CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF HOLLISTER
Minutes of Special Meeting
June 4, 2022
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NOTICE
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
The Special Meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Ignacio Velazquez on June, 4, 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 Late 9:19 AM
Rolan Resendiz District 2 Present
Dolores Morales District 3 Present
Tim Burns District 4 Present
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Mary F. Lerner Interim City Attorney Present Christine Black City Clerk Absent
Carlos Reynoso Police Chief Present
Brett Miller City Manager Present
VERIFCATION OF AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda for the City of Hollister City Council Special Meeting of June 4, 2022, was posted on the bulletin board at City Hall on June 2, 2022, at 9:50 a.m. per Government Code section 54956.
A. CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOLLISTER
1. Resolution No. 2022-102 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hollister Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Three (3) Year Employment Contract with William Via as Community Services Director City Manager Miller introduced William Via, and requested Council to approve the Resolution to execute a 3 year employment contract for Mr. Via as Community Services Director. Mr. Via gave a summary to Council about his background and experience and answered questions from Council. Council Member Morales asked if the employment contract has a cap on CPI annual increases, and Mr. Miller responded that it does not.
Council Member Burns made a motion to approve the contract with the amendment that the annual CPI increase in salary be capped at 3.5%, seconded by Council Member Morales,and carried by a 4-0-0-1 vote(Vice Mayor Perez absent).
Deputy City Clerk Romero administered the oath of office to William Via,Community Services Director.
2. Resolution No.2022-103 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hollister Approving a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)between the City of Hollister and the Hollister Downtown Association City Manger Miller introduced Omar Rosa, President of the Hollister Downtown Association,who gave a presentation on the events,financial summary and events put on by the Hollister Downtown Association. Mr. Rosa answered questions from Council.
Council Member Resendiz made a motion to withdraw the Resolution, seconded by Mayor Velazquez,and carried unanimously.
3. San Benito County Chamber of Commerce&Foundation 2022 Update City Manager Miller introduced Eduardo Navarro, the Executive Director SBC Chamber Foundation,who gave a presentation on the community impact programs, initiatives and events in progress and planned for 2022. Mr. Navarro answered questions from Council.
Public Comment:
Valerie Egland addressed the Council.
Recess
Council took a recess at 10:38 a.m.
Council reconvened at 10:54 a.m.
4. Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year July 1,2022,through June 30,2023 City Manager Miller gave a presentation on the proposed 2022-2023 Budget and answered questions from Council.
Council Member Morales requested more information on non-profit funding, Transient Occupancy Tax(TOT)reimbursement,a Council retreat to discuss Council goals, and budget needs presentations from department heads. She requested that large, predictable expenditures over the next 1-3 years, and any "shovel ready projects", be included in the one time funding monies. She said her priorities are to have 2 fire prevention inspection specialists,for police to have more prevention and community training, overall staffing, as well as adding a Police Department analyst position to provide more data.She requested more information and data on the code enforcement and building permit department in order to continue supporting funding for those departments. She requested an ombudsman position to be added to help deal with issues and due process,and assist businesses.
Vice Mayor Perez expressed concern about substandard housing, the need for another street sweeper,and for more fire inspection personnel to do inspections to City Council Saturday,June 4,2022 Page 2 of 4
prevent fires. He agreed with increasing the police department staff to keep citizens safe and said that public safety is his number one priority.
Council Member Resendiz asked about adding a ballot measure this year to raise the City's TOT. Mr. Miller said that we are quickly approaching the deadline to add additional ballot measures and for a tax to be added to this year's election, and typically tax measures are added on Presidential election years.
Council Member Burns said he would like to see budget meetings begin in February and March, rather than in June. He agreed with Council Member Morales to have each department give a presentation on their budget needs, a Council retreat, more compensation for public safety staff, and adding two Fire Inspectors. He asked about adding a painter position to Public Works department to help with graffiti abatement.
He also would like to see some positions that are currently being outsourced, such as Senior Building Official and City Engineer, be hired in-house. He asked about getting all of the trucks and vehicles procured locally, and Mr. Miller responded that local bidders have won bids for trucks, but they are not in stock and have not arrived since last year so we need to include in the bid that the vehicles need to be ready and available within a specific time frame. He asked about the cost of an arborist position, and Mr. Miller said its a specialty position that was cut in the past due to budget but the City would like to add the position back in-house. He requested that the $50,000 allocated per Council Member for traffic studies be broadened so that it can be used for specific projects within that district if traffic studies aren't needed in that area. He requested more of a policy or process for giving funds to non-profits.
Mayor Velazquez said that code enforcement is a front line for prevention and needs to be added to, and to make sure we have cost recovery to fund the department and services such as with weed abatement. He voiced agreement on increasing the TOT on the 2024 election, but there needs to be more education about this tax and that it comes from tourism and hotels from outside visitors not local residents. He said Police and Fire are doing a great job with the staff they have, and wants to make sure that funds are allocated so that we can be prepared when the recession comes and do not need to do layoffs. He agreed with Council Member Burns that the city needs more vehicles but not necessarily all trucks and to consider more fuel efficient vehicles. He said the City needs to focus on other sources of revenue from businesses in the industrial park zoned areas, and expanding the airport rather than taxing the citizens. He suggested more advertising to bring in more businesses into the industrial park area.
Public Comment:
Renee Wells addressed the Council.
Valerie Egland addressed the Council.
James Warmkessel addressed the Council.
Council gave consensus to give $7,000 to the non-profit organization "R.E.A.C.H", as a consent agenda item for June 21, 2022.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 12:37 p.m.
City Council Saturday, June 4, 2022 Page 3 of 4
RESULT: Adopted [Unanimous]
MOTION: Rolan Resendiz
SECOND: Dolores Morales
AYES: Velazquez, Perez, Resendiz, Morales, Burns
NOES:
RECUSED:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Respectfully submitted,
Nova Romero, MMC
Deputy City Clerk
City Council Saturday, June 4, 2022 Page 4 of 4