1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
August 15, 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: Chief Human Resources Officer Linda Le (Acting City Manager), City Attorney Thomas Watson, 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 Information Officer Jeffrey Marecic, Director of Community Development Chuen Wu, Director of Recreation & Parks Alex Posada, Chief of Police Marc Schneider, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Assistant City Clerk Alexandra Valadez, Brittany Short
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CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmembers Mike Cordero, Carlos Escobedo, Gloria Soto, and Mayor Alice Patino.
Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez joined the closed session at 4:41 p.m.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Attorney Watson, Chief Human Resources Officer Linda Le, and Assistant City Clerk Valadez (for roll call only).
2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Hilda Zacarias spoke in favor of opening an outside recruitment for the City Manager position in order to gather a wide range of candidates.
2 3. RECESS - CLOSED SESSION
3.a Public Employment Appointment - City Manager, Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957
4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Kaelyn Lara 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 5:32 p.m.
8. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported that the City Council agreed on two actions during the closed session to include: 1. Authorizing Human Resources Division to execute a Request for Quali fications for recruiting firms; and 2. Establishing an ad -hoc committee to review the candidates consisting of Mayor Alice Patino and Councilmember Gloria Soto.
9. PROCLAMATIONS
9.a Proclamation – “Patty Boyd Day”
The City Council presented a Proclamation recognizing the late Patricia “Patty” Rice Boyd for her lasting contributions to the community.
9.b Businesses of the Month – August 2023
The City Council presented certificates to the featured Businesses of the Month for August 2023 – Kirk & Simas and The Joint Chiropractic.
9.c Proclamation - Library Card Sign-Up Month, September 2023 The City Council presented a Proclamation to recognize September 2023 as Library Card Sign -Up Month in the City of Santa Maria.
9.d Proclamation – “Literacy Awareness Month”
The City Council presented a Proclamation recognizing the month of September 2023 as “Literacy Awareness Month” in the City of Santa Maria and encourage all Santa Marians to help increase literacy awareness, volunteer as a literacy tutor, or become a learner of the Central Coast Literacy Council.
9.e Proclamation – “Childhood Cancer Awareness Month” – September 2023
3 The City Council presented a Proclamation to recognize the month of September 2023 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Santa Maria and urge residents and businesses of the City to support efforts raising awareness about pediatric cancer.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Gary Hall representing North Santa Barbara County Mobile Homeowners Team spoke about the process continuing with City staff. He stated that the attorney representing the North Santa Barbara County Mobile Homeowners Team sent a letter to City staff and await their response.
11. APPOINTMENTS
11.a Committee Appointments
Councilmember Cordero nominated Isaac Berumen, Councilmember Escobedo nominated Esther Acosta, and Councilmember Soto nominated Tammie Castillo-Shiffer.
Assistant City Clerk Valadez indicated that Tammie Castillo-Shiffer was the only applicant for the Measure U Citizens' Oversight Committee and City staff recommends only appointing her to one committee due to potential conflicts of interest.
Moved by: Mayor Patino
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Block Grants Advisory Committee
Councilmembers Cordero, Escobedo, and Soto will have the opportunity to make one nomination each for a term of three years ending in July 2026. Councilmember S oto also has one nomination for the unexpired term ending in July 2025.
Incumbents: Previously Nominated by:
Esther Acosta Moats / Escobedo
Isaac Berumen Cordero
Yvonne Teniente (did not reapply) Soto
Vacant (term ending July 2025) Soto
Incumbents Esther Acosta and Isaac Berumen have reapplied, and two new applications were received from the following:
Amelia Gonzalez Paz
Tammie Castillo-Shiffer
For (5): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
4 Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 12.a.1 through 12.e.1 were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2023 -115, 2023 -116, 2023 -117, 2023-118, 2023-119, 2023-120, 2023-121, 2023-122, 2023-123, 2023-124, 2023-125, and 2023-126. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.
For (5): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
12.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
12.a.1 Ordinances and Resolutions
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
12.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Approve the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 1, 2023.
Motion carried unanimously
12.a.3 Responses to 2022-2023 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury Report – A Death in Custody Lessons Learned
Review and approve staff’s recommended responses addressing the findings and recommendations from the Grand Jury report titled “A Death in Custody | Lessons Learned”; and authorize the Mayor to sign and transmit the City’s Response to the Presiding Judge o f the Superior Court with a copy to the current impaneled Civil Grand Jury and file a copy with the City Clerk’s Office.
Motion carried unanimously
12.a.4 Request to Cancel the September 19, 2023, City Council Meeting
5 Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-115.
Adopt a Resolution cancelling the regular City Council meeting schedule on September 19, 2023.
Motion carried unanimously
12.b FINANCE DEPARTMENT
12.b.1 Payment of Warrants
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
12.b.2 Payment of Payroll
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
12.b.3 Financial Report for the Fourth Quarter Ending June 30, 2023 Receive and file the Financial Report for the Fourth Quarter ending June 30, 2023.
Motion carried unanimously
12.b.3.1 CalPERS Salary Schematic Schedule
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-116.
Adopt a Resolution approving a comprehensive schematic schedu le for all full -time and part-time employees in accordance with CalPERS guidelines.
Motion carried unanimously
12.c PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
12.c.1 Dedication and Summary Vacation of Right-of-Way, and Acceptance of Easements at Betteravia Plaza, Tract 6008
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-117.
1. Adopt a Resolution accepting dedication of right-of-way along the southerly portion of Dan Blough Drive between South Blosser Road and South Western Avenue; and
6 Motion carried unanimously
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-118.
2. Adopt a Resolution summarily vacating a portion of existing right-of-way dedication over Lots 1 and 2 of Betteravia Plaza Final Map, Tract 6008; and
Motion carried unanimously
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-119.
3. Adopt a Resolution accepting an easement for public utility purposes along the Northerly property line of lot 1 LLA per instrument number 2015-0058928; and Motion carried unanimously
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-120.
4. Adopt a Resolution accepting an easement for public utility purposes over Lots 1 and 2 of Betteravia Plaza, Tract 6008; and
Motion carried unanimously
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-121.
5. Adopt a Resolution accepting an easement for public utility purposes over Lots 3 and 4 of Betteravia Plaza, Tract 6008; and
Motion carried unanimously
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-122.
6. Adopt a Resolution accepting an easement for public utility purposes over Lot 5 of Betteravia Plaza, Tract 6008
Motion carried unanimously
12.c.2 US 101/Betteravia Road Interchange - Project Study Report Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-123.
Adopt a Resolution approving a Professional Services Agreem ent with the Wallace Group to prepare a Project Study Report for the US 101/Betteravia Road Interchange.
7 Motion carried unanimously
12.c.3 US 101/SR 166 Main Street Interchange - Project Study Report Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-124.
Adopt a Res olution approving a Professional Services Agreement with Dewberry Engineers Inc. to prepare a Project Study Report for the US 101/SR 166 Main Street Interchange.
Motion carried unanimously
12.d RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT
12.d.1 Professional Services Agreement with Service Star for Janitorial Services at Public Park Restrooms
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-125.
Adopt a Resolution approving a Professional Services Agreement with Skylstad -Schoelen Co., a California Corporation, d/b/a Service Star, for restroom maintenance services.
Motion carried unanimously
12.e UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
12.e.1 Surplus Water Transfer Program for 2023 with the Central Coast Water Authority Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-126.
Adopt a Resolution authorizing participation in the Surplus Water Transfer Program for 2023 with the Central Coast Water Authority (“CCWA”).
Motion carried unanimously
13. PUBLIC HEARING
13.a Fiscal Year 2024-25 Proposed CDBG Funding Priorities The City Council considered the Block Grants Advisory Committee's recommendations for the 2024-25 Community Development Block Grant funding priorities. Community Programs Manager Rojo gave a presentation as detailed in the Council Agenda Report.
Public Hearing
There were no written comments.
Mayor Patino opened the public hearing at 6:18 p.m. and, having no requests to speak, immediately closed the hearing.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-127.
8 Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt a Resolution approving the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) priorities for the 2024 - 25 Fiscal Year funding process.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
14. REGULAR BUSINESS
14.a Financing Options for Fire Station No.1 Expansion and Other Facility Improvements The City Council received a presentation for financing options relating to facilities improvements, specifically for the Fire Station No.1 Expansion Project, as well as actions being taken by City staff to research available funding options. The direction was given to staff to gather more information on revenue bonds as well as continue to explore options for grant funding.
Consider financin g options relating to facilities improvements, specifically for the Fire Station No.1 Expansion Project.
Motion carried unanimously
15. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
Acting City Manager Le reported that the next City Council Meeting would be May 16th. Items on t he agenda would include Proclamations for Active Aging Week, Fire Prevention Week, and Code Enforcement Week. As well as CDBG 2024-25 Capital Project Proposals.
16. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Cordero reported that he attended Community Development Block Grants Workshop, National Night Out, Elected Leaders Forum to Address Homelessness, and Congressman Salud Carbajal Funding Presentation for the Santa Maria Japanese Community Center. Councilmember Cor dero commented on the retirement of City Manager Jason Stilwell and thanked him for his contribution to the City.
Councilmember Escobedo reported that he attended National Night Out and Congressman Salud Carbajal Funding Presentation for the Santa Maria Japanese Community Center.
Councilmember Aguilera -Hernandez reported that she attended National Night Out, Ben Heighes Show, Investment Committee Meeting, Concerts in the Park, and Congressman Salud Carbajal Funding Presentation for the Santa Maria Japanese Community Center.
Councilmember Soto reported that she attended National Night Out, Elected Leaders Forum to Address Homelessness, and Congressman Salud Carbajal Funding Presentation for the Santa Maria Japanese Community Center.
Mayor Patino reported that she attended National Night Out, Elected Leaders Forum to Address Homelessness, APCD Board of Directors Agenda Meeting, Taylor Farms Site Visit, AmeriCorps
9 Graduation, Meeting with Pastor Israel Gonzales to discuss youth, SEIU Local 620, and Congressman Salud Carbajal Funding Presentation for the Santa Maria Japanese Community Center.
17. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
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Alexandra Valadez, Assistant City Clerk
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor