MINUTES
OXNARD CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
February 7, 2023
A. ROLL CALL, POSTING OF AGENDA
At 5:01 p.m., Mayor John C. Zaragoza called to order the regular meeting of the Oxnard City Council, (concurrently with the Oxnard Housing Authority), in the City Hall Council Chambers at 305 W. Third Street, Oxnard, California. The City Clerk called the roll and announced the posting of the agenda. Councilmembers Oscar Madrigal, Bert E. Perello, Gabriel (Gabe) Teran, Mayor Pro Tem Bryan A. MacDonald, and Mayor John C. Zaragoza were present.
Councilmember Gabriela Basua joined the meeting at 5:11 p.m.
Housing Authority Commissioner Jose Andrade joined the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Commissioner Francisco Vega was absent.
Staff members present in person were Alexander Nguyen, City Manager; Ashley Golden, Assistant City Manager; Shiri Klima, Deputy City Manager; Stephen M. Fischer, City Attorney; Ken Rozell, Chief Assistant City Attorney; Jason Benites, Police Chief; Denise Shadinger, Assistant Chief of Police; Tim Kelley, Special Operations Commander; Alexander Hamilton, Fire Chief; Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director; Steve Howlett, Assistant Public Works Director; Joseph Marcinko, Assistant Public Works Director; Tim Beaman, Supervising Civil Engineer; Jeff Pengilley, P.E., CDD Assistant Director & Building Official; Kathleen Mallory, Planning & Sustainability Manager; Helen Miller, Chief Information Officer; Steve Naveau, Human Resources Director; Emilio Ramirez, Housing Director; Elsa Brown, Affordable Housing Manager; Terrel Harrison, Cultural & Community Services Director; Phillip Molina, City Treasurer; Eden Alomeri, Revenue & Licensing Director & Assistant City Treasurer; Beth Vo, Assistant Chief Financial Officer; Adam Smith, Project Manager; Dee Lai, Assistant City Clerk and Rose Chaparro, City Clerk.
THE FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE BODIES ARE MEETING: City Council and Housing Authority.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS (None received.) C. CLOSED SESSION (5:00 PM)
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION (Goverment Code Section 54956.9(d)(1))
Name of case: City of Oxnard v. Starr
Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Six Case No. B314601 (Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 56-2020-00539039-CU-MC-VTA)
Legislative Body: City Council
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Government Code Based on existing facts and circumstances, the City Council shall decide whether to initiate litigation n one potential case
Legislative Body: 'City Couricil
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FEBRUARY 7, 2023 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 2
At 5:03 p.m., the City Council recessed to a closed session. At 6:02 p.m., the City Council reconvened in open session in the Council Chambers. The City Attorney announced that the City Council by a unanimous vote has directed the City Attorney to initiate an action. The action, the defendants, and the other particulars shall, once unsealed, be disclosed to any person upon inquiry, unless to do so would jeopardize the City's ability to effectuate service of process on one or more unserved parties, or that to do so would jeopardize its ability to conclude existing settlement negotiations to its advantage.
D. OPENING CEREMONIES (6:00 PM)
The flag salute was followed by a moment of silence.
E. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. SUBJECT: Presentation of a Proclamation Designating the Month of February, 2023 as "Black History Month."
Mayor Zaragoza read the proclamation and presented it to members of the MLK. Committee of Ventura County: Wesley Harris, Tracy Harris, Camren Harris, Ryanna Harris, and Mark Campos. Also, Kimberly Kelly, Chapter President of the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Farwest Region; Angela Mitchell Landers, Juneteenth Celebration of Ventura County; Regina Crawford, Ventura County Chapter of the NAACP; 20* Century Onyx Club; Community Advocacy Coalition; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; and Le'Shune Clark with the AKA Xi Kappa which made remarks. Black History Month remains a powerful symbolic celebration and a time for acknowledgement, reflection, and inspiration. The national 2023 Black History Month theme, "Black Resistance," explores how African Americans have addressed historic and ongoing disadvantage and oppression, as evidenced by recent events.
Councilmembers followed with remarks. Public comments were received from Bruce Stewart from the Juneteenth Committee of Ventura County.
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public comments were received from Ronald Arruejo, Planning Commissioner and Chair of the East Village Neighborhood Council (Announcement of the District 6 Special Election Candidate Forum); Lang Martinez, Homeless Advocate (LA Times Newspaper Article about the Homeless Crisis), Diana Velzy, Chair of INCO (locations for bulky item drop-off update), Rena Olmedo (700 block of Marbella Court, multiple street lights broken), and Luciano Morales (CEO of Gogo Scooters).
G. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETARY
City Manager Nguyen introduced Police Chief Benites who provided an update on the recent fires in the private property located along 5" Street and Harbor Boulevard and the surrounding neighborhoods.
This situation is due to homeless encampments in that area. There is weekly outreach by Police to offer services. Chief Benites reported that there is current litigation to determine ownership of the private property and next steps to resolve the situation.
1. City Manager Department
SUBJECT: COVID-19 Update from Director of Emergency Services.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council re-authorize remote teleconference meetings of the legislative bodies of the City of Oxnard in accordance with Assembly Bill 361 based on the following findings: (i) the current COVID-19 situation, particularly with its variants, is causing, FEBRUARY 7, 2023 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 3
and will continue to cause, imminent risks to the health and safety of persons within the City, including City Council members, City staff, appointed officials, and members of the public; (ii) state and local officials continue to impose or recommend measures to promote social distancing; and (ii) the Governor's COVID-19 State of Emergency is still in effect; and (iv) numerous public agencies throughout Ventura County are still operating in accordance with Assembly 361, for the reasons stated herein.
Alexander Nguyen, City Manager and Stephen M. Fischer, City Attorney presented and provided an update on the Governor's Covid-19 State of Emergency. No public comments were received.
It was moved by Councilmember Perello, seconded by Councilmember Teran, to approve the recommended action as presented. VOTE: Basua, MacDonald, Madrigal, Perello, Teran, and Zaragoza voted in favor; motion passed 6-0.
H. CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/FINANCING AUTHORITY
BUSINESS/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmembers sang happy birthday to Councilmember Basua. comprehensive study that is being conducted by the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center at the City of Oxnard.
Mayor Zaragoza thanked the City Manager Nguyen for leading the UCLA Chicano Studies and the outstanding session held at Oxnard College. He also thanked City Manager Nguyen, Mayor Pro Tem MacDonald, Jack Villa, and Roger Poirier for leading the Town Hall Meeting for District 4. The event was well attended.
I. REVIEW OF INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA
Items K-1 through K-5 were discussed among the Council and staff. Consent agenda item K.3 was pulled from the agenda.
J. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA (None received.) K. INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA
City Clerk Department
SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve the minutes of the January 3, 2023 regular meeting as presented.
2. Police Department
SUBJECT: Police Department Mobile Command Vehicle Purchase.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve and authorize the Purchasing Manager to execute a Purchase Order with Emergency Vehicles Incorporated (EVI) in the amount of $700,094.75 FEBRUARY 7, 2023 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 4
2. Approve the purchase and use of the mobile command vehicle as military equipment as defined by Government Code 7070(c)5
(Community Services, Public Safety, and Housing & Development Committee approved 2-0.)
3. Housing Department
SUBJECT: First Amendment to Agreement A-8434 for Housing Professional Services.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Approve and authorize the execution of the First Amendment to Agreement A-8434 with Nan McKay & Associates, Inc. for Housing Choice Voucher case management services, increasing the amount from $200,000 to $400,000 and extending the term by one year (The Community Services, Public Safety, Housing & Development Committee approved 2-0 on January 10, 2023.)
Housing Department
SUBJECT: First Amendment to Agreement 9660-22-HO for Housing Contracts Administration Services.
RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the City Council:
1. Approve and authorize the execution of a First Amendment to Agreement 9660-22-HO with Michael Baker International to increase the not to exceed amount on their contract from $120,000 to $481,000; and
2. That the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners approve and authorize the Chairperson to ușe up to $164,000 in Housing Authority Funds to pay for Housing Contracts Administration Services under Agreement 9660-22-HO.
(The Community Services, Public Safety, Housing & Development Committee approved 2-0 on January 10, 2023.)
Housing Department
SUBJECT: Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization System Annual Activity Report for 2022.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive and file the 2022 Annual Activity Report for the Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization System, as adopted by the Mobile Home Park Rent Review Board.
(This item did not originate in Committee.)
Consent Items K.l, K.2, and K.5:
It was moved by Councilmember Perello, seconded by Councilmember Madrigal, to approve the recommended action as presented. VOTE: Basua, MacDonald, Madrigal, Perello, Teran, and Zaragoza voted in favor; motion passed 6-0.
Consent Item K.3: This item was pulled from the agenda.
Housing Authority Consent Item K.4:
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It was moved by Councilmember Perello, seconded by Councilmember Madrigal, to approve the recommended action as presented. VOTE: Basua, MacDonald, Madrigal, Perello, Teran, Zaragoza and Commissioner Andrade voted in favor; motion passed 7-0. Commissioner Vega was absent.
REPORTS
• 1.. City Treasurer
SUBJECT: City Treasurer's Monthly Investment Report for the Period Ending December 31, 2022.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive and file the report.
Phillip Molina, City Treasurer presented. No public comments were received. Report was received and filed, no formal action was required.
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2. City Manager Department
SUBJECT: Conduct an Oral Discussion Regarding Shifting Gears; Making Adjustments to Align with Economic and Social Circumstances, and Make Decisions to Modify American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Projects, Council Priorities, and the Outlook on the City's Restoration Budgets. (120 minutes)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council conducts a robust oral discussion and deliberation regarding the following:
1. The need for the City to shift gears and make adjustments to align with economic and social circumstances;
2. Modify ARPA projects;
3. Modify the timelines of Council priorities from five to seven years; and
4. Extend the Restoration Budgets from three to five years.
Alexander Nguyen, City Manager; Ashley Golden, Assistant City Manager; Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director; and Steve Howlett, Assistant Public Works Director presented and answered questions. Public comments and written comments were received from Bryan Rodriguez. Council provided direction to staff.
Report was received and filed, no formal action was required.
City Manager Department
SUBJECT: Water Policy and Related Litigation Update. (10 minutes) RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive and file the Water Policy Report and Update on related Litigation.
This item is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Public Resources Code 21080(b)(4).
(Public Works and Transportation Committee approved 3-0.) Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director presented and answered questions. Shiri Klima, Deputy City Manager was also available to answer questions. No public comments were received. Report was received and filed, no formal action was required.
M. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business on the agenda, and without objection, Mayor Zaragoza adjourned the meeting FEBRUARY 7, 2023 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 6
at 8:55 p.m.
A. Chaparro
ROSE CHAPARRO
City Clerk