Page | 1 City Council Meeting Minutes (February 20, 2024)
CITY OF SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
CITY COUNCIL
UNOFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 20, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Jordan called the regular meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 311 Second Street, San Juan Bautista California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Freeman led the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL Present:
Councilmember John Freeman
Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Q. Jordan
Councilmember Jackie Morris-Lopez
Councilmember EJ Sabathia
Absent:
Mayor Scott Freels
Staff Present:
Elizabeth Soto, CMC, CPMC, Acting City Clerk
Don Reynolds, City Manager
Jon R Giffen, City Attorney
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Received public comment from the following members of the public:
Danny Barrera, Jovenes de Atano
Mrs. Bains
Margot Tankersley
3. PRESENTATION
A. San Benito County Tobacco Education Program
Presentation by Crystal Ruiz, Project Coordinator, and Javier Perez, Community & Coalition Engagement Coordinator from San Benito County Health Department. The purpose of the San Bonito County Tobacco Education Program is to educate the community about the dangers of tobacco use, particularly secondhand and thirdhand smoke. The program aims to raise awareness about the potential health risks associated with tobacco smoke exposure, promote tobacco cessation and prevention efforts, and reduce tobacco-related health disparities in the Page | 2 City Council Meeting Minutes (February 20, 2024) community. It provides resources, support, and education to improve the overall health and wellbeing of the community.
The following members of the public commented on the presentation:
Ramona Hill
Add agenda item
The Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement (NEFA) was added to the meeting agenda.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Freeman, second by Councilmember Sabathia, Action item A.
Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement was added to the agenda as an action item.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Pro Tem Jordan; NOES:
None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Mayor Freels
ACTION
A. Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement
Kathryn Ramirez, IWM Staff Analyst from San Benito County Resource Management Agency Integrated Waste Management (IWM). The Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement, referred to as Non-Exclusive Agreement (NEFA), is a competitive program that grants haulers the nonexclusive right to collect solid waste in temporary roll off debris service boxes within city limits.
It also states that the current NEFA process between the county and cities to monitor hauler solid waste collection has been in effect for several decades without revisions.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Laurie Tankersley, Integrated Waste Management
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Freeman, second by Councilmember Mayor Pro Tem Jordan, a Memorandum of Understanding between the County of San Benito and the Cities of San Juan Bautista and Hollister for the Establishment and Administration of a Non-Exclusive Permit System for the Collection And Diversion of Solid Waste, was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Pro Tem Jordan; NOES:
None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Mayor Freels
4. PUBLIC HEARING
A. An Ordinance of the City of San Juan Bautista Amending Chapter 5, Refuse Collection and Recycling, of the Municipal Code to Update Nonexclusive Franchise Agreements for the Collection of Solid Waste to Comply with SB1383.
Page | 3 City Council Meeting Minutes (February 20, 2024) The code revisions and the memorandum of understanding are set to formalize the relationship and streamline the overall process for staff and haulers.
No public comment.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Freeman, second by Councilmember Sabathia, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 5, Refuse Collection and Recycling, of the San Juan Bautista Municipal Code to update the definitions and Franchises for solid waste collection to comply with SB 1383 requirements, and hold a Public Hearing, was introduced.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Pro Tem Jordan; NOES:
None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Mayor Freels
5. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
A. Treasurer’s Report and Monthly Financial Statements
City Treasurer Michelle Sabathia provided a brief overview of the Financials for December 2023. No public comments were received.
B. Reports from City Council Representatives to Regional Organizations and Committees The City Council reported on meetings they attended and provided a brief overview. No public comments were received.
C. City Council and Staff Announcements
Hacienda Del Leal is under new ownership and will have a grand opening on Thursday, April 18th. Senior lunches will be provided at the Community Center every Thursday. There will be an Artisan and Winery Showcase on July 27-28th, and the Second Annual Harvest Festival will occur in October.
City Manager Reynolds announced that the street closure information for the upcoming events will be forwarded to the City Council for approval during the March meeting.
D. City Manager’s Report
City Manager Don Reynolds provided the staff report followed by a PowerPoint presentation.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Michael Ponce
Cara Vonk
a) Fire Department Update
Nothing to report.
b) Sheriff Department Update
Nothing to report.
Page | 4 City Council Meeting Minutes (February 20, 2024)
6. CONSENT
A. Approve the Affidavit of Posting Agenda.
B. Approve a RESOLUTION Authorizing Closure of Streets for Warner Bros Pictures “BC Project”
C. Approve a RESOLUTION Authorizing Closure of Streets for Community Street Mandala.
D. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of October 17, 2023.
E. Approve the Special Meeting Minutes of November 14, 2023.
Item A
No public comment.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Sabathia, second by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, Consent Item A was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Pro Tem Jordan; NOES:
None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Mayor Freels
Item B
No public comment.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Sabathia, second by Councilmember Freeman, Consent Item B was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Pro Tem Jordan; NOES:
None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Mayor Freels
Item C
The following member of the public commented on the report:
Ramona Hill, Credo Studio, Change street closure to Polk Street between Second and Third Street.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Sabathia, second by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, the amended Resolution approving the Street Closure for the Mandala Project from Polk Street between Second and Third, was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Pro Tem Jordan; NOES:
None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Mayor Freels
Mayor Pro Tem Jordan requested consent items D and E be tabled to the next meeting.
Page | 5 City Council Meeting Minutes (February 20, 2024)
7. ACTION ITEMS
A. Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Mid-Year Budget Adjustment
City Manager Don Reynolds provided the report. The FY 2023/24 initiatives include programs such as reorganizing public safety, reorganizing city general services, economic development, historic preservation, recreation, capital improvement program, climate action plan, library rain gutters, and a CD fee study. The Economic Development program includes funding for various memberships, conferences, training, and community engagement and assessment. The Recreation program includes funding for a recreation technician, volunteer processing, new summer programs, program supplies, equipment, staff/volunteer training, and uniform allowance.
The City has been focused on three initiatives since 2022: CIP21.11 - Urban Growth Boundary/Sphere of Influence, CIP 22.01 - the 3rd Street Master Plan, and CIP 22.02 - Public Safety Committee recommendations.
The General Fund is showing a small growth, the water and sewer enterprise funds are growing at higher rates than budgeted, and all three funds are showing various degrees of savings during the first 6 months.
Councilmember Sabathia asked that the approval of the permits go through the Recreation Assistant. Councilmember Sabathia stated that he was in favor of the Public Safety salary adjustment.
The City Council was in favor of reducing the EV Vehicle purchase from $70,000 to $50,000 Mayor Pro Tem Jordan requested Brenda Weatherly from the San Benito Leadership Institute come back to Council to make a presentation and clarify a few questions.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Cara Vonk Capital
Councilmember Morris-Lopez expressed concern regarding increasing the Recreation Technician hours from 20 a week to 30 a week.
The Amended Resolution to include:
Elimination of the Code Enforcement Officer
Leadership Academy is being tabled until March, pending a presentation to the City Council.
Reduce vehicle line item from 78,000 to 50,000
The Public Safety Officer uniform budget tabled for the Public Safety Officer to decide what equipment/uniform is needed.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Sabathia, second by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, the amended Resolution amending the budget for Fiscal Year 23/24 as indicated to reflect higher than expected revenues, savings, and several new projects and studies to be initiated before the end of the fiscal year (June 30), was approved.
Page | 6 City Council Meeting Minutes (February 20, 2024) AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Pro Tem Jordan; NOES:
None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Mayor Freels
8. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Focus on Downtown; A. Parking Management Plan; B. Vacancy Ordinance; C. Façade Improvements.
City Manager Reynolds stated that the Parking Management Study was done in 2020.
The City Council discussed the need for a parking management plan for downtown. A parking study was commissioned in 2012, which highlighted the need for paid parking to finance infrastructure improvements. The cost per parking space was estimated to be between $6,000 and $7,100. The implementation of parking regulations and enforcement was also emphasized.
The Council discussed the possibility of implementing a vacancy tax. The tax would be imposed on properties that remain vacant for an extended period of time. The City Manager, Don Reynolds stated that a ballot measure would be required to implement this tax, and exemptions for low-income property owners and exceptional circumstances would be considered.
There was a previous existence of a facade grant program, which aimed to help business owners improve the appearance of their building facades. The Council suggested that a similar program could be reinstated to encourage building owners to invest in facade improvements.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Cara Vonk, city façade; support Vacancy tax
9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Freeman requested to add parking with EV chargers.
Councilmember Morris-Lopez requested to have an Ordinance regarding late and pass due invoices; review the vendor that charges the water bills. Downtown: The barrels with succulents impede left turns; impede parking, impede left turn. Councilmember Morris-Lopez asked what the City can do to help the Senior Center.
Councilmember Sabathia requested to have the street closure for Mrs. Bains (two) festivals be brought forward for approval at the next meeting (March).
No public comment.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting by Councilmember Sabathia, second by Councilmember MorrisLopez. All in favor.
There being no other business, Mayor Freels adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
Page | 7 City Council Meeting Minutes (February 20, 2024) APPROVED:
_____________________
Scott Freels, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
Elizabeth Soto, CMC, CPMC, Acting City Clerk