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, October 10, 2023 6:00 PM City Council Chambers
INVOCATION
Councilwoman McLean invited Rabbi Mark Blazer to deliver the invocation.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gibbs called to order the Joint Regular meeting of the City Council and Board of Library Trustees at 6:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL
All Councilmembers were present.
FLAG SALUTE
Councilwoman McLean 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.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Councilmember Miranda discussed raising awareness and supporting loved ones who are diagnosed with cancer and metastatic breast cancer, announced that the City recognizes October 13 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Day, and proclaimed October 2023 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Councilmember Miranda invited his daughter, Eva Crawford, to the dais to accept the proclamation and take a photo.
Mayor Gibbs spoke of raising positive awareness and sharing information about the lives of people with dwarfism. Mayor Gibbs announced that the City proclaims October 2023 as
Dwarfism Awareness Month and invited Kevin and Tracey Thompson to the dais to accept the proclamation and take a photo.
Mayor Pro Tem Smyth addressed the critical role of Filipino-Americans in enriching the Santa Clarita community. Mayor Pro Tem Smyth announced that the City proclaims October 2023 as Filipino-American Heritage Month in Santa Clarita and invited Filipino-American Association Board President Jacqueline Ferrer-Martinez to the dais to accept the proclamation and take a photo.
Councilmember Weste commented on Santa Clarita residents of German descent and the Oktoberfest celebrations that honor German customs. Councilmember Weste announced that the City proclaims October 2023 as German-American Heritage Month and invited College of the Canyons Professor Heidi Esslinger, her students, and Steve Petzold to the dais to accept the proclamation and take a photo.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Addressing the Council were Kody Amour regarding the bus strike and Indigenous Peoples' Day; Beth Higby, representing Sierra Club and speaking on behalf of Sandra Cattell, regarding a northern Angeles National Forest monument; Nancy (no last name provided) regarding other holidays observed in October; Cindy Josten regarding the zero bail lawsuit and voting; Santa Rivera regarding protecting children; and Doug Campbell, representing Teamsters 572, regarding the bus strike.
STAFF COMMENTS
Councilwoman McLean inquired about exploring Ms. Cattell's request for a park monument and Council concurred to direct staff to research the matter.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Weste mentioned the final build-out dedication at Central Park on October 17; announced the return of UCLA hockey to The Cube for their 2023-24 season; spoke on the impressive regalia and thanked volunteers for the successful Pow Wow event at Hart Park; and requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of United States Senator Dianne Feinstein.
Councilmember Miranda thanked Councilmember Weste for her kind words regarding Senator Feinstein and invited residents to attend the Día de Muertos celebration at the Canyon Country Community Center on October 28.
Councilwoman McLean spoke about her fond remembrance of her time working with Senator Feinstein; congratulated Councilmember Miranda for the successful Bridge to Home event; commented on several events, including the Pow Wow event, the Boys & Girls Club event, and the upcoming grand opening of the Vista Canyon Multi-Modal Center and new Metrolink stop; announced that there will be additional trains scheduled on the Antelope Valley line; commented that there will be several pet adoption events through the Castaic animal shelter; and requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Norman Jay Skinner.
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 1
REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION OF A +/- 15,000 SQUARE-FOOT COMMERCIAL FACILITY LOCATED AT 26326 - 26330 CITRUS STREET
City Council to consider the purchase of an approximately 15,000 square-foot facility located on Citrus Street for the purpose of relocating Santa Clarita Public Television.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Approve the real property acquisition of a +/- 15,000 square-foot building and associated land in Valencia, Assessor’s Parcel Number 2861-009-040, commonly known as 26326 - 26330 Citrus Street, at a total cost of $5,590,373, which includes $5,550,000 for the purchase price, $15,000 for title, escrow, due diligence, and $25,373 for reserves owed to seller.
2. Authorize the transfer of $4,178,160 from the General Fund (1009500-710130) to the Citrus Facility Fund (130-600100) and $1,412,213 from the Public, Education, and Government Fund (3309500-710130) into the Citrus Facility Fund (130-600330).
3. Appropriate $5,590,373 from the Citrus Facility Fund (Fund 130) to Property Acquisition Expenditure Account (1309008-520105), for the purchase price of the property and related costs.
4. Increase Rental Income Revenue Account 130-431107 by $206,130 (Citrus Facility Fund).
5. Authorize the transfer of $1,412,213 from the General Fund (1009500-710330) to the Public, Education, Government Fund (330-600100) to reimburse the PEG fund for the purchase of the Roger Dunn Property in Fiscal Year 2017-18.
6. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement to acquire the property and to execute any amendments and documents needed for the purchase of this property, subject to City Attorney approval.
Michael Villegas, Assistant to the City Manager, provided the staff report.
Addressing the Council were Kody Amour, Steve Petzold, Marie Scherb, and Ash Mahoney.
Four written comment cards were received in support and one in opposition.
City Manager Striplin commented on the purpose and use of PEG funds, the size of the current SCVTV facility, parking and access issues, the opportunity to expand access, and the receipt of revenue due to existing tenants.
Mayor Pro Tem Smyth requested that the City Manager explain the tenant component, and Mr.
Striplin responded that the City originally had tenants with lease agreements at City Hall, which subsidized the purchase and made the facility more affordable.
Councilmember Weste congratulated staff on their work on the project, which creates a suitable site for staff and residents.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Laurene Weste, Councilmember
SECONDER: Marsha McLean, Councilmember
AYES: Gibbs, Smyth, McLean, Miranda, Weste
CONSENT CALENDAR
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 September 26, 2023, Regular Meeting.
ITEM 3
CHECK REGISTER NO. 20
Check Register No. 20 for the Period 08/25/23 through 09/07/23 and 09/14/23. Electronic Funds Transfers for the Period of 08/28/23 through 09/08/23.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council approve and ratify for payment the demands presented in Check Register No. 20.
ITEM 4
PROFESSIONAL FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES CONTRACT
City Council consideration to amend a contract with Robert Half International Inc. for professional finance and accounting services.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Amend the existing contract with Robert Half International Inc. to increase the scope of work for professional finance and accounting services and authorize an expenditure authority increase in the amount of $50,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $100,000.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
ITEM 5
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS FOR LMD ZONES T-17 AND T-29 City Council consideration to award contracts to Marina Landscape Services, Inc., to provide recurring landscape maintenance services for LMD Zones T-17 and T-29.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Award two contracts to Marina Landscape Services, Inc., to provide landscape maintenance services for Landscape Maintenance District Zone T-17, Rainbow Glen, and Zone T-29, American Beauty, and if necessary other zones for which they are under contract, for two two-year contract amounts not to exceed $39,640 and $68,000, respectively.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute up to three additional one-year renewal options beginning in year three for both contracts, not to exceed the annual contract amounts, inclusive of as-needed expenditure authority, plus an adjustment in compensation consistent with the appropriate Consumer Price Index, upon request of the contractor, and contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the City Council in the annual budget for such fiscal year.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
4. Appropriate an ongoing budget for $2,496 from the Landscape Maintenance District Fund Balance (Fund 357) to expenditure account 3572419-516110 (Rainbow Glen) and $9,516 to expenditure account 3572423-516110 (American Beauty).
5. Find that the award of contracts are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Article 19 – Categorical Exemptions, Section 15301, Existing Facilities, (h) Maintenance of Existing Landscaping.
ITEM 6
FINAL TRACT MAP, ACCEPT/REJECT OFFERS OF DEDICATION, AND ABANDON EASEMENTS FOR TRACT NO. 53074-01 (SAND CANYON PLAZA)
Pursuant to Section 66474.1 of the Subdivision Map Act, this item would approve the final tract map, accept offers of dedication, and abandon easements for Tract No. 53074-01. The map is for subdivision purposes and is located northeast corner of Sand Canyon Road and Soledad Canyon Road.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Approve Tract Map for Tract No. 53074-01.
2. Accept on behalf of the public the offer of dedication and grant of: (1) the easements for public use and road purposes; (2) the easements for covered storm drain, appurtenant structures, ingress and egress purposes; (3) the easements for sanitary sewers and sanitary sewers ingress and egress purposes; (4) all sanitary sewers and appurtenant structures; and
(5) the right to restrict and prohibit any and all allowable uses or construction within lot 16 designated as open space on the map.
3. Reject the offer of dedication and grant in fee simple all of lot 11 of Tract No. 53074-01.
4. Authorize the City Manager or designee to rescind the rejection and accept the offer of dedication and grant in fee simple of lot 11 when construction improvements are completed to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works.
5. Abandon the existing easements for public roads and highway, flood control, slope, and slope and drainage purposes as shown on the attached Easement Abandonment Exhibit.
6. Make findings as follows: This project is consistent with the provisions of Sections 66474 and 66474.1 of the Subdivision Map Act and should be approved.
7. Instruct the Director of Administrative Services to endorse the Special Assessment Statement on the face of Final Tract Map for Tract No. 53074-01, which indicates all special assessments levied by the City of Santa Clarita are paid.
8. Instruct the City Clerk to endorse the City Clerk’s Statement on the face of Final Tract Map for Tract No. 53074-01, which embodies the approval of said map, the acceptance of the dedications shown thereon, the rejection of the offer of dedication shown thereon, and the abandonment of easements described thereon.
9. Instruct the City Surveyor to endorse the City Surveyor’s Statement on the face of Final Tract Map for Tract No. 53074-01, which provides for verification that the map is technically correct.
10. Instruct the City Engineer to endorse the City Engineer’s Statement on the face of Final Tract Map for Tract No. 53074-01, which provides for verification of substantial conformance with the Tentative Tract Map and all provisions of local ordinances and state laws applicable at the time of approval.
ITEM 7
FINAL TRACT MAP FOR TRACT NO. 83564 (VALLEY STREET CONDOMINIUMS) Pursuant to Section 66474.1 of the Subdivision Map Act, approve Final Tract Map for Tract Map No. 83564 - Valley Street Condominiums.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Approve Final Tract Map for Tract No. 83564.
2. Make findings as follows: This project is consistent with the provisions of Sections 66474 and 66474.1 of the Subdivision Map Act and should be approved.
3. Instruct the Director of Administrative Services to endorse the Special Assessment Statement on the face of the Final Tract Map for Tract No. 83564, which indicates all special assessments levied by the City of Santa Clarita are paid.
4. Instruct the City Clerk to endorse the City Clerk’s Statement on the face of the Final Tract Map for Final Tract No. 83564, which embodies the approval of said map and the acceptance of the dedication shown thereon.
5. Instruct the City Engineer to endorse the City Engineer’s Statement on the face of the Final Tract Map for Tract No. 83564, which provides for verification of substantial conformance with the Tentative Tract Map and all provisions of local ordinances and state laws applicable at the time of approval.
6. Instruct the City Surveyor to endorse the City Surveyor’s Statement on the face of the Final Tract Map for Tract No. 83564, which provides for verification that the map is technically correct.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION II
There were no additional requests to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gibbs adjourned the Regular Meeting in memory of Senator Dianne Feinstein and Norman Jay Skinner at 7:21 p.m.
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MAYOR
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK