CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
FEBRUARY 15, 2022 - CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Alice Patino, Councilmember Mike Cordero, Councilmember Gloria Soto, and Councilmember Etta Waterfield
Councilmember Carlos Escobedo arrived after roll call was taken.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Stilwell, City Attorney Watson, and Chief Deputy City Clerk White (for roll call only).
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
There were no requests to speak.
RECESS - CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Patino recessed to a Closed Session at 5:03 p.m. for 1) Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation pursuant to Subdivision (d)(1) of Government Code Section 54956.9. Name of Case: Nancy Rust v. City of Santa Maria, Case No. 18CV05286.
INVOCATION
Pastor Don Wesson of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church gave the Invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Soto led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino reconvened the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Waterfield, and Mayor Patino
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Jason Stilwell, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Assistant City Manager Andrew Hackleman, Interim Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, Director of Finance Mary Harvey, Interim Library Director Dawn Jackson, Chief Human Resources Officer Linda Le, Chief Information Officer Jeffrey Marecic, Director of Community Development Chuen Ng, Director of Recreation & Parks Alex Posada, Police Commander Jesse Silva, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Fire Chief Todd Tuggle, Chief Deputy City Clerk Rhonda White, and Deputy City Clerk Beth Cleary
CLOSED SESSION REPORT: CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Watson announced that the City Council unanimously approved a settlement proposal offered by the plaintiff.
City of Santa Maria February 15, 2022
City Council Meeting
1 PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/COMMENDATIONS
A. Councilmember Cordero presented a retirement Resolution to Dispatcher II, Vonda Damore.
Action: Adopt a Resolution commending Dispatcher II Vonda Damore for her 25 years of outstanding service to the City of Santa Maria and congratulating her on her retirement.
Moved by Councilmember Cordero, seconded by Councilmember Waterfield.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-14. 5-0.
B. Councilmember Waterfield and Glenn Morris, President and CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, presented a certificate to the Featured Businesses of the Month for February 2022 - Neuroboxing Santa Maria (fitness) and Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench (manufacturing.) C. Mayor Patino presented a Proclamation recognizing the week of February 19-25, 2022, as Future Farmers of America Week. The Proclamation was accepted by Chapter President and Vice President - Veronica Garcia and Eric Ceja, respectively.
D. Councilmember Soto presented a Proclamation recognizing March 8, 2022, as International Women's Day. The Proclamation was accepted by Erika Weber, President of the Santa Maria Women's Network, and Network Member Naomi Altergott.
2 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
A written communication and public comment were received from Jesse White expressing concern over increasing gang activity at the mall.
Eileen Armijo requested help with mobile homeowner's increasing rent issues.
Gary Hall and Andrea Mayfield requested that a mobile home rent stabilization ordinance be scheduled on an upcoming agenda.
Lydia Marin expressed her views on abortion.
Dr. Donald Wesson spoke about water line and meter issues with his property.
Denise Sullivan spoke on homelessness in the City and encouraged the City Council to support converting the Motel 6 on Main Street to housing for the homeless.
A written communication and public comment were received from Joe Skoda regarding parking issues at the Veteran's Memorial Building.
City Manager Stilwell commented that staff would reach out to both Mr. White and Dr. Wesson regarding their comments. He added that the City did not oppose the Motel 6 conversion, but wanted to be sure to provide the public an opportunity to give input. He stated that the design change at the Veteran's Memorial Building and Park was a work in progress and the impacts of the design change would take into consideration comments from the public. Mr. Stilwell closed his comments requesting that the City Council include in their motion to adopt the minutes from the February 1s' meeting, an amendment to include the appropriate title for the Interim Library Director, Dawn Jackson. 3 CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Soto pulled Item 3B (Minutes from the 2/1/2022 Council Meeting) for a separate vote.
City of Santa Maria February 15, 2022
City Council Meeting
Councilmember Waterfield pulled Item 3J for clarification. Director of Utilities Springer explained that the item on the agenda was notification by the City of its timeline to comply with CalRecycle's requirements so as not be subject to its penalties.
Consent Calendar Items 3A -3J were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2022-08, 2022-09, 2022-10, 2022-11, 2022-12, and 2022-13. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
A. Waive the reading in full of all Ordinances and Resolutions. Ordinances on the Consent Agenda will be adopted by the same vote cast at the first meeting, unless City Council indicates otherwise.
Action: Full readings waived.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Cordero.
Motion carried. 5-0.
B. Approve the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 1, 2022.
Action: Minutes approved as amended to include Interim City Librarian Dawn Jackson in attendance record.
Moved by Councilmember Soto, seconded by Councilmember Escobedo.
Motion carried. 5-0.
C. Adopt a Resolution approving a Subrecipient Agreement with the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) for the Santa Barbara County Broadband Strategic Plan.
Action: Subrecipient agreement with SBCAG approved.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Cordero.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-15. 5-0.
D. Adopt a Resolution amending Resolution No. 2022-09, that adopted actions of the Director of Emergency Services regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and Supplemental Paid Sick Leave, to be consistent with SB 114 2022 California Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (2022 CA-SPSL) retroactive to January 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022.
Action: Amendment to Resolution No. 2022-09 and Supplemental Paid Sick Leave approved.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Cordero.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-16. 5-0.
E. Adopt a Resolution canceling the March 1, 2022, City Council meeting.
Action: March 1, 2022, City Council Meeting canceled.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Cordero.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-17. 5-0.
F. Payment of Warrants. Ordered ratified subject to having been certified as being in conformity with the budget and having been approved for payment by the Director of Finance.
Action: Warrants ratified.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Cordero.
Motion carried. 5-0.
G. Payment of Payroll. Ordered ratified subject to having been certified by the proper Department Directors, as shown on records on file in the Department of Finance, and having been approved for payment by the Director of Finance.
Action: Payroll ratified.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Cordero.
Motion carried. 5-0.
City of Santa Maria February 15, 2022
City Council Meeting
H. Adopt a Resolution approving an agreement with JJ Fisher Construction, Inc., for Bid No. 2022/01, Pedestrian Safety and Accessibility Improvement Project.
Action: Award of Bid No. 2022/01 to JJ Fisher Construction approved.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Cordero.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-18. 5-0.
I. Adopt a Resolution establishing no -stopping zones on Westgate Road.
Action: No -stopping zones on Westgate Road approved.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Cordero.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-19. 5-0.
J. Adopt a Resolution approving a Notification of Intent to Comply with Senate Bill 1383 and authorizing submission to CalRecycle.
Action: Notice of Intent to Comply approved.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Cordero.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-20. 5-0. 4 REGULAR BUSINESS
A. REJECT BID PROTEST AND AWARD BID NO. 2021/06, CHAPEL STREET PARKING LOT RENOVATION (CHAPEL PLAZA). The City Council considered a bid protest from Rdz Contractors, Inc., regarding the bid from Newton Construction & Management, Inc., for the Chapel Street Parking Lot Renovation Project. Interim Director of Public Works Fulgoni gave a presentation as detailed in the Council Agenda Report.
Public input
Pedro Rodriguez representing Rdz Contractors protested the bid award saying the subcontractors were not licensed to do what they were hired to do.
Darrin Terrazas representing Newton Construction explained that Newton Construction was licensed and qualified to do the work that was needed, regardless of who the subcontractors were.
Action: Adopt a Resolution rejecting a Bid Protest from Rdz Contractors, Inc., and awarding an Agreement to Newton Construction & Management, Inc., for Bid No. 2021/06, Chapel Street Parking Lot Renovation (Chapel Plaza).
Moved by Councilmember Cordero, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-21. 3-2. Noes: Mayor Patino and Councilmember Waterfield.
B. FIRE STRATEGIC PLAN. The City Council received a presentation on the Santa Maria Fire Department's multi -year Strategic Plan. Fire Chief Tuggle gave a presentation as detailed in the Council Agenda Report.
Action: Presentation of the multi -year Strategic Plan for the Santa Maria Fire Department was received.
C. 2ND QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT. The City Council considered the Quarterly Financial Report for the second quarter ending December 31, 2021, and Budget Amendments to approve operational changes to the 2021-22 Budget. Director of Finance Harvey gave a presentation as detailed in the Council Agenda Report.
Action: Adopt a Resolution approving second quarter amendments to the 2021-22 Budget for operational changes.
City of Santa Maria February 15, 2022
City Council Meeting
Moved by Councilmember Soto, seconded by Councilmember Escobedo.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-22. 5-0.
REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Stilwell announced that the mask mandate would end on February 16, 2022. Fully vaccinated persons who attest to such would not be required to wear a mask indoors, but the recommendation was to continue to wear them. Unvaccinated persons would still be required to wear masks. Mr. Stilwell reported that the next regular City Council meeting of March 1st was being canceled, but a Special Meeting would take place on March 2, 2022. Items on the agenda would focus on Redistricting. Draft maps would be available. The meeting will be held at the Minami Center, 600 W.
Enos Drive, at 5:30 p.m. The March 15th Council Meeting will be held at the Maramonte Center, 620 East Sunrise Drive.
ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Escobedo reported he attended the City Council Goal Setting Workshop.
Councilmember Cordero reported he attended a meeting with United Way and the City Council Goal Setting Workshop.
Councilmembers Soto and Waterfield had no required AB1234 reporting.
Mayor Patino reported she attended the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting, a couple of SBCAG meetings, the weekly meeting of Key Leaders from Unifying Recovery Efforts, the Livable California Teleconference, the Recreation & Parks Commission meeting, the County Library AD HOC committee meeting, a COVID-19 Legislative Briefing, the Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley Board meeting, and the City Council Goal Setting Workshop.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Approved at a regular meeting on March 2, 2022.
Rhonda M. White, CMC
Chief Deputy City Clerk and ex officio Clerk
of the City Council
ATTEST:
Rhonda M. White, CMC Alice M. Patino
Chief Deputy City Clerk Mayor of the City of Santa Maria