7 SAN JUAN BAUTISTA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
OFFICIAL MINUTES
MAY25,2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Jordan called the special meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 311 Second Street, San Juan Bautista.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Freels led the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL Present:
Councilmember Scott Freels
Mayor Pro Tern John Freeman
Councilmember Jackie Morris-Lopez
Councilmember EJ Sabathia
Mayor Leslie Q. Jordan
Absent:
Staff Present:
Don Reynolds, City Manager
Robert Rathie, City Attorney
Brian Foucht, ACM/Community Development Director
Elizabeth Soto, CMC, CPMC, Deputy City Clerk
Sergeant Penney San Benito County Sheriffs Office introduced Deputy Desi Villanueva, the newly dedicated Deputy to San Juan Bautista.
2. CONSENT
A. Approve the Affidavit of Posting Agenda.
B. Approve a RESOLUTION Authorizing Closure of Streets for Certain Special Events in 2023
No public comment received.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, second by Mayor Pro Tern Freeman, the Consent Agenda was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Freels, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan. NOES:
None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None. Motion Carried.
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Review of the Draft Budget and Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and Provide Direction to Staff Prior to Adoption at the June 13, 2023 Regular Meeting.
City Manager Don Reynolds provided an overview of the Draft Budget and Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Mr. Reynolds that the draft budget was introduced at the May 16
th meeting and the budget has been circulated to the Council for comments.
Existing City Initiatives
• Third Street Transformation (CIP 22.01 $552,140 - $300,000 grant pending) o Multi-Modal Transportation HUB Grant
o Component of a larger Economic Development Strategy
• Urban Growth Boundary/Sphere oflnfluence (CIP 21.11 $107,455 balance) o Back on track
o Heading soon towards LAFCO, General Plan Amendment
o Funding reserved for Municipal Services Report and CEQA • Public Safety (CIP 22.02 $200,000)
o Receiving informal bids on a Security Camera System
o Funding sufficient to begin this work
o Proposed Re-Org. of Public Safety - to manage this and other systems • Third Street Transformation (CIP 22.01 $552,140 - $300,000 grant pending) o Multi-Modal Transportation HUB Grant
o Component of a larger Economic Development Strategy
• Urban Growth Boundary/Sphere oflnfluence (CIP 21.11 $107,455 balance) o Back on track
o Heading soon towards LAFCO, General Plan Amendment Funding reserved for Municipal Services Report and CEQA
• Public Safety (CIP 22.02 $200,000)
o Receiving informal bids on a Security Camera System
o Funding sufficient to begin this work
o Proposed Re-Org, of Public Safety - to manage this and other systems o Funding new initiatives
General Fund Revenues projected to be down 15% - $2.3 million to $2.1 million Projected General Fund Expenses Decreased 11 % - From $2.3 million to $2.107million Subsidy of Community Development ($224,022) - In support of special Long-Term projects Water and Sewer building reserves for debt service
• Reorganized Public Safety
• Reorganized City staff
■ Bolster Recreation
■ Initiate Economic Development
■ Capital Improvements
o Abbe Park Ball Field Lights
o Bolster up Community Hall Acoustics project
o Bolster up Luck Park Historical Improvements
o Fleet Electrification (3CE grant)
o Dias Lift Station (sewer fund)
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Rachelle Eagen
Mary Hsia-Coran
Councilmember Morris-Lopez expressed concerned regarding additional positions being requested and asked about the cameras that will be placed around the city.
There will be a request for bids. The cameras will be placed in the three entrances, water tank, and runabout.
Mayor Pro Tern Freeman reminded the council that there should be a dialogue about the cameras, at least in the big intersections, and added that he would be in support of the proposed Recreation Assistant.
Councilmember Sabathia stated that he is in support of the proposed Recreation Coordinator; in support of the Community services officer; and would like to see City Hall open for longer hours.
Councilmember Freels stated that he agreed in taking some of the responsibilities off of the city clerk duties; would like to see the city hall open; but is on the fence about adding an additional Maintenance position.
Mayor Jordan suggested closing city hall during the lunch hour in order to help with cash handling; would like to see that the ACM/Community Development Director focus on others stuff instead focusing on Code Enforcement issues; and was hesitant about adding an additional Public Works Maintenance worker.
The following member of the public commented on the report:
Armando Venegas
Mary Hsin-Coron
Mayor Pro Tern Freeman was in favor of the proposed Recreation position, and added that the cost could be offset by selling t-shirts.
Mayor Jordan asked if the proposed Recreation position would be working with the Senior and the Youth, and the VFW, and added that she would like to see the Recreation Specialist come back in 90 days to provide an update.
1 The following members of the public commented on the report:
Mary Hsin-Coron
Rachelle Eagen
Estrella Esparza-Johnson
Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
• 13 projects completed in FY 22/23
• Spent $1.5 million
• The total value of the 13 projects is $2.3 million
• Street Improvements, Park improvements, design the sewer force main, local business and non-profit grants, and water rate study
The FY 23/24 CIP has 31 projects at a total cost of $21 million • $18.7 million is for the Sanitary Sewer Force Main (award contract in July) • Adding funds to complete the Community Hall Acoustic project, and Luck Park Historic Project - a new roof for the Luck Gas Station
• Complete the upgrade to the Dias Lift Station (Sewer Fund) • Abbe Park- new project requesting $150,000 for ball field lights • Electrify Fleet - new project using 3CE funds for power charging and vehicle acquisition The following members of the public commented on the report:
Teresa Lavagnino
One Time Funding from the General Fund Reserve for Special Initiatives • Intended to be a catalyst to ignite new programs
• Leaves the General Fund Reserve with 10-months of funding - Reduction from $2.263 million (12.5 months) to $1.898 million (10 months); well above the 2.5-month Reserve Policy
City Manager Reynolds stated that based on the City Manger's Budget Message included in the May 16, 2023 Agenda, and following the introduction of the City draft budget, there is room for limited growth in the new Fiscal Year 23/24. The City's General Fund Reserve is very strong at more than $3 million. There are significant savings in the current year to off-set losses in other funding sources. Staff has been directed to consider the re-organization of the City Clerk's duties, and has taken the initiative to consider re-organization of Public Safety. The City needs to update and strengthen its Historic Preservation tools, and needs to support its new endeavor to build a Recreation program. Staff considerations address these matters as are summarized in this report.
The City Council was in support of eliminating private security and adding two new full-time positions: Public Safety Coordinator and Community Service Officer; General Governmentadd a part time Office Assistant.
The City Council was not in support of a full time Maintenance Worker nor a adding a part time Economic Development Specialist.
J
Councilmember Sabathia requested there we more dialogue regarding the reorganization. City Manager Reynolds stated that we would need another meeting to discuss the organization chart, proposed positions, timeline when we were eliminating the Code Enforcement position, and reduction of those hours, and timeline in losing and adding positions.
Council thanked staff for an interactive and informative meeting.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Rachelle Eagen
Mary Hsia-Coron
Councilmember Freels stated that he was not in support of donating 14,000 to one organization and was concerned and how many kids from San Juan would attend.
Mayor Pro Tern Freeman stated that he is in favor of supporting the summer youth program.
4. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Jordan adjourned the meeting at 9:04 p.m. Motion to adjourn by Mayor Pro Tern Freeman, second by Councilmember Sabathia.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
)
Page I 5 City Council Meeting Minutes (May 25, 2023)