1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
November 7, 2023, 4:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
110 East Cook Street
Santa Maria
Roll Call: Mayor Alice Patino, Councilmember Mike Cordero, Councilmember Carlos Escobedo, Councilmember Gloria Soto
Members Absent: Councilmember Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez
Staff Present: Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge, Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, Director of Community Development Chuen Wu, Director of Recreation & Parks Alex Posada, Chief of Police Marc Schneider, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Angela Oslund, Assistant City Clerk Alexandra Valadez, Chief Deputy City Clerk Sarah Lansburgh, Assistant City Attorney Heather Whitham, Interim Director of Finance Xenia Bradford
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CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmembers Mike Cordero, Gloria Soto, and Mayor Alice Patino Councilmember Carlos Escobedo joined the meeting at 4:35 p.m.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilmember Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Interim City Manager Alex Posada, Assistant City Attorney Heather Whitham, Deputy Chief City Clerk Lansburgh, and Assistant City Clerk Valadez (for roll call only).
2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
2 Mayor Patino invited public comment. No public comments were received.
3. RECESS-CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Patino recessed to a Closed Session at 4:33 p.m. .
3.a Conference with Legal Counsel, Pursuant to California Government Code §54956.9(d)(2)
3.b Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation, Pursuant to California Government Code §54956.9 (Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d))
3.c Public Employment Recruitment - City Manager, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957(b)(1)
3.d Conference with Labor Negotiators, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957.6
4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Jeff Nellermoe of Bethel Lutheran Church gave the Invocation.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Soto led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino convened the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
8. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
Assistant City Attorney Whitham reported staff provided an update to the City Council on item 3.a; as to Item 3.b, the City Council voted unanimously to direct the Interim City Manager or his designee to opt out of the class and settlement; the Council provided direction to its recruiter as part of Item 3.c; and Item 3.d the City’s labor negotiators provided an update to the council.
9. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS
9.a Presentation – Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce 2022-2023 Annual Report The City Council received and filed the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Commission, Visitors Bureau & Tourism Marketing District 2022-2023 Annual Report.
Glenn Morris, Suzanne Singh, and Jennifer Harrison were present for the presenting entities, respectively.
9.b Retirement Resolution for Mike Davis
Item 9.b. was heard before Item 9.a.
Councilmember Cordero read the Resolution for retired City staff Mike Davis. Mr. Davis received the Resolution and provided comments thanking the Council and City. Interim City Manager/Recreation
3 and Parks Director Alex Posada thanked Mr. Davis for his service to the City. I.T. Director Jeff Marecic provided comment thanking Mr. Davis for his years of service to the City and listed the accomplishments of Mr. Davis' career.
This item was brought back after hearing Item 9.a. to vote on the adoption of the Resolution.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution honoring and commending Mike Davis for 34 years of exemplary City servi ce and congratulating him on his upcoming retirement.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto Absent (1): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
10. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Gary Hall, Luis Guzman, and Eddie Navarro.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Patino asked the Council if there were any questions or any items to be pulled from the consent agenda for further discussion. There were none.
Mayor Patino invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Consent Calendar Items 11.a.1 through 11.g.1 were approved as presented.
Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
11.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
11.a.1 Ordinances and Resolutions
Waived the reading in full of all Ordinances and Reso lutions. Ordinances on the Consent Agenda will be adopted by the same vote cast at the first meeting, unless City Council indicates otherwise.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.a.2 Approval of Minutes
4 Approved the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of October 17, 2023.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
Approved the Minutes of the special City Council meeting of October 24, 2023.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.b COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
11.b.1 Fiscal Year 2023-24 HOME Consortium Allocation Recommendation Adopted a Resolution approving the use of Fiscal Year 2023 -2024 HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) funding to be allocated to assist the City of Santa Maria’s Tenant -Based Rental Assistance program and an affordable housing project in Santa Barbara County.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.c FINANCE DEPARTMENT
11.c.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 by a recorded vote
11.c.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 by a recorded vote
11.d LIBRARY DEPARTMENT
11.d.1 Approval of an Agreement with the County of Santa Barbara and the Cities of Lompoc, Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria to Provide for the Operation of a County-wide Free Library System for Fiscal Year 2023-2024
Adopted a Resolution approving an Agreement with the County of Santa Barbara, the Cities of Lompoc, Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria to provide for the operation of a County -wide Free Library System for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
5 11.e POLICE DEPARTMENT
11.e.1 Donation of Community Outreach Vehicle from the Santa Maria Police Council Adopted a Resolution approving the donation of a 19 60 Chevrolet Bel Air to the Santa Maria Police Department from the Santa Maria Police Council.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.f PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
11.f.1 Award of Bid for Citywide Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation, Project, Bid No. 2023-09 Adopted a Resolution awarding a bid to Ayala Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $390,050, for the construction of Citywide Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation Project, Bid No. 2023-09.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.g UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
11.g.1 Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2023-03 Approving Water and Sewer Rates Commencing Each January 1 from 2024 through 2027
Conducted the second reading to approve water and sewer rates commencing each January 1 from 2024 through 2027.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12. PUBLIC HEARING
12.a Santa Maria Cemetery District Expansion General Plan Amendment, Zone Change and Planned Development Permit at the 600 Block of East Newlove Drive Interim City Manager/Community Development Director Chuen Wu gave the presentation, and recommended Council receive public comment and provide direction to staff. Staff responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Patino invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Adopted a Resolution to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the General Plan Land Use Map amendment, zone change, and Planned Development Permit for Santa Maria Cemetery District Expansion, located in the 600 block of East Newlove Drive; and For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto
6 Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Adopted a Resolution amending the General Plan Land Use Policy Map for approximately 87 acres FROM MDR-12 (Medium Density Residential) TO CF (Community Facilities) for the Santa Maria Cemetery District Expansion, located at the 600 block of East Newlove Drive; and For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Introduced for first reading, and continued to a future meeting, an Ordinance amending the General Plan Land Use Policy Map for approximately 0.87acres FROM MDR-12 located at the 600 Block of East Newlove Drive from PD/R-2 (Planned Development/Medium Density Residential) TO CF (Community to PD/PF (Planned Development/Public Facilities) for the Santa Maria Cemetery District Expansion, located at the 600 block of East Newlove Drive; and For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Adopted a Resolution approving Planned Development Permit PD2022-0014 for the Santa Maria Cemetery District Expansion, located at the 600 block of East Newlove Drive.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto Absent (1): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
12.b Solar Power Award of Contract
Public Works Director Brett Fulgoni provided the staff report presentation, and recommended Council receive public comment and provide direction to staff. Sam Zennigan with ForeFront Power provided project information to Council. Staff responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Patino invited public comment. No public comments were received.
7 Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Adopted a Resolution entering into Power Purchase Agreements and related contract documents with ForeFront Power for facilities at the City’s real property sites.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto Absent (1): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
13. REGULAR BUSINESS
13.a Santa Maria General Plan Update Preferred Land Use Alternative Councilmember Cordero requested to postpone Item 13.a to a future meeting date when all Council Members are present. Councilmember Soto agreed to postpone the vote on Item 13.a. Assistant City Attorney Heather Whitham advised Council could receive the staff presentation or continue the item to a future date. Councilmember Escobedo requested to receive the staff presentation and postpone the vote. Councilmembers Cordero and Soto requested to not hear the staff presentation. Assistant City Attorney Whitham advised Council did not have to receive the presentation.
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Peggy Brierton, Vince Martinez, Gary Wuitschick, Ken Hough, and Alham Diaz-Correa.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Council continued the item to a date certain of December 5, 2023.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Soto Absent (1): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
14. REPORT BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER
Interim City Manager Posada reported the next City Council meeting will be November 21st with upcoming agenda items to include: Closed Session, Business of th e Month by the Chamber, a presentation by SBCAG, award of the Sto well and Black Rd Waterline Extension Project, a contract amendment for the Autonomous Shuttle Pass Through purchase, TEFRA hearing for the Vis cayena Apartments, and Interim Finance Director Ms. Bradford will present the First Quarter Financial Report.
15. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Cordero reported that he attended the following events: Black and White Ball at the Elks Lodge, Closed Session City Manager discussion, "Real Cost of Living" presentation by the Santa
8 Maria Valley Chambers of Commerce and United Way, Santa Maria State of the City, ribbon cutting for Adient Aerospace, Kids Halloween Party at the Elks Lodge, CCWA meeting in Buellton, Affordable Housing Zoom presentation, goal setting with Jan Perkins, Celebrate Philanthropy at the golf course, and the Teacher of the Year event for Santa Barbara County. Councilmember Cordero also advised of an upcoming open house at 1on November 14, 2023, at 111 South Broadway, Suite 101 hosted by [unintelligible].
Councilmember Escobedo reported that he attended a Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down and a meeting with Jan Perkins regarding the Santa Maria Council Worship.
Councilmember Soto had no items to report.
Mayor Patino reported an upcoming Veterans' Day celebration on November 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center.
16. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
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Alexandra Valadez, Assistant City Clerk
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor