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 Pa�no, Councilmember Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Mike Cordero, Councilmember Carlos Escobedo, Councilmember Gloria Soto
Staff Present: City Manager Jason S�lwell, City Atorney Thomas Watson, Interim Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge, Director of Public Works Bret Fulgoni, Assistant City Manager Andrew Hackleman, Director of Finance Mary Harvey, Library Director Dawn Jackson, Chief Human Resources Officer Linda Le (remote), Chief Informa�on Officer Jeffrey Marecic, Director of Recrea�on & Parks Alex Posada, Community Programs Manager Rosie Rojo (remote), Business Program Leader Michelle Ruiz, Chief of Police Marc Schneider, Director of U�li�es 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 Pa�no called the mee�ng to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmembers Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez, Mike Cordero, Carlos Escobedo, Gloria Soto, and Mayor Alice Pa�no
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager S�lwell, City Atorney 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 Pa�no recessed to a Closed Session at 5:02 p.m. for the following:
2 3.a CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION pursuant to Sec�on 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 Sec�on 54956.9 Subdivision (d)(1) of the Government Code. San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper and Los Padres Forest Watch v. Santa Maria Valley Water Conserva�on District.
4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Carl Nielsen gave the Invoca�on.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pa�no reconvened the mee�ng and called the mee�ng to order at 5:30 p.m.
8. CLOSED SESSION REPORT - CITY ATTORNEY
City Atorney Watson reported that informa�on was provided to the City Council regarding Items 3a and 3b and no ac�on was taken.
9. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
9.a Proclama�on - "Water Awareness Month" - May 2023
Councilmember Soto presented a Proclama�on 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 precio us resource. Director of U�li�es Shad Springer accepted the Proclama�on.
9.b Presenta�on of the 12th Annual Water Awareness School Poster Contest Winners Director of U�li�es 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 Ar�s�c); Pilar Sierra, Alvin School (Most Original); Mariel Espinoza, Alvin School (Best Celebra�on of Water); and Vania Perez Bau�sta, Tunnell School (Most Water Aware).
9.c Proclama�on - "Compost Awareness Week"
Councilmember Escobedo presented a Proclama�on recognizing May 7 -13, 2023, as "Compost Awareness Week" in the City of Santa Maria and apprecia�ng the efforts of the compos�ng councils, extension agents, homeowners, landscapers, farmers, recyclers, public workers, composters, gardeners, and plant growers everywhere.
3 Bob Engel of Engel & Gray, Inc. accepted the Proclama�on.
9.d Proclama�on - "Na�onal Police Week" and "Peace Officers' Memorial Day" Councilmember Cordero presented a Proclama�on recognizing the week of May 14 - 20, 2023, as "Na�onal Police Week" and Wednesday, May 17, 2023, as "Peace Officers' Memorial Day" in the City of Santa Maria. Sgt. Daniel Rios accepted the Proclama�on.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Pastor Carl Nielsen gave a brief presenta�on on the recent Serve Santa Maria event.
Alejandra Enciso, represen�ng Community Partners in Caring, thanked the City Council for their support via CDBG funding.
Jose Mar�n, represen�ng 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 con�nuing nego�a�ons with local mobile home park owners and homeowners to establish rent control for mobile home residents.
Diane Lapham expressed concerns about recent ac�vi�es in her neighborhood on the north end of town.
Manley McNinch, represen�ng 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 adop�on of Resolu�on Nos. 2023-62, 2023-63, 2023-64, 2023-65, 2023-66, 2023-67, 2023-68, 2023- 69, 202 3-70, 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. A�er some discussion, Sec� on 10-2.05 of the Ordinance was revised to exclude "drums , and other 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 submited, excluding Item 11.b.1 - Second Reading of the Technical Amendments Ordinance, which was pulled for a separate vote Mo�on carried unanimously
11.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
11.a.1 Ordinances and Resolu�ons
4 Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Waive the reading in full of all Ordinances and Resolu�ons. Ordinances on the Consent Agenda will be adopted by the same vote cast at the first mee�ng unless City Council indicates otherwise.
Mo�on carried unanimously
11.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Approve the Minutes of the regular City Council mee�ng of April 18, 2023.
Mo�on carried unanimously
11.a.3 Memorandum of Understanding for Vandenberg Space Force Base Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-62
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on approving the Memorandum of Understanding for the Space Industry Expansion Master Plan with Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Mo�on carried unanimously
11.b CITY ATTORNEY DEPARTMENT – moved to the end of Consent as the item was pulled for a separate vote.
11.c COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
11.c.1 Final Approval of the Community Development Block Grant Program's Annual Ac�on Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-24
Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-63
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on approving the Public Services ac�vi�es and alloca�ons under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program incorporated in the Annual Ac�on Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
5 Mo�on carried unanimously
Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-64
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on approving the Capital Development ac�vi�es and alloca�ons under the CDBG Community Development Block Grant Program incorporated in the Annual Ac�on Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
Mo�on carried unanimously
Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-65
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on approving the General Administra�ve ac�vi�es and alloca�ons under the Community Development Block Grant Program incorporated in the Annual Ac�on Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
Mo�on carried unanimously
11.d FINANCE DEPARTMENT
11.d.1 Payment of Warrants
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Order ra�fied subject to having been cer�fied as being in conformity with the budget and having been approved for payment by the Director of Finance.
Mo�on carried unanimously
11.d.2 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Order ra�fied subject to having been cer�fied by the proper Department Directors, as shown on records on file in the Departm ent of Finance and having been approved for payment by the Director of Finance.
6 Mo�on carried unanimously
11.e PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
11.e.1 Breeze & New Cuyama Transit Route Consolida�on
Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-66
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on 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 Associa�on of Governments for Breeze Route 100 transit services, enabling the consolida�on of Breeze Route 100.
Mo�on carried unanimously
Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-67
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on 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 Associa�on of Governments for the Breeze Route 200 transit services, enabling the consolida�on of Breeze Route 200.
Mo�on carried unanimously
Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-68
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on approving the withdrawal from the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santa Maria and the County of Santa Barbara for the New Cuyama transit services.
Mo�on carried unanimously
Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-69
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on approving the ex ecu�on of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santa Maria and the County of Santa Barbara to sup port Northern Santa Barbara County
7 interregional transit services that consolidates the Breeze Routes 100 and 200, and the New Cuyama Route.
Mo�on carried unanimously
11.e.2 Appropria�on of Transit's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-70
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on approving appropria�on of the form ula allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $1,266,629 for the Transit program’s opera�ng budget.
Mo�on carried unanimously
11.e.3 Award of Architect/Engineering Services for Phase II - Prepara�on of Construc�on Documents to expand Fire Sta�on No. 1
Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-71
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on approving an Agreement for Professional Services with Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects for Phase II – Prepara�on of Construc�on Documents to expand Fire Sta�on No.
1. Mo�on carried unanimously
11.e.4 Proposed Establishment of No Stopping Zones on Mercury Drive Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-72
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on establishing no stopping zones on Mercury Drive.
Mo�on carried unanimously
11.e.5 Award of Bid No. 2023/04 - Phase I of the Veterans Memorial Park Improvements Project Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-73
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
8 Adopt a Resolu�on awarding Bid No. 2023/04 to RDZ Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $588,669 for the construc�on of Phase I of the Veterans Memorial Park Improvements Project.
Mo�on carried unanimously
11.e.6 School Mill Investors, LLC Reimbursement Agreement, Amendment No. 3 Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-74
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on approving Amendment No. 3 to the Reimbursement Agreement with School Mill Investors, LLC for the construc�on upgrade of sanitary sewer segment D-13.
Mo�on carried unanimously
11.f UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
11.f.1 Agreement - Atkinson Park Cell Tower
Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-75
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolu�on authorizing a Communica�ons Site License Agreement with Dish Wireless, LLC for the lease of a communica�ons site on a por�on of the property at Atkinson Park, 1000 North Railroad Avenue.
Mo�on carried unanimously
11. CONSENT CALENDAR – Item pulled for a separate vote
11.b CITY ATTORNEY DEPARTMENT
11.b.1 Annual Technical Amendments to the Santa Maria Municipal Code - Second Reading/Adop�on of Ordinance No. 2023-02
Councilmember Escobedo requested that Item 11.b.1 be pulled for discussion and a separate vote. A�er some discussion, Sec�on 10-2.05 of the Ordinance was revised to exclude "drums and other musical instruments" from the list of sound amplifying systems prohibited in parks.
Ac�on: Adopted as amended - Ordinance No. 2023-02
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
9 Conduct the second reading, and adopt Ordinance No. 2023 -02, as amended, amending various sec�ons of the Santa Maria Municipal Code r ela�ng to Obstruc�on of Ways and Paths, Sound Amplifying Systems, Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduc�on, Appeals of Revoked or Denied Business Licenses, Criminal Convic�ons and Business License Eligibility, Bingo Games Licenses, Taxicab Licenses, N oise Regula�ons, Urban Forestry, Wastewater C ollec�on, 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 Pa�no, and Councilmember Cordero
Mo�on 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 loca�on of the Japanese Community Cultural Center upon the park site.
Director of Recrea�on & Parks Posada gave a presenta�on as detailed in the Council Agenda Report and provided an update on the status of the park project and Smith-Enos House renova�on.
Ac�on: Adopted as Resolu�on No. 2023-76
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopt a Resolu�on accep�ng 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.
Mo�on carried unanimously
13. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager S�lwell reported that the next City Council Mee�ng would be May 16th. Items on the agenda would include a Proclama�on for Rodeo Days and the 3rd Quarter Financial Report. At the June 6th City Council mee�ng, items will include an update on Pavement Condi�on and the Pavement Management Plan.
14. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Soto reported she atended an interview regarding the Fire Department Master Plan, a Downtown Revitaliza�on Commitee mee�ng, and a Quarterly Schools prepara�on mee�ng.
10 Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez reported she atended the SBCAG Orienta�on Mee�ng, an SBCAG mee�ng, an interview regarding the Fire Department Master Plan, a Downtown Revitaliza�on Commitee mee�ng, the Vandenberg Quarterly Awards, and the Channel Coun�es Annual Dinner.
Councilmember Escobedo reported he atended an interview regarding the Fire Department Master Plan.
Councilmember Cordero reported he atended the EconAlliance Mee�ng, a CCWA mee�ng, and the Vandenberg Quarterly Awards.
Mayor Pa�no reported she atended a Mayors-Councilmember Roundtable, a City Leadership of Santa Barbara County mee�ng, a mee�ng regarding Housing Affordability, and the Strawberry Fes�val.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Pa�no declared the City Council mee�ng adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
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Rhonda M. White, Chief Deputy City Clerk
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Alice M. Pa�no, Mayor