CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
December 6, 2023,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sobel called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Chaplain Kay Wilson-Bolton provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Crosswhite led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Andy Sobel, Leslie Cornejo, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, and Pedro A Chavez 5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chief Aguilar introduced new City of Santa Paula Police Officer Jacob Miramontez.
Richard Rudman was called to speak providing update on upcoming events.
Marcos Martinez was called to speak on housing in the City of Santa Paula.
Brandon Martinez was called to speak on housing in the City of Santa Paula.
Nidia Bello was called to speak on housing in the City of Santa Paula.
Yolanda Estrella was called to speak, translated by interpreter, on housing in the City of Santa Paula.
Jeronima Tomas was called to speak, translated by interpreter, on housing in the City of Santa Paula.
Lisbet Gervacio was called to speak, translated by interpreter, on housing in the City of Santa Paula.
Felix Gregorio was called to speak, translated by interpreter, on housing in the City of Santa Paula.
Estevan Tomas was called to speak, translated by interpreter, on housing in the City of Santa Paula.
Graciano Magana was called to speak, translated by interpreter, on housing in the City of Santa Paula.
Amalia Ochoa was called to speak, translated by interpreter, on housing in the City of Santa Paula.
Luz Gomez was called to speak, translated by interpreter, on housing in the City of Santa Paula.
Christina Eilar was called to speak on housing in the City of Santa Paula. 6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
VISITOR FROM THE NORTH POLE
Santa Claus and Elves came from the North Pole to spread their cheer to all for the holidays.
6.B)
SANTA PAULA SOCIAL SERVICES COALITION
Sylvia Alvarado provided presentation on Santa Paula Social Services Coalition.
6.C)
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON PRESENTATION
Natalie Yanez, Government Relations Manager, provided a presentation on Edison International Countdown to 2045 realizing California's pathway to net zero.
6.D)
VENTURA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Fire Chief Joe Williams presented the Ventura County Fire Department Report. 7)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Crosswhite - Attended Ventura County Transportation Commission; and Santa Paula Unified School District partnership dinner.
Vice Mayor Chavez - Announced upcoming meeting of the Ventura County Community College District study session regarding the expansion of the education center.
Councilmember Juarez - Participated in the Holiday Parade; attended discussion with CAUSE on tenant rights and protections; Citizens CORP; and announced passing of Jim McCoy requesting close of today's meeting in memory of Jim McCoy.
Councilmember Sobel - Attended the flag football championship.
Mayor Cornejo - Attended Rotary 100-year celebration; provided an interview with CBS and KCAL showcasing the City of Santa Paula; attended Ventura County Air Pollution Control District; and plan to work with Council on Committee assignments. 8)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
None.
9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
9.B)
Mariposa Landscapes, Inc. Amendment No. 2
9.C)
AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR POLICE STATION REMODEL PROJECT PHASE 1
9.D)
ENGEO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
9.E)
ON-CALL WATER SYSTEM SUPERVISORY CONTROL & DATA ACQUISITION (SCADA) MAINTENANCE SERVICES AGREEMENTS
9.F)
WATER RECYCLING FACILITY (WRF) BLOWER REPLACEMENT PROJECT
9.G)
STORM DRAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT (VIEW DRIVE TO VIRGINIA TERRACE)
9.H)
DISASTER RECOVERY AND EMERGENCY FUNDING REIMBURSEMENT UPDATE
9.I)
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT AMENDMENT FOR WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM CHLORIDE SOURCE IDENTIFICATION STUDY
9.J)
APPROVAL OF EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
Motion: Approve Adopt Resolution No. 7494 establishing various employee based incentives. Council provided additional direction of the following: review further in the fiscal year if $30,000 is enough, and return to council if more money is needed; add the review of the retention to include the Human Resource Administrator; and modify the application for the referral bonus to include adding who referred.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Andy Sobel
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Andy Sobel, Leslie Cornejo, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Pedro A Chavez Pedro Chavez requested item 9J pulled for separate discussion and vote.
Motion: Approve Consent Calendar items 9A through 9I, with Sobel recused from 9A minutes on November 1, 2023.
Moved by Andy Sobel, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Andy Sobel, Leslie Cornejo, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Pedro A Chavez 10)
PUBLIC HEARING
10.A)
SANTA PAULA WEST BUSINESS PARK SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT ADDENDUM Motion: Approve as amended Resolution No. 7495 approving the Addendum to the Santa Paula West Business Park Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report, with correction stating approving, not recommending; and Introduce and waive first reading of Ordinance No.1332 entitled, "An Ordinance Approving the Santa Paula West Business Park Specific Plan Amendment".
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Carlos Juarez
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Andy Sobel, Leslie Cornejo, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Pedro A Chavez 11)
ORDER OF BUSINESS
11.A)
PROCEDURES FOR ELECTION OF MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR
City Clerk Julie Latshaw reviewed the procedures for the election of Mayor and Vice Mayor. Mayor Sobel directed City Clerk Latshaw to begin the selection process.
11.B)
SELECTION PROCESS FOR MAYOR
City Clerk Julie Latshaw opened nominations for Mayor. Mayor Sobel nominated Vice Mayor Cornejo. Seeing no other nominations for Mayor, City Clerk Latshaw called for a motion to close the nominations for Mayor. Councilmember Juarez motioned, second by Councilmember Chavez, to close the nominations for Mayor. City Clerk Latshaw called a voice vote: AYES: Mayor Sobel, Vice Mayor Cornejo, Councilmember Juarez, Councilmember Crosswhite, and Councilmember Chavez.
There was no debate on the nomination, therefore, City Clerk Latshaw called a voice vote: AYES: Mayor Sobel, Vice Mayor Cornejo, Councilmember Juarez, Councilmember Crosswhite, and Councilmember Chavez. City Clerk Latshaw announced, by a unanimous vote, the City Council of the City of Santa Paula appoints Leslie Cornejo as Mayor.
11.C)
GAVEL PLAQUE TO OUTGOING MAYOR PRESENTED BY NEW MAYOR
Mayor Cornejo spoke of all the accomplishments during Councilmember Sobel's term as Mayor, presenting him with the City Gavel Plaque. Councilmembers expressed their appreciation for the work accomplished the last year. Certificates of Recognition were presented by the offices of Julia Brownley and Assemblymember Steve Bennett.
11.D)
SELECTION PROCESS FOR VICE MAYOR
City Clerk Julie Latshaw opened nominations for Vice Mayor. Councilmember Sobel nominated Councilmember Chavez. Seeing no other nominations for Vice Mayor, City Clerk Latshaw called for a motion to close the nominations for Vice Mayor. Councilmember Sobel motioned, second by Councilmember Juarez, to close the nominations for Vice Mayor. City Clerk Latshaw called a voice vote: AYES: Mayor Cornejo, Councilmember Sobel, Councilmember Juarez, Councilmember Crosswhite, and Councilmember Chavez.
There was no debate on the nomination, therefore, City Clerk Latshaw called a voice vote: AYES: Mayor Cornejo, Councilmember Sobel, Councilmember Juarez, Councilmember Crosswhite, and Councilmember Chavez. City Clerk Latshaw announced, by a unanimous vote, the City Council of the City of Santa Paula appoints Pedro A. Chavez as Vice Mayor.
11.E)
ADOPTION OF 2024 COUNCIL MEETING CALENDAR
Motion: Approve City Council Meeting calendar for 2024, replacing January 17 with January 10 and 24, replace July 3 with July 2, cancel July 17, replace October 16 with October 15, and replace December 4 with December 11.
Moved by Andy Sobel, seconded by Pedro A Chavez
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Andy Sobel, Leslie Cornejo, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Pedro A Chavez Motion: Approve the closure of City facilities between the Christmas and New Year's Holidays, December 24, 2024 through January 1, 2025.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Andy Sobel
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Andy Sobel, Leslie Cornejo, Jenny Crosswhite, Carlos Juarez, Pedro A Chavez 12)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
13)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cornejo adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. in memory of Jim McCoy.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk