CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
May 4, 2022,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Crosswhite called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2)
INVOCATION
Rev. Audrey Vincent provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Araiza led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel, Carlos Juarez, and Richard Araiza Members Absent: Leslie Cornejo
5)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney John Cotti reported that City Council met in closed session on the three items below. Items B. and C., Council took no reportable actions. Item A., Council decided to dismiss the case against Santa Clara Waste Water Company for the following reasons: Case was filed in 2016 as a result of a fire occurred at the Santa Clara Waste Water Facility. The County has been representing all of the public entity plaintiffs up until this date. The County has now decided to transition that out to outside counsel. The Council has been advised the cost of that representation would be between $250,000 and $400,000. Council has also been advised the collectability of any money from the Santa Clara Waste Water defendants is daubiest at best. Given those facts, the Council has decided to file a request for dismissal of the lawsuit against Santa Clara Waste Water at this time. The City will have more information and will issue a release shortly on that item.
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
- Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1) - Ventura County Fire Protection District, et al, v. Santa Clara Waste Water Company, et al, Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 56-2016-00484523-CU-PO-VTA B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2) - February 11, 2022, Letter from attorney Jason Dominguez concerning the California Voting Rights Act C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
- Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1) Schladetzky v. City of Santa Paula, et al., Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 56-2022-00563854-CU-OE-VTA 6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH - PROCLAMATION
Mayor Crosswhite presented a Proclamation on Mental Health Awareness Month to Officer Daniel Gosselin.
6.B)
MEASURE T COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION OF SURPLUS FUNDS.
Andrew Seeley, Measure T Committee Member, presented a presentation on the Measure T Committee Recommendation of Surplus Funds.
6.C)
INTRODUCTION OF NEW HOUSING AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ELENORE VAUGHN City Manager Dan Singer introduced new Housing Authority Executive Director, Elenore Vaughn. Ms. Vaughn provided information on her background and is looking forward to working with the Santa Paula Housing Authority.
6.D)
HOMELESS UPDATE
James Mason, Economic Development Director, presented a presentation on the homeless activity and outreach. 7)
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Araiza:
Attended the Homeless Housing Committee meeting; and Fire Station No. 20 ribbon cutting.
Councilmember Juarez:
Attended the Parks & Recreation meeting; Fire Station ribbon cutting; Farmers Market and announced Cruise Night will be in conjunction with Farmers Market; attended the Citizen's CORP meeting; and Senior Health Fair and Luncheon.
Vice Mayor Sobel:
Participated in the Senior Health Fair and Luncheon; Economic Development Collaborative - Ventura County Board meeting; Broadband meeting; All Children Thrive; Social Justice Ad Hoc; and Business Roundtable.
Mayor Crosswhite:
Participated in Ventura Regional Sanitation District meeting; Social Justice Ad Hoc; Business Roundtable; All Children Thrive; Fire Station No. 20 ribbon cutting, and Cinco de Mayo event. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Dan Singer:
Participated in Cinco de Mayo event; Measure T Oversite meeting, announcing openings on the Committee; Ventura Community College East Campus Taskforce meeting; Business Roundtable; and announced the Police Chief started a community panel working with the community. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
EXTEND APPROVAL TO HOLD VIRTUAL CITY COUNCIL, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE, BOARD AND OTHER CITY BODIES, MEETINGS PURSUANT TO AB 361
10.B)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
10.C)
BIOSOLIDS HAULING SERVICES CONTRACT
10.D)
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR WATER RECYCLING FACILITY ANOXIC AND AEROBIC TANKS REHABILITATION PROJECT Motion: Approve as amended 10) CONSENT CALENDAR with clerical changes on item 10.B Minutes.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Richard Araiza
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel, Carlos Juarez, Richard Araiza 11)
PUBLIC HEARING
11.A)
VENTURA COUNTY WATERSHED PROTECTION DISTRICT BENEFIT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM FOR FY 2022-23 Mayor Crosswhite opened the public hearing.
Clete J. Saunier, Public Works Director, presented this item.
With no public comments, Mayor Crosswhite closed the public hearing.
Motion: Approve Adopting Resolution No. 7395 authorizing the City Manager to allow City participation in the Ventura County Watershed Protection District’s Benefit Assessment Program for FY 2022-23 and continue the City’s assessment of $6.65 per Benefit Assessment Unit (BAU) per year to fund a portion of the City’s Stormwater Management Program.
Moved by Andy Sobel, seconded by Richard Araiza
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel, Carlos Juarez, Richard Araiza 12)
ACTION ITEMS
12.A)
APPOINTMENT - SENIOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Motion: Approve Appointment of Bruce Archer as member to the Senior Advisory Committee.
Moved by Richard Araiza, seconded by Carlos Juarez
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel, Carlos Juarez, Richard Araiza
12.B)
ADVANCED WATER TREATMENT FACILITY PROJECT STATE REVOLVING FUND FINANCING - SANTA PAULA UTILITY AUTHORITY This item was presented by Clete J. Saunier, Public Works Director.
Council is sitting as the City Council of the City and the Board of Directors of the Santa Paula Utility Authority.
Motion: Approve Adopt Resolution 7398 authorizing the Executive Director or his designee to apply for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan for design and construction of the Advanced Water Treatment Facility (AWTF) project; and Adopt Reimbursement Resolution 7399 authorizing reimbursing expenditures and indicating a reasonably expected maximum principal amount of $23 million for the AWTF project.
Moved by Andy Sobel, seconded by Carlos Juarez
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel, Carlos Juarez, Richard Araiza
12.C)
INITIATING THE PROCESS OF CHANGING TO DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTIONS City Manager Dan Singer presented this item providing an update on initiating the process of changing to District Council Elections.
Lucia Marquez was called to speak wanting to strengthen district elections, indicating CAUSE would like to be a collaborative partner on the districting process.
Council provided direction to staff to follow the second option by using Best Best & Krieger (BB&K), vetted list for a demographer and public relations firm to begin the public engagement over the summer.
12.D)
THIRD QUARTER FISCAL REPORT FY 21/22
City Manager Dan Singer presented this item. Staff will make corrections to the line items and bring back at the next meeting for final approval on the consent calendar.
12.E)
ORDINANCE INCREASING CITY COUNCIL COMPENSATION
City Attorney John Cotti presented this item.
Motion: Approve Waive reading and introduce on first reading Ordinance No. 1317 increasing City Council compensation to $600 per month, per member of the City Council.
Moved by Richard Araiza, seconded by Andy Sobel
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel, Carlos Juarez, Richard Araiza 13)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
13.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
14)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Crosswhite adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk