1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
May 2, 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 (remote), Chief Information Officer Jeffrey Marecic, Director of Recreation & Parks Alex Posada, Community Programs Manager Rosie Rojo (remote), Business Program Leader Michelle Ruiz, Chief of Police Marc Schneider, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Director of Community Development Chuen Wu, Chief Deputy City Clerk Rhonda White, Deputy City Clerk Beth Cleary
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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, Chief Human Resources Officer Linda Le, and Chief Deputy City Clerk White (for roll call only).
2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
There were no requests to speak.
3. RECESS - CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Patino recessed to a Closed Session at 5:02 p.m. for the following:
2 3.a CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION pursuant to Section 54956.9 Subdivision (d)(1) of the Government Code. Juan Rodriguez, Sandra Rodriguez v. City of Santa Maria, Case no. 19CV4142, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara.
3.b CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION 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
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Carl Nielsen gave the Invocation.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino reconvened the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
8. CLOSED SESSION REPORT - CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Watson reported that information was provided to the City Council regarding Items 3a and 3b and no action was taken.
9. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
9.a Proclamation - "Water Awareness Month" - May 2023
Councilmember Soto presented a Proclamation recognizing May 2023 as "Water Awareness Month" in the City of Santa Maria and urging everyone to do their part to conserve and preserve this precious resource. Director of Utilities Shad Springer accepted the Proclamation.
9.b Presentation of the 12th Annual Water Awareness School Poster Contest Winners Director of Utilities Shad Springer presented the 12th Annual Water Awareness School Poster Contest winners. This year's winners are: Keira Paz, Tunnell School (Grand Prize); Emily Fernandez Salgado, Alvin School (Most Colorful); Filiberto Mendez Garcia, Adam School (Most Artistic); Pilar Sierra, Alvin School (Most Original); Mariel Espinoza, Alvin School (Best Celebration of Water); and Vania Perez Bautista, Tunnell School (Most Water Aware).
9.c Proclamation - "Compost Awareness Week"
Councilmember Escobedo presented a Proclamation recognizing May 7 -13, 2023, as "Compost Awareness Week" in the City of Santa Maria and appreciating the efforts of the composting coun cils, extension agents, homeowners, landscapers, farmers, recyclers, public workers, composters, gardeners, and plant growers everywhere.
3 Bob Engel of Engel & Gray, Inc. accepted the Proclamation.
9.d Proclamation - "National Police Week" and "Peace Officers' Memorial Day" Councilmember Cordero presented a Proclamation recognizing the week of May 14 - 20, 2023, as "National Police Week" and Wednesday, May 17, 2023, as "Peace Officers' Memorial Day" in the City of Santa Maria. Sgt. Daniel Rios accepted the Proclamation.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Pastor Carl Nielsen gave a brief presentation on the recent Serve Santa Maria event.
Alejandra Enciso, representing Community Partners in Caring, thanked the City Council for their support via CDBG funding.
Jose Martin, representing MOVE Santa Barbara County, spoke about Bici Centro located at 310 E. Oak Street in Santa Maria and an upcoming event, the Trail Mix Ride, Saturday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m.
Gary Hall expressed concern that the City has decided to wait for the outcome of AB1035 (Mobilehome Affordability Act) and another similar Bill before continuing negotiations with local mobile home park owners and homeowners to establish rent control for mobile home residents.
Diane Lapham expressed concerns about recent activities in her neighborhood on the north end of town.
Manley McNinch, representing the Southwest Mountain States Regional Council of Carpenters, spoke about a new training center being established in the area (July 1) for carpenters and tradespeople.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 11.a through 11.f (except Item 11.b.1) were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2023 -62, 2023 -63, 2023 -64, 2023 -65, 2023 -66, 2023 -67, 2023 -68, 2023-69, 2023-70, 2023-71, 2023-72, 2023-73, 2023-74, and 2023-75, and Ordinance No. 2023-02. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Councilmember Escobedo requested that Item 11.b.1 be pulled for discussion and a separate vote.
After some discussion, Section 10 -2.05 of the Ordinanc e was revised to exclude "drums and musical instruments" from the list of sound amplifying systems prohibited in parks.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted, excluding Item 11.b.1 - Second Reading of the Technical Amendments Ordinance, which was pulled for a separate vote Motion carried unanimously
11.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
11.a.1 Ordinances and Resolutions
4 Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
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.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Approve the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of April 18, 2023.
Motion carried unanimously
11.a.3 Memorandum of Understanding for Vandenberg Space Force Base Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-62
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution approving the Memorandum of Understanding for the Space Industry Expansion Master Plan with Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Motion carried unanimously
11.b CITY ATTORNEY DEPARTMENT
11.c COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
11.c.1 Final Approval of the Community Development Block Grant Program's Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-24
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-63
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution approving the Public Services activities and allocations under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program incorporated in the Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
5 Motion carried unanimously
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-64
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution approving the Capital Development activities and allocations under the CDBG Community Development Block Grant Program incorporated in the Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
Motion carried unanimously
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-65
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution approving the General Administrative activitie s and allocations under the Community Development Block Grant Program incorporated in the Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
Motion carried unanimously
11.d FINANCE DEPARTMENT
11.d.1 Payment of Warrants
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
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.2 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
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.
6 Motion carried unanimously
11.e PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
11.e.1 Breeze & New Cuyama Transit Route Consolidation
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-66
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution approving the withdrawal from the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santa Maria, City of Lompoc, County of Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments for Breeze Route 100 transit services, enabli ng the consolidation of Breeze Route 100.
Motion carried unanimously
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-67
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution approving the withdrawal from the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santa Maria, City of Buellton, City of Solvang, County of Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments for the Breeze Route 200 t ransit services, enabling the consolidation of Breeze Route 200.
Motion carried unanimously
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-68
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution approving the withdrawal from the Memo randum of Understanding between the City of Santa Maria and the County of Santa Barbara for the New Cuyama transit services.
Motion carried unanimously
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-69
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
7 Adopt a Resolution approving the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santa Maria and the County of Santa Barbara to support Northern Santa Barbara County interregional transit services that consolidates the Breeze Routes 100 a nd 200, and the New Cuyama Route.
Motion carried unanimously
11.e.2 Appropriation of Transit's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-70
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution approving appropriation of the formula allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $1,266,629 for the Transit program’s operating budget.
Motion carried unanimously
11.e.3 Award of Architect/Engineering Services for Phase II - Preparation of Construction Documents to expand Fire Station No. 1
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-71
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution approving an Agreement for Professional Services with Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects for Phase II – Preparation of Construction Documents to expand Fire Station No. 1.
Motion carried unanimously
11.e.4 Proposed Establishment of No Stopping Zones on Mercury Drive Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-72
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution establishing no stopping zones on Mercury Drive.
Motion carried unanimously
11.e.5 Award of Bid No. 2023/04 - Phase I of the Veterans Memorial Park Improvements Project Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-73
8 Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution awarding Bid No. 2023/04 to RDZ Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $588,669 for the construction of Phase I of the Veterans Memorial Park Improvements Project.
Motion carried unanimously
11.e.6 School Mill Investors, LLC Reimbursement Agreement, Amendment No. 3 Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-74
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution approving Amendment No. 3 to the Reimbursement Agreement with School Mill Investors, LLC for the construction upgrade of sanitary sewer segment D-13.
Motion carried unanimously
11.f UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
11.f.1 Agreement - Atkinson Park Cell Tower
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-75
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution authorizing a Communications Site License Agreement with Dish Wireless, LLC for the lease of a communications site on a portion of the property at Atkinson Park, 1000 North Railroad Avenue.
Motion carried unanimously
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
11.b CITY ATTORNEY DEPARTMENT
11.b.1 Annual Technical Amendments to the Santa Maria Municipal Code - Second Reading/Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-02
Councilmember Escobedo requested that Item 11.b.1 be pulled for discussion and a separate vote. After some discussion, Section 10-2.05 of the Ordinance was revised to exclude "drums and musical instruments" from the list of sound amplifying systems prohibited in parks.
Action: Adopted as amended - Ordinance No. 2023-02
9 Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Conduct the second reading, and adopt Ordinance No. 2023 -02, as amended, amending various sections of the Santa Maria Municipal Code relating to Obstruction of Ways and Paths, Sound Amplifying Systems, Mandatory Org anic Waste Disposal Reduction, Appeals of Revoked or Denied Business Licenses, Criminal Convictions and Business License Eligibility, Bingo Games Licenses, Taxicab Licenses, Noise Regulations, Urban Forestry, Wastewater Collection, Treatment, and Disposal, and Electronic Filing of Campaign Finance Disclosure Statements and Statements of Economic Interest.
For (3): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Noes (2): Mayor Patino, and Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (3 to 2)
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
12.a Japanese Community Cultural Center Project Funding Award and Overall Development Update The City Council considered the acceptance of a grant award from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Japanese Community Cultural Center and received an update on the proposed development of the historic Smith-Enos House, grounds, and location of the Japanese Community Cultural Center upon the park site.
Director of Recreation & Parks Posada gave a presentation as detailed in the Council Agenda Report and provided an update on the current status of the park project and Smith-Enos House renovation.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-76
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopt a Resolution accepting grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (Award No. B-23-CP-CA-0097) for the Japanese Community Cultural Center in the amount of $500,000.
Motion carried unanimously
13. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Stilwell reported that the next City Council Meeting would be May 16th. Items on the agenda would include a Proclamation for Rodeo Days and the 3rd Quarter Financial Report. At the June 6th City Council meeting, items will include an update on Pavement Management and the Pavement Management Plan.
14. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS)
10 Councilmember Soto reported she attended an interview regarding the Fire Department Master Plan, a Downtown Revitalization Committee meeting, and a Quarterly Schools preparation meeting.
Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez reported she attended the SBCAG Orientation Meeting, an SBCAG meeting, an interview regarding the Fire Department Master Plan, a Downtown Revitalization Committee meeting, the Vandenberg Quarterly Awards, and the Channel Counties Annual Dinner.
Councilmember Escobedo reported he attended an interview regarding the Fire Department Master Plan.
Councilmember Cordero reported he attended the EconAlliance Meeting, a CCWA meeting, and the Vandenberg Quarterly Awards.
Mayor Patino reported she attended a Mayors-Councilmember Roundtable, a meeting regarding Housing Affordability, and the Strawberry Festival.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
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Rhonda M. White, Chief Deputy City Clerk
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor