1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
August 20, 2024, 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
Members Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Soto
Staff Present: Interim City Manager Alex Posada, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu, Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge, Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, Interim Director of Finance Xenia Bradford, Principal Civil Engineer Mark Mueller, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer Dawn Jackson, Interim Director of Recreation and Parks Angela Oslund, Interim Assistant Director of Recreation & Parks Dennis Smitherman, Interim Director of Community
Development Dana Eady, Community Programs Manager Rosa Rojo, Chief of Police Marc Schneider, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna Schwartz, Assistant City Clerk Alexandra Valadez
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CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 4:35 p.m. Mayor Patino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmembers Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez, Mike Cordero, Carlos Escobedo, and Mayor Alice Patino.
Councilmember Escobedo arrived at 4:59 p.m. and joined Closed Session.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mayor Pro Tem Soto.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Interim City Manager Alex Posada, City Attorney Thomas Watson, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna G.
Schwartz (for roll call only).
2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Mayor Patino opened public comment, there being none, closed public comment.
3. RECESS-CLOSED SESSION
At 4:36 p.m. Mayor Patino recessed to Closed Session.
3.a Conference with Labor Negotiators, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957.6
3.b Public Employee Recruitment - City Manager, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957(b)(1)
3.c Public Employee Performance Evaluation, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957(b)(1)
4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
2 OPEN SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Kaelyn Lara of Santa Maria Foursquare Church 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 5:33 p.m.
8. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported that instructions were provided to staff on items 3.a and 3.b. Item 3.c will be carried to after the open session.
9. PROCLAMATIONS
9.a Proclamation – “Women’s Equality Day” – August 26, 2024 The City Council presented a Procl amation recognizing August 26, 2024, as "Women's Equality Day" in the City of Santa Maria. The Proclamation was accepted by Sandra Boyd representing League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara County and the Santa Maria American Association of University Women.
9.b Proclamation – "Library Card Sign-Up Month" - September 2024 The City Council presented a Proclamation to recognize September 2024 as "Library Card Sign -Up Month" in the City of Santa Maria. The Proclamation was accepted by Laura Arteaga, Executive Director of the Central Coast Literacy Council.
10. PRESENTATIONS
10.a Santa Maria’s Hometown Heroes
The City Council received a presentation of the Summer 2024 Class of Honorees for the Hometown Heroes program, recognizing Santa Maria residents who are act ively serving in the military, first responders, or essential workers. The Summer 2024 Class of Honorees include, Robert Castillo (Army); Arnold Feher (Pioneer Valley High School English Teacher); Courtney Starr (SMJUHSD Administrative Assistant); Ivan F. Cordero (Army); Eddie Hernandez (Pioneer Valley High School Security Coordinator); Eric Blanco (Righetti High School Counselor); Carlos C. Haro (Army); Kevin Barbarick (Righetti High School Athletic Director); Monica Garcia (Santa Maria High School Adminis trative Assistant); Chad Gayda (Navy); Russell Thomas (Mark Richardson Career Technical Education Center & Agricultural Farm Culinary Teacher); Robert Gene Bunkelman (Navy); Shannon Powell (Santa Maria High School Agriculture Teacher); and Dominic Delmendo (Coast Guard).
10.b Caltrans Clean CA Post Construction Overview
The City Council received a presentation regarding the Downtown Streetscape Pedestrian Enhancements. The presentation was given by Interim Assistant Director of Recreation & Parks Dennis Smitherman.
11. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Gary Hall, Scott Bramsen, and Andrew Kline.
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 12.a.1 through 12.d.1 were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2024-99, 2024-100, and 2024-101. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Councilmember Escobedo announced that he will abstain from item 12.a.2 due to his absence at the July 16, 2024, regular City Council meeting.
3 Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, and Councilmember Escobedo
Absent (1): Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Soto
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
12.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
12.a.1 Ordinances and Resolutions
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
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 by a recorded vote
12.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Approved the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 16, 2024, and special City Council meeting of August 1, 2024.
For (3): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, and Councilmember Cordero Abstain (1): Councilmember Escobedo
Absent (1): Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Soto
Motion carried by a recorded vote (3 to 0)
12.a.3 Responses to 2023-2024 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury Report – Individuals in Crisis Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
The City Council reviewed and approved staff’s recommended responses addressing the finding and recommendation from the Grand Jury report titled “Individuals in Crisis” and authorized the Mayor to sign and transmit the City’s Response to the Presiding Judge of 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 by a recorded vote
12.a.4 Adoption of a Resolution Cancelling the September 3, 2024, City Council Meeting Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-99.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution canceling the regular City Council meeting on September 3, 2024.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.b FINANCE DEPARTMENT
4 12.b.1 Payment of Warrants
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
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
12.b.2 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
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
12.c PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
12.c.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Proposed Establishment of Limited Time Parking Zone on Airpark Drive
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-100.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution establishing a limited-time parking zone on Airpark Drive.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.d UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
12.d.1 Adoption of a Resolution Designating an Authorized Representative for a Financial Agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board for the Ray Water Company Consolidation
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-101.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution designating an Authorized Representative for a Financial Agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board for the Ray Water Company Consolidation.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
13. APPOINTMENTS
13.a Annual Boards & Various Appointments – August 2024 Chief Deputy City Clerk Schwartz announced that a new application was received from Midge Nicosia for Central Coast Commission on Aging after the agenda was posted. Staff plans to revisit this item at the regular City Council meeting on September 17, 2024, f or Council to have an opportunity to consider appointing the new applicant. This will provide Councilmember Soto the opportunity to make appointments and allow for the receipt of additional applications.
Moved by: Mayor Patino
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Block Grants Advisory Committee
5 Each Councilmember considered appointments for a new term of three years ending in July 2027.
Mayor Pro Tem Soto has an additional vacancy for an unexpired term ending in July 2025.
One application was received from incumbent Patricia Solorio (previously appointed by Mayor Pro Tem Soto). One application was received by Carla Marrel and Monica Gonzalez.
Mayor Pro Tem Soto was absent and unable to make any appointments.
Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez appointed Monica Gonzalez.
Councilmember Cordero appointed Carla Marrel.
Library Board of Trustees
The Mayor considered one appointment for a new term of three years ending in July 2027.
One application was received from incumbent Hunter J ameson (previously appointed by Mayor Patino).
Mayor Patino appointed incumbent Hunter Jameson to serve a term of three years.
Recreation and Parks Commission
Councilmember Escobedo considered one appointment for an unexpired term ending in January 2025.
Three new applications were received by Isaac Berumen, Cynthia Gudino, and Steve Lougee.
Councilmember Escobedo appointed Cynthia Gudino to serve the unexpired term ending January 2025.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, and Councilmember Escobedo
Absent (1): Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Soto
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
14. PUBLIC HEARING
14.a Adoption of a Resolution Approving Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant Funding Priorities
The City Council received a staff report regarding the Community Development Block Grant Funding Priorities for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Staff report made by Community Programs Manager Rosie Rojo.
Mayor Patino opened the public hearing at 6:28 p.m., having no public comment, Mayor Patino immediately closed the public hearing.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-102.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Adopted a Resolution approving the Community Development B lock Grant funding priorities for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Funding Process.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, and Councilmember Escobedo
Absent (1): Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Soto
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
15. REGULAR BUSINESS
15.a Review of the Financial Report for the Fourth Quarter Ending June 30, 2024 The City Council reviewed and filed the 2023-24 Fourth Quarter Financial Report. Staff report given by Interim Director of Finance Xenia Bradford.Mayor Patino invited public comment.
Speaking from the public was Matt Chircop.
6 15.b Stormwater Basin Policy
The City Council received a presentation on stormwater basins and provided direction for policy implementation. The staff report was given by Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Implemented a policy not to accept ownership and maintenance of any stormwater basins, with exception on a case -by-case basis, provided the basin serves an agreed upon public benefit with an identified funding source for basins moving forward. Staff is dire cted to continue work on a policy for basins already maintained by City of Santa Maria.
For (3): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, and Councilmember Escobedo Noes (1): Mayor Patino
Absent (1): Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Soto
Motion carried by a recorded vote (3 to 1)
15.c Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Sales and Disposition Agreement Between the City of Santa Maria and Vernon Property Group, LLC for City Surplus Land in Downtown Staff report given by Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu. Representatives from the Vernon Property Group, LLC also made a presentation and was available for questions from City Council.
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Matt Chircop and Lulu Luna (zoom).
Following discussion and requests for data, the City Council did not adopt the Resolution as presented.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Continue this item to the next City Council meeting on September 17, 202 4, with data and information as requested by the City Council.
For (3): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, and Councilmember Escobedo Noes (1): Councilmember Cordero
Absent (1): Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Soto
Motion carried by a recorded vote (3 to 1)
16. REPORT BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER
Interim City Manager Posada reported that the City Council Meeting on September 3rd has been cancelled and the next City Council Meeting will occur on September 17th, 2024. Item s on the agenda would include Closed Session items on City Manager Recruitment and items on the Consent Calendar such as Annual Appointments, Budget Follow -Up, an also bringing back the Regular Business item on the Vernon Property Group.
17. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Cordero reported that he attended the Central Coast Water Authority Meeting.
Councilmember Escobedo had nothing to report.
Councilmember Aguilera -Hernandez reported that she attended t he Women Lawyers Association Meeting, Marian Regional Center Foundation Meeting, and will attend the event for Day of Hope.
Councilmember Soto was absent.
Mayor Patino reported that she attended the SBCAG Monthly Meeting, Econalliance Healthcare Forum, California Alliance of Local Elected Meeting, Joint Cities County Affordable Housing Task Group,
7 Meeting with Bridge Central Coast, Solomon Hills Tour, and the Sidewalk Office Hours with Assemblymember Gregg Hart.
18. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported that the City Council discussed item 3.c and has continued the item to a later date to be determined.
19. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 10:23 p.m.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Alice M. Patino, Mayor