Page | 1 City Council Meeting Minutes (April 16, 2024)
CITY OF SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
CITY COUNCIL
UNOFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 16 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Jordan called the regular meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 311 Second Street, San Juan Bautista California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL Present:
Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Q. Jordan
Councilmember Jackie Morris-Lopez
Mayor Scott Freels
Absent:
Councilmember John Freeman
Councilmember EJ Sabathia
Staff Present:
Elizabeth Soto, CMC, CPMC, Acting City Clerk
Don Reynolds, City Manager
Jon R Giffen, City Attorney
2. CLOSED SESSION – 5:30 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to:
a. Public Employee Performance Evaluation – (California Government Code section §54957(b)(1)) – the City Attorney.
No public comment.
Mayor Freels adjourned to a closed session at 5:34 p.m.
Mayor Freels reconvened the meeting at 6:02 p.m.
City Attorney Giffen announced that there was no reportable action.
3. PROCLAMATION
The City of San Juan Bautista proclaimed:
A. Peak Day, April 28, 2024
B. National Preservation Month, May 2024
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4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Received general public comments from the following members of the public:
Laurie Tankersley, San Benito County Waste Management
5. FORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
A. Treasurer’s Report and Monthly Financial Statements
City Treasurer Wendy Cumming, CPA provided the financial report for February 2023.
B. Reports from City Council Representatives to Regional Organizations and Committees
The City Councilmembers reported on the regional meetings that they attended.
C. City Council Announcements
The City Council members announced upcoming events.
D. City Manager’s Report
City Manager Don Reynolds presented the report folllwed by a PowerPoint presentation. City Manger Reynolds reported that there will be a staff training that will focus on improving the skills and knowledge of city employees and community workshop. To help the city engagement with the community. Two positions have been filled. The Part-Time Administrative Assistant and staff has started the on-boarding for Roy Morales as the Public Safety Coordinator.
There will be a Goal Setting meeting on May 4. The Planning Commission will be hosting a workshop on May 18 to revise the Temporary Use of Land Permit and make zoning code changes.
The Community will have an opportunity to provide feedback. A grant application for the Third Street Transformation Initiative, with a focus on designing bike paths and citizen input.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Michael Ponce
a. Fire Department Update –
Fire Marshall Charlie Bedolla reported the statistics for March 2024. There were no fires reported, but there was fifteen (15) medical incidents, and fifteen (15) vehicle accidents.
No public comment.
b. Sheriff Department Update –
Deputy Sherriff Villanueva provided statistics for March 2024.
No public comment.
c. Public Safety Department Update –
Receive Report from Roy Morales, Public Safety Coordinatorm provided a status report for March 2024 that included San Benito Sherrif’s Department, Hollister Fire Department, and San Juan Bautista Code Enfocement.
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No public comment.
d. Library Department Update –
Rochelle Eagen, Library Supervisor, reported on the programs offered at the library, services the county offers city residents, and upcoming library projects.
No public comment.
6. CONSENT
A. Approve the Affidavit of Posting Agenda.
B. Approve a RESOLUTION Authorizing the Closure of Streets for Earth Day 2024.
C. 2024 Weed Abatement Program
Recommendation: Approve a RESOLUTION declaring the condition of certain properties to constitute a public nuisance, ordering the abatement of weeds thereon, and noticing a public hearing for the receipt of objections to the proposed abatement
D. Approve Job Description for City Clerk, Code and Community Services Liaison, and Maintenance Worker I/II
Recommendation: Approve a RESOLUTION adopting new and revised job descriptions (“JD”) for the positions of City Clerk, Code, and Community Services Liaison, and Maintenance Worker I and II, (“MW 1 & 2”).
E. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of January 16, 2024.
F. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 20, 2023 (Tabled) No public comment.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Jordan, second by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, Consent Item A, B, C, and E was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Jordan, Morris-Lopez, and Mayor Freels; NOES: None; ABSENT: Councilmember Sabathia; ABSTAIN: None
Item D
The job description for the Community Services Liason should be changed to Code Enforcement and Community Services Officer.
No public comment.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Jordan, second by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, the Approving the Job Description for City Clerk, Code Enfocement and Community Services Page | 4 City Council Meeting Minutes (April 16, 2024)
Officer, and Maintenance Worker I/II was approved as amended.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Jordan, Morris-Lopez, and Mayor Freels; NOES: None; ABSENT: Councilmember Sabathia; ABSTAIN: None
7. ACTION ITEMS
A. Determine Specific Times and Place Consistent with Municipal Codes 5-1-165 And 5-16-100, and Authorize Non-Profit Organization Anzar High School Booster Club to Sell Safe and Sane Fireworks for the Fourth of July Holiday City Attorney Jon Giffen provided report. The City Council is considering whether to permit or prohibit the sale and use of fireworks for the Fourth of July holiday. The Anzar High School Booster Club has applied to sell "Safe and Sane" fireworks. The City has previously implemented a "Zero Tolerance" policy for fireworks and increased enforcement measures due to dry drought conditions. Three draft alternative resolutions have been presented for the Council to consider, including options to continue the prohibition on fireworks, allow the use of safe and sane fireworks on private property, or deny the Anzar Boosters' request to sell fireworks.
“Subject to the prohibition on their use at all times within the City, in accordance with Section 5- 1-165 of the Municipal Code, the City Council hereby directs that one permit be issued for the sale of factory-packaged fireworks of the type permitted by the California State Fire Marshall for use by the general public for their use where permitted by local regulation and requests the Fire Chief of the City of Hollister to issue that permit to the Anzar High School Boosters Cub to allow the sale of such fireworks in the City of San Juan Bautista at the Windmill Market, 301 The Alameda between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. commencing at noon on June 30, 2024 and ending at 7:00 P.M. on July 4, 2024. The Anzar High School Boosters Club is a non-profit organization and is not required to obtain a business permit for this fundraising event from which the receipts are used solely for a benevolent purpose.”
The Council has the authority to further limit the use of fireworks, and staff will work with partners to establish a special enforcement team. It was requeted to end the daily sales of fireworks at 9:00 p.m. in order to be consistent with the Windmill hours of operation. On July 4th the sales will end at 7:00 p.m.
Fire Marshall Bedolla stated that the “safe and sane” fireworks with approved sticker are the only ones that are allowed.
The following members of the public commented on the report.
Laura, Anzar parent representing Anzar School.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Jordan, second by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, the Resolution Affirming the Prohibition on the Use Within the City of all Fireworks at any Time and Authorizing the Anzar High School Boosters Club to Sell Fireworks Within the City for the July 4, 2024, Holiday was approved as amended.
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AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Jordan, Morris-Lopez, and Mayor Freels; NOES: None; ABSENT: Councilmember Sabathia; ABSTAIN: None
B. Amend The Permanent Local Housing Allocation (“PLHA”) Program Allocating 95% Of 2019 Grant Funds ($72,199 Of A Five-Year Total Of $455,999) From Accessory Dwelling Unit (“ADU”) Code Compliance Grants To Homeless Supportive Services And The 5% Administrative Allocation From 2019 Of $3,800 For County Administrative Costs, And Programming 95% Of The 2020-2024 Funds For ADU Compliance Grants And 5% For City Administrative Costs City Manager Don Reynolds provided the report. The City of San Juan Bautista has been allocated $455,999 in Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) grant funds for a five-year period from 2019 to 2024. The recommended motion is to amend the PLHA program by allocating 95% of the 2019 grant funds ($72,199) for homeless supportive services in the first year, and allocating 5% ($3,800) for county administrative costs. The remaining 95% of the grant funds for the years 2020- 2024 will be allocated for the ADU Code Compliance Grant program.
The City Manager is authorized to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with San Benito County Public Health Department to deliver the homeless supportive services. The City needs to amend the five-year PLHA plan and execute the MOU by April 30, 2024, to avoid the state reallocating the 2019 funds for a different state housing program. There is no fiscal impact on the City's General Fund, as the programmatic change only affects the allocation of state housing grant funds.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, second by Mayor Pro Tem Jordan, the Resolution amending the 5-year PLHA program by maintaining the 5% allocation for administrative costs in all five years, but moving the homeless supportive services program forward from years 4-5 to the first year (95% of 2019, or $72,199), and allocating 5% ($3,800) from the 2019 funds for County administrative costs, and allocate 95% in Grant funds in years 2020-2024 for the ADU Code Compliance Grant program, and authorize the City Manager to execute the attached Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with San Benito County Public Health Department to deliver the HSS services, was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freeman, Jordan, Morris-Lopez, and Mayor Freels; NOES: None; ABSENT: Councilmember Sabathia; ABSTAIN: None
8. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Consider a “Vacant Property Registration” Program vs a “Vacancy Tax” City Manager Don Reynolds and Citygate Stacey Barstow provided the report. The City of San Juan Bautista has been considering implementing a vacancy tax as an incentive for property owners to maintain and lease their vacant buildings. Instead of a vacancy tax, it has been suggested to consider a "Vacancy Registration" program, similar to the one in West Hollywood.
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The Vacancy Registration program in West Hollywood involves the compliance officer working with the property owner to register the property, classify it, and inspect it.
The annual registration fees for the Vacancy Registration program in West Hollywood vary based on the property classification, ranging from no-cost for stable properties to $26,640 for failed properties. The revenue generated from the Vacancy Registration program can be used to pay for new beautification programs, such as painting and improving facades.
Vacancy Tax:
A vacancy tax is a tax imposed on property owners for keeping their buildings vacant for extended periods. The tax is intended to incentivize property owners to lease their vacant buildings quickly.
The tax is typically calculated based on the duration of the vacancy, with the owner being taxed per day, week, or month. The purpose of the vacancy tax is to reduce the blight caused by vacant buildings in the downtown area.
Vacancy Registration Program:
A vacancy registration program involves property owners registering their vacant properties with the city. The program typically includes a classification system for vacant properties based on their condition or level of risk. Property owners are required to pay an annual registration fee based on the classification of their vacant property. The program may also involve inspections of the vacant properties to ensure compliance with health and safety measures. The fees collected from the registration program can be used to fund maintenance and beautification efforts in the downtown area.
While a vacancy tax imposes a financial penalty on property owners for keeping their buildings vacant, a vacancy registration program focuses on registering and classifying vacant properties, with fees collected to support maintenance and improvement initiatives.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Michael Ponce, incentives for new business owners
9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
The City Councilmembers requested the following items:
Mayor Pro Tem Jordan:
Vacancy Property Registration / inventory
Lighting at Abbe Park
Councilmember Morris-Lopez:
Update on Casa Roza and Niels Market
Wine barrels on Third Street
Graffitti on mural – add additional lighting / security camera Page | 7 City Council Meeting Minutes (April 16, 2024)
10. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting by Mayor Freels, second by Mayor Pro Tem Jordan. All in favor.
There being no other business, Mayor Freels adjourned the meeting at 8:33 p.m.
APPROVED:
_____________________
Scott Freels, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
Elizabeth Soto, CMC, CPMC, Acting City Clerk