-1-
MINUTES
OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE JURUPA VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
November 16, 2023
1. 5:30 PM - CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL FOR STUDY SESSION ● Chris Barajas, Mayor
● Guillermo Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
● Leslie Altamirano, Council Member
● Brian Berkson, Council Member
● Armando Carmona, Council Member
Mayor Chris Barajas called the Study Session to order at 5:32 p.m.
2. STUDY SESSION:
A. CIVIC CENTER MASTER PLAN AND PROPOSED SITE
IMPROVEMENTS
Staff Report presented by Michael Flad, Assistant City Manager. Mr. Flad gave a presentation on the proposed Civic Center Master Plan. He outlined the history of the existing building, noting that the current building is old and lacks functionality.
He discussed the current deficiencies with the existing building, which includes a lack of space, outdated infrastructure and amenities. He introduced Baxter Miller from Baxter Miller Architects, who gave a presentation on the conceptual Civic Center Master Plan.
By consensus, the City Council received an overview of and discuss ed the proposed Civic Center Master Plan, City Hall Site and Building Improvements and direct ed Staff to move forward with the planning and design phase.
Ayes: L. Altamirano, C. Barajas, B. Berkson, A. Carmona, G. Silva Noes: None
Absent: None
B. PRESENTATION - CALIFORNIA VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND
PREVENTION GRANT - PRESENTED BY REACH OUT
Diana Fox, Executive Director, Reach Out, gave an update on the Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant. Ms. Fox announced that the grant funding is available because of the City’s support of Healthy Jurupa Valley and Reach Out.
Ms. Fox reported that the amount of the award over three years is $5.8 million and will provide an opportunity for transformation al strategies that will benefit the entire community.
-2-
City Manager Rod Butler provided additional information and responded to Council’s questions.
Following the presentation, t he City Council provided feedback regarding the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant.
3. 7:00 PM - CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL FOR REGULAR MEETING ● Chris Barajas, Mayor
● Guillermo Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
● Leslie Altamirano, Council Member
● Brian Berkson, Council Member
● Armando Carmona, Council Member
Mayor Chris Barajas called the regular Council meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
4. INVOCATION was given by Pastor Alejandro Rios, Iglesia Cristiana Bautista Nueva Esperanza.
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Mayor Chris Barajas.
6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Guillermo Silva, seconded by Council Member Leslie Altamirano, to approve the Agenda.
Ayes: L. Altamirano, C. Barajas, B. Berkson, A. Carmona, G. Silva Noes: None
Absent: None
7. PRESENTATIONS
8. PUBLIC APPEARANCE/COMMENTS
9. INTRODUCTIONS, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, COUNCIL COMMENTS AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Armando Carmona thanked everyone who was involved in last week’s Veterans Day Parade. He was fortunate to ride next to some Veterans and it was great to be a part of this patriotic event. He reported on his attendance at the California Economic Summit, produced by California Forward, where he took the opportunity to speak to state leadership about the rural aspects of Jurupa Valley and his efforts to preserve the equestrian lifestyle. He discussed his meeting with Senator Scott Wiener and his work with other state legislators, including Senator Portantino on an exemption for equestrian districts from state housing mandates. This will be part of a broader conversation in how the City can protect the equine and equestrian overlays that are being threatened by these mandates.
-3-
10. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ORAL/WRITTEN REPORTS REGARDING
REGIONAL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
A. MAYOR CHRIS BARAJAS
1. Mayor Chris Barajas gave an update on the Western Riverside Council of Governments Executive Committee meeting of November 6, 2023.
2. Mayor Chris Barajas gave an update on the Western Riverside Council of Governments – Administration & Finance Committee meeting of November 8, 2023.
B. MAYOR PRO TEM GUILLERMO SILVA
1. Mayor Pro Tem Guillermo Silva announced that he was unable to attend the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control district meeting of November 16, 2023, due to a scheduling conflict.
C. COUNCIL MEMBER LESLIE ALTAMIRANO
1. Council Member Leslie Altamirano gave an update on the Western Riverside County Regional Cons ervation Authority meeting of November 6, 2023.
D. COUNCIL MEMBER BRIAN BERKSON
1. Council Member Brian Berkson gave an update on the Riverside County Transportation Commission Special Executive Committee meeting of November 8, 2023.
2. Council Member Brian Berkson announced that the N orthwest Transportation Now Coalition meeting of November 9, 202 3 was canceled.
3. Council Member Brian Berkson gave an update on the Riverside Transit Agency Board of Directors meeting of November 16, 2023.
4. Council Member Brian Berkson announced that he was unable to attend today’s Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee meeting due to a scheduling conflict.
-4-
11. CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE
A. DISCUSSION OF 2024 LOCAL SALES TAX INITIATIVE
Staff Report presented by Rod Butler, City Manager. Mr. Butler presented information on the feasibility of placing a local sales tax on the November 2024 General Election Ballot.
Following discussion, the City Council provided feedback on a potential local sales tax on the November 2024 General Election Ballot.
Mr. Butler announced that the annual Tree Lighting event will be held Friday, December 1, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall. The event will feature a visit from Santa Claus, entertainment and holiday refreshments. He announced road closures starting tomorrow night from 8:00 p.m. through Monday at 5:00 p.m. at Pedley Road from 54 th Street to Galena and the Jurupa Road/Pedley Road intersection due to work on the Jurupa Grade Separation project. He announced that City Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 for the Thanksgiving holiday. City Hall will resume regular office hours on Monday, November 27, 2023.
12. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. NOVEMBER 2, 2023 REGULAR MEETING
A motion was made by Council Member Leslie Altamirano , seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Guillermo Silva, to approve the Minutes of the November 2, 2023 regular meeting.
Ayes: L. Altamirano, C. Barajas, B. Berkson, A. Carmona, G. Silva Noes: None
Absent: None
13. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. COUNCIL APPROVAL OF A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF
THE TITLE AND TEXT OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA
Requested Action: That the City Council waive the reading of the title and text of all ordinances and resolutions included in the agenda. In accordance with Government Code Section 34934, the title of each ordinance is included on the published agenda and a copy of the full ordina nce has been available to the public online on the City’s website and will be available in print at the meeting prior to the introduction or passage of the ordinance.
-5-
B. ORDINANCE NO. 2023-15
Requested Action: That the City Council conduct a second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2023-15, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JURUPA
VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE
LEGISLATIVE BODY OF CITY OF JURUPA VALLEY COMMUNITY
FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2022 -001 (APPALOOSA SPRINGS)
AUTHORIZING THE LEVY OF A SPECIAL TAX THEREIN
C. ORDINANCE NO. 2023-16
Requested Action: That the City Council conduct a second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2023-16, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JURUPA
VALLEY, CALIFORNA, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE
LEGISLATIVE BODY OF CITY OF JURUPA VALLEY COMMUNITY
FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. PS 2022 -002 (PUBLIC SAFETY,
APPALOOSA SPRINGS) AUTHORIZING THE LEVY OF A SPECIAL
TAX THEREIN
D. AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT THE ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT
PREVENTION GRANT FROM THE BOARD OF STATE AND
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS FUNDED THROUGH THE STATE
BUDGET ACT
Requested Action: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2023-94, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JURUPA
VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF
GRANT FUNDS FROM THE BOARD OF STATE COMMUNITY
CORRECTIONS ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT PREVENTION GRANT
PROGRAM AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
ACCORDINGLY
E. APPROVAL OF TRACT MA P NO. 38257 PARADISE KNOLLS LOT 7
LOCATED NORTH OF RANCHO J URUPA DRIVE, WEST OF BEACH
STREET, AND SOUTH OF LIMONITE AVENUE, ACCEPTANCE OF
OFFERS OF DEDICATION, APPROVAL OF SUBDIVISION
AGREEMENTS, AND ACCEPTANCE OF IMPROVEMENT BONDS –
REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR FURTHER
DISCUSSION
-6-
1. Requested Action: That the City Council approve Tract Map 38257 and accept the dedication as follows:
a. Accept the real property described as an easement for public street and public utility purposes for Lot “O” (Ranch Jurupa Drive) and portion of Lot “P” (Beach Street).
b. Accept the real property described as an easement for public purposes along with the r ight of ingress and egress for emergency vehicles for Lot “A” (Banker Lane), Lot “B” (Crossbay Loop), and Lot “C” (Perlino Way), indicated as “private streets” and within Lots “D” through “N”, inclusive indicated as a “private road easement”
2. Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign Tract Map 38257.
3. Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Subdivision Agreements; and
4. Accept the surety bonds for construction of related off -site improvements and survey monumentation.
F. APPROVAL OF TRACT MAP NO. 38258 PARADISE KNOL LS LOT 9
LOCATED NORTHEAST OF BEACH STREET AND RA NCHO JURUPA
DRIVE, ACCEPTANCE OF OFFERS OF DEDICATION, APPROVAL OF
SUBDIVISION AGREEMENTS, AND ACCEPTANCE OF
IMPROVEMENT BONDS – REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
CALENDAR FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION
1. Requested Action: That the City Council approve Tract Map 38258 and accept the dedication as follows:
a. Accept the real property described as an easement for street and public utility purposes for Lot “B” northwest corner cutoff at intersection of Rancho Jurupa Drive and Persano Street.
b. Accept the offer of dedication as an easement for public utility, drainage and public service ingress and egress for emergency vehicles within Lot “A” (New Forest Lane), indicated as private street and portions of Lots 1 through 6 as shown on TM 38258
2. Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign Tract Map 38258.
3. Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Subdivision Agreements; and
-7-
4. Accept the surety bonds for cons truction of related off -site improvements and survey monumentation.
G. APPROVAL OF PURCHASE FROM PRECISION SURVEY SUPPLY, LLC FOR A LEICA RTC360 LASER SCANNER
Requested Action: That the City Council approve the purchase of a Leica RTC360 Laser Scanner Equipment in the amount of $109,354.01 for forensic photography.
A motion was made by Council Member Leslie Altamirano , seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Guillermo Silva , to approve the Consent Calendar , with the exception of Item Nos. 13.E and 13.F, which were removed from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Ayes: L. Altamirano, C. Barajas, B. Berkson, A. Carmona, G. Silva Noes: None
Absent: None
14. CONSIDERATION OF ANY ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
CALENDAR
13.E APPROVAL OF TRACT MAP NO. 3 8257 PARADISE KNOLLS LOT 7
LOCATED NORTH OF RAN CHO JURUPA DRIVE, WE ST OF BEACH
STREET, AND SOUTH OF LIMONITE AVENUE, ACCEPTANCE OF
OFFERS OF DEDICATION, APPROVAL OF SUBDIVISION
AGREEMENTS, AND ACCEPTANCE OF IMPROVEMENT BONDS
Council Member Armando Carmona requested that Item 13.E be removed from the Consent Calendar for further discussion. He questioned why asphalt was installed along Limonite instead of traditional sidewalks with multi-purpose trails.
Paul Toor, Director o f Public Works provided additional information and responded to Council’s comments.
A motion was made by Council Member Leslie Altamirano, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Guillermo Silva, to approve Tract Map 38257 and accept the dedication as follows:
1. Requested Action: That the City Council approve Tract Map 38257 and accept the dedication as follows:
2. Accept the real property described as an easement for public street and public utility purposes for Lot “O” (Ranch Jurupa Drive) and portion of Lot “P” (Beach Street).
-8-
3. Accept the real property described as an easement for public purposes along with the right of ingress and egress for emergency vehicles for Lot “A” (Banker Lane), Lot “B” (Crossbay Loop), and Lot “C” (Perlino Way), indicated as “private s treets” and within Lots “D” through “N”, inclusive indicated as a “private road easement”
4. Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign Tract Map 38257.
5. Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Subdivision Agreements; and
6. Accept the surety bonds for construction of related off -site improvements and survey monumentation.
Ayes: L. Altamirano, C. Barajas, B. Berkson, G. Silva
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: A. Carmona
13.F APPROVAL OF TRACT MAP NO. 38258 PARADISE KNOLLS LOT 9
LOCATED NORTHEAST OF BEACH STREET AND RA NCHO JURUPA
DRIVE, ACCEPTANCE OF OFFERS OF DEDICATION, APPROVAL OF
SUBDIVISION AGREEMENTS, AND ACCEPTANCE OF
IMPROVEMENT BONDS
Council Member Armando Carmona requested that Item 13.F be removed from the Consent Calendar for further discussion. He questioned why asphalt was installed along Limonite instead of traditional sidewalks with multi-purpose trails.
Paul Toor, Director of Public Works provided additional information and responded to Council’s comments.
A motion was made by Council Member Leslie Altamirano , seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Guillermo Silva, to approve Tract Map 38258 and accept the dedication as follows:
1. Accept the real property described as an easement for street and public utility purposes for Lot “B” northwest corner cutoff at intersection of Rancho Jurupa Drive and Persano Street.
2. Accept the offer of dedication as an easement for public utility, drainage and public service ingress and egress for emergency vehicles within Lot “A” (New Forest Lane), indicated as private street and portions of Lots 1 through 6 as shown on TM 38258
2. Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign Tract Map 38258.
-9-
3. Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Subdivision Agreements; and
4. Accept the surety bonds for construction of related off -site improvements and survey monumentation.
Ayes: L. Altamirano, C. Barajas, B. Berkson, G. Silva
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: A. Carmona
15. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JURUPA VALLEY APPROVING ZONING
CODE AMENDMENT NO. 23004 (ZCA23004) TO ADOPT PERMANENT
REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO SENATE BILL 9 (URBAN LOT
SPLITS AND HOUSING UNITS BUILT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SENATE BILL 9) AND MAKING A DETERMINATION OF EXEMPTION
UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 65852.21(J) AND
66411.7(N) AND CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3)
Staff Report presented by Tamara C ampbell, Principal Planner. Ms. Campbell reported that SB 9 currently allows ministerial approval of two units (attached or detached) in the R-1 zone and an urban lot split on a 1,200 sq. ft. minimum lot. She outlined the recommended revisions to the ordinance that would comply with state law. The modifications include an expanded permitted list of single -family zones where SB 9 units would be allowed. She noted that SB 9 provisions would apply to equestrian areas only with S-F residential zoning as SB 9 provisions do not apply to agricultural zones since they are not considered primarily residential. As a result, a large part of the City’s equestrian protection overlay zone is zoned A-1; therefore, it will not be subject to or eligible for SB 9 units.
Further discussion followed.
Joe Perez, Community Development Director, provided additional comments and responded to Council’s questions.
Mayor Chris Barajas opened the public hearing.
Masaki Mendoza spoke on behalf of the proposed Zoning Code Amendment. He stated that housing is a fundamental issue facing citizens today. He stated that the housing crisis impacts all but the wealthiest individuals. He stated that 31% of homes in Jurupa Valley have seven or more people living in them. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development , approximately 40% of
-10-
residents in Jurupa Valley are currently cost burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. The solution to unaffordable housing is to build more of it on less land.
Mirna Torres spoke on behalf of the proposed Zoning Code Amendment, noting that it will allow homeowners to have a renta l unit that generates income. She applauds the legislature for advocating for housing for all with creativity and risk and she will continue to advocate for housing for all.
Gary Conner voiced opposition to the proposed Zoning Code Amendment and expressed concerns that the ZCA expands the applicable zoning to include Residential Agricultural (R -A) and Rural Residential (R -R) areas. These areas predominantly fall within the Equestrian Lifestyle Protection Overlay, thereby posing a significant risk to Jurupa Valley's equestrian community. The inclusion of these zones may result in unwelcome lot splits and compromise the integrity of the City’s equestrian way of life.
Following public comments, the City Clerk announced that as of 5:00 p.m., she received 7 letters in support and 174 letters in opposition to the proposed Zoning Code Amendment.
There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed.
Council Member Armando Carmona suggested that the Council could reassess the zoning in Sky Country to be consistent with the equestrian overlay.
Following discussion, Council Member Brian Berkson stated that he would be happy to have that conversation come back as a separate item ; however, the proposed action tonight is to approve additional regulations relating to SB 9 housing units.
Further discussion followed regarding the timeline to assess zoning if it would be beneficial.
Following discussion, Mayor Chris Barajas stated that not everyone would like their property to be rezoned ; however, this is an issue that can be looked at separately.
A motion was made by Council Member Armando Carmona to c ontinue this item and do an assessment of a rezoning of R-A properties in order to rezone them to A-1 or to a zone that is consistent with the equestrian overlay and that is exempt from SB 9.
MOTION FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECOND
-11-
A motion was made by Council Member Leslie Altamirano , seconded by Council Member Brian Berkson , to introduce Ordinance No. 2023 -17, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF JURUPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA,
ADDING CHAPTER 7.85 TO TITLE 7 (SUBDIVISIONS), AMENDING CHAPTER 9.10, AMENDING SECTION S9.45.010, 9.55.010, 9.60.020, AND
9.65.020 AND ADDING CHAPTER 9.300 TO TITLE 9 (PLANNING AND
ZONING) OF THE JURUPA VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE
ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS RELATED TO URBAN LOT SPLIT
PARCEL MAPS AND QUALIFYING HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SENATE BILL 9 (2021), AND MAKING A
FINDING OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Ayes: L. Altamirano, C. Barajas, B. Berkson
Noes: A. Carmona
Absent: None
Abstained: G. Silva
16. COUNCIL BUSINESS
17. CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Armando Carmona requested that a presentation be brought back on SB 9 and the equestrian exemptions and a discussion on possible rezoning of properties within the equestrian overlay.
18. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
City Attorney Peter Thorson had no report.
19. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS AND COMMENTS
20. CONVENE TO CLOSED SESSION
A. PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
There were no public comments regarding the closed session items.
B. EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION NEGOTIATIONS - UNREPRESENTED
EMPLOYEES. The City Council met in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 with the City's designated repres entatives regarding the salaries, salary schedules, and compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits of its unrepresented employees for the purpose of reviewing its position and instructing the City's designated representatives. Final action on these issues will take place in open session. The City’s designated representatives are: City