MINUTES
OXNARD CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
May 16, 2023
A. ROLL CALL, POSTING OF AGENDA
At 5:02 p.m., Mayor John C. Laragoza called to order the regular meeting of the Oxnard City Council, 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 Gabriela Basua, Councilmember Oscar Madrigal; Bert E. Perello, Gabriel (Gabe) Teran, Arthur Valenzuela Zavala, and Mayor John C. Zaragoza were present. Mayor Pro Tem Bryan A.
MacDonald was absent.
Councilmember Valenzuela Zavala arrived at 5:12 p.m. Councilmember Madrigal arrived at 5:29 p.m.
Housing Authority Commissioner Vega was absent. Housing Authority Commissioner Jose Andrade was present and joined the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
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; Kenneth Rozell, Chief Assistant City Attorney; Jennie Kelly, Assistant City Attorney; Michelle (Elle) McCarron, Assistant City Attorney; Jason Benites, Police Chief; Alexander Hamilton, Fire Chief; Scott Brewer, Emergency Services Manager; Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director; Brian Yanez, Assistant Public Works Director; Joseph Marcinko, Assistant Public Works Director; Steve Howlett, Assistant Public Works Director; Omar Castro, Water Division Manager; Jose Arreola, Fleet Services Manager; Timothy Beaman, Supervising Civil Engineer; Emilio Ramirez, Housing Director; Albert Ramirez, Assistant Housing Director; Andrea Palmer, Housing Grants Manager; Brenda Lopez, Housing Programs Manager; Mark Sewell, Interim Chief Financial Officer; Samantha Shapiro, Project Manager; Dee Lai, Assistant City Clerk and Rose Chaparro, City Clerk.
Consultant John Bosio, MERJE Design and Steve Gagnon, Vice President, PE with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. participated via videoconference.
THE FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE BODIES ARE MEETING: City Council and Housing Authority.
Consideration of Teleconference Participation pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS (None received.) C. CLOSED SESSION (5:00 PM)
Legislative Body: City Council
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CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1))
Robert Summers v. City of Oxnard, Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 56-2021- 00555547-CU-MC-VTA
At 5:08 p.m., the City Council recessed to a closed session. At 5:40 p.m., the City Council reconvened n open session in the Council Chambers. The City Attorney announced that item C.1 was reviewe nd that there were no reportable actions out of closed session D. APPOINTMENT ITEMS
1. SUBJECT: Presentation by the Youth Coalition of Oxnard on Community Gardens as a Way to Alleviate Food Insecurity.
The Youth Coalition of Oxnard (YCO) is a BRITE Leadership Program funded through All Children Thrive. The program is comprised of Oxnard Unified High School District students from Oxnard High, Pacifica High, and Oxnard Middle College High School who have conducted research for the past eight months. Members of the Youth Coalition of Oxnard (YCO): Catia Tran, Brenda Santos, Kimberley Garcia, Damian Mercado, Diana Perez., Jessely Banos, Charlie Fabia, and Citlaly Hernandez Nieto presented to Council. Food insecurity became a topic of discussion with the YCO this past school year. The talented youth leaders have been presenting their research findings at the neighborhood council level, to the Inter-Neighborhood Council Organization, and most recently, to the Parks and Reaction Commission of Oxnard. The YCO did their final presentation to the Oxnard City Council. It was a demonstration of how young individuals can make a significant impact on their community and are capable of proposing policy recommendations that can lead to meaningful change.
The YCO focuses on civic engagement activities and learns to create policy recommendations to be considered by the city of Oxnard to combat food insecurity. This group of driven and talented young individuals has taken it upon themselves to address this issue through their research project aimed at combatting food insecurity in Oxnard through community gardens.
E. OPENING CEREMONIES (6:00 PM)
The flag salute was followed by a moment of silence.
F. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
SUBJECT: Presentation of a Proclamation Designating the Week of May 21 - 27, 2023 as "Public Works Week."
Mayor Zaragoza presented the proclamation to Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director and his team.
Members of the Public Works Department joined Council at the dais to accept the proclamation.
Council members acknowledged and thanked the public works staff for their hard work, dedication, and accomplishments. The week of May 25 is Public Works Week, and on Thursday, May 25, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m., Public Works will have an Open House event at 305 W. Third Street. There will be activities for everyone to learn about what Public Works does, meet the staff, ask questions, and see MAY 16, 2023 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 3
some of the interesting machines and tools they use. It will be open and free to the public.
2. SUBJECT: Presentation of a Proclamation Designating May 29, 2023 as "Memorial Day." Mayor Zaragoza presented the proclamation to members of the Veterans of Ventura County Chapter 24 (DAV). The DAV Ventura Chapter 24 provides free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service and provided by the VA and other agencies of government. In addition to DAV programs and services, DÂV Ventura Chapter 24 members are entitled to member advantages, which gives you access to a variety of important programs, products, and services. The Veterans joined Council at the dais to accept the proclamation.
Council members acknowledged and thanked the veterans for their service.
Mayor Zaragoza announced that the City of Oxnard, along with members of the following organizations: Disabled American Veterans - Ventura Chapter 24, Knights of Columbus Oxnard Council 750, Gold Star Mothers, Military Officers Association of America Ventura County Chapter, Port of Hueneme, Ben Moreell Sea Cadets Color Guard, Oxnard High School Air Force Jr. ROTC, and the Channel Islands High School Raiders Band, will jointly host a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2023, at Downtown Plaza Park in Oxnard. He invited the community to join in honoring and remembering our fallen service members.
G. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public comments were received from Dawn Mathews (Special District CFD Tax Levy), Lang Martinez (homeless concerns), Reynoldo Gaxiola (electric scooters for rent), Vanessa Valdez (meeting with Chief Benites re: police officer involved shootings), Maria Navarro (meeting with Chief Benites re: police officer involved shootings), Bryan Rodriguez, Police Citizen Advisory Group (meeting with Chief Benites re: police officer involved shootings and community safety), and Reverend Gregory Runyon (community accountability).
H. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETARY
City Manager Nguyen provided the following community updates:
• The Oxnard Police Department's 24** Annual Memorial Ceremony honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to serve will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at 251 South C Street. • Community Action of Ventura County will continue its Utility Bill Assistance Program, Low Income Household Water Assistance Program and will hold application assistance workshops on May 22, June 5, June 12, June 19, and June 26 from 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. at 214 South C Street. For information call 805-436-4000.
• The Public Works Department will be celebrating National Public Works Week. A Public Works Open House will be held on Thursday, May 25, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 305 W.
Third Street. There will be activities for everyone to learn about what Public Works does, meet the staff, ask questions, and see some of the interesting machines and tools they use. • The City of Oxnard, along with members of the following organizations: Disabled American Veterans - Ventura Chapter 24, Knights of Columbus Oxnard Council 750, Gold Star MAY 16, 2023 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 4
Mothers, Military Officers Association of America Ventura County Chapter, Port of Hueneme, Ben Moreell Sea Cadets Color Guard, Oxnard High School Air Force Jr. ROTC, and the Channel Islands High School Raiders Band, will jointly host a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Plaza Park. • The 2023 Oxnard Insect Festival with reptiles as the special guests will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Downtown Plaza Park. • June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Oxnard. The progress pride flag raising ceremony on June 5, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. at Oxnard City Council Chambers at 305 W. Third Street. • You are invited to watch the Buenos Dias, Oxnard! Podcast about Oxnard's Budget with episode guests Manuel Herrera, guest host and Ashley Golden, Assistant City Manager.
Watch now at: youtube.com/oxnardnews.
• Fun Facts: Housing First and the Housing Readiness programs.
I. CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/FINANCING AUTHORITY
BUSINESS/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Teran announced the upcoming District 2 neighborhood meetings for Riverpark, Carriage Square, Sierra Linda and the Wagon Wheel Neighborhood Council meetings. He thanked the Youth Coalition of Oxnard for their presentation to Council. He acknowledged the time, work and their efforts invested in conducting this research. He acknowledged and thanked the Public Works staff for replacing a broken large sidewalk panel which was lifted by a tree on st Street, west of Hobson.
He acknowledged that the proclamation designating the month of May 2023as "Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" was presented by Mayor Zaragoza at a later time and expressed his support for the well-being of the community. He also plans to attend the upcoming District 2 Town Hall meeting at Rio Vista Middle School.
Councilmember Madrigal announced that Blackstock residents for the services provided by the city. The residents are thankful for the bulky items drop off days and the neighborhood clean-up events. He will attend the Rose Avenue Neighborhood Council Meeting. He also announced the upcoming Rio Lindo School and East Village Neighborhood Council meetings. He attended the Anderson Pack House Festival in Ventura. Councilmember Madrigal wished all the mothers a Happy Belated Mother's Day.
Councilmember Basua also wished all the mothers a Happy Mother's Day. She also acknowledged and congratulated the students that graduated this year and wished the students well in their future endeavors.
Councilmember Perello thanked the public speakers. He thanked Reverend Gregory Bunyon who talked about community accountability. He spoke about the California Coastal Commission. He encouraged the public to look at the job openings available. He talked about the complaints received about the overflowing dumpsters and said that the number of pick-ups need to be increased. Licensed food trucks which are competing with the non-licensed food trucks. This is regulated by the County of Ventura Health Department.
Councilmember Valenzuela Zavala attended the Port of Hueneme 86" Anniversary event. He MAY 16, 2023 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 5
thanked the members of the public who met with Chief Benites regarding the officer involved shootings. He thanked the Youth Coalition of Oxnard for their presentation. He thanked the Public Works staff for fixing the roads at Channel Islands Boulevard and Ventura Road. He attended the Bryce Canyon and the Redwood Neighborhood Council meetings. He also wished the mothers a Happy Belated Mother's Day.
Mayor Zaragoza also thanked the Youth Coalition of Oxnard for their presentation. He thanked the Public Works staff. He thanked all the city employees for their efforts. He thanked the Police Department and the Fire Department staff for doing a great job. He also wished the mothers a Happy Belated Mother's Day.
J. REVIEW OF INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA
Items L-1 through L.5 were discussed among the Council and staff.
K. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA (None received.) L. INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA
1. City Clerk Department
SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve the minutes of the April 4, 2023 and April 13, 2023 regular meetings as presented.
2. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Construction Agreement 32300311 with Pacific Builders & Roofing, Inc. dba WSP Roofing for Wilson Senior Center Roof Replacement Project, Specification No. PW 23-
33. RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve and authorize the following for a total of $711,750.78 in Project funds for the Wilson Senior Center Roof Replacement Project (Project No.
C2042/MO5516):
1. Execute an Agreement with Pacific Builders & Roofing, Inc. dba WSP Roofing in the amount of $547,500.60 for the Project;
2. A Project contingency amount of $109,500.12 (20%) with Pacific Builders & Roofing, Inc. dba WSP Roofing for a total not to exceed value of $657,000.72 for the Project;
3. A Project allocation amount of $54,750.06 for engineering, inspection, survey and project management for the Project; and
4. A project budget appropriation transfer in the amount of $342,000 in the General Fund Capital Outlay Fund (301) from the Roof Replacement-Various Facilities Project (Project No.
C2306/235702) to the Wilson Senior Center Roof Replacement Project (Project No.
C2042/MO5516).
(This item is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to MAY 16, 2023 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 6
Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15301(c).) (This item did not originate in Committee as this is a capital improvement project specifically listed in the City's Capital Improvement Program budget, which was previously approved by the City Council.)
Housing Department
SUBJECT: Investment Policy and Portfolio Guidelines for the Housing Authority of the City of Oxnard.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Oxnard adopt Resolution #H.A. 1338 adopting an investment policy and portfolio guidelines for the Housing Authority of the City of Oxnard for FY 2023-2024. (The Community Services, Public Safety, Housing & Development Committee approved 2-0 on April 25, 2023 to approve the staff recommendation and to forward the item for Council approval.)
4. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Trade Services Agreement 32400001 with Quinn Company, for Preventative Maintenance and On-Call Repairs for Portable Generators & Heavy Equipment. Specification No. PW 23-66.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute an Agreement with Quinn Company for an amount not to exceed $840,000 for a three-year term for the maintenance of portable generators and heavy equipment. (Public Works and Transportation Committee approved 2-0.)
5. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Second Amendment to Agreement No. 9315-21-PW with Econolite Systems Incorporated for Traffic Signal Preventive, Emergency, and Non-Emergency Maintenance Services.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize the execution of a Second Amendment to an Agreement with Econolite Systems Incorporated to increase the not to exceed amount from $300,000 to $500,000 for traffic signal preventive, emergency, and non-emergency maintenance services and extend the contract termination date to June 30, 2025.
(Public Works and Transportation Committee approved 2-0.) Consent Items L.1, L.2, L.4 and L.5:
It was moved by Councilmember Basua, seconded by Councilmember Madrigal, to approve the recommended action as presented. VOTE: Basua, Madrigal, Perello, Teran, Valenzuela Zavala, and Zaragoza voted in favor; motion passed 6-0. Mayor Pro Tem MacDonald was absent.
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Housing Authority Consent Item L.3:
It was moved by Councilmember Basua, seconded by Councilmember Madrigal, to approve the recommended action as presented. VOTE: Basua, Madrigal, Perello, Teran, Valenzuela Zavala, Zaragoza and Housing Authority Commissioner Andrade voted in favor; motion passed 7-0. Mayor Pro Tem MacDonald and Housing Authority Commissioner Vega were absent.
M. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Housing Department
SUBJECT: Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan and amended Oxnard Citizen Participation Plan. (10 minutes)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Conduct a public hearing regarding the fiscal year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan with funding recommendations and the amended Oxnard Citizen Participation Plan;
2. Approve the fiscal year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan with the recommended use of funds for selected activities that conform with the City of Oxnard consolidated plan goals as defined in the Ventura County Regional Consolidated Plan;
3. Approve the updated changes in the amended Oxnard Citizen Participation Plan;
4. Authorize the City Manager, and his designees, to incorporate the final grant allocations into the 2023 Annual Action Plan, and authorize the budget appropriations to fund the administration, and projects, including the ability to increase or decrease project funding by ten percent or up to the administrative amount allowed of the administering staff, whichever is greater;
5. Authorize the City Manager and his designees, to incorporate any recommended changes resulting from the public input to the fiscal year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan and the amended Oxnard Citizen Participation Plan, as directed by the City Council, including the authorization of funding appropriations and revenue or expenditure budget changes, up to ten percent of each grant;
6. Authorize the City Manager and his designees, to execute the required applications, certifications, and other pertinent documents for the submission of the fiscal year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan and the amended Oxnard Citizen Participation Plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
7. Authorize the City Manager, and his designees, to execute all the agreements necessary for the implementation of the Annual Action Plan including sub recipients, interdepartmental, and intradepartmental agreements.
The City Clerk announced the affidavit of publication and stated that written communications were received and forwarded to Council for consideration.
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Emilio Ramirez, Housing Director presented and answered questions.
Mayor Zaragoza opened the public testimony portion of the public hearing. No public comments were received.
Without objection, the Council approved closing the public testimony portion of the public hearing.
Discussion ensued among the Council and staff.
City Council made a motion to amend recommendation number 2 of the 7 part approval, as follows:
1) Increase the funding for "Oxnard Housing Authority Senior Supportive Service" from $36,000 to $54,500
2) Decrease the funding for "Oxnard Housing Authority Housing Support Services from $73,000 to $0 3) Increase the funding for "CLU Oxnard Cares - Affordable Mental Health Services" from $0 to $54,500
It was moved by Councilmember Basua, seconded by Councilmember Perello, to approve the recommended action as amended. VOTE: Basua, Madrigal, Perello, Teran, Valenzuela Zavala, and Zaragoza voted in favor; motion passed 6-0. Mayor Pro Tem MacDonald was absent.
At 10:00 p.m., City Council voted to continue the meeting past 10:00 p.m., and take action on the remainder of the items on the agenda.
It was moved by Councilmember Perello, seconded by Councilmember Teran, to approve the recommended action as presented. VOTE: Basua, Madrigal, Perello, Teran, Valenzuela Zavala, and Zaragoza voted in favor; motion passed 6-0. Mayor Pro Tem MacDonald was absent.
N. REPORTS
1. City Manager Department
SUBJECT: Update on Efforts of the Mayor's Gateway Task Force and Authorization of an Agreement with Found Design, LLC dba MERJE for the Gateway Project.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
Receive an update on the locations and preliminary schematic designs for the four (4) gateways proposed by the Mayor's Gateway Task Force;
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Found Design, LLC dba MERJE for a not-to-exceed amount of $400,000 for the proposed design development, documentation, engineering and construction administration of up to four (4) gateways; and Authorize the City Manager to initiate the design, construction, permitting, and project management of Gateway Location 1, in South Oxnard.
(The Community Services, Public Safety, Housing & Development Committee approved 2-0 on April 25, 2023.)
Samantha Shapiro, Project Manager was available to answer questions. Public comments were received from Brittney Hendricks and Reverend Gregory Runyon. Discussion ensued among the MAY 16, 2023 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 9
Council and staff.
It was moved by Councilmember Basua, seconded by Councilmember Valenzuela Zavala, to approve the recommended action as presented. VOTE: Basua, Madrigal, Perello, Teran, Valenzuela Zavala, and Zaragoza voted in favor; motion passed 6-0. Mayor Pro Tem MacDonald was absent.
Information Technology Department
SUBJECT: Purchasing Authorization with Insight Public Sector Inc. for Information Technology Goods and Services.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to extend Purchase Order 8481 for information technology goods and services with Insight Public Sector, Inc. by revising its expiration date from February 15, 2024, to June 30, 2026, and raising the not to exceed amount from $770,000 to $2,635,000 over an additional 28 month period.
(The Finance and Governance Committee approved 3-0 on April 25, 2023.) Shiri Klima, Deputy City Manager was available to answer questions. No public comments were received. Discussion ensued among the Council and staff.
It was moved by Councilmember Perello, seconded by Councilmember Valenzuela Zavala, to approve the recommended action as presented. VOTE: Basua, Madrigal, Perello, Teran, Valenzuela Zavala, and Zaragoza voted in favor; motion passed 6-0. Mayor Pro Tem MacDonald was absent.
3. Housing Department
SUBJECT: Acquisition of Real Property at 2900 Saviers Road in Support of the Oxnard Police Department for a Future Precinct in South Oxnard.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Approve the acquisition of property located at 2900 Saviers Road for the future development of an Oxnard Police Department precinct; and
2. Appropriate $2,400,000 from the General Fund reserve for the purchase of the property; and
3. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute any and all documents necessary to facilitate this transaction.
Emilio Ramirez, Housing Director presented and answered questions. Public comments were received from Jacob Jundef (Oxnard Peace Officers Association), Bryan Rodriguez, Gregory Runyon, Christopher Williams (Oxnard Police Department Assistant Police Chief); Edgar Fernandez (Treasurer of the Oxnard Peace Officers Association), Roger Garcia (Vice President of the Oxnard Peace Officers Association), Maria Navarro, Miguel Fernandez, Alberto Santana, David Olivas and Alia. Written communications were received. Discussion ensued among the Council and staff.
It was moved by Councilmember Basua, seconded by Councilmember Valenzuela Zavala, to approve the recommended action as presented. VOTE: Basua, Madrigal, Perello, Teran, Valenzuela Zavala, and Zaragoza voted in favor; motion passed 6-0. Mayor Pro Tem MacDonald was absent.
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4. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Adoption of Ordinance No. 3028 Establishing New Water Rates, Fees and Charges.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Adopt Ordinance No. 3028 entitled "Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Oxnard to Establish Water Rate and Fee Increases for Customer Use and Service from the City Water Service;" and
2. Find that CEQA does not apply to this ordinance pursuant to Public Resource Code sections 21080(b)(8) and 21083 in conjunction with the exemption listed in title 14 California Code of Regulations section 15273.
Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director presented and answered questions. Public comments were received from Douglas Partello. Discussion ensued among the Council and staff.
It was moved by Councilmember Basua, seconded by Councilmember Madrigal, to approve the recommended action as presented. VOTE: Basua, Madrigal, Perello, Teran, Valenzuela Zavala, and Zaragoza voted in favor; motion passed 6-0. Mayor Pro Tem MacDonald was absent.
O. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business on the agenda, and without objection, Mayor Zaragoza adjourned the meeting at 10:25 p.m.
1. Chaparre
ROSE CHAPARRO
City Clerk