1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
October 17, 2023, 4:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
110 East Cook Street
Santa Maria
Roll Call: Councilmember Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Mike Cordero, Councilmember Carlos Escobedo, Councilmember Gloria Soto
Members Absent: Mayor Alice Patino
Staff Present: Interim City Manager Alex Posada, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Interim Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu, Fire Marshal James Austin, Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, Director of Finance Mary Harvey, Interim Director of Finance Xenia Bradford, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer Dawn Jackson, Chief Information Officer Jeffrey Marecic, Interim Director of Recreation & Parks Angela Oslund, Chief of Police Marc Schneider, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Administrative Assistant Brittany Short, Assistant City Clerk Alexandra Valadez
_____________________________________________________________________
CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
In Mayor Patino's absence, Mayor Pro Tem Aguilera -Hernandez called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmembers Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez, Mike Cordero, Carlos Escobedo, and Gloria Soto.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mayor Alice Patino
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
2 Interim City Manager Posada, City Attorney Watson, and Assistant City Clerk Valadez (for roll call only).
For item 3.b: Interim Chief Human Resources Officer Jackson, Human Resources Manager Plata, Director of Finance Harvey, and Interim Director of Finance Bradford.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
There was no public comment.
3. RECESS-CLOSED SESSION
3.a Public Employment Recruitment - City Manager, Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
3.b Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Section 54957.6 of the Government Code Mayor Pro Tem Aguilera-Hernandez recessed to a Closed Session at 4:34 p.m.
4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Israel Gonzales gave the Invocation.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Escobedo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Aguilera-Hernandez convened the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:48 p.m.
8. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported that instructions were provided to the City's negotiators.
9. PROCLAMATIONS
9.a Proclamation – “World Polio Day” – October 24, 2023 The City Council presented a Proclamation recognizing October 24, 2023, as World Polio Day in the City of Santa Maria.
9.b Proclamation – Recognizing October as Arts and Humanities Month The City Council presented a Proclamation recognizing October as Arts and Humanities Month in Santa Maria.
9.c Proclamation – 100-Year Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria – October 2023 The City Council presented a Proclamation to recognize the 100-Year Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria.
3 9.d Businesses of the Month – October 2023
The Mayor and City Council presented certificates to the featured Businesses of the Month for October 2023 – Akeso Occupational Health and the Santa Maria Valley YMCA.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Gary Hall representing North Santa Barbara County Mobile Homeowners Team (NSBMHT) spoke about the concerns the Mobile Homeowners Team has regarding the pace of negotiations. Mr. Hall stated that the team looks forward to continuing discussions with City staff.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 11.a.1 through 11.c.2 were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2023-133, 2023-134, and 2023-135. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.
For (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
11.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
11.a.1 Ordinances and Resolutions
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
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.
For (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
11.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
4 Approve the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of October 3, 2023.
For (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
11.a.3 Appointment of Representatives for the Central Coast Community Energy Operations Board Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Appoint Interim City Manager Alex Posada as Representative, with Interim Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu as Alternate Representa tive, to the Central Coast Community Energy Operations Board.
For (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
11.b FINANCE DEPARTMENT
11.b.1 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
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): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
11.b.2 Appointment of Deputy City Treasurer
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
5 Accept, b y Minute Order , the appointment of Xenia Bradford as Deputy City Treasurer as of October 21, 2023, to act as City Treasurer when the City Treasurer Teressa Hall is unavailable.
Furthermore, any previous Deputy City Treasurer appointments are to be revoked.
For (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
11.c PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
11.c.1 Award Two Professional Services Agreements for On-Call Construction Management And Inspection Services
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-133
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Adopt a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Construction Management and Inspection Services to Filippin Engineering, Inc.; and
For (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-134
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Adopt a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Construction Management and Inspection Services to Wallace Group.
For (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
11.c.2 Acceptance of Public Waterline Easements along West Street
6 Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2023-135
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Adopt a Resolution accepting an easement for water purposes on West Street, along the southerly portion of APN 118-020-004 and along the southerly portion of APN 118-020-006.
For (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
12. PUBLIC HEARING
12.a Public Hearing and Approval of Water and Sewer Rates Commencing each January 1 from 2024 through 2027
The City Council conducted a public hearing and first reading to consider approving water and sewer rates commencing each January 1 from 2024 through 2027. Director of Utilities Shad Springer gave a presentation as detailed in the Council Agenda Report.
Public Hearing
Mayor Pro Tem Aguilera-Hernandez opened the public hearing at 6:44 p.m.
Jim Welch spoke in opposition to the water and sewer rate increase.
Having no more requests to speak, Mayor Pro Tem Aguilera -Hernandez closed the public hearing at 6:51 p.m.
Following the close of the public hearing, Assistant City Clerk Valadez reported that the City had 19,913 rate-payer accounts. 9,958 valid written protests were necessary to reach a majority protest of the water and sewer rates for 2024 to 2027, and on ly 5 were received prior to the meeting. No written protests were received during the public hearing. Therefore, no majority protest existed.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
1. Receive a Staff Presentation regarding water and sewer rates;
2. Conduct a Public Hearing;
3. Determine whether a majority protest exists; and
4. If no majority protest exists, introduce an ordinance for a first reading, and continue for a second reading and adoption at the next regular meeting of the City Council, approving water and sewer rates for the next four years, commencing each January 1 from 2024 through 2027.
7 For (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
Absent (1): Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
13. REPORT BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER
Interim City Manager reported that the next City Council Meeting would be November 7th. Items on the agenda would include a Retirement Proclamation for Systems Analyst II Mike D avis, a Chamber of Commerce Annual Report Presentation, a Code Compliance Annual Report Presentation, Solar Power Award of Contract, Cemetary District Zone Change and Planned Development, and General Plan Update.
14. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Cordero reported that he attended Greg Hart sidewalk hours at City Hall, Leaders Forum for Homeless, EconAlliance Manufacturer's Event at Mafi Trench, a Chamber of Commerce tour at Helical, Solar Program Meeting, and Santa Maria AirFest.
Councilmember Escobedo reported that he was a guest Speaker at the Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Allan Hancock College and he attended the Santa Maria AirFest.
Councilmember Aguilera -Hernandez reported that she attended Mayor 's Ball, EconAlliance Manufacturer's Event at Atlas CopCo, Mafi trench, Santa Maria AirFest, and Santa Maria High School Ribbon Cutting.
Councilmember Soto had no reportable items.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Ma yor Pro Tem Aguilera -Hernandez declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
_________________________
Alexandra Valadez, Assistant City Clerk
_________________________
Alice M. Patino, Mayor