Page | 1 City Council Meeting Minutes (March 21, 2023)
CITY OF SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
CITY COUNCIL
UNOFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 21, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Jordan called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 311 2nd Street, San Juan Bautista, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Morris-Lopez led the pledge of allegiance.
Mayor Jordan announced that Councilmember Freels has notified the City Council of his need to participate remotely, via the City’s two-way audio/visual platform, for “just cause” under the provisions of the Brown Act, CA Government Code Section 54953(f)(2)(A)(i), due to a contagious illness that prevents his attendance in person. In accordance with the Brown Act no further action is required by the City Council, Councilmember Freels to disclose whether any other individuals 18 years or age or older are present in the room and if any are present his relationship with those individuals.”
Councilmember Freels stated that there were no other individuals present.
ROLL CALL Present:
Mayor Pro Tem John Freeman
Councilmember Scott Freels (via teleconference)
Councilmember Jackie Morris-Lopez
Councilmember EJ Sabathia
Mayor Leslie Q. Jordan
Staff Present:
Don Reynolds, City Manager
Robert Rathie, City Attorney
Brian Foucht, ACM/Community Development Director
Elizabeth Soto, Deputy City Clerk
2. CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Freels thanked Public Works, City Manager, Mayor Jordan and those that helped out during the recent storm. VF Flea Market will take place on Saturday, March 25th.
Mayor Pro Tem announced the Arts and Crafts Festival, March 25-26, 2026. Mayor Jordan announced the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, April 18th.
The City Council announced upcoming events.
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City Manager Don Reynolds announced that on Wednesday, March 22nd is the 100th Anniversary of the Public Library. On April 20, the County will be giving out Chromebooks to our local community.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Received public comment from the following members of the public:
Irana Pisano
Elia Salinas
4. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Approved a RESOLUTION Terminating the Local Emergency due to COVID-19 Effective March 21, 2023.
B. Approve a RESOLUTION Confirming the Continued Existence of Local Emergencies in the City of San Juan Bautista.
C. Waived the Reading of Ordinances and Resolutions on the Agenda Beyond the Title.
D. Approved the Affidavit of Posting Agenda.
E. Approved the Minutes of March 15, 2023.
F. Approve a RESOLUTION Authorizing Closure of Streets for Certain Special Events in 2023.
G. Approve a RESOLUTION Enabling a Housing Choice Voucher and Project Based Voucher programs within and within a 10-mile radius outside City Limits.
No public comment received.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Morris-Lopez, second by Mayor Pro Tem Freeman, the Consent Agenda items A, B, C, D, and F was approved. AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Freels, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan. NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None Item: E
No public comment received.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Freeman, second by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, the minutes of March 15, was approved. AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Freels, Morris-Lopez, and Mayor Jordan. NOES: None; ABSTAIN: Councilmember Sabathia; ABSENT: None Page | 3 City Council Meeting Minutes (March 21, 2023)
Item G
Public comments received from the following members of the public:
James Pisano
Elia Salinas
Chris Martorana
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:
Upon motion by Sabathia, second by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, Consent item 4G, Enabling a Housing Choice Voucher and Project Based Voucher programs within and within a 10-mile radius outside City Limits, be tabled and brought back for discussion at a later meeting was approved. AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Freels, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan. NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
5. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
City Manager Don Reynolds provided an update on the March 10, 2023 Flooding that affected the South and North side of the city. City Engineer Doug Pike, MNS Engineers, provided a PowerPoint presentation and fielded questions from the Council.
Public comment received from the following members of the public:
Darlene S. Boyd
James Pisano
Kurt Kurasak, Mission Farms RV Park
Zooey Diggory
Elia Salinas
Bill Vance
6. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Discuss “Reach” Codes
Kevin Miller, Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), Mayra Vega, and Farhad Farahramd provided an overview on Reach Codes and fielded questions from the Council.
Received public comment from the following member of the public:
Elia Salinas
Bill Vance
Mayor Jordan recessed at 8:00 p.m. for a brief break. Mayor Jordan reconvened the meeting at 8:11 p.m.
B. Discuss Establishing a Recreation Program
Don Reynolds, City Manager, Kim Calame provided an overview of the recreation programs and fielded questions from the Council
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Councilmember Morris-Lopez expressed concern to adding 10 additional hours to Code Enforcement and the Library Tech.
The job description will be brought back to the for approval at a later date.
No public comment.
C. Discuss Changing the Zoning code Section 11-04-110 Regarding Large Retail, Formula Retail, and Formula Visitor Accommodations
Don Reynolds, City Manager, provided an overview of the Zoning code Section 11-04-110 Regarding Large Retail, Formula Retail, and Formula Visitor Accommodations. Two Councilmembers requested to introduce “Reach” Building Codes to the City and City Council for discussion to determine if or how these Building Codes might be considered for San Juan Bautista. City Manager Reynolds stated that the idea is to encourage more hotels to locate in the city, and have pharmacy and banks be excluded from the retail formula calculation.
Councilmember Freeman stated that there are smaller hotel chains that the city could benefit from. There are no pharmacy or hotels but the city needs them.
Councilmember Sabathia mention that he would like to see the town grown and be sustainable, but not in size but in economic development.
Councilmember Morris-Lopez concerned about large businesses coming into the city.
Received comments from the following member of the public:
Margot Tankersley
Darlene S. Boyde
Patricia Baines
Chris Martorana
Mayor Jordan requested to have a Draft Ordinance and bring back to the next meeting for further discussion. Mayor Pro Tem Freeman stated that he would like to see several options.
Mr. Reynolds asked the Council to review the links on the staff report and let us staff know what they would like to see in the Draft Ordinance.
D. City Hall Office Hours
City Manager Don Reynolds provided the report.
Councilmember Freels stated that he would like to see city hall open a lot longer its current hours. Have City Hall open 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Freeman stated that he prefers to give the City Manager the flexibility of handling of money or to open up City Hall.
Councilmember Morris-Lopez stated that City Hall needs to be open as it was before COVID.
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Councilmember Sabathia stated that he would like to see City Hall open.
Mayor Jordan stated that having City Hall is not inviting to the public and it needs to be open longer than 1:00 p.m.
Mayor Jordan requested to have a plan on having the front office open.
No public comment received.
7. ACTION ITEMS
A. Removal of Parklets
Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Brian Foucht provided the report.
The COVID State Of Emergency was lifted, February 28, 2023.
Councilmember Sabathia stated that the only way to make the removal of parklets fair is to encompass all of the parklets.
Mayor Jordan parklets were first started to help hospitality and retail open during COVID when all business were shut down.
Councilmember Morris-Lopez
Received comments from the following members of the public:
Heliena Walton, Thankful Co.
Margot Tankersley
Patricia Baines
Dante Baines
Substitute Motion
Councilmember Sabathia moved to direct staff to return with a Resolution for parklet disposition that is consistent for all downtown business and it is inclusive of the of the compensation figures currently recommended by staff. Motion amended to include the succulent barrels. Second by Councilmember Morris-Lopez
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman and Morris-Lopez; NOES: Councilmembers: Freels, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None. Motion failed.
Substitute Motion:
Councilmember Morris-Lopez motioned to remove all parklets, to include succulents, on the predetermined date which meets with the 60-day deadline of April 28, 2023 from the Governor’s Order. Second by Councilmember Sabathia.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Morris-Lopez, and Sabathia. NOES: Councilmembers:
Freels and Mayor Jordan; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
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B. Introduce an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 5.1 and Sections 5-1-100 and 5-1-105, Repealing Sections, 5-1-150, 5-1-160, and 5-1-170 of Article 1 of Chapter 5.1 of Title 5 “Public Health, Safety and Welfare,” of the City of San Juan Bautista Municipal Code to Adopt By Reference in its Entirety the California Building Standards Code 2022 Edition of the California Fire Code and Appendices, Title 24, Part 9, of the California Code of Regulations, with Certain Exceptions, Modifications and Additions Required by Local Climatic, Geological or Topographical Conditions, and Approving Findings to Support Local Modifications, and Setting a Public Hearing on the Matter for Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
City Attorney provided the report.
Public comment
MOTION:
Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Freeman, second by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, the Introduction of Ordinance to Amend Chapter 5.1 and Sections 5-1-100 and 5-1-105, Repealing Sections, 5-1-150, 5-1-160, and 5-1-170 of Article 1 of Chapter 5.1 of Title 5 “Public Health, Safety and Welfare,” of the City of San Juan Bautista Municipal Code to Adopt By Reference in its Entirety the California Building Standards Code 2022 Edition of the California Fire Code and Appendices, Title 24, Part 9, of the California Code of Regulations, with Certain Exceptions, Modifications and Additions Required by Local Climatic, Geological or Topographical Conditions, and Approving Findings to Support Local Modifications, and Setting a Public Hearing on the Matter for Tuesday, April 18, 2023. was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Freels, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan.
NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
No public comment received.
C. Introduce an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 10, Article 1-110 “Code Adoption by Reference” of Chapter 10-1 “Buildings” of Title 10 “Buildings and Subdivisions” of the City of San Juan Bautista Municipal Code to Adopt by Reference Certain of the Parts of California Code of Regulations Title 24, the California Building Standards Code 2022 Edition including: Part 1 the California Administrative Code, Part 2 the California Building Code (Vols. 1 & 2), Part 2.5 the California Residential Code, Part 3 the California Electrical Code, Part 4 the California Mechanical Code, Part 5 the California Plumbing Code, Part 6 the California Energy Code, Part 8 the California Historical Building Code, Part 10 the California Existing Building Code, Part 11 the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), and Part 12 the California Reference Standard Code; repealing section 10-1-115; and setting a public hearing for Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
Assistant City Manager/ Community Development Director Brian Foucht and Building Official Mierva Arredondo provided the report.
No public comment received.
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MOTION:
Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Freeman, second by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, the Introduction of Ordinance to Amend Chapter 10, Article 1-110 “Code Adoption by Reference” of Chapter 10-1 “Buildings” of Title 10 “Buildings and Subdivisions” of the City of San Juan Bautista Municipal Code to Adopt by Reference Certain of the Parts of California Code of Regulations Title 24, the California Building Standards Code 2022 Edition including: Part 1 the California Administrative Code, Part 2 the California Building Code (Vols. 1 & 2), Part 2.5 the California Residential Code, Part 3 the California Electrical Code, Part 4 the California Mechanical Code, Part 5 the California Plumbing Code, Part 6 the California Energy Code, Part 8 the California Historical Building Code, Part 10 the California Existing Building Code, Part 11 the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), and Part 12 the California Reference Standard Code; repealing section 10-1-115; and setting a public hearing for Tuesday, April 18, 2023 was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Freels, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan.
NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
D. Council’s Selection of Member At Large to the Urban Growth Boundary/Sphere of Influence Subcommittee
The following member of the public commented on the report:
Chris Martorana
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, second by Councilmember Sabathia, Chris Martorana was selected as member at Large to the Urban Growth Boundary/Sphere of Influence Committee was approved. AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan. NOES: Councilmember Freels; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
A. Reports from City Council Representatives to Regional Organizations and Committees The Council reported on the meetings that they attended.
B. Treasurer’s Report and Monthly Financial Statements
Receive Report from City Treasurer Michelle Sabathia.
C. City Manager’s Report
a. Fire Department Update
b. Sheriff Department Update
No public comment received.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Sabathia and Mayor Pro Tem Freeman motion to adjourn the meeting. All in favor. There being no further business, Mayor Jordan adjourned the meeting was at 10:55 p.m.
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APPROVED:
____________________________
Leslie Q. Jordan, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Elizabeth Soto, Deputy City Clerk