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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MORENO VALLEY
MORENO VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
CITY AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY FOR THE
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE
CITY OF MORENO VALLEY
MORENO VALLEY PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
MORENO VALLEY HOUSING AUTHORITY
STUDY SESSION – 6:00 PM
March 14, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
The Joint Meeting of the City Council, Community Services District, City as Successor Agency for the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley Housing Authority, Mo reno Valley Public Financing Authority and the Board of Library Trustees was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Cabrera in the Council Chamber located at 14177 Frederick Street.
Mayor Cabrera announced that the City Council receives a separate stipe nd for CSD meetings.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Cabrera.
ROLL CALL
Council: Ulises Cabrera
Ed Delgado
David Marquez
Cheylynda Barnard
Elena Baca-Santa Cruz
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
INTRODUCTIONS
Staff: Jane Halstead Manager of the Office of the Mayor and City Council/City Clerk
Paul Bradvica Deputy City Clerk
Patty Rodriguez Senior Deputy City Clerk
Steven Quintanilla Interim City Attorney
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Mike Lee City Manager
Brian Mohan Assistant City Manager, Chief Financial
Officer, City Treasurer
Michael Lloyd Assistant City Manager
Manuel Mancha Community Development Director
Melissa Walker Public Works Director/City Engineer
Jeremy Bubnick Parks and Community Services Director
Ken Reichle Chief of Police
Jesse Park Fire Chief
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS ON THE AGENDA ONLY
A.1
Brandon Carn
1. Concerns.
Bob Palomarez
1. Council equality.
Tom Jerele
1. Historical insight.
Pete
1. Historical insight.
A.2
Tom Jerele
1. Agrees with current process.
Bob Palomarez
1. Suggestions.
A.3
A.4
Brandon Carn
1. Questions and concerns.
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A.5
A.6
A. BUSINESS
A.1. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE SCOPE OF THE MAYOR’S DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Report of: City Attorney) Interim City Attorney Steve Quintanilla provided the presentation.
Mayor Cabrera stated the last time this item was on the agenda, his main concern was the process it went through to be included on the agenda.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado stated the suggested changes are to improve the dynamics of the Council and give more power to the majority o f Council. Mayor Pro Tem Delgado stated he believes the body of the Council should have more say in decisions moving forward, instead of just one person.
Council Member Barnard suggested each C ouncil Member have the ability to appoint constituents from their districts to the Boards and Commissions. With any additional spaces, the Mayor would be able to appoint constituents to the remaining seats.
Mayor Pro T em Delgado stated he concurred with Council Member Barnard's proposal.
Council Member Baca -Santa Cruz stated she also concurred with Council Member Barnard's proposal.
Mayor Cabrera agreed and stated the proposal is a good middle ground, which allows every member of the City Council an o pportunity to nominate constituents to the Boards and Commissions.
Council Member Marquez stated he also concurred with Council Member Barnard's proposal. Council Member Marquez expressed his interest to publicly inter view applicants for the Planning Com mission. Council Member Marquez also stated if the Council does not want the Mayor to have all of the current responsibilities, then the Council should look at potentially going back to a rotating Mayor, instead of a directly elected Mayor.
Mayor Cabrera stated he likes the idea of public interviews for Planning Commission applicants.
Mayor Cabrera asked questions of staff.
Interim City Attorney Steve Quintanilla responded to Mayor Cabrera's inquiries.
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Mayor Cabrera recounted the meeting in June of 2022, when the Mayor's Ordinance was first originally discussed.
Council Member Baca -Santa Cruz stated there was not an issue with the Mayor's Ordinance, which was first introduced in June of 2022 because the former Ma yor at the time of the meeting h ad been leading the City for the past seven years, and Council Member Baca -Santa Cruz stated she believed the former Mayor deserved the additional power and responsibilities. Council Member Baca -Santa Cruz stated she believes the Mayor's Ordinance should b e looked at every time a new Mayor is voted in.
Mayor Cabrera responded to Council Member Baca -Santa Cruz's statements regarding the Brown Act Violation and the harassment investigation. Mayor Cabrera also stated there wer e some inconsistencies in the po wers given to the former Mayor and the powers that are proposed to be taken away from the Mayor's duties and responsibilities.
Mayor Cabrera recounted the November 2022 election.
Mayor Cabrera asked questions of staff reg arding the current process of th e approval of proclamations.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado responded to Mayor Cabrera's inquiries.
Interim City Attorney responded to Mayor Cabrera's inquiries.
Mayor Cabrera stated there are some items in the Mayor's duties an d responsibilities that he does not believe should be included. Mayor Cabrera also stated he believes Council Members should be given the opportunity to present certificates and provide remarks at ribbon cuttings in their respective districts. Mayor Cabrera asked staff if in the current recommendations to the Mayor's duties and responsibilities, would he still be able to put items on the agenda.
Interim City Attorney Steve Quintanilla stated with the current recommendations, the Mayor would still be able to add items to the agenda, but would have to get Council approval.
Council Member Baca- Santa Cruz stated she would like to add a new section in the agenda labeled "Items for Future Agenda", which would allow members of Council to propose items they would like added to the next agenda.
Mayor Cabrera noted with the current recommendation, the Mayor would not be able to add items to the agenda, rather the City Attorney, City Manager, City Clerk, and majority of Council would be able to add items to the a genda. Mayor Cabrera stated he w ould like this recommendation to change to allow two members of the City Council add an item to an agenda, rather than three.
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With the conclusion of Council questions and comments, Mayor Cabrera moved on to the next item of the agenda.
A.2. REVIEW OF OP TIONS REGARDING PROCEDURES FOR SELECTING THE MAYOR PRO TEM (Report of: City Clerk)
City Clerk Jane Halstead provided the presentation.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado stated he likes the current process but is open to any changes the majority of Council deems necessary.
Council Member Baca -Santa Cruz believes she believes the current process does not need to be changed. Additionally, Council Member Baca -Santa Cruz asked if public comments would be opened once more, since many memb ers of the public had recently arrived from the School Board meeting.
Mayor Cabrera stated he would like the selection process for the Mayor Pro Tem selection to be rotational, which would give an opportunity to every member of the City Council to serve as Mayor Pro Tem.
Council Member Barnard stated she would like to yield her time to allow members of the public to speak.
Mayor Cabrera opened the public comments portion of the meeting.
A.1
Roy Bleckert
1. Civil discussions.
Donovan Saadiq
1. Supports change.
Louise Palomarez
1. Equity and integrity.
A.2
Roy Bleckert
1. Concerns.
Donovan Saadiq
1. Supports change.
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Louise Palomarez
1. Concerns.
A.3
Roy Bleckert
1. Concerns.
A.4
Roy Bleckert
1. Concerns.
A.5
Roy Bleckert
1. Concerns.
A.6
Roy Bleckert
1. Concerns.
Public comments were heard.
Mayor Cabrera made a suggestion he would like to see for future Council meetings.
With the conclusion of Council comments and questions, Mayor Cabrera moved on to the next item on the agenda.
A.3. CITYWIDE PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (Report of: Public Works)
Public Works Direct Melissa Walker provided the presentation.
Council Member Baca-Santa Cruz stated residents have provided positive feedback regarding the Citywide Pavement Rehabilitation program. Council Member Baca - Santa Cruz asked staff where the pavement rehabilitation schedule could be found online.
City Manager Mike Lee responded and provided the requested information.
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Mayor Cabrera thanked staff for their work in ensuring the suc cess of the Citywide Pavement Rehabilitation project. Mayor Cabrera stressed the importance of improving the road conditions in the City. Mayor Cabrera asked questions of staff.
Assistant City Manager Michael Lloyd responded to Mayor Cabrera's inquiries.
With the conclusion of Council comments and questions, Mayor Cabrera moved on to the next item on the agenda.
A.4. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN PRESENTATION (Report of: City Manager) Assistant City Manager Michael Lloyd and Brian Mohan provided the presentation.
Council Member Marquez asked a question of staff.
Assistant City Manager Brian Mohan responded to Council Memb er Marquez's inquiry.
Mayor Cabrera stated he was frustrated funding from the state was not being allocated to the City of Moreno Val ley. Mayor Cabrera stated it is important for the City to remain diligent in working to obtaining funding from the state.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado asked questions of staff.
Assistant City Manager Michael Lloyd responded to Mayor Pro Tem Delgado's inquiries.
With the conclusion of Council comments and questions, Mayor Cabrera moved on to the next item on the agenda.
A.5. POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION (Report of: Police Department) Police Chief Ken Reichle provided the presentation.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado asked questions of staff.
Chief Reichle responded to Mayor Pro Tem Delgado's inquiries.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado sta ted Public Safety is of the utmost importance and must find ways to add additional funding to allow the City to obtain more deputies.
Mayor Cabrera asked if gaining more volunteer sheriff deputies in the City would be impactful in helping with the issues the Moreno Valley Sheriff's department is currently experiencing.
Chief Reichle replied and stated they would only be helpful in cer tain instances. To truly deter crime and improve the Moreno Valley Sheriff's response time, sworn deputies would be needed to be added to the Moreno Valley Sheriff's station. -8-
Mayor Cabrera asked if the Riverside Sheriff's Department is having any issues hiring new deputies.
Chief Reichle replied and stated currently, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department is a very hi ghly sought-after law enforcement agency and they are not having an issues with hiring and training new deputies.
Mayor Cabrera state d he would like to meet at a later time to discuss the current trends in crime happening in the City of Moreno Valley. Ma yor Cabrera also stated he is in favor of additional technology being provided to the Moreno Valley Sheriff's Office. Mayor Cabrera cit ed the use of the City's Flock safety cameras and voiced his desire to provide additional technology which will help impr ove public safety in the City.
Chief Reichle stated the flock safety cameras is a very important asset to the department and thanked the City Council for their support.
Mayor Cabrera stated it is important for the City to find funding to help impro ve public safety in the City.
Council Member David Marquez asked Chief Reichle about the deputy reserve program.
Chief Reichle responded and stated there are three types of reserve deputies; level three, level two, and level one. Chief Reichle stated t he deputy that would be the most helpful is the level one reserve deputy, as the level one reserve deputy would be able to go out in the fi eld by themselves and perform all of the duties of a sworn deputy. Chief Reichle stated there is very little interest in the reserve deputy program, as it is a volunteer position.
Council Member Marquez asked Chief Reichle if he could touch on the duties of a level two reserve deputy.
Chief Reichle stated a level two reserve deputy would have to be accompanied by a sworn deputy. Chief Reichle noted the only reserve deputy that would truly help impact the issues of violent crime, would be the level one reserve deputy.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado noted they have hour requirements for the reserve deputies.
Council Member Marquez noted it would be very helpful to have a level one reserve deputy program in the City.
Chief Reichle stated there is a program in the City, however it is not highly sought after due to the extensive requirement and lack of pay.
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Mayor Cabrera sugg ested adding stipends to help incentivize the reserve deputy program.
Council Member Barnard noted not only does the City have an issue with the lack of sworn deputies in the City, but also the lack of facilities to house any additional deputies. Council Member Barnard asked Chief Reichle how long a deputy is taken out of the field to write a report for an assault.
Chief Reichle noted on average, an assault call will take a deputy of the field for about three to four hours.
Council Member Barnard note d we must factor these situations in when discussing staffing.
Chief Reichle stated with the change in laws over the years, it has incre ased the workload on deputies.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado added after the initial three to four hours, the deputy would also have to write a report. Additionally, in the coming months, the deputies would also have to report to court, which takes them out of the field for additional hours.
Council Member Marquez asked if the Moreno Valley Sheriff's Department has Jailers on staff.
Chief Reichle stated Community Service Officer's usually take care of the jailing and booking, but compared to neighboring cities, the Moreno Valley Sheriff's Department does not have a sufficient number of classified staff. Chief Reichle noted many times CSO's are overloaded with transportation and booking, which leads these duties to be passed off to the one duty deputies.
Council Member Marquez asked if hiring more CSO's would help with the staffing issues.
Chief Reichle noted additional CSO's would help with the staffing issues.
Council Member Marquez asked if any additional CSO's are brought in from other Cities.
Chief Reichle stated the Sheriff's Department only brings in staffing the City contracts for.
Assistant City Manager Bria n Mohan stated CSO's do not count towards the one deputy to one thousand resident’s count.
With no further Council comments and questions , Mayor Cabrera moved on to the next item on the agenda.
A.6. FIRE DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION (Report of: Fire Department) -10-
Fire Chief Jesse Park provided the presentation.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado had question regarding the Fire Department's insurance rating.
Fire Chief Jesse Park responded and stated the insurance rating is based on variety of items, including ladder truc ks. Chief Park noted Riverside City Fire is rated as a one, City of Temecula Fire is rated at two, and City of Moreno Valley is at a three , but they are looking to raise it higher.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado asked if the money required for the build out is in cluded in the current CIP.
Fire Chief Park responded and stated it is included.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado stated in the City of Pasadena, they have a public safety building, which houses both Fire and the Police Department under one roof.
Assistant City Manager Brian Mohan stated a joint use facility is included in the City's CIP, which is proposed to built on the east side of the City.
Mayor Cabrera stated part of the World Logistics Center agreement with the City is to provide funding for both Police and Fire facilities.
Fire Chief Park responded, and stated Highland Fairview will provide a "turn key" fire station for the City. Fire C hief Park noted he has been in contact with staff from Highland Fairview and they expressed interest in purchasing a ladder truck before the completion of the fire station.
Mayor Cabrera noted one of the primary sources of funding for these facilities is development impact fees. Mayor Cabrera also stated he would like to look at the development impact fees in the City.
With no additional Council comments, Mayor Cabrera adjourned the Study Session meeting at 9:17pm.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further b usiness to come before the City Council, Mayor Cabrera adjourned the meeting at 9:17pm.
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Submitted by:
___________________________
Jane Halstead, CMC
City Clerk
Secretary, Moreno Valley Community Services District
Secretary, City as Successor Agency for the Community
Redevelopment Agency of the City of Moreno Valley
Secretary, Moreno Valley Housing Authority
Secretary, Board of Library Trustees
Secretary, Public Financing Authority
Approved by:
___________________________
Ulises Cabrera
Mayor
City of Moreno Valley
President, Moreno Valley Community Services District
Chairperson, City as Successor Agency for the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Moreno Valley
Chairperson, Moreno Valley Housing Authority
Chairperson, Board of Library Trustees
Chairperson, Public Financing Authority