City of Santa Paula
City Council
MAYOR ANDY SOBEL
VICE MAYOR LESLIE CORNEJO
COUNCILMEMBER JENNY CROSSWHITE
COUNCILMEMBER CARLOS JUAREZ
COUNCILMEMBER PEDRO A. CHAVEZ
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF THE
SANTA PAULA CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2023
6:30 PM - City Council Regular Meeting
SANTA PAULA CITY HALL
970 VENTURA STREET
SANTA PAULA, CA 93060
JULIE LATSHAW, CITY CLERK
DAN SINGER, CITY MANAGER
MONICA CASTILLO, INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY
City of Santa Paula - City Council - City Council Regular Meeting 1
BRINGING ITEMS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL
You are invited to participate in all Regular City Council meetings. Agendas are posted in the front of Santa Paula City Hall, 970 Ventura Street, Santa Paula, 72 hours in advance of the scheduled meetings. The City Council's regular meetings start at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 970 Ventura Street in Santa Paula.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN PERSON DURING THE MEETING: If you wish to speak at a City Council meeting, please fill out a Public Comment Form noting your name and address and submit the form to the City Clerk. Include the Agenda item number, when appropriate. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes.
1. Items Not on the Agenda: If you wish to discuss an item which is not scheduled on the Agenda, you may address the City Council during Public Comment. Please realize that due to the limitations placed on the City Council by provisions of the California Government Code, the City Council ordinarily cannot take action on any item that is not on the agenda. Because of these restrictions, expect that matters that you identify during public comment may be referred to staff or considered on a future agenda.
2. Agenda Items: Items being considered by the City Council may appear on the Consent Calendar, as an Action Item, or as a Public Hearing. Public comments on each type of item are handled differently, as explained below:
a. For items appearing on the Consent Calendar, please submit a Public Comment Form before the Council takes action on the Consent Calendar. Items that receive a Public Comment Form may be pulled from the Consent Calendar by the Mayor and discussed separately by the City Council.
b. For items appearing as an Action Item, the Mayor will announce the Agenda item and request the staff report, the staff member responsible will give a brief summary of the report; the City Council will have an opportunity to ask questions of staff; members of the public will be given an opportunity to comment on the item and ask additional questions (all members of the public should speak directly into the microphone at the speaker’s platform); and the City Council will discuss the item and then take appropriate action.
c. For items on which a Public Hearing is scheduled, the Mayor will open the public hearing and receive the staff report; members of the public will be given an opportunity to comment on the item and ask additional questions (all members of the public should speak directly into the microphone at the speaker’s platform); the City Council will discuss the item; and the Mayor will close the public hearing after City Council action.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE BEFORE THE MEETING: Members of the public are encouraged to submit email correspondence on any agenda item by sending an email to [email protected]. All public correspondence received by 3:00 p.m. (PT) on the meeting date will be provided to the legislative body before the meeting. Public Comments received after 3:00 p.m. will be provided to the legislative body the next day.
Your Participation in this meeting is in the public domain; meetings are cablecast; minutes of this meeting will reflect your participation in this meeting and are posted on the city’s website.
PLEASE NOTE: Be advised that if you bring a legal challenge to an action, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the meeting described in this Agenda, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at or before the meeting.
Any action is subject to the ninety-day time period set forth in Code of Civil Procedure § 1094.6.
City of Santa Paula - City Council - City Council Regular Meeting 2
1. CALL TO ORDER
REMINDER: in order to minimize distractions during public meetings, all personal communication devices should be turned off or put in a non-audible mode.
2. INVOCATION
3. FLAG SALUTE
4. ROLL CALL
5. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
At this time, members of the public may comment on any item not appearing on the agenda that is within the subject-matter jurisdiction of the City Council. A Public Comment Form must be submitted to the City Clerk prior to the beginning of the Public Comment period in order to be recognized to speak. Individuals submitting Public Comment Forms after the beginning of the Public Comment period will not be allowed to speak at this time, but may be recognized to speak by the Mayor at the conclusion of the meeting. Individual Councilmembers may briefly respond to Public Comments or ask questions for clarification. The City Council may direct staff to report to the City Council on the item at a later meeting. For items appearing on the Agenda, the public will be invited to make comments at the time the item comes up for City Council consideration. If a member of the public wishes to address a Consent Calendar item, please submit a Public Comment Form for that item. It may then be discussed separately by the Council, and the public will be invited to make comments at that time. At all times, please use the microphone and write your name and address on the Public Comment Form provided.
7. PRESENTATIONS
7.A PROCLAMATION - 100TH BIRTHDAY - RAYMOND L. McCALISTER
7.B CRUISE NIGHT PRESENTATION
7.C PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT: OCTOBER 2022 - FEBRUARY 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Receive and file the Public Works Department Report October 2022 – In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (805) 933-4208. Notification 48 hours before the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. (28 CFR 35, 102-35.104 ADA Title II). Written materials distributed to the City Council within 72 hours of the City Council meeting are available for public inspection immediately upon distribution in the City Clerk’s office.
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
City of Santa Paula - City Council - City Council Regular Meeting 3 February 2023.
Presented by: Clete J. Saunier, Public Works Director
8. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
9. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
Background information has been provided to the City Council on all matters listed under the Consent Calendar and these items are considered to be routine by the City Council and are normally approved by one motion. If discussion is requested by a Councilmember on any item, or a member of the public wishes to comment on an item, that item may be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action.
10.A FEBRUARY 2023 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
Review and accept the "Certification of Accounts Payable" for the accounts payable
payment cycles for February 2023, starting check number 333314 and ending check number
333562.
Review and accept the "Certification of Salaries" for the pay period ending dates January 27th,
2023 through February 10th, 2023.
10.B DECLARATION OF CITY PROPERTIES AS EXEMPT SURPLUS LAND (ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS: APN 104019305, APN 104019309 AND APN 104006518)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No.7449 declaring certain properties as Exempt Surplus Land and directing staff to follow the procedures set forth in the Surplus Land Act for their disposition.
10.C DESIGNATION OF CITY'S LABOR NEGOTIATORS UNDER GOVT. CODE SECTION 54957.6
RECOMMENDATION:
Designate City Manager Dan Singer, Finance Director Christy Ramirez, Human Resources Manager Lorena Alvarez, and contract attorney Irma Rodriguez Moisa as the City’s Labor Negotiators to participate in closed session for the upcoming contract negotiations with employee bargaining groups.
10.D SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1327, ADDING SECTION 30.07 TO CHAPTER 30 OF TITLE III OF THE SANTA PAULA
MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING BY-DISTRICT ELECTIONS, DEFINING City of Santa Paula - City Council - City Council Regular Meeting 4
DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, AND SCHEDULING ELECTIONS WITHIN THE
DISTRICTS
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Ordinance No. 1327, entitled "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA PAULA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING
SECTION 30.07 TO CHAPTER 30 OF TITLE III OF THE SANTA PAULA
MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING BY-DISTRICT ELECTIONS, DEFINING
DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, AND SCHEDULING ELECTIONS WITHIN THE DISTRICTS".
11. ACTION ITEMS
11.A APPOINTMENT TO THE VENTURA COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING
ADVISORY COUNCIL
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the recommendation from the Senior Advisory Committee and appoint Dana Tomarken to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council for a two-year term.
2. Approve the reappointment of Dr. Maria Munguia Wellman for a second two-year term to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council.
PRESENTED BY: Greg Barnes, Parks & Recreation Director
11.B HARDING PARK USER FEE WAIVER REQUEST
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff Recommends that City Council:
1. Provide staff direction in regard to the Harding Park fee waiver requests for Santa Paula Little League and Santa Paula Girls Softball programs.
PRESENTED BY: Greg Barnes, Parks & Recreation Director
11.C USE OF UNION OIL BUILDING PARKING LOT FOR TEMPORARY FIRE
STATION
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the City Attorney to prepare and the City Manager to sign a lease agreement, or similar agreement, with Ventura County Fire for the temporary use of the parking lot on North Ojai and East Main Street, east of the Union Oil building.
Presented By: Dan Singer, City Manager
11.D LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM UPDATE
City of Santa Paula - City Council - City Council Regular Meeting 5 RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council:
1. Review the proposed staff updates to the 2021 Legislative Platform; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 7450, updating the 2021 Legislative Platform for 2023.
Presented by: Jonathan Royas, Management Analyst
11.E POLICE CHIEF SELECTION PROCESS
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council receive this report and provide the City Manager with any further direction regarding the selection process for the Chief of Police position.
Presented By: Dan Singer, City Manager
12. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. CLOSED SESSION
14. ADJOURNMENT
State of California )-
County of Ventura )- ss
City of Santa Paula )-
I declare under penalty of perjury that I posted this City Council Agenda on the bulletin board near the front door of City Hall, 970 Ventura Street, Santa Paula, California.
On_________________ at______________Signed:_________________________ Julie Latshaw
City Clerk
City of Santa Paula - City Council - City Council Regular Meeting 6
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
MEMORANDUM
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Clete J. Saunier, Public Works
Subject: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT
OCTOBER 2022 - FEBRUARY 2023
Date: March 15, 2023
Agenda Item:
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Receive and file the Public Works Department Report October 2022 – February 2023.
Presented by: Clete J. Saunier, Public Works Director
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (PROJECT ACTIVITY):
FY 2021 - 2022 Citywide Street Maintenance Program
The Street Maintenance Program is a critically integral component of the Pavement Management Program and consists of applying crack seals, rejuvenator seals, and microsurfacing to maintain and extend the service life of City streets. For the spring/summer paving season, a range of City streets were identified for work consisting of pothole repairs, dig-outs, and single-layer micro-surfacing to extend the service life of the affected roads an additional 5 - 10 years.
For the fall paving season, the work addressed maintenance work on portions of Tenth Street, Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Streets, Ojai Street, Saticoy Street, and Orchard Street to the approximate limits reflected below. Additional maintenance was completed at the City’s Corporation Yard, pavement restoration at water line repair locations around town, as well as miscellaneous concrete work associated with access ramp and sidewalk repairs.
The specific areas of work, which were approved at the October City Council meeting and completed in December 2022, are summarized below.
FALL 2022 STREET MAINTENANCE
STREET NAME FROM TO
Tenth Street SR 150 (Ojai Road) Virginia Terrace
Ojai Street Santa Paula Street SR 150 (Ojai Road)
7 Eleventh Street Santa Paula Street Saticoy Street
Twelfth Street Santa Paula Street Orchard Street
Thirteenth Street Santa Paula Street Orchard Street
Saticoy Street Twelfth Street Thirteenth Street
Orchard Street SR 150 (Ojai Road) Thirteenth Street
Harvard Boulevard Street/Sewer/Water Improvement Project The project will improve 1.7 miles of Harvard Boulevard from Peck Road to 10th Street. The project scope includes street improvements for this section of Harvard Boulevard which include 750,000 SF of pavement, curb ramp reconstruction, and replacement of 9,000 LF of 12” water main and 8,000 Lf of 24” sewer main. The project is currently under construction.
Crosstown Pipeline Project
The project scope will provide a large diameter pipeline to link the wellfield and completed west side reservoir to the main reservoir on 10th Street. The Water Enterprise Fund will fund the project estimated to cost $6.7M. The project is currently in final design.
Mesa Tanks Replacement Project
The project is located on Montclair Drive at the terminus (existing Mesa Tanks site). The project scope includes replacing the two aging aboveground steel water tanks with two new water storage tanks. Funding for the project will come from the Water Enterprise Fund. The City’s design consultant has confirmed the new, combined tank capacity shall be 600,000 gallons in order to meet all fire, domestic and backup storage requirements. The construction contract was awarded by City Council in October 2022, and the project is currently under construction.
FEMA Floodplain Restudy Projects
A substantial portion of the City is influenced by flood hazard areas identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The areas of flood hazard are mapped on Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels that are used by City and FEMA regulators and insurance companies to determine which properties in the City are required to purchase flood insurance. These FIRM panels are updated at intervals as new or updated flood information becomes available. Earlier in 2021, FEMA completed a County-wide flood restudy, which resulted in the release of updated flood maps. These preliminary maps presented significant changes to areas of flood hazard in multiple portions of the City, which would have resulted in 600 or more properties being added to the flood hazard boundary unless appealed by the City. City staff worked in tandem with Ventura County Watershed Protection District (County) staff to review the technical studies and mapping and filed an appeal with FEMA. FEMA reviewed the technical data provided, but the lack of an approved maintenance plan by County resulted in the sustaining of the original studies, with the understanding that applications for Letters of Map Revision (LOMRs) could be provided to address specific areas of concern. Updated FEMA flood maps are expected to become effective at the end of June 2023, with the understanding of the following actions on the City’s part:
8 1. The City, working in conjunction with the East Area 1 development team has prepared a LOMR for Santa Paula Creek to address revisions for this watercourse, which is currently under review by FEMA.
2. The City plans to pursue an improved study for urban portions of the City influenced by Fagan and Adams Canyon and the Peck Road Drain and related overflow drainage and flooding, with associated re-mapping. This updated mapping would then be coordinated with FEMA representatives to address necessary corrections to outdated flood designations and provide relief to property owners where appropriate.
3. The City plans to update the current floodplain management and development process to communicate hazards and development requirements for projects located in currently established flood hazard areas. These activities will include an update of the City’s Municipal Code and associated provisions that address floodplain development and associated regulation. The intent of this process is to ensure the City’s current floodplain management process complies with FEMA requirements in the interim while the current appeal process is completed.
4. The City plans to update its Drainage Master Plan to address current areas of drainage issues, flood hazards and associated facility improvement recommendations with cost estimates and priority recommendations. The prior Master Plan was last updated in 2008, and is outdated relative to areas of deficiency, cost estimates and changes in City corporate boundaries. Recommendations may include findings from the Fagan/Adams/Peck Road flood study to improve these facilities to mitigate current contributions to flood hazards due to inadequacies in these facilities. The RFP is expected to be released in the Spring of 2023. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in the amount of $150,000 allocated by the City Council on July 7, 2021 may be used to support this effort.
Water Recycling Facility Advanced Water Treatment Facility Project The project scope includes design and procurement for an Advanced Water Treatment Facility (reverse osmosis process) to manage the City’s effluent chloride levels. The facility will be located northeast of and immediately adjacent to the WRF. The estimated total project cost is $20.34M (including design, construction, and construction contingency). The updated Project Financial Projections were reviewed and approved by City Council on January 19, 2022. A Building Department review was performed on the 90% design and the Design Team coordinated with the City Engineer and their reviewing consultant to address comments for the draft final design submittal, provided to the City in November 2022.
The City applied for a low-interest loan from Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) through the State Water Board Division of Financial Assistance (DFA). The application is currently under detailed review. City staff and consultants worked with DFA environmental staff on their review of the project environmental documents through the end of 2021. In January 2022, City staff was notified that DFA completed their review of the environmental documents and concurred with the City’s determination. DFA staff is currently finalizing the detailed financial, technical and legal reviews. Based on conversations with DFA staff, completion of DFA's application review is near and a final draft of the loan agreement is anticipated by March 2023.
Per direction from City Council (Feb 15, 2023), City staff is continuing to pursue finalization of the CWSRF loan for the project, and simultaneously developing a workplan to study 9 whether chlorides can be further reduced in the collection system to either eliminate the need for the AWTF Project or reduce the size of the AWTF. The AWTF Project currently hinges on the outcome of the Chloride Source Identification Study.
The next step for City Council consists of consideration of the final CWSRF Loan, anticipated to be presented to City Council in April 2023. City staff will present an update on the Chloride Study to City Council once a draft report is received, currently anticipated in the summer or early fall 2023.
Water Recycling Facility Aeration Blower Repairs
The four aeration blowers, which are used to promote aerobic digestion of activated sludge, have been experiencing breakdowns for more than a year. The blowers were installed with the original WRF construction project and are reaching the end of their useful life. Blower #1 failed in 2021 and was deemed irreparable. Blower #4 failed on July 11, 2022. The WRF treatment process requires three (3) working blowers. The VRSD Chief Plant Operator located and transported a rental blower to allow the plant to operate while conducting repairs. Repairs were completed on failed Blower #4 on September 14, 2022. On September 20, 2022, VRSD relocated an underutilized digester blower within the WRF to provide equipment redundancy moving forward. The total cost of the emergency repair was $82,000.
In December 2022 a MBR blower (Blower #2) failed. The manufacturer’s authorized service technician has diagnosed the problems and repairs are scheduled for March 2023. The aeration system, including the blower equipment, are earmarked as a priority consideration in the Wastewater Master Plan.
Project Schedule:
Aeration blower failure July 11, 2022 (emergency authorization) Aeration blower repair PO issued July 25, 2022
Aeration blower repair complete September 20, 2022
MBR blower failure December 12, 2022
MBR blower diagnosed December 20, 2022
MBR blower repair In progress
Water Recycling Facility Reaction Basins 1 and 2 Cleaning / Repair Project Anoxic and Aerobic Basins 1 and 2 have been cleaned and brought back online. The notice of completion for this project was filed on January 5, 2023. Final contract price (including two Change Orders) was $354,825, which was under the FY 2021/2022 budget of $600,000.
Project Schedule:
Procurement docs complete February 2022
Bids received May 2022
Contract award June 2022
Contract completed January 2023
Water Recycling Facility Reaction Ammonia Analyzers Replacement The project will consist of adding ammonia analyzers to the three aerobic basins and modifying the control system to control the blower speed to produce a targeted, low ammonia concentration. Currently the process operates under manual control. This can lead to excess power consumption (and excess greenhouse gas emissions at the electrical 10 generating station) or emission of ammonia into the atmosphere. SoCalREN has secured reimbursement funding for the project. This could be as much as $59,000 if project schedule requirements are met and the payback period for this and other projects meets Southern California Edison’s funding program requirements. VCAPCD staff has agreed this project will reduce pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions and has agreed to allow the City to offset its outstanding settlement amount toward the in-kind cost for this project provided it is constructed by December 2023. The estimated project cost including engineering design and construction is approximately $140,000. Funding for this project has been allocated as of the March 1st City Council Meeting. Design is underway and VRSD staff may be able to self-perform the installation work.
Project Schedule:
Design March/April 2023
Contract to be completed December 2023
DIVISION PERFORMANCE REPORTS:
Permit Review / Approval / Inspection
Staff reviewed, approved and inspected the following permit applications for various utilities, companies and contractors:
Franchise Blanket Permits to SCE, SCG, Frontier and Spectrum = None Encroachment Permits = 51
Oversize Transportation Permits = 24
Fire Flow Test Permits = 12
Temporary Hydrant Meter Permits = 3
Water Softener Applications with Approved Rebate = None Water Division:
CATEGORY OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB
Total Potable Water Produced (MG) 103 99.7 80.98 76.3 78.49 Water Quality Samples 49 60 49 59 58
Main, Service & Meter Leak Repairs 20 23 14 18 21
Water Service Requests Addressed 9 18 19 17 36
USA Dig-Alert Tickets 153 165 98 105 96
Meter Profiles / Readings 2 /8282 3 / 8302 4 / 8277 3 / 8295 0 / 8256 Meter Installations & Replacements 11 9 1 4 30
Meter Tags and Lock-Offs* 115 121 82 194 192
11 Two Water Division employees completed career milestones. • Anthony Gonzalez, Water Distribution Operator II, Passed his Water Treatment Operator Grade 2 Exam
• Isaac Calderon, Water Distribution Operator I, received his Class A Commercial Driver’s License
Maintstar Asset Management and Work Order System was officially rolled out. All Water Customer Service operations, and all USA Dig-Alert Tickets are now being processed and documented on Maintstar. A total of 1,196 work orders have been completed since its implementation in October.
On February 17, Southern California Edison sent confirmation of the Water Division’s successful participation in the Emergency Load Reduction Program. As a result, the City of Santa Paula will receive a bill credit of $8,321.
Wastewater Division:
The Water Recycling Facility (WRF) continues to run smoothly and systems are functioning normally. Ventura Regional Sanitation District (VRSD) took over contract operation of the WRF on April 17, 2021 and has provided improved operation of the WRF. VRSD has continued to perform routine maintenance and repair systems which had not been maintained in the past. All regulatory requirements are being met. Design of the Advanced Water Treatment Facility for chloride reduction is nearing 100% completion. All critical equipment alarms, facility alarms and emergency response systems have been continuously monitored.
Referencing the table below, the average composite chloride concentration in the treated effluent and surrounding groundwater monitoring wells has showed a steady decrease over the last six months. The treated effluent has remained below the Regional Board’s maximum allowable chloride concentration of 110 mg/L since it first dropped below in August 2021, until October 2022. MKN and VRSD completed a chloride source study to investigate possible reasons for the improved concentration readings and presented the conclusions to Council in November 16, 2022. City Council directed staff to evaluate the potential to extend the Cease and Desist Order and defer the CWSRF loan until collection system chlorides can be further evaluated. At the February 15, 2023 City Council Meeting, staff presented two main options for addressing chlorides: 1) developing a chloride source identification study to examine whether chlorides can be further reduced and controlled in the collection system, or 2) continuation with the existing AWTF Project. City Council directed staff to pursue option 1, performing a chloride source identification study. This is currently underway. See further discussion under the Water Recycling Facility Advanced Water Treatment Facility Project item above.
Volumes and chloride concentrations for effluent and groundwater between October 2022 and February 2023 are summarized in the table below. Although above the Regional Board limit of 110 mg/L, the WRF effluent chloride concentrations are still well below 2021 and historical levels. This downward trend for groundwater chlorides has generally correlated 12 with the downward trend seen in the treated effluent. The average chloride concentration for down-gradient monitoring wells for 2022 decreased compared to 2021 and 2020.
CATEGORY OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB
Total Raw Wastewater Received
in Millions of Gallons (MG)* 65.9 64.9 66.3 82.8 61.4
Total Treated Effluent
Discharged to Percolation Ponds
(MG)
55.2 54.8 51.8 63.1 49.8
Total Reused Water Used Within
Facility Process (MG) 2.67 3.00 1.45 2.16 1.66
Total Biosolids Transported to
Permitted Disposal Facility
(Tons)
258.9 299.9 273.7 148.9 157.7
Treated Effluent: Avg. Composite
Chloride Concentration (mg/L) 118 120 116 115.6 INC **
Groundwater Monitoring Wells:
Average, Composite Chloride
Concentration (mg/L)
119 119 123 124 129
∗ Due to hydrologic factors resulting from the design of the WRF influent headworks, the influent flow meter experiences more turbulence than the effluent flow meter. Effluent flow meter reading accuracy has been verified.
** Incomplete. Only one test result (for 2/8/23) was available at the time of this report.
Fleet Division:
The Fleet Division addressed 293 inspections, repair and maintenance service orders addressing 99 on-road and off-road vehicles. Some vehicles were assigned more than one service order from October 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023. The Fleet Division also took delivery of three new Water Division service trucks and two Parks and Recreation department vehicles.
Annual CARB emission tests (smog) have begun for all vehicles. The Maintstar asset management system has been installed and actively providing a more streamlined and efficient equipment maintenance and tracking system.
Vehicle service order activity for October 2022 through February 2023 is provide below:
DEPARTMENT VEHICLES SERVICED SERVICE ORDERS
Police 43 142
Public Works 34 87
Parks & Recreation 18 52
Community Development 3 7
Administration 1 5
TOTAL 99 293
13 Streets Division:
CATEGORY OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB TOTAL
Street Sweeping Mileage 270 221 239 157 180 1067
Potholes Repaired (Tons) 127 (6) 76 (9) 65 (8) 86 (10) 132 (9) 486 (43) Curb Painting (LF) 681 72 45 35 45 878
Banners Setup 7 3 1 33 37 81
Permitted Event Setup 7 4 2 0 2 15
Camps / Dumpsites Removed 5 12 6 8 11 42
Hazmat Call Outs 1 2 1 1 0 5
Carcass Removal 2 0 3 2 3 10
Stormwater Systems Cleaned 2 5 9 4 5 25
Traffic Sign Installations 14 7 4 6 8 39
Road Closures 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sidewalks Repaired (LF) 1 3 1 3 1 9
USA Marking - Alert Tickets 145 122 111 90 83 551
Solid Waste Division:
Waste Collection Services:
Athens continues to provide solid waste collection and hauling services in accordance with their new franchise agreement. From October 2022 to February 2023, Athens has achieved the following solid waste and recycling waste milestones:
Total Customers Served – April to September
April - June July - Sept. Oct - Feb
Solid Waste Customers 6,149 6,216 6,366
Recycling Waste Customers 5,936 6,020 6,366
Total Tonnage Collected – October – February
April - June July - Sept. Oct – Feb**
Solid Waste 4,798 Tons 4,827 Tons 6,230
Recycling Waste* 3,014 Tons 2,969 Tons 3,167
Notes: *Third-Party Diversion = 423.26 tons not included in recycling waste **February data not available
New Solid Waste Franchise Agreement:
From October 2022 through February 2023, Athens Services implemented the new Solid Waste Franchise Agreement in Santa Paula. They worked to educate and inform customers 14 on the new programs, services, and rates included in the new Agreement. A Winter 2022 FAQ mailer that included information on new programs and equipment was distributed. In Q1 of 2023, Athens mailed a newsletter with information on the bulky pickup process and organics recycling education. In addition to these residential outreach efforts, Athens mailed a Commercial Information packet to all commercial customers with materials and resources to encourage participation and increase diversion. In November, Athens recognized two Recycling All Stars, Rabalais Bistro and Glen City Elementary with awards for outstanding participation in recycling and delivered a Council presentation on the benefits of recycling.
Additionally, Athens has been introducing a new fleet of collection vehicles in the City and their Outreach team has been on the ground visiting businesses and multi-family properties to educate them on the SB 1383 Organics Recycling program.
Energy Efficiency Program
SOLAR ENERGY: SoCalREN is recommending the following energy efficiency options: 1) rooftop solar panels, 2) carport solar panels, or 3) a combination of options 1 and 2. The total installation cost is estimated at $510,000, but needs to be updated. A structural analysis will be required prior to determining final project costs. The current budget has no available funding for this project. Up to $3 million is available from Water Bond proceeds as an optional funding source, but only for projects that directly benefit the Water Enterprise.
EV CHARGING STATIONS: As previously reported, SoCalREN has recommended two sites for the installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS). Main Street from 8th Street to 10th Street (Downtown Strip) Parking Lot on south side of Main Street behind PWD office Both sites would provide 20 EVCS at a preliminary estimated cost of $400,000. Under Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Charge Ready Program, up to $320,000 of funding is available upon meeting qualifications, including a required City match of $60,000.
Ventura Energy (VE) is a private, for-profit renewable energy developer for EVCS. VE submitted an EVCS grant application (supported by the City at that time) to the California Energy Commission (CEC) to install five (5) dual charging stations in the City. CEC approved VE’s project budget request of $968,929 and awarded a grant of $775,144 (80%) to VE contingent upon VE funding the remaining $193,785 (20%) in matching funds. Although the City is not required to provide matching funds for this project, staff is researching alternatives that would provide more flexibility and control over the completed EVCS’s that may require matching funds from the City.
Asset Management System
The Asset Management System project was completed on Feb. 2, 2023, one year from the start of the agreement with Maintstar. A custom setup was created for each department and division upon which existing asset inventories were uploaded. In the current state, a working module was created for each department and division upon which a more refined inventory system and process can be achieved through use over time. Through a computerized asset 15 management system, City departments will be able to track work order histories, more easily itemize inventories, and view GIS maps containing real-time asset information.
Upon use and development of best practices, department modules can be further developed and existing data can be added. The incorporated GIS layers will be part of an ongoing project to continually update in-house data on physical assets, such as Water, Sewer, and Stormwater infrastructure. Updates can be made over time and can be added to the existing system through consultant work on data files provided by City staff. The existing GIS layers are based on dated records found within the Public Works Department with some later dated files from Ventura Regional Sanitation District (VRSD) for Sewer system data. Significant updating will be necessary moving forward in order to properly record and display current asset inventories. The City’s consultant, Carollo Engineers, will provide as-needed services converting new construction as-built records to an acceptable GIS format for Maintstar.
Further work is needed involving department heads and supervisory staff to refine module layouts to fit department needs. Routine follow-ups help department staff address ongoing issues and subsequent module changes facilitated with Maintstar support. Manual setup of the reporting module is required for each department and division in order to run the desired reports.
Going forward, each City department and division will need to allocate resources to uploading and updating their respective information into the asset management system.
Paper reporting structures will be replaced by inputting data into the cloud-based asset system. Existing paper files with asset information and/or asset histories can be manually put into the asset management system. Additional data files can be sent to Maintstar representatives for uploading into the system.
16 To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Christy Ramirez, Finance Director
Subject: FEBRUARY 2023 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Date: March 15, 2023
Agenda Item: 10.A
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
MEMORANDUM
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
Review and accept the "Certification of Accounts Payable" for the accounts payable payment cycles for February 2023, starting check number 333314 and ending check number 333562.
Review and accept the "Certification of Salaries" for the pay period ending dates January 27th, 2023 through February 10th, 2023.
BACKGROUND:
This is the certification (separation of duties between the "preparer from the reviewer") Presented in the attached documents:
a) CERTIFICATION OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CHECKS by check number range and dates. It also discloses any voided checks.
b) EXPENSE REPORTS showing the amounts and funds accounts payable came from The "Check Report" depicts the following columns:
c) AP-ACCOUNTS PAYABLE for vendors (non-City staff) by the vendor number, vendor name, payment date, payment amount and check numbers (entitled 'number') d) PY-PAYROLL for benefit payments, insurance, retirement, etc. Benefits payable on behalf of City staff.
e) Bank code Summary by payment type
f) Fund summary by fund the accounts payables utilized
CERTIFICATION OF SALARIES
17 This is the certification (separation of duties between "preparer" and the "reviewer") of salaries and benefits (payroll checks) by fund. It lists salary (payroll) issued checks by beginning and ending check number, payroll ending dates January 27th, 2023 through February 10th, 2023.
ANALYSIS:
See the attachments for expense breakdown by respective fund.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
FISCAL IMPACTS:
OPTIONS:
1. Receive and file February 2023 Certifications of Accounts Payable Checks and Certifications of Salaries.
ATTACHMENTS:
FEBRUARY 2023 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS.pdf
18 19
20 21
22 23
24 25
26 27
28 29
30 31
32 33
34 35
36 37
38 39
40 41
42 43
44 45
46 47
48 49
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Mason, Community & Economic Development Director Subject: DECLARATION OF CITY PROPERTIES AS EXEMPT SURPLUS LAND (ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS: APN 104019305, APN 104019309
AND APN 104006518)
Date: March 15, 2023
Agenda Item: 10.B
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
MEMORANDUM
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No.7449 declaring certain properties as Exempt Surplus Land and directing staff to follow the procedures set forth in the Surplus Land Act for their disposition.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Santa Paula (“City”) owns three properties (ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS:
APN 104019305, APN 104019309 AND APN 104006518 ) near the Santa Paula Airport that it intends to sell for non-public use. Table 1 lists each property’s parcel number, size, zoning, and land use. Exhibit A to the proposed Resolution (Attachment A) is a map of the properties.
Table 1
Property Details
#
APN and/or
Address
Lot
Size
(±AC)
Lot Size
(±SF)
Land
Use
Zoning
Airport
Compatibility
Zone
1 104019305 0.13 5,662.80 I Industrial
Airport Inner
Safety Zone
2 104019309 0.04 1,742.40 I Industrial
Airport Outer
Safety Zone
3 104006518 0.43 18,731.23 I Industrial
Airport Outer
Safety Zone
State law known as the Surplus Land Act (the “Act”) requires the City to declare City-owned properties as “surplus land” or “exempt surplus land” before they are sold. Assembly Bill 1486 amended the Act effective January 1, 2020 to impose stricter requirements on what qualifies as surplus land and to guide the notification and negotiation process. If “surplus land,” the City must issue a 60-day Notice of Availability to housing sponsors registered with the California 50 Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and certain public agencies, giving them priority to make an offer to purchase the sites.
The City plans on selling the sites listed in Table 1 (“Properties”) for a non-public agency use.
The three sites are all near the Santa Paula Airport. They are “exempt surplus land” because the Ventura County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (“County Airport Plan”) prohibits residential use on the sites.
ANALYSIS:
Exempt Surplus Land Declaration: Airport Industrial Area Parcels The Act allows the City to declare certain properties as exempt surplus land if supported by written findings. The three sites are all near the Santa Paula Airport. They are exempt surplus land under Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(G) because they are subject to valid legal restrictions, not imposed by the City, that prohibit housing, and those restrictions cannot be mitigated or avoided. Here, the legal restrictions are imposed by the County Airport Plan.
The County Airport Plan was adopted in July 2000 (“County Plan”) and assigns land use compatibility zones to ensure that any development near the airport is compatible with Federal Aviation Administration and other regulations. Sites 1 and Site 2 are within the Inner Safety/Outer Safety Airport Land Use Compatibility Zone and Site 3 is within the Outer Safety Airport Land Use Compatibility Zone. The County Airport Plan prohibits single-family and multi-family residential dwellings because they are in areas that exceed the maximum Community Noise Equivalent Levels that are acceptable for residential uses.
The resolution declaring an exemption will be sent to HCD at least 30 days prior to disposition as required by the Act.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Economic Development
Goal: Enhance the economic vitality of the community through measures targeted towards development and business retention and expansion and attraction, resulting in diverse housing options, increased revenue generation, job creation, and a business-friendly community.
Objective: Continue the process of developing a Citywide property inventory for viable commercial and housing locations.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The resolution will provide the opportunity for the City to dispose of Exempt Surplus Land.
Currently the City receives no revenue from this property. A potential sale of the property will provide a public benefit in the form of revenue to pay for other public needs.
OPTIONS:
As an alternative to Staff’s recommendation, the City Council may:
1. Decline to adopt Resolution No. 7449. Doing so, however, would prevent the disposal of 51 city property; or
2. Refer this matter back to staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by the Council.
ATTACHMENTS:
ATTACHMENT A - Reso Declaring Property Exempt Surplus Land ATTACHMENT B Airport Land Use Compatibility Zones from Ventura County Transportation Aiport Land Use Plan 7-2000.pdf
52 RESOLUTION NO. 7449
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA PAULA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING
CERTAIN PROPERTIES AS EXEMPT SURPLUS LAND AND DIRECTING STAFF
TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN THE SURPLUS LAND ACT FOR
THEIR DISPOSITION
The City Council of the City of Santa Paula does resolve as follows:
SECTION 1: Findings. The City Council finds and declared as follows:
A. The City of Santa Paula (“City”) owns three parcels of real property (Ventura County Assessor Parcel Numbers: APN 104019305, APN 104019309, APN 104006518) located in the vicinity of the Santa Paula Airport listed in Exhibit “A” (“Properties”); and
B. The Surplus Land Act codified in California Government Code Section 54220 et seq. (the “Act”) places requirements to dispose of land owned by cities, counties and other public agencies; and
C. The Act requires, with limited exceptions, cities and other public agencies to offer property to affordable housing providers and certain other entities before a public entity sells property. The Act mandates a noticing process and a required negotiation period. If no qualified entity wants the land, or the public agency and the qualified entity are not able to reach an agreement after good faith negotiations, the public agency is free to sell the property to any entity subject to certain requirements; and
D. The Act requires a local agency’s governing body to take formal action in a regular public meeting declaring that land is surplus and not necessary for the agency’s use. Land shall be declared either “surplus land” or “exempt surplus land”, as supported by written findings, before a local agency may take any action to dispose of it consistent with an agency’s policies or procedures; and E. Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(G) states that land which is subject to valid legal restrictions not imposed by the local agency that would make housing prohibited, unless there is a feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the prohibition on the site, may be declared as Exempt Surplus Land; and
F. Housing is prohibited on the Properties pursuant to the Ventura County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan adopted July 2000 by Ventura County (“County Airport Plan”). The Properties are located within the Inner and Outer Airport Safety Overlay Zones of the County Airport Plan surrounding the Santa Paula Airport, which prohibit single-family and multi-family residential dwellings 53 because they are located in areas that exceed the maximum Community Noise Equivalent Levels that are acceptable for residential use; and G. The City desires to declare the Properties as “exempt surplus land” under Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(G) and direct staff to dispose of the Properties in compliance with the Act.
H. The Properties are no longer required for the City’s use and its sale will provide a public benefit to the City including, without limitation, revenue to pay for other public needs within the City’s jurisdiction.
I. The disposal of the Properties and the land use designation is in conformity with the City’s General Plan.
SECTION 2: Declaration of Exempt Surplus Land. The City Council determines that the Properties listed in Exhibit A, which is attached hereto and incorporated by this reference, are ”exempt surplus land” and no longer needed for municipal purposes. The Properties are to be declared ”exempt surplus land” under California Government Code § 54221(f)(1)(G) because they are subject to valid legal restrictions that are not imposed by the City and that would make housing prohibited, and those restrictions cannot be satisfactorily mitigated or avoided. The Council also finds that the sale of the Properties will provide a public benefit in the form of revenue to pay for other public needs.
SECTION 3: The Community and Economic Development Director, or designee, is directed to take all steps needed to dispose of the Properties as required by the Act.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Santa Paula this 15th day of March 2023
________________________________
Andy Sobel, Mayor
Attest:
________________________________
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
________________________________
54 Monica Castillo, Interim City Attorney
55 56
From the AIRPORT COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN UPDATED FOR VENTURA COUNTY adopted July 7. 2000
ATTACHMENT B
57 From the AIRPORT COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN UPDATED FOR VENTURA COUNTY adopted July 7. 2000 58 From the AIRPORT COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN UPDATED FOR VENTURA COUNTY adopted July 7. 2000 59 proposed exempt surplus properties
60 To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Lorena Alvarez, Human Resources Manager
Subject: DESIGNATION OF CITY'S LABOR NEGOTIATORS UNDER GOVT.
CODE SECTION 54957.6
Date: March 15, 2023
Agenda Item: 10.C
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
MEMORANDUM
RECOMMENDATION:
Designate City Manager Dan Singer, Finance Director Christy Ramirez, Human Resources Manager Lorena Alvarez, and contract attorney Irma Rodriguez Moisa as the City’s Labor Negotiators to participate in closed session for the upcoming contract negotiations with employee bargaining groups.
BACKGROUND:
The Meyers-Milias Brown Act, provides that public employees have a right to organize and bargain collectively with local government public employers over wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment. In order to conduct the City’s labor negotiations in an efficient and effective manner, it is necessary for City staff to meet in closed session from time to time to with the City Council to provide information and to receive direction and authority.
Government Code Section 54957.6 of the Brown Act, provides that prior to meeting with its labor negotiators in closed session to provide direction and bargaining authority, the local agency must hold an open session in which the agency identifies its designated labor representatives.
ANALYSIS:
As the Memoranda of Understanding currently in effect between the recognized employee bargaining groups and the City of Santa Paula are due to expire on June 30, 2023, the City is planning to soon begin labor negotiations for successor agreements. In order to conduct the City’s labor relations program in an efficient and effective manner, it is necessary for the City Council to designate representatives to participate in closed sessions with the City Council to discuss labor negotiations and meet with the various employee bargaining groups to discuss various issues and interests for the new agreements. The City’s negotiating team is provided negotiation authorization by the City Council.
Staff recommends that the Council designate Dan Singer, City Manager, Christy Ramirez, 61 Finance Director, Lorena Alvarez, Human Resources Manager, and contract attorney Irma Rodriguez Moisa of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo as City's representatives to conduct labor negotiations with the City’s recognized employee bargaining groups.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This item is not a goal or objective in the City Council's two-year Strategic Plan.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There are sufficient funds to cover $25,000 in fees under a contract with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo for labor negotiation services.
OPTIONS:
1. Approve recommendation
2. Provide alternate direction.
ATTACHMENTS:
62 To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jonathan Royas, Management Analyst
Subject: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1327, ADDING SECTION 30.07 TO CHAPTER 30 OF TITLE III OF THE SANTA
PAULA MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING BY-DISTRICT ELECTIONS,
DEFINING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, AND SCHEDULING ELECTIONS
WITHIN THE DISTRICTS
Date: March 15, 2023
Agenda Item: 10.D
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
MEMORANDUM
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Ordinance No. 1327, entitled "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA PAULA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING SECTION 30.07 TO CHAPTER 30 OF TITLE III
OF THE SANTA PAULA MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING BY-DISTRICT ELECTIONS,
DEFINING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, AND SCHEDULING ELECTIONS WITHIN THE DISTRICTS".
BACKGROUND:
On February 22, 2022, the City received a letter from attorney Jason Dominguez on behalf of "a large segment of the population and on behalf of Laura Espinosa" demanding an end to the at-large Council election system.
In response to that letter, on April 6, 2022, the City Council discussed its options and unanimously adopted Resolution No. 7393, indicating its intent to change the election system from at-large to by-district elections. Given the litigation risk and associated financial impact on the City, the City Council directed staff to move the districting process forward.
On May 4, 2022, Council provided staff direction to work with the City's existing public relations firm and to utilize our contract with BB&K law firm to select a qualified demographer.
Through that process, National Demographics Corporation (NDC) was selected.
ANALYSIS:
As required by Elections Code Section 10010, the City was required to hold at least two (2) public hearings prior to the release of draft maps of Council election districts, and two (2) public hearings after their release to solicit public input regarding the content of the draft maps and the proposed sequence of elections. Though not required by the Elections Code, the City also organized community workshops and facilitated community participation on social media and other outlets.
63 Public Hearings Before Draft Maps
On August 3, 2022, Council held its first public hearing whereby Dr. Daniel Phillips, from NDC, shared with Council and the public a presentation on the districting process to solicit input on the neighborhoods and communities of interest in the City.
On August 17, 2022, Council held its second public hearing whereby Council received an updated presentation from staff and NDC regarding the process for developing options for City Council voting districts; provided staff and NDC direction regarding any optional criteria Council wanted to consider in the development of voting district options; and conducted a public hearing to receive public input on district boundaries.
Community Outreach
The City and consultant team of NDC and Tripepi Smith kicked off the districting process the week of June 3, 2022 with the website www.drawsantapaula.org going live and outreach coordination initiated. Additionally, the email [email protected] was also set up to begin receiving communications from the public in one central location. As a result, the City leveraged a full array of outreach platforms to connect with the public.
To date, the City has reached the community through the following:
Email and/or phone contact with nearly 120 community leaders, organizations, residents and media contacts to proactively outreach to key stakeholders with districting related information.
Rollout of the districting website, DrawSantaPaula.org, where extensive resources are available for the public to learn about the districting process, access all meeting materials and meeting information, draw maps based upon their understanding of communities of interest and submit them for consideration by City Council.
Distribution of an online neighborhood survey to develop a list of neighborhoods and “communities of interest" – DrawSantaPaula.org/Neighborhood-Survey. 33 social media posts in English and Spanish published across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Nextdoor from July 1, 2022 – February 7, 2023.
Six flyers in English and Spanish to promote community meetings.
Four press releases in English and Spanish distributed to the City’s media contacts.
Six Channel 10 advertisements to promote upcoming community meetings.
Four community meetings to discuss the districting process and gather public input on neighborhoods and "communities of interest."
Publication of a mapping tool in English and Spanish in the Santa Paula Times to solicit draft maps.
It is important to note all materials, social media posts, community workshops, and activities related to the Districting process were conducted in both English and Spanish to maximize our public engagement.
In addition, the City hosted four community workshops to educate and engage the community on the Districting process and demonstrate how to use the map drawing tools provided by the consultant team. Below are the details of the four workshops.
September 14, 2022 @ 6:00PM
Santa Paula Cultural Arts Building @ The Santa Paula Community Center 64 530 W Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060
October 6, 2022 @ 6:00PM
Recorded Virtual Community Workshop via Zoom is available at www.drawsantapaula.org December 1, 2022 @ 6:00PM
Church of Guadalupe
427 N Oak Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060
January 21, 2023 @ 10:00AM
Santa Paula Youth Center
431 N 13th St., Santa Paula, CA 93060
Public Hearings After Draft Maps
During the third public hearing held January 18, 2023, City Council reviewed and discussed draft maps of proposed districts which were submitted by members of the community. After receiving public testimony, the Council narrowed the list of draft maps under consideration from fourteen (14) to six (6) focus maps, those being Maps 101, 102, 104, 105, 108, and 113.
In addition, Council provided feedback and direction to staff and NDC to make modifications to Map 113 and create a new map, Map 115, based on input that evening.
On February 15, 2023, City Council held a fourth public hearing whereby Council reviewed and discussed draft focus maps of proposed districts. The City and NDC accepted additional draft maps from the public for this fourth public hearing up until February 1, 2023. Prior to the February 1, 2023 deadline, a total of four (4) draft maps (Maps 116, 117, 118 and 119) were submitted by the public. After careful review and analysis by NDC, three (3) of the submitted draft maps (Maps 117, 118 and 119) met the requirements of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and one (1) map, Map 116, did not as it was not a contiguous map. As a result, ten (10) maps met the requirements of the CVRA and were provided to Council for consideration.
Each of the proposed maps were also posted on the City’s Districting webpage (www.drawsantapaula.org) for public access and review. At the same City Council meeting when the fourth public hearing took place, an in-depth review of Council's selected course of action was presented and shared with the public during a presentation entitled, "Why Districting? A Presentation on the Districting Process in Santa Paula, CA." Final City Council District Map
After the fourth public hearing on February 15, 2023, by a 3-2 vote, the City Council approved Map 119, providing for five (5) districts. Council also agreed that the elections for Districts 1 and 5 will occur at the general municipal election in November of 2024 and the election for Districts 2, 3, and 4 will occur at the general municipal election of 2026.
Map 119 was prepared in accordance with all applicable law, including provisions of the California Voting Rights Act, the Federal Voting Rights Act and Santa Paula City Council Resolution No. 7393, indicating its intent to change the election system from at-large to bydistrict elections. A copy of Map 119 is attached as Exhibit A to Ordinance No. 1327. (See Exhibit A.)
65 At its March 1, 2023 regular meeting, the City Council introduced and waived first reading of Ordinance No. 1327 to add Section 30.07 to Chapter 30 of Title III of the Santa Paula Municipal Code establishing by-district elections, defining district boundaries, and scheduling elections within the districts. Tonight, Council may conclude its part in the districting process by adopting Ordinance No. 1327.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This item is not a goal or objective within City Council's two-year Strategic Plan.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The City is spending approximately $100,000 on the two consulting firms assisting the City with this highly specialized districting process. On May 4, 2022, Council set aside $50,000 for anticipated expenses. On March 1, 2023, Council adopted a mid-year budget adjustment, allocating an additional $50,000 to help complete the districting process.
OPTIONS:
In addition to Staff's recommendation, City Council has the following options available for consideration:
1. The City Council may choose to not adopt the ordinance and maintain its current at-large election system. This is not recommended unless Council is prepared to defend any potential action filed pursuant to the CVRA. As shared with Council during this process, to date, no jurisdiction has prevailed on the merits of a CVRA action and fees and costs associated with litigation generally exceed $2 million; or
2. Take other action related to this item.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A - Ordinance No. 1327.pdf
66 EXHIBIT A -
ORDINANCE NO. 1327
67 ORDINANCE NO. 1327
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA PAULA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING SECTION 30.07
TO CHAPTER 30 OF TITLE III OF THE SANTA PAULA
MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING BY-DISTRICT
ELECTIONS, DEFINING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, AND
SCHEDULING ELECTIONS WITHIN THE DISTRICTS
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Paula currently elects five Councilmembers using an at-large election system; and
WHEREAS, the City received a letter on February 22, 2022, from attorney Jason Dominguez on behalf of “a large segment of the population and on behalf of Laura Espinosa”, alleging non-compliance with the California Voting Rights Act (“CVRA”) and threatening litigation if the City declines to voluntarily change to a district-based election system for electing councilmembers; and
WHEREAS, in response to the demand letter the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to shift from its current at-large election system to a bydistrict election system; and WHEREAS, on April 6, 2022, the City Council at a regular meeting adopted Resolution No. 7393, a resolution declaring the City’s intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections pursuant to Elections Code Section 10010; and WHEREAS, California Government Code section 34886 permits the City Council to change the City’s method of election by ordinance, with certain formalities, to a “bydistrict” system in which each Councilmember is elected only by the voters in the district in which the candidate resides; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Government Code section 34886, it is declared that the purpose of the change in the method of electing members of the City Council made by this Ordinance is to implement the guarantees of Section 7 of Article I (Equal Protection) and of Section 2 of Article II (Right to Vote) of the California Constitution, as set forth in Sections 14025 through 14032 of the California Elections Code; and WHEREAS, the City engaged an expert demographic consultant to assist the City with the process of analyzing the City’s population, developing draft maps, and gathering input from residents on the possible maps; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Elections Code section 10010, and in the interest of engaging the public in the shift to by-district elections, the City Council held two public hearings on August 3 and August 17, 2022 and three community workshops on September 14, October 6, and December 1, 2022 to obtain input on any proposed district boundaries; and
WHEREAS, on January 11, 2023, the City’s demographer made available for 68 public review on the City’s districting website ten (10) draft maps submitted by the public and four (4) draft maps prepared by the demographer based on public input from past meetings; and
WHEREAS, on January 18, 2023, the City Council held a public hearing at which the public was invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft maps and the sequence of elections; and
WHEREAS, throughout the foregoing process, the City engaged in a significant amount of public outreach and engagement beyond the public hearings and other procedures required by California Elections Code Section 10010, including but not limited to hosting four community workshop meetings, creating a dedicated district elections web page and a social media outreach approach. Additional outreach included email or phone contact with nearly 120 community leaders, organizations, residents and media contacts, several press releases, which were featured in the Santa Paula Times, advertisements on Spectrum Channel 10, emails to website districting subscribers, and process flyers posted to the website; and
WHEREAS, at its March 1, 2023 regular meeting, and the fifth public hearing, the City Council introduced, read by title, and waived further reading of this Ordinance; and WHEREAS, the City Council considered all oral and written information, testimony, and comments received during the public review process. All draft maps were published more than seven days before the public hearing at which they were discussed; and WHEREAS, the purpose of this Ordinance is to enact, pursuant to California Government Code section 34886, an ordinance providing for the election of Santa Paula City Councilmembers by district in five single-member districts as reflected in Exhibit A to this Ordinance.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA PAULA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. By-District Elections. Section 30.07 is hereby added to Chapter 30 of Title III of the Santa Paula Municipal Code to read as follows:
Ҥ 30.07 РBy-District Elections.
(A) By-District Elections. Pursuant to California Government Code section 34886, members of the City Council shall be elected bydistrict in five (5) single-member districts.
1. Councilmembers shall be elected in the electoral districts established by subdivision B of this Section and subsequently reapportioned as provided by State law. Elections shall take 69 place “by district” as that term is defined in California Government Code section 34871, meaning one
Councilmember shall be elected from each district, by the voters of that district alone.
2. A Councilmember elected or appointed to represent a district must reside in that district and be a registered voter in that district, and any candidate for City Council must reside in, and be a registered voter in, the district in which he or she seeks election at the time nomination papers are issued.
3. Termination of residency in a district by a Councilmember shall create a vacancy for that City Council district unless a substitute residence within the district is immediately declared and established within thirty (30) days after the termination of residency.
4. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the Councilmembers in office at the time this Section takes effect shall continue in office until the expiration of the term to which he or she was elected. In the event a vacancy occurs before the expiration of the term of a Councilmember in office at the time this Section takes effect, a person who is appointed or elected by special election to fill such vacancy may reside anywhere within the corporate boundaries of the City. A person appointed or elected to fill such a vacancy shall hold the office in accordance with general law and applicable provisions of the Santa Paula Municipal Code.
(B) Council Districts and District Elections. All five Councilmembers shall be elected on a “by-district” basis from the Council districts shown and numbered on the map titled ‘City of Santa Paula District Map’ attached as Exhibit A, a copy of which shall be on file in the City Clerk’s office. In 2024, and every four years thereafter, the following two Council districts shall be elected by-district: District 1 and District 5. In 2026, and every four years thereafter, the following three Council districts shall be elected by-district: District 2; District 3; and District 4.
(C) Amendment of District Boundaries. Pursuant to Elections Code section 21601, as it may be amended from time to time, the Council shall adjust the boundaries of any or all of the districts following each decennial federal census to ensure that the districts are in compliance with all applicable provisions of law.”
SECTION 3. CEQA. Based upon the whole of the administrative record before it, the City Council hereby finds that a transition from at-large to by-district elections is 70 exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) (Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15000 et seq.) sections 15061(b)(3), 15320, and 15378(b)(3).
Adoption of this Ordinance is an organizational and administrative activity of the City, does not have the potential to result in either a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and is therefore not a project for purposes of CEQA. (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15061(b)(3); 15378(b)(5).) In the event adoption of this Ordinance does constitute a project, it is categorically exempt under the Class 20 (Changes in the Organization of Local Governments) categorical exemption. (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15320.) Further, none of the exceptions to the exemptions found in State CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply. Staff is hereby directed to prepare, execute and file with the Ventura County Clerk a CEQA Notice of Exemption within five (5) working days of the adoption of this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications, and to this end the provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable.
SECTION 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days following its adoption.
SECTION 6. Publication. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause a summary of the same to be published in a newspaper of general circulation and then be published and circulated in the City of Santa Paula within fifteen (15) days following its adoption, pursuant to Government Code § 36933.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of March, 2023 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
__________________________
Andy Sobel
Mayor
ATTEST:
71 __________________________
Julie Latshaw
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
__________________________
Monica Castillo
Interim City Attorney
72 CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF VENTURA ) ss
CITY OF SANTA PAULA )
I, Julie Latshaw, City Clerk, hereby certify that the attached is a true copy of Ordinance No. 1327, introduced by the City Council of the City of Santa Paula, California, at a City Council meeting held the 1st day of March, 2023. Ordinance No. 1327 was passed, approved and adopted at a regular City Council meeting held at the 15th day of March, 2023.
WITNESS my hand and official seal of the City of Santa Paula this ___ day of __________, 2023.
__________________________
Julie Latshaw
City Clerk
73 EXHIBIT A
[MAP ATTACHED BEHIND THIS PAGE]
74 4
1 5
2 3
Santa Paula Cmtry
Harding Park
Charles M Teague Park
Las Piedras Park
Obregon Park
Jones Fld
Mill Park
Ebell Park
Veterans
Memorial Pk
E Santa Maria St
Padre Ln
Santa Paula Fwy
E Telegraph Rd
Lemonwood Dr
Monte Vista Dr
Encino
Pl
Sheppard Rd
View Dr
Acacia Rd
E Main St
Dartmouth Rd
Shell Rd
S Beckwith Rd
Cemetery Rd
Moultrie Pl
Peck Rd
Laurie Ln
Cherry Hill Rd
W Harvard Blvd
Todd Ln
Main St
W
Santa
Cruz
St
Cliff Dr
Terracina Dr
E Santa Clara St
E Virginia Ter
Ridgecrest Dr
S Peck Rd
Warren Ave
Ernest Dr
Mckevett Rd
5th
St
Center Ln
Salas St
Santa Paula Fwy
Maple St
S
Olive
St
S
4th
St
Fern Oaks Dr
Teague Dr
E Santa Paula St
Manzanita Dr
Guiberson St
S 12th
St
N
6th
St
N 14th
St
N
7th
St
N
Oak
St
Grant Line
St
Skyline
Dr
La Vuelta Pl
N
Palm Ave
Hawthorne St
Anacapa Ter
Say Rd
Fremontia St
Calpipe Rd
Bahia
Cir
Forest Dr
M
E Harvard Blvd
unger Dr
W
Main St
Dana Dr
N Ojai Rd
S
Ojai St
Southwick St
Powerline
Plum Way
Woodland Dr
N 12th
St
N
Mill St
Marin Rd
Sycamore
St
N 13th
St
April Ln
S 11th St
N 10th St
S
Oak
St
Dike Rd
Cadway St
N
9th
St
Bradley St
W Santa Barbara St
Montclair Dr
S
8th
St
Cedar St
N
8th
St
S 10th St
S Calavo St
Lucada St
W Santa Paula St
Sheffield St
Telegraph Rd
March St
Eliot St
Mupu Ave
Vernon Pl
Prairie Ln
Limoneira Ln
Park
St
California St
Brett Way
S
Mill St
Railroad Ave
S Palm Ave
S 5th
St
S
7th
St Walnut St
E Santa Barbara St
City of Santa Paula
Districting 2023
Map 119
Map Produced by NDC, 2/6/2023
Suggested Sequence:
District 1 - 2024 (Sobel)
District 2 - 2026 (Juarez & Crosswhite)
District 3 - 2026 (Chavez)
District 4 - 2026 (vacant)
District 5 - 2024 (Cornejo)
Map layers
Map 119
Landmark Area
Pipeline Powerline
Railroad
River
Streets
©2021 CALIPER Water Area
75 Map 119
District 1
Total Pop 6,090
Deviation from ideal -64
% Deviation -1.04%
% Hisp 89.5%
% NH White 9%
% NH Black 0%
% Asian-American 0%
Total 2,558
% Hisp 87%
% NH White 12%
% NH Black 1%
% Asian/Pac.Isl. 1%
Total 2,411
% Latino est. 82%
% Spanish-Surnamed 76%
% Asian-Surnamed 0%
% Filipino-Surnamed 1%
% NH White est. 18%
% NH Black 1%
Total 1,747
% Latino est. 80%
% Spanish-Surnamed 74%
% Asian-Surnamed 0%
% Filipino-Surnamed 1%
% NH White est. 21%
% NH Black 1%
Total 1,099
% Latino est. 74%
% Spanish-Surnamed 70%
% Asian-Surnamed 0%
% Filipino-Surnamed 1%
% NH White est. 25%
% NH Black est. 1%
ACS Pop. Est. Total 6,035
age0-19 36%
age20-60 48%
age60plus 16%
immigrants 32%
naturalized 32%
english 29%
spanish 70%
asian-lang 0%
other lang 0%
Language Fluency Speaks Eng. "Less than Very Well" 32%
hs-grad 51%
bachelor 7%
graduatedegree 2%
Child in Household child-under18 47%
Pct of Pop. Age 16+ employed 59%
income 0-25k 27%
income 25-50k 27%
income 50-75k 18%
income 75-200k 27%
income 200k-plus 2%
single family 78%
multi-family 22%
rented 57%
owned 43%
Surname-based Voter Registration and Turnout data from the California Statewide Database. 2 6,333
179
2.91%
63%
32%
1%
2%
3,685
55%
43%
0%
3%
3,932
53%
49%
1%
1%
49%
0%
3,311
51%
47%
1%
1%
50%
0%
2,444
45%
41%
0%
1%
56%
0%
5,969
33%
47%
20%
24%
42%
50%
48%
0%
1%
18%
49%
15%
13%
35%
55%
16%
11%
23%
37%
13%
92%
8%
26%
74%
3 5,798
-356
-5.78%
87%
11%
0%
1%
2,670
66%
30%
1%
2%
2,332
76%
70%
1%
1%
26%
1%
1,779
73%
67%
1%
1%
29%
1%
1,006
71%
66%
0%
0%
30%
1%
5,840
29%
52%
19%
31%
21%
34%
65%
0%
0%
34%
47%
5%
3%
36%
55%
15%
32%
19%
33%
1%
71%
29%
61%
39%
4 6,322
168
2.73%
89%
9%
0%
1%
2,985
79%
18%
0%
1%
2,260
83%
76%
1%
1%
22%
0%
1,700
81%
75%
0%
1%
23%
0%
1,063
76%
70%
0%
1%
28%
0%
6,571
37%
53%
9%
29%
26%
31%
69%
0%
1%
31%
50%
7%
3%
50%
58%
26%
28%
16%
29%
0%
50%
50%
66%
34%
5 6,229
75 1.22%
81%
16%
0%
1%
4,127
76%
21%
0%
1%
3,366
77%
70%
1%
1%
28%
0%
2,678
74%
67%
1%
1%
31%
0%
1,798
68%
63%
1%
0%
36%
0%
6,125
24%
55%
21%
23%
45%
36%
62%
1%
1%
21%
57%
10%
5%
33%
63%
9%
18%
26%
44%
3%
91%
9%
33%
67%
Total
30,772
535
8.69%
82%
15%
0%
1%
16,024
72%
25%
0%
2%
14,301
72%
66%
1%
1%
31%
0%
11,215
69%
63%
1%
1%
34%
0%
7,410
63%
58%
0%
1%
39%
0%
30,540
32%
51%
17%
28%
32%
36%
63%
0%
1%
27%
51%
9%
5%
40%
58%
18%
23%
20%
34%
4%
77%
23%
48%
52%
02/06/2023 0:52 Page 1 of 1
Total Pop
Citizen Voting Age Pop
Voter Registration
(Nov 2020)
Voter Turnout
(Nov 2020)
Voter Turnout
(Nov 2018)
Age
Immigration
Language spoken at home
Education
(among those age 25+)
Household Income
Housing Stats
Total population data from the 2020 Decennial Census.
Latino voter registration and turnout data are Spanish-surname counts adjusted using Census Population Department undercount estimates. NH White and NH Black registration and turnout counts estimated by NDC. Citizen Voting Age Pop., Age, Immigration, and other demographics from the 2016-2020 American Community Survey and Special Tabulation 5-year data.
76 To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Greg Barnes, Parks and Recreation Director
Subject: APPOINTMENT TO THE VENTURA COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON
AGING ADVISORY COUNCIL
Date: March 15, 2023
Agenda Item: 11.A
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
MEMORANDUM
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the recommendation from the Senior Advisory Committee and appoint Dana Tomarken to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council for a two-year term.
2. Approve the reappointment of Dr. Maria Munguia Wellman for a second two-year term to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council.
PRESENTED BY: Greg Barnes, Parks & Recreation Director
BACKGROUND:
The Advisory Council of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) is a communitybased body of advocates for persons age 60 and over. Members of the Advisory Council represent Ventura County Board of Supervisors, service providers and local cities. Each of the ten (10) cities in the county is eligible to have two representatives on the Advisory Council.
The mission of the Advisory Council is to involve the community in creating and sustaining programs that impact senior living and family caregivers. To achieve this goal, members participate in committees, outreach, grantee site visits, task force groups, and engage on issues of Countywide concern.
ANALYSIS:
At the March 2, 2023, Senior Advisory Committee meeting, Committee members had an opportunity to hear from Ms. Tomarken and ask questions regarding her interest in serving on the VCAAA Advisory Council. Following that interaction, the Senior Advisory Committee voted unanimously to recommended that Dana Tomarken represent the City of Santa Paula for a two-year term on the VCAAA’s Advisory Council.
77 Ms. Tomarken is present this evening and available to answer any questions Council might have of her regarding her interest in serving on the advisory council. A copy of her application and resume is attached to this report.
In addition, Dr. Maria Munguia, who was originally appointed to the VCAAA Advisory Council by City Council on October 2, 2019, is willing to serve a second two-year term.
It is a requirement of the VCAAA Advisory Council that the recommendation and appointments be ratified by the City Council.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This item is not a goal or objective in City Council’s two-year Strategic Plan; however, it does fill a second seat and provide for additional representation for Santa Paula Seniors on the VCAAA Advisory Council.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There are no fiscal impacts related to this action.
OPTIONS:
Council has the following alternative options:
1. Do not make an appointment this evening. Staff will continue to advertise to fill the vacancy on the VCAAA Advisory Council.
ATTACHMENTS:
EXHIBIT A VCAAA Advisory Council Application.pdf
78 EXHIBIT A
VCAAA ADVISORY
COUNCIL APPLICATION
79 80
81 82
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Greg Barnes, Parks and Recreation Director
Subject: HARDING PARK USER FEE WAIVER REQUEST
Date: March 15, 2023
Agenda Item: 11.B
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
MEMORANDUM
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff Recommends that City Council:
1. Provide staff direction in regard to the Harding Park fee waiver requests for Santa Paula Little League and Santa Paula Girls Softball programs.
PRESENTED BY: Greg Barnes, Parks & Recreation Director
BACKGROUND:
In 1939 George Harding spearheaded a group made up of the City's Junior Chamber of Commerce to organize an annual rodeo to raise money for the eventual purchase of what is now known as George Harding Park. The goal was to create a space for Santa Paula youth to play baseball and softball.
On April 3, 1978, the City of Santa Paula accepted a Corporation Gift Deed of real property (Harding Park) from the Santa Paula Junior Chamber of Commerce, Inc. This land is defined by the improved park, caretaker’s home off of Harvard Boulevard, and three parcels privately leased for light-industrial uses which generate revenue for operation and maintenance of the park. The lease revenue currently generates an estimated $130,000 per year.
The park is actively utilized for most of the year, primarily by Santa Paula Little League, Santa Paula Girls Softball, other organized sports organizations, the Santa Paula Unified School District, and users from outside Santa Paula. Park user fees generate an estimated $15,000 - $20,000 per year.
On October 16, 2019, the City Council held a study session to review and discuss Harding Park and related topics. Those topics of discussion were:
1. Facility Maintenance
2. The Harding Park Trust Fund
3. The Harding Park Advisory Board
4. The Caretaker Home
83 Since that meeting, improvements have been made and areas of concerns have been addressed:
Facility maintenance has been greatly improved. Currently maintenance is performed by Mariposa Landscaping, the Harding Park Caretakers, and City staff.
On December 18
th, 2019, City Council took action by approving the re-establishment of the Harding Park Advisory Board. The advisory board currently meets every other month.
City Council approved the renovation of the Caretaker House as part of the fiscal year 2020/2021 CIP budget. The renovations have been completed and caretakers moved in and assumed park responsibilities in September of 2022.
On September 16th, 2020, City Council waived the remainder of the general fund loan balance in the amount of $42,011.49 (annually over the course of four years).
ANALYSIS:
Both Santa Paula Little League and Santa Paula Girls Softball have submitted letters requesting that Harding Park user fees be waived for their respective organizations.
Santa Paula Little League currently has 310 participants registered for this season. Their registration fees are $130 per athlete; they have reported that their cost per athlete is $160.71.
Santa Paula Girls Softball currently has 143 participants registered for this season. Their registration fees range from $130-$190 per athlete (depending on when they register); they have reported that their cost per athlete is estimated at $133.57 per player.
Both organizations generally make up any financial shortfalls through fundraising efforts that include sponsorships and snack bar sales.
The following are the field use fees for both organizations dating back to 2018:
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
LL $9235 $7834 $528 $0 $0
Softball $4321 $4044 $264 $0 $0
In 2021 & 2022 both organizations received fee waivers due to the COVID relief that City Council offered to all Category 2 permittees (as defined in Santa Paula Municipal Code sec. 101.09(B)). Council also offered reduced recreation fees to all residents.
During the month of February, staff took the fee waiver requests before both the Harding Park Advisory Board and the Recreation Commission. Both bodies voted unanimously to support the fee waiver requests and asked that staff present their recommendation to City Council.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This item is not a goal or objective in City Council’s two-year Strategic Plan; however, it does bring the request of support for two local youth sports organizations before City Council for 84 consideration.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The Harding Park Trust Fund revenue will potentially be reduced by an estimated $12,000- $16,000 per year.
OPTIONS:
Council has the following options:
1. Do not waive Harding Park fees for either organization.
2. Waive a percentage of the Harding Park user fees for each organization.
3. Waive Harding Park user and light fees for this upcoming season (January - July) for Santa Paula Little League and Santa Paula Girls Softball only.
4. Waive Harding Park user and light fees for Santa Paula Little League and Santa Paula Girls softball during their season of sport (January - July) in perpetuity, or until further action by a future Council.
5. Waive Harding Park user and light fees for all Category 2 permittees in perpetuity, or until further action by a future Council.
6. Provide additional direction to staff.
ATTACHMENTS:
EXHIBIT A Letters.pdf
EXHIBIT B Harding Park Trust.pdf
EXHIBIT C Harding Park Parcels .pdf
EXHIBIT D Municipal Code Category 2 Permittees.pdf
EXHIBIT E Harding Park Financials.pdf
85 EXHIBIT A
REQUEST LETTERS
HARDING PARK FEE WAIVER
86 Santa Paula Little League
590 W. Main Street #217
Santa Paula, CA 93060
City of Santa Paula
Parks and Recreation Department
Greg Barnes, Director
530 W. Main Street
Santa Paula, CA 93060
January 25, 2023
Dear Director Barnes,
I am writing today to ask that the City of Santa Paula waive all field usage fees for Santa Paula Little League to use the fields at Harding Park.
Santa Paula Little League is a community youth organization providing a supervised program under the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball to teach children in our community the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and respect.
We are a 100% volunteer organization and a registered 501c3 not for profit corporation. Each adult assisting in the successful production of each season receives no financial remuneration. And this notably includes our volunteer umpires, which I hope this upcoming season will include up to 4 high school students.
As I know you are aware, median income in Santa Paula is significantly lower than the median income throughout Ventura County. We are proud as an organization to have the most affordable Little League registration fees in the county. And in addition, we offered approximately 20 scholarships last year, over and above the families who were able to make use of the T-Mobile Call-Up Grant. We believe that every child should have access to the program that we offer and we work to make that a reality. The added cost of $50 per player for accessing the fields at Harding Park is a substantial burden on our organization and on our families.
I believe that the City of Santa Paula and Santa Paula Little League are ideal programmatic partners for youth programs and I hope that you grant our request.
Sincerely,
Aaron Dunkel
President
Santa Paula Little League
President
Aaron Dunkel
Vice President
Brian Blackshear
Treasurer
Joseph Byrum
Asst Treasurer
Michael Nava
Secretary
Travis Cooper
Player Agent
Sean Blackshear
Wayne Brick
Safety Officer
Miriam Zamora
Coaching Coordinator
David Silva
Umpire-in-Chief
Aaron Dunkel
Equipment Manager
David Meza
Information Officer
Kristen Wreesman
Concessions Manager
Kari Bradburn
Head Scorekeeper
{vacant}
Public Relations Officer
Kristen Wreesman
Head Team Parent
Misti Harris
Fundraising Manager
Danny Wreesman
Groundskeeper
David Meza
At-Large
Michelle Brick
Sirena Guzman
Sam Guzman
Manuel Herrera
Uli Valenzuela
87 88
EXHIBIT B
HARDING PARK TRUST
89 90
91 92
93 94
95 96
97 98
99 100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
EXHIBIT C
HARDING PARK PARCELS
113
1040220115
1010260415
1010310015
1010260395
1010260405
CA-126 E
CA-126 W
E Harvard
Blvd
Santa Clara St
S 13th St
E Ventura St
S 13th St
1 |·þ}26 1
|·þ}26
Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community
.
0 87.5 175 350 525 700
Feet
USE APN ACREAGE LEASE TERM
Boys & Girls Club 101-0-260-415 1.18 $1.00 annually 10-years (expires Dec 21, 2025) Recreation Park 101-0-260-395
101-0-260-405
0.66 0.12 N/A N/A
Harding Ball Fields, Caretaker
Residence & Vacant Property
101-0-310-015 11.16 N/A N/A
Cemex (Lease) 104-0-220-115 2.10 $6,400/month
$76,800/annually
10-years (expires Nov 1, 2024)
Santa Paula Materials (Lease) 104-0-220-115 3.35 $1,730/month 15-years (expired Jun 14, 2017) Santa Paula Materials (Lease Road Easement) 104-0-220-115 N/A $1,008/month 10-years (expires Dec 12, 2026) 114
EXHIBIT D
MUNICIPAL CODE 101.09 (B)
CATEGORY 2 PERMITTEES
115
§ 101.09 BASIC RATE.
(A) Category 1 permittees do not pay the basic rates. Permittees in this category are: City of Santa Paula co-sponsored events, programs and activities; sponsored activity or event which all proceeds provide a direct financial benefit to the City of Santa Paula or Santa Paula Redevelopment Agency program; non-profit 501(c)(3) corporations consisting of less than 20 people where city staff is already present at the facility during regular operating hours. Non-profit organizations must provide evidence of their status to the Director’s satisfaction. Examples of such evidence include, without limitation, articles of incorporation, by-laws, or proof of Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) status. (B) Category 2 permittees pay a rate in an amount established by City Council resolution. Permittees in this category include: Non-profit 501(c) youth sports organizations of at least 75 individuals of whom at least 85% of Santa Paula residents. These organizations must provide evidence of their status to the Director’s satisfaction. Examples of such evidence include, without limitation, articles of incorporation, by-laws, or proof of Internal Revenue Code § 501(c) status and application materials.
(C) Category 3 permittees pay the basic rates. Permittees in this category are: Non-profits 501(c), School Districts and Public Agencies. Non-profit organizations must provide evidence of their status to the Director’s satisfaction. Examples of such evidence include, without limitation, articles of incorporation, by-laws, or proof of Internal Revenue Code § 501(c) status.
(D) Category 4 permittees pay the basic rate plus an amount determined by City Council resolution. Permittees in this category include: Individuals, youth and adult groups and private parties that reside within the city’s jurisdiction using parks for personal use (not for profit).
(E) Category 5 permittees pay the basic rate plus an amount determined by City Council resolution. Permittees in this category are commercial businesses that have a primary place of business within the city’s jurisdiction. (F) Category 6 permittees pay the basic rate plus an amount determined by City Council resolution. An additional 25% of gross receipts or a negotiated flat fee will be applied to this category. Included in this category are permittees located inside the city’s jurisdiction, using parks commercially and for financial gain. In determining whether an event is commercial and for financial gain, the Director may rely upon any reasonable evidence including, without limitation, advertisements, documentation of entrance fees, or requests to restrict public access to the event. (G) Category 7 adds an additional 40% to categories (1-5), which are permittees, located outside of the city’s jurisdiction. (Ord. 1128, passed 12-20-04; Am. Ord. 1243, passed 6-18-12) 116
EXHIBIT E
HARDING PARK FINANCIALS
117
3/6/2023 11:49:45 AM Page 1 of 3
Budget Report
City of Santa Paula, CA Account Summary
For Fiscal: 2022-2023 Period Ending: 03/31/2023
Fiscal
Activity
Variance
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
Percent
Remaining
Current
Total Budget
Period
Activity
Original
Total Budget
Fund: 803 - HARDING PARK TRUST
Revenue
803-4-1500-5450 PARKS & FIELD USER FEES 10,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 7,402.00 -12,598.00 62.99 % 803-4-7500-3010 INVESTMENT EARNINGS 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,365.76 2,365.76 0.00 % 803-4-7500-3030 RENTS AND CONCESSIONS 128,500.00 128,500.00 0.00 101,534.97 -26,965.03 20.98 % Revenue Total: 138,500.00 148,500.00 0.00 111,302.73 -37,197.27 25.05 % Expense
803-5-1532-123 SUPPLIES-SHOP & FIELD 15,000.00 17,500.00 0.00 5,652.37 11,847.63 67.70 % 803-5-1532-209 PROF/CONTR SVCS-OTHER 85,000.00 90,000.00 0.00 39,121.59 50,878.41 56.53 % 803-5-1532-280 UTILITY-ELECTRIC 8,500.00 8,500.00 0.00 0.00 8,500.00 100.00 % 803-5-1532-301 MAINT-BLDGS & IMPROVEMENTS 30,000.00 40,000.00 0.00 2,550.77 37,449.23 93.62 % 803-5-9360-660 IMPROV OTHER THAN BLDGS-REHAB 0.00 157,789.11 0.00 49,885.55 107,903.56 68.38 % Expense Total: 138,500.00 313,789.11 0.00 97,210.28 216,578.83 69.02 % Fund: 803 - HARDING PARK TRUST Surplus (Deficit): 0.00 -165,289.11 0.00 14,092.45 179,381.56 108.53 % Report Surplus (Deficit): 0.00 -165,289.11 0.00 14,092.45 179,381.56 108.53 % 118
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Dan Singer, City Manager
Subject: USE OF UNION OIL BUILDING PARKING LOT FOR TEMPORARY FIRE
STATION
Date: March 15, 2023
Agenda Item: 11.C
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
MEMORANDUM
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the City Attorney to prepare and the City Manager to sign a lease agreement, or similar agreement, with Ventura County Fire for the temporary use of the parking lot on North Ojai and East Main Street, east of the Union Oil building.
Presented By: Dan Singer, City Manager
BACKGROUND:
On January 17, 2018, the Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approved the City’s request to annex into the Ventura County Fire Protection District subject to the approval of an agreement between the Parties governing of the provision of fire protection and related services. The Parties entered into the Memorandum of Agreement for Fire Protection and Related Services (“MOA”) effective April 4, 2018 and the District commenced services under the MOA on July 8, 2018.
Upon annexation, the City's two fire stations were transferred to County Fire. The City conveyed title to the station on 10th Street (Station #29) and is working with County Fire on the conveyance of a portion of the Community Center property that is utilized for Station #26.
One of the key conditions of the MOA is the construction of a new fire station to replace the existing structure on 10th Street. As it has been determined that the existing site and land are sufficient for a new fire station, County Fire will require a temporary location to be established during demolition and construction of the new station, which is expected to take between 18- 24 months.
ANALYSIS:
For the past two years, the City's Community Development staff have been working with County Fire to help locate a temporary site to house the facilities and equipment necessary to continue service levels around the downtown and eastern portions of the City. Numerous attempts at securing vacant or underutilized properties for this purpose have failed, pushing County Fire to seek more remote or less-than-ideal locations or facilities for their temporary use. One possibility, albeit unatractive and problematic for the City, would be the co-location 119
at Station #26 for both Fire companies. A second possibility would be to utilize the Citycontrolled parking lot adjacent to the Union Oil building.
Use of the parking lot does have a number of advantages, including the visible presence of the operations in the downtown, but most notably the ability to maintain critical response times. In addition, County Fire would pave the lot for their use, which would be a valuable upgrade over existing conditions at this site. On the downside, while the City is in the process of acquiring the parcel from Chevron, the use of the Union Oil building is still somewhat uncertain, thus limiting parking in the downtown should a new or re-purposed museum use occur with the 24- month timeframe required by County Fire.
Given the limited options available to County Fire to continue critical operations in town during construction of a new Fire Station, as required under the MOA, Council is asked to support the temporary use of the parking lot and to direct the City Attorney to work with the County on a short-term lease agreement or similar agreement.
Division Chief, Joe Williams will speak to the difficulties County Fire has faced identifying a location that will meet their minimum standards for a temporary station. A copy of Chief Williams Power Point is attached to this report.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Although this action is not a part of the City's adopted Strategic Plan, it is consistent with the goals of Community Vitality and Public Safety, which calls for sustainable resources and programs to make Santa Paula a great place to live and grow. The construction of a new Fire Station is also a requirement of the MOA between the City and County Fire.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
County Fire will cover all costs associated with their utilization of the parking lot and will return the lot, when completed, in an improved condition at no cost to the City.
OPTIONS:
In addition to Staff's recommendation, the Council has the following alternative options:
1. Reject the request for use of the Union Oil building parking lot. However, the Fire Department has few choices at this time. If the parking lot cannot be used, Council could allow the use of the expanded Station #26 at the Community Center or ask the Department to delay construction of the new Station #29 and continue the search for another temporary site on the east side of town.
ATTACHMENTS:
FS29 Temporary Relocation PPT.pptx
120
FIRE STATION 29
TEMPORARY RELOCATION
Santa Paula City Council
March 15, 2023
121
2 FIRE STATION 29
122
3 RELOCATION DIFFICULTIES
1775 Lemonwood Dr No Go • 3/22 Owner signed lease with other party because County process too long 1574 & 1580 Lemonwood Dr No Go • 4/22 Fire stopped pursuit due to Caltrans traffic light preemption permitting issues Triangle Lot for Sale @ E Main St / Harvard Blvd No Go • 5/22 Too late escrow closing 1426 & 1428 Santa Paula St No Go • 8/22 Owner stopped lease negotiations to occupy building themselves Parking Lot @ E Main St / N 11th St (former car dealership) No Go • 9/22 Informed by City that owner plans to start redevelopment construction in 2023 1315 E Main St (R&R Pipeline) No Go • 11/22 Owner stopped lease negotiations 123
4 RELOCATION DIFFICULTIES
Other Sites Fire Looked at But Did Not Pursue for Various Reasons • Hampton Ranch Restaurant, unoccupied (right across street from FS29) • 487 E Main St, Online Lease Listing (formerly SP Fitness) • 215 N 12th St, Online Lease Listing
• 941 E Main St, Online Sale Listing
Last Resort Option if All Others Fail
• Share Existing FS26 and operate both stations out of one location 124
5 BENEFITS TO UTILIZING OIL MUSEUM
PARKING LOT
• Public Safety - Maintain emergency response times
• Maintain Fire Department presence in downtown Santa Paula. 350’ NE of current location.
• Construction of a new fire station takes 16-24 months. (Duration Oil Museum will be closed for renovation?)
• Will leave lot in better condition than its current condition. 0.42 acres of new asphalt. 125
6 OIL MUSEUM PARKING LOT (E MAIN ST / N OJAI ST)
PROPOSED USE
126
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jonathan Royas, Management Analyst
Subject: LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM UPDATE
Date: March 15, 2023
Agenda Item: 11.D
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
MEMORANDUM
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council:
1. Review the proposed staff updates to the 2021 Legislative Platform; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 7450, updating the 2021 Legislative Platform for 2023.
Presented by: Jonathan Royas, Management Analyst
BACKGROUND:
On April 7, 2021, City Council adopted Resolution No. 7330, establishing a City of Santa Paula Legislative Platform ("2021 Legislative Platform") (Exhibit A).
A legislative platform is a summary of locally approved policy statements that provide a framework for a city’s response to local, state, and federal legislation. As a smaller city, we recognize the need for active legislative engagement to protect and enhance the interests of the City’s residents and businesses. Accordingly, City officials and staff strive to maintain close relationships with Santa Paula’s local, state, and federal representatives to advocate, influence, and monitor pertinent legislation.
The purpose of a legislative platform is to clearly outline the City’s position on priority issues and matters that impact the City's ability to operate effectively, while allowing for the consideration of additional policy issues that arise during the legislative session. Maintaining a Legislative Platform allows elected officials and staff to act quickly in communicating with legislators and other government officials to ensure the City’s interests are protected and advanced.
While the City had not traditionally maintained an adopted legislative platform in the past, Council, as noted above, agreed to the importance and value of having a legislative platform and in April 2021 adopted the 2021 Legislative Platform.
ANALYSIS:
127
Current Legislative Resources
The City is currently a member of several organizations that review and analyze legislation as part of their work programs. These entities often serve as valuable sources for information regarding specific bills. Each year, a large volume of bills are introduced by Members of the Legislature that relate to a variety of operational, revenue, or jurisdictional authority issues directly impacting municipal governments. While it is virtually impossible for individual cities to review and analyze every bill, several organizations do engage in such work. These organizations and brief overviews are provided below:
The League of California Cities (League) – reviews every bill and identifies those that have or may have a direct impact on municipal governments. The League seeks input from its member cities, and through its policy committees and Board of Directors develops policy positions on pending measures affecting cities. Those policy positions are then communicated to Members of the Legislature through the League’s in-house legislative advocates.
As an organization effectively representing California’s 482 cities, the League’s lobbyists advocate the adopted policy positions of the Board of Directors, which are reflective of a majority of California’s cities on any given issue. Although the League does not represent individual city positions with Legislators, League staff serve as useful resources for providing a roadmap for individual city officials to effectively advocate their individual positions on bills for which the League itself does not have a position, has taken a “Watch” position, or when an individual city position is in direct contrast to the League’s adopted position.
The League’s Regional Representatives are an excellent source of information regarding pending legislation, with which the City regularly engages. There are opportunities for City Council Members and staff to participate in the League’s review of legislation through participation on policy committees. The League also hosts a number of webinars throughout the legislative session highlighting bills of interest to cities. The League also holds an annual Legislative Action Day during the month of April at the State Capitol, which brings together municipal leaders from throughout California to meet with Legislators regarding critical municipal issues and advocate positions regarding bills under consideration by the Legislature.
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) – has a very strong legislative and intergovernmental relations program. While the focus of SCAG’s legislative efforts tend to be more regional in nature, SCAG’s committees and governing board (Regional Council) adopt legislative positions throughout the session. SCAG also employs legislative advocates in Sacramento and Washington. SCAG Regional Council Members and policy committee members meet with Legislators throughout the session, both in Southern California and Sacramento.
Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce – While the Chamber’s focus is primarily on legislation that impacts business, there are many areas of overlap with the City’s legislative interests.
These issues typically include topics such as economic development, workforce housing, homelessness and tourism. An enhanced legislative partnership with the Chamber can be advantageous for both parties in developing a stronger advocacy coalition, wherein local Legislators see a broad-based unified position from number of stakeholders located within their districts.
128
The Legislative Platform
A legislative platform is intended to articulate the City’s positions on issues that are currently, or are anticipated to be, the focus of future legislation by the state or federal governments.
Typically, a legislative platform contains public policy categories which contain policy statements within. Examples of categories include but are not limited to:
Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations
Homelessness, Housing, Community, and Economic Development Transportation, Communication, and Public Works
Community Services
Environmental Quality
Public Safety
Revenue and Taxation
The statements within the categories of the Legislative Platform can either be general in nature and reflect policy positions previously adopted by the City Council or they can be very specific. The reason for employing more general statements is to allow for flexibility with respect to legislation that may contain nuances not previously considered, but with the same overall net effect to municipalities. Alternatively, very specific statements will create a large platform which would be broad and more comprehensive in nature.
It should be noted the positions established within the platform do not preclude City Council consideration of additional legislative matters arising throughout the year that may be brought forward for City Council action. A recent example of this ability was Council's support for the Ventura County Community College Expansion Campus Land Acquisition. 2023 Updates
The proposed 2023 Legislative Platform contains topics that have the potential for county, state, and federal participation and provides staff with a clear understanding of the City’s priorities. The priorities outlined within the platform are intended to assist the City Council and staff to address legislation, promote City interests, and preserve local control and local legislative authority proactively and appropriately.
These priorities remain the same as those in the 2021 Legislative Platform and include the following:
Revenue & Taxation, Governance
Transparency & Labor Relations
Homelessness, Housing, Community & Economic Development Transportation, Communications & Public Works
Community Services
Environmental Quality
Public Safety
Each priority includes policy statements which articulate the City’s legislative goals by addressing major areas of interest, while providing flexibility to respond to any unanticipated legislation.
129
In addition to general grammatical, wording, and stylistic changes, staff added text in several sections to reflect the City’s position in additional areas based on feedback from Council during the current Strategic Plan update and from the Executive Directors. The recommended changes are reflected in the attached redlined document (see redline version, Exhibit B).
Legislative Platform Procedures
Approval of a legislative platform streamlines the City’s process and allows the City Manager and staff to effectively respond and take immediate action on pressing legislation under City Council direction.
Our current practice grants City staff the authority to prepare position letters for the Mayor’s signature. When a letter is prepared and signed by the Mayor, a copy is delivered to all Councilmembers. Items not addressed in the Legislative Platform will require further Council direction. Should a Council Member wish to send a position letter signed by all five Council Members, staff will review whether the request falls within the scope of the current platform to see if Council can take a position either way. Again, should the request not be addressed in the Legislative Platform, further Council direction would be required.
Next Steps
It is important to note that this is a fluid and iterative process, one that will be regularly revisited from time to time. The public policy topics may be added to or reduced as the City’s needs change in line with a variety of factors. It is not uncommon for policy position statements to change each year depending on the topics of focus within the Legislature.
For your consideration this evening is Resolution No. 7450 (Exhibit C), updating the 2021 Legislative Platform and approving the 2023 Legislative Platform (attached to the Resolution as Exhibit A). Should Council adopt this resolution, staff will update the graphics and updated policy statements into a final document which will become the City's 2023 Legislative Platform.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This item is not a specific goal or objective in City Council’s two-year Strategic Plan, however, many of the platform's policy statements support the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There are no direct costs associated with adoption of the 2023 Legislative Platform.
OPTIONS:
City Council has the following options available:
1. Accept the 2023 Legislative Platform as written and adopt Resolution No. 7450;
2. Direct staff to make additional revisions to the proposed 2023 Legislative Platform based on City Council’s feedback and return with a final copy and adopting Resolution;
3. Conduct additional Study Sessions to further discuss public policy areas and/or associated 130
platform statements; or
4. Reject an update to the 2021 Legislative Platform altogether.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A - 2021 Santa Paula Legislative Platform.pdf
Exhibit B -2023 Santa Paula Legislative Platform Redline.pdf Leg Platform RESOLUTION NO 7450-c1.docx
Attachment A to Resolution - 2023 Santa Paula Legislative Platform.pdf 131
Exhibit A -
2021 Legislative
Platform
132
2021 Legislative
Platform
133
About Us & City Council.....................................
Introduction & Purpose.......................................
Scope.......................................................................
Section I. Revenue & Taxation.........................
Section 2. Governance, Transparency &
Labor Relations.....................................................
Section 3. Homelessness, Housing,
Community & Economic Development...........
Section 4. Transportation, Communication
& Public Works......................................................
Section 5. Community Services........................
Section 6. Environmental Quality....................
Section 7. Public Safety.....................................
Table of Contents
City of
Santa
Paula
2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
134
The City of Santa Paula, California is located 65 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 14 miles east of Ventura and the coastline of the Pacific Ocean. Santa Paula is the geographical center of Ventura County, situated in the rich agricultural Santa Clara River Valley. The City is surrounded by rolling hills and rugged mountain peaks in addition to orange, lemon and avocado groves. In fact, Santa Paula is referred to as the "Citrus Capital of the World." The City of Santa Paula was incorporated on April 22, 1902 and is a major distribution point for citrus fruits in the United States and is also noted for avocado producing and processing.
The community has a quaint, small town image, ideal climate and reasonably priced housing, which is why Santa Paulans refer to their community as "Hometown USA." Santa Paula maintains its own identity and is in close proximity to the many tourist, recreational, and cultural activities that abound in Southern California.
Santa Paula covers an area of 4.6 square miles and has a population (as of the 2019 Census) of 29,321 residents with the population being 82% Latino/Hispanic with a median age of 31 years.
About Us
CARLOS JUAREZ Mayor
Vice-Mayor
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
JENNY CROSSWHITE
RICK ARAIZA
LESLIE CORNEJO
ANDY SOBEL
City Council
City of
Santa
Paula
1 2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
135
The purpose of the City of Santa Paula’s Legislative
Platform is to promote the adoption of state and federal legislation that will establish sound public policy for responsible local governance; protect and enhance
public health, safety and welfare; and aid the City’s
delivery of high-quality services to its residents.
The Legislative Platform articulates the City’s positions on issues that are currently, or are anticipated to be, the focus of future legislation by the county, state or federal governments. The overarching position is to challenge
county, state, or federal legislation or policies that are overly prescriptive or inflexible with respect to costs, implementation strategies and retaining reasonable
local control.
City of
Santa
Paula
2 Introduction &
Purpose
2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
136
The positions contained in the Platform supplement the broad range of goals, policies and programs reflected in the Santa Paula Strategic Plan, the General Plan, the Municipal Code and other adopted documents. Therefore, advocacy efforts may be based on references articulated in these policy
documents as they provide current direction for the City organization.
City departments are authorized to review proposed
legislation to determine how it relates to the City’s Legislative Platform and to recommend that the Mayor take a position on legislation that the department determines to be “high priority” and write letters, contact legislators, and otherwise
communicate the position of the City as appropriate. The Mayor, or his/her designee, after conferring with City staff, may make contact with legislators to advocate for or against legislation consistent with the legislative platform.
Before taking a position on any legislation, City staff and elected officials will conduct the necessary due diligence in respect to any communication or correspondence to ensure the City, nor its residents, are drawn into any controversial or overtly political positions which could lead to distraction or setbacks of productive governance. Where there is doubt, staff will consult with the Mayor as to whether the item warrants full Council consideration.
City of
Santa
Paula
3 Scope
2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
137
2. Support legislation that grants full cost reimbursement to local agencies by the state and federal government for all mandated programs.
3. Support legislation that ensures the retention of existing local revenue sources, including the City’s share of property taxes, sales and use taxes, transient occupancy taxes, vehicle license fees, development fees, etc.
4. Support legislation that authorizes a simple majority of the voters in a city to establish local priorities such as the right to increase taxes or issue general obligation bonds.
5. Oppose legislation that further limits cities’ ability to administer their own revenues. For example, “maintenance of effort” requirements which create financial limitations on cities.
6. Oppose legislation that delays the payment of revenues due the City.
7. Support legislation that will enhance revenue for cities.
8. Support legislation that bolsters local authority to enforce local ordinances and tools to collect revenue associated with short-term vacation rentals.
9. Oppose legislation that undermines the City’s ability to manage financial resources and limits decisions regarding the long-term interests of local residents.
10. Support legislation which streamlines the creation and expands the applicability of Infrastructure Finance Districts as well as Enhanced Infrastructure Finance Districts.
11. Oppose legislation that threatens tax exemption for municipal bonds, including reinstating authority to issue tax-exempt advance refunding bonds.
Section I. Revenue & Taxation
City of
Santa
Paula
4 A. Local Government Finance
1. Support legislation that provides tax reform to mitigate negative fiscal impacts to local governments from past and present tax revenue shifts away from local governments.
2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
138
City of
Santa
Paula
5 B. Property Tax Appeals Process
1. Support legislation that changes the property tax appeals procedures providing each public agency receiving property tax with the legal standing to appear and be heard at any property tax appeal affecting property tax revenue received by such agency.
2. Support legislation that would require the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to inform local jurisdictions in a timely manner of Sales Tax disputes prior to the issuance of adjustments to the local jurisdictions Sales Tax payment.
2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
139
City of
Santa
Paula
6 Section 2. Governance,
Transparency and Labor Relations
A. Employee and Labor Relations
1. Support legislation that increases the transparency of all public employee compensation and benefits.
2. Support legislation that grants public pension and other postretirement benefit reform that is fiscally responsible, sustainable, affordable, and equitable for employees and taxpayers in the long term.
3. Support legislation that streamlines the Workers’ Compensation system and makes it easier for employers, employees, and health care providers to navigate.
4. Support legislation and policies that control escalating workers’ compensation costs to public agencies and taxpayers.
5. Oppose legislation that limits a public sector employer’s ability to conduct job related pre-employment inquiries and background checks in order to prevent physical, financial, economic and personal threats to employees and general public.
6. Support legislation that enhances tax-advantaged health saving accounts (HSAs) for employees.
7. Support legislation that enhances participation and promotes increased retirement savings in various types of deferred compensation plan.
B. Tort Reform
1. Support legislation to limit local government liability.
2. Oppose legislation that limits power of local government to negotiate indemnification protections in public contracts.
3. Support legislation to reform California’s tort system to curtail unreasonable liability exposure for public agencies and restore the ability of public agencies to obtain affordable insurance. 2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
140
C. Elections
1. Support legislation to reduce unnecessary and costly procedures for conducting municipal elections.
2. Support legislation that encourages and expands civic engagement and voter participation in elections.
D. Public Records Act
1. Support legislation to improve data management systems and allow public agencies greater access to data.
E. Political Reform Act/Ethics/Conflict of Interest Laws
1. Support legislation and regulations that establish sound practices and principles related to political campaigns. Regulations that would restrict or preempt local authority are opposed.
2. Support legislation designed to improve and streamline the Political Reform Act and its implementation through regulations.
3. Support legislation that increases the transparency of all public official compensation and benefits.
4. Support legislation to revise laws governing local agency transparency and ethics when it addresses material and
documented inadequacies and has a reasonable relationship to resolving those problems, is internally consistent, avoids redundancy, and accommodates the practical challenges of implementation.
F. Brown Act/Public Notice
1. Support legislation modernizing the methods by which a local agency may comply with public noticing, advertisement, and posting requirements related to agendas, hearings, resolutions, ordinances and other government matters.
2. Support legislation allowing discretion for video-conferencing and distance attendance for noticed committee and emergency meetings.
City of
Santa
Paula
7 2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
141
A. Homelessness
1. Support legislation and local, state, and federal programs that employs evidence-based best practice strategies to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by preventing homelessness for those at-risk; providing emergency and transitional housing; expanding permanent affordable housing; and promoting self- empowerment through counseling, job training, and other supportive services.
2. Support legislation and local, state, and federal programs that reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by promoting mental health and substance abuse services; providing emergency and transitional housing; expanding permanent affordable/supportive housing; and promoting self- empowerment through counseling, job training, and other supportive services for those who suffer from mental health issues and/or substance abuse.
B. Housing
1. Support legislation that increases financial assistance to local governments, nonprofit housing organizations, and public/private partnerships to provide affordable, transitional, supported, and emergency housing.
2. Support legislation that increases the City’s ability to effectively compete for state and federal housing funding.
3. Support legislation and grants that promote development and enhancement of safe, affordable, sustainable, and accessible housing within the City.
4. Support legislation that provides the City with options in meeting its housing needs; or that would simplify the Housing Element review process while still recognizing the important role that California Department of Housing and Community Development plays; and still ensuring City housing needs are being met.
5. Oppose legislation that cuts funding for affordable housing and services to vulnerable populations through programs such as HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Community
Development Block Grants (CDBG).
Section 3. Homelessness, Housing,
Community&EconomicDevelopment
City of
Santa
Paula
2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
8 142
City of
Santa
Paula
9 C. Land Use Planning
1. Support legislation that promotes environmentally sustainable land use patterns, maintains safe residential neighborhoods, bolsters economic prosperity, preserves open space, and enhances the overall quality of life in the City of Santa Paula.
2. Support legislation that is consistent with the principle of local control and the local exercise of police powers over local land use.
3. Oppose legislation that diminishes the City’s discretionary ability to approve land use patterns and entitlement applications or restrict city permitting and land use planning authority including land use processes, decisions, and fees.
4. Oppose project entitlements in areas outside the City limits, but within the City’s General Plan proposed sphere of influence that do not conform to current City standards.
5. Support legislation that retains the discretion of cities to prohibit or limit their own use of power of eminent domain to acquire property.
6. Support legislation that streamlines the California Environmental Quality Act, while supporting its goals.
D. Regional Governance/Growth Management
1. Support legislation funding county, state and local investment in the physical infrastructure of California, including but not limited to, its roadways, bridges, railway systems, levees, dams, parks, libraries, public safety facilities, jails, prisons, and systems for delivering and treating water, wastewater and storm water.
2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
143
City of
Santa
Paula
10 2. Support legislation to achieve fair and proportionate representation on countywide, statewide and regional boards.
3. Support legislation encouraging regional, sub-regional or countywide cooperation in planning urban development strategies in areas such as: transportation, air quality, affordable housing and conservation; especially those that provide funding for effective implementation of agreed upon goals.
4. Oppose legislation that mandates compliance of the City’s local land use authority to regional, sub regional, or Countywide plans.
E. Local Agency Formation Commissions’ (“LAFCO”) Policies
1. Support legislation that clarifies and redefines the sphere of influence concept to provide better planning for growth, development and service delivery while preserving agricultural and open space resources, promoting smart growth, and coordinating local and regional planning.
2. Support legislation that enhances LAFCO’s ability to mitigate fiscal impacts regarding “change of organization” proposals through tax sharing conditions.
3. Support legislation aimed at creating equity in determining annexation matters, including tax reform to mitigate negative fiscal impacts to local governments from past and present tax revenue shifts away from said local governments.
4. Support legislation that amends the state’s Revenue and Taxation Code so that counties are no longer allowed to block annexations in exchange for unreasonable property tax-sharing agreements.
F. Economic Development
1. Support legislation that enhances or expands community and economic development tools and funding to address revitalization and redevelopment needs.
2. Support legislation that will provide tools and incentives to support job creation and retention and address the infrastructure and jobs/housing needs and long-term affordability within the City and State.
3. Support legislation that will help cities recover from economic downturns.
2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
144
City of
Santa
Paula
11 A. Transportation
1. Support lowering the farebox recovery ratio (the fraction of operating expenses which are required to be met by fares paid by passengers) for public transportation. Oppose legislation that would give free rides to special interest groups without a farebox ratio offset or compensation recovery.
2. Support legislation to enhance the ability of local agencies to finance local transportation programs and facilities.
3. Support legislation that ensures the City of Santa Paula receives its fair share of transportation revenue.
4. Support legislation that provides increased state and federal funding for preservation and maintenance of local streets and roads and secures the maximum amount of state and federal funding for maintenance and construction of local streets, roads, infrastructure, transportation projects and major corridors.
5. Support legislation that reduces local reliance on local gas tax revenues for roads and streets improvements and considers new alternative funding solutions with longer- term sustainability.
Section4.Transportation,Communication
&PublicWorks
2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
145
6. Support legislation protecting dedicated transportation-related tax revenues and funding for transit operations and maintenance.
7. Support legislation that provides funding for development of an integrated, comprehensive, and efficient multi-modal transportation network; this includes inter- county and intra-county highways, pedestrian and bicycle, mass transit, commuter rail service, facilities and infrastructure within the region.
8. Support legislation that provides local agencies greater discretionary authority to expend available transportation funds.
9. Support legislation funding opportunities for transit and paratransit operations, including service for persons with disabilities as well as the senior citizen community.
10. Support legislation that encourages reform to expedite federal review and reduce delays in payment of local agencies and their contractors for transportation project development, right-of-way and construction activities.
11. Support legislation that increases administrative flexibility and streamlines reforms that assist cities with operating and maintaining the existing transportation network; this includes lobbying for consistency between the National Environmental Protection Act (“NEPA”) and the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) to alleviate redundant environmental review of transportation projects which will promote expedited project delivery.
12. Support legislation that ensures transportation infrastructure funding and does not jeopardize critical projects with each reauthorization.
13. Support legislation that allows for discretion on the part of traffic engineering professionals in setting appropriate speed limits rather than having to only rely on prevailing speeds.
B. Water and Biological Resources
1. Support legislation to diversify the City’s water supply resources and improve water quality in the region.
2. Support legislation that would increase funding for infrastructure to distribute reclaimed water. Support legislation that calls for the reasonable conservation of water resources.
City of
Santa
Paula
12 2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
146
City of
Santa
Paula
13 3. Support legislation that provides user friendly federal and state rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial incentives that encourage property owners to invest in water efficient systems and landscaping.
4. Support legislation that would increase funding and flexibility for trash reduction strategies in creeks and watersheds.
5. Support legislation, funding, research, and implementation strategies based on scientific data and human/ecological risk assessment for addressing urban water and storm water runoff.
6. Support legislation for performance-based and diversified storm water protection strategies that can be adapted to local environmental conditions.
7. Oppose legislation or policies that are overly prescriptive or inflexible with respect to implementation strategies.
8. Support reasonable legislation or policy that promotes agricultural practices that are adequately protective of water quality and water resources.
9. Support legislation that would retain any Regional Board fines that are levied against storm water permit violators within the region where the violations occurred.
10. Oppose unfunded legislative actions and mandates from the State Water Resources Control Board or Regional Water Quality Control Board.
11. Support legislation and grants that promote wildlife, habitat protection, and preservation of endangered or threatened species, including care for injured wildlife, provided it does not infringe or create undue burden upon property uses and rights of residents.
12. Oppose legislation that places the burden of assessment and remediation related to manufactured products on local jurisdictions instead of manufacturers or potentially responsible parties.
C. Telecommunications and Utilities
1. Support legislation that preserves state and local authority to manage public rights-of- way including the appearance and aesthetics of equipment placed within them, and zoning and planning for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure that protects public safety and welfare.
2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
147
City of
Santa
Paula
14 2. Oppose legislation that pre-empts the City’s authority to negotiate compensation paid to cities for the use of their property and rights of-way for telecommunications.
3. Support legislation that grants the ability of local governments to provide electricity and ancillary services to residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
4. Support legislation that grants cities’ authority to zone and plan for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
5. Support legislation that protects cities’ ability to maintain and manage the public right-of-way and negotiate compensation for its use.
6. Support legislation to specifically allow municipalities to use public goods funds for development of renewable energy sources and require public utilities to improve and expand incentive structures for renewable energy generation.
7. Oppose legislation that erodes the ability of local governments to maintain existing fees on telecommunications services.
8. Support legislation that would result in lower energy rates for the residents and businesses of the City of Santa Paula including funding that assists with the conversion of outdated energy systems to new energy efficient options.
9. Support legislation that improves the reliability and consistency of electrical supply and improves transmission of electricity to local governments and their communities.
10. Support legislation that enhances the public power options available to local governments and oppose legislation that reduces the public power options available to local governments.
D. Contracts
1. Support legislation that allows cities the option to use design/build contracting and other innovations designed to bring efficiency to the public contracting process.
2. Support legislation that preserves a minimum 5 percent retention for construction contracts.
3. Support legislation to maintain maximum local flexibility in the 2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM area of contracting and contract negotiations. 148
A. Parks and Recreation
1. Support legislation and park bond measures that provide per capita grants to local governments that fund parks, recreation and capital improvements, as well as programs that enhance the quality of life for City of Santa Paula residents.
2. Support legislation to develop regional and state parks and connecting trail systems.
3. Support legislation that increases funding to repair, maintain and develop state and local park and facility infrastructures.
B. Facilities
1. Support legislation, grants and low-cost financing that provide for construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of public facilities.
C. Libraries
1. Support legislation and grants that provide increased funding and development for library programs and services, construction, renovation and technology.
2. Support legislation that restores state funding for public libraries.
Section5.CommunityServices
City of
Santa
Paula
15 2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
149
City of
Santa
Paula
16 3. Support local legislation that provides additional funding for the Blanchard Community Library.
D. Arts, Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation
1. Support legislation providing funding for local arts activities and historic preservation.
2. Support legislation providing funding for high quality art and music programs in schools and for the community at large.
3. Support efforts to restore historic structures through tax incentives, grant funding and State and Federal subsidies.
E. Family Services
1. Support legislation and grants that provide for the overall wellbeing and physical, mental and emotional health of individuals within the City of Santa Paula including children, youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
2. Support legislation and grants that provide affordable, quality prenatal care and child care services and assistance to low-income families.
3. Support legislation and grants that facilitate the provision of recreational activities for all segments of our population.
4. Support legislative reforms in healthcare policy that address prevention, promote health and wellness, and encourage
affordability and cost containment.
5. Support legislation and policies that promote mental health and substance use disorder services and make resources available that support and assist members of our community.
6. Support legislation and grant programs that provide funding for youth programs, such as job training programs, after school programs, educational programs and those designed specifically for transitional and marginalized youth.
7. Support legislation and grants that provide services for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities; services will specifically include nutrition, housing, transportation, recreation, and social services.
8. Support legislation that addresses the needs of at-risk youth, juvenile offenders and juveniles that are placed on court-ordered probation.
2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
150
9. Support legislation that provides funding at the local level to address gang prevention and intervention programs including after school programs for at- risk teens.
10. Support legislation that educates and protects children from nicotine, alcohol, cannabis and other drugs.
11. Support legislation that encourages and funds safe routes to schools including enforcement of school zone speed limits.
F. Animal Welfare
1. Support legislation that facilitates responsible pet ownership.
2. Support legislation that supports humane treatment of animals and increases the penalties for animal abuse.
City of
Santa
Paula
17 2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
151
Section 6. Environmental
Quality
City of
Santa
Paula
18 A. Climate Adaptation and Sustainability
1. Oppose legislative infringement on local control and authority to plan for and adapt to future climate conditions, including sea level rise, precipitation patterns, temperatures, and air quality attainment strategies.
2. Support legislation that provides funding and incentives for local governments to work together on local and regional energy and climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience initiatives to improve air quality by reducing emissions and to advance economic, social, as it relates to environmental equity.
3. Support legislation that holds gross polluters (those which exceed current standards) directly accountable for increased emissions.
4. Support legislation that supports energy resiliency programs in addition to providing incentives and grants for their implementation.
5. Support legislation and California Public Utility Commission and California Energy Commission regulatory actions and legislative activities that are favorable to community resiliency, energy efficiency and local distributed energy generation, renewable energy, energy storage, electrification initiatives, and Community Choice Energy programs.
6. Oppose regulatory requirements that create unnecessary and/or unintended barriers to implementation of renewable energy programs and projects.
7. Support legislation to increase state and federal funding for reforestation.
8. Support legislation that provides funding and other incentives for the installation of charging stations for “low” and “zero emission” vehicles.
9. Support legislation enhancing building energy efficiency standards and building safety standards.
10. Oppose legislation that diminishes the authority of local jurisdictions to enforce building codes or mandates the manner of enforcement.
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19 11. Support legislation that provides federal and state rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial incentives that encourage property owners to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy systems.
12. Support legislation within reason to ensure that new construction and major renovations include smart meters, pre-wiring of buildings to accommodate future GHG-reducing retrofits such as solar hot water heaters, photovoltaic (PV) panels, or other distributed renewable power sources and metered charging outlets in parking areas for electric vehicles.
13. Support legislation that promotes the use of green building rating systems for new construction and existing buildings as one of several model options for achieving verifiable greenhouse gases emissions reductions and improving energy efficiency.
B. Oil and Gas Cleanup, Restoration, and Oil-Spill Prevention
1. Support legislation that results in the restoration of areas affected by existing or former oil and gas facilities.
2. Support legislation to fund oil-spill prevention and response as well as to remediate improperly abandoned legacy oil and gas wells.
C. Solid Waste
1. Support legislation that provides state funding to local governments to facilitate implementation of all applicable waste reduction goals mandated by state solid waste diversion and recycling legislation.
2. Support legislation that facilitates the installation of regional organics processing infrastructure (anaerobic digester facilities) and associated state funding to local governments as required for SB 1383 regulatory compliance.
3. Support legislation that expands the market for recyclable materials and encourages meeting state and local commercial recycling goals.
4. Oppose legislation that dictates greenhouse gas emissions strategies that are not based on scientific data or credible information.
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20 5. Support legislation that provides greater flexibility and diversification in the use of methane-reducing technologies and strategies with respect to food-based (organics) greenhouse gas emissions and that increases state and local funding to support the development of new organic waste recycling infrastructure and programs.
6. Support legislation that enhances local authority and flexibility to regulate solid waste and recyclables.
7. Support legislation that streamlines compliance and
implementation of the Integrated Waste Management Act.
8. Oppose legislation that invalidates the Integrated Waste Management Act indemnification and/or prevent cities from negotiating indemnification clauses with waste haulers.
9. Support legislation that increases local funding to governments and special districts for the collection of household waste.
10. Support legislation that reasonably reduces the toxic and nonreusable waste load.
11. Support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation to encourage manufacturers to design environmentally friendly products by holding producers responsible for the costs of managing their products at end of life.
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A. Public Safety
1. Support legislation to provide state and federal funding to support local law enforcement through equipment upgrades, capital improvements, training, and emergency preparedness initiatives.
2. Support legislation that provides a greater share of asset forfeiture funds for cities and increases latitude for spending local funds.
3. Support legislation that seeks to reimburse the City for the overtime costs associated with public safety personnel who are required to appear before state or county courts.
4. Support legislation that: a) promotes comprehensive drug and alcohol education and rehabilitation; b) discourages drivers from operating motor vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; and, c) maintains state funding necessary to post and operate sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints.
5. Support legislation that seeks funding to assist local law enforcement with crime prevention and reduction.
6. Support legislation that provides flexible block grants to local governments that improve security and public safety at the local level.
7. Support legislation and grants that promote Crisis Intervention Team training for local law enforcement agencies in order to reduce arrests of people with mental illness and increase law enforcement’s ability to do their job safely and effectively.
8. Support legislation that grants federal funding for first responder training and improved communications systems as part of Homeland Security.
9. Support legislation that mitigates the impacts of transferring state and federal inmates into our community.
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10. Oppose legislation that eliminates local control of alcohol beverage establishments and any state or federal interference with local codes or compliance mechanisms.
11. Support legislation that promotes and increases vehicle, bicycle, scooter and pedestrian safety.
12. Support legislation that strengthens cities’ authority to regulate business that serve as fronts for illegal conduct such as human trafficking and prostitution.
13. Support legislation protecting the rights of residents of all national origins, races, ethnicities, religious beliefs, genders, gender identities, and sexual orientations to reside safely in our community, free from violence and intimidation.
14. Support legislation that provides police de-escalation training and the funding for such training.
15. Oppose legislation that diminishes local authority to establish regulations regarding reasonable use of public space and appropriate behavior in public spaces.
16. Support legislation that increases the cannabis industry’s access to banking systems and supports a consistency between state and federal regulation in this area.
17. Support legislation to develop processes and standards for evaluating impairment due to cannabis influence for drivers.
B. Emergency Preparedness
1. Support legislation, strategies and initiatives that provide increased state and federal funding for emergency preparedness, planning, response and recovery.
2. Support legislation that secures adequate frequencies and communications systems for multi-jurisdictional connectivity for public safety and protects the frequencies from intrusion.
3. Support legislation that increases Emergency Management Performance Grant funding which retains flexibility of fund usage for emergency preparedness training, disaster events and disaster communication outreach efforts.
4. Support federal, state, and local regulations that provide the highest levels of public health and safety in the transportation of hazardous materials.
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23 5. Support legislation that ensures first responders can perform their duties during an emergency without interference from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones, and legislation that provide local agencies immunity if responders damage or destroy UAS during emergency operations.
C. Crime Victims
1. Support legislation that strengthens and enforces legal protections for all individuals who are victims of crime, especially victims of family violence and sexual assault.
2. Support legislation that provides funding for shelters and victim advocacy, as well as trauma and crisis counseling to assist victims of violent crime.
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City of Santa Paula
970 Ventura Street | Santa Paula, California 93060
WWW.SPCITY.ORG
@CityofSantaPaula @santapaulacity
CityofSantaPaulaSP City of Santa Paula
Photo Credits: MELGAR PHOTO STUDIO - 951 E Main St, Santa Paula, CA - (805) 727-0449 158
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1 1 Introduction, Purpose and Scope
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Introduction. Purpose and Scope
The purpose of the City of Santa Paula’s Legislative Platform is to promote the adoption of state and federal legislation that will establish sound public policy for responsible local governance; protect and enhance public health, safety and welfare; and aid the City’s delivery of high-quality services to its residents.
The Legislative Platform articulates the City’s positions on issues that are currently, or are anticipated to be, the focus of future legislation by the county, state or federal governments. The overarching position is to challenge county, state, or federal legislation or policies that are overly prescriptive or inflexible with respect to costs, implementation strategies and retaining reasonable local control, or conversely to support legislation that supports the City’s autonomy or works to improve quality of life.
The positions contained in the Platform supplement the broad range of goals, policies and programs reflected in the Santa Paula Strategic Plan, the General Plan, the Municipal Code and other adopted documents. Therefore, advocacy efforts may be based on references articulated in these policy documents as they provide current direction for the City organization.
City departments are authorized to review proposed legislation to determine how it relates to the City’s Legislative Platform and to recommend that the Mayor take a position on legislation that the department determines to be “high priority” and write letters, contact legislators, and otherwise communicate the position of the City as appropriate. The Mayor, or his/her designee, after conferring with City staff, may make contact with legislators to advocate for or against legislation consistent with the Legislative Platform.
Before taking a position on any legislation, City staff and elected officials will conduct the necessary due diligence in respect to any communication or correspondence to ensure the City, nor its residents, are drawn into any controversial or overtly political positions which could lead to distraction or setbacks of productive governance. Where there is doubt, staff will consult with the Mayor as to whether the item warrants full Council consideration.
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2 2 Section 1. Revenue and Taxation
A. Local Government Finance
1. Support legislation that provides tax reform to mitigate negative fiscal impacts to local governments from past and present tax revenue shifts away from local governments.
2. Support legislation that grants full cost reimbursement to local agencies by the state and federal government for all mandated programs.
3. Support legislation that ensures the retention of existing local revenue sources, including the City’s share of property taxes, sales and use taxes, transient occupancy taxes, vehicle license fees, development fees, etc.
4. Support legislation that authorizes a simple majority of the voters in a city to establish local priorities such as the right to increase taxes or issue general obligation bonds.
5. Oppose legislation that further limits cities’ ability to administer their own revenues.
For example, “maintenance of effort” requirements which create financial limitations on cities.
6. Oppose legislation that delays the payment of revenues due the City.
7. Support legislation that will enhance revenue for cities.
8. Support legislation that bolsters local authority to enforce local ordinances and tools to collect revenue associated with short-term vacation rentals.
9. Oppose legislation that undermines the City’s ability to manage financial resources and limits decisions regarding the long-term interests of local residents.
10. Support legislation which streamlines the creation and expands the applicability of Infrastructure Finance Districts as well as Enhanced Infrastructure Finance Districts.
11. Oppose legislation that threatens tax exemption for municipal bonds, including reinstating authority to issue tax-exempt advance refunding bonds.
12. Oppose legislation efforts which makes it harder and more expensive for the City to impose or adjust various fees.
13. Support legislation for greater flexibility for the City to invest into reserves and surplus funds.
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3 B. Property Tax Appeals Process
1. Support legislation that changes the property tax appeals procedures providing each public agency receiving property tax with the legal standing to appear and be heard at any property tax appeal affecting property tax revenue received by such agency.
2. Support legislation that would require the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to inform local jurisdictions in a timely manner of Sales Tax disputes prior to the issuance of adjustments to the local jurisdictions Sales Tax payment.
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4 1 Section 2. Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations A. Employee and Labor Relations
1. Support legislation that increases the transparency of all public employee compensation and benefits.
2. Support legislation that grants public pension and other postretirement benefit reform that is fiscally responsible, sustainable, affordable, and equitable for employees and taxpayers in the long term.
3. Support legislation that streamlines the Workers’ Compensation system and makes it easier for employers, employees, and health care providers to navigate.
4. Support legislation and policies that control escalating workers’ compensation costs to public agencies and taxpayers.
5. Oppose legislation that limits a public sector employer’s ability to conduct job related pre-employment inquiries and background checks in order to prevent physical, financial, economic and personal threats to employees and general public.
6. Support legislation that enhances tax-advantaged health saving accounts (HSAs) for employees.
7. Support legislation that enhances participation and promotes increased retirement savings in various types of deferred compensation plan.
B. Tort Reform
1. Support legislation to limit local government liability.
2. Oppose legislation that limits power of local government to negotiate indemnification protections in public contracts.
3. Support legislation to reform California’s tort system to curtail unreasonable liability exposure for public agencies and restore the ability of public agencies to obtain affordable insurance.
C. Elections
1. Support legislation to reduce unnecessary and costly procedures for conducting municipal elections.
2. Support legislation that encourages and expands civic engagement and voter participation in elections.
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5 D. Public Records Act
1. Support legislation to improve data management systems and allow public agencies greater access to data.
E. Political Reform Act/Ethics/Conflict of Interest Laws
1. Support legislation and regulations that establish sound practices and principles related to political campaigns. Regulations that would restrict or preempt local authority are opposed.
2. Support legislation designed to improve and streamline the Political Reform Act and its implementation through regulations.
3. Support legislation that increases the transparency of all public official compensation and benefits.
4. Support legislation to revise laws governing local agency transparency and ethics when it addresses material and documented inadequacies and has a reasonable relationship to resolving those problems, is internally consistent, avoids redundancy, and accommodates the practical challenges of implementation.
F. Brown Act/Public Notice
1. Support legislation modernizing the methods by which a local agency may comply with public noticing, advertisement, and posting requirements related to agendas, hearings, resolutions, ordinances and other government matters.
2. Support legislation allowing greater discretion for video-conferencing and distance attendance for noticed meetings. Deleted: committee and emergency 163
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6 2 Section 3. Homelessness, Housing, Community, and Economic Development A. Homelessness
1. Support legislation and local, state, and federal programs that employs evidencebased best practice strategies to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by preventing homelessness for those at-risk; providing emergency and transitional housing; expanding permanent affordable housing; and promoting selfempowerment through counseling, job training, and other supportive services.
2. Support legislation and local, state, and federal programs that reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by promoting mental health and substance abuse services; providing emergency and transitional housing; expanding permanent affordable/supportive housing; and promoting self- empowerment through counseling, job training, and other supportive services for those who suffer from mental health issues and/or substance abuse.
B. Housing
1. Support legislation that increases financial assistance to local governments, nonprofit housing organizations, and public/private partnerships to provide affordable, transitional, supported, and emergency housing.
2. Support legislation that increases the City’s ability to effectively compete for state and federal housing funding.
3. Support legislation and grants that promote development and enhancement of safe, affordable, sustainable, and accessible housing within the City.
4. Support legislation that provides the City with options in meeting its housing needs; or that would simplify the Housing Element review process while still recognizing the important role that California Department of Housing and Community Development plays; and still ensuring City housing needs are being met.
5. Oppose legislation that cuts funding for affordable housing and services to vulnerable populations through programs such as HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).
C. Land Use Planning
1. Support legislation that promotes environmentally sustainable land use patterns, maintains safe residential neighborhoods, bolsters economic prosperity, preserves open space, and enhances the overall quality of life in the City of Santa Paula.
2. Support legislation that is consistent with the principle of local control and the local exercise of police powers over local land use.
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7 3. Oppose legislation that diminishes the City’s discretionary ability to approve land use patterns and entitlement applications or restrict city permitting and land use planning authority including land use processes, decisions, and fees.
4. Oppose project entitlements in areas outside the City limits, but within the City’s General Plan proposed sphere of influence that do not conform to current City standards.
5. Support legislation that retains the discretion of cities to prohibit or limit their own use of power of eminent domain to acquire property.
6. Support legislation that streamlines the California Environmental Quality Act, while supporting its goals.
D. Regional Governance/Growth Management
1. Support legislation funding county, state and local investment in the physical infrastructure of California, including but not limited to, its roadways, bridges, railway systems, levees, dams, parks, libraries, public safety facilities, jails, prisons, and systems for delivering and treating water, wastewater and storm water.
2. Support legislation to achieve fair and proportionate representation on countywide, statewide and regional boards.
3. Support legislation encouraging regional, sub-regional or countywide cooperation in planning urban development strategies in areas such as: transportation, air quality, affordable housing and conservation; especially those that provide funding for effective implementation of agreed upon goals.
4. Oppose legislation that mandates compliance of the City’s local land use authority to regional, sub regional, or Countywide plans.
E. Local Agency Formation Commissions’ (“LAFCO”) Policies
1. Support legislation that clarifies and redefines the sphere of influence concept to provide better planning for growth, development and service delivery while preserving agricultural and open space resources, promoting smart growth, and coordinating local and regional planning.
2. Support legislation that enhances LAFCO’s ability to mitigate fiscal impacts regarding “change of organization” proposals through tax sharing conditions.
3. Support legislation aimed at creating equity in determining annexation matters, including tax reform to mitigate negative fiscal impacts to local governments from past and present tax revenue shifts away from said local governments. 165
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8 4. Support legislation that amends the state’s Revenue and Taxation Code so that counties are no longer allowed to block annexations in exchange for unreasonable property tax-sharing agreements.
F. Economic Development
1. Support legislation that enhances or expands community and economic development tools and funding to address revitalization and redevelopment needs.
2. Support legislation that will provide tools and incentives to support job creation and retention and address the infrastructure and jobs/housing needs and long-term affordability within the City and State.
3. Support legislation that will help cities recover from economic downturns. 166
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9 3 Section 4. Transportation, Communication, and Public Works A. Transportation
1. Support lowering the farebox recovery ratio (the fraction of operating expenses which are required to be met by fares paid by passengers) for public transportation. Oppose legislation that would give free rides to special interest groups without a farebox ratio offset or compensation recovery.
2. Support legislation to enhance the ability of local agencies to finance local transportation programs and facilities.
3. Support legislation that ensures the City of Santa Paula receives its fair share of transportation revenue.
4. Support legislation that provides increased state and federal funding for preservation and maintenance of local streets and roads and secures the maximum amount of state and federal funding for maintenance and construction of local streets, roads, infrastructure, transportation projects and major corridors.
5. Support legislation that reduces local reliance on local gas tax revenues for roads and streets improvements and considers new alternative funding solutions with longerterm sustainability.
6. Support legislation protecting dedicated transportation-related tax revenues and funding for transit operations and maintenance.
7. Support legislation that provides funding for development of an integrated, comprehensive, and efficient multi-modal transportation network; this includes intercounty and intra-county highways, pedestrian and bicycle, mass transit, commuter rail service, facilities and infrastructure within the region.
8. Support legislation that provides local agencies greater discretionary authority to expend available transportation funds.
9. Support legislation funding opportunities for transit and para-transit operations, including service for persons with disabilities as well as the senior citizen community.
10. Support legislation that encourages reform to expedite federal review and reduce delays in payment of local agencies and their contractors for transportation project development, right-of-way and construction activities.
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10 11. Support legislation that increases administrative flexibility and streamlines reforms that assist cities with operating and maintaining the existing transportation network; this includes lobbying for consistency between the National Environmental Protection Act (“NEPA”) and the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) to alleviate redundant environmental review of transportation projects which will promote expedited project delivery.
12. Support legislation that ensures transportation infrastructure funding and does not jeopardize critical projects with each reauthorization.
13. Support legislation that allows for discretion on the part of traffic engineering professionals in setting appropriate speed limits rather than having to only rely on prevailing speeds.
B. Water and Biological Resources
1. Support legislation to diversify the City’s water supply resources and improve water quality in the region.
2. Support legislation that would increase funding for infrastructure to distribute reclaimed water. Support legislation that calls for the reasonable conservation of water resources.
3. Support legislation that provides user friendly federal and state rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial incentives that encourage property owners to invest in water efficient systems and landscaping.
4. Support legislation that would increase funding and flexibility for trash reduction strategies in creeks and watersheds.
5. Support legislation, funding, research, and implementation strategies based on scientific data and human/ecological risk assessment for addressing urban water and storm water runoff.
6. Support legislation for performance-based and diversified storm water protection strategies that can be adapted to local environmental conditions.
7. Oppose legislation or policies that are overly prescriptive or inflexible with respect to implementation strategies.
8. Support reasonable legislation or policy that promotes agricultural practices that are adequately protective of water quality and water resources.
9. Support legislation that would retain any Regional Board fines that are levied against storm water permit violators within the region where the violations occurred. 168
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11 10. Oppose unfunded legislative actions and mandates from the State Water Resources Control Board or Regional Water Quality Control Board.
11. Support legislation and grants that promote wildlife, habitat protection, and preservation of endangered or threatened species, including care for injured wildlife, provided it does not infringe or create undue burden upon property uses and rights of residents.
12. Oppose legislation that places the burden of assessment and remediation related to manufactured products on local jurisdictions instead of manufacturers or potentially responsible parties.
C. Telecommunications and Utilities
1. Support legislation that preserves state and local authority to manage public rights-ofway including the appearance and aesthetics of equipment placed within them, and zoning and planning for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure that protects public safety and welfare.
2. Oppose legislation that pre-empts the City’s authority to negotiate compensation paid to cities for the use of their property and rights of-way for telecommunications.
3. Support legislation that grants the ability of local governments to provide electricity and ancillary services to residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
4. Support legislation that grants cities’ authority to zone and plan for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
5. Support legislation that protects cities’ ability to maintain and manage the public right-of-way and negotiate compensation for its use.
6. Support legislation to specifically allow municipalities to use public goods funds for development of renewable energy sources and require public utilities to improve and expand incentive structures for renewable energy generation.
7. Oppose legislation that erodes the ability of local governments to maintain existing fees on telecommunications services.
8. Support legislation that would result in lower energy rates for the residents and businesses of the City of Santa Paula including funding that assists with the conversion of outdated energy systems to new energy efficient options.
9. Support legislation that improves the reliability and consistency of electrical supply and improves transmission of electricity to local governments and their communities.
10. Support legislation that increases broadband funding, support, coordination.
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12 11. Support legislation that considers internet access a necessity for quality of life.
12. Support legislation that enhances the public power options available to local governments and oppose legislation that reduces the public power options available to local governments.
D. Contracts
1. Support legislation that allows cities the option to use design/build contracting and other innovations designed to bring efficiency to the public contracting process.
2. Support legislation that preserves a minimum 5 percent retention for construction contracts.
3. Support legislation to maintain maximum local flexibility in the area of contracting and contract negotiations.
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13 4 Section 5. Community Services
A. Parks and Recreation
1. Support legislation and park bond measures that provide per capita grants to local governments that fund parks, recreation and capital improvements, as well as programs that enhance the quality of life for City of Santa Paula residents.
2. Support legislation to develop regional and state parks and connecting trail systems.
3. Support legislation that increases funding to repair, maintain and develop state and local park and facility infrastructures.
B. Facilities
1. Support legislation, grants and low-cost financing that provide for construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of public facilities.
C. Libraries
1. Support legislation and grants that provide increased funding and development for library programs and services, construction, renovation and technology.
2. Support legislation that restores state funding for public libraries.
3. Support local legislation that provides additional funding for the Blanchard Community Library.
D. Arts, Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation
1. Support legislation providing funding for local arts activities and historic preservation.
2. Support legislation providing funding for high quality art and music programs in schools and for the community at large.
3. Support efforts to restore historic structures through tax incentives, grant funding and State and Federal subsidies.
E. Family Services
1. Support legislation and grants that provide for the overall wellbeing and physical, mental and emotional health of individuals within the City of Santa Paula including children, youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities. 171
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14 2. Support legislation and grants that provide affordable, quality prenatal care and child care services and assistance to low-income families.
3. Support legislation and grants that facilitate the provision of recreational activities for all segments of our population.
4. Support legislative reforms in healthcare policy that address prevention, promote health and wellness, and encourage affordability and cost containment.
5. Support legislation and policies that promote mental health and substance use disorder services and make resources available that support and assist members of our community.
6. Support legislation and grant programs that provide funding for youth programs, such as job training programs, after school programs, educational programs and those designed specifically for transitional and marginalized youth.
7. Support legislation and grants that provide services for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities; services will specifically include nutrition, housing, transportation, recreation, and social services.
8. Support legislation and grants that addresses the needs of at-risk youth, juvenile offenders and juveniles that are placed on court-ordered probation by providing youth development and youth employment programs and opportunities.
9. Support legislation that provides funding at the local level to address gang prevention and intervention programs including after school programs for at- risk teens.
10. Support legislation that educates and protects children from nicotine, alcohol, cannabis and other drugs.
11. Support legislation that encourages and funds safe routes to schools including enforcement of school zone speed limits.
12. Support legislation and efforts related to Pre-K providers and local community colleges to provide and improve available educational opportunities in our community.
F. Animal Welfare
1. Support legislation that facilitates responsible pet ownership.
2. Support legislation that supports humane treatment of animals and increases the penalties for animal abuse.
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15 5 Section 6. Environmental Quality
A. Climate Adaptation and Sustainability
1. Oppose legislative infringement on local control and authority to plan for and adapt to future climate conditions, including sea level rise, precipitation patterns, temperatures, and air quality attainment strategies.
2. Support legislation that provides funding and incentives for local governments to work together on local and regional energy and climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience initiatives to improve air quality by reducing emissions and to advance economic, social, as it relates to environmental equity.
3. Support legislation that holds gross polluters (those which exceed current standards) directly accountable for increased emissions.
4. Support legislation that supports energy resiliency programs in addition to providing incentives and grants for their implementation.
5. Support legislation and California Public Utility Commission and California Energy Commission regulatory actions and legislative activities that are favorable to community resiliency, energy efficiency and local distributed energy generation, renewable energy, energy storage, electrification initiatives, and Community Choice Energy programs.
6. Oppose regulatory requirements that create unnecessary and/or unintended barriers to implementation of renewable energy programs and projects.
7. Support legislation to increase state and federal funding for reforestation.
8. Support legislation that provides funding and other incentives for the installation of charging stations for “low” and “zero emission” vehicles.
9. Support legislation and funding for the procurement of mandated electric fleet vehicles within reasonable timelines and, more importantly, the necessary supporting infrastructure. Advocate for fuel diversity of medium and heavy-duty fleet vehicles to provide reliable power when vehicle charging is unavailable due to power outages.
10. Support legislation enhancing building energy efficiency standards and building safety standards.
11. Oppose legislation that diminishes the authority of local jurisdictions to enforce building codes or mandates the manner of enforcement.
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16 12. Support legislation that provides federal and state rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial incentives that encourage property owners to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy systems.
13. Support legislation within reason to ensure that new construction and major renovations include smart meters, pre-wiring of buildings to accommodate future GHG-reducing retrofits such as solar hot water heaters, photovoltaic (PV) panels, or other distributed renewable power sources and metered charging outlets in parking areas for electric vehicles.
14. Support legislation that promotes the use of green building rating systems for new construction and existing buildings as one of several model options for achieving verifiable greenhouse gases emissions reductions and improving energy efficiency.
B. Oil and Gas Cleanup, Restoration, and Oil-Spill Prevention
1. Support legislation that results in the restoration of areas affected by existing or former oil and gas facilities.
2. Support legislation to fund oil-spill prevention and response as well as to remediate improperly abandoned legacy oil and gas wells.
C. Solid Waste
1. Support legislation that provides state funding to local governments to facilitate implementation of all applicable waste reduction goals mandated by state solid waste diversion and recycling legislation.
2. Support legislation that facilitates the installation of regional organics processing infrastructure (anaerobic digester facilities) and associated state funding to local governments as required for SB 1383 regulatory compliance.
3. Support legislation that expands the market for recyclable materials and encourages meeting state and local commercial recycling goals.
4. Oppose legislation that dictates greenhouse gas emissions strategies that are not based on scientific data or credible information.
5. Support legislation that provides greater flexibility and diversification in the use of methane-reducing technologies and strategies with respect to food-based (organics) greenhouse gas emissions and that increases state and local funding to support the development of new organic waste recycling infrastructure and programs.
6. Support legislation that enhances local authority and flexibility to regulate solid waste and recyclables.
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17 7. Support legislation that streamlines compliance and implementation of the Integrated Waste Management Act.
8. Oppose legislation that invalidates the Integrated Waste Management Act indemnification and/or prevent cities from negotiating indemnification clauses with waste haulers.
9. Support legislation that increases local funding to governments and special districts for the collection of household waste.
10. Support legislation that reasonably reduces the toxic and non-reusable waste load.
11. Support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation to encourage manufacturers to design environmentally friendly products by holding producers responsible for the costs of managing their products at end of life.
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18 6 Section 7. Public Safety
A. Public Safety
1. Support legislation to provide state and federal funding to support local law enforcement through equipment upgrades, capital improvements, training, and emergency preparedness initiatives.
2. Support legislation that provides a greater share of asset forfeiture funds for cities and increases latitude for spending local funds.
3. Support legislation that seeks to reimburse the City for the overtime costs associated with public safety personnel who are required to appear before state or county courts.
4. Support legislation that: a) promotes comprehensive drug and alcohol education and rehabilitation; b) discourages drivers from operating motor vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; and, c) maintains state funding necessary to post and operate sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints.
5. Support legislation that seeks funding to assist local law enforcement with crime prevention and reduction.
6. Support legislation that provides flexible block grants to local governments that improve security and public safety at the local level.
7. Support legislation and grants that promote Crisis Intervention Team training for local law enforcement agencies in order to reduce arrests of people with mental illness and increase law enforcement’s ability to do their job safely and effectively.
8. Support legislation that grants federal funding for first responder training and improved communications systems as part of Homeland Security.
9. Support legislation that mitigates the impacts of transferring state and federal inmates into our community.
10. Oppose legislation that eliminates local control of alcohol beverage establishments and any state or federal interference with local codes or compliance mechanisms.
11. Support legislation that promotes and increases vehicle, bicycle, scooter and pedestrian safety.
12. Support legislation that strengthens cities’ authority to regulate business that serve as fronts for illegal conduct such as human trafficking and prostitution. 176
EXHIBIT “A”
19 13. Support legislation protecting the rights of residents of all national origins, races, ethnicities, religious beliefs, genders, gender identities, and sexual orientations to reside safely in our community, free from violence and intimidation.
14. Support legislation that provides police de-escalation training and the funding for such training.
15. Oppose legislation that diminishes local authority to establish regulations regarding reasonable use of public space and appropriate behavior in public spaces.
16. Support legislation that increases the cannabis industry’s access to banking systems and supports a consistency between state and federal regulation in this area.
17. Support legislation to develop processes and standards for evaluating impairment due to cannabis influence for drivers.
B. Emergency Preparedness
1. Support legislation, strategies and initiatives that provide increased state and federal funding for emergency preparedness, planning, response and recovery.
2. Support legislation that secures adequate frequencies and communications systems for multi-jurisdictional connectivity for public safety and protects the frequencies from intrusion.
3. Support legislation that increases Emergency Management Performance Grant funding which retains flexibility of fund usage for emergency preparedness training, disaster events and disaster communication outreach efforts.
4. Support federal, state, and local regulations that provide the highest levels of public health and safety in the transportation of hazardous materials.
5. Support legislation that ensures first responders can perform their duties during an emergency without interference from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones, and legislation that provide local agencies immunity if responders damage or destroy UAS during emergency operations.
C. Crime Victims
1. Support legislation that strengthens and enforces legal protections for all individuals who are victims of crime, especially victims of family violence and sexual assault.
2. Support legislation that provides funding for shelters and victim advocacy, as well as trauma and crisis counseling to assist victims of violent crime. 177
RESOLUTION NO. 7450
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
PAULA, CALIFORNIA, UPDATING THE CITY LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM FOR 2023
WHEREAS, on April 7, 2021, City Council adopted a legislative platform (the “2021 Legislative Platform”), which from time to time, requires policy updates; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to update the 2021 Legislative Platform; and WHEREAS, a major objective of the City Council is to continue to utilize a legislative platform which strengthens local government, promotes City goals and defends the City against legislative actions by County, State and Federal governments that would weaken local government and/or take away traditional revenue sources; and WHEREAS, it is vital to the fiscal health and the self-determination of the City to effectively communicate with State Legislators and Federal representatives in order to favorably influence State and Federal legislation, regulations and grant requests; and WHEREAS, the League of California Cities conducts a legislative analysis and advocacy program on behalf of cities for State issues and major Federal issues; and WHEREAS, the City desires to be proactive and involved in the governmental decisionmaking processes directly affecting the City legislative priorities identified in the updates to the 2021 Legislative Platform attached as “Exhibit A” (hereafter the “2023 Legislative Platform”) and other selected issues as may from time to time be recommended by the League of California Cities; and
WHEREAS, a key component of the City’s 2023 Legislative Platform is face-to face meetings between City representatives and elected officials at the Federal, State, and County levels, and coordination with similar efforts made by other local government entities.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Paula does hereby resolve as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby adopts the 2023 Legislative Platform attached as “Exhibit A” to supersede the 2021 Legislative Platform and authorizes the Mayor and designated staff to take positions on legislation generally consistent with the 2023 Legislative Platform and such other resolutions and recommendations of the League of California Cities as may be from time to time presented to the City Council.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk will certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
SECTION 3. This Resolution will become effective upon adoption. 178
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 15th day of March, 2023.
___________________________
Andy Sobel
Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________
Julie Latshaw
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________
Monica Castillo
Interim City Attorney
179
EXHIBIT “A”
1 1 Introduction, Purpose and Scope
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Introduction. Purpose and Scope
The purpose of the City of Santa Paula’s Legislative Platform is to promote the adoption of state and federal legislation that will establish sound public policy for responsible local governance; protect and enhance public health, safety and welfare; and aid the City’s delivery of high-quality services to its residents.
The Legislative Platform articulates the City’s positions on issues that are currently, or are anticipated to be, the focus of future legislation by the county, state or federal governments. The overarching position is to challenge county, state, or federal legislation or policies that are overly prescriptive or inflexible with respect to costs, implementation strategies and retaining reasonable local control, or conversely to support legislation that supports the City’s autonomy or works to improve quality of life.
The positions contained in the Platform supplement the broad range of goals, policies and programs reflected in the Santa Paula Strategic Plan, the General Plan, the Municipal Code and other adopted documents. Therefore, advocacy efforts may be based on references articulated in these policy documents as they provide current direction for the City organization.
City departments are authorized to review proposed legislation to determine how it relates to the City’s Legislative Platform and to recommend that the Mayor take a position on legislation that the department determines to be “high priority” and write letters, contact legislators, and otherwise communicate the position of the City as appropriate. The Mayor, or his/her designee, after conferring with City staff, may make contact with legislators to advocate for or against legislation consistent with the Legislative Platform.
Before taking a position on any legislation, City staff and elected officials will conduct the necessary due diligence in respect to any communication or correspondence to ensure the City, nor its residents, are drawn into any controversial or overtly political positions which could lead to distraction or setbacks of productive governance. Where there is doubt, staff will consult with the Mayor as to whether the item warrants full Council consideration. 180
EXHIBIT “A”
2 2 Section 1. Revenue and Taxation
A. Local Government Finance
1. Support legislation that provides tax reform to mitigate negative fiscal impacts to local governments from past and present tax revenue shifts away from local governments.
2. Support legislation that grants full cost reimbursement to local agencies by the state and federal government for all mandated programs.
3. Support legislation that ensures the retention of existing local revenue sources, including the City’s share of property taxes, sales and use taxes, transient occupancy taxes, vehicle license fees, development fees, etc.
4. Support legislation that authorizes a simple majority of the voters in a city to establish local priorities such as the right to increase taxes or issue general obligation bonds.
5. Oppose legislation that further limits cities’ ability to administer their own revenues.
For example, “maintenance of effort” requirements which create financial limitations on cities.
6. Oppose legislation that delays the payment of revenues due the City.
7. Support legislation that will enhance revenue for cities.
8. Support legislation that bolsters local authority to enforce local ordinances and tools to collect revenue associated with short-term vacation rentals.
9. Oppose legislation that undermines the City’s ability to manage financial resources and limits decisions regarding the long-term interests of local residents.
10. Support legislation which streamlines the creation and expands the applicability of Infrastructure Finance Districts as well as Enhanced Infrastructure Finance Districts.
11. Oppose legislation that threatens tax exemption for municipal bonds, including reinstating authority to issue tax-exempt advance refunding bonds.
12. Oppose legislation efforts which makes it harder and more expensive for the City to impose or adjust various fees.
13. Support legislation for greater flexibility for the City to invest into reserves and surplus funds.
181
EXHIBIT “A”
3 B. Property Tax Appeals Process
1. Support legislation that changes the property tax appeals procedures providing each public agency receiving property tax with the legal standing to appear and be heard at any property tax appeal affecting property tax revenue received by such agency.
2. Support legislation that would require the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to inform local jurisdictions in a timely manner of Sales Tax disputes prior to the issuance of adjustments to the local jurisdictions Sales Tax payment. 182
EXHIBIT “A”
4 1 Section 2. Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations A. Employee and Labor Relations
1. Support legislation that increases the transparency of all public employee compensation and benefits.
2. Support legislation that grants public pension and other postretirement benefit reform that is fiscally responsible, sustainable, affordable, and equitable for employees and taxpayers in the long term.
3. Support legislation that streamlines the Workers’ Compensation system and makes it easier for employers, employees, and health care providers to navigate.
4. Support legislation and policies that control escalating workers’ compensation costs to public agencies and taxpayers.
5. Oppose legislation that limits a public sector employer’s ability to conduct job related pre-employment inquiries and background checks in order to prevent physical, financial, economic and personal threats to employees and general public.
6. Support legislation that enhances tax-advantaged health saving accounts (HSAs) for employees.
7. Support legislation that enhances participation and promotes increased retirement savings in various types of deferred compensation plan.
B. Tort Reform
1. Support legislation to limit local government liability.
2. Oppose legislation that limits power of local government to negotiate indemnification protections in public contracts.
3. Support legislation to reform California’s tort system to curtail unreasonable liability exposure for public agencies and restore the ability of public agencies to obtain affordable insurance.
C. Elections
1. Support legislation to reduce unnecessary and costly procedures for conducting municipal elections.
2. Support legislation that encourages and expands civic engagement and voter participation in elections.
183
EXHIBIT “A”
5 D. Public Records Act
1. Support legislation to improve data management systems and allow public agencies greater access to data.
E. Political Reform Act/Ethics/Conflict of Interest Laws
1. Support legislation and regulations that establish sound practices and principles related to political campaigns. Regulations that would restrict or preempt local authority are opposed.
2. Support legislation designed to improve and streamline the Political Reform Act and its implementation through regulations.
3. Support legislation that increases the transparency of all public official compensation and benefits.
4. Support legislation to revise laws governing local agency transparency and ethics when it addresses material and documented inadequacies and has a reasonable relationship to resolving those problems, is internally consistent, avoids redundancy, and accommodates the practical challenges of implementation.
F. Brown Act/Public Notice
1. Support legislation modernizing the methods by which a local agency may comply with public noticing, advertisement, and posting requirements related to agendas, hearings, resolutions, ordinances and other government matters.
2. Support legislation allowing greater discretion for video-conferencing and distance attendance for noticed meetings.
184
EXHIBIT “A”
6 2 Section 3. Homelessness, Housing, Community, and Economic Development A. Homelessness
1. Support legislation and local, state, and federal programs that employs evidencebased best practice strategies to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by preventing homelessness for those at-risk; providing emergency and transitional housing; expanding permanent affordable housing; and promoting selfempowerment through counseling, job training, and other supportive services.
2. Support legislation and local, state, and federal programs that reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by promoting mental health and substance abuse services; providing emergency and transitional housing; expanding permanent affordable/supportive housing; and promoting self- empowerment through counseling, job training, and other supportive services for those who suffer from mental health issues and/or substance abuse.
B. Housing
1. Support legislation that increases financial assistance to local governments, nonprofit housing organizations, and public/private partnerships to provide affordable, transitional, supported, and emergency housing.
2. Support legislation that increases the City’s ability to effectively compete for state and federal housing funding.
3. Support legislation and grants that promote development and enhancement of safe, affordable, sustainable, and accessible housing within the City.
4. Support legislation that provides the City with options in meeting its housing needs; or that would simplify the Housing Element review process while still recognizing the important role that California Department of Housing and Community Development plays; and still ensuring City housing needs are being met.
5. Oppose legislation that cuts funding for affordable housing and services to vulnerable populations through programs such as HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).
C. Land Use Planning
1. Support legislation that promotes environmentally sustainable land use patterns, maintains safe residential neighborhoods, bolsters economic prosperity, preserves open space, and enhances the overall quality of life in the City of Santa Paula.
2. Support legislation that is consistent with the principle of local control and the local exercise of police powers over local land use.
185
EXHIBIT “A”
7 3. Oppose legislation that diminishes the City’s discretionary ability to approve land use patterns and entitlement applications or restrict city permitting and land use planning authority including land use processes, decisions, and fees.
4. Oppose project entitlements in areas outside the City limits, but within the City’s General Plan proposed sphere of influence that do not conform to current City standards.
5. Support legislation that retains the discretion of cities to prohibit or limit their own use of power of eminent domain to acquire property.
6. Support legislation that streamlines the California Environmental Quality Act, while supporting its goals.
D. Regional Governance/Growth Management
1. Support legislation funding county, state and local investment in the physical infrastructure of California, including but not limited to, its roadways, bridges, railway systems, levees, dams, parks, libraries, public safety facilities, jails, prisons, and systems for delivering and treating water, wastewater and storm water.
2. Support legislation to achieve fair and proportionate representation on countywide, statewide and regional boards.
3. Support legislation encouraging regional, sub-regional or countywide cooperation in planning urban development strategies in areas such as: transportation, air quality, affordable housing and conservation; especially those that provide funding for effective implementation of agreed upon goals.
4. Oppose legislation that mandates compliance of the City’s local land use authority to regional, sub regional, or Countywide plans.
E. Local Agency Formation Commissions’ (“LAFCO”) Policies
1. Support legislation that clarifies and redefines the sphere of influence concept to provide better planning for growth, development and service delivery while preserving agricultural and open space resources, promoting smart growth, and coordinating local and regional planning.
2. Support legislation that enhances LAFCO’s ability to mitigate fiscal impacts regarding “change of organization” proposals through tax sharing conditions.
3. Support legislation aimed at creating equity in determining annexation matters, including tax reform to mitigate negative fiscal impacts to local governments from past and present tax revenue shifts away from said local governments. 186
EXHIBIT “A”
8 4. Support legislation that amends the state’s Revenue and Taxation Code so that counties are no longer allowed to block annexations in exchange for unreasonable property tax-sharing agreements.
F. Economic Development
1. Support legislation that enhances or expands community and economic development tools and funding to address revitalization and redevelopment needs.
2. Support legislation that will provide tools and incentives to support job creation and retention and address the infrastructure and jobs/housing needs and long-term affordability within the City and State.
3. Support legislation that will help cities recover from economic downturns. 187
EXHIBIT “A”
9 3 Section 4. Transportation, Communication, and Public Works A. Transportation
1. Support lowering the farebox recovery ratio (the fraction of operating expenses which are required to be met by fares paid by passengers) for public transportation. Oppose legislation that would give free rides to special interest groups without a farebox ratio offset or compensation recovery.
2. Support legislation to enhance the ability of local agencies to finance local transportation programs and facilities.
3. Support legislation that ensures the City of Santa Paula receives its fair share of transportation revenue.
4. Support legislation that provides increased state and federal funding for preservation and maintenance of local streets and roads and secures the maximum amount of state and federal funding for maintenance and construction of local streets, roads, infrastructure, transportation projects and major corridors.
5. Support legislation that reduces local reliance on local gas tax revenues for roads and streets improvements and considers new alternative funding solutions with longerterm sustainability.
6. Support legislation protecting dedicated transportation-related tax revenues and funding for transit operations and maintenance.
7. Support legislation that provides funding for development of an integrated, comprehensive, and efficient multi-modal transportation network; this includes intercounty and intra-county highways, pedestrian and bicycle, mass transit, commuter rail service, facilities and infrastructure within the region.
8. Support legislation that provides local agencies greater discretionary authority to expend available transportation funds.
9. Support legislation funding opportunities for transit and para-transit operations, including service for persons with disabilities as well as the senior citizen community.
10. Support legislation that encourages reform to expedite federal review and reduce delays in payment of local agencies and their contractors for transportation project development, right-of-way and construction activities.
188
EXHIBIT “A”
10 11. Support legislation that increases administrative flexibility and streamlines reforms that assist cities with operating and maintaining the existing transportation network; this includes lobbying for consistency between the National Environmental Protection Act (“NEPA”) and the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) to alleviate redundant environmental review of transportation projects which will promote expedited project delivery.
12. Support legislation that ensures transportation infrastructure funding and does not jeopardize critical projects with each reauthorization.
13. Support legislation that allows for discretion on the part of traffic engineering professionals in setting appropriate speed limits rather than having to only rely on prevailing speeds.
B. Water and Biological Resources
1. Support legislation to diversify the City’s water supply resources and improve water quality in the region.
2. Support legislation that would increase funding for infrastructure to distribute reclaimed water. Support legislation that calls for the reasonable conservation of water resources.
3. Support legislation that provides user friendly federal and state rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial incentives that encourage property owners to invest in water efficient systems and landscaping.
4. Support legislation that would increase funding and flexibility for trash reduction strategies in creeks and watersheds.
5. Support legislation, funding, research, and implementation strategies based on scientific data and human/ecological risk assessment for addressing urban water and storm water runoff.
6. Support legislation for performance-based and diversified storm water protection strategies that can be adapted to local environmental conditions.
7. Oppose legislation or policies that are overly prescriptive or inflexible with respect to implementation strategies.
8. Support reasonable legislation or policy that promotes agricultural practices that are adequately protective of water quality and water resources.
9. Support legislation that would retain any Regional Board fines that are levied against storm water permit violators within the region where the violations occurred. 189
EXHIBIT “A”
11 10. Oppose unfunded legislative actions and mandates from the State Water Resources Control Board or Regional Water Quality Control Board.
11. Support legislation and grants that promote wildlife, habitat protection, and preservation of endangered or threatened species, including care for injured wildlife, provided it does not infringe or create undue burden upon property uses and rights of residents.
12. Oppose legislation that places the burden of assessment and remediation related to manufactured products on local jurisdictions instead of manufacturers or potentially responsible parties.
C. Telecommunications and Utilities
1. Support legislation that preserves state and local authority to manage public rights-ofway including the appearance and aesthetics of equipment placed within them, and zoning and planning for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure that protects public safety and welfare.
2. Oppose legislation that pre-empts the City’s authority to negotiate compensation paid to cities for the use of their property and rights of-way for telecommunications.
3. Support legislation that grants the ability of local governments to provide electricity and ancillary services to residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
4. Support legislation that grants cities’ authority to zone and plan for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
5. Support legislation that protects cities’ ability to maintain and manage the public right-of-way and negotiate compensation for its use.
6. Support legislation to specifically allow municipalities to use public goods funds for development of renewable energy sources and require public utilities to improve and expand incentive structures for renewable energy generation.
7. Oppose legislation that erodes the ability of local governments to maintain existing fees on telecommunications services.
8. Support legislation that would result in lower energy rates for the residents and businesses of the City of Santa Paula including funding that assists with the conversion of outdated energy systems to new energy efficient options.
9. Support legislation that improves the reliability and consistency of electrical supply and improves transmission of electricity to local governments and their communities.
10. Support legislation that increases broadband funding, support, coordination. 190
EXHIBIT “A”
12 11. Support legislation that considers internet access a necessity for quality of life.
12. Support legislation that enhances the public power options available to local governments and oppose legislation that reduces the public power options available to local governments.
D. Contracts
1. Support legislation that allows cities the option to use design/build contracting and other innovations designed to bring efficiency to the public contracting process.
2. Support legislation that preserves a minimum 5 percent retention for construction contracts.
3. Support legislation to maintain maximum local flexibility in the area of contracting and contract negotiations.
191
EXHIBIT “A”
13 4 Section 5. Community Services
A. Parks and Recreation
1. Support legislation and park bond measures that provide per capita grants to local governments that fund parks, recreation and capital improvements, as well as programs that enhance the quality of life for City of Santa Paula residents.
2. Support legislation to develop regional and state parks and connecting trail systems.
3. Support legislation that increases funding to repair, maintain and develop state and local park and facility infrastructures.
B. Facilities
1. Support legislation, grants and low-cost financing that provide for construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of public facilities.
C. Libraries
1. Support legislation and grants that provide increased funding and development for library programs and services, construction, renovation and technology.
2. Support legislation that restores state funding for public libraries.
3. Support local legislation that provides additional funding for the Blanchard Community Library.
D. Arts, Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation
1. Support legislation providing funding for local arts activities and historic preservation.
2. Support legislation providing funding for high quality art and music programs in schools and for the community at large.
3. Support efforts to restore historic structures through tax incentives, grant funding and State and Federal subsidies.
E. Family Services
1. Support legislation and grants that provide for the overall wellbeing and physical, mental and emotional health of individuals within the City of Santa Paula including children, youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities. 192
EXHIBIT “A”
14 2. Support legislation and grants that provide affordable, quality prenatal care and child care services and assistance to low-income families.
3. Support legislation and grants that facilitate the provision of recreational activities for all segments of our population.
4. Support legislative reforms in healthcare policy that address prevention, promote health and wellness, and encourage affordability and cost containment.
5. Support legislation and policies that promote mental health and substance use disorder services and make resources available that support and assist members of our community.
6. Support legislation and grant programs that provide funding for youth programs, such as job training programs, after school programs, educational programs and those designed specifically for transitional and marginalized youth.
7. Support legislation and grants that provide services for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities; services will specifically include nutrition, housing, transportation, recreation, and social services.
8. Support legislation and grants that addresses the needs of at-risk youth, juvenile offenders and juveniles that are placed on court-ordered probation by providing youth development and youth employment programs and opportunities.
9. Support legislation that provides funding at the local level to address gang prevention and intervention programs including after school programs for at- risk teens.
10. Support legislation that educates and protects children from nicotine, alcohol, cannabis and other drugs.
11. Support legislation that encourages and funds safe routes to schools including enforcement of school zone speed limits.
12. Support legislation and efforts related to Pre-K providers and local community colleges to provide and improve available educational opportunities in our community.
F. Animal Welfare
1. Support legislation that facilitates responsible pet ownership.
2. Support legislation that supports humane treatment of animals and increases the penalties for animal abuse.
193
EXHIBIT “A”
15 5 Section 6. Environmental Quality
A. Climate Adaptation and Sustainability
1. Oppose legislative infringement on local control and authority to plan for and adapt to future climate conditions, including sea level rise, precipitation patterns, temperatures, and air quality attainment strategies.
2. Support legislation that provides funding and incentives for local governments to work together on local and regional energy and climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience initiatives to improve air quality by reducing emissions and to advance economic, social, as it relates to environmental equity.
3. Support legislation that holds gross polluters (those which exceed current standards) directly accountable for increased emissions.
4. Support legislation that supports energy resiliency programs in addition to providing incentives and grants for their implementation.
5. Support legislation and California Public Utility Commission and California Energy Commission regulatory actions and legislative activities that are favorable to community resiliency, energy efficiency and local distributed energy generation, renewable energy, energy storage, electrification initiatives, and Community Choice Energy programs.
6. Oppose regulatory requirements that create unnecessary and/or unintended barriers to implementation of renewable energy programs and projects.
7. Support legislation to increase state and federal funding for reforestation.
8. Support legislation that provides funding and other incentives for the installation of charging stations for “low” and “zero emission” vehicles.
9. Support legislation and funding for the procurement of mandated electric fleet vehicles within reasonable timelines and, more importantly, the necessary supporting infrastructure. Advocate for fuel diversity of medium and heavy-duty fleet vehicles to provide reliable power when vehicle charging is unavailable due to power outages.
10. Support legislation enhancing building energy efficiency standards and building safety standards.
11. Oppose legislation that diminishes the authority of local jurisdictions to enforce building codes or mandates the manner of enforcement.
194
EXHIBIT “A”
16 12. Support legislation that provides federal and state rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial incentives that encourage property owners to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy systems.
13. Support legislation within reason to ensure that new construction and major renovations include smart meters, pre-wiring of buildings to accommodate future GHG-reducing retrofits such as solar hot water heaters, photovoltaic (PV) panels, or other distributed renewable power sources and metered charging outlets in parking areas for electric vehicles.
14. Support legislation that promotes the use of green building rating systems for new construction and existing buildings as one of several model options for achieving verifiable greenhouse gases emissions reductions and improving energy efficiency.
B. Oil and Gas Cleanup, Restoration, and Oil-Spill Prevention
1. Support legislation that results in the restoration of areas affected by existing or former oil and gas facilities.
2. Support legislation to fund oil-spill prevention and response as well as to remediate improperly abandoned legacy oil and gas wells.
C. Solid Waste
1. Support legislation that provides state funding to local governments to facilitate implementation of all applicable waste reduction goals mandated by state solid waste diversion and recycling legislation.
2. Support legislation that facilitates the installation of regional organics processing infrastructure (anaerobic digester facilities) and associated state funding to local governments as required for SB 1383 regulatory compliance.
3. Support legislation that expands the market for recyclable materials and encourages meeting state and local commercial recycling goals.
4. Oppose legislation that dictates greenhouse gas emissions strategies that are not based on scientific data or credible information.
5. Support legislation that provides greater flexibility and diversification in the use of methane-reducing technologies and strategies with respect to food-based (organics) greenhouse gas emissions and that increases state and local funding to support the development of new organic waste recycling infrastructure and programs.
6. Support legislation that enhances local authority and flexibility to regulate solid waste and recyclables.
195
EXHIBIT “A”
17 7. Support legislation that streamlines compliance and implementation of the Integrated Waste Management Act.
8. Oppose legislation that invalidates the Integrated Waste Management Act indemnification and/or prevent cities from negotiating indemnification clauses with waste haulers.
9. Support legislation that increases local funding to governments and special districts for the collection of household waste.
10. Support legislation that reasonably reduces the toxic and non-reusable waste load.
11. Support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation to encourage manufacturers to design environmentally friendly products by holding producers responsible for the costs of managing their products at end of life. 196
EXHIBIT “A”
18 6 Section 7. Public Safety
A. Public Safety
1. Support legislation to provide state and federal funding to support local law enforcement through equipment upgrades, capital improvements, training, and emergency preparedness initiatives.
2. Support legislation that provides a greater share of asset forfeiture funds for cities and increases latitude for spending local funds.
3. Support legislation that seeks to reimburse the City for the overtime costs associated with public safety personnel who are required to appear before state or county courts.
4. Support legislation that: a) promotes comprehensive drug and alcohol education and rehabilitation; b) discourages drivers from operating motor vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; and, c) maintains state funding necessary to post and operate sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints.
5. Support legislation that seeks funding to assist local law enforcement with crime prevention and reduction.
6. Support legislation that provides flexible block grants to local governments that improve security and public safety at the local level.
7. Support legislation and grants that promote Crisis Intervention Team training for local law enforcement agencies in order to reduce arrests of people with mental illness and increase law enforcement’s ability to do their job safely and effectively.
8. Support legislation that grants federal funding for first responder training and improved communications systems as part of Homeland Security.
9. Support legislation that mitigates the impacts of transferring state and federal inmates into our community.
10. Oppose legislation that eliminates local control of alcohol beverage establishments and any state or federal interference with local codes or compliance mechanisms.
11. Support legislation that promotes and increases vehicle, bicycle, scooter and pedestrian safety.
12. Support legislation that strengthens cities’ authority to regulate business that serve as fronts for illegal conduct such as human trafficking and prostitution. 197
EXHIBIT “A”
19 13. Support legislation protecting the rights of residents of all national origins, races, ethnicities, religious beliefs, genders, gender identities, and sexual orientations to reside safely in our community, free from violence and intimidation.
14. Support legislation that provides police de-escalation training and the funding for such training.
15. Oppose legislation that diminishes local authority to establish regulations regarding reasonable use of public space and appropriate behavior in public spaces.
16. Support legislation that increases the cannabis industry’s access to banking systems and supports a consistency between state and federal regulation in this area.
17. Support legislation to develop processes and standards for evaluating impairment due to cannabis influence for drivers.
B. Emergency Preparedness
1. Support legislation, strategies and initiatives that provide increased state and federal funding for emergency preparedness, planning, response and recovery.
2. Support legislation that secures adequate frequencies and communications systems for multi-jurisdictional connectivity for public safety and protects the frequencies from intrusion.
3. Support legislation that increases Emergency Management Performance Grant funding which retains flexibility of fund usage for emergency preparedness training, disaster events and disaster communication outreach efforts.
4. Support federal, state, and local regulations that provide the highest levels of public health and safety in the transportation of hazardous materials.
5. Support legislation that ensures first responders can perform their duties during an emergency without interference from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones, and legislation that provide local agencies immunity if responders damage or destroy UAS during emergency operations.
C. Crime Victims
1. Support legislation that strengthens and enforces legal protections for all individuals who are victims of crime, especially victims of family violence and sexual assault.
2. Support legislation that provides funding for shelters and victim advocacy, as well as trauma and crisis counseling to assist victims of violent crime. 198
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Cindy Madrigal, Executive Assistant
Subject: POLICE CHIEF SELECTION PROCESS
Date: March 15, 2023
Agenda Item: 11.E
CITY OF SANTA PAULA
MEMORANDUM
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council receive this report and provide the City Manager with any further direction regarding the selection process for the Chief of Police position.
Presented By: Dan Singer, City Manager
BACKGROUND:
One of the most prominent and important positions within the City’s governance structure is that of the Chief of Police. The position not only carries incredible responsibility for the City, but also represents the face and image of our police department in interactions with the community, local service organizations, non-profits, and outside law enforcement and regulatory entities.
With the retirement of Chief Walker at the end of October 2022, the permanent position became vacant. In November 2022, Don Aguilar, a life-long law enforcement professional recently retired from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office was sworn in to assume the position of Interim Chief. Having Mr. Aguilar in this position at such a crucial time allows the City to be more intentional and thoughtful with the recruitment process, so that we aren’t filling the position out of a sense of urgency or haste.
Tonight’s discussion before the Council allows for Council and community input on options to recruit, select and fill the permanent office of the Chief of Police.
ANALYSIS:
ISSUES/ANALYSIS:
In-house or Outsourced Recruitments
Historically, with high-level positions such as a Police Chief or department director, agencies often turn to professional recruitment firms to assist in the search and selection process as opposed to running such searches through City staff (in our case, the Human Resources 199
Division). Recent examples of Santa Paula outsourcing an employment recruitment includes for our Parks & Recreation Director (in 2019), Public Works Director (in 2017), Assistant Public Works Director and Building Official in (2021). In 2020, the City conducted the last Police Chief recruitment in-house and attracted 19 qualified candidates who were whittled down to three finalists.
The selection process involved an application screening, interviews by a panel of three law enforcement professionals, and then a series of meetings with the City’s executive team (6 members), a cross-section of the Police Department (7 sworn and non-sworn personnel), a community panel (5 members), and the City Council. These panels helped to inform the City Manager as to the attributes or deficiencies of the three finalists prior to the City Manager making a final selection. Of course, any finalist is also run through a comprehensive background investigation and is required to pass a physical and psychological examination and obtain Department of Justice clearance. The process used in 2020 was far more involved and inclusive than recent past recruitments.
There are advantages and disadvantages of utilizing an outside recruiter as further outlined below.
Pro’s:
Recruiters come with extensive experience and often have their own network of potential candidates
Recruiters tend to cast a wider net, attracting candidates who may be in transition or ready for advancement but who might not be actively job searching and might otherwise overlook a City advertisement
Much of the initial screening, which is very time-consuming for staff, is done by the recruiter
Many firms will provide a one-year selection guarantee such that if the chosen candidate doesn’t work out, the recruiter will re-do the selection and only charge direct costs (usually around $5,000)
Con’s:
There is a more significant cost involved, usually around $25,000 - $30,000 The process takes a good bit longer since a qualified firm needs to be selected and then engaged to initiate the process and busy recruiters need more time to schedule interviews, etc.
Some control and discretion is given to the recruiting firm, although collaboration with the HR Manager and City Manager are possible
Options for Selection
The Santa Paula Municipal Code (SPMC) (Sec 31.08(3)) calls for the City Manager to “appoint, remove, and demote any and all officers and employees of the city…except the City Attorney and elected officials.” In California, virtually all Council-Manager forms of government have similar standards to Santa Paula. Vesting the hiring and firing of City staff with the City Manager helps to minimize political influences, ensure professional standards in the selection process, and allows for a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
Should it be the desire of the City Council to modify the City Manager’s hiring authority, a 200
revision to the SPMC would be required, to take effect 30 days following adoption.
Alternatively, Council could seek to be more involved in the selection or hiring process either through the assignment of a Council sub-committee, the appointment of a citizen panel, or the request for Council to directly participate, similar to the 2020 hiring process of the Chief.
Community Engagement
With a position as visible and important as Chief of Police, there may be a desire to more fully engage the community in the selection process. Municipalities will occasionally seek community input with their City Manager or Police Chief recruitments.
One such approach involves either a community survey or a series of workshops to gather input on the qualities and characteristics the community desires for their Chief. The recruiter then utilizes such feedback in advertising the position as well as throughout the selection process and the feedback helps inform the recruiter in challenges and opportunities facing the City, department and community.
A second approach involves inviting candidate finalists (usually the top 2-3) to a forum or series of forums whereby community members get to hear from candidates and ask questions or do more intimate meet and greet sessions. Running finalists through this type of process has the added benefit of observing how the candidates interact with the community, present their ideas and respond to challenges. The greatest downside to having an open, public process, however, is the loss of confidentiality which many candidates desire, or even require, as they may not want their current employer knowing of their interest in outside employment opportunities. In addition, with society’s use of Google and social media platforms, many candidates are judged in the public forum before being given a more balanced opportunity to have their past vetted by professional firms. It is therefore important to recognize using a public approach to selecting a finalist may limit the candidate pool significantly.
PERSONNEL IMPACTS:
Recruitments take significant staff time and effort; thus, the use of a recruiter will cut down on the time required to complete a successful recruitment.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This item is not a goal or objective within City Council's two-year Strategic Plan.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The use of an outside recruiting firm usually runs between $25,000 - $30,000, inclusive of the direct expenses and advertising costs. Complete background investigations cost between $2,000 - $3,000 per candidate. Such expenses are not currently budgeted.
OPTIONS:
The City is under no obligation to use an outside recruiting firm and could opt to conduct a recruitment internally at a reasonable cost savings to the General Fund.
It should also be noted that the City is currently well-served by Don Aguilar’s leadership of the 201
Department as Interim Chief. Mr. Aguilar is willing to continue his service to the Department and doesn’t have any restrictions or reservations in doing so. The City could therefore postpone the recruitment process in order to allow Chief Aguilar to determine his interest in serving in a permanent capacity, or it could begin the recruitment, but at a later point in time in order to allow Chief Aguilar more time on the job.
ATTACHMENTS:
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Santa Paula City Council Tentative Agenda Schedule
Updated 2/23/2023
DEPARTMENT MEETING
DATE Wednesday, April 5, 2023
PD April 5, 2023 Police Department Report
Finance Finance Department Report
Admin Proclamation – National Poetry Month
PW Peck Road Water Main Repair Contract Award
Admin Proposed City Reorganization
PW Citywide Pavement Management Maintenance
Agreement
Finance Unclaimed Funds
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Finance April 19, 2023 Finance Department Report
PW 5-year CIP Budget Adjustments and Pavement
Management Plan Update
HR Plans & Specs Main Street Crosswalk Project
PW Plans & Specifications for 8th Street Streetlight Repair Project
STUDY SESSION TOPICS
Admin No Smoking Ordinance
P&R Oil Museum Use Options
Finance Budget Workshops
Legal Municipal Code Update Overview (with Planning
Commission)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Admin SoCal Edison Discussion on Rates and Services
CDD April Review of City Street Naming Policy
CDD VCTC Update on Railroad
CDD Cultural Arts Update
Finance Travel Policy Update
CDD Housing In-lieu Funding Expansion
Admin CPA Rate Plan Selection
CDD Façade Improvement Program
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