1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
April 4, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
110 East Cook Street
Santa Maria
Roll Call: Mayor Alice Patino, Councilmember Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Mike Cordero, Councilmember Carlos Escobedo, Councilmember Gloria Soto
Staff Present: City Manager Jason Stilwell, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Interim Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge, 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, Chief Information Officer Jeffrey Marecic, Director of Community Development Chuen Wu, Chief of Police Marc Schneider, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Chief Deputy City Clerk Rhonda White, Business Program Leader Alexandra Valadez
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CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmembers Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez, Mike Cordero, Carlos Escobedo, Gloria Soto, and Mayor Alice Patino
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Stilwell, City Attorney Watson, Director of Utilities Springer, and Chief Deputy City Clerk White (for roll call only).
2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
2 Jose Rivera spoke about issues his business has been experiencing as a result of food distribution at neighboring Catholic Charities.
3. RECESS-CLOSED SESSION
3.a CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Mayor Patino recessed to a Closed Session at 5:08 p.m. for Conference with Legal Counsel pursuant to Section 54956.9 Subdivision (d)(1) of the Government Code. San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper and Los Padres Forest Watch v. Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District.
4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Mark Wright of Heritage Church gave the Invocation.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Escobedo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino convened the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
8. CLOSED SESSION REPORT - CITY ATTORNEY
Instructions were provided to Legal Counsel for the upcoming Settlement Conference.
9. PROCLAMATIONS
9.a PROCLAMATION - "NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK" Councilmember Soto presented a Proclamation recognizing the week of April 10 -14, 2023, as “National Community Development Week” to celebrate and showcase the programs and projects which are funded by federal grant programs like Community Development Block Grants and HOME Investment Partnership. City of Santa Maria Community Programs Manager Rosie Rojo accepted the Proclamation.
9.b PROCLAMATION - "NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH"
Councilmember Cordero presented a Proclamation recognizing April 2023 as "National Donate Life Month" in the City of Santa Maria and encouraging everyone to check "YES!" when applying for or renewing their driver's license or ID card, or by signing up at donateLIFEcalifornia.org or doneVIDAcalifornia.org. Scott Burns accepted the Proclamation.
9.c PROCLAMATION - "FAIR HOUSING MONTH"
Councilmember Escobedo presented a Proclamation recognizing the month of April 2023 as “Fair Housing Month” in the City of Santa Maria and encouraging the continued celebration of equal housing opportunities and the progress made in opening the doors to housing opportunities for all residents of Santa Maria. Juancarlos Reyes of the Legal Aid Foundation accepted the Proclamation.
3 9.d PROCLAMATION - "NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH" Councilmember Aguiler a-Hernandez presented a Proclamation recognizing April 2023 as "National Sexual Assault Awareness Month" in the City of Santa Maria and encouraging all residents and businesses to participate in a month full of recognition and activities promoted by the No rth County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center to increase awareness of sexual assault and to create solutions in an effort to eliminate sexual violence from this City. Karin Powers accepted the Proclamation.
9.e PROCLAMATION - "NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH" Mayor Patino presented a Proclamation recognizing April 2023 as "National Child Abuse Awareness Month" in the City of Santa Maria and calling upon all residents, community agencies, religious organizations, businesses, and medical facilities to increase th eir participation in the effort to prevent child abuse. Karin Powers accepted the Proclamation.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Gary Hall, representing the North Santa Barbara County Mobile Homeowners Team, spoke about the stakeholders' meetings and his hope that the discussions will continue despite the hope for AB 1035.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 11.a. through 11.j. were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2023 -53, 2023 -54, 2023 -55, 2023 -56, and 2023 -57. The recorde d vote appears with each item below.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
To adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Motion carried unanimously
CITY MANAGER/CLERK DEPARTMENT
11.a Ordinances and Resolutions
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
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.
Motion carried unanimously
11.b Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
4 Approve the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of March 7, 2023.
Motion carried unanimously
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
11.c Payment of Warrants.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Order ratified subject to having been certified as being in conformity with the budget and having been approved for payment by the Director of Finance.
Motion carried unanimously
11.d Payment of Payroll.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Order 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.
Motion carried unanimously
FIRE
11.e 2023 Hazard Mitigation Plan
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-53
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopt a Resolution a dopting the 2023 City of Santa Maria Hazard Mitigation Plan as an annex to the Santa Barbara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan; and directing staff to incorporate the 2023 City of Santa Maria Hazard Mitigation Plan into the Safety Element of the General Plan when it is next revised.
Motion carried unanimously
POLICE DEPARTMENT
11.f Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant
5 Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
By motion, accept the Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant Award of $83,547.84 from the California Board of State and Community Corrections.
Motion carried unanimously
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
11.g Reimbursement Agreement with Pacific West Communities, Inc.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-54
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopt a Resolution approving a reimbursement agreement with Pacific West Communities, Inc. for the construction upgrade of sanitary sewer Segment D-9.
Motion carried unanimously
11.h Agreement for Facility Condition Assessment Services Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-55
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopt a Resolution approving a Professional Services Agreement with Faithful+Gould to conduct Facility Condition Assessment services.
Motion carried unanimously
11.i Limited Time Parking Zone
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-56
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopt a Resolution approving the establishment of a limited time parking zone on the easterly right of way of Payton Way and the southerly right of way of Frederick Street.
Motion carried unanimously
UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
11.j PG&E Sustainable Solutions Turnkey Program Implementation Project 3
6 Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-57
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopt a Resolution approving Modification #1 to the Work Order with Pacific Gas and Electric Company for Sustainable Solutions Turnkey Program Implementation Project 3, Phase II (ECM -02 & ECM-03), and an increase of $265,129 in appropriations for FY 2022/23.
Motion carried unanimously
12. PUBLIC HEARING
12.a BLOCK GRANTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2023-24 CDBG PROGRAM ACTION PLAN
Councilmember Escobedo declared a conflict on this item. (Councilmember Escobedo recused himself due to potential financial conflict.)
The City Council considered the Block Grants Advisory Committee's (BGAC) recommendations for the allocation of Fiscal Year 2023 -24 Community Development Block Grant Program funds, as well as the allocation of $37,500 to public service p rograms. Community Programs Manager Rojo gave the presentation as detailed in the Council Agenda Report.
Public Hearing
Mayor Patino opened the public hearing at 6:16 p.m.
Chief Deputy City Clerk White indicated that written comments were received from 1) Edwin Weaver, a Santa Maria resident, and Executive Director of Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley (FBSMV), thanking the Block Grants Advisory Committee for supporting funding for FBSMV and requesting funding support for Good Samaritan Shelter and Freedom Warming Center as an essential service; 2) Brendon Smith, Anna Williams, Jacob Lesner-Buxton, and Jennifer Griffin, Executive Director of Independent Living Resource Center, wrote in support of funding Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC); and 3) Pear l Garza, Operations Manager for SMOOTH, wrote in support of providing funding for SMOOTH.
Andrea Diaz and Lisa Brabo spoke in support of Family Service Agency.
Kirsten Cahoon, Sylvia Barnard, and Edwin Weaver spoke in support of Good Samaritan's Emergency Shelter and Warming Center.
Jason Bumpus and Jason Telander spoke in support of Vocational Training Center (VTC).
Andrea Mobley spoke in support of the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA).
Karin Powers spoke in support of the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center.
7 Jacob Lesner -Buxton, Chelsea Cradle, Alexa Martin, Michelle Ward, Howard Rudnick, and Brandon Smith spoke in support of the ILRC.
Mayor Patino closed the public hearing at 6:49 p.m.
Upon commencing the discussion, Councilm ember Escobedo recused himself from the proceedings due to a potential financial conflict and left the Chambers at 6:50 p.m. His allocation of $7,500 was dispersed amongst the other four Councilmembers equally, making their allocations $9,375.
Mayor Patino requested that staff review the ability to use ARPA funding to potentially use for the unfunded CDBG housing projects. Councilmembers deferred their opportunity to make their individual public services allocations until the review of ARPA funding availability was determined.
Overall allocations and contingencies which make up the draft Fiscal Year 2023-2024 CDBG draft Action Plan were approved as presented.
Councilmember Escobedo re-entered the Chambers at 7:08 p.m.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
The Block Grants Advisory Committee's recommendations and contingency plan for the allocation of Fiscal Year 2023-2024 CDBG Program Capital funds were approved as presented: CommUnify - Safe at Home ($95,000), Community Partnership of San Luis Obispo County, Inc. - Minor Home Repair Program ($190,000), Good Samaritan Shelter - Family Shelter Rehabilitation ($237,500), TBRA Administration ($15,000), VTC Enterprises - Accessibility Improvements Project ($237,500), and City o f Santa Maria - ADA Sidewalk Improvements Project ($117,534).
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, and Councilmember Soto
Conflict (1): Councilmember Escobedo
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
The Block Grants Advisory Committee's recommendations and contingency plan for the allocation of Fiscal Year 2023 -2024 CDBG Program Public Service funds were approved as presented: Foodbank - Warehouse Distribution Program ($20,424), Domestic Violence Solutions - Emergency Shelter ($20,424), Alliance for Pharmaceutical Access - Patient Advocacy for Affordable or No Cost Medications ($18,424), Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley - Youth and Young Adult Homeless Services ($18,424), Salvation Army - Hot Lunch Program ($18,424), Catholic Charities - Santa Maria Community Services ($18,424), Santa Maria Valley "FISH" Meals on Wheels ($20,424), North County Rape Crisis & Child Protection Cent er - Santa Maria Program ($18,350), and Community Partners in Caring - Volunteer Caregiving Program ($18,424).
8 For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, and Councilmember Soto
Conflict (1): Councilmember Escobedo
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Councilmembers deferred their opportunity to make the $37,500 allocations to Public Services Programs until the review of ARPA funding availability was determined.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, and Councilmember Soto
Conflict (1): Councilmember Escobedo
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
12.b USER FEE UPDATE
The City Council considered the annual User Fee Update and the proposed User Fee Schedule. Director of Finance Harvey gave the presentation as detailed in the Council Agenda Report. Director Harvey mentioned that staff recommended that the City Council approve the full cost -recovery fees; however, an alternative was to approve a phase-in approach at 75 percent of the full cost-recovery fee amounts.
Mayor Patino opened the public hearing at 7:27 p.m.
Laurie Tamura spoke in opposition of the full cost recovery option in the proposed User Fee Schedule.
She requested that the Council to adopt the Phase-in Cost Recovery option.
Mayor Patino closed the public hearing at 7:34 p.m.
Direction was provided to staff to bring the User Fees item back during the budget process to give Council the opportunity to look at the possibility of increasing or decreasing specific fees. Giving the direction to staff, the City Council discussed adopt ing the Phase -In Cost Recovery alternative for increasing the User Fees.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-58.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Adopt a Resolution approving the addition and update of User F ees identified in the Annual User Fee Update and Proposed User Fee Schedule at the Phase-In Cost Recovery Alternative.
For (3): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, and Councilmember Cordero
9 Noes (2): Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto Motion carried by a recorded vote (3 to 2)
13. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Stilwell reported that there would be outreach opportunities for the public's input on the City's General Plan update that include the Land Use Alternatives Presentati on, workshops, surveys, and open office hours. Information on the General Plan Update is available online at www.imaginesantamaria.com.
The next regular City Council meeting would be held on April 18, 2023. Items on the agenda would include two presentatio ns: 1) the annual Central Coast Community Energy presentation; and 2) Hope Village, Dignity Moves homeless housing project. Also on the agenda would be a regular business item regarding the funding of the Japanese Community Center at the Smith-Enos Ranch House Site.
14. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Cordero reported that he attended the Central Coast Water Authority meeting, Santa Barbara Foundation meeting, Home Builders Association Santa Maria Valley Housing Summit, the Santa Maria Police Department Promotional and Annual Awards Ceremonies, and Ribbon Cutting at Montecito Bank and Trust.
Councilmember Escobedo reported that he attended the Santa Maria Police Department's Annual Awards Luncheon, Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Mixer, and The Teal Journey Ovarian Cancer Foundation Memorial Luncheon for Valentina Martins.
Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez reported that she attended the Santa Maria Police Department's Annual Awards Luncheon, spoke on t he Ben Heighes Show, attended The Teal Journey Ovarian Cancer Foundation Memorial Luncheon for Valentina Martins, and a Princess Party and Easter Event at Santa Maria Town Center Mall.
Councilmember Soto reported that she attended the Santa Barbara Foundat ion Housing meeting and Santa Maria Police Department's Annual Awards Luncheon.
Mayor Patino reported that she spoke on the Ben Heighes Show, attended the Marian Foundation Board of Directors meeting, Altrusa Annual Junior High Awards, Performing Arts and Convention Center Feasibility Study, Home Builders Association Santa Maria Valley Housing Summit, Alliance of Local Electeds, Vandenberg Space Force Base Economic Development Meeting, Santa Maria Police Department's Annual Award Luncheon, Econalliance Infr astructure Forum, and Ribbon Cutting at Montecito Bank and Trust.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned in memory of Phyllis Chiado at 8:21 p.m.
10 _________________________
Rhonda M. White, Chief Deputy City Clerk
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor