CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Special Meeting
November 8, 2023,
4:00
PM
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sobel called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
2)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Chavez led the flag salute.
3)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Andy Sobel, Leslie Cornejo, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, and Pedro A Chavez 4)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Luciano Morales was called to speak on GoGo.
5)
ACTION ITEMS
5.A)
POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFFING CHALLENGES
City Manager Dan Singer began presentation on Police Department Staffing Challenges.
Police Chief Don Aguilar presented information on current staffing.
Police Commander Starna presented contingency plan for hiring.
Police Chief Don Aguilar explained the reduced staffing and operational impacts, minimum staffing and public safety impacts.
City Manager Dan Singer added additional impacts for patrol deployment reduction to minimum staffing.
Mike Lambert was called to speak with concern on staffing.
Chris Inez was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Walt Adair was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Allen Macias was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Michael Hoppin was called to speak of concerns with public safety and staffing.
Jose Melgar was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
James Fryhoff was called to speak explaining a possible merger with the Ventura County Sheriff.
Maria Jimenez was called to speak, translated by Cynthia Salas, in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Perla Bonilla was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Erendirce McCormick was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Christina Eilar was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Debbie Johnson was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Pam Luna was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Dan McCarthy was called to speak explaining that a vote was taken of the Santa Paula Police Officer Association with a 2/3 vote in favor of contracting with Ventura County Sheriff.
Karen Heath Karayan was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Nidia Bello was called to speak, was unavailable to make comment.
Laura Espinosa was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Cynthia Salas was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Jim Procter was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Martha Brown was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Zuleth Lucero was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Aaron Dunkel was called to speak in support of the current Santa Paula Police Department.
Manuel Minjares was called to speak, would like to see the contract with the Sheriff to provide more information in order to make any decision.
Council discussed the situation of the challenges of staffing in the Santa Paula Police Department.
Motion: Approve continuing support of the current Santa Paula Police Department while meeting public safety.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Andy Sobel, Leslie Cornejo, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Pedro A Chavez 6)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Sobel adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk