CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
December 7, 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
Chaplain Kay Wilson-Bolton provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Araiza led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel, Carlos Juarez, Richard Araiza, and Leslie Cornejo 5)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Interim City Attorney Monica Castillo reported Council convened to closed session on the following two items, with no reportable action taken:
4.A 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; and
4.B CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - LIABILITY CLAIM - Consideration of a liability claim pursuant to Government Code § 54956.95(a) - Claimant: Patricia Zavala (via a letter dated March 23, 2022, from Gregory Ramirez, Esq., and amended via a letter from Monique Fierro, Esq., dated July 25, 2022), Agency Claimed Against: the City of Santa Paula. 6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
PROCLAMATION - ABRAHAM MORENO, SR. 100TH BIRTHDAY
Mayor Crosswhite presented a Proclamation to Abraham Moreno, Sr. for his 100th Birthday.
6.B)
VISITOR FROM THE NORTH POLE
Santa Claus and elves came from the North Pole to spread their cheer to all for the holidays, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 7)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Zoeelynn Ornelas with All Children Thrive spoke to welcome new Councilmember Chavez, and returning Councilmember Jenny Crosswhite and Councilmember Carlos Juarez. Ms. Ornelas updated Council on all of the activities that All Children Thrive has been working on.
Amilia Aparicio was called to speak, explaining with the volume of people attending, the community members in the lobby were unable to hear the proceedings, and suggested monitors be placed in the lobby. 8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Araiza:
Reported he has had no city business spent time with family, though did enjoy his exit interview.
Councilmember Juarez:
Attended the city volunteer Committee, Commissioner and Board appreciation gathering.
Councilmember Cornejo:
Attended the Holiday Parade; Ventura County Air Quality Control District; met with Alex Teague who provided an update on the Adams Canyon project; city volunteer Committee, Commissioner and Board appreciation gathering; and met with Caitlin Barringer to discuss food share.
Vice Mayor Sobel:
Attended the Holiday Parade; Economic Development Collaborative Board meeting; Social Justice Ad Hoc; State of the County presentation; city volunteer Committee, Commissioner and Board appreciation gathering; Southern California Association of Government Economic conference; Ventura County Transportation Commission; and farmworker housing tour.
Mayor Crosswhite:
Attended the Ventura Regional Sanitation District; Ventura Council of Governments; parent conference at Isbell Middle School; Holiday Parade; Santa Train; city volunteer Committee, Commissioner and Board appreciation gathering; and Social Justice Ad Hoc. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Dan Singer:
Attended the Holiday Parade; Annual State of the County presentation; Southern California Association of Governments summit; was invited by the Ventura County Leadership Academy to speak to them about local government and Santa Paula community and culture; Housing and Homeless; Social Justice; and city volunteer Committee, Commissioner and Board appreciation gathering. 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)
APPROVE MINUTES
City Council Closed Session Minutes for November 16, 2022 City Council Regular Minutes for November 16, 2022
10.C)
FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MERCHANT MCINTYRE AND ASSOCIATES FOR LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES
10.D)
FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TRIPEPI SMITH AND ASSOCIATES FOR MEDIA RELATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES
10.E)
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1325 TO GRANT A NATURAL GAS FRANCHISE TO CARBON CALIFORNIA MIDSTREAM, LLC
10.F)
RESOLUTION NO. 7434 GRANTING THE CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZATION TO TEMPORARILY ADJUST THE CITY’S POSITION CONTROL LIST Amended Resolution 7434, Section 4, to read: Whenever the Personnel Officer temporarily adjusts the adopted budget and corresponding Position Control List for a temporary 90-day period pursuant to Section 2, he or she must report out the details of the adjustment at the City Council meeting immediately subsequent to the adjustment, whether such meeting is a Regular or Special Meeting.
10.G)
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 7433 RECITING THE FACT OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND DECLARING ITS RESULTS Amended Resolution to include the certified results of the General Municipal Election.
Motion: Approve as amended CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Richard Araiza
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Jenny Crosswhite, Andy Sobel, Carlos Juarez, Richard Araiza, Leslie Cornejo 11)
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
11.A)
SPECIAL PRESENTATION FOR DEPARTING CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
Mayor Crosswhite thanked outgoing Councilmember Araiza for his service and presented him with a plaque of recognition for his years of service to the city. Councilmember Araiza spoke of his time on Council. Each Councilmember spoke and thanked him for his service.
On behalf of Assembly member Steve Bennett's office, Michelle Sevilla presented a certificate of recognition. On behalf of Congresswoman Julia Brownley's office, Armando Gonzales presented a certificate of recognition. 12)
ORDER OF BUSINESS
12.A)
ADMINISTER OATHS OF OFFICE FOR NEWLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS City Clerk Julie Latshaw administered the Oath of Office to re-elected Councilmember Jenny Crosswhite, re-elected Councilmember Carlos Juarez, and newly elected Councilmember Pedro A. Chavez.
12.B)
SEATING OF NEWLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Re-elected and newly elected Councilmembers took their seats at the Dias.
12.C)
NEW ROLL CALL
Mayor Crosswhite called for a new roll call by City Clerk Julie Latshaw.
Present: Mayor Crosswhite, Vice Mayor Sobel, Councilmember Juarez, Councilmember Cornejo, and Councilmember Chavez.
12.D)
COMMENTS FROM NEWLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Each newly elected Councilmember spoke of their thanks to family, friends, and community members for their support.
12.E)
COMMENTS FROM OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS
Each Councilmember welcomed and congratulated re-elected Mayor Crosswhite, Vice Mayor Sobel, and newly elected Councilmember Chavez.
12.F)
PROCEDURES FOR ELECTION OF MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR
City Clerk Julie Latshaw reviewed the procedures for the election of Mayor and Vice Mayor. Mayor Crosswhite directed City Clerk Latshaw to begin the selection process.
12.G)
SELECTION PROCESS FOR MAYOR
City Clerk, Julie Latshaw opened nominations for Mayor. Mayor Crosswhite nominated Vice Mayor Sobel. Seeing no other nominations, City Clerk Latshaw closed the nominations for Mayor. There was no debate on the nomination, therefore, City Clerk Latshaw called a voice vote: AYES: Mayor Crosswhite, Vice Mayor Sobel, Councilmember Juarez, Councilmember Cornejo, and Councilmember Chavez. City Clerk Latshaw announced, by a unanimous vote, the City Council of the City of Santa Paula appoints Andy Sobel as Mayor.
12.H)
GAVEL PLAQUE TO OUTGOING MAYOR PRESENTED BY NEW MAYOR
Mayor Sobel spoke of all the accomplishments during Councilmember Crosswhite's term as Mayor, presenting her with the City Gavel Plaque. Councilmember Crosswhite expressed it has been an honor serving. Other Councilmembers thanked her for her service.
12.I)
SELECTION PROCESS FOR VICE MAYOR
City Clerk, Julie Latshaw opened nominations for Vice Mayor. Councilmember Crosswhite nominated Councilmember Cornejo. Seeing no other nominations, City Clerk Latshaw closed the nominations for Vice Mayor. Councilmember Chavez commented on the procedures of nominating Mayor and Vice Mayor for the purpose of informing the public how each member is nominated. With no other comments or debate on the nomination, City Clerk Latshaw called a voice vote: AYES: Mayor Sobel, Councilmember Crosswhite, Councilmember Juarez, Councilmember Cornejo, and Councilmember Chavez. City Clerk Latshaw announced, by a unanimous vote, the City Council of the City of Santa Paula appoints Leslie Cornejo as Vice Mayor. 13)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
13.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Chavez requested community college education center conversation and possible resolution to support that initiative. Council was in support of the item for a future agenda. 14)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Sobel invited all to stay for refreshments and adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk