. She stated that the fire hydrant on Elm and 7th Street was out and with all the fires it was a concern to have it not working. She stated that the Pete Rocha camp had two hydrants working, but the City hadn’t fixed the ones in town and stated that the City needed to fix the hydrants.
COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Tipton stated that with the warm weather please check on kids, pets, seniors and all others that can’t take care of themselves. He stated that the fireworks show was nice and the 4th of July event was nice; however, the City needed to do a better job with the booths and stated he would like to have a report on the revenue and expenses of the event. He also stated that he would like to have a report from code enforcement regarding the calls that were reported and self initiated calls. He reminded everyone to spay and neuter their animals. He asked for information regarding the Oak Park pool. He stated that tickets were being issued near the green bridge because people were parking on private property. He stated that he was told that the Arroyo Seco recreation area would be opening soon.
Councilmember Martinez stated that she was not in attendance of the last meeting because she did not have access to her city email and didn’t know about the meeting. She stated that she attended the LULAC National Conference with four local LULAC youth member in Nevada. She stated that they were able to hear from the Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford who addressed protecting elected officials.
She asked that Chief Mixer have a community meeting so that residents could express their concerns because there were a lot of valid concerns out there. She congratulated Beatriz Diaz for helping out and reporting things such as possible fires, weeds, etc.and stated that she wanted to validate every community member that came with the concerns and encouraged them to continue coming forward. She announced that there would be a meeting regarding the SURF bus. She stated that the Coastal Commission would be having the meeting at the Embassy office as well as on Zoom.
Councilmember Ortiz asked that the Council receive the Planning Commission agendas so that they could be aware of the meetings. She stated that there was a workshop regarding rental registration and would like for staff to hold another one. She asked about the Planning Commission pay and when was the last time the pay was reviewed. She stated that she noticed that there were new banners going up and asked about the Veterans’ ones. She stated that the Welcome to Greenfield signs were nice and 19 City Council Minutes
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was glad to see that the weeds were cut. She stated that the City had trouble with the sound system in Chambers and asked staff to look into it. She asked about the striping between Oak and Walnut and when would it be completed. She stated that the fire hydrants were still not fixed and asked that staff keep the Council informed of what was going on. She stated that there were a lot of trailers being parked on the street and some were too big for the streets and asked if staff could look into the matter. She stated that the fireworks at the park were nice and there was a lot of people in attendance; however, staff needed to work on the set up. She stated that the big problem was all the illegal fireworks. She stated that all the calls that were coming in just put a strain on the City services and something needed to get figured out. She stated that the City Yard had a community garden at one time; however, it was full of trash and an eyesore. She suggested that it be cleaned up and maybe there were some volunteers that could help. She stated that the City needed to get a Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor White stated that he and City Manager Wood attended the Fort Hunter Liggett’s community relations meeting. He stated that they heard from Colonel Steven Trotter, the Garrison Commander and Lieutenant Colonel Morris Connely, Deputy Garrison Commander, and Amy Phillips, the Public Affairs Director. He stated that they took a tour of the base and they went over a lot of the services that they have to offer. He stated that he attended the Building Business Back meeting that was held on June 28th, which was formerly the Monterey Business Council. He stated that they were doing a retail study for South County and interviewing people to find out what was needed. He stated that he attended the 4th of July festivities and thanked Supervisor Lopez for helping him kick off the ceremony. He also thanked his daughters for translating his opening remarks. He stated that the event was a great community event and there was a lot of people in attendance. He thanked Public Works on the great work that they have been doing on the percolation ponds cleanup and asked if the percolation pond on 3rd Street near Rosas Park could be moved up on the list. He also stated that Circus Royale was coming into town and would be open from July 18th to July 28th.
CONSENT ITEMS
A MOTION by Councilmember Tipton, seconded by Councilmember Martinez to approve the consent items including Warrants #321842 through #321961 and Bank Drafts #6089 through #6107 in the amount of $1,067,434.06, approve Minutes of the June 25, 2024 City Council Meeting, Receive and File – Department Reports – Police Department and adopt Resolution #2024-88, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Adopting the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual “Appropriation Limit”, and adopt Resolution #2024-89, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Declaring a One Month Recess Commencing August 1, 2024 through August 31, 2024”. All in favor. Motion carried.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD APPROVING A
REQUEST TO TRANSFER APPROPRIATE PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) BUDGET FOR BASEBALL FIELDS REHABILITATION FROM FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 TO FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $52,000
RESOLUTION #2024-90
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Tipton to adopt Resolution #2024-90, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving a Request to Transfer Appropriate Public Works Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Budget for Baseball Fields Rehabilitation From Fiscal Year 2023/2024 to Fiscal Year 2024/2025 for a Total Amount of $52,000” All in favor. Motion carried.
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ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD AWARDING THE
PURCHASE OF A DIESEL TRACTOR FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO C&N TRACTOR IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,500 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS RESOLUTION RESOLUTION #2024-91
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Tipton to adopt Resolution #2024-91, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Awarding the Purchase of a Diesel Tractor for the Public Works Department to C&N Tractor in the Amount of $51,500 in Accordance with this Resolution”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD RECLASSIFYING
THE CURRENT SENIOR ACCOUNTANT TO ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR
FTE CLASSIFICATION AND ASSOCIATED SALARY SCHEDULE
RESOLUTION #2024-92
Staff report was given by City Manager Wood.
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Tipton to adopt Resolution #2024-92 ”A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Reclassifying the Current Senior Accountant to Assistant Administrative Services Director FTE Classification and Associated Salary Schedule”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD TO INCREASE BY
3.7% THE SALARIES OF THE UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES FOR A COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) AND TO AFFIRM THE COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS (3.7%) FOR THE OE3 EMPLOYEES AND THE GREENFIELD POLICE SERGEANTS’ ASSOCIATION (GPSA) (REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES, NON-SWORN) (1.5%) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 RESOLUTION #2024-93
Staff report was given by City Manager Wood.
A MOTION by Councilmember Tipton, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2024-93, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield to Increase by 3.7% the Salaries of the Unrepresented Employees for a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and to Affirm the Cost-of-Living Adjustments (3.7%) for the OE3 Employees and the Greenfield Police Sergeants’ Association (GPSA) (Represented Employees, Non-Sworn) (1.5%) for Fiscal Year 2024-2025”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD APPROVING
AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNCIL CODE OF CONDUCT AND COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER AND
PROTOCOLS
RESOLUTION #2024-94
Staff report was given by City Attorney Thompson.
Mayor White asked if there could be some clarification on Page 11, regarding translation. City Attorney Thompson stated that she would add clarification to that section. 21 City Council Minutes
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A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Tipton to adopt Resolution #2024-94, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving Amendments to the Council Code of Conduct and Council Rules of Order and Protocols”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD APPROVING A
LAND DONATION AGREEMENT WITH C&S OAK PROPERTIES LLC, AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE THIS AGREEMENT
RESOLUTION #2024-95
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
A MOTION by Councilmember Tipton, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2024-95, ”A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving a Land Donation Agreement with C&S Oak Properties LLC, and Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute this Agreement”. All in favor. Motion carried.
BRIEF REPORTS ON CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, AND MEETINGS ATTENDED BY
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Mayor White reported on the AMBAG meeting. He stated that he did receive an email stating that the refunding was reduced by 6%.
Councilmember Tipton reported on the South Salinas Broadband Authority and stated that the City of Greenfield was now the executive director of the Authority.
City Manager Wood reported on the Planning Commission meeting. He stated that the Planning Commission adopted the CEQA/Mitigated Negative Declaration documents for the wastewater treatment plant; discussed and made a recommendation for approval of the rental registry ordinance and received the major projects report that they had requested.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
None.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
None
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:07 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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