City Council Minutes
May 13, 2025
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MEETING OF MAY 13, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor White, Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, Councilmembers Jones and Garcia Councilmember Ortiz arrived at 6:15 p.m.
ABSENT: None
STAFF: City Manager Wood, Economic & Community Development Director Mugan, IT Director Espinosa, Sgt. de la Torre, City Attorney Thompson, City Clerk Rathbun GUESTS: Gail Stewart-White, Pastor Diana Salinas, John Huerta, Jr.
EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER ABSENCES
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Jones to excuse Councilmember Ortiz. All in favor. Motion carried.
INVOCATION BY PASTOR DIANA SALINAS
Invocation by Pastor Diana Salinas.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA REVIEW
City Manager Wood asked that the Council pull Item K-2, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield to Supplementally Appropriate Funds for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in the Amount of $100,000 for the Purchase and Outfitting of a Fire Department Command Vehicle. Council concurred.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA John Huerta, Jr. gave a shout out to City Engineer Doug Pike for the information and updates that he had requested. He stated that he would like to propose an idea to have the legislative update from the legislators themselves instead of the City Attorney. He requested that staff give an update on the wastewater treatment plant.
David Orta stated that at the April 22nd meeting he had stated that there were significant procedural failures and lack of city communication. He stated that the situation at the Cultural Arts Center had drastically worsened and on April 25th the lab at the art center was abruptly shut down. He stated that the lab was providing a safe, supportive and free educational space for the students that attended. He stated that it had been 18 days since the shutdown and he had not received any written explanation or communication regarding the reasons for this action. He stated that their expensive equipment and 24 City Council Minutes
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program materials remained locked in the Arts Center and were being denied access to retrieve it and if returned, they did not have a place to store it because of the sudden displacement. He stated that this action was preventing them from serving the community. He stated that they would like immediate supervised access to retrieve their equipment, a formal written explanation for the shutdown and a meeting with staff to discuss the restoration of the program.
Gaby Serrato stated that she would like to address her concerns as we reach the halfway joint of the year. She stated that Mayor White and Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez expressed strong desires to making changes and doing more for the community as stated during their campaigns; however, she had not seen any tangible changes or improvements. She addressed Councilmember Jones and stated that she should not be allowed to be bullied and should stand on her own principles. She stated that Councilmembers hold great responsibilities and while the community input was crucial, decisions need to be made that align with what each member believed was best for this City.
COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Garcia stated that she was very proud of the Greenfield Youth Council and stated that they were going to host the South County Youth Summit in Greenfield on May 24th. She stated that she attended the spring award night and stated that Captain Radcliff was recognized by the State of California for all the hard work with the ROTC program. She stated that Greenfield had more than 130 cadets this year and were expecting to have more than 170 next year. She stated that things were happening for our kids. She also stated that she attended the Fallen Heroes Event, and it was very moving and was glad that Greenfield hosted the event.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that they would be launching a new website for the Day of Thanks event, which would be held on November 23, 2025. She also stated that they were working on a website and it would be launched after getting approval from the American Legion for the hometown heroes. She stated that Saturday she went to an event at the Coelho Ranch Foundation. She stated that it was beautiful and they had community events. She also stated that parking was getting worse and would like to know how many parking calls the Police Department were getting per month.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez gave an update on the Salinas Valley Promise program and stated that it was extended until May 30th. She stated that she would like everyone to know that this was for first time fulltime students whether straight out of high school or later in life. She stated that Hartnell hosted their annual event and they registered over 1,200 students in a 3-day period.
Mayor White stated that there would be a Parent Empowerment event on May 17th from 9 a.m. to noon and it would include gang awareness. He announced that the American Legion was hosting an event at the Memorial Hall on May 26th for Memorial Day; the Salinas Valley Fair was Thursday-Sunday this week and the South County Youth Summit would be May 24th at Greenfield High School. He stated that he attended the scholarship award ceremony and over $37,000 were given in scholarships to Greenfield seniors. He also announced that the Harvest Festival was going back to one day and would be moving to the south end of El Camino Real and asked to get an update from staff. He stated that he spoke with high school staff and they were working on the banners, and they should be up prior to graduation and announced that the Senior Social was tomorrow.
CONSENT ITEMS
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve the consent items including Warrants #324384 through #324518 and Bank Drafts #6602 through #6626 in the amount of $1,159,919.26; approve Minutes of the April 22, 2025 City Council Meeting, Receive and File – Monthly Report – Economic and Community Development Department / Grants, adopt Resolution #2025-38, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield for the Supplemental Appropriation of 25 City Council Minutes
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Funds in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in the Amount of $3,550 to Cover Greenfield Youth Council Related Costs” and Deny Claims Against the City – George Banuelos and Laura Madrigal. All in favor.
Motion carried.
MAYOR’S PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS PROCLAMATION – NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK – MAY 18 – 24, 2025 Mayor White read the proclamation and presented it to City Engineer Pike and Asst. Engineer Gil-Mares.
PRESENTATION – GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION 2024 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT Economic & Community Development Director Mugan gave a presentation regarding the General Plan Implementation 2024 Annual Progress Report.
CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD ACCEPTING
MAGNOLIA SENIOR APARTMENTS PHASE II PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH INCLUDES
STREETS, STREETLIGHTS, SIDEWALKS, STORM DRAINS, AND ASSOCIATED PARKWAY
LANDSCAPING
RESOLUTION #2025-39
Staff report was given by City Engineer Pike.
John Huerta, Jr. stated that he supported this resolution.
Daniel Orta stated that he supported this resolution.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to adopt Resolution #2025-39, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Accepting Magnolia Senior Apartments Phase II Public Improvements, Which Includes Streets, Streetlights, Sidewalks, Storm Drains, and Associated Parkway Landscaping”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD ACCEPTING
STREET AND LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN CITY OWNED EASEMENTS WITHIN THE
OAK TERRACE SUBDIVISION AND THEY BE ASSUMED FOR MAINTENANCE BY SPECIAL MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS NO. 3 AND DIRECT STAFF TO FORMALLY CLOSEOUT THE ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT RESOLUTION #2025-40
Staff report was given by City Engineer Pike.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Jones to adopt Resolution #2025-4\0, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Accepting Street and Landscape Improvements within City Owned Easements within the Oak Terrace Subdivision and They be Assumed for Maintenance by Special Maintenance Assessment Districts No. 3 and Direct Staff to Formally Close-Out the Associated Development Agreement”. All in favor. Motion carried. 26 City Council Minutes
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ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION - GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Agency designated representative: City Manager Paul Wood Employee Organizations: Service Employee’s International Union Local 521, International Union of Operating Engineers Local #3, Professional Firefighters International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4656
No comments were received.
Meeting adjourned to closed session at 6:55 p.m.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Meeting reconvened to open session at 8:10 p.m.
There was no reportable action taken.
RIEF REPORTS ON CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, AND MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Ortiz reported on the TAMC meeting. She stated that most of the meeting was in closed session.
Mayor White stated that the AMBAG meeting would be tomorrow and on the agenda, they had the Monterey Bay Regional Overall Work Program and Budget.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez reported on the MST meeting. She stated that they reviewed the budget and stated that there were many things unknown because of the tariffs because the batteries for the buses were only manufactured in China. She also stated that there was a bit of a drop in ridership and the rumor was that people were aware of ICE and were not riding the bus. She reported that the program for free ridership for CSUMB and Hartnell students had been renewed and that the Greenfield bus stop construction should be completed by the end of the month and the on-demand program would end on June 30th.
Mayor White reported on the Monterey County Mayors meeting and stated that they discussed SB 79, authored by Senator Wiener, which would remove local control regarding land issues. He stated that the Mayors agreed to send a letter opposing the bill.
Mayor White reported on the Managers/Mayors meeting which was held in Salinas at the California Welcome Center. He stated they toured the Regional Heritage Center near the Amtrak Center and stated that it was only the 23rd one in the State of California.
City Manager Wood reported on the Planning Commission and stated that the Commission approved the rejection of the Beyer Building project, and they asked that a traffic study be conducted before further review.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
No report.
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CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Wood reminded the City Council of the Teambuilding Workshop on May 19th at 5 p.m. and thanked Ed and Luis, IT personnel, for the work on the sound system.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:22 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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