City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page | 1
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
STAFF:
GUESTS:
Mayor White, Councilmembers Ortiz and Garcia
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez arrived at 6:09 p.m.
Councilmember Moreno-Mares
City Manager Wood, Chief Mixer, Captain Paredes, Public Works Director Tugel, IT Director Espinosa, City Attorney Lear, City Clerk Rathbun Gail Stewart White, Rev. Ines Lugo, Dorothy Jones, Alfonso Hernandez, Ben Rianda, Alan Flores, Bryan Gage, Daniela Anaya, Alejandra Garcia
EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER ABSENCES
A MOTION by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to excuse Councilmember Moreno-Mares. All in favor. Motion carried.
INVOCATION BY PASTOR INES LUGO
Invocation by Pastor Lugo.
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 received.
COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Garcia thanked everyone that was involved in the Ribs Kick Off at Oak Park. She stated that she along with other Councilmembers from different cities took a tour of Module #8 which was starting to get full and was cleaned out but would probably get filled within 4 to 5 years. She stated that they were looking at ways to decrease what was being put into the landfills. She stated that she attended the recreation center meeting and that it was a very well-run meeting and stated that there was a lot of resident comments and involvement. She congratulated Randy Savage from Avila Victory Boxing who fought in the championship in Oxnard and took 2nd place.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that she also went on the tour of the Johson Canyon Landfill and stated that it was very interesting and expressed the importance of recycling. She stated that she also went to the recreation center
14 City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page | 2
meeting regarding the new community center and stated that it was very well attended. She stated that there was a lot of suggestions. She stated that she attended the Relay of Life event at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas as well at the line dancing event that was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. She stated that there were about 85 people in attendance with people from Soledad and Gonzales as well as Greenfield.
Mayor White stated that even if there were no City Council meetings in August it was a busy month. He stated that he attended the TAMC meeting on August 26th and August 31st; Monterey County Mayors met on August 7th and September 4th; senior services meeting on August 14th; the Relay for Life in Greenfield on August 8th; National Night Out was August 4th; and the recreation center meeting on September 3rd. He requested all voters to vote yes on Measure O; a continuation of a current tax measure that was used for public safety; recreation and code enforcement. He stated that this was not a new tax but just an extension of the current one.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez stated that August was a busy month even without having Council meetings; however,
she stated that she would give a report on those meetings at the next meeting.
CONSENT ITEMS
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to approve the consent items including EFT #517 through #588, Warrants #327682 through #327960 and Bank Drafts #7378 through #7444 in the amount of $2,195,585.16; Minutes of the July 14, 2026 City Council Meeting and Minutes of the July 28, 2026 Meeting; Receive and File Monthly Departmental Reports – Finance / Grants/ Police / Science Workshop; adopt Resolution #2026-80, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield in Support for Pilot Rail Services Connecting Los Angeles and the San Francisco Area for the Summer 2028 Olympics”, and adopt Resolution #2026-81, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Excusing Councilmember Moreno-Mares’ Absence”. All in favor. Motion carried.
MAYOR’S PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS PROCLAMATION – HONORING JACOB’S HEART CHILDREN’S CANCER SUPPORT SERVICES AND DECLARING SEPTEMBER 2026 AS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF
GREENFIELD
Mayor White read the proclamation proclaiming and honoring Jacob’s Hear Children’s Cancer Support Services and Declaring September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and presented it to Daniela Anaya, Director of Family Programs with Jacob’s Heart.
Daniela Anaya gave a brief description of the services that were provided by Jacob’s Heart.
PROCLAMATION – A PROCLAMATION DECLARING NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION
RECOVERY MONTH
Mayor White read the proclamation declaring September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recover Month.
PUBLIC HEARING
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD ADOPTING THE 2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (UWMP) AND RE-ADOPTING THE 2020 WATER SHORTAGE
CONTINGENCY PLAN
RESOLUTION #2026-82
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugetl. 15 City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page | 3
Mayor White opened the public hearing at 6:23 p.m.
No comments were received.
Mayor White closed the public hearing at 6:24 p.m.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2026-82, with the update on Well #7, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Adopting the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and Re-Adopting the 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD APPROVING AN
AMENDMENT TO THE PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT WITH CLOACINA, LLC, TO REDUCE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT FROM $31,083,973.90 TO $25,936,960.95 FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A
PACKAGED MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR (MBR) TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR THE NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT (WWTP), INCORPORATING CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS 1 THROUGH 14, AND
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE THE AMENDMENT RESOLUTION #2026-83
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
Dorothy Jones asked if this was why her water bill had increased over $60 per month. Mayor White explained that the City had received the grant of $75,000,000 for the project and that was why the rate was at the lower end. He stated that the rates were passed a couple months ago. Ms. Jones stated that she understood; however, there were a lot of people on fixed income, and this increase does hurt them and asked if it was going to go higher. Mayor White stated yes and that there was a schedule of the rates and also stated that it was based on water usage. Public Works Director Tugel explained the rates and that staff would get her a copy of the rate schedule.
A resident asked about the rates and asked if the schedule was online. Public Works Direct Tugel stated that she would check and if not, it would be updated.
Natalia asked for clarification as to whether it would be deregulated or more regulated. Public Works Director Tugel stated that there was no mention of regulation, but it was going to be a smaller unit than it was originally going to be and the flow was going to be increased through a different type of membrane filter.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to adopt Resolution #2026-83, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving an Amendment to the Procurement Agreement with CLOACINA, LLC, to Reduce the Contract Amount from $31,083,973.90 to $25,936,960.95 for the Acquisition of a Packaged Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Treatment System for the New Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), Incorporating Contract Change Orders 1 through 14, and Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute the Amendment”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD AUTHORIZING THE PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE, 2025 FUNDING REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT BY
AND BETWEEN THE TRANSPORTATION AGENCY FOR MONTEREY COUNTY AND THE CITY OF
GREENFIELD
RESOLUTION #2026-84
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2026-84, 16 City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page | 4
“A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Authorizing the Pavement Management Program Update, 2025 Funding Reimbursement Agreement by and Between the Transportation Agency for Monterey County and the City of Greenfield”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD APPROVING A TASK
ORDER WITH BKF ENGINEERS FOR WALNUT AVENUE WIDENING DESIGN SERVICES UNDER
EXISTING ON-CALL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $234,216.00
RESOLUTION #2026-85
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
Natalia asked what the project was. Public Works Director Tugel explained that this was a design project, not including construction, to widen Walnut Avenue from El Camino Real going east to Highway 101. She stated that it would include an extra eastbound lane and a sidewalk on the school side.
Councilmember Garcia asked about the safety of the children and the teachers for those classrooms that were there. Public Works Director Tugel stated that they were working with the District and state architect very closely regarding the design and safety.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2026-85, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving a Task Order with BKF Engineers for Walnut Avenue Widening Design Services Under Existing On-Call Professional Services Agreement in an Amount not to Exceed $234,216.00”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD SUPPLEMENTALLY APPROPRIATING $53,386.86 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 AND $66,250.00 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 FROM TRANSPORTATION AGENCY FOR MONTEREY COUNTY RESTRICTED FUNDS AND
ACCEPTING THE WALNUT AVENUE PEDESTRIAN AND BIKEWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
BETWEEN THIRD STREET AND TWELFTH STREET, COMPLETED BY ANDERSON PACIFIC ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION, INC.
RESOLUTION #2026-86
Staff report was given by Public Works Director Tugel.
Natalia asked what the project entailed. Public Works Director Tugel explained the project and stated that it included sidewalk, guard rails, bicycle lanes and signs on Walnut Avenue; from Santa Lucia Shopping Center to Second Street.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to adopt Resolution #2026-86, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Supplementally Appropriating $53,386.86 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and $66,250.00 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 from Transportation Agency for Monterey County Restricted Funds and Accepting the Walnut Avenue Pedestrian and Bikeway Improvements Project Between Third Street and Twelfth Street, Completed by Anderson Pacific Engineering Construction, Inc.”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD AUTHORIZING
SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION TO THE CALIFORNIA STRATEGIC GROWTH COUNCIL, COMMUNITY RESILIENCE CENTERS PROGRAM ROUND 2 IMPLEMENTATION GRANT FOR THE GREENFIELD
RESILIENCE AND RECREATION PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF AN AWARD AND
COMMITMENT TO ALL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS IF FUNDED
RESOLUTION #2026-87
Staff report was given by City Manager Wood.
17 City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page | 5
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz to adopt Resolution #2026-87, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Authorizing Submittal of an Application to the California Strategic Growth Council, Community Resilience Centers Program Round 2 Implementation Grant for the Greenfield Resilience and Recreation Project, and Authorizing Acceptance of an Award and Commitment to All Program Requirements if Funded”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD APPOINTING THE
VOTING DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE TO THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
RESOLUTION #2026-88
Staff report was given by City Clerk Rathbun
Councilmember Garcia nominated Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez as the voting delegate.
A MOTION by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, seconded by Mayor White to adopt Resolution #2026-88, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Appointing the Voting Delegate, Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez and Alternate, Councilmember Garcia, to the League of California Cities Annual Conference”. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD APPROVING AN
AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES WITH LOZANO SMITH, LLP FOR CITY
ATTORNEY AND RELATED LEGAL SERVICES AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
THE AGREEMENT
RESOLUTION #2026-89
Staff report was given by City Manager Wood.
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to adopt Resolution #2026-89, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving an Agreement for Professional Legal Services with Lozano Smith, LLP for City Attorney and Related Legal Services and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement”. AYES: Mayor White, Councilmembers Ortiz and Garcia.
NOES: Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez. ABSENT: Councilmember Moreno-Mares. Motion carried.
DISCUSSION OF A CITY-WIDE BANNER DISPLAY POLICY AND PROGRAM Staff report was given by City Manager Wood.
Michael Bloom, resident of Greenfield, stated that he wanted to address two parts of the banner proposal. He stated that last year was the first year they put banners up for Veterans’ Day, a celebration for all Veterans that honorably served the community, state and nation in the armed forces. He stated that he was charged with going through the database looking for and verifying their service and contacting the families as well as getting images. He stated that next project was how they would do Memorial Day and he stated that they would use the same criteria of verifying the facts of those members that were killed in action, missing in action, never had been accounted for or have passed away. He stated that he understood that the Council was not satisfied with the fact that they served honorably but they also wanted each Veteran to go through a background check. He stated that this should not apply in this situation; it was about serving our country honorably and each individual should be recognized for their service. He stated that his Veterans served this country and as for he wanted them on display.
18 City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page | 6
Julie stated that she agreed with Mr. Bloom and stated that everyone should learn to forgive. She stated that everyone had skeletons in their closet, but some were just better at hiding them. She stated that this should not be personal and should be about the Veterans that served for us. She stated that everyone should be united and not pick and choose. She also stated that the rules and regulations should have been passed prior to putting up the banners and not now when someone did not want a person up there.
Dorthy Jones asked that decisions should not be made out of hatred and do it the right way.
Natalia asked how big the banners were and does the City have to cut trees to put them up. Mayor White stated that the banners were already up and trees might have to be trimmed so the banners could be more visible. Public Works Director Tugel stated that the banners were 2’x5’. Natalia stated that with the criminal record issue, she stated that if they served their time then it didn’t matter because they had got justice for their crimes.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez stated that she asked that a formal policy be placed on the agenda and wanted to respond. She stated that she was contacted by two residents about a banner that was being flown on Veterans’ Day. She stated that she was not familiar with the individual or about the situation until the residents brought it to her attention, so she spoke with City Manager Wood about it. She stated that her perspective on this, specifically on registered sex offenders, as a city and spending city resources was that the City was condoning or celebrating and honoring whoever was up there. She said that being approached by victims of sexual assault put it in a different light. She stated that it was not an attack on a person but as for her, a victim of sexual assault and having members of her family as victims of sexual assault, this issue gave her a different perspective. She stated that everyone had their own opinions and she respected everyone for that; however, this was hers. She stated that she was talking about this particular crime and was not talking about any other criminal offenses. She stated that she understood that a person that fought for our freedom might come back home with different things that she would never understand. She stated that she was very narrow and specific of what she was thinking when she brought this up for a policy and information that was publicly accessible for people that were registered sex offenders on Megan’s Law website and should be excluded from the banner program. She stated that she did not ask for it to be placed on the agenda to attack anyone; however, she stated that she stood on her own personal convictions and that was something that she stood for.
Councilmember Garcia stated that she was not elected to be a judge. She stated that this was a hard topic because the banner program was not about a person, it was about Greenfield celebrating what they believed was good. She stated that she acknowledged that pedophiles were not good but that she was not the one that was going to look and check backgrounds on everyone. She stated that this was brought to our attention and that she believed in the victims and if a child saw that person, she believed that they needed to be protected too. She stated that this required a lot of reflection and asked what the values of Greenfield were. She stated that the City did value the Veterans, but she did not like the idea of a child seeing someone on a banner that hurt them.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that the longevity of the banners was not long because the wind, the banners do rip easily. She stated that even before the banners were up for the first time; she had asked what the guidelines were as well as a schedule and had not received any. She stated that some months were busier than others and stated that she was trying to be considerate of when they put up the banners because it was not easy putting them up and currently the City did not have a lift and had to rent one. She stated that there were some poles that did not have brackets and they were willing to supply them. She stated that she did like the idea of having zones, especially in the month of May because they put up banners for Memorial Day as well as the graduating seniors. She stated that with a policy in place, staff would know how many banners would go up and when they would go up and a schedule would be very important. She stated that the banners probably would not be going up this November because she did not know what criteria she needed to follow and how to check each individual. She stated that she spoke with their attorney, and he suggested putting 19 City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page | 7
something on their application stating that they had not done anything bad or committed a crime against a child.
Councilmember Ortiz gave a brief background on how the banner program started. She stated that she came from a family of Veterans and POWs and felt very strongly about this program. She stated that when she got the first names from POST 635, she did not think anything about anybody. She stated all she knew was that they served and that she was going to honor them and create banners. She stated that she spoke with the organizer of the banner program with the City of Salinas and followed what they did; however, they did not have anything on their application regarding people that could or should not be on a banner. She stated that after this situation came up that she contacted several cities with banner programs regarding the situation, and she did find out that another banner program faced this same situation and they chose to do it very discreetly and contact the individual’s family and the family agreed to remove the banner. She stated that she had had a conversation with the gentleman in question here in town and he told her to remove his banner. She told a story about her two brothers regarding their experience in Vietnam. She stated that she was an advocate for sexual assault victims and was herself a survivor and currently planning a conference next year for victims because it was so important to help our community. She stated that she was a supporter of the Veterans and does not like to have to take somebody’s banner down but if that’s what the Council decided to do, then that’s what the program would do. She stated that she was very happy that there was going to be a policy in place so that everyone could know where they stand and that the program was started to honor Veterans, nothing more.
Mayor White stated that the whole idea of the banners was to build community spirit and honor individuals of our community. He stated that honoring Veterans were first, high school seniors were second and then decorations were next. He stated that after a lot of reflection he believed that if somebody was a registered sex offender their picture should not be up there. He stated that the criteria needed to be very narrow, such as being on the Megan’s Law website because the City needed to respect the victims as well.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez thanked everyone for having this discussion.
City Council reviewed the policy and directed staff to finalize the policy.
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, Greenfield Police Officers Association, Greenfield Police Sergeants’ Association, International Association of Fire Fighters - Local 4656
Meeting adjourned to closed session at 8:18 p.m.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Meeting reconvened to open session at 8:29 p.m.
There was no reportable action taken.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
No report.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
No report.
20 City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page | 8
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
_________________________
Mayor of the City of Greenfield
____________________________
City Clerk of the City of Greenfield
21