Page | 1 City Council Meeting Minutes (October 17, 2023)
CITY OF SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
CITY COUNCIL
UNOFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 17, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Jordan called the regular meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 311 Second Street, San Juan Bautista California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Sabathia led the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL Present:
Councilmember Scott Freels
Mayor Pro Tem John Freeman
Councilmember Jackie Morris-Lopez
Councilmember EJ Sabathia
Mayor Leslie Q. Jordan
Absent:
Staff Present:
Don Reynolds, City Manager
Jon R Giffen, City Attorney
Brian Foucht, Assistant CM/Community Development Director Elizabeth Soto, Deputy City Clerk
Mayor Jordan recessed to closed session at 5:03 p.m.
2. CLOSED SESSION – 5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to:
a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section §54956.9 - One (1) potential case.
City Attorney Giffen announced that the City Council met in closed session but there was no reportable action taken.
Mayor Jordan reconvened the meeting at 6:02 p.m.
3. PROCLAMATION
The City of San Juan Bautista proclaimed:
A. Philanthropy Day, November 16, 2023
B. National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, 2023 The City Council honored Heidi Balz for being named the Philanthropist of the Year for 2023.
Page | 2 City Council Meeting Minutes (October 17, 2023)
4. PRESENTATION
A. Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Update
Mr. Ray Espinosa, CEO for San Benito County introduced Cecilia Montalvo, ECG Management Consultants. The County of Board of Supervisors missioned staff to review options that will help the hospital in the long run.
Ms. Montalvo provided a brief overview of the Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Assessment.
Councilmember Freels expressed concerned regarding having the city provide any type of funding to Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.
No public comment.
5. INTRODUCTION
A. Introduce Caitlin Brady, Recreation Assistant
City Manager Reynolds introduced newly hired Recreation Assistant Caitlin Brady. Ms. Brady introduced herself. The City Council welcomed Ms. Brady.
6. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Received general public comment.
7. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
A. Treasurer’s Report and Monthly Financial Statements
City Treasurer Michelle Sabathia provided the monthly Financial Statement for July 2023. No public comments were received.
B. Reports from City Council Representatives to Regional Organizations and Committees Councilmembers reported on meetings they attended. No public comments were received.
C. City Council Announcements
Councilmembers announced upcoming events happening in the city. No public comments were received.
D. City Manager’s Report
City Manager Reynolds provided a staff report accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation. a. Fire Department Update –
Fire Marshal/Deputy Fire Marshal Charlie Bedolla provided an update on calls received and incidents that happened for September 2023. No public comments were received. b. Sheriff Department Update –
Page | 3 City Council Meeting Minutes (October 17, 2023)
8. CONSENT
A. Approve the Affidavit of Posting Agenda.
B. Waive the Reading of Ordinances and Resolutions on the Agenda Beyond the Title.
C. Approve a RESOLUTION Authorizing a Street Closure for a Special Event. Pulled D. Adopt an ORDINANCE Revising Title 13 “Violations” by Repealing and Replacing Article 4 “Noticed Nuisance Abatement Procedure” and Article 5 “Emergency Nuisance Abatement Procedure” of Chapter 1 “Enforcement” by Adoption of an Ordinance Entitled “Alternative Public Nuisance Abatement Procedures.” (Second Reading) E. Approve a RESOLUTION changing the Location of the Public Art Installation at San Juan Bautista Library.
F. Authorize the City Manager to Reject the Claim of Kazuko Kurasaki and Kurt Kurasaki.
G. Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 19, 2023. Tabled Item C was pulled
Item G was tabled to the next meeting.
No public comment received.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Sabathia, second Councilmember Morris-Lopez, Consent Agenda items A,B and D-F, was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freels, Freeman, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan; NOES:
None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None.
9. ACTION ITEMS
A. Agreement with Flock Group, Inc. to Install and Operate a Citywide Security Camera System
City Manager Don Reynolds provided the report. The initial goal of investing in this highly technical equipment, is to cover the basics – entrances and exits. If additional coverage is warranted, additional cameras can be added to each of these systems.
The Flock service agreement is full service – they install, monitor, and maintain all of it. There is a fee for replacing damaged cameras. The City’s role and responsibilities are reduced to accessing stored data for evidence, and the use of the live feed software when needed. The system administrator is intended to be the newly recruited Public Safety Coordinator.
The proposed agreement that is attached is for only two-years at $18,000 per year ($3,000 per camera times 6-cameras). The first year includes $2,100 for the installation, training and testing of the system.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Sabathia, second by Mayor Pro Tem Freeman, RESOLUTION Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Flock Group, Inc. for the Lease of a Citywide Security Camera System, was approved.
Page | 4 City Council Meeting Minutes (October 17, 2023) AYES: Councilmembers: Freels, Freeman, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan; NOES:
None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None.
B. Agreement with National Main Street Centers
City Manager Don Reynolds and Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Brian Foucht provided the report. The City Council accepted the annual report of the EDCAC and directed staff and the Committee to prepare an economic development strategy for the City. The EDCAC is expected to partner with State and County agencies and entities to draft a strategy that is based on the City's history and assets. revitalization of Third Street, envisioned by the Third Street Master Plan, is viewed by the EDCAC as an essential part of an overall economic development strategy.
Amanda Elliott, Program Manager for Main Street America reviewed the Community Assessment and Transformation Strategy Development.
The following members of the public comment commented on the report:
Wanda Guibert
Darlene Boyd
The City Councilmembers expressed concern and were not in favor of supporting the agreement with Main Street Centers.
Motion failed and the City Council took no action.
C. Notice of Intention to Amend the General Plan by Accepting Urban Growth Boundary Ad Hoc Committee Recommended Sphere of Influence, Urban Growth Boundary, and Planning Area
Receive Report from City Manager Don Reynolds and the Urban Growth Boundary Ad Hoc Committee Chair Chris Martorana.
The following members of the public comment commented on the report:
Rosa Loayza
Bob Fulton
Jose Aranda
Fran Fitzharris
Dan DeVries
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Freels, second Councilmember Sabathia, to bring back the Notice of Intention to Amend the General Plan by Accepting Urban Growth Boundary Ad Hoc Committee Recommended Sphere of Influence, Urban Growth Boundary, and Planning Area, for further discussion, was approved.
Page | 5 City Council Meeting Minutes (October 17, 2023) AYES: Councilmembers: Freels, Freeman, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan; NOES:
None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None.
D. Fill a Vacancy on the Planning Commission / Historic Resources Board City Manager Reynolds stated that the Ad Hoc Committee did not have an opportunity to meet and interview the candidates.
Councilmember Morris-Lopez expressed concern regarding the application process.
City Attorney Giffen stated that at the last Council meeting, the candidate to fill a vacancy was voted down. The Municipal Code states that when one candidate is voted down then a new candidate or candidates should be submitted.
Councilmember Sabathia recommend the Council to appoint a new Ad Hoc Committee.
Receive feedback from the Ad-Hoc Committee, and direct the City Council to a) Re-direct the AdHoc Committee to interview the candidates together; b) Appoint a new Ad-Hoc Committee; c) Consider re-opening the application process for one position on the Planning Commission/HRB.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Sabathia, second by Councilmember Freels, to appoint a new Ad Hoc Committee, was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freels, Freeman, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: Councilmember Morris-Lopez; ABSENT: None.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Mayor Jordan, second by Councilmember Freels, to appoint Councilmember Sabathia and Councilmember Morris-Lopez to the Ad Hoc Committee, was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freels, Freeman, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan; NOES:
None; ABSTAIN: Councilmember; ABSENT: None.
10. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. First Steps in Considering and Establishing a Golf Cart/Nev Transportation Plan in San Juan Bautista
Item was tabled to the next meeting.
B. Third Street Parklet Status
City Manager Reynolds announced there are changes coming. In March the City Council voted to continue the parklets for food and beverage and retail. Before December 21, 2023, the City Council will need to decide in what direction to move forward.
Mayor Pro Tem Freeman in favor of continuing the parklets until state law allows.
Page | 6 City Council Meeting Minutes (October 17, 2023) The following members of the public commented on the report:
Leanna Brothers
Elise in favor of continuing the parklets
Chris Martorana in favor of restricting the parklets to food and beverage Rhonda Io in favor of parklets
Fran Fitzharris
Jose Aranda in support of business
Margot Tankersley in favor of parklets for food and beverage establishments Wanda Guibert in support of continuing hospitality parklets Cara Vonk
The City Council directed staff to bring back a Resolution at the November 14 meeting to rescind existing resolution.
C. Status of Safety Consideration for State Highway 156 During Construction Item tabled to the next meeting.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting by Councilmember Sabathia, second by Councilmember Freels.
All in favor.
There being no other business, Mayor Jordan adjourned the meeting at 12:05 a.m.
APPROVED:
_____________________
Leslie Q. Jordan, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Elizabeth Soto, Deputy City Clerk