CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
City Council
Regular Meeting
Joint Meeting with
Board of Library Trustees
Hereinafter the titles Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmember, City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk may be used also to indicate Mayor/Chair/President, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair/Vice President, City Manager/Executive Director, City Attorney/Counsel, and City Clerk/Secretary ~Minutes~
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 6:00 PM City Council Chambers
INVOCATION
Councilmember Weste delivered the invocation.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gibbs called to order the Joint Regular meeting of the City Council and Board of Library Trustees at 6:17 p.m.
ROLL CALL
All Councilmembers were present.
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Weste led the flag salute.
EXECUTIVE MEETING
This time has been set aside for Councilmembers to review the agenda and obtain any further information that may be needed. Council will also discuss each individual item during the course of the meeting with the exception of the Consent Calendar, which may be approved in its entirety by one motion, unless there is a request to pull an item for discussion. No action will be taken on public agenda items during the Executive Meeting.
Agenda item 7 was pulled for a separate vote. Awards and Recognitions, item 6, and item 7 received requests to speak cards.
Councilwoman McLean requested adjournment of tonight's meeting in memory of Susan Lentini and invited her family and Zonta members in attendance to receive a certificate. Mayor Pro Tem Smyth, and Councilmembers Weste and Miranda spoke in memory of Ms. Lentini.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Councilmember Weste spoke of the West Ranch High School Wildcat Marching Band, that recently performed at the City's Fourth of July Parade and took home the award for best High School Band. Julio Diaz, Percussion Director, Esther Kamp, Colorguard Director, and members of the West Ranch Marching Band were invited to the dais to take a photo and accept their awards.
Councilmember Miranda discussed raising awareness about childhood cancer and that the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer provides financial and emotional support to children and their families battling cancer. Councilmember Miranda announced that the City proclaims September 2023 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and invited Sue and Chris Hoefflin, founders of the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer, as well as board and family members, to the dais to receive the proclamation and take a photo.
Addressing the Council regarding the Constitution Week Proclamation was Nancy (no last name provided).
Mayor Pro Tem Smyth commented on the United States Constitution and the week's celebration of it started by the Daughters of the American Revolution to honor the birth of the nation’s fundamental governing framework. Mayor Pro Tem Smyth announced that the City proclaims the week of September 13 as Constitution Week and invited Jennifer Fitzwater, Elise Leithauser, and Sheryl Kolt of the Alliklik Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to the dais to receive the proclamation and take a photo.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Addressing the Council were Elaine (no last name provided) regarding politicians and elections; Kody Amour regarding the homeless crisis; Ashe Mahoney regarding minimum parking mandates; Steve Petzold regarding The Master's University, German American Heritage Month, campaign finance, and College of the Canyons; Cindy Josten regarding politics; and Nancy (no last name provided) regarding passport services in Santa Clarita.
STAFF COMMENTS
There were none.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Weste invited the community to take part in the upcoming River Rally at the Newhall Community Center on September 16 and the Pow Wow at Hart Park on September 30 through October 1.
Councilmember Miranda commented on the upcoming German American Heritage month and spoke of Ms. Valladares' attendance at Council meetings. Councilmember Miranda announced an upcoming fundraiser for Bridge to Home and commented on Measure H fund; gave his support for recognition of The Master's University; and announced that the City is transitioning to the new redesigned website, SantaClarita.gov, on September 25.
Councilwoman McLean spoke of the recent Northern Corridor Cities meeting and announced that good things are coming for the Antelope Valley Metrolink line. Councilwoman McLean announced that September 19 is National Voter Registration Day.
Mayor Gibbs requested adjournment in memory of Al Hodek.
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 1
NOMINATION TO THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON
HOMELESSNESS
The Los Angeles County Executive Committee on Homelessness was recently established by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and is intended to develop a countywide plan to address homelessness. The motion establishes a nine-member Executive Committee, including a representative for the Los Angeles North County and San Fernando Valley subregions.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council discuss and recommend a member of the City Council to serve on the Los Angeles County Executive Committee on Homelessness.
Intergovernmental Relations Officer Masis Hagobian provided the staff report.
Council inquired about the other members of the committee, and Mr. Hagobian responded.
Mayor Pro Tem Smyth volunteered to be a part of the committee, and Council concurred.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Laurene Weste, Councilmember
SECONDER: Marsha McLean, Councilmember
AYES: Gibbs, Smyth, McLean, Miranda, Weste
CONSENT CALENDAR
Agenda Item 7 was pulled for a separate vote.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Cameron Smyth, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Laurene Weste, Councilmember
AYES: Gibbs, Smyth, McLean, Miranda, Weste
ITEM 2
APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – The minutes are submitted for approval.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council approve the minutes of the August 22, 2023, Regular Meeting.
ITEM 3
CHECK REGISTER NOS. 17 AND 18
Check Register No. 17 for the Period 07/14/23 through 07/27/23 and 08/03/23. Electronic Funds Transfers for the Period 07/17/23 through 07/28/23. Check Register No. 18 for the Period 07/28/23 through 08/10/23 and 08/17/23. Electronic Funds Transfers for the Period 07/31/23 through 08/11/23.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council approve and ratify for payment the demands presented in Check Register No. 17 and Check Register No. 18.
ITEM 4
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY
MEMBERSHIP FUNDING
City Council consideration to authorize an appropriation of $20,000 for the City of Santa Clarita's annual member contribution to the Santa Clarita Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council appropriate $20,000 annually from the Stormwater Utility fund balance to expenditure account 3567200-510102 for Fiscal Year 2023-24 through Fiscal Year 2026-27 to pay for Santa Clarita Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency membership dues.
Appropriations commencing in Fiscal Year 2024-25 are contingent upon appropriation of funds by the City Council during the annual budget process.
ITEM 5
2023 ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STUDY
City Council consideration to establish prima facie speed limits for 13 highway segments that meet the criteria included in the 2023 Traffic and Engineering Survey Study.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution establishing prima facie speed limits on each roadway segment included in the 2023 Engineering and Traffic Survey Study.
2. Direct the City Clerk to certify the 2023 Engineering and Traffic Survey Study.
3. Direct staff to install the necessary speed limit signage changes brought about by adopting the 2023 Engineering and Traffic Survey Study.
4. Request the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to continue the radar enforcement program on City of Santa Clarita streets and highways covered in the 2023 Engineering and Traffic Survey Study as soon as the signage changes are complete.
Adopted Resolution No. 23-72
ITEM 6
SPECIALIZED DUMP TRUCK CONTRACT
This item would approve the purchase of a 2025 Freightliner 114SD, Cummins L9N 320 HP Engine, CNG dump truck, using Sourcewell contract #060920-NAF.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Approve the “piggyback” purchase of a 2025 Freightliner 114SD, Cummins L9N 320 HP Engine, Compressed Natural Gas dump truck, using Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract #060920-NAF in an amount not to exceed $327,733.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
Addressing the Council was Steve Petzold.
ITEMS PULLED FOR A SEPARATE VOTE
ITEM 7
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO CHANGE THE ZONING DESIGNATION FROM NON-URBAN 5 TO MIXED-USE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND
ESTABLISH THE JOBS CREATION OVERLAY ZONE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHADOWBOX STUDIOS PROJECT (MASTER CASE 21-109)
The second reading of an ordinance for the implementation of a zone change and overlay zone associated with the Shadowbox Studios project, a nearly 1.3 million square foot film and television studio campus, including 19 soundstages, a two-story warehouse support building, three-story office, catering facilities, and a four-story (with five parking levels) parking garage.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council waive reading of the text and consent to read by title only, as listed on the agenda, and adopt an ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONE CHANGE 21-001 (MASTER CASE 21-109) TO AMEND THE CITY’S ZONING MAP AND CHANGE THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBERS 2834-002-046, 2834-003-044, 2834- 016-041, 2834-017-021, 2834-001-014, 2834-005-041, 2834-004-045, 2834-014-043, AND 2834-015-021 FROM NON-URBAN 5 TO MIXED-USE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND ESTABLISH THE JOBS CREATION OVERLAY ZONE ACROSS ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBERS 2834-021-034, 2834-001-034, 2834-011-021, 2834-010-043, 2834-008-039, 2834- 001-015, 2834-006-041, 2834-007-045, 2834-013-041, 2834-021-023, 2834-005-041, 2834-004- 045, 2834-014-043, AND 2834-015-021.”
Councilmember Weste recused herself from participating in this item due to the proximity of her property and left the Council Chambers.
Addressing the Council were Keith Shaw; Peggy Cannistraci; Teresa Todd, representing Placerita Canyon Property Owners Association; and Lynne Plambeck, representing Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment.
Council commented on maintaining standards and conditions of approval on projects.
Adopted Ordinance No. 23-8
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Cameron Smyth, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Bill Miranda, Councilmember
AYES: Jason Gibbs, Cameron Smyth, Marsha McLean, Bill Miranda RECUSED: Laurene Weste
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION II
No additional requests to speak were received.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gibbs adjourned the Regular Meeting in memory of Al Hodek and Susan Lentini at 7:31 p.m.
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MAYOR
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK