1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
September 17, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
110 East Cook Street
Santa Maria
Roll Call: Mayor Alice Patino, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Soto, Councilmember Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Mike Cordero, Councilmember Carlos Escobedo
Staff Present: Interim City Manager Alex Posada, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu, Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, Interim Finance Director Xenia Bradford, Interim Director of Recreation and Parks Angela Oslund, Interim Director of Community Development Dana Eady, Commander Dan Cohen, 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 4:38 p.m. Mayor Patino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmembers Maribel Aguilera -Hernandez, Mike Cordero, Carlos Escobedo, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Soto, and Mayor Alice Patino
Councilmember Maribel Aguilera -Hernandez arrived at 4:41 p.m. Councilmember Escobedo arrived at 4:53 p.m.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Interim City Manager Alex Posada and City Attorney Thomas Watson were present, along with Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna G. Schwartz.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Mayor Patino opened public comment, there being none, closed public comment.
3. RECESS-CLOSED SESSION
At 4:40 p.m. Mayor Patino recessed to Closed Session.
3.a Conference with Labor Negotiators, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957.6
3.b Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation, Pursuant to California Government Code §54956.9(d)(1)
3.c Public Employee Performance Evaluation, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957(b)(1)
4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Neil Platon with First United Methodist Church gave the Invocation.
2 6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Cordero led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino convened the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:42 p.m.
8. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported that for item 3.a instructions were provided to the City's Labor Negotiator, for item 3.b instructions were provided to legal counsel, and for item 3.c satisfactory evaluation was achieved, but the item will be continued after the open session.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Matt Chircop, Joe Mayorga, Andrew Klein, Gary Hall, and Mavis Deparini.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 10.a.1 through 10.g.2 were approved as presented, including the adoption o f Resolution Nos. 2024 -103, 2024 -104, 2024 -105, 2024-106, 2024-107, 2024-108, 2024-109, 2024-110, 2024-111, 2024-112, 2024-113, and 2024-114. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.
For (5): Mayor Patino, Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, and Councilmember Escobedo
Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
10.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
10.a.1 Ordinances and Resolutions
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Waived 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.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Approved the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 20, 2024, and the special City Council meeting of September 10, 2024.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.a.3 Adoption of a Resolution Approving Revisions to the Citywide Records Retention Schedule Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-103.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution approving revisions to the Citywide Records Retention Schedule.
3 Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.a.4 Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Employment Agreement for Interim City Manager Services
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-104.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution approving an amendment to the Employment Agreement for Interim City Manager Services.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.a.5 Adoption of Resolutions Approving Operating Agreements with Various Outside Agencies Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-105.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
1. Adopted a Resolution approving operating agreements with the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce for Economic Development Services and Visitors and Convention Bureau Services; and
Motion carried by a recorded vote
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-106.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
2. Adopted a Resolution approving an operating agreement with the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society and Museum; and
Motion carried by a recorded vote
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-107.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
3. Adopted a Resolution approving an operating agreement with United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County for the Home for Good program; and
Motion carried by a recorded vote
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-108.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
4. Adopted a Resolution approving an operating agreement with the Santa Maria Valley Museum of Flight.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.a.6 Conflict of Interest Code Biennial Notice
The City Council received and filed the 2024 Conflict of Interest Code Biennial Notice.
10.a.7 Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate for the 2024 League of California Cities Annual Conference
4 Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
By way of Minut e Order, the City Council designated Mayor Alice M. Patino as the voting delegate and Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu as the alternate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.b CITY ATTORNEY DEPARTMENT
10.b.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving the City's Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management Membership and Appointing a Delegate
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-109.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution approving Public Risk Innovation, Solutions and Management membership and appointing the City Manager, or their designee as Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management delegate for authority to act on the City's behalf in all mat ters pertaining to the membership.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.b.2 Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Increase in Contract and Settlement Authority for the City Manager, City Attorney, and Risk Manager
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-110.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted Resolution authorizing contract and settlement authority for the City Manager, City Attorney, and Risk Manager.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.c COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
10.c.1 Community Development Block Grants Final Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year
The City Council received and filed information concerning the Final Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.d FINANCE DEPARTMENT
10.d.1 Payment of Warrants
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
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
5 10.d.2 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
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
10.e FIRE DEPARTMENT
10.e.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving Regional Task Force Training and Mobilization Exercises Agreement and Appropriations
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-111.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to enter into agreements with California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to conduct annual California Regional Task Force 12 training and Mobilization Exercises and authorizing the Director of Finance or designee to appropriate and expend funds associated with current and future activities.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.f POLICE DEPARTMENT
10.f.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Donation of Drone Equipment from the Santa Maria Police Council
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-112.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution approving the donation of a drone to the Santa Maria Police Department from the Santa Maria Police Council.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.g PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
10.g.1 Adoption of a Resolution Awarding a Bid for Citywide Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation, Project, Bid No. 2024-02
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-113.
Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution authorizing an award of bid to Sancon Technologies, Inc., in the amount of $472,520, for the construction of Citywide Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation Project, Bid No. 2024-02.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.g.2 Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Proposed Establishment of Angle Parking on West Boone Street
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-114.
6 Moved by: Councilmember Cordero
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution establishing angle parking from the 700 block through the 900 block of West Boone Street between South Depot Street and South Western Avenue.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11. APPOINTMENTS
11.a Appointment to Central Coast Commission for Seniors, Area on Aging – September 2024 Moved by: Mayor Patino
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Central Coast Commission for Seniors, Area Agency on Aging The Mayor considered one appointment for a new term of two years ending in July 2026.
One application was received from Midge Nicosia.
Mayor Patino appointed Midge Nicosia to serve a term of two years.
For (5): Mayor Patino, Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, and Councilmember Escobedo
Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
ITEM CONTINUED FROM AUGUST 20, 2024, CITY COUNCIL MEETING
12.a 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 The City Council considered adopting a Resolution approving a Sales and Disposition Agreem ent between the City of Santa Maria and Vernon Property Group, LLC, which includes the sale of surplus land on various parcels in Downtown. Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu made the presentation along with members with the Vernon Group.
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Matt Chircop, Carly Castillo, Tere Paredes, Kevin Walthers, Eric Sauers, Ken Dalebout, and Manuel Paredes.
Written public comment was received from Mark Fugate, Vanessa Grossman, Carly Castillo, and Kathy Sharum.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-115.
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Cordero
Adopted a Resolution approving a Sales and Disposition Agreement between the City of Santa Maria and Vernon Property Group, LLC fo r various surplus land in Downtown, including parcels identified as Lots 1 through 4.
Mayor Pro Tem Soto made the motion to include that The Vernon Group commit to paying the impact fees of $266,000 for Police and Fire Services for the project.
For (4): Mayor Patino, Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, and Councilmember Cordero
Noes (1): Councilmember Escobedo
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 1)
12.b General Fund Fiscal Forecast Update and Fiscal Year 2024-26 Budget Balancing Analysis
7 Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
The City Council continued this item to the October 1, 2024, City Council regular meeting.
For (5): Mayor Patino, Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Cordero, and Councilmember Escobedo
Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
13. REPORT BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER
No report was given.
14. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS) No reports was given.
CLOSED SESSION
15. RECESS - CLOSED SESSION
At 7:41 p.m. Mayor Patino recessed to a Closed Session.
15.a Public Employee Recruitment - City Manager, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957(b)(1)
16. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported for item 15.a direction was provided to staff and for the carried item
3.c the successful performance evaluations of the City Manager and City Attorney were completed, and performance -based pay was approved for City Attorney Watson consistent with the Budget. He thanked the City Council for the opportunity to continue to serve.
17. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Alice M. Patino, Mayor