1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
July 18, 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 Carlos Escobedo, Councilmember Gloria Soto
Members Absent: Councilmember Mike Cordero
Staff Present: City Manager Jason Stilwell, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge, Deputy Fire Chief Jim Clayton, 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, Deputy Director of Recreation & Parks Angela Oslund, Director of Recreation & Parks Alex Posada, Chief of Police Marc Schneider, Recreation Manager Dennis Smitherman, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Director of Community Development Chuen Wu, Business Program Leader Alexandra Valadez, Chief Deputy City Clerk Rhonda White
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1. INVOCATION
Tim Mossholder with Santa Maria Foursquare Church gave the Invocation.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Soto led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino convened the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.
4. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS
4.a Swearing-in and Badge Pinning for New Fire Chief
City Manager Stilwell introduced the incoming Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge, Mayor Patino administered the ceremonial Oath of Office, followed by the badge pinning by his father, Arthur Dandridge.
4.b Presentation of the Summer 2023 Class of Hometown Heroes The City Council received a presentation of the 2023 Summer Class of Honorees for the Home town Heroes program recognizing Santa Maria residents who are actively serving in the military, veterans of the United States military, first responders, or essential workers by displaying a celebratory banner with the honoree's photograph and branch of se rvice. The Honorees were: Mike Miranda (Police Officer); Richard Lane Parker (California National Guard); Lisa Adams (Essential Worker); Amy Argentieri (Essential Worker - Education); Leo Avila (Essential Worker - Education); Ginny Barnett (Essential Worker - Education); Ralph Castillo (Marine Corps & Firefighter -Engineer); Henry Thomas Davis (Air Force); David Flores H. (Army); Mark Shane Jensen (Marine Corps); Kevin Kolthoff (Essential Worker - Education); Jennifer Montanez (Essential Worker - Education); Tony B. Nurillo (Navy); Nathan Resendez (Marine Corps); Steven Jay Robbins (Army); Joe Rodriguez (Army); Clifford Louis Tanore (Army); Patricia Villalobos (Essential Worker - Education); and Julian E. White IV (Navy & Firefighter).
2 4.c Retirement Resolution for Water System Operator II Thomas "Tim" McNulty The City Council adopted a Resolution commending Water Systems Operator II Thomas "Tim" McNulty for 33 years of exemplary service.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-104.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopt a Resolution commending Water System Operator II Thomas “Tim” McNulty for 33 years of exemplary service.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
4.d Businesses of the Month – July 2023
Certificates were presented to the featured Businesses of the Month for July 2023 – Maya Restaurant and CALM. Owner Tere Pare des and Director of Development Ashley McCague, and North County Development Manager Shelby McLean accepted the certificates, respectively.
4.e Proclamation – “LGBTQ+ Pride Month”
The City Council presented a Proclamation recognizing the month of June 2023, as “LGBTQ+ Pride Month” in the City of Santa Maria and encouraging all residents and businesses to respect the entire community and build a culture that strives for equity and equality for all people. Members of House and Pride & Equality accepted the Proclamation.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Gary Hall representing North Santa Barbara County Mobilehomeowners Team (NSBMHT) spoke about the concerns the Mobilehomeowners Team has regarding the pace of negotiations. Mr. Hall stated that the negotiations will continue with City staff at a meeting on July 21, 2023, and he looks forward to continuing working together.
City Manager Jason Stilwell confirmed Mr. Hall's mention of the upcoming meeting between members of NSBMHT. Mr. Stilwell mentioned that City staff also looks forward to continuing discussions with NSBMHT. City Manager Stilwell introduced Deputy Fire Chief Jim Clayton to provide the City Council with an update on the Fourth of July Fireworks activities.
Deputy Fire Chief Clayton expressed the City's efforts to mitigate the use of illegal fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday by using public safety videos and drone videos. Through the drone videos, Deputy Chief Clayton reported that 12 to 15 likely citations were identif ied, along with 6 to 8 citations still under review by the City Attorney's Office. Additionally, Deputy Fire Chief Clayton mentioned that 11 citations were identified by Fire Prevention Officers and 14 citations were identified by the Police Department.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 6.a through 6.c were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2023-105 and 2023-106. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
3 Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
6.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
6.a.1 Ordinances and Resolutions
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Waive the reading in full of all Ordinances and Resolutions. Ordinances on the Consent Agenda will be adopted by the s ame vote cast at the first meeting, unless City Council indicates otherwise.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
6.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Approve the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 20, 2023.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
6.b FINANCE DEPARTMENT
6.b.1 Payment of Warrants
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Order ratified subject t o having been certified as being in conformity with the budget and having been approved for payment by the Director of Finance.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
6.b.2 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
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.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
4 Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
6.b.3 Establishing the City of Santa Maria’s FY 2023-24 Appropriation Limit Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-105
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Adopt a Resolution establishing the City of Santa Maria’s FY 2023-24 appropriation limit.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
6.c POLICE DEPARTMENT
6.c.1 Donation of Drone Equipment from the Santa Maria Police Council Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-106
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Adopt a Resolution approving the donation of drone equipment to the Santa Maria Police Department from the Santa Maria Police Council.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
7. APPOINTMENTS
7.a Annual Boards & Various Appointments – July 2023
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Block Grants Advisory Committee
The Mayor and each Councilmember considered appointments for a term of three years ending in July 2026. Councilmember Soto also has one nomination for the unexpired term ending in July 2025.
Incumbents:
Esther Acosta (Councilmember Moats/Escobedo)
Jose Aguilera-Galvan (Mayor Patino)
Isaac Berumen (Councilmember Cordero)
Yvonne Teniente (Councilmember Soto)
Vacant (Aguilera-Hernandez)
Incumbents Yvonne Teniente and Jose Aguilera -Galvan did not reapply. Incumbents Esther Acosta and Isaac Berumen did reapply, and new applications were received from the following:
New Applicants:
Mackenzie Greeley
Sally Lopez
Councilmember Aguilera -Hernandez nominated Sally Lopez and Mayor Patino nominated Mackenzie Greeley. Each nomination to serve a term ending in July 2026.
5 Councilmembers Escobedo and Soto asked to postpone their nominations to a later date. City Manager Jason Stilwell indicated that due to Councilmember Cordero's inability to make his nominations at this meeting, the appointme nts would be brought back to the City Council in August. Business Program Leader Alexandra Valadez indicated that staff would continue to advertise the four vacancies and present the applications in August, as indicated by the City Manager.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
Moved by: Mayor Patino
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Library Board of Trustees
Mayor Patino considered one appointment for a term of three years ending in July 2026.
Incumbents:
Laura Selken (Mayor Patino)
Incumbent Laura Selken has reapplied, and one new application was received from the following:
New Applicant:
Mary Lynn Stovall
Laura Selken was reappointed to serve a term ending in July 2026.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
Moved by: Mayor Patino
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Santa Barbara County Library Advisory Committee
Mayor Patino considered one appointment for a term of one year ending in July 2024.
Incumbent:
Betty Gunn (Mayor Patino)
Incumbent Betty Gunn has reapplied.
Betty Gunn was reappointed to serve a term ending in July 2024.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
Moved by: Mayor Patino
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Central Coast Community Energy
Mayor Patino appointed Assistant City Manager Andrew Hackleman as the Alternate Member to Central Coast Community Energy Operations Board.
6 For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
8. PUBLIC HEARING
8.a Landscape Maintenance Districts – 2023 Assessments
The City Council considered confirming the diagrams and assessment rates for the Northeast, Northwest, South Miller/South College Drive, and Southwest Landscape Maintenance Districts and their 19 associated Special Benefit Zones for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
Public Input
Mayor Patino opened the public hearing at 6:43 p.m. and, having no requests to speak, immediately closed the public hearing.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-107.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
1. Adopt a Resolution confirming the diagram and assessment rates for the Northeast Landscape Maintenance Assessment District No. DS-10 and its associated Special Benefit Zones for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-108.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
2. Adopt a Resolution confirming the diagram and assessment rates for the Northwest Landscape Maintenance Assessment District No. DS-9 and its associated Special Benefit Zones for Fiscal Year 2023- 2024.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-109.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
3. Adopt a Resolution confirming the diagram and assessment rates for the South Miller/South College Drive Landscape Maintenance Assessment District No. DS-6 and its associated Special Benefit Zones for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
7 Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-110.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
4. Adopt a Resolution confirming the diagram and assessment rates for the Southwest Landscape Maintenance Assessment District No. DS -11 and its associated Special Benefit Zones for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Councilmember Cordero
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
9. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Stilwell reported that the next City Council Meeting would be August 1st. Items on the agenda would include an agreement for School Resource Officers, a request for cancellation of the September 5th and September 19th City Council meetings, and a presentation of the 1st graduating class of the City's GROW Initiative partnership with UCSB.
10. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Soto reported that she attended the Santa Maria Airport District Meeting and a Water & Sewer Rates Briefing.
Councilmember Agui lera-Hernandez reported that she attended a Local Leader Roundtable at Diablo Canyon Powerplant, a Water & Sewer Briefing, Traffic Committee Meeting, Fair Kick-Off Event, Meeting with Congressman Salud Carbajal, Santa Barbara County Fair Pre -Party, and the Downtown Revitalization Committee Meeting.
Councilmember Escobedo had no AB1234 report.
Mayor Patino reported that she attended 3CE Policy Board of Directors Meeting, Antelope Valley Field Trip, Rick Blaemire Show, Marian Residency Program Graduation, Pro ject Opiod Meeting, Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation Board Meeting, Luncheon at Merrill Gardens, Water Policy Meeting with Chamber, Livable CA Teleconference, Performing Arts/Conference Center Feasibility Meeting, 99th Annual Pioneer Picnic, Santa Maria Valley Sports History Club, PAC Steering Committee Meeting, Legacy Society Luncheon, Rotary, Fairpark Pre -Party, North County Subregional Committee, Space Launch Delta 30 Change of Command, Livable CA Teleconference, Santa Barbara County Fair, Fentanyl Town Hall Meeting Discussion, CA Strawberry Commission Meeting. Mayor Patino also announced the upcoming Concerts in the Park schedule.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
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Rhonda M. White, Chief Deputy City Clerk
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor