CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
AUGUST 16, 2022 - CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 4:45 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 and participated in the Closed Session.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Jason Stilwell, City Attorney Thomas Watson, and Chief Human Resources Officer Le (Facilitator)
Chief Deputy City Clerk White and Deputy City Clerk Cleary (for roll call only).
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
There were no requests to speak.
RECESS - CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Patino recessed to a Closed Session at 4:48 p.m. for Public Employee Performance Evaluation pursuant to Government Code Section 54957. Title: City Manager & City Attorney.
INVOCATION
Pastor Jeff Nellermoe of Bethel Lutheran Church gave the Invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Escobedo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino reconvened the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. and announced that interpretation services were available in the back of the room by request.
ROLL CALL:
Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Waterfield, and Mayor Patino
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Jason Stilwell, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Interim Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, Assistant City Manager Andrew Hackleman, Director of Finance Mary Harvey, Library Director Dawn Jackson, Chief Human Resources Officer Linda Le (remote), Chief Information Officer Jeffrey Marecic, Director of Community Development Chuen Ng, Director of Recreation & Parks Alex Posada, Chief of Police Marc Schneider, Director of Utilities Shad Springer (remote), Fire Chief Todd Tuggle, Public Information Manager Mark van de Kamp, 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 additional compensation up to 10 percent, as specified in the budget, for both the City Manager and the City Attorney. 1 PROCLAMATIONS
A. RETIREMENT RESOLUTION. Councilmember Cordero presented a Retirement Resolution to PEG Production Manager Alan Sutterfield thanking him for his 16 years of service.
Action: Adopt a Resolution honoring and commending Alan Sutterfield for his 16 years of dedicated public service to the City of Santa Maria and congratulating him on his upcoming retirement.
Moved by Councilmember Cordero, seconded by Councilmember Escobedo.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-83. 5-0.
B. Councilmember Escobedo presented a Proclamation recognizing the month of September 2022 as "National Library Card Sign-up Month" in the City of Santa Maria, and encouraging all residents to sign-up for a free library card and connect with fellow community members at the Santa Maria Public Library or one of its branch libraries to promote greater awareness of Library services and
City of Santa Maria
City Council Meeting
August 16, 2022
the value libraries provide to the community. The Proclamation was accepted by Library Director Dawn Jackson.
C. BUSINESSES OF THE MONTH. Councilmember Waterfield joined Chamber of Commerce CEO, Glenn Morris, in presenting certificates of recognition to the Featured Businesses for August 2022 - cnagy wines and tasting room, and Santa Maria Tool, Inc. Jonathan and Ella Nagy accepted the certificate for cnagy wines. A representative from Santa Maria Tool was unavailable and the certificate was mailed to them.
2 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Written comment was received from Juan Marquez addressing concerns about vandalism on the west side of the City; and from Josh Bingham who wrote about the Preisker Lane and Roemer Way Neighborhood Watch efforts working with Santa Maria Police Department, Code Enforcement, City Rangers, and the City Attorney's Office to address theft, vandalism, homelessness, and general beautification.
Josh Bingham and Monica Zenisek spoke about the Preisker Lane/Roemer Way neighborhood and expressed concern about recent vandalism, graffiti, homelessness, and theft in the area. They requested that the City close the easement walkway connecting North Miller to Roemer Way which has become a thoroughfare for vandals and thieves to avoid detection from the authorities. Mayor Patino invited Mr.
Bingham to set up a meeting with City officials to further discuss the issue.
Gary Hall spoke about an upcoming August meeting for mobile home owners to help provide rent stabilization in mobile home parks.
James Wiley spoke about agricultural issues in the area and the need for desalinization to protect water resources.
City Manager Stilwell thanked the Preisker Lane/Roemer Way neighborhood group for bringing the issues to the City's attention and for their efforts with Code Enforcement and the Police Department. He said a meeting would be scheduled with them soon.
3 CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 3A -3L were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2022-84, 2022-85, 2022-86, 2022-87, 2022-88, 2022-89, 2022-90, and 2022-91. 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: Readings waived.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. 5-0.
B. Approve the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 2, 2022.
Action: Minutes were approved as submitted.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. 5-0.
C. Adopt a Resolution continuing the extension of the City's ability to conduct meetings of the City Council and City Boards, Commissions, and Committees partially or completely remotely by using a combination of in-person/virtual (hybrid) platforms as authorized by Government Code § 54953(e)(1)(A) to promote social distancing, prioritize the Public's Health and Wellbeing under Santa Barbara County Health Officer Orders, and provide flexibility as needed to facilitate continuity of government.
Action: Ability to conduct City meetings in-person/remotely or in a hybrid format was extended.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-84. 5-0.
D. Adopt a Resolution establishing a Digital Forensics Examiner classification and corresponding job specification resulting from the budget adoption for Fiscal Years 2022-23 and 2023-24; and adopting a comprehensive Salary Schematic Schedule for all full-time and part-time employees in accordance with CaIPERS guidelines.
Action: Digital Forensics Examiner classification was approved, and the Salary Schematic was adopted.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-85. 5-0.
E. Adopt a Resolution cancelling the regular City Council meeting scheduled on September 6, 2022.
City of Santa Maria
City Council Meeting
August 16, 2022
Action: September 6, 2022, City Council meeting was approved for cancellation.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-86 5-0.
F. Adopt a Resolution approving the installation of a fiber optic connection between the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the City's fiber ring and authorizing the use of $300,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to be allocated for this project.
Action: Contract for Astound Business Solutions was adopted.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-87. 5-0.
G. 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 were ratified.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. 5-0.
H. 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 was ratified.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. 5-0.
I. Adopt a Resolution establishing the City of Santa Maria's 2022-23 appropriation limit.
Action: Appropriation limit set for 2022-23.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-88. 5-0.
J. Adopt a Resolution declaring a 2001 Hi -Tech Fire Engine, Unit 224-01 (License No. 1090970), as surplus property and approving its donation to the Pismo Beach -Five Cities Rotary Charitable Foundation.
Action: Fire engine donation approved.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-89. 5-0.
K. Adopt a Resolution approving a donation of drone equipment to the Santa Maria Police Department from the Santa Maria Police Council.
Action: Donation of drone equipment to the Santa Maria Police Department was approved.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-90. 5-0.
L. Adopt a Resolution approving an agreement with American Pavement Systems, Inc., and awarding Bid No. 2022/05, Annual Surface Seal Street Maintenance Project.
Action: Project was awarded and an Agreement with American Pavement Systems was approved.
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-91. 5-0, 4 REGULAR BUSINESS
A. DISPOSITION AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH VERNON PROPERTY GROUP, LLC
FOR CITY SURPLUS LAND LOCATED ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF MAIN AND BROADWAY (LOT 3). The City Council considered a proposed development project from Vernon Property Group that would include a 5 -story mixed -use building with ground -floor commercial, residential apartments, and public open spaces as part of the revitalization and redevelopment of the City of Santa Maria's Downtown.
Community Development Director Ng gave a presentation as detailed in the Council Agenda Report.
Public input
Brad Vernon, the Developer, spoke about the history of the project and emphasized that the addition of the project would create a safer feeling for the residents living there, as well as offer all the downtown amenities within walking distance.
Glenn Morris spoke in support of the project.
City of Santa Maria
City Council Meeting
August 16, 2022
Written comment was received from Jack Owen asking that the Firefighter Memorial be retained and preserved as part of the project.
Action: Disposition and Development Agreement approved between the City of Santa Maria and Vernon Property Group, LLC which includes the sale of surplus land located on the southeast corner of Main Street and Broadway (Lot 3).
Moved by Councilmember Waterfield, seconded by Councilmember Soto.
Motion carried. Adopted as Resolution No. 2022-92. 4-1. Noes: Councilmember Escobedo.
B. 4TH QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT. The City Council received the fourth-quarter financial report ending June 30, 2022.
Director of Finance Harvey gave a presentation as detailed in the Council Agenda Report.
Action: 4th Quarter Financial Report received and filed.
REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Stilwell announced that the meeting of September 6th would be cancelled. The next regular City Council meeting would be September 20, 2022. Items on the agenda would include a public hearing for the CDBG Funding Priorities.
City Manager Stilwell also introduced Dawn Jackson as the new Library Director. She had been serving as the Interim Library Director.
ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS) Councilmembers Cordero, Soto, Escobedo, and Waterfield had no AB1234 reporting.
Mayor Patino reported she attended a Dignity Moves meeting; the Planning Commission meeting; an SBCAG Broadband Ad -Hoc committee meeting; and the Project Opioid Outreach Committee meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m. in memory of Sheryl) Minetti.
Approved at a regular meeting on September 20, 2022.
Rhonda M. White, CMC
Chief Deputy City Clerk and ex officio Clerk
of the City Council
ATTEST:
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Rhonda M. White, CMC Alice M. Patino
Chief Deputy City Clerk Mayor of the City of Santa Maria 1 1
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