REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
IN PERSON MEETING
November 23, 2022
MCFARLAND CITY COUNCIL
MCFARLAND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MCFARLAND PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY
MCFARLAND IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY
MCFARLAND PARKING AUTHORITY
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor S. Tafoya called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Cano, Councilmember A. Ayon
Councilmembers Absent: None
OFFICIALS PRESENT
City Manager/Chief of Police Williams, Assistant City Manager Cosentini, City Attorney Hodges, Community Development Director L. Ronk III, Finance Director Viramontes. Human Resources Director Arias, Public Works Director Gonzales, City Clerk Alvarado Officials Absent: None
INVOCATION
Councilmember Cano
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember S. Ayon
PRESENTATIONS, INTRODUCTIONS AND AWARDS
• Swearing in Ceremony: Sergeant Brian Knox
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No Comments from the Public Were Presented.
Public Comment Closed at 6:08 p.m.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
None
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of Expense Report in the Amount of $588,406.81 from October 19, 2022, to November 1, 2022.
2. Approval of November 10, 2022, Special Meeting Minutes.
3. Approval of November 10, 2022, Regular Meeting Minutes.
Motion was made by: Mayor Pro Tem Pérez to approve the consent agenda; 2nd by:
Councilmember R. Cano.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5/0
Mayor S. Tafoya, Mayor Pro-Tem Pérez, S. Ayon, R. Cano, A. Ayon, NAYS:
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Full consensus 6:09 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
4. Motion was made by: Councilmember S. Ayon to approve the Employment Agreement Between the City of McFarland and Christina Arias for the Human Resources Director Position; 2nd by:
Councilmember A. Ayon.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5/0
AYES: Mayor S. Tafoya, Mayor Pro-Tem Pérez, S. Ayon, R. Cano, A. Ayon, NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Full consensus 6:12 p.m.
5. Motion was made by: Councilmember S. Ayon to approve Resolution NO. 2022-0124, A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MCFARLAND APPROVING
AN ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE
LEASE AND INSTALLATION OF TWENTY CAMERAS FROM FLOCK SAFETY WITHIN
THE CITY OF MCFARLAND AND APPROVAL OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH
FLOCK SAFETY FOR THE TWENTY CAMERAS WITH AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE; 2'd by: Councilmember A. Ayon.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5/0
AYES: Mayor S. Tafoya, Mayor Pro-Tem Pérez, S. Ayon, R. Cano, A. Ayon, NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Full Consensus 6:22 p.m.
Public comments:
Ron Woods 13053 Garzoli Ave- Q. Is additional staff would be required to operate this system.
A. Chief Williams responded that the system would notify staff and therefor staff won't need to monitor.
Jesse Ramos- Q. Would this system be able to identify shots fired.
A. Chief Williams responded it would not, but that we are currently looking into a ShotSpotter that would.
6. Motion was made by: Mayor Pro Tem Perez to approve Resolution NO.2022-0125, A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MCFARLAND, CALIFORNIA, TO ALLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS TO "ELIMINATE" THE CITY PROVIDED EMPLOYEE INSURANCE PLAN IN EXCHANGE FOR A $400 CONTRIBUTION INTO EACH COUNCILMEMBERS RETIREMENT SAVINGS ACCOUNT (401K); 2d by: Councilmember Cano.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5/0
AYES: Mayor S. Tafoya, Mayor Pro-Tem Pérez, S. Ayon, R. Cano, A. Ayon, NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Full consensus 6:25 p.m.
7. Motion was made by: Councilmember S. Ayon to select HUB International as the City's New Insurance Broker for Medical Benefits; 2'd by: Councilmember Cano. a. Presentation by HUB International: Shaylyn Lewis
b. Presentation by Benefits Options Insurance Agency: Eric Trost Eric Trost from Benefits Options Insurance Agency was present in person. Kylie from HUB International was present via Zoom. Both insurance representatives answered questions briefly.
Mayor Tafoya requested Roll Call vote for HUB International.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5/0
AYES: Mayor S. Tafoya, Mayor Pro-Tem Pérez, S. Ayon, R. Cano, A. Ayon, NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Full consensus
8. Motion was made by: Councilmember S. Ayon to TABLE First Draft of Cannabis Ordinance; 2nd by: Councilmember A. Ayon.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 5/0
AYES: Mayor S. Tafoya, Mayor Pro-Tem Pérez, S. Ayon, R. Cano, A. Ayon, NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Full consensus to TABLE 7:03 p.m.
City Attorney Hodges recommended Council form a committee (2 Members) to review the Cannabis Ordinance. That committee would then make recommendations to the Council in order to comply with the Brown Act.
Mayor appointed Council Members Saul Ayon and Ricardo Cano as members of the Cannabis Committee. Both members agreed.
City Attorney directed staff to bring back a resolution to retroactively approve the creation of the cannabis committee at a future City Council Meeting.
Public Comments:
Q. Ron Woods- asked the council to clarify why the formation of the committee was need if cannabis wasn't allowed in town.
A. Assistant City Manager Cosentini clarified that in 2016 Prop 64 allowed cities have cannabis businesses in town with formal action such as an Ordinance.
A. Councilmember Cano informed that during the 2022 election Measure O was presented on the ballot and most of the voters have voted in favor with the percentage being over 60 percent currently.
A. City Attorney Hodges clarified that the passing of Measure O allows the city to tax the sale and cultivation of cannabis and allowed the city to generate revenue from that source.
Q. Jesse Ramos (Number not stated-Seventh Street) - Stated that he doesn't know many police officers that approve Cannabis coming into town. He understands the city needs more revenue but believes there are better ways to create revenue then to allow cannabis. He encouraged the Council to focus on annexing land towards Delano. He also recommended that the Cannabis Measure be put off for the next general election since he believes 800 votes is just not enough votes to vote on such an issue.
A. Councilmember S. Ayon- Responded to Mr. Ramos questions and concerns. Stating the Council has looked for many different revenue options and has done their due diligence in researching all the negative and positive repercussions from cannabis revenue. The outcome was that most cities they visited have greatly prospered form cannabis tax. He reminded Mr. Ramos that Measure O was not the council's choice but city voters. And informed Mr. Ramos that for the measure to be on another ballet cost money and takes a lot of time. He also asked Ramos what would they say to the over 800 votes that did vote during this election.
REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL ON COMMITTEE/SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETINGS a. Delano Mosquito Abatement District (DMAD) - Ricardo Cano reported that the Delano Mosquito Abatement District has taken the month of November off for the Holidays. But reported that they have seen less mosquito activity he encouraged anyone that has any issues with mosquitos to reach out and they would be glad to send someone out to inspect.
Kern Council of Governments (KCOG)- Mayor Tafoya reported that on November the 28th Kern Council of Governments would be having grants meeting and encourage Larry or Diana to attend those meetings or workshop in December. Freeway on White Lane and Panama LN. scheduled to be completed fall of 2023. She informed that spoke with Caltrans regarding the overpasses and they said that it will still be a while before that gets done.
Kern Economic Development Corp. (KEDC) - Mayor Tafoya -Nothing to Report Kern County Association of Cities (KCAC) - Nothing to Report Poso Creek (IR WMP)- Councilmember S. Ayon - Nothing to Report C.
Kern Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) - Councilmember S. Ayon reported that next meeting is scheduled for December 7, 2022.
COUNCIL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Mayor Sally Tafoya- Recognized Former Code Enforcement Officer Bobby Sharp for his 6 years of dedicate services to the City of McFarland and presented him with a certificate for his hard work.
Mayor Tafoya also presented Assistant City Manager Peter Cosentini with a certificate of appreciation for his time here at the City of McFarland.
María T. Pérez- No Comments.
Saul Ayon- No Comments.
Ricardo Cano- No Comments.
Amador Ayon- No Comments.
CLOSED SESSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
INCORPORATED
JULY 18, 1957
Francisca Alvarado, City Clerk
* CALIFORNIA