City Council
Meeting Minutes
Mark Turner - Mayor
Yvonne Martínez Beltrán - Mayor Pro Tem
Soraida Iwanaga - Council Member
Marilyn Librers - Council Member
Miriam Vega - Council Member
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 6:00 PM
Council Chamber Building
17555 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Turner called the City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE
Deputy City Clerk Kim Mancera called the roll.
PRESENT Miriam Vega, Soraida Iwanaga, Yvonne Martinez Beltran, Mark Turner, Marilyn Librers
ABSENT None
DECLARATION OF POSTING AGENDA
Deputy City Clerk Kim Mancera declared the posting of the agenda.
SILENT INVOCATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESENTATIONS
YAC Presentation
January 15, 2025
2 CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Turner spoke about the past VTA board meeting he attended. He announced they have adopted the Zero Emission Bus Blueprint, which must be in place by 2040.
He discussed the Santa Clara Library District's 5-year strategic plan that is in place. He mentioned that one of the four priorities is to inspire building the foundations of literacy within our community. This immersive type of children's area will be constructed at the library. It is scheduled to take place beginning mid-February and will be completed by mid-April. He announced that the Edward Boss Prado Foundation distributed approximately 1,500 jackets and sweaters. He shared that they are now collecting toiletry kits to be delivered to a facility in Southern California that will house approximately 600 to 1,000 residents. There is a repository at City Hall where toiletry kits can be dropped off. He mentioned that he has been working with Valley Water, having conversations regarding the fire safety plan for Morgan Hill and some of the concerns about water resources. They are working to set up a fire safety South County community awareness meeting sometime in February.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Christina Turner gave an update on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors vote to dissolve the South Santa Clara County Fire District and annex its service area into the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District (County Fire) and the next steps. She announced that at the end of the month, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) will host an Economic Mobility and Opportunity conference in Morgan Hill. She discussed the Point in Time Count. The 2025 Point-in-Time Count (PIT Count) is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22nd. The PIT Count, conducted biennially, is a vital tool to quantify the extent of homelessness in our community. This information is crucial for securing essential federal and state resources and informs the development and implementation of effective strategies to move individuals and families experiencing homelessness toward stable housing. She also wanted to thank the many volunteers who have signed up for the count and the community members who have donated hygiene kits. She announced that the new East Dunne Reservoir Project is now under construction. This project will construct a 900,000-gallon water tank and will take years to complete. You will see work on East Dunne Avenue, just past Flaming Oaks Drive. She discussed the Upper Llagas Flood Protection Project. Residents may be noticing significant work on Hale Avenue between Wright and Main. The current work is relocating existing utilities out of the way of the future large box culvert that will be installed under the road. Residents can expect to see minor traffic delays for the next few months before seeing a major roadway closure for the project near the end of April. She reminded residents that a Centennial Recreation Center and Aquatics Center membership is a perfect way to help kick off a healthy 2025. She concluded by sharing information about a Pilot Program for Downtown Cameras. The City is partnering with Flock to pilot up to ten PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras for 60 days in the downtown area. If successful, the cameras will be an asset for special events held on 3rd Street.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
None.
January 15, 2025
3 OTHER REPORTS
Council Member Martinez Beltran shared that she attended the Peninsula Division Retreat for the League of Cities on December 12. On January 24, they will be holding a legislative summit. She shared that she also attended the grand opening of Chocotella Downtown on December 12. She spoke about the Holiday Posada on December 14, which included food, music, cultural entertainment, prizes and gifts for the kids, and some bilingual caroling. She recognized Elizabeth Carvajal. She was a community leader in Morgan Hill and Gilroy. She shared that a press conference was held in Gilroy on December 19, where several leaders expressed the need to support our immigrant and undocumented population. On December 20, there was a ceremony with other leaders held in Gilroy to honor the unhoused neighbors who have passed away. She shared her condolences to the families that we lost in the recent accidents on Monterey Rd. She concluded by sharing that Supervisor Betty Duong has been sworn in and is the first Vietnamese Supervisor in Santa Clara County.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment opened at 6:18 p.m. The following people were called to speak:
Steve Chappell
Mitchell Kirk
Ben Palm
Brian Turner
Levi Fistori
There being no further requests to speak, public comment closed.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Adopting the agenda as posted and moving item 5 to the end of the agenda with a start time of no earlier than 7:00 p.m.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Council Member Martinez Beltran
SECONDER: Mayor Pro Tem Librers
AYES: Council Member Iwanaga, Mayor Turner, Mayor Pro Tem Librers, Council Member Martinez Beltran, Council Member Vega
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
CONSENT CALENDAR
January 15, 2025
4 Items appearing on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and may be approved by one motion. Pursuant to City Council Policies and Procedures (CP 97-01), any member of the Council or public may request to have an item removed from the Consent Calendar for comment and action.
Public comment opened at 6:31 p.m.
Doug Muirhead was called to speak.
There being no further requests to speak, public comment closed.
MOTION:
Approving consent calendar items 1 and 3.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Council Member Martinez Beltran
SECONDER: Mayor Pro Tem Librers
AYES: Council Member Iwanaga, Mayor Turner, Mayor Pro Tem Librers, Council Member Martinez Beltran, Council Member Vega
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
1. APPROVE THE DECEMBER 4, 2024 AND THE DECEMBER 11, 2024 CITY
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Recommendation:
Approve minutes.
3. RATIFY THE CITY MANAGER'S EXECUTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH MONTEREY BAY OFFICE PRODUCTS, INC. FOR
THE PURCHASE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CITY'S MULTI-FUNCTION
PRINTERS
Recommendation:
Ratify the City Manager's execution of the first amendment to the agreement with Monterey Bay Office Products, Inc. for the purchase of the City's multi-function printers.
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
2. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH TOOLE DESIGN FOR $220,250 FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A
COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY ACTION PLAN
Recommendation:
January 15, 2025
5 1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a consultant agreement with Toole Design for the development of a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan for the City of Morgan Hill; and
2. Adopt a resolution amending the FY24-25 Capital Improvement Program Budget appropriating $220,250 in expenses and $200,500 in grant revenue within the Traffic Impact Fund (309).
Assistant City Manager/Public Services Director Chris Ghione provided a report.
Public comment opened at 6:37 p.m. There being no requests to speak, public comment closed.
MOTION:
Approving the recommended action.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Council Member Martinez Beltran
SECONDER: Council Member Iwanaga
AYES: Council Member Iwanaga, Mayor Turner, Mayor Pro Tem Librers, Council Member Martinez Beltran, Council Member Vega
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
4. RECEIVE MONTHLY BUDGET UPDATE AND NOVEMBER 2024 FINANCIAL
AND INVESTMENT REPORTS
Recommendation:
Receive and file report.
Finance Director Dat Nguyen provided a report.
Public comment opened at 6:43 p.m. There being no requests to speak, public comment closed.
MOTION:
Approving the recommended action.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Mayor Pro Tem Librers
SECONDER: Council Member Martinez Beltran
AYES: Council Member Iwanaga, Mayor Turner, Mayor Pro Tem Librers, Council January 15, 2025
6 Member Martinez Beltran, Council Member Vega
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. ADOPT RESOLUTION AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE MORGAN HILL 2035
GENERAL PLAN TO ELIMINATE THE FLOOR AREA RATIO FOR THE MIXED
USE FLEX LAND USE DESIGNATION AND INTRODUCE ORDINANCE
(ZA2024-0002) AMENDING CHAPTER 12.32 (RESTRICTIONS ON REMOVAL OF SIGNIFICANT TREES) WITHIN TITLE 12 (STREET, SIDEWALKS AND
PUBLIC PLACES) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF MORGAN HILL AND VARIOUS CODE PROVISIONS WITHIN TITLE 18 (ZONING) OF
THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF MORGAN HILL IMPLEMENTING
UPDATES TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT PROVISIONS TO COMPLY WITH SENATE BILL 477 AND SENATE BILL 1211; IMPLEMENTING
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH COMMUNITY CLINICS BY-RIGHT TO COMPLY WITH ASSEMBLY BILL 2085; UPDATES TO PARKING PROVISIONS TO COMPLY WITH ASSEMBLY BILL 2097; AND IMPLEMENTING MINOR
AMENDMENTS DUE TO CLERICAL ERRORS AND INCONSISTENCIES
Recommendation:
1. Open/close the public hearing;
2. Adopt a Resolution approving an amendment to the text of the Morgan Hill 2035 General Plan to eliminate the Floor Area Ratio for the Mixed Use Flex land use designation;
3. Waive first and second reading of the Ordinance Amendment; and
4. Introduce Ordinance Amendment.
Principal Planner Adam Paszkowski provided a report and presentation.
Public comment opened at 7:12 p.m. The following people were called to speak:
Levi Fistori
Steve Chappell
Armando Benavidas
There being no further requests to speak, public comment closed.
MOTION:
Continuing section 2 of item 6 to a future date not yet determined.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Council Member Martinez Beltran
SECONDER: Mayor Pro Tem Librers
January 15, 2025
7 AYES: Council Member Iwanaga, Mayor Turner, Mayor Pro Tem Librers, Council Member Martinez Beltran, Council Member Vega
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION:
Waiving the first and second reading of the ordinance.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Council Member Martinez Beltran
SECONDER: Mayor Pro Tem Librers
AYES: Council Member Iwanaga, Mayor Turner, Mayor Pro Tem Librers, Council Member Martinez Beltran, Council Member Vega
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION:
Introducing the ordinance removing the sections on trees and FAR.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Mayor Pro Tem Librers
SECONDER: Council Member Vega
AYES: Council Member Iwanaga, Mayor Turner, Mayor Pro Tem Librers, Council Member Martinez Beltran, Council Member Vega
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
OTHER BUSINESS
7. DOWNTOWN MORGAN HILL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 2024 ANNUAL REPORT
January 15, 2025
8 Recommendation:
Accept and file the Downtown Morgan Hill Improvement District Annual Report.
Economic Development Director Matt Mahood provided a report and presentation.
Public comment opened at 8:00 p.m. There being no requests to speak, public comment closed.
Report received.
8. SELECT AND APPOINT CITY COUNCIL MAYOR PRO TEMPORE
Recommendation:
1. Open floor to nomination(s) for Mayor Pro Tempore; and
2. Select a Council Member to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore per City Council Policy 99-01.
City Manager Christina Turner provided a report.
Public comment opened at 8:04 p.m. There being no requests to speak, public comment closed.
Mayor Pro Tem Librers nominated Council Member Martinez Beltran. Council voted unanimously to appoint Council Member Martinez Beltran as Mayor Pro Tempore.
The meeting recessed at 8:06 p.m. and reconvened at 8:11 p.m.
5. ADOPT RESOLUTION APPROVING COMMENCEMENT OF 2025 WEED
ABATEMENT PROGRAM
Recommendation:
1. Open/Close public hearing; and
2. Adopt a resolution authorizing Santa Clara County to commence hazardous vegetation abatement activities.
Assistant City Manager/Public Services Director Chris Ghione provided a report.
Council Member Librers and Council Member Iwanaga recused themselves due to a conflict of interest.
MOTION:
Approving the recommended action.
January 15, 2025
9 RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Council Member Martinez Beltran
SECONDER: Council Member Vega
AYES: Mayor Turner, Council Member Martinez Beltran, Council Member Vega NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Librers, Council Member Iwanaga
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Martinez Beltran would like to discuss fire safety in Jackson Oaks and Holiday Lake Estates.
CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Donald Larkin announced the closed session item.
The meeting adjourned to a closed session at 8:19 p.m.
Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (§ 54956.9) Cheryl Dominguez v. City of Morgan Hill: Workers Compensation Claim Nos. MHL1900016
OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Turner adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. in honor of former Council Members Spring and Borgioli.
Minutes Prepared by:
Kim Mancera, Deputy City Clerk