CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF HOLLISTER
Minutes of Special Meeting
January 22, 2022
REMOTE PARTICIPATION DURING THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Resendiz led the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
The Special Meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Ignacio Velazquez on January, 22, 2022 at 9:00 AM in the City Council Chambers at 375 Fifth Street, Hollister, CA 95023.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Ignacio Velazquez Mayor Present
Rick Perez District 1 Present
Rolan Resendiz District 2 Present
Dolores Morales District 3 Remote
Tim Burns District 4 Present
Jason S. Epperson City Attorney Remote 9:04 AM
Christine Black City Clerk Absent
Carlos Reynoso Police Chief Remote
Brett Miller City Manager Present
VERIFCATION OF AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda for the City of Hollister City Council Special Meeting of January 22, 2022, was posted on the bulletin board at City Hall on January 18, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. per Government Code section 54956.
A. CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOLLISTER
1. Resolution No. 2022-9 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hollister adopting a Speed Cushion Policy and Procedure for the City of Hollister Associate Engineer Socorro Zendejas gave a brief introduction of the item.
Public Comment:
None
Ms. Zendejas answered questions from Council. She reported that Public Works staff is trained and able to keep up with the speed cushion demand and have been doing so effectively, and that each speed cushion costs about $3,000. She explained the proposed speed cushion policy, and the importance of establishing one
representative from the neighborhood to be the point of contact.
Council thanked Engineering Staff and the consultants for their hard work and professionalism in creating the proposed Speed Cushion Policy. Council expressed agreement that the proposed policy has some good elements in it, such as creating a standard process and having one point of contact in each neighborhood involved.
Council gave consensus overall that a formal policy would slow down the process of installing speed cushions, as well as put an undue burden of time and ownership for residents to get them installed. Council voiced agreement to have City staff continue the way are installing speed cushions, which is through conducting traffic studies and installing speed cushions where there is the greatest need first, and continuing analyzing other areas and installing them where needed. Council also voiced agreement that it is very important that the speed cushions are visible, and placed in a way that allows public safety vehicles to get through. Council expressed that the most important aspect of speed cushions is to keep everyone safe and save lives.
Council Member Morales said she would like to see more concrete data regarding the amount and type of complaints regarding speeding in neighborhoods before adopting a policy, in order to have a better understanding what is needed in a policy and coming to a decision. She cautioned that the City evaluate the need for speed cushions, find out how many are needed and where, before spending the money to order them.
Mayor Velazquez said it's a shame that people speed through the streets to start with, but the City already has a way to analyze and determine where the speeding problems are and put in the speed cushions where necessary. He added that Nash Road, Sally, and Sunnyslope should have speed cushions, as well as anywhere near a school to prevent speeding and make it more safe for children. He said it becomes a question of how many speed cushions to order, and how many to budget for. He noted that anywhere where speed bumps have been installed the neighbors were very appreciative of them, but there will always be some people who are angry because they want to speed.
Council consensus was to not adopt a formal policy on speed cushions at this time.
Council directed staff via consensus to come back with quotes for ordering speed cushions and find out if a bulk discount is offered, and to continue to install speed cushions in the areas where a traffic analysis has been done and shown that they are needed. Council also requested that staff gather information about whether other nearby agencies want to order speed cushions as well and see if a greater bulk discount is offered.
2. 2022 Rally Status Report
City Manager Miller gave a brief introduction of the item and introduced Randy Burke from Roadshows Street Vibrations Entertainment. He added that Mr. Burke has planned the Independence Day Biker Rally for Hollister in the past, and looks forward to planning one again for 2022. He stated that Mr. Burke has met with Mayor Velazquez, Vice Mayor Perez, Police and Fire Chief, and the City Manager to discuss the vision for the Rally.
Public Comment:
None
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Mr. Burke answered questions from Council regarding his 28 years of experience in planning similar events all over the county. He spoke about his concerns about another Rally being canceled after he puts forth the funds to promote it. He said the pandemic is a major concern to be able to safely put on the Rally this year, as well as having a contract that is fair to both him and the City in the event of a cancellation.
He said that he would need to know before March if the Rally in Hollister is happening before he gets sponsors lined up and noted that typically event planning and sponsorship begins up to 3 years in advance.
Council Member Morales would like to see the residents and businesses near downtown be involved in the collaboration of the Rally event to get their input. She said that looking at past years when the Rally happened, it is unclear how much tax revenue and benefits the City and community has gained. She added that since the amount of revenue generated is apparent, she suggested the City have a plan in place to be able to obtain this information for the next Rally to see if there is a cost benefit.
Mayor Velazquez said that the Rally is a rich part of the history of Hollister, which is known around the world as the "birthplace of the American biker". He voiced support of hiring a professional to do a revenue study for the Rally. He noted that much of the revenue generated by the Rally is difficult to track because of the many factors involved, such as vendors, restaurants, hotels, bartenders, small businesses, as well as how much of that money is put back into the community. He said the top concern is how the pandemic will affect the City's ability to hold a Rally, however, the difference now is that vaccines and boosters are widely available.
Mayor left the dais at 10:34 a.m. and returned at 10:36 a.m.
Fire Chief Martin Del Campo said that some of his concerns are the pandemic and diminished Fire staff resources as a result. He voiced concern about the spread of COVID and having a plan for other threats such as an active shooter. He said Hollister must collaborate to make emergency plans ahead of time.
Council Member Resendiz left the dais at 10:39 a.m. and returned at 10:41 a.m.
Police Chief Reynoso said it is very difficult to contract outside law enforcement agencies to help staff an event around the 4th or July, and the cost to reimburse those agencies is very expensive. He reported that he reached out to California Department of Corrections and probation departments to see if they can assist Hollister with public safety staff for the Rally. He said that a major concern is the Rally bringing in rival biker gangs to the City and there being fights or worse. He said the culture of many bikers to always carry a weapon on them. He said in the past volunteers would sign up to help with security, but unpaid volunteers tend to walk away or not want to get involved with fights or other problems. He said that biker rallies are not as big as they used to be and not generating as much revenue as in the past. He said he will reach out to these outside agencies again to confirm by March if they can provide enough public safety staff, but he recommended including a provision in the Rally contract for the City to be able to cancel the Rally if they do not have enough public safety officers to staff the event. Chief Reynoso also stated that last year Corbin had a biker event in Hollister around 4th of July, and in their public assembly permit they promised to have 12 security officers for their event, but only had 2, so police and fire personnel had to respond to issues which put a strain on resources.
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Vice Mayor Perez left the dais at 11:02 a.m. and returned at 11:04 a.m.
Council Member Burns said he would like the contract with Roadshows to have a clause to reimburse the promoter for any lost costs if the City decides to cancel the Rally, as well as reimburse for lost costs from last year's canceled Rally. Council Member Burns asked Interim Development Services Director Prado how we can prevent businesses or people with big empty lots from using their space to do retail sales during the Rally without a permit and who do not contribute to the Rally promoters costs. Mr. Prado said that in the past people from out of state have come in and used those empty lots without permission to do retail sales. He said that others have applied for a temporary use permit to use their space for the weekend for retail. Council Member Burns would like to see an Ordinance or Code amendment put in place in advance to prevent people from taking advantage of the Rally, and make sure that these people or businesses work together with the promoter. He said he is extremely concerned about Corbin not following through providing the security for their public assembly permit last year, and would hesitate to allow them to have an event this year. He requested more specifics of how many times police and fire had to respond to their event, if any citations or fines were issued, and how much of the City's public safety resources were used.
Vice Mayor Perez voiced agreement that he would like to know at least a ballpark amount of revenue the City has received from past Rallies. He noted that securing an agreement with outside agencies to provide public safety officers for the Rally is of utmost importance, as well as businesses like Corbin providing the security staff for their events as promised.
Council Member Resendiz voiced support of the Rally and adding a clause in the contract to reimburse the promoter for lost revenue if the City cancels the event, but disagrees with going back to past years and reimbursing promoters lost costs retroactively. He said that any COVID relief funds that were given to the promoter should be factored in as well. He voiced support of City staff going to other Biker Rallies to get more information on what other Cities are doing, but not necessarily sending Council Members, unless it is an option given to all Council Members.
Public Comment:
Priscilla Jones addressed the Council.
Carol Lenoir addressed the Council.
Fire Chief Martin Del Campo responded to public comment said they do have a contingency plan and mutual aid agreement on an ongoing basis.
Council gave consensus to the City Manager and City Attorney to move forward with negotiating a contract amendment with Roadshows for the 2022 Biker Rally. Council added that the addendum should contain a fair solution for reimbursement to the promoter in the event the City cancels the Rally, and a clause that the City may cancel the Rally if there is a state mandated lockdown to due the COVID-19 pandemic, or if there is a shortage of adequate public safety staff to hold the event.
Council directed staff via consensus to come back the first meeting in March with the contract addendum and for Council to make a decision whether to approve the contract and Rally at the first meeting in March.
Recess
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Council took a recess at 11:45 a.m. and reconvened at 11:57 a.m.
3. Report to the City Council of the City of Hollister To Discuss the Use of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds
City Manager Miller gave a brief introduction of the item. He said that this item was brought back per Council's request to discuss how to spend the $9,000,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds available to the City that must be used by December 31, 2024. He gave an overview of a draft budget allocating the funds, and asked for direction from Council on how to move forward.
Council discussed the proposed budget for the ARPA funds, and asked questions of the City Manager. City Manager Miller confirmed that no City employees were laid off because of COVID, employees have been given raises in the last 2 years, and employees did not have to use their own sick time if they missed work due to COVID.
Mr. Miller said he would have to check with the City Attorney if Council Members are considered employees and if they would be eligible for hazard pay.
Council Member Morales said she would like to see an additional public works position added who would work with businesses as a liaison to help solve the problems they are facing to stay in business. She said she would also like to see funds used to help businesses pivot to online services for long-term security in the future. She voiced concern about Latinx business owners not having the same resources and would like to be sure that the funds are distributed fairly across the community. She stated that she would like to focus the hazard pay and funds within the sphere of our City and employees. and consider hiring more staff. She said that there are currently no policies or funds in place to give recognition or thanks to staff and giving employees hazard pay is an opportunity for Council to show their appreciation. She noted that staff who worked remote or in an office faced still faced health risks, logistical challenges, increased workload, and are often performing multiple jobs due to short staffing.
Council Member Resendiz said he would like to see the funds used to benefit the community and invest in infrastructure for the long term. He added that the entire community has been affected by COVID, and the ARPA funds should be put back into the community, and recognize essential workers not limited to City staff that worked through the pandemic. He suggested that if the funds are put into the general fund they should be earmarked for specific uses, such as tourism and local business revitalization. He would also like to consider using funds to reinforce the dais with bulletproof barriers for safety.
Vice Mayor Perez suggested looking into whether the ARPA funds can be used to add broadband to the city, as well as purchasing vehicles for the Police Department that have surveillance cameras so they can be moved around to wherever needed, such as events like the Rally. He said Council should decide what to do regarding hazard pay for City employees sooner rather than later.
Council Member Burns requested information on how other nearby jurisdictions are spending the ARPA funds. He expressed that he would like to see the City of Hollister hire its own Economic Development Director and Assistant City Manager.
He suggested creating a program to give small business loans or grants to help get them on their feet. He requested that the program include a process that assures that the business is going to stay in Hollister and monitors a return on investment. He City Council Saturday, January 22, 2022 Page 5 of 6
voiced agreement with using ARPA funds to recognize essential workers in the community in addition to City staff and would like to see what the Department Heads come up with as their list of frontline workers.
Mayor Velazquez said he agrees with Council Member Burns regarding establishing a program to help get businesses ready for the summer, and way to phase in the funds. He said he would like the City to move forward with a program that focuses on downtown revitalization, expanding the downtown restaurants, and adding food trucks in to bring in more foot traffic to all businesses. He agreed with Council Member Resendiz that there are many ways to show appreciation for City staff, and Council should show recognition to essential workers throughout the community whether it is through hazard pay. or gift cards to local businesses.
Public Comment:
Priscilla Jones addressed the Council.
Michael Jones addressed the Council.
Council directed staff via consensus to do the following:
• By March, move the ARPA funds into the General Fund, and begin earmarking funds for business revitalization and tourism, specifically fund a "Welcome to Hollister" sign, and develop a loan or grant program for which businesses can apply. • By April 1st, have Department Heads go through the list of current staff and come up with numbers for each of the staff categories, such as public safety, frontline workers, office workers, etc., and consider different tiers of hazard pay. Secondly - to have Council consider ways to recognize essential workers outside of the city, such as teachers, grocery store clerks, gas station workers, etc., and come up with a plan for hazard pay, or giving gift cards as a gesture of gratitude. • For Development Services to work on creating a checklist with steps for new businesses follow to get started and help streamline the process for them to get their businesses up and running.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Resendiz motioned to adjourn at 1:22 p.m., seconded by Vice Mayor Perez.
Roll call vote:
Vice Mayor Perez - yes
Council Member Resendiz - yes
Council Member Morales - yes
Council Member Burns - yes
Mayor Velazquez - yes
Motion to adjourn at 1:22 p.m. carried unanimously. 5-0-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Nova Romero, CMC
Deputy City Clerk
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