CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF HOLLISTER
Minutes of Regular Meeting
September 6, 2022
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NOTICE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Velazquez called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. All Council Members were present.
CLOSED SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
City Attorney Lerner read the closed session titles.
Public Comment (limited to any item listed on the Closed Session agenda)
There were no requests from the public to speak.
It was moved by Council Member Perez, seconded by Council Member Morales, and carried unanimously to move to closed session.
Closed Session will be held by the City Council of the City of Hollister to discuss the following matters:
1. Consultation of Public Employment G.C. section 54957 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Title: City Manager
2. Conference with Legal Counsel —Anticipated Litigation Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to § 54956.9(b): One (1) Case
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City Council reconvened in open session at 6:51 PM, and Council Member Morales led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
The Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Ignacio Velazquez on September, 6, 2022 at 5:30 PM 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 Present
Tim Burns District 4 Present
Mary F. Lerner Interim City Attorney Present
Bonnie Gawf Interim City Clerk Present
Carlos Reynoso Police Chief Present
Brett Miller City Manager Present
VERIFICATION OF AGENDA POSTING
Interim City Clerk Gawf verified that the Agenda for the City Council of the City of Hollister Regular City Council meeting of September 6, 2022 was posted on the bulletin board at City Hall on August 31 at 5:45 PM per Government Code Section 54956.0.
CLOSED SESSION - REPORT OUT
City Attorney Lerner said that there was nothing to report.
PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
None.
A. CONSENT ITEMS
All items listed under the Consent Resolution will be enacted in one motion authorizing the actions indicated for those items so designated.
Council Member Burns asked to pull Item A-6 from the Consent Agenda.
It was moved by Council Member Resendiz, seconded by Council Member Burns, and carried unanimously to approve Consent Agenda Items A-1 through A-5.
RESULT: Adopted [Unanimous]
MOTION: Rolan Resendiz
SECOND: Tim Burns
AYES: Velazquez, Perez, Resendiz, Morales, Burns
NOES:
RECUSED:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Consent items are numbers: Al, A2, A3, A4, A5, and A6
1. City Council - Regular Meeting - Aug 15, 2022 6:30 PM
2. Resolution No. 2022-159 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hollister approving a temporary street closure of various streets for the 32nd Annual Red Ribbon Run to be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022
3. Resolution No. 2022-160 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hollister approving the temporary closure of various streets for the annual Halloween Treat Street event to be held on Monday, October 31, 2022
4. WARRANT REGISTER - SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 AP
City Council Tuesday, September 6, 2022 Page 2 of 11
5. Resolution No.2022-161 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hollister Adopting a Memorandum of Understanding with the Economic Development Corporation
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
6. Ordinance No.12151 an Ordinance of the City of Hollister Amending CHAPTER 2.08 Of The Hollister Municipal Code to Vest The City Manager With The Power To Appoint,Direct,Discipline,and Dismiss The City Clerk
Council Member Burns suggested replacing the word"power"with"authority"in this and future publications. Council Member Resendiz said that he would not support this because the City Clerk was only recently moved under the City Council,and the arrangement should be given more time before making this change.
It was moved by Council Member Burns to amend Ordinance 1215 by replacing the word "power"with"authority"throughout and adopt the ordinance. The motion was seconded by Council Member Morales and carried by a vote of 3-2, with Council Member Resendiz and Mayor Velazquez voting no.
RESULT: Adopted as Amended [3 to 2]
MOTION: Tim Burns
SECOND: Dolores Morales
AYES: Perez,Morales,Burns
NOES: Velazquez,Resendiz
RECUSED:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
B. CITY OF HOLLISTER AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
C. PUBLIC INPUT
Mark Starrett voiced concerns regarding possible actions by City employees, telling about an event where a Blackhawk helicopter landed at the airport and he complained.
He said that he received an eviction notice from his hangar shortly after. He said he would like to know why,but it has been worked out in the meantime.
Natalie Day spoke about how her group traps and sterilizes feral cats on a volunteer basis. She said that she works for the cats and does not get paid and does not appreciate being attacked on social media.
Autumn Salinas said that she is a Girl Scout working on her Gold Award. She proposed a project where she would create a directory on the south side,Vietnam Memorial side, of the Vet's Hall by adding letters and numbers creating a graph that correlates to a map of the tiles.She said the goal is to make it easier to find your loved one's tiles.
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D. PETITIONS,REMONSTRANCES AND COMMUNICATIONS
1. City Manager Report
City Manager Miller said that he will discuss the process with Ms.Salinas and place her project on an upcoming agenda.
2. Trainings and Conferences
There were no reports. •
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Ordinance No.1218 an Ordinance of the City of Hollister Amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Hollister and Prezoning Specifically Described Real Properties(APN 020-460-035,020-460-036,and 020-120- 064)to the Low Density Residential Performance Overlay Zoning District Interim Planning Manager Kelly presented the staff report and answered Council Members'questions.
Mayor Velazquez opened the Public Hearing.
Lester Wickman,adjacent property owner in the County,asked to be notified sooner than later if the City plans to annex his property. He asked for the definition of low density terminology and requested that no two-story houses are erected next to his property. f.
Roberto Munoz asked Council to make sure not to take a part of his mother's property and to leave the easement open.
Carlos Munoz said he is here for his grandmother's property and he wants to protect access to the easement and stand up for their rights
Anne Hall, on behalf of the applicant, voiced appreciation for consideration of 3 parcels. She assured Council that they would honor access to easements and consider larger setbacks for any two story houses.
With no further requests to speak,Mayor Velazquez closed the hearing.
Council Members and the Mayor assured that the City would not annex property • unless it is brought forward by the applicant. The City Council Members asked to insure that easement access rights be preserved and to include restrictions regarding two-story homes with regard to setbacks. Staff said that those issues it could be included in the annexation agreement or addressed using a variance.
On a question by Council Member Burns, Ms. Hall explained details regarding low- income housing, such as duets and said that she could consider setbacks for two story homes.
It was moved by Council Member Resendiz and seconded by Council Member Burns to ready by title only,waive full reading, and introduce the Ordinance amending the Zoning Map, and schedule a second reading on September 19, 2022. The motion carried unanimously.
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RESULT: First Reading [Unanimous]
MOTION: Rolan Resendiz
SECOND: Tim Burns
AYES: Velazquez, Resendiz, Morales, Burns
NOES:
RECUSED: Perez
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
F. INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
1. Resolution No. 2022-162 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hollister Approving an Appropriation of$69,880 and a Professional services agreement with Federal Engineering, Inc. to conduct a feasibility Study for a Hollister Police Department Dispatch and Live Crime Center
Police Chief Reynoso presented the staff report.
It was moved by Council Member Burns, seconded by Council Member Resendiz, and carried unanimously to adopt the Resolution.
RESULT: Adopted [Unanimous]
MOTION: Tim Burns
a SECOND: Rolan Resendiz
AYES: Velazquez, Perez, Resendiz, Morales, Burns
NOES:
RECUSED:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
2. Ordinance No. 1219 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HOLLISTER
AMENDING THE ANIMAL CONTROL REGULATIONS GENERALLY
ORDINANCE TO CLARIFY AND CORRECT CONFUSING AND
INCONSISTENT LANGUAGE.
Police Chief Reynoso presented the staff report and answered Council Members' questions.
Mayor Velazquez opened public comment.
Alex Reichstadt voiced concerns regarding an incident where police came to his house due to a complaint about the number of chickens he owned.
Chief Reynoso explained that the ordinance addresses the issues regarding the number of chickens.
With no further requests to speak, the Mayor closed public comment on the item. R City Council Tuesday, September 6, 2022 Page 5 of 11 •
Council discussed that defining a residence by parcel number could be problematic for multi family dwellings, and discussed the number of chickens that should be allowed on a property.
It was moved by Council Member Burns and seconded by Council Member Perez to amend the ordinance to address the issue regarding the number of pets in multi family dwellings, and to read by title only, waive full reading, and introduce the ordinance.After further discussion,the motion carried by a vote of 3-2,with Council Member Morales and Council Member Resendiz voting no.
RESULT: First Reading [3 to 2]
MOTION: Tim Burns
SECOND: Rick Perez
AYES: Velazquez,Perez,Burns
NOES: Resendiz,Morales
RECUSED:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
3. Resolution No.2022-163 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hollister Approving the Contribution of Funds to Youth Recovery Connections Nonprofit for Fiscal Year 2022/23 in an Amount of$175,000 City Manager Miller introduced the item, and Youth Recovery Connections representatives answered Council Members'questions.
Council Members discussed the scope of work done by the organization,and some voiced concerns regarding the level of funding being requested from the City,along with the lack of funding from the County. On question from the Council, the representatives said that$80,000 would sustain their operation until January, and that they would seek additional funding and grants from other sources in the meantime. •
Mayor Velazquez opened public comment on the item.
Tina Garza said that she has a child who went through the system, and was not successful, and she had to take him out of San Benito County to get services. She said that the City needs to support all residents. Monica Hernandez, Community Navigator from First Five San Benito told about her experience with Behavioral Health and spoke in support of the item.
With no further requests to speak,the Mayor closed public comment.
It was moved by Council Member Burns to amend and adopt the Resolution to reflect a contribution of $80,000, with direction to the organization to return to the City Council with a report in January.Council Member Perez seconded the motion,and it carried by a vote of 4-1 with Mayor Velazquez voting no.
Council Member Morales asked to send a letter with a strong message to the County requesting their participation.
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Mayor Velazquez called a recess at 9:04 p.m., then reconvened the meeting at 9:14 p.m.
RESULT: Adopted as Amended [4 to 1] •
MOTION: Tim Burns
SECOND: Rick Perez
AYES: Perez, Resendiz, Morales, Burns •
NOES: Velazquez
RECUSED:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
4. Resolution No. 2022-164 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hollister authorizing waiver of Municipal Code competitive bidding requirement and purchase of municipal vehicles
Community Services Director Via presented the staff report and answered Council Members' questions
It was moved by Council Member Burns, seconded by Council Member Morales, and carried unanimously to adopt the Resolution 2022-165.
RESULT: Adopted [Unanimous]
MOTION: Tim Burns
SECOND: Dolores Morales
AYES: Velazquez, Perez, Resendiz, Morales, Burns
NOES:
RECUSED:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
5. Resolution No. 2022-165 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hollister authorizing the City Manager to enter into a lease agreement with Leasing 2, Inc.
Community Services Director Via presented the staff report and answered Council Members' questions.
There were no requests from the public to speak on the item.
It was moved by Council Member Burns, and seconded by Council Member Morales to approve the Lease Agreement, and direct staff to purchase the street sweeper by opting to pay the entire principal amount, not to exceed $343,000, in one initial payment. The motion carried unanimously.
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RESULT: Adopted as Amended [Unanimous]
MOTION: Tim Burns
SECOND: Dolores Morales
AYES: Velazquez, Perez, Resendiz, Morales, Burns
NOES:
RECUSED:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
G. REPORTS OF CITY COUNCIL, OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
1. Reports from City Council Members regarding Committees on which they serve
Council Member Morales reported on a meeting with the business event committee where there were suggestions to consider businesses on the side streets, not just the main street. She said that they would like stability and better coordination, with the City taking charge of the agenda.
She said that she would like to schedule a five minute presentation for the City Council from Water Governance Committee.
2. Informational Reports from City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and Staff
Council Member Burns requested an organizational chart for City and for each department. He requested an update on the Downtown sign, a resolution and to fly �. the flag honoring October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. He reported that parks in District 4 are well used, thanking staff for cameras at Las Brisas park. He stated that all parks in his district need shade structures. Council Member Burns asked for an update on the renaming of Union Road and asked if it is true that y, individuals owe attorneys' fees to the City for a frivolous lawsuit. He requested an investigation of the mountain lion shooting to include body camera footage. He thanked the city for the rapid opening of the cooling centers, and asked if there is a policy for that in addition to warming centers in the winter.
A
Council Member Resendiz asked staff to look at repurposing part of Dunne Park with a toddler area to include a hill for sliding down. He suggested including Mexican music in the Summer concert series, and having the Arts Commission to look into some zinc plates that are available for donation. He requested an update on homelessness. He requested updates traffic issues, including at Alvarado and Santa Ana and near Calaveras School. He requested an update of the General Plan Action Committee. He asked staff to review the Animal Control Ordinance to ensure that puppy mills are not inadvertently permissible and asked staff write a letter to the County concerning the fentanyl crisis.
Council Member Perez thanked the community and employees for participating in the Council meetings. He supported having a presentation for the project at the Veterans' Hall. He supported the letter to the County regarding the fentanyl crisis and development of a cooling and warming center policy. He requested a schedule of ADA renovations at City parks and a list of streets where speed humps would be installed.
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Council Member Morales requested a resolution or letter supporting First Five, She asked about the status of a salary study and asked staff for an update on the °. business loan program to make more businesses eligible to receive a loan. She asked to include in staff reports a timeline of for items and when they will be completed.She supported writing a letter to the County regarding substance abuse.
She requested a public information plan from the City Manager's office.She said that she would like to prepare for the budget process by setting Council priorities, and she supported an investigation of the mountain lion shooting with release of the body camera footage and the Resolution for Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Council Member Perez voiced concerns that a friend who uses a wheelchair could not get a handicapped parking permit. .
Mayor Velazquez offered a prayer for family who lost a loved one in an accident last night. He thanked emergency services for their work on the cooling centers. He confirmed that the City has judgments against Ms. Gonzales and Ms. Salinas for a frivolous lawsuit,and he asked to collect on those judgments.
City Manager Miller said that he heard consensus on the Breast Cancer Resolution, letter to the County, and a report on the mountain lion incident. Council Member Resendiz stated he is a"no"on the mountain lion issue.City Manager Miller said that staff will work with County emergency services on a policy for warming and cooling centers,and staff will review the puppy mill item agenda item.He reported that First • Five is past their deadline for a letter,and that he will talk with them further. '. l
Council Member Perez left the meeting at 9:57 PM.
3. Informational Report on plans for future projects for Animal Control Mayor Velasquez opened public comments on the item.
Melissa Casillas spoke about the need for animal services in the community,giving statistics on animal rescue and adoptions and saying that they are overwhelmed with the need.She said they need a facility and a better relationship with the shelter and a more sustainable solution.
Dr.Lindsay Sanders,veterinarian,offered to help with the feral cat situation and low cost spay and neuter services for pet owners.She recommended a voucher program and said that the procedures would be done at their cost.
Kevin Barcellos said he has close relationship with Dr.Sanders and the San Benito veterinarian service and supported her proposal. He said that it is difficult to keep mobile SNIP vehicles manned,and there is a risk that it will be unused.
There were no further requests to speak.
On question, Dr. Sanders explained her proposed strategy to increase the number spay and neuter by trapping feral cats for the program. She said that she does not see an advantage to having a bus because there is already a facility.
City Council Tuesday,September 6,2022 Page 9 of 11 1 Council Member Morales said that since one Council Member has left, the matter should be discussed at a study session, and Council Member Burns agreed that this issue should be discussed earlier in the evening. Mayor Velasquez agreed.
City Manager Miller said that staff would set a day for a workshop.
4. THE CITY COUNCIL WILL REVIEW THE REPORT OF THE HOLLISTER
POLICE ANIMAL CARE & SERVICES REGARDING NIGHT KENNEL
SERVICES
Staff presented the report and answered Council Members' questions.
Mayor Velazquez opened public comment on the item.
Dr. Nadine Reichstadt said that it is easier to leave an animal in a kennel than have to turn one in in person. She supported closing the kennel.
Melissa Casillas said that she would like to see the service continue.
Kevin Barcellos voiced concerns regarding a statement in the report regarding keeping an animal over night if possible, especially if it is on a Friday due to the shelter's operating hours.
There were no more requests to speak.
Chief Reynoso said that individuals are coming from many other counties, and closing the night kennel will allow staff to concentrate on our residents' needs. He said that keeping the shelter open on weekends is difficult because there is not much business.
Council Members agreed to bring back the issue to discuss at another meeting.
5. Ratify Appointment to the Planning Commission
On a request by Council Member Morales, this item was heard after Item F-3.
Interim City Clerk Gawf gave a brief presentation, and there was unanimous Council consensus to appoint Steven Belong as Planning Commissioner in District 3.
H. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. City Council Requests of City Staff
City Manager Miller reported that the Assistant City Manager is updating the list.
NEW BUSINESS
J. MISCELLANEOUS
K. CITY OF HOLLISTER AS THE SUCCESSOR HOUSING AGENCY OF THE
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
-- L. ADJOURNMENT
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On a motion by Council Member Burns, seconded by Council Member Morales, and passed unanimously the City Council adjourned at 10:37 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Bonnie Gawf, CMC
Interim City Clerk
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