APPROVED: 02/06/2024
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
January 11, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sarno called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Councilmembers/Directors: Martin, Rodriguez, Zamora, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair Rounds, and Mayor/Chair Sarno.
Members absent: None
INVOCATION
Cindy Jarvis led the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Youth Leadership Committee member Valerie Bojorquez led the pledge of allegiance.
INTRODUCTIONS
Mayor Sarno introduced the following members from the Chamber of Commerce:
1. Ross Gile, Digical Web Designs and Embroidery Goods, Inc.
PRESENT A TIO NS
1. 2023 HOLIDAY HOME DECORATING CONTEST WINNERS (COMMUNITY
SERVICES)
2. TREE LIGHTING & SANTA FLOAT PROGRAMS RECAP (COMMUNITY
SERVICES)
3. HOLIDAY BASKET PROGRAMS RECAP (COMMUNITY SERVICES)
4. 2023 COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT END OF YEAR RECAP OF
EVENTS (COMMUNITY SERVICES)
CHANGES TO AGENDA
There were no changes.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Members of the Little Lake City School District spoke during public comment.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS ON ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
There were no staff communications.
Minutes of the January 11, 2024 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings
HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENDA - NONE
SUCCESSOR AGENCY AND CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
PUBLIC HEARING
5. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED ZONE TEXT AMENDMENTS TO
ENSURE THAT THE CITY'S ZONING ORDINANCE IS ALIGNED WITH THE STATE'S
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU) AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (JADU) STATUTES AND FIND THAT THE AMENDMENTS ARE EXEMPT FROM
CEQA (PLANNING)
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Open the Public Hearing and receive the written and oral staff report and any comments from the public regarding the proposed zone text amendments related to ADU and JADU regulations; and
2) Find and determine that the proposed zone text amendments are consistent with the goals, policies, and program of the City's General Plan; and 3) Find and determine that the proposed zone text amendments are consistent with the State's ADU and JADU regulations; and
4) Find and determine that this Project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resource Code (PRC) Section 21080.17 which provides an exemption for the adoption of an ordinance by a city or county to implement the provisions of Section 65852.2 of the Government Code (the state ADU law); and
5) Waive further reading and introduce Ordinance No. 1134 by title, adopting Zone Text Amendments to ensure that the City's Zoning Ordinance is aligned with the State's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) statutes; and
6) Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
City Manager, Rene Bobadilla provided a brief explanation on Item No. 5.
Mayor Sarno opened the public hearing at 6:35 p.m.
There was no one wishing to speak on Item No. 5.
Mayor Sarno closed the public hearing at 6:35 p.m.
It was moved by Councilmember Martin, seconded by Councilmember Zamora, to find and determine that the proposed zone text amendments are consistent with the goals, policies, and program of the City's General Plan, find and determine that the proposed zone text amendments are consistent with the State's ADU and JADU regulations, find and determine that this Project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act
Minutes of the January 11, 2024 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resource Code (PRC) Section 21080.17 which provides an exemption for the adoption of an ordinance by a city or county to implement the provisions of Section 65852.2 of the Government Code (the state ADU law), waive further reading and introduce Ordinance No. 1134 by title, adopting Zone Text Amendments to ensure that the City's Zoning Ordinance is aligned with the State's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) statutes, and take such additional, related action that may be desirable, by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Martin, Rodriguez, Zamora, Rounds, Sarno
Nayes: None
Absent: None
Recused: None
6. A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DECISION TO APPROVE ZONE DETERMINATION CASE NO. 2023- 01: A REQUEST TO DETERMINE THAT A BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM USE WITH DIRECT CONNECTION TO A PUBLIC UTILITY GRID 15 A SIMILAR AND
COMPATIBLE USE WITH OTHER SIMILARLY PRINCIPALLY PERMITTED USES LISTED IN THE M-2, HEAVY MANUFACTURING, ZONE; AND ADOPT A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION UNDER CEQA SECTION 15061 (8)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION) (PLANNING)
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Open the public hearing, receive public testimony from anyone in the audience or on Zoom wishing to speak; and
2) Consider the information presented in the written and oral staff reports, in combination with the November 13, 2023 Planning Commission staff report and summary, which collectively provides the necessary background and context; and 3) Deny the appeal by Bridgeland Resources LLC; and
4) Find and determine that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Section 15061 (b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) and;
5) Adopt City Council Resolution No. 9892, which incorporates the City Council's findings and actions regarding the matter, which include to ratify the Planning Commission's decision and to approve Zone Determination Case No. 2023-01 determining that a battery energy storage system use with direct connection to a public utility grid is similar to and compatible with other similarly principally permitted uses listed in the M2, Heavy Manufacturing, Zone and will not be inconsistent with the purpose of the M2 Zone; and 6) Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
Contract Planner, Alejandro De Loera provided a presentation on Item No. 6. Council asked questions regarding safety and allowed uses in the M-2 zones in the City, as well
Minutes of the January 11, 2024 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings as is the type of batteries being stored. City Attorney, Ivy M. Tsai added that future code amendments can be made to accommodate for battery storage.
Mayor Sarno opened the public hearing at 6:57 p.m.
Elkins Kalt, representatives for the appellant Bridgeland Resources LLC, provided a presentation. Councilmember Martin and Rodriguez made comments about the authenticity of the letters received in opposition to the project and about the legality of the project.
Reed Smith, representatives for the applicant Gridstor, provided a rebuttal. Chris Baker and Ryan Schalk, speakers representing Gridstor also provided additional information.
Deputy City Clerk, Fernando Munoz provided the names of the people who submitted public comments via email: two (2) letters from Elkins Kalt, Eric Cartier, Jeremy Flores, Kathie Fink, PMC Global representatives Waterstone Environmental, Phillip Babich, Ricardo Uribe, Robert Corona, and two (2) emails from Yeesmi Pulido.
The following people spoke during public comments: Chris Hite, Manny Solis, Tommy Faavae, Joe Sullivan, Deveney Pula, and Mindy Jenkins.
Elkins Kalt provided closing arguments.
Mayor Sarno closed the public hearing at 7:55 p.m.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Rounds, seconded by Councilmember Martin, to deny the appeal by Bridgeland Resources LLC, find and determine that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption), adopt City Council Resolution No. 9892, which incorporates the City Council's findings and actions regarding the matter, which include to ratify the Planning Commission's decision and to approve Zone Determination Case No. 2023-01 determining that a battery energy storage system use with direct connection to a public utility grid is similar to and compatible with other similarly principally permitted uses listed in the M-2, Heavy Manufacturing, Zone and will not be inconsistent with the purpose of the M-2 Zone, and take such additional, related action that may be desirable, by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Martin, Rodriguez, Zamora, Rounds, Sarno
Nayes: None
Absent: None
Recused: None
OLD BUSINESS
7. APPOINTMENTS TO CITY COMMISSIONS/COMMITTEES AND EXTERNAL
ORGANIZATIONS (CITY CLERK)
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Review and make appointments to City commissions and committees as desired; and
Minutes of the January 11, 2024 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings 2) Review and make appointments to City Council liaisons to advisory committees as desired; and
3) Review and make appointments to City Council subcommittees as desired; and 4) Review and make appointments to external organizations as desired; and 5) Take such additional, related action that might be desirable.
City Manager, Rene Bobadilla provided a brief presentation on Item No. 7. Mayor Sarno asked for Council to determine if eliminating council liaisons from advisory committees would be beneficial, to which there was unanimous consensus. City Manager Bobadilla made a comment that advisory committee summaries and quarterly reports would be provided to Council to keep them apprised of ongoing business.
Mayor Sarno asked to only keep the CIP Project Subcommittee, Whittier PD Subcommittee, and the Parcel Tax for November 2024 Election Subcommittee. City Manager Bobadilla added that he and Director of Finance, Lana Dich would create budget workshops and quarterly financial reports to promote transparency and participation.
The following external committee appointments were made:
Organization Council
Liaison
California Contract Martin
Cities Association
,_
Chamber Youth Rounds
Enrichment Fund
Board
City Selection Mayor
Committee Alt - Martin
(League of Cal
Cities) (Mayor is
l�el
Gateway Cities Zamora
Council of Alt - Martin
Governments
91/605/405 Zamora
Committee
(Subcommittee of
COG)
L I
Minutes of the January 11, 2024 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings 1-5 Consortium Martin
Policy Board Alt -
Rounds
Joint Powers Martin
Insurance AltAuthority Rounds
LA CADA Rodriguez
Alt - N/A
League of Mayor
California Cities Alt - Martin
Sanitation District Mayor
(Mayor is Rep) AltRounds
SFHS Education Rodriguez
Foundation
SASSFA Rounds
Alt - N/A
SEAACA Rodriguez
Alt - Martin
Southeast Water Zamora
Coalition
Board
Southern Martin
California Alt -
Association of Zamora
Governments
(SCAG)
Vector Control Rounds
Appt can be for 2
or 4 yrs.
I I
Minutes of the January 11, 2024 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings It was moved by Councilmember Zamora, seconded by Councilmember Martin, to approve the Council appointments and incorporate the changes to council liaisons and subcommittees as recommended by Council and the City Manager, by the following vote:
Ayes: Martin, Rodriguez, Zamora, Rounds, Sarno
Nayes: None
Absent: None
Recused: None
REGULAR BUSINESS
8. AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE COOPERATIVE AND FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH
METRO FOR THE ROSECRANS/MARQUARDT GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT (PUBLIC WORKS)
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Authorize the Mayor to sign Amendment No. 2 to the Cooperative and Funding Agreement for the Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project between the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the City of Santa Fe Springs; and
2) Approve a Professional Services Agreement with RailPros, Inc. to provide rail road flagging services for the Rosecrans Marquardt Grade Separation Project; and 3) Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
City Manager, Rene Bobadilla provided a brief presentation to Item No. 8.
It was moved by Councilmember Zamora, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Rounds, to authorize the Mayor to sign Amendment No. 2 to the Cooperative and Funding Agreement for the Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project between the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the City of Santa Fe Springs, approve a Professional Services Agreement with RailPros, Inc. to provide rail road flagging services for the Rosecrans Marquardt Grade Separation Project, and take such additional, related action that may be desirable, by the following vote:
Ayes: Martin, Rodriguez, Zamora, Rounds, Sarno
Nayes: None
Absent: None
Recused: None
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine. Any items a Councilmember wishes to discuss should be designated at this time. All other items may be approved in a single motion.
Such approval will also waive the reading of any ordinance.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
9. ADOPT RESOLUTION SA-2024-001 APPROVING THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY'S RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE (ROPS 24-25) AND
Minutes of the January 11, 2024 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 2024 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025 (FINANCE)
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Successor Agency:
1) Adopt Resolution SA-2024-001 Approving the Successor Agency's Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS 24-25) and Administrative Budget for the Period July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
CITY COUNCIL
10. LISTING AGREEMENT TO APPOINT COLLIER INTERNATIONAL GREATER LOS ANGELES, INC., THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE THE RENEWAL OF A GROUND LEASE WITH THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE AT 11760
TELEGRAPH ROAD (PLANNING)
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Approve the Listing Agreement appointing Colliers International Greater Los Angeles, Inc. ("Colliers") as the City's sole agent and granting to Colliers the exclusive right to negotiate the renewal of a ground lease with the United States Postal Services (USPS) for the real property located at 11760 Telegraph Road; and 2) Authorize the Mayor to execute the Listing Agreement; and 3) Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
11. TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY
PATROL SANTA FE SPRINGS AREA (CHP) (POLICE SERVICES)
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Authorize the Director of Police Services to enter into an agreement with the California Highway Patrol Santa Fe Springs Area (CHP) for traffic enforcement in an amount not to exceed $50,000 on a recurring fiscal year basis.
12. REVISION TO PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, SECTION 6-
3. 7 HOURLY NON-BENEFITTED SICK LEAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE HEAL THY WORKPLACE/HEALTHY FAMILIES ACT OF 2014 (PAID SICK LEAVE) (HUMAN
RESOURCES)
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Approve the revision to Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual (PPPM), Section 6-3.7 Hourly Non-Benefitted Sick Leave to comply with the Healthy Workplace/Healthy Families Act of 2014 (Paid Sick Leave).
13. CLARKE ESTATE PARKING LOT PAVING IMPROVEMENTS - AWARD OF
CONTRACT (PUBLIC WORKS)
Minutes of the January 11, 2024 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Accept the bids; and
2) Award a contract to Prestige Paving Company, Inc. of La Mirada, California in the amount of $129,197.81; and
3) Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
14. CALRECYCLE GRANT AND PAYMENT PROGRAMS (CITY MANAGER) RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Adopt a resolution authorizing the submittal of application(s) for all CalRecycle Grant and Payment Programs for which the City is eligible.
It was moved by Councilmember Zamora, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, to approve the consent calendar, by the following vote:
Ayes: Martin, Rodriguez, Zamora, Rounds, Sarno
Nayes: None
Absent: None
Recused: None
COUNCIL COMMENTS/AB1234 COUNCIL CONFERENCE REPORTING
Councilmember Zamora wished everyone a Happy New Year and talked about the prospects of a one-stop shop for development projects. City Manager Bobadilla added that they have interviewed four (4) firms to provide in-house plan check services.
Councilmember Martin also wished everyone a Happy New Year and admired the number of people in attendance. The thanked staff and commented on the battery storage project.
Councilmember Rodriguez commended staff and congratulated the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern. Lastly, she thanked commissioners and staff for their hard work.
Mayor Pro Tern Rounds welcomed everyone to 2024 and talked about the growth in the City, stating that Santa Fe Springs is not afraid to try new things.
Mayor Sarno directed staff to create a policy for council rotation for mayor and mayor pro tern positons and for rules governing council meetings. He commented on Gridstor and thanked Councilmember Martin for her term as Mayor.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Sarno adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
Minutes of the January 11, 2024 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings ATTEST:
Fernando N. uno
Deputy City Clerk
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I Date