1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
October 1, 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, Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge, Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer Dawn Jackson, Interim Director of Recreation and Parks Angela Oslund, Interim Director of Community Development Dana Eady, Commander Jesse Silva, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna Schwartz, Assistant City Clerk Alexandra Valadez, Interim Finance Director Xenia Bradford
_____________________________________________________________________
CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 4:30 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 Aguilera -Hernandez arrived at 4:33 p.m. Councilmember Escobedo arrived at 5:09 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 4:31 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 Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code §54956.8
4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Courtney Tan from St. Peters Episcopal Church gave the Invocation.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2 Councilmember Cordero 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 instructions were provided for closed session items 3.a and 3.b.
9. PROCLAMATIONS
9.a Proclamation – "Active Aging Week" – September 30 through October 6, 2024 The City Council presented a Proclamation recognizing September 30 through October 6, 2024, as Active Aging Week, recognizing the importance of promoting healthy, active lifestyles among older adults. The Proclamation was accepted by Evelyn Marroquin and Jolene Simmons.
9.b Proclamation – “Fire Prevention Week” - October 6 through 12, 2024 The City Council presented a Proclamation recognizing the week of October 6 through 12, 2024, as "Fire Prevention Week" in the City of Santa Maria. The Proclamation was accepted by Fire Marshal Jim Austin.
9.c Proclamation – “Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week” - October 7 through 11, 2024 The City Council presented a Proclamation to recognize October 7 through 11, 2024, as "Code Enforcement Week". The Proclamation was accepted by Code Enforcement Supervisor Yvette Fuentes.
9.d Proclamation – "National Arts and Humanities Month" – October 2024 The City Council presented a Proclamation recognizing October as "National Arts and Humanities Month" in the City of Santa Maria. The Proclamation was accepted by President of the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society Board of Directors Sandra Dickerson and Interim Assistant Director of Recreation & Parks Dennis Smitherman.
9.e Businesses of the Quarter – October to December 2024 The City Council presented certificates to the featured Businesses of the Quarter (October to December 2024) - Klondike Pizza and J&E Cleaning Services, Inc. The certificate was accepted by Owner of J&E Cleaning Services, Inc Joe Gonzalez. Klondike Pizza was not available to accept the certificate.
10. PRESENTATIONS
10.a Presentation – Santa Maria Philharmonic Society
The City Council received a presentation regarding the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society. The presentation was given by President of the Santa Maria Philharmonic Board of Directors Sandra Dickerson.
10.b Presentation – Status Update on Encampment Response Efforts The City Council received a status update on encampment response efforts and services to assist the unsheltered in the Santa Maria community. The presentation was given by Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu, along with Santa Barbara County Deputy Director of Housing a nd Community Development Joe Dzonik, and Senior Park Services Officer Ruben Ramirez.
11. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Scott Bramsen, Matt Chircop, and Gary Hall.
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 12.a.1 through 12.e.1 were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2024 -116, 2024 -117, 2024 -118, 2024 -119, 2024 -120, and 2024 -121. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
3 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)
12.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
12.a.1 Ordinances and Resolutions
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Waived 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 Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Approved the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of September 17, 2024, and special City Council meeting of September 20, 2024, and September 24, 2024.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.a.3 Bond Release for Betteravia Plaza, Tract 6008
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Council approved and accepted as complete, the public improvements associated with Betteravia Plaza, Tract 6008, and authorized the release of various Faithful Performance Bonds related to this tract.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.a.4 Adoption of a Resolution Canceling the regular City Council meetings on October 15, 2024, and November 5, 2024.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-116.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Adopted a Resolution canceling the regular City Council meetings on October 15, 2024, and November 5, 2024.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.a.5 Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Amendment to Conflict of Interest Code Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-117.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Adopted a Resolution approving the Conflict of Interest Code Amendment.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
4 12.a.6 Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule for Full-Time and Part-Time Employees in Compliance with the Requirements of California Public Employees’ Retirement System
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-118.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Adopted a Resolution approving a Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule for all full -time and part-time employees in accordance with California Public Employees’ Retirement System guidelines.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.b COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
12.b.1 Community Development Block Grant Capital Project Proposals Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
City Council received this report and directed the Fiscal Year 2025 -26 Community Development Block Grant Capital project proposal to continue with the application process.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.c FINANCE DEPARTMENT
12.c.1 Payment of Warrants
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
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.c.2 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Order ratified subject to having been certified by the proper Departm ent 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.d LIBRARY DEPARTMENT
12.d.1 Adoption of two Resolutions approving an Amended Joint Powers Agreement and Amended Bylaws with the Black Gold Cooperative Library System
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-119.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Adopted a Resolution approving an amended Joint Powers Agreement with the Black Gold Cooperative Library System; and
Motion carried by a recorded vote
5 Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-120.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Adopted a Resolution approving the amended Bylaws with the Black Gold Cooperative Library System.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.e PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
12.e.1 Adoption of a Resolution to Reject All Bids for The Santa Maria Sports Complex Project, Bid No. 2024-06
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-121.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Adopted a Resolution rejecting all bids for the Santa Maria Sports Complex Project, Bid No. 2024-06.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
13. REGULAR BUSINESS
13.a Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Employment Agreement for City Manager The City Council considered approving an employment agreement for City Manager. Staff report given by Interim City Manager Alex Posada.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2024-121.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution approving an employment agreement with David W. Rowlands for City Manager effective November 30, 2024; and authorizing the Mayor to sign the negotiated Employment Agreement once his background investigation has been successfully completed.
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.b General Fund Fiscal Forecast Update and Fiscal Year 2024-26 Budget Balancing Analysis The City Council received an update on the City's General Fund Forecast, Fiscal Year 2024 -26 Budget Balancing Analysis, and overview of Revenue Enhancement Options.
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Matt Chircop, Gabi Delgado, and Mitzy Mancilla/ Fatima Cabrera.
Direction was provided to City staff to explore all revenue enhancement options more, including an additional "Sugar Tax" option.
14. REPORT BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER
Interim City Manager Posada reported the next City Council Meetings on October 15th and November 5th are canceled. The next City Council Meeting will be on November 19th and items on the agenda include POST - Executive Certification Presentation, Chamber of Commerce Annual Repor t, Quarter 1 Financial Report, Acceptance of Cybersecurity Grant, Award of Contracts for Santa Maria Sports Complex, Taylor -Miller Pocket Park, Minami Park Parking Lot, and Church Street Sewer Project, Preisker Park Parking Lot, REAP Report, Public Conveni ence of Necessity Determination (Type 20 ABC
6 License), Richards Ranch Annexation Applications, and the Street and Fairway Drive Land Use Map Amendment and Zone Change (GPZ2023-0001).
Interim City Manager Posada also reported the City Council Meeting on D ecember 3rd is canceled. The next City Council Meeting in December would be on the 17th with an item on the agenda as Seating for Councilmembers.
15. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Cordero reported he a ttended the 51st Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation event, the SMRT Micro Transit Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, the 100th Birthday Celebration for Navy Veteran Bob Mettauer, Special Closed Session, and the Highway 166Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Councilmember Escobedo reported he attended the 51st Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation event and the 100th Birthday Celebration for Navy Veteran Bob Mettauer.
Councilmember Aguilera -Hernandez reported she attended 51st Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation event, SBCAG Meeting, SMRT Micro Transit Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Central Coast AirFest, Northern Santa Barbara County Bar Association, EconAlliance Board Meeting, and Highway 166 Ribbon Cutting.
Councilmember Soto had nothing to report.
Mayor Patino rep orted she attended the Ben Heighs Show, 3CE Annual Conference, Fighting Back Santa Maria Board Meeting, Central Coast AirFest, 100th Birthday Celebration for Navy Veteran Bob Mettauer, California Alliance of Local Electeds, Marian Regional Medical Foundati on Board Meeting, Public Officials Night with Homebuilders Association of the Central Coast, and Highway 166 Ribbon Cutting.
16. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Alice M. Patino, Mayor